Patent Grant
11918063
The present invention relates generally to the field of personal protective equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a strapless face mask for use in covering the nose and mouth region of an individual. The device is comprised of a convex, hollow, flexible plastic frame that receives a sleeve to cover the frame. The sleeve covers the face, nose, mouth and chin area of the wearer such that any respiratory droplets from the wearer are prevented from entering into the surrounding environment and potentially infecting other individuals. Further, the device preferably includes one or more tightening mechanisms which allow a wearer to tighten or loosen the seal that the frame makes with the face. Each tightening mechanism may receive a cable that runs within the hollow frame via a spool within each portion of the frame. When each spool is rotated, the cable upon each spool is tightened or loosened, which in turn increases or decreases the convex angle of the frame to tighten or loosen the seal of the frame against the face of the wearer. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
Airborne pathogens, bacteria, and viruses spread predominately from person-to-person in the form of respiratory droplets. The droplets travel into the air when an individual coughs, sneezes, talks or breathes, and can then land on the face of another nearby person or may encounter the mouths and noses of nearby people. Therefore, if a first person is infected with a pathogen, bacteria or virus, their respiratory droplets can infect others with said pathogen, bacteria or virus. In an effort to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens, bacteria and viruses, many individuals choose to wear face masks, shields, scarves or other face coverings. As a result, wearers of face masks and other protective gear substantially reduce the amount of exhaled respiratory droplets and aerosols that leave their bodies, which in turn reduces the risk of another individual being exposed and becoming infected with a pathogen, bacteria, or virus.
Existing face masks and face coverings known in the art are often secured around the ears, neck and/or back of the head of a wearer via straps, strings or loops. However, after prolonged periods of time, said straps, loops or strings can become extremely uncomfortable and may cause irritation behind the ears, or on the neck or head. The straps, loops or strings are constantly pulling against the head, neck or ears of a wearer to keep the face mask covering a wearer's face, which can cause pressure spots to occur behind the ears, neck and on the head of the wearer. In addition, the skin behind a wearer's ears or neck can become irritated and raw, and a wearer can also develop tension headaches from the constant tension of the straps, loops or strings on their head, ears or neck after prolonged and regular face mask usage.
In addition, existing face masks offer no means for a wearer to tighten or loosen the face mask easily. As a result, individuals may wear face masks that are too tight and are therefore extremely uncomfortable, or face masks that are too loose and as a result do not properly minimize the spread of airborne pathogens, bacteria, and viruses from the wearer's respiratory droplets. Accordingly, if a wearer does wish to adjust the fit of his or her mask, he or she must resort to modifying the mask structure via replacing the straps with shorter or longer straps, or buying an additional device to place on the straps to allow for the straps to be lengthened or shortened. However, neither of said alternatives are desirable for wearers.
Further, existing face masks are not particularly stylish or visually appealing, and often only consist of one solid color mask body. However, many face mask wearers may wish to decorate their face mask with a plurality of designs, patterns, colors, logos, etc. In order to do so, a user must purchase a specifically designed mask that cannot be easily replaced if it becomes ripped, tarnished or dirtied. Therefore, from a consumer perspective, having to purchase multiple face masks to achieve multiple mask appearances is neither desirable nor economical.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved face mask. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved face mask that is strapless in design and is therefore more comfortable for the wearer as it avoids the irritation which accompanies traditional face masks. Further, there exists in the art a long-felt need for an improved face mask device that allows a user to easily tighten or loosen the mask, such that it remains comfortable and properly fits to the face of the wearer to ensure adequate prevention of the passing of respiratory droplets from a wearer to others nearby. Finally, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved face mask that allows a wearer to easily change the appearance of the mask to ensure the mask is visually appealing.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a strapless personal protective device. The device includes a bendable or flexible plastic frame that presses against the face of a wearer to create a seal around the nose, mouth and face area of the wearer. The frame is also secured over the nose and mouth of the wearer via a dial mechanism which allows the wearer to tighten or loosen the seal against the face. Further, the plastic frame may receive a sleeve or other covering that serves as a mask shield or facial covering. The sleeve or facial covering may further be comprised of a plurality of logos, emblems, patterns, designs, colors, jewels, etc. to accommodate the personal style and preference of the wearer.
