US Patent 9993668 Face mask assembly

A face mask is configured to be worn on a wearer's head and to cover the wearer's nose and mouth. The face mask includes a mask body having apertures, an inhalation port positioned within one of the apertures of the mask body, an exhalation valve positioned within a second one of the apertures of the mask body, a harness assembly configured to extend about a wearer's head wherein the harness assembly includes a first strap, a strap retainer positioned on the mask body and disposed over the exhalation valve, the strap retainer configured to receive the first strap; and a valve protector positioned between the first strap and the exhalation valve.