FACE COVERING

Abstract

A face covering comprising a head attachment means, and a mouth and nose covering, wherein the mouth and nose covering includes a first internal face arranged in use to proximate the mouth and nose, and a second opposing external face arranged in use to be facing away from the mouth and nose, wherein the face covering is arranged to move from a first usage position to a second storage and transport position, characterised in that the head attachment means is arranged to secure onto the second face in the second position through a securement means.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2011958.2, filed on Jul. 31, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to face coverings that are worn to prevent the spread of infection.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic face coverings have been brought into everyday use to prevent the spread of infection. Generally, a face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth and thereby prevents aerosols and droplets from the user's nose and mouth spreading. Face coverings can be reusable or single-use. Many people use scarves, bandanas, religious garments and hand-made cloth coverings. However, the majority of face coverings in use are coverings that are designed and intended for use as face coverings.

Face coverings are largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of, for example, the COVID-19 virus. As a result, many governments and authorities have mandated the wearing of face coverings in public spaces such as shops, restaurants, schools, and bars. As a result, there is a massively increased demand for face coverings and most people will carry a face covering with them at all times.

However, unless single-use, the carrying of face coverings can be problematic as an inner surface of the mouth and nose covering are intended not to be touched between uses. Advice to carry face coverings in sealed sterile bags between uses to avoid contamination is difficult, if not impossible to follow. Often face coverings are simply stuffed in bags or pockets between uses, hung off a single ear, pushed below the chin, or carried in any other unsuitable manners. Therefore, there is a need for improved face coverings that are simple to wear and easy to store between uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a face covering comprising a head attachment means, and a mouth and nose covering, wherein the mouth and nose covering includes a first internal face arranged in use to proximate the mouth and nose, and a second opposing external face arranged in use to be facing away from the mouth and nose, wherein the face covering is arranged to move from a first usage position to a second storage and transport position, characterised in that the head attachment means is arranged to secure onto the second face in the second position through a securement means.

The face covering of the present invention is advantageous in that it provides a face covering that is easily transported when not in use. In particular, the face covering of the present invention can be moved from the first usage position where it can cover a user's mouth and nose to a second usage position where it can be carried easily, for example around a user's wrist.

In some embodiments the face covering may be flexible, for example formed in a flexible material such as fabric. Advantageously this may enable the face covering to be easily and repeatedly washed and reused.

In some embodiments the face covering may be elastomeric, for example formed at least in part in elastomeric fabric.

In some embodiments the head attachment means may comprise a nose attachment means, for example comprising a resiliently deformable nose clip, or similar.

In some embodiments head attachment means comprises head strapping. For example the strapping may comprise elastomeric straps.

Such strapping or straps may be envisaged to be tied off around or on the user's head, for example comprising discontinuous strings, that may be tied in a knot, or may comprise attachment means at ends

Alternatively or additionally the strapping or straps may be envisaged to be placed around the user's ears, for example comprising continuous loops.

In some embodiments the face covering may comprise a filtering means. Such filtering means may be embodied in a displaceable or disposable filter, for example wherein the inner face may comprise a pocket for a displaceable filter.

It may be envisaged that the second position is advantageously minimised for transport and storage, so as to enable the user to minimise the face covering ready for subsequent use as needed. The second position may cover over the internal face with the external face.

In some embodiments it may be envisaged that the second position provides an annular form, so as to enable the face covering to advantageously be conveniently worn around the wrist.

In some embodiments the securement means provides an anchoring means for the head attachment means to anchor to, so as to hold the face covering in a minimised position. For example the securement means may comprise a hook and eye means, for example a clip or clasp, or a hook and loop means like Velcro (RTM), or ferromagnetic means.

In other embodiments the securement means may provide an anchoring means for the head attachment means to attach to or anchor on in order to secure the face covering in the minimised position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a sketch of an embodiment of a face covering according to the present invention, in a first position;

FIGS. 2a and 2b show sketches of isometric detail views of the embodiment of FIG. 1, in use being moved between positions;

FIG. 3 shows a sketch of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in use, being moved between positions; and

FIGS. 4a and 4b show sketches of isometric detail views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in use being moved into a second position.

An embodiment of a face covering according to the present invention is shown in the Figures. The face covering comprises a substantially diamond shaped mouth and nose covering, arranged to cover a user's mouth and nose when in use. The mouth and nose covering has two layers of substantially inelastic fabric, namely providing an inner face, and an outer face.

The mouth and nose covering has two side loops extending to either side of the covering. These loops are formed in an elastomeric material, and are envisaged in use to be passed around the user's ears, so as to hold the face covering in position on the user's head with the mouth and nose covering positioned over their mouth and nose.

A securement means is provided by a button, which is located substantially centrally on the external face of the mouth and nose covering. This button may be replaced with a catch, or other means of anchoring the loops in a plurality of directions. The side loops of are arranged to be enabled to loop around the button to secure the embodiment in an annular second position when passed around a wrist

In use, as pictured in the Figures: the face covering is laid flat as shown in FIG. 1, sides of the external face 4 are folded in towards the middle of a mouth and nose covering, so as to advantageously cover and protect the inner face from contamination, as shown in FIGS. 2; as shown in FIG. 3 the embodiment is placed on the user's wrist, and with the other hand the user grips one of the loops 3, stretches the loop underneath their wrist and loops the loop 3 around the button 1 on the top of the wrist; and finally as shown in FIGS. 4 the user then takes the opposing loop 2 and passes it underneath and around the wrist to loop onto the button from the opposing direction; so as to secure the embodiment around the user's wrist.

Advantageously therefore the user does not contact the inner layer, or filter where appropriate. Consequently viral or bacterial spread is not liable to contaminate the filter or inner layer, and the embodiment may be consequently used repeatedly and intermittently during an outing, and washed after.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A face covering comprising a head attachment means, and a mouth and nose covering, wherein the mouth and nose covering includes a first internal face arranged in use to proximate the mouth and nose, and a second opposing external face arranged in use to be facing away from the mouth and nose, wherein the face covering is arranged to move from a first usage position to a second storage and transport position, characterised in that the head attachment means is arranged to secure onto the second face in the second position through a securement means.

2. A face covering according to claim 1 that is substantially formed of fabric.

3. A face covering according to claim 2 that is substantially formed of an elastomeric fabric.

4. A face covering according to claim 1 further comprising a nose attachment means.

5. A face covering according to claim 1, wherein the head attachment means comprises head strapping.

6. A face covering according to claim 5, wherein the head strapping comprise discontinuous strings, that may be tied in a knot, or may comprise attachment means at ends.

7. A face covering according to claim 5, wherein the head strapping comprises continuous loops.

8. A face covering according to claim 1 further comprises a filtering means.

9. A face covering according to claim 8, wherein the filtering means is a displaceable or disposable filter.

10. A face covering according to claim 1 wherein the mouth and nose covering comprises a pocket for a filter.

11. A face covering according to claim 1 wherein in the second position the internal face of the mouth and nose covering is covered over by the external face.

12. A face covering according to claim 1 wherein in the second position the face covering is an annular form to be worn around a user's wrist.

13. A face covering according to claim 1, wherein the securement means provides an anchoring means for the head attachment means to anchor to so as to hold the face covering in the second position.

14. A face covering according to claim 13, wherein the securement means comprises hook and eye means or a hook and leap means or ferromagnetic means.