WEARABLE ARTICLE INCLUDING A SCARF AND A MASK

Abstract

A wearable article includes a scarf and a mask that are attached to one another. The scarf and the mask can be permanently attached to one another or can be selectively connectable to one another via a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, buttons, etc. The mask is equipped with one or more elastic elongated straps that enable to the mask to be selectively connectable to a user's ear(s), hear or neck. Therefore, a user can wear the scarf together with the mask covering the user's neck, torso, mouth and/or nostrils in order to provide the user with warmth and protection from airborne pollutants.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wearable article, and more particularly, to a wearable article including a scarf and a mask that are attached to one another.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

A scarf is an article of clothing that is generally worn for protection from cold weather. In order to serve this purpose, a scarf is generally wrapped around a user's neck with the end portions of the scarf extending partially downwardly over the user's shoulders and chest.

In some circumstances, a user may need protective cover over the user's face. A scarf is generally impractical to be utilized for this purpose because although a scarf may be wrapped around a user's mouth in order to cover it, the scarf will eventually become loose from the user's bodily movements and will eventually fall off of the user's face. This will expose the user's face to ambient air.

Accordingly, an improved scarf that addresses this shortcoming is needed.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a scarf with a foldable mask that is joined to the scarf. The mask may be attached to an edge of the scarf (or at other regions of the scarf) and is extendible in a direction away from the scarf such that the mask may be used to cover the user's mouth and nostrils when the scarf is worn.

In other words, the scarf can be worn comfortably around the user's neck with the mask extending upwardly to cover the user's mouth and nostrils. This configuration enables a user to wear the scarf of the present invention comfortably around the neck, as opposed to wrapping the scarf around one's head—and the discomfort that results from this configuration—in order to cover the mouth.

The mask may be long enough such that a portion of the mask that extends under the wearer's chin (or between the wearer's chin and the region where the mask is joined to the scarf) remains loose when the scarf with the mask is worn. The loose portion of the mask enables the user to turn his/her head in a multitude of directions without causing the mask to be pulled off of the user's face.

The mask may include a pair of straps that are referred to as ear loops. The ear loops are selectively attachable to the user's ears in order to secure the mask in place over the user's face when the scarf is worn with the mask extending away from the scarf and covering the user's mouth and nostrils.

Alternatively, or in addition, the mask may be equipped with a longer strap (e.g., a head band) that can be passed behind the user's head and/or neck in order to secure the mask in place over the user's face when the user wears the scarf with the mask covering the user's face.

Thus, the mask can be worn when needed—together with the scarf—and can be secured in place over the user's mouth and nasal openings via the ear loops or the head band. This configuration will prevent the mask from becoming undone when worn over the user's face.

In addition when the protection of the mask is not needed, the mask can be folded over the scarf and the scarf can be worn comfortably around the user's neck and/or shoulders, as a scarf would normally be worn. However, if desired, the scarf itself can also be worn over a user's head, if desired.

In addition, the presence of the mask can be hidden from sight by folding the mask over the scarf and wearing the scarf with the folded mask facing the user's body, that is, with the mask being disposed between the scarf and the user's body.

Thus, the scarf with a mask of the present invention has a dual purpose, and the mask is securely fastenable to a user's head in order to protect the user's mouth and nose from harmful airborne particulate matter and/or cold weather while the scarf is worn comfortably over the user's body.

In an embodiment, the mask and the scarf are selectively connectable to one another. In this embodiment, the mask can be selectively detached from the scarf to be washed or to be stored away, as needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a scarf with a mask, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, worn by a user with the mask covering the user's face;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating the scarf with a mask of FIG. 1A worn by a user with the mask folded over the scarf such that the mask does not cover the user's mouth;

FIG. 1C is a top plan view illustrating the scarf with a mask of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a side elevational view illustrating the scarf with a mask of FIG. 1A with the mask extending away from the scarf;

FIG. 1E is a side elevational view illustrating the scarf with a mask of FIG. 1A with the mask folded over the scarf;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a scarf with a mask, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, worn by a user with the mask covering the user's face;

FIG. 2B is a top plan view illustrating the scarf with a mask of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating a scarf with a mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating a scarf with a mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating a scarf with a mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a top plan view illustrating a scarf and a mask that are selectively connectable to one another, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a top plan view illustrating a scarf and a mask that are selectively connectable to one another, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C is a top plan view illustrating a scarf and a mask that are selectively connectable to one another, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of manufacturing a scarf with a mask according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification. The sizes and/or proportions of the elements illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

When an element is referred to as being disposed on another element, intervening elements may be disposed therebetween. In addition, elements, components, parts, etc., not described in detail with respect to a certain figure or embodiment may be assumed to be similar to or the same as corresponding elements, components, parts, etc., described in other parts of the specification.

