Multi-purpose face mask

Abstract

A face mask has an outer layer made of a polyester-cotton blend material, an inner layer that is stitched or sewn to the outer layer in a manner which defines a pocket space between the inner and outer layers, and having a slit provided along an edge of the inner layer providing access to the pocket space. A replaceable filter piece can be inserted into, or removed from, the pocket space via the slit. The face mask can be provided with straps that are adjustable.

Claims

1. A method of using a face covering device for an athletic activity with adjustable breathability, comprising: providing a face covering having: an outer layer made of a polyester-cotton blend material, wherein the outer layer has a plurality of pleats, a left edge and a right edge, and further including at least one strap having a length, a first end attached to the left edge of the outer layer, a second end attached to the right edge of the outer layer, and an adjustment mechanism provided on the at least one strap; an inner layer that is stitched or sewn to the outer layer in a manner which defines a pocket space between the inner and outer layers, and having a slit provided along an edge of the inner layer providing access to the pocket space; and a removable securing mechanism fixedly secured to the face covering; inserting a filter piece through the slit into the pocket space, wherein the filter piece is made of a cotton blended material; wearing the face covering with the inserted filter piece on a wearer's face for a first activity; removing the face covering from the wearer's face; removably securing the removable securing mechanism to a bag; removing the filter piece from the pocket space through the slit; removing the securing mechanism from the bag; wearing the face covering without the filter piece on the wearer's face for a second activity which is an athletic activity; adjusting the length of the at least one strap by manipulating the adjustment mechanism.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is made of a polyester-cotton blend material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the replaceable filter piece is made of a polyester-cotton blend of material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is a cord lock.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the replaceable filter piece is made of a polyester-cotton blend of material.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the adjustment mechanism is a cord lock.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a rear view of a face mask according to my invention showing the rear or inside of a face mask according to one embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is front view of the mask of FIG. 1 showing the front or outside of the face mask.

(3) FIG. 3 is a rear view of a face mask according to my invention showing the rear or inside of a face mask according to another embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is front view of the mask of FIG. 3 showing the front or outside of the face mask.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the face mask of FIG. 1 with modifications made thereto.

(6) FIG. 6 is a segment view of a cord that can be used as a strap for the face mask of FIG. 5.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cord lock that can be used with the face mask of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

(9) The present invention provides a face covering or face mask 10 that has multiple layers of a cloth material with a filter pocket defined between the multiple layers. A filter material can be removably inserted into the filter pocket.

(10) The present invention also provides a face mask 10 that allows the wearer to adjust the tightness and fit to the wearer's face so that the face mask 10 will not slip or fall off so easily when the wearer engages in a sporting activity.

(11) According to one embodiment, two layers 12 and 14 of cloth-like material can be cut into the shape of a face mask and stitched or sewn together. See FIGS. 1 and 2. Additional stitch lines 16 can be made in the fabric of the layers 12 and 14 to define a pocket space 20. A slit 22 can be provided along the top-down (vertical) direction of the inner layer 14 to provide access to the pocket space 20. Alternatively, the slit 22 can be provided along the left-right (horizontal) direction of the inner layer 14 to provide access from the top edge of the face mask. A piece of filter 24 can be inserted through the slit 22 to place the filter 24 inside the pocket space 20. The filter 24 can be removed by pulling the filter from the pocket space 20 through the slit 22. A short nose piece 26, which can be made of a bendable metal strip, can be provided along an upper edge of the face mask 10 to conform the upper edge of the face mask 10 to a wearer's nose. In a simple application, straps 40 can be provided along the edges of the outer layer 12 for tying the straps 40 at the back of the wearer's head so as to secure the face mask 10 against the wearer's face.

(12) Some current sports goods suppliers (e.g., SCORE Sports) are currently providing a face mask for use by soccer players; however, this face mask is only made of one or two layers of 100% polyester material with no filter element. A big reason for the use of 100% polyester is that the wearer's sweat would stay on his/her face and eventually evaporate because polyester is a moisture wicking fabric that is water resistant and keeps water out. However, polyester exhibits the poorest filtering results when compared to even cotton. Therefore, such a face mask would not be effective in filtering virus and other particles. This can be detrimental as certain sports such as soccer and basketball require players to be exhaling very close to other players.

