Patent Application
20230066913
The disclosed subject matter relates generally to the field of hygienic equipment and apparatus for maintaining hygiene and reducing transmission of microbial species. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a protective apparatus that may comprise a visor and a transparent shield, where the shield may be flexible and may extend above the visor in order to provide additional protection.
It is advantageous and hygienic to reduce the spread of harmful pathogens that may be airborne or spread via droplets or other fomites. A convenient option to reduce the spread of certain microbial species is by physical occlusion or blockage using an inert barrier material. To that end, a protective apparatus comprising a transparent face shield will allow for ease of use, communication, and minimal vision blockage while also providing a physical barrier to prevent the spread of microbes, either from sources external to the user, or from the user spreading to their environment.
In some embodiments, the protective apparatus comprises a face shield and visor combination, the entire apparatus protecting a user from microbes and foreign matter. The visor may comprise an outer surface, an inner surface, a front section, and rear sections. The inner surface includes a plurality of attachment points disposed thereon, and the rear sections includes discrete flexible ends. The visor may include a headband portion that extends around the curvature of the visor and may encompass the rear sections. The flexible ends may include notched attachment points to attach straps, loops, or other flexible materials to secure the visor. The front section may include a brim and may comprise a channel and a plurality of apertures. The channel may be hollow in the sense that it is open to allow the face shield to pass through the visor brim and extend above and below the visor. The channel may also comprise a plurality of recessed grooves. The face shield may comprise a transparent material shaped to fit inside the channel, where the face shield can extend above and below the channel to provide protection for the face and above the forehead.
The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalization, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. The summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.
In many instances, individuals may wish to prevent the spread of microbial based diseases and of foreign matter from reaching mucous membranes around the head, while ensuring that visibility and the ability to communicate is not significantly compromised. Many individuals, including those working in dental and medical practices, may utilize a clear transparent covering worn over the head which can physically intercept microbes and foreign matter, where the transparent covering may be attached to a band which can encompass and grip the circumference of the individual's head. However, the design of such transparent coverings may not allow for sufficient protection of mucous membranes from microbes and foreign matter traveling from angles significantly above the plane of the band, which can often be case where the individual is seated and interacting with a supine patient, like during a dental examination. In these instances, where the transparent covering ends at the band, the band itself may be susceptible to splatter and contamination by foreign matter and worse yet, the individual wearing the transparent covering may be exposed to the foreign matter coming in above the plane of the band.
The present disclosure remedies these splatter and contamination incidents from above the plane of the band by, for example, creating a shape and design of protective apparatus that extends substantially above the band. For example, the protective apparatus described herein may include a face shield and visor combination, designed to provide protection from splatter and foreign matter coming in from above the band of the visor assembly that would otherwise reach the user. In some instances, the visor may include a brim portion and a headband portion, wherein the headband wraps around at least a portion of the user's head and contacts the user's head to secure the visor assembly to the user. The visor brim may extend away from the user's forehead and may also extend down at an angle from the plane of the band around the user's head. In some instances, the visor may include cut outs or apertures to provide for ventilation. For example, the visor may include a cut out section behind the shield which allows for gases and sound generated by a wearer to easily escape, while also allowing for air to be exchanged from the environment, thus preventing fogging on the face shield and thereby maintaining good visibility.
In some embodiments, the visor comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, where the inner surface may include a plurality of attachment points disposed thereon for attaching the face shield to the visor.
In some embodiments, one or more of the visor's attachment points may be comprised of an attachment post on the interior of the visor to allow for securely attaching the face shield to the visor. In some embodiments, the attachment of the shield to the visor is reversible, and the shield can be removed to be cleaned or replaced when it becomes contaminated or otherwise dirty. In some embodiments, one or more of the visor's attachment points may also include one or more retaining clips to further secure the face shield to the visor at the attachment point. In some embodiments, one or more of the visor's attachment points may also include one or more clip posts instead of, or in addition to, the retaining clip, where the clip post, in one embodiment, extends downward from the interior surface of the visor and may press the shield against the interior of the visor. Thus, in some embodiments, the face shield may be secured to the visor through a combination of the attachment posts, retaining clips, and/or clip posts.
