Patent Application
20220047896
The present embodiments are directed to a transparent passive filtration facemask with a single facemask filter covering a boxlike channel located over a wearer's chin.
The World Health Organization and most medical professionals agree that facemasks are an effective way to reduce transmission of airborne pathogens that cause respiratory illness. There are a variety of different facemasks from N-95 facemasks, constructed with facemask material that filters out 95% of 0.3 μm particles, to simple cloth and surgical facemasks that somewhat block moisture particles from a person's exhalant. Though protective, present day facemasks tend to muffle the sound of a person's speech making them hard to understand.
It is to innovations related to this subject matter that the claimed invention is generally directed.
The present embodiments are directed to facemasks with some embodiments directed to transparent anti-contagion facemasks that do not obstruct visibility of a person's mouth when worn. One problem with a typical, widely used, facemask is the difficulty in understanding a person speaking when they are wearing the typical facemask. Not only does the listener have to contend with the muffled speech of a person talking through a facemask, communication is made worse by covering up, or otherwise hiding, the wearer's mouth and face with opaque filter material. Certain embodiments of the present invention aim to address this problem and others by way of a clear/see-through filtration mask that does not visibly obstruct a person's mouth. Coupling an adequate filtration material with the transparent facemask, one object of the present invention seeks to improve protection against airborne viruses compared to a simple cloth facemask. Though embodiments of the transparent facemask may not eliminate the muffled speech of a person talking while wearing the transparent facemask, communication is certainly improved by virtue of seeing the wearer's face while they are speaking.
With this in mind, certain embodiments of the present invention therefore contemplate a passive transparent respirator assembly configured to be worn on a person's face, the passive transparent respirator assembly generally comprising a transparent face covering cup that possesses a nose covering region configured to cover human nostrils and at least a portion of a human nose, a mouth covering region configured to completely cover a human mouth without any external viewable obstruction to the human mouth when the human mouth is closed, a chin covering region configured to cover at least a portion of a human chin, and two cheek covering regions located on either side of a midline and configured to cover a portion of a human cheek. The midline is defined as bisecting the face covering cup extending along and bisecting the nose covering region and the chin covering region. The face covering cup is unitary, meaning that the face covering cup is made from a single piece of materials, such as a molded PVC, for example. The face covering cup is further defined by a cup exterior surface and a cup interior surface, wherein the cup exterior surface interfaces the outside environment and the cup interior surface interfaces the interior environment. In this embodiment, only one rectangular shaped aperture extends through the face covering cup located at the chin covering region. When worn by the person, the single aperture defines a passive respirator intake pathway between an external environment defined as interfacing the cup exterior surface and the internal environment defined as interfacing the cup interior surface. The intake pathway provides air exchange between the outside environment and the inside environment. A pleated filter essentially blocks the passive respirator intake pathway (aperture). Accordingly, respirated air must pass through the pleated filter as air moves inside and outside of the facemask. There is no other pathway other than the passive respirator intake pathway between the cup exterior environment and the interior environment when worn by the person.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention contemplates a transparent facemask assembly comprising a face covering cup configured to cover human nostrils, a human mouth and at least a portion of a human chin when worn on a human face. The face covering cup is composed of a transparent polymer that in certain embodiments is at least semi-rigid. The facemask assembly can further include a filter system (that in certain embodiments is the filter cartridge) comprising a pleated filter that covers a single inlet-outlet aperture in the face covering cup, wherein no part of the filter system is in a mouth covering region. When the transparent facemask assembly is worn on a human face, the single inlet-outlet aperture is essentially the only path between an interior environment defined by an interior cup portion of the face covering cup interfacing the human face and an exterior cup portion of the face covering cup that interfaces an exterior environment. The face covering cup defines the mouth covering region as being configured to essentially cover a closed human mouth when worn. The mouth covering region is configured to provide an unobstructed view of the human mouth when the human mouth is closed as viewed by an onlooker because the face covering cup is transparent.
Still, another embodiment envisions a face covering cup, which can comprise a nose covering region that is configured to cover human nostrils and at least a portion of a human nose and a mouth covering region that is configured to essentially cover a human mouth and human lips when worn. The mouth covering region is defined by when the human mouth is closed. There is also a chin covering region that is configured to cover at least a portion of a human chin. The face covering cup further has a solitary air exchange aperture in the face covering cup. The solitary air exchange aperture is located in the chin covering region and not in the mouth covering region, a filter configured to cover the air exchange aperture, no part of the mouth covering region obstructed by the filter. Air is configured to move into and out from the facemask via the filter with essentially equal resistance. In certain embodiments the face covering cup is composed of a resilient transparent polymer.
Initially, this disclosure is by way of example only, not by limitation. Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for the convenience of explanation, shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the principles herein may be applied equally in other similar configurations involving similar uses of transparent facemasks. The phrases “in one embodiment”, “according to one embodiment”, and the like generally mean the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention. Importantly, such phases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic. As used herein, the terms “having”, “have”, “including” and “include” are considered open language and are synonymous with the term “comprising”. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “essentially” is meant to stress that a characteristic of something is to be interpreted within acceptable tolerance margins known to those skilled in the art when in view typical normal world tolerance, which is analogous with “more or less.” For example, essentially flat, essentially straight, essentially on time, etc. all indicate that these characteristics are not capable of being perfect within the sense of their limits. Accordingly, if there is no specific +/− value assigned to “essentially”, then assume essentially means to be within +/−2.5% of exact. In what follows, similar or identical structures may be identified using identical callouts.
Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to transparent anti-contagion facemasks that do not obstruct visibility of a person's mouth when worn. One problem with a typical, widely used facemask is the difficulty in understanding a person speaking when they are wearing the typical facemask. Not only does the listener have to contend with the muffled speech of a person talking through a facemask, communication is made worse by covering up, or otherwise hiding the wearer's mouth and face with opaque filter material. Accordingly, some embodiments described herein present a clear/see-through filtration mask embodiment that does not visibly obstruct a person's mouth with a filter at the end of a clear boxlike channel, the clear boxlike channel located over a person's chin. Though embodiments of the transparent facemask may not eliminate the muffled speech of a person talking while wearing the transparent facemask, communication is improved by virtue of seeing the wearer's face while they are speaking.
Several different clear/transparent facemask embodiments are presented herein including a transparent passive facemask that comprises a single perforation, or opening, at the end of a clear boxlike channel that extends from the chin region of the front of the clear facemask shell. The clear boxlike channel and the clear facemask shell are envisioned to be a unitary part of the clear face covering cup. A pleated rectangular filter is envisioned to cover the single perforation/opening at the distal end of the clear boxlike channel such that when worn, the only air exchange into and out from the single perforation facemask is via the pleated rectangular filter. Still other transparent facemask embodiments can include a transparent anti-contagion facemask with and without a breather filter gasket along the periphery. The anti-contagion facemasks herein provide a common feature of being able to make visible a person's mouth through a facemask without obstruction, which facilitates seeing a person's mouth and lips while they are speaking. Some embodiments feature at least one filtered breather port in the facemask with an added air filtration gasket attached to the periphery of the facemask. The air filtration gasket can compress against the face when worn. These embodiments aim to improve the effectiveness of facemasks by providing a semipermeable filtration gasket along the periphery of the facemask to correct for the present day problems of insufficiently sealed facemasks against the person's face. A facemask that is insufficiently sealed will have gaps at the interface between the mask and a person's face through which unfiltered air will freely enter the space within the mask because air will flow along the path of least resistance. One object of the present invention is to improve facemask effectiveness by placing a filter gasket along the facemask periphery, which compresses against a person's face when worn properly. With the filter gasket compressed against the person's face, any air either entering the mask or escaping from the mask along the mask's periphery will be filtered through the filter gasket forming the facemask periphery. Optional embodiments contemplate that instead of a filter gasket, the facemask seal against a person's face is made by providing a low durometer flange that conforms to the person's face. Yet other embodiments contemplate the facemask featuring a conforming flange made from the same material as the rest of the facemask that presses against a person's face thereby essentially forming a seal against a person's face to force a pathway of air only through the filters in the facemask.
The face covering cup 101 defines a cup periphery 102 that is shaped to traverse the bridge of a person's nose 512 and along their cheeks 514 and jaw line 506, as shown. In other words, the cup periphery 102 essentially rests along the bridge of a person's nose 512, their cheeks 514, their jawline 506 and their chin 508. In the present embodiment, a gasket filter armature 130 is configured and arranged to cover the cup periphery 102. The gasket filter armature 130 provides structure to improve a contact seal of the filter-to-face contact periphery 106. Certain embodiments envision the gasket filter armature 130 being a pliable tubular structure, such as foam or latex, for example. The filter material can be either the same or different from the filter gasket 105. In the present embodiment, the gasket filter armature 130 comprises an armature channel 132 that receives the cup periphery 102. The gasket filter armature 130 can be glued, pressure fit, bonded in some other way or unitarily formed in place along the cup periphery 102, to name just a few examples of connecting the gasket filter armature 130 along the cup periphery 102. A filter gasket 105 covers the gasket filter armature 130 and a ‘small portion’ of the face covering cup 101 along the cup periphery 102 via a gasket filter channel 108. By ‘small portion’ it is meant that at least just enough of the face covering cup 101 is used/required to accomplish holding/supporting the gasket filter armature 130 in place via the armature channel 132. In the present embodiment, the filter gasket 105 covers the filter gasket armature 130. There are a number of ways the filter gasket 105 can be attached to the cup periphery 102, which can include adhesive or a mechanical latch configuration, as will be appreciated by a skilled artisan once intellectually in possession of the present invention.
The filter gasket 105 is made out of a porous material that in some embodiments is the same material as the breather port filter 110. The filter gasket 105 compresses against a person's cheeks 514, jawline 506 and across the bridge 512 of their nose 510 along the filter-to-face contact periphery 106 when the facemask 100 is strapped or otherwise retained over a person's nose 510 and mouth 504. Certain embodiments envision the filter gasket 105 thick enough, i.e., constructed in a suitable manner, to close any gaps between the person's face 515 and the filter-to-face contact periphery 106. Embodiments that include the filter gasket 105 and gasket filter armature 130 combination improve the seal around the filter-to-face contact periphery 106. The term “seal” as used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention is envisioned to mean essentially full/intimate contact of the filter-to-face contact periphery 106 with a person's face 510 even though filtered air can pass in and out of the facemask interspace 175 through the filter gasket 105. Certain embodiments envision the filter gasket 105 made from an N-95 or N-99 filter material, or some other filter material that is efficient in filtering viruses and/or bacteria (germs) from passing there through. With the filter gasket 105 pressed tightly against a human face 515 along the filter-to-face contact periphery 106, there will be essentially no gaps between the facemask periphery 102/106 and the wearer's face 515. The present system possesses two basic paths of filtered air that can flow into and out from the facemask interior 175. The two basic paths are: 1) air flowing through the filter gasket 105, and 2) air flowing through one or more filters covering the at least one breather port 135 in the face covering cup 101.
The term “passive”, as used in the element passive transparent respirator assembly 150, is defined as the action of air passing from outside of the passive transparent respirator assembly 150 to the inside of the passive transparent respirator assembly 150 only under the power of a person breathing on their own and without the assistance of an external pumping device. Hence, the passive transparent respirator assembly 150 operates only via a human breathing in and out and without the assistance of an external pump.
