CROSS REFERENCES AND RELATED SUBJECT MATTER

[0001] This Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 17/022,828, filed September 16, 2020, the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The entire disclosure of any publication or patent document mentioned herein is entirely incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to hair ties and face coverings.

More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a combination hair tie and face mask assembly, which is capable of transforming from a hair tie to a face mask and from the face mask back to the hair tie.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional face masks including ear loops and a mask panel for the nose, mouth, and chin typically function solely as a face mask. That is, they include no other function than to be donned around a user’s ears and over the user’s mouth, nose, and chin to filter air and reduce exposure to bodily fluids including contagions. Indeed, conventional face masks include no other components that enable the transformation of the face mask to an accessory that provides a separate function for use in a different manner.

[0004] Moreover, carrying around a conventional face mask is awkward. Users typically need to have the face mask conveniently available to wear, but in between uses, there is no comfortable place to put it. As a result, people end up leaving the face mask around their neck, over their chin, on their forehead, or just end up holding it in their hand. None of which are good solutions.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a combination assembly that may be converted and/or transformed from a face mask to another accessory having a separate functional use and that provides a means for comfortably placing the face mask in between uses.

[0006] While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present disclosure as disclosed hereafter.

[0007] In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the present disclosure is concerned. [0008] While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects are disclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0009] An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide an assembly including a face mask that can be transformed into a distinct accessory that enables placement of the face mask comfortably around the body for carrying in between uses. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a combination hair tie and face mask assembly, in which the face mask is transformable into a hair tie that enables placement of the assembly on either of a user’s wrist or hair, thereby enabling comfortable placement of the face mask on the user’s body in between uses.

[0010] An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a combination assembly capable of transforming into a face mask and from the face mask back into the hair tie. Accordingly, the hair tie and face mask assembly includes a pair of hair tie members interconnected by a flexible mask panel. The hair tie members each include a tie elastic that may be drawn to form the face mask configuration. When drawn, the tie elastics form ear loops and the mask panel defines the mask portion of the face mask. Further, when the tie elastics are drawn, the mask panel extends into a taught configuration, enabling placement of the mask panel over a user’s mouth and nose and placement of the ear loops around a user’s ears to don the assembly onto a user’s face for use as a face mask. The bunched hair tie members may be extended outwardly from their bunched position to pull the tie elastic back into the hair tie members and convert the face mask back to the hair tie configuration for use as a hair tie. [0011] An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a combination hair tie and face mask assembly, in which the components of the one does not interfere with the function and use of the other. Accordingly, when the tie elastics are drawn, the hair ties bunch up such that the hair tie members do not obstruct the formed ear loops when donning them on the user’s ear nor obstruct the face mask when donned on the user’s face. Further, when the bunched hair tie members are extended to pull the tie elastics back into the hair tie members, the mask panel is released from its taught configuration, enabling movement of the hair tie members for use as a hair tie and bunching of the mask panel so as to prevent obstruction by the mask panel when using the assembly as a hair tie.

