GB2599363A

GB2599363A - Face mask

Info

Publication number: GB2599363A
Application number: GB2015123.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amanna Benjamin
Original assignee: Boxraw Ltd
Current assignee: Boxraw Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-24
Filing date: 2020-09-24
Publication date: 2022-04-06
Also published as: GB202015123D0

Abstract

A face mask comprises a nose portion 36, a mouth portion 26, and a chin portion 28, a rear edge 84 to contact the face, connecting regions 86a, 86b for a securing strap, a first stiffening band 66 along a boundary between the nose and mouth portions, projecting forward, and a second stiffening band 68 on the boundary between the mouth and chin portions. Preferably these portions comprise panels and the stiffening bands comprise the same materials as the rest of the mask but with a greater number of layers (such as formed in seams). Preferably the nose portion further comprises a vertical stiffening loop (54, figure 1) around an additional nose panel 54. Preferably the mask comprises a water resistant layer, a melt-blown non-woven fabric layer, an activated carbon fabric layer, and a spacer fabric layer. Preferably the mask comprises a strap 88 attached closer to the mouth-chin stiffening band such that the strap extends around the head under the ears. Also claimed is a method of use. The mask is particularly well suited for wear during exercise, filtering pathogens while improving comfort for the wearer.

Description

Face Mask

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to face masks and in particular face masks worn to minimise the spread of airborne pathogens. Face masks according to this invention may be particularly suited to users who are exercising, playing sport, or otherwise partaking in strenuous or physical activity.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The current coronavirus (Covid-19) has led to many people being required to wear face masks or face coverings to minimise or prevent the spread of the virus. These face masks cover a wearer's nose and mouth to prevent or minimise contamination and transfer of the virus when a wearer speaks, breathes heavily, coughs or sneezes. The face masks are designed to trap moisture and airborne pathogens, such as the coronavirus.

A problem with known face masks is that they may be uncomfortable to wear, especially for long periods of time. In particular, known face masks can be very hot and stuffy to wear. The nature of the face masks means that, when a person breathes out, their breath is at least partially trapped by the fabric or material of the face mask. It takes some time for the air to pass through the mask and moisture within the breath tends to be trapped within the mask. In this way an interior space behind the mask, between the face mask and the user's face, becomes hot and moist.

To make the face masks more comfortable to wear it is desirable to make the face mask from a soft and flexible fabric material. The problem with this is that to retain the face mask over a wearer's face, the fabric of the face mask must be pulled relatively tight. This draws the fabric towards the wearer's nose and mouth and further restricts the interior space behind the mask, i.e. between the face mask and -2 -the user's face. Additionally, as the fabric is drawn more tightly over a wearer's face, more contact points are created between the face mask and the wearer's face such that the face mask might actually become more uncomfortable to wear, due to increased irritation of the wearer's skin by the face mask.

A further problem with known face masks is that, typically, a single size or shape of face mask is required to fit users' faces having different sizes and different shapes. This, together with the desirability to make the mask from a soft fabric material, leads to the problem that current face masks often slip while a user is wearing them, especially if that person is talking or moving around, such as while exercising or playing sport.

The current requirement to wear face masks, especially in indoor environments, has been particularly difficult for those playing indoor sports, such as boxing, or exercising in groups indoors, for example in exercise classes. Current face mask design makes it difficult (due to the restrictions to a wearer's breathing) or uncomfortable to wear an appropriate face mask when playing sport or exercising in this way.

Against this background it is desirable to provide an improved face mask that may be suited, in particular, to being worn by a user while exercising or playing sport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a face mask made from at least two layers of fabric material, the face mask comprising: a nose portion; a mouth portion; a chin portion; - a rear edge arranged to contact a user's face; a connection region proximate the rear edge for connection to a strap for securing the face mask to a user's head;

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a first stiffening band extending along a boundary between the nose portion and the mouth portion, the first stiffening band projecting forwardly from the connection region; and a second stiffening band extending along a boundary between the mouth portion and the chin portion.

