PROTECTIVE FACE MASK

Abstract

A protective face mask has a first panel, a second panel and a plurality of head attachment features. The first panel is configured to cover the facial area of a wearer below the eyes with a mouth opening for the mouth region of the wearer to allow the wearer to eat, drink or smoke. The second panel is configured to cover the mouth opening when not used for passing food, drink or smoking. The plurality of head attachment features are located at outer edges of the face mask panels.

Claims

1. A protective face mask comprising: a first panel configured to cover a facial area below eyes of a wearer, with a mouth opening for a mouth region to allow the wearer to eat, drink or smoke; a second panel for covering the mouth opening when not passing food, drinking or smoking, the second panel being sewn along a bottom edge or a side edge to the first panel; and a plurality of head attachment features at first and second outer side edges of the first panel and wherein the second panel has at least one head attachment feature at one of the outer side edges.

2. The protective face mask of claim 1, wherein the second panel is attached or integral to the first panel at the bottom edge and folded up or down to cover or uncover the mouth opening.

3. The protective face mask of claim 1, wherein the second panel is attached at one side edge of the second panel to the first panel near the mouth opening and covers the mouth opening completely when the head attachment feature on the second panel is secured to the wearer.

4. The protective face mask of claim 1, wherein the second panel is attached at one side edge of the second panel to one side edge of the first panel and covers the first panel completely when the head attachment feature on the second panel is secured to the wearer.

5. The protective face mask of claim 1, wherein the mouth opening is completely enclosed or bounded by the first panel.

6. The protective face mask of claim 2, wherein the mouth opening is completely enclosed or bounded by the first panel.

7. The protective face mask of claim 3, wherein the mouth opening is completely enclosed or bounded by the first panel.

8. The protective face mask of claim 4, wherein the mouth opening is completely enclosed or bounded by the first panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the protective face mask of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment protective face mask of the present invention in an open position.

[0015] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a first embodiment protective face mask with a smaller mouth opening in an open position.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the second embodiment protective face mask in a partially open position.

[0017] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the second embodiment protective face mask of the present invention in the covered or closed position.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment protective face mask of the present invention in a partially open position.

[0019] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a third embodiment protective face mask of the present invention in the covered or closed position.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative fourth embodiment protective face mask of the present invention in a covered or closed position.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken from FIG. 5 with the mouth opening uncovered in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention protective face mask is shown on an exemplary wearer in a covered or closed position. The dashed lines showing the mouth opening 25 fully covered by a second panel 30.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 2, a protective face mask 10A is shown in a first embodiment that has a first panel 20 with a mouth opening 25 in the general location of the wearer's mouth and a second panel 30 with no openings. The face mask 10A is held on the wearer's head with attachment loops 2 on the first panel 20 and attachment loops 3 on the second panel 30. When the second panel 30 is in an uncovered position, the attachment loops 3 are removed from the wearer and the second panel 30 is folded down or away from the first panel 20 and the mouth opening 25 is fully exposed. When the second panel 30 is folded or lifted up overlaying the first panel 20 in a covered position with attachment loops 3 secured to the wearer, the opening 25 is completely covered. The first and second panels 20, 30 can be formed and folded over made from a single panel of material or fabric. FIG. 2B shows a variation of the first embodiment mask 10A with a smaller or slit opening 25.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 3, a second embodiment face mask 10B is illustrated with similar attachment features to the first embodiment. In this embodiment face mask 10B, the second panel 30 is attached to the first panel 20 near the location of the opening 25 and only has one attachment loop 3 on an opposite side for being held in place on the wearer's head. The uncovered position is achieved by removing the head attachment loop 3 of the second panel 30 and folding the second panel 30 away from the opening 25 and securing the attachment loop 3 to the opposite side of the wearer's head. Again, the first panel 20 and second panel 30 can be made from a single piece of material and folded over. FIG. 3B is a view taken from FIG. 3 showing the mask 10B in the covered or closed position.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 4 a third embodiment face mask 10C is illustrated. In this embodiment, the second panel 30 is attached to the first panel 20 near the location of the attachment loop 2 of the first panel 20 on one side of the wearer's head and extends across the first panel 20 and secures to the wearer's head with attachment loop 3 at an opposite side when in the covered position. The uncovered position is achieved by removing the head attachment loop 3 on the second panel 30 and folding the second panel 30 away from the opening 25 and securing the attachment loop 3 to the opposite side of the wearer's head. FIG. 4B shows the mask 10C in the covered or closed position.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a fourth embodiment protective face mask 10D has the second panel 30 attached to the first panel 20 by a hook and loop fastener 7 means eliminating the head attachment feature(s) of the second panel 30. The second panel 30 can be partially detached from the first panel 20 and folded up or down, depending on the orientation of the mask 10D, uncovering the opening 25 allowing the wearer to eat, drink or smoke, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0027] In these protective face mask embodiments 10A-D, the second panel 30 can be raised or folded away from the opening 25 in the first panel 20 when the wearer chooses to eat, drink or smoke. As shown in the figures, the outer perimeter or edge of the mouth opening 25 is completely enclosed or bounded or encircled by the first panel 20.

[0028] The protective face mask 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D may be held in place on the wearer's face by a variety of means, including loops 2, 3 over the ears, elastic bands 4 extending around the back of the wearer's head, or tie straps 5 that either extend around the wearer's ears or around the back of the wearer's head.

[0029] Variations in the present invention are possible in light of the description of it provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be made in the particular embodiments described, which will be within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims. The surgical access window described herein encompasses the dimensions presented and any and all variations applicable to the methods and surgical technique described directly or indirectly intended with this device.