Combined anti fog and anti glare features for face masks

• US 5,813,398 A
• Filed: 03/26/1997
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avent Incorporated (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tecnol Medical Products, Inc. (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Baird, Derek W., Brunson, Kevin K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Dinh X.
• Application Number:
  US08/828,252
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 128/201.15, 128/201.17, 128/206.13, 128/206.19, 128/206.23
• US Class Current: 128/201.17
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1115 with a horizontal pleated pocket
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1184 with protection for the eyes, e.g. using shield or visor
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/082 Assembling eyepieces, lenses or vision-correction means in or on gas-masks

Abstract

A face mask having a filter body for covering the nose and mouth of a wearer. Ear loops, head bands, surgical ties and other appropriate devices may be used to secure the face mask to the face of the wearer. The filter body is preferably formed from one or more layers of non-woven material. A fluid impervious film layer is attached to an exterior portion of the filter body to prevent fogging of eye glasses or an eyepiece for scientific equipment. A non-woven material layer may be placed over the fluid impervious film to minimize or eliminate glare and reflections from the mask. The non-woven material layer may also protect the fluid impervious film layer during fabrication of the associated mask. For some applications, one or more layers of darkened material may be placed on portions of the mask to reduce or eliminate reflections and glare. The layers of darkened material may be used as edge bindings or to cover the fluid impervious film. The fluid impervious film may have a colored tint or a matte finish to reduce reflection and glare, particularly if the non-woven material layer is not placed over the fluid impervious film.

Claims

1. A face mask having a filter body for covering the nose and mouth of a wearer, the filter body having an exterior surface with a top edge, bottom edge, and opposite side edges extending therebetween, and means for securing the face mask to the wearer'"'"'s face, comprising:

a layer of fluid impervious film disposed over the exterior surface of the filter body adjacent to the top edge for restricting the flow of moisture therethrough;

a layer of non-woven material in juxtaposition with and covering the layer of fluid impervious film;

the layer of fluid impervious film and the layer of non-woven material having a generally rectangular configuration corresponding with adjacent portions of the filter body;

the layer of fluid impervious film and the layer of non-woven material each having a top edge bonded with the top edge of the filter body;

the layer of fluid impervious film and the layer of non-woven material each having opposites side edges extending from the respective top edge with the side edges of the layer of fluid impervious;

film and the side edges of the layer of the non-woven material bonded with adjacent portions of the side edges of the filter body;

the length of the side edges of the layer of fluid impervious film and layer of non-woven material is less than the length of the respective side edges of the filter body; and

the layer of fluid impervious film and the layer of non-woven material, each having a bottom edge opposite from the respective top edge adjacent the exterior surface of the filter body and above the bottom edge of the filter body with no bonding between the respective bottom edges and the filter body to allow the passage of air between the bottom edge of the layer of fluid impervious film and adjacent portions of the filter body.

2. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the securing means further comprises a pair of ear loops attached adjacent to opposite side edges of the filter body for securing the face mask to the face of the wearer.

3. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the securing means further comprises at least two surgical ties attached adjacent to opposite side edges of the filter body for securing the face mask to the face of the wearer.

4. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the securing means further comprises at least one head band attached adjacent to opposite side edges of the filter body for securing the face mask to the face of the wearer.

5. The face mask of claim 1 further comprising a transparent visor attached adjacent to the top edge of the filter body to protect the eyes of the wearer from liquids directed from the exterior of the visor.

6. The face mask of claim 1 further comprising:

an elongated malleable member extending along the top edge of the filter body to conform the top edge of the filter body to a desired shape corresponding with the contours of the wearer'"'"'s nose and face; and

the malleable member having a dull, non-reflective exterior surface to minimize glare and reflections from the exterior of the face mask into the eyes of the wearer.

7. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the filter body further comprises:

an elongated malleable member secured within the filter body and extending along the top edge of the filter body to conform the top edge with the contours of the wearer'"'"'s nose and cheeks;

a first edge binding extending along and folded over the top edge with a plurality of bonds between the first edge binding and adjacent portions of the filter body; and

the first edge binding formed from darkened material to reduce glare and reflections from the exterior of the face mask into the eyes of the wearer.

8. The face mask of claim 7 wherein the filter body further comprises:

a second edge binding extending along and folded over one side edge of the filter body;

a third edge binding extending along and folded over the opposite side edge of the filter body;

a bottom edge of the filter body extending between the side edges opposite from the top edge;

a fourth edge binding extending along and folded over the bottom edge of the filter body;

a plurality of bonds formed between the second edge binding, the third edge binding, the fourth edge binding and adjacent portions of the filter body; and

the second edge binding, the third edge binding and the fourth edge binding formed from darkened material to reduce glare and reflections from the exterior of the face mask into the eyes of the wearer.

9. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the filter body further comprises an interior surface opposite from the exterior surface with a layer of fluid impervious film extending along the top edge adjacent to the interior surface of the filter body.

10. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the filter body further comprises:

an exterior layer of material; and

the layer of non-woven material covering the layer of fluid impervious film formed from the same material as the exterior layer of the filter body.

11. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the filter body further comprises:

an exterior layer of material; and

the layer of non-woven material covering the layer of fluid impervious film formed from darkened material to reduce glare and reflections from the exterior of the face mask into the eyes of the wearer.