Protective face mask

Claim 1

A protective face mask comprising: a curved, relatively rigid but resilient support member substantially conforming to the shape of the forehead and sides of a human head; a mask body removably carried by said support member, said body defining a facial receiving cavity conforming generally to the configuration of a human face and having a central portion and a pair of opposed side portions and a bottom portion extending rearwardly from said central portion, the major portion of said mask body being formed of a thin, flexible, impermeable, plastic material and at least the portion thereof normally disposed in the wearer''s viewing path being transparent; an opening in the central portion of said mask body; and a strip of flexible, porous, permeable material covering said opening and being secured, around the entire marginal edge of said opening, to said mask body, whereby to permit the flow of air through said opening and prevent the passage of particulates and spray globules; wherein the rearwardly extending side and bottom portions of said mask body carry an elastic cord, said cord having end loops at the tops of said side portions, and wherein said support member is generally U-shaped and is provided with integral end portions engaging said loops and adapted to engage against the sides of a wearer''s head.