The first and second stiffening bands retain or define a shape of the face mask such that the face mask is held away from a wearer's nose and mouth. In particular the configuration of the first and second stiffening bands is such that only the rear edge of the face mask contacts a wearer's face. When the face mask is worn, the first stiffening band is preferably disposed above a line of the wearer's mouth and the second stiffening band is preferably disposed below the line of the wearer's mouth.

In preferred embodiments the nose portion is formed from at least one panel of fabric material, the mouth portion is formed from at least one panel of fabric material, and the chin portion is formed from at least one panel of fabric material. The first stiffening band may, therefore, be formed by or at a seam between the panel or panels of fabric material of the nose portion and the panel or panels of fabric material of the mouth portion. Similarly, the second stiffening band may be formed by or at a seam between the panel or panels of fabric material of the mouth portion and the panel or panels of fabric material of the chin portion.

The face mask preferably further comprises a generally vertical stiffening loop extending through the nose portion. This stiffening loop is configured to hold the nose portion of the face mask away from the tip of a wearer's nose. In preferred embodiments the nose portion comprises at least one panel of fabric material on a first side of the stiffening loop, extending between the stiffening loop and a part of the rear edge, and a panel of fabric material on a second side of the stiffening loop, extending between the stiffening loop and a part of the first stiffening band. The stiffening loop may be substantially arch-shaped or inverted U-shaped. Ends of the arch-shaped stiffening loop preferably intersect the first stiffening band. A plane of the first stiffening band is preferably substantially parallel to but offset from a plane -4 -of the second stiffening band. A plane of the stiffening loop is preferably generally substantially perpendicular to the planes of the first and second stiffening bands.

In preferred embodiments each of the first stiffening band and second stiffening band is substantially arc-shaped or U-shaped. This assists in retaining or holding the face mask away from a wearer's face so that only the rear edge of the face mask is in contact with the user's face.

One of the layers of fabric material preferably comprises a water resistant or water repellent fabric. One of the layers of fabric material may comprise a filter fabric such as a melt-blown non-woven fabric or an activated carbon fabric. One of the layers of fabric material preferably comprises a spacer fabric. In a particularly preferred embodiment the face mask is made from at least four layers of fabric material, a first one of the four layers comprises a water resistant or water repellent fabric a second one of the four layers comprises a melt-blown non-woven fabric, a third one of the four layers comprises an activated carbon fabric, and a fourth one of the four layers comprises a spacer fabric.

The rear edge of the face mask preferably comprises an edge of the nose portion, 20 an edge of the chin portion, and two end edges of the mouth portion.

In preferred embodiments a first part of the mouth portion provides a first connection region and a second part of the mouth portion provides a second connection region. The first connection region may be on a first side of the face mask and the second 25 connection region may be on a second side of the face mask.

In preferred embodiments each of the first and second stiffening bands comprises the same fabric material as the rest of the face mask but a greater number of layers of the fabric material than the nose portion, mouth portion and chin portion of the face mask. In this way the number of different materials from which the face mask is made may be minimised. The face mask may be manufactured by folding and stitching layers of fabric, without requiring the insertion or inclusion of any additional -5 -stiffening members or materials.

The connection region or each of the connection regions is preferably closer to the second stiffening band than to the first stiffening band. When a strap is attached to the face mask for securing the face mask to a wearer's head and the face mask is worn, the strap is, therefore, preferably positioned so as to pass under the wearer's ears.

A second aspect of the invention provides a face mask assembly comprising: a face mask according to the first aspect of the invention; and a strap for securing the face mask to a user's head.

The strap is preferably permanently connected to or integral with the face mask. This reduces the chance that the strap will become detached from the face mask. 15 In embodiments in which a first part of the mouth portion provides a first connection region and a second part of the mouth portion provides a second connection region, a first end of the strap is preferably connected to or is connectable to the first connection region and a second end of the strap is preferably connected to or is connectable to the second connection region.

