Mask Holder

Abstract

The disclosed technology includes a face covering device including an elongated member having a first end and a second end and a first attachment device affixed to the first end and a second attachment device affixed to the second end. The first attachment device and the second attachment device can each be configured to removably couple to at least a portion of a face covering.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/052,541 filed Jul. 16, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to a face covering device configured to retain a face covering (e.g., a mask), and more particularly to a face covering device that extends around a back portion of a user's head and/or neck to retain the face covering on the user.

BACKGROUND

The use of face coverings has significantly increased due to the public's desire to prevent the spread of one's own germs and to prevent contact with others' germs, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A common way to the prevent the spread of germs and prevent contact with others' germs can be by using a face mask or covering. Often times, individuals may want to wear a face covering while in a high-risk atmosphere, including a public building or crowded area, but remove the face covering temporarily while in a low-risk atmosphere. However, when the user removes the face covering, the user may have to hold the face covering in his or her hands, thereby, causing an inconvenience for the user. Alternatively, the user may place the face covering briefly on a counter or other exterior surface or within a purse, pocket or other storage compartment. When the user places the face covering down, there can be an increased chance the user may forget to retrieve the face covering and/or germs from the counter or other exterior surface may spread to the face covering. Additionally, when the face covering is stored away, an individual may not be able to readily access the face covering.

SUMMARY

These and other problems can be addressed by the technologies described herein. Examples of the present disclosure relate generally to a face covering device for retaining a face covering over at least a portion of a user's face or, alternatively, proximate to the user's torso such that the face covering is readily accessible.

The disclosed technology includes a face covering holding device including an elongated member having a first end and a second end and a first attachment device affixed to the first end and a second attachment device affixed to the second end. The first attachment device and the second attachment device each can be configured to removably couple to at least a portion of a face covering.

The elongated member can be a non-rigid member configured to form a substantially arch shape.

The elongated member can be composed of one or more textiles.

The elongated member can be composed of rubber, synthetic rubber, or a mixture thereof.

The elongated member can be at least partially coated with an antimicrobial composition.

The elongated member can be substantially cylindrical.

The first attachment device and the second attachment device can each be a hook, a clasp, a clip, a loop, or a tie.

The first attachment device can be configured to removably couple to a first ear loop of the face covering and the second attachment device can be configured to removable couple to a second ear loop of the face covering.

One or more charms can be affixed to at least one of the first attachment device and the second attachment device.

One or more charms can be affixed to a portion of the elongated member.

The disclosed technology can further include a face covering system including a face covering having a first ear loop and a second ear loop and a face covering holder. The face covering holder can include an elongated member having a first end and a second end and a first attachment device secured to the first end and a second attachment device secured to the second end. The first attachment device can be removably coupled to the first ear loop and the second attachment device can be removably coupled to the second ear loop.

The elongated member can be a non-rigid member configured to extend around a back portion of a neck of a user.

The face covering holder can be configured to retain the face covering at least partially over a mouth of a user.

The face covering holder can be configured to retain the face covering proximate to a torso of a user.

The elongated member can have a predetermined length based at least in part on a target position of the face covering with respect to a torso of a user when the face covering is removed from being positioned over a mouth of the user.

The target position of the face covering can be proximate to an upper portion of the torso of the user.

The elongated member can be at least partially coated with an antimicrobial composition.

A disinfectant material can be applied to at least a portion of the elongated member.

The disinfectant material can be applied to at least a portion of the elongated member when the face covering holder is configured to retain the face covering proximate to a torso of a user.

The first attachment device and the second attachment device can each be a hook, a clasp, a loop, or a tie.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure are described in the Detailed Description below and the accompanying figures. Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following description of specific examples of the present disclosure in concert with the figures. While features of the present disclosure may be discussed relative to certain examples and figures, all examples of the present disclosure can include one or more of the features discussed herein. Further, while one or more examples may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used with the various other examples of the disclosure discussed herein. In similar fashion, while examples may be discussed below as devices, systems, or methods, it is to be understood that such examples can be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example face covering device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example face covering system including the example face covering device of FIG. 1 removably coupled to a face covering.