In this manner, the strapless personal protection device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives while providing an improved face mask, covering or shield. Accordingly, the mask eliminates the traditional usage of straps, strings, cords or bands from existing face masks, which can become extremely uncomfortable, irritate the skin of the wearer and potentially cause tension headaches. Further, the strapless personal protection device of the present invention allows the mask to be loosened or tightened on the face of the wearer, which cannot be easily done with existing face masks without the modification of the mask or the purchase of an additional product. Finally, the strapless personal protection device of the present invention allows a user to adorn the device with a plurality of mask sleeves or coverings of differing appearances, therefore assuring the device is visually appealing.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a strapless personal protection device. The device includes a hollow, tubular, flexible plastic frame that receives a cloth sleeve or covering which protects the face, nose, mouth and chin area of the wearer. In differing embodiments of the device, the covering or sleeve may have a plurality of patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements and combinations thereof. Further, the front surface of the covering or sleeve may have a plurality of three-dimensional jewels or other decorative elements.
The personal protection device also includes a tightening mechanism that is located on each side of the device and may attach to the face of the wearer via an adhesive layer. Each mechanism has a body which houses a spool that rotates on a central shaft, and the shaft can be rotated via a dial head or other controller. Each spool further receives a cable or string which runs throughout the hollow plastic frame such that the cable forms a loop within the device. A user turns each spool in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to lengthen or shorten the internal cable. To this effect, the lengthening or shortening of the cable allows the frame of the device to be bent or flexed in a more convex or less convex shape, such that it forms a tighter or looser seal against the face of the wearer depending on the contours of the face as well as the size of the individual's head.
As such, the strapless face mask of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it allows a wearer to adjust the tightness of the face mask via a degree of adjustability not possible with existing face masks and hence provide greater comfort to the user. Further, the strapless personal protection device of the present invention provides a more comfortable face mask design that does not utilize ear loops, bands, strings or straps, which can cause skin irritation and tension headaches. In addition, the sleeve or covering for the frame of the device allows the mask body to be easily customized to fit the contours of the face and always remain visually appealing.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved face mask device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved face mask that is strapless in design, which in turn makes the mask more comfortable than existing masks that use straps, loops, bands or strings to secure the mask to the face or head of the wearer. There also exists in the art a long-felt felt need for an improved face mask device that allows a user to easily tighten or loosen the mask, such that the mask remains comfortable and properly fit to his or her face to ensure the prevention of the passing of respiratory droplets by the wearer. Therefore, droplets that may contain pathogens, bacteria, and viruses are not passed from the wearer to other nearby individuals who then may become infected. Finally, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved face mask or personal protection device that allows a user to easily change the appearance of the mask to ensure the mask is visually appealing.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of an improved face mask or personal protection device. The device has a hollow, tubular plastic frame that includes a plurality of horizontal and vertical frame members that receive a cloth body sleeve or covering. The cloth body sleeve or covering protects the face, nose, mouth and chin areas of the wearer to prevent respiratory droplets from the wearer from entering into the surrounding environment. In differing embodiments of the device, the body sleeve may have a plurality of patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements or combinations thereof. Further, the front surface of the body sleeve or covering may have a plurality of three-dimensional jewels, stars or other decorative elements. Therefore, the body sleeve or covering allows a user to greatly customize the appearance of the personal protection device or face mask and ensure it is always visually appealing.
