ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 24 -- United States Patent no. 12,562,267, issued on Feb. 24, was assigned to WOXX INC. (Chicago).

"Sound directing device for a mobile telecommunication device having microbial barrier properties" was invented by Nicolas Casati (Chicago), Bruno Barbet (Biziat, France) and Francois Casati (Pfaffikon, Switzerland).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A communication privacy device helps contain the spread of viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that spread through human respiratory infection while allowing users to utilize a cellular communication device in a private manner. The communication privacy device includes a cup-shaped mask configured to fit over a user's mouth, and a...