Mask Spacer Device

Abstract

An insert for a face mask that is adapted to create an open area between the user's face and an inner side of the face mask.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to masks that are worn over a face, and in particular devices that make such masks fit and perform better.

DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART

Face masks, and disposable face masks in particular, are masks that are made of common textiles and plastics, often one or more layers of polypropylene, and that are worn over the mouth and nose and are typically held in place by elastic loops that extend around a wearer's ears. Such masks are frequently recommended by public health agencies for disease source control in epidemic situations to protect others from virus laden droplets in infected mask wearers' breath, coughs, and sneezes, and are commonly worn in community settings.

As such masks are both a generally accepted manner of disease spread prevention and also inexpensive to produce it is common for a great number of people to wear such masks when sick and/or when living through an epidemic. One particularly common use is by people who need to work in an enclosed building over long periods time, which of course is a common occurrence during pandemics as communities try to carry on and businesses strive to operate all while also trying to limit the spread of illness.

Unfortunately, such masks often become problematic in a number of ways when worn over long periods of time. The simple nature of the masks structural design and, in particular, the material from which they are made create a device that is soft, light, and flexible. As the masks are designed to fit closely over the users nose and mouth some of the fabric is often pulled in towards a user's mouth or nose as the user breaths, making breathing difficult and posing a hazardous situation. Prolonged use of such masks is also known to cause anxiety in some users.

Many users also find that the masks rub or tickle a their face, often causing itching or irritation. Such masks also do not work well when a person is talking, which often leads to a user lifting the mask up to talk or using his/her fingers to manipulate or support the mask while talking. All of the aforementioned issues frequently cause users to use their hands to interact with the mask, often resulting in a transfer of germs from the masks to the hands, thus defeating a portion of the masks purpose.

What is needed, therefore, is a device that may be used with a face mask to keep the mask securely spaced away from a user's mouth to increase the comfort and functionality while still allowing the mask to perform its basic function of preventing the spread of disease, thereby making users more comfortable, less distracted, and less anxious.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a mask spacer device that fits into a conventional disposable face mask to create an air pocket below the user's nose and around the user's mouth. The device has sufficient rigidity to secure the mask away from the user's nose and mouth as the user breaths and moves about in a normal manner throughout a regular day, while also allowing the mask to remain secured to the user's face so that the mask still serves it purpose in limiting the spread of disease. The device also fits entirely within the mask and does not contact the user's face.

The product design involves very little material, making the device both cost effective and environmentally friendly. It may be made in various lengths and widths in order to accommodate different size masks and faces.

Collectively, the design of the device enables a user to wear a disposable face mask in a manner that is more comfortable, that allows for more oxygen flow, and that generally reduces the stress and anxiety of wearing such a mask.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the device according to the invention inserted in a disposable face mask.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device in its curved form.

FIG. 3 is a front view of device in a flattened form.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a user wearing a masking that includes the device to show the general location of the device when in use.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a user wearing a mask having the device, the mask having a cut out near the user's mouth to illustrate the shape and space of the air pocket.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a user holding the device in the relative location where it would be positioned in the mask.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention should not, however, be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a mask spacer device 100 according to the invention that is adapted to fit into a mask M, such as a conventional disposable mask. The device 100 is a rigid support member 10 having a first end 12 and a second end 14 as well as an upper edge 18 and a lower edge 22, the support member 10 having a shape that is roughly rectangular or oval, having a length between the first end 12 and the second end 14 that is significantly greater than a width between the upper edge 18 and lower edge 22. The member 10 is curved outward such that a midpoint 16 is positioned forward relative to the position of the first end 12 and second end 14.

In use, the first end 12 is inserted into one side S of an inner face F of the facemask M and the second end 14 is inserted into an opposite side S of the inner face F. The position of insertion may be an outer edge of the facemask M or it may be into a side of a pleat in the facemask M. The curvature and length of the rigid support member 10 pushes the mask a short distance outward, such that when a user is wearing the mask an air pocket is created beneath the user's nose and in front of the user's mouth. This air pocket makes it considerably easier for the user to breath, lessen moisture buildup in the mask, and prevents a portion of the mask from being pulled into the user's mouth when the user inhales. When exhaling the mask also increases a user's comfort by providing more room for the user's breath to expand away from the user's face. The additional space and ease of breathing has also proven to reduce anxiety in users. The device 100 also adds a measure of tension to the mask which causes it to better maintain its position on the user's face and makes it less likely that a user, knowingly or otherwise, touches or adjusts the mask M, thereby reducing the risk of spreading germs throughout the day.

