Patent Application
20240023686
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of storage pouches of existing art and more specifically relates to a resealable and reusable storage pouch.
Facemasks are commonly worn in present-day response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19), but are typically exposed to and can accumulate many types of germs, bacteria, and pathogens while temporarily removed and/or stored while not worn. People typically remove facemasks when they arrive at their destinations, such as to eat or drink or even to get a haircut. Leaving those masks exposed and in contact with hosting surfaces creates risks. The masks will contact any germs on those surfaces, and a user wearer will contact those germs when he or she puts the mask back on. Additionally, if the wearer had any type of germs, which would be trapped within the mask, those germs would be transferred to the hosting surface. A suitable solution is desired.
U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0027773 to Morgan relates to a pocket pouch. The described pocket pouch includes one or more absorbency layers; a moisture-free liner; and one or more re-sealable strips. Also provided are methods for attaching the Pocket Pouch to a cloth or disposable diaper, training pant, disposable bladder leak underwear, sanitary napkins, and/or disposable bib.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known resealable and reusable storage pouch art, the present disclosure provides a novel facemask storage pouch. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a resealable storage pouch useful for storing a face mask safely, cleanly, and conveniently between usage.
A facemask storage pouch is disclosed herein. The facemask storage pouch includes a storage pouch for protective and sanitary containment of at least one item such as a facemask. The storage pouch comprises a substantially rectangular body having an overlapping border forming a sidewall opening. The sidewall opening preferably includes a magnetic seal configured to open and close for insertion and alternatively removal of a facemask contained within the storage pouch. The sidewall opening further includes a fastening device. The fastening device extends from a corner section of the storage pouch and is provided for attachment of the at least one accessory including but not limited to a wrist strap, a spring-loaded clamp, a clip, and a lanyard. The sidewall opening comprises a top hem and a bottom hem. The top hem comprises a first-flexible-metal-band and the bottom hem comprises a second-flexible-metal-band. The first-flexible-metal-band is embedded in the top hem of the sidewall opening and the second-flexible-metal-band is embedded in the bottom hem of the sidewall opening. The first-flexible-metal-band extends along an entire top length of the top hem and the second-flexible-metal-band extends along an entire bottom length of the bottom hem. The first-flexible-metal-band, the second-flexible-metal-band, and at least one magnet together are able to form the magnetic seal. The storage pouch provides protective and sanitary containment of facemasks while they are not being worn.
A method of using a facemask storage pouch is also disclosed herein and may include the steps of: step one, providing a storage pouch for protective and sanitary containment of at least one item, the storage pouch comprising a substantially rectangular body and having, an overlapping border forming a sidewall opening comprising, a magnetic seal configured to open and close, and a fastening device comprising a loop structure for attachment of at least one accessory; step two, applying pressure to opposing corners of the sidewall opening simultaneously; step three, inserting a facemask within the storage pouch; step four, optionally, removing the facemask from the storage pouch for use; step five, and optionally securing the storage pouch to a host surface.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a facemask storage pouch, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a storage pouch and more particularly to a facemask storage pouch as used to improve the storage of facemasks between uses. The facemask storage pouch provides a protective and sanitary containment of facemasks while they are not being worn.
Generally, the facemask storage pouch is a storage pouch for the temporary containment of facemasks. The storage pouch comprises a substantially rectangular body having an overlapping border forming a sidewall opening that is positioned approximately one-half inch (½″) from a top edge. A top border of the sidewall opening overlaps a bottom border. This overlapping of the sidewall opening borders of the facemask storage pouch further prevents pathogens, allergens, and other items, such as food particles and crumbs, from getting inside the device. The sidewall opening includes a magnetic seal configured to open and close for insertion and alternatively removal of a facemask contained within the storage pouch. The storage pouch further includes a fastening device comprising a loop structure for attachment of at least one accessory. The storage pouch provides protective and sanitary containment of facemasks while they are not being worn.
The storage pouch is preferably made of a smooth, moisture, and bacteria-resistant fabric material. The material of the storage pouch allows a user to easily sanitize the storage pouch using a sanitizing cloth and/or spraying disinfectant spray. The storage pouch may feature various fastener attachments including but not limited to a spring-loaded clasp, wrist strap, and/or a lanyard. Additionally, VELCRO® strips may be included for securing the storage pouch in a readily accessible location where a mask is often taken on and off, such as at a person's desk or in their car.
