DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a face mask, more specifically it relates to an improved, efficient and cost effective face mask to reduce healthcare associated diseases transmission.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] As is well known, a surgical mask/medical mask or simply as a face mask is intended to be worn by health professionals/healthcare practitioners or patient during treatment/ surgery to catch bacteria and virus which causes infection and disease through inhalation. Healthcare practitioners often take nasal or throat swab to confirm infection in suspected individuals during mass screening inside or outside the hospital section and in outpatient department (OPD), inpatient department (IPD)sections for admitted patients. For hospitalized patient, at least two consecutive swab samples are collected for testing to confirm the recovery of the patient before discharge. However while taking the swab, there are increased chances of sneeze and cough by suspected individuals exposing the healthcare practitioner and immediate work environment by infectious fluid. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a simple and efficient solution for the above stated problem.
[0004] Efforts have made in past to provide different types of face masks to be used by healthcare practitioners and sometimes applied to the patients, to prevent the spread of infectious disease. For example, a patent document US4856509discloses an improvement of face masks by adding virus destroying material on a portion of the mask. A mask for protection against the biological agents by multiple layers, glass fibres, acetate resin etc. has been disclosed in a patent document WO2005077214A1. A patent document CN100506096discloses a mask with multiple antibiotic, antiviral material layers, and a patent document WO2010079380A2 describes a self-contained re-humidification face mask with hygroscopic paper, synthetic fibre. In a patent document US9320923B2 surgical masks have been modified as a reusable mask with filtered inhalation and exhalation valves. A patent document US7191778B2 titled ‘Respiratory mask with an air impermeable shield’ has options for masks to fix disposable filter sheet. Foreign materials like gels have also been used to ensure that the mask will fix to the skin as described in a patent document US20150257925A1titled ‘Gel-based seals and fixation devices and associated systems and methods’. Dual stage canisters have also been used in order to filter air as described in another patent document EP1465705B1 titled ‘Antiviral and antibacterial respirator mask’. Further enhancements like visors have also been attached to provide protection for the eyes has been disclosed in a patent document US4701965 titled ‘Visor-type mask for Dentist’. Smart masks have also been developed for health care services, which cover more area and can be worn by all ages. A smart mask for health care service is disclosed in a patent document WO2015178615A1.
[0005] However, there is scope in the art for improvement and to provide a simple, efficient and cost effective mask for reducing healthcare associated diseases transmission.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask for reducing disease transmission that is efficient and cost effective.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that facilitates collecting sample from both mouth and nose simultaneously for disease detection.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that enables in collecting swab samples due to unique design.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that has easy pee, access windows, and unique design to contain droplet flow, and facilitates transparent clear view of wearer face portion to take nasal or oral swab.
[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that shields healthcare practitioners, work environment from infectious fluid and reduces patient’s hand contact with mouth and nose during sample collection.
[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that helps in mass screening in and outside hospital settings and for hospitalized patients.
[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that facilitates protection against spillage of sneezing and coughing droplets in immediate work environment.
[0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that can be of disposable and reusable type designed for a single or multiple use, reused once or several times by washing/cleaning.

SUMMARY
[0015] The present disclosure relates generally to a face mask, more specifically it relates to an improved, efficient and cost effective face mask to reduce healthcare associated diseases transmission.
[0016] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to an improved mask. The mask may include a front housing portion configured for transparent view. The mask includes one or more side portions configured with the front housing portion to cover a pre-defined area around the front housing portion.
[0017] In an aspect, the front housing portion may be made up of material selected from group including any or a combination of plastic, polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
[0018] In an aspect, material of the one or more side portions may be selected from group including any or a combination of non woven cotton, breathable material with filter.
[0019] In an aspect, the mask includes an elastic band coupled to a base of the one or more side portions of the mask, and configured to help using accommodating mask for one or more users with one or more face sizes.
[0020] In an aspect, the front housing may include two or more holes to facilitate provision for nasal, where the two or more holes may facilitate provision for a nasal or a oral swab stick to go inside a user during swabbing.
