Abstract:
An aromatic travel mask that fits over the nose and mouth area of a wearer&#39;s face for filtration of air, particularly recycled air in the travel compartment of a common carrier, the travel mask having a face shield with an aroma patch that emits a pleasant aroma and a retainer such as a head band for retaining the face shield against a user&#39;s head, the retainer having slidable ear plugs for blocking noise. The face shield also has foldable eye flaps for blocking light when the flaps are extended, the flaps preferably having thermal gel packs for cooling or warming the eye lid area during use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to an aromatic travel mask, and in particular to a disposable air filtration mask that includes a small activatable aromatic packet and comfort accessories including earplugs and an eye flap for use during napping.  
           [0002]    This invention provides a solution for the concern of many modern travelers who travel by airplane, ship, bus or train in a closed environment with recycled air. In addition to the normal closed quarters of the modern travel environment, many carriers are closely regulating the quantity of fresh outside air that is mixed with recirculated air in the passenger compartment.  
           [0003]    Use of recirculate air is particularly prevalent in air travel where added external air is typically extracted from engine compressors thereby reducing the efficiency of the engine and increasing the fuel costs and ultimate costs in travel. The cost effectiveness of utilizing recirculated air in ship, train and bus travel is also an important consideration, particularly when the outside air is either cold or hot thereby requiring heating or cooling before the new change of air is circulated.  
           [0004]    The use of the invented aromatic travel mask ensures that a passenger is reasonably protected from inhaling microbes, pollens and allergens. In addition, for many travelers, the journey is best spent dozing or sleeping. The use of a disposable travel mask having a small aroma packet to infuse the mask with a pleasant aroma transforms the experience of wearing a filtration mask into one that is positive and beneficial. The aroma packet that is attached inside of the mask near the nose area and can be activated at the time of using the mask to ensure a fresh aroma that has not faded while the masks have been stored. The addition of earplugs incorporated on the headband of the aroma mask enables the wearer to isolate themselves from the noise of the travel compartment and enjoy a serene doze or nap. Additionally, to aid in napping, the aroma mask is preferably provided with an eye flap that can be positioned to block light to the eyes and improve the opportunity for sleep or isolation from the cabin environment. The mask is preferably provided with markings which may be in the form of amusing characters, advertising or slogans and the like to encourage use of the aromatic travel mask.  
           [0005]    It is a primary object of this invention to provide a filtration mask that can reduce or eliminate the inhalation of possible detrimental microbes, pollens and allergens when traveling on a common carrier.  
           [0006]    It is also an object of this invention that the filtration mask be disposable and equipped with a small aroma packet to provide herbal aroma therapy or simply a pleasant smell while wearing the mask.  
           [0007]    Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to include a headband for maintaining the mask in position wherein the headband includes slidable or adjustable earplugs for suppressing noise.  
           [0008]    In addition, it is an object of this invention to include a contoured and moldable eye flap that can be placed in position covering the eyes while wearing the filtration mask to suppress light and aid in napping.  
           [0009]    Also, it is an object of this invention to include markings on the mask that promote use of the mask.  
           [0010]    These and other objects of the invention will be disclosed in greater detail in the summary of the invention and in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    This invention relates to an air filtration mask having an aroma emitting area to provide a pleasant aroma to the wearer of the mask, particularly a traveler on a common carrier. The aromatic travel mask of this invention includes a number of features for the comfort and pleasure of the traveler including adjustable earplugs to block noise and eye flaps to block light, allowing a travel passenger to nap or doze while breathing filtered air that is enhanced with a pleasant aroma.  
           [0012]    The aromatic mask has an air-filtration face shield that is constructed and configured to cover the nose and mouth area of a wearer&#39;s face allowing the wearer to breathe filtered air. The aromatic mask has a retainer connected to the face shield to securely hold the face shield against the wearer&#39;s face during use. The retainer is typically elastic with either an elastic headband around the back of the user&#39;s head for formed respirator-type masks, or elastic or string-like ear loops for surgical-type masks.  
