| Claims [Claim 1] L A skin and hair protective multi-purpose face mask in single piece fabric based frame with an air filter fitted therein usable with helmets. [2] 2. Mask as in claim 1, wherein one end of frontal portion integrated within major lateral portion of mask and another end fastened horizontally to mini lateral portion of mask to make it more ergonomic. [3] 3. Mask according to claim 1 to 2, with a filter frame with elevated edge preferably made out of braided cotton elastic cord to comfortably fit the contour of nasal area with minimal resistance, absorb moisture in exhaled air and also isolating pollution-filter from coming in direct contact of lips. [4] 4. Mask according to claim 1 to 3, containing pear shape filter frame with its encircling rim made out of elevated edge with a gap at its peak to fit in nasal bridge, covering nose-lip complex and the rim of elevated edge around flexible filter frame forming an air seal chamber, once mask is fastened, bigger filter area of the mask enabling easy breathing. [5] 5. A mask according to claim 1 to 4, having minimum three velcro fastening, wherein first velcro is fastened near cheek bone region on mini lateral portion, second velcro is near the neck area that enables apart from good fit temporary opening of frontal portion without need of taking whole mask off the face and third velcro fastened towards real portion of head following which elevated edge around filter frame fits in face contours and forms air seal chamber around nose-lip complex. [6] 6. A mask according to claim 1 to 5, wherein the pear shaped filter frame can be detached from its fabric frame and a new filter frame can be attached preferably through a velcro attachment. [7] 7. A mask as claimed in claim 5 aligning with natural shape of human face and fitting in a flexible manner in all faces irrespective of shape, size and contours. |
Title of Invention: SINGLE PIECE FACE MASK FOR HAIR AND
AIR POLLUTION PROTECTION
[1] Claim of Priority
[2] This application claims the priority benefit of Indian Provisional application No.
2090/CHE/2008 filed on 28 August 2008 and entitled 'Single piece face mask for hair and air pollution protection
[3] The following specification describes the nature of this invention:-
[4] Technical field of invention
[5] This invention belongs to the field of single piece fabric based face mask solution.
[6] Background & prior art
[7] There are various kinds of face masks commercially available. Also there are bandana and head- wraps available for use under bike helmets, to protect hair- conditioning, skin-burn from excessive sun exposure or traffic-pollution. Currently there are different solutions for different problems. Conventional masks also lack proper forehead support. Typically, forehead supports stabilize the mask system as well as providing pressure point relief. This invention proposes a novel design of fabric based single piece mask solution that addresses multiple problems. Improved masks are perfectly usable with bike helmets and usable for long hours as they comfortably align with contours of human face. Traditional oral-nasal masks cover the entire nose and mouth area of the user. Due to their size and bulk, they may be less comfortable and more intrusive. Some users may resist the wearing of oral-nasal masks due to physiological reasons, such as claustrophobia or clithrophobia (fear of being enclosed). Oral-nasal mask are typically heavy and bulky, may interfere with a user's facial comfort, and may not facilitate the easy wearing of eyeglasses. Eyeglasses also get affected by moisture in exhaled air. Some oral-nasal masks may irritate a user's nose bridge, which typically is an area of thin skin, where even slight pressure can cause a blood flow constriction, and, hence, skin breakdown and/or discomfort.
[8] Summary of the Invention
[9] The following description describes methods and design of skin-friendly fabric based single piece face masking solution.
[10] Mask is made of skin-friendly fabric. Once mask is forehead supported, frontal portion of mask is fastened horizontally on face from one lateral side to another unlike the usual masks or monkey caps and as a result it remains extremely comfortable while wearing or taking it off the face. Mask is not fastened against the ear, causing discomfort and skin-mark after long hours of use. Since mask is fastened around the head without compressing, it can provide more effective air-seal. Mask is equipped with a suitable non- woven filter for air filtering. Filter is equipped in pear-shaped filter frame with its encircling rim. Encircling rim is made out of braided cotton elastic cords, which is flexible, minimally resistive to fit the face contours and forms an air seal chamber around nose-lip complex.
[11] As described in previous section this mask is single solution to multiple problems especially when used with helmets, as described below:-
[12] Protects conditioning of hair from direct contact of helmets on scalp and usable along with helmets
[13] 1. Shape of mask perfectly aligned with natural shape of human face. This is minimally intrusive, bulky and provides best facial comfort. D 2. Extremely comfortable to nose-bridge. D
[14] 3. Protect lice transfer on shared use of helmets
[15] 4. Helps protecting skin-burn to excessive sun-exposure
[16] 5. Air- filtering, dust protection and optionally detachable filter frame.
