Abstract
This application is for an improved face mask that allows users to easily transition between a full-protection mode and a partial-protection mode. In full-protection mode, the improved face mask covers a user's mouth area and nose area. In partial-protection mode, a mask hatch removably attached to the mask frame is detached and exposes the user's face covered by the mask frame. A method of manufacturing the improved face mask is also described.
Claims
1. An improved face mask configured to enable users to transition between a full-protection mode and a partial-protection mode, comprising: a mask frame; wherein said mask frame at least partially covers said user's nose area and lower face area; and, wherein said mask frame leaves said user's mouth area uncovered; a mask hatch having an inner surface, at least one mode attachment point positioned on an end of said inner surface, and at least one mode attachment point positioned on an opposing end of said inner surface; wherein said mask hatch covers said mask frame in said full-protection mode; wherein said mask hatch uncovers said mask frame in said partial-protection mode; wherein said mask hatch is removably attachable to said mask frame; and, a head securing device that secures said mask frame to said user's face; wherein when said improved face mask is in said partial-protection mode, said mask hatch folds onto itself such that said at least one mode attachment point positioned on said end of said inner surface aligns with and removably attaches to said at least one mode attachment point positioned on said opposing end of said inner surface, thereby preventing said inner surface of said mask hatch from environmental exposure.
2. The improved face mask of claim 1, further comprising: said mask frame having a top part at least partially covering said user's nose area; said mask frame having a bottom part at least partially covering said user's chin area; said top part and said bottom part are adjustably configurable; said mask hatch is hinged to said mask frame; said mask hatch covers said user's nose area and mouth area in said full-protection mode; and, said mask hatch uncovers said user's nose area and mouth area in said partial-protection mode.
3. The improved face mask of claim 1, further comprising: said mask hatch has a pull-tab.
4. The improved face mask of claim 1, further comprising: said mask hatch is hinged to said mask frame near one side of said mask frame such that said mask hatch transitions from said full-protection mode to said partial-protection mode with a side-to-side movement.
5. The improved face mask of claim 1, further comprising: said mask hatch is hinged to said mask frame near the bottom of said mask frame such that said mask hatch transitions from said full-protection mode to said partial-protection mode with a top-to-bottom movement.
6. The improved face mask of claim 1, further comprising: said mask hatch is removably attachable by at least one hook-and-loop fastener.
7. The improved face mask of claim 1, further comprising: said mask hatch is removably attachable by at least one snap fastener.
8. The improved face mask of claim 1, wherein the head securing device comprises a back enclosure.
9. The improved face mask of claim 1, wherein the head securing device comprises ear loops.
10. The improved face mask of claim 1, wherein said head securing device comprises a back enclosure with ear loops.
11. The improved face mask of claim 1, further comprising: said mask hatch is removably attachable to said head securing device.
12. An improved face mask configured to enable users to transition between a full-protection mode and a partial-protection mode, comprising: a mask frame; said mask frame having a top part at least partially covering said user's nose area; said mask frame having a bottom part at least partially covering said user's lower face area; wherein said top part and said bottom part are independent of each other; and wherein said top part and said bottom part are adjustably configurable; a head securing device that secures said mask frame to said user's face; and, a mask hatch; wherein said mask hatch is hinged to said mask frame; said mask hatch is removably attachable to said mask frame; said mask hatch covers said user's nose area and mouth area in said full-protection mode; said mask hatch uncovers said mask frame in said partial-protection mode; and, said mask hatch has a pull-tab, wherein said mask hatch is configured to be folded on itself; said mask hatch is removably attachable to itself; and, said mask hatch is removably attachable to said head securing device.
13. The improved face mask of claim 12, further comprising: said mask hatch is hinged to said mask frame near one side of said mask frame such that said mask hatch transitions from said full-protection mode to said partial-protection mode with a side-to-side movement.
