ADHESIVE FACIAL MASK

Abstract

A facial mask for covering at least a part of a face of a user having at least one filter layer configured to filter air passing through the facial mask and having an outer surface being directed towards a skin of the user and an inner surface arranged opposite to the outer surface of the at least one filter layer. The mask further comprises an at least partly elastic carrier layer with an inner surface, which is directed towards the inner surface of the at least one filter layer, and an outer surface arranged opposite to the inner surface of the carrier layer. A size of the carrier layer is larger than a size of the at least one filter layer, such that a fixing portion of the carrier layer surrounds the at least one filter layer along at least a part of a perimeter of the at least one filter layer.

Claims

1. A facial mask for covering at least a part of a face of a user, the mask comprising: at least one filter layer configured to filter air passing through the facial mask, the filter layer having an outer surface being directed towards a skin of the user and an inner surface arranged opposite to the outer surface of the at least one filter layer; and a carrier layer with an inner surface, which is directed towards the inner surface of the at least one filter, and an outer surface arranged opposite to the inner surface of the carrier layer; wherein at least a part of the carrier layer is elastically deformable and/or stretchable in at least one spatial direction, wherein a size of the carrier layer is larger than a size of the at least one filter layer, such that a fixing portion of the carrier layer surrounds the at least one filter layer along at least a part of a perimeter of the at least one filter layer, and wherein the carrier layer includes an adhesive material arranged at at least a part of the inner surface of the carrier layer, such that the inner surface of the at least one filter layer is fixedly attached to the inner surface of the carrier layer and such that the fixing portion of the carrier layer is attachable to the skin of the user by the adhesive material.

2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive material is arranged substantially across entire inner surface of the carrier layer.

3. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the at least a part of the carrier layer is elastically deformable and/or stretchable in at least two spatial directions.

4. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the at least one filter layer is elastically deformable and/or stretchable in one or more spatial directions.

5. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the at least one filter layer is at least partly foldable.

6. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive material of the carrier layer has an acrylate adhesive, a silicone gel, or a combination thereof.

7. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the carrier layer has an elastically deformable and/or stretchable fabric formed by a monofilament yarn, a multifilament yarn, cotton, lycra, spandex, or a combination thereof.

8. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the carrier layer includes an elastically deformable and/or stretchable fabric, which is at least partly formed by an elastically deformable and/or stretchable yarn.

9. The mask according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the carrier layer is perforated.

10. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the carrier layer includes a middle portion, which is at least partly surrounded by the fixing portion of the carrier layer along a perimeter of the middle portion; and wherein at least a part of the middle portion of the carrier layer is perforated with a plurality of perforation openings.

11. The mask according to claim 10, wherein a cross-section of the perforation openings is round, rounded, elliptic, oval, slot-like formed, triangular shaped, polygonal shaped, star-like formed, and/or trapezoidal shaped.

12. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the carrier layer comprises at least one cut-out arranged laterally at the carrier layer and extending through at least a part of the fixing portion of the carrier layer in a radial direction.

13. The mask according to claim 1, further comprising: a nostril improvement configured for spreading alar wings of a nose of the user.

14. (canceled)

15. A method of fabricating a facial mask according to claim 1, the method comprising: obtaining a carrier layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the carrier layer is at least partly elastically deformable and/or stretchable in at least one spatial direction and includes an adhesive material arranged at at least a part of the inner surface; obtaining at least one filter layer configured to filter air passing through the facial mask, wherein the at least one filter layer includes an outer surface configured for being directed towards a skin of the user and an inner surface arranged opposite to the outer surface; arranging the at least one filter layer on the carrier layer and/or relative to the carrier layer, such that the inner surface of the at least one filter layer is directed towards and/or opposes the inner surface of the carrier layer; and fixedly attaching, by way of the adhesive material of the carrier layer, the inner surface of the at least one filter layer to the inner surface of the carrier layer, such that a fixing portion of the carrier layer surrounds the at least one filter layer along at least a part of a perimeter of the at least one filter layer, wherein the fixing portion of the carrier layer is attachable to the skin of the user by way of the adhesive material of the carrier layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] FIG. 1A shows a top view of a facial mask according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0062] FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the facial mask of FIG. 1A.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a facial mask according to an exemplary embodiment worn by a user.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a backside view of a facial mask according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0065] FIGS. 4 to 11 each show a facial mask according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of fabricating a facial mask according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0067] The figures are schematic only and not true to scale. In principle, identical or like parts are provided with identical or like reference symbols in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0068] FIG. 1A shows a top view or top-side view of a facial mask 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the facial mask 100 of FIG. 1A.