The strap may comprise a first portion including a first securing element and a second portion including a second securing element. The first and second securing elements are preferably connectable to each other so as to adjustably secure the first portion of the strap to the second portion of the strap. This allows the strap to be easily adjusted to fit the size of a wearer's head. Furthermore, release or separation of the first and second securing elements may allow the face mask to be quickly and easily removed from around a wearer's head.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method of securing a face mask assembly to a user's head, the face mask assembly being according to the second aspect of the invention, and the method comprising: -6 -seating the face mask on a user's face so that the face mask extends over the user's nose and mouth and the rear edge of the face mask is in contact with the user's skin; and securing the strap around the user's head so that the strap passes under the user's ears Preferred and/or optional features of each aspect and embodiment described above may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and embodiments also.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a face mask assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view from the front of the face mask assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view from the rear of the face mask assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view from the side of the face mask assembly of Figure 1; and Figures 5 to 8 show the face mask assembly of Figure 1 being worn by a user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of a face mask assembly 10 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4. References in the following description to front or forward and rear or rearward are relative to the orientation of the face mask when worn by a user, as illustrated in Figures 5 to 8. Additionally, references to inner -7 -layers and inner surfaces refer to layers and surfaces that are closer to or proximate a wearer's face when the face mask assembly 10 is worn and generally face inwardly towards the wearer's face; similarly, references to outer layers and outer surfaces refer to layers and surfaces that are further from a wearer's face and generally face outwardly away from a wearer's face.

The face mask assembly 10 comprises a face mask 12 and a strap 14. The face mask 12 is shaped and configured to extend over and cover a wearer's nose and mouth. The strap 14 extends from the face mask 12 and is arranged to secure the 10 face mask to a wearer's head, as described further below.

The face mask 12 is made from layers of fabric material. To form the required three-dimensional shape of the face mask 12, the face mask 12 is preferably formed from a plurality of panels of fabric material that are sewn or otherwise joined together to create the three dimensional shape. The face mask 12 is formed from at least two layers of fabric material.

In this embodiment the face mask is made from four layers of fabric material. A first, outer layer comprises a water resistant or water repellent fabric. This outer layer fabric is preferably also a non-stretch fabric. The outer layer fabric may comprise a woven fabric. In this preferred embodiment the first, outer layer comprises a soft-shell fabric which facilitates release of moisture and regulates temperatures. The soft-shell fabric preferably comprises a first sub-layer comprising a high density water repellent polyester, a second sub-layer comprising a breathable membrane, and a third sub-layer comprising a microfleece fabric. The soft-shell fabric is preferably arranged such that the first sub-layer provides a first surface of the multi-layered fabric material. A second layer of fabric material comprises a filter layer to provide air filtration. The second layer of fabric material preferably comprises a melt blown non-woven fabric. A third layer of fabric material comprises a filter layer to provide a bacterial filter. The third layer of fabric material preferably comprises an activated carbon cloth. A fourth, inner layer comprises a spacer fabric to provide a permeable layer adjacent or proximate a wearer's face. The spacer fabric preferably -8 - comprises two outer fabric sub-layers connected by pile threads or microfilament spacer yarns. One of the two outer fabric sub-layers may be a suitable high-tech polyester to provide a moisture wicking and heat transfer layer. The fourth, inner layer is preferably arranged such that the moisture wicking and heat transfer sub-layer forms a second surface of the multi-layered fabric material.

The face mask 12 is constructed from at least one panel of each of the layers of the fabric material. In the illustrated embodiment the face mask 12 is constructed from five panels 22a, 22b, 24, 26, 28 of the first, outer layer of fabric material, three panels of each of the second and third layers of fabric material (not shown), and four panels 30a, 30b, 32, 34 of the fourth, inner layer of fabric material.

The panels 22a, 22b, 24, 26, 28, 30a, 30b, 32, 34 are sewn together to form the three dimensional shape of the face mask 12, including a nose portion 36, a mouth portion 38 and a chin portion 40. The panels are sewn together such that the first surface of the multi-layered fabric material forms an outer surface 42 of the face mask 12 and the second surface of the multi-layered fabric material forms an internal surface 44 of the face mask 12.

