GB2538016A

GB2538016A - Improvements to wearable protective device

Info

Publication number: GB2538016A
Application number: GB1613331.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johnstone Clive; Hare Stephen
Original assignee: JSP Ltd
Current assignee: JSP Ltd
Priority date: 2012-10-25
Filing date: 2012-10-25
Publication date: 2016-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-25
Also published as: GB2538016B; GB2507296A; GB201219163D0; GB201613331D0; GB2507296B

Abstract

A wearable protective device 600 that includes a face mask with a breathing filter; the device includes a first malleable member 404 that has first 402A and second 402B nose pads, each said nose pad configured, in use, to pinch at least an underlying portion of the face mask onto either side of a nasal bridge region of a wearer, and a second malleable member 408 having first 406A and second 406B face pads, each said face pad configured, in use, to hold at least an underlying portion of the face mask onto a cheek region of the wearer. The wearable device may include an elongate connecting member 410 which forms a clip device 400 and the face pads may be circular in shape.

Description

Improvements to Wearable Protective Device The present invention relates to improvements to wearable protective devices, in particular protective face masks.

Many different types of facial masks for protecting the wearer against breathing in dangerous fumes, preventing cross-infection and the like are known. As the masks are intended to prevent wearers breathing in substances directly from the environment, sealing/fitting the periphery of the mask onto the wearer's face as effectively as possible is particularly important.

One component that assists with providing an adequate seal between mask and face is a strap that is wrapped around the back of the wearer's head to hold the mask in place. Conventionally, such a strap is often connected to the mask through slots adjacent its side edges. In other known designs plastic holders including slots for a strap are welded to the side edges of a mask. This means that the plastic holders and straps have to be thrown away along with the mask at disposal. In other cases, metal fixings are used to connect a strap to a mask. Such metal components can be undesirable because they can add cost/weight, result in extra components being required, complicate recycling, etc. In other cases the straps are stapled and are not particularly safe.

Another known aspect of attempting to provide a seal between the mask and parts of the wearer's face is ensuring a good seal/fit around the interface between the mask and the wearer's nose and/or cheeks. Conventionally, a linear strip of malleable metal, typically aluminium, is fixed about the portion of the mask that fits over the top of the wearers nose is provided. The metal strip is usually attached to the outer surface of mask in an exposed manner, unless it is encased by a plastic sleeve or by embedded between the layers of mask material, which increases manufacturing complexity. Usually, these standard nose clips need to be heated up to activate the adhesive used to attach them to the mask body. Due to the simple shape, the conventional strip nose clips offer limited adjustment in one direction across top perimeter of mask. When first worn, the user normally squeezes/shapes the noseclip to suit his/her nose, but may never achieve an optimal level of comfort for their face/nose. If the wearer cannot achieve good comfort and snug fit then this can result in gaps at the top of mask, causing an ineffective seal to the wearer's face.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to address at least some of the problems discussed above.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a wearable protective device including: a face mask including a breathing filter; a strap connecting device for connecting a head strap to the face mask, the strap connecting device including: a mask connecting arrangement for removably connecting the strap connecting device to the face mask, and a strap connecting arrangement for receiving a head strap.

The strap connecting device may include a main body, in use when connected to the face mask, the main body being positioned behind a rear surface of the face mask. In use, the main body may extend substantially from a rear surface of the face mask at an angle non-parallel to a main direction of the rear surface. The strap connecting device may, in use, be connected to a peripheral portion (which may be arranged at a side of a central portion) of the face mask. In use, the main body may extend from a rear surface of a side portion of the face mask at an angle non-parallel to a main direction of the rear surface.

The main body may comprise at least one stem portion, which, in use, extends through a slot or aperture in the face mask. A said stem portion may have a length of around 14 -16 mm, and in some embodiments 14 mm. The stem portion may include at least one extension (that can extend in a direction non-parallel to a main direction of the stem portion), in use, the extension hindering removal of the stem portion from the slot or aperture. In some embodiments, the extension forms a foot for the stem portion. The extension may be flexible with respect to the stem portion. In some embodiments, a thickness of a portion of the stem portion may be reduced so as to allow the extension to be flexed, e.g. by up to 90°, by manual force.

