Transparent Face Shield Mask for Eye and Respiratory Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional masks fail to protect the eyes, allow viral entry through gaps, are cumbersome, and do not facilitate clear conversation or reuse, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A transparent, impermeable mask that covers the mouth, nose, and eyes, using a thin, lightweight sheet with a face shield design that allows for clear vocalization and easy sterilization, preventing 100% of viral and bacterial droplets from entering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional masks use ventilated woven fabric structure, then breathability is improved, but virus protection effectiveness deteriorates (only 70% protection)

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebreathabilityVSAvoidvirus protection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a transparent sheet (flexible film) that covers the entire face including eyes, mouth, and nose. This thin film provides complete virus blocking (100% protection) while maintaining breathability, resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and breathability that plagues conventional masks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If conventional masks cover only mouth and nose, then simplicity is improved, but protection coverage deteriorates (eyes remain vulnerable)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemask structure simplicityVSAvoidvirus entry points

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent sheet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the eyes, mouth, and nose from virus entry, maintains breathability, enables clear conversation, and prevents fogging of eyeglasses. This multi-functional design provides comprehensive protection without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional masks are made of opaque material, then virus blocking is improved, but communication ability deteriorates (lip-reading impossible)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus blockingVSAvoidvisual communication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a transparent sheet instead of opaque mask material. This transparency allows visual communication (lip-reading) to continue while maintaining complete virus blocking capability, resolving the contradiction between protection and communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional masks are worn for long periods, then continuous protection is improved, but comfort deteriorates (ear pain from elastic bands)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous protection durationVSAvoidwearing comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the elastic bands that cause ear pain by using adhesive tape to attach the transparent sheet directly to the face. This extraction of the harmful elastic band component maintains continuous protection while dramatically improving comfort for long-term wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Reliability

If conventional masks are discarded after single use, then hygiene is improved, but resource waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehygieneVSAvoidresource waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent sheet can be removed, cleaned, and reused multiple times. This recovery and reuse capability maintains hygiene standards while significantly reducing resource waste compared to single-use masks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

6Area of stationary object

If conventional masks extend to cover entire face, then protection coverage is improved, but maneuverability deteriorates (cumbersome to wear)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverage areaVSAvoidease of wearing

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the face protection into a transparent sheet that can be easily positioned and attached. This segmented design provides complete face coverage while maintaining ease of wearing and maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240285002A1Super m.e.n.

Publication Date: 2024.08.29 DR NAKAMATS INNOVATION INST

AI summary

Problem: Masks are particularly needed that provide 100% protection from droplet infection by the novel coronavirus, including the eyes, and must enable clear speech, must not fog up transparent sheets or eyeglasses, must be able to be used by women without removing their makeup, and must be able to be worn for long periods of time.Means of Solving the Problems: The invention is designed to increase rigidity by bending flat transparent sheets to improve temperature and humidity, increase internal temperature and humidity to prevent infiltration by viral particles, completely block viral droplets from contacting the eyes, nose and mouth, exhaust exhaled air to prevent fogging of the transparent sheets and eyeglasses, enable clear conversation, prevent women's makeup from being rubbed off, be able to be put in a pocket, enable eating, and support use as an eye mask. The mask is the world's first so-called face shield and has the best performance and the most applications for the novel coronavirus.