Sanitary Mouth Shield with Fluid Trough and Segmented Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary headwear solutions for the food services industry, such as disposable face masks and full face shields, are impractical due to voice muffling, discomfort, and high replacement costs, while reusable solutions like mouth shields and headsets are visually unappealing and costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary mouth shield assembly with a headset featuring adjustable and rotatable side supports, a fibrous filter, and a fluid-retaining trough, designed to provide protection from airborne pathogens while being comfortable, reusable, and visually unobtrusive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable face masks are used to prevent contamination, then pathogen protection is improved, but voice communication is muffled and replacement costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective barrier is segmented into two separate components: a face shield that provides protection without blocking the mouth, and a separate mouth cover that only covers the lips. This segmentation allows voice communication to remain clear while maintaining pathogen protection through the face shield.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth covering function is extracted from the face mask and made separate. Instead of using a full face mask that muffles voice, the invention uses a separate mouth cover that only covers the lips, allowing the wearer to speak clearly while still providing protection.
2Reliability
If full face shields are used to provide protection, then pathogen protection is improved, but the sterile appearance is off-putting to customers
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into a face shield and a separate mouth cover. The face shield provides the necessary protection with a less intrusive design, while the mouth cover adds minimal coverage. This segmentation creates a more aesthetically pleasing appearance compared to a full face shield while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing full face coverage which creates a sterile appearance, the invention applies protection locally to the most critical areas (face and mouth) using a face shield and mouth cover combination. This local approach maintains protection while improving visual appearance.
3Quantity of substance
If reusable mouth shields are used to reduce costs, then replacement costs are reduced, but the design becomes visually unappealing and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable system is segmented into a face shield and a separate mouth cover that can be easily cleaned and maintained. This segmentation simplifies the design compared to integrated solutions, making each component easier to manufacture, clean, and replace individually, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reusability.
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 solution effectively reduces the transmission of airborne pathogens while maintaining clear communication and reducing costs through a reusable, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing design.
Implementation Method 1
A fibrous filter element is sandwiched between an inner surface of the base component and an attachable retaining component
Implementation Method 2
The inside bottom and proximate side edges of the base component further exhibit a fluid retaining trough
Implementation Method 3
The inside bottom and proximate side edges of the base component further exhibit a fluid retaining trough
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary mouth shield assembly including a headset with multiple locations of adjustability, both linear and rotational, in order to accommodate a variety of head sizes. A pair of side portions support therebetween a bridging and arcuate extending, length adjustable band. A shield sub-assembly is supported by the headset and includes elongated and arcuate side supports which are rotatably and adjustably secured at first ends to exterior side locations of the side supports. The shield sub-assembly is rotatably supported to extending ends of the sides supports and in turn exhibits a combination arcuate and planar shape. A base component of the shield subassembly includes a pair of end supported clips. A fibrous filter element is sandwiched between an inner surface of the base component and an attachable retaining component, the retaining component including lateral projections which seat within the clips to secure the subassembly in place. The inside bottom and proximate side edges of the base component further exhibit a fluid retaining trough.