Patent Publication Number: US-2012030859-A1

Title: Neck-gaiter having pocket for filter

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to neck-gaiters and in particular the present disclosure relates to a neck-gaiter having a pocket for a filter. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Masks are often used for protecting a wearer of the mask from airborne particles, such as dust particles, pollution particles, bacteria, viruses, etc., according to the filtration capability of the mask. Certain masks are particularly useful for substantially reventing airborne bacteria and viruses, such as flu viruses, e.g., the H1N1 virus, cold viruses, etc., from being inhaled by the wearer. For example, N95 masks and respirators are recognized and being effective at filtering out bacteria and virus particles. The N95 designation is an efficiency rating that means the N95 filter blocks about 95 percent of particles that are about 0.3 microns in size or larger. 
     One problem with conventional masks, such as conventional N95 masks dust masks, pollen masks, etc., is that they are typically to be worn once and then the entire mask is disposed of Another problem is that conventional masks are typically secured over the wearer&#39;s face using elastic bands that go behind the ears or an elastic band that goes behind the head and are uncomfortable. In addition, elastic bands usually do not exert enough force on the mask to prevent leakage around edges of the mask. Still another problem is that conventional masks are not aesthetically appealing and some people who are fashion conscious are apt not to wear a conventional mask for that reason. 
     For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for alternatives to existing masks, such as the types used for filtering out dust particles, pollution particles, bacteria, viruses, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments herein disclose a neck-gaiter, such as a neck-gaiter having a fabric tube and a pocket formed on an interior of the fabric tube, the pocket configured to receive a filter therein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, illustrating a neck-gaiter having an interior pocket, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view, illustrating the neck-gaiter having an interior pocket containing a filter, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view, illustrating a neck-gaiter in an operative position, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view, illustrating a neck-gaiter in an non-operative position, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 2 , according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an interior view of a neck-gaiter, showing a filter being inserted into or removed from a pocket of the neck-gaiter, according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views, illustrating a neck-gaiter  100 , e.g., a tubular collar worn around the neck. For some embodiments, neck-gaiter  100  includes a fabric tube  110 , such as a fabric cylinder, and a pocket  120  formed on an interior surface  145  of fabric tube  110 . Pocket  120  is configured to receive a filter  130  therein, as shown in  FIG. 2  using phantom lines. Filter  130  may be a dust filter, pollen filter, N95 filter, or the like. An N95 is a filter that blocks about 95 percent of particles that are about 0.3 microns in size or larger. N95 filters can substantially filter out, e.g., block, airborne bacteria and viruses, such as flu viruses, e.g., the H1N1 virus, cold viruses, etc. 
     For some embodiments filter  130  is a removable, disposable filter that is temporarily located in pocket  120 , and thus may be termed a filter insert. For example, filter  130  is inserted into pocket  120  as needed and can be removed and replaced after use. For other embodiments, filter  130  may be considered as a portion of neck-gaiter  100  that is temporarily insertable into pocket  120  as needed and that can be removed and replaced after use. 
     Fabric tube  110  is configured to be received over a user&#39;s head and is configured to hold pocket  120 , and the filter  130  received therein, over a user&#39;s nose and mouth when the neck-gaiter  100  is worn in an operative position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Fabric tube  110  is further configured to be located around the user&#39;s neck, e.g., below the user&#39;s chin, when neck-gaiter  100  is worn in a non-operative position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The fabric of fabric tube  110  may be elastic, where the elasticity allows fabric tube  110  to hold pocket  120 , with the filter  130  received therein, over the user&#39;s nose and mouth when neck-gaiter  100  is worn in its operative position. That is, the elasticity allows fabric tube  110  to exert a force against the user&#39;s face. The elasticity allows fabric tube  110  to stretch so that fabric tube  110  can be received over the user&#39;s head and to recover to substantially its original size, for example, when positioned in the non-operative position, where fabric tube  110  is located around the user&#39;s neck below the user&#39;s chin ( FIG. 4 ). The elasticity allows fabric tube  110  to be stretched into the operative position over the user&#39;s nose and mouth ( FIG. 3 ) from the non-operative position. The elasticity allows fabric tube  110  to recover (e.g., substantially) to its original size in the non-operative position when fabric tube  110  is removed from the face in the operative position and returned to the non-operative position. 
     For example, the fabric of fabric tube  110  may contain fibers that have an engineering extensional strain of about 35 percent. The engineering extensional strain is defined as (L 2 −L 1 )/L 1 , where L 2  is the stretched length and L 1  is the original unstretched length. 
     The fabric of fabric tube  110  may also be compliant so as to allow fabric tube  110  to conform to a contour of a user&#39;s face when the neck-gaiter is in the operative position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The compliance and/or elasticity of fabric tube  110  act to reduce the likelihood of leakage around the edges that commonly occurs with conventional masks. 
     The fabric of fabric tube  110  may be knitted, for some embodiments. For example, the knit pattern of the fabric of fabric tube  110  may contribute to the elasticity thereof. For example, the knit pattern may be an interlock pattern, including interlocking dial loops, e.g., formed with dial needles, and cylinder loops, e.g., formed with cylinder needles, such as shown and described in D. J. Spencer,  Knitting Technology,  3 rd  Edition, ISBN 1# 85573 331 1, Woodhead Publishing Ltd., UK. 
