GB2594091A

GB2594091A - Face shield

Info

Publication number: GB2594091A
Application number: GB2005611.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Angelucci Lorenzo
Original assignee: Transcend Packaging
Current assignee: Transcend Packaging
Priority date: 2020-04-17
Filing date: 2020-04-17
Publication date: 2021-10-20
Also published as: GB202005611D0

Abstract

In a first aspect a face shield system that might form part of a wearer’s personal protective equipment comprises a flexible elongate headband 11 having first 14 and second 18 engagement portions to allow it to be formed into a circle to fit around the head, and face guard engagement means 24; and a planar face guard 42 comprising an elongate support band 30 and a transparent sheet 40, the band comprising engagement means 38 for the headband, where the system can be assembled into a face shield as shown in figure 4 or separated out into headband and shield as shown in figures 1, 3 which can be stored and transported in a flat, planar state. In a second aspect (figure 7) the shield 140 is mounted directly onto the headband 111, but disengaging the headband engagement portions 113, 118 still allows the system to be put into a flat arrangement. Preferably the engagement portions are slits, and one of the first or second engagement portions comprises a plurality of slits 14 to allow for different sizing. Also claimed are methods of assembly.

Description

FACE SHIELD

The present invention relates to a face shield. In particular, the present invention relates to a disposable face shield to provide a physical barrier between the face of a wearer and the external environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that many viruses and bacterial infections and the like are spread from person to person via infected droplets carried through the air in the form of small particles. These airborne pathogens resulting from a cough or sneeze from a first person are then inhaled by a second person, resulting in the spread of infection from the first to the second person.

This form of airborne transmission is particularly prevalent in public spaces, for example, between customer-facing staff in an organisation and the potentially large number of customers with which they come into contact.

One solution to this is the use of face masks. Face masks have been used for many years in the medial field, and recently are being used more often in non-medical customer-facing environments. These masks are typically used to prevent contamination of a third party by the wearer of the mask. Such conventional masks fit snugly over the mouth and nose of a wearer and can be uncomfortable and non-hygienic for a user in a relatively short space of time. Further, such masks do not provide any protection for the eyes of a user. Also, where the masks have to be cleaned before reuse, they are a source of infection and require the additional burden of cleaning by the user prior to re-use.

There is therefore a need for a mask which does not require repeated cleaning by a user, is comfortable to wear, provides comprehensive protection against airborne particular for both the user and customers with which they interact and which is adjustable to fit the sizing 25 requirements of individual users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to address the problems of the prior art. Aspects of the present invention are set out in the attached claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a face shield system for providing a barrier in front of the face of a wearer, the face shield system comprising: a flexible elongate head band defining a first longitudinal direction, the head band having a first engagement portion located at a first end of the head band and a second engagement portion opposing the first engagement portion in the first longitudinal direction of the elongate head band with a first intermediate portion located therebetween, the first intermediate portion having face guard engagement means for engaging with a portion of a face guard support band; and a planar face guard comprising a flexible elongate support band defining a second longitudinal direction and a transparent element for shielding the face of a user mounted on the support band and extending from the support band in a direction transverse to the second longitudinal direction, the support band further comprising head band engagement means for engagement with face guard engagement means, wherein the face shield system is moveable between a first configuration wherein the first and second engagement portions are disengaged and the head band is substantially planar, and a second configuration in which the first and second engagement portions are engaged with one another and the head band is substantially circular in cross-section, and wherein the face shield system is moveable between the second configuration in which the head band and face guard are disengaged and a third configuration in which the head band is substantially circular in cross-section and the head band engagement means is engaged with the face guard engagement means.

Thus, in the first configuration, the head band and face guard are disengaged from one another, the head band is substantially planar, and the face guard is substantially planar. This allows the face shield system to be stacked, such that they assume a small volume, and easily transported without damage.

Further, the planar form of the two parts of the system allows for simple manufacture by cutting out the required forms from planar raw materials to create the required forms. Preferably, the face shield system is made of stiffened paper or light card.