FIG. 3A illustrates the example face covering system of FIG. 2 in which the example face covering device retains the face covering over a user's mouth and nose.

FIG. 3B illustrates the example face covering system of FIG. 2 in which the example face covering device retains the face covering proximate to a user's torso.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed technology includes a face covering device configured to retain a face covering. When the face covering is not positioned over the user's face, the face covering device can suspend the face covering proximate to the user's torso. Thus, even when the user is not wearing the face covering over his face, the face covering remains readily accessible to the user. The face covering device can include a non-rigid, elongated member configured to extend around a back portion of the user's neck and/or head. Each end of the elongated member can include attachment devices that are configured to removably couple to ear loops of the face covering.

The disclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. The components described hereinafter as making up various elements of the disclosed technology are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Such other components not described herein may include, but are not limited to, for example, components developed after development of the disclosed technology.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. But it is to be understood that examples of the disclosed technology can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” “one example,’ “an example,” “some examples,” “certain examples,” “various examples,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) and/or example(s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” or the like does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, example, or implementation, although it may.

Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described should be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an example face covering device 100 including an elongated member 102 having a first end 104 and a second end 106. A first attachment device 108a can be secured to the first end 104 and a second attachment device 108b can be secured to the second end 106.

The elongated member 102 can be a non-rigid member configured to bend, stretch, and/or conform to a substantially semi-circular or arch shape. The elongated member 102 can be configured to wrap around a back portion of a user's head and/or neck in a substantially semi-circular or arch shape. The elongated member 102 can have any predetermined length. For example, the elongated member 102 can have a predetermined length that allows the elongated member 102 to extend at least around the back portion of the user's head and/or neck.

The elongated member 102 can be composed of a variety of materials. The elongated member 102 can be composed of materials that are comfortable for a user. For example, the elongated member 102 can include one or more textile materials (e.g., cotton, wax cotton, linen, and the like). Optionally, the elongated member 102 can include one or more synthetic fibers such as rayon, nylon, and polyesters. Optionally, the elongated member 102 can be composed of plastic, rubber, neoprene, cork, leather, or the like. Optionally, the elongated member 102 can be a lightweight chain comprised of a plurality of connected links. For example, the elongated member 102 can be a lightweight metal chain. Optionally, the elongated member 102 can be a chain threaded with a plurality of beads.

The elongated member 102 can be any color and/or pattern. The elongated member 102 can be a single color or a plurality of colors. Optionally, a pattern can be printed onto the elongated member 102. Optionally, when the elongated member 102 is composed of a plurality of textile fibers of a plurality of colors, such fibers can be weaved, braided, and/or twisted to create a pattern. The addition of color and/or a pattern can allow the user to personalize the face covering device 100.

The elongated member 102 can a have a substantially cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the elongated member 102 can have a substantially flattened and/or planar shape (e.g., ribbon-like). When the elongated member 102 is composed of one or more textile materials, portions of the textile materials (e.g., fibers, strings, yarns, and/or the like) can be weaved, braided, and/or twisted to form a substantially cylindrical shape or planar shape.

The elongated member 102 can have a substantially smooth exterior surface. Alternatively, the elongated member 102 can have a one or more rigids and/or surface features (e.g., protrusions, ribs, and the like). The one or more rigids and/or surface features can produce sufficient friction to reduce movement and/or sliding of the elongated member 102 when positioned around the back portion of the user's neck and/or head.

Optionally, the elongated member 102 can include a coating. The coating can include an antimicrobial composition. Such antimicrobial composition can protect the elongated member 102 from contamination of viruses, bacteria, or other unwanted contaminants. The coating can be applied to the entire outer surface area of the elongated member 102. Alternatively, the coating can be applied to a portion of the outer surface area of the elongated member 102.