Some embodiments include first and second said stem portions located at (or adjacent) opposite ends of an elongate central portion of the main body. The elongate central portion may include at least one strengthening rib along at least part of its length. The elongate central portion may be curved. A said stem portion may extend in a direction non-parallel to a main direction of the elongate central portion. The first stem portion may extend at an angle of around 20° - 40° (and in some embodiments 300) left of a notional vertical line. The second stem portion may extend at an angle of around 20° -40° (and in some embodiments 30°) right of the notional vertical line.

The strap connecting arrangement may comprise a slot that, in use, receives the strap. The slot may be formed in a portion of the main body, in some cases generally above a location of a depending said stem portion. A perimeter of the slot may be formed by a loop having an opening that, in use, allows the strap to be inserted into and removed from the slot. The slot may have a width that generally corresponds to a width of the strap, e.g. around 8 mm. The opening may be around 1 mm. In some embodiments, there are first and second said strap connecting arrangements, each having a respective said slot. The first said slot may be located at (or adjacent) a first end of the elongate central portion. The second said slot may be located at (or adjacent) a second end of the elongate central portion. From a front view, the first slot may extend at an angle of around 600 -800 (and 70° in some embodiments) with respect to a notional horizontal line. From a front view, the second slot may extend at an angle of around 1000 -120° (and 1100 in some embodiments) with respect to the notional horizontal line.

The wearable protective device may further include: a first malleable member having first and second nose pads, each said nose pad being configured, in use, to pinch at least an underlying portion of the face mask onto either side of a nasal bridge region of a wearer, and a second malleable member having first and second face pads, each said face pad configured, in use, to hold at least an underlying portion of the face mask onto a cheek region of the wearer.

The strap connecting device may be at least partially formed of plastic material, which may be flexible. The central elongate portion may have a thickness of around 1 -2 mm.

S

The strap may be formed of a flexible material, e.g woven elastic.

The mask may include a removable breathing filter. The removable breathing filter may be disposable, e.g. it may comprise a filtering face piece (FFP).

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a strap connecting device configured to, in use, connect a head strap to a face mask, the strap connecting device including: a mask connecting arrangement for removably connecting the strap connecting device to the face mask, and a strap connecting arrangement for receiving a head strap.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a mask including at least one formation configured to receive a mask connecting arrangement substantially as described herein.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for receiving a head strap, the device, in use, being removably attachable to a face mask.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit including at least one mask and at least one strap connecting device substantially as described herein.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a wearable protective device including: a face mask including a breathing filter; a first malleable member having first and second nose pads, each said nose pad being configured, in use, to pinch at least an underlying portion of the face mask onto either side of a nasal bridge region of a wearer, and a second malleable member having first and second face pads, each said face pad configured, in use, to hold at least an underlying portion of the face mask onto a cheek region of the wearer.

The first face pad may, in use, hold the underlying portion of the face mask on a first cheek of the wearer and the second face pad may, in use, hold the underlying portion of the face mask onto a second cheek of the wearer.

A horizontal distance between the first and the second nose pad in a non-bent configuration may be smaller than a horizontal distance between the first and the second face pad. A horizontal distance between the first and the second two nose pads (402A, 402B) in a non-bent configuration can be around 35 mm to 50 mm. Centre points of the first and the second nose pads in a non-bent configuration can be aligned, or could be offset by around +1-1°. A vertical distance between the nose pads 402 and the face pads 406 in a non-bent configuration can be around 10 mm -15 mm. A horizontal distance between the face pads 406A, 406B in a non-bent configuration can be around 75 mm -90 mm. Centre points of the first and the second face pads can be aligned, ior could be by around +/-1°.

The first and the second malleable member may be connected together by an elongate connecting member, thereby forming a clip device. The elongate connecting member may extend between central portions of the first and the second malleable members so that so that, in a plan view, the malleable member is located above the second malleable member.

When the clip device is fitted to the mask in a bent configuration, a central region of the first malleable member may spaced from an upper nose bridge edge of the mask by around 15mm +/-2mm. The central portion of the first malleable member can be aligned with a natural crease in a nose bridge area of the mask.

The first malleable member and/or the second malleable member may be arc-shaped when in a non-bent configuration. A peak of the arc-shape may be directed towards an upper nose bridge edge of the mask.

