Face mask

• US 7,802,572 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2005
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sutter Bay Hospitals
• Original Assignee: Sutter West Bay Hospitals
• Inventors: Hahne, Jeanne
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco; Patricia M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel; Tarla R
• Application Number:
  US11/663,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20080092909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,834 Days
• Field of Search: 220/6, 2/7, 2/9, 217/3, 242/4, 2/21, 2/6, 2 1/0, 217/1, 245/5, 241/0, 2/81, 128/206.19, 128/863, 128/139, 128/206.12, 128/201.23, 128/201.24, 128/201.25, 128/201.27, 128/201.28, 128/201.29, 128/857, 128/846, 128/203.13, 128/206.16, 128/206.17, 128/205.25, 128/206.21, 128/206.27, 128/206.28
• US Class Current: 128/206.19
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1192 with antimicrobial agent

Abstract

A medical face mask comprising a central transparent portion, an outer filter portion and, optionally, one or more antimicrobial agents is described.

Claims

1. A face mask comprising

(a) a transparent air-impermeable central portion that directs a wearer'"'"'s breath downward;

(b) an air-permeable outer portion surrounding and secured to the central transparent portion;

(c) a head strap affixed to the outer portion or transparent portion;

(d) one or more antimicrobial agents coated onto or embedded into the air-permeable outer portion; and

(e) a rigid portion that defines a single conic section that extends into the transparent portion at an approximately 90°

angle relative to the top edge of the transparent portion to form a beak-shaped mask.

2. The face mask of claim 1, wherein the central portion of the mask is adapted to be positioned over the nose and mouth of the wearer.

3. The face mask of claim 1, wherein the head strap is affixed to the outer portion at two locations.

4. The face mask of claim 1, wherein the central portion is air-impermeable.

5. The face mask of any one of claims 1-4 wherein the central portion is a plastic preformed into an arcuate configuration.

6. The face mask of claim 1, wherein the central portion is a pliable plastic sheet material.

7. The face mask of claim 1, further comprising the antimicrobial agent coated onto the central portion.

8. The face mask of claim 1, further comprising the antimicrobial agent embedded into the central portion.

9. The face mask of claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of biquanides, phenols, phenol derivatives, isothiazolones, metals, ammoniums, alcohols and combinations thereof.

10. The face mask of claim 9, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises triclosan.

11. The face mask of claim 1, further comprising a one or more pull-away strips comprising microcapsules containing an agent selected from the group consisting of an antimicrobial agent, an odor-eliminator or neutralizer, a deodorizer, a disinfectant, an odor-emitter, a chemical neutralizer, a smoke-absorbing agent, an anti-nausea agent to suppress vomiting, and any combination thereof.

12. A face mask comprising

(a) a transparent central air-impermeable portion adapted to be positioned over the nose and mouth of the wearer, wherein the central portion is a plastic preformed into an arcuate configuration that directs a wearer'"'"'s breath downward;

(b) an air permeable outer portion surrounding and secured to the central transparent portion;

(c) a head strap affixed to the outer portion at two locations;

(d) one or more antimicrobial agents coated onto or embedded into the air permeable outer portion; and

(e) a rigid portion that defines a single conic section that extends into the transparent portion at an approximately 90°

angle relative to the top edge of the transparent portion to form a beak-shaped mask.

13. The face mask of claim 12, wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of biquanides, phenols, phenol derivatives, isