Wearable protective apparel containing a protective mask and methods

Abstract

Wearable protective apparel including a shirt and an integral protective mask attached to a collar of the shirt, with the mask being adapted to filter out biologic agents or particulate matter from air that a user may breathe in or out. The mask is attached to only a forward-oriented portion of the collar that is less than half a perimeter of the collar. The mask includes an attachment component that secures the mask in an operating position and allows the mask to cover the nose and mouth area of a user. The mask may be formed from multiple plies of breathable washable fabric that allow for filtering biologic agents or particulate matter. The wearable protective apparel provides the user with convenient and easy access to a protective mask at a moment's notice and allows the mask to be easily and comfortably hidden.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shirt having an integral protective mask, comprising:
 a shirt formed from a fabric material and having a collar defining an opening for a head of a user;   a mask secured to only a forward-oriented portion of the collar, the mask formed from a fabric suitable for filtering at least one of biologic agents and particulates;   at least one ear attachment component integral with the mask, the at least one ear attachment portion configured to be releasably secured to an ear of a user and to position the mask about the nose and mouth of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the mask is configured to be placed in a stowed position in which the mask is adjacent an interior shirt surface of a forward-oriented portion of the shirt. 
     
     
         3 . The shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the mask is releasably secured to the forward-oriented portion of the collar. 
     
     
         4 . The shirt of  claim 3 , wherein the mask is releasably secured to the forward-oriented portion of the collar by one of a hook and loop fastener, at least one magnetic fastener or at least one snap fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the mask is fixedly secured to the forward-oriented portion of the collar. 
     
     
         6 . The shirt of  claim 5 , wherein the mask is fixedly secured to the forward-oriented portion of the collar by one of sewing and gluing. 
     
     
         7 . The shirt of  claim 1 , wherein at least two straps extend from the mask to the forward-oriented portion of the collar, each of the at least two straps having a first strap end and a second strap end, wherein the first strap ends are secured to the mask and the second strap ends are secured to the forward-oriented portion of the collar. 
     
     
         8 . The shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ear attachment component comprises two ear loops, each of the two ear loops configured to extend about a respective ear of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the mask comprises at least two layers of the fabric suitable for filtering at least one of biologic agents and particulates. 
     
     
         10 . The shirt of  claim 1 , wherein the mask includes a flexible strip, the flexible strip configured to conform to a nose of the user. 
     
     
         11 . A t-shirt with an integral protective mask, comprising:
 a t-shirt formed from a woven material and having a collar, the collar being fixedly secured to the t-shirt and defining a continuous annular opening for a head of a user;   a mask secured to only a forward-oriented portion of the collar, the mask formed from a fabric suitable for filtering at least one of biologic agents and particulates, the mask configured to be placed in a stowed position in which the mask is adjacent an interior shirt surface of a forward-oriented portion of the t-shirt;   two ear loops integral with the mask, each of the ear loops configured to be releasably secured to an ear of a user and to position the mask in an operable position about the nose and mouth of a user.   
     
     
         12 . The t-shirt of  claim 11 , wherein the mask is formed from at least two plies of a fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The t-shirt of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plies is formed from at least one of cotton, polyester, elastane and a blend of cotton, polyester, and elastane. 
     
     
         14 . The t-shirt of  claim 13 , wherein the plies are each formed from the same material. 
     
     
         15 . The t-shirt of  claim 11 , wherein the mask is releasably secured to the forward-oriented portion of the collar by one of a hook and loop fastener, at least one magnetic fastener or at least one snap fastener. 
     
     
         16 . The t-shirt of  claim 12 , wherein the mask is secured about less than the half the perimeter of the collar. 
     
     
         17 . The t-shirt of  claim 16 , wherein the mask is fixedly secured to the forward-oriented portion of the collar by one of stitching and adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The t-shirt of  claim 12 , wherein the mask includes a flexible strip disposed between the plies, the flexible strip configured to conform to a nose of the user when the mask is in the operable position. 
     
     
         19 . The t-shirt of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one connector, the at least one connector has a first end secured to the mask and a second end secured to the collar. 
     
     
         20 . A method of enabling filtering through use of a t-shirt, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a t-shirt formed from a woven material and having a collar defining an opening for the head of a user, the shirt including an integral mask having a stowed position adjacent an interior t-shirt surface of a forward-facing portion of the t-shirt and an operating position;   placing the t-shirt on a user, such that a head of the user passes through the opening;   removing the mask from the stowed position by pulling the mask through the opening;   placing the mask in the operating position by positioning the mask about the nose and mouth of the user; and   securing the mask in the operating position by releasably securing at least one ear attachment component to an ear of a user, wherein the at least one ear attachment component is integral with the mask.