The nose pads and/or the face pads may be circular in shape and may have a diameter in a range of around 8 mm to 12 mm.

The first and/or the second arm may comprise a length of malleable material, such as wire. The malleable material may be magnetic. The malleable material may be at least partially coated with a plastics/polymer material. An outer surface of at least part of the wire may be textured so as to improve grip with the plastics/polymer coating. The plastics/polymer coating can assist with welding the clip device to an outer surface of the mask.

The nose pads and the face pads may be permanently connected to the face mask, e.g. by welding, including ultrasonic welding, onto, e.g., portions of an exterior surface of the mask. At least a portion of the first and/or the second malleable member may not be permanently connected to the exterior surface of the mask.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a clip device configured to, in use, assist with fitting a protective mask onto a face of a wearer, the clip device including: a first malleable member having first and second nose pads, each said nose pad being configured, in use, to pinch at least an underlying portion of the face mask onto either side of a nasal bridge region of a wearer, and a second malleable member having first and second face pads, each said face pad configured, in use, to hold at least an underlying portion of the face mask onto a cheek region of the wearer.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit including at least one mask and at least one clip device substantially as described herein.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of features set out above or in the following description.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the invention extends to such specific combinations not already described.

The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D are side, isometric, back and front views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a protective device fitted with removable strap connecting devices; Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E detail front, top, bottom, side and isometric views, respectively, of one of the strap connecting devices; Figure 3 shows the protective device of Figures 1 in use; Figure 4 is a plan view of an example clip device in a non-bent configuration; Figure 5 is a cut-away view of the example clip device that illustrates its construction; Figures 6A, 6B and 60 are plan, front and side views, respectively, of a mask fitted with the clip device in a bent configuration; Figure 7 shows contact points of the clip device being plotted on a headform during a design process, and Figure 8 shows the plot points being used to calculate contact positions of the clip device during the design process.

Referring to Figures IA-1D, there is shown an example face mask 100.

It will be appreciated that the improvements described herein can be used in conjunction with a wide variety of wearable protective devices, which can be formed of various materials and have various design features, e.g. they may be reusable or disposable; moulded or foldable, etc. A range of suitable face masks is manufactured by JSP Limited of Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.

The mask 100 shown in the drawings includes a bridge portion 102 that, in use, fits over the bridge of a nose of a wearer and two side portions/wings 104A, 104B. The mask can be at least partially formed of filter material that is intended to prevent particles, etc, being directly breathed in by the wearer, or may include a filter component (which may be permanent or removeable). In other embodiments, the mask may include additional features, e.g. integrated eye protection/goggles.

Each of the side portions/wings 104A, 1043 of the mask 100 includes a pair of slots/apertures, shown at 108A, 108A', 108B, 108B'. In the example, each slot is around 8.5mm in length and about 2.5mm in width, but it will be understood that the dimensions, shape and location can be varied. The slots in each wing can be spaced apart by around 35 mm and are slanted at an angle of around 20-25° with respect to the straight edge of the wing. A first strap connecting device 110A is attached to the face mask by fitting through the first pair of slots/apertures 108A, 108A' and a second (substantially identical in the example) strap connecting device 1103 is fitted through the second pair of slots/apertures 108B, 108B'.

Figures 2A -2E detail the example strap connecting device 110A. The device includes a main body shown generally at 202A that includes a central elongate portion 204A. The lower edge of the central portion is curved upwardly (when viewed from the front as in Figure 2A), whilst its upper edge is curved downwardly. The device 110A can be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic polypropylene co-polymer, and the main body generally has a thickness of around 1 mm. Each side of the central portion also includes an optional strengthening rib 206A, 2063 (curved in shape to correspond to the lower edge of the central portion) that increases the thickness in these regions to around 2 mm. The ribs provide strengthening to withstand handling and avoid easy breakage. It will be understood that in other embodiments, the number, dimensions, location and/or design of any such strengthening ribs can be varied (e.g. there may be two or more parallel ribs on one side of the central portion).