The transparent facemask cup 101 comprises a cup periphery 102 (and 102A, which is the cup periphery as seen through the outer surface 140 of the transparent facemask cup 101) that when worn by a person 500 traverses the bridge 512 of the person's nose 510, along their cheeks 514, and around their jaw line 506. In the present embodiment, the cup periphery 102 comprises a lip 103, which in certain embodiments is a bead that extends outwardly from the cup exterior surface 140 as shown by the arrow 103a. Some embodiments contemplate the lip 103 extending outwardly from the cup exterior surface 140 along only a part of the cup periphery 102 while other embodiments envision the lip 103 extending along the entire cup periphery 102. As described earlier, the molded nose portion 120 in the front of the face covering cup 101 generally conforms to the anatomy of a person's nose 510 terminating at the bulbous end of a person's nose 510. Just below the molded nose portion 120 is an indent 127 in the face covering cup 101 that is directly, or otherwise immediately, in front of where a person's nostrils 502 would be when the facemask 100 is worn. As appreciated by the proportions of the transparent respirator assembly 150, the front breathing filter 110 is positioned directly in front of a person's chin 508 below where a person's mouth 504 would approximately reside (shown by the “X” 155) under the transparent respirator assembly 150 when worn. Based on the placement of the front breathing filter 110 and the clear/see-through transparent facemask cup 101, the wearer's mouth 504 is unobstructed from the view of an outsider when the facemask assembly 150 is worn. It should be appreciated that in the present embodiment the head strap attachment anchors 115 are placed on either side of the front breathing filter 110. However, there are a number of other suitable locations on the face covering cup 101 where the head strap anchors 115 can be disposed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate the passive transparent respirator assembly 150 used with or without a filter gasket 105 (the gasket being integrated or otherwise) that may essentially seal the passive transparent respirator assembly 150 against the person's face 500.
Certain embodiments envision the mouth covering region 117 configured to completely cover a human mouth 504 without any external viewable obstruction to the human mouth 504 when the human mouth 504 is closed (that is with lips pressed together as shown in
A chin covering region 119 below the mouth covering region 117 (in the below direction 184) is configured and located to essentially cover at least a portion of the wearer's chin 508. The cheek covering regions 113 are shown covering a portion of a person's cheeks 514. As is further shown, the midline 422 extends along the front of the face covering cup 101 bisecting the nose covering region 120 the mouth covering region 117 and the chin covering region 422. The cup center point 424 is located along the midline 422 approximately between wearer's nostrils 502 and a wearer's mouth 504. The breather port filter 110 and breather port apertures 135 are in the chin covering region 119 directly in front of the person's chin 508. Hence, the wearer's mouth 504 is unobstructed by the breather port filter 110, which, in certain embodiments, can further extend into the cheek region 113, such as along the jawline 506.
The gasket facemask embodiment 400 is essentially a periphery air filtered facemask that generally comprises a clear (transparent) face covering cup 401 that is sized and configured to cover both a human mouth 504 and nostrils 502. The face covering cup 401 is defined by a cup that extends to a cup periphery 402. The cup periphery 402 is intended to traverse the bridge 512 of a person's nose 510 along their cheeks 514 and at or above their jawline 506, similar to the other facemask embodiments 100, 200, 300 and 700. The face covering cup 401 is further defined by a reference midline 422 that bisects the face covering cup 401 along the nose 510 from the bridge 512, between the nostrils 502 and across the mouth 500. The face covering cup 401 further comprises a plurality of breathing perforations 408, which are not limited to the triangular-shaped perforations depicted in the present embodiment. As shown in the present embodiment, the breathing perforations 408 are dispersed along the cup periphery 402 within a cup periphery region 428. In some embodiments, the breathing perforations 408 are dispersed less than 0.75 inches from the cup periphery 402. In other words, the cup periphery region 428 is less than 0.75 inches wide as defined from the cup periphery 402. In other embodiments, the breathing perforations 408 are essentially the only perforations that pass through the face covering cup 401. The breathing perforations 408 extend along the cup periphery 402 (in a U-shape from about 2:00-10:00 as seen on a clock face) except for a bridge periphery region 430, as shown. Other embodiments imagine the perforations extending over the bridge portion 430, however this might be blocked off by a person's nose bridge 512. In this arrangement the breathing perforations 408 are no less than 1.5 inches from the midpoint 424, but in other arrangements are no less than 1.00 inches from the midpoint 424.
A filter band 405 is configured to cover the breathing perforations 408 whereby air 418 (shown by the squiggly line) can be exchanged through the breathing perforations 408 in the filter cover band 414 only by way of the breather filter band 405. In this way, only filtered air can pass through the breathing perforations 408 from the outside 553. The breathing filter band 405 is envisioned to be any filter material comprising a pore size that meets a desired specification. For example, a pore size of less than 0.3 μm will filter out 0.3 μm particles, such as viruses. A pore size distribution where 95% of the pores are less than 0.3 μm is an N-95 filter material. Certain embodiments envision a filter band 405 that is reusable. In this embodiment, the reusable filter band 405 is able to be revitalized or otherwise essentially renewed to function at or near capacity. Examples of revitalization can be accomplished by way of washing, exposure to chemicals, ultraviolet light, heat, suction, or some other means of revitalizing or cleaning the filter band 405 that would be known to those skilled in the art. The filter band 405 can be attached to the face covering cup 401 by way of an adhesive or some mechanical latching mechanism, such as a filter cover 420. A skilled artisan will appreciate that the filter can be for viruses, bacteria, or other contamination in healthcare and/or outside healthcare, such as woodworking, for example.
