GB2596535A - Foldable filter face-mask - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable, filtering face mask an upper portion comprising a body 24 and a first pair of ear loops 21, 22 and a lower portion comprising a body 44 and a second pair of ear loops 41, 42. In use the mask can be worn in two ways; a first configuration where the wearer folds over the two portions, doubling them up to form a double layer mask (Figures 2a-d, 4) and a second configuration where the to layers are separated out, with one portion covering the nose and mouth and the other for example covering the neck and chin (figures 3a-d, 5). In either configuration both loops are on the ears on each side. Preferably an edge 18 of each portion comprises a semi-rigid reinforcement strip. Also claimed is a method of use for each configuration.

Description

Title: FOLD ABLE FILTER FACE-MASK Field of the invention 10011 The present invention relates to a filter face mask. More specifically, the present invention relates to a foldable and flexible filter face-mask comprising two substantially symmetrical portions that can be folded against each other through a fold line. The mask is intended particularly, but not solely, for preventing aerosol or droplet based infections and for use in a contaminated environment. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture

Background of the invention

10021 Pathogens are disease causing microbes which are ubiquitous in atmosphere. Such microbes stay on solid surfaces, in water, in air and in body of living creatures. In air, pathogens float as liquid aerosol or droplet and infections caused due to liquid aerosols are very contagious. Tn most of the cases, infectious agents enter a user's body through oronasal route. Therefore, it is important to prevent such infectious agents from entering a user's body and to prevent liquid aerosol/droplet based spread of infections, it is important to cover a user's face specially an area of nose, mouth, chin and neck.

10031 Typically, users wear a face mask to cover a nose and a mouth area. A face mask is a face cover that a user wears on face to cover the respiratory passage and the mouth to prevent entry of any unwanted pathogenic aerosols/droplets present in the environment. Face masks also have application in chemical industries to prevent inhalation of toxic gaseous and volatile chemicals present in the form of liquid aerosols, droplets and vapours. Additionally, it can be used by workers in mines, coal fields and glass industries to prevent inhalation of particulate matter that might lead to serious respiratory problems. The existing face masks are single-layered fabric based masks which often fails to prevent the harmful particles from passing into user's body and thereby degrades the health of the user.

[4] Various types of face masks such as surgical masks, N95 respirator masks, FITI masks, activated carbon masks and cloth and sponge masks, exists in the 5 state of the art. Face masks can also be categorized based on the usage, for example disposable face-masks and reusable face masks. Disposable face-masks are generally made up of non-flexible filter material and thereby causing facial fitting issues and leave gaps between mask and face. The gap between mask and user's face may act as an entry point for the harmful particles to the user's body. Reusable 10 masks are made up of clothes or flexible materials and are washable. IIowever" single layered structure of the face mask remains ineffective in scenarios of continuous exposure to toxic gases and chemicals in the environment.

[5] Few face masks have head coverage too, however, such masks are not easy to wear and disturbs hair look of the user. Some fabric based face masks require a user to tic a knot at the back of the head of the attached strings to wear the mask properly. However, in case a loose knot is tied, the knot easily gets untied causing the mask to fall abruptly. Further, in case a very tight or complex knot is tied by the user, it becomes difficult for the user to untie the knot or simply breaks on stretching the face masks. Some existing face masks have a string or an elastic strap, which enables a user to wear the mask, however, the elastic string usually gets worn-out with repeated use, leading to a loose face mask, which makes the face mask unusable for future.

[6] Additionally, conventional masks do not cover chin and/or neck area and dust particles may stick to the user's skin or microbes may adhere to neck or chin 25 area. The adhered dust particles contaminates hand of the user, when the user touches neck or chin part. An effective and protective face mask is desired.

[007] Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art to provide users with an easy to wear flexible face-masks. There is also a long felt need in the art to provide reusable face-mask which is washable properly. There is also a long felt need in the art to provide face mask which covers chin and neck area as well to protect the user from dusty environment. There is a long felt need in the art for a double layered face masks with proper supporting means such car loops. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a face mask which is double-layered, and provides a method to cover nose, mouth, chin and neck with a single mask design. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for providing users with low cost, foldable, flexible and easy to use face mask with an effective wearing means.

