AU2019100658A4

AU2019100658A4 - A protective face scarf

Info

Publication number: AU2019100658A4
Application number: AU2019100658A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nicholas Avery
Original assignee: Outback Mask Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Outback Mask Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-19
Filing date: 2019-06-18
Publication date: 2019-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-18

Abstract

Abstract A protective face scarf comprises a tubular body which is worn over the head from just beneath the eyeline to down around the neck. The tubular body may have a forward upper breathing aperture which may locate around the nose and, in embodiments, at least a portion of the mouth of the wearer. The breathing aperture may be covered with a fabric covering defining a pocket. The fabric covering may be stitched to the tubular body to have a side opening through which a dust mask may be selectively inserted to be retained within the pocket without the need for elastic retention straps. Patentec Patent Attorneys 8 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au j 3 10 o 0 loa% Figu106e )7 Figure 1

Description

Field ofthe Invention [1] This invention relates generally to personal protection clothing and, more particularly, this invention relates to a protective face scarf for protecting against dust, heat, insects and/or the sun.

Background ofthe Invention [2] Personal protection clothing is typically worn by personnel in industry for various type of protection.

[3] For example, sun visors, hardhat rim extensions and associated neck shields may be worn to protect against the sun. However, these do not provide full protection, especially for the face and especially from reflected UV light.

[4] Furthermore, face dust masks may sometimes be worn which may comprise elastic retention straps. However, these type of dust masks get in the way of other head protective equipment such as sun and insect screens and are furthermore uncomfortable to use including by pressing directly against the skin. Furthermore, face dust masks may also not seal around the wearer's face effectively, leading to exhaled air escaping through gaps near the nose which may fog the glasses of the wearer [5] The present invention seeks to provide protective equipment, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[6] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary ofthe Disclosure [7] There is provided herein a protective face scarf which, in accordance with various embodiments, provides superior sun protection, dust protection and cooling.

[8] The protective face scarf comprises a tubular body which is worn over the head from just beneath the eyeline to down around the neck.

[9] The tubular body may have a forward upper breathing aperture which may locate around the nose and, in embodiments, at least a portion of the mouth of the wearer. The breathing aperture may be covered with a fabric covering defining a pocket. The fabric covering may be stitched to the tubular body to have a side opening through which a dust mask may be selectively inserted to be retained within the pocket without the need for elastic retention straps.

Patentee Patent Attorneys

Level 11, 65 York Street

Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au

9188 9689

2019100658 18 Jun 2019 [10] The fabric covering may be substantially larger than the aperture thereunderneath such that the facing rim of the dust mask inserted therein presses against the fabric periphery of the aperture as opposed to directly on skin, thereby being more comfortable.

[11] Furthermore, the particular shape of the fabric pocket may hold the dust mask in place and prevent or reduce the likelihood of inadvertent dislodgement therefrom in use.

[12] In accordance with this configuration, a dust mask may be quickly inserted and worn comfortably when required without negating the operative functionality thereof.

[13] Furthermore, the protective face scarf may be worn without a dust mask by breathing directly through the covering. When used without an associated dust mask, the covering provides both some form of dust filtration, insect screening and UV protection. When not required, the forward edge of the scarf may be pulled beneath the nose or the chin so as to entirely uncover the nose and mouth when required.

[14] Compressible foam strips may be located on the tubular body to seal the gap created by the nose protruding from the face. As such, when worn with a dust mask, fogging of the wearer's glasses is reduced or eliminated.

[15] Furthermore, as the forces of the external pocket can deform the dust mask, thereby reducing function over time, the dust mask may be inserted into a flexible exoskeleton which provides structural support and more complete face sealing to the dust mask. The exoskeleton may comprise a flexible rubber or silicone sealing around the perimeter of the mask, and accommodate an exhalation valve of a dust mask [16] The protective face scarf may further comprise a rearward coolant pocket within which a chilled gel pad may be inserted for cooling. The pocket may comprise an over portion which overlaps and under portion allowing for quick access whilst adequately holding the gel pad in place.

