Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
  • A62B18/00—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
  • A62B18/08—Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices
  • A62B18/084—Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
  • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
  • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
  • A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
  • A41D13/1161—Means for fastening to the user's head
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators; Tracheal tubes
  • A61M16/06—Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
  • A61M16/0683—Holding devices therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
  • A61F11/06—Protective devices for the ears

Definitions

• the invention relates to injury protection, specifically a device suitable for reducing or preventing abrasion injury, typically to the ear and/or head, from face masks, including respiratory protective masks and surgical masks.
• the injury protection device comprises a body contoured to fit around a human ear and having a longitudinal groove adapted to receive a strap from the face mask.
• the invention extends to a related method and use.
• the global COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the above-described problem, because face masks are being worn by the medical and care communities more often, for longer periods and in greater numbers.
• ear saver comprising a notched or serrated strip.
• the strip is positioned at the back of the wearer’s head, and the loops from each side of a face mask are hooked onto the strip.
• the ear saver comprises notches in different positions to allow for adjustment.
• Ear savers of this type are suitable for masks having loops, but are not suitable for masks with straps that need to be tied behind the head.
• a further disadvantage of serrated or notched ear savers is that they may slip down the head in use. It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative or improved injury protection device.
• the invention provides an injury protection device for reducing abrasive injury from a face mask, said device comprising a body contoured to fit around a human ear, wherein the contoured body comprises a longitudinal groove adapted to receive a strap from the face mask.
• the device of the invention comprises a contoured body which can be located, in use, between a user’s head and the ear, usually at the top (upper region) of the ear.
• the device is located behind the helix of the ear in use.
• the body is contoured to fit substantially only around the upper region of the ear, for example (with reference to the anatomy of the outer ear) extending between a region forward of the triangular fossa to a region half way or substantially halfway down the helix.
• Greater than or equal to 50% by mass of the device, more preferably greater than or equal to 60% by mass of the device, and even more preferably greater than or equal to 70% by mass of the device may be comprised, in use, in a region at the top of the ear i.e. wholly or partly behind the upper helix of the outer ear. Either or both ends of the device (for example an end forward of the triangular fossa, or an end up to half way down the helix) may be tapered. Configuring the device to have a larger mass proportion at the top of the ear has the technical effect of improving the stability of the device on the ear.
• the device preferably comprises a vertical or near vertical outwardly presenting face extending above the top of the ear.
• This has a two-fold advantage; increasing the above-ear/top-of-ear mass proportion as described above and also providing a surface for aesthetic design or functional features such as antiviral and/or antibacterial coatings.
• the device comprises a face which extends up to 15 mm, more preferably up to 10 mm, above the ear. Together with the preferred taper feature described above, the extended aboveear face gives rise to a ‘bean-like’ structure configured to sit upon the ear.
• This combination of features provides a well-contoured, well-balanced shape which is stable when positioned on the ear.
• the device of the invention comprises no separate reinforcement or skeletal component(s). In other words, the material from which the device is formed itself provides any required structural reinforcement.
• the contoured body comprises a groove adapted to receive a strap from a face mask or similar.
• the groove is typically located on a top surface of the contoured body, meaning the upper surface which, in use, bridges the ear and head. In use, the strap of a mask or suchlike sits in the groove.
• the groove is typically of a suitable size and/or profile to contain all, or substantially all, of the strap. As a result, the device can prevent or ameliorate rubbing of the strap on the wearer’s skin.
• the contoured body may comprise a plurality of longitudinal grooves, typically arranged in parallel.
• the contoured body may have any appropriate longitudinal cross section. If the longitudinal cross section is circular or partially circular, ‘top surface’ and ‘lower surface’ will be construed accordingly.
• the device of the invention is suitable for use with face masks with looped fastening straps, and - in contrast to prior art serrated ‘ear savers’ - is also suitable for use with face masks with straps that tie behind the head.
• straps can be held in place with sufficient support and tension to prevent loosening and slippage thereof.
• the device is simple to use, cheap to manufacture and of a design familiar to people who wear products such as over ear headphones. If required, the device can be left behind the ear between changes of face mask and/or a temporary release of a face mask.
• the contoured body may additionally comprise one or more cushioning regions. The one or more cushioning regions may be disposed at any or all surfaces of the contoured body.
