Flexible full coverage face mask

Abstract

A flexible face mask is provided for protecting the face from outdoor elements. The face mask comprises a nose shield portion that conforms to a user's nose, a lip shield portion to cover the user's upper and lower lip, a chin shield portion to cover the user's chin, a pair of cheek shield portions to cover the sides of the user's face, a pair of ear strap portions to cover and receive the user's ears and eyewear, and a nostril cover portion to cover the nostrils. A reinforcing strip on the skin-facing side of the nose shield provides greater conformance to the user's nose. The face mask is configured for attachment to both eyeglasses and goggles. The bottom of the nose guard has two perforated triangular extensions that connect to form a larger triangular area that covers the user's nostril to provide protection from the elements while allowing the user to breath. A pair of “C”-shaped cuts in the nose shield receive the nose pads of the eyeglasses. Alternatively, hook and loop patches are utilized to fasten the eyewear bridge to the nose shield.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible, full-coverage face mask for protecting a user's face from sunlight, wind, and other outdoor elements, the mask comprising:
 a nose shield portion configured to cover and conform to the user's nose; an upper lip shield portion configured to cover the user's upper lip; a lower lip shield portion configured to cover the user's lower lip; a chin shield portion configured to cover the user's chin;   a pair of cheek shield portions configured to cover the sides of the user's face; and a pair of ear strap portions configured to cover the ears and to receive the user's ears and eyewear via a pair of “C”-shaped cuts and a pair of insertion slits, respectively; and a nostril cover that extends from the nose shield and is configured to cover the user's nostrils.   
     
     
         2 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein the upper center portion of the nose shield contains a pair of “C”-shaped cuts configured to receive the nose pads of a user's eyewear to further secure the mask to the user's face. 
     
     
         3 . The face mask of  claim 1  having a thin reinforcing strip affixed to the skin-facing side of the nose shield, wherein the reinforcing strip allows the nose shield to better conform to the user's nose and retain its shape. 
     
     
         4 . The face mask of  claim 3  wherein the thin reinforcing strip is composed of a polymeric or metal material. 
     
     
         5 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein the insertion slits are configured to keep the user's eyeglasses from moving out of place or falling off the user's face. 
     
     
         6 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein a hook patch is affixed to the upper center portion of the nose shield, said hook patch configured to mate with a corresponding loop patch affixed under the nose bridge of a user's eyewear. 
     
     
         7 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein the nostril cover is formed by a pair of extensions from the nose shield that connect reversibly. 
     
     
         8 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein the nostril cover comprises a single triangular piece of flexible fabric that is permanently connected to, and extends from, the nose shield. 
     
     
         9 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein the nostril cover is comprised of a breathable mesh material. 
     
     
         10 . The face mask of  claim 11  wherein nostril cover includes a pair of nostril holes to facilitate breathing. 
     
     
         11 . The face mask of  claim 1  further comprising an adjustable strap attached to the back of the ear strap portions of the face mask and configured to secure the face mask around a user's neck, the adjustable strap comprising a textile cord and an adjustment member. 
     
     
         12 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein the face mask is comprised of:
 an outer first layer of spandex having a sun protective factor; a intermediate second layer of open-cell foam; and a third layer of micro-suede or brushed spandex material that contacts the skin. 
 
     
     
         13 . The face mask system of  claim 12  wherein the mask body is constructed by flame bonding the outer, intermediate, and third layers together followed by thermoforming. 
     
     
         14 . The face mask of  claim 12  wherein the mask body is defined by laser cutting. 
     
     
         15 . The face mask of  claim 12  wherein the mask body features a plurality of perforations or holes configured to allow air exchange between the inside of the mask and the environment. 
     
     
         16 . A flexible, full-coverage face mask for protecting a user's face from sunlight, wind, and other outdoor elements, the mask comprising:
 a nose shield portion configured to cover and conform to the user's nose; an upper lip shield portion configured to cover the user's upper lip; a lower lip shield portion configured to cover the user's lower lip; a chin shield portion configured to cover the user's chin;   a pair of cheek shield portions configured to cover the sides of the user's face; a pair of ear portions configured to cover the user's ears;   a pair of fastening portions that each extend from the ear portions and taper to form a fastening strap, wherein one fastening strap includes a hook patch and the other fastening strap includes a loop patch; and   a nostril cover that extends from the nose shield and is configured to cover the user's nostrils.   
     
     
         17 . A flexible, full-coverage face mask for protecting a user's face from sunlight, wind, and other outdoor elements, the mask comprising:
 a nose shield portion configured to cover and conform to the user's nose; an upper lip shield portion configured to cover the user's upper lip; a lower lip shield portion configured to cover the user's lower lip; a chin shield portion configured to cover the user's chin;   a pair of cheek shield portions configured to cover the sides of the user's face;   a pair of ear portions configured to cover the user's ears; and   a fastening portion that extends from the perimeter of the mask and covers the user's neck and extends below the user's chin, wherein the fastening portion has two terminal ends that connect with each other at the back of the user's head, one terminal end having a hook patch and the other terminal end having a loop patch.