The present embodiment illustratively depicts a filter cover 420 configured and arranged to mechanically retain or otherwise fix the filter band 405 to the face covering cup 401. By mechanically attaching to the face covering cup 401, certain embodiments contemplate that the filter cover 420 snaps into receiving features (not shown) in the face covering cup 401 or optionally slides around or otherwise fixes onto (snaps over) the cup periphery 402, just to name several of many species variations. The filter cover 420 generally comprises a plurality of filter cover perforations 410 that provide a pathway to the breathing perforations 408 via the filter band 405. The filter cover perforations 410, located between a face contact rim 406 and the mask periphery 404 in the filter cover band 414, are configured to align with the breathing perforations 408 in the face covering cup 401 so that the inside facemask environment is in communication with the outside environment via the filter 405. The face contact rim 406 is configured to contact a human face 515 over the bridge 512 of a person's nose 510, along their cheeks 514, and at or above their jawline 506. Certain embodiments envision the face contact rim 406 essentially sealing against a person's face 515 to restrict or otherwise inhibit the passage of air 418 to pass essentially only through the breathing perforations 408. In this way, filtered air moves into the facemask 400 via (essentially only through) the breathing perforations 408. Some embodiments envision the facemask rim 406 being silicone, a textile material, filter material, a flexible flange, or some other material and configuration that conforms to a person's face 515. In the event the facemask rim 406 is filter material, filtered air is envisioned to move through the facemask rim 406 into the facemask 400. The filter cover 420 can further possess a filter cover gap 436 between an interior filter cover surface 434 and the filter band 405. In some embodiments, the filter cover gap 436 is imagined to be less than 0.25 inches deep between the interior filter cover surface 434 and the filter band 405. Other embodiments envision a filter cover nose bridge portion 412 being bendable over the bridge 512 of a person's nose 510, such as by way of a compliant metal material to improve the fit and seal.
Regarding the exploded view line drawing of the passive transparent facemask 700 of
In the present embodiment, the breather filter 705 can simply be a sheet of flexible filter material or optionally a semi-rigid U-shaped filter element that closely conforms to the filter port region 728. As shown in this embodiment, the breather filter 705 is a U-shaped filter element that is made semi-rigid by a supporting structure 746 with structures that mate or otherwise conform to the filter port region 728. The semi-rigid supporting structure 746 can be plastic, or filter material impregnated with a stiffening binder, such as glue for example. The breather filter 705 is held in place over the filter port region 728 via the filter and contact rim 720.
The filter cover and contact rim 720 comprises a filter cover 717, cuff recess slot 709 and a contact rim 734. In the present embodiment, the contact rim 734 can be a pliable polymer that flexes to conform to the shape of a person's face 515 to essentially create a seal so that the only air passing into and out from the facemask 700 is by way of the filter slots 736 and 708. The filter cover and contact rim 720 can be a unitary element constructed from a single piece of material. Optional construction of the filter cover and contact rim 720 envisions a composite construction. The filter cover and contact rim 720 can comprise a low durometer flexible flange 725 that conforms to a person's chin 508 and cheeks 514 with a higher durometer flexible nose bridge region 712 and filter cover 717. Yet other embodiments envision the filter cover 717 being a much stiffer plastic material. The filter cover 717 essentially conforms to and covers the curved (chin covering) wall/curved panel 732 of the face covering cup 701. The filter cover 717 comprises a plurality of filter cover ribs 714 that overlay or otherwise align with the face covering cup ribs 714A so that the outside environment 553 is in communication with the inside environment 175 (shown in
Regarding the exploded view line drawing of the passive transparent facemask 800 of
The clear intake channel 822 is a rectangular boxlike channel that extends downward from the facemask 800. The clear intake channel 822 comprises a single air filter opening 810 at its distal end 811. The clear intake channel 822 does not obscure a person's mouth 504 because it is transparent. The clear intake channel 822 is configured to receive a filter cartridge 808 (the filter cartridge 808 slidingly engages in air filter aperture 810). In the present embodiment, the filter cartridge 808 comprises cartridge-to-channel protruding features 813a that cooperate with mating channel-to-cartridge features 813b at the intake channel distal end 811. A pleated filter 805 covers the filter cartridge distal end 814 such that when the facemask 800 is worn properly, air exchange in and out of the facemask 800 only occurs through the pleated filter 805. The filter cartridge 808 is latched/retained to the intake channel distal end 811 by way of a filter retaining latch 824. In the present embodiment, the pleated filter 805 is rectangular in shape and the filter cartridge front face 809 is also rectangular in shape to accommodate the pleated filter 805. The filter cartridge 808 is shoebox shaped with no covering at the proximal end 812, which facilitates air to freely flow in and out of the facemask 800 via the intake channel 822. In this embodiment, the air filter opening 810 is not square but rather substantially an elongated rectangle, however certain embodiments envision the single air filter aperture/opening 810 being substantially square. In this embodiment where there is a boxlike intake channel 822, a circular or elliptical shaped pleated filter along with corresponding circular or elliptical air filter openings will not work, is suboptimal and should not be used because of the difficulties surrounding implementing a pleated air filter. The rectangular pleated air filter provides significantly more surface area for a given width and height than a circular or elliptical air filter. Moreover, the pleated air filter provides significantly more surface area as compared with a non-pleated air filter. Certain embodiments contemplate the filter cartridge 808 simply being replaced by removing the filter retaining latch 824, pulling out the old filter cartridge 808, inserting a new filter cartridge 808, and reattaching the filter retaining latch 824 over new filter cartridge distal end 809 and the intake channel distal end 811.
The contact rim 820 comprises a cuff recess slot 809 and contact rim 820. In the present embodiment, the contact rim 820 can be a pliable polymer that flexes and conform to the shape of a person's face 515 to essentially create a seal so that only air passing into and out from the facemask 800 is by way of the filter 805. The contact rim 820 can be a unitary element constructed from a single piece of material. Optional construction of the filter contact rim 820 envisions a composite construction. The contact rim 820 can be made from a low durometer material that conforms to a person's chin 508, cheeks 514 and the bridge of their nose 512. The cuff recess slot 809 is configured to receive the cuff 813 in a mating/cooperating relationship whereby the face covering cup 801 is removably retained or otherwise removably attached to the contact rim 820 to essentially form a single unit (single facemask 800). In certain embodiments, the cuff recess slot 809 retains the cuff 813 in place due to friction of a rubber surface against the cuff 813. Other embodiments contemplate a snap, a magnet, or some other retaining configuration to hold the cuff 813 in the cuff recess slot 809.
