| DE202020004546U1 | 2020-11-25 | |||
| CN111567935A | 2020-08-25 |
| 3 CLAIMS 1. A face mask or face covering, which can be fastened closed after use and unfastened before use, with the means of fastening being located on the fabric/material which would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces when not in use 2. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, where the means of fastening may be by way of a button or buttons, zip, zip lock or grip seal, hook and loop fastening, magnet or magnets and/or any other method, combination or variation of fastening, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces when not in use 3. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, consisting of an interior side and an exterior side made from any fabric, textile or material designed to protect the face of the user by covering the nose and mouth and being attachable to the face of the user by means of the ears or head by way of any method of attachment such as loops, ties or bands made from any textile, fabric or material, which can be fastened in a manner which prevents the internal side of the face mask / face covering from making contact with other objects or surfaces when not in use and unfastened when needed again 4 4.A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, which can be fastened closed after use and unfastened before use, with the means of fastening being located on the internal, external or in between the internal and external side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces when not in use 5.A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, which can be fastened closed after use, so that the left, right, or both sides or halves of the interior side of the face mask/covering are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where the left, right or both sides or halves of the interior side of the face mask/covering are detached from one another, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces 5 6.A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, which can be fastened closed after use so that the left half of the interior side is attached to the right half of the interior side, or the right half of the interior side is attached to the left half of the interior side, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where the left half of the interior side is detached from the right half of the interior side, or the right half of the interior side is detached from the left half of the interior side, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are detached from one another, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact with other objects or surfaces 7. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, which can be fastened by way of a magnet or magnets and/or a button or buttons to prevent the interior side which normally makes contact with the users face when used, from making contact to other objects when not in use, such as when being placed on to a surface or inside a bag or pocket, and unfastened when needed to be used again 8. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, which can be fastened closed after use so that both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are detached from one another, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces 6 9. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, which can be fastened closed after use so that the left half or side of the fabric / material that would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth, is attached to the right half or side of the same fabric / material, or the right half or side of the fabric / material that would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth, is attached to the left half or side of the same fabric / material, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the fabric / material that would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where the left half or side of the fabric / material that would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth, is detached from the right half or side of the same fabric / material, or the right half or side of the fabric / material that would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth, is detached from the left half or side of the same fabric / material, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the fabric / material that would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth are detached from one another, with the means of fastening being located on the left interior side or exterior side, or in between the left interior and exterior side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth when in use, and / or being located on the right interior side or exterior side, or in between the right interior and exterior side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth when in use, to help prevent the interior side which normally makes contact with the users face when used, from making contact to other objects when not in use, such as when being placed on to a surface or inside a bag or pocket 7 10. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, which can be fastened closed after use so that the left half of the interior side is attached to the right half of the interior side, or the right half of the interior side is attached to the left half of the interior side, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where the left half of the interior side is detached from the right half of the interior side, or the right half of the interior side is detached from the left half of the interior side, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are detached from one another, with the means of fastening being located on the left interior side or exterior side, or in between the left interior and exterior side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth when in use, and / or being located on the right interior side or exterior side, or in between the right interior and exterior side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the users face, nose or mouth when in use, to help prevent the interior side which normally makes contact with the users face when used, from making contact to other objects when not in use, such as when being placed on to a surface or inside a bag or pocket 11. A face mask or face covering, according to any of the preceding claims, where the method of fastening and unfastening may be by way of pulling together or apart the right and left ear loops, bands, ties or any other fabric / material of the face mask or face covering designed for the attachment to a users ear, face or head |
| 8 AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 24 February 2022 (24.02.2022) 1. A face mask or face covering, which can be fastened closed after use and unfastened before use, with the means of fastening being located on the fabric/material which would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth, the means of fastening to be by way of a magnet or magnets, the method of fastening to be possible by pulling the ear bands, loops or ties located on either side of the face mask / face covering towards each other resulting in the face mask folding with the internal half of one side of the face mask / face covering being attached to the internal half of the other side of the face mask / face covering or to each other, allowing the user to fasten the face mask / face covering without having to touch the fabric / material which would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces when not in use including the user's hands 2. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, where the method of unfastening may be achieved by pulling apart the ear bands, loops or ties located on either side of the face mask / face covering, resulting in the interior half of one side of the mask to detach from the interior half of the other side of the face mask / face covering to help prevent the interior side of the face mask / face covering, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination which may be on the user's hands AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 9 3. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, where the method of unfastening may be achieved by pulling apart the ear bands, loops or ties located on either side of the face mask / face covering or any other fabric / material designed to be attached to the user's head or ears, resulting in the interior half of one side of the mask to detach from the interior half of the other side of the face mask / face covering to help prevent the interior side of the face mask / face covering, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination which may be on the user's hands 4. