Sanitary face mask

Abstract

A frame forming a substantially semi-ovoid hollow defines a face mask for use by any individual during a spraying operation; e.g., hair spraying in a beauty parlor. Sanitary, disposable, rigid, substantially transparent, pie-plate shaped filter material means are provided of a dual-mode character, adapted to being retained on the mask frame both exteriorly and interiorly.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 210,962, filed Dec. 22, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,768; and co-pending application Serial No. 338,208, filed Mar. 5, 1973; and specifically incorporates by reference the disclosures of both of those applications.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device utilized to protect the face of an individual and to aid in preventing the inhalation of toxic air during the spraying of ingredients from an aerosol container, such as during the application of hair spray, or in spraying room deodorants, insecticides, and the like; and in particular, to a device which is provided with a disposable sanitary, rigid, substantially transparent, pie-plate shaped filter material means.

In the prior art, face shields and masks are known for use during the application of hair sprays. See, for example, the device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,913. In general, it is known to provide a mask which has the outlines or contours of a face and which will fit against the forehead, under the chin, and around the perimeter of the face, and which can be held in place by a handle or strap, as desired. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,502,450; 3,042,034; 2,922,418; 314,485; 3,152,588; 3,033,199; 825,288; D210,183; and German Pat. No. 1,806,129. Further, the art shows various means for permitting an individual to breathe while using a mask, and to use transparent material to cover the face during the application of hair spray. A problem with these prior art devices is that they are basically unsanitary.

Another problem with the prior art devices is that a problem sometimes arises in creating a gas-tight seal between the edge of the face mask and the face of the user. Also, beauty parlor users especially tend to desire a greater degree of visibility through the face mask than has heretofore been available in prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The deficiencies of the prior art have been overcome by supplying a frame in a generally hollow semi-ovoid shape having a handle extending therefrom. The mask frame means has a perimeter suitably contoured for a portion of the human face, and optionally, has resilient cushioning means affixed to the perimeter which are adapted to provide a gas-tight seal along that portion of the human face to which the perimeter is brought in contact. The resilient cushioning means are adapted to provide a gas-tight seal against the user's face so as to prevent spray particles and toxic fumes from entering into the user's eyes, nose and mouth during the spraying operation. A separate sanitary disposable substantially semi-ovoid rigid, substantially transparent filter material means, of a generally pie-plate shape is provided for removable retention on the mask frame. The filter material means are substantially transparent, with a filter portion which is permanently or alternatively removably, affixed within a recess of the transparent portion of the filter material means. Usually, the filter is of a semi-permeable type, allowing free breathing, but not the passage of spray particles or toxic fumes. In an alternative embodiment the filter material means also has a portion which overlaps the perimeter of the frame mask contoured for a human face, thus ensuring an even greater degree of sanitation. Additionally, the filter material means of the present invention is of a dualmode character, being adapted for retention on the mask frame both exteriorly and interiorly, exteriorly by being retained on the outer surface of the mask frame means by means of a force fit.

Accordingly, it is among the objects of this invention to provide a new and novel face mask of a filtering and sanitary type which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. This and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in its preferred embodiment completely assembled in a condition in which it will be used during spraying;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section take along the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 showing the placement of the filter material means relative to the mask frame;

FIG. 3 illustrates the dual-mode character of the filter material means of this invention, showing the filter material means in an alternative position being retained on the inner surface of the mask frame; and

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the filter material means has a portion which overlaps the perimeter of the mask frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although specific forms of the invention have been selected for illustration in the drawings, and the following description is drawn in specific terms for the purpose of describing these forms of the invention, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the figures, the sanitary face mask 10 of this invention is comprised of two basic parts, the mask frame 11 and the pie-plate shaped filter material means 12. Mask frame 11 is comprised of hollow portion 13 which forms a hollow substantially semi-ovoid with a perimeter suitably contoured for a portion of a human face, and handle 14 which depends from hollow portion 13 and is used for grasping the mask frame 10. Filter material means 12 is comprised of a transparent generally pie-plate shaped rigid plastic material, with filter material 16 affixed within insert 17 of transparent portion 15. Filter portion 16 may be permanently, or removably, affixed within recess 17. Filter 16 is of a semi-permeable material, which allows the person on whom the sanitary face mask is being used to breathe, but does not allow spray particles or toxic fumes to enter the user's eyes, nose and mouth. Filter 16 also may be charcoal impregnated in order to further increase its filtering abilities. The advantage to the user of the filter material means being transparent over a substantial portion thereof is that the user thereby is provided an unobscured view through a substantial portion of the surface area circumscribed by the perimeter of the sanitary face mask which is in contact with his face. The perimeter which is suitably contoured for a portion of a human face is also provided with and has affixed, 18, thereto resilient cushioning means which are adapted to provide a gas-tight seal along that portion of a human face to which the perimeter is brought in contact.

