PROTECTIVE FACESHIELD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention;

The present invention relates to a protective faceshield and, more particularly, to a protective faceshield that has an opening for, and can be attached to, protective eyewear.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

Many types of safety devices, and particularly face shields, have been and are being used in medical fields and the like. These shields, such as safety goggles, safety eyeglasses and masks have generally protected the user's eyes from flying particles. Filter masks have protected the wearer from breathing dust and chemicals.

Specifically in the medical field, safety eyeglasses and more recently surgical masks and head covers are being used for protecting the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth. This is partly due to contagious diseases such a AIDS, hepatitis and herpes. These devices have proved to be very unsatisfactory for protecting the wearer and tend to be very uncomfortable to wear for long periods. Although lighter and not as bulky, numerous deficiencies still exist. These devices tend to fog the eyeglass lenses of the user and may interfere with the user's movement. Furthermore, many shields do not accommodate a wide variation in user head sizes and shapes. Many safety eyeglasses do not protect wearer from spatter at the sides and bottom of the eyeglasses. Alternatively, however, safety goggles that have extensive side protection close to

the wearer's skin reduce ventilation at the eyes. Proper ventilation is most important for removing heat and moisture, and for preventing perspiration from getting into the eyes. The hot, humid air conditions also encourage bacterial growth and is detrimental to the eyes of the wearer.

Concern about the growing AIDS epidemic and fears of both health professional and patients alike has created a demand for lighter, less expensive and preferably disposable faceshields to replace face masks commonly used by health care professionals. These devices are typically used in combination with safety eyeglasses or goggles.

Several devices have been disclosed which attempt to address this need. For example, Johnson, in U.S. Patent No. 4,821,340, discloses a faceshield to protect an individual against inhaling germs and other foreign bodies. The Johnson faceshield includes a permanent clip portion which is adapted to be mounted on the nose piece of a pair of eyeglasses and a disposable sheet of relatively thin plastic which is removably attached to the clip thereby enabling the sheet to be removed and discarded after a single use and replaced by an identical sheet prior to treatment of a new patient. The Johnson faceshield, while providing an easy to use, low cost medical faceshield, does not shield all of the wearer's exposed skin surface as the device hangs from the nose piece of a pair of eyeglasses. As such, the wearer's forehead and sides of the face remain exposed. A similar device is disclosed in Paoluccio et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,965,887. This reference teaches a protective faceshield which is supported from the eyeglass frames of the user. The shields therein utilize rubber lined spring clips or adjustable screw clips. The added cost of these clips and the assembly of the clips onto the faceshield are expenses which raise the cost of the faceshield to a level which encourages re-use and possible increased risk of contamination, thus partially defeating

the purpose for which the shields are used. Furthermore, because this device covers the face and eyeglasses, the wearer's vision may be partially impaired. Similarly, Olson, in U.S. Patent No. 5,206,956 discloses a one-piece protective faceshield including a generally flat semi-rigid transparent sheet, which may be bent into a semi-cylindrical face-covering shape and suspended from the bows of the frames of the eyeglasses of the user. The Olson device includes a pair of integral bow-engaging clips adjacent to the top end edges of the transparent sheet. This device, while providing a simple and inexpensive disposable protective faceshield to cover the eyeglass frame and face of a user, also fails to shield exposed skin surface of the wearer. Dietrich, in U.S. Patent No. 4,944,039, and Parissenti et al., in U.S. Patent No. 4,843,643, also disclose a protective mask, or visor, attachable to eyeglass frames. The Dietrich device includes a thin frame which is formed to cross transversely over the bridge of the nose, below the eyes and across the cheeks of a user. A protective cover is attached to the thin frame and extends freely therefrom to hang in front of the nose and mouth of the user. The Parissenti device protects dentists faces during oral surgery and includes a shield supported by bar elements connected to the rods, or temples, of a pair of spectacles or the like. These devices, however, also fail to cover all exposed skin surfaces of the wearer.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a lightweight, inexpensive protective faceshield which may be discarded or recycled after use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a protective faceshield that covers substantially all of the wearer's exposed face when worn with eyeglasses, preferably safety eyeglasses. It is also, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a protective faceshield for use in numerous fields,

