Transparent Protective Face Mask

Abstract

A transparent protective face mask, typically for non-medical use, is provided. The mask comprises a protective face covering portion to cover at least a mouth and nose of a user; side portions respectively comprising head attachment means; and a mount portion for resting the mask adjacent to and in contact with the chin of the user, whereby the face covering portion of the mask is spaced apart from the face of the user except at the mount portion. In another embodiment, the face mask comprises a flexible chin panel hinged to the face covering portion. The chin panel is releasably lockable with the face covering portion. The face covering portion may also comprise a nose portion comprising a nose bridge portion, and one or more nose protuberances flanking the nose bridge portion, for engaging with opposite sides of the nose of a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transparent protective face mask comprising:
 a protective face covering portion to cover at least a mouth and nose of a user;   side portions respectively comprising head attachment means; and   a mount portion for resting the mask adjacent to and in contact with the chin of the user, wherein the face covering portion of the mask is spaced apart from the face of the user except at the mount portion.   
     
     
         2 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein the side portions comprising a left side portion corresponding to a left side of the face of the user, and a right side portion corresponding to a right side of the face of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein the mask is composed of a rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein the mount portion comprises one or more protuberances. 
     
     
         5 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein the mount portion comprises two protuberances comprising: an upper protuberance having an end portion configured for resting on an upper part of the chin of the user, and a lower protuberance having an end portion configured for resting on a lower part of the chin. 
     
     
         6 . The face mask of  claim 5 , wherein the end portion of the lower protuberance is configured for resting on an under part of the chin. 
     
     
         7 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein each head attachment means is releasably connectable with one or more corresponding retention element(s), wherein the retention element is an ear loop configured for attaching to the respective ears of a user, or a head strap. 
     
     
         8 . A transparent protective face mask comprising:
 a protective face covering portion to cover at least a mouth and nose of a user;   side portions respectively comprising head attachment means; and   a releasably securable chin panel hinged to a bottom edge of the face covering portion, wherein the chin panel releasably locks with the face covering portion,   wherein the face covering portion comprises a nose portion comprising: a nose bridge portion, and one or more nose protuberances flanking the nose bridge portion, for engaging with opposite sides of the nose of a user.   
     
     
         9 . The face mask of  claim 8 , wherein the side portions comprise a left side portion corresponding to a left side of the face of the user, and a right side portion corresponding to a right side of the face of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The face mask of  claim 8 , wherein each head attachment means is releasably connectable with one or more corresponding retention element(s), wherein the retention element is an ear loop configured for attaching to the respective ears of a user, or a head strap. 
     
     
         11 . The face mask of  claim 8 , wherein the mask is composed of a rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The face mask of  claim 8 , wherein the chin panel is integrally molded with the face covering and is hinged with the bottom edge of the face covering portion such that the chin panel is bendable towards the chin of the user. 
     
     
         13 . The face mask of  claim 8 , wherein the chin panel comprises one or more slots which reversibly interlock with corresponding one or more tabs on the bottom edge of the face covering portion. 
     
     
         14 . The face mask of  claim 8 , wherein the chin panel comprises one or more tabs which reversibly interlock with corresponding one or more slots on the bottom edge of the face covering portion. 
     
     
         15 . The face mask of  claim 8 , wherein the nose portion comprises two nose protuberances and wherein the nose bridge portion is flexibly contoured for fitting over and/or adjacent to an exterior surface of a nose of the user.