Patent Publication Number: US-2022225699-A1

Title: Safe Dining Mask

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/139,823, which was filed on Jan. 21, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of protective face masks. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved face mask used to help reduce the spread of airborne pathogens while allowing the wearer to eat and drink without removing the mask. The improved face mask comprises an internal frame and a middle hinge, enabling the mask to be extended or pivoted outwards to create a space to allow the wearer to insert an eating utensil or straw into their mouth to consume food without removing the mask. The mask of the present invention reduces the spread of pathogens in public spaces, ensuring users do not have to completely remove their mask to consume food and beverages. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     By way of background, various kinds of harmful airborne pathogens, germs, viruses, bacteria and the like are present in the environment. It can be incredibly dangerous to inhale such harmful pathogens, as they can cause infectious diseases. In case the germs are communicable, the disease can easily and rapidly spread from one person to another. In particular, there is a huge risk of the spreading of such infectious diseases in public areas that are occupied by large numbers of individuals. In the time of a pandemic such as COVID-19 or any an epidemic of any disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals, and which is caused by exponential spread of viruses, bacteria or pathogens causing the infectious disease, there is always a need for individuals to protect themselves from the transmission of the harmful pathogens. In these situations, the infectious diseases can easily transmit from one person to another, thereby spreading around the world and impacting the lives of millions of people. 
     Various solutions have been proposed in the state of the art for the containment and mitigation of pandemics and other infectious diseases. People are advised to maintain personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, wear protective face masks, and more. Amongst all the proposed solutions, wearing protective face masks, in some circumstances, has become a mandatory measure that is to be followed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The typical face mask covers the nose and mouth area of the wearer, and forms a barrier between the nasal and oral passages and the environment to prevent the transmission of any germs, bacteria, viruses and other harmful pathogens. As a preventive measure, individuals are typically required to wear face masks in all public places such as markets, schools, hospitals, offices and other similar places. 
     However, since conventional face masks cover the entirety of the nose and mouth, it makes it impossible to consume food and beverages. People often go to public places such as restaurants, food courts, and more to have food and beverages. Consuming food and/or beverages necessitates the removal of masks for the duration of eating food or drinking beverages. This poses a potential risk of inhalation of harmful germs, bacteria, viruses and other harmful pathogens from the environment, and therefore leads to the transmission of diseases that can cause serious illnesses. 
     Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a protective face mask that prevents the wearer from inhalation of germs, viruses, bacteria and other harmful pathogens from the environment, while also preventing the wearer from transmission of infectious diseases. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved face mask that allows individuals to consume food or beverages easily. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a protective face mask that eliminates the need to completely remove the face mask to consume food or beverages. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a face mask that allows wearers to consume food or beverages in public places without the fear of inhalation of harmful germs and other pathogens, and prevents the contraction of serious illnesses. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a face mask that provides coverage over the eyes of the users as well, to fully protect the wearer against contraction of infectious diseases. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for protective face masks that improve the safety of the wearer in public places, and offers comfort for users while wearing the mask while consuming food and beverages. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a novel face mask designed to reduce the spread of airborne pathogens while allowing a wearer to eat and drink without removing the mask. The mask comprises: an inner layer; an outer layer; an internal framework located in rear section of the mask; a pair of arms to rest upon the wearer&#39;s ears like a pair of glasses; the inner layer is an arch-shaped structure and covers the nose, mouth and cheek area of the wearer; the outer layer is a smaller inflexed arch-shaped structure that covers the nose and mouth of the wearer; the outer layer is configured to be pulled outwards by the wearer; the internal frame has a right internal frame and a left internal frame providing a flexible piping structure having a strap that moves when the outer layer is pulled outwards; and the internal frame and a middle hinge structure stretch the straps towards the middle hinge when the outer layer is pulled outwards to form a half-diamond shape structure to create a gap between the mask and the wearer&#39;s mouth, to allow the wearer to consume food and drink using the created gap. 