particularly medical fields, to protect the wearer from fluid and particle spatters and any infection or injury therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a protective faceshield for attaching to a pair of eyeglasses. The protective faceshield includes a face-covering sheet, extending from a forehead covering portion to a neck covering portion, having a cutout portion sized and shaped to expose a portion of the eyeglasses. The cutout portion is located over the effective viewing area of the wearer. The faceshield also includes means for attaching the face-covering sheet to the eyeglasses.

In one embodiment of the present invention the protective faceshield attachable to eyeglasses includes a face-covering sheet made of a transparent, semi-rigid thermoplastic film, selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and the like. The face-covering sheet has a cutout portion sized and shaped to expose a portion of the eyeglasses; preferably, safety eyeglasses are used with the protective faceshield of the present invention. Lastly, the face-covering sheet is attached to the brow or nosebridge portion of the eyeglasses.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the protective faceshield includes a face-covering sheet having a cutout portion, located over the effective viewing area of a -wearer, sized and shaped to expose a portion of the eyeglasses. A connector for attaching the face-covering sheet to the eyeglasses is provided. The connector typically has a substantially flat front portion and a flanged rear portion. The front portion extends over the face-covering sheet cutout portion, while the flanged

portion extends around either a brow portion or a nosebridge portion of the eyeglasses to secure the faceshield.

The protective faceshield of the present invention generally can be applied to any pair of eyeglasses to provide the user with a lightweight, inexpensive faceshield which covers the face and protects the user from fluid and particle spatters. To attach the protective faceshield, the face-covering sheet is placed over the face and positioned until the cutout portion is located over the effective viewing area of the wearer, exposing a portion of the eyeglasses. A means for attaching the face-covering sheet to the eyeglasses, preferably a flanged connector, is then inserted in a section of the cutout portion. The sheet is then secured to either the brow or nosebridge portion of the eyeglasses.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated more fully from the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a protective faceshield of the present invention, unattached to a pair of eyeglasses. FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the protective faceshield of the present invention, unattached to a pair of eyeglasses.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the protective faceshield as shown in FIG. 1, attached to a pair of

eyeglasses.

FIG. 3A is a front elevational view of a connector used to attach the protective faceshield to the eyeglasses.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the connector shown in FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The protective faceshield for attaching to a pair of eyeglasses of the present invention, includes a face-covering sheet having a cutout portion sized and shaped to expose a portion of the eyeglasses. The cutout portion is located over the effective viewing area of the wearer so as to minimize any distortion to the vision of a wearer. The faceshield also includes means for attaching the face-covering sheet to the eyeglasses. Turning now to the Figures, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements, FIGS. 1 and 1A represent alternative embodiments of a protective faceshield 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a face-covering sheet 12 having a cutout portion 14 sized and shaped to expose a pair of eyeglasses (not shown) . Cutout portion 14 provides an opening 15, located over the effective viewing area of a wearer. In a preferred embodiment, sheet 12 includes a bubble-like protrusion, or non-perforated vent portion 16, which provides additional user comfort while allowing sheet 12 to be positioned closer to the face. Protrusion 16 should also be able to accommodate the nose and any mask, for example, being worn by a doctor/surgeon. In a most preferred embodiment, protrusion 16 is elliptical in shape and tapers gracefully toward the nasal area of sheet 12.

