Patent Publication Number: US-2005120452-A1

Title: Facial weather and element protection cover

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/494,007 filed Aug. 11, 2003. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to a facial mask and more particularly to a facial weather and element protection cover. Specifically, the invention relates to a protective facial mask that is flexible and covers the entire circumference of the head thereby helping to protect the face from below the eyes to and including the neck area, and can also be adjusted to cover the ears if needed.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Currently there are various dust and facial masks available to help protect individuals against various levels of particulates and airborne debris. Many of these masks are in the following forms: hard-formed and require changeable filters; cumbersome and not disposable; soft-formed and disposable, but only cover the mouth and nose areas. One such mask is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,052 to Weiss. Weiss discloses a multi-layer breathing mask that contains a filter element comprised of a foam material absorber which may filter a plurality of particle sizes. Such a mask only covers the mouth and nose area of the wearer. Another protective mask is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,923 to Bishop. Bishop discloses a protective facial mask that only covers the oral and nasal cavities and contains a filtered breathing cannula on the interior of the mask that allows air to only enter the nasal cavity.  
      Heretofore, the art has been without a facial weather and element protection cover that comprises a breathable fabric with filtration capabilities that covers and protects the circumference of the head from below the eye area to and including the neck area that inhibits the entrance of uncomfortable and possibly hazardous particles to the nose and mouth, while protecting the cheeks, neck, and ears from the uncomfortable elements of the weather and environment. These environmental elements may include dust, dirt, and sand; inclement weather such as wind, rain, snow, and cold temperatures. These conditions may be present during any of the following activities and occupations: military service, construction or any outdoor laboring job, sporting and hunting, landscaping and yard work, and so on. The individuals involved in such activities would benefit from a protective mask that is comfortable to wear, easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture, that cavers and protects a majority of the face, head, and neck and is disposable.  
      Thus, it is apparent that such a mask that is constructed of a lightweight, breathable filtration fabric that helps to filter out aggravating or hazardous particles that can hinder breathing and irritate or damage the skin would be warranted.  
      Likewise, it would be a benefit of such a mask that could be easily raised above the nose, mouth, and/or ears of the wearer as needed, but also could be easily lowered to the neck area to allow access to the mouth or when indoors without the need to remove the item completely.  
     SUMMARY OF TH INVENTION  
      An object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a protective facial mask which is effective while comfortable and covers a majority of the face, neck, and head of the wearer.  
      Another object of the invention is a protective mask that is constructed of a flexible, breathable, filtration fabric that is gathered at the uppermost and lowermost edges to inhibit entrance of airborne particles into these areas of the mask.  
      A further object of the invention is a protective facial mask that can be raised or lowered as needed without complete removal while not being cumbersome or invasive.  
      Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover that is constructed of a breathable filtration fabric that helps to prevent the entrance of undesired or potentially harmful particulates into the facial cavities that may pose a breathing problem to the individual while also protecting the face from below the eye area to and including the neck from dust, particulates, wind, cold and various elements of the environment and extreme weather conditions.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a frontal view of the facial weather and element protection cover according to the present invention illustrating the proper position of the cover on the head of the wearer.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the protective cover according to the present invention as it would be worn by an individual.  
       FIG. 7  shows an alternative positioning of the cover as it has its uppermost edge below the ears of the individual.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates the alternative method of wearing the facial mask around the neck thereby being under the chin when not in use, but still readily available. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In the description of the drawings it should be understood that like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures. It is also understood that such terms as “top”, “bottom”, “uppermost”, and “lowermost” are used in the description for purposes of locating one element relative to another and are not meant to be construed as limiting terms. Finally, it is hopefully understood that the illustrations provided are for the purpose of description and are not intended to limit the cope of the invention in any manner.  
      Referring now more specifically to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a front view of a facial weather and element protection cover, or hereinafter referred to as ‘facial cover’, according to the present invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates the most common and useful positioning of the facial cover as it would be worn by an individual. The major portion  3  of the facial cover covers the head and face of the wearer from just below the eye area to a point just below the chin area and continues around the head of the wearer equally.  
      Preferably, the fabric is of the polypropylene type commonly used in the medical and surgical apparel that provides an effective barrier against pathogens and particulates. The facial cover is manufactured with sufficient material to allow it to not be form-fitting on the face and may be described as ‘loose-fitting’.  
      Referring also to  FIG. 1 , there is a length of elastic material  4  that runs continuously and is attached to the uppermost edge of the facial cover. This length of elastic material  4  gathers the uppermost edge of the facial cover to just under the eye area of the wearer so as not to impair vision. The uppermost edge  4  may be positioned above the ears as shown in  FIG. 1  or under the ears of the wearer as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . This uppermost edge of elastic material  4  can also be easily placed under the chin which is around the neck of the wearer when not in use as a protective cover, without being completely removed. Preferably, this length of elastic material  4  is sewn or similarly attached to the uppermost continuous edge of the facial cover.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 7 , a second length of elastic material  5  is sewn or similarly attached to the lowermost edge of the facial cover.  
      Preferably, both lengths of elastic,  4  and  5  shall have sufficient elasticity to permit the facial cover to be stretched over the head of the wearer in the application process, and yet comfortably conforming to the shape of the face and neck when in proper position without being tight or otherwise constricting.