A first stem portion 208A extends generally downwardly and inwardly from the left-hand (in Figure 2A) end of the central portion 204A. The first stem depends from the central portion at an angle of around 20° -400 (and in a specific embodiment, 30°) to the left of a notional vertical line 209. The stem has a length of around 14 mm -16 mm. During the design process, the inventors found that a length less than 14 mm was too short for positioning the strap connecting arrangements (described below) with respect to the face mask 100. The width of the stem is around 6 mm and the thickness of the majority of the stem is around 1 mm. A lower portion 210A of the stem has a reduced thickness of around 0.5 mm.

A foot-like extension 212A is connected to the bottom of the lower portion 210A of the stem 208A. In the example, the extension is oblong in shape (with a length/width of around 9.0 x 6.0 mm) and the middle of its upper surface is connected to the base of the lower portion so that they form an inverse T-shape when viewed from the side (as in Figure 2D). It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the design and dimensions of the extension can vary, e.g. it may extend to one side of the stem only and at an angle other than 90°.

A second stem portion 208A' extends generally downwardly and inwardly from the right-hand (in Figure 2A) end of the central portion 204A. The second stem depends from the central portion at an angle of around 200 -40° (and in a specific embodiment, 30°) to the right of the notional vertical line 209. In the illustrated example, the second stem is substantially a mirror image of the first stem 208A (and corresponding portions are given the same reference numbers with the suffix), although it will be understood that in other embodiments this can vary. In use, the stems and the extensions function as mask connecting arrangements, as will be described below.

A first strap connecting arrangement 214A extends generally upwardly and outwardly from the left-hand (in Figure 2A) end of the central portion 204A. Each side of the arrangement includes oblong-shaped loop formations 216A that define the perimeter of a slot 218A. In general, the width of the slot will correspond to a width of a strap to be connected so that the strap can slidably fit through the slot without folding its upper/lower edges. In the example the width is around 8 mm. When viewed from the front, as in Figure 2A, the slot extends at an angle of around 60° -80° (and around 70° in a particular embodiment) with respect to a notional horizontal line. The strap connecting arrangement includes an opening 220A in the perimeter of the slot. In the example, the opening is in a lower section of the perimeter and slants at an angle corresponding to that of the adjacent edge of the stem portion 208A, although it will be understood that in alternative embodiments the position and form of the opening can vary. In general, the gap formed by the opening will correspond to a thickness of the elastic strap to allow it to be conveniently fitted and removed, if desired. In the example, the gap is around 0.9-1.0 mm to accommodate a woven elastic strip.

In other embodiments, there may be no such opening so that the strap connecting device/mask can be supplied with a ready-fitted, non-removable strap.

A second strap connecting arrangement 214k extends generally upwardly and outwardly from the right-hand (in Figure 2A) end of the central portion 204A. In the illustrated example, this second arrangement is substantially a mirror image of the first arrangement 214A, although it will be understood that in other embodiments this can vary. When viewed from the front, as in Figure 2A, the slot 218A' extends at an angle of around of around 1000 -1200 (and around 110° in a particular embodiment) with respect to the notional horizontal line.

The second strap connecting device 1103 of Figures 1 can be substantially identical to the device 110A, but it will be understood there can be differences in some embodiments. Although the example device 110A is shown as being formed from a single moulded piece, it will be understood that alternative embodiments could be manufactured differently, e.g. formed of two or more separate components connected together. It will also be understood that the overall shape and dimensions of the device can vary.

In use, the extensions 212A, 212A' are pushed through the slots 108A, 108A' of the face mask 100. Insertion of the extensions through the slots can be facilitated by the thinner portions 210A, 210A' of the stems 208A, 208A1 allowing the flexible 'feet' to pivot through a 90° angle in either direction (as illustrated by arrows 215 in Figure 2D) after allowing for the thickness of the mask body material (3 -4 mm in one example) once fitted. After being pushed through the slots, the extensions can be released and they resiliently return to the 1-shape positions shown in Figure 2D, thereby abutting the rear surface of the wing 104A of the mask when pulled in that direction and hindering removal of the stems from the slots in normal use (the extensions can be flexed to slide out through the slots, if it is desired to remove the device).

