Patent Publication Number: US-2022226155-A1

Title: Visor assembly and method for shielding a wearer&#39;s face

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The embodiments disclosed herein relate to visor assemblies, visors, and methods of face protection, and more particularly to visor assemblies for use in personal protective equipment (hereinafter “PPE”). 
     INTRODUCTION 
     Medical personnel have long required PPE to protect themselves from contagious situations, in the case of illness or emergency situations involving exposure to bodily fluid. Given the contagious nature of many medical conditions, medical personnel cannot effectively treat patients if they run the risk of transmitting infectious diseases from one patient to the next. Furthermore, when medical personnel themselves take ill, fewer resources are available to treat their patients. It is of paramount importance that efficient and efficacious means of preparing and providing PPE be established. 
     In the present pandemic situation, civilian populations also require access to PPE, motivating individuals, private corporations, health organizations, and government to find cost-effective solutions. Businesses cannot thrive when customers risk transmitting disease among themselves and among staff, while individuals will not be and will not feel safe attending schools, travelling to workplaces, and generally spending time outside their own homes without appropriate PPE. 
     While conventional face masks provide for protection of the nose and mouth and associated breathing and internal airway passages, personnel in potentially contagious or otherwise unclean environments or circumstances may desire or require greater protection for vulnerable areas of the face. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides for visors configured to easily attach and remain securely fastened to a face mask on a wearer&#39;s face. The resultant combination of visor and face mask (e.g., conventional surgical mask) is herein termed a “visor assembly”. Such visor assemblies preferably cover the entirety of the front of the wearer&#39;s face, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application discloses embodiments that relate to visors and visor assemblies as personal protective equipment and methods of manufacturing and using same. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a visor assembly to be worn as personal protective equipment about a wearer&#39;s face is provided. The visor assembly includes a visor configured to connect to a disposable face mask, the visor including a first surface that is substantially flat when the visor is not connected to the disposable face mask, and the first surface is substantially curved when the visor is connected to the disposable face mask and worn; a second surface that is substantially flat when the visor is not connected to the disposable face mask, and the second surface is substantially curved when the visor is connected to the disposable face mask and worn; two protruding members that protrude substantially in parallel to the first surface towards the disposable face mask, each member including at least one slit through which at least one fastening element of the disposable face mask may pass at least once; and a face mask including the at least one fastening element. 
     When the fastening elements are passed through the slits of the members of the visor, the visor may be attached to the disposable face mask when worn after the fastening elements of the disposable face mask have passed through the slits, the wearer may adjust the face mask component of the visor assembly about the wearer&#39;s own face, and the wearer may adjust the visor component of the visor assembly about the wearer&#39;s own face by moving the visor component about the fastening elements. 
     In an aspect, when in use, the visor is sufficiently flexible to mold to the wearer&#39;s face, and when in use the visor deforms no more than necessary for the at least one fastening element to remain substantially straight. When not in use the visor assumes its original shape, and the visor is made of transparent material. 
     In another aspect, only the first surface of the visor is made of transparent material. 
     In another aspect, the second surface includes a cutout region to accommodate a wearer&#39;s nose. 
     In another aspect, the cutout region is sufficiently flexible to fold around the wearer&#39;s nose. 
     In another aspect, the visor further includes third surfaces adjacent to the first surface that wrap around sides of the wearer&#39;s face when the visor is in use. 
     In another aspect, the visor is made of a recyclable material. 
     In another aspect, the visor may be separated from the visor assembly and cleaned for reuse. 
     In another aspect, the third surfaces include a compound angle, the first surface includes a dome portion as an upper edge, the members are canted outwards, and the members rest atop the mask. 
     In another aspect, the slits further include at least one cut to hold the at least one fastening element in place. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a kit including the visor and face mask herein described. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a visor configured to connect to a disposable face mask to be about a wearer&#39;s face. The visor includes a first surface that is substantially flat when the visor is not connected to the disposable face mask and is substantially curved when the visor is connected to the disposable face mask and worn; a second surface that is substantially flat when the visor is not connected to the disposable face mask and is substantially curved when the visor is connected to the disposable face mask and worn; two protruding members that protrude substantially in parallel to the first surface towards the disposable face mask, each member including at least one slit through which at least one fastening element of the disposable face mask may pass at least once. 
     The visor cannot be detached from the disposable face mask when worn after the fastening elements of the disposable face mask have passed through the slits, and the wearer may adjust the visor about the wearer&#39;s own face without affecting the face mask by pivoting and/or sliding the visor about the fastening elements. 
     In an aspect, when in use the visor is sufficiently flexible to mold to the wearer&#39;s face, and when in use the visor deforms no more than necessary for the at least one fastening element to remain substantially straight. When not in use, the visor assumes its original shape, and the visor is made of transparent material. 