Shown in the cross-section of FIG. 2 is the manner in which transparent portion 15 is removably retained on the outer surface of the mask frame by means of a force fit. When the spray operation is completed, the entire filter material means 12 can be simply pulled off and discarded, and a new one placed on the mask frame for the next spraying operation.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the filter material means 12 of this invention is of a dual-mode character, being adapted to be retained on the mask frame both exteriorly and interiorly. While FIG. 2 shows the exterior retention of filter material means 15 on mask frame 11, FIG. 3 shows the interior retention in which the filter material means 15 is removably retained on the inner surface of hollow portion 13 of mask frame 11. Rather than being force-fitted on the outer surface 21 of the mask frame, in FIG. 3 filter material means 12 is retained on the inner surface 22 of hollow section 13 of mask frame 11.

Shown in FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which an extension 31 of transparent portion 15 of filter material means 12 is provided for the mode in which the filter material means is retained on the inner surface of the mask frame. Extension 31 is provided for overlapping resilient cushioning means, normally foam rubber, 18, thus providing an even higher degree of sanitation to the sanitary face mask of this invention in that the only portion of the face mask which touches the user's face is now a portion which becomes discarded after each use.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangement of parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

It will further be understood that the "Abstract of the Disclosure" set forth above is intended to provide a nonlegal technical statement of the contents of the disclosure in compliance with the Rules of Practice of the United States Patent Office, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described and claimed herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a sanitary face mask for use by an individual during spraying having mask frame means forming a hollow substantially semi-ovoid with a perimeter suitably contoured for a portion of a human face, and separate filter material means removably retained on the mask frame means, the improvement wherein the radially outer surface of an annular edge portion most remote from the suitably contoured perimeter of said mask frame means is complementally configured to the radially inner surface of an annular edge portion of said filter material means, such that said filter material means is adapted for removable retention about said radially outer surface of said mask frame means by means of a force-fit; and wherein the radially inner surface of an annular edge portion most remote from the suitably contoured perimeter of said mask frame means is complementally configured to the radially outer surface of said annular edge portion of said filter material means, such that said filter material means is adapted for removable retention within said radially inner surface of said mask frame means by means of a force-fit; thus providing dual-mode character to said face mask in that said filter material means is adapted to be removably retained on said radially outer surface of said mask frame means and on said radially inner surface of said mask frame means, at the option of one utilizing said face mask.

2. A sanitary face mask, for use by an individual during spraying to close off from spray the eyes, nose, and mouth of the individual, comprising, in combination:

mask frame means forming a hollow substantially semi-ovoid with a perimeter suitably contoured to embrace at least that portion of a human face comprising eyes, nose, and mouth;

a separate substantially semi-ovoid rigid filter material adapted to be removably retained on said mask frame means;

the radially outer surface of an annular edge portion most remote from the suitably contoured perimeter of said mask frame means being complementally configured to the radially inner surface of an annular edge portion of said filter material means, such that said filter material means is adapted for removable retention about said radially outer surface of said mask frame means by means of a forced-fit;

the radially inner surface of an annular edge portion remote from the suitably contoured perimeter of said mask frame means being complementally configured to the radially outer surface of said annular edge portion of said filter material means, such that said filter material means is adapted for removable retention within said radially inner surface of said mask frame means by means of a forced-fit; and

manual support means connected to said mask frame means for supporting said mask frame means manually.

3. A sanitary face mask, for use by an individual during spraying, comprising, in combination:

mask frame means forming a hollow substantially semi-ovoid with a perimeter suitably contoured for a portion of a human face;

a separate substantially semi-ovoid rigid filter material means adapted to be removably retained on said mask frame means;

the radially outer surface of an annular edge portion most remote from the suitably contoured perimeter of said mask frame means being complementally configured to the radially inner surface of an annular edge portion of said filter material means, such that said filter material means is adapted for removable retention about said radially outer surface of said mask frame means by means of a forced-fit; and

the radially inner surface of an annular edge portion most remote from the suitably contoured perimeter of said mask frame means being complementally configured to the radially outer surface of said annular edge portion of said filter material means, such that said filter material means is adapted for removable retention within said radially inner surface of said mask frame means by means for a forced-fit.