As can be seen in Figure 2B, for example, the strap connecting device 110A extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the rear surface of the wing 104A. The second strap connecting device 1108 can be fitted to the other wing 1048 in a similar manner. In some cases, the devices (and, optionally, the strap) will be fitted when the masks are supplied, but in other cases, the devices can be fitted and removed by users, e.g. to re-use the devices (and, optionally, the strap) with another, e.g. disposable, face mask. It will also be appreciated that in alternatively embodiments, the strap connecting device could be fixed to a location on the mask other than a wing and a number of mask connecting arrangements other than two could be used. Further, the mask connecting arrangement could take a different form to the abutting foot/extension arrangement. For example, it could take the form of another type of fastener, e.g. a popper, button or hook/loop material.

Figure 3 shows a strap 300 fitted through the device 110A that is fixed to the mask 100. There are manufacturing advantages in having the strap in the form of one piece or a continuous loop, and so it needs to be directed at the correct/optimum angle with respect to the lower neck and top of head of the wearer 302. The 30° angle of the stem portions 208 in the example allow the elastic to fold correctly around parts leading to the 1100 slots 218A, 218A' of the strap connecting arrangements 214A, 214k.

Embodiments of the strap connecting devices described herein provide a convenient push through design that has advantages in terms of ease of assembly and replacement compared to known solutions.

Referring to Figure 4, an example clip device 400 is shown in a non-bent (i.e. substantially flat when laid on a flat surface) configuration. The device includes a pair of nose pads 402A, 402B. In the example, the nose pads are circular in shape and have dimensions of around 10mm diameter x 1mm thickness, but in general could be in the range of 8mm to 12mm diameter.

It will understood that the design of the pads could vary, e.g. they could be square shaped. In the example the pads are connected together by a first arm/malleable member 404, with one of the pad beings located at each end of the arm. The first arm has a length of around 35mm and is arc-shaped (forming a portion of a notional circle having a diameter of 60mm. It will be understood that the dimensions and design of the arm, as well as the location of the pads on it, can be varied.

The clip device 400 further includes a pair of face pads 406A, 4068. In the example, the face pads have the same shape and dimensions as the nose pads 402A, 402B, but it will be understood that in other embodiments that all the pads may not be identical. In the example the face pads are connected together by a second arm 408, with one of the pads being located at each end of the arm. The second arm has a length of around 80mm and is arc-shaped (forming a portion of a notional circle having a diameter of around 140mm). Again, it will be understood that the dimensions and design of the arm, as well as the location of the pads on it, can be varied.

The first 404 and second 408 arms of the example device 400 are connected together by an optional third arm 410, which has dimensions of 15 mm length x 5 mm width. The third arm extends between substantially central portions of the first and the second arms so that, in in the plan view of Figure 4, the first arm is located above the second arm.

Referring to Figure 5, it can be seen that the first arm 404 of the example clip 400 is formed of an inner wire 504 having a thickness/diameter of around 1 mm. The wire can be formed of a material that is preferably ductile and magnetic, such as steel, so as to assist with bending and shaping to fit different sizes of nose bridges. Being magnetic helps placement in the ultrasonic welding process described below.

An outer sheath 506 of plastic material, e.g. polypropylene co-polymer, can be moulded over the wire 504 during manufacture. The outer surface of at least part of the wire may be textured so as to improve the grip to the polymer sheath. Introducing plastics into the design allows for ultrasonic welding to be used, which results in a strong bond between the nose clip and the mask body.

The second arm 408 is also formed of an inner wire 508 with the moulded polymer covering. The inner wires mean that the first and second arms at least of the device are malleable (and stay in position after being deformed/bent by manual or mechanical pressure). The third arm 410 can be formed of solid flat polymer.

Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show the example clip device 400 attached to an example mask 600. It will be understood that the clip can be used in conjunction with a wide variety of wearable protective devices, which can be formed of various materials. They may be moulded/substantially rigid in shape or could be foldable, e.g. "fold flat" masks, and can have various design features, such as the face masks manufactured by JSP Limited of Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.

Again, the mask can be at least partially formed of filter material that is intended to prevent particles, etc, being directly breathed in by the wearer, or may include a filter component (which may be permanent or removeable). In other embodiments, the mask may include additional features, e.g. integrated eye protection/goggles and/or the strap connecting device described above.