     In another aspect, only the first surface of the visor is made of transparent material. 
     In another aspect, the second surface includes a cutout region to accommodate a wearer&#39;s nose. 
     In another aspect, the cutout region is sufficiently flexible to fold around the wearer&#39;s nose. 
     In another aspect, the visor further includes third surfaces adjacent to the first surface that wrap around sides of the wearer&#39;s face when the visor is in use. 
     In another aspect, the visor is made of a recyclable material. 
     In another aspect, the visor may be separated from the disposable face mask and cleaned for reuse. 
     In another aspect, the third surfaces include a compound angle, the first surface includes a dome portion as an upper edge, the members are canted outwards, and the members rest atop the mask. 
     In another aspect, the slits further include at least one cut to hold the at least one fastening element in place. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a method of shielding a wearer&#39;s face from biological hazards. The method includes passing at least one fastening element of a face mask through slits of a visor to assemble a visor assembly, with two protruding members of the visor protruding substantially in parallel to a first surface of the visor towards the disposable face mask, and each member includes at least one slit through which the at least one fastening element of the disposable face mask may pass at least once. The method further includes pressing the visor assembly against their own face, and attaching the at least one fastening element of the face mask now passed through the slits of the visor around the wearer&#39;s own head, 
     The visor may not be detached from the face mask when worn after the at least one fastening element has passed through the slits. The wearer may adjust the face mask component of the visor assembly about the wearer&#39;s own face, and the wearer may adjust the visor component of the visor assembly about the wearer&#39;s own face without affecting the face mask component by pivoting and/or sliding the visor component about the at least one fastening element. 
     In an aspect, when in use the visor is sufficiently flexible to mold to the wearer&#39;s face, and when in use the visor deforms no more than necessary for the at least one fastening element to remain substantially straight. When not in use the visor assumes its original shape, and the visor is made of transparent material. 
     In another aspect, only the first surface of the visor is made of transparent material. 
     In another aspect, the second surface includes a cutout region to accommodate a wearer&#39;s nose. 
     In another aspect, the cutout region is sufficiently flexible to fold around the wearer&#39;s nose. 
     In another aspect, the visor further includes third surfaces adjacent to the first surface that wrap around sides of the wearer&#39;s face when the visor is in use. 
     In another aspect, the wearer attaches the at least one fastening element of the face mask around the wearer&#39;s own head before pressing the visor assembly against the wearer&#39;s own face. 
     In another aspect, the visor is made of a recyclable material. 
     In another aspect, separating the visor from the visor assembly and cleaning the visor for reuse. 
     In another aspect, the third surfaces include a compound angle, the first surface includes a dome portion as an upper edge, the members are canted outwards, and the members rest atop the mask. 
     In another aspect, the slits further include at least one cut to hold the at least one fastening element in place. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a method of manufacturing a visor configured to connect to a disposable face mask to be worn about a wearer&#39;s face. The method includes preparing optically clear plastic according to known chemical processes, using a sheet extrusion line to produce sheets of the optically clear plastic, and using any of laser cutting, rotary die cutting, die cutting, stamping press, or other technology to cut the sheets into the shape of visors. The visors include a first surface that is substantially flat when the visor is not connected to the disposable face mask, and the first surface is substantially curved when the visor is connected to the disposable face mask and worn; a second surface that is substantially flat when the visor is not connected to the disposable face mask, and the second surface is substantially curved when the visor is connected to the disposable face mask and worn. The visor further includes two protruding members that protrude substantially in parallel to the first surface towards the disposable face mask, each member including at least one slit through which at least one fastening element of the disposable face mask may pass at least once; the visor cannot be detached from the disposable face mask when worn after the at least one fastening element of the disposable face mask have passed through the slits, and the wearer may adjust the visor about the wearer&#39;s own face without affecting the face mask by pivoting and/or sliding the visor about the at least one fastening element. 
     In an aspect, stamping the plastic includes stamping multiple sheets of the plastic at once. 
     In another aspect, when in use the visor is sufficiently flexible to mold to the wearer&#39;s face, and when in use the visor deforms no more than necessary for the at least one fastening element to remain substantially straight. When not in use the visor assumes its original shape, and the visor is made of transparent material. 
     In another aspect, only the first surface of the visor is made of transparent material. 
     In another aspect, the second surface includes a cutout region to accommodate a wearer&#39;s nose. 
     In another aspect, the cutout region is sufficiently flexible to fold around the wearer&#39;s nose. 
     In another aspect, the visor further includes third surfaces adjacent to the first surface that wrap around sides of the wearer&#39;s face when the visor is in use. 
     In another aspect, the visor is made of a recyclable material. 
     In another aspect, the visor may be separated from the disposable face mask and cleaned for reuse. 