With the present description in mind, below are some examples of certain embodiments illustratively complementing some of the methods and apparatus embodiments to aid the reader. The elements called out below in view of the various figures are examples provided to assist in understanding the present invention and accordingly should not be considered limiting.
In that light, one embodiment of the present invention described in view of
The passive transparent respirator assembly embodiment 800 further contemplating the passive respirator intake pathway 830 is only in the chin covering region 119.
The passive transparent respirator assembly embodiment 800 further wherein the aperture 810 is rectangular in shape.
The passive transparent respirator assembly embodiment 800 further comprising a box shaped inlet/outlet channel 830 extending from the face-covering cup 801 to the aperture 810 at least partially over the chin covering region 119. This can further be where the aperture 810 is rectangular in shape and the pleated filter 805 is also rectangular shaped conforming to the aperture 810. The box shaped inlet/outlet channel 830 is further envisioned to be transparent and can be a unitary molded portion of the transparent face-covering cup 801.
The passive transparent respirator assembly embodiment 800 further envisions that the resistance of air 418 moving from the outside 553 to the inside 175 the facemask 800 is essentially the same as air 418 moving in the opposite direction. In this way, no valves can obstruct the aperture 810 or pathway 830.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention described in view of
The transparent facemask assembly 800 further imagining no hinged parts attached to the transparent facemask assembly 800.
The transparent facemask assembly 800 can comprise a unitary face covering cup (i.e., the face covering cup 801 can be a unitary element).
The transparent facemask assembly 800 is further envisioned to be composed of clear transparent polymer.
The transparent facemask assembly 800 is further imagined to be a passive facemask wherein air is not forced in and out of the facemask 800 by way of any machine or externally pressurized air source (oxygen tank for example).
The transparent facemask assembly 800 wherein the face covering cup 801 can further define a chin covering region 119 as being configured to cover a human chin 508 when worn, the chin covering region 119 is below the mouth covering region 117 (as relatively shown in
The transparent facemask assembly 800 can further comprise a box shaped inlet/outlet channel 822 extending from the face-covering cup 801a to the aperture 810.
The transparent facemask assembly 800 can further comprise a gasket 820 that covers the cup periphery 813, the gasket 820 prevents air exchange from going into or out from the transparent facemask assembly 800 (i.e., outside air from the outside environment 553 going into the inside environment 175, or vise versa).
Another embodiment envisions a face covering cup 801 described in view of
The face covering cup embodiment 801 can further be defined by a cup center point 424 defined as residing between the wearer's nostrils 502 and mouth 504 and in line with a centerline 422 that bisects the face covering cup 801 along the nose covering region 120 and the chin covering region 119. In one embodiment, the cup center point 424 is at least 1 inch from the chin covering region 119.
The face covering cup embodiment 801 can further be wherein the mouth covering region 117 is not obscured by any part of a facemask assembly including the filter 805.
The face covering cup embodiment 801 can further be exclusively part of the passive facemask embodiment 800.
Still yet an optional embodiment of the present invention envisions a gasket facemask 100 comprising: a face covering cup 101 configured to cover both a human mouth and nostrils, the face covering cup 101 is defined by a cup periphery 102 that is adapted to traverse the bridge of a person's nose along their cheeks and jawline, the face covering cup 101 comprising at least one breather port 135; a breather port filter 110 covering the at least one breather port 135; a pair of head strap attachment anchors 115 located between the cup periphery 102 and the at least one breather port 135, the head strap attachment anchors 115 located symmetrically on either side of the at least one breather port 135, the pair of head strap attachment anchors 115 adapted to anchor at least one head strap 116 thereto; and a filter gasket 105 attached to the entire cup periphery 102, the filter gasket 105 configured to intimately contact a human face along a filter-to-face contact periphery 106.
The gasket facemask embodiment further envisioning wherein the filter gasket 105 comprises a gasket channel 108 that receives the cup periphery 102.
The gasket facemask embodiment further comprising a filter gasket armature 130 that covers the cup periphery 102, the filter gasket 105 covers the filter gasket armature 130, the filter gasket armature 130 configured to provide structure to improve a contact seal of the filter-to-face contact periphery 106. This embodiment further contemplating wherein the gasket filter armature 130 is pliable. Alternatively, this embodiment further contemplating wherein the gasket filter armature 130 comprises an armature channel 132 that receives the cup periphery 102.
The gasket facemask embodiment 100 further contemplating wherein the filter gasket 105 is a fibrous material that filters out bacteria and/or viruses.
The gasket facemask embodiment 100 further comprising a breather port filter frame 125 that connects the breather port filter 110 to the facemask 101.
The gasket facemask embodiment 110 (200) further comprising an oxygen intake port 220 that extends through the face covering cup 101. This embodiment further contemplating wherein the intake port 220 is located in a nose portion 120 of the face covering cup 101. Alternatively, this embodiment further contemplates wherein the intake port 220 possesses a nozzle 230 configured to connect to an oxygen tube.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention envisions a method for using a filtration gasket facemask 100, the method comprising: providing a filtration gasket facemask 100 that generally includes a face covering cup 101 defined by a cup periphery 102, at least one breather port 135 perforating the face covering cup 101, a breather port filter 110 covering the at least one breather port 135, a head strap connected to a pair of head strap attachment anchors 115, a filter gasket 105 attached to the entire cup periphery 102, the filter gasket 105 is at least partially comprised of a permeable filtration material; strapping, via an elastic strap 116, the filtration gasket facemask 100 onto a human face over nostrils and mouth of the human face with a filter-to-face contact periphery 106 of the filter gasket 105 contacting the human face along the entire filter-to-face contact periphery 106; and at least inhaling or exhaling 136/138 solely through the breather port filter and the filter gasket 105.