FIGS. 1A-1E, illustrate a wearable article (or article of manufacture) which includes a scarf member 110 and a mask member 120 that are joined to one another. The mask member 120 is foldable about an edge 112 of the scarf member 110 (see FIGS. 1A-1E) such that when the scarf member 110 is worn on a user's body, as shown in FIG. 1A, the mask member 120 can be worn over a user's face (see FIG. 1A) to cover the user's mouth and/or nasal openings when protection from potentially harmful airborne matter such as, for example, bacteria, viruses, pollutants (e.g., dust, etc.,) pollen, smog, and/or protection from cold weather is needed.

In addition, when the article of manufacture is worn as shown in FIG. 1A, the mask member 120 may be used to filter out airborne bacteria or viruses that are released from the user's mouth and/or nose outwardly in order to reduce the likelihood of infecting third parties.

When the protection of the mask member 120 is not desired, the mask member 120 can be folded over the scarf member 110 (to overlap with the scarf member 110), as shown in FIG. 1E, and the wearable article can be worn on the user's body as a scarf, as shown in FIG. 1B. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the mask member 120 is not displayed outwardly since it is disposed between the scarf member 110 and the user's body.

The scarf member 110 may include at least one fabric layer (or fabric sheet) having a certain shape for covering at least a part of the wearer's face, neck and/or torso. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1E the scarf member 110 has a generally rectangular shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the scarf member 110 can have other shapes, including, but not limited to a trapezoidal shape, an oval/elliptical shape, a generally elongated polygonal shape, or a generally elongated irregular shape.

In an embodiment, the scarf member 110 has a rectangular shape with a width of 30 cm and a length of 180 cm. It is understood that in other embodiments the scarf member 110 may have other dimensions.

The scarf member 110 is illustrated as being formed of one fabric layer in FIGS. 1A-1E, however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the scarf member 110 may also be formed of a plurality of fabric layers that are stacked on one another, and the plurality of fabric layers may be formed of the same fiber material as one another, or of different fiber materials.

When the scarf member 110 is formed of a plurality of fabric layers, the fabric layers may be sewn, stitched, adhered, riveted, etc., to one another in order to bind the fabric layers to one another.

Each fabric layer of the scarf member 100 may be made of yarn that includes fiber(s) or filament(s) of various materials. For example, the yarn that is used to form each fabric layer of the scarf member 110 may include natural fiber material(s), for example, cotton, silk, wool, linen, etc., or a blend thereof, synthetic fiber material(s), for example, rayon, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, elastane, polyamide, aramid, etc., or a blend thereof, or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. It is understood that the fiber material that can be utilized to form the scarf member 110 is not limited to the examples provided above.

Each of the fabric layers of the scarf member 110 may be formed by weaving or knitting the yarn identified above. Alternatively, or in addition, each of the fabric layers of the scarf member 110 may be formed of non-woven fabric (e.g., felt). The non-woven fabric may be formed for example, by matting, condensing and pressing together the individual fabric fibers.

Alternatively, or in addition, the individual fabric fibers may be bonded to one another by utilizing a chemical treatment, a mechanical treatment, heat or by applying solvent to the fibers in order to form a non-woven fabric layer. The fibers that can be used to form the non-woven fabric include, for example, polypropylene fibers, polystyrene fibers, polyesters fibers, polyurethane fibers, polyamide fibers (e.g., nylon), polyethylene fibers, polycarbonate fibers, etc. it is understood that the present invention is not limited to fiber made from these materials, and fiber of other suitable materials may be used to form non-woven fabric layers.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, the mask member 120 may be joined to the scarf member 110 at or adjacent to an edge 112 of the scarf member 110 that extends generally along a lengthwise direction of the scarf member 110. The mask member 120 may be sewn or stitched to the scarf member 110 at or adjacent to an edge 112, thereby forming a seam 114 as illustrated in FIGS. 1D-1E. Alternatively, or in addition, the mask member 120 and the scarf member 110 may be adhered, riveted, etc., to one another.