[0021] In an aspect, dimensions of a first hole from the two or more holes is at least 17 × 8 mm (length × width) in size and dimension of a second hole from the two or more the hole is at least 8 mm in diameter made on the front housing.
[0022] In an aspect, a third hole from the two or more holes is of pre-determined shape, where the pre-determined shape may include any or a combination of rectangle, oval shape, where dimensions of the third hole from the two or more holes is at least 15 × 5 mm (length × width) size, where the dimensions of the third hole may facilitate placement of a tongue depressor during oral swab.
[0023] In an aspect, the two or more holes for a nose and a mouth swab may be at a distance of 110mm and 85mm from bottom of the mask.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIGs. 1A to 1D illustrate exemplary representation of the proposed mask to reduce healthcare associated diseases transmission, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary representation of the proposedfull face mask to cover full face of a user, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0029] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0030] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0031] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0032] Embodiments explained herein relate to an efficient and cost effective mask to reduce healthcare associated diseases transmission. Unique design of the disclosed mask (hereinafter, also referred to as NT-Mask) can efficiently reduce healthcare associated disease transmission in applications such as, but not limited to, swab samples collections.
[0033] In an embodiment, the disclosed mask has easy peel, access windows, and unique design to contain droplet flow, and facilitates transparent clear view of wearer face portion to take nasal or oral swab.
[0034] In an embodiment, the disclosed NT-mask shields healthcare practitioners, work environment from infectious fluid and reduces patient’s hand contact with mouth and nose during sample collection. The NT-mask can be used for mass screening in and outside the hospital settings and for hospitalized patients.
[0035] In an embodiment the disclosed mask facilitates protection against spillage of sneezing and coughing droplets in immediate work environment.
[0036] .In an embodiment the disclosed mask may be of disposable type designed for a single or multiple use, which can be used once or several times, or reusable type which can be reused by washing/cleaning.
[0037] FIGs. 1A to 1D illustrate exemplary representation of the proposed mask 100 to reduce healthcare associated diseases transmission, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The disclosed mask 100 includes a front housing portion 102 (herein after, also referred to as plastic cap) that is made up of clear plastic material, such as but not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyethylene pterephthalate (PET) or any other suitable material that can facilitate 100% clear transparent view. The disclosed mask 100 includes side portions 104 that are configured with the plastic cap to cover area around the plastic cap 102. The side portions are made of using non-woven cotton and breathable material with a filter.
[0038] In an embodiment, the disclosed mask 100 includes an elastic band 106 coupled to at a base of the side portions of the mask. The elastic band is configured to help using/accommodating the mask100 for different user with different face sizes.
[0039] In an embodiment, the plastic front housing 102 may have two or more holes, such as holes 108-1, 108-2, and 18-3 (collectively referred to as holes 108) that facilitates provision for nasal or oral swab stick to go inside the user during swabbing. The bottom hole 108-2 allows placement of a tongue depressor. These holes 108 are covered at all other times with a peel off sticker on top of it.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the hole108-1 is atleast 17 × 8 mm (length × width) in size and the hole 108-3 is atleast 8 mm in diameter made on the front housing 102. The rectangular or oval shape hole 108-2 is of at least 15 × 5 mm (length × width) size for placement of the tongue depressor during oral swab. The holes for the nose and mouth swab can be at a distance of 110mm and 85mm from the bottom of the face mask 100 respectively.
[0041] In an embodiment, the front plastic housing 102 can be covered from all sides using breathable, anti-splash, anti-static, lint free fabric material. A metal wire can be used at the nose line such that the mask can be adjusted appropriately on the nose. One specially designed collar allows the position of front plastic housing 102 at 90-110 degree to the face.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the mask collar can be atleast 1 mm thick and made up of any of a plastic, cardboard or other suitable material. There should at least 0.5 cm fabric between nose line and the mask collar such that the collar on front plastic housing 102 can provide better positioning of the front housing 102 to conform different facial structures during swab taking procedure. The elastic band 106 at the top of the mask 100 increases adoptability of the mask on different head size. As shown in FIG. 1C, an elastic band 110 at the bottom of the mask 100 increases adoptability of the mask on different jaw lines. When the mask is wore by the user, the tip of the nose can be minimum 2.5 -3 cm from the surface of the front housing.