10081 The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a foldable flexible filter face mask that can be easily placed on a user's face. The foldable flexible filter face mask comprises two substantially symmetrical portions with car loops. The two symmetrical portions are folded against each other and overlaps each other, to form a double layer face mask. The ear loop holes on lateral sides of flexible material of each symmetrical portion provides better facial fit for users. In an embodiment, the face mask of the present invention provides a single layer protection to the users based on the less harmful application areas. Upper portion is worn to cover a nose and mouth area of the user, and another portion joined to the upper portion is worn in a way to cover chin and neck area, thereby providing a single layer protection to all the possible areas.

10091 In this manner, the foldable flexible filter face-mask of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a double layer filter for more barrier action and is relatively quick and easy to wear. The face mask also provides a coverage for chin and neck areas of users as well. Additionally, foldable flexible filter face-mask with ear loop holes provide better facial fit and covers user's face/chin/neck to prevent from inhalation of liquid aerosols/droplets present in environment. Finally, foldable flexible filter face-mask of the present invention provides user with two foldable options which can be used as per the needs and requirements of the user.

Acknowledged prior art

[10] The inventor is aware of the following prior art: [11] US patent no. US7228858B2 discloses a protective garment incorporating a face and neck mask adapted to filter out airborne particulates. However, the patent 5 document 858 doesn't disclose any information regarding folding of the protective garment and cannot be used as a double layered filter mask.

[12] Another patent document US3042034A discloses a foldable face mask which effectively filters out harmful elements, thus preventing such elements from entering the ears, nose, mouth, or respiratory system. however, the cited document 034' has a different means of securing to the user's head and lacks a perfect fit with user's face.

[13] Yet another patent document FR2206674A1 discloses a mask comprising a recess allowing the immobilization of the fixing piece behind the ears of the carrier subject. lIowever, the document 674' doesn't disclose foldability in mask and 15 covering of neck and chin area [14] Still another patent KR200405893Y1 discloses a disposable mask, made by folding the fabric such as paper or nonwoven fabric in three stages, and then cut the fabric (cutting the fabric) by using a cutter so that earrings are formed at both ends of the fabric. However, this patent document doesn't disclose about foldability to form double layer barriers. This document also doesn't disclose the covering of neck and chin region.

[15] Finally, one more patent document TW201317034A discloses a mask comprising an elastic nonwoven sheet having an elongated shape, a central portion, a first lateral end portion and a second lateral end portion on opposite sides of the central portion, the first lateral end portion a first ear opening or perforation and one of the second lateral end portions of the second ear opening or perforation.

I lowever, this patent document doesn't disclose about foldability to form double layer barriers. This document also doesn't disclose the covering of neck and chin region.

Statement of invention

[16] The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment 5 thereof, comprises a foldable filter face-mask, comprising two substantially symmetrical portions with a fold line connecting the two portions. An upper portion comprises a left ear loop hole to engage wearer's left ear and a right ear loop hole to engage wearer's right ear and a bottom portion comprises a left ear loop hole to engage wearer's left ear and a right ear loop hole to engage wearer's 10 right ear; wherein, the two substantially symmetrical portions fold against one another along the fold line to form a double layer face mask.

[17] In one embodiment of the present invention, provides a method for preventing liquids and aerosols from contacting the face of a person wearing a foldable filter face-mask having two substantially symmetrical portions comprising, an upper portion containing a left ear loop hole to engage wearer's left ear and a right ear loop hole to engage wearer's right ear; a bottom portion containing a left ear loop hole to engage wearer's left ear and a right ear loop hole to engage wearer's right ear; wherein, the method comprising the steps of: a) folding the two substantially symmetrical portions against one another to form a double layer face mask; and b) attaching the double layer face mask obtained from step (a) to a user face with the help of ear loop holes formed at the lateral ends of the foldable filter face-mask to improve facial fit between the foldable filter face-mask and the face of the wearer.

