Patent Description:
In view of the recent health emergency caused by the spread of the SARS-COV2 virus, the use of surgical masks or of filtering facepieces has been made compulsory by law and, even where it has not been made compulsory, a precautionary use of such devices is considered advisable in closed and/or crowded environments, encouraged by the medical and scientific community, but also requested by the citizens themselves. Similar situations have already occurred in the past, for example during the H1N1 virus emergency in <NUM>, and, looking to the future, the use of such devices appears to be an indispensable instrument for civil coexistence in a globalised world.

On the one hand, these devices have proved to be effective protection means, on the other hand with the practically daily use of these devices, it soon became apparent that there were certain shortcomings or that certain aspects needed to be improved.

One of these is the need to be able to recognise one's mask when one has to take it off temporarily and then put it on again. There are situations in which the mask has to be removed and placed, for example, on the desk in the office or on a countertop in a public place in order to carry out certain operations; when the mask is to be put on again, it cannot be recognised for sure, especially if other masks of the same type have been placed near it. Situations like this are very frequent and clearly imply a high risk of spreading the virus.

The difficult recognizability of the person who wears the face covering is also another aspect to be improved. In fact, if worn in normal conditions, the face covering leaves uncovered only the upper part of the face. This inconvenience is even more evident when the person who wears the face covering also wears accessories, such as glasses and hats.

Another undesirable aspect connected with the use of these protection devices is represented by the unpleasant odours that can be concentrated inside the face covering, due in particular to the user's bad breath. The need to wear the face covering so as to cover the user's nose and mouth obliges the user to inhale and exhale air in the narrow space created by the face covering in front of the mouth, so bad breath can be particularly unpleasant, and in some cases unbearable, when wearing the face covering.

Another aspect to be taken into account is the microbiological profile that is established inside the face covering. This microbiological profile is the result of the sum of the microbiological load, naturally residing on the internal surface of the face covering due to the production process, and of the microbiological load released by the user during breathing and during the interaction between the face covering and the cheeks, nose and mouth apparatus. During use this microbiological load tends to increase due to the favourable microclimatic conditions (controlled temperature of approximately <NUM>-<NUM> and humidity close to RH <NUM>%), up to values that can even lead to the onset of undesirable pathological events. This consideration is even more critical when considering the prolonged reuses of the face covering.

The need to overcome these drawbacks is therefore very much felt.

A diffuser and identification device for face coverings having the features in the preamble of independent claim <NUM> attached is disclosed by document <CIT>.

Subject of this invention is precisely to provide a device that functions both as a diffuser, in particular of fragrances, scents and essential oils, and as a recognition signal for surgical masks and filtering facepieces.

A further subject of the present invention is to allow the identification of a user, for instance as member of an organization, a company, an operative department or of a specific group.

A further subject of the present invention is to provide the aforesaid device that is also reusable once the face covering or the facial device is exhausted and to be replaced with a new protection device.

A further subject of this invention is to provide a face covering, surgical mask or filtering facepiece provided with the aforesaid device, which is comfortable, as well as effective in eliminating unpleasant odours and helping in finding its own face covering, and is neither bulky nor presents discomfort during use.

A further subject of this invention is the possibility, through the use of a diffuser element containing natural and/or synthetic essential oils with antibacterial and antiviral active ingredients, to reduce the bacterial and viral load, which, as a result of prolonged use and the particular microclimatic conditions created inside the face coverings, tends to increase and can therefore trigger pathological events generated by the increasing microbial and/or viral load.

A further subject of the present invention is to provide a kit comprising at least one face covering or surgical mask or filtering facepiece and at least one aforesaid device with function of diffuser and identification signal.

These subjects are achieved with the present accessory device, with dual function of diffuser and of identification of the user, for face coverings, surgical masks and for filtering facepieces, as claimed in the annexed claims and described in the following, also with reference to the figures.

The invention will now be illustrated more in detail with the description that follows of an embodiment thereof, provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

The accessory device, with dual function of diffuser and identifier, for face coverings, surgical masks and filtering facial devices according to the invention, comprises at least an identification element <NUM> comprising a decorative element <NUM> intended to be affixed to the external surface of a face covering or filtering facepiece, and at least a diffuser element <NUM> comprising a container intended to be affixed to the internal surface of the same face covering, mask or filtering facepiece, having at least part of an exposed surface thereof perforated <NUM>, said elements <NUM> and <NUM> each being provided with magnetic means for their mutual coupling and uncoupling on opposite sides of a face covering, mask or a filtering facepiece.

With reference to the aforesaid figures, the identification element is generically indicated by <NUM> and the diffuser element of the present device by <NUM>. The identification element <NUM>, intended for the positioning on the external face of the face covering, consists of a three-dimensional element <NUM>, which may have various shapes and thus also a decorative function. Non-limiting examples of identification elements <NUM> comprised in the present device are shown in <FIG> and in <FIG>; in each of these <FIG> and <FIG>, the identification element <NUM> is shown from the front (part a) to highlight the decorative element <NUM> and from the back (part b) to show the rear surface <NUM>, opposite to the element <NUM>, and intended for contact with the face covering and, through this, with the rear surface of the diffuser container further described below. The surface <NUM> may be a flat metal surface, like in <FIG> and <FIG>, or it may be a surface provided with a housing <NUM> for magnets <NUM>, like in <FIG> and <FIG>.

For the avoidance of doubts, when herein reference is made to a rear or posterior part/surface of the identification element <NUM> and/or of the diffuser element <NUM> that part or surface is meant that is intended for being in contact with the face covering, while by front or anterior part/surface is meant the opposite part or surface, from the face covering towards the exterior, on both surfaces of the face covering.