• the one or more cushioning regions are disposed at one or more surfaces which, in use, contact the skin of the ear and/or head.
• a cushioning region is at least positioned at the lower surface of the contoured body, meaning the lower surface which bridges the ear and head.
• the one or more cushioning regions may comprise any suitable cushioning material, for example a silicone polymer, a deformable plastic or a rubber.
• a cushioning region may comprise a layer of cushioning material.
• the layer of cushioning material may comprise a foam material.
• a cushioning region may alternatively, or additionally, comprise a plurality of dots formed from a cushioning material, optionally a non-slip or substantially non-slip material.
• a particularly suitable material may be a silicone polymer, which may have both cushioning and anti-slip properties.
• the plurality of dots may cover whole or part of the cushioning region.
• the plurality of dots may be arranged in regular or irregular patterns.
• a cushioning region comprising a material having anti-slip properties may be particularly advantageous for embodiments of the device comprising a vertical or near vertical outwardly presenting face extending above the top of the ear and/or embodiments whereby greater than or equal to 50% by mass of the device, more preferably greater than or equal to 60% by mass of the device, and even more preferably greater than or equal to 70% by mass of the device is comprised in a region at the top of ear, i.e. wholly or partly behind the upper helix of the outer ear.
• the contoured body is preferably formed from a polymeric material, more preferably a lightweight polymer.
• a typical weight range for the protection device is 10 to 25 g.
• the polymeric material may be a carbon-based polymer, for example polyurethane or high density polyethylene, or a silicon-based polymer, for example a silicone polymer.
• the polymeric material may be a natural or synthetic rubber material, for example silicone rubber which is particularly preferred.
• the contoured body may be formed, in whole or in part, from a foamed material.
• the device of the invention may be made by any suitable method, for example by injection moulding of the contoured body and associated groove.
• the optional one or more cushioning regions may be a deposited or adhered layer of a cushioning material, or deposited or adhered dots of a cushioning material, or both. Other manufacturing methods will be well known to the skilled person.
• the invention also provides an injury protection device for reducing abrasive injury from a face mask, said device consisting of a body contoured to fit around a human ear, wherein the contoured body comprises a longitudinal groove adapted to receive a strap from the face mask.
• the contoured body may be formed from a polymeric material, preferably a lightweight polymer material.
• the contoured body may be formed from a foamed material.
• the contoured body may extend between a region forward of the triangular fossa to a region at most half way down the helix.
• the contoured body may comprise a vertical or near vertical outwardly presenting face extending above the top of the ear.
• the contoured body may comprise (in use) greater than or equal to 50% by mass of the device, more preferably greater than or equal to 60% by mass of the device, and even more preferably greater than or equal to 70% by mass of the device in a region behind the top of the helix, typically presenting a face extending above the ear.
• the device may have a substantially ‘bean-like’ shape.
• the invention provides a method of donning a face mask comprising the steps of positioning a protection device according to any preceding aspect behind one or both ears, and subsequently donning and securing the mask such that one or more straps engage with one or more grooves of the contoured body or bodies.
• the method comprises positioning an injury protection device behind both ears, and engaging at least one strap on each device.
• the invention provides the use of a device comprising a body contoured to fit around a human ear, wherein the contoured body comprises a groove adapted to receive a strap from a face mask, for reducing abrasive injury from said face mask.
• a pair of devices are used together.
• Figure 1a is a schematic, 3-D perspective view of the protection device of the invention.
• Figure 1 b is a schematic, front on view of the protection device of the invention in use
• Figure 1c is a schematic, side on view of the protection device in use
• Figure 2a is a schematic, front on view of a preferred protection device of the invention in use;
• Figure 2b is a schematic, side view of the protection device illustrated in Figure
• Figure 2c is a schematic view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a protection device according to the invention.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention in use.
• Figure 1a is a schematic, 3-D perspective view of the protection device of the invention.
• Figure 1a shows a protection device (1) comprising a contoured body (2).
• the contoured body comprises a groove (3) adapted to receive a strap from a face mask or similar.
• the body (2) is contoured to fit around the human ear, typically the top of the human ear.
• the contoured body may be formed from any suitable material, preferably a polymeric material.
• Example materials are silicone, rubber or a lightweight plastic.