     In this manner, the novel and safe dining mask of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively safe, easy, convenient and efficient solution to allow the wearer to consume food and beverages while wearing the mask in public places. The safe dining mask of the present invention is also user friendly, inasmuch as it reduces the user&#39;s risk of contracting serious illnesses, and thereby improves the safety of people in public places. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a novel face mask designed to reduce the spread of airborne pathogens while allowing a wearer to eat and drink without removing the mask. The face mask comprises: an inner layer; an outer layer; an internal framework located in rear section of the mask; a pair of arms to rest upon the wearer&#39;s ears like a pair of glasses; the inner layer is an arch-shaped structure that covers the nose, mouth and cheek area of the wearer; the outer layer is a smaller inflexed arch-shaped structure that covers the nose and mouth of the wearer; the outer layer is configured to be pulled outwards by the wearer; the internal frame has a right internal frame and a left internal frame, providing a flexible piping structure having a strap that moves when the outer layer is pulled outwards; and, the internal frame and a middle hinge structure stretch the straps towards the middle hinge when the outer layer is pulled outwards to form a half-diamond shape structure to create a gap between the mask and the wearer&#39;s mouth, to allow the wearer to eat food and drink beverages using the created gap. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, a dual layer mask is configured to cover the nose and mouth of a wearer in one orientation and enable eating or drinking while wearing the mask in another orientation. The dual layer mask comprises: an outer layer; an inner layer; an internal framework of a piping structure between the outer layer and the inner layer; the internal framework has a middle hinge that is configured to be pulled outwards by the wearer; and, the outward pull causes a half-diamond shaped area to be formed around the mouth area between the mask and the mouth to allow the wearer to eat food with a utensil or by hand, or drink beverages with a straw. A spoon or fork can be used by the wearer for easy and convenient eating while wearing the face mask. A pair of arms allows the face mask to be further supported like eyeglasses over the ears. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front plan view of a safe dining mask of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear plan view of the safe dining mask of the present invention showing the internal framework in accordance with the disclosed structure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the safe dining mask of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates perspective views of the safe dining mask of the present invention in normal and extended orientations in accordance with the disclosed structure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the safe dining mask of the present invention while eating food in accordance with the disclosed structure; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the safe dining mask of the present invention while drinking a beverage in accordance with the disclosed structure; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing safe dining mask of the present invention with glasses in accordance with the disclosed structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It can be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments can be combined. 
     As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a protective face mask that prevents the wearer from inhalation of germs, viruses, bacteria and other harmful pathogens from the environment, and prevents them from transmission of infectious diseases. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved face mask that allows individuals to consume food or beverages easily. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a protective face mask that eliminates the need to completely remove face masks to consume food or beverages. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a face mask that allows the wearers to consume food/beverages in public places without the fear of inhalation of harmful germs and other pathogens, and prevents the contraction of serious illnesses. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a face mask that provides a cover for the eyes of the users as well, to fully protect the wearer against the transmission of infectious diseases or pandemics. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a protective face mask that improves the safety of the wearer in public places and offers comfort while wearing the mask and consuming food/beverages. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises a novel face mask designed to reduce the spread of airborne pathogens while allowing a wearer to eat and drink without removing the mask. The mask comprises: an inner layer; an outer layer; an internal framework located in rear section of the mask; a pair of arms to rest upon the wearer&#39;s ears like a pair of glasses; the inner layer is an arch-shaped structure and covers the nose, mouth and cheek area of the wearer; the outer layer is a smaller inflexed arch-shaped structure that covers the nose and mouth of the wearer; the outer layer is configured to be pulled outwards by the wearer; the internal frame has a right internal frame and a left internal frame providing a flexible piping structure having a strap that moves when the outer layer is pulled outwards; and the internal frame and a middle hinge structure stretch the straps towards the middle hinge when the outer layer is pulled outwards to form a half diamond shape structure to create a gap between the mask and the wearer&#39;s mouth, to allow the wearer to consume food and drink using the created gap. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a front plan view of a safe dining mask of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. The safe dining mask  100  is a dual-layered mask comprising an inner layer  102  and an outer layer  104  forming the mask body portion of the mask  100 . The mask  100  further comprises an internal framework or inner frame  105  located at the interior or rear section of the mask body portion, and arms  106 ,  108  attached to the inner frame  105  to rest upon user&#39;s ears (i.e. similar to eyeglasses or spectacles), and allowing the mask  100  to be easily worn by the users. 
     As per the mask structure, the outer layer  104  partly overlaps the inner layer  102  to form the mask body portion of the safe dining mask  100 . The inner layer  102  comprises the inner frame  105  including an arch-shaped structure having a top edge  110 , left edge  1022  and a right edge  1024 , for covering the nose, mouth and cheek area of the user. The outer layer  104  comprises an outer frame  107  including a smaller inflexed arch-shaped structure having side edges  1041 ,  1043  and a bottom edge  1042  for covering the nose and mouth area of the user. The outer layer  104  partially overlaps the inner layer  102  such that a mid-line of the inner layer  102  is in planar alignment with a mid-line of the outer layer  104 . 
