Abstract:
A mask and shield assembly for protecting the face of a user may include A reversible mask having an attachment device and a frame member for detachably connecting to the attachment device of the reversible mask. The frame member may include an outwardly extending projection, and the reversible mask includes an aperture, and the outwardly extending projection may cooperate with the aperture to hold the reversible mask in position. The reversible mask may include a first surface of the reversible mask including camouflage indicia, and the reversible mask includes a second surface including hunter orange indicia. The attachment device may include an expandable aperture and the expandable aperture may include a slit. The outwardly extending projection may include an enlarged end, and the frame member may include a concave curved portion.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority under 35 USC section 119 and is based on the following provisional applications: 60/999,313 which was filed on Oct. 17, 2007, 61/002,321 which was filed on Nov. 8, 2007, 61/137,667 which was filed on Aug. 1, 2008 and 61/118,923 which was filed on Aug. 14, 2008. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to mask and eye shields for caregivers, and more particularly to a reversible mask. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Transparent eye shields are especially useful in medical or dental surgical operations where the user&#39;s eyes may be exposed to blood-born pathogens such as Hepatitis, Staphylococcus and HIV viruses. Although such devices are available, they are constructed with the frame substantially permanently attached to or otherwise integral with the eye covering portion, which is typically of industrial grade plastic, suitable for protecting the eyes from flying debris, but unnecessarily thick and heavy for use in a medical or dental setting. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A mask and shield assembly for protecting the face of a user may include A reversible mask having an attachment device and a frame member for detachably connecting to the attachment device of the reversible mask. The frame member may include an outwardly extending projection, and the reversible mask includes an aperture, and the outwardly extending projection may cooperate with the aperture to hold the reversible mask in position. 
         [0005]    The reversible mask may include a first surface of the reversible mask including camouflage indicia, and the reversible mask includes a second surface including hunter orange indicia. 
         [0006]    The attachment device may include an expandable aperture and the expandable aperture may include a slit. 
         [0007]    The outwardly extending projection may include an enlarged end, and the frame member may include a concave curved portion. 
         [0008]    The frame member may be flexible, and the attachment device may include an adhesive surface. 
         [0009]    The attachment surface may be protected by a protective sheet, and the adhesive surface may be positioned on a front and back of the adhesive device. 
         [0010]    The mask may include an expandable edge member, and the expandable edge member may be positioned on a lower edge of the mask. 
         [0011]    The expandable edge member may be positioned along a side edge of the mask, and the reversible mask may be affixed to the eye shielding member. 
         [0012]    The shielding eye member may include a foldable side member, and the shielding eye member may include a protective cover. 
         [0013]    The protective cover may include a tab member, and the reversible mask may include a lower cord member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of the frame member of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the frame member of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the outwardly extending projection of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a reversible mask in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of another reversible mask in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a user wearing the reversible mask; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detachable mask of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates another detachable mask of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates another detachable mask of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates the expandable aperture of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  illustrates an earpiece of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of the detachable mask of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the detachable mask and eye shield of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of the detachable mask and eye shield of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of the user of the detachable mask with a lower cord member; 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of the user of the detachable mask without the lower cord member; 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  illustrates a perspective view of the user of the detachable mask with the lower cord member; 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  illustrates a perspective view of the user of the detachable mask without the lower cord member; 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  illustrates a perspective view of the user of the detachable mask and the eye shield member with a protective cover; 
           [0034]      FIG. 22  illustrates a side view of the eye shield member and protective cover; 
           [0035]      FIG. 23  illustrates a top view of the eye shield member and protective cover; 
