US20060212996A1

US20060212996A1 - Face mask having an interior pouch

Info

Publication number: US20060212996A1
Application number: US11/090,766
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark McGrath
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-25
Filing date: 2005-03-25
Publication date: 2006-09-28

Abstract

A face mask for covering the nose and mouth of a user in cold weather. The face mask includes a triangular-shaped exterior fabric layer having an interior surface, and an exterior surface; and a triangular-shaped interior insulation layer having an interior surface, and an exterior surface. The face mask further includes connecting means for connecting the fabric layer to the insulation layer such that each of the interior surfaces face each other and each of the first, second and third perimeter edges are aligned, respectively, to form a face mask. The face mask also includes securing means in the form of hook and loop fastener strips mounted on opposite upper corners of the fabric and insulation layers; and a holding pouch and flap being fixedly connected to a centrally located position on the exterior surface of the insulation layer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a triangular-shaped face mask comprised of two-ply cloth materials having an interior pouch. More particularly, the two-ply cloth materials include a fabric layer and an insulation layer being connected together by connecting means to form the face mask. In addition, the face mask can be secured around the wearer's face by hook and loop fastener strips (Velcro) being attached to opposite corners of the face mask for protecting the wearer's face from cold weather.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Face masks are well-known in the prior art. Face masks are typically used to cover a wearer's face, cheeks, nose, mouth and neck in order to protect those areas from extreme cold, wind, sand, fumes, rain, sleet, dust, insects, branches and other airborne debris during working conditions or leisure events. The wearer may use a face mask during fast-moving (high speed) participation in vehicles or sports such as in baseball stadiums, football stadiums, winter Olympics, on motorcycles, convertibles, jeeps, dunebuggies, snow skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding, sailing and the like. Face masks are often used for sanitary protection from smoking, sneezing, coughing and the like. Face masks are usually made from one-ply cloth materials that are inadequate for the aforementioned conditions and do not provide the protection needed by the wearer.
There remains a need for an integral two-ply triangular-shaped face mask having an exterior fabric layer and an interior insulation layer for protecting the wearer's face from outdoor elements of extreme cold, wind, dust and the like. Additionally, the interior insulation layer would include a holding pouch and flap for securing of personal items such as a key, driver's license or money within its pocket. Further, the face mask would be secured around the user's face by Velcro strips attached to opposite corners of the face mask for protecting the wearer's face from injury due to extreme cold, wind, dust and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Face masks, neck bandanas, scarfs, neck warmers, and the like, having various designs, structures, configurations and materials of construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,573 to OLSON discloses a scarf for pets having a pouch incorporated therein comprised of a body made from a flexible material having at least three edges, a pouch encapsulated within the scarf body in which small articles, like disposable bags used for the disposal of animal waste, can be stored. The pouch has a closing structure which allows the user to resealably open and close the pouch. The scarfbody also has a fastening structure that enables the scarf to be releasably affixed around the neck of a pet. This prior art patent does not teach or disclose the design, configuration, structure or materials of construction of the face mask having an interior pouch of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,292 to WOOD et al. discloses an improved bandana or- scarf formed with holding elements thereon, and may include a number of flexible layers which provide protection from the elements. A top portion of the improved bandana or scarf may include elastic elements to aid in securing the bandana or scarf in place on the nose of a wearer, or may have a pair of drawstrings with locking elements to enable the bandana or scarf to be adjustably tightened when wearing. The drawstrings may also include loops for supporting glasses thereon. This prior art patent does not teach or disclose the design, configuration, structure or materials of construction of the face mask having an interior pouch of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,722 to POGACHAR discloses a protective face cover that can act as a neck warmer or bandana to protect the cheeks and nose from cold, wind and dust, fumes and sand when recreating with fast-moving open vehicles or sports. Two separate items join to form one as in an outer piece comprised of wind and waterproof fabric or leather, and an inner piece comprised of changeable, washable soft cloth as flannel or polar fleece liner. A simple triangular shape is joined behind the neck by mean of snaps. Snaps are also used to join the liner to the outer piece. The liner is washable and lightweight, so spare liners can be carried to replace wet or soiled liners. -This prior-art patent does not teach or disclose the design, configuration, structure or materials of construction of the face mask having an interior pouch of the present invention.
None of the aforementioned prior art patents specifically disclose or teach the present invention, including the structure of an integrally connected two-ply construction consisting of an exterior fabric layer and an interior insulation layer of fleece having an interior pouch, wherein the insulation layer protects the wearer's face from extreme cold and the like.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a face mask having an interior pouch, that includes an integrally connected two-ply construction having an exterior triangular-shaped fabric layer or leather layer which may be printed on and an interior triangular-shaped insulation layer, wherein the interior insulation layer is formed of fleece and protects the wearer from extreme cold, wind, sand, fumes, rain, sleet, dust, insects, and other airborne debris during working conditions or leisure events.