In particular, first and second upper panels 22a, 22b of the first, outer layer of fabric material are sewn together to form a substantially arched or saddle shaped bridge section 46 of the nose portion 36. The first and second upper panels 22a, 22b may be sewn together at a plain seam 38. The arched bridge section 46 has two end edges 48a, 48b and two elongate side edges 50, 52. The first and second upper panels 22a, 22b are preferably shaped such that a first one of the side edges 50 is longer than a second one of the side edges 52.

An arch shape panel 24 of the first, outer layer of fabric material is joined to the second side edge 52 of the arched bridge section 46 to complete the nose portion 36. The arch shape panel 24 is joined to the arched bridge section 46 in such a way that the arch shape panel 24 extends transverse to the arch bridge section 46. The arch shape panel 24 may be sewn to the second side edge 52 of the arched bridge -9 -section 46 using a welt seam or French seam. This creates a region having an increased number of layers of the first fabric material, and therefore creates a region of increased thickness. This region of increased thickness forms part of a stiffening loop 54 of the nose portion 36.

The end edges 48a, 48b of the arched bridge section 46 and a free edge of the arch shape panel 24 together form a lower edge of the nose portion 36.

A mouth panel 26 of the first, outer layer of fabric material is in the form of an elongate strip of material having first and second end edges 56a, 56b, and first and second elongate side edges 58, 60. The mouth panel 26 forms an outer panel of the mouth portion 38 of the face mask 12. In other embodiments the mouth portion 38 of the face mask 12 may comprise more than one outer panel.

A chin panel 28 of the first, outer layer of fabric material forms an outer panel of the chin portion 40 of the face mask 12. The chin panel 28 is preferably in the shape of a lune, having a first curved edge 62 and a second curved edge 64. A radius of curvature of the first curved edge 62 is preferably smaller than a radius of curvature of the second curved edge 64. In other embodiments the chin portion 40 of the face mask 12 may comprise more than one outer panel.

The first side edge 58 of the mouth panel 26 is joined to the lower edge of the nose portion 36. The first side edge 58 of the mouth panel 26 is preferably sewn to the lower edge of the nose portion 36 using a French seam or welt seam. This creates a region having an increased number of layers of the first fabric material, and therefore creates a region of increased thickness. This region of increased thickness forms part of a first stiffening band 66 of the face mask 12. The first stiffening band 66 therefore extends along a boundary between the nose portion 36 and the mouth portion 38.

The second side edge 60 of the mouth panel 26 is joined to the first curved edge 62 of the chin panel 28. The second side edge 60 of the mouth panel 26 is preferably -10 -sewn to the first curved edge 62 of the chin panel 28 using a French seam or welt seam. This creates a region having an increased number of layers of the first fabric material, and therefore creates a region of increased thickness. This region of increased thickness forms part of a second stiffening band 68 of the face mask 12.

The second stiffening band 68 therefore extends along a boundary between the mouth portion 38 and the chin portion 40. The second side edge 60 of the mouth panel 26 is joined to the first curved edge 62 of the chin panel 28 in such a way that the chin panel 28 extends transverse to the mouth panel 26.

First and second upper panels 30a, 30b of the fourth, inner layer of fabric material are sewn together to form a substantially arched or saddle shaped bridge section 70. The first and second upper panels 30a, 30b may be sewn together at a plain seam 72. The arched bridge section 70 has two end edges 74a, 74b and two elongate side edges 76, 78. The first and second upper panels 30a, 30b are preferably shaped such that a first one of the side edges 76 is longer than a second one of the side edges 78.

An arch shape panel 32 of the fourth, inner layer of fabric material is joined to the second side edge 78 of the arched bridge section 70. The arch shape panel 32 may be sewn to the second side edge 78 of the arched bridge section 70 using a welt seam or French seam. This creates a region having an increased number of layers of the fourth fabric material, and therefore creates a region of increased thickness. A part of this region of increased thickness forms part of the stiffening loop 54 of the nose portion 36.