     The outer layer  104  overlapping partially on the inner layer  102  forms a dual-layer and provides an enhanced barrier covering for the nose and mouth areas of the user. With the dual-layer protection, the risk of transmission of harmful pathogens, bacteria, viruses, etc. is minimal through the oral and nasal passages of the user. The front surfaces  101 ,  103  of both the layers  102 ,  104  provide viewing areas to the mask that can display, without limitation, any number of patterns, colors, logos, text, slogans, etc. desired by the user. 
     Each of the layers  102  and  104  is preferably a particulate/bacteria filter, and is comprised of a non-woven, melt-blown filter material comprised of 100% polypropylene or other suitable material. The layers  102 ,  104  act as fine particulate filters, thereby protecting the user against at least 95% of any airborne dust, particulates, pathogens, or bacteria of particle size 0.3 microns or greater. In differing embodiments of the safe dining mask  100 , the layers  102 ,  104  can be comprised of a coarse particulate filter that precedes the fine particulate filter and further protects the user from larger/more coarse particulates. Alternatively, the layers  102 ,  104  can be a combination of a particulate/bacteria filter layer and a reusable and washable cloth material, comprised of a cotton weave, polyester or other suitable material. The material of the inner layer  102  and the outer layer  104  is not limited, and can be any combination of different mask materials. 
     The right arm  106  and the left arm  108  are attached to the inner frame  105  at the rear surface of the safe dining mask  100 , and are designed to extend over the right ear and the left ear of the user, to allow the mask  100  to be held in place while wearing the mask. The arms  106 ,  108  offer an enhanced mask-wearing experience for the users. The arms  106 ,  108  and the internal framework of the mask can be made of thermoplastics, synthetic plastics, metal or any other material as per the desires of the users. The material of the internal framework and the arms is chosen because it is strong, lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Other properties and features can also be considered while designing and manufacturing the mask to suit different user requirements. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a rear view of the safe dining mask of the present invention showing the internal framework in accordance with the disclosed structure. The rear section  111  of the mask  100  comprises the internal framework  105 ,  107  that allows the mask to be extended outward for consumption of food and beverages without fully removing the mask. Once the food or beverage is consumed, the outer frame  107  can be pulled backwards to use in normal or first orientation for protection against the transmission of germs, pathogens, viruses, etc. 
     The internal framework  105 ,  107  is a piping framework over the rear section  111  of the safe dining mask  100 . The internal framework  105 ,  107  mainly comprises a boundary framework  210 , internal frames  202 ,  204 , a middle hinge structure  206  and a hinge point anchor  207 . The internal framework  105 ,  107 , or perimeter support structure  210 , provides a piping structure around the mask body perimeter and extends to elongated arms  106  and  108  at the ends or the perimeter  2101  and  2102  respectively. The right arm  106  and the left arm  108  are designed to rest upon the right ear and the left ear, respectively, of the user to ensure the mask  100  is held in place over the face of the user. The arms  106 ,  108  provide pivot anchors at the ears when the outer layer  104  is pivoted back and forth from the first orientation to the second orientation. 
     The internal frame or inner frame  105  comprises a right internal frame  202  and a left internal frame  204  adjacent to the rear section  111  of the outer layer  104  of the mask  100 . The right internal frame  202  provides a piping structure adjacent to one side of rear section  111  along the edge  1041 , and the left internal frame  204  provides a piping structure adjacent to another side of rear section  111  along edge  1043 , thereby forming an inflexed arch-shaped structure at the rear section  111  of the mask  100 . The right internal frame  202  includes a loop structure  2022  at the end  2020 , wherein the loop  2022  surrounds the boundary piping structure  210 . In a similar manner, the left internal frame  204  includes a loop structure  2042  at the end  2040 , wherein the loop  2042  surrounds the boundary piping structure  210 . 
     The middle hinge structure  206  is a piping structure extending vertically along the rear section  111 , passing through an imaginary line  220  through the center of the mask  100 . The middle hinge  206  extends additional piping straps  212  at the right and left boundaries from the point  2060 , that pass through the right internal frame  202  and the left internal frame  204 . The strap  212  comprises the protruding section  213  at the right side and the protruding section  214  at the left side, that provides an extending and locking mechanism for the mask  100 . The strap  212  passes through the loops  2022  and  2042  on the right and left sides of the mask boundary. 
