GB2592302A

GB2592302A - Fastenable face mask / face covering

Info

Publication number: GB2592302A
Application number: GB2020634.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yahya Ali Mohammed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-12-25
Filing date: 2020-12-25
Publication date: 2021-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-25
Also published as: GB2592302B; WO2022136813A1; GB202020634D0

Abstract

A face mask or covering comprises an inner surface 8 and an external surface (4, fig. 3). In order to protect the inner surface from contamination when the mask is not being worn, the mask further comprises fasteners 7, which can be magnets, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, or even a zip, zip lock or grip seal. The fasteners mate with a corresponding fastening means on the opposite side of the face mask in order to fasten the face mask closed, resulting in the inner surface of the mask being completely covered and protected from external contamination. Ear loops are provided for standard fitting of the mask to a user’s face.

Description

Fastenable Face Mask / Face covering This invention relates to a face mask / face covering which can be fastened closed after use.

Face masks or face coverings are used to prevent the spread of germs, viruses and infections. They typically cover the nose and mouth area of the user and can reduce the spread of certain respiratory diseases.

However, after using a face mask continuously during the current pandemic, I have noticed that after removing my face mask, if I place it into my pocket or onto a table, the internal side of the face mask which normally makes contact with my face during use, frequently makes contact with items inside my pockets or items on a table. This contact can spread germs not only from objects or surfaces to my mask's internal side, but also spread germs from the internal side of my mask to other surfaces and objects.

To overcome this problem, the present invention proposes a face mask that can be folded in half and fastened so that the internal sides of the two halves can be placed on top of each other therefore reducing the risk of the internal sides of the mask making contact to other objects when not in use i.e. when placed onto a table or inside a bag. The face mask can then be unfastened therefore exposing the internal sides of the mask by being unfolded when needed again.

The fastening means for keeping the mask closed during storage may be by way of a button or buttons, hook and loop fastening, zip, zip lock or grip seal, magnets and/or any other method, combination or variation of fastening which would achieve the desired result for attachment, detachment and re attachment in an easy and user friendly manner.

The folding and unfolding of the mask may be by way of pulling the opposing sides of the ear loops together to close and pulling apart to open, minimising the contact of the user's hands to the internal side of the face mask before and after application.

The fastening mechanism may be placed onto the external, internal or in between the external and internal sides of the face mask depending on the best function or desired design.

The ear loops of the face mask may be adjustable to accommodate different head shapes or sizes.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a face mask / face covering closed and folded in half laying on its left side, with the right half of its external side 3 facing upwards and the left half of its external side 4 facing downwards. The right side ear loop 1 is positioned on top of the left side ear loop 2.

Figure 2 shows a face mask / face covering closed and folded in half laying on its right side, with the left half of its external side 4 facing upwards and the right half of the external side 3 facing downwards. The left side ear loop 2 is positioned on top of the right side ear loop 1.

Figure 3 shows a face mask / face covering partly folded laying on its right side, with the left half of its external side 4 facing upwards and partially unfolded outwards, resulting in exposure of the left half of the internal side of the mask 5 and the right half of the internal side of the mask 6. The left side ear loop 2 is no longer on top of the right side ear loop 1. Magnets/Buttons or other fastening means 7 are positioned on both the left half of the internal side 5 and the right half of the internal side 6 of the mask.

Figure 4 shows a face mask / face covering opened and unfolded fully, with the entire internal side of the mask 8 facing upwards and the entire external side of the mask 9 facing downwards. The left ear loop 2 is on the left hand side and the right ear loop 1 is on the right hand side. The left half of the internal side 5 and the right half of the internal side 6 are fully visible together with the magnets / buttons 7.

Figure 5 shows a face mask / face covering opened and unfolded fully, with the entire external side 9 facing upwards and the full internal side of the mask 8 facing downwards. The left ear loop 2 is now on the right hand side and the right ear loop 1 is now on the left hand side. The left half of the external side 3 and the right half of the external side 4 are fully visible.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A facemask or face covering, which can be fastened closed after use and unfastened before use, to help prevent the interior side of the mask, which normally makes contact with the user's face, from outside contamination and/or making contact to other objects or surfaces 2. A facemask or face covering according to Claim 1, which can be fastened closed after use and unfastened before use, by way of a button or buttons, or hook and loop fastening, zip, zip lock or grip seal, or magnets and/or any other method, combination or variation of fastening which would achieve the desired result behind the spirit of the invention allowing the user to fasten / unfasten the face mask / face covering at will 3. A facemask or face covering according to claim 1 or 2 consisting of an interior side and an exterior side made from any fabric, textile or material designed to protect the face of the user by covering the nose and mouth and being attachable to the face of the user by means of the ears or head by way of any method of attachment such as loops, ties or bands made from any textile, fabric or material which can be fastened in a manner which prevents the internal side of the face mask / face covering from making contact with other objects or surfaces when not in use and unfastened when needed again 4. A face mask or face covering according to any of the preceding claims, which can be folded and then fastened by way of a magnet or magnets and/or a button or buttons to prevent the interior side which normally makes contact with the users face when used, from making contact to other objects when not in use, such as when being placed on to a surface or inside a bag or pocket, and unfastened when needed to be used again.