Patent Publication Number: US-2022212041-A1

Title: Reusable protective silicone face mask

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a novel and reusable protective face mask having breathing holes and a removable inner filter layer fitted on the back surface of the face mask for a more secure and safe mask. The face mask and removable inner filter are designed to protect the user from airborne pollutants and particulates from any source, and the breathing holes make it easier for the wearer to breathe without exertion. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although many protective face masks have been developed to prevent pollutants and contaminants, none of them have the structure, function and advantages of the present invention. For example, the present face mask is reusable with easy to breathe holes, and the filter layer is easily removable and replaceable. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The prior art protective face masks do not provide the features and advantages of the present invention. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,094 discloses a face mask having a filter liner made of charcoal, and includes a retainer for holding the filter. 
     Also, U.S. patent publication no. 2015/0034098 discloses a face mask having an air filtration mask having a filter which employs studs to hold the filter. 
     Further, U.S. Pat. No. 2,845,927 discloses a face mask, a filter, and an inner frame A for holding the filter. 
     In addition, U.S. patent publication no. 2017/0065838 discloses a face mask, a filter, and a seal around an outer edge of the mask. 
     As explained herein, the present invention provides structure, functions, and advantages not found in the prior art. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved protective face mask with breathing holes, and a removable and replaceable inner filter insert in the back of the mask, which prevents germs, pollutants, and contaminates from entering the nose and mouth of the wearer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a face mask having a continuous channel around the inside periphery of the mask for tightly receiving the replaceable inner filter. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide retention clips for holding the filter securely in place with the mask. 
     Other objects of the present invention are apparent from the following description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a protective face mask with breathing holes and having a removable and replaceable rear inner filter on the back of the face mask in order to provide a secure and safe mask and filter that provides additional resistance to penetration of pollutants, germs, and contaminants. The breathing holes make it easier for the user to breathe through the mask and filter. The rear filter has a continuous outer edge for being received in a continuous outer channel formed around the entire periphery of the rear face of the mask. Also, the entire edge of the inner filter is securely held in place in the continuous channel extending around the entire periphery of the face mask, with removable clips mounted on the filter, which have tabs for securely engaging gripping holes formed on each side of the continuous outer channel in the mask. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the front of the mask; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the front of the mask; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the rear face of the mask; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the mask and the filter, which is placed inside the mask; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the mask and the filter, which is placed inside the mask; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the channel on the inside of the mask for receiving the removable filter; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the mask and filter showing the filter clips on opposite edges of the filter for holding it in place on the rear face of the mask; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the filter clip showing the details of its teeth and snap in pins; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the filter clip showing the details of the opposite side of the filter clip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5, and 7 , provides a protective face mask  10  to improve resistance to germs and contaminants. The rear face  12  of the mask  10  is made to more closely fit the face of the wearer for more security and safety. A removable rear filter insert and liner  40  is provided, which is replaceable and removable from the mask  10 . 
     The face mask  10  is reusable and disposable, and prevents germs and other infectious matter in the air that the wearer is breathing. As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the mask  10  is perforated with multiple breathing holes or vent holes  20  in the central area  22  to permit inhaled air to pass through the face mask  10  more easily. The face mask  10  covers the mouth and has a nose covering  22  the wearer, and generally conforms to the contour of the face of the wearer for comfort and style in the zone of contact between the face of the wearer and the mask  10 . The mask is preferably made of silicone. The vent holes  20  in the front of the mask  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , are rounded, but can be of any other shape. The distance between the vent holes  20  is between 1.45 mm to 2.5 mm, but 2.5 mm is the preferred size of the vent holes  20 . Also, the diameter of each vent hole  20  is between 2.55 mm to 3.5 mm, but 2.55 mm is the preferred size. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the mask  10  supports an interior removable and replaceable filter liner  40  that is made of a fabric sheet that covers the breathing holes  20  and the entire inside face of the mask  10 . The edge  42  of the filter  40  is retained on the inside of the face mask  10  by being received in a continuous inner channel  70 , which extends around the entire periphery of the back face of mask  10 . 
     In addition, filter liner  40  is attached to the interior side  12  of the face mask  10 . The holes  72  on each side of the face mask  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , are provided to help hold the filter liner  40  in place. The outer edge  42  of the filter liner  40  is detachably placed in the continuous inner channel  70  on the inside face of the mask  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 , to hold the filter  40  in place. The filter  40  provides comfort and safety to the user, and the filter  40  is held in place to direct air flow through the filter media  40 . 
     The filter  40  has a unique outline and shape in order for its edge  42  to fit into the internal channel  70  that surrounds the entire inner periphery of the mask  10 . The filter  40  is a N95 grade mask made of a fabric  80 , and is an industry standard fabric. The filter  40  has two holes along each of the right and left edges for attaching filter  40  to two filter clips  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the mask  10  clearly showing the continuous channel  70  around the entire periphery of the rear face  12  of the mask  10  for receiving the edge  42  of the internal filter  40 . The entire edge of the filter  40  fits into the continuous channel  70  around the entire face of the mask  10 . Channel  70  provides an air seal, comfort and holds the edge  42  of filter  40  in the channel  70 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , the face mask  10  also has two elastic ear loop straps  60  and  62  on its two sides, and one end of the first strap  60  is attached to one end of the face mask  10 , and the other end of the second strap  62  is attached to the other end to the ear of the wearer. 
     The outer two edges of the filter  40  have two or more holes for receiving two plastic clips  90  for more securely holding the filter  40  to the inside face of the mask  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 and 7 through 9 , the filter holding clips  90  have teeth  92 , a female snap fit pin  94 , and a male snap fit pin  96 , all placed on the inside surface of clip  90  to hold the filter  40  securely in place once installed within the continuous channel  70  on the face mask  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 , the protective mask  10  also shows the continuous channel  70  having two holes  72 ,  74  for receiving two holding tabs to hold the filter liner  40  more securely within the continuous channel  70  on the face mask  10 . The holding clips  90  also have a recess  92  for receiving and holding the edge of the filter liner  40  securely within the recess in the holding clips  90 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 through 9 , the holding clips  90  and  92  each have at least two snap elements  94  and  96  for engaging two matching snap elements  98  on the other holding clip  92 . This structure securely fastens the edges of the filter liner  40  within the continuous recess  70  using the holding clips  90  and  92 . 
     ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     It is an advantage present invention to provide an improved protective face mask with breathing holes, and a removable and replaceable inner filter insert in the back of the mask, which prevents germs, pollutants, and contaminates from entering the nose and mouth of the wearer. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a face mask having a continuous channel around the inside periphery of the mask for tightly receiving the replaceable inner filter. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide retention clips for holding the filter securely in place with the mask. 
     Other advantages of the present invention are apparent from the foregoing description. 
     A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.