The attachment devices 108a, 108b can be secured to the first end 104 and the second end 106, respectively, of the elongated member 102 via adhesives, crimping, pinching, and/or any other suitable means. The attachment device 108a secured to the first end 104 of the elongated member 102 and the attachment device 108b secured to the second end 106 of the elongated member 102 can be the same or different. The attachment devices 108a, 108b can be a hook, fastener, loop, clasp, clip, tie, or the like. The attachment devices 108a, 108b can be made of a variety of different materials, including, but not limited to, metal, rubber, and/or plastic.

Optionally, one or more charms 110 can be removably coupled to one or both attachment devices 108a, 108b. Alternatively or in addition to, one or more charms 110 can be removably coupled to the elongated member 102. The charm(s) 110 can be customized by the user to provide personalization of the face covering device 100. The charm(s) 110 can be any shape, color, or size. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the charm 110 can be a diamond shape.

FIG. 2 illustrates a face covering system 200 including the face covering device 100 and a face covering 202. The face covering 202 can include a portion configured to cover the mouth and, optionally, the nose of the user and ear loops 204. The ear loops 204 can be made of elastic material configured to stretch around the ears of the user. For example, the face covering 202 can be a cloth face covering, a surgical face covering, a respirator (e.g., N95, KN95, and the like), or a disposable face covering.

The first attachment device 108a can be coupled (e.g., hooked, looped, clipped, tied, or the like) to one of the ear loops 204 and the second attachment device 108b can be coupled to the other ear loop 204 such that the face covering 202 is removably coupled to the face covering device 100.

The attachment devices 108a, 108b can have a variety of opening and closing features to facilitate quick and easy attachment to the ear loops 204 of the face covering 202. Optionally, the opening and/or closing features can be sized to at least partially enclose the ear loop 204. Optionally, the opening and/or closing features can be sized to entirely enclose the ear loop 204. For example, the opening and/or closing features can have a cross-section diameter that is greater than a cross-section diameter of the ear loop 204 such that the ear loops 204 can extend through the opening and/or closing features of the attachment devices 108a, 108b.

The attachment devices 108a, 108b can allow the user to quickly and easily couple the face covering 202 to the face covering device 100 when the user desires to use the face covering 202 (e.g., when the user is going into a public building, crowded area, or location where the face covering 202 is required). Similarly, the user may readily uncouple the face covering 202 from the face covering device 100 when the user is not using the face covering 202.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the user using the face covering device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to retain the face covering 202 over at least a portion of the user's face (e.g., over the user's mouth and nose). In some environments, a user may be required to wear a face covering over his mouth and, optionally, nose in order to reduce and/or prevent the spread of germs. Additionally, in some environments (e.g., a crowded space) a user may desire to wear a face covering 202 to reduce and/or prevent the spread of germs. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the face covering 202 can be coupled to the face covering device 100 via coupling the attachment devices 108a, 108b to each ear loop 204. When the user positions the face covering 202 over his mouth and, optionally, his nose, and secures the ear loops over his ears, the elongated member 102 of the face covering device 100 can wrap around the back portion of the user's neck and/or head. Optionally, at least a portion of the elongated member 102 can rest on the back portion of the user's neck and/or head. Depending on the predetermined length of the elongated member 102, at least a portion of the elongated member 102 can rest on the user's shoulders and/or upper portion of the user's back.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the user using the face covering device 100 to retain the face covering 202 proximate to the user's torso. In some instances, the user may want to temporarily remove the face covering 202 from his face. The face covering device 100 can allow the user to remove the face covering 202 from over his mouth and, optionally, nose and retain the face covering 202 proximate to the user's torso. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the face covering device 100 can suspend the face covering 202 such that the face covering 202 can rest on the user's torso. Accordingly, the face covering device 100 can reduce and/or eliminate the need for the user to place the face covering 202 down on an exterior surface, hold the face covering 202 in his own hands, or place the face covering 202 in a pocket, purse, or other storage compartment while also maintaining quick and convenient access to the face covering 202 for when the user needs to reposition the face covering 202 back over the user's face.

