Brim-Attached Face Shield with Ventilation Slot
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an improved face shield that can be easily and comfortably worn to mitigate the spread of communicable diseases, particularly for healthcare workers and in public settings, as existing face masks have limitations in durability, reuse, and effectiveness in preventing airborne contaminant transmission.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, unitary protective face shield designed to attach to headwear with a brim, featuring an elongate slot for attachment, an upper suspension strap, and a lower protective portion that extends over the eyes, nose, and mouth, with optional adhesive tabs and a silver layer for antimicrobial properties, and ventilation features to prevent fogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If face masks are used to filter airborne contaminants, then protection against virus transmission is improved, but durability and reuse capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by making the face shield inexpensive and disposable, allowing it to be replaced frequently without concern for cost or complexity. The face shield is designed as a low-cost item that can be discarded after limited use, eliminating the durability limitations of reusable masks while maintaining protection effectiveness.
2Reliability
If face shields are used to provide greater coverage, then protection against airborne contaminants is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to potential fogging and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by providing slightly more coverage than strictly necessary - the face shield extends beyond the minimal area needed to protect eyes, nose, and mouth. This excessive coverage ensures complete protection while the open-back design prevents fogging, resolving the comfort issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible, thin face shield material that can be molded to fit various head shapes and sizes. This flexibility ensures comfortable wear and proper positioning while maintaining full facial coverage for effective protection.
3Reliability
If face shields are designed to extend over eyes, nose and mouth, then protection coverage is improved, but difficulty of detection and measurement worsens due to fogging from breath exhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by extracting the breath exhalation pathway from behind the face shield through the open-back design. This allows breath to escape laterally or upward without contacting the shield surface, preventing fogging and maintaining clear visibility while preserving full facial coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The face shield provides enhanced protection against airborne contaminants, is reusable, and reduces the risk of autoinoculation by preventing face contact, while maintaining clear visibility and airflow, thus improving safety for users and reducing disease transmission.
Implementation Method 1
with optional adhesive tabs and a silver layer for antimicrobial properties
Data Source
AI summary
A protective shield is provided for use with headwear having a brim and wearable by a user. The protective shield includes an elongate suspension strap portion and a pair of attachment tabs engageable with the headwear and positioned such that the elongate suspension strap portion extends between the pair of attachment tabs. A protective portion is connected to the suspension strap portion and is configured to extend over the user's eyes, nose, and mouth when the protective shield is attached to the headwear. The suspension strap portion and the protective portion collectively define a slot sized to receive the brim of the headwear to facilitate engagement between the protective shield and the headwear.