Patent Publication Number: US-2012031413-A1

Title: Mask

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is one of the three related co-pending U.S. patent applications listed below. All listed applications have the same assignee and were concurrently filed herewith. The disclosure of each of the listed applications is incorporated by reference into all the other listed applications. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Attorney Docket No. 
                 Title 
                 Inventors 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 US34789 
                 MASK 
                 Shi et al. 
               
               
                   
                 US34790 
                 MASK 
                 Shi et al. 
               
               
                   
                 US34798 
                 MASK 
                 Shi et al. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Furthermore, this application is related to the following design patent filed on Aug. 19, 2010. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Attorney Docket No. 
                 Title 
                 Inventors 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 US34791 
                 MASK 
                 Shi et al. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to masks, and particularly, to a transparent mask. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     It is well known that masks are widely applied in medical, health, catering services, and etc. to restrict contamination. A mask often includes a main body and fixing members respectively connecting opposite ends of the main body. The main body often includes layers of gauze and contains material exhaled or expelled by the wearer. The fixing members can attach to the user&#39;s ears. However, since the mask completely covers the face and nose, with time discomfort may be experienced. Furthermore, the mask hides facial expressions, limiting communication with other people. 
     Therefore, there is a room for improvement within the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the mask can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the mask. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a mask, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the mask shown in  FIG. 1 , from another angle. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the mask shown in  FIG. 2 , from another angle. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the mask shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3  show an exemplary embodiment mask including a transparent main body  30 , a support member  50  connected to the transparent main body  30 , and a fixing member  70  fixed on the support member  50 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the transparent main body  30  may be made of polycarbonate (PC), and is a curved sheet for covering a user&#39;s nose and part of the face. The transparent main body  30  includes a curved edge  31  and a plurality of latching holes  33  defined in an opposite end to the curved edge  31 . 
     The support member  50  includes a main portion  51 , a resisting portion  53 , and a holding portion  55  integrally formed together. The main portion  51  may be in the shape of a bar and made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). The main portion  51  includes a convex surface  511 , a concave surface  512 , a first surface  513 , and a second surface  514  opposite to the first surface  513 . The first surface  513  and the second surface  514  connect the convex surface  511  to the concave surface  512 . The first surface  513  defines a receiving slot  5130  for receiving the end of the main body  30  defining the latching holes  33 . A plurality of blocks  5134  is formed on an inner wall  5132  of the receiving slot  5130 . In this exemplary embodiment, the blocks  5134  extend from the inner wall  5132  to the direction of concave surface  512 . The blocks  5134  are configured for matching the latching holes  33 , thus, the transparent main body  30  can be fixed on the support member  50 . Ends of the main portion  51  respectively define a through hole  515  and a guiding slot  516 . The through hole  515  and the guiding slot  516  communicate the convex surface  511  with the concave surface  512 . The guiding slot  516  extends through the second surface  514  to the through hole  515  to form an entrance  517 . The fixing member  70  can pass through the entrance  517  and be received in the through hole  515  for tying the main body  30 . 
     The resisting portion  53  is positioned on a middle of the concave surface  512 . The resisting portion  53  includes a frame  530 , a bottom plate  531 , and ribs  533 . The frame  530  is curved, and free ends of the frame  530  are connected to the concave surface  512 . The bottom plate  531  connects the frame  530  to the concave surface  512 . Thus, the bottom plate  531 , the frame  530 , and the concave surface  512  cooperatively define a receiving chamber  54 . The ribs  533  are formed in the receiving chamber  54  for connecting the frame  530  to the concave surface  512 . The resisting portion  53  contacts the user between the lower jaw and the lip, defining between the user&#39;s face and the support member  50 , such that the user&#39;s nose is not covered. 
     The holding portion  55  is positioned on the second surface  514 , extending away from the transparent main body  30 , and following the concave surface  512 . The holding portion  55  defines an opening  550 . The holding portion  55  fixes the user&#39;s lower jaw to prevent movement when the mask  10  is worn. 
     The fixing member  70  can enter the entrance  517  and tie in the through hole  515 , thereafter assembled to the support member  50 . 
     In assembly, the end the transparent main body  30  defining the latching holes  33  is received in the receiving slot  5130 . The blocks  5134  are received in the corresponding latching holes  33 , and the receiving chamber  5138  is received in the notch  35 . Thus, the transparent main body  30  is fixed on the support member  50 . Ends of the fixing member  70  pass through the entrance  517  and are tied in the through hole  515 . Thus, the fixing member  70  is tied to the support member  50 . 
     When the mask  10  is worn, the resisting portion  53  contacts the concave surface between the lower jaw and the lip of the user, and the holding portion  55  fixes the user&#39;s lower jaw. The fixing member  70  is fixed to the user&#39;s head. Thus, the transparent main body  30  partially masks the user&#39;s face. 
     The mask  10  keeps a certain distance from the user&#39;s nose, avoiding cramped sensation. In addition, the mask  10  has a transparent main body  30 , such that the user&#39;s facial expression can be seen. 
     In another embodiment, fixing members  70  can be respectively tied to ends of the support member  50  and fixed to the user&#39;s ears. 
     In another embodiment, the guiding slot  516  and the entrance  517  can be omitted and fixing member  70  tied in the through hole  515  directly. 
     The receiving chamber  54  also can receive matter exhaled or expelled by the user. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even through numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.