TRANSPARENT AND MULTI-FACETED FACE MASK

Number: 20220007755
Published: 2022-01-13
Filed: 2020-07-10
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Thacher; Sara Larissa, Evans; Leslie Margaret, Papon; Jeremie A., Pyczynski; Loyal J.
CPC: A41D13/1107; A41D13/1161; A41D13/1146; A41D13/113
Verdict: Set aside protective face mask (PPE), not show hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

Abstract

A transparent face mask for enhancing communications while controlling release of respiratory droplets. The mask includes a body formed from a thin flexible plastic material such as polypropylene. The mask body has a center diamond shaped segment that cantilevers the mask body from the bridge of a wearer's nose. The body includes right and left side segments, which each extend outward from one of the four sides of a diamond-shaped center segment to form a segment-to-segment joint between adjacent side segment pairs that flexibly conforms the side portions to the wearer's face. The face mask includes risers formed of an elongate strip of flexible material with a cloth covering for comfort and ease of fit, and the risers each provides a contact point between the mask and the wearer's face adjacent to and inward of the ear from which the mask body is cantilevered away from the wearer's face.

Background

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Description

The present invention relates, in general, to face coverings designed and used to limit the spread of respiratory pathogens, and, more particularly, to a new face mask designed to be non-restrictive to the user, to be lightweight and comfortable for extended wear, and to provide a desired flow of air in to the wearer's nose and mouth and a desired flow of breath out of the mask. 2. Relevant Background

There are many environments in which it is desirable for people to wear face coverings when in public settings. Recently, there has been great concern with the spread of respiratory pathogens, and, as result, it is more common that people wear a face covering such as a face shield, which covers the entire wearer's face, or a face mask, which covers the wearer's face at least from the nose to the chin or below the chin. Face coverings help prevent or at least limit the spray of respiratory droplets from the wearer's nose and mouth.

While face masks and shields have been used for many decades, the designs were often uncomfortable for long term, outdoor, and active uses. However, there have been more recent demands for face coverings that can be worn for many hours, such as for a worker during their entire work shift, and in all environments including outdoors where it may be hot and humid or where users are active such as walking, running, cycling, and so on. As a result, there remains a need for face coverings that are l

Claims

1. A face mask, comprising: a body with an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the body is formed of a flexible material, wherein the body includes a center segment extending from the upper edge to the lower edge, and wherein the body further includes an upper left segment, a lower left segment, an upper right segment, and a lower right segment connected to sides of the center segment, and wherein the upper left and the lower left segments extend outward to a left edge of the body at an angle and the upper right and lower right segments extend outward to a right edge of the body at the angle; and a connection mechanism coupled to the left and right edges of the body that is adapted to attach the body of the face mask to a person's head with the body positioned over the person's nose and mouth. || 12. A face mask, comprising: a diamond-shaped center segment; an upper left segment extending from a first side of the diamond-shaped center segment at a first downward angle; a lower left segment extending from a second side of the diamond-shaped center segment at a second downward angle; an upper right segment extending from a third side of the diamond-shaped center segment at the first downward angle; a lower right segment extending from a fourth side of the diamond-shaped center segment at the second downward angle; and first and second risers attached to and extending along outer edges of the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right segments and outward to outer ends at a cantilever distance from an upper edge of the upper left and right segments, wherein the first and second risers lever the left and right outer edges of the body away from a face of a person when the person wears the face mask creating airgaps between the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right segments and the face of the person, and wherein the diamond-shaped center segment and the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right segments are formed of a clear and flexible plastic. || 19. A face mask, comprising: a body with an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the body is formed of a clear and flexible plastic and wherein the body includes a diamond-shaped center segment extending from the upper edge to the lower edge; and a connection mechanism coupled to the left and right edges of the body that is adapted to attach the body of the face mask to a head of person wearing the face mask with the body positioned over the nose and the mouth of the person, wherein the center segment is nonplanar with a central horizontal bend, and wherein the bend defines an angle in the range of 120 to 160 degrees, whereby interior surfaces of the body define an arcuate bowl for use in directing breath exhaled from the person's nose and mouth downward to pass through a gap between the lower edge of the body and a face or a neck of the person.