[17] The pocket may extend laterally around the lower rear periphery of the headscarf such that the weight of the gel pad may be borne at least partially by the shoulders, thereby preventing tugging on the scarf. Furthermore, the coolant pocket may extend sufficiently around the sides so as to reach the carotid arteries of the wearer, thereby speeding cooling.

[18] In embodiments the upper rear edge of the tubular body may comprise a hanger strand transversely across an aperture thereunderneath. As such, when the scarf is worn with a hardhat, the hanger strand can locate over the hardhat strap tensioning dial to hold the scarf in place, including additionally supporting the weight of the chilled gel pad there underneath.

[19] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Patentee Patent Attorneys

Level 11, 65 York Street

Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au

9188 9689

2019100658 18 Jun 2019

Brief Description of the Drawings [20] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[21] Figure 1 shows a side perspective view of a protective face scarf in accordance with an embodiment;

[22] Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the face scarf;

[23] Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the face scarf;

[24] Figure 4 shows a rear perspective of the flexible exoskeleton; and [25] Figure 5 shows a side perspective view of dust mask and flexible exoskeleton

Description of Embodiments [26] A protective face scarf 100 comprises a tubular body 101 for being donned over one's head and for which the upper edge thereof locates around the head just below the eyeline and for which the lower portion thereof covers the neck.

[27] The scarf 100 may be manufactured from UV blocking (such as UPF 50+), breathable and stretchable polyester or similar.

[28] The scarf 100 may be configured for optionally ergonomically accommodating a dust mask. Specifically, the scarf 100 may comprise a breathing aperture 102 through an upper front region of the tubular body 101.

[29] A fabric covering 103 may be stitched to the tubular body 101 to cover the breathing aperture 102 and to form a pocket. The breathing aperture 102 may be substantially T-shaped as is shown so as to accommodate the contours of the nose. The breathing aperture 102 may be sized for the nose only or the nose and at least a portion of the mouth to breathe therethrough.

[30] Compressible sealing strips 111, may be secured to the tubular body 101 adjacent to the breathing aperture 102. The compressible sealing strips 111 may be located below the eyeline near the bridge of the nose to improve the air-sealing capability of the mask 100 [31] The fabric covering 103 may have a side opening 104 through which a dust mask may be inserted when required. The side opening 104 may have a length slightly smaller than the corresponding width of the dust mask which, by virtue of the stretchability of the tubular body 101 and the covering 103, allows the dust mask to be squeezed therethrough, yet while retained therein to prevent the inadvertent dislodgement therefrom in use.

[32] In the embodiment shown, the covering 103 may be substantially hexagonal, circular or the like so as to be widest at the vertical middle thereof as shown to naturally bias the dust mask to locate

Patentee Patent Attorneys

Level 11, 65 York Street

Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au

9188 9689

2019100658 18 Jun 2019 around the breathing aperture 102. The pocket may converge towards the opening 104 to resist the dust mask from undesirably migrating towards the opening 104 in use.

[33] The covering 103 may comprise an area substantially larger than the breathing aperture 102 as is shown such that the contacting peripheral rim of the dust mask comfortably presses against the tubular body 101 peripherally surrounding the aperture 102 as opposed to against the skin. For example, the covering 103 may be sized so as to allow an approximately 1 cm periphery around the aperture 102.

[34] In accordance with this embodiment, the scarf 100 may be worn with or without the dust mask inserted therein wherein, even without the dust mask, the covering 103 provides dust filtration, insect screening and/or UV protection. In embodiments the covering 103 may have a greater porosity than that of the tubular body 101 so as to facilitate breathing therethrough.

