US20160015097A1

US20160015097A1 - Plane Face

Info

Publication number: US20160015097A1
Application number: US14/541,388
Authority: US
Inventors: Obiageli Aligwekwe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-21
Filing date: 2014-11-14
Publication date: 2016-01-21
Also published as: CA2857418A1

Abstract

Protective face cover made from breathable fabrics for protecting the human face against environmental conditions particularly while airborne. The face protector includes one piece made up of three components (fabric, an attachment piece and trimming) and covers the face starting from the bridge of the nose and draping down to the chest or just below the chin in an alternative design. An attachment piece holds the item in place and rests at the nape of the neck. The trimming provides structure in order for the item to be held in place over areas of desired coverage. The three components can be joined together by any known means (stitching or bonding).

Description

THE GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to protective face covering against germs that doubles for providing comfort to passengers when situated in crowded places, especially on a plane.

THE NATURE OF THE INVENTION

In today's environment, increasingly crowded flights, has made people more susceptible to infections from germs and bugs that can be picked up while traveling. These germs are particularly spread through the airways including the nose and the mouth. Passengers are placed in closer proximity to one another and this requires a greater need to become more proactive about protecting oneself.
There are many products from sprays to UV scanners to facemasks in the marketplace primarily intended to provide protection from germs to travellers on planes. However, none provides protection of the sort provided by the Plane Face as similar protectors such as face masks are very restrictive of the facial organs such as the mouth and the nose and as result reduce comfort especially while travelling long distance. The other products also do not double as providers of comfort, privacy or as a fashion accessory to the traveller especially when travelling in crowded flights.

THE INVENTIVE IDEA

This invention provides protection against environmental conditions particularly while airborne. The Plane Face stays in place over ones face by an attachment piece (which could either be elastic or other stretchy fabric) that rests at the nape of the neck. The trimming provides structure in order for the item to be held in place over areas of desired coverage. It does not constrict ones organs and comfort is obtained through loose coverage to allow for free flow of air and protection of the cheeks, neck and portions of the chest. It also allows for ease of movement. The Plane Face can be left on while passenger snacks, coughs, sneezes and yawns. The passenger can also touch various sections of the face and neck protected by the accessory by merely slipping their hands underneath the accessory.
Bodily functions such as yawning, sneezing and coughing can also be performed by the wearer discreetly without irritating ones neighbours on flights and in addition, ones neighbours are protected from germs disseminated by the wearer's bodily functions.
This product does not promise to protect against chemical warfare or severe germ or bug infestations. However, it does provide some protection by reducing the number of inhaled germs thereby reducing the probability of infection when a neighbouring passenger sneezes or coughs. It will prevent particles from going directly to the wearers nostrils and/or through the mouth. Although fliers seated next to a sick passenger are more likely to catch a cold, passengers can reduce the probability of inhaling an infectious dose if they can reduce the number of germ particles that reach them.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a person using the Plane Face according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the Plane Face includes a face cover (1 a) which covers the nose area, the cheeks, the front of the neck and some of the chest area. The nose and the mouth represent the areas of the body that are particularly susceptible to entry from environmental particles. This cover further extends to the neck and a portion of the chest area to provide better protection, comfort and privacy. An alternative design (FIG. 4) will extend only slightly below the chin area.
The Plane Face is secured to the face by an attachment piece (1 b) which could either be elastic or other stretchy fabric. The edges are lined with a trimming (1 c) which provides structure in order for the item to be held in place over areas of desired coverage. The trimming could be of a bolder less stylish design to appeal to men. The fabric is made from breathable materials (preferably silk or cotton). The three components can be joined together by a variety of means (including stitching and bonding).
As can be seen in FIG. 1, the Plane Face acts as a protector by reducing the number of inhaled germs thereby reducing the probability of infection when a neighbouring passenger sneezes or coughs. It will prevent particles from going directly to the wearers nostrils and/or through the mouth.
FIG. 2: is a front perspective view of the Plane Face described in FIG. 1
FIG. 3: is a rear perspective view of the Plane Face described in FIG. 1
FIG. 4: is an alternative design of the Plane Face described in FIG. 1. In this embodiment of the Plane Face, This design will extend slightly below the chin area. The choice between the design in FIG. 1 and the alternative design will solely be based on ones preference for either fuller or partial coverage.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. The present invention provides a protective accessory made from breathable fabrics for protecting the human face against environmental conditions particularly while airborne. The Plane Face includes one piece made up of three components (fabric, an attachment piece and trimming) and covers the face starting from the bridge of the nose and draping down to the chest or just below the chin in an alternative design. The attachment piece holds the item in place and rests at the nape of the neck. The trimming provides structure in order for the item to be held in place over areas of desired coverage. The attachment piece and the fabric part can be joined together by any known means.

2. An accessory as defined in claim 1 in which the main component is made of fabric material, trimmings and secured on the wearer at the nape of the neck by an attachment piece which could be made of any stretchy material, elastic or Velcro.

3. An accessory as defined in claims 1 and 2 which is shaped and sized to cover the nose, cheeks, mouth, chin, neck and portions of the chest.

4. An accessory as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 3 in which the edges are lined with trimmings or other method for weighting the fabric to provide better support for the accessory.

5. An accessory as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 wherein the said Plane Face comprises an attachment piece for holding the accessory in place