Face Mask With Straw Accommodation Opening
A face mask includes a body portion having a weakening seam. The weakening seam bounds a punch out portion. The punch out portion has a diameter that is slightly smaller than a diameter of a predetermined straw. The weakening seam is configured to part from the body portion of the face mask so as to remove the punch out portion and leave an opening. Accordingly a straw may be inserted into the opening, as the outer diameter of the straw is in contact with an inner annular edge of the weakening seam so as maintain the filtering qualities of the face mask.
The disclosure relates to a protective face cover having a removable portion configured to leave an opening suitable for a tight fit engagement with a straw.
BACKGROUNDFace masks have been widely used in the past to protect the respiratory system from particulate or chemical agents. These protective face covers are designed to minimize the transmission of contagious diseases or to protect the respiratory system from toxic substances or allergens in the surrounding atmosphere. The face masks are generally configured for a single use.
However, the face mask must be removed when the wearer wishes to eat or drink. However, the user may not want to remove the mask and subject themselves to the transmission of contagious diseases, toxic substances, allergens or the like, Modular attachments have been incorporated into a face mask to allow for an insertion of a straw. However, such modular attachments add costs.
Accordingly, it remains desirable to have a face mask which may be designated for a single use which is configured to receive a straw in a tight-fit engagement without adding the costs associated with a modular attachment.
SUMMARYOne aspect of the disclosure a face mask made of a first material. The face mask includes a weakening seam. The weakening seam is annular and has a width extending along a radius of the weakening seam and a thickness as defined by a thickness of the face mask. The weakening seam bounds a punch out portion of the face mask. The punch out portion of the face mask is made of the first material. The punch out portion has a diameter that is slightly smaller than a diameter of a straw. The weakening seam is configured to part from the face mask so as to remove the punch out portion and leave an opening. Accordingly a straw may be inserted into the opening, as the outer diameter of the straw is in contact with the inner annular edge of the weakening seam so as maintain the filtering qualities of the face mask.
In one aspect of the disclosure, the face mask includes a first weakening seam, a second weakening seam, a first punch out portion and a second punch out portion. The first weakening seam is concentric to the first punch out portion. The first weakening seam and the first punch out portion are disposed on the second punch out portion and the second weakening portion is concentric to the second punch out portion. In such an aspect, the user may accommodate straws of different diameters.
In yet another aspect of the face mask, the weakening seam is generally C shaped, so as to define a neck portion. The neck portion is contiguous with the punch out portion. Accordingly, the punch out portion remains attached to the face mask when removed from the weakening seam.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined herein. The following description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
Implementations herein are directed toward a face mask configured to accommodate a straw without adding manufacturing costs. The face mask a body portion having a weakening seam. The weakening seam bounds a punch out portion of the face mask. The punch out portion has a diameter that is slightly smaller than a diameter of a predetermined straw. The weakening seam is configured to part from the body portion of the face mask so as to remove the punch out portion and leave an opening. Accordingly a straw may be inserted into the opening, as the outer diameter of the straw is in contact with an inner annular edge of the weakening seam so as maintain the filtering qualities of the face mask.
With reference now to
The face mask 10 is configured to cover the mouth and nose of a user. For illustrative purposes, the face mask 10 is shown as having a pleats 22 so as to facilitate the expansion of the face mask 10 over the chin and nose of the user. However, it should be appreciated that the face mask 10 may be formed without the pleats, or that other features such as a fold may be incorporated therein without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
A fastening means 24 may be sealed to the face mask 10 so as to secure the face mask 10 to the user. In once aspect, the fastening means 24 includes two pair of ties, each pair of ties is disposed on each side of the face mask 10. The ties are configured to be tied together on the back of the user's head. In another aspect, the fastening means 24 is a pair of loops, each of the pair of loops is preferably formed of an elastic material and configured to be placed over each eat f the user so as to secure the face mask 10 to the user's face.
For illustrative purposes the weakening seam 12 is shown offset from a center of the face mask 10 and disposed on the face mask 10 in an area where a user's lips may be. The weakening seam 12 is annular and has a width “W” extending along a radius of the weakening seam 12 and a thickness as defined by a thickness of the face mask 10. In one aspect, the width of the weakening seam 12 is uniform and is approximately 1-3 millimeters wide. Preferably, the weakening seam 12 is formed by using a mold subject to ultrasonic frequencies operating between 20 kHz to 5 Mhz. The thickness of the weakening seam 12 is less than the thickness of the face mask 10.
The weakening seam 12 bounds the punch out portion 14 of the face mask 10. The punch out portion 14 of the face mask 10 is made of the first material 20. The punch out portion 14 has a diameter that is slightly smaller than a diameter of a predetermined straw 100a, 100b (shown in
With reference now to
With reference now to
With reference now to
With reference now to
In operation, the user dons the face mask 10. The punch out portion 14 may be simply pulled off of the face mask 10, either before the face mask 10 is worn or when the face mask 10 is worn. In one aspect, the punch out portion 14 has a diameter of 9.4 mm and the straw has a diameter of diameter of 9.5 mm. As such, insertion of the straw into the opening 16 places the outer surface of the straw in contact with the inner annular edge 18 of the weakening seam 12. The user is thus able to drink from a straw while wearing the face mask 10.
In the instance, that the user uses a face mask 10 according to the second embodiment, the user may remove either the first or second punch out portion 14 based upon the size of the straw. For instance, in the event the straw has a diameter of 7 mm, the first punch out portion 14 may be formed to have a diameter of 6.9 mm, thus as the first punch out portion 14 is removed the opening 16 bound by the first weakening seam 12a is 6.9 mm and thus is smaller than the straw. As such, insertion of the straw into the opening 16 places the outer surface of the straw in contact with the inner annular edge 18 of the first weakening seam 12a. It should be appreciated that a benefit of the face mask 10 in accordance with the second embodiment provides the user with the ability to accommodate straws of different sizes. Alternatively, the face mask 10 may be formed to have two punch out portion 14s on opposite sides of the face mask 10, as shown in
In all aspects, the face mask 10 provides the user with an ability to drink from a straw without increasing manufacturing costs associated with an attachable fitment.
It should be further appreciated that the size of the punch out portion 14s are described herein as being illustrative and that the punch out portion 14 may be formed to accommodate a specific diameter of a straw, or may have a cross-section that is irregular or non-circular.
While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Claims
1. A face mask for accommodating a straw having a first diameter, the face mask comprising:
- a body portion made of a first material;
- a weakening seam disposed on the body portion, the weakening seam configured to part from the body portion; and
- a punch out portion, the weakening seam including an inner annular edge bounding the punch out portion, wherein the punch out portion may be removed so as to leave an opening configured to fit the straw.
2. The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the punch out portion has a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter of the straw.
3. The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first material is a meltblown nonwoven polypropylene fabric.
4. The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the weakening seam has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the body portion.
5. The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the weakening seam is a pair of weakening seams and the punch out portion is a pair of punch out portions, each of the pair of punch out portions corresponding to one of the pair of weakening seams.
6. The face mask as set forth in claim 5, wherein the pair of weakening seams are spaced apart from each other.
7. The face mask as set forth in claim 6, wherein one of the pair of weakening seams is concentric to the other of the pair of weakening seams.
8. The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the weakening seam is generally C-shaped so as to form a neck portion, the neck portion contiguous with the punch out portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 31, 2020
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2022
Inventor: Ghassan Victor Nasrallah (Pontiac, MI)
Application Number: 16/944,577