Face masks are used to assist in applying skin preparations to the face. Preparations that hydrate skin, slough away dead cells, reduce blemishes, provide cleansing and other beneficial results to the facial skin may be applied using a face mask.
Face masks for applying compositions that are beneficial to the skin fall generally into two categories. The first category is masks that are formed from a preparation that is applied to the skin, and upon setting or drying of the composition, a mask is formed over the skin that is peeled away after use. The second category, to which this invention is directed, is a mask that is placed over the composition that is beneficial to the facial skin. The problem with the second category of face masks is that the size and architecture of the user's faces varies. Accordingly, masks in common use that are formed in one piece do not fit substantially all users.
There is a need for a face mask for applying preparations to the skin that will fit a variety of sizes and shapes of human faces. If the face mask does not optimally fit the user's face, the associated preparation for application to the skin is not optimized.
The present invention is a face mask formed in a plurality of sections. Each of the sections has elastic properties. Each section attaches to one or more adjoining sections. The positioning of the sections relative to each other is selectively variable by the user. The sections are connected so as to form a mask having a height and width as constructed by the user. The sections are selectively positioned and spaced apart to provide openings for the eyes and/or the nose and/or the mouth of a user.
An absorbent material that absorbs the desired composition to be applied to the face may be attached to the plurality of the sections and behind the plurality of sections and adjacent to the face.
In one embodiment, matrices of snaps 18 are used to connect the sections 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 of the plurality of sections. The snaps may have a male part in a section of the plurality of sections and a female part in an adjoining section that connect to hold the sections together in the desired location. Each matrix of snaps allows positioning of the sections to be selectively varied by the user and by location of snaps of one section relative to a location of the corresponding snaps of an adjoining section or sections. As shown in the drawing figures, in an embodiment wherein the face mask comprises six sections, each section connects to at least two other sections. Locating the snaps up or down relative to a location of the section immediately above or below allows the height of the mask to be adjusted, while positioning of the location of the snaps left or right relative to the adjoining section width of the face mask or a part of the width of the face mask to be selectively varied by the user.
In one example, section 4 comprises a connector and section 6 comprises a corresponding connector. Section 4 is connected by the connector to section 6. The width of the construct formed by these sections is selectively variable by location of the connector of section 4 relative to a location of the connector of section 6. Section 8 comprises a connector and section 10 comprises a corresponding connector. Section 8 is connected by the connector to section 10. The width of the construct formed by these sections is selectively variable by location of the connector of section 4 relative to a location of the connector of section 6. The same process is used to form a construct with section 12 and section 14. The height of the face mask may be selected by the relative location of the connectors that connect section 8 to section 4 and the connectors that connect section 10 to section 6, and the connectors that connect section 12 to section 8, and the connectors that connect section 14 to section 10. The spacing of openings for the eyes, nose and mouth are also variable in this manner.
In a preferred embodiment, the face mask is held in place by a loop 20 extending from the left side of the face mask and a loop 20 extending from the right side of the face mask that is constructed and arranged to surround the ears of a user, as shown in
In preferred embodiments, the sections of the face mask 2 may be formed of a rubber composition or an elastomer. In a particular embodiment, the face mask is formed of a gas permeable material such as a gas permeable elastomer that allows air to pass through the mask. However, it is preferred that the mask is not sufficiently porous so that the compositions applied under the mask, such as compositions applied to the absorbent layer, do not leach through the face mask or prematurely dry. In one particular embodiment, the plurality of sections are formed of silicone.
In another embodiment, hook and loop 68 material is used as a connector rather than a plurality of snaps or matrix of snaps. Hook or loop material is applied to one section, and the corresponding hook or loop material that facilitates attachment is applied to the adjacent section of the plurality of sections. For example, if section 4 has hook material as a connector, then section 6 will have loop material as a connector at the area of connection of these sections. Conversely, if section 4 has loop material as a connector, then section 6 will have hook material as a connector. The hook and loop material may be located relative to the hook or loop material of the adjacent section so as to provide a face mask that is selectively variable in height and width according to the purposes of the invention.
In one embodiment, a selected preparation for the skin is applied directly to the skin of the user. The face mask 2 is then configured by locating the connectors as desired to vary height and width of the face mask, and the size of the openings of the face mask. The face mask is placed over the skin preparation and the face mask holds the preparation against the skin. The preparation may be a medicament, a moisturizer, a cosmetic or other material that the user wishes to apply to the skin. The face mask prevents premature drying of the composition, even in embodiments that provide gas permeability. The face mask also prevents the preparation from being wiped away, such as when sleeping.
In a preferred embodiment, an absorbent material 16 is attached behind the face mask 2 and to the face mask. The absorbent material is preferred to be sized to cover substantially the entire area of the face mask, at least when the face mask is selectively constructed to its smallest surface area. The face mask and the absorbent material have corresponding connectors, such as snaps or hook and loop material 22 that hold the absorbent material against the face mask. The absorbent material is coated with the desired composition or preparation and attached to the face mask, with the composition or preparation opposite the face mask. The face mask is then used as described above by positioning the face mask with the coated absorbent material over the face of the user after the user locates the plurality of sections to fit his or her face. The absorbent material may be washed separately from the face mask after use, or the absorbent material may be replaced and then reused with the same preparation or composition or other compositions, while the face mask is typically wiped clean and reused. Openings for the eyes, the nose and the mouth are provided in the embodiment as shown. The absorbent material may be formed of a textile material.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200375342 A1 | Dec 2020 | US |