In some embodiments, the visor may include discrete flexible ends, formed to follow the contours of a human head, which allow for the visor to rest above the ears, or alternatively, to grip the head for a secure fitment. In some embodiments, the discrete flexible ends may have a notch or notches to allow for straps and fabrics to attach to the flexible ends and provide for a stronger and more secure fitment of the visor.
In some embodiments, the visor, particularly the visor brim, may include a channel which allows for the shield to pass through the visor and extend above the plane of the visor's headband. In some embodiments, the channel also helps to secure the shield to the visor. In some embodiments, the channel may also include a plurality of recessed grooves.
In some embodiments, the shield is shaped to extend above the plane of the visor, as well as below the plane to protect from foreign matter and microbial agents. In some embodiments, the shield contains a plurality of attachment points which allow for snap-in, detachable fitment to the visor. In some embodiments, the attachment points correspond to the attachment posts on the visor, allowing for snap-in, detachable fitment between the visor and the shield.
In some embodiments, the visor 120 may comprise or be formed from polypropylene or a similar material. In some embodiments, the visor 120 is manufactured through injection molding processes. The visor 120 may be integrated with a headband portion 130 and a brim portion 125. In some instances, the headband may comprise or be formed from polypropylene or similar material. In some embodiments, the headband 130 further includes ends 140. In some instances, the ends 140 may comprise or be formed from polypropylene or similar material. In some instances, the ends 140 may include a divot or notch 127 where the ends meet the headband 130 for attaching straps, for example those made of flexible materials like fabrics, fasteners, or strings. The notches 127 provides a beneficial way to attach straps to the visor so that the straps can provide for a stronger and more secure fitment of the visor or when needed, the visor may be maintained around the user's neck while not being worn on the head. The visor 120 may also include one or more external protrusions 123 that may vertically span portions of the headband 130 and visor brim 125 on the exterior surface of the visor 120. On the exterior surface of the visor 120, the protrusion may extend outward from the contour of the headband 130 and visor brim 125. In some embodiments, the protrusion 123 blends into the contour of the brim 125 as the protrusion 123 extends downward.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the shield 110 extends 1-2 inches above the channel 210. In some embodiments, the shield 110 extends approximately 1.5 inches above the channel 210. In some embodiments, the shield 110 extends 6-9 inches below the channel 210. In some embodiments, the shield 110 extends above the channel 210 less than 10% of its total height at the center point of the shield, or otherwise measured from the bottom portion of the shield to the top portion of the shield. In some embodiments, between 10% and 20% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, approximately 20% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, between 20% and 30% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, between 30% and 40% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, between 40% and 50% of the height of the shield 110 extends above the channel 210. In some embodiments, the ratio of portion of the shield extending below the channel compared to the portion extending above the channel is approximately 9:2, measured from the bottom portion of the shield to the top portion of the shield. In other embodiments, the ratio is 3:1 or 4:1 or 5:1.
In some embodiments, the interior flat wall 300 may extend downward such that, in relation to the contour of the visor 120, the interior flat wall 300 crosses over from being an indentation on the interior of the visor 120 at the top of the visor 120 to jutting out from the interior of the visor 120 as an internal step 315 at the bottom of the visor 120. For example, in one embodiment, the interior flat wall 300 may extend substantially vertically downward in relation to the contour of the rest of the visor 120 that exists nearby the interior flat wall 300.
The attachment point 330 may include a temple attachment post 320, which in some embodiments may be positioned on the interior flat wall 300, and may further be positioned on the internal step 315 portion of the interior flat wall 300. The temple attachment post 320 may, in some embodiments, may protrude inwards from the surface of the interior flat wall 300. As shown in
Additionally, the attachment point 330 may include a retaining clip 310 located adjacent to the interior flat wall 300. In some embodiments, the retaining clip 310 may include a clip post 312 that extends generally downward from the interior surface of the visor 120, for example from the headband 130. In some embodiments, the retaining clip 310 is located adjacent to the interior flat wall 300 in a direction toward the front of the visor 120. In some embodiments, the clip post 312 may begin at some location on the sidewall 311 and extend generally downward from the sidewall 311. As part of the retaining clip 310, a gap may exist between the clip post 312 and the internal surface of the visor 120. In this manner, the retaining clip 310 may receive and secure a portion of the shield 110 in the gap between the clip post 312 and the interior surface of the visor 120. The clip post 312 may exert pressure on this received portion of shield 110 to press it against the interior surface of the visor 120. Additionally, the shield 110 may also be pressed against, and lie flush with, the surface of the interior flat wall 300 when the shield is secured by the retaining clip 310 and attached to the temple post 320.