The use of materials such as paper or light card to form the head band and support band allows the face shield system to be low cost, easy to manufacture using paper cutting or stamping techniques, the resulting system is light weight and can be easily disposed of after a single use It is advised that the face shield is disposed of in the general waste stream as it might be contaminated with virus and/or germs. However, the end user could potentially detach the transparent element from the face shield system and dispose of the remaining headband and support band via standard recycling streams In the second configuration, when the first and second engagement portions are engaged with one another, the head band becomes circular in cross-section. This allows the head band to assume a suitable form to be worn on the head of a user in a crown-like fashion.

Finally, by engaging the head band engagement means with the face guard engagement 5 means, the transparent shield becomes mounted on the head band where, when the face shield system is being worn by a user, it would extend downwards from the head band over the face of the user. The transparent shield is intended to extend below the face of the user and potentially to the level of their chest, to provide an effective barrier between their face and that of another party such as a customer or colleague with which they may come into 10 relatively close contact Although the face shield system can be worn by a user when carrying out actions where protecting the face and eyes from splashes is important e.g. when decanting paint or working with fabric dyes and the like, the face shield has a more compelling use as a face shield for a customer-facing worker to protect the worker from exposure to air-borne droplets emitted by a potentially infected customer. In addition, should the worker be infected, the customer is protected against air-borne particles, such as virus and the like, emitted from the worker. These air-borne particles resulting from the breathing, sneezing of coughing of an infected party and, if ingested by the other party, could result in transmission of the infection or virus from one party to the other. The transparent element extends from the head band down past the face of the wearer, effectively providing a physical barrier between the face of the wearer and any third parties. The face shield is not intended for medical use as it does not provide a sealed environment around the face of the wearer, but is intended for customer-facing workers such as, but not limited to, supermarket check-out assistants, bank cashiers, fast food restaurant workers and the like. The very nature of these types of customer-facing jobs means that the workers will come into relatively close contact with customers (and potentially fellow workers) where a physical barrier of protection against airborne virus particles is important to the safety of the workers themselves and also the customers with which they have contact.

Once the face shield system has been used and subsequently removed by a user, they can simply safely discard the face shield system and subsequently, when needed again, assemble and wear a fresh unused face shield system. Thus, there is no need for the washing or disinfecting that is usually required when wearing a non-disposable face shield or visor system.

In the second configuration, at least a portion of the head band and the face guard may be spatially separated from one another. This has the advantage of allowing the face guard to be spaced further away from the face of a user when the face shield system is being worn on the user's head. Thus, rather than extending directly down from the user's forehead, the face shield may be spaced away from the user's forehead thus creating more distance between the user's face and the transparent element. This is more comfortable for the user, and avoids contact between the eyelashes, nose or chin of a user and the interior of the transparent element, which can be both distracting and potentially annoying for the user over the period of time the face shield is being worn. A further advantage is that the user is less likely to become unacceptably warm beneath the transparent element if there is more spatial separation between the user's face and the transparent element, in use.

In one embodiment, the head band comprises a first edge and a second opposing edge extending in the first longitudinal direction and each respective first and second engagement portion comprises a slot extending from respective first and second edges in respective 15 directions transverse to the first longitudinal direction.

Thus, as the respective slots are in opposing edges of the head band, the slots can be engaged with one another to move the face shield system into the second configuration in which the head band assumes a circular cross-section.

Preferably, the first engagement portion comprises a plurality of slots extending from the first 20 edge in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction, and wherein the second engagement portion is engageable with any one of the plurality of slots of the first engagement portion The provision of multiple slots at a first end of the head band allows the size of the cross-sectional diameter of the head band to be altered when in the second configuration. This is important as the circumference of the heads of potential users may vary significantly. Further, those users with thick hair will potentially require the head band to be of greater cross-sectional diameter to accommodate their head and hair under the head band during use. This adjustable feature allows for one size of head band to be used by all users, thereby avoiding the issue of requiring multiple sizes to accommodate potential wearers.