           [0013]    The face shield has an aroma emitting area that is preferably located between the nose and mouth area of a wearer when wearing the mask. It is understood that the entire face shield can be impregnated with an aroma generating substance. However, because other passengers may be affected by the aroma, it is preferred that the aroma generating substance be a central patch on the inside of the face shield which is practical and cost effective.  
           [0014]    In addition to the aroma patch, the aromatic travel mask of this invention preferably includes other features for the comfort and pleasure of the wearer. Attached to the retainer are adjustable earplugs that are used by the wearer to block noise. Also, attached to the face shield is a light blocking flap that is folded against the inside of the face shield. The eye flap or flaps may be raised by the wearer to block light allowing the traveler to nap or doze while enjoying the aromatic mask. The eye flaps preferably include thermal gel packs that can be heated or chilled and inserted into a flap pocket for soothing the eye lid area of the wearer.  
           [0015]    Additionally, the face shield of the mask is preferably imprinted with markings in the form of amusing or informative graphics and may include a straw hole to allow the wearer to drink while wearing the mask.  
           [0016]    Also, the mask is preferably provided in different colors that may suggest the aroma, for example, yellow for lemon, green for mint, pink for cherry or raspberry, and the like.  
           [0017]    These and other features are described in greater detail with reference to the drawings in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the aromatic travel mask of this invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the aromatic travel mask of this invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the travel mask of FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the travel mask of FIG. 2.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the mask of FIG. 1 covering the nose and mouth area of a wearer.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the mask of FIG. 2 covering the nose and mouth area of a wearer with an eye flap extended to cover the wearer&#39;s eyes.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the eye flap of FIG. 6 showing an internal thermal gel pack.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    The aromatic travel mask of this invention is designated generally by the reference numeral  10 . Although the form of the aromatic travel mask can vary, it is typically a formed particulate respirator mask  12  as shown in FIG. 1, or a cloth-like surgical mask  14  as shown in FIG. 2. Both embodiments of the mask  10  perform the common basic task of air filtration to remove dust, dander and most airborne pollens, allergens and microbes.  
         [0026]    Referring to the embodiment of the aromatic travel mask  10  of FIG. 1, the respirator-type mask  12  includes a pliable, but form-retaining face shield  16  and a retainer  18  in the form of an elastic strap  20  connected to the face shield  16  by staples  22 . To aid in conforming the face shield  16  to the wearer&#39;s face, a deformable metal reinforcement strip  24  is located on the outside of the face shield  16  at the bridge of the wearer&#39;s nose. When the mask is positioned on a wearer&#39;s face, the strip  24  can be bent by finger pressure to conform the mask to the contours of the wearer&#39;s face and prevent leakage during use.  
         [0027]    In contrast, the aromatic travel mask  10  of FIG. 2 has a face shield  26  that is fabricated of a flexible, cloth-like material that conforms to the wearer&#39;s face by action of the head retainer  18 . In FIG. 2 the head retainer  18  is in the form of elastic loops  28 . The loops  28  are installed around a wearer&#39;s ears, thereby spreading the mask over the user&#39;s face to cover both mouth and nose.  
         [0028]    Both masks  12  and  14  include markings  30 . In FIG. 1 the markings  30  are in the form of graphics  32  of an amusing animal-like character and in FIG. 2 the markings  30  are in the form of informational symbols  34 . It is to be understood that other types of markings may be used including instructional material on how to use the mask, advertisements or branding logos for promoting the travel carrier or a sponsor of the mask.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the backside of the masks  12  and  14  are shown to illustrate important features incorporated into the mask  10  for the comfort and convenience of the traveler. The formed respirator mask  12  of FIG. 1 includes a pair of eye flaps  36  which are connected to the face shield  16  by folds  38  along the edge of the face shield. The eye flaps  36  are formed of a soft, pliable, light blocking material. The eye flaps  36  can be raised along the folds  38  to cover a wearer&#39;s eyes for use during dozing or napping.  