[0012] The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above, this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the front side of the assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the rear side of the assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3A is a close-up view of the rear side of the mask panel of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the flexible fabric mask covering according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3B is a close-up view of the rear side of the mask panel of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the flexible fabric mask covering according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3C is a close-up view of the rear side of the mask panel of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the flexible fabric mask covering according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the mask panel of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly in a semi-bunched configuration, illustrating one manner in which the flexible fabric covering may bunch when the elastic ties of the hair tie members are not drawn from the hair tie members according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the mask panel of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly in a completely bunched configuration, illustrating one manner in which the flexible fabric covering may bunch when the elastic ties of the hair tie members are not drawn from the hair tie members to form a hair tie configuration for use as a hair tie according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly donned on a user’s wrist in its hair tie configuration, illustrating one manner in which the assembly may be utilized in its hair tie configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly donned on a user’s hair in its hair tie configuration, illustrating one manner in which the assembly may be utilized as a hair tie when in its hair tie configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 6A is a close-up view of the juncture of a hair tie member and mask panel of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the configuration of the hair tie member, the tie elastic, and the mask panel prior to the tie elastic being drawn from the hair tie member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [0024] FIG. 6B is a close-up view of the juncture of a hair tie member and mask panel of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the configuration of the hair tie member, the tie elastic, and the mask panel when the tie elastic is partially drawn from the hair tie member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 6C is a close-up view of the juncture of a hair tie member and mask panel of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the configuration of the hair tie member, the tie elastic, and the mask panel when the tie elastic is completely drawn from the hair tie member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the configuration of the hair tie members, the tie elastics, and the mask panel when the tie elastics are completely drawn from the hair tie members and illustrating the assembly in its face mask configuration ready for use as a face mask according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly, illustrating the filter of the mask panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a side view of the combination hair tie and face mask assembly donned on a user’s face in its face mask configuration, illustrating one manner in which the assembly may be utilized as a face mask when in its face mask configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [0029] The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various example embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a combined hair tie and face mask assembly 10 that is transformable from a hair tie configuration for use as a hair tie to a face mask configuration for use as a face mask. The combined hair tie and face mask assembly includes a mask panel 20 and a pair of hair tie members 40. The mask panel 20 includes a front 20F, a rear 20R, a top 20T, a bottom 20B, a pair of longitudinal edges 20L, a pair of lateral edges 20X, and a flexible fabric mask covering 30 that spans substantially between the longitudinal edges 20L and the lateral edges 20X. The hair tie members 40 are each attached along one of the lateral edges 20X. In some embodiments, the mask panel 20 includes a filter 22 disposed on the rear 20R, as shown by FIG. 8. The filter 22 spans substantially across the rear 20R from the pair of longitudinal edges 20L to the pair of lateral edges 20X.

[0031] Referring to FIG 6A, each hair tie member 40 has a tie covering 42 that is made of a flexible fabric material and substantially tubular, having a first end 421 and a second end 422. The tie covering 42 defines a cannula 45 that extends between the first end 421 and the second end 422. The first end 421 and the second end 422 of each hair tie covering 42 are attached to the mask panel 20 at one of the lateral edges 20X of the mask panel 20. The first end 421 and the second end 422 face each other and are separated by a gap 46. Each hair tie member 40 also has a tie elastic 50 that is formed into a closed loop that extends through the cannula 45 and is exposed at the gap 46 between the first end 421 and second end 422. Note that each hair tie member 40 is in the shape of a ring, although in many configurations, the two ends of that ring - the first end 421 and the second end 422 - might not be directly connected together, but may be held together to functionally create a ring nonetheless, such as through their connection to the lateral edges 20X of the mask panel 20. For example, the mask panel 20 has a side tube 28, in which the flexible fabric mask covering 30 is folded over at each lateral edge 20X, parallel to said lateral edge 20X to form said side tube 28. The side tube 28 includes a top opening 28T and a bottom opening 28B at the longitudinal edges 20L. The tie covering 42 extends into the top opening 28T and bottom opening 28B and is held in place within and possibly by the side tube 28. In particular, the first end 421 of each tie covering 42 extends into the top opening 28T of one of the side tubes, and the second end 422 of said hair tie covering 42 extends into the bottom opening 28B of said side tube 28. As shown, the first end 421 and second end are secured in place within the side tube 28 with the gap 46 therebetween. Accordingly, to provide access to the tie elastic, the side tube 28 has a tube rear opening 28R at the rear 20R of the mask panel 20 that corresponds with the gap 46 between the first 421 and second ends 422 of said tie covering 42. As will be discussed hereinbelow, they are separated so as to provide access to the tie elastic 50. Alternatively, the first end 421 and second end 422 may be physically connected to each other to create a continuous ring of the tie covering 42, and then access to the tie elastic 50 can be provided with a slit (not shown) in the tie covering 42.