Another object of the present invention-is to provide a face mask having an interior pouch such that the pocket of the pouch is used for securing of personal items such as a key, a driver's license or money within its pocket.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a face mask that is secured around the wearer's face by Velcro strips attached to opposite corners of the triangular-shaped mask for protecting the wearer's face from injury due to extreme cold, wind, sleet, dust and the like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a face mask having an exterior fabric layer made from a printable cloth material such as cotton, nylon, rayon, polypropylene, polyester, wool and combinations thereof, and the fabric layer having a printed design and/or pattern thereon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a face mask having an interior insulation layer made from materials such as flannel, fleece, neoprene, soft wool, fur, suede and combinations thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a face mask that is washable, easy to use and lightweight.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a face mask having an interior pouch that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a face mask for covering the nose and mouth of a user in cold weather. The face mask includes a triangular-shaped exterior fabric layer having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge, a third perimeter edge, a first upper corner, a second upper corner and a lower corner; and a triangular-shaped interior insulation layer having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge, a third perimeter edge, a first upper corner, a second upper corner and a lower corner. The face mask further includes connecting means for connecting the fabric layer to the insulation layer wherein each of the interior surfaces face each other and each of the first, second and third perimeter edges are aligned, respectively, to form a face mask. The face mask also includes securing means in the form of hook and loop fastener strips mounted on the opposite exterior surfaces and the opposite upper corners of the fabric and insulation layers for securing the face mask to the face of the wearer; and a holding pouch and flap being fixedly connected to a centrally located position on the exterior surface of the insulation layer for holding of personal items therein, such as money, keys, credit cards, or a driver's license and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently-preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the face mask having an interior pouch of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the face mask in its assembled configuration and having indicia on a front exterior surface thereof;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the face mask having an interior pouch of the present invention showing the face mask in its assembled configuration and having a pouch member on a rear interior surface thereof;
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the face mask having an interior pouch of the present invention showing the face mask in its assembled configuration being readied for operational use thereof;
FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view of the face mask of the present invention showing securing means in the form of male and female snaps;
FIG. 3B is a partial perspective view of the face mask of the present invention showing securing means in the form of buttons and button-hole openings;
FIG. 3C is a partial perspective view of the face mask of the present invention showing securing means in the form of male and female tab fasteners;
FIG. 3D is a partial perspective view of the face mask of the present invention showing securing means in the form of string ties;
FIG. 3E is a partial perspective view of the face mask of the present invention showing securing means in the form of tab and tab connections.
FIG. 4 is a rear exploded perspective view of the face mask having an interior pouch of the present invention showing the interior pouch member, a triangular-shaped interior fleece member, a hook fastener strip, a triangular-shaped exterior cloth member, an indicia symbol and a loop fastener strip;
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the face mask having an interior pouch of the present invention showing the face mask in its assembled configuration and having a pouch member and a pair of opposing and spaced-apart ear loop straps on the rear interior surface thereof;
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the face mask having an interior pouch of the present invention showing the face mask in its assembled configuration and being used in an operational mode; and
FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of one face mask of the present invention showing the face mask in its assembled configuration and being used in an operational mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The face mask 10 and its component parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 5 of the patent drawings. The face mask 10 is used for covering the nose 12 and mouth 14 of a user's face 16 in cold weather, as depicted in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Additionally, the face mask 10 includes an interior pouch 54 for storage of personal items such as credit cards, cash, car keys and the like.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the face mask 10 includes a triangular-shaped exterior fabric layer 20 and a triangular-shaped interior insulation layer 40 connected together by connecting means 60. The exterior fabric layer 20 includes an interior surface 22, an exterior surface 24 for printing thereon, a first perimeter edge 26, a second perimeter edge 27, a third perimeter edge 28, a first upper corner 30, a second upper corner 32 and a lower corner 33. Exterior surface 24 includes a fabric design F printed thereon such as stripes 34. Other fabric designs can be printed on the fabric layer 20 as required by the manufacturer. The exterior surface 24 further may include lettering indicia 36 for the name, logo, or embroidered patch of a sports team, corporation and the like. The fabric layer 20 can be made from printable cloth materials such as cotton, nylon, rayon, polyester, polypropylene, wool and combinations thereof.
