A face-gaiter source control mask

Abstract

A face-gaiter mask (10; 100) includes a top seal (14; 100B), a front filter section (10A; 100A), a rear section (100D) and a neck seal (10B; 100C). In use, the front filter section (10A, 100A) is located to the front of the user's face and is configured to cover at least the user's nostrils and the user's mouth. The front filter section (10A, 100A) includes at least two fabric layers (10; 120, 120A, 120B), wherein the at least two fabric layers are configured to provide a predetermined level of filtration and resistance to airflow through the filter section (10A; 100A). The top seal (14; 100B) includes a nose detail (12), which extends from an upper edge of the front filter section (10B; 100B) and extends at least partway into the front filter section (10B; 10 100B). The neck seal (10B; 100C) includes draping fabric, which extends from the front filter section (10B; 100B), the top seal (14; 100B) and a lower edge (17; 23; 117; 123) of the neck seal (10B; 100C). The front section fabric drapes loosely in random folds, which in use provide a fluid configuration and fluid surface area upon which exhaled aerosols and particles can be trapped.

1 . A face-gaiter mask comprising a tubular construction of fabric, which is configured, in use, for an upper front centre of the tubular construction to rest on an upper part of the user's nose, and for the tubular construction to extend down and drape over the user's nose, the user's mouth and the user's neck; wherein the face-gaiter mask comprises a top seal, a front filter section, a rear section and a neck seal, wherein an enclosed space is created between the top sale and the neck seal, wherein, in use the front filter section is located to the front of the user's face and is configured to cover at least the user's nostrils and the user's mouth; wherein the front filter section includes at least two fabric layers, wherein the at least two fabric layers are configured to provide a predetermined level of filtration and resistance to airflow through the filter section;
 wherein the top seal comprises a nose detail, wherein the nose detail extends from an upper edge of the front filter section and extends at least partway into the front filter section, wherein the nose detail defines a localised stiffener to an upper edge and upper circumference of an upper portion of the face-gaiter mask and facilitates correct alignment of the front filter section of the upper portion in use, wherein, in use the nose detail rests upon and aligns with the user's nasal bone;   wherein the neck seal is provided by a lower edge of a lower portion of draping fabric, which extends from the front filter section and in use drapes across the user's neck area and wherein the neck seal is created about the user's shoulder and upper chest area wherein the space defined within the lower portion allows all exhaled discharge from the user's nostrils or mouth to spread out within the space, thereby reducing air pressure required to drive/force any discharged particles to penetrate the fabric in front of the mouth.   
     
     
         2 . The face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nose-detail is a kite shaped detail, which is created in the front filter section, wherein the nose-detail reduces the upper circumference of the face-gaiter mask and extends down from the upper edge of the filter section, wherein upper and lower vertices and vertical diagonal of the kite-shaped detail are configured, such that in use they align with the user's nasal bone. 
     
     
         3 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nose-detail is a visible feature on the exterior of the face-gaiter mask; or wherein the nose detail is concealed from exterior view, but is visible from the interior of the face gaiter mask. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top seal further comprises a nose seal proximate the upper edge of the filter section, wherein the nose seal is arranged, in use, to create a seal between the upper edge of the front filter section, across the user's nose and alongside the user's nose; optionally wherein the nose seal comprises one or more deformable members, which is/are attached proximate to an upper edge of the front filter section substantially symmetrically relative to the nose-detail. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the nose seal includes two wedged inserts, where one insert is attached to each side of the nose-detail- or wherein the nose seal comprises a single contoured insert, wherein the contour of the insert is configured to correspond substantially with contours of a user's nose and cheek area, or wherein the nose seal is customized to the user's profile using additive manufacturing (rapid manufacturing), such that the contoured insert conforms to the shape of the user's nose to cheek area. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the nose seal comprises a single contoured insert, a contour of the nose seal configured to correspond substantially with contours of a user's nose and cheek area, wherein the contoured nose seal includes a recessed section and two convex sections, wherein the nose seal is configured such that the recessed section rests on the bridge of the user's nose and the two convex sections bridge a gap between the upper edge of the face-gaiter mask and the user's nose and cheek area. 
     
     
         11 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the nose seal is manufactured from deformable foam. 
     
     
         12 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the filter section includes an additional filter layer, wherein the filter layer occupies at least an upper portion of the filter section. 
     
     
         13 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the filter layer is attached to an inner layer of the at least two layers; or wherein the filter layer is sandwiched between two of the at least two layers. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the filter section includes an additional filter layer, the filter layer occupying at least an upper portion of the filter section, wherein the filter layer includes a bulbous body and two upper pockets, wherein the pockets are configured to retain the nose seal relative to the nose-detail. 
     
     
         16 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the filter layer extends substantially the full width and length of the filter section of the face-gaiter. 
     
     
         17 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the filter layer is made from one or more layers of fabric, wherein the fabric comprises multiple or blended yarns. 
     
     
         18 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the filter layer is configured to catch aerosols smaller than 10 μm; optionally wherein the filter layer is configured to catch aerosols smaller than 3 μm 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the filter layer is made from non-woven fabrics, fleece type knitted fabrics or tight knitted fleece fabrics; optionally wherein the filter layer is made from polyester, nylon or cellulose based yarns; fine gauge tight knitted wools; or non-woven fabrics made of very fine yarns such as cellulose, split polyester, split nylon and melt blown polypropylene. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two layers are made integrally of the same fabric, wherein the layers are created by folding a sheet of fabric. 
     
     
         23 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each layer of the least two layers is made of different materials. 
     
     
         24 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the filter section of the face-gaiter mask includes an inner layer, an outer layer and a filter layer sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer, optionally wherein the inner layer is made from hygroscopic fabric. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the outer layer is operable to protect the filter layer; optionally wherein the outer layer is more porous than the filter layer such that any pathogen from the environment that is filtered by the face gaiter mask is likely to pass through outer layer and be held on the outer surface of the filter layer, and further optionally wherein the outer layer is made of a warp knit polyester. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear portion is joined along edges of the front filter section to form the tubular construction; optionally wherein the rear portion is made of a flexible and pliable material, which ensures the face gaiter mask can be pulled over a user's head. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the rear portion includes a resilient rear upper edge, which ensures the rear upper edge of the rear portion fits snuggly against the user's head when the face-gaiter mask is worn. 
     
     
         32 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the upper edge includes an elasticated section, wherein a length of elastic is secured to the upper edge such that, in use, the upper edge of the rear portion fits snuggly against the user's head; optionally wherein at least the upper edge of the rear portion is configured to stretch by at least 50%. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear portion is made of a layered construction; optionally wherein the layered construction includes at least two flexible/pliable materials. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the layered construction includes at least two flexible/pliable materials, at least one of the flexible/pliable materials being non-porous. 
     
     
         37 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear portion is made of impermeable fabric; optionally wherein the rear portion includes a layer of polyurethane, natural rubber or synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A face-gaiter mask as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the neck seal includes a tapered lower edge, wherein, in use, the lower edge rests against the user's upper torso or clothing such that a seal is created.