The mask member 120 may also be attached to other regions of the scarf member 110 as long as the mask member 110 is long enough to extend away from the scarf member 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1D, in order to be able to cover a user's mouth and/or nostrils as illustrated in FIG. 1A when the article of manufacture of FIGS. 1A-1E is worn. In other words, the mask member 110 can be attached at a certain distance away from the edge 112 of the scarf member 110.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, the mask member 120 may include a plurality of fabric layers 122-126, a plurality of elongated fasteners 128 and a nose strip 130. The fabric layers 122-126 may be stacked on one another, and may be joined to one another via, for example, stitching 136 on at least three sides of the mask member 120 (see FIG. 1C). The stitching 136 may also extend along all the sides of the mask member 120.

The stitching 136 may be, for example, ¼ inch double needle top stitching (DNTS). Other kinds of stitching techniques may be used to form the stitching 136.

Alternatively, or in addition, the fabric layers 122-126 may be adhered, riveted, etc., to one another along each of their sides (or adjacent to their respective edges) in order to keep the layers 122-126 bound to one another.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, the seam 114 may also serve to join the fabric layers 122-126 to one another along the side of the mask member 120.

The fabric layers 122-126 are used for filtering potentially harmful airborne matter such as, for example, bacteria, viruses, pollutants (e.g., dust, etc.,) pollen, smog, and/or for protection from cold weather. Thus, when the article of manufacture is worn as shown in FIG. 1A with the mask member 120 extending away from the scarf member 110 (e.g., the mask member 120 does not overlap with the scarf member 110 adjacent to the seam 114) in order to cover the user's mouth and/or nasal openings, the fabric layers 122-126 can trap (e.g., filter) potentially harmful airborne matter that exist in ambient air while the user breathes in.

This, in turn, decreases the likelihood of the wearer contracting an illness or otherwise being negatively affected by the contaminants that exist in ambient air. In addition, when the wearer is already ill, the fabric layers 122-126 can be used to trap bacteria and/or viruses that may be released outwardly from the user's mouth and/or nose while the user breathes, speaks, coughs, sneezes, etc., in order to protect third parties from the user.

Referring to FIGS. 1D-1E, the fabric layer 124 is disposed between the fabric layers 122 and 126. Each of the fabric layers 122-126 may be a non-woven fabric layer, with the fabric layer 124 being formed by a melt-blowing manufacturing process. In this case, the melt-blown fabric layer 124 acts as the main filtration layer for blocking or reducing the passage of the above-described contaminants through the mask member 120. This is so because the melt-blown fibers are very small in diameter (e.g., the diameter of a melt-blown fiber can range from about 40 nm to several μm), and because the voids between the individual fibers are very small as well.

The melt-blown non-woven fabric layer 124 may be formed by melt-blowing, for example, polypropylene fibers, polystyrene fibers, polyesters fibers, polyurethane fibers, polyamide fibers (e.g., nylon), polyethylene fibers, polycarbonate fibers, etc.

The non-woven fabric layers 122 and 126 may also be formed by utilizing the same fiber materials as those described above for the fabric layer 124, but the fibers of the non-woven fabric layers 122 and 126 may have a greater diameter than that those of the melt-blown fabric layer 124 since these layers are not formed by a melt-blowing process. Thus, the non-woven fabric layers 122 and 126 may also be used to filter airborne contaminants, but the diameter/particle size of the contaminate matter that is trapped by the non-woven fabric layers 122 and 126 is somewhat greater than that of the contaminates that are trapped by the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer 124.

In addition, any one of the fabric layers 122 and 126, which may be designated as the outer layer of the mask member 120, may be coated with a hydrophobic material on its outer surface in order to prevent the mask member 120 from becoming wet/soggy when coming in contact with water particles (e.g., rain) from the outside.

The outer surface of the designated outer fabric layer 122 or 126 may have the same surface coloring/color scheme, motif, printed pattern, etc., as an outer surface of the scarf member 110 such that the mask member 120 can be made to appear as a natural extension of the scarf 110 for a pleasing aesthetic effect.

The wearable article of FIGS. 1A-1E can be reversible. In this case, each exterior side surface of the scarf member 110 may have the same surface coloring/color scheme, motif, printed pattern, etc., as the corresponding exterior surface of the mask member 120. Therefore, the scarf member 110 will match with the mask member 120.

In addition, or alternatively, the designated outer fabric layer 122 and/or 126 and the fabric layer that forms the scarf member 110 (or when the scarf member 110 includes a plurality of fabric layers, the designated outer fabric layer(s) of the scarf member 110) may be formed of the same fiber material and/or may have the same fabric construction (e.g., woven, knit, or non-woven construction) as one another in order to present the mask member 120 as a natural extension of the scarf 110 for a desirable visual effect.

