Face mask with tension adjusters and integral head strap

Abstract

A face mask, comprising ear loops and a detachable head strap constructed as a portion of the mask is described. The mask may be worn by either securing the ear loops around the ears or by detaching the head strap and using it to secure the mask around the back of the head. A simple, low cost system for adjusting the tension of ear loops and the head strap is also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A face mask, comprising:
 a mask body defining an outer perimeter, the mask body including top and bottom edges spaced apart by, and extending substantially orthogonally to, a pair of substantially parallel side edges;   at least one ear loop attached to each of the side edges and configured to selectively maintain the face mask on a face of a wearer; and   at least one optionally detachable head strap comprising a left end, a right end and a center portion and extending along at least one of the top and bottom edges of the mask body.   
     
     
         2 . The face mask according to  claim 1 , wherein said optionally detachable head strap is removable from said mask body and connected to said ear loops attached to each of the mask body side edges. 
     
     
         3 . The face mask according to  claim 2 , wherein a connection is comprised of an encircling feature of said head-strap right end to one ear loop and an encircling feature of said head strap left end to the other ear loop and wherein said encircling features encircle said ear loops while the detachable head strap is either attached or detached. 
     
     
         4 . The face mask according to  claim 3 , wherein said encircling feature includes one or more cinching features to secure said ear loop, thereby effectively shortening the length of the loop that passes behind a user's ear. 
     
     
         5 . The face mask according to  claim 3 , wherein said encircling feature is constructed from one or more layers of material comprising the mask body. 
     
     
         6 . The face mask according to  claim 2 , wherein said connection is comprised of a hooking feature of said head-strap right end to one ear loop and a hooking feature of said head strap left end to the other ear loop and wherein said hooking features may be optionally connected to ear loops while the detachable head strap is both attached and detached. 
     
     
         7 . The face mask according to  claim 6 , wherein said hooking feature includes one or more cinching features to secure said ear loop, thereby effectively shortening the length of the loop that passes behind a user's ear. 
     
     
         8 . The face mask according to  claim 7 , wherein said securing of said ear loop occurs at two locations along the ear loop, enabling the shortening of the ear loop when used with the detachable head strap after it has been detached from said mask body. 
     
     
         9 . A face mask, comprising:
 a mask body defining an outer perimeter, the mask body including top and bottom edges spaced apart by, and extending substantially orthogonally to, a pair of substantially parallel side edges;   at least one of a securing band attached to the mask body to selectively maintain the face mask on a face of a wearer; and   at least one tensioning feature, wherein the tensioning feature is constructed from a thin material with features cut into said at least one tensioning feature configured to secure said at least one securing band and wherein each tensioning feature is attached to the mask proximate one of said securing band attachment points.   
     
     
         10 . The face mask according to  claim 9 , wherein said securing band is an ear loop. 
     
     
         11 . The face mask according to  claim 9 , wherein said securing band is head strap. 
     
     
         12 . The face mask according to  claim 9 , wherein said tensioning feature attachment is an ultrasonic weld. 
     
     
         13 . A method for attaching a face mask to a user's face comprising:
 utilizing a mask with a mask body, at least two ear loops and a detachable head strap;   optionally utilizing the ear loops to anchor the mask to the user's face by securing them behind the user's ears;   optionally detaching the detachable head strap and utilizing the head strap connected to the ear loops to anchor the mask to the user's face by securing the head strap behind the user's head, while the ear loops pass under the user's ears;   optionally detaching the detachable head strap and utilizing the head strap connected to the ear loops to anchor the mask to the user's face by securing the head strap behind the user's head, while a portion of each ear loop passes over the upper portion of a user's ear and a portion of each ear loop passes under the lower portion of a user's ear.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said head strap comprises:
 a left end, a right end and a center portion;   a tensioning feature of each of said right end and left end, wherein the tensioning feature is constructed from a thin material with features cut into the tensioning feature configured to secure said at least one ear loop and wherein each tensioning feature is attached to the mask proximate one of said ear loop attachment points.   
     
     
         15 . A method for altering the force by which a face mask is attached to a user's face comprising:
 utilizing a mask with a mask body and at least one securing band connected to the mask body;   utilizing at least one tensioning feature each capable of securing one of said at least one securing bands attached to the mask proximate the connection between the mask body and said securing band;   positioning the securing band behind a user's ears or head to anchor the mask;   passing at least one of said at least one securing bands through at least one of the tensioning features so that the effective length of the securing band(s) around the ear or head is shortened.