Patent Application
20220225704
The present invention relates to face shields, more particularly to new and improved face masks with mouth and eye protection shields.
Face masks and shields have been used in the healthcare field for decades to protect scientists, doctors, dentists, nurses, essential workers and the like while working with dangerous and infectious chemicals or viruses, bacteria in labs or with patients who have contracted an infectious disease.
At present the entire world is dealing with Covid-19 pandemic and even common people have been advised to wear masks when out in public or where they cannot maintain a distance from another human being which has resulted in a huge shortage of masks and shields. Many epidemiologists are predicting that we are going to see many viral outbreaks in the near future and therefore, masks and shields will become norm with the public. However, these masks or face shields have a lot of disadvantages or concerns. Most of these masks are made for single use and are disposable. Further, the ear loops on these masks makes it difficult to wear these masks for a long duration.
Moreover, Covid-19 pandemic has also thrown light on the damage the disposable single use and throw masks and shields cause to the environment. The cloth masks that can be reused are not very effective against viruses. Whereas, the plastic face shields in the market are very flimsy thereby not providing any long term use.
Therefore, a need remains for a robust face mask and a protection face shield that provides flexibility to a user for protection for both eyes and face as required and which can be used for extended period of time thereby making it economical and environment friendly.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description of the invention. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The present application discloses a face mask with protection shields for maximum protection against viruses, volatile liquids, chemical vapors and flames, allergens and the like.
It is an object of this invention to provide a face mask comprising a mouth-nose protection shield, an eye protection shield, a hold-down bar strap, and a one-piece frame band. The mouth-nose protection shield and the eye protection shield are affixed individually onto the hold-down bar strap which is further snapped onto the one-piece frame band.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a face mask comprising a contour fit mouth-nose protection shield covering half of the nose and extending below the chin to provide maximum protection to the wearer.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a face mask comprising an eye protection shield covering the eyes of the wearer.
It is another object of the invention to provide a face mask comprising a one-piece frame band extending from nose to ears to hold the entire face mask wherein the frame band consists of a nose bridge, temples, ear loops, and plurality of snaps.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a hold-down bar strap consisting of a plurality of snaps on the inside for snapping the mouth-nose and eye protection shields respectively onto the frame brand. Its purpose is to hold both mouth-nose protection shield and eye protection shield in their place and provide easy replacement or detachment from the hold-down bar strap and the frame band. In one embodiment, the eye protection shield can be removed and the face mask can be used only with the mouth-nose protection shield by the user.
Further, the plurality of snaps on the frame band and the hold-down bar strap makes it user friendly wherein the mouth-nose protection shield and the eye protection shield can be easily snapped onto or detached when not in use or for cleaning purposes.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a rim around the mouth protection shield and the eye protection shield to maintain the structure of both the shields, for providing extra strength, and also for aesthetic purposes.
It is another object of this invention to provide a face mask with an option of eye protection wear.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a lightweight face mask with protection shields that can be worn for extended duration and provides maximum protection to the user
In a preferred embodiment, a reusable protective face mask comprises a separate mouth-nose protection shield, wherein the said mouth-nose protection shield begins at center of the nose and extends below the chin to provide maximum protection to the wearer by covering the nose and mouth of the wearer; a separate eye protection shield, wherein the said eye protection shield cover the eyes of the wearer; a one-piece frame band extending from nose to ears to hold the entire face mask and consisting of a nose bridge, temples, ear loops, and at least one female snap; and a hold-down bar strap consisting of at least one male snap-in plug on the inside, wherein the said mouth-nose protection shield and the said eye protection shield are affixed individually onto the said hold-down bar strap which is further snapped onto the said frame band, whereby the said hold-down bar strap and the said frame band provide easy replacement or detachment of the said mouth-nose protection shield and the said eye protection shield from the hold-down bar strap and the frame band.
In another preferred embodiment, a reusable, lightweight protective face mask comprises a plurality of protection shields including a contour fit mouth-nose protection shield and a rectangular continuous eye protection shield wherein the upper corner edges are rounded, a hold-down bar strap to affix the said mouth-nose protection shield and an eye protection shield onto a one-piece frame band; a separate eye protection shield wherein the said eye protection shield covers the eyes of the wearer; a one-piece frame band extending from nose to ears to hold the entire face mask and consisting of a nose bridge, temples, ear loops, and at least one snap; a hold-down bar strap consisting of at least one snap on the inside for snapping the said mouth-nose protection shield and the said eye protection shield respectively onto the said frame brand, wherein the said mouth-nose protection shield and the said eye protection shield are affixed individually onto the said hold-down bar strap which is further snapped onto the said one piece frame band; and a continuous rim around the mouth-nose protection shield and the eye protection shield to maintain the structure of each shield, for providing extra strength, and for aesthetic purposes
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the invention as more fully described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
The novel features of the invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
Detail G on enlarged scale; and
What follows is a description of various aspects, embodiments and/or examples in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The aspects, embodiments and/or examples described herein are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
As shown in
The mouth-nose protection shield 11 is made up of, but not limited to, polycarbonate plastic sheet, a plexiglass sheet, sheet of cloth or Nano filters or a combination. Further, the material used to make the mouth-nose protection shield can be of different opacity, and different colors for the mouth mask. The sheet of the mouth-nose protection shield can be, but not limited to, colored, tinted, transparent, translucent, or opaque. The mouth-nose protection shield is preferably made up of transparent plexiglass sheet, more preferably a translucent plastic sheet. In one embodiment, the mouth-nose protection shield may have a piece of cloth or filter as an additional layer for protection.
