Face Mask With Removable Hatch For Mode Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing face masks pose challenges in transitioning between full-protection and partial-protection modes, leading to contamination risks, increased hand contact, and exposure to pathogens when removing or handling them, especially in situations requiring mouth exposure like drinking or communication.

Innovation Solution

A face mask design featuring a mask frame with a hinged or foldable mask hatch that allows users to transition between full-protection and partial-protection modes with minimal hand contact and reduced exposure to foreign objects, using adjustable and removably attachable components like Velcro or snap fasteners for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user removes the face mask to expose the mouth area, then the user can perform tasks requiring mouth exposure (drinking, communication), but the user increases exposure to pathogens and contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemouth exposure capabilityVSAvoidpathogen exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The face mask is divided into two functional parts: a fixed mask frame that covers the nose and lower face, and a removable mask hatch that covers the mouth area. This segmentation allows the mouth area to be exposed independently by removing only the hatch while keeping the frame in place, enabling tasks like drinking or communication without removing the entire mask and reducing pathogen exposure risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a user manually handles and removes the face mask, then the user can expose the mouth area, but the user increases hand contact and contamination risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemouth exposure capabilityVSAvoidhand contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mask hatch is extracted as a separate removable component from the mask frame. Users can remove and store the hatch independently in a sanitized location, allowing mouth exposure without handling the entire mask. This reduces hand contact with the mask frame and minimizes contamination risk during routine mouth exposure tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the mask hatch is made removably attachable for easy transition, then the user can easily switch between protection modes, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode transition easeVSAvoidmask structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The removable attachment mechanism is implemented only at the interface between the mask hatch and mask frame, specifically using Velcro fasteners on the lateral sides. This localized application of complexity provides the necessary functionality for easy mode transition without overcomplicating the overall mask structure, maintaining simplicity in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11064744B1Face mask

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 PALACIOS CAROLINE KIM

AI summary

This application is for an improved face mask that allows users to easily transition between a full-protection mode and a partial-protection mode. In full-protection mode, the improved face mask covers a user's mouth area and nose area. In partial-protection mode, a mask hatch removably attached to the mask frame is detached and exposes the user's face covered by the mask frame. A method of manufacturing the improved face mask is also described.