AU2007240199A1 - A Mask - Google Patents

Description

1 A Mask Field of the Invention. The present invention related to a mask. In particular, the present invention relates to a 5 mask that protects the face including ears, nose and forehead, neck, throat and upper torso of the wearer from the elements and from insects and the like. Background Art. When undertaking outdoors activities (such as working outdoors, sporting activities, 10 or leisure activities such as hiking, fishing, gardening and the like) a person will be exposed not just to the elements (wind, heat, rain, snow and so on) but also to attack from insects or discomfort from airborne hazards, such as dust and pollens. At best, this may prove to be irritating, and may hamper the person's enjoyment of the activity. At worst, bites from some insects, or prolonged exposure to the extremes of weather, 15 could lead to injury, illness or even death. In the past, attempts have been made to reduce exposure to the elements and the like, by, for instance, tying a bandanna, handkerchief or similar garment over the wearer's nose and mouth. However, items of clothing such as bandannas often come loose and 20 slip off the wearer's face, making them unreliable. In addition, these items of clothing are generally not large enough to protect the wearer's entire face and neck. Other items of clothing, such as ski masks or balaclavas, are generally tight-fitting and insulating, and therefore are in no way adapted for use as sun protection devices. In 25 addition, ski masks and balaclavas do not provide adequate protection for the wearer's neck. Thus, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a garment that was capable of providing a wearer's face, neck and throat against the elements as well as 30 against insects and airborne dust. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the 2 common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" and its grammatical equivalents shall be taken to have an inclusive meaning unless the context of use indicates 5 otherwise. Object of the Invention. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mask which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice. 10 In one aspect of the invention there is provided a mask adapted to cover at least a portion of a wearer's face and neck, the mask comprising attachment means adapted to temporarily secure the mask to the wearer's head, and a dependent portion extending downwardly from said attachment means, the dependent portion comprising 15 one or more eyeholes, and wherein the mask is adapted to allow the circulation of air around the wearer's face during use. The mask of the present invention serves to protect the wearer from one or more of sunburn, wind burn and other damage caused by the elements. In addition, the mask 20 may serve to prevent attack from insects and the like. Furthermore, when the wearer is on the water (such as fishing, boating and so on) or in the snow, the mask of the present invention may serve to reduce reflective glare off the water or snow onto the wearer's face. In addition, the mask of the present invention may serve to significantly reduce the effect of an insect strike on the wearer's face, neck or chest when the 25 wearer is traveling in or on an open vehicle, such as a motorcycle. The attachment means may comprise any suitable means for temporarily securing the mask to the wearer's head, such as, but not limited to, a head band and the like. Preferably, the head band is adapted to at least partially encircle an upper portion of 30 the wearer's head. The attachment means may comprise fastening means in the form of one or more ties, drawstrings, buttons, press studs, zips, clips, hooks and eyes, buckles, Velcro and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, the attachment means may comprise a number of settings, thereby allowing the attachment means to 3 be adjusted to fit wearers with differing head size. However, it is preferred that the attachment means is of a form that allows the wearer to quickly and easily secure and remove the mask when required, for instance using 5 only one hand. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment means may comprise an elasticised or rubberized band or loop adapted to be placed over the wearer's head, encircling it and being retained thereon. Preferably, the attachment means is provided as a relatively wide band or loop in order to provide the wearer with maximum comfort when wearing the mask. 10 Preferably, the attachment means is constructed so as to be relatively thin so that a wearer may wear a hat, such as a hard hat, at the same time as the mask. In some embodiments of the present invention, the location and configuration of the attachment means may assist a wearer in positioning a hat, such as a hard hat, and 15 retaining the hat on the wearer's head, or reducing movement of the hat relative to the wearer's head during use. In some embodiments of the invention, the attachment means may further comprise an absorbent portion. The absorbent portion may be of any suitable size or configuration. 20 Preferably, the absorbent portion is adapted to absorb perspiration (or water) on the wearer's forehead and prevent it from entering the wearer's eyes. The absorbent portion may be constructed from any suitable known absorbent material, and the exact material from which the absorbent portion is constructed is not of particular importance. 25 The dependent portion of the mask may be of any suitable construction. The attachment means and the dependent portion may either be provided separately from another and be adapted for engagement as required, or the attachment means and dependent portion may be provided integrally connected to one another. 30 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dependent portion extends downwardly from the attachment means secured to an upper portion of the wearer's head to beneath the chin of the wearer. In some embodiments if the invention, the 4 dependent portion of the mask may be adapted to be retained at least partially within an item of clothing at least partially covering the wearer's upper body, such as a shirt, t-shirt, dress and the like. In this way, the wearer's neck and chest may be protected from the sun, or from insects and the like. Alternatively, the dependent portion need 5 not be retained within another item of clothing. In this embodiment of the invention, leaving the dependent portion loose will encourage a greater circulation of air around the wearer's face. The dependent portion may be constructed from any suitable material. However, as 10 the dependent portion will generally cover the wearer's nose and mouth, it is preferred that the dependent portion is constructed from a flexible, breathable material that allows a flow of air around the wearer's face, thereby preventing the mask from becoming unpleasant to wear in hot or humid conditions. Any suitable breathable material may be used, such as cotton, linen or synthetic fabrics. 15 The dependent portion comprises one or more eyeholes in order to ensure that the wearer's vision is not obstructed when wearing the mask. In some embodiments of the invention, a pair of eyeholes are provided, whereas in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the dependent portion is provided with a single slit. In some 20 embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the one or more eyeholes may be provided with tightening means to ensure that the mask is suitably located on the wearer's nose, and specifically the bridge of the wearer's nose. The tightening means may be of any suitable form, such as, but not limited to, an elasticised or rubberized band. 25 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mask may further be adapted to cover at least a portion of the wearer's ears. The wearer's ears may be covered either by the attachment means or by the dependent portion, however it is preferred that at least the top of the wearer's ears are covered by the mask. 30 The mask may be further adapted to cover other parts of the wearer's head and body, such as the top of the head, the back of the neck, or both. In these embodiments of the invention, the portion of the mask covering, for instance, the top of the wearer's head, 5 may extend upwardly from the attachment means. Alternatively, the attachment means of the mask may be the uppermost part of the mask, thereby leaving the top of the wearer's head uncovered, or to be covered by a hat or the like. 5 The mask may be produced in a range of sizes, such as smaller sizes to fit children or larger sizes to fit adults. It will be understood that the mask of the present invention may be constructed from material of any suitable colour, and the actual colour of the mask is not generally of particular importance. However, in some applications, a particular colour may be required, such as providing a camouflage mask for hunting 10 and the like. Brief Description of the Drawings. An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: 15 Figure 1 illustrates a view of the mask according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the mask according to an embodiment of the present invention when in use; Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the mask according to an embodiment of the 20 present invention when in use; and Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the mask according to an embodiment of the present invention when in use. Detailed Description of the Drawings. 25 It will be appreciated that the drawings have been provided for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and that the invention should not be considered to be limited solely to the features as shown in the drawings. In Figure 1 there is illustrated a mask 10 according to an embodiment of the present 30 invention. The mask 10 comprises attachment means 11 in the form of a band adapted to fit over and be retained on a wearer's head (not shown). The mask 10 further comprises a dependent portion 12 extending downwardly from the attachment means 11. The dependent portion 12 of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 6 1 is constructed from a flexible, breathable material that allows air to circulate around the wearer's face during use. In Figure 2, a mask 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown 5 when in use. The mask 10 comprises attachment means 11 adapted to be retained on an upper portion of a wearer's head 13. The attachment means I 1 comprises a relatively wide band of elasticised material to maximize the comfort of the wearer when wearing the mask 10, and also to ensure that the mask is securely retained regardless of the size of the wearer's head. 10 The attachment means 11 and dependent portion 12 cover the wearer's ears (obscured) when in use, preventing the wearer's ears from becoming, for instance, sunburnt due to exposure to the elements. 15 The mask 10 also comprises an eyehole 14 to ensure that the wearer's vision is not obstructed while wearing the mask 10. In Figure 3 there is shown a front view of a mask 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mask 10 is secured over an upper portion of the wearer's 20 head 13 such that the attachment means 11 sits over the wearer's forehead 15. The attachment means 11 comprises an absorbent portion 16 for absorbing perspiration and other fluids to prevent them from entering the wearer's eyes 17. The eyehole 14 in the mask 10 comprises tightening means 18 in the form of an 25 elasticised band that assists in retaining the dependent portion 12 on the wearer's nose 19. In Figure 4, the mask 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown during use. The dependent portion 12 of the mask 10 is retained within the 30 wearer's shirt 20 so as to protect the wearer's neck (obscured) from the elements, insects and the like. However, as the dependent portion 12 of the mask 10 is constructed from a flexible, breathable material, air may still circulate around the wearer's face underneath the mask 10. As the mask 10 illustrated in Figure 4 does not 7 cover the wearer's entire head, a hat 21 may be worn to ensure that maximum protection from the elements is achieved. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to 5 variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims (12)