     When the outer layer  104  is pulled outwards, the inner frame  105  and middle hinge structure enables the extension by stretching the middle hinge  206  outwards, and further stretching the straps  212  towards the imaginary midline  220 , causing the protruding sections  213 ,  214  to lock on the loops  2022  and  2042 . The mask  100 , in an extended orientation, can be used while consuming food and beverages. In the extended orientation, the outer layer  104  forms a half diamond shape around the mouth area, thereby creating a gap between the mask and the mouth so that food can be eaten, either with a utensil or by hand. The outer layer  104  is pushed inwards for using the mask  100  in normal orientation. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the safe dining mask of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. As shown in the  FIG. 3 , a user  300  is wearing the safe dining mask  100  of the present invention in a normal orientation. The right arm  106  of the mask  100  rests upon the right ear  306  of the user and the left arm  108  of the mask  100  rests upon the left ear  308  of the user to keep the mask  100  in place. The mask  100  covers the nose  302 , mouth  304  and cheek region of the user  300 , and acts as a barrier for the transmission of germs, bacteria and other harmful pathogens from the surroundings to the nasal and oral passages of the user  300 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the safe dining mask of the present invention in normal and extended orientation in accordance with the disclosed structure. As shown, the mask  100  is in a normal orientation  400  when the inner layer  102  and the outer layer  104  are in the contracted orientation, and is used normally when the user is out at public places or the like. The mask  100  is in extended orientation  402  when the outer layer  104  is pulled outwards and the internal frame and middle hinge structure extends to form a half diamond shape structure to create a gap between the mask  100  and the user&#39;s mouth. The gap created in the extended orientation  402  allows food to be eaten, either with a utensil or by hand, and allows the users to drink beverages using straws. Also, the gap created in the bottom, middle portion of the mask allows a user to receive a stem of a spoon or fork, allowing easier access to the mouth when using a utensil. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the safe dining mask of the present invention while eating food in accordance with the disclosed structure. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the user  300  pulls the outer layer  104  outwards to use the mask  100  in an extended orientation. In the extended orientation, a gap is created between the mask body and the mouth  304  of the user  300 , that allows the user  300  to insert a spoon/fork  502  through the gap in order to eat food  504 . The safe dining mask  100  eliminates the need to remove the mask  100  completely for eating food and allows the user  300  to have food  504  while protecting the user against spread of diseases. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing the safe dining mask of the present invention while drinking a beverage in accordance with the disclosed structure. As shown in the  FIG. 6 , the user  300  pulls the outer layer  104  outwards to use the mask  100  in an extended orientation. In the extended orientation, a gap is created between the mask body and the mouth  304  of the user  300 , that allows the user  300  to insert a straw  640  therethrough in order to drink a beverage from a beverage container  602  while wearing the mask  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 , it is to be appreciated that the inner frame  105  includes at least a first anchor point on the user&#39;s nose ridge  303 , proximal to a user&#39;s nose tip  305 , for supporting the mask  100  when the second layer  104  is moved back and forth from the first orientation to the second orientation. The first anchor point is proximal to a top of the center hinge  206  of the outer frame  107 . The mask  100  further comprises the first arm  106  and the second arm  108  for retention over a user&#39;s first ear  306  and second ear  308 , respectively. The first arm  106  provides a second anchor point and the second arm provides a third anchor point for supporting the inner frame  105 , when the second layer  104  is moved back and forth from the first orientation to the second orientation. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a user wearing a safe dining mask of the present invention, with eye shields or glasses in accordance with the disclosed structure. The dining mask with eye shields or glasses  700  is a safe dining mask  100  having an eyeglass shield  710  attached to the upper edge of the mask body for protecting the eyes of the users as well. The dining mask with glasses  700  comprises an inner layer  702  and an outer layer  704 , right arm  706 , left arm (not shown) and internal framework. The internal framework of the mask  700  comprises a structure similar to that of the safe dining mask  100 . The dining mask with glasses  700  can be used in a normal orientation and in an extended orientation as per the needs and requirements of the users. The dining mask with glasses  700  covers the nose and mouth of the user, and allows the users to eat or drink, without removing the mask, thereby risking exposure to transmission of infectious diseases. The dining mask with glasses  700  provides additional protection for the eyes of the users and eliminates the need for conventional face shields. 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons can refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “safe dining mask”, “dining mask”, “dual layer mask”, “mask” and “extendible mask” are interchangeable and refer to the safe dining mask  100  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the forgoing, the safe dining mask  100  and dining mask with glasses  700  of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the safe dining mask  100  and dining mask with glasses  700  as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the safe dining mask  100  and dining mask with glasses  700  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the safe dining mask  100  and dining mask with glasses  700  are important design parameters for user convenience, the safe dining mask  100  and dining mask with glasses  700  can be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.