Protective Device with a Combined Mask and Face Shield

Abstract

A protective device that includes a combined mask and face shield. The mask and face shield are attached together to form a continuous member that extends across the face of a user. A continuous seal extends around the exterior of the device including the mask and face shield.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective device comprising:
 a mask comprising an upper edge, lower edge, and opposing side edges, the mask sized to extend over a nose and mouth of a user;   a transparent face shield connected to the upper edge of the mask and sized to extend upward from the mask and over eyes of the user, the face shield and the mask having different constructions; and   a seal connected to and extending outward from inner surfaces of each of the mask and the face shield, the seal comprising a single continuous member that extends completely around an outer perimeter of the mask and face shield.   
     
     
         2 . The protective device of  claim 1 , further comprising straps connected to each of the mask and the face shield to attach to the user, the straps configured to apply a force to deform the seal against the user. 
     
     
         3 . The protective device of  claim 2 , wherein the straps comprise a first pair of ear straps attached to the side edges of the mask and a head band attached to side edges of the face shield. 
     
     
         4 . The protective device of  claim 3 , further comprising an additional strap attached to an upper edge of the face shield to maintain a section of the seal that extends along the upper edge of the face shield in contact with a face of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The protective device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper edge of the mask overlaps a lower edge of the face shield. 
     
     
         6 . The protective device of  claim 5 , further comprising an intermediate seal that extends between opposing sides of the outer perimeter of the mask and the face shield at the overlap, the seal configured to prevent air that is exhaled into the mask from contacting the inner surface of the face shield. 
     
     
         7 . The protective device of  claim 6 , wherein the intermediate seal comprises a first end connected to the seal at a first opposing side and a second end connected to the seal at a second opposing side. 
     
     
         8 . The protective device of  claim 5 , further comprising a deformable wire connected to mask and configured to be positioned at the nose of the user, the wire positioned below the overlap and away from the face shield. 
     
     
         9 . The protective device of  claim 6 , wherein the intermediate seal and the seal comprise the same construction. 
     
     
         10 . The protective device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is positioned away from the outer surface of the mask and the face shield. 
     
     
         11 . A protective device to protect a user, the protective device comprising:
 a face covering sized to extend across a face of the user and comprising and inner surface that faces towards the user and an opposing outer surface that faces away from the user, the face covering being solid without gaps and further comprising:
 an opaque mask that forms a lower section of the face covering; 
 a transparent face shield that is attached to the mask and that forms an upper section of the face covering; 
 each of the mask and the face shield comprising a lower edge, an upper edge, and side edges; 
 the upper edge of the mask being attached to the lower edge of the face shield; 
 an outer perimeter formed by the upper edge of the face shield, the lower edge of the mask, and the side edges of both of the mask and the face shield; and 
   a seal connected to the inner surface of the face covering, the seal extending continuously around the outer perimeter of the face covering.   
     
     
         12 . The protective device of  claim 11 , wherein a width of the mask at the upper edge is equal to a width of the face shield at the lower edge. 
     
     
         13 . The protective device of  claim 11 , further comprising a first pair of ear straps attached to the side edges of the mask, and a head band attached to side edges of the face shield. 
     
     
         14 . The protective device of  claim 11 , wherein the upper edge of the mask overlaps a lower edge of the face shield. 
     
     
         15 . The protective device of  claim 11 , further comprising an intermediate seal that extends across the face covering at a connection point where the face shield and the mask are connected together, the seal configured to prevent air that is exhaled from the user from contacting the inner surface of the face shield. 
     
     
         16 . The protective device of  claim 15 , wherein the intermediate seal comprises a first end connected to the seal at a first opposing side and a second end connected to the seal at a second opposing side with the intermediate seal and the seal having a common construction. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a protective device to protect a user, the method comprising:
 positioning a single piece face covering over a face of the user with the face covering comprising a transparent face shield and an opaque mask;   aligning the face shield over eyes of the user;   aligning the mask over a nose and a mouth of the user;   positioning an intersection line across a face of the user between the eyes and the nose with the intersection line formed by the connection between the face shield and the mask;   positioning a continuous seal that extends completely around a perimeter of the face covering against the face of the user; and   applying a holding force to the face covering and deforming the seal against the face of the user and sealing the face covering against the face of the user.