1. A mask adapted to cover at least a portion of a wearer's face and neck, the mask comprising attachment means adapted to temporarily 5 secure the mask to the wearer's head, and a dependent portion extending downwardly from said attachment means, the dependent portion comprising one or more eyeholes, and wherein the mask is adapted to allow the circulation of air around the wearer's face during use. 10

2. A mask according to claim I wherein the attachment means comprises a band or loop adapted to be retained on an upper portion of the wearer's head.

3. A mask according to claim 2 wherein the band or loop is elasticised or rubberized. 15

4. A mask according to any one of claims I to 3 wherein the attachment means further comprises an absorbent portion.

5. A mask according to claim 4 wherein the absorbent portion is adapted to prevent sweat from entering the wearer's eyes.

6. A mask according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the mask further 20 comprises tightening means adapted to locate the mask on the wearer's nose.

7. A mask according to claim 6 wherein the tightening means are adapted to locate the mask on the bridge of the wearer's nose.

8. A mask according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the tightening means 25 comprises an elasticised or rubberized band.

9. A mask according to any one of claims I to 8 wherein the dependent portion is constructed from a flexible, breathable material.

10. A mask according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the dependent portion of the mask is adapted to be retained at least partially within 30 an item of clothing covering at least a portion of the wearer's upper body.

11. A mask according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein at least a portion of the wearer's ears are covered by the attachment means 9 and/or the dependent portion.

12. A mask substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.