The method embodiment further contemplating wherein the filtration gasket facemask 200 further comprising an oxygen intake port 220 that extends through the face covering cup 101. This embodiment further contemplating wherein the intake port 220 is located in a nose portion 120 of the face covering cup 101. Alternatively, this embodiment further comprising flowing oxygen enriched air into the filtration gasket facemask 200 via the oxygen intake port 220.
Another embodiment envisions a gasket facemask 400 comprising: a face covering cup 401 configured to cover both a human mouth 504 and nostrils 502, the face covering cup 401 is defined by a cup periphery 402 that is adapted to traverse the bridge 512 of a person's nose 510 along their cheeks 514 and at or above their jawline 506, the face covering cup 401 further defining a midline 422 that bisects the face covering cup 401 along the human mouth 504 in between the nostrils 502; a plurality of breathing perforations 408 dispersed in the face covering cup 401 along the cup periphery 402; a filter band 405 configured to cover the breathing perforations 408, exchange of air 418 can essentially only occur through the breathing perforations 408 via the filter band 405; a pair of head strap attachment anchors 415 located on either side of the midline 422, each strap attachment anchor 415 located between the cup periphery 402 and the midline 422, the pair of head strap attachment anchors 415 are adapted to cooperate with at least one head strap 116 in an anchored relationship.
The gasket facemask embodiment 400 further comprising a filter cover 420 that mechanically retains (fixes) the filter band 405 to the face covering cup 401.
The gasket facemask embodiment 400 further contemplating wherein the filter cover 420 comprises a plurality of filter cover perforations 410 that provide a pathway to the breathing perforations 408 via the filter band 405. This embodiment further envisioning wherein the filter cover perforations 410 are located between a face contact rim 406 and a mask periphery 404. Optionally the embodiment envisioning wherein there is a filter cover gap 436 between an interior filter cover surface 434 and the filter band 405. These embodiments further envisioning wherein the filter cover gap 436 is less than 0.025 inches deep.
The gasket facemask embodiment 400 further envisioning wherein the head strap anchors 415 are located on either side of the midline 422 between the cup periphery 402 and the midline 422, between the human mouth and the nostrils.
The gasket facemask embodiment 400 further imagining wherein the filter band 405 is replaceable.
The gasket facemask embodiment 400 further considering wherein the face covering cup 401 is transparent. This embodiment further envisioning wherein the facemask covering cup 401 is configured to provide an unobstructed view of the mouth and nose via an onlooker 438 from outside 440 the facemask 400.
The gasket facemask embodiment 400 further envisioning wherein the filter band 405 is reposable.
The gasket facemask embodiment 400 further imagining wherein the breathing perforations 408 are dispersed less than 0.75 inches from the cup periphery 402.
Yet another embodiment can include a method for attaching a filter band 405 to a facemask 400, the method comprising: providing a face covering cup 401 with a plurality of breathing perforations 408 that penetrate through the face covering cup 401 within one inch of a cup periphery 402; covering the breathing perforations 408 with filter material 405; attaching the filter material 405 to the face covering cup 401; enveloping a nose and mouth with the facemask 400, the nose and the mouth belonging to a face at least 75% of the nose and the mouth viewable through the facemask by an onlooker essentially facing the facemask 400; strapping the face covering cup 401 to the face 515; breathing air 418 through the breathing perforations 408 only through the filter material 405.
The method embodiment further comprising affixing a filter cover 420 to the facemask 400, the filter cover 420 essentially covering the filter material 405 and the cup periphery 402. The embodiment can further comprise affixing a filter cover 420 to the facemask 400, the filter cover 420 essentially covering the filter material 405 and the cup periphery 402. Optionally, this can further comprise disengaging the filter cover 420 from the facemask 400, removing the filter material 405 from the face covering cup 401, revitalizing the filter material 405, reattaching the filter material 405 to the face covering cup 401 by clamping the filter cover 420 to the facemask 400. Optionally, this can further comprise forcing at least 95% of the air 418 breathed through the breathing perforations 408 by way of a gasket 120 that presses along the face after the strapping step, the gasket defined along a filter cover periphery of the filter cover 420.
The method embodiment further envisioning wherein there are no other perforations penetrating the face covering cup 401 more than one inch from the cup periphery 402.
The method embodiment further comprising disengaging the filter material 405 from the face covering cup 401, revitalizing the filter material 405, and reattaching the filter material 405 to the face covering cup 401.
Still other embodiments contemplate a periphery air filtered facemask 400 comprising: a face covering cup 401 configured to cover both a human mouth and nostrils, the face covering cup 401 is defined by a cup periphery 402 that is adapted to traverse the bridge of a person's nose along their cheeks and at or above their jawline, a plurality of breathing perforations 408 in the face covering cup 401, none of the breathing perforations into the face covering cup 401 are within 1.25 inches of a mask midpoint 424, the mask midpoint 424 defined as a point equidistant between the nostrils 502 and the mouth 504; a filter band 405 that covers the breathing perforations 408, through the filter is the only pathway into the breathing perforations 408 from an outside environment; a filter cover 420 that locks the filter band 405 in place over the breathing perforations 408.
Some alternate embodiments contemplate a passive transparent respirator assembly 150 comprising: a transparent face covering cup 101 comprising a nose covering region 120 configured to cover human nostrils 502 and at least a portion of a human nose 510, a mouth covering region 117 configured to completely cover a human mouth 504 without any external viewable obstruction to the human mouth 504 when the human mouth 504 is closed, a chin covering region 119 configured to cover at least a portion of a human chin 508, and two cheek covering regions 113 located on either side of a midline 422 and configured to cover a portion of a human cheek 514, the midline 422 is defined as bisecting the face covering cup 101 extending along and bisecting the nose covering region 120 and the chin covering region 119, the face covering cup 101 is unitary, the face covering cup 101 is further defined by a cup exterior surface 140 and a cup interior surface/environment 175; at least one aperture 135 extending through the face covering cup 101 from the cup exterior surface 140 to the cup interior surface 175, the at least one aperture 135 covered by at least one filter 110, which together comprise a passive respirator intake pathway 142, there is no other pathway other than the passive respirator intake pathway 142 between the cup exterior surface 140 and the interior surface/environment 175.
