Protective face coverings
Face coverings that protect the facial T-Zone region (i.e., eyes, nose, and mouth) from airborne transmission of infectious and other harmful particles are disclosed. The face coverings disclosed herein are designed to attach to the temples, frames, and/or the bridge of eyewear, which provides protection for the eyes of the wearer and dispenses of the need to adjust straps traditionally found on face masks. The face coverings may be converted to different configurations depending on the amount of protection and comfort desired by the wearer. For example, the face coverings disclosed herein can convert from a free-hanging position to a more protective configuration in which the mask conforms closely to the face of the wearer.
1. A protective face covering, comprising:
a mask piece adapted to cover a user's nose, mouth, and chin, wherein the mask piece is formed of a flexible material and the mask piece comprises:
a first side panel, a second side panel, and a center panel comprising a pleated portion;
a first attachment mechanism configured to attach the mask piece to an eyewear having a first temple and a second temple, wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises at least one of: a pair of sleeves configured for receiving each temple of the eyewear and a pair of clips configured for hooking onto each temple of the eyewear, wherein the pair of sleeves and the pair of clips are directly coupled to the mask piece; and
a second attachment mechanism comprising a first magnetic element in a bottom portion of the first side panel and a second magnetic element in a bottom portion of the second side panel, wherein the pleated portion is configured to fold under the user's chin and the first side panel and the second side panel are each configured to fold over the pleated portion in a releasably coupled arrangement under the user's chin to create a sealed fit around the user's nose, mouth, and chin,
wherein the mask piece is configured to extend continuously from the eyewear to below the user's chin.
2. The protective face covering of claim 1 , wherein the mask piece further comprises an eyewear coupler, the eyewear coupler configured to couple the eyewear to the mask piece.
3. The protective face covering of claim 1 , wherein the mask piece is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of cotton, wool, silk, polyester, neoprene, cellulosic fiber, glass fiber, mineral fibers, nylon fiber, acrylonitrile fiber, plastic, spunbond nonwoven polypropylene fiber (SBPF), melt blown polypropylene fiber (MBPF), and combinations thereof.
4. The protective face covering of claim 1 , wherein the mask piece comprises at least one of: an antimicrobial agent selected from a group consisting of biquanides, phenols, phenol derivatives, isothiazolones, metals, ammoniums, alcohols, and combinations thereof, and an antiviral agent selected from a group consisting of oseltamivir phosphate, zanamivir, peramivir, baloxavir marboxi, amantadine, rimantadine, and combinations thereof.
5. A protective face covering, comprising:
a mask piece adapted to cover a user's nose, mouth, and chin, wherein the mask piece is formed of a flexible material and the mask piece comprises:
a first side panel, a second side panel, and a center panel comprising a pleated portion;
a first attachment mechanism configured to attach the mask piece to a left temple and a right temple of an eyewear, wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises a first sleeve directly coupled to a top edge of the first side panel and a second sleeve directly coupled to a top edge of the second side panel, the first and second sleeves configured for receiving each temple of the eyewear; and
a second attachment mechanism configured to releasably couple the mask piece around the user's chin, wherein the second attachment mechanism comprises a first magnetic element in a bottom portion of the first side panel and a second magnetic element in a bottom portion of the second side panel, wherein the pleated portion is configured to fold under the user's chin and the first side panel and the second side panel are each configured to fold over the pleated portion in a releasably coupled arrangement under the user's chin to create a sealed fit around the user's nose, mouth, and chin,
wherein the mask piece is configured to extend continuously from the eyewear to below the user's chin.
6. The protective face covering of claim 5 , wherein the mask piece further comprises a bendable nose grip.
7. The protective face covering of claim 5 , wherein the mask piece has an interior surface, the interior surface comprising a slot configured for insertion of a filter selected from an activated carbon filter, a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, or a combination thereof.
8. The protective face covering of claim 5 , wherein the mask piece is formed of at least one layer of a material selected from a group consisting of cotton, wool, silk, polyester, neoprene, cellulosic fiber, and combinations thereof.
9. The protective face covering of claim 5 , wherein the mask piece further comprises an eyewear coupler, the eyewear coupler comprising a magnet for magnetically coupling the eyewear to the mask piece.
10. The protective face covering of claim 5 , wherein the mask piece is formed of a transparent plastic material selected from a group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylic, and PETG.
11. The protective face covering of claim 10 , wherein the transparent plastic material comprises a fog-resistant coating.
12. A protective face covering, comprising:
an eyewear adapted for protecting a user's eyes, wherein the eyewear comprises a left temple, a right temple, a bridge, and at least one lens frame;
a mask piece adapted to cover the user's nose, mouth, and chin, wherein the mask piece is formed of a flexible material and the mask piece comprises:
a first side panel, a second side panel, and a center panel, wherein the center panel comprises a pleated portion configured to fold under the user's chin;
a first attachment mechanism configured to attach the mask piece to the left temple, the right temple, the bridge, the at least one lens frame, or any combination thereof, wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises a fastener configured to couple to a corresponding fastener on the left temple, the right temple, the bridge, the at least one lens frame, or any combination thereof, wherein the fastener is directly coupled to a top edge of the mask piece; and
a second attachment mechanism configured to releasably couple the mask piece under the user's chin, wherein the second attachment mechanism comprises a first magnetic element in a bottom portion of the first side panel and a second magnetic element in a bottom portion of the second side panel, and wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are each configured to fold over the pleated portion in a releasably coupled arrangement under the user's chin to create a sealed fit around the user's nose, mouth, and chin,
wherein the mask piece is configured to extend continuously from the eyewear to below the user's chin.
13. The protective face covering of claim 12 , wherein the center panel of the mask piece further comprises a nose grip.
14. The protective face covering of claim 12 , wherein the fastener and the corresponding fastener comprise a magnet or a hook and loop fastener.