Patent Description:
The document <CIT> discloses a mask-holder device as specified in the preamble of claim <NUM>. Documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> show other related mask-holder devices.

In the last century, protective masks have become a highly used item in the health sector to cover the respiratory tract of users and prevent or at least reduce as much as possible the spread of viruses and infectious and contagious diseases through the respiratory tract by means of the particles emitted when breathing, speaking, coughing, etc..

Basically, the masks exhibit a band that is made of textile material or different fibres and is intended to cover the mouth and nose of the user, preventing to a greater or lesser degree the exit, and even the entry (depending on the level of protection) of particles therethrough. This band is fixed to the head of the user by means of strips that are tied to the back of the head, or the most used in recent times due to the comfort thereof, by means of elastic bands, with a greater or lesser degree of elasticity, arranged on the sides of the band that are fixed to the ears of the user.

In recent years, due to the proliferation in various parts of the world of new highly contagious and dangerous viruses for humans, and more specifically in recent months due to the appearance of the type <NUM> coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-<NUM>), the cause of COVID-<NUM>, the use of masks has become widespread throughout the entire population practically worldwide, which is why the mask has become an article of daily use.

Despite the wide variety of existing masks, made of different materials, with different degrees of protection and different designs, all of them share one drawback, which is the difficulty of adapting the mask to the face of the user, adjusting too much in some portions of the face of certain users while they are loose in other portions, in addition to not adjusting equally to all users. This means that the air inhaled and exhaled by the user is not filtered in the entirety thereof, since a portion of it can enter or exit through the area of the edges of the mask that do not adjust correctly to the face of the user.

<FIG> is a graphic representation of this problem, wherein it can be seen that a portion of the air inhaled or exhaled by the user does not filter through the mask but enters or leaves through the area of the mask edges that do not adjust properly to the face of the user.

The fact that the mask does not adjust correctly to the face of the user makes the use thereof uncomfortable, annoying for the user, which forces him to be aware of the placement of the mask on his face continuously, interrupting his activities.

In addition, it poses an added risk, since the mask is not really fulfilling the function thereof of filtering the air and protecting, so viruses and diseases can spread despite the use of the mask. Additionally, the use of the mask can increase the risk of possible infections compared to when it is not used, since it creates a false sense of security for the user, which makes him expose himself to risky situations when he thinks that he is protected by wearing the mask.

It is therefore desirable to have a means for fastening and adjusting the mask to the face of the user in a simple, economical and efficient way, avoiding the drawbacks existing in the existing masks of the state of the art.

The present invention solves the problems existing in the state of the art by means of a mask-holder device that is made of at least one flexible and deformable wire, able to adapt to the face of a user, and that is configured for fastening a mask to the face of the user, providing a suitable fastening and adjustment of the mask preventing gaps in the area of the edges thereof, and therefore filtering all the air inhaled and exhaled by the user. In addition, it enables adaptation to any shape of the face of the user, and avoids fogging of spectacles used together with the mask, since it completely prevents or minimises the exit of exhaled air by the user through the edges of the mask.

The mask-holder device object of the invention has a central bridge able to adapt to the nose of the user, and two side pins attached to the central bridge, which form a support base for the mask-holder device and are able to adapt to the sides of the face of the user, these side pins having means for fixing to the user.

The mask-holder device object of the present invention exhibits folding means in the central bridge, and optionally on the side pins. In this way, the device can be folded in these portions, either independently, for transport, or together with the mask, to be able to store or transport the assembly without taking up hardly any space, in a small housing such as a spectacles case, or a protective box.

According to the invention, the mask-holder device exhibits two flexible and deformable wires, each one of them forming a side pin, and the means for folding the central bridge comprises a central hinge configured for adapting to the nose of a user. Thus, the two flexible and deformable wires are attached to the central hinge, which enables the flexible and deformable wires to rotate for folding the device. The central hinge has a "V"-shaped part the arms of which exhibit housings for each flexible and deformable wire, made in such a way as to enable each flexible and deformable wire to rotate for folding the mask-holder device.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the means for fixing to the user have a curved area at each one of the ends of the wire, these curved areas being able to adapt to the ears of the user. In this way, the curved areas of the ends will hook onto the ears while the central bridge will rest on the nose of the user, fastening the device by way of spectacles, exerting some pressure on the mask, which will keep it affixed. The side pins will adapt to the sides of the face of the user, also keeping the mask affixed to the face of the user in these areas. As the wire is flexible and deformable, both the central bridge and the pins can be deformed to adapt to the different features of each particular user, guaranteeing the fastening and contact of the mask to the face for all users.