The three panels 30a, 30b, 32 of the fourth, inner layer of fabric material form inner panels of the nose and mouth portions 36, 38 of the face mask 12. The end edges 74a, 74b of the arched bridge section 70 and a free edge of the arch shape panel 32 together form a lower edge of the mouth portion 38.

A chin panel 34 of the fourth, inner layer of fabric material forms an inner panel of the chin portion 40 of the face mask 12 The chin panel 34 is preferably in the shape of a lune, having a first curved edge 80 and a second curved edge 82. A radius of curvature of the first curved edge 80 is preferably smaller than a radius of curvature of the second curved edge 82.

The lower edge of the mouth portion 38 is joined to the first curved edge 80 of the chin panel 34. The lower edge of the mouth portion 38 is preferably sewn to the first curved edge 80 of the chin panel 34 using a French seam or welt seam. This creates a region having an increased number of layers of the fourth fabric material, and therefore creates a region of increased thickness. This region of increased thickness forms part of the second stiffening band 68 of the face mask 12.

To construct the face mask 12, the panels of the second and third layers of fabric material are disposed between the panels 22a, 22b, 24, 26, 28 of the first, outer layer of fabric material and the panels 30a, 30b, 32, 34 of the fourth, inner layer of fabric material. The panels are joined together such that: the arched bridge section 46 of the first, outer layer of fabric material overlies an upper section of the arched bridge section 70 of the fourth, inner layer of fabric material; the arch shape panel 24 of the first, outer layer of fabric material overlies an upper section of the arch shape panel 32 of the fourth, inner layer of fabric material; the mouth panel 26 of the first, outer layer of fabric material overlies lower sections of each of the arched bridge section 46 and the arch shape panel 32; and the chin panel 28 of the first, outer layer of fabric material overlies the chin panel 34 of the fourth, inner layer of fabric material.

The first one of the side edges 50 of the arched bridge section 46, the first one of the side edges 76 of the arched bridge section 70, the first and second end edges 56a, 56b of the mouth panel 26, the second curved edge 64 of the chin panel 28, and the second curved edge 82 of the chin panel 34, together form a rear edge 84 of the face mask 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rear edge 84 comprises a seam binding to secure -12 -edges of the fabric layers together.

The strap 14 of the face mask assembly 10 is connected to the face mask 12 proximate or at the rear edge 84. In this embodiment the strap 14 is connected to and extends between a first connection region 86a proximate a first part of the rear edge 84 and a second connection region 86b proximate a second part of the rear edge 84. The connection regions 86a, 86b are preferably disposed proximate or at the first and second end edges 56a, 56b of the mouth panel 26. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connection regions 86a, 86b are closer to the second stiffening band 68 than to the first stiffening band 66.

The strap 14 comprises an elongate strip or band 88 of elastic material. The band 88 has a first end 90 that is attached to the first connection region 86a and a second end 92 that is attached to the second connection region 86b.

In some embodiments the band 88 may be continuous, such that a user must stretch the band 88 over their head to secure the face mask 12 over their face. In the illustrated embodiment the strap 14 comprises a first portion 94 including a first securing element 96 and a second portion 98 including a second securing element 100. The first portion 94 of the strap 14 extends between the first connection region 86a and the first securing element 96. The second portion 98 of the strap 14 extends between the second connection region 86b and the second securing element 100. The first and second securing elements 96, 100 are connectable to each other to secure the first portion 94 of the strap 14 to the second portion 98 of the strap 14.

In this way the face mask 12 may be secured over a face of a wearer by securing the first and second portions 94, 98 of the strap 14 using the first and second securing elements 96, 100. Similarly, the face mask 12 may be released or removed from a wearer's face by disengaging or decoupling the first and second securing elements 96, 100.

The first and second securing elements 96, 100 may be of any suitable design or configuration to enable the first and second securing elements 96, 100 to be -13 -releasably engaged and disengaged from each other. The first and second securing elements 96, 100 may comprise a suitable buckle.

