Safety Face Mask

Abstract

A breathing protective face mask worn over the users face to prevent disease transmission is disclosed. In particular, the present invention pertains to face masks that are used episodically. The face mask comprises a screen for covering the wearer's nose and mouth; and a lanyard connectable to the screen so as to hang freely below the worn screen for the wearer to episodically pull the screen off and on their head, wherein the lanyard is disconnect-able by a preselected tension.

1 . A face mask for inhibiting the spread of airborne substances to and from a wearer, comprising: a screen for covering the wearer's nose and mouth; and a lanyard connectable to the screen so as to hang freely below the worn screen for the wearer to episodically pull the screen off and on their head, wherein the lanyard is disconnect-able by a preselected tension. 
     
     
         2 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard disconnects by breaking away. 
     
     
         3 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard has a tensile load capacity to sustain up to the preselected tension between 10 and 40 N. 
     
     
         4 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard comprises a weakest portion to sustain up to the preselected tension. 
     
     
         5 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard is arranged to disconnect at a location proximate the screen. 
     
     
         6 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard disconnects by breaking away and said lanyard is reconnectable by the wearer. 
     
     
         7 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard is connectable and disconnect-able at the same location. 
     
     
         8 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard is connectable to the screen at two locations so as to form a loop to hang freely below the worn screen. 
     
     
         9 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard is connectable proximate to the screen corners of the worn screen for covering the wearer's right and left cheek respectively. 
     
     
         10 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard is connectable proximate to the screen corner of the screen for covering the wearer's right or left check. 
     
     
         11 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the lanyard is connectable to the screen proximate an edge the worn screen across the wearer's chin. 
     
     
         12 . The face mask according to  claim 1  comprising a reconnectable connector by which the lanyard is disconnect-able by the preselected tension. 
     
     
         13 . The face mask according to  claim 1  comprising a reconnectable connector by which the lanyard is disconnect-able by the preselected tension wherein the connector comprises a pair of magnets which break away from each other and are reconnectable. 
     
     
         14 . The face mask according to  claim 1  comprising a reconnectable connector by which the lanyard is disconnect-able by the preselected tension wherein the connector comprises a reconnect-able snap connector. 
     
     
         15 . The face mask according to  claim 1  comprising a reconnectable connector by which the lanyard is disconnect-able by the preselected tension wherein the connector comprises a hook and loop fastener commonly called Velcro which rips apart by the pre-selected tension in the lanyard. 
     
     
         16 . The face mask according to  claim 1  comprising a reconnectable connector by which the lanyard is disconnect-able by the preselected tension where the lanyard comprises the connector. 
     
     
         17 . The face mask according to  claim 1  comprising a reconnectable connector by which the lanyard is disconnect-able by the preselected tension wherein the lanyard comprises a first part of the connector and the screen comprises a second part of the connector which is disconnect-able from the first part and reconnectable to the first part. 
     
     
         18 . The face mask according to  claim 1  comprising a reconnectable connector by which the lanyard is disconnect-able by the preselected tension wherein the screen comprises the connector. 
     
     
         19 . The face mask according to  claim 1  wherein the screen comprises a pouch for a reusable filter.