The fabric layers 122-126 may also be used to protect the user in cold weather, for example, to shield the user's mouth and or nose from cold wind, rain, etc.

It is understood that the mask member 120 may be formed of more than three fabric layers, or less than three fabric layers. For example, the mask member 120 may be formed of only one fabric layer. The single fabric layer of the mask member 120 may be formed of the same fiber material as the scarf member 110, and may have the same fabric construction as the scarf member 110. In addition, each exterior surface of the single layer mask member 120 may have the same surface coloring/color scheme, motif, printed pattern, etc., as a corresponding exterior surface of the scarf member 110.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the mask member 120 may include a plurality of elongated fasteners 128. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C, the elongated fasteners 128 may also be referred to as ear loops. Referring to FIG. 1A, each elongated fastener 128 may be secured to one of the wearer's ears in order to selectively secure the mask member 120 over the wearer's mouth and/or nostrils. Each elongated fastener 128 may be elastically deformable (e.g., stretchable) for a comfortable yet secure fit. In other words, each elongated fastener 128 may be an elastic strap.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the pair of elongated fasteners 128 may be attached to opposing sides of the mask member 120. For example, the ends of the elongated fasteners 128 may be attached to or near a location where a top edge of the mask member 120 (as illustrated in FIG. 1A) meets the side edge of the mask member 120 on both sides of the mask. In this configuration, the elongated fasteners apply tensile forces to two opposite sides of the mask, thereby maintain the mask member 120 stretched open and secured over the user's face.

The elongated fasteners 128 may be stitched, adhered, riveted, or otherwise tacked on the mask member 120. For example, referring to FIG. 1C, a bartack 134 may be used to stich each end of each elongated fastener 128 to the mask member 120.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, the nose strip 130 may be a bar shaped member that is deformable such that a user can selectively deform the nose strip 130 in order to contour an upper section of the mask member 120 according to the shape and size of a user's face. Thus, the mask member 120 can be fit snugly yet comfortably over the user's nose and cheeks.

The nose strip 130 be made, for example, of aluminum, copper, or other metals, and may have a suitable thickness such that the nose strip 130 does not require excessive force to be bent to shape in order to comfortably fit over of a user's nose and cheeks.

Alternatively, the nose strip 130 may be manufactured to have a predefined bent shape that accounts generally for the nose and cheeks. In this case, the nose strip may be made of a metal or a polymeric material, for example, polycarbonate.

In addition, the mask member 120 may include a plurality of pleats 132, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1E. The pleats may be used for adjusting the fit of the mask member 120 over the user's face. Although the mask member 120 is illustrated as having three pleats 132, the mask member 120 may be manufactured to have more than three pleats 132, or fewer than three pleats 132, as needed. Alternatively, the pleats 132 may be omitted.

When the mask member 120 is not needed, the mask member 120 can be folded over the scarf member 110, for example at the seam 114 as illustrated in FIG. 1E. Then, the scarf member 110 can be worn with the folded mask member 120 facing toward the wearer's body as illustrated in FIG. 1B. This way, the mask member 120 is hidden from the outside of the scarf member 110.

When the mask member 120 is needed, a user can extend it away from the scarf member 110, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1D. Then, the user can wear the mask member 120 together with the scarf member 110, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1A.

Therefore, the wearable article that is described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1E may be used as a scarf with a protective face mask, or simply as a scarf when the face mask is not needed. The advantage of having a protective face mask with the configuration described above joined to a scarf is that a user can wear the mask when needed—together with the scarf—in order to protect him/herself and/or third parties from harmful airborne matter, and the user can also wear just the scarf with the mask folded over when the use of the mask is not needed.