(13) As a result, the two layers 12 and 14 of cloth-like material in the present invention can be made from a blend of polyester and cotton, where the percentage of polyester is at least 50%. One preferred embodiment provides a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Since cotton provides better filtration performance than polyester, providing a blend of cotton and polyester for the layers 12 and 14 will provide more effective filtration for the areas of the face mask 10 that are not covered by the filter 24. In addition, the high percentage of polyester would ensure that the wearer's sweat would stay on his/her face and eventually evaporate.

(14) In addition, the front layer 12 of the face mask 10 can be provided with pleats 30 to facilitate a better and tighter fit with the face of the wearer.

(15) The filter 24 can be any conventional filter, such as the “Mouth Mask Filters Breathing Insert Protective Mask Filter” items that are currently being sold on Amazon.com. The slit 22 and the pocket space 20 should be sized and configured to allow a piece of conventional filter 24 to be conveniently inserted and removed.

(16) In addition, the filter 24 can be another cloth layer, such as another cotton, polyester or poly-cotton layer. Even though fabric such as cotton, polyester, or poly-cottons, are not as effective in filtering as the filter materials found in conventional protective mask filters, the provision of additional layers will help to filter out more particles, and can provide the wearer with the option of using different filter materials. In addition, this allows the wearer to better adjust the breathability/filtering balance, as certain fabric materials may not be as effective as filters yet provide better breathability, while protective mask filters may provide better filtering yet are less breathable.

(17) In use, a consumer can purchase a face mask 10 and use it as a washable and re-useable mask. The wearer can use the face mask 10 without any filter 24, or the wearer can insert a filter 24 for one-time or limited use. At the end of a soccer or basketball game or sporting activity, the filter 24 can be removed and discarded, and the face mask 10 washed. A new filter 24 can be used for a new game. If the filter 24 is another fabric material, then it can be washed and re-used.

(18) Thus, the present invention provides a multi-use re-useable face mask 10. The wearer can use the face mask 10 for regular social (non-sports) use in the same manner as the wearer would use any of the commonly-available cloth masks. When the wearer participates in a sports game, he/she can insert a filter 24 to provide more effective filtering ability in an environment where effective filtering is more important. The filter 24 can be a piece of cloth (e.g., cotton or poly-cotton) if the wearer desires better breathability when engaged in a sporting activity, or can be a conventional protective mask filter if the wearer is in a crowded social area where better filtering is desired.

(19) The present invention allows the wearer the flexibility to adjust the level of protection provided by the face mask 10 depending on the environment that the wearer is in. Given the fact that a person could be in several different environments on any given day, the ability to adjust the level of protection (filtering) and breathability is valuable. As a result, the face mask 10 can be enjoyed by almost any active person whose daily lives require that he/she be in different environments at different times of the day, and would obviate the need for any person to carry multiple face masks. This person could carry one face mask 10 with multiple filters 24 for use during any given day.

(20) Finally, the face mask 10 is very breathable in that the polyester-cotton blend provides a very breathable material. By providing the blend to be at least 50% polyester, breathability is facilitated while maximizing comfort and filtering effectiveness.

(21) In addition, the face mask 10 is inexpensive as it is made of two layers of blended poly-cotton materials, and these separate filters also not expensive as they are readily available.

(22) FIGS. 3-4 illustrate a modification that can be made to the face mask 10 in FIGS. 1-2. In the face mask 10a of the embodiment of FIGS. 3-4, the rear or inner layer 14a can be sized and configured to be smaller than the front or outer layer 12a, so that a border 25a is provided on the inner surface of the outer layer 12a surrounding the inner layer 14a. The inner layer 14a can have approximately the same size and shape as a conventional filter 24, and a slit 22a can be provided along any edge of the inner layer 14a.

(23) Other than this modification, the face mask 10a is the same as the face mask 10, so the same elements in both embodiments are designated with the same numerals except that an “a” has been added to the embodiment in FIGS. 3-4.

(24) The face mask 10a provides the benefit that it can be slightly lighter than the face mask 10 in that there is less material for the inner layer 14a. The cotton in the polyester-cotton blend for the outer layer 12a will still provide filtering efficacy for the outer layer 12a along the border 25a, and having only one layer at the border 25a will enhance breathability (as there is only one layer and not multiple layers) and further provide an enhanced snug fit as the single layer at the location of the border 25a provides better conformity and fit to the wearer's face.