         [0030]    As shown in FIG. 7, the construction of the eye flaps  36  is preferably in layers with an outer layer  35  and an inner layer  37  to provide a pocket  39  for inclusion of a thermal gel pack  45 . The gel pack  45  may be separately heated or cooled at the desire of the wearer and inserted into the pocket  39  during use or, alternately, the entire mask with the pre-installed gel pack can be thermally treated before use. The gel pack is designed to provide relief from headache or simply to provide an added pleasurable experience when wearing the mask.  
         [0031]    Additionally, a pair of soft foam earplugs  40  are provided. The earplugs  40  have a hole  42  through the plugs through which the elastic strap  20  is threaded to enable the earplugs  40  to pivot and slide along the strap for placement in a wearer&#39;s ears to block noise. In this manner, the plugs  40  and elastic strap  20  can be adjusted and positioned for the comfort of a particular wearer.  
         [0032]    At the center of the face shield  16 , at a location between the nose and the mouth of a traveler wearing the mask, is an aroma patch  44 . In FIG. 3, the aroma patch  44  is in the form of an aroma packet  46  with a peel-off seal  48 , shown partially removed to expose an aroma source  50 . The aroma source  50  may be in the form of an absorbent material impregnated with an oil of a pleasing or therapeutic aroma emitting substance. The aroma emitting substance preferably has therapeutic effects such as camphor or eucalyptus, but may simply be pleasing in as the scent of mint or lemon.  
         [0033]    Finally, for the formed mask  12  in particular, a hole  52  is provided for the insertion of a straw to enable the wearer to drink while wearing the mask. The hole  52  is protected by a flap  54  (shown in dotted line). The flap  54 , as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, is incorporated into the graphics for the amusement of the wearer, particularly a traveling child. It is to be understood that a plain flap mounted on the front side of the mask may be used. The air flap  54  will normally block air from entering through the hole  52  when a user is wearing the mask and is not using a drinking straw.  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIG. 4, the aromatic travel mask  10  in the form of the surgical mask  14  has a single, contoured eye flap  56  fabricated from a light blocking material. The eye flap  56  is pliable with a fold  57  to allow the wearer to adjust the eye flap  56  across the eyes to block light. As noted, the eye flap  56  can include a thermal gel pack  45  as shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0035]    Additionally, the cloth-like surgical mask  14  has a pair of earplugs  58  formed of a rubber-like material with a constricted portion  60  around which a loop  62  of a tether  64  is engaged. A loop  66  at the opposite end of the tether  64  loops around the elastic ear loops  28  that form the head retainer  18 . In this manner the earplugs  58  can slide along the elastic loops  28  and be located at the wearer&#39;s ears for the comfort of the traveler. In addition, the face shield  26  of the mask  14  includes an aroma patch  46 . The aroma patch  46  in FIG. 4 is in the form of a microsphere splotch  68 . When the microsphere splotch  68  is scratched, microspheres containing an aromatic substance are broken open releasing a desired aroma. As noted, the aroma can be therapeutic or simply pleasant to the wearer of the mask.  
         [0036]    Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the manner of wearing the aromatic travel mask is illustrated. In FIG. 5, the traveler has the formed respirator mask  12  comfortably positioned over nose and mouth with the elastic strap  20  positioned across the ears with the earplugs  40  partially inserted in the traveler&#39;s ears to block sound. The traveler in FIG. 5 is not utilizing the eye flaps  36  which would extend to cover the wearer&#39;s eyes as shown in phantom.  
         [0037]    Similarly, the traveler in FIG. 6 has the cloth-like surgical mask  14  installed over the wearer&#39;s lower face with the eye flap  56  folded upward to block light from the user&#39;s eyes, as shown in dotted line. The earplugs  58  on the tethers  64  are shown inserted into the traveler&#39;s ears for blocking noise. For the full benefit of the aromatic travel masks  10  the wearer in each figure has activated the aroma patch (not visible). In this manner the traveler may enjoy all attributes of the aromatic travel mask of this invention.  
         [0038]    While, in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.