The dual functionality of the wearable article of FIGS. 1A-1E results due to the fact that the mask member 120 and the scarf member 110 are attached to one another, and importantly, due to the fact that the mask member 120 is provided with elongated fasteners 128 attached thereto, which enable a user to selectively wear the mask member 120 when needed.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a wearable article that includes a scarf member 110A and a mask member 120A that are joined to one another. The differences between the mask members 120A and 120 will be described below. Elements/components of the wearable article of FIGS. 2A-2B that are not described in detail below may be assumed to the same as or similar to corresponding components of a wearable article that is described elsewhere in this specification.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, the mask member 120A may have a generally polygonal shape having a first side 238, a second side 240, a third side 242, a fourth side 244 and a fifth side 246. The edges of the fourth and fifth sides 244 and 246 may be partially curved when the mask member 120A is laid flat, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

The mask member 120A may include an elongated fastener 248 that is configured to extend around a user's head or neck in order to secure the mask member 120A over the user's face. In FIG. 2A the elongated fastener 248 is shown to extend around the user's head. The elongated fastener 248 may be an elastically deformable (e.g., stretchable) strap.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, the mask member 120A may be formed of two separate mask panels (e.g., a left mask panel 252 and a right mask panel 254) that are joined to one another via stitching, sewing, etc., that forms a seam 250. Each one of the left and right mask panels 252 and 254 may be formed of one or more fabric layers, as described elsewhere in this specification with reference to other mask members (e.g., with reference to mask member 120).

The seam 250 may extend approximately across the middle of the mask member 120A. The seam 250 may be curved, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, in order to impart a curved shape to the mask member 120A for a comfortable fit over the user's face.

Alternatively, the mask member 120A may be formed of a single mask panel that includes one or more fabric layers stacked on one another. Even when the mask member 120A is formed of a single mask panel, the single mask panel may include the stitching or sewing that forms the seam 250 as illustrated in FIG. 2A for imparting a curved shape to the mask member 120A.

FIG. 3 illustrates a wearable article that includes a scarf member 110B and a mask member 120B that are joined to one another. The differences between the mask members 120B and 120A will be described below.

Elements/components of the wearable article of FIG. 3 that are not described in detail below may be assumed to the same as or similar to corresponding components of a wearable article that is described elsewhere in this specification.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mask member 120B has a first side 238A, a second side 240A, a third side 242A, a fourth side 244A and a fifth side 246A.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mask member 120B may include an elongated fastener 356 that forms a first ear loop 358 adjacent to the second side 240A, extends along the edges of the fourth and fifth sides 244A and 246A, and forms a second ear loop 360 adjacent to the third side 242A of the mask member 120A. The elongated fastener 356 may be an elastic strap.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the elongated fastener 356 may be sewn or stitched to the mask member 120B along the edges of the fourth and fifth sides 244A and 246A.

A user can fasten the first and second ear loops 358 and 360 to the user's ears, as illustrated in FIG. 1A for the wearable article of FIGS. 1A-1E in order to secure the mask member 120B to the user's face when wearing the scarf member 110B with the mask members 120B.

FIG. 4 illustrates a wearable article that includes a scarf member 110C and a mask member 120C that are joined to one another. The differences between the mask members 120C and 120B will be described below.

Elements/components of the wearable article of FIG. 4 that are not described in detail below may be assumed to the same as or similar to corresponding components of a wearable article that is described elsewhere in this specification.

The mask member 120C may be similar to or the same as the mask member 120 of FIGS. 1A-1E. However, the mask member 120C may include an elongated fastener 462. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the elongated fastener 462 has its ends attached to opposite sides of the mask member 120C. Thus, the elongated fastener 462 forms a loop that can be worn around a user's head, for example, similarly to the elongated fastener 248 in FIG. 2A, or around the user's neck.

FIG. 5 illustrates a wearable article that includes a scarf member 110D and a mask member 120D that are joined to one another. The differences between the mask members 120D and 120-120C will be described below. Elements/components of the wearable article of FIG. 5 that are not described in detail below may be assumed to the same as or similar to corresponding components of a wearable article that is described elsewhere in this specification.

Referring to FIG. 5, the mask member 120D includes a first portion 520 and a second portion 522.

The first portion 520 is configured to cover a wearer's mouth, similar to the mask members 120 and 120A-120C described above. Referring to FIG. 5, a head band 524 can be attached to the first portion 520 of the mask member 120D for selectively securing the first portion 520 of the mask member 120D to a user's face. Alternatively, or in addition, a pair of ear loops can be attached to opposite sides of the first portion 520 of the mask member 120D for selectively securing the first portion 520 of the mask member 120D to a user's face.

The first portion 520 of the mask member 120D may have the same configuration as the mask members 120 and 120A-120C. In other words, the first portion 520 of the mask 120D is the region of the mask member 120D that is configured to filter particulate matter when covering a user's mouth.

The second portion 522 of the mask member 120D may be an elongated portion of the mask member 120D that extends between the first portion 520 and the scarf member 110D. The second portion 522 may be attached to the scarf member 110D.