(25) In this embodiment, the inner layer 14a functions to define or form the pocket space 20a, so it can even be provided as 100% polyester if desired. The fact that there is a filter 24 between the layers 12a and 14a (or even layers 12 and 14 in FIGS. 1-2) means that the inner layer 14 or 14a can be provided as 100% polyester as the filter 24 is providing the filtering function.

(26) FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate modifications that can be made to the face masks 10 and 10a in FIGS. 1-4. Instead of four straps 40, with pairs of straps 40 that are meant to be tied together, two single straps 140 and 142 can be provided. The upper strap 140 can have opposing ends connected to the two top corners of the face mask 10, and be adapted to fit around the back of the wearer's head. The lower strap 142 can have opposing ends connected to the two bottom corners of the face mask 10, and be adapted to fit around the wearer's neck.

(27) Conventional cloth masks provide two similar straps in the form of elastic straps. Since these straps are made of elastic, the fit around a wearer's neck and head can be loose at times, which is not desirable for use during a sporting activity as the face mask can easily slip and/or fall off. For similar reasons, straps that are adapted to be looped around a wearer's ears (e.g., as with most medical masks) are also not desirable for use during a sporting activity as the face mask can also easily fall off. Straps 40 that are meant to be tied together provide for a good and custom fit, but can be inconvenient to use because it takes time and effort to tie two sets of straps together.

(28) To provide a more effective and comfortable fit, the present invention provides a plastic single hole cord lock 150 (see FIG. 7) can be provided on each strap 140 and 142 for allowing the wearer to adjust the tightness and fit of each strap 140, 142. The cord lock 150 operates by allowing two locations of the strap to be extended therethrough, and then clipping or locking the strap at a selected location to allow a looped portion 144 of the strap 140/142 to fixed. The cord lock 150 can be any conventional cord lock, and can include a cord lock with a conventional spring-loaded design. It is possible to provide a single cord lock 150 for the strap 140 only, the strap 142 only, or for both straps 140 and 142. This allows the wearer with different options for adjusting the tightness and fit.

(29) According to the present invention, the straps 140 and 142 can be provided in an elastic or non-elastic material. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of a circular or rounded cord 148 that can be used as the strap 140/142. One example can be the “Elastic Nylon Bungee Stretch Shock Cords” that are provided in 1/32 inch and 1/16 inch diameters, and which are normally sold for use with crafts and are widely available through many vendors. The degree of elasticity of the cord 148 is not important in this embodiment, since the provision of the cord locks 150 provide for the adjustability that would was otherwise provided by the elastic strap. As a result, even a non-elastic cord can be used. This adjustability is especially useful when the wearer is engaging in a sporting activity. For example, if the wearer wants to experience better air flow, he/she can adjust either or both straps 140/142 to be tighter or looser, so as to provide a greater pocket of space between the inside of the face mask 10 and the wearer's face. The cord lock 150 provides a quick and convenient way for the wearer to adjust the straps 140/142, and the provision of a cord lock 150 with either or both of the straps 140 and 142 also contributes to this adjustability.

(30) In addition, a removable securing mechanism, such as a VELCRO™ strap 146, can be fixedly secured to either of the straps 140 or 142, or even to a part of the outer layer 12. This removable securing mechanism can also be a hook, a clip, a latch mechanism, or any other similar mechanism that allows the wearer to tie the face mask 10 to any loop or handle that is usually provided on backpacks, gym bags, and carrying bags. As a result, the face mask 10 does not need to be stuffed inside a bag, but can be removably tied to the outside of a bag to allow the face mask 10 to air, as well as minimizing the chances of losing, dropping or misplacing the face mask 10.

(31) Thus, the embodiment in FIGS. 5-7 illustrates different ways in which the face mask 10 can be adapted for use in extreme sporting or other activities where the face mask 10 requires more effective securement to prevent it from slipping or falling off, while providing comfort, fit, breathability and protection. A face mask that incorporates all of the features shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1-7 will provide the wearer with a face mask that is versatile for use in almost any environment or any activity, so that the wearer can have one convenient face mask for use instead of needing to store, wash and switch out multiple face masks, often in the same day. Given the number of accessory items that any individual now needs to carry around (e.g., smartphone, purses, etc.), adding a face mask as a necessary accessory will only increase the inconvenience and burden. Therefore, a face mask that is convenient, versatile and effective will help to lessen the burden on all individuals in this new “normal” that the world now lives in.

(32) While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.