Patent Application
20210298390
The healthcare industry relies on protective equipment such as gowns, gloves, googles, and masks to protect their professionals, such as a nurses and doctors. Likewise, scientific, engineering, and technology industries rely on protective gear for scientists and engineers in the laboratory. Specifically, face masks or shields can protect a user's face from hazards such as infectious materials in medical and laboratory environments, or chemical splashes in industry or laboratory environments.
In the wake of the 2020 global pandemic of the coronavirus outbreak resulting in a large number of COVID-19 cases, these industries are short on protective supplies and gear. With the airborne nature of the coronavirus causing COVID-19, healthcare, scientific, and technical industries and low on protective masks for their workers.
The present disclosure provides a protective face mask that can be used, for example, in medical or laboratory settings. The mask can include on monolithic piece of a plastic or polymer material suitable for preventing transfer of airborne microorganisms to the face of the user. The mask can be made, for example, by laser cutting or by additive manufacturing so that there are no seams or joints in the mask.
The mask can include a shield portion and a head wrap portion, the head wrap portion near the top of the shield portion and extending in either direction so as to allow wrapping of the head portion around the circumference of a user's head. The top of the shield portion can be folded down to a suitable size so that the mask presses in a curved fashion against the user's forehead when applied.
The disclosed masks can be quickly and easily reproduced by manufacturing methods such as laser cutting, additive manufacturing, or other methods allowing for a monolithic piece to be cut into a mask and used. Moreover, the monolithic nature of the masks can allow for little or no seams or joints, and less breakage over time.
In an example, a protective mask can include a monolithic piece of material. The monolithic piece of material can include a shield portion, a strap portion, and a fold line. The shield portion can include a top portion and bottom portion, and be configured to provide protection from contaminants. The strap portion can extend from the shield portion near the top portion, the strap portion can be configured to be secured around a circumference. The fold line can extend laterally along the shield portion, near the top portion. The monolithic piece can be folded along the fold line to provide a curvature.
In a second example, a protective mask can include a monolithic piece of material. The monolithic piece of material can include a shield portion, a strap portion, and a folded portion. The shield portion can have a top portion and bottom portion. The shield portion can be configured to protect a user from contaminants. The strap portion can extend from the shield portion in two opposing directions near the top portion. The strap portion can be configured to be secured around a circumference of a head. The folded portion can extend laterally along the top portion for positioning of a forehead therein.
In a third example, a method of making a protective mask can include shaping a monolithic piece of material into a mask shape having a shield portion for protection, a strap portion for securing the shield portion, and a folding line on the shield portion for creating a curvature along a top portion of the shield portion.
In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.
The present disclosure describes, among other things, a protective mask and method of making the same. The disclosed monolithic mask only requires one source material, reducing the time required to obtain the required materials for manufacturing. Thus, the monolithic mask can be created in one piece in a rapid production line, such as for emergency situations. The mask can additionally cover the user face, including eyes, nose, and mouth, and the sides of the faces up to the ears. The mask can be adjustable so that users of varying head circumference can use a mask printed or shaped based on the same original pattern.
The protective mask 100 can be made of a monolithic material. The material can be flexible and clear (e.g., see-through) to allow comfort and visibility. The material can be light weight, thin, and foldable. The material can be, for example, a plastic or other polymer, a polycarbonate, a cellulose acetate, or other suitable material. The material can be a monolithic piece, created by a method as discussed below with reference to
The shield portion 102 can, when the protective mask is in use, protect a user's face from contaminants. The shield portion 102 can be rectangular, oval, or a combination thereof, such that the shield portion effectively separates the user's face from the surrounding environment. The shield portion 102 can protect the user from contaminants such as fluids, gases, or liquids, that may be or may contain particles, chemicals, microbes, debris, particulates, or other contaminants not desired to come into contact with the user's face for health and safety reasons.
In the example if
The strap portion 112 is part of the same monolithic material as the shield portion 102. The strap portion 112 can be for securing the mask 100 to a user's head. In mask 100 of
In the strap portion 112 in
The fold line 122 can be an indentation or etching extending laterally along the top portion 104 of the shield portion 102. The fold line 122 can be curved so that when folding is accomplished, the curve of the top of the mask 100 fits snuggly against a user's forehead. The fold line 122 can allow for easy bending of the monolithic material along the contours of the fold line 122, such as folding a part of the top portion 104 of the shield down towards the inside of the mask. The resulting folded section can press up against the user's forehead when in use to allow for a secure connection. The fold line 122 can be, for example, a dashed cut line or a solid score line.
The fold line 122 can be, for example, etching of a dashed line, or a thing score along the lateral length of the material, to allow easy bending. Additional etchings may be included on the monolithic material, such as the work “BEND” on or near the fold line 122 to provide user instruction. Additionally, etchings may be provided on the monolithic material such as “FRONT” and “BACK” for each understanding. In some cases, etchings may be provided on the strap portion 112 such as “INSERT” such as for the end portion 120 containing a securement mechanism.
