Abstract:
A face mask combined with hearing protection comprises a piece of material sized and is adapted to cover at least a portion of a face and includes a mask securing member. A hearing protector securing member is fixed to the mask securing member and a hearing protector is fixed to the hearing protector securing member.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/759,553 filed Feb. 1, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to protection from environmental caused harm and in particular to protection from inhaling airborne contaminants and environmental caused hearing loss. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Face masks are worn to prevent inhalation of or the spread of airborne contaminants. For example, surgical masks, a type of face mask, are worn in dental, medical and surgical environments to prevent inhalation of airborne pathogens either exhaled by a patient or created by a surgical procedure. Face masks are also worn by dental and medical personal to minimize the risk of cross infection from dental and medical personnel to a patient. Face masks are also worn by carpenters, insulation installers, and other tradesmen to prevent inhalation of airborne particulate material created by their work. 
         [0004]    Many users of face masks also have a need for hearing protection. For example, a tradesman in using his power tools creates both airborne particulate matter and decibel levels that can be harmful to his hearing. 
         [0005]    In dental, medical and surgical environments, dental and medical personnel often operate instrumentation that produces harmful decibel levels. For example, suction instruments and air driven or electrically driven rotary instruments are often used in close proximity to the clinician&#39;s ears. These instruments produce decibel levels in which prolonged use without adequate hearing protection can result in hearing loss over time. 
         [0006]    Occupations unrelated to the dental and medical professions or to the trades can similarly benefit from protection against environmental caused insult. Other examples include nail technicians, sanitation workers, chemical or industrial plant operators, mass transit users, or any other user who desires both the protection of a face mask and ear plugs, all of whom would benefit from the presently disclosed face mask with hearing protection. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is still a continuing need for improved protection designs. The present invention fulfills this need and further provides related advantages. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One preferred embodiment provides a face mask combined with hearing protection that comprises a piece of material sized and adapted to cover at least a portion of a face; a first and second ear engaging member; a first and second hearing protector securing member fixed respectively to the first and second ear engaging member; and a first and second hearing protector fixed to the respective hearing protector securing member. 
         [0009]    An alternative embodiment of the present invention provides a face mask with hearing protection that comprises a piece of material sized and adapted to cover at least a portion of a face; a mask securing member having a first and second end fixed to the material on opposite ends of the material; a first and second hearing protector securing member fixed to the mask securing member; and a first and second hearing protector fixed to the respective hearing protector securing member. 
         [0010]    The presently disclosed invention also provides for a “clean” mask system that includes a mask provided in a “clean” condition packaged within a sealed container. 
         [0011]    The presently disclosed invention also provides for a hearing protector comprising a removable attachment member fixed to a first end of a hearing protector securing member and a hearing protector fixed to a second end. 
         [0012]    One advantage of the present invention is the convenience of having hearing protection and a face mask combined in a single unit. 
         [0013]    Another advantage is that having hearing protection in combination with a face mask increases the likelihood that hearing protection will be worn. 
         [0014]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts a surgical mask according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  depicts the hearing protection component of the surgical mask of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3-6  depict the hearing protection component of  FIG. 2  with various attachment members. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessary to scale and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention. Where possible, like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts in the several alternative embodiments of the invention described. 
         [0022]    Although the following exemplar refers to a surgical mask this is but one example. The invention described is contemplated for use with any purpose that would benefit from hearing protection when a face mask is indicated. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  provides a depiction of the face mask with hearing protection  10  according to a non-limiting, representative embodiment in which two mask securing members are employed. A first and second mask securing member, for example, loops  110 ,  115  are each engaged with the mask  10  at a top location and a bottom location, a mask securing member positioned on opposite sides of the mask  10  to form first and second loops  110 ,  115  used to retain the mask  10  around the ears of the user (not shown) and secure the mask  10  in place. 
         [0024]    A first and second hearing protector securing member, for example, loops  120 ,  125  are provided and each respectively fixes to the first and second mask securing members  110 ,  115 . First and second hearing protectors, for example, first and second ear plugs  130 ,  135 , are fixed to the respective first and second hearing protector securing members  120 ,  125 . 
         [0025]    The face mask  10  is formed of material  20  adapted to cover at least a portion of the mouth and nose of the user. Optionally, the mask  10  can be pleated to allow the mask to expand. 
         [0026]    The make-up of the mask securing members  110 ,  115  are similarly not limited and can be made from, for example, strap, string or string-like material. Preferably, the mask securing members  110 ,  115  are of sufficient elasticity such that it can be stretched to accommodate varying face sizes while still providing a protective fit. 
         [0027]    In one form of face mask  10 , depicted in  FIG. 1 , two mask securing members, for example, loops  110 ,  115  are provided to be placed around each ear of the user. Alternatively, depicted in  FIG. 7 , the mask  10  is provided with a mask securing member, for example, loop  210  attached at a mask first and second side  215 ,  220 . The mask securing member  210  is worn around the head of the user. 
         [0028]    Similar considerations also apply to the hearing protector securing members  120 ,  125 , which can, for example, be selected from the same strap, string or string-like material that make up the mask securing member(s)  110 ,  115 ,  210 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  provides a depiction of the hearing protector  130 ,  135 , for example, an ear plug. The hearing protector  130 ,  135  is provided with an attachment point, for example, orifice  140  in which the ear hearing protector securing member  120 ,  125  penetrates to retentively engage the ear hearing protector  130 ,  135 . 
         [0030]    In preferred embodiments, depicted in  FIGS. 3-6 , the hearing protector securing members  120 ,  125  are removably, retentively secured to the mask securing members  110 ,  115  ( FIG. 1 ) or  210  ( FIG. 6 ), with a removable attachment member. The removable attachment member may be, for example, a hook and loop member  160  ( FIG. 3 ), a clip  162  ( FIG. 4 ), or a snap  164  ( FIG. 5 ). The hearing protector securing members  120 ,  125  are not limited to loops, for example they may be, for example, a tether  166  as depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0031]    The invention also contemplates retrofitting hearing protector securing members  120 ,  125  and hearing protectors  130 ,  135  to existing, non-hearing protector equipped masks (not shown). Such non-hearing protector equipped masks can be modified by, for example, fixing the hearing protector securing member attachment member to the existing mask securing member(s). Such attachment may be non-removable or removable through the use of, for example, a hook and loop member  160  ( FIG. 3 ), a clip  162  ( FIG. 4 ), or a snap  164  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0032]    The presently disclosed invention also contemplates providing the face masks in a “clean form”. As used herein, a clean form refers to a face mask that has been manufactured under manufacturing and distribution practices that minimize the chance of contamination during the manufacturing process and transmission through the supply chain. For example, the face masks can be housed in a sealed package (not shown) to maintain “cleanliness” of the face mask until use. 
         [0033]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that it is capable of other variations and modifications within its scope. These examples and embodiments are intended as typical of rather than in any way limiting on the scope of the present invention as presented in the appended claims.