[18] Yet another embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for preventing liquids and aerosols from contacting the face, chin and neck of a person wearing a foldable filter face-mask having two substantially symmetrical portions comprising, an upper portion containing a left ear loop hole to engage wearer's left ear and a right ear loop hole to engage wearer's right ear; a bottom portion containing a left car loop hole to engage wearer's left car and a right car loop hole to engage wearer's right ear; wherein, the method comprising the steps of: a) attaching the upper portion to a user face; with the help of car loop holes formed at the lateral ends of the foldable filter face-mask to improve facial fit between the foldable filter face-mask and the face of the wearer; and b) attaching the bottom portion to a user's chin and neck portion with the help of ear loop holes formed at the lateral ends of the foldable filter face-mask to improve chin and neck fit between the foldable filter face-mask and the face of the wearer.

[0191 The unique face mask can be worn in double-layer or single layer form, without requiring a user to have two different face masks to server different purpose. The double layered face mask can be worn in areas with high-risk of infections, hospitals, toxic gas or volatile chemical environment, whereas a single layered mask can be worn while walking, joo-oing, beaches, etc.

Brief description of drawings

[0201 The invention will now be described, by way of invention only, with reference to the following drawings: [021] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one possible embodiment of a foldable filter face-mask of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0221 FIGS. 2 (a-d) illustrates one possible embodiment of folding the face-mask along a fold line to form a double layered face-mask of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

19231 FIGS. 3 (a-d illustrates another embodiment of face mask of the present invention, worn as a single layer to protect chin, neck and facial area in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[24] FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of one possible embodiment of the user wearing the foldable filter face-mask in folded condition as a double layer mask covering face of the user, in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[25] FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of one possible embodiment of the 5 user wearing the foldable filter face-mask as a single layered mask covering nose, mouth, chin, neck and face portion, in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

Detailed description

[26] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof [021 As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art to provide users with an easy to wear flexible face-masks. There is also a long felt need in the art to provide reusable face-mask which is washable properly. There is also a long felt need in the art to provide face mask which covers chin and neck area as well to protect the user from dusty environment. There is a long felt need in the art for a double layered face masks with proper supporting means such ear loops. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a face mask which is double-layered, and provides a method to cover nose, mouth, chin and neck with a single mask design. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for providing users with low cost, foldable, flexible and easy to use face mask with an effective wearing means.

[028] The innovative product of the present invention features a foldable flexible filter face-mask that can be placed easily on user's face. The foldable flexible filter face-mask comprises two substantially symmetrical portions and a fold line or edge connecting the two symmetrical portions. Each portion of the face-mask comprises ear loop holes on lateral sides of flexible material for better facial fit. The two portions can be folded over each other along the fold line and can be worn as a double layered mask to provide better protection and prevention from harmful pathogens. Alternatively, the face mask can be folded differently to provide an additional coverage for face/chin/neck area wherein one portion covers the nose area and the other portion covers chin, face and neck area. The unique structure and the two folding methods provides the user with different ways of wearing the same face mask, and serve different purposes.

[29] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one possible embodiment of a foldable filter face-mask of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The present invention in a most preferred embodiment discloses a foldable filter face-mask 10, comprising two substantially symmetrical portions made up of flexible filter body material wherein, an upper portion 12 and a bottom portion 14 connected by a fold line 16. The upper portion 12 and the bottom portion 14 fold against one another along the fold line or fold edge 16 to form a double layered face mask; or the two substantially symmetrical portions 12 and 14 can be folded in a way to provide additional face/chin/neck coverage as a single layer mask.

[30] The upper portion 12 comprises a right ear loop 21 and a left ear loop 22 and the bottom portion 14 comprises a right ear loop 41 and a left ear loop 42, which may be formed integrally with the mask portion 12 and 14, or may be attached via sewing, or otherwise incorporated into the g,arment. The mask 10 may be secured to the wearer's head by slipping ear loops 21, 22, 41 and 42 over the wearer's cars. Ear loops 21 and 22 are provided at lateral ends of the upper portion 12 and ear loops 41 and 42 are provided at lateral ends of the lower portion 14 of the foldable filter face-mask 10. The car loops 21, 22,41 and 42 enables the wearer to improve facial fit between the foldable filter face-mask 10 and the face of a user.

[031] The upper portion 12 and the bottom portion 14 are joined at a connecting edge 16 which facilitates folding of the mask 10, and are made of a flexible filter body material. Tn a preferred embodiment, the flexible filter body material to manufacture foldable filter face-mask 10 of the present invention is selected from 5 but not limited to the group consisting of merino wool cloth, polyethylene film laminated with a non-woven material, a breathable film, extruded thermal plastic rubber compounds, injection moulded thermal plastic rubber compounds, electrostatically-charged woven or non-woven polyester or polypropylene fibers, fiberglass, activated charcoal sheets or particles, various types of natural fibers such 10 as wool and other types of filter materials commonly used. The flexible filter material is optionally impregnated with active carbon powder.