There are a number of suitable materials that may be used in manufacturing the device 100, including any material that has the rigidity to hold its form across the mask while also being bendable to form the required curve, with the curve being created either during the manufacture process or by being made of a material that a user is able to bend to the desired curve. For example, the device 100 may be made from a reusable non-toxic plastic. With this material the device 100 may be removed from the mask at the end of each use and while the disposable mask may be thrown away the device 100 may be sanitized and reused again in the future. A number of plastics may be suitable, such as, for example, medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP). For example, a thin sheet of PP is suitable for a device 100 that is intended to allow the user to bend the device to the desired curve by the user's hands. The device may also be made of a biodegradable material that is likely used once and disposed with the mask, such as a biodegradable cardboard.

The actual size and curvature may vary depending on the intended user, e.g. the size and shape of the user's face, and the intended mask. In general, it is intended to keep the middle of the mask approximately between ⅝ of an inch and ½ of an inch from the user's face. For example, a device that is intended to fit in an adult size mask that has a width of approximately 7 inches would have a length between the first end 12 and the second end 14 that is slightly longer than seven inches, with the curvature of the device naturally positioning the ends 12, 14, just inside the sides S of the mask where it is able to be secured inside folds of the mask M and the length creating tension in the mask M. The distance between the upper edge 18 and lower edge 22 may vary, for example the distance may be approximately between ¼ of an inch and 1 inch, for example it may be approximately ½ of an inch. The device is likely to be very thin, likely ⅛ of an inch or less.

The device 100 may be formed with the desired curvature made during the manufacturing process and be ready for immediate use, or it may be formed as a straight piece and be bendable by a user so as to fit varying facial structures and dimensions.

The device may be used with any number of conventional masks, such as, for example, the MAGICARE disposable medical grade face mask from CECILIA TECH INC or the ECOGUARD INC 3-ply disposable face mask. The device may also be used with any number of non-disposable face masks.

It is understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention. Variations in the construction of the mask spacer may be contemplated by one skilled in the art without limiting the intended scope of the invention herein disclosed and as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1: A mask spacer device adapted to be inserted into a mask to create a space between a user's face and the mask, the mask spacer device comprising:

A support member that has a first end and a second end, the support member curved outward, near a mid-point, relative to positions of the first end and second end;

Wherein the first end is configured to be inserted into one side of the mask and the second end is configured to be inserted into an opposite side of the mask; and

Wherein inserting the first end and the second end into the mask creates an air pocket between the user and the mask when the user wear's the mask.

2: The mask spacer device of claim 1, wherein the support member is formed from a non-toxic reusable plastic.

3: The mask spacer device of claim 1, wherein the support member is formed from a biodegradable material.

4: The mask spacer device of claim 1, wherein the support member has an upper edge and a lower edge and wherein the length between the first end and the second end is longer than the distance between the upper edge and the lower edge.

5: The mask spacer device of claim 1, wherein the length of the support member is longer than a width of the mask.

6: A mask spacer device adapted to create an air pocket between a user's face and a mask, the mask spacer device comprising:

A support member that has a first end and a second end, the support member being bendable so that the user may create a curvature in the support member that causes a mid-point in the support member to extend outward relative to the position of the first end and second end;

Wherein the first end is configured to be inserted into one side of the mask and the second end is configured to be inserted into an opposite side of the mask; and

Wherein inserting the first end and second end into the mask creates an air pocket between the user and the mask when the user wear's the mask.

7: The mask spacer device of claim 6, wherein the support member is formed from a non-toxic reusable plastic.

8: The mask spacer device of claim 6, wherein the support member is formed from a biodegradable material.

9: The mask spacer device of claim 6, wherein the support member has an upper edge and a lower edge and wherein the length between the first end and second end is larger than the distance between the upper edge and lower edge.