According to different embodiments of the invention, the means for fixing to the user have a cord or band attached to the side pins configured to adapt to the nape or head of the user. This cord or band can have different configurations, be elastic, rigid, flexible, or with different degrees of rigidity. In this way, the mask-holder device can be worn hanging from the neck by way of spectacles when it is not being used. In addition, if this cord or band adjusts firmly to the nape or back of the head of the user, the mask-holder device will be firmly fastened in the position of use thereof on the face of the user by means of the pins fixed to the cord or band, in such a way that it will prevent fixing to the ears of the user by means of the pins, a fact that could become annoying or uncomfortable, especially during prolonged periods of use.

According to a particular embodiment that combines the two previous ones, the means for fixing to the user could exhibit both the curved area at each one of the ends of the wire able to adapt to the ears of the user, and the cord fixed to the side pins able to adapt to the nape or head of the user. In this way, both fastening means could be alternated, either on the ears, or during longer periods to the cord firmly fastened to the nape or back portion of the head, or both means could be combined, i.e., fastening the device on the ears, and at times when more firmness is needed, also adjusting the cord or band to the nape or back of the head.

The fact that the side pins form a support base for the device makes it easier for the user to remove the device and mask assembly and leave it resting on a horizontal surface on the side pins without the outer portion of the mask touching the surface, thus preventing contamination of the surface by the mask, or of the mask by the surface.

Although the device can be used simply arranged on the mask and the face of the user, the use thereof will be more effective if the fastening strips are attached to the side pins of the wire (or to an attachment point on each side pin, or at various points on each side pin). For this, conventional external attachment means can be used, such as adhesive means, clips, etc..

Alternatively, and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side pins have anchoring points for fixing the strips for fastening the mask, by tying or hooking, which provides a good fixing of the mask to the device, and therefore a good fixing of the assembly to the face of the user.

Additionally, the side pins can exhibit anchoring points expressly made for fixing the fixing cord or band to the user.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side pins are bent in such a way as to configure forwardly projecting arms able to adapt to the chin of the user, specifically to the sides thereof. This makes it easier to affix the mask to the face of the user in said areas. Likewise, as they are made of flexible and deformable wire, they can be adapted to the different shape of the face of each user.

In order to make the invention more readily understandable, by way of illustration and not limitation, an embodiment of the invention that refers to a series of figures is described below.

These figures refer to a set of elements which are:.

The object of the present invention is a mask-holder device for fastening and adjusting a mask <NUM> to the face <NUM> of a user.

As can be seen in the figures, with <FIG> merely serving for explaining the invention as exemplarily depicted in <FIG>, device is made of at least one flexible and deformable wire <NUM>, able to adapt to the face <NUM> of a user, and which is configured for fastening and adjusting a mask <NUM>, preventing gaps in the area of the edges thereof, and therefore filtering all the air inhaled and exhaled by the user.

Preferably, the wire <NUM> will have a thickness of <NUM>, although it can exhibit any other as long as it provides adequate resistance and flexibility, enabling the deformation, but preventing the breakage thereof.

The device exhibits a central bridge <NUM> able to adapt to the nose <NUM> of the user, and two side pins <NUM> attached to the central bridge <NUM>, similar to the structure of spectacles, but with the side pins <NUM> in a lower position, forming a support base for the mask-holder device and adapting to the sides of the face <NUM> of the user. The side pins <NUM> have means for fixing to the user.

The means for fixing to the user may consist of a curved area at each one of the ends <NUM> of the wire, which will hook onto the ears <NUM> while the central bridge <NUM> will rest on the nose <NUM> of the user, by way of spectacles, exerting some pressure on the mask <NUM>, which will keep it affixed to the face. The side pins <NUM> will adapt to the sides of the face <NUM> of the user, also keeping the mask <NUM> affixed to the face <NUM> of the user in these areas. As the wire <NUM> is flexible and deformable, both the central bridge <NUM>, and the ends <NUM> and the side pins <NUM> can be deformed to adapt to the different features of each particular user, guaranteeing the fastening and contact of the mask to the face <NUM> for all users, as can be seen, for example, in <FIG>.

Preferably, as can be seen in the figures, the ends <NUM> of the wire <NUM> will be curved in such a way that they hook onto the ears <NUM> of the user below them, so that the use of the device is compatible with wearing spectacles, the ends of which hook onto the ears of the user <NUM> above them.

The means for fixing to the user can exhibit a cord <NUM> or band fixed to the side pins <NUM>, to adapt to the nape or the back of the user's head, as can be seen in <FIG>. This cord <NUM> or band can have different configurations, be elastic, rigid, flexible, etc. In this way, the mask-holder device can be worn hanging from the neck by way of spectacles when it is not being used. In addition, if this cord <NUM> or band adjusts firmly to the nape or back of the head of the user, the mask-holder device will be firmly fastened in the position of use thereof on the face <NUM> of the user by means of the side pins <NUM> fixed to the cord <NUM> or band, in such a way that it will prevent fixing to the ears <NUM> of the user by means of the side pins <NUM>, a fact that could become annoying or uncomfortable, especially during prolonged periods of use.