14. The improved face mask of claim 12, further comprising: said mask hatch is hinged to said mask frame near the bottom of said mask frame such that said mask hatch transitions from said full-protection mode to said partial-protection mode with a top-to-bottom movement.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the improved face mask with a side-to-side mask hatch in full-protection mode and an arrow illustrating movement of the same to transition to partial-protection mode.
(2) FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 1 in partial-protection mode and an arrow illustrating movement of the side-to-side mask hatch for folding on itself.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 1 in partial-protection mode and an arrow illustrating movement of the side-to-side mask hatch for folding on itself.
(4) FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 1 in partial-protection mode and the side-to-side mask hatch folded on itself.
(5) FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 1 in partial-protection mode and the side-to-side mask hatch folded on itself.
(6) FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 1 in full-protection mode as worn by a model.
(7) FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 1 in partial-protection mode as worn by a model.
(8) FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 1 in partial-protection mode and the side-to-side mask hatch being held open as worn by a model.
(9) FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the improved face mask with a top-to-bottom mask hatch in full-protection mode and an arrow illustrating movement of the same to transition to partial-protection mode.
(10) FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 9 in partial-protection mode and an arrow illustrating movement of the top-to-bottom mask hatch for folding on itself.
(11) FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 9 in partial-protection mode and the top-to-bottom mask hatch folded on itself.
(12) FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 9 in full-protection mode as worn by a model.
(13) FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 9 in partial-protection mode as worn by a model.
(14) FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the improved face mask of FIG. 9 in partial-protection mode and the top-to-bottom mask hatch folded on itself as worn by a model.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(15) FIGS. 1 through 5 demonstrate an improved face mask 1 with a side-to-side mask hatch 2 shown from various perspectives and in various modes of operation.
(16) FIG. 1 demonstrates improved face mask 1 in full-protection mode with side-to-side mask hatch 2. In full-protection mode, mask hatch 2 covers mask frame 16. Pull-tab 4 attached to mask hatch 2 enables a user to actuate control of mask hatch 2 with minimal contact to mask hatch 2. Pull-tab 4 is shown in an embodiment attached to the side of mask hatch 2. Mask hatch 2 is attached to mask frame 16 at side-to-side hinge 6. Mask hatch 2 can pivot around hinge 6. Head securing device 8 is shown in an embodiment with back enclosure 10 and ear loops 12. Movement arrow 14 is shown for demonstrative purposes to illustrate a motion of mask hatch 2 about hinge 6. Hatch attachment point 23 shown in the middle of mask hatch 2 can removably attach to back enclosure 10.
(17) FIG. 2 demonstrates improved face mask 1 in partial-protection mode with side-to-side mask hatch 2. In partial-protection mode, mask hatch 2 uncovers mask frame 16. Mask frame 16 is shown in an embodiment with top part 18 and bottom part 20. Top part 18 and bottom part 20 can be adjustably configurable with respect to each other. For example, the space between top part 18 and bottom part 20 can be adjusted to be bigger or smaller. Mode attachment points 22 on mask frame 16 and mask hatch 2 enable the same to be removably attachable. Hence, mask hatch 2 can be attached to mask frame 16 in full-protection mode and detached from mask frame 16 in partial-protection mode. Mode attachment points 22 can, for example, be hook-and-loop fasteners or snap fasteners. Movement arrow 24 is shown for demonstrative purposes to illustrate a motion of mask hatch 2 being folded on itself. Mask hatch 2 can also be folded on itself and secured for the same with mode attachment points 22.
(18) FIGS. 3 through 5 demonstrate various views of improved face mask 1 in partial-protection mode with the mask hatch 2 folded on itself. FIGS. 3 and 4 demonstrate from side view perspective mask hatch 2 folded on itself. In this configuration, the inner surface of mask hatch 2 is less exposed to outside elements while the improved face mask 1 is in partial-protection mode. FIG. 3 demonstrates an unobstructed view of hatch attachment point 23. Movement arrow 25 is shown for demonstrative purposes to illustrate a motion of hatch attachment point 23 being removably attached to back enclosure 10. FIG. 4 demonstrates hatch attachment point 23 removably attached to back enclosure 10. FIG. 5 demonstrates from a front view perspective improved face mask 1 in partial-protection mode and mask hatch 2 folded on itself. Mask frame 16 is uncovered by mask hatch 2.