The mask 100 herein can optionally be modified by the addition of other materials, such as a foam forehead piece, or an elastic piece around the strap portion 112, but can be used sufficiently without those additional materials and pieces. This could be done, for example, in a clinical or laboratory setting if the user desired to further modify the mask.
Here, the mask is folded along the fold line to provide a curvature in which a user can place his or her forehead. The strap portion is wrapped around the circumference of the user's head and secured snuggly with a fastened.
When in use, the mask can fit tightly against the user's forehead due in part to the folded line curvature. The material of the mask can be flexible enough to conform to the size of the user's head, but also stiff enough to provide a sturdy shield in front of the user's face to prevent transfer of contaminants therethrough.
Shown in the front view of
In the first step 402, the mask can be shaped from a monolithic material. For example, the mask can be shaped to have a shield portion and a strap portion as shown and discussed with reference to
The material can be, for example, a plastic that is thin and flexible but also holds a curvature, such as a polyurethane film, an acetate film, or other suitable material. The material can be clear so that the user can see through it when the mask is in use.
In some cases, the shield portion can be rounded or smoothed such that there are no sharp corners on the mask. In some cases, the strap portion can be further shaped to create end portions that can join together as a fastened. In some cases, the strap portion can be made such that the fastener is adjustable for various head circumferences.
In the second step, the fold line can be created on the material, such as near the top of the shield portion. The fold line can be etched or scored into the material, such as in a thin scored line or in a dashed line, to allow for easy bending of the material. The fold line can be curved to allow for shaping of the forehead. At this point, the mask can, for example, be shipped out for use.
When a user is ready to use the mask, they can fold the mask along the fold line (step 406), and place the curvature of the mask against their forehead. The user can fasten the strap portion behind their head.
Example 1 can include a protective mask can include a monolithic piece of material. The monolithic piece of material can include a shield portion, a strap portion, and a fold line. The shield portion can include a top portion and bottom portion, and be configured to provide protection from contaminants. The strap portion can extend from the shield portion near the top portion, the strap portion can be configured to be secured around a circumference. The fold line can extend laterally along the shield portion, near the top portion. The monolithic piece can be folded along the fold line to provide a curvature.
Example 2 can include Examples 1, wherein the protective mask is laser-cut or additively manufactured.
Example 3 can include any of Examples 1-2, wherein the strap portion extends from the shield portion in two opposing directions.
Example 4 can include any of Examples 1-3, wherein the strap portion further comprises two end portions.
Example 5 can include any of Examples 1-4, wherein each of the end portions are configured to be secured to each other.
Example 6 can include any of Examples 1-5, wherein the fold line is curved along the shield portion.
Example 7 can include any of Examples 1-6, wherein the fold line is aligned with the strap portion.
Example 8 can include any of Examples 1-7, wherein the top portion of the shield portion comprises a top edges that is flat.
Example 9 can include any of Examples 1-9, wherein the bottom portion of the shield portion comprises a bottom edges that is curved.
Example 10 can include a protective mask can include a monolithic piece of material. The monolithic piece of material can include a shield portion, a strap portion, and a folded portion. The shield portion can have a top portion and bottom portion. The shield portion can be configured to protect a user from contaminants. The strap portion can extend from the shield portion in two opposing directions near the top portion. The strap portion can be configured to be secured around a circumference of a head. The folded portion can extend laterally along the top portion for positioning of a forehead therein.
Example 11 can include a method of making a protective mask can include shaping a monolithic piece of material into a mask shape having a shield portion for protection, a strap portion for securing the shield portion, and a folding line on the shield portion for creating a curvature along a top portion of the shield portion.
Example 12 can include Example 11, wherein shaping a monolithic piece of material comprises laser cutting the material.
Example 13 can include any of Examples 11-12, wherein shaping a monolithic piece of material comprises additively manufacturing the material.
Example 14 can include any of Examples 11-13, wherein the monolithic piece of material comprises a plastic.
Example 15 can include any of Examples 11-14, wherein the monolithic piece of material comprises a see-through material.
Example 16 can include any of Examples 11-15, further comprising folding the monolithic piece of material along the fold line to create a curvature
Example 17 can include any of Examples 11-16, further comprising shaping the strap portion to create a fastening mechanism on either end of the strap portion.
Example 18 can include any of Examples 11-17, wherein the mask shape is sized for application to an adult.
Example 19 can include any of Examples 11-18, wherein the mask shape is sized for application to a child.
Example 20 can include protective mask made by the method of Example 11.
Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples.
The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.
In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/000,281, filed Mar. 26, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63000281 | Mar 2020 | US |