     In another aspect, the third surfaces include a compound angle, the first surface includes a dome portion as an upper edge, the members are canted outwards, and the members rest atop the mask. 
     In another aspect, the slits further include at least one cut to hold the at least one fastening element in place. 
     Other aspects and features will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of some exemplary embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an angled side view of an embodiment of the visor of the present disclosure in use, affixed to a disposable face mask to form an embodiment of the visor assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a visor for shielding a wearer&#39;s face, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the visor of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a visor for shielding a wearer&#39;s face, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a visor for shielding a wearer&#39;s face, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIGS. 6 to 10  are perspective, side perspective, top, bottom perspective and side views, respectively of a visor for shielding a wearer&#39;s face, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of a method of shielding a wearer&#39;s face from biological hazards; 
         FIG. 12  is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a visor configured to connect to a disposable face mask; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of part of the visor and visor assembly of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is another view of the visor assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed embodiment. No embodiment described below limits any claimed embodiment and any claimed embodiment may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed embodiments are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is an embodiment of a visor assembly  100  for protecting a wearer&#39;s face  134 , in accordance with an embodiment. The visor assembly  100  includes a visor  102  for protecting eyes  136  of the wearer  140  and a face mask  120  for covering a mouth  142  and a nose  138  of the wearer  140 . 
     A black outline approximately corresponding to the shape of the visor  102  is provided in  FIG. 1  for ease of viewing. A similar outline is provided corresponding to the shape of one of the slits  112 . 
     The mask  120  includes main body  122  for covering the mouth  142  and the nose  138  of the wearer  140 . The main body  122  of the mask  120  may be a disposable surgical mask. The main body  122  may also be a respirator The main body  122  may also be a cloth mask. The main body  122  may be any kind of face covering suitable for covering the mouth  142  and the nose  138  of the wearer  140 . 
     The mask  120  further includes one or more fastening elements  116  for securing the mask  120  and eventually the visor assembly  120  to the face  134  of the wearer  140 . 
     The visor assembly  100  includes the visor  102  for protecting the eyes  136  of the wearer  140 . The visor  102  includes a first surface  104  for curving about the face  134  of the wearer  140 , a second surface  106  for curving about the face  134  of the wearer  140 , and third surfaces  108  for wrapping around a wearer&#39;s head  144  or face  134 . 
     Advantageously, the visor  102  may be used in combination with any face mask  120 . Whereas the mask  120  covers the nose  138  and mouth  142  of the wearer  140 , the visor  102  covers the eyes  136  of the wearer  140 . Accordingly, where the mask  120  has fastening elements  116  for securing the mask about the head  144  of the wearer, the combined visor assembly  100  may protect the entirety of the face  134  of the wearer  140 . 
     The first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  are substantially flat when the visor  102  is not connected to the face mask  120 . Advantageously, multiple visors  102  may easily be stacked together for storage and/or shipping. The first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  are substantially curved when the visor  102  is connected to the face mask  120  and the visor assembly  100  is worn. Accordingly, the first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  may be molded to the face  134  of the wearer  140 . 
     The first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  may be sufficiently flexible both to remain flat when not worn by the wearer  140  and to mold to the wearer&#39;s face  134  when in use. The first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  may then be sufficiently flexible to assume its original shape when not in use. Such flexibility advantageously ensures that a visor  102  is not permanently curved or deformed upon use by a wearer  140  and may be easily stored after use as previously described herein. 
     The third surfaces  108  wrap around sides of the wearer&#39;s own face  134  or head  144  when the visor  102  is in use, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Such wrapping advantageously ensures greater protection for the wearer&#39;s own face  134  and/or head  144  when the visor  102  is in use. Such wrapping may further help to secure the visor  102  and accordingly the visor assembly  100  when in use by the wearer  140 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , fastening elements  116  connect to the mask  120  at each of bottom-left, bottom-right, top-left, and top-right corners  146 ,  148 ,  150 , and  152 , respectively, of the face mask  120  (directions are relative to  FIG. 1  itself). That the at least one fastening element  116  connect to the face mask  120  across multiple corners  146 ,  148 ,  150 , and  152  may advantageously help distribute tension among the at least one fastening element  116 . The proper distribution of tension among the at least one fastening element  116  may make the at least one fastening element  116  less likely to stretch or break, which in turn may make the face mask  120  and accordingly the visor assembly  100  less likely to fall off the face  134  of the wearer  140 . That the at least one fastening element  116  connect to the face mask  120  across multiple corners  146 ,  148 ,  150 , and  152  may further advantageously cause the mask  120  and accordingly the visor assembly  100  to remain in place on the wearer&#39;s face  134  and/or head  144  despite the stretching or breaking of one or more fastening elements  116 . 