           [0036]      FIG. 24  illustrates a perspective view of another mask of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 25  illustrates a perspective view of a mask and eye shield member of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 26  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mask of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 27  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mask and eye shield of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 28  illustrates a perspective view of the mask and eye shield of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 29  illustrates a perspective view of another mask and eye shield of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 30  illustrates a perspective view of the mask of the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 31  illustrates another perspective view of the mask and eyeglasses of the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 32  illustrates a top view of another frame member; 
           [0045]      FIG. 33  illustrates a side view of the frame member; 
           [0046]      FIG. 34  illustrates a top view of another frame member; 
           [0047]      FIG. 35  illustrates a perspective view of another frame member; 
           [0048]      FIG. 36  illustrates a side view of the frame member; 
           [0049]      FIG. 37  illustrates a side view of the inward or outward projection member; 
           [0050]      FIG. 38  illustrates a side view of another mask of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 39  illustrates a perspective view of another mask of the present invention; 
           [0052]      FIG. 40  illustrates a perspective view of another mask of the present invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 41  illustrates a frame member with the projections on the inside; 
           [0054]      FIG. 42  illustrates a frame member with the projections on the outside; 
           [0055]      FIG. 43  illustrates a protective cover with camouflage design; 
           [0056]      FIG. 44  illustrates a protective cover that is clear. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0057]      FIG. 1  illustrates a frame member  101  which is approximately C or U shaped. The frame member  101  may include a front portion  107  which may cooperate with the forehead and nose of the user. The front portion  107  may include a concaved curve portion  105 , and the frame member  101  may include a temple portion  103  to cooperate with the side of the head of the user and may be positioned approximately at the temple of the user. The temple portion  103  may include an approximately S-shaped portion  111  to provide flexibility to the temple portion  103 .  FIG. 1  illustrates that the temple portion  103  may be flexible to move between a first position  113  and a second position  115  which may be closer to the head of the user. 
         [0058]      FIG. 2  illustrates a frame member  201  which is approximately C shaped. The frame member  201  may include a front portion  207  which may cooperate with the forehead and nose of the user. The front portion  207  may include a concaved curve portion  205 , and the frame member  201  may include a temple portion  203  to cooperate with the side of the head of the user and may be positioned Approximately at the temple of the user.  FIG. 2  illustrates that the temple portion  203  may be flexible to move between a first position  213  and a second position  215  which may be closer to the head of the user. 
         [0059]      FIG. 2  illustrates that the temple portion  203  and the front portion  207  may include an outwardly extending projection  209  which may extend substantially outwards or transverse to the surface of the temple portion  203  or the front portion  207 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 3  illustrates the outwardly extending projection  209  and illustrates that the outwardly extending projection  209  may include an enlarged radius end member  3102  allowing the mask (not shown) to be held in place. 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  illustrates a reversible mask  400  which may include a first surface  421  which may include indicia of camouflage design which may correspond to the first side of the reversible mask  400  and which may include a second surface  423  which may include indicia of hunter orange design which may correspond to the second side of the reversible mask  400 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 5  illustrates a reversible mask  500  which may include a first surface  521  which may include indicia of a happy face design which may correspond to the first side of the reversible mask  500  and which may include a second surface  523  which may include indicia of an automobile design which may correspond to the second side of the reversible mask  500 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  illustrates the reversible mask  400  affixed to the frame member  201  with the first surface  421  which may correspond to the camouflage design. 
         [0064]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detachable mask  701  and illustrates the front surface  705  of the detachable mask  701 . The detachable mask  701  may include an attachment device  703  which may be attached the detachable mask  701  to a detachable shield (not shown). The attachment device  703  may include expandable apertures  707  which may be positioned together to attach to the frame member  101 . The detachable mask  701  may be adapted for frame member with no projecting members. 
         [0065]      FIG. 8  illustrates another detachable mask  705  which may include an attachment device  703  which may include expandable apertures  707  which may be substantially equally spaced for attachment to the frame member  101 . The detachable mask may be adapted for a frame member with projecting members (outwards or inwards) 
         [0066]      FIG. 9  illustrates another detachable mask  705  which may include the attachment device  703  which may include an adhesive surface  709  which may be on one side of the detachable mask  705  or maybe on both sides of the detachable mask  705 . The adhesive surface  709  may be covered with a detachable sheet to protect the adhesive surface  709  until it is ready to be used. 
         [0067]      FIG. 10  illustrates the user wearing the detachable mask  705  which is detachably connected to the frame member  701 . The detachable mask  705  may be reversible and is illustrated having a hunters orange surface. 