In a further embodiment, the head band engagement means comprises a first head band engagement means located at a first end of the head band and a second head band engagement means opposing the first head band engagement means in the second longitudinal direction with a second intermediate portion located therebetween.

The head band engagement means may comprise any suitable form of engagement such as, but not limited to, adhesive strips, frictionally engageable portions, hook and loop engagement means, snap-fit engagement means, strings, straps or ties and the like.

Preferably, the face guard engagement means comprises first and second support band engagement slots extending from the first edge in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction and the respective head band engagement means comprise respective first and second head band engagement slots, wherein each respective first and second head band engagement slot is engageable with each respective first and second support band engagement slot so as to hold the face guard in engagement with the head band. This form of frictional engagement is preferred as the first and second support band engagement slots are easily cut or stamped into the head band during manufacture, and the first and second head band engagement slots are easily cut or stamped as part of the support band during manufacture, rather than requiring the addition of engagement means to the support band after cutting or stamping has taken place. By using slots to facilitate engagement of the head band and support band, manufacture is simpler and therefore significantly cheaper.

Preferably, the first and second support band engagement slots are spatially longitudinally separated by a first distance x, and the first and second head band engagement slots are longitudinally separated by a second distance y, wherein the first distance x is less than the second distance y such that in the second configuration at least a portion of the first and second intermediate portions are spatially separated from one another. This has the effect of spacing the transparent element further from the face of the wearer, thus providing additional comfort to the wearer, rather than having the transparent element extending directly downwards from the forehead of the wearer -this would potentially result in the transparent element touching the face e.g. eyelashes, nose and/or chin, of the wearer during use. The additional space between the face of the wearer and the transparent element also prevents the air space between the two becoming excessively hot from the breath and projected heat from the skin of the wearer, thereby increasing the comfort of the face shield system during use.

In the second configuration the whole of the first and second intermediate portions may be 30 spatially separated from one another.

In one embodiment, the transparent element is adhered to the face guard support band. This allows a line of adhesive or adhesive tape to be applied to the support band (or the transparent element) before bringing the support band and transparent element together and securing them both in place relative to one another during manufacture. However, it is to be appreciated that the transparent element may be secured to the support band by any suitable means known to the skilled person including, but not limited to, stapling, press studs, crimping and the like. However, adhesive provides the advantage of ease of manufacture, and continuous attachment along the length of the adhesive line or tape.

Preferably, the transparent element is adhered to the face guard support band in the second longitudinal direction and also in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Thus, the transparent element is secured to the support band along its upper edge and also along a portion of the vertical edge extending downwards from the support band. This provides a secure engagement of the transparent element with the support band.

The transparent element may comprise Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and/or anti-fog PET. Polyethylene Terephthalate provides a lightweight transparent screen and the anti-fog element of anti-fog PET assists with reducing the build up of condensation of clouding of the transparent screen from the breath of the wearer during use.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembly of the face shield system of the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising: providing a face shield system as claimed in any preceding claim; engaging the first engagement portion of the head band with the second engagement portion of the head band such that head band is substantially circular in cross-section; and engaging the head band engagement means of the elongate support band with the face guard engagement means of the elongate head band, such that the face guard and elongate head band are engaged with one another.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a face shield for providing a barrier in front of the face of a wearer, the face shield system comprising: a flexible elongate head band defining a longitudinal direction, the head band having a first engagement portion located at a first end of the head band and a second engagement portion opposing the first engagement portion in the first longitudinal direction of the elongate head band with a first intermediate portion located therebetween, and a transparent element for shielding the face of a user mounted on the head band and extending from the head band in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the face shield is moveable between a first configuration wherein the first and second engagement portions are disengaged and the head band is substantially planar, and a second configuration in which the first and second engagement portions are engaged with one another and the head band is substantially circular in cross-section.

