Flexible Face Mask With Adhesive Seal And Wave-Shaped Edge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional eye goggles and face masks cause pressure on the skin, restrict eye contour movements, and lead to dew formation, especially when used for showering or hair washing, due to their rigid design and sealing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A flexible face mask with a plastic eye-protecting shield and an adhesive strip that provides a watertight seal without straps or side bars, featuring a convex-concave-convex bottom edge to direct water away from the nose and mouth, and an expandable layer to lift the mask from the forehead, minimizing contact with eyelashes and allowing free airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional eye goggles and face masks use rigid plastic material with sealing mechanisms, then waterproof protection is achieved, but pressure on skin and restriction of eye contour movements occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible plastic material for the eye-protecting shield that can deform and adapt to the contours of the wearer's face, allowing eye movements without rigid constraints while maintaining protective function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from traditional perimeter seals and relocates it to an adhesive strip positioned only at the upper part of the shield, eliminating the need for seals around the entire eye contour and thus removing restrictions on eye movements
2Reliability
If traditional face masks seal around the entire eye contour, then waterproof protection is improved, but pressure marks on skin and discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing adhesive sealing only at the upper part of the shield where it is most needed for waterproof protection, rather than sealing the entire perimeter. This localized approach maintains water protection while minimizing skin contact and pressure marks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the sealing function from the lower and side portions of the shield perimeter, keeping adhesive application only at the upper part, thereby reducing overall skin contact area and eliminating pressure marks while preserving essential waterproof protection
3Reliability
If face mask extends beyond chin to provide full coverage, then protection is improved, but dew formation from exhaled air condensation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lower extension of the shield beyond the chin, limiting the mask coverage to the eye region and upper face. This removes the enclosed space where exhaled air would condense and form dew, while still providing adequate protection for the eyes and upper face during showering
4Reliability
If adhesive strip provides continuous sealing along upper perimeter, then waterproof protection is achieved, but comfort and ease of removal are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing adhesive sealing only at the upper part of the shield perimeter rather than continuously along the entire upper perimeter. This partial adhesive application maintains sufficient watertight protection for the eye region while reducing overall adhesive contact area, thereby improving comfort and ease of removal
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 mask is comfortable, allows free eye movement, reduces dew formation, and effectively directs water to the sides, preventing it from dripping in front of the nose and mouth, while maintaining a secure watertight seal.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive strip attached to the first surface of the eye-protecting shield for providing a substantially watertight and releasable sealing engagement between at least a portion of the shield
Implementation Method 2
the lower part of the perimeter forms a bottom edge of the mask being provided with a convex-concave-convex (wave-shaped) bottom edge having a central highest concave point (5) and two convex parts forming projections
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A protective face mask comprising: - an eye-protecting shield being dimensioned to cover at the eye portions of a human wearer, having a perimeter defining a first surface and a second surface; - an adhesive strip attached to the first surface at an upper edge, wherein - the upper part of the perimeter has a continuous layer of adhesive along the perimeter, and the lower part of the perimeter of the mask is free of adhesive, - the lower part of the perimeter has a bottom edge provided with at least one projection offset from the centre line, said mask extending from the forehead to cheekbones and the lower perimeter extends above the mouth, provides a comfortable and flexible mask which avoids pressure on the skin in the contact zone, allows free eye movement and airflow and minimizes the formation of dew.