Strapless Face Mask with Glasses Bridge Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The global shortage of effective face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the need for improvised, often ill-fitting or ineffective personal protective equipment (PPE) that fails to adequately cover the eyes, nose, and mouth, posing challenges in both protection and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A face mask design that integrates glasses with a nosepiece and mouth covering, featuring a secure attachment mechanism, a gas-permeable filter, and optional transparent mouth shields to enhance visibility and airflow, while being adaptable to various glasses types and materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If face masks are improvised during the pandemic shortage, then availability of PPE is improved, but fit and effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple PPE components (glasses with nose bridge, nosepiece, and mouth covering) into a single integrated assembly. The glasses serve as the structural foundation, with the nosepiece attaching to the nose bridge and the mouth covering extending from the nosepiece body, creating a unified protective system that ensures proper fit and effectiveness while addressing supply shortages
2Object-affected harmful factors
If face masks cover the nose and mouth, then protection from particulate matter is improved, but visibility and breathability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth covering incorporates a transparent window in its center portion, creating a localized transparent region that allows visibility of mouth movements while maintaining filtration in other areas. The transparent portion enables users to see through the mask for communication purposes, while the surrounding filter material continues to provide protection from pathogens and particulate matter
3Quantity of substance
If face masks are made from improvised materials, then availability is improved, but comfort and proper fit deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The nosepiece is designed with a curved body portion that conforms to the natural contour of the user's nose. This curvature parameter change allows the nosepiece to properly fit across the nasal bridge and sides, distributing weight and providing a secure fit that improves comfort and prevents fogging of glasses, addressing the fit issues common in improvised masks
Data Source
AI summary
A strapless, personal protective face mask that includes glasses, a nosepiece, and a mouth covering is described. The glasses are configured to be worn by a user and includes a bridge. The face mask may include a nosepiece having a curved body, an attachment portion disposed along the top of the body, and an attachment feature configured to securely attach the nosepiece to, for example, the bridge of the glasses. The mouth covering extends from the bottom of the body and covers at least a majority of the user's mouth. An embodiment having a transparent shield over the zone about a user's mouth is also described.