GB2598134A

GB2598134A - Improvement in face masks

Info

Publication number: GB2598134A
Application number: GB2012994.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Afaidze-Hayford Nana
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-08-20
Filing date: 2020-08-20
Publication date: 2022-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-20
Also published as: GB202012994D0; GB2598134B

Abstract

A face mask comprising first 2 and second 3 portions to cover a wearer’s mouth and nose respectively, and an aperture 5 to allow free exchange of air from and to the environment through the nose. This allows a person with asthma or other challenges breathing while wearing a mask to breath unimpeded while provide the false appearance of a normal mask in order to avoid embarrassment or confrontation. The wearer can also breathe through their mouth to provide a degree of filtering and protection when they feel able. Preferably the materials used are the same as in typical surgical masks, in order to present a facsimilia or imitation of a normal surgical mask. Preferably the second portion overlaps the first going outwards, that is to say the nose portion overlaps the mouth portion, and defined lengths of overlap or proportion of each portion which overlaps, are claimed.

Description

Improvements in face masks The present invention relates to improvements in face masks. More specifically the present invention relates to a face mask with a dual mode of use.

S

The COVID19 pandemic has led to the widespread use of face masks, which in many environments are now mandatory.

Unfortunately a significant proportion of the population is affected by disabilities such as asthma and other lung conditions, which can make breathing with a face mask difficult at times.

However, persons with asthma can often still comfortably wear a mask for a short period of time without adverse affects.

Not wearing a face mask when mandated by law is now considered taboo, with increasing reports of verbal and physical abuse at persons not wearing masks or removing masks in certain environments such as shops or cinemas. Understandably this can be extremely distressing for persons with disabilities.

The present invention seeks to address these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a face mask comprising: a first portion configured to cover a user's mouth when the mask is in use and to filter respiratory gas inhaled and exhaled by the user; a second portion configured to cover at least part of a user's nose when the mask is in use; an aperture formed between the first and second portions to allow a user's nose to freely inhale and exhale gas from and to the external environment.

Beneficially a mask constructed in accordance with the present invention has two modes of use. In a first mode of use a user may inhale and exhale using their mouth, resulting in the gas being filtered by the first portion of the mask.

In the event that this becomes uncomfortable for the user they may then inhale and exhale using their nose. This gas is not filtered as the aperture of the mask allows free fluid communication between the user's nose and the external environment.

However, a user is able to inhale and exhale without the breaking taboo of removing their mask. All the while the second portion of the mask that substantially covers the dorsum of the user's nose provides the mask with the appearance of being a full nose and mouth covering in accordance with any relevant legislation.

Furthermore, the two modes of use of the mask allows a user to move in and out of areas where masks are mandatory (for example shops) and areas where they are not (for example the outdoors) without repeatedly donning and removing the mask so as to either filter respiratory gas or breathe freely depending upon the circumstances.

In some embodiments the first portion comprises woven fabric material or non-woven fabric material.

In some embodiments the second portion comprises woven fabric material or non-woven fabric material.

In some embodiments the first and second portions are formed of surgical mask material.

In some embodiments the mask comprises first and second elastic members configured to attach around a user's ears so as to retain the mask on a user's face.

In some embodiments the first and second portions are substantially rectangular.

In some embodiments the first and second portions are of substantially the same dimensions.

In some embodiments the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion.

In some embodiments the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 0.5cm, or the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 1cm, or the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 2cm, or the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 3cm, or the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 4cm.

In some embodiments between 30% and 70% of the second portion overlaps the first portion, or between 40% and 60% of the second portion overlaps the first portion, or around 50% of the second portion overlaps the first portion.

In some embodiments between 30% and 70% of the first portion underlaps the second portion, or between 40% and 60% of the first portion underlaps the second portion, or around 50% of the first portion underlaps the second portion.

Advantageously by having the second portion overlap the outward side of the first portion the appearance of the mask is substantially that of a standard face mask. It is only upon close inspection that the aperture may be noticed., with the outward opening to aperture being downward facing and concealed from view when the mask is viewed from its front.

In some embodiments the aperture extends across a distance that is between 10% to 90% the width of the mask, or extends across a distance that is between 20% to 80% the width of the mask, or extends across a distance that is between 30% to 70% the width of the mask, or extends across a distance that is between 40% to 60% the width of the mask, or extends across a distance that is around 50% the width of the mask.

Preferably the second portion substantially covers a user's dorsum nasi when the mask is in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a face mask comprising the steps of: i) providing a mask made in accordance with any preceding statement of invention and positioning the mask over a user's mouth and nose; the user inhaling and exhaling air through their mouth and/or nose.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the inward side of a mask made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the outward side of the mask of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the mask of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating the two modes of use of the mask of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a photograph of the inward side of a mask made in accordance with the present invention using two portions of surgical mask; Figure 6 is a photograph of the outward side of the mask of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the mask of Figure 5.

Mask 1 comprises a first portion 2 of a non-woven fabric material. First portion 2 is substantially rectangular and has an upper edge 2a and a lower edge 2b.

Attached to first portion 2 is second portion 3 of a non-woven fabric material. Second portion 3 is substantially rectangular and has an upper edge 3a and a lower edge 3b.

First portion 2 and second portion 3 are of substantially the same dimensions, each being approximately 6cm in height between their upper and lower edges 2a, 3a, 2b, 3b and each being approximately 17cm in width between their side edges.

However, portions 2 and 3 are offset from each other such that upper edge 2a of first portion 2 is located substantially equidistantly between upper edge 3a and lower edge 3b of second portion 3.

Thus, similarly, lower edge 3b of second portion 3 is located substantially equidistantly between upper edge 2a and lower edge 2b of second portion 2.

Thus around 50% of second portion 3 overlaps the outward side of first portion 2, such that second portion 3 overlaps the outward side of the first portion 2 by approximately 3cm.

Similarly, and owing to first and second portions 2, 3 being of substantially the same dimensions around 50% of first portion 3 underlaps second portion 2.

At either side of mask 1 are elastic cords 4a, 4b, which are configured to attach around a user's ears so as to retain mask 1 on a user's face when mask 1 is in use. Each of elastic cords 4a, 4b is attached to first portion 2 at a first end and to second portion 3 at a second end.

In other embodiments ear retaining members may be provided by an extension of the material made to use the first and second portions or other arrangements may be provided. Any suitable means of attachment to a user may be employed.

Formed between first portion 2 and second portion 3 is an aperture 5 through which air may freely flow.

In the present embodiment apertures extends substantially across the width of mask 1. In other embodiments an apertures may be narrower and positioned only in the location of a user's nose, and preferably substantially central relative to the width of the mask Aperture 5 may be considered to be a conduit that at its upper (inward) end has an opening defined by upper edge 2a of first portion 2 and the inward face of second portion 3, and at its lower (outward) end has an opening defined by lower edge 3b of second portion 3 and the outward face of first portion 2, with side walls of the conduit being defined by approximately 50% of the inward face of second portion 3 and approximately 50% of the outward face of first portion 2.

Thus, when mask 1 is in use and a user is standing in normal upright position, the lower opening of apertures is downward facing and thereby concealed from view to onlookers.

In use, mask 1 is affixed to a user's face by hooking elastic cords 4a, 4b around the user's ears.

First portion 2 of mask 2 covers the user's mouth. The user's nose extends over upper edge 2a of first portion 2.

The dorsum of a user's nose is covered by second portion 3 of mask 1 with upper edge 3a adjacent the top of a user's nose and lower edge 3b positioned beneath the tip of their nose below their nostrils. The user's nostrils are not covered but are able to breathe freely with the external environment via apertures.

Referring to Figure 4, when a user inhales and exhales using their mouth 6 the respiratory gas is filtered by first portion 2 of mask 1. This is indicated by two-headed arrow A in Figure 4.

In contrast when a user inhales and exhales using their nose 7 they are able to breathe freely without any filtration of respiratory gas owing to aperture 5. This is indicated by two-headed arrow B in Figure 4.

When a user breathes with their nose 7 the respiratory gas passes over the outward surface of first portion 2.

Thus, it may be seen that mask 1 has two modes of use, with mouth-breathing filtering respiratory gases and nose-breathing allowing free unhindered breathing.

The mask of the present invention is therefore highly versatile in comparison to prior art masks, which must be removed in order to allow a person to breathe freely.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate a mask made in accordance with the present invention and the general plan of schematic Figures 1 to 4. For ease of reference the corresponding elements 1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b and Shave been labelled as 1', 2', 3', 4a', 4b' and 5'.

Mask 1' is made out of first portion 2' and second portion 3' of surgical mask material that have been adhered together.

Second portion 3' is of the same width as first portion 2' but the side edges of second portion 3' are adhered to first portion 2' in a position that is set back from the side edges of first portion 2' such that second portion 3' is naturally slightly curved in profile so as to readily accommodate a user's nose.

In embodiments of the present invention the first and second portions of a mask may be formed in one piece. Alternatively the first and second portions of a mask may be formed separately and attached together by any suitable means such as adhesion or stitching.

In this specification an 'outward' side of a mask is that which faces out from a user's face when the mask is in use and an 'inward' side is that which contacts a user's face.

In this specification an apparatus/method/product "comprising" certain features is intended to be interpreted as meaning that it includes those features, but that it does not exclude the presence of other features.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A face mask comprising: a first portion configured to cover a user's mouth when the mask is in use and to filter respiratory gas inhaled and exhaled by the user; a second portion configured to cover at least part of a user's nose when the mask is in use; an aperture formed between the first and second portions to allow a user's nose to freely inhale and exhale gas from and to the external environment. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
The mask of claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises woven fabric material or non-woven fabric material.
The mask of claim 1 or 2 wherein the second portion comprises woven fabric material or non-woven fabric material.
The mask of any preceding claim wherein the first and second portions are formed of surgical mask material.
The mask of any preceding claim wherein the mask comprises first and second elastic members configured to attach around a user's ears so as to retain the mask on a user's face.
The mask of any preceding claim wherein the first and second portions are substantially rectangular.
The mask of any preceding claim wherein the first and second portions are of substantially the same dimensions.
The mask of any preceding claim wherein the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion.
The mask of any preceding claim wherein the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 0.5cm, or the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 1cm, or the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 2cm, or the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 3cm, or the second portion overlaps the outward side of the first portion by at least 4cm.
10. The mask of any preceding claim wherein between 30% and 70% of the second portion overlaps the first portion, or between 40% and 60% of the second portion overlaps the first portion, or around 50% of the second portion overlaps the first portion.
11. The mask of any preceding claim wherein between 30% and 70% of the first portion underlaps the second portion, or between 40% and 60% of the first portion underlaps the second portion, or around 50% of the first portion underlaps the second portion.
12. The mask of any preceding claim wherein the aperture extends across a distance that is between 10% to 90% the width of the mask, or extends across a distance that is between 20% to 80% the width of the mask, or extends across a distance that is between 30% to 70% the width of the mask, or extends across a distance that is between 40% to 60% the width of the mask, or extends across a distance that is around 50% the width of the mask.
13. The mask of any preceding claim wherein the second portion substantially covers a user's dorsum nasi when the mask is in use.
14. A method of using a face mask comprising the steps of: i) providing a mask made in accordance with any preceding claim and positioning the mask over a user's mouth and nose; the user inhaling and exhaling air through their mouth and/or nose.