Patent ID: 8011026

Claim:
A protective face mask system comprising: a flexible mask body comprising: a nose portion, right and left temple portions; right and left cheek portions; an opening formed in the mask configured to receive a lens, the opening having a right portion, a left portion, an upper portion and a lower portion; a lens supporting portion extending between the temple portions, the lens supporting portion positioned above the upper portion of the lens opening; a first groove formed in the lens supporting portion, the first groove extending along a majority of the length of the lens supporting portion; a second groove formed in the left cheek portion; a third groove formed in the right cheek portion; and, a lens having a front and a rear, the lens sized to be received upon and cover the lens opening, the lens including an upper portion, a lower portion, a right side, and a left side; an upper flange projecting from the rear of the upper portion of the lens, the upper flange extending along a majority of the length of the upper portion of the lens, the upper flange configured to be received within the first groove; a lower left flange projecting from the rear of the left side of the lens, the lower left flange configured to be received within the second groove; a lower right flange projecting from the rear of the right side of the lens, the lower right flange configured to be received within the third groove; wherein arranging the upper flange, lower left flange, and lower right flange within the first groove, second groove and third groove prevents movement of the lens relative to the mask body, and wherein the lens and mask body further comprise corresponding openings, which are in alignment when the lens is positioned on the mask body, and further comprising at least one fastener for securing the lens to the mask body, the fastener comprising a retaining element and a retaining clip, a portion of the retaining element insertable through the corresponding openings and the retaining clip, the retaining clip configured to secure the retaining element by rotating retaining clip relative to the retaining element.