GARMENT MASK FOR FILTERING BREATHABLE PARTICLES

Abstract

A garment formed of a fabric that permits passage of inhaled and exhaled breath therethrough, comprising a portion of the garment optionally configurable between a first mode wherein the portion is folded away from the mouth and nose of a wearer of the garment and a second mode wherein the portion is disposed over the mouth and nose of a wearer of the garment, and an element of a medical filtration material disposed within the portion such that the element is positioned in the pathway of the inhaled and exhaled breath when the garment is in the second mode.

Claims

1. A garment formed of a fabric that permits passage of inhaled and exhaled breath therethrough, comprising: a) a portion of said garment optionally configurable between a first mode wherein said portion is folded away from the mouth and nose of a wearer of said garment and a second mode wherein said portion is disposed over the mouth and nose of a wearer of said garment; and b) an element of a medical filtration material disposed within said portion such that said element is positioned in the pathway of said inhaled and exhaled breath when said garment is in said second mode.

2. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said garment is in the form of a turtleneck garment having a turtleneck collar wherein said portion is part of said turtleneck collar and is folded over the remainder of said turtleneck collar when said garment is in said first mode and is unfolded from said remainder of said turtleneck collar when said garment is in said second mode.

3. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said element of medical filtration material is selected from the group consisting of PM2.5, N95, and N99.

4. A garment in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a pouch disposed within said portion for receiving and removably retaining said element of medical filtration material.

5. A garment in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a deformable nose bridge insert disposed in said portion.

6. A garment in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a drawcord and releasable catch disposed within said portion.

7. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said garment type is selected from the group consisting of shirt, bib, dickey, and sweater.

8. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fabric is formed by knitting.

9. A garment in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a bodice attached to said turtleneck collar.

10. A method for forming a respiratory mask, comprising the steps of: a) providing a garment formed of a fabric that permits passage of inhaled and exhaled breath therethrough, a portion of said garment being optionally configurable between a first mode wherein said portion is folded away from the mouth and nose of a wearer of said garment and a second mode wherein said portion is disposed over the mouth and nose of a wearer of said garment, said garment further including an element of a medical filtration material disposed within said portion such that said element is positioned in the pathway of said inhaled and exhaled breath when said garment is in said second mode; and b) unfolding said portion from said first mode to said second mode.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said garment is in the form of a turtleneck garment having a turtleneck collar wherein said portion is part of said turtleneck collar and is folded over the remainder of said turtleneck collar when said garment is in said first mode and is unfolded from said remainder of said turtleneck collar when said garment is in said second mode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. is a front elevational view of an exemplary garment in accordance with the present invention, shown in a furled mode for normal wearing;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the exemplary garment shown in FIG. 1, shown in an unfurled mode for use as a mask for breathing by a wearer;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a is a rear elevational view of the garment shown in FIG. 2; and

[0032] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exemplary filter element for use in the exemplary garment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

[0033] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate currently preferred embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an exemplary garment 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown as a shirt, bib, dickey, or sweater for wearing by a human user. Garment 10 comprises a bodice 12 having first and second armholes 14 and an elongated collar 16. The collar, which is longer than a traditional turtleneck is preferably about 8 to 10 inches in length for adult users and 6-8 inches for children. The collar 16 may be folded downwards over itself at fold line 18 to form a turtleneck collar in known fashion.

[0035] Garment 10 may also include sleeves 20 extending outward from armholes 14 in known fashion. Preferably, at least a portion of garment 16 is woven as a knitted fabric. The fabric of garment 10 must permit passage of a wearer's inhaled and exhaled breath therethrough.

[0036] At least the portion 22 of elongated collar 16 between fold line 18 and collar cuff 24 is formed in two layers (not shown), permitting placement of a pouch 26 therebetween. Pouch 26 is positioned within portion 22 such that when portion 22 is unfurled along fold line 18 pouch 26 becomes positioned over the mouth and nose of a wearer of garment 10.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention a draw-cord 28 having a releasable clasp 30 is disposed within collar cuff 24 to permit a wearer to cinch collar cuff 24 snugly against the wearer's head. In another embodiment of the present invention, a deformable nose bridge insert 31 also is disposed within and transversely of portion 22 and adjacent to pouch 26 to assist the wearer in forming a breath seal of portion 22 against the wearer's face. In still another preferred embodiment, slots or loops may be formed in the elongated collar to receive the wearer's ears to assist retention of the turtleneck in place.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, portion 22 further comprises a slit 32 in one of the two layers of portion 22 providing access to pouch 26 for insertion of an element of medical filtration material 34, e.g., PM2.5, N95, or N99, thus defining garment 10, when unfurled as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, as a surgical mask.

[0039] Filter element 34 must be large enough to cover completely the mouth and nose of a wearer. An exemplary element 34 is shown in FIG. 4 having at least a central width 36 of about 2.8 inches (7 cm), an end width 38 of about 2.4 inches (6 cm), and an overall length 40 of about 4.0 inches (10 cm).

[0040] While the invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments but will have full scope defined by the language of the following claims.