Face mask for safe use by bearded users

Abstract

An improved face mask for use in decreasing the transmission of viral and pathogenic materials to and from a user including a frame having a first arm, a second arm, and a mesh is disclosed. The frame is folded into and out of a folded position for proper insertion and removal from the face mask and to adjust the face mask for a secured fit along the outer and bottom edges of the beard of a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A face mask for use in decreasing the transmission of viral and pathogenic materials to and from a user and which is configured to cover the beard and face of the user, the face mask having side edges, a bottom rim, a top rim with outer ends, an interior portion for receiving the beard, an exterior portion for covering the beard and the face, and resealable flaps provided on the interior portion of the of the face mask for receiving a frame therein, the face mask further comprising,
 a) the frame having a first arm, a second arm, and a mesh being provided between the first arm and the second arm, and the frame being provided with hinges to fold the frame and for controlling the opening and closing movements of the frame for placement inside the mask and across the user's face, the hinges being configured to allow the frame to be folded into and out of a folded position to facilitate the insertion and removal of the frame from the face mask and to adjust the face mask along the outer edges and bottom edges of the beard of a user,   b) the side edges of the face mask being inwardly opposed and converge from the outer ends of the top rim and toward the bottom rim of the face mask,   c) the side edges of the face mask being capable of extending along the face of the user and along the outer edges and bottom edges of the beard of a user,   
     
     
         2 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein the frame of the face mask is removable from the flaps. 
     
     
         3 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein the frame of the face mask is bendable and is constructed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         4 . The face mask of  claim 1  wherein the first arm and the second arm of the frame are securely attachable to the face of a user and are slidably engageable with the user's beard to tighten the face mask and retain the face mask in a fitted position over the beard and face.