[0043] In another embodiment, a face mask 200 to cover full face of a user/wearer is shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B.A front transparent housing 202 of the mask 200 allows both the user and the doctor to see through the mask 200. Nasal and oral holes, such as holes 208-1,208-2, 208-3 are at a distance of 105 mm and 60 mm, respectively, from a bottom surface of side portions 204 of the mask 200. The dimensions of the hole in FIGs. 2A and 2B are same as mentioned in FIG. 1A-1D. A thin metal strip at the top fabric allows the mask 200 to sit on the forehead. The mask 200 includes an elastic band 206 to hold a head of the user and keeps the mask in place.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the full facial mask 200 can be of 130 mm in length, 125 mm in width and 190 mm in height to cover the entire face of the user. The tip of the nose can be at a distance of 2.0-2.5 cm from the surface of the front plastic housing 202. The transparent housing 202 can be of 160 mm in height and 125 mm in width. The sides and bottom of the front housing 202 are covered with fabric.
[0045] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claim.
[0046] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0047] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0048] The present disclosure provides an improved mask for reducing disease transmission that is efficient and cost effective.
[0049] The present disclosure provides an It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that facilitates collecting sample from both mouth and nose simultaneously for disease detection.
[0050] The present disclosure provides an It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that enables in collecting swab samples due to unique design.
[0051] The present disclosure provides an It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that has easy pee, access windows, and unique design to contain droplet flow, and facilitates transparent clear view of wearer face portion to take nasal or oral swab.
[0052] The present disclosure provides an It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that shields healthcare practitioners, work environment from infectious fluid and reduces patient’s hand contact with mouth and nose during sample collection.
[0053] The present disclosure provides an It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that helps in mass screening in and outside hospital settings and for hospitalized patients.
[0054] The present disclosure provides an It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that facilitates protection against spillage of sneezing and coughing droplets in immediate work environment.

[0055] The present disclosure provides an It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved mask that can be of disposable and reusable type designed for a single or multiple use, reused once or several times by washing/cleaning.
,CLAIMS:1. An improved mask comprising:
a front housing portion (102) configured for transparent view, and
one or more side portions (104) configured with the front housing portion to cover a pre-defined area around the front housing portion.
2. The improved mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front housing portion (102) is made up of material selected from group including any or a combination of plastic, polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyethylene pterephthalate (PET).
3. The improved mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein material of the one or more side portions (104) is selected from group including any or a combination of non woven cotton, breathable material with filter.
4. The improved mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mask includes an elastic band coupled to a base of the one or more side portions of the mask, and configured to help using accommodating mask for one or more users with one or more face sizes.
5. The improved mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front housing (102) includes two or more holes (108) to facilitate provision for nasal, wherein the two or more holes (108) facilitates provision for a nasal or a oral swab stick to go inside the one or more users during swabbing.
6. The improved mask (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein dimensions of a first hole (108-1) from the two or more holes is at least 17 × 8 mm (length × width) in size and dimension of a second hole (108-3) from the two or more holes is at least 8 mm in diameter made on the front housing (102).
7. The improved mask (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein a third hole (108-2) from the two or more holes (108) is of pre-determined shape, wherein the pre-determined shape includes any or a combination of rectangle, oval shape, wherein dimensions of the third hole (108-2) from the two or more holes (108) is at least 15 × 5 mm (length × width) size, wherein the dimensions of the third hole (108-2) facilitates placement of a tongue depressor during oral swab.
8. The improved mask (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two or more holes (108) for a nose and a mouth swab is at a distance of 110mm and 85mm from bottom of the mask 100.