     The at least one fastening element  116  may include earloops  116 . Such earloops may be easy for a wearer  140  to secure about ears  154  of the wearer  140 . Such earloops  116  may further act to properly distribute tension among two or more corners  146 ,  148 ,  150 , and  152  as previously described. Such earloops  116  may be made of fabric, elastic, or other materials or a combination thereof. Elastic earloops  116  may be able to stretch and so properly distribute tension as previously described while returning to their original shape. 
     The earloops  116  may connect to top-left corner  150  and bottom-left corner  146  and to top-right corner  152  and bottom-right corner  148 . The earloops  116  may instead connect top-left corner  150  to top-right corner  152  and bottom-left corner  146  to bottom-right corner  148 . Such earloops  116  may instead be termed headbands  116 . Other combinations may be possible. 
     The at least one fastening element  116  may include individual cords or strings  116 . 
     The at least one fastening element  116  connected to any one of the corners  146 ,  148 ,  150 , and  152  may connect to one or more fastening elements  116  connected to any one of the corners  146 ,  148 ,  150 , and  152  (for example, by tying the individual cords or strings  116  together into a knot). Such a combination of multiple possible connections may advantageously allow a wearer  140  to adjust and secure the mask  120  in a variety of ways in order to ensure protection of the wearer&#39;s own face  134 . 
     The visor  102  further includes two protruding members  110 . The two members  110  protrude substantially in parallel to the first surface  104  towards the mask  120 . Each member  110  includes at least one slit  112 . Advantageously, the members  110  protrude towards the mask  120  in order to reach the bottom corners  146  and  148  of the mask  120 . Where the members  110  extend fully towards and past the bottom corners  146  and  148 , the at least one fastening element  116  may be passed through the slits  112  without unduly stretching or deforming the at least one fastening element  116 . Such passage through the slits  112  may cause the mask  120  and accordingly the visor assembly  100  to more securely and easily remain in place on the face  134  and/or about the head  144  of the wearer  140 , thereby better protecting the wearer  140 . The elastic nature of  116  allows for a range of positions of placement of the visor  102  on the wearer&#39;s face  134  in order to accommodate a variety of faces  134  and preferences for wear. 
     The members  110  and bottom of the second surface  106  may rest on top of the mask  120 . The members  110  and bottom of the second surface  106  when so resting may help retain the mask  120  in place about the wearer&#39;s own face  134 . This configuration may improve the functionality of the mask  120  in creating and retaining a better seal between the mask  120  and the wearer&#39;s own face  134 . 
     One of the at least one fastening element  116  may pass through a slit  112  one or more times. For example, where a fastening element  116  is an individual cord or string as previously described, each fastening element  116  may pass through its corresponding slit  112  once before being connected, for example through tying a knot, to another fastening element  116  that has passed through its corresponding slit  112 . Alternately, where the fastening element  116  is an earloop  116  (such as in  FIG. 1 ), the fastening element  116  may pass through its corresponding slit  112  twice (such as through cuts  124 ). 
     The visor  102  further includes a region  118  to accommodate the nose of a wearer of the visor assembly  100 . The material of the visor  102  may be flexible enough such that the region  118  is sufficiently flexible to accommodate a wearer&#39;s nose without discomfort or undue pressure. 
     The slits  112  may be between 0.1 and 5 cm in length. The slits  112  may be between 0.1 and 3 cm in length. The slits  112  may be between 0.1 and 1 cm in length. The slits  112  may be between 0.5 and 1 cm in length. The slits  112  may be between 0.1 and 0.5 cm in length. 
     The members  110  may be between 1 and 10 cm in length. The members  110  may be between 3 and 7 cm in length. The members  110  may be between 4 and 6 cm in length. 
     The slits  112  may be positioned between 1 and 10 cm away from a distal edge of the members  110 . The slits  112  may be positioned between 3 and 7 cm away from the distal edge of the members  110 . The slits  112  may be positioned between 4 and 6 cm away from the distal edge of the members  110 . 
     The slits  112  may be substantially straight and parallel to the first surface  104 . The slits  112  may be substantially straight and perpendicular to the first surface  104 . The slits  112  may be substantially straight and may be at an angle (not shown) that is neither parallel nor perpendicular relative to the first surface  104 . 
     The slits  112  may be substantially curved and convex relative to an interior side edge of each member  110 . The slits  112  may be substantially curved and concave relative to an interior side edge of each member  110 . 
     Advantageously, the visor  102  may be capable of cleaning and reuse after separation from the mask  120  to effect disassembly of the visor assembly  100 . By contrast, conventional means of attaching the visor  102  to the mask  120 , such as welding, rather than the use of fastening elements  116  and slits  112  as herein described, are not susceptible to such cleaning and reuse as the visor  102  may accordingly not be easily separable from the mask  120 . 