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, 2 or both, consisting of an interior side and an exterior side made from any fabric, textile or material designed to protect the face of the user by covering the nose and mouth and being attachable to the face of the user by means of the ears or head by way of any method of attachment such as loops, ties or bands made from any textile, fabric or material, which can be fastened in a manner where the internal side of one half of the face mask / face covering is attached to the internal side of the other half of the face mask / face covering which prevents the internal side of the face mask / face covering from making contact with other objects or surfaces when not in use and unfastened when needed again AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 10 A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, 2 or both, which can be fastened closed after use and unfastened before use, with the means of fastening being located on the internal, external or in between the internal and external side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces when not in use A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, 2 or both which can be fastened closed after use, so that the left, right, or both sides or halves of the interior side of the face mask/covering are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where the left, right or both sides or halves of the interior side of the face mask/covering are detached from one another, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 11 A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, 2 or both, which can be fastened closed after use so that the left half of the interior side is attached to the right half of the interior side, or the right half of the interior side is attached to the left half of the interior side, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where the left half of the interior side is detached from the right half of the interior side, or the right half of the interior side is detached from the left half of the interior side, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are detached from one another, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact with other objects or surfaces 8. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, 2 or both, which can be fastened closed after use so that both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are detached from one another, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 12 9. A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, 2 or both, which can be fastened closed after use so that the left half or side of the fabric / material that would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth, is attached to the right half or side of the same fabric / material, or the right half or side of the fabric / material that would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth, is attached to the left half or side of the same fabric / material, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the fabric / material that would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where the left half or side of the fabric / material that would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth, is detached from the right half or side of the same fabric / material, or the right half or side of the fabric / material that would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth, is detached from the left half or side of the same fabric / material, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the fabric / material that would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth are detached from one another, with the means of fastening being located on the left interior side or exterior side, or in between the left interior and exterior side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth when in use, and / or being located on the right interior side or exterior side, or in between the right interior and exterior side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth when in use, to help prevent the interior side which normally makes contact with the user's face when used, from making contact to other objects when not in use, such as when being placed on to a surface or inside a bag or pocket AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 13 A face mask or face covering according to claim 1, 2 or both, which can be fastened closed after use so that the left half of the interior side is attached to the right half of the interior side, or the right half of the interior side is attached to the left half of the interior side, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are attached to one another, and unfastened before use, where the left half of the interior side is detached from the right half of the interior side, or the right half of the interior side is detached from the left half of the interior side, or where both the left and right sides or halves of the interior side are detached from one another, with the means of fastening being located on the left interior side or exterior side, or in between the left interior and exterior side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth when in use, and / or being located on the right interior side or exterior side, or in between the right interior and exterior side of the fabric/material which would normally cover the user's face, nose or mouth when in use, to help prevent the interior side which normally makes contact with the user's face when used, from making contact to other objects when not in use, such as when being placed on to a surface or inside a bag or pocket A face mask or face covering, according to any of the preceding claims, where the ear loops, bands, or ties are adjustable to accommodate different face shapes or sizes AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 14 A face mask or face covering, according to any of the preceding claims, where the ear loops, bands, ties or any other fabric / material of the face mask or face covering designed for the attachment to a user's ears, face or head are adjustable to accommodate different face shapes or sizes AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) |
This invention relates to a face mask / face covering which can be fastened closed after use.
Face masks or face coverings are used to prevent the spread of germs, viruses and infections. They typically cover the nose and mouth area of the user and can reduce the spread of certain respiratory diseases.
However, after using a face mask continuously during the current pandemic, I have noticed that after removing my face mask, if I place it into my pocket or onto a table, the internal side of the face mask which normally makes contact with my face during use, frequently makes contact with items inside my pockets or items on a table. This contact can spread germs not only from objects or surfaces to my mask's internal side, but also spread germs from the internal side of my mask to other surfaces and objects.
To overcome this problem, the present invention proposes a face mask that can be folded in half and fastened so that the internal sides of the two halves can be placed on top of each other therefore reducing the risk of the internal sides of the mask making contact to other objects when not in use i.e. when placed onto a table or inside a bag. The face mask can then be unfastened therefore exposing the internal sides of the mask by being unfolded when needed again.
The fastening means for keeping the mask closed during storage may be by way of a button or buttons, hook and loop fastening, zip, zip lock or grip seal, magnets and/or any other method, combination or variation of fastening which would achieve the desired result for attachment, detachment and re attachment in an easy and user friendly manner.
The folding and unfolding of the mask may be by way of pulling the opposing sides of the ear loops together to close and pulling apart to open, minimising the contact of the user's hands to the internal side of the face mask before and after application.
The fastening mechanism may be placed onto the external, internal or in between the external and internal sides of the face mask depending on the best function or desired design.
The ear loops of the face mask may be adjustable to accommodate different head shapes or sizes. The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a face mask / face covering closed and folded in half laying on its left side, with the right half of its external side 3 facing upwards and the left half of its external side 4 facing downwards. The right side ear loop 1 is positioned on top of the left side ear loop 2.
Figure 2 shows a face mask / face covering closed and folded in half laying on its right side, with the left half of its external side 4 facing upwards and the right half of the external side 3 facing downwards. The left side ear loop 2 is positioned on top of the right side ear loop 1.
Figure 3 shows a face mask / face covering partly folded laying on its right side, with the left half of its external side 4 facing upwards and partially unfolded outwards, resulting in exposure of the left half of the internal side of the mask 5 and the right half of the internal side of the mask 6. The left side ear loop 2 is no longer on top of the right side ear loop 1. Magnets/Buttons or other fastening means 7 are positioned on both the left half of the internal side 5 and the right half of the internal side 6 of the mask.
Figure 4 shows a face mask / face covering opened and unfolded fully, with the entire internal side of the mask 8 facing upwards and the entire external side of the mask 9 facing downwards. The left ear loop 2 is on the left hand side and the right ear loop 1 is on the right hand side. The left half of the internal side 5 and the right half of the internal side 6 are fully visible together with the magnets / buttons 7.
Figure 5 shows a face mask / face covering opened and unfolded fully, with the entire external side 9 facing upwards and the full internal side of the mask 8 facing downwards. The left ear loop 2 is now on the right hand side and the right ear loop 1 is now on the left hand side. The left half of the external side 3 and the right half of the external side 4 are fully visible.