[17] 6. No discomfort or skin-mark even after long hours of use
[18] 7. Forehead support for better stabilization and good fit
[19] 8. Very convenient to use as frontal portion covering nose-lip complex is fastened horizontally.
[20] 9. Design enables larger filter are for easy breathing and enhanced absorption of moisture in exhaled air.
[21 ] Brief description of the drawings
[22] The invention described herein, is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.
[23] Block Diagram 1: Central portion of fabric frame to which both mini and major lateral portions are attached.
[24] Block Diagram 2: Major lateral portion of fabric frame with dotted line representing positioning of rim encircling filter frame, made out of elevated elastic edge around the filter frame.
[25] Block Diagram 3: Pear shaped filter frame and its encircling rim of elevated elastic edge with a gap at its peak to fit in nasal bridge.
[26] Block Diagram 4: Mini lateral portion of fabric based frame and pear-shaped filter.
[27] Block Diagram 5: First step of mask usage showing central portion of fabric frame put symmetrically on scalp and frontal portion having three different Velcro to be fastened on cheek bone region, neck region and rear side of head.
[28] Block Diagram 6: Second step of mask usage, with only neck region velcro fastened on mini lateral portion, showing mask is supported only through neck region velcro. [29] Block Diagram 7: Final step of mask usage, once all three Velcro are fastened.
[30] Detailed specification of the invention
[31] The following description describes methods and design of making such mask. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the included descriptions, will be able to implement appropriate functionality without undue experimentation.
[32] References in the specification to 'embodiment', indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[33] One of the preferred embodiments of the invention is described below.
[34] Diagram 1 shows the central portion of fabric frame. This is a passive portion (001) of mask and simply connects two lateral portions (002 and 005) and helps them to fit in contours of human scalp. This portion runs from forehead to read of head.
[35] Diagram 2 shows the major lateral portion of the mask. This portion (002) is on opposite side of central portion where mini lateral portion is attached. Most part of mask resides in this portion. This portion constitutes lateral portion, frontal portion and filter frame. Frontal portion is horizontally fastened. Filter frame attached to this portion has an encircling rim made out of elastic elevated edge which forms air-seal chamber around nose-lip complex. Positioning of rim (003) is shown in diagram 2.
[36] Diagram 4 shows the mini lateral portion of the mask. This portion (005) is attached to central portion opposite to major lateral portion. Frontal portion of mask is velcro (009 and 010 shown in diagram 5) fastened to mini lateral portion around cheek bone region. This portion also has velcro fastening (007 and 008 shown in diagram 5) near neck portion, which enables temporary opening of mouth without need of whole mask taking off the face.
[37] Diagram 3 shows air filter frame. This frame (004) contains air-filter along with its encircling rim which forms air seal chamber around nose-lip complex, once frontal portion is fastened. Elevated edge which forms rim around pear-shaped frame (006) has a gap at peak to fit in nose bridge. Elevated edge is made out of braided elastic cotton cord. Whole frame is flexible, minimally resistive and aligns comfortably with contour of human face without any discomfort, even after long hours of use. Extra large filter area around nose-lip complex enables easy breathing. Complete filter frame can also be made detachable with simpler velcro attachment to fabric frame. [38] Diagram 6 shows the second step of mask usage, with only neck region velcro fastened on mini lateral portion, showing mask is supported only through neck region velcro and also demonstrates that whole mask is not needed to take off the head for temporary half open position.
[39] Mask usage: First step towards using the mask is to keep central portion (001) over the forehead & scalp in a symmetrical manner and adjust the forehead, top and lateral portions such that there is no unnecessary wrinkling and both lateral portions are well positioned. Second step is to take frontal portion (as shown in diagram 5) and rotate it horizontally in a way to keep filter frame fitting symmetrically around the nasal area, such that gap in elevated edge of filter frame fits in nasal bridge and fasten the two velcros on mini lateral portion around cheek bone region and neck regions and adjust it such that vision is not obstructed. Finally fasten the third velcro (011) in rear portion of mask such that elevated edges around pear-shaped filter frame forms air seal chamber around nose-lip complex. If temporary opening of mouth is required, opening of velcro in rear and cheek-bone region is required and mask remains on face supported from neck region velcro as shown in diagram 6. Diagram 7 demonstrates the mask wore with all three velcro fastened.
[40] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in the examples. However the example should not be construed as a limitation on the actual applicable scope of invention, and as such all modifications and alterations without departing from the spirits of the invention and appended claims shall remain within the protected scope and claims of the invention. Example-sake it would be obvious to have 5 piece mask still using similar filter frames and horizontal fastening of frontal portion. Another obvious design that can be followed is usual money cap design with similar filter frame, but fastening from rear side of head. Another design that is obvious is to just design half mask with similar filter frame, without scalp portion.
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