     Advantageously, the visor  102  may be made of a recyclable material. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , shown therein is a block diagram of the visor  102  of  FIG. 1  not connected to the face mask  120 . In  FIG. 2 , like references denote like features. 
     Certain features of the visor  120  may be clearer in  FIG. 2  than in FIG. 1. For example, the protruding members  110  herein protrude substantially in parallel to the first surface  104  of the visor  102 . The members  110  include slits  112  through which a fastening element  116  may pass one or more times. 
     The members  110  further include rounded edges  126 . With such rounded edges  126 , the manufacturability of the visor  102  may be increased greatly. Furthermore, sharp edges may catch on other fabric and/or PPE and may inadvertently cause breaks in the skin of the wearer  140 , which are vectors for infection. Such rounded edges  126  may advantageously avoid causing the wearer physical discomfort or damaging the face mask  120 , as might otherwise be the case with sharp or otherwise straight, flat edges on the members  110 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the slits  112  begin within the members  110  but continue upwards past the members  110  and into the second surface  106 . The slits  112  may further extend upwards past the second surface  106  and into the first surface  104 . 
     The slits  112  further include the cuts  124 , which may be at the top and/or bottom of the slits  112  as shown or elsewhere along the slits  112 , for holding the at least one fastening element  116 . These cuts may be in the shape of curves, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or in a D′ or rectangular shape. The cuts  124  may retain the at least one fastening element  116  at the top and bottom of the slits  112  when the at least one fastening element  116  are passed through the slits  112  by the wearer. For example, where the at least one fastening element  116  are earloops  116  of the disposable face mask  120 , the cuts  124  may ensure that top and bottom portions of the earloops  116  do not tangle or otherwise migrate to the middle of the slit  112 , which might cause discomfort for the wearer  140  and might result in the face mask  120 , the visor  102 , and/or the entire visor assembly  100  not remaining on the wearer&#39;s face  134  and/or about the wearer&#39;s head  144 . The presence of the cuts  124  interrupts strain in the material that could be present in a simple linear slit  112 . The presence of the cuts  124  may allow for easier insertion or passing of the at least one fastening element  116  by allowing an inherent flexibility to create an open gate in the visor  102 . 
     The use of the slits  112  enables the at least one fastening element  116  to pass through the visor  102  with minimal damage to structural integrity. Advantageously, the use of slits  112  rather than holes with a greater three-dimensional presence increases ease of manufacturing and scalability of the visor  102 . Furthermore, earloops  116  of disposable face masks  120  commonly in use could not pass through holes in the visor  102 . The use of slits  112  accommodates multiple different types of fastening elements  116 , including both individual cords or strings  116  as well as earloops  116 . 
     The use of the at least one fastening element  116  of the face mask  120  to secure the visor  102  further increases both the integrity of the assembled visor assembly  100  and the ease with which the visor  102  may be removed from the assembled visor assembly  100  so that the face mask  120  may be used alone. Because the at least one fastening element  116  of the face mask  120  are used to secure the visor  102 , the visor  102  cannot be removed and cannot fall off while the visor assembly  100  is in use on the wearer&#39;s face  134  and head  144 . For example, the earloops  116  that secure the face mask  120  also secure the visor  102 . Unlike conventional surgical goggles or glasses, the visor  102  remains securely positioned on the wearer&#39;s face  134 . However, as soon as the visor assembly  100  is removed from the wearer&#39;s face  134 , the wearer  140  may separate the visor  102  from the face mask  120  by simply pulling the at least one fastening element  116  (for example, earloops  116 ) back through the slits  112 . 
     A further advantage of this method of attachment is the adjustability of the visor  102  while the visor assembly  100  is in place. The wearer  140  of the visor assembly  100  may adjust the visor  102  up or down the wearer&#39;s own face  134  and may further increase or decrease an angle between the visor  102  and the wearer&#39;s own face  134 . This adjustment occurs through pivoting and/or sliding the visor  102  about the at least one fastening element  116  while the at least one fastening element  116  are passed through the slits  112 . Where the at least one fastening element  116  are properly secured as they would be if the wearer  140  were wearing the mask  120  alone without the visor  102  (for example, in the case of earloops  116  properly affixed about the wearer&#39;s own ears  154 ), this adjustment may advantageously not affect the integrity of the visor assembly  100  and the overall position of the face mask  120  on the wearer&#39;s own face  134 . The slits  112  may be sufficiently long so as to accommodate wearers  140  with larger heads  144  and/or larger faces  134  and further may offer adjustability of positioning of the visor  102  and consequently the visor assembly  100  for all wearers  140 . 