The device also includes a tightening mechanism that is located on each side of the device and may attach to the face of the wearer via a non-allergenic or hypoallergenic adhesive layer which may be provided in the form of a tape. The mechanism includes a body which houses a spool that rotates on a central shaft, which can be rotated via a dial head or other controller. Each spool further receives a cable which runs throughout the hollow plastic frame such that the cable forms a loop within the frame of the device. Therefore, a user may turn each spool or spindle in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to lengthen or shorten the internal cable. To this effect, the lengthening or shortening of the cable allows the frame or portions of the personal protection device to be bent or flexed in a more convex or less convex shape such that it forms a tighter or looser seal against the face of the wearer.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The device 100 is also preferably constructed from a hollow, tubular plastic frame 110. It is contemplated that the frame 110 has two main horizontal frame members 112 which may rest above or on the bridge 16 of the nose 14 of the wearer 10 and on the front or sides of the chin 20 of the wearer 10. Both horizontal frame members 112 are preferably convex in shape in relation to the curvature of the face 12 of the wearer 10, as best seen in
It is further contemplated that both horizontal frame members 112 may be connected to one another via any number of fixedly-attached vertical frame members 114. The vertical frame members 114 may be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid, and may be tubular or non-tubular in differing embodiments of the personal protection device 100. In addition, the vertical frame members 114 may also be convex such that they mirror the convex shape of the face 12 of the wearer 100 (e.g. the convex shape can be observed when viewing the front plane of the head of the wearer 10 from above as shown in
In addition, it is contemplated that the horizontal frame members 112 and vertical frame members 114 may be manufactured from any number or derivative form of plastic materials that may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible, such as but not limited to: acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass and combinations thereof. Furthermore, the vertical frame members 114 may be connected to the top-most (e.g. nearest to the nose 14 of the wearer 10) horizontal frame member 112 via a hinge 1128 that allows the vertical frame members 114 to pivot outwards away from the face 12 of the wearer 10 or inwards toward the face 12 of the wearer 10. In this manner, the vertical frame members 114 can be pivoted outwards when the device 100 is in use to keep the covering 130 out of the mouth 18 area of the wearer 10 while talking. When not needed, the vertical frame members 114 can be pivoted inwards toward the face 12 of the wearer 10 and stored within the top-most horizontal frame member 112. In an embodiment of the device 100 with two or more horizontal frame members 112, the other frame members 112 (excluding the top-most member 112 near the nose 14 of the wearer 10) may also be connected to the vertical frame members 114 via a hinge 1128 that allows the horizontal frame members 112 to pivot in the same manner as the vertical frame members 114. Further, the other horizontal frame members 112 can also be stored within the top-most horizontal frame member 112 when they are unneeded or undesired to keep the covering 130 out of the mouth 18 area of the wearer 10 while talking.
Each horizontal frame member 112 is further attached to a tightening mechanism 150. The face mask or personal protective device 100 is preferably comprised of at least one tightening mechanism 150 and preferably two tightening mechanisms 150. Each tightening mechanism 150 is located on one side of the wearer's face 12 (as can be seen in
As also shown in
The device 100 also has a body sleeve or covering 130, as seen in
One embodiment of the covering 130 may further be comprised of cutouts 131 (e.g. continuous openings) located on the upper corners of the body 130 that expose the horizontal frame member 112. In this regard, the frame member 112 can easily be removed from the covering 130 as needed. It is also contemplated that the covering 130 may attached to the horizontal frame member(s) 112 via a snap button assembly 133 that allows the covering to be snapped or unsnapped from the frame member 112 easily. In any given embodiment, the device 100 may be comprised of any number of snap button assemblies 133 positioned on any surface of the frame member(s) 112 or covering 130. In addition, the snap button assembly 133 may be located near each tightening mechanism 150.
As noted, an embodiment of the device 100 can be comprised of one horizontal frame member 112 near the nose 16 of the wearer 10. In this embodiment, the covering 130 rests on the face 12 and/or chin 20 of the wearer 10 and is held against the face 12 or chin 20 via a tension force that is created via the frame member 112. In this regard, the covering 130 can be more easily removed from a singular horizontal frame member 112 than in an embodiment with two horizontal frame members 112. It is also further contemplated that this embodiment has no vertical frame members 114, and that the tightening mechanism 150 is non-adjustable.
In addition, the device 100 may be comprised of an anti-fogging mechanism that reduces fogging when wearing the device 100 with eyewear. The mechanism is comprised of a thin, inflatable rubber cushion 1122 that can be inflated/deflated by tightening or loosening the cable 180. Further, the horizontal frame members 112 may be comprised of a plurality of shuttered continuous openings 1124, wherein the shutters 1126 of the openings can be opened/closed via the tightening or loosening of the cable 180 to allow for air to exit the mask 100 to prevent fogging of eyeglasses. Another embodiment of the anti-fogging mechanism may be comprised of a plurality of bristles 185 that are fixedly or removable attached to the horizontal frame member 112 (as seen in
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “strapless face mask device”, “mask”, and “device”, are interchangeable and refer to the strapless face mask device 100, 500 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the strapless face mask device 100, 500 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the strapless face mask device 100, 500 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the strapless face mask device 100, 500 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the strapless face mask device 100, 500 are important design parameters for user convenience, the strapless face mask device 100, 500 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/070,296, which was filed on Aug. 26, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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