The means for fixing to the user could exhibit both the curved area at each one of the ends <NUM> of the wire <NUM> able to adapt to the ears <NUM> of the user, and the cord <NUM> or band fixed to the side pins <NUM>, which is able to adapt to the nape or head of the user. In this way, both fastening means could be alternated, either on the ears <NUM>, or for longer periods to the cord <NUM> firmly fastened to the nape or back of the head, or both means could be combined, i.e., fastening the device on the ears <NUM>, and at times when more firmness is needed, also adjusting the cord <NUM> or band to the nape or back of the head, as can be seen in <FIG>.

The device can be used with any type of mask <NUM>, such as surgical masks, or those with greater protection, such as FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3.

As the side pins <NUM> form a support base for the device, the user can remove the device and mask assembly <NUM> and leave it resting on a horizontal surface on the side pins <NUM> without the external portion of the mask <NUM> touching the surface, as can be seen in <FIG>. In this way, contamination of the surface by the mask <NUM> or of the mask <NUM> by the surface is prevented.

<FIG> shows the use of simply the device on the mask <NUM> and the face of the user. However, the use will be more effective if the fastening strips of the mask <NUM> are attached to the ends <NUM> and to the side pins <NUM> of the wire <NUM>. For this, conventional external attachment means can be used, such as adhesive means, clips, etc., as can be seen in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the side pins <NUM> have anchoring points <NUM> for fixing the strips for fastening the mask <NUM>, by tying or hooking, which provides a good fixing of the mask <NUM> to the device, and therefore a suitable fixing of the assembly to the face <NUM> of the user.

Additionally, the side pins <NUM> may exhibit anchoring points <NUM> specifically made for fixing the cord <NUM>, which will provide the advantages explained above.

The side pins <NUM> are bent in such a way as to configure forwardly projecting arms <NUM> able to adapt to the chin <NUM> of the user, specifically to the sides thereof. This makes it easier to affix the mask <NUM> to the face <NUM> of the user in said areas. Likewise, as they are made of flexible and deformable wire <NUM>, they can be adapted to the different shape of the face <NUM> of each user.

According to the invention, the mask-holder device object of the present invention exhibits folding means on the central bridge <NUM>, and optionally on the side pins In this way, the device can be folded by these portions, either independently, for transport, or together with the mask <NUM>, to be able to store or transport the assembly without taking up hardly any space, in a small housing such as a spectacles case. In addition, the structure itself will keep the mask <NUM> folded and protected.

According to the invention, the mask-holder device exhibits two flexible and deformable wires <NUM>, each one of them forming a side pin <NUM>, and the means for folding the central bridge <NUM> has a central hinge <NUM> for adapting to the nose <NUM> of the user. Thus, the two flexible wires <NUM> are attached to the central hinge <NUM>, which will enable the flexible wires to rotate for folding the device. This central hinge <NUM> enables bidirectional folding. One of them, as can be seen in <FIG>, will leave the device flat and extended, and a fully extended mask <NUM> arranged thereon. By folding in the opposite direction, shown in <FIG>, the side pins <NUM> are superimposed, and the mask <NUM> is protected, since the internal part thereof, the one that is affixed to the face <NUM> of the user, is on the inside, preventing thus the contamination thereof, while the external portion of the mask <NUM> is on the outside.

Claim 1:
A mask-holder device made of at least one flexible and deformable wire (<NUM>), able to adapt to the face (<NUM>) of a user, and configured for fastening a mask (<NUM>) to the face (<NUM>) of said user, comprising
- a central bridge (<NUM>) able to adapt to the nose (<NUM>) of the user,
- two side pins (<NUM>) attached to the central bridge (<NUM>), which form a support base for the mask-holder device, and comprise means for fixing to the user,
- folding means in the central bridge (<NUM>),
the mask-holder device characterized in that it comprises two flexible and deformable wires (<NUM>), each one of them forming a side pin (<NUM>), wherein the means for folding the central bridge (<NUM>) comprise a central hinge (<NUM>) configured to adapt to the nose of the user, and the two flexible and deformable wires (<NUM>) are attached to the central hinge (<NUM>), said central hinge (<NUM>) enabling the flexible and deformable wires (<NUM>) to rotate for folding the device, and in that the central hinge (<NUM>) comprises a "V"-shaped part, the arms of which comprise housings for each flexible and deformable wire (<NUM>) configured to enable each flexible and deformable wire (<NUM>) to rotate for folding the mask-holder device.