Face and Ear Mask Device

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/244,415, which was filed on Sep. 15, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of face masks. More specifically, the present invention relates to a face and ear mask device that is comprised of a body, a front surface comprised of a fabric to extend over the nose, mouth and ears, and an eyeglass-like frame. The body of the device is preferably one that resembles a traditional facial mask, with the additional feature of an extension of coverage over the ears. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic placed increased pressure on the importance of mitigating the spread of communicable disease. While staying home during illnesses or covering a cough have long been common conventions, many individuals now consider the usage of facial masks as an equally essential component in mitigating airborne disease spread and exposure. Specifically, viral and bacterial transmission leading to the onset of disease is known to take place primarily through facial openings, such as the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. However, as it stands, most facial coverings only succeed in covering the nose and mouth, leaving the ears fully exposed to the transmission of potentially fatal disease. While ear canal disease transmission can occur within any population, the groups most susceptible to the possibility of serious illness or death from ear canal transmission include those with hearing loss impairments, such as the elderly, those who are immunocompromised and those with a history of ear infections, which often include children. The importance of eliminating the possibility of pathogen exposure and entry via any means is paramount for the health, safety, and psychological peace of many individuals.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved face and ear mask device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a face and ear mask device that covers all facial openings, including the ears as opposed to just the mouth and nose. Further, there exists a long felt need in the art for a face and ear mask device that protects those who are immunocompromised, have a history of chronic ear infections, and those with hearing loss impairments from the possibility of transmissible bacteria or viruses. In addition, there exists a long felt need in the art for a face and ear mask device that is comfortable to wear and offers a secure fastening feature on an eyeglass-like frame, extending around the nose, ears, and chin, and is made of a lightweight, breathable but yet protective material.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a face and ear mask device. The device is primarily comprised of a body, an eyeglass frame, and a front surface comprised of a fabric which acts as protection against airborne pathogens, covering the users face and ears. The body of the device preferably resembles a conventional facemask, with the added feature of full coverage over the ears of the user, wrapping around the back end of the ears, similar to the fit of an eyeglass frame. The device is also comprised of an exchangeable filter and filter pocket, which provides the option for consistently replaceable breathable air filters, ensuring clean ventilation. Furthermore, the front surface fabric of the device may be fixedly or removably-attached to the eyeglass frame, allowing for certain coverage over the bridge of the nose, thus protecting against the possibility of airborne pathogen entering through the space between the eyes and nose.

In this manner, the face and ear mask device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides an improved means to protect against the transmission and reception of disease by completely covering the ears, as well as the nose and mouth of the user. Further, the device may be fastened to an eyeglass frame, ensuring coverage over the bridge of the nose, eliminating the possibility of the mask slipping down the bridge of the nose and exposing the user to airborne pathogens. In addition, the facial and ear mask fabric may be fixedly or removably-attached to any eyeglass frame, making it universally applicable to users already wearing eyeglasses, or users not already wearing eyeglasses. The device may also be used alone, absent an eyeglass-like frame.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a face and ear mask. The device is primarily comprised of a body and an eyeglass frame, wherein the body comprises a fabric that is the acting face and ear mask protection structure on the device. In the preferred embodiment, the body resembles a conventionally-shaped face mask, with the addition of coverage over the entirety of the ears either by fixed or removable attachment to an eyeglass frame. The eyeglass frame may be made of a plurality of materials that may be commonly used for making eyeglasses, and preferably includes at least one hinge for possible folding and safe storage of the frame. The fabric of the device is preferably made of any material commonly used for making masks, such as thin cotton, polypropylene and polyester, etc., for a disposable embodiment, and/or a thicker cotton or cloth material for non-disposable use. In addition, the surface of the body may be comprised of a plurality of indicia, such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be sanitation or health-related.