When a user wears the scarf member 110D with the first portion 520 of the mask member 120D covering the user's mouth and/or nostrils, the second portion 522 of the mask member 120D extends downwardly from the bottom of the first portion 520 (e.g., the second portion 522 extends downwardly from the user's chin).

When a user turns/rotates the user's head from side to side and upwardly/downwardly, a mask member that is connected to a scarf can potentially be pulled off of the user's face if the mask member is not long enough to allow the head movement. The second portion 522 of the mask member 120D is configured to provide the length that is required to enable the first portion 520 of the mask member 120D to turn/rotate together with the user's head.

In other words, the length of the second portion 522 allows a user to turn and/or rotate the user's head as desired without causing the mask member 120D from being pulled off of the user's face.

Each of the first and second portions 520 and 522 may be formed of one fabric layer, or a plurality of fabric layers that are stacked on one another, as described above for the mask member 120. The first and second portions 520 and 522 of the mask member 120D may be made of the same fabric material as one another or of different fabric materials.

The first portion 520 can be formed of one or more fabric layers, and the second portion 522 can also be formed of one or more fabric layers that are separate from the one or more fabric layers of the first portion 520. In this case, the fabric layers of the first and second portions 520 and 522 are attached to one another via a seam 524, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Alternatively, first and second portions 520 and 522 can be formed of one or more continuous fabric layers that are stacked on one another. In this case, the seam 522 is not needed.

Each mask member that is described in this specification may be long enough to allow a user to turn/rotate the user's head as desired without resulting in the mask member being pulled off of the user's face. Thus, each mask member that is described in this specification may have a portion of its length that is analogous to the second portion 522 described above, whether that portion is attached to the portion of the mask that convers the user's face via a seam or whether that portion is integrally formed with the portion of the mask that convers the user's face.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a scarf member and a mask member may be configured to be selectively connectable to one another. In other words, the scarf member and the mask member can be selectively joined to one another when needed, and can be selectively disjoined from one another when a user desires to wear the scarf member without the mask member.

This is advantageous because it permits a user to selectively remove the mask member in order to wash the mask member when needed in order to destroy viruses/bacteria and other contaminants that may be trapped in the mask. In addition, the washing process can remove any odors that may result in the mask member due to the user's breathing, as well as any dust, dirt, etc., that may be trapped in the mask member.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate various exemplary embodiments of selectively connectable scarf members and mask members.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a mask member 120E may include a first elongated connection member 602, and a scarf member 110E may include a second elongated connection member 604. The first and second connection members 602 and 604 together form a hook and loop fastener. For example, the first connection member 602 may have a mating surface with a plurality of hooks, and the second connection member 604 may have a mating surface with a plurality of loops.

Therefore, the mask member 120E and the scarf member 110E may be selectively joined with one another by overlapping the mating surfaces of the first and second elongated connection members 602 and 604 with one another and pressing the first and second connection member 602 and 604 against one another along their respective lengths.

The mask member 120E and the scarf member 110E may be selectively disjoined from one another by pulling mask member 120E and the scarf member 110E away from one another.

FIG. 6B illustrates a mask member 120F that includes a first elongated zipper member 606, and a scarf member 110F that includes a second elongated zipper member 608. The first and second elongated zipper members 606 and 608 may be selectively joined to one another in order to selectively connect the mask member 120F and the scarf member 110F to one another.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, a zipper head 614—configured to selectively mate the first and second elongated zipper member 606 and 608 to one another—may be disposed on the first elongated zipper member 606, which is attached to the mask member 120F. In this case, the zipper head 614 it is not present when a user wears only the scarf member 110F. This is convenient because the user need not worry whether the zipper head 614 interferes with other clothing or accessories worn by the user when the user wears the scarf member 110F alone.

Alternatively, the zipper head 614 may be disposed on the second elongated zipper member 608.

The first and second elongated zipper members 606 and 608 may be sewn, stitched, or otherwise attached to respective mating edges of the mask member 120F and scarf member 110F (as illustrated in FIG. 6B), or adjacent to the mating edges.

FIG. 6C illustrates a mask member 120G that includes a plurality of buttons 610 attached to the mask member 120G along a mating edge of the mask member 120G. Referring to FIG. 6C, a scarf member 110G includes a plurality of buttons holes 612 formed therethrough. The button holes 612 are configured to selectively receive the buttons 610 therethrough in order to selectively connect the mask member 120G and the scarf member 110G to one another.