The mask 600 shown in the drawings includes a bridge portion 602 that, in use, fits over the bridge of a nose of a wearer and two side portions/wings 604A, 604B. As can be seen, the first 404 and second 408 arms of the clip 400 have been bent to shape over the bridge, substantially matching its underlying contours. The nose pads 402 and the face pads 406 are fixed to the underlying portions of the mask's outer surface. This is preferably done by ultrasonic welding (although in other cases, different (generally permanent) fixing techniques could be used, e.g. adhesive or stitching).

The first arm 404 is bent so that the nose pads 402A, 402B are configured, when the mask is worn, to pinch the underlying portions of the face mask onto either side of the nasal bridge region of the wearer. The second arm 408 is bent so that the face pads 406A, 406B are configured, when the mask is worn, to push against the underlying portions of the face mask onto (opposing) cheek regions of the wearer. During manufacture, the weld press can apply pressure equally to all four pads at same time to achieve consistent bond strength and batch quality. The shaping of the arms 402, 406 allows for a better range of adjustability to specific points on the wearer's nose/face. It also helps to achieve a comfortable fit of mask to nose and cheek, and maximise effective sealing to the wearer's face. The weld points/pads intuitively guide finger positioning when wearer pushes down on the corners of noseclip to adjust to fit his/her nose.

An overall range for the distance between the two nose pads 402A, 402B is 35 mm to 50 mm. Ideally, the pads are welded horizontally with their centre points aligned, but they could be offset by small amount, e.g. +/-1°. An overall range for the vertical distance between the upper nose pads 402 and the lower face pad 406 can be around 10 mm -15 mm. An overall range for the distance between the two face pads 406A, 406B can be around 75 mm -90 mm. Again, ideally the pads are welded horizontally with their centre points aligned, but they could be offset by a small amount, e.g. +/-1°.

It was an intention of the present inventors to only have one mask body size (which gives advantages in terms of requiring only one tool, less variants, less cost, etc) and so they sought a nose-clip design that was effective across a range of different head sizes. In order to create a suitable clip, the present inventors obtained headforrn models, including ISO standard 16976-2:2010, which specifies nominal head-form dimensions representing international head sizes, e.g. small, medium, large, long/narrow, short/wide. Contact points of parts of the clip (i.e. the pair of nose pads 404 on either side of the nose, the upper arm 406 on the bridge of the nose; the pair of face pads 408 on either cheek, and the lower arm 410 on a lower central part of the nose) to the faces of the headforms were plotted on each model. Figure 7 shows an example of such plots on a large face headfornn. This contact points data was compared and analysed across the range of nominal head sizes and "average" positioning points for the nose-clip contact points were identified by taping with plot marks overlaid on graph paper. Centre markings were aligned with 10 mm increment lines, allowing for relative measurements to be read, and rounded up or down to nearest 5 mm -see Figure 8.

This nose-clip/headform contact point data was translated into nose-clip mask positioning on mask body. The inventor knew that the nose clip would be fitted somewhere on the naturally-defined nose bridge area of the mask body and his experience, tests on the headforms and human subjects then confirmed that the exact positioning of noseclip was preferably as near as practically possible to the top edge of the mask body to provide optimum seal and shaping for the heads/noses available. As shown in Figure 6B, the preferred distance is 15mm +/-2mm from the centre edge of nose-clip to the rear perimeter of mask. The central portion of the nose-clip is generally aligned with the natural crease of the nose bridge area of mask body.

Margins for movement were set so that manufacturing quality control can be maintained. To achieve this, the inventor considered how far down the bridge portion of the mask body the nose-clip could move before it became ineffective or uncomfortable. This to some extent depends on the nose/face of the wearer. A 'leakage' test on a wearer's face was used to demonstrate how the noseclip assists the sealing of the mask under normal breathing, The numbers reported in the table below are a "Fit Factor" calculation based on the measurement of particles outside the mask compared to the measurement of particles inside the mask during the test and give an indication of relative performance. The higher the number, the less leakage that took place: I Test I Setup (all with JSP P3 Typhoon valve fitted) I "Fit Factor" 1 1 JSP Standard Mask with the noseclip at stated optimum position (15mnn +/-2mm from top edge) 120 2 JSP Standard Mask with sub-optimum position for the noseclip 42 (35mm from top edge) 3 JSP Standard Mask with conventional metal-strip noseclip in 'normal' position 84 (18mm from top edge) 4 JSP Standard Mask -No Noseclip 20

