Respiratory mask

Abstract

The mask, which covers a user's nose and mouth, includes a covering and a band system. The covering includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the band system includes a main band for attaching to the upper side edge of the upper portion and a lower band for attaching to the lower portion. During wear, the main band remains attached to the upper side edge of the upper portion at all times, holding the upper portion of the covering against the user's face. When the user wants the lower portion to be held snugly against the user's face while wearing the mask, the user maintains the lower band connection. When the user wants the lower portion of the covering to hang freely in front of the user's face while wearing the mask, the user disconnects the lower band.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to respiratory masks, and more particularly to respiratory masks that allow the user or wearer to eat or drink while protecting both the user and those nearby the user. [Background technology]

[0002] Typically, viruses such as coronaviruses and those that cause the common cold and influenza can be spread by airborne particles exhaled from a person's respiratory tract. Countless other contaminants and bacteria are also present in the air that humans breathe. Breathing in such viruses or other contaminants can lead to infections such as coronavirus infections, the common cold, influenza, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and numerous other respiratory tract infections. Various masks have been developed to cover a user's nose and / or mouth to prevent the user from both inhaling viruses, bacteria, contaminants, and the like and exhaling them into the local atmosphere.

[0003] A typical mask is usually made from one or more layers of woven or nonwoven material and further includes some means for securing the mask to the user's face, such as one or more elastic bands intended to wrap around the user's head or face. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A typical mask must be removed from the user's face if the user wishes to eat, drink, or otherwise have unobstructed access to the user's mouth, resulting in the mask no longer protecting the user or individuals near the user from airborne contaminants.

[0005] The present invention reduces and / or prevents the problems inherent in such typical respiratory masks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a respiratory mask that includes a covering portion that allows a user to selectively freely eat, drink, or otherwise access their mouth while still adequately filtering viruses, bacteria, contaminants, and the like.

[0007] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of a mask according to the present invention, showing the bands fully connected; FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of a mask according to the present invention, showing the bands separated; FIG. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B show a second embodiment of a mask according to the present invention, showing the separated upper and lower mask covering portions and the separated bands. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of a mask according to the present invention, showing the attached upper and lower mask covering portions and the separated band. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a respiratory mask 10 according to the present invention includes a covering portion 12 formed from one or more layers of woven or nonwoven material. The covering portion may be made of any suitable material, such as fabrics typically used to make respiratory masks. The covering portion is designed to completely cover the wearer's nose and mouth to prevent droplets and particles, such as saliva, exhaled fluids, or other contaminants, from being expelled into the surrounding air when the wearer coughs, sneezes, or otherwise exhales air or other fluids. To that end, the covering portion may be any suitable shape, such as rectangular or a shape that conforms to the general shape of a user's face. The covering portion 12 may be described as having two regions: an upper region 12A that covers the nose and a lower region 12B that covers the mouth. While the upper and lower regions are not necessarily separate parts, the upper region is intended to cover the user's nose, and the lower region is intended to cover the user's mouth. As shown, upper region 12A is generally rectangular in shape and covers the user's cheeks, nose, and upper lip, while lower region 12B tapers to fit the user's mouth and chin. This tapered shape may be achieved by providing flared regions 13 symmetrically on either side of lower region 12B.

[0010] The mask 10 includes bands 14, 16 that secure the cover portion 12 to the user's head to ensure that it covers the user's nose and mouth. The bands 14, 16 are secured to the cover portion 12 at at least six connection locations, i.e., at least three connection locations 12-1, 12-2, 12-3 on each side. The connection locations 12-1, 12-2 are generally located at the four corners of the upper region 12A, and the connection location 12-3 is located at the edge of the lower region 12B. If the lower region 12B is tapered, the connection location 12-3 is preferably located in the overhang region 13. The bands 14 are secured to the cover portion 12 at the connection locations 12-1, 12-2 by any known method, and this connection is not removable. In contrast, band 16 is secured to cover portion 12 at connection location 12-3 using connection portion 18 on cover portion 12 and complementary connection portion 20 on band 16 in any known manner, and the connection at connection location 12-3 is releasable. This releasability may be achieved in any known manner using the pair of connection portions 18, 20. By way of non-limiting example, the pair of connection portions 18, 20 may be a button and buttonhole, a concave / convex snap or stud, Velcro™, a clasp, etc. Band 14 may be attached over the wearer's ear or around the wearer's head. Each band 16 is secured to a corresponding band 14.