In one embodiment, the head band comprises a first edge and a second opposing edge extending in the first longitudinal direction and each respective first and second engagement portion comprises a slot extending from respective first and second edges in respective directions transverse to the first longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the first engagement portion comprises a plurality of slots extending from the first edge in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction, and wherein the second 10 engagement portion is engageable with any one of the plurality of slots of the first engagement portion The provision of multiple slots at a first end of the head band allows the size of the cross-sectional diameter of the head band to be altered when in the second configuration. This is important as the circumference of the heads of potential users may vary significantly.

Further, those users with thick hair will potentially require the head band to be of greater cross-sectional diameter to accommodate their head and hair under the head band during use. This adjustable feature allows for one size of head band to be used by all users, thereby avoiding the issue of requiring multiple sizes to accommodate potential wearers.

In one embodiment, the transparent element is adhered to the head band.

Preferably, the transparent element is adhered to the head band in the longitudinal direction and also in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. However, it is to be appreciated that the transparent element may be secured to the head band by any suitable means known to the skilled person including, but not limited to, stapling, press studs, crimping and the like. However, adhesive provides the advantage of ease of manufacture, and continuous attachment along the length of the adhesive line or tape.

Preferably, the transparent element is adhered to the head band in the second longitudinal direction and also in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Thus, the transparent element is secured to the head band along its upper edge and also along a portion of the vertical edge extending downwards from the head band. This provides a secure engagement of the transparent element with the head band.

The transparent element may comprise Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and/or anti-fog PET. Polyethylene Terephthalate provides a lightweight transparent screen and the anti-fog element of anti-fog PET assists with reducing the build-up of condensation of clouding of the transparent screen from the breath of the wearer during use.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembly of a face shield, the method comprising: providing a face shield as claimed in any preceding claim; and engaging the first engagement portion of the head band with the second engagement portion of the head band such that head band is substantially circular in cross-section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings: Figures 1 and 2 are respective front views of a planar head band and a planar support band of an embodiment of a face shield system in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention; Figure 3 is a front view of the support band of figure 1 with a transparent element secured thereto; Figure 4 is a view from above and one side of the assembled face shield system of figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a view from above of the assembled face shield system of figure 4; Figures 6 and 7 are respective front views of a planar headband and a planar support band with transparent element secured thereto of an embodiment of a face shield system in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention; Figure 8A is a perspective view from one side of the rear of the embodiment of figures 6 and 7; Figure 8B is a front view of the embodiment of figures 6 and 7; Figure 8C is a perspective view from one side of the embodiment of figures 6 and 7; Figure 9 is a view of a cutting sheet showing multiple head bands of the embodiment of figures 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 to 5 relate to an embodiment of a face shield system 10 in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a planar head band 11 defining a first longitudinal direction A and having first edge 12 and second edge 13. Head band 11 has a first engagement portion in the form of multiple slots 14 located at a first end 16 of head band 11. A second engagement portion in the form of a single slot 18 is located at a second end 20 opposing first end 16. A first intermediate portion 22 is located between first and second engagement portions 14, 18.

Multiple slots 14 extend from first edge 12 of head band 11 in a direction transverse to first 10 longitudinal direction A partially across head band 11. Single slot 18 extends from second edge 13 of head band 11 partially across head band 11 in a direction transverse to first longitudinal direction A. First intermediate portion 22 is provided with face guard engagement means in the form of slots 24, 24' for engagement with a portion of a face guard support band 26 (see figure 2).

Slots 24, 24' extend from the first edge 12 of head band 11 and extend partially across head band 11 in a direction transverse to first longitudinal direction A. Slots 24, 24' are spaced apart a distance x, as shown in figure 1.

Head band 11 comprises a flexible material such as paper or thin card or the like such that it can be formed into a circle to bring first and second ends 16, 18 together.