[0032] Referring to FIG 6B and FIG. 6C the importance of providing access to the tie elastic 50, is so that a portion of the tie elastic 50 can be grasped by a user and drawn from the hair tie members 40 to create an ear loop 50A for fastening around a user’s ear. Note that as the ear loop 50A is extended, remaining portions of the elastic within the tie covering 42 retract or shorten in length, causing the tie covering 42 to bunch up against the rear 20R of the mask panel 20, as shown by FIG 6C. When each of the tie elastics 50 are fully drawn to form the ear loops 50A and the tie coverings 42 are bunched up against the rear 20R of the mask panel 20, the assembly 10 is transformed into its face mask configuration, as shown by FIG. 7, in which the assembly 10 is capable of use as a face mask by the user, as shown by FIG. 9. Note, the purpose of the tie coverings 42 bunching is so that they do not obstruct the ear loops 50A when they are donned over the ears nor awkwardly protrude or cause discomfort when the assembly 10 is donned on the user’s face. Moreover, the bunched tie coverings 42 provide a cushion against the user’s face when the assembly 10 is donned.

[0033] Referring to the FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C, the mask panel 20 also comprises a mask elastic member 24 that enable the mask panel 20 to stretch such that the assembly 10 may transform from the hair tie configuration into the face mask configuration. The mask elastic member 24 is attached to the flexible fabric mask covering 30 substantially between the pair of lateral edges 20X. The mask elastic member 24 causes the flexible fabric mask covering 30 to shorten a distance between the pair of lateral edges 20X of the mask panel 20 when the mask panel 20 is not tensioned outwardly at the pair of lateral edges 20X. In embodiments, the mask panel 20 includes a mask elastic member 24 extending entirely along the mask panel top 20T and entirely along the mask panel bottom 20B from a first lateral edge 20X1 of the pair of lateral edges 20X to a second lateral edge 20X2 of the pair of lateral edges 20X. When the tie elastics 50 are drawn from the hair tie members 40, the tie elastics 50 pull and stretch the mask panel 20 outwardly at the pair of lateral edges 20X via the mask panel elastics 24 until the fabric mask covering 30 is taught. In this way, the mask panel 20 is stretched taughtly so as to span across a user’s face, over the user’s nose and mouth. In one embodiment, each of the longitudinal edges 20L includes a seam 26 in which a mask elastic member 24 is sewn into, as shown by FIG. 3A. In another embodiment, the mask elastic members 24 are sewn into the fabric mask covering 30 at each of the top 20T and the bottom 20B of the mask panel 20, as shown by FIG. 3B. In other embodiments, the mask panel 20 includes an additional mask elastic member 24 extending centrally across the mask panel 20 from the first lateral edge 20X1 to the second lateral edge 20X2, as shown by FIG. 3B. In alternative embodiments, the mask elastic members 24 are woven into or embedded in the fabric mask covering 30 at each of the top 20T and the bottom 20B of the mask panel 20, as shown by FIG. 3C.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the assembly 10 is in its hair tie configuration when the tie elastics 50 are not drawn from the hair tie members 40. When drawn, however, the tie elastics 50 may be pulled back into the hair tie members 40 by extending the bunched tie coverings 42 outwardly back into their ring-shape to transform the assembly 10 from the face mask configuration into the hair tie configuration. Note that as the tie coverings 42 are extended, the tie coverings 42 un-bunch and extend in length, causing the tie elastics 50 to retract back into the hair tie members 40 and enabling the tie covering 42 to return to its ring-shape. Note, also, when the tie coverings 42 are extended, the tension exerted on the mask panel 20 by the tie elastics 50 is released, enabling the mask panel 20 to bunch via the mask elastic members. When in the hair tie configuration, the hair tie members 40 may be drawn together and aligned by bunching the mask panel 20 until the hair tie members 40 abut. When the hair tie members 40 are abutting and aligned they may be utilized as a hair tie, as shown by FIG. 5B, or donned around the wrist for transportation and/or later use, as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0035] It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0036] Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected.

[0037] It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,” “second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein. [0038] Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0039] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims. [0040] In conclusion, herein is presented a combination hair tie and face mask assembly. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.