         [0068]      FIG. 11  illustrates the user wearing a detachable mast  705  which is the detachably connected to the frame member  701 , and the detachable mask  705  may include a reversible surface.  FIG. 11  shows the detachable mask  705  having camouflage indicia. The camouflage indicia may be appropriate under battlefield conditions when it may be important to remain hidden. 
         [0069]      FIG. 12  illustrates the expandable aperture  707  which may include slits  708  which allow the expandable aperture  707  to expand. 
         [0070]      FIG. 13  illustrates a portion of the earpiece member  1301  of the present invention. The earpiece member  1301  may include a narrow portion  1303  and a thicker portion  1305  which may be connected to the narrow portion  1303 . The earpiece member  1301  may be an end to the temple portion  103 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 14  illustrates the detachable mask  705  which may be reversible.  FIG. 14  additionally illustrates that the detachable mask  705  may include the attachment device  703  which may include expandable aperture  707  to cooperate with the outwardly extending projection  709 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 14  additionally illustrates that the detachable mask  705  may include an expandable edge member  1453  which may be elastic or other suitable material in order to retract and expand the edge of the detachable mask  705  to the face of the user. More particularly, while the expandable edge member  1453  may be used on any edge of the detachable mask  705 ,  FIG. 14  illustrates that the expandable edge member  1453  may be used on the lower and side edges of the detachable mask  705  in order to provide a relatively snug fit with the face of the user. 
         [0073]      FIG. 14  additionally illustrates that the attachment device  703  may include a reinforcing member  1451  which may be a band formed from metal, wood, plastic or other suitable material in order to reinforce and conform the detachable mask  705  to the face of the user. The reinforcing member  1451  may extend along a portion of the attachment device  703  or may extend the entire length of the attachment device  703 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 15  illustrates an eye shield member  1557  which may be detachably connected to the detachable mask  705  and which may include eye shield apertures  1507  which may cooperate and align with the expandable aperture  707 . The eye shield member  1557  may include a front member  1553  which may be a substantially planar member which may shield the eyes and forehead of the user. The front member  1553  may be defined along the sides of the front member  1553  by a fold line  1559  which may be a weakened portion of the eye shield member  1557  to allow the foldable side member  1512  to fold or rotate so that the foldable side member  1512  may cooperate and cover a portion of the side of the face and to additionally enclose the eye shield member  1557  around the face of the user. 
         [0075]      FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of the eye shield member  1557  which may be detachably connected to the detachable mask  705  and which may include eye shield apertures  1507  which may cooperate and align with the expandable aperture  707 . The eye shield member  1557  may include a front member  1553  which may be a substantially planar member which may shield the eyes and forehead of the user. The front member  1553  may be defined along the sides of the front member  1553  by a fold line  1559  which may be a weakened portion of the eye shield member  1557  to allow the foldable side member  1512  to fold or rotate so that the foldable side member  1512  may cooperate and cover a portion of the side of the face and to additionally enclose the eye shield member  1557  around the face of the user. 
         [0076]      FIG. 16  illustrates that the foldable side members  1551  has been rotated approximately 90° in order to further protect the face of the user. 
         [0077]      FIG. 17  illustrates the detachable mask  705  which may include a lower cord member  1701  which may be flexible and/or expandable and may be formed from elastic or may be flexible and may not be expandable in order to extend around the head of the user. The detachable mask  705  may include the lower cord member  1701  on opposing sides of the detachable mask  705  so that the lower cord member  1701  may be tied to maintain the detachable mask  705  on the face of the user. 
         [0078]      FIG. 18  illustrate of the detachable mask  705  without the lower cord member  1701 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 19  illustrates the detachable and reversible mask  705  which may include color indicia  1901  to provide a camouflage design. 
         [0080]      FIG. 20  illustrates the detachable and reversible mask  705  which may be reversed to include color indicia  2001  to provide a color scene design.  FIG. 20  illustrates the detachable and reversible mask  705  without the lower cord member. 