     For other embodiments, pocket  120  is formed from a fabric patch  140  that is attached to interior surface  145  of fabric tube  110 , e.g., using stitches  150 , adhesive, hook-and-loop material, etc. As best shown in  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 , filter  130  is interposed between interior surface  145  of fabric tube  110  and an interior surface  147  of fabric patch  140 . 
     Fabric patch  140  may be of the same fabric as fabric tube  110  and thus may be elastic, where the elasticity causes fabric patch  140  to exert a force on filter  130  that acts to hold filter  130  in place. 
     Fabric tube  110  may be formed from a rectangular (e.g., substantially rectangular) piece of fabric that is joined at its ends, e.g., by stitching, to form a seam  155  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Seam  155  may be substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to and may extend in substantially the same direction (e.g., the same direction) as a central axis  156  (e.g., symmetry axis) that passes through the center of fabric tube  110 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . For some embodiments, fabric patch  140  may be attached to interior surface  145  of fabric tube  110  before or after the formation of fabric tube  110 . 
     Fabric tube  110  has opposing ends  158  and  160  and openings  162  and  164  at ends  158  and  160 , respectively. Opposing ends  158  and  160  may be substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to each other, and openings  162  and  164  may lie in (e.g., may be intersected by) planes that are substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to each other. A cylindrical sidewall  166  of fabric tube  110  extends from end  158  to end  160  and is connected to ends  158  and  160 . End  158  and end  160  may be respectively referred to as top end  158  and bottom end  160 , owing to their respective positions when neck-gaiter  100  is in its operative position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     For some embodiments, pocket  120  may be a side-entry pocket having opposing openings  170  and  172  in its sides and being closed at its top edge  174  and bottom edge  176 , i.e., opposing top edge  174  and bottom edge  176  of fabric patch  140  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). For example, opening  170  is located between a side  178  of fabric patch  140  and interior surface  145  of cylindrical sidewall  166  of fabric tube  110 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and opening  172  is located between a side  180  of fabric patch  140  and interior surface  145  cylindrical wall  166  of fabric tube  110 . 
     Pocket  120  is configured so that filter  130  can be received through either of opposing openings  170  and  172 . That is, filter  130  can be inserted into pocket  120  through either opening  170  or opening  172 , as shown for opening  172  in  FIG. 6 , an interior view of fabric tube  110  of neck-gaiter  100 . Filter  130  can also be removed from pocket  120  through either opening  170  or opening  172 , as shown in  FIG. 6  for opening  172 . 
     Top edge  174  and bottom edge  176  of fabric patch  140 , and thus of pocket  120 , may be may be substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to each other. Opposing sides  178  and  180  of fabric patch  140  may be substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to each other. Opposing openings  170  and  172  may lie in planes (e.g., intersected by planes) that are substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to each other and that are substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to the planes in which openings  162  and  164  of fabric tube  110  respectively lie (e.g., the planes that respectively intersect openings  162  and  164 ). Top edge  174  and bottom edge  176  respectively face top end  158  and bottom end  160  of fabric tube  110  and may be substantially parallel (e.g., parallel) to top end  158  and bottom end  160 . Sides  178  and  180  of fabric patch  140  and openings  170  and  172  of pocket  120  may be substantially perpendicular (e.g., perpendicular) to top edge  174  and bottom edge  176  of pocket  120 . 
     Note that pocket  120  can be thought of as a tube formed on interior surface  145  of cylindrical sidewall  166  of fabric tube  110  and having opposing openings  170  and  172 . Fabric patch  140  forms a portion of a wall of the tube and interior surface  145  of cylindrical sidewall  166  of fabric tube  110  forms another portion of the wall of the tube. 
     Locating openings  170  and  172  at the sides of pocket  120  for receiving filter  130  therethrough acts to prevent filter  130  from being ejected from pocket  120  while neck-gaiter  100  is being positioned in its operative position or is being worn in its operative position. For example, locating an opening in the top of pocket  120 , such as adjacent top end  158  of fabric tube  110 , for receiving filter  130  therethrough, may result in filter  130  being ejected from pocket  120  while neck-gaiter  100  is being positioned in its operative position or is being worn in its operative position. 
     Fabric tube  110  is independent of any other garment, such as a shirt, jacket, etc., worn by the user so that neck-gaiter  100  can be worn independently of such a garment. For example, fabric tube  110  is not attached to nor is a part of any other garment worn by the user. This allows neck-gaiter  100  to be compact for easy storage, allows neck-gaiter  100  to be removed from or to be donned by the user without the user having to contend with the issues associated with a garment, such as a shirt, jacket, etc., e.g., bulkiness, overheating, difficulty of donning or removal, etc. 
     Neck-gaiter  100  and filters  130  are small enough to carry easily in a briefcase or purse, for example. Unlike conventional masks, neck-gaiter  100  is relatively fashionable and can be worn as a part of daily apparel or carried separately. Filter  130  is considerably smaller and less expensive that conventional masks that need to be disposed of after each use. That is, neck-gaiter  100  and a supply filters  130  is less expensive and easier carry than a supply of masks. In addition, the fabric of fabric tube  110  and fabric patch  140  of neck-gaiter  100 , for one embodiment, may be softer than the material of conventional masks, making neck-gaiter  100  more comfortable to wear than conventional masks. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein it is manifestly intended that the scope of the claimed subject matter be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.