At a glance
| Patent number | CN105996227B (application CN201610351056) |
| Type | China invention patent (发明专利) - protects product shape, structure and method |
| Original title | A kind of convertible wearing mode and the length-adjustable mouth mask of frenulum (一种可变换佩戴方式且系带长度可调的口罩) |
| Patent owner | Shanghai Jiekong Environmental Protection Technology Co ltd |
| Inventors | Not announced (不公告发明人) |
| Filing date | 2016-05-25 |
| Grant date | 2017-08-29 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (recorded 2023-06-02) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 2 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN105996227B) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a mask comprising a mask body (1) and a strap (2). The mask body has two first flaps (11) on the left and right sides, each folded from inside to outside with its end fixed to the body to form a first channel. It also has two second flaps (12) on the lower left and lower right sides, folded the same way to form a second channel. The strap includes a lace elastic belt body (21) with a connecting device (22) at both ends. In the middle of the belt body is a length adjustment mechanism made of a sliding adjustment piece (23) sleeved on the belt and a limit knot (24) tied from the belt material at the lower end of the adjustment piece.
Claim 2 - the connecting device is a mushroom buckle connecting device (220) having a mushroom-shaped protrusion (221) on one end and a corresponding button hole (222) on the other.
Claim 3 - for the headband mode, the two mushroom buckle devices pass from bottom to top through the two first channels and connect to each other, forming a closed loop above the mask body.
Claim 4 - for the earband/neckband combination, the buckle devices pass through the first channels and bend back around the elastic belt body on the same side, with the protrusion buckling into the button hole, so the portion below the mask forms a neck strap and the portion above forms an annular ear band.
Claim 5 onward - for further configurations, the buckle devices pass through the second channel and then the first channel on both sides in sequence, bending backward around the gap between the first and second flaps.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is lapsed (terminated for non-payment of annual fees, recorded 2023-06-02), so it no longer restricts anyone in China either. It has no US or other foreign counterpart.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Face mask strap attachment systems, adjustable toggles and multi-mode wearing configurations are covered by various US and international patents held by personal protective equipment manufacturers, so a freedom-to-operate (FTO) review of the flap-channel routing and mushroom-buckle mechanism is needed before tooling.
- Filtration media selection. The patent describes the mechanical strap and body structure only. The filter layer material, melt-blown fabric weight and bacterial filtration efficiency are separate specifications that must be chosen based on the target market standard.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Mask body shape | Flat-fold, pleated or molded cup profile |
| Body material | Non-woven polypropylene layers, melt-blown filter media to be confirmed in design |
| Flap placement | Position and angle of first and second flaps adjusted for face coverage |
| Strap elasticity | Belt body width and stretch ratio set in design |
| Buckle style | Mushroom buckle dimensions, color-matched to strap or body |
| Adjustment piece | Slider material (plastic or silicone) and limit knot size |
| Printing | Logo or pattern on the outer mask body layer |
Things to plan for (US market)
- NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84 - if marketing the mask as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator, NIOSH approval is required for the complete assembled unit including strap retention strength.
- FDA 21 CFR 878.4040 - surgical masks intended for medical use are Class II devices requiring 510(k) clearance; the strap system must pass flammability and biocompatibility testing.
- ASTM F3502 - standard specification for barrier face coverings sold to consumers, which tests particulate filtration and airflow resistance.
- California Prop 65 - dyes, elastic components and plastics must be screened for listed chemicals.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - wearing modes needed, target user group, filtration level and quantity.
- Design - flap dimensions, channel width, strap elasticity, buckle mold drawings and body layer stack-up.
- Prototype - samples assembled to verify that the strap threads smoothly through both flap sets and the mushroom buckle snaps securely.
- Pilot run - strap retention pull tests, cycle testing of the buckle connection, and filtration testing of the finished assembly.
- Production - ultrasonic welding or stitching of flaps to the mask body, extrusion or weaving of the elastic belt, injection molding of buckles and sliders, final assembly and packing.
Quantities & timeline
The mask body requires die-cutting tools or ultrasonic welding horns for the flap attachments, the mushroom buckles and adjustment pieces need small injection molds, and the elastic belt is cut to length from continuous roll stock. Certification testing timelines depend on whether the product targets consumer, industrial or medical categories. Send us your target wearing modes, body dimensions, strap material preference, quantity and certification requirements and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