The elongated member 102 can have a predetermined length based on a target position of the face covering 202 with respect to the user's torso. For example, the predetermined length of the elongated member 102 can be based on a target position of the face covering 202 being proximate to an upper portion of the user's torso (e.g., the user's upper chest). Alternatively, the predetermined length of the elongated member 102 can be based on a target position of the face covering 202 being proximate to the user's waist. The predetermined length of the elongated member 102 can be based at least in part on the height of the user and/or length of the user's torso. The predetermined length of the elongated member 102 can be smaller for children as compared to the length of the elongated member 102 for adults.

Optionally, a disinfectant material can be applied to any portion of the face covering device 100 (e.g., the elongated member 102 and/or the first and second attachment devices 108a, 108b). The disinfectant material can be applied after use of the face covering device 100 (e.g., after the user is finished wearing the face covering 202 for the day or the time-being). Alternatively, or in addition to, the disinfectant material can be applied while the user is using the face covering device 100. For example, the disinfectant material can be applied when the user has removed the face covering 202 from over the user's mouth and, optionally, nose, and the face covering 202 is resting on the user's torso via the face covering device 100. The disinfectant material can be applied via wiping, spraying, or other suitable means. Applying a disinfectant material can provide maximum usage of the face covering device 100, as contamination from germs, bacteria, and/or viruses is mitigated.

The face covering device 100 can allow the user to easily and conveniently remove the face covering 202 from over his face (e.g., over his mouth and, optionally, nose) when the face covering 202 is not needed, desired, and/or required. Because the face covering device 100 retains the face covering 202 proximate to the user's torso when the user removes the face covering 202 from over face, the user can further easily and conveniently reposition the face covering 202 over his face when the face covering 202 becomes needed, desired, or required. The face covering device 100 eliminates the need for the user to temporarily set the face covering 202 down on an exterior surface, hold the face covering 202 in his hands, or place the face covering 202 in a temporary storage compartment, thereby reducing the likelihood of exposure to germs and providing a convenience to the user.

Claims

1. A face covering device comprising:

an elongated member having a first end and a second end; and

a first attachment device affixed to the first end and a second attachment device affixed to the second end, the first attachment device and the second attachment device each configured to removably couple to at least a portion of a face covering.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member is a non-rigid member configured to form a substantially arch shape.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member is composed of one or more textiles.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member is composed of rubber, synthetic rubber, or a mixture thereof.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member is at least partially coated with an antimicrobial composition.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member is substantially cylindrical.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment device and the second attachment device are each a hook, a clasp, a clip, a loop, or a tie.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment device is configured to removably couple to a first ear loop of the face covering and the second attachment device is configured to removable couple to a second ear loop of the face covering.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more charms affixed to at least one of the first attachment device and the second attachment device.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising the face covering.

11. A face covering system comprising:

a face covering including a first ear loop and a second ear loop; and

a face covering holder comprising: an elongated member having a first end and a second end; and a first attachment device secured to the first end and a second attachment device secured to the second end, the first attachment device removably coupled to the first ear loop and the second attachment device removably coupled to the second ear loop.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the elongated member is a non-rigid member configured to extend around a back portion of a neck of a user.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the face covering holder is configured to retain the face covering at least partially over a mouth of a user.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the face covering holder is configured to retain the face covering proximate to a torso of a user.

15. The system of claim 11, the elongated member has a predetermined length based at least in part on a target position of the face covering with respect to a torso of a user when the face covering is removed from being positioned over a mouth of the user.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the target position of the face covering is proximate to an upper portion of the torso of the user.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the elongated member is at least partially coated with an antimicrobial composition.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein a disinfectant material is applied to at least a portion of the elongated member.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein a disinfectant material is applied to at least a portion of the elongated member when the face covering holder is configured to retain the face covering proximate to a torso of a user.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the first attachment device and the second attachment device are each a hook, a clasp, clip, a loop, or a tie.