     The slits  112  may be substantially straight and parallel to the first surface  104  (i.e., vertical, as shown in  FIG. 2 ). The slits  112  instead may be substantially straight and perpendicular to the first surface  104  (i.e., horizontal compared to the slits  112  of  FIG. 2 ). The slits  112  may be substantially straight and be at any other angle relative to the first surface  104 . These configurations may promote ease of manufacturing. These configurations may further promote ease of assembly of the visor assembly  100  by the wearer  140 . Any of these configurations may allow for easier insertion or passing of the at least one fastening element  116  by allowing an inherent flexibility to create an open gate in the visor  102 . 
     The slits  112  may be substantially curved and may be convex relative to an interior side edge of each member  110 . The slits  112  may instead be substantially curved and may be concave relative to an interior side edge of each member  110 . These configurations may promote ease of manufacturing. These configurations may further promote ease of assembly of the visor assembly  100  by the wearer  140 . This configuration may allow for a rigid configuration that positions the visor assembly  100  further away from the wearer&#39;s eyes  136  without being positioned too far down the wearer&#39;s nose  138 . 
     The slits  112  may include cuts  124 , which may be at the top and/or the bottom of the slits  112  as shown in  FIG. 1 , or elsewhere along slits  112 . Cuts  124  may advantageously help retain the at least one fastening element  116  in place within the slits  112 . 
     The visor  102  may be sufficiently flexible so as to mold to the wearer&#39;s own face  134 . The visor  102  may deform no more than necessary for the at least one fastening element  116  to remain substantially straight. Alternately, the visor  102  may be relatively rigid even when in use such that the visor  102  deforms no more than necessary in order for the at least one fastening element  116  to remain substantially straight. When not in use, the visor  102  may assume its original shape. 
     The visor  102  may be entirely made of transparent material, such as an optically clear plastic or other plastic. Alternately, only the first surface  104  of the visor  102  may be made of such transparent material. Advantageously, this configuration may reduce glare for the wearer  140  (e.g., while performing surgery) and/or may reduce ambient light (e.g., when outdoors). The first surface  104  includes a viewing area  132  through which the wearer may see past the visor  102 . 
     Distance  128  represents the distance from the top of the slit  112  to the bottom of the second surface  106  of the visor  102 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the slit  112  may extend beyond the member  110  upwards into the second surface  106 . The slit  112  may even extend beyond the member  110  and second surface  106  upwards into the first surface  104 . Such different lengths of the distance  128  and/or of the slits  112  may accommodate wearers  140  with different preferences and/or physical requirements of the head  144  and/or face  134 . A longer slit  112  may accommodate different sizes of face  134  of wearers  140 . Such accommodation may advantageously reducing stretching and breaking of the at least one fastening element  116 . 
     Distance  130  represents the distance that the members  110  extend past the second surface  106  of the visor  102 . Such different lengths of the distance  138  and/or of the members  110  may accommodate wearers  140  with different preferences and/or physical requirements of the head  144  and/or face  134 . Such extension of the members  110  may advantageously reduce stretching and breaking of the at least one fastening element  116  when passing through the slits  112 . 
     Such reduced stretching and breaking of the at least one fastening element  116  upon passage through the slits  112  may advantageously cause the mask  120  and accordingly the visor assembly  100  to more securely and easily remain in place on the face  134  and about the head  144  of the wearer  140 , thereby better protecting the wearer  140 . 
     Advantageously, the visor  102  may be capable of cleaning and reuse after separation from the mask  120  to effect disassembly of the visor assembly  100 . By contrast, conventional means of attaching the visor  102  to the mask  120 , such as welding, rather than the use of fastening elements  116  and slits  112  as herein described, are not susceptible to such cleaning and reuse as the visor  102  may accordingly not be easily separable from the mask  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , shown therein is an alternate embodiment  402  of the visor  102  of  FIGS. 1-3 . In  FIG. 4 , like references denote like features. 
     The visor  402  includes first surface  404 , second surface  406 , and third surfaces  408  as in the visor  102 . The visor  402  further includes members  410 , which include slits  412 . The wider members  410  may advantageously provide greater structural integrity to the visor  402  and visor assembly  400 . 
     The first surface  404  of the visor  402  may advantageously extend higher up the face  434  of the wearer  440  (visible as a curved upper edge of the first surface  404  in  FIG. 4 ) than does first surface  104  of visor  102  in  FIG. 1 . The higher first surface  404  may advantageously protect more of the wearer&#39;s face  434 . The higher first surface  404  may advantageously accommodate larger heads  444  and/or faces  434  of wearers  440 , particularly taller heads  444  and/or faces  434 . 
