# US 2022/0030968 A1 · Face Mask With Straw Accommodation Opening

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- Number: US 2022/0030968 A1
- Document ID: US20220030968A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/944,577
- Filed: 2020-07-31
- Published: 2022-02-03
- Earliest claimed: 2020-07-31
- Assignees: SharperTek
- Applicants: SharperTek
- Inventors: Ghassan Victor Nasrallah
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220030968A1

## CPC

- A41D 13/1115: {with a horizontal pleated pocket}
- A41D 27/24: Hems; Seams
- A41D 31/14: Air permeable, i.e. capable of being penetrated by gases (waterproof and breathable A41D31/102)
- D04H 3/007: Addition polymers
- A41D 13/1161: {Means for fastening to the user's head}
- A41D 2300/50: Seams
- A41D 2500/30: Non-woven
- D10B 2321/022: polypropylene
- D10B 2501/042: Headwear
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- D04H: MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL (weaving D03; knitting D04B; braiding D04C; net-making D04G; sewing D05B; tufting D05C; finishing non-woven fabrics D06); FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING {; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION}(non-woven fabrics having an intermediate or external layer of a different kind, e.g. of woven fabric, B32B)
- D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES

## Abstract

A face mask includes a body portion having a weakening seam. The weakening seam bounds a punch out portion. The punch out portion has a diameter that is slightly smaller than a diameter of a predetermined straw. The weakening seam is configured to part from the body portion of the face mask so as to remove the punch out portion and leave an opening. Accordingly a straw may be inserted into the opening, as the outer diameter of the straw is in contact with an inner annular edge of the weakening seam so as maintain the filtering qualities of the face mask.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A face mask for accommodating a straw having a first diameter, the face mask comprising:
a body portion made of a first material;
a weakening seam disposed on the body portion, the weakening seam configured to part from the body portion; and
a punch out portion, the weakening seam including an inner annular edge bounding the punch out portion, wherein the punch out portion may be removed so as to leave an opening configured to fit the straw.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the punch out portion has a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter of the straw.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first material is a meltblown nonwoven polypropylene fabric.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the weakening seam has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the body portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the weakening seam is a pair of weakening seams and the punch out portion is a pair of punch out portions, each of the pair of punch out portions corresponding to one of the pair of weakening seams.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The face mask as set forth in claim 5, wherein the pair of weakening seams are spaced apart from each other.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The face mask as set forth in claim 6, wherein one of the pair of weakening seams is concentric to the other of the pair of weakening seams.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The face mask as set forth in claim 1, wherein the weakening seam is generally C-shaped so as to form a neck portion, the neck portion contiguous with the punch out portion.