One or both of the first and second securing elements 96, 100 preferably includes a feature to allow a length of one or both of the first and second portions 94, 98 of the strap 14 to be adjusted. In this embodiment the first portion 94 of the strap 14 is looped through a part of the first securing element 96 such that a free end 95 of the first portion 94 of the strap 14 may be pulled to shorten the length of the first portion 94 of the strap 14 between the first connection region 86a and the first securing element 96.

In this embodiment the strap 14 is integrally formed or permanently connected to the face mask 12. In other embodiments the strap 14 may be removeably attached to one or both of the connection regions 86a, 86b. One or both of the connection regions 86a, 86b may, therefore, comprise an attachment feature that cooperates with a corresponding attachment feature at one or both ends of the strap 14 to secure the strap 14 to the face mask 12. The attachment features may comprise a press stud, hook and loop, a snap fastener or a buckle, for example.

While the face mask 12 has been described above as comprising a particular number of panels in a particular arrangement, it will be appreciated that the face mask may comprise any number of panels so as to form the desired three-dimensional shape of the face mask 12. Furthermore, in the above description, each of the layers of fabric material used to form the face mask was described as being formed from separate panels. In other embodiments each of the panels of the face mask may comprise a multi-layered fabric material, such that it only necessary to sew or join together a single set of panels, each of the panels including all of the desired layers of fabric material.

It will also be appreciated that although in the above description the panels of the face mask have been described as being sewn together, in other embodiments the panels may be joined together using any suitable method, for example by using -14 -adhesive.

With particular reference now to Figures 5 to 8, the face mask 12 of the present invention is shaped so as to extend over and cover a wearer's nose, mouth and chin. Furthermore, the three-dimensional shape of the face mask 12 is such that only the rear edge 84 of the face mask 12 contacts a wearer's skin. This decreases the likelihood that the face mask 12 will cause irritation of the wearer's skin.

The rear edge 84 of the face mask 12 contacts an upper part of the wearer's nose (for example the bridge of the wearer's nose), the cheeks of the wearer and a region under the chin of the wearer.

The three dimensional shape and configuration of the face mask 12 is such that, when the face mask 12 is being worn, there is a gap or internal space created between the internal surface 44 of the face mask 12 and the wearer's mouth, between the internal surface 44 of the face mask 12 and a tip of the wearer's nose, and between the internal surface 44 of the face mask 12 and the wearer's chin. This internal space allows a wearer to talk or breath heavily (such as during exercise or sport) without the wearer's lips, chin or the tip of their nose coming into contact with the internal surface 44 of the face mask 12. This makes it easier for a wearer to breathe deeply or to breathe quickly, compared to face masks that contact the nose and chin and more closely conform to a wearer's face.

It will be appreciated that the thickness of the multi-layered fabric material means that the face mask 12 substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape during use. In particular, the first and second stiffening bands 66, 68, and optionally the stiffening loop 54, provide sufficient rigidity such that the face mask 12 is not pulled or drawn towards a wearer's face even when the wearer breathes in deeply and quickly.

The attachment of the strap 14 to the face mask 12 is preferably such that, with the face mask 12 correctly positioned over a wearer's nose, mouth and chin, the strap 14 extends around the back of a wearer's head and passes below their ears. This may make the face mask assembly 10 more comfortable to wear. Furthermore, with the strap 14 extending under the wearer's ears, the strap 14 is less likely to interfere with or get caught on head wear that may be worn by a user of the face mask 12, for example, a boxer's head guard or a cycling helmet. Additionally, with the strap 14 extending under the wearer's ears, the strap 14 is less likely to interfere with or get caught on eye wear such as spectacles and ***s that may also be worn by the wearer of the face mask assembly 10.

As described above, in this embodiment to secure the face mask assembly to a wearer's head, the face mask 12 is firstly positioned over the wearer's nose, mouth and chin. The first and second portions 94, 98 of the strap 14 are then fastened together by the first and second securing elements 96, 100. Optionally one or both of the first and second portions 94, 98 of the strap 14 may then be adjusted to tighten the strap 14 around the wearer's head.