10321 The mask 10 comprises a semi-rigid reinforcement strip 18 or flexible strip across a border or perimeter of both the portions 12 and 14.

10331 FIGS. 2 (a-d) illustrates one possible embodiment of folding the face-mask along a fold line to form a double layered face-mask of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Figure 2(a) discloses a face mask 10 of the present invention comprising substantially symmetrical upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 connected at an edge 16 along with the portions 12 and 14 are folded. Ear loops 21 and 22 are provided at lateral ends of the upper portion 12 and ear loops 41 and 42 are provided at lateral ends of the lower portion 14 of the foldable filter face-mask 10. The ear loops 21, 22, 41 and 42 enables the wearer to improve facial fit between the foldable filter face-mask 10 and the face of a user, thereby preventing liquids and aerosols from contacting the face 40 of a user 30. A semi-rigid reinforcement strip 18 is stitched at the border of the portions 12 and 14 of the mask 10.

10341 Figure 2(b) discloses an initial step of folding the mask 10 to form a double-layered mask. The upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 of the mask 10 is folded along the fold line 16 in a direction 20 such that the right car loops 21 and 41 overlap each other; and the left ear loops 22 and 42 overlap each other. In this manner, the two substantially symmetrical portions 12 and 14, completely overlap each other. Figure 2(c) shows the completely overlapped symmetrical portions 12 and 14 of the foldable filter mask 10. The rigid perimeter 18 also overlaps, which further enables securing of the mask 10 to the wearer's face 40.

[0351 Figure 2(d) discloses a user 30 wearing the mask 10, which is folded to form a double layered mask 10 thereby providing better protection and prevention from harmful pathogens, dust particles, chemicals, toxic gases, etc. The user 30 utilizes the car loops 21, 22, 41 and 42 which allows the mask 10 to be both easily deployed and moreover secure the mask 10 in place by slipping over a wearer's cars 31 and 32. The folded double layered version of mask 10 covers nose 33, mouth 34, face 40 and chin 35 of the wearer 30, thereby protecting oronasal route for germs transmission.

[0361 FIGS. 3 (a-d) illustrates another embodiment of face mask of the present invention, worn as a single layer to protect chin, neck and facial area in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Figure 3(a) discloses a face mask 10 of the present invention comprising substantially symmetrical upper portion 12 and lower portion 14 connected at an edge 16 along with the portions 12 and 14 are folded. Ear loops 21 and 22 are provided at lateral ends of the upper portion 12 and car loops 41 and 42 are provided at lateral ends of the lower portion 14 of the foldable filter face-mask 10. The right ear loops 21 and 41 engages in a right ear 31 of the user 30 and the left ear loops 22 and 42 engages in a left ear 32 of the user 30. The ear loops 21, 22, 41 and 42 enables the wearer to improve facial fit between the foldable filter face-mask 10 and the face of a user, thereby preventing liquids and aerosols from contacting the face 40 of a user 30. A semi-rigid reinforcement strip 18 is stitched at the border of the portions 12 and 14 of the mask 10.

10371 Figure 3(b) discloses another method of wearing the foldable filter face mask 10 in order to provide additional coverage for neck 36 area. The mask portion 12 and 14 are designed to conform to a wearer's face 40 and neck 36 and may be made of a single panel or multiple panels which are cut and fit to conform to typical face and neck dimensions as is known in the art of mask manufacturing. The mask portions 12 and 14 are made of a filter material that prevents transmission of any germs present in the environment. The upper portion 12 comprising a right ear loop 21 and a left ear loop 22 is slipped to wearer's right ear 31 and left ear 32 respectively. The upper portion 12 covers the nose 33, mouth 34, chin 35 and face 40 of the wearer 30 through body portion 24. The lower portion 14 is folded in a direction 20 so as to cover the neck area 36, and slipping the right ear loop 41 to the right ear 31 and the left ear loop 42 to the left ear 32 of the wearer 30. Figure 3(c) shows the step of stretching the lower portion 14 to conform to wearer's neck area 36 and provide additional protection from sticking of dust particles and other harmful particles to the neck portion 36.