The interior insulation layer 40 includes an interior surface 42, an exterior surface 44, a first perimeter edge 46, a second perimeter edge 47, a third perimeter edge 48, a first upper corner 50, a second upper corner 52 and a lower corner 53. Insulation layer 40 further includes a holding pouch 54 and flap 55 having an interior pocket 56 formed therein, all formed of an insulation layer. The holding pouch 54 and flap 55 are fixedly connected to the exterior surface 44 of the insulation layer 40, such that the holding pouch 54 and flap 55 are placed at a position P on the exterior surface 44 of insulation layer 40, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the patent drawings. The holding pouch 54 and flap 55 are attached to the exterior surface 44 of insulation layer 40 by connecting means 60 such as sewing, stitching 62, laser welding and the like. The insulation layer 40 can be made from insulation materials such as flannel, fleece, neoprene, soft wool, fur, suede and the like.
The face mask 10 is formed using connecting means 60, such that the fabric layer 20 or leather layer 20L is connected to the insulation layer 40 wherein each of the interior surfaces 22 and 42 of the fabric and insulation layers 20 and 40, respectively, face each other and each of the first, second and third perimeter edges 26 and 46, 27 and 47, and 28 and 48 of the fabric or leather layer and the insulation layers 20 or 20L and 40, respectively, are aligned with each other, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings. Connecting means 60 include stitching 62, sewing, glueing, laser welding and the like.
Additionally, the face mask 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, includes securing means 70 in the form of hook and loop fastener (Velcro) strips 72 and 74 mounted and connected by stitching 62 to opposite exterior surfaces 24 and 44 and to opposite upper corners 32 and 50 of the fabric and insulation layers 20 and 40, respectively. The hook fastener strip 72 is fixedly attached to the second upper corner 32 of exterior surface 24 of fabric layer 20 and the loop fastener strip 74 is fixedly attached to the first upper corner 50 of exterior surface 44 of insulation layer 40, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the patent drawings. Other securing means, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E include male and female snap fasteners 76 and 78, buttons and button hole openings 80 and 82, male and female tab fasteners 84 and 86, string ties 88 and 90, and tab and tab connectors 92 and 94.
In another alternate design, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the second perimeter edge 47 of the interior surface 42 of the insulation layer 40 includes a pair of opposing and spaced-apart ear loop straps 100 and 102 being fixedly connected by stitching 62. Each of the ear loop straps 100 and 102 are for detachably connecting to each ear 18 a and 18 b of the wearer's face 16 in order to further hold up the face mask 10 to the wearer's face 16, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings. Ear loop straps 100 and 102 may be made from fabric, fleece, or elastic material.
The overall dimensions of face mask 10 for an adult user is as follows: The first and third perimeter edges 26, 46, 28 and 48 of the fabric and insulation layers 20 and 40, respectively, each have a length of 19¼ inches ±1 inch and the second perimeter edges 27 and 47 of the fabric and insulation layers 20 and 40, respectively, has a length of 27 inches ±1 inch. Upper corners 30, 50, 32 and 52 have an angle alpha (α) of 45 degrees each, and the lower corner 33 and 53 has an angle beta (β) of 90 degrees.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings, the operation of the face mask 10 is as follows: the wearer simply places the face mask 10 around his/her face 16. The wearer then using his/her left and right hands behind the neck, closes the hook and loop fastener strips 72 and 74 on upper corners 32 and 50 (See FIG. 3) of face mask 10 to give the wearer a firm and conforming fit around the wearer's face 16 and neck with a minimal amount of folds and/or creases to the fabric and insulation layers 20 and 40 of face mask 10. Additionally, the user can tuck in the lower corners 33 and 53 of the mask 10 within the wearer's shirt, jacket or T-shirt to minimize any outdoor effects of cold, wind, sleet, dust and the like. When mask 10 is not in use, the wearer simply folds the mask 10 into a compact configuration and stores the folded face mask 10 in a jacket pocket or drawer for storage, or left hanging around the user's neck to form a neck warmer.
Optionally, the wearer 16 can insert each of the ear loop straps 100 and 102 about the wearer's ears 18 a and 18 b of the wearer's face 16 in order to further hold up the face mask 10 to the wearer's face 16, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a face mask having an interior pouch that includes an integrally connected two-ply construction having an exterior triangular-shaped fabric layer or leather layer and an interior triangular-shaped insulation layer, wherein the interior insulation layer protects the wearer from extreme cold, wind, sand, fumes, rain, sleet, dust, insects, and airborne debris during working conditions or leisure events.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a face mask having an interior pouch such that the pocket of the pouch is used for securing of personal items such as a key, a driver's license or money within its pocket.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a face mask that is secured around the wearer's face by Velcro strips attached to opposite corners of the triangular-shaped mask for protecting the wearer's face from injury due to extreme cold, wind, sleet, dust and the like.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a face mask having an exterior fabric layer made from a printable cloth material such as cotton, nylon, rayon, polypropylene, polyester, wool and combinations thereof, and the fabric layer having a printed design and/or pattern thereon.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a face mask having an interior insulation layer made from materials such as flannel, fleece, neoprene, soft wool, fur, suede and combinations thereof.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a face mask that is washable, easy to use and lightweight.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a face mask having an interior pouch that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer.
A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said fabric layer has a printed design thereon.

3. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said fabric layer is made from cloth materials selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, rayon, polyester, polypropylene, wool and combinations thereof.

4. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said exterior surface of said fabric layer includes indicia thereon.

5. A face mask in accordance with claim 4, wherein said indicia is in the form of letters, logos, names, and symbols.

6. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said insulation layer is made from insulation materials such as flannel, fleece, neoprene, soft wool, fur, suede and combinations thereof.

7. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said connecting means are selected from the group consisting of sewing, stitching, glueing, laser welding, stapling and combinations thereof.

8. (canceled)

9. A face mask for covering the nose and mouth of the wearer in cold weather, comprising:

a) a triangular-shaped exterior fabric layer having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge, a third perimeter edge, a first upper corner, a second upper corner and a lower corner; said exterior surface being formed of a material to be printed on;

b) a triangular-shaped interior insulation layer having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge, a third perimeter edge, a first upper corner, a second upper corner and a lower corner;

c) connecting means for connecting said fabric layer to said insulation layer wherein each of the interior surfaces face each other and each of the first, second and third perimeter edges are aligned, respectively, to form a face mask;

d) securing means mounted on said opposite upper corners of said opposite exterior surfaces of said fabric and insulation layers for securing said face mask to the wearer's face;

e) an additional layer attached to said insulation layer for forming a holding pouch and being fixedly connected to a position on said exterior surface of said insulation layer for holding credit cards and other personal items; and

f) a pair of opposing and spaced-apart ear loop straps being fixedly connected along said second perimeter edge of said interior surface of said insulation layer for detachably connecting to each ear of the wearer's face in order to further hold up said face mask on the wearer's face; wherein each of said ear loop straps have two ends, which are each fixedly connected to said insulation layer to form two separate ear loop straps in order to receive each ear of the wearer thereon.

10. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein each of said ear loop straps have a width of ⅜ of an inch and a length in the range of 2 inches to 4 inches.

11. A face mask in accordance with claim 10, wherein each of said ear loop straps are made from an elastic material or fleece for stretching over each ear of the wearer's face.

12. (canceled)

13. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said securing means are male and female snap fasteners.

14. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said securing means are male and female tab fasteners.

15. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said securing means are string ties.

16. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said securing means are buttons and button hole openings.

17. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said securing means are tab and tab connectors.

18. A face mask in accordance with claim 9, wherein said securing means are hook and loop fasteners.