In the embodiment shown, each of multiple slots 14 are of equal dimension and single slot 18 is dimensioned to be received in any one of multiple slots 14 when head band 11 is formed into a circle to bring single slot 18 into contact, and subsequent engagement with, one of multiple slots 14. By selecting a slot 14 closer to first end 16 of head band 11, the resulting circular head band will be of greater diameter than if single slot 17 is engaged with a slot 14 distanced further from first end 16 of head band 11. Thus, the selection of which slot 14 to engage with single slot 18 can be made to obtain a head band of diameter appropriate to comfortably fit the head of a wearer.

Figure 2 shows a planar support band 26 defining a second longitudinal direction B. Support band 26 has a first end 28 and second end 30 opposing first end 28 in the second longitudinal direction B. Second intermediate portion 32 is located between respective first and second ends 28, 30. Support band 26 further comprises a first edge 34 and an opposing second edge 36, both extending in the longitudinal direction.

Head band engagement means in the form of slots 38, 38 extend from second edge 36 of support band 26 in a direction transverse to second longitudinal direction B partially across 5 support band 26. Slots 38, 38' are spaced apart a distance y, as shown in figure 2.

Figure 3 shows a face guard 42 comprising planar support band 26 with a transparent element or visor 40 adhered to support band 26, and extending across support band 26 in the second longitudinal direction B and extending away from support band 26 in a direction transverse to second longitudinal direction. Visor 40 is made of PET and preferably anti-fog PET to prevent the breath of a user fogging up the inner surface of visor 40.

Visor 40 is adhered to support band 26 along adhesive lines 41 which extend both in the second longitudinal direction B and also transverse to the second longitudinal direction B across support band 26 to secure the visor 40 to support band 26 along three edges.

When assembling face shield system 10, head band 11 is flexed to assume a circular shape 15 to bring single slot 18 into contact with and engagement with a selected slot 14. Once single slot 18 and selected slot 14 are engaged with one another in a direction transverse to first longitudinal direction A, head band 11 will retain its circular form.

Next, respective slots 24, 24' of head band 11 are brought into contact with respective slots 38, 38' of support band 26 and engaged with one another in a direction transverse to first and second longitudinal directions A, B to secure head band 11 to support band 26 such that first longitudinal direction A is aligned with second longitudinal direction B to fully assemble face shield system 10, as shown in figures 4 and 5.

Visor 40 will then extend in a direction away from head band 11 and support band 26 in a direction transverse to both first and second longitudinal directions A, B. It is to be noted that as the distance x between slots 24, 24' is less than the distance y between slots 38, 38', first and second intermediate portions 22, 32 are spatially separated from one another when head band 11 and support band 26 and securely engaged with one another. This creates a space 44 between first and second intermediate portions 22, 32, thereby spacing visor 40 from head band 11. In use, this results in visor 40 being comfortably spaced away from the face of the wearer during use.

A wearer then places face shield system 10 over their head such that head band 11 extends around their head no lower than the level of their forehead and visor 40 extends downwards forming a barrier between their face and the external environment. As visor 40 extends across most of support band 26 in the longitudinal direction, visor 40 will therefore extend around the face of the user and extend past their ears. Visor 40 is dimensioned to also extend away from support band 26 sufficient to extend past the chin of a wearer and also at least a portion of their chest, thus providing an effective barrier against airborne particle or droplet transmission from the wearer to the external environment and vice versa. However, as the face shield system 10 is lightweight and the visor 40 is spatially distanced from the face of the user, it is also comfortable for longer-term use by a wearer e.g. throughout their shift as a customer-facing employee or similar.

Once a wearer no longer wishes to wear the face shield system, they simply remove it from their head and dispose of it in a responsible manner. Thus, any contamination on either side of the visor 40 (whether from the wearer or from the external environment) will be safely disposed of with the face shield system. No decontamination or washing is required to make the face shield system 10 reusable, as a fresh un-used head band 11 and face guard 42 can simply be assembled into a face shield system 10 and placed over the head of the wearer as previously described.