When the wearer wishes to remove the face mask assembly, the first and second securing elements 96, 100 are released or disengaged from each other and the face mask 12 removed from the wearer's face.

The design and construction of the face mask 12 of the present invention therefore provides a relatively stiff structure that has a three dimensional shape that does not contact or does not substantially restrict movement of a wearer's mouth or chin during use. The face mask 12 of the present invention is therefore particularly suited to wearers who may need to talk loudly, shout, or breathe deeply and/or heavily.

The face mask 12 of the present invention is therefore particularly suited to wearers who are exercising or playing sport.

Other modifications and variations not explicitly disclosed above may also be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

-16 -CLAIMS1. A face mask made from at least two layers of fabric material, the face mask comprising: a nose portion; a mouth portion; a chin portion; a rear edge arranged to contact a user's face; a connection region proximate the rear edge for connection to a strap for securing the face mask to a user's head; a first stiffening band extending along a boundary between the nose portion and the mouth portion, the first stiffening band projecting forwardly from the connection region; and a second stiffening band extending along a boundary between the mouth portion and the chin portion.
2. A face mask as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the nose portion is formed from at least one panel of fabric material, the mouth portion is formed from at least one panel of fabric material, and the chin portion is formed from at least one panel of fabric material.
3. A face mask as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising a generally vertical stiffening loop extending through the nose portion.
4. A face mask as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the nose portion comprises at least one panel of fabric material on a first side of the stiffening loop extending between the stiffening loop and a part of the rear edge, and a panel of fabric material on a second side of the stiffening loop extending between the stiffening loop and a part of the first stiffening band.
5. A face mask as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the stiffening loop is arch-shaped, and ends of the stiffening loop intersect the first stiffening band.
6. A face mask as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein a plane of the first stiffening band is substantially parallel to but offset from a plane of the second stiffening band, and a plane of the stiffening loop is generally substantially perpendicular to the planes of the first and second stiffening bands.
7. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the first stiffening band and second stiffening band is substantially arc-shaped or U-shaped.
8. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the layers of fabric material comprises a water resistant or water repellent fabric.
9. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the layers of fabric material comprises a melt-blown non-woven fabric.
10. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the layers of fabric material comprises an activated carbon fabric.
11. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of the layers of fabric material comprises a spacer fabric.
12. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the face mask is made from at least four layers of fabric material, a first one of the four layers comprises a water resistant or water repellent fabric a second one of the four layers comprises a melt-blown non-woven fabric, a third one of the four layers comprises an activated carbon fabric, and a fourth one of the four layers comprises a spacer fabric.
13. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear edge comprises an edge of the nose portion, an edge of the chin portion, and two end edges of the mouth portion.
14. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a first part of the mouth portion provides a first connection region and a second part of the mouth portion provides a second connection region.
15. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second stiffening bands comprises the same fabric material as the rest of the face mask but a greater number of layers of the fabric material than the nose portion, mouth portion and chin portion of the face mask.
16. A face mask as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection region or each of the connection regions is closer to the second stiffening band than to the first stiffening band.
17. A face mask assembly comprising: - a face mask as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 16; and a strap for securing the face mask to a user's head.
18. A face mask assembly as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the strap is permanently connected to the face mask.
19. A face mask assembly as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, in which the face mask is as claimed in Claim 13, and wherein a first end of the strap is connected to or is connectable to the first connection region and a second end of the strap is connected to or is connectable to the second connection region.
20. A face mask assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 19, wherein the strap comprises a first portion including a first securing element and a second portion including a second securing element, and wherein the first and second securing elements are connectable to each other to adjustably secure the first portion of the strap to the second portion of the strap.
21. A method of securing a face mask assembly to a user's head, the face mask -19 -assembly being as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 20, and the method comprising: seating the face mask on a user's face so that the face mask extends over the user's nose and mouth and the rear edge of the face mask is in contact with the user's skin; and securing the strap around the user's head so that the strap passes under the user's ears.