[0011] In the illustrated embodiment, two bands 14 are provided in a loop shape on either side of the cover 12, forming loops over the user's ears when worn. The present invention is not limited to this design, and any shape of band 14 is suitable, so long as the bands 14 are connected to the cover 12 at two or more locations on each side and can be easily secured to the user's head. Alternative designs may include, for example, a single, one-piece band 14 having a single main strip that branches into two at both ends to provide two connections on each side. In this design, when worn, the single band may wrap around the back of the user's head rather than forming loops around the wearer's ears. Furthermore, the single, one-piece band need not branch into two, but may instead be a continuous band similar to a balaclava or gaiter, except that the lower region may be removable from the cover. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the bands 16 are shown as loops interconnected with corresponding bands 14 on each side. The present invention is not limited to this design, and any shape of band 16 may be suitable, as described in more detail below. Bands 14, 16 may be made of any suitable elastic material, but need not be elastic. Bands may be non-elastic if they are releasably secured to the user's head using any conventional releasable device (e.g., buckles, snaps, "Velcro" material, or knots).

[0012] For maximum protection during use, the user secures the covering portion 12 to the band 16 at the lower connection location 12-3 using the complementary connections 18, 20, and the mask 10 is fully connected as shown in FIG. 1 . The user then places the loops of the band 14 around their ears, ensuring that region 12A is held over the user's nose and region 12B is held over the user's mouth and chin. When the wearer wishes to eat, drink, or for any other reason access their mouth, while still wearing the mask, the user may remove the band 16 at the lower connection location 12-3, as shown in FIG. 2 , allowing the lower region 12B of the covering portion 12 to hang freely or droop, making the user's mouth accessible. At the same time, the band 14 remains attached at the four other connection locations 12-1, 12-2, holding the upper region 12A snugly over the user's nose. Even while hanging down, the lower region 12B of the cover portion can provide some protection for the user's mouth, preventing droplets and particles of spit and saliva from being expelled outward when the user coughs or sneezes.

[0013] In the illustrated embodiment, bands 14, 16 are elastic, and band 16 is connected to band 14, which in turn is connected to the user's ears via band 14. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, each band 16 forms a loop around the corresponding band 14, allowing relative movement between the two bands and allowing the mask 10 to be easily adjusted to fit individual users' head sizes and shapes. Furthermore, a detachable connection may be provided at the attachment points between cover portion 12 and band 14. The present invention is not limited to these specific designs. For example, band 16 need not be connected to the user via band 14, but may be attached directly to the user's ears, or may share a common connection with band 16 near the user's ears. Furthermore, band 16 may be fixedly or detachably connected to band 14. In that regard, the detachable connection using connections 18, 20 need not be at connection location 12-3, but may be located anywhere between connection location 12-3 and the user's head. For example, a detachable connection may be provided at the location where band 16 connects to band 14, or if band 16 connects directly to the user's ear, at that location.

[0014] The second embodiment is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be further described. In the second embodiment, the covering portion is formed from two separate parts: an upper covering portion 22 and a lower covering portion 24. Similar to the upper and lower regions in the first embodiment, the upper covering portion 22 is intended to cover the user's nose, and the lower covering portion 24 is intended to cover the user's mouth. Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, the upper covering portion 22 is generally rectangular in shape and covers the user's cheeks, nose, and upper lip, while the lower covering portion 24 is tapered to fit and cover the user's mouth and chin. The upper covering portion is connected at its upper and lower corners to the band 14 at connection locations 22-1 and 22-2, and the lower covering portion 24 is connected at its lower edge to the band 16 at connection location 24-1. The upper edge of one side of the lower covering portion 24 and the lower edge of the opposite side of the upper covering portion 22 are removably connected by any suitable means, such as strips of "hook and loop" material ("Velcro") 26, 28, preferably extending the entire length of the edges. This allows the wearer to partially or completely separate the upper and lower covering portions 22, 24 (see FIG. 3). When partially separated, a hole or gap is formed between the two covering portions 22, 24, allowing limited access to the user's mouth, for example, for inserting a straw. As in the first embodiment, the lower covering portion 24 can be detached from the band 16, allowing it to hang down, while the user's nose remains fully protected by the upper covering portion 22. Furthermore, when detached from the band 16, the lower covering portion 24 can be separated at the detachable connections 26, 28 and completely removed from the user's face, while the upper covering portion 22 remains worn.

[0015] Further modifications may be made to the embodiments described thus far. For example, when the lower region is separated from the band 16, it is intended to hang over the user's mouth, but a device may be associated with the lower region 12B or lower cover portion 24 to bias the lower region or cover portion away from the user's mouth, allowing for freer access. This device may be in the form of a relatively weak, elongated, resilient spring or strut embedded vertically along the edge or middle of the lower region 12B or lower cover portion 24. When the band 16 is removed from the cover portion, the spring or strut straightens and then bends outward, biasing the lower region or cover portion away from the user's mouth, but still without biasing it too far beyond the vertical, so that the lower region or cover portion is horizontally positioned in front of the user's mouth. When the band 16 is removed, this design may keep the lower region or cover portion away from the user's mouth if the user's head suddenly moves or if the user is blown by the wind. As another modification, the bottom of the lower region 12B or lower cover portion 24 may be weighted to allow the lower region or cover portion to hang vertically when the band 16 is removed. Weighting may be achieved by incorporating a weighted member near the lower edge of the lower region or cover portion or by weighting the connection portion 18 so that it has a dual purpose. As with the modifications previously described, weighting may help keep the lower region or cover portion away from the user's mouth, yet in front of the user's mouth.