Figures 6 to 9 show an embodiment of a face shield in accordance with a third aspect of the 20 present invention.

In this embodiment, as shown in figure 6, planar head band 111 defines a longitudinal direction C and has first edge 112 and second edge 113. Head band 111 has a first engagement portion in the form of multiple slots 114 located at a first end 116 of head band 111. A second engagement portion in the form of a single slot 118 is located at a second end 120 opposing first end 116. A first intermediate portion 122 is located between first and second engagement portions 114, 118.

Multiple slots 114 extend from first edge 112 of head band 11 in a direction transverse to longitudinal direction C partially across head band 111. Single slot 118 extends from second edge 113 of head band 111 partially across head band 111 in a direction transverse to 30 longitudinal direction C. Figure 7 shows a transparent element or visor 140 adhered to head band 111, and extending across head band 111 in the longitudinal direction C and extending away from had band 111 in a direction transverse to longitudinal direction C. Visor 40 is made of PET and preferably anti-fog PET to prevent the breath of a user fogging up the inner surface of visor 40.

Visor 40 is adhered to head band 111 along adhesive lines 141 which extend both in longitudinal direction C and also transverse to the longitudinal direction C across head band 5 111 to secure the visor 140 to head band 111 along three edges.

When assembling face shield 110, head band 111 is flexed to assume a circular shape to bring single slot 18 into contact with and engagement with a selected slot 14. Once single slot 18 and selected slot 14 are engaged with one another in a direction transverse to longitudinal direction C, head band 11 will retain its circular form.

Visor 140 will then extend in a direction away from head band 111 in a direction transverse to both longitudinal directions C, as shown in figures 8A, 8B and 8C.

A wearer then places face shield 110 over their head such that head band 111 extends around their head no lower than the level of their forehead and visor 140 extends downwards forming a barrier between their face and the external environment. As visor 140 extends across most of head band 111 in the longitudinal direction, visor 140 will therefore extend around the face of the user and extend past their ears. Visor 140 is dimensioned to also extend away from head band 111 in a direction transverse to longitudinal direction C sufficiently to extend past the chin of a wearer and also at least a portion of their chest, thus providing an effective barrier against airborne particle or droplet transmission from the wearer to the external environment and vice versa. However, as the face shield 110 is lightweight it is comfortable for longer-term use by a wearer e.g. throughout their shift as a customer-facing employee or similar.

Once a wearer no longer wishes to wear the face shield 110, they simply remove it from their head and dispose of it in a responsible manner. Thus, any contamination on either side of the visor 140 (whether from the wearer or from the external environment) will be safely disposed of with the face shield system. No decontamination or washing is required to make the face shield 110 reusable, as a fresh un-used face guard 142 can simply be assembled into face shield 110 and placed over the head of the wearer as previously described. A further advantage of face shield 110 is that it is a single piece system which is planar until assembled, so can be stored and transported in great numbers, but taking up relatively small volume and having low weight.