• a foam material may be used.
• a cushioning region is located on the lower surface (7) of contoured body (2).
• the cushioning region is not visible in Figure 1a, but may be a plurality of silicone dots, preferably non-slip silicone dots.
• Figure 1 b is a schematic, front on view of the protection device of the invention in use.
• the Figure shows protection device (1) positioned at the top of an ear (4) such that it is inserted between the ear (4) and head (5).
• the body (2) of the protection device (1 ) comprises groove (3) at the top surface of said device.
• Figure 1c is a schematic, side on view of the protection device in use.
• the Figure shows protection device (1) positioned at the top of the ear (4), between the ear (4) and the head.
• a mask strap (6) passes across the body (2) of the protection device and engages with the groove (not visible in the Figure).
• the strap is sufficiently encompassed by the groove such that the strap does not touch the skin of the ear and head.
• Figure 2a is a schematic, front on view of a preferred protection device of the invention in use.
• the Figure shows protection device (10) positioned at the top of an ear (40) such that it is inserted between the ear (40) and head (50).
• the body (20) of the protection device (10) comprises groove (30) at the top surface of said device.
• the body (20) of the protection device (10) additionally comprises a layer of cushioning material (21), in this case a layer of foam material.
• Figure 2b is a schematic, side view of the protection device illustrated in Figure 2a, drawn in slight perspective.
• Figure 2b shows a protection device (10) comprising a contoured body (20).
• the contoured body comprises a groove adapted to receive a strap from a face mask or similar, but this is not visible in the side view.
• the body (20) is contoured to fit around the human ear, typically the top of the human ear.
• the contoured body (20) may be formed from any suitable material, preferably a polymeric material.
• Example materials are silicone, rubber or a lightweight plastic.
• the body (20) of the protection device (10) additionally comprises a layer of cushioning material (21), in this case a layer of foam material on the lower surface of the contoured body.
• Figure 2c is a schematic view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a protection device according to the invention.
• the Figure which is drawn in slight perspective view to show the lower surface (70) of the contoured body, shows protection device (10) comprising a contoured body (20).
• the contoured body comprises a groove adapted to receive a strap from a face mask or similar, but this is not visible in the Figure.
• the body (20) is contoured to fit around the human ear, typically the top of the human ear.
• the lower surface (70) of the contoured body (20) comprises a cushioning region which is a plurality of dots (80) formed from a cushioning material.
• the cushioning material is a silicone polymer, preferably a non-slip silicone polymer to aid grip.
• the cushioning region comprises a plurality of silicone dots.
• the silicone dots may cover the whole or part of the lower surface (70).
• the silicone dots may be arranged in regular or irregular patterns.
• Figure 2c includes a close up of the plurality of silicone dots (80) on lower surface (70), which provide cushioning and may aid grip.
• FIG 3 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention in use.
• the Figure shows device (100) mounted on an ear and the strap of a mask (140) held within a groove (obscured by the mask strap).
• the device which is made from a polyurethane foam and comprises a textured underside for additional grip, is positioned behind the helix of the upper ear and extends between a region (120) approximately half way down the helix of the ear and a region (130) forward of the triangular fossa, roughly at the crux of the helix.
• the injury protection device presents a vertical, outwardly presenting face (110) extending above the top of the ear. The surface may be used for aesthetic decoration, but also aids stability of the device on the ear.
• the invention has been described with specific reference to preventing or ameliorating damage from face masks in the civil and defence, medical and care sectors. It will be understood that this is not intended to be limiting and the invention may be used more generally.
• the invention may be used more generally with products designed to fasten around the head by means of straps, ties and so on. Examples may be ski goggles, swim goggles or other goggles which rest on the ears and have thin, potentially abrasive straps. Additional applications of the invention will occur to the skilled person.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Pulmonology (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Anesthesiology (AREA)
• Emergency Medicine (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Emergency Management (AREA)
• Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=71526393

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2020
  • 2020-06-01 GB GBGB2008170.9A patent/GB202008170D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2021
  • 2021-05-27 GB GB2107529.6A patent/GB2595777B/en active Active
  • 2021-05-27 EP EP21730261.1A patent/EP4157003A1/de active Pending
  • 2021-05-27 WO PCT/GB2021/000060 patent/WO2021245367A1/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (1)

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