The shape of the mouth-nose protection shield 11 is formed when the sheet is vacuum or thermally formed at a particular temperature and trimmed at the ends. The mouth-nose protection shield 11 is preferably vacuum formed to achieve a contour fit which maintains a gap between the mouth protection shield and the chin of the user. Thus, small amount of air flows through the gap between the mouth protection shield and the chin of the user which extends the usage of the face mask as the wearer does not feel suffocated and the transparent or translucent sheet of the mouth shield also doesn't get foggy when the wearer talks or breathes out. In one embodiment, the mouth protection shield 11 could be slightly pointed at the bottom.
The face mask 10 of the present invention further comprises an eye protection shield to protect the eyes from any allergens, virus or bacteria exposure, volatile liquids, vapors, chemicals, and the like. The eye protection shield 13, as seen in
The eye protection shield 13 is made up of, but not limited to, polycarbonate plastic sheets or a plexiglass sheet. The sheet of the said eye shield can be, but not limited to, colored, tinted, transparent, translucent. The eye protection shield 13 is preferably made up of translucent plastic sheet b also be tinted to minimize sun glare during the day or artificial light at night like headlight from cars. The clear sheet of the eye protection shield is not vacuum formed to ensure optical clarity.
In one embodiment, the mouth protection shield and the eye protection shield may have an optional rim, a continuous cylindrical line covering the outline of the mouth protection shield and the eye protection shield respectively. The said optional rim can be made up of, but not limited to, flexible plastic, rubber, or silicone materials and the said material is either over-molded or undergoes through the process of piping to produce a continuous piece of cylindrical rim. Further, the said rim can be colored, translucent, clear, tinted or opaque. As seen in
In another embodiment, the face masks may have the feature of a rim around the protection shields as either fixed or detachable thereby allowing the user to choose before buying the product depending upon their environment or desire of use. For example, workers in the field of construction may wish to use a rigid shield and they may prefer the strengthening rim affixed to the shield(s). Whereas, individuals and/or fashion-conscious users, may prefer a light-weight product i.e. without the fixed strengthening rim(s), but a detachable rim which may work as an optional fashion aesthetic highlight made of various colors.
The one-piece frame band 15 of the face mask 10, as seen in
As seen in
As shown in
The ear loop covers 17a & 17b, as seen in
The shape, structure, and thickness of the frame band 15 ensures easy placement and removal of the face mask 10 around the ears and the nose almost like a pair of eyeglasses.
The face mask 10 of the present invention further comprises a hold-down bar strap 14 as shown in
As can be seen in
The mouth protection shield 11 and the eye protection shield 13 are affixed individually to the frame band 15 via the hold-down bar strap 14 through the snap-in plugs thereby providing easy replacement or detachment of the individual shield. Further, the frame band 15 along with the hold-down bar strap 14 holds down the entire face mask 10 in its place and enables easy removal and wearing of the said face mask 10. In order to affix the mouth-nose protection shield 11 and eye protection shield 13 to the hold-down bar strap 14 and the frame band 15, usually 1 to 3 male snaps (14a, 14b & 14c) on the hold-down bar strap and 1 to 3 female snaps (15a, 15b & 15c) on the frame band are preferred as seen in
During the assembly of the face mask 10, the user first inserts the female snaps 14a, 14b & 14c of the hold-down bar strap 14 into the holes 11a, 11b & 11c (
As shown in
The face masks disclosed in the present invention are easy to clean and sterilize before the next use thereby extending the use and wear of the mask. Further, the easy assembly of the said shields onto the frame bands make the disclosed masks user friendly. The face mask is lightweight which further ensures the extended use by the wearer.
The masks are made in different sizes to incorporate different face sizes for men, women, kids. Therefore, size of the shields, length and thickness of the frame band and the hold-down strap will vary for children, woman, and man. Further, the face masks of the present invention can be made for people with big faces.
The face masks can be used while working in a lab by scientists, during cleaning to prevent burning in the eyes and inhaling any chemical agents by cleaners, and during construction by workers. They also act as a barrier against viruses, bacteria, chemical vapors, volatile liquids, dust, allergens. Moreover, as both the mouth and eye protection shields cover substantially the whole face of the user, it also prevents the user from touching his face thereby reducing his chances of getting infected from virus or bacteria or injured when working with dangerous liquids/vapors.
While many of the fundamental characteristics and features of the face mask have been described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it should be apparent that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should be understood that such substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations are included within the scope of the invention as defined herein.