[35] A flexible exoskeleton 112 as seen in Figure 4 may be used to provide structural support and improved sealing of a commercially available dust mask 115. The exoskeleton 112 may comprise a substantially rigid framework having apertures therethrough. A flexible sealing ring 114 on the perimeter of the flexible exoskeleton 112 may provide an increased contact with the face and nose area leading to reduced fogging of glasses from exhalation.

[36] The flexible sealing ring 114 may deform and expand to accommodate and secure a dust mask 115 into position when inserted into the flexible exoskeleton 112 from the rear as seen in Figure 5. An aperture 113 may be provided to accommodate and secure an exhalation valve of a dust mask 115. The combined dust mask and flexible exoskeleton 112 may be inserted through the side opening 104 and into position within the covering 103.

[37] The scarf 100 may be used with or without the flexible exoskeleton 112.

[38] In embodiments the protective scarf 100 may comprise a coolant pocket 105 within which a chilled gel pad may be inserted for cooling. In the embodiment shown, the pocket 105 may comprise an over panel 106 which transversely overlaps and under panel 107. In this way, the panels 106, 107 may be pulled apart and the cooled gel pad inserted therein which may be covered by allowing the over panel 106 to overlap the under panel 107.

[39] In a preferred embodiment, the coolant pocket 105 is orientated transversely around the rear of the tubular body 101 as shown. The pocket 105 may accommodate a substantially rectangular gel pad which therefore wraps around the rear of the neck.

[40] In a preferred embodiment, the coolant pocket 105 has sufficient length so as to reach the region of the carotid arteries of the neck when worn, thereby enhancing the rate of cooling.

Patentee Patent Attorneys

Level 11, 65 York Street

Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au

9188 9689

2019100658 18 Jun 2019 [41] Furthermore, the pocket 105 may be located at a lower edge of the rear of the body 101 such that the weight of the gel pad therein may be at least partially supported by the shoulders, thereby not unduly tugging on the scarf 100.

[42] In embodiments, the rear upper edge of the tubular body 101 may comprise a hanger strand 108 above an aperture 109. When worn with a hardhat, the hanger strand 108 may be located over the tension adjustment dial of a head strap of the hardhat, thereby holding up the rear of the tubular body 101. The hanger strand 108 may be reinforced with cord.

[43] As can be seen in figure 1, the lower region of the tubular body 101 may extend to a front extension 110 for covering an opening in a shirtfront in use.

[44] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A protective face scarf comprising a tubular body and a breathing aperture through a front upper region thereof, the breathing aperture covered with a fabric covering to define a pocket around the aperture, the pocket having a lateral opening for the insertion of a dust mask therethrough.
2. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture is T-shaped.
3. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric covering is substantially greater than the aperture so as to define an inner boundary around the aperture within the pocket of about 1 cm in width.
4. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pocket narrows towards the opening.
5. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pocket is vertically widest at a mid region thereof.
6. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a coolant pocket.
7. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coolant pocket is located at a rear lower region of the tubular body.
8. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coolant pocket comprises a rectangular interior.
9. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coolant pocket is orientated transversely.
10. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 9, wherein the coolant pocket extends to a carotid artery region.
11. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 8, wherein the coolant pocket comprises an over panel which overlaps and under panel transversely.
12. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hanger strand located at an upper rear region of the tubular body.
13. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hanger strand located atop an aperture.
14. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 12, wherein the hanger strand is reinforced with cord.
15. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, further comprising compressible sealing strips located adjacent the aperture.

Patentee Patent Attorneys

Level 11, 65 York Street

Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au

02 9188 9689

2019100658 18 Jun 2019
16. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a flexible exoskeleton comprising a substantially rigid framework been shaped for supporting the dusk mask in use.
17. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid framework comprises a plurality of apertures therethrough.
18. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid framework comprises a central aperture for a valve of the dusk mask.
19. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible exoskeleton is shaped for the insertion of the dusk mask therein.
20. The protective face scarf as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a flexible sealing ring around the periphery of the rigid framework.