Figure 9 shows a template sheet with multiple head bands 111 ready for cutting/stamping into individual head bands 111. Once cut out, a visor 140 is simply adhered to each head band 111 to form face shield 110. Face shield 110 is then ready for packing, transporting and assembling on site as needed by wearers. Once wearing is complete, face shield 110 can then simply be disposed of responsibly and a fresh new face 110 assembled on the next occasion it is needed by the wearer.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A face shield system for providing a barrier in front of the face of a wearer, the face shield system comprising: a flexible elongate head band defining a first longitudinal direction, the head band having a first engagement portion located at a first end of the head band and a second engagement portion opposing the first engagement portion in the first longitudinal direction of the elongate head band with a first intermediate portion located therebetween, the first intermediate portion having face guard engagement means for engaging with a portion of a face guard support band; and a planar face guard comprising an elongate support band defining a second longitudinal direction and a transparent element for shielding the face of a user mounted on the support band and extending from the support band in a direction transverse to the second longitudinal direction, the support band further comprising head band engagement means for engagement with face guard engagement means, wherein the face shield system is moveable between a first configuration wherein the first and second engagement portions are disengaged and the head band is substantially planar, and a second configuration in which the first and second engagement portions are engaged with one another and the head band is substantially circular in cross-section, and wherein the face shield system is moveable between the second configuration in which the head band and face guard are disengaged and a third configuration in which the head band is substantially circular in cross-section and the head band engagement means is engaged with the face guard engagement means.
2 A face shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the second configuration, at least a portion of the head band and the face guard are spatially separated from one another.
3 A face shield system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the head band comprises a first edge and a second opposing edge extending in the first longitudinal direction and each respective first and second engagement portion comprises a slot extending from respective first and second edges in respective directions transverse to the first longitudinal direction.
4 A face shield system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first engagement portion comprises a plurality of slots extending from the first edge in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction, and wherein the second engagement portion is engageable with any one of the plurality of slots of the first engagement portion.
A face shield system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the head band engagement means comprises a first head band engagement means located at a first end of the head band and a second head band engagement means opposing the first head band engagement means in the second longitudinal direction with a second intermediate portion located therebetween.
A face shield system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the face guard engagement means comprises first and second support band engagement slots extending from the first edge in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction and the respective head band engagement means comprise respective first and second head band engagement slots, wherein each respective first and second head band engagement slot is engageable with each respective first and second support band engagement slot so as to hold the face guard in engagement with the head band.
A face shield system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second support band engagement slots are spatially longitudinally separated by a first distance x, and the first and second head band engagement slots are longitudinally separated by a second distance y, wherein the first distance x is less than the second distance y such that in the second configuration at least a portion of the first and second intermediate portions are spatially separated from one another.
A face shield system as claimed in claim 7, wherein in the second configuration the whole of the first and second intermediate portions are spatially separated from one another.
A face shield system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transparent element is adhered to the face guard support band. 8. 9.
10. A face shield system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the transparent element is adhered to the face guard support band in the second longitudinal direction and also in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.
11. A face shield system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transparent element comprises Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and/or anti-fog PET.
12 A method of assembly of a face shield system, the method comprising: a. providing a face shield system as claimed in any preceding claim; b. engaging the first engagement portion of the head band with the second engagement portion of the head band such that head band is substantially circular in cross-section; and c. engaging the head band engagement means of the elongate support band with the face guard engagement means of the elongate head band, such that the face guard and elongate head band are engaged with one another.
13. A face shield for providing a barrier in front of the face of a wearer, the face shield system comprising: a flexible elongate head band defining a longitudinal direction, the head band having a first engagement portion located at a first end of the head band and a second engagement portion opposing the first engagement portion in the first longitudinal direction of the elongate head band with a first intermediate portion located therebetween, and a transparent element for shielding the face of a user mounted on the head band and extending from the head band in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the face shield is moveable between a first configuration wherein the first and second engagement portions are disengaged and the head band is substantially planar, and a second configuration in which the first and second engagement portions are engaged with one another and the head band is substantially circular in cross-section.
14. A face shield as claimed in claim 13, wherein the head band comprises a first edge and a second opposing edge extending in the first longitudinal direction and each respective first and second engagement portion comprises a slot extending from respective first and second edges in respective directions transverse to the first longitudinal direction.
15. A face shield as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first engagement portion comprises a plurality of slots extending from the first edge in a direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction, and wherein the second engagement portion is engageable with any one of the plurality of slots of the first engagement portion.
16. A face shield as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the transparent element is adhered to the head band.
17. A face shield as claimed in claim 16, wherein the transparent element is adhered to the head band in the longitudinal direction and also in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.
18. A face shield as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transparent element comprises Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and/or anti-fog PET.
19 A method of assembly of a face shield, the method comprising: a. providing a face shield as claimed in any preceding claim; and b. engaging the first engagement portion of the head band with the second engagement portion of the head band such that head band is substantially circular in cross-section.