# US 11,027,157 B1 · Face covering apparatus and method of using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,157 B1 - Document ID: US11027157B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/884,482 - Filed: 2020-05-27 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-08 - Applicants: John S. Mortimer - Inventors: John S. Mortimer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027157B1 ## CPC - A62B 18/025: {Halfmasks (A62B23/02 takes precedence; surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - A62B 23/025: {the filter having substantially the shape of a mask (surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - A41D 13/1107: {characterised by their shape} - A41D 13/1138: {with a cup configuration} - A41D 13/1161: {Means for fastening to the user's head} - A41D 13/1184: {with protection for the eyes, e.g. using shield or visor} - A44C 13/00: Connectible jewellery - A44C 15/00: Other forms of jewellery - A61F 9/029: {Additional functions or features, e.g. protection for other parts of the face such as ears, nose or mouth; Screen wipers or cleaning devices} - A62B 9/04: Couplings; Supporting frames - A62B 18/086: {Adaptations for consuming refreshments without unmasking} - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A44C: PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A face covering apparatus and method of using the apparatus. A frame is configured to be placed in an operative position on a wearer's head and releasably maintained in the operative position by at least one of: a) resting upon one or both of a wearer's ears and b) frictionally engaging a part of the wearer's head. A covering assembly on the frame has a wall structure with: i) a first region configured to conform to the wearer's face region around the wearer's nose; and ii) a second region configured to conform to the wearer's face region around the wearer's mouth. The face covering apparatus is configured so that with the frame in the operative position on the wearer's head and the wall structure in a blocking position on the frame, the first and second regions on the wall structure together reside in the path of airborne particles moving: A) in a forward direction from the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth; and B) in a rearward direction towards the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A face covering apparatus comprising: a frame configured to be placed in an operative position on a wearer's head and releasably maintained in the operative position by at least one of: a) resting upon one or both ears of the wearer and b) frictionally engaging a part of the wearer's head; and a covering assembly on the frame and comprising a wall structure with: i) a first region configured to conform to a frontal face region of the wearer around a nose of the wearer; and ii) a second region configured to conform to the wearer's frontal face region around a mouth of the wearer, the face covering apparatus configured so that with the frame in the operative position on the wearer's head and the wall structure in a blocking position on the frame, the first and second regions on the wall structure together reside in a path of airborne particles moving: a) in a forward direction from nostrils and/or the mouth of the wearer; and b) in a rearward direction towards the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth, wherein the wall structure is movable relative to the frame between the blocking position and a staging position, wherein when the frame is in the operative position, at least a part of the wall structure is moved further away from the wearer's frontal face region in the staging position than when the wall structure is in the blocking position, wherein the wall structure moves angularly in relationship to the frame through at least 90° between the staging and blocking positions as viewed from a side perspective. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The face covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the frame is configured to be moved from a position fully spaced from the wearer's head into the operative position by being translated relative to the wearer's head. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The face covering apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the frame is configured to be translated along a front to rear line between the position fully spaced from the wearer's head into the operative position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The face covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the wall structure has a pre-formed cup shape in which the first and second regions are configured to conform to and overlie at least a part of the wearer's nose and lips of the wearer as viewed from a front perspective. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The face covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein with the frame in the operative position, the first region fully blocks the wearer's nostrils and the second region fully blocks the wearer's mouth as viewed from in front of the wearer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The face covering apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the wall structure is at least partially shape retentive and capable of being re-shaped to more closely conform to the wearer's frontal face region and releasably maintained in a re-shaped configuration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The face covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the face covering apparatus further comprises at least one lens on the frame that is placed in front of the eyes of the wearer with the frame in the operative position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The face covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the wall structure is configured so that the wearer can inhale and exhale air through at least part of the wall structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The face covering apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the wall structure is made from a material configured so that the wearer can inhale and exhale air and is configured to trap airborne particles. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The face covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second region has a width that is greater than a width of the first region as viewed from a front perspective. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The face covering apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the material is a flexible fabric. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The face covering apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the covering apparatus has a subframe that maintains a shape of the flexible fabric. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The face covering apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the subframe is selectively reconfigurable to thereby allow the flexible fabric to be conformed in at least one of the first and second regions to the frontal face region of the wearer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The face covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the frame comprises first and second legs that straddle a part of the wearer's head with the frame in the operative position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The face covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the covering assembly is cantilever mounted on the frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The face covering apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the covering assembly is mounted in depending fashion relative to a part of the frame. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method of equipping attendees at an event to reduce oral transmission of particles, the method comprising steps of: obtaining a supply of face covering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the wall structure has a forwardly facing surface and wherein information pertaining to the event is visibly present on the forwardly facing surface; and distributing the face covering apparatus to attendees of the event to be worn during the event. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17 wherein the event is a sporting event and the information relates to the sporting event. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18 wherein the information includes a logo associated with a team participating in the event. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17 wherein the information is in the form of an advertisement of a product or service. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17 wherein the face covering apparatus further comprises at least one lens on the frame that is placed in front of the eyes of the wearer with the frame in the operative position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method according to claim 21 wherein the at least one lens is a prescription lens. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22 wherein the at least one lens is tinted to block the eyes of the wearer from light glare. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) A method of covering a wearer's face, the method comprising steps of: obtaining the face covering apparatus of claim 1; and placing the frame in the operative position and thereby causing a part of the wall structure to bear against the wearer's face. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method according to claim 24 wherein the step of placing the frame in the operative position comprises causing a part of the wall structure to conform to the wearer's face. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The face covering apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is a first connector on the frame and a second connector on the covering assembly, the first and second connectors configured to be selectively connected to each other and released from each other, whereby the covering assembly can be selectively connected to and released from the frame. ### Claim 27 A face covering apparatus comprising: a frame configured to be placed in an operative position on a wearer's head and releasably maintained in the operative position by at least one of: a) resting upon one or both ears of the wearer; and b) frictionally engaging a part of the wearer's head, the frame having first and second elongate legs extending in front-to-rear lines and configured to reside at opposite sides of the wearer's head with the frame in the operative position; and a covering assembly on the frame comprising a wall structure with: i) a first region configured to conform to a frontal face region of the wearer around a nose of the wearer; and ii) a second region configured to conform to the wearer's frontal face region around a mouth of the wearer, the face covering apparatus configured so that with the frame in the operative position on the wearer's head and the wall structure in a blocking position on the frame, the first and second regions on the wall structure together reside in a path of airborne particles moving: a) in a forward direction from nostrils and/or the mouth of the wearer; and b) in a rearward direction towards the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth, wherein the wall structure is movable relative to the frame between the blocking position and a staging position, wherein when the frame is in the operative position, at least a part of the wall structure is moved further away from the wearer's frontal face region in the staging position than when the wall structure is in the blocking position, wherein with the frame in the operative position and the wall structure in the staging position a part of the wall structure is located above the front-to-rear lines of the first and second elongate legs. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The face covering apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the face covering apparatus further comprises at least one lens on the frame configured to be placed in front of eyes of the wearer with the frame in the operative position. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The face covering apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the at least one lens is tinted to block the eyes of the wearer from light glare.