In a most preferred embodiment, the facemask storage pouch is made of a woven polyester material in a rectangular shape of an approximate three and one-half inches wide by two and three-quarter inches high (3 ½″×2 ¾″). Interior planes of the storage pouch include a polyurethane (PU) coating to protect its contents from any air, gas, or liquid, as well as any particles carried by and/or within such elements. All borders are sewn by stitch to fully enclose the storage pouch. A sidewall opening is provided for access to an interior of the storage pouch. The sidewall opening is featured on one side plane of the storage pouch, and it's featured approximately one-half inch (½″) below a top edge. A top border of the sidewall opening overlaps a bottom border by approximately one-quarter inch (¼″). The opposing hems of the sidewall opening host bands of flexible metal. One magnet is strategically positioned within the bottom hem for securing contact when the sidewall opening is fully closed. A fastening device may extend from a corner section of the storage pouch and is provided for attachment of at least one accessory including but not limited to a wrist strap, a spring-loaded clamp, a clip, and a lanyard. Corresponding swatches of hook-and-loop material may be included. The corresponding swatches of hook-and-loop material each measure approximately one inch in length by one-half inch in width (1″×½″). Wax paper may be provided for covering adhesive portions located on their non-textured planes.
The facemask storage pouch may be made of various nonporous materials that achieve its goal of securing and protecting facemask contents, such as but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) in flexible sheet formats. The facemask storage pouch may also be made of porous materials that include a sealing and/or waterproof coating on the interior plane and/or both planes, such as but not limited to woven polyester, nylon, rayon, leather, and any combination of these and other materials. Sealing and/or waterproof coating materials used with the facemask storage pouch may include but are not limited to wax, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), and silicone elastomer. A separate material may or may not be applied to the non-porous and/or waterproof material of the storage pouch and with purpose of visual and/or textural design enhancement, such as but not limited to woven polyester (PE), synthetic silk, chiffon, mercerized cotton, rayon, and any blend of these and/or other materials. The flexible metal bands of the facemask storage pouch may be made of various materials of adequate durability, including but not limited to flex steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and magnesium.
The facemask storage pouch may include various fastening devices that attach to and extend from its structure, such as but not limited to a spring-loaded clip, solid clip, fabric loop and adjustable lanyard. The facemask storage pouch may or may not include at least one belt loop structure upon its exterior surface. The facemask storage pouch may or may not include an adjustable length belt strap, and the strap may feature hook-and-loop material, a buckle and/or other means to releasably-attach the opposing ends. The facemask storage pouch may include an extending bracket or other device on its rear plane for its suspension upon an object when not in use. The facemask storage pouch may be made in various colors, including colors intended to make the item more visible, with purpose of reminding users of its presence and intent.
A user may simply grip the facemask storage pouch by its sidewalls and squeeze, which will separate the borders of the opening to the storage compartment. The user may then insert a facemask for its safe storage while not being worn. In this storage, the enclosed facemask is protected from direct contact with any germs, bacteria, pathogens, allergens, and other substances of solid, liquid, and gas states. When the user needs to reapply the facemask, he or she may simply squeeze the sidewalls of the facemask storage pouch to reopen the storage pouch, and retrieve the facemask from within the storage pouch. The facemask storage pouch can be easily cleaned and sanitized as desired by the user.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in
In one embodiment, the at least one magnet 154 is positioned at a center point on the second-flexible-metal-band 136 and is configured to magnetically secure the sidewall opening 116 when in a closed position. The facemask storage pouch 100 may use alternate methods of sealing the storage pouch 110, such as but not limited to a zipper, snap, button, or hook-and-loop material. The flexibility of the first-flexible-metal-band 126 and the second-flexible-metal-band 136 allow the sidewall opening 116 of the facemask storage pouch 100 to easily open and automatically close. The flexibility of the first-flexible-metal-band 126 and the second-flexible-metal-band 136 allow the sidewall opening 116 of the facemask storage pouch 100 to easily open with use of just one hand. By allowing the storage pouch 110 to be easily opened and closed with just one hand, the facemask storage pouch 100 greatly reduces user contact with the storage pouch, its contents, and its interior capacity.
It should be noted that step four 604 and step five 605 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 600 are illustrated using dotted lines in
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
