Face mask

Abstract

A protective face mask comprises (a) a covering portion having first and second opposing sides, first and second opposing side edges, and opposing top and bottom edges, (b) a first adhesive strip affix affixed to the first side adjacent to the first edge, and (c) a second adhesive strip affixed to the first side adjacent to the second edge. The protective face mask may comprise a first selectively removable protective backing covering the first adhesive strip and a second selectively removable protective backing covering the second adhesive strip. The protective face mask may not comprise a retention strap adapted to secure the protective face mask around a user's head or ears.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A protective face mask comprising:
 a covering portion having first and second opposing sides, first and second opposing side edges, and opposing top and bottom edges;   a first adhesive strip affix affixed to the first side adjacent to the first edge; and   a second adhesive strip affixed to the first side adjacent to the second edge.   
     
     
         2 . The protective face mask of  claim 1 , wherein the covering portion comprises an outer non-woven layer, an inner non-woven layer, and a melt-blown layer therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The protective face mask of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first selectively removable protective backing covering the first adhesive strip; and   a second selectively removable protective backing covering the second adhesive strip.   
     
     
         4 . The protective face mask of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third adhesive strip affix affixed to the first side adjacent to the top edge; and   a fourth adhesive strip affixed to the first side adjacent to the bottom edge.   
     
     
         5 . The protective face mask of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a third selectively removable protective backing covering the third adhesive strip; and   a fourth selectively removable protective backing covering the fourth adhesive strip.   
     
     
         6 . The protective face mask of  claim 1 , wherein the protective face mask does not comprise a retention strap adapted to secure the protective face mask around a user's head or ears. 
     
     
         7 . A method of securing a protective face mask to a user, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining a protective face mask comprising:
 a covering portion having first and second opposing sides, first and second opposing side edges, and opposing top and bottom edges; 
 a first adhesive strip affix affixed to the first side adjacent to the first edge; 
 a second adhesive strip affixed to the first side adjacent to the second edge; 
 a first selectively removable protective backing covering the first adhesive strip; and 
 a second selectively removable protective backing covering the second adhesive strip; 
   (b) removing the first selectively removable protective backing from the first adhesive strip;   (c) removing the second selectively removable protective backing from the second adhesive strip;   (d) adhering the first adhesive strip to a first side of a user's face; and   (e) adhering the second adhesive strip to the second side of a user's face.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the covering portion comprises an outer non-woven layer, an inner non-woven layer, and a melt-blown layer therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the protective face mask further comprises:
 a third adhesive strip affix affixed to the first side adjacent to the top edge;   a fourth adhesive strip affixed to the first side adjacent to the bottom edge;   a third selectively removable protective backing covering the third adhesive strip; and   a fourth selectively removable protective backing covering the fourth adhesive strip; and   wherein the method further comprises:   removing the third selectively removable protective backing from the third adhesive strip;   removing the fourth selectively removable protective backing from the fourth adhesive strip;   adhering the third adhesive strip to an upper portion of the user's face; and   adhering the fourth adhesive strip to a lower portion of the user's face.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the protective face mask does not comprise a retention strap adapted to secure the protective face mask around a user's head or ears.