Alternatively, the buttons 610 may be attached to the scarf member 110G, and the button holes 610 may be formed in the mask member 120G.

A mask member of the present invention may be connected to a scarf member at mid-length of the scarf member, or at a certain distance (e.g. offset) from the middle of the length of the scarf member. A range of the offset from the middle of the length of the scarf member may range, for example, from about 2 inches to about 14 inches.

According to the teachings of the present invention, a scarf member and a mask member are variously configurable in order to provide a user and others in the vicinity of the user with a desirable level of protection from viruses, bacteria and other airborne contaminants. The mask member is configured to be attachable to a user's head/neck via a head band or to a user's ears via ear loops. The mask member may also have a certain predefined length which enables a user to freely turn/rotate the user's head as desired without causing the mask member to be accidentally pulled off of the user's face. In addition, the mask member and the scarf member can be permanently attached to one another, or can be selectively connectable/disconnectable from one another. Thus, a wearable article of the present invention can be worn solely as a scarf, or as a scarf with a face mask when needed.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating method steps for forming a wearable article including a scarf member and a facial mask member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, step S702 includes providing a scarf member. The scarf member may be formed of one or more fabric layers, as described above in this specification for the scarf members 110, and 110A-110G. When the scarf member is formed of a plurality of fabric layers, step 702 may include stitching or sewing the layers to one another.

Step S704 includes providing a facial mask member.

Step S706 includes joining the mask member to the scarf member. For example, the scarf member and the facial mask member may be joined to one another along one of their respective edges. This may include, for example, stitching, sewing, etc., one of the edges or sides of the mask member to one of the edges or sides of the scarf member. Step S706, for example, includes forming the seam 114 described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1E above.

Alternatively, the scarf member and the mask member may be joined to one another at other portions thereof, as long as the mask member has enough surface area to extend away from the scarf member in order to cover a user's mouth and nose.

When the mask member includes a plurality of fabric layers stacked on one another, Step S706 may include attaching the fabric layers to one another by, for example, stitching, sewing, riveting, etc., (hereinafter “sewing” for brevity purposes) the fabric layers to one another. This process may include sewing the fabric layers adjacent to their respective edges or adjacent to their outer boundary. For example, the fabric layers of the mask member may be sewn all around their edges.

Step S706 also includes attaching a headband or a pair of ear loops to the mask member. For example, in step S706, the headband or earloops may be bartacked to the mask member. The ends of the headband may be attached to opposite sides of the mask member. When using earloops, the earloops may be attached to opposite sides of the mask member.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wearable article, comprising:

a scarf member and a facial mask member attached to one another;

wherein the scarf member includes an elongated fabric layer configured to cover, at least partially, one or more of a wearer's head, neck and torso;

wherein the facial mask member includes: at least one fabric layer configured to cover at least the wearer's mouth; and at least one elongated fastener having a first portion attached to the at least one fabric layer, a second portion attached to the at least one fabric layer and a body extending between the first and second portions, the body being separated from the least one fabric layer of the facial mask member; wherein the facial mask member is attached at an edge of the elongated fabric layer, or at a certain distance away from the edge of the elongated fabric layer, and wherein, when the wearable article member is worn with the facial mask member extending away from the scarf member at a region where the scarf member is attached to the facial mask member in order to cover the wearer's mouth, the at least one elongated fastener can be selectively attached to one of the wearer's ears, head or neck in order to secure the facial mask member over the wearer's mouth.

2. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the facial mask member is attached at about mid-length of the elongated fabric layer of the scarf member.

3. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the edge of the elongated fabric layer to which the facial mask member is attached extends in a length-wise direction of the scarf member.

4. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the facial mask member is offset from a middle of the scarf member in a length-wise direction of the scarf member.

5. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the facial mask member includes a first portion configured to cover at least the wearer's mouth, and a second portion extending between the first portion of the facial mask member and the scarf member,

wherein the second portion of the facial mask member is configured to allow for a range of motion of the user's head such that the first portion of the mask member is not pulled off of the user's face when the user turns or turns or rotates his/her head.

6. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the facial mask member includes a first elongated fastener and a second fastener, each of which having a first portion that is attached to the at least one fabric layer of the facial mask member, a second portion that is attached to the at least one fabric layer of the facial mask member and a body extending between the first and second portions and being separated from the at least one fabric layer of the mask member,

wherein the first elongated fastener is configured to be selectively attached to one of the wearer's ears, and

wherein the second elongated fastener is configured to be selectively attached to the other of the wearer's ears.