     The outer edges of third surfaces  408  define a compound angle relative to the first surface  404 , in contradiction to the outer edges of first surface  108 , which define only a single angle relative to the first surface  104 . That the third surfaces  408  are accordingly less pronounced and less sharp may advantageously allow the visor  402  to be safer for wearers  440  to handle and wear and for storage purposes. The compound angle formed by third surface  408  arises because the third surfaces  408  are formed in part by two protrusions relative to the first surface  404 , whereas the third surfaces  108  are formed through a single protrusion relative to the first surface  104 . 
     The slits  412  include cuts  424 . The cuts  424  are cut in a rectangular shape. This shape may advantageously better hold the at least one fastening element  416  in place. The cuts  424  may also be cut such that the slits  412  form a D′ shape in the members  410 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , shown therein is an alternate embodiment  502  of the visor  102  of  FIGS. 1-4 . In  FIG. 5 , like references denote like features. 
     The visor  502  includes first surface  504 , second surface  506 , and third surfaces  508  as in the visor  102 . The visor  502  further includes members  510 , which include slits  512 . 
     The visor  502  further includes narrowed distance  554  between the slits  512  across the wearer&#39;s face  534 . This narrowed distance  554  may cause the visor  502  to advantageously sit on the pleats of the mask  520  and hold the mask  520  in place on the face  534  of the wearer  540 . With distance  554  between the slits  512  and consequently the members  510 , the members  510  may advantageously hold the sides of the mask  520  in place in order to create a better seal between the mask  520  and the wearer  540 , thereby advantageously improving the functionality of the mask  520  in the visor assembly  500 . 
     In the visor  502 , the region  518  may sit more comfortably or efficaciously on the nose  538  of the wearer. 
     The visor  502  includes slits  512  that are lower in the visor  502  than are the slits  112  in the visor  102 . Such lower slits  512  may advantageously more easily engage the at least one fastening element  516  of the mask  520  to secure the visor  502  in place. 
     The slits  512  include cuts  524 . The cuts  524  are cut in a rectangular shape. This shape may advantageously better hold the at least one fastening element  516  in place. The cuts  524  may also be cut such that the slits  512  form a D′ shape in the members  510 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 to 10 , shown therein is an alternate embodiment  602  of the visor  102  of  FIGS. 1-5 . In  FIGS. 6 to 10 , like references denote like features. 
     The visor  602  includes first surface  604 , second surface  606 , and third surfaces  608  as in the visor  102 . The visor  602  further includes members  610 , which further include slits  612 . 
     In the visor  602 , the members  610  and slits  612  are canted outwards, away from the first, second, and third surfaces  604 ,  606 , and  608 . Accordingly, the internal edges of the members  610  may be closer to each other than in previous embodiments. Such a configuration of the members  610  and slits  612  may advantageously increase the stability of the visor  602  and associated visor assembly  600  and may further allow the visor  602  to be worn further from the wearer&#39;s own face  634 . Such a configuration may further advantageously permit the wearer  640  to comfortably wear glasses or other eyewear over the eyes  636  and about the face  634 . 
     The slits  612  include cuts  624 . The cuts  624  may be cut in a rectangular shape. This shape may advantageously better hold the at least one fastening element  616  in place. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the cuts  624  are in the shape of curves contiguous with the slits  612 . This shape of the cuts  624  may advantageously allow for easy repositioning of fastening elements  616  by the wearer  640 . The cuts  624  may be cut such that the slits  612  form a D′ shape in the members  610 . 
     The internal edges of the members  610  of the visor  602  are closer to each other in visor  602  and so may keep the sides of the mask  620  pressed against the face  634  of the wearer  640 . In order to achieve this, the members  610  are canted on a dihedral angle of less than 10 degrees (for example, 5.7 degrees in  FIG. 6 ) with respect to a vertical axis through the centre of the visor  602 . For ease of manufacture, the cuts  624  may not be in a D′ or rectangular shape. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , shown therein is a method  1100  of shielding a wearer&#39;s face from biological hazards. 
     At  1102 , the wearer passes the at least one fastening element  116  of the face mask  120  through the slits  112  of the visor  102  (or visor  402 ,  502 ,  602 ) to assemble the visor assembly  100 . For example, the wearer may pass the earloops  116  shown in  FIG. 1  through the slits  112  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Advantageously, the top and bottom of the earloops  116  may rest in each of the cuts  124 , which may be upper and lower cuts  124 , respectively, on each side of the visor assembly  100 . The cuts  124  may ensure that top and bottom portions of the earloops  116  do not tangle or otherwise migrate to the middle of the slit  112 , which might cause discomfort for the wearer  140  and might result in the face mask  120 , the visor  102 , and/or the entire visor assembly  100  not remaining on the wearer&#39;s face  134  and/or about the wearer&#39;s head  144 . 
     The two protruding members  110  of the visor  102  protrude substantially in parallel to the first surface  104  of the visor  102  towards the disposable face mask  120 . Each member  110  includes at least one slit  112  through which one of the at least one fastening element  116  of the disposable face mask  120  may pass at least once. 