[038] Figure 3(d) shows a wearer 30 wearing the filter face mask 10 such that the upper portion 12 Covers face 40, nose 33, mouth 34 and chin 35; and the lower portion 14 covers the neck portion. The ear loops 21, 22, 41 and 42 secures the face mask 10 to the wearer's face 40, without leaving any gap between the mask 10 and the wearer's face 40. The ear loops 21, 22, 41 and 42 provides a securing means for the filter face mask 10 of the invention.

H391 FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of one possible embodiment of the user wearing the foldable filter face-mask in folded condition as a double layer mask covering face of the user, in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The user 30 can wear the foldable filter face-mask 10 in a folded condition to provide a double barrier protection to his/her respiratory and oral tract from dust and pathogenic droplets present in the atmosphere. As shown in the Fig 4, the left ear loop 22 of the upper portion 12 and the left car loop 42 of the lower portion 14 are slipped together to the wearer's left ear 32 to wear and secure the mask. Similarly, the right car loop 21 of the upper portion 12 and the right car loop 41 of the lower portion 14 are slipped together to the wearer's right car 31 (not shown) to wear and secure the mask effectively.

10401 FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of one possible embodiment of the user wearing the foldable filter face-mask as a single layered mask coveting nose, mouth, chin, neck and face portion, in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The mask 10 is worn in a way such that the body portion 24 of the upper portion 12 covers face 40, nose 33, mouth 34 and chin area 35; and the lower portion 14 covers the neck area 36 of the wearer 30. In this folding method, the portions 12 and 14 do not completely overlap each other. As shown in the Fig 5, firstly, the left car loop 22 of the upper portion 12 is slipped to the wearer's car 32 and then, the left ear loop 42 of the lower portion 14 is slipped to the wearer's left ear 32 to wear and secure the mask. Similarly, the right ear loop 21 of the upper portion 12 is slipped to the wearer's ear 31 (not shown) and then, the right ear loop 41 of the lower portion 14 is slipped to the wearer's left ear 31 (not shown) to wear and secure the mask effectively. The user 10 can wear the filter face-mask 10 as a single layered mask to provide protection to his/her respiratory, oral tract, chin and neck portion from dust and pathogenic droplets present in atmosphere.

10411 Therefore, it can be observed that the present invention provides a unique solution to the problem of providing a face mask 10 that protects user from inhaling dust and pathogens present in the atmosphere. The face mask 10 comprising two symmetrical portions 12 and 14 can be overlapped against each other to provide a double filter for enhancing barrier property of the face mask 10 or the face mask 10 can be used to provide an additional coverage to cover face, chin and neck portion simultaneously.

10421 A main advantage of the face mask 10 of the present invention is to provide a double layered mask or to provide an extended coverage for face, chin, neck area as well. The face mask 10 of the present invention when worn by a user, provides a protection to a respiratory track as well as chin and neck areas. Thus, it should be apparent that a solution has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, in the form of a face mask 10 for a user who enters a hospital, a coalmine, a glass industry or any other place where air contains dust and is contaminated. Users can happily use the face mask 10 of the present invention either as foldable double layer face mask or as a single layer mask covering face, chin and neck.

10431 Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names.

This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein "user", "wearer' and "person" are interchangeable and refer to the person 30 wearing face mask. The tern-is "face mask", "filter mask", "foldable mask" and "foldable filter face mask" also hold the similar meaning and refers to the mask 10 of the present invention.

10441 Notwithstanding the forgoing, the face mask 10 of the present invention and its various structural components can be any suitable size, colour and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size of the face mask 10 and its various components, as show in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes of the face mask 10 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the face mask 10 and its components (i.e., length and width) are important design parameters for good performance, the face mask 10 and its components may be any size and colour that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference.

10451 What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes" is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

[046] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. The described embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims (6)

1. Claims able: filte ace-mask comprising; an upper portion including a body portion and a right ear loop and a left ear loop to secure the unper portion to the ears of a wearer; a lower portion containing a body portion and a right eat ioop and a left ea'cop to secure (he lower portion to the cars of the wearer; wherein, the upper portion and the lower portions are substantjaliy symmerrkal i portions; and the two substantially symmetrical portions fold agrainst one another to form a double layer face mask; or the two substaritahy synitnerrical porrions pie additional face/Chin coverage as a single laver mask.
2. 2. The foldable filter face-mask according to claim 1, wherein the ear loops are elastic.
3. 3 The foldable filter face-mask according ti claim 1 wherein he foldable filter race-mask is either a single hnie usable disposable. mask or a multpie. time usable wasnable mask.
4. 4. The foldable filter face-mask according to ( 1, wherein the body portion covers the nose, chin and mouth of the wearer.
5. 5. The foldable filter face-mask accord m 1, wherein the foldable ce-mask comprises four ear loop holes formed at the lateral ends of the foldable filter face-mask to improve facial lit between the foldable filter face-mask and the face of the wearer.
6. 6 "khe foldable filter face--mask according to clalm 1. covers at least tine mouth, nostrils, cheek and neck of the wearer.The foldable fitter face mask accord reinforcement suso or an elas 8. The foldable filter face-mas.K accord 1 comprises a semi ri doe of the -.Tref portion. aim 1reinforcement strip or an elastic strip along edge of the lower portion.1111e foldable filter face-mask acco, wherein the le filter face-mask is one of a seal-tested respirator mask a N95 seal-tested respirator mask or a -FFP2/3 seal-tested respirator mask.10. The foldable filter face-mask according to claim 1, includes a fold line along which the lower portion folds in an upward curvilinear direction and overlaps the upper portion.The fbidabic filter -m saccoi ding to claim 1, 'vhetern aflit,' litm is igned to cover the chin of the wearer when orn.12. The foldable filter ask according to claim 1, wherein the foldable filter face--mask is made using a flexible filter body material.The kildable filter face-mask according to claim 11, ', the two substantially symmetricai portions hay e the told line as a. common edge.14. The foldable filter face--mask according to chit 1, wherein each portion of the two substantially-symmetrical portions conforms to the wearer's face and creates a virtual respi seal.The foldable filter face--1 ccord;ng to claim 1, wherein the flexible filter body material is selected from but not limited to the group consisting of m-ri wool cloth, polyethylene Film laminated with a non-woven material, a breathable film, extruded thermal plastic rubber compounds, injection molded thermal plastic rubber compounds, electrostatically-charged woven or non--wo polypropylene fibers, fiberglass, activated charcoal sheets or pa of natural fibers such as wool and other types of filter materials coma]; anous types r or 16. The foldable filter fhce-maskaccorchng to claim 12, wherein the flexible filter body material is optionally impregnated with active carbon powder.17. A method to wear a double layer foldable mask to cover at least the mouth and the nostrils of a wearer, the method comprising:, folding a bottom portion n "sk along a f(..51(.1 line in an upward curvilinear direction to overlap a substantially symmetrical upper portion; the folded bottom portion and the upper portion forms a double layer mask; wherein the bottom 'portion and the upper portion each contain a left ear loop hole to engage." eater's left ear and a right tar loop holt to engage wearer's right ear; and attaching the double laver face ma.sk obtained from the step of f * 0-t( he wearer face using, ear loop holes at the lateral ends of the foldable filter face-mask to improve facial fit between the foldable filter face-mask and the -ace of the wearer.18. A method for preventng liquids and aerosols from contacting the face, chin and neck of a person wearing i. foldable filter face-mask having fwo substantially symmetrical portions comp:: ng tD, an upper portion contaii Cr eft ear loop hole to engage 's left ear and a right car loop hole to engage er's right ear; a bottom portion containing a left ear loop hole to engage wearer's left ea.r and a right ear loop hole to engage wearer's right ear; \k" he rein, the method co frig-the steps of: attaching the upper portion to a user face.elf) of ear loop holes formed at the lateral ends of the foldable filter ce-mask to improve facial fit between the foldable filter face-mask and the face of the ^. and b; attaching the bottom portion to a user':, Lhin and neck portion and folding the bottom portion in an upward curvilinear direction along the jawline and secure with the help o ear loop holes formed at the lateral ends of the foldable filter face-mask to improve chin and neck tit between the foldable Filter face-mask and the face of the wearer