[0069] The mask 100 comprises a carrier layer 110 with an outer surface 112 that is directed away from a user's skin (not shown), when the mask 100 is worn, and an inner surface 114 arranged opposite to the outer surface 112.

[0070] The mask 100 further comprises at least one air-permeable filter layer 120 with an outer surface 124 configured for being directed towards and/or for being in contact with the user's skin and an inner surface 122 arranged opposite to the outer surface 124 and opposite to the inner surface 114 of the carrier layer 110. Accordingly, the inner surface 122 of the filter layer 120 may be arranged between the outer surface 124 of the filter layer 120 and the inner surface 114 of the carrier layer 110.

[0071] In the example shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the filter layer 120 adjoins or contacts the carrier layer 110. It should be noted, however, that one or more further layers may be arranged between the filter layer 120 and the carrier layer 110. Alternatively or additionally, one or more further layers may be arranged at the outer surface 124 of the filter layer 120.

[0072] In FIG. 1A, a size, extension and/or area of the filter layer 120 is shown by a dashed line. As can be seen in FIG. 1A, a size, extension and/or area of the carrier layer 110 is larger than the size, extension and/or area of the filter layer, such that a fixing portion 116 of the carrier layer 110 radially extends from an edge or border of the filter layer 120.

[0073] Moreover, an adhesive material 150 (see FIG. 1B) is arranged at at least a part or portion of the carrier layer 110, including at least a part or portion of the fixing portion 116. By means of the adhesive material 150, the filter layer 120 can be fixedly attached to the carrier layer 120 and the carrier layer 110 and/or the fixing portion can be attached to the user's skin. For instance, the adhesive material 150 may be arranged at substantially the entire outer surface 114 of the carrier layer 110. In particular, the adhesive material 150 may be arranged at at least a part of a middle portion 117 of the carrier layer 110, at which the filter layer 120 is arranged, and at at least a part of the fixing portion 116. Optionally, a part of the fixing portion 116 may not comprise and/or may not be covered or coated with adhesive material 150, such as e.g. a chin part or portion of 115 of the fixing portion 116, which is configured for being arranged opposite to the user's chin.

[0074] It should be noted that the filter layer 120 or at least a part thereof may be indirectly attached to the carrier layer 110 via one or more further layers arranged therebetween, which further layers can be attached to the carrier layer 110 by means of the adhesive material 150. The filter layer 120 can be attached to the one or more further layers by a further adhesive material and/or any other connection or coupling. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of the filter layer 120 can be attached to the carrier layer 110 by a connection or coupling other than the adhesive material 150. E.g. a part of the filter layer 120 can be stitched to the carrier layer 110.

[0075] Generally, the adhesive material 150 may comprise acrylate adhesive material, silicone gel, a combination thereof, and/or other adhesive materials or components. The adhesive material 150 may be arranged as a layer 150 on at least a part of the inner surface 14 of the carrier layer 110. Alternatively or additionally, a yarn and/or fabric of the carrier layer 110 may be coated at least partly with the adhesive material 150.

[0076] Further, the carrier layer 110 and optionally the filter layer 120 is elastically deformable and/or stretchable in at least one, preferably at least two spatial directions, such that a size and shape of the mask 100 can be adjusted according to the user's demands. Therein, the carrier layer 110 may be more elastic than the filter layer 120.

[0077] Further, the carrier layer 110 may comprise an elastically deformable and/or stretchable yarn. By way of example, the carrier layer 110 may comprise cotton and spandex. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier layer 110 may comprise an elastically deformable and/or stretchable fabric, e.g. a woven fabric and/or a weft-knitted fabric.