     At  1104 , the wearer  140  presses the assembled visor assembly  100  against their own face  134 . 
     At  1106 , the wearer  140  attaches the at least one fastening element  116  of the face mask  120  around the wearer&#39;s own head  144 . 
     At  1108 , the wearer may adjust the visor  102  without affecting the fit of the face mask  120  by pivoting and/or sliding the visor  102  about the at least one fastening element  116 . 
     Advantageously, the visor  102  may be capable of cleaning and reuse after separation from the mask  120  to effect disassembly of the visor assembly  100 . By contrast, conventional means of attaching the visor  102  to the mask  120 , such as welding, rather than the use of fastening elements  116  and slits  112  as herein described, are not susceptible to such cleaning and reuse as the visor  102  may accordingly not be easily separable from the mask  120 . 
     Advantageously, the visor  102  may be made of a recyclable material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , shown therein is a method  1200  of manufacturing a visor  102  (or visor  402 ,  502 ,  602 ) configured to connect to a disposable face mask  120 . 
     At  1202 , preparing optically clear plastic according to known chemical processes. 
     At  1204 , using a sheet extrusion line to produce sheets of the optically clear plastic. 
     At  1206 , using any of laser cutting, rotary die cutting, die cutting, stamping press, or any other technology to cut the sheets into the shape of the visors  102 . 
     In the case of a die cutting process, in order to increase efficiency of the process, multiple sheets of the optically clear plastic may be stamped at a time. 
     The plastic sheet may include a protective lamination affixed to one or both exterior sides. The lamination may be peeled off before wearing the visor  102 . The lamination may help prevent the visor  102  from being scratched, for example in transit. The lamination may help prevent contamination of the visor  102  before use. 
     Advantageously, the visor  102  may be capable of cleaning and reuse after separation from the mask  120  to effect disassembly of the visor assembly  100 . By contrast, conventional means of attaching the visor  102  to the mask  120 , such as welding, rather than the use of fastening elements  116  and slits  112  as herein described, are not susceptible to such cleaning and reuse as the visor  102  may accordingly not be easily separable from the mask  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , shown therein is an enlarged view of part of the visor assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
     In  FIG. 13 , the integration of the at least one fastening element  116  (in  FIG. 13 , earloops  116 ) of the mask  120  with the visor  102  (or visor  402 ,  502 ,  602 ) may be more clearly seen. To effect this integration, the wearer  140  (in  FIG. 13 , mannequin  140 ) passes the at least one fastening element  116  through the slits  112  of the members  110  of the visor  102 . The slits  112  include cuts  124 , which may be at the top and/or bottom of the slits  112  as shown, or elsewhere along slits  112 . In the case of the visor  102  shown in  FIG. 13 , the cuts  124  are in the form of curves in which the at least one fastening element  116  may be lodged. The cuts  124  may also take the form of rectangular cuts at the top and bottom of the slits  112 . The cuts  124  may also be cut such that the slits  112  form a D′ shape in the members  110 . 
     The at least one fastening element  116  are attached to the mask  120  at each of the corners  146 ,  148 ,  150 , and  152  In  FIG. 1 , corners  150  and  146  of the mask  120  were visible, while corners  152  and  148  were not. In  FIG. 13 , because the wearer  140  is depicted facing to the left rather than to the right of the image, corners  152  and  148  are visible, while corners  150  and  146  are located on the other side of the mask  120  about the face  134  of the mannequin  140 . 
     In  FIG. 13 , the cutout region  118  of the mask body  122  is properly supported by the the nose  138  of the wearer  140 . 
     In  FIG. 13 , the lower portion  160  of the second surface  106  adjacent to the cutout region  118  and the inner portion  162  of the member  110  may provide a functional improvement to the mask  120 . This function improvement may arise through increasing the efficacy of the seal between the mask  120  and the wearer&#39;s face  134 . Because the weight and pressure of the visor  102  as exerted through the lower portion  160  of the second surface  106  and the inner portion  162  of the member  110  are focused on the mask body  122 , sides of the mask  120  may advantageously be pressed against the wearer&#39;s face  134 . This functional improvement may further increase the health and safety of the wearer  140 , thereby improving the mask  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , shown therein is another view of the visor assembly  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 13 . Like references denote like features. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, where a series of actions are described in the context of a method or process, those actions may be taken in any order that produces the desired result. Examples of a method being illustrated or performed are not to be taken as restricting the scope of any methods or processes described or claimed to the exact series or order of actions herein described or claimed. 
     While the above description provides examples of one or more apparatus, methods, or systems, it will be appreciated that other apparatus, methods, or systems may be within the scope of the claims as interpreted by one of skill in the art.