The passive transparent respirator assembly embodiment 150 further envisioning wherein the passive respirator intake pathway 142 is only in the chin covering region 119.
The passive transparent respirator assembly embodiment 150 further imagining wherein the passive respirator intake pathway 142 is in the chin covering region 119 and the cheek covering region 113.
The passive transparent respirator assembly embodiment 150 further comprising defining a cup periphery 102 that bridges the cup exterior surface 140 and the cup interior surface 176, the cup periphery 102 is further defined by a lip that extends outwardly from the cup exterior surface 140.
The passive transparent respirator assembly embodiment 150 further comprising defining a cup periphery 102 that bridges the cup exterior surface 140 and the cup interior surface 176, the cup periphery 102 comprising a lip 103 that extends outwardly from the cup exterior surface 140 along at least part of the cup periphery 102.
The passive transparent respirator assembly embodiment 150 further comprising a filter gasket 105 that covers the cup periphery 102. This can further be wherein the filter gasket 105 is a permeable filter material configured to contact a person's face 515 when being worn.
Yet other embodiments contemplate transparent facemask assembly 150 comprising: a face covering cup 101 configured to cover human nostrils 502, a human mouth 504 and at least a portion of a human chin 508 when worn by a human 500, the face covering cup 101 is composed of a pliable and essentially resilient transparent polymer; a filter system 139 comprising at least a breather filter 110 that covers at least an inlet-outlet aperture 135 in the face covering cup 101, no part of the filter system 139 is in a mouth covering region 117, the face covering cup 101 defining the mouth covering region 117 as being configured to essentially cover a closed human mouth 504 when worn, the mouth covering region 117 further comprising an unobstructed transparent window configured to provide an unobstructed view of the human mouth 504 when closed as viewed by an onlooker 438.
The transparent facemask assembly embodiment 150 further imagining wherein the breather filter 110 is attached to the face covering cup 101.
The transparent facemask assembly embodiment 150 further considering wherein the face covering cup 101 is a unitary element.
The transparent facemask assembly embodiment 150 further envisioning wherein the transparent polymer is essentially clear.
The transparent facemask assembly embodiment 150 further contemplating wherein the transparent facemask assembly 150 is a passive facemask.
The transparent facemask assembly embodiment 150 is further visualized wherein the face covering cup 101 further defining a chin covering region 119 as being configured to cover a human chin 508 when worn, the chin covering region 119 is below the mouth covering region 117, the filter system 139 resides in the chin covering region 119. This can further be wherein the filter system 139 further resides in a cheek covering region 113 of the face covering cup 101, the cheek covering region 113 is configured to cover at least a portion of a human cheek 113.
The transparent facemask assembly embodiment 150 further conceptualizing wherein the face covering cup 101 is further defined by a cup periphery 102 that bridges a cup exterior surface 140 and the cup interior surface 176, the cup periphery 102 comprising a lip 103 that extends outwardly from the cup exterior surface 140 along at least part of the cup periphery 102. This can further comprise a filter gasket 105 that covers the cup periphery 102.
While still yet other face covering cup embodiments 101 can comprise: a nose covering region 120 that is configured to cover human nostrils 502 and at least a portion of a human nose 510, a mouth covering region 117 configured to essentially cover a human mouth 504 and human lips when worn and when the human mouth 504 is closed, a chin covering region 119 configured to cover at least a portion of a human chin 508; at least one air exchange aperture 135 in the face covering cup 101, the at least one air exchange aperture 135 located in the chin covering region 119 and not in the mouth covering region 117, a filter 110 configured to cover the at least one air exchange aperture 135, no part of the mouth covering region 117 obstructed by the filter 110, the face covering cup 101 is composed of a resilient transparent polymer.
The face covering cup embodiment 101 further defining a cup center point 424 residing between the wearer's nostrils 502 and mouth 504 and in line with a centerline 422 that bisects the face covering cup 101 along the nose covering region 120 and the chin covering region 119, the cup center point 424 at least 1 inch from the chin covering region 119.
The face covering cup embodiment 101 further envisioning wherein the mouth covering region 117 is not obscured by any part of a facemask assembly 150 including the filter 110.
The face covering cup embodiment 101 further considers the idea that the face covering cup 101 is exclusively part of a passive facemask 100.
While still other embodiments contemplate a passive transparent facemask 700 comprising: a face covering cup 701 configured to cover a mouth 504 and nostrils 502 of a wearer 500 with a mask midpoint 424 defined as a point on the face covering cup 701 that is equidistant between the mouth 504 and the nostrils 502 when the facemask 700 is worn, the face covering cup 701 is defined by a cup periphery 702 that is further defined by a nose periphery region 766 adapted to traverse the bridge 512 of a nose 510 of the wearer 500, a pair of cheek periphery regions 763 adapted to traverse along cheeks 514 of the wearer 500 and a chin periphery region 765 adapted to traverse along or above a jawline 506 of the wearer, the face covering cup 701 further defining a midline 422 that bisects the face covering cup 701 midway between the nose periphery region 766 and the chin periphery region 765; a plurality of breathing perforations 708 dispersed in the face covering cup 701 at a distance greater than 1.25 inches from the midpoint 424; and at least one filter 705 that covers the breathing perforations 708, exchange of air 418 can essentially only occur through the breathing perforations 708 via the at least one filter 705.