         [0081]      FIG. 21  illustrates that the detachable mask  705  may be detachably connected to the frame member  101  and the eye shield member  1557 .  FIG. 21  additionally illustrates the eye shield member  1557  which may include a front member  1553  which may be defined by fold lines  1559  to allow the foldable side member  1551  to fold or rotate from a position substantially planar with the front member  1553  to a position substantially 90° to the front member  1553 .  FIG. 21  additionally illustrates that the eye shield member  1557  may include a protective cover  2103  which is detachably connected to the eye shield  1557  by a removable adhesive or other appropriate device and may be removed by pulling on the tab member  2101  of the protective cover  2103 . The tab member  2101  may extend beyond the eye shield member  1557 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 22  illustrates a side view of the eye shield member  1557 , the protective cover  2103  and the tab member  2101 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 22  additionally illustrates that the eye shield member  1557  may include a protective cover  2103  which is detachably connected to the eye shield  1557  by a removable adhesive or other appropriate device and may be removed by pulling on the tab member  2101  of the protective cover  2103 , and the tab member  2101  may extend beyond the eye shield member  1557 . The eye shield member  1557  may be formed from transparent material and may be flexible or may be rigid. 
         [0084]      FIG. 23  illustrates a top view of the eye shield member  1557 , the protective cover  2103  and the tab member  2101 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 23  additionally illustrates that the eye shield member  1557  may include a protective cover  2103  which is detachably connected to the eye shield  1557  by a removable adhesive or other appropriate device and may be removed by pulling on the tab member  2101  of the protective cover  2103 , and the tab member  2101  may extend beyond the eye shield member  1557 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 24  illustrates a mask  705  which may include an attachment device  703 , a reinforcing member  1451  and a single expandable aperture  707  at each end of the attachment device  703 . 
         [0087]      FIG. 25  illustrates a mask  705  which may include an attachment device  703 , a reinforcing member  1451  and a single expandable aperture  707  at each end of the attachment device  703 .  FIG. 25  additionally illustrates an eye shield member  1557  which cooperates with the mask  705  and may include a single by shield aperture  1507  which may cooperate with the single expandable aperture  707 .  FIG. 25  additionally illustrates the foldable side member  1551 , the front member  1553  and the fold line  1559 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 26  illustrates a mask  705  which may include an attachment device  703 , a reinforcing member  1451  and a single expandable aperture  707  at each end of the attachment device  703 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 27  illustrates a mask  705  which may include an attachment device  703 , a reinforcing member  1451  and an expandable aperture  707  at each end of the attachment device  703  and across the surface of the attachment device  703 .  FIG. 27  additionally illustrates an eye shield member  1557  which cooperates with the mask  705 .  FIG. 27  additionally illustrates the foldable side member  1551 , the front member  1553  and the fold line  1559 .  FIG. 27  illustrates that the detachable and reversible mask  705  may be affixed to the eye shield member  1557  by welding, adhesive or other materials. 
         [0090]      FIG. 28  illustrates a mask  705  which may include an attachment device  703 , a reinforcing member  1451  and an expandable aperture  707  at each end of the attachment device  703  and across the surface of the attachment device  703 .  FIG. 28  additionally illustrates an eye shield member  1557  which cooperates with the mask  705 .  FIG. 28  additionally illustrates the foldable side member  1551 , the front member  1553  and the fold line  1559 .  FIG. 28  illustrates that the detachable and reversible mask  705  may be affixed to the eye shield member  1557  by welding, adhesive or other materials. 
         [0091]      FIG. 29  illustrates a perspective view of a mask  2905  which cooperates with the eye shield member  1557  and which may be detachably connected or affixed to the eye shield member  1577 .  FIG. 29  illustrates that the mask  2905  may include the upward extending mask portion  2901 . The outward extending mask portion  2901  may include a first and second expandable aperture  707  in order to cooperate with ear pieces (shown as eyeglasses  2915  in  FIG. 31 ) and maintain the mask  2905  in position. 