Face-covering sheet 12 is typically made of a semi-rigid, thermoplastic film. Preferably, sheet 12 is made of a thin, lightweight, and transparent synthetic resinous plastic material, such as polyester, nylon,

polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and the like. Most preferably, sheet 12 is made of MYLAR® polyester film (trademark of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, DE) due to its relative inexpensive cost and availability, as well as its advantageous physical properties. It is noted, however, that other materials known to those of skill in the art could be used to form sheet 12. Sheet 12 can be formed by processes known to those skilled in the art, such as calendering, casting, thermoforming, or molding. Preferably, sheet 12 is thermoformed due to the relative inexpensive costs and ease of manufacture. An anti-fogging agent, and/or anti-glare UV coating, known to those skilled in the art, can be applied to the inner surface of sheet 12 to prevent the sheet from becoming clouded or otherwise potentially obstructing the wearer's view.

Although sheet 12, as shown, is substantially rectangular in shape, it is noted that a wide variety of shapes can be used. Sheet 12, however, must be sized to substantially conform to and cover the entire face of a user, preferably extending from a forehead portion 18 to a tapering neck portion 20; sheet 12 also extends, at side portions 22, beyond the eyeglass frames (not shown) it covers. Typically, a sheet 12 having an overall length between about 6 inches and about 16 inches and an overall width between about 6 inches and about 12 inches, has been found to be effective to cover the face, forehead and neck of a wearer. Preferably, sheet 12 has an overall length between about 8 inches and about 12 inches and an overall width between about 6 inches and about 9 inches. Lastly, sheet 12 should be of sufficient thickness to maintain its shape and rigidity. A thickness of between about 0.007 inches and about 0.030 inch for sheet 12 has been found suitable to maintain its shape without being obtrusive to any health care procedures being performed.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, an alternative embodiment of

protective faceshield 10 of the present invention is shown. In the alternative embodiment, face-covering sheet 12' includes two cutout portions 14', sized and shaped to expose the lenses of a pair or eyeglasses (not shown) . Cutout portions 14' provide openings 15' which are located over the effective viewing area of a wearer. A third cutout 14' is provided over the nose bridge portion of a pair of eyeglasses. Cutout 14' provides opening 15' into which a connector (not shown) can be placed securing sheet 12' to the nosebridge portion of a pair of eyeglasses. Sheet 12' also includes a protrusion 16' to accommodate the wearer's nose and any facial mask being worn. In a preferred embodiment, ridges 17 are provided below cutout portions 14' to provide additional splash protection for the wearer. The ridges 17 can also provide a ledge beneath the eyeglasses' frames to prevent liquids or particles from entering opening 15' and falling between cutout 14' and the wearer's eyeglasses. Face-covering sheet 12' can be made of similar materials, and be sized similarly, as sheet 12 described above.

Referring now to FIG. 2, face-covering sheet 12 is shown attached to a pair of eyeglasses 24. The sheet includes cutout portion 14, as noted above, which is sized and shaped to expose a portion of eyeglasses 24. The exposure of a portion of eyeglasses 24, over the effective viewing area of the wearer, helps to prevent the eyeglasses from fogging during use; in addition, the exposure of a portion of eyeglasses 24 prevents possible vision distortion which can be caused by a thick or soiled faceshield.

Typically, eyeglasses 24 include lenses 26, and frames 28; frames typically include rims 30, a brow portion 32, a nosebridge portion 34, and hinged temple portions 36. Lenses 26 can be prescription lenses to correct sight defects, shaded lenses to protect the user from the environment, or safety lenses to protect a wearer's eyes

in, for example, an industrial environment. Lenses may also be provided to address a combination of the above noted needs; for example, prescription sunglasses, prescription safety, or safety sunglasses. Typically, lenses 26 are manufactured from a transparent material such as glass, or plastic materials such as polycarbonate and the like. It is preferred to attach the protective faceshield of the present invention to safety eyeglasses due to their ability to protect the wearer from, particularly, particle spatters. In safety eyeglass applications, polycarbonate is the preferred material due to its durability, and high impact strength.