[0016] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to those detailed embodiments, and that various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0017] 12 Cover Bands 14 and 16 18, 20 Connection 22 Upper cover 24 Lower cover

Claims

1. In a mask that covers the user's face, a covering covering at least a portion of the user's face, including the user's nose and mouth, the covering including an upper portion and a lower portion; a band system including a main band having at least one main band strap for holding the covering against the user's face and for attaching at two contact points along each upper side edge of the upper portion of the covering, and a lower band having at least one lower band strap for attaching at one contact point to the lower portion of the covering; Including, the at least one main band strap remains attached to the upper side edge of each of the upper portions at the two contact points at all times while the user is wearing the mask, and the at least one main band strap holds the upper portion of the covering against the user's face while the user is wearing the mask; The mask is one in which the user maintains the connection of the at least one lower band strap when the lower portion of the covering material is to be held snugly against the user's face while the user is wearing the mask, and the user disconnects the at least one lower band strap when the lower portion of the covering material is to hang freely in front of the user's face while the user is wearing the mask.

2. 10. The respirator of claim 1, wherein the at least one lower band strap includes a connector for releasably connecting the lower band strap to the lower portion of the cover.

3. 3. The mask of claim 2, wherein each of the connections includes one of a button or buttonhole, a hook-and-loop material, and a snap.

4. 3. The mask of claim 2, wherein the at least one lower band strap includes two lower band straps, each connectable to both the lower portion of the covering and the at least one main band strap.

5. 5. The mask of claim 4, wherein the connectors are provided at the ends of each of the lower band straps for releasably connecting to the lower portion of the covering.

6. 5. The mask of claim 4, wherein the connector is provided at an end of each of the lower band straps for releasably connecting to the at least one main band strap.

7. 10. The mask of claim 1, wherein the at least one main band strap includes two main band straps for connecting to the user's ears.

8. 2. The mask of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the covering material is configured to fit snugly over the user's nose region while the user is wearing the mask, the lower portion of the covering material is configured to fit snugly over the user's mouth region while the user is wearing the mask and the at least one lower band strap is in a connected state, and the lower portion of the covering material is configured to hang freely in front of the user's mouth region while the user is wearing the mask and the at least one lower band strap is in a disconnected state.

9. 10. The mask of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the covering includes flared regions on both sides, and the at least one lower band strap is attached to the lower portion of the covering at the flared regions.

10. 1. A method for covering at least a portion of a user's face, including the nose and mouth, with a mask, comprising: The mask is a covering including an upper portion and a lower portion; a band system including a main band having at least one main band strap for holding the covering against the user's face and for attaching at two contact points along each upper side edge of the upper portion of the covering, and a lower band having at least one lower band strap for attaching at one contact point to the lower portion of the covering; Including, The at least one main band strap remains attached at all times to the upper side edge of each of the upper portions at the two contact points, and the method further comprises: fastening the at least one main band strap to the user's head such that the at least one main band strap holds the upper portion of the covering against the user's face; Selectively, i) maintaining the at least one lower band strap connection if the lower portion of the covering is to be held snug against the user's face while the user is wearing the mask; or ii) disconnecting the at least one lower band strap when the lower portion of the covering is to hang freely in front of the user's face while the user is wearing the mask; A method comprising:

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the steps of selectively maintaining and releasing the connection of the at least one lower band strap are performed using a removable connection.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein each said connection comprises one of a button or buttonhole, a "hook and loop" material, and a snap.

13. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one lower band strap comprises two lower band straps, each connectable to both the lower portion of the covering and the at least one main band strap.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said connectors are provided at the ends of each said lower band strap for releasably connecting to said lower portion of said covering.

15. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said connector is provided at an end of each said lower band strap for releasably connecting to said at least one main band strap.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one main band strap includes two main band straps for connecting to the user's ears.

17. fitting the upper portion of the covering material over the user's nose area; i) maintaining the at least one lower band strap in a connected state to closely cover the user's mouth area with the lower portion of the covering; or ii) disposing the at least one lower band strap in a separate position while the user is wearing the mask, thereby allowing the lower portion of the covering to hang freely in front of the user's mouth area; The method of claim 10 further comprising:

18. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the lower portion of the covering includes flared regions on both sides, and the at least one lower band strap is attached to the lower portion of the covering at the flared regions.

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