Further, the body can be fixedly or removably-attached to the eyeglass frame. The attachment may be fastened by a hook and loop fastener, magnetic attachment, or within a sleeve on the rear surface of the body that the frame sits within. To ensure a comfortable fit for the user around the backs of the ears where skin may be particularly sensitive, soft lining or padding may be included, as well as an elastic band to ensure proper secure fastening around the round portions of the head.

Accordingly, the face and ear mask device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it successfully covers all facial openings of a user, avoiding the possibility of transmission and reception of airborne communicable diseases, especially through the ears. Further, the device may be universally-attached to existing glasses or to an eyeglass-like frame for additional support and stability. Therefore, the device allows for the reliable and convenient protection from airborne illnesses. In this manner, the face and ear mask device overcomes the limitations of existing face masks known in the art, and provides safe protection from airborne pathogens via the face and ear mask device.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of the face and ear mask device of the present invention being worn by a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of the face and ear mask device of the present invention being worn by a user and bearing an indicia in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of one potential embodiment of the face and ear mask device of the present invention being worn by a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved face and ear mask device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a face and ear mask device that prevents a user's ears from being susceptible to the reception and transmission of potentially fatal pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses and any other such unwanted organisms. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a face and ear mask device that is wearable and breathable, but is also comprised of protective material that stops the transmission of potentially deadly pathogens from entering the ear canal. In addition, there exists a long felt need in the art for a face and ear mask device that is comfortably fitting to the face and offers the option of an eyeglass-like fit which extends over the bridge of the nose and behind the ears, to provide user protection from pathogens at all possible entries.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a face and ear mask device that protects the ears, as well as the nose and mouth of the user from the transmission of potentially dangerous pathogens. The device is primarily comprised of a body, an eyeglass frame, and a front surface that is comprised of a fabric, which connects the eyeglass frame to the chin and extends over the nose, mouth and ears of the user. In differing embodiments, the body may have the appearance of a plurality of different types of fabrics such as, but not limited to, a vinyl, canvas, cashmere, chenille, chiffon, cotton, damask, jersey, lace, linen, wool, modal, polyester, satin, silk, spandex, suede, tweed, twill, velvet, acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, vinylidene, benzoate, aramid, rayon, acetate, triacetate, etc. The fabric may also be comprised of an anti-bacterial/anti-microbial coating to ensure the protection from airborne pathogen entry. Additionally, the fabric may also feature a plurality of indicia, such as, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be pathogens or pathogen-related.

Further, in one embodiment, the body may have a fixedly or removably-attached fabric material which is connected to an eyeglass-like frame, allowing for maximum convenience and comfort. The body of the face and ear mask device may be fastened to the eyeglass frame, in such ways including, but not limited to, hook and loop, snap-button, magnetic adhesive, button and loop, zipper assembly, etc. The eyeglass frame may be manufactured from and have the appearance of a plurality of different types of materials such as, but not limited to, a durable metal, wood, or plastic such as, but not limited to, an acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc. In other embodiments, the mask may appear by itself, absent the fastening to an eyeglass-like frame.

Accordingly, the face and ear mask device of the present invention is particularly advantageous, as it grants full protection from the transmission and reception of potentially fatal diseases by protecting the ears, nose and mouth of the user. Further, the device can universally attach to any eyeglass frame, to ensure certain complete coverage over the bridge of the nose. Additionally, the device may itself include a fixedly-attached facial mask fabric secured to an eyeglass frame, or may appear alone, absent an eyeglass framing attachment. Therefore, the device eliminates the possibility of ear canal pathogen transmission, as well as reliably includes coverage over the bridge of the nose by offering the fastening of the fabric to eyeglass frames, a common accessory in many potential users already.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the face and ear mask device 100 of the present invention. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a body 110, an eyeglass frame 140, and a front surface 120 (shown in FIG. 2). The body 110 may be manufactured from a plurality of materials such as, but not limited to, vinyl, canvas, cashmere, chenille, chiffon, damask, jersey, lace, linen, wool, modal, satin, silk, spandex, suede, tweed, twill, velvet, acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, vinylidene, benzoate, aramid, rayon, acetate, triacetate, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art, but is preferably made of a triune blend of cotton, polypropylene, and a polyester blend, which may be particularly advantageous for simple disposable use. In addition, the body 110 and/or the front surface 120 may be a plurality of colors known in the art such as, but not limited to, blue, black, white, gray, red, green, yellow, orange, etc. Furthermore, the front surface 120 of the body 110 may be comprised of any number of suitable indicia 122 (shown in FIG. 2) in the form of patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be sanitation or health-related.