The passive transparent facemask embodiment 700 further imagining wherein the breathing perforations 708 extend along the cup periphery 702 along the chin periphery region 765 and at least a portion of the cheek periphery regions 763. This can further be wherein the breathing perforations 708 extend essentially from 3:00-9:00 as defined by a mouth location 768 on the face covering cup 701, the mouth location 768 is defined by where the mouth 504 would be located if the face covering cup 701 were worn by the wearer 500.
The passive transparent facemask embodiment 700 further envisioning wherein the distance is greater than 1.5 inches from the midpoint 424.
The passive transparent facemask embodiment 700 further considering wherein the filter is a filter band.
The passive transparent facemask embodiment 700 further comprising a filter cover 717 that covers the at least one breathing filter 705. This can further be wherein the breathing perforations 708 are slotted apertures 708 defined by ribs 714A that extend from a face covering cup front panel 726 toward the cup periphery 702 at an angle α 730 between 90 degrees and 45 degrees.
The passive transparent facemask embodiment 700 further comprising a front panel 726 that is essentially flat wherein the plurality of breathing perforations 708 are exclusively in a filter port region 728, the filter port region 728 is essentially a curved wall 732 extending from the front panel 726 to the cup periphery 702 at an angle α 730 between 90 degrees and 45 degrees. This can further be wherein while the passive transparent facemask 700 is being worn, the mouth 504 is configured to be viewable by an onlooker 438 through the front panel 726 without obstruction.
The passive transparent facemask embodiment 700 further comprising a pair of head strap attachment anchors 715 located on either side of the midline 422, each strap attachment anchor 715 located between the cup periphery 702 and the midline 422, the pair of head strap attachment anchors 715 adapted to anchor at least one head strap 116.
Still other embodiments contemplate a passive transparent anti-contagion facemask 700 comprising: a face covering cup 701 comprising a front panel 726 configured to provide an unobstructed view of a human mouth 504 and human nostrils 502 as viewed by an onlooker 438 when the facemask 700 is worn, a curved chin covering panel 732 that extends from the front panel 726 to a cup periphery 702 at an angle α 730 between 90 degrees and 45 degrees, at least one cup perforation 708 through the chin covering panel 732; a filter 705 covering the at least one cup perforation 708; a filter cover and contact rim 720 covering the filter 705, the a filter cover and contact rim 720 comprising at least one filter cover perforation 736 that that is in communication with the at least one cup perforation 708 by way of the filter 705.
The passive transparent anti-contagion facemask embodiment 700 further comprising a flexible flange 725 configured to conform to a wearer's face 515. This can further be wherein the flexible flange 725 is a lower durometer than the face covering cup 701.
The passive transparent anti-contagion facemask embodiment 700 further envisioning wherein the face covering cup 701 is a unitary transparent element.
The passive transparent anti-contagion facemask embodiment 700 further comprising two side cup panels 721 joining the curved chin panel 732 to a nose covering panel 719, the two side cup panels 721, the curved chin panel 732 and the nose covering panel 719 connected to the front panel 726 on a first end and defining the cup periphery 702 on a second end.
The passive transparent anti-contagion facemask embodiment 700 further imagining wherein the at least one cup perforation 708 is a slotted aperture 708 defined by ribs 714A.
A method for using a transparent facemask 700, the method comprising: providing a face covering cup 701 with a plurality of breathing perforations 708 that penetrate through the face covering cup 701; covering the breathing perforations 708 with filter material 705; attaching the filter material 705 to the face covering cup 701; enveloping a human nostrils 502 and human mouth 504 with the facemask 700, the human nostrils 502 and the human mouth 504 viewable by an onlooker 438 without obstruction through a transparent front facemask panel 726, strapping the face covering cup 701 to the face; breathing air 418 through the breathing perforations 708 via the filter material 705, defining a mask midpoint 424 as a point on the face covering cup 701 that is equidistant between the human mouth 504 and the human nostrils 502, the breathing perforations 708 are a distance greater than 1.25 inches from the mask midpoint 424.
The method for using the transparent facemask 700 embodiment further considering wherein the face covering cup further comprises two side cup panels 721 joining a curved chin panel 732 to a nose covering panel 719, the two side cup panels 721, the curved chin panel 732 and the nose covering panel 719 connected to the front panel 726 on a first end and defining cup periphery 702 on a second end, the breathing perforations 708 are solely in the curved chin panel 732. This can further comprise connecting a filter cover and contact rim 720 over the filter material 705, the filter cover and contact rim 720 comprising filter cover perforations 736 that are in communication with the cup perforations 708 by way of the filter 705.
The method for using the transparent facemask 700 embodiment further pondering wherein the transparent front facemask panel 726 is essentially flat.
The above sample embodiments should not be considered limiting to the scope of the invention whatsoever because many more embodiments and variations of embodiments are easily conceived within the teachings, scope and spirit of the instant specification.
It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with the details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, different configurations, thicknesses, permeability, compressibility of the filtered gasket can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Also, though different facemask embodiments can be inventive as a whole, individual facemask components or elements can be equally inventive and stand alone. Further, the terms “one” is synonymous with “a”, which may be a first of a plurality.
It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the invention disclosed.
This continuation-in-part application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/115,543 entitled: Anti-Contagion Mask, filed on Dec. 8, 2020, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/114,414 entitled: Anti-Contagion Mask, filed on Dec. 7, 2020 that is now U.S. Pat. No. 11,123,581 issued on Sep. 21, 2021, which claims priority to 1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/992,903 entitled: Anti-Contageon Mask, filed on Mar. 20, 2020, and 2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/031,745 entitled: Anti-Contagion Mask, filed on May 29, 2020.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63031745 | May 2020 | US | |
| 62992903 | Mar 2020 | US | |
| 63031745 | May 2020 | US | |
| 62992903 | Mar 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17114414 | Dec 2020 | US |
| Child | 17115543 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17115543 | Dec 2020 | US |
| Child | 17512006 | US |