[0078] The filter layer 120 may, for example, comprise a carbon filter and/or a melt-blown filter. It should be noted that the filter layer 120 can be folded in one or more sub-layers to increase a filter effect or to allow for an adjustment in size of the filter layer depending on user-specific needs or demands, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0079] For attaching the mask 100 to the face, the user may simply place the mask 100 onto its nose and mouth and gently press the mask 100 against the skin. Due to the adhesive material 150, the mask 100 can be attached to the skin without requiring any additional fixation means, such as straps or the like. Further, the adhesive material 150 may be pressure-sensitive and/or sensitive to heat, such that the mask 100 can be fixed to the face by manually pressing the mask 100 onto the skin.

[0080] Optionally, the mask 100 comprises a vent opening 130 and/or a ventilation slot 130 arranged at the middle portion 117 of the carrier layer 110 and configured for letting air pass therethrough.

[0081] As can be seen in FIG. 1A, a contour or geometry of the mask 100 is substantially triangular with rounded corners or edges. This may allow for an efficient coverage of the user's mouth and nose, while minimizing coverage of other portions of the user's face. However, other shapes, contours or geometries are conceivable for the mask 100.

[0082] FIG. 2 shows a facial mask 100 according to an exemplary embodiment worn by a user 500. Unless stated otherwise, the mask 100 of FIG. 2 comprises the same features, functions and/or elements as the mask 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0083] As can be seen, the mask 100 covers at least a part of a face of the user 500. In particular, the mask 100 covers the mouth 502 and the nose 504 of the user 500. Due to the design and configuration of the mask 100 with the adhesive material 150 and the fixing portion 116, a significant part of the user's 500 cheeks may not be covered by the mask 100, which may increase comfort for the user 500 and be of particular advantage when using the mask 100 during sports.

[0084] Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the fixing portion 116 only partly surrounds and encompasses the filter layer 120, e.g. at an upper portion 119 of the carrier layer 110 arranged adjacent the nose 504 of the user 500. Alternatively or additionally, the adhesive material 150 may only be arranged at a part or portion, e.g. the upper portion 119 of the carrier layer 110. Accordingly, a chin portion 115 of the fixing portion 116 and/or the carrier layer 110 may not comprise adhesive material 150, such that the chin portion 115 of the carrier layer 110 forms a flap and/or serves as a vent opening.

[0085] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the mask 100 further comprises a nostril improvement 160 arranged at the upper portion 119 of the mask 100 and configured for being arranged opposite and/or adjacent to the nose 500 of the user 500. The nostril improvement 160 may comprise one or more strips 162 or elongated elements 162 configured for encompassing at least a part of the user's nose 504. For instance, the one or more strips 162 may be biased and/or pre-stressed, e.g. such that alar wings of the nose 504 can be spread and/or spaced apart from each other by the nostril improvement 160. Therein, the nostril improvement 160 or at least a part thereof may be in direct contact with at least a part of the user's nose 504, e.g. the alar wings of the nose. By means of the nostril improvement 160, it may be ensured that the user can breathe more freely through its nose 504, making the mask 100 particularly suitable for sports activities.

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a backside view of a facial mask 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. Unless stated otherwise, the mask 100 of FIG. 3 comprises the same features, functions and/or elements as the masks 100 described with reference to the aforegoing figures.

[0087] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the filter layer 120 is folded several times to form a plurality of sub-layers 127, as described hereinabove.

[0088] Further, also the example of FIG. 3 comprises a nostril improvement 160 as described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0089] In the example of FIG. 3, however, the fixing portion 116 comprises an upper portion 119 for being arranged adjacent the nose 504 of the user 500 and a lower portion 115 or chin portion 115 arranged opposite thereto. Further, the upper portion 119, and optionally the lower portion 115 or chin portion 115, may comprise adhesive material 150 for attaching the mask 100 to the user's skin.