7. The wearable article of claim 6, wherein the at least one fabric layer of the facial mask member includes a first side that is attached to the scarf member, a second side opposite to and spaced from the first side, a third side extending between the first and second sides, and a fourth side extending between the first and second sides, the third and fourth sides being separated from one another.

8. The wearable article of claim 7, wherein the first elongated fastener is attached to the third side of the at least one a fabric layer, and the second elongated fastener is attached to the fourth side of the at least one a fabric layer.

9. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the facial mask member includes one elongated fastener, and

wherein the body of the one elongated fastener is configured to extend behind the wearer's head or behind the wearer's neck in order to provide structural support to the mask member for maintaining the mask member selectively secured over the wearer's mouth.

10. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the fabric layer of the scarf member and the at least one a fabric layer of the facial mask member comprise a same fiber material.

11. The wearable article of claim 1, wherein the facial mask member includes a plurality of fabric layers stacked on one another.

12. The wearable article of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of fabric layers includes melt-blown non-woven fabric.

13. A method of manufacturing a wearable article, the method comprising:

providing an elongated scarf member including a fabric layer for covering, at least partially, one or more of a wearer's head, neck and torso;

providing a facial mask member including at least one fabric layer for covering at least the wearer's mouth;

attaching a first portion of the facial mask member to a first portion of the fabric layer of the elongated scarf member;

providing a first elongated fastener having a first end, a second end, and a body extending between the first and second ends; and

attaching the first end and the second end of the first elongated fastener to the facial mask member such that, when the wearable article member is worn with the facial mask member extending away from the scarf member at a region where the scarf member is attached to the facial mask member, the facial mask member is configured to cover the wearer's mouth and to maintain cover over the wearer's mouth when the first elongated fastener is selectively fastened to one of the wearer's ears, the wearer's head or the wearer's neck.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fabric layer of the elongated scarf member comprises a same fiber material as the at least one fabric layer of facial mask member.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing a facial mask member includes providing a plurality of stacked fabric layers having different particle size filtering capabilities, and attaching the plurality of stacked fabric layers to one another.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of attaching the facial mask member to the elongated scarf member includes stitching or sewing the at least one fabric layer of the facial mask member to the fabric layer of the elongated scarf member.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein an exterior side surface of the elongated scarf member is decorated to appear similarly to or the same as an exterior side surface of the facial mask member.

18. A wearable article, comprising:

a scarf member and a facial mask member configured to be selectively connectable to one another;

wherein the scarf member includes: an elongated fabric layer configured to cover, at least partially, one or more of a wearer's head, neck and torso; and a first connecting member extending along a portion of an edge of the elongated fabric layer or along a region of the elongated fabric layer that is spaced from the edge thereof;

wherein the facial mask member includes: at least one fabric layer configured to cover at least the wearer's mouth; a second connecting member extending along a portion of an edge of the at least one fabric layer or along a region of the at least one fabric layer that is spaced from the edge thereof, the second connecting member being configured to be selectively matingly engaged with the first connecting member in order to selectively connect the scarf member and the mask member to one another; and at least one elongated fastener having a first portion attached to the at least one fabric layer, a second portion attached to the at least one fabric layer and a body extending between the first and second portions, the body being separated from the at least one fabric layer;

wherein, when the wearable article member is worn with the facial mask member selectively attached to and extending away from the scarf member in order to cover at least the wearer's mouth, the at least one elongated fastener of the facial mask member is configured to be selectively attached to one of the wearer's ears, head or neck in order to secure the facial mask member over the wearer's mouth.

19. The wearable article of claim 18, wherein the first connecting member includes one of a plurality of hooks and a plurality of loops and the second connecting member includes the other of the plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops, the first and second connecting members together forming a hook and loop fastener that is configured to selectively attach the scarf member and the facial mask member to one another; or

wherein the first connecting member is a first elongated zipper part and the second connecting member is a second elongated zipper part, the first and second elongated zipper parts together forming an elongated zipper that is configured to selectively attach the scarf member and the facial mask member to one another.

20. The wearable article of claim 19, wherein the facial mask member includes a first portion configured to cover at least the wearer's mouth, and a second portion extending between the first portion of the facial mask member and the scarf member,

wherein the second portion of the facial mask member is configured to allow for a range of motion of the user's head such that the first portion of the mask member is not pulled off of the user's face when the user turns or rotates his/her head.