Protective faceshield 10 also includes means for attaching face-covering sheet 12 to eyeglasses 24. Sheet 12 can be attached to brow 32 or nosebridge portion 34 of eyeglasses 24. Connector 38 is provided to attach sheet 12 and eyeglasses 24. When adapted for attachment to nosebridge portion 34, connector 38 is shaped to fit the particular opening of the frame for which it is made. In one example, as shown in detail in FIGS. 3A and 3B, connector 38 has a substantially flat front portion 40 and a flanged rear portion 42. Flange 43 forms rims 44 in rear portion 42 which secure sheet 12 to eyeglasses 24. Connector 38 is typically made from the same material as sheet 12. It is noted, however, that connector 38 can also be made of any semi-rigid material, preferably a synthetic resinous plastic material, such as polyester, nylon, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and the like. Connector 38 can be thermoformed in the same process as sheet 12, i.e., -as an integral, one-piece part of sheet 12, or it can be formed separately by other processes known to those skilled in the art. Connector 38 is typically between about 0.5 inch and about 1.25 inches in length, and between about 1 inch and about 1.5 inches at its widest, and between about 0.5 inch and about 1 inch at its narrowest.

Preferably, connector 38 is slightly oversized to fit snugly between cutout 14 while securing sheet 12 and eyeglasses 24.

Referring again to FIG. 2, cutout portion 14 of face-covering sheet 12 is located over the effective viewing area of a wearer. Connector 38 attaches sheet 12 to eyeglasses 24 as front portion 40 extends over a small section of the periphery of cutout portion 14, while flanged rear portion 42 extends toward nosebridge portion 34. The flange extends around the nosebridge portion 34 and snaps into position securing the nosebridge portion and the section of the periphery of cutout portion 14.

It is noted that other means to attach sheet 12 to eyeglasses 24 can be used instead of, or as a supplement to, connector 38. For example, any type of snap, clip, hook, or fastening device can be used to attach face-covering sheet 12 to eyeglasses 24, provided the sheet is supported by either the brow 32 or nosebridge portion 34. As noted above, the wearer can use either prescription, shaded, safety, or combination eyeglasses.

The protective faceshield of the present invention is of a simple construction and is easily manufactured without providing the wearer with added bulk or visual distortion. Various modifications may be desirable without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, additional side shields or non-perforated vents may be added to aid breathing and further reduce fogging. A moisture-absorbing foam strip may be added to contact the forehead of a wearer to increase comfort while minimizing perspiration. A resilient head-engaging band may also be added to the ends of forehead portion to provide additional support to the faceshield when in use. Connector 38 may include a front handle or tab to aid the user in removing the faceshield.

The present invention will be further illustrated by the following example, which is intended to be illustrative

in nature and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE

One suitable construction of a protective faceshield for attaching to a pair of eyeglasses having a shape and design substantially in accordance with the present invention is provided by the following combination of elements.

Sheet

Outer Length 8.5 inches Outer Width 7.25 inches Thickness 0.012 inches

Cylindrical Radius 11.0 inches Outside Corner Radius 1.0 inch Material MYLAR® polyester film

Protrusion Shape Elliptical Length

Minor Axis 4.25 inches Major Axis 6.25 inches Depth (at fullest point) 2.5 inches

Cutout Portions Lens (2) Standard 580-6.Of

Vertical Dimension 1.56 inches* Horizontal Dimension 1.80 inches**

Connector

Length at Top Portion 1.5 inches Length at Bottom Portion .75 inches

Radius of Curve Between Top and Bottom Portions 6.25 inches

Connector

Outer Surface Substantially flat Inner Surface - Flanged Flange Upper Portion

- Length 0.75 inches

- Thickness 0.125 inches Flange Lower Portion - Length 0.375 inches

- Thickness 0.125 inches Material PVC

t Lenses fit an Aerosite® safety frame available from Cabot Safety Corporation.

* Measured perpendicular to the vertical geometric center line at the outermost tangent point.

** Measured perpendicular to the horizontal geometric center line at the outermost tangent point.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: