GB2600451A

GB2600451A - Clip

Info

Publication number: GB2600451A
Application number: GB2017223.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Humphreys Robert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-10-30
Filing date: 2020-10-30
Publication date: 2022-05-04
Also published as: GB202017223D0

Abstract

A face mask clip 1 comprising a bridge portion (2, Fig 1) for location at a user’s nose, with first and second arms 3, 4 extending from the bridge portion. Attachment means are provided to attach the clip to a face mask. The first and second arms are configured such that when the clip is in use and attached to a face mask the arms retain the face mask in proximity to a user's face (Fig 6). With respect to the attachment means, the bridge portion preferably comprises a curved wall 5 defining first and second ends 5a, 5b. Projections 3d, 4d are located at proximal portions of the first and second arms, adjacent and spaced from the first and second ends of the wall respectively. The ends of the wall and projections are configured to retain a portion of the mask therebetween. Hooking portions 3e, 4e are preferably located at the free ends of the projections.

Description

The present invention relates to a clip. In particular the present invention relates to a face mask clip.

Face masks are worn in public areas to attempt to limit the spread of pathogens.

However, face masks are beset with various problems. For example, many masks do not provide a snug fit over a user's cheeks resulting in masks operating ineffectively and users glasses being fogged by exhaled air.

The problem is particularly acute in relation to artisan face masks, which have proliferated in response to the COVID19 pandemic.

The present invention seeks to address these issues.

According to a first aspect the present invention there is provided a face mask clip comprising: a bridge portion for location at a user's nose; attachment means to attach the clip to a face mask, the attachment means being located at the bridge portion; first and second arms extending from the bridge portion; the first and second arms being configured such that when the clip is in use and attached to a face mask the arms retain the face mask in proximity to a user's face.

In some embodiments the bridge and proximal portions of the first and second arms together form a rounded V-shape so as to conform to a profile of a user's nose.

In some embodiments distal portions of the first and second arms are curved so as to conform to a profile of a user's nose.

By providing curved distal portions to the arms the arms may conform to the wings of a user's nose.

In some embodiments free ends of the first and second arms retain the face mask in proximity with a user's cheeks.

In some embodiments when the clip is in use free ends of the first and second arms retain the face mask in contact with a user's cheeks In some embodiments when the clip is in use free ends of the first and second arms each comprise a rounded portion.

Rounded portions at the free ends of the arms both lessen the risk of injury to a user's eyes and lessen the chance of damage to a face mask.

In some embodiments the attachment means comprises a means to hook the clip over an upper edge of a face mask.

In some embodiments the attachment means comprises at least two projections located at the bridge portion.

In some embodiments free ends of projections comprise a hooking portion.

In some embodiments a hooking portion comprises a rounded free end.

By providing a rounded free end damage to a mask may be averted.

In some embodiments the bridge portion comprises a curved wall.

In some embodiments the attachment means comprises a first projection located adjacent a first end of the wall and a second projection located adjacent a second end of the curved wall, the ends of the wall and projections being configured to retain a portion of mask between therebetween.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of wearing a face mask comprising the steps of: providing a clip made in accordance with any preceding statement of invention; attaching the clip to a face mask.

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 schematic drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a clip made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a first side view of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a second sideview of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a plan view of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 6 illustrates the clip of Figure 1 in use.

A clip 1 comprises a central bridge portion 2, and first and second arms 3, 4 extending 15 therefrom.

Bridge portion 2 comprises a curved wall Sand a connecting portion 7 that connects together arms 3, 4 Curved wall 5 is contoured so as to fit the dorsum nasi of a user. Curved wall comprises a first end 5a, second end 5b, top Sc and base 5d.

Connecting portion 7 is of the same diameter as arms 3, 4 and is effectively a continuation thereof under wall 5. As best illustrated in Figure 4, connecting portion 7 is angled to arms 3, 4.

At the base of first end 5a of walls extends first arm 3 and at the base of second end 5b of wall 5 extends second arm 5b. First and second arms 3, 4 are substantially coplanar.

First arm 3 comprises a substantially linear proximal portion 3a that is adjacent wall 5, and a curved distal portion 3b terminating in a disc 3c at the free end of arm 3.

At proximal portion 3a of first arm 3 and adjacent and spaced from first end 5a of wall 5 is located elongate first projection 3d.

First projection 3d is substantially orthogonal to proximal portion 3b of first arm 3. Longitudinal axis of first projection 3d is substantially parallel to first end 5a of walls such that a first gap 3f is defined between first projection 3d and first end 5a of wall 5.

S

At free end of first projection 3d is located first hooking portion 3e, which extends partially over first gap 3f towards first end 5a of wall 5. Hooking portion 3e comprises a rounded free end that is located adjacent and spaced from top Sc of wall 5.

Similarly, second arm 4 comprises a substantially linear proximal portion 4a that is adjacent wall 4, and a curved distal portion 4b terminating in a disc 4c at the free end of arm 4.

At proximal portion 4a of second arm 4 and adjacent and spaced from second end 5b of wall 5 is located elongate second projection 4d.

Second projection 4d is substantially orthogonal to proximal portion 4b of second arm 4. Longitudinal axis of second projection 4d is substantially parallel to second end 5b of wall 5 such that a second gap 4f is defined between second projection 4d and second end 5b of wall 5.

At free end of second projection 4d is located second hooking portion 4e, which extends partially over second gap 4f towards second end 5b of wall 5. Hooking portion 4e comprises a rounded free end that is located adjacent and spaced from top Sc of wall 5.

Together bridge 2 and proximal portions 3a, 4a of arms 3, 4 define a rounded V-shape, and distal portions 3b, 4b are curved outwardly away from the centre of clip 1 such that clip 1 is shaped to accommodate a user's nose.

In use clip 1 may be attached at the centre of an upper edge face mask, which is typically made of a flexible textile material.

As illustrated in Figure 6, clip 1 may be attached to a face mask 6 by locating wall Son an inward-facing side of mask 6 and locating projections 3d, 4d and hooking portions 3e, 4e on an outward facing side of mask 6.

Hooking portions 3d, 4d restrict movement of mask 6 relative to clip 1 and thereby assist in retaining clip 1 in position on mask 6.

When clip 1 is attached to mask 6 arms 3,4 extend over the outward-facing side of mask 6 and over either side of a user's nose such that free ends 3c, 4c of clip 1 are located beneath a user's eyes and adjacent a user's cheeks.

Thus, either side of a user's nose arms 3,4 urge an upper edge 6a of mask 6 towards the face of the user substantially seal, or at least minimize any gap between the upper edge 6a of mask 6 and the user's face adjacent the user's nose.

Furthermore, free ends 3c, 4c of clip 1 urge face mask 6 towards a user's cheek so as to substantially seal, or at least minimize any gap between face mask 6 and the user's cheeks under the user's eyes.

Clip 1 thereby improves the efficacy of a face mask 6 by reducing leakage around the upper edge 6a of mask 6 and also substantially prevents a user's glasses being fogged by moisture in air exhaled by the user.

Owing to free ends 3c, 4c of arms 3,4 being formed in the shape of discs and thereby rounded the safety of clip 1 is enhanced, and furthermore any damage to face mask 6 as mask 6 is displaced and moves during wear is avoided.

Beneficially, as the attachment means is fully comprised on clip land is not reliant on any portion of a corresponding attachment means being provided on a face mask, the clip of the present invention may be employed with almost any face mask that is formed of a flexible material.

In the present embodiment clip 1 is formed in one piece of a plastics material but any suitable material may be used.

In the present embodiment two projections 3d, 4d and walls are employed to attach clip 1 to a mask but any suitable attachment means located at a bridge of a clip may be employed.

For example in another embodiment an attachment means may comprise the provision of two curved walls between which an upper edge of face mask may be located.

In another more elaborate embodiment a clamping means such as a crocodile clip may be provided. However, for ease of manufacture and to minimize productions costs embodiments without moving parts may be preferred.

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 clip comprising: a bridge portion for location at a user's nose; attachment means to attach the clip to a face mask, the attachment means being located at the bridge portion; first and second arms extending from the bridge portion; the first and second arms being configured such that when the clip is in use and attached to a face mask the arms retain the face mask in proximity to a user's face.
2. The clip of claim 1 wherein the bridge and proximal portions of the first and second arms together form a rounded V-shape so as to conform to a profile of a user's nose.
3. The clip of claim 1 or 2 wherein distal portions of the first and second arms are curved so as to conform to a profile of a user's nose.
4. The clip of any preceding claim wherein when the clip is in use free ends of the first and second arms retain the face mask in proximity with a user's cheeks.
5. The clip of any preceding claim wherein when the clip is in use free ends of the first and second arms retain the face mask in contact with a user's cheeks.
6. The clip of any preceding claim wherein free ends of the first and second arms each comprise a rounded portion.
7. The clip of any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises a means to hook the clip over an upper edge of a face mask.
8. The clip of any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises at least two projections located at the bridge portion.
9. The clip of claim 8 wherein free ends of projections comprise a hooking portion.
10. The clip of claim 9 wherein a hooking portion comprises a rounded free end.
11. The clip of any preceding claim wherein the bridge portion comprises a curved wall.
12. The clip of claim 11 wherein the attachment means comprises a first projection located adjacent a first end of the wall and a second projection located adjacent a second end of the curved wall, the ends of the wall and projections being configured to retain a portion of mask between therebetween.
13. A method of wearing a face mask comprising the steps of: providing a clip made in accordance with any preceding claim; attaching the clip to a face mask.