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wearable protective device including: a face mask (100) including a breathing filter; a first malleable member (404) having first (402A) and second (402B) nose pads, each said nose pad being configured, in use, to pinch at least an underlying portion of the face mask (100) onto either side of a nasal bridge region of a wearer, and a second malleable member (408) having first (405A) and second (4065) face pads, each said face pad configured, in use, to hold at least an underlying portion of the face mask onto a cheek region of the wearer.
2. A wearable protective device according to claim 1, wherein the first face pad (402A), in use, holds the underlying portion of the face mask (100) on a first cheek of the wearer and the second face pad (4025), in use, holds the underlying portion of the face mask onto a second cheek of the wearer.
3. A wearable protective device according to claim 2, wherein a horizontal distance between the first (402A) and the second (4025) nose pad in a non-bent configuration is smaller than a horizontal distance between the first (406A) and the second (4065) face pad.
4. A wearable protective device according to claim 3, wherein a horizontal distance between the first and the second two nose pads (402A, 4025) in a non-bent configuration is around 35 mm to SO mm.
5. A wearable protective device according to claim 4, wherein centre points of the first and the second nose pads (402A, 4025) in the non-bent configuration are aligned.
6. A wearable protective device according to claim 4, wherein centre points of the first and the second nose pads (402A, 4025) are offset by around +/-1°.
7. A wearable protective device according to claim 1, wherein a vertical distance between the nose pads (402) and the face pads (406) in a non-bent configuration is around 10 mm -15 mm.
8. A wearable protective device according to claim 1, wherein a horizontal distance between the face pads (406A, 4065) in a non-bent configuration is around 75 mm -90 mm.
9. A wearable protective device according to claim 8, wherein centre points of the first and the second face pads (406) are aligned.
10. A wearable protective device according to claim 1, wherein the first (404) and the second (408) malleable member are connected together by an elongate connecting member (410), thereby forming a clip device (400).
11. A wearable protective device according to claim 10, wherein the elongate connecting member (410) extends between central portions of the first (404) and the second (408) malleable members so that so that, in a plan view, the first malleable member is located above the second malleable member.
12. A wearable protective device according to claim 11, wherein, when the clip device (400) is fitted to the mask (100) in a bent configuration, a central region of the first malleable member (404) is spaced from an upper nose bridge edge of the mask by around 15mm +/-2mm.
13. A wearable protective device according to claim 12, wherein the central portion of the first malleable member (404) is aligned with a natural crease in a nose bridge area of the mask (100).
14. A wearable protective device according to claim 1, wherein the first malleable member (404) and/or the second malleable member (408) is/are arc-shaped when in a non-bent configuration.
15. A wearable protective device according to claim 14, wherein a peak of the arc-shape is directed towards an upper nose bridge edge of the mask (100).
16. A wearable protective device according to claim 1, wherein the nose pads (402) and/or the face pads (406) are circular in shape and have a diameter in a range of around 8 mm to 12 mm.
17. A wearable protective device according to claim 1, wherein the first (404) and/or the second (408) arm include a length of malleable material.
18. A wearable protective device according to claim 17, wherein the malleable material comprises wire (502).
19. A wearable protective device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the malleable material is magnetic.
20. A wearable protective device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the malleable material (502) is at least partially coated with a plastics/polymer material.
21. A wearable protective device according to claim 20, wherein an outer surface of at least part of the wire (502) is textured so as to improve grip with the plastics/polymer coating.
22. A wearable protective device according to claim 21, wherein the plastics/polymer coating assists with welding the clip device (400) to an outer surface of the mask (100).
23. A wearable protective device according to claim 1, wherein the nose pads (402) and the face pads (406) are permanently connected to the mask (100).
24. A wearable protective device according to claim 23, wherein the nose pads (402) and the face pads (406) are connected to the mask (100) by ultrasonic welding onto portions of an exterior surface of the mask.
25. A wearable protective device according to claim 24, wherein at least a portion of the first (404) and/or the second (408) malleable member is not permanently connected to the exterior surface of the mask (100).
26. A nose clip for a protective mask substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.
27. A wearable protective device substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.