         [0092]      FIG. 29  illustrates that the mask  2905  may include a lower cord member  1701 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 30  illustrates a perspective view of a mask  2905  which cooperates with the eye shield member  1557  and which may be detachably connected or affixed to the eye shield member  1577 .  FIG. 30  illustrates that the mask  2905  may include the upward extending mask portion  2901 . The outward extending mask portion  2901  may include a first and second expandable aperture  707  in order to cooperate with ear pieces (shown as eyeglasses  2915  in  FIG. 31 ) and maintain the mask  2905  in position. 
         [0094]      FIG. 30  illustrates that the mask  2905  may not include a lower cord member  1701 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 31  illustrates a perspective view of a mask  2905  which cooperates with the eye shield member  1557  and which may be detachably connected or affixed to the eye shield member  1577 .  FIG. 29  illustrates that the mask  2905  may include the upward extending mask portion  2901 . The outward extending mask portion  2901  may include a first and second expandable aperture  707  in order to cooperate with ear pieces of the eyeglasses  2915  and maintain the mask  2905  in position. 
         [0096]      FIG. 31  illustrates that the mask  2905  may include a lower cord member  1701 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 32  illustrates a top view of another frame member with no projection members, and  FIG. 33  illustrates a side view of the frame member. 
         [0098]      FIG. 34  illustrates a top view of another frame member with outward projecting members, and  FIG. 35  illustrates a perspective view of frame member with outward projecting members. 
         [0099]      FIG. 36  illustrates a side view of the frame member. 
         [0100]      FIG. 37  illustrates a side view of the inward or outward projection member. 
         [0101]      FIG. 38  illustrates a side view of another mask of the present invention where the lower cord member is connected to the frame member. 
         [0102]      FIG. 39  illustrates a perspective view of a reversible mask where one side is blue. 
         [0103]      FIG. 40  illustrates a perspective view of a reversible mask where one side is pink with a breast-cancer logo. 
         [0104]      FIG. 41  illustrates a frame member with the inwardly projection members extending inwards on the inner surface of the frame member. 
         [0105]      FIG. 42  illustrates a frame member with the outwardly projecting members extending outwards on the outer surface of the frame member. 
         [0106]      FIG. 43  illustrates a protective cover with a camouflage design. 
         [0107]      FIG. 4  illustrates a protective cover with a clear design. 
         [0108]    The frame member may be rimless, and the frame member may be without a lens or may have a lens. The frame member may be attachable to more than one style of mask. The eye shield member may have an aperture to cooperate with the mask, or the eye shield member may have no apertures. The frame member may be single use or may be reusable. The frame member and mask and optional eye shield member may have use in the medical industry, industrial industry, army, hunting or other such applications. The lens cover may have a camouflage design to match the camouflage design on the mask. The frame design to be used in these different applications share many design criterion with alternative masks that will cooperate with the frame member. The mask may have a flat compact storage capability and may be quick to place on the frame member and remove. The lower head/neck tie may be placed on one side of the frame or be placed around the neck of the user. The mask may have a malleable nose-piece. The frame member may cooperate with the holes or may strap on to the top edge of the mask. The tie or elastic strap may hook into the side of the frame or coupled to the frame member. The lens cover may be clear or camouflage design and the cover may be removable and/or replaceable. The mask may be blue on one side and pink on the other side or may be orange on one side and camouflage on the other side. Other designs are within the scope of the invention. The frame member may have outward extending projections on the outside of the frame member or may have inwardly extending projections on the inside of the frame member. The frame member may be adapted to be wiped clean after use by any cleaning apparatus. The mask may be reversible and the mask and eye shield member may be disposable. The mask may be used with the eye shield member or maybe used without the eye shield member. The eye shield member may be anti-fog and may be antiglare. The mask and eye shield member may be convertible. The frame may not go completely around the head of the user. The frame may be one integral unit. The frame and mask may be a kit or it may be an integral unit. The frame may be formed of wood, plastic, paper, metal or the like or any combination. The unit, namely the eye shield member, the frame member or the mask, may be disposable in all or in part. The frame may have a nose pad and can have ear pads. The shield may be flexible and the frame may be flexible. The frame member may be enclosed but flexible. The frame member may be of color. The frame member may be multipurpose. 
         [0109]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.