Face Mask with Lateral Flaps and Adhesive Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face masks often cause discomfort due to stress on the ears and lack flexibility in fitting various head sizes, leading to pain and inadequate sealing.
Innovation Solution
A face mask design featuring a sheet with lateral flaps and elastic loops, where straps with self-adherent cohesive adhesive can be adjusted for a secure fit, distributing tension across the head and providing improved sealing with corrugated elastic film for nasal and cheek areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ear hooks are used to hang the face mask, then ease of operation is improved, but stress on the ears increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The hanging system is segmented into multiple components: loops attached to lateral flaps, straps connecting to loops, and adhesive sections. This distributes the stress from a single concentrated point (ear hooks) to multiple contact points including the head and face, reducing ear discomfort while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional ear-hook solution to a multi-dimensional system involving lateral flaps extending sideways, loops providing rotational freedom, straps for length adjustment, and adhesive for additional anchoring. This multi-dimensional approach distributes stress across different spatial dimensions, reducing concentration on ears
2Adaptability or versatility
If straps are used to tie behind the head, then adaptability to various head sizes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into integrated components: lateral flaps serve both as structural elements and attachment points for loops; loops provide both mechanical connection and rotational adjustment; straps combine length adjustment with adhesive attachment capability. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The loops are designed to rotate and flex, allowing dynamic adjustment to different head sizes and shapes. The straps can be adjusted in length and positioned at different orientations, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-size mask variants, thus balancing complexity with versatility
3Reliability
If lateral flaps are added to form chambers, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Lateral flaps are added specifically at the lateral portions of the mask where sealing is needed, rather than complicating the entire mask structure. The flaps create localized chambers that improve sealing at critical areas (cheeks and sides of face) while leaving the central mask body relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral flaps are made from flexible mask material that can conform to the contours of the wearer's face. This flexibility allows the flaps to create effective seals through simple attachment to lateral portions, without requiring complex rigid structures or multiple components, thus improving sealing with minimal increase in device complexity
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 design reduces ear discomfort, ensures a secure and flexible fit for different head sizes, and enhances the mask's sealing capabilities, preventing airborne pathogens from entering.
Implementation Method 1
at least one portion of the straps on one surface or both surfaces may be coated with a self-adherent cohesive adhesive
Implementation Method 2
The elastic film is coupled to the sheet and covers the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A face mask and a method for manufacturing the face mask are disclosed. The face mask comprises a sheet, a first lateral flap, a second lateral flap, a first loop, a second loop and an elastic film. The sheet comprises a central portion, a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion and an opening. The first lateral flap is coupled to the first lateral portion to form a first chamber. The second lateral flap is coupled to the second lateral portion to form a second chamber. The first loop connects to a first strap and is coupled to the first lateral flap. The second loop connects to a second strap and is coupled to the second lateral flap. The elastic film is coupled to the sheet and covers the opening.