[0090] On the lateral sides, borders or edges of the carrier layer 110 and/or the mask 100, however, no fixing portion 116 is formed or arranged in the example of FIG. 3. Accordingly, the mask 100 may be attached to the user 500 via the upper portion 119 and optionally via the chin portion 115, whereas the lateral sides, borders or edges may not be fixed to the user's skin. This may allow for an increased air transfer via the lateral sides, borders or edges of the carrier layer 119 and/or of the mask 100.

[0091] FIGS. 4 to 11 each show a facial mask 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0092] Unless stated otherwise, the masks 100 of FIGS. 4 to 11 each comprises the same features, functions and/or elements as the masks 100 described with reference to the aforegoing figures.

[0093] In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8 to 11, the carrier layer 110 and/or the mask 100 comprises a plurality of perforation openings 180 arranged in a pattern on the carrier layer 110, each opening 180 extending through the entire carrier layer 110 parallel to a surface normal vector of the inner surface 114 of the carrier layer 110. Therein, a cross-section of the perforation openings 180 can be round (FIGS. 4 to 6 , 10, 11), rounded (FIGS. 4 to 6 , 10, 11), elliptic (FIG. 9), oval, slot-like formed (FIG. 9), triangular shaped (FIG. 8), polygonal shaped (FIG. 8), Mercedes star like formed (FIG. 8), or trapezoidal shaped. However, any other cross-section and/or geometry of the perforation openings 180 is conceivable.

[0094] Also, perforation openings 180 of different geometries, shapes, sizes, and/or cross-sections may be combined. For instance, a cross-sectional area and/or diameter of the perforation openings 180 arranged at a middle portion 117 of the carrier layer 110 may be larger than a cross-sectional area and/or diameter of the perforation openings 180 arranged close to the fixing portion 116. Therein, the cross-sectional area and/or diameter of the perforation openings 180 may step-wise or continuously decrease from the middle portion 117 towards the fixing portion 116 and/or towards the boundaries or edges of the carrier layer 110.

[0095] Further, the masks 100 of FIGS. 4 to 11 each comprise at least one cut-out 190 and/or slot 190 arranged laterally at the carrier layer 110 and/or the mask 100 and extending through at least a part of the fixing portion 116 in radial direction. Thereby, deformability of the entire mask 100 can be increased, such that the mask can be adjusted in geometry and shape according to the user's face.

[0096] In contrast to the examples of FIGS. 4 to 6, and 8 to 11, the mask 100 of FIG. 7 comprises a plurality of slots 194 and/or ventilation slots 194 arranged in the carrier layer 110 that allow to let pass air therethrough. It should be noted that the ventilation slots 194 can also be combined with one or more perforation openings 180.

[0097] The shapes or contours of all masks 100 shown in FIGS. 4 to 11 are substantially triangular. These shapes or contours are illustrative only and many variations are conceivable.

[0098] FIG. 12 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of fabricating a facial mask 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The mask 100 may be one of the masks 100 described hereinabove.

[0099] Step S1 comprises providing a carrier layer 110 having an inner surface 114 and an outer surface 112, wherein the carrier layer 110 is elastically deformable and/or stretchable in at least one spatial direction and comprises an adhesive material 150 arranged at at least a part of the inner surface 114.

[0100] Step S2 comprises providing at least one filter layer 120 configured to filter air passing through the facial mask 100, wherein the at least one filter layer 120 comprises an outer surface 124 configured for being directed towards a skin of the user and an inner surface 122 arranged opposite to the outer surface 124.

[0101] Step S3 comprises arranging the at least one filter layer 120 on the carrier layer 110 and/or relative to the carrier layer 118, such that the inner surface 122 of the at least one filter layer 120 is directed towards and/or opposes the inner surface 114 of the carrier layer 110.

[0102] Step S4 comprises fixedly attaching and/or fixing, by means of the adhesive material 150 of the carrier layer 110, the inner surface 122 of the at least one filter layer 120 to the inner surface 114 of the carrier layer 110, such that a fixing portion 116 of the carrier layer 110 surrounds the at least one filter layer 120 along at least a part of a perimeter of the at least one filter layer 120, wherein the fixing portion 116 of the carrier layer 110 is attachable to the skin of the user by means of the adhesive material 150 of the carrier layer 110.

[0103] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0104] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.