(19) FIGS. 6 through 8 demonstrate improved face mask 1 as worn by a model user 26 in various modes of operation.
(20) FIGS. 6 through 8 demonstrate the improved face mask 1 as worn by model user 26 respectively shown in full-protection mode, partial-protection mode, and partial-protection mode with mask hatch 2 held open. In full-protection mode, as shown in FIG. 6, both mouth area 27 and nose area 28 are covered. In partial-protection mode, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, mask hatch 2 is open and mask frame 16 at least partially covers the model user's 26 face. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, mouth area 27 is exposed to the outside environment while nose area 28 is at least partially covered by mask frame 16. FIG. 8 demonstrates mask hatch 2 held open by removeable attachment of hatch attachment point 23 and back enclosure 10.
(21) FIGS. 9 through 14 demonstrate another improved face mask 30 with a top-to-bottom mask hatch 32 shown in various modes of operation.
(22) FIG. 9 demonstrates improved face mask 30 in full-protection mode with top-to-bottom mask hatch 32. In full-protection mode, mask hatch 32 covers mask frame 16. Pull-tab 4 attached to mask hatch 32 enables a user to actuate control of mask hatch 32 with minimal contact with mask hatch 32. Pull-tab 4 is shown in an embodiment attached in the middle of mask hatch 32. Mask hatch 32 is attached to mask frame 16 at top-to-bottom hinge 34. Mask hatch 32 can pivot around hinge 34. Head securing device 8 is shown in an embodiment with back enclosure 10 and ear loops 12. Movement arrow 36 is shown for demonstrative purposes to illustrate a motion of mask hatch 32 about hinge 34.
(23) FIG. 10 demonstrates improved face mask 30 in partial-protection mode. In partial-protection mode, mask hatch 32 uncovers mask frame 16. Mask frame 16 is shown in an embodiment with top part 18 and bottom part 20. Top part 18 and bottom part 20 can be adjustably configurable with respect to each other. For example, the space between top part 18 and bottom part 20 can be adjusted to be bigger or smaller. Mode attachment points 22 on mask frame 16 and mask hatch 32 enable the same to be removably attachable. Mask hatch 32 can be attached to mask frame 16 in full-protection mode and detached from mask frame 16 in partial-protection mode. Mode attachment points 22 can, for example, be hook-and-loop fasteners or snap fasteners.
(24) FIG. 10 movement arrows 38 are shown for demonstrative purposes to illustrate a motion of mask hatch 32 being folded on itself. In partial-protection mode, the inner surface of mask hatch 32 can be exposed. Mask hatch 32 can also be folded on itself and secured for the same with mode attachment points 22. In this configuration, the inner surface of mask hatch 32 is less exposed to outside elements while the improved face mask 30 is in partial-protection mode.
(25) FIG. 11 demonstrates from a front view perspective improved face mask 30 in partial-protection mode and mask hatch 32 being folded on itself. Mask frame 16 is uncovered by mask hatch 32.
(26) FIGS. 12 through 14 demonstrate improved face mask 30 as worn by a model user 26 in various modes of operation.
(27) FIGS. 12 through 14 demonstrate improved face mask 30 as worn by model user 26 respectively shown in full-protection mode, partial-protection mode, and partial-protection mode with mask hatch 32 folded on itself. In full-protection mode, as shown in FIG. 12, both mouth area 27 and nose area 28 are fully covered. In partial-protection mode, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, mask hatch 32 is open and mask frame 16 at least partially covers the model user's 26 face. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, mouth area 27 is exposed to the outside environment while nose area 28 is at least partially covered by mask frame 16. FIG. 14 demonstrates mask hatch 32 held folded and secured by mode attachment points 22.