The decorative or identification figure represented in element <NUM> of the present device can be a plate with the name or with the initials of the name of the user of the face covering, or it can be a fantasy figure, a flower, an animal, a miniature photo holder support, a logo, for example the Applicant's logo like in <FIG> attached herein. In addition to being a signal of recognisability of the face covering, the element <NUM> can also have a decorative function, making the appearance of the protection device more attractive. In an aspect of the present invention, the decorative or identification figures can be applied on an element of the device by any means, or they can be directly drawn or engraved in the element or embossed on it.

According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the element <NUM> of the device comprises one or more decorative or identification <FIG> selected from the group consisting of graphic signs, initials, images, photographs or graphic codes, smart electronic elements of active and/or passive type. One or more elements of this type allow the identification or recognition of the user by third parties, but also how to distinguish its own face covering by the user her/himself, who temporarily has taken off the face covering and would like to wear it again.

The device of this invention comprises, in addition to an identification element <NUM>, a diffuser element <NUM>, suitable for diffusing in particular fragrances and scents inside the face covering, but also essential oils, or natural active ingredients in the form of gel, cream or ointment, optionally absorbed on porous supports, for example on zeolites or on paper. Preferred are products of natural origin with antiviral, antifungal or antibacterial activity, which can help reduce the external and internal microbial load and any viral load possibly present. Such a diffuser element <NUM> consists of a container having an internal housing for the scents and/or the essential oils to be diffused and at least one perforated exposed surface <NUM>, through which it diffuses scents and vapours. In one embodiment, an opening <NUM> allows the insertion of the scents to be diffused inside the container.

The magnetic means in the present accessory device for face coverings may be two magnets one on each element <NUM> and <NUM>, or a magnet on one of the two elements <NUM> or <NUM> and a metal surface on the other element, as it is for the identification element in <FIG>and <FIG>. In an aspect, the magnets for use in the present device are neodymium magnets, e.g. tablet-shaped magnets. <FIG> in particular shows how the two elements <NUM> and <NUM> of the present device are coupled, facing to each other, enclosing a face covering between them. In a preferred embodiment of the present device, these magnetic means are housed on the elements <NUM> and <NUM> on the opposite side with respect to the decorative <FIG> and to the perforated exposed surface <NUM> respectively, so as to maximise the diffusion of the scented or otherwise active substances within the face covering and to increase the visibility of the decorative figure from the outside.

With reference to <FIG>, an embodiment of the element <NUM> is illustrated, consisting of a hollow body with a perforated surface <NUM>, an opening <NUM> through which the scents to be diffused in the hollow body can be inserted, and a housing <NUM> for a magnet <NUM> formed on the surface intended for contact with the face covering and, through it, with the rear surface <NUM> of an identification element <NUM>. In a particular embodiment of the invention, exemplified in <FIG>, the element <NUM> has a rear surface <NUM>', that is in this case a metal surface, intended to be coupled with an element <NUM> equipped with magnets.

An alternative embodiment of the diffuser element <NUM> according to this invention may provide for an opening with hinge and door, as illustrated in <FIG>, where the element <NUM> is depicted in three different door opening and closing positions, a (fully open), b (semi-open), and c (closed). The door can in this case be advantageously fitted with a hook <NUM> for the snap closure of the door. This type of opening can facilitate the replacement of exhausted scent cartridges or the replacement thereof.

A further embodiment of the diffuser element <NUM> according to the present invention may instead provide for an interlocking opening, as illustrated in <FIG>, where the two portions forming the element <NUM> are separately represented, a first portion comprising the perforated surface <NUM> and a second rear portion comprising the housing <NUM> for the magnet and protruding profiles <NUM> adapted to interlock by sliding inside the edges <NUM> on the sides of the first portion.

In a particular embodiment of the present device, one example of which is illustrated in <FIG>, also the element <NUM> comprises a decorative or identification figure <NUM>, that can be attached onto or directly engraved in the element <NUM>. The decorative or identification figure <NUM> can also be selected among graphic signs, initials, images, photographs or graphic codes, smart electronic elements of active and/or passive type.

The device of the present invention has several advantages, in addition to optimally fulfilling its dual function of diffusing fragrances inside the face covering and allowing the recognition thereof by the user thanks to the external decorative element. Firstly, it is very easy to apply and use, and allows the positioning of the two elements anywhere on the body of the face covering according to the user's preference. This device is also comfortable, and the internal overall dimensions of the diffuser element are reduced to a minimum. The present device also fits any type of facial protection device, be it a surgical mask or a filtering facepiece, and is reusable even after the face covering is exhausted and needs to be replaced. The two elements of this device can be easily detached and repositioned for the face covering replacement or washing thereof, in the models that can be washed.

The device according to the invention may be provided in a kit further comprising a packaging pouch intended to further contain at least one face covering or filtering facepiece, sealed on the perimeter and preferably provided with an indentation or other means to facilitate the opening.

Claim 1:
A diffuser and identification device for face coverings, surgical masks and for filtering facial devices, comprising at least an identification element (<NUM>) comprising a decorative or identification figure (<NUM>) intended to be affixed to the external surface of face covering, surgical mask or filtering facepiece, and at least a diffuser element (<NUM>) comprising a container intended to be affixed to the internal surface of the same mask or filtering facepiece, said container having an exposed surface at least part (<NUM>) of which is perforated, characterized in that said identification element (<NUM>) and said diffuser element (<NUM>) are each further provided with magnetic means for their mutual coupling and uncoupling on opposite sides of a face covering, surgical mask or of a filtering facepiece.