The eyeglass frame 140, in differing embodiments, may be manufactured from and have the appearance of a durable metal, wood, or plastic such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art.

In a preferred embodiment of the device 100, the body 110 is shaped to fit on the head 10 of the user 5 and over the face 12, covering completely the mouth 16, nose 18, chin 20 and ears 14. The device 100 sits comfortably below the eyes 22 by attaching to an eyeglass frame 140. The front surface 120, in a removably-attached embodiment, features a plurality of options for removable-attachment to the eyeglass frame 140 including, but not limited to, an eyeglass pocket 136 that may receive the pair of circular frame members 144 of the eyeglass frame 140 (or the frame 140 of an existing pair of functional prescription eyeglasses as is known in the art), at least one magnet 150 which attaches to the top of the front surface of the circular frame members 144, or at least one fastener 160 which utilizes a fastening mechanism, such as but not limited to: hook and loop, snap-button, magnetic, adhesive, button and loop, zipper assembly, etc., which attaches to the rear surface 130 (shown in FIG. 3) of the eyeglasses. Furthermore, the same fastener 160 may be utilized to secure a filter pocket 132 that houses at least one filter 134 to ensure clean ventilation for the user 5 (shown in FIG. 2). The filter 134 may be made of any disposable and breathable material such as, but not limited to, a polypropylene, coffee filters, HEPA filters, etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of the face and ear mask device 100 of the present invention non-removably attached to an eyeglass frame 140. When the body 110 is attached to the eyeglass frame 140, it should be noted that the body 110 does not obstruct the sight of the user 5 and the main frame member 142 of the frame 140 sits on the nose 18 of the user 5. Furthermore, because the body 110 is attached to either or both of the circular frame members 144, the transparent or shaded pair of lenses 1440 of the device 100 may have an anti-fog coating or feature that further protects the eyes 22 of the user 5. Additionally, the front surface 120 of the body 110 may be comprised of any number of suitable indicia 122 (shown in FIG. 2) in the form of patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be sanitation or health-related.

Furthermore, in another embodiment, the body 110 comprises a filter pocket 132 that houses at least one filter 134 to ensure clean ventilation for the user 5. The filter 134 may be made of any disposable and breathable material such as, but not limited to, a polypropylene, coffee filters, HEPA filters, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of the face and ear mask device 100 of the present invention attached to an eyeglass frame 140 and covering the ears 14 (shown as prior art). In this position, it can be observed how the body 110 of the device 100 wraps around the ears 14 of the user 5. The portion of the body 110 near the two frame arms 148 may or may not be attached to the frame arms 148 of the eyeglass frame 140, depending on the wants and/or needs of a user. As such, in one embodiment wherein the body 110 is fixedly-attached to the circular frame members 144 and not the frame arms 148, at least one hinge 146 of each frame arm 148 allows the frame arms 148 to fold for comfortable transport. Further, the rear surface 130 of the device 100 may be made of a soft or padded elastic lining, to ensure a comfortable and non-abrasive, but securely-fastened attachment to the user's 5 head throughout the duration of their use.

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 “face and ear mask device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the face and ear mask device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the face and ear mask device 100 of the present invention and the various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the face and ear mask device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-3 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the face and ear mask device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the face and ear mask device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the face and ear mask device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

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.