The visor 120 may also include an underlip 316 that extends downward below the channel 210 and follows around the contour of the visor 120 and/or channel 210 and sits below the channel 210. In some embodiments, the underlip 316 ends at the channel ends 215 on each side. In some embodiments the underlip 316 extends beyond the channel ends 215 toward the attachment point 330, and in other embodiments the underlip 316 encompasses only a portion or portions of the area on the visor 120 below the channel 210. As the underlip 316 curves towards the back of the visor 120, the underlip 316 may be in substantially the same plane as the interior flat wall 300.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the shield 110 is made from a substantially flat sheet of plastic material without pre-existing curvature in the shield 110 prior to assembly with the visor 120. Thus, the curvature of the channel 210 in the visor 120 establishes the curvature of the shield 110 when placed in the visor 120. Using a substantially flat sheet for the shield 110 in this manner creates pressure in the channel 210 (and for example, creates pressure against the underlip 316) as the shield 110 is forced into a curved shape different than its original substantially flat arrangement. The pressure created by the shield 110 against the visor 120 serves to assist in securing the shield 110 in the visor, and minimizes the number of attachment points need to secure the shield 110 to the visor 120.
In some embodiments, a plurality of retaining clips 310 can be shaped to guide and secure the shield 110 relative to the visor 120. In some embodiments, the plurality of retaining clips 310 are placed directly adjacent to the interior flat wall 300, and the temple post 320. In some embodiments, the shield 110 is held in place by a combination of friction and mechanical linkage or couplings.
As explained above, the shield 110 may be attached and detached from the visor 120. In some embodiments, the shield 110 is inserted into the channel 210 to extend above and below the major plane of the visor 120. The temple holes 510 and fore holes 500 may correspond to the temple posts 320 and fore posts 400, respectively, and allow for mechanical attachment and fitment of the shield 110 to the visor 120 at these points. In some embodiments, the temple holes 510 align and are shaped to correspond to the temple posts 320. Further, in some embodiments, the fore holes 500 align and are shaped to correspond to the fore posts 400. In some embodiments, the fitment of either fore holes 500 or temple holes 510 or a combination thereof to temple posts 320 and fore posts 400 or a combination thereof is sufficient to keep the shield 110 attached and secured to the visor 120. The temple posts and the fore posts may be sized and positioned around the interior of the visor 120 or headband 130 to prevent the shield 110 from moving once affixed or coupled to the visor 120. In some instances, the shield 110 may attach to the visor 120 using press or snap couplings, or any other coupling that will enable the shield 110 to become fixed in place relative to the visor 120.
Visible in
In some embodiments, the interior flat wall 300 may extend downward such that, in relation to the contour of the visor 120, the interior flat wall 300 crosses over from being an indentation on the interior of the visor 120 at the top of the visor 120 to jutting out from the interior of the visor 120 as an internal step 315 at the bottom of the visor 120. For example, in one embodiment, the interior flat wall 300 may extend substantially vertically downward in relation to the contour of the rest of the visor 120 that exists nearby the interior flat wall 300.
The attachment point 330 may include a temple attachment post 320, which in some embodiments may be positioned on the interior flat wall 300, and may further be positioned on the internal step 315 portion of the interior flat wall 300. The temple attachment post 320 may, in some embodiments, may protrude inwards from the surface of the interior flat wall 300. As shown in
Additionally, the attachment point 330 may include a clip post 313 that extends substantially vertically downward from the interior wall of the visor 120. The clip post 313 may be adjacent to, but separate from, the interior flat wall 300 and the side wall 311. In an embodiment, the clip post 313 may extend down to be flush with the bottom of the visor 120. In an embodiment, the bottom of the clip post 313 may be higher up than the temple attachment post 320 (that is, the clip post 313 does not extend as far down vertically as the bottom of the attachment post 320).
As shown in
Further, as shown in
The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems, devices, and methods may be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the present disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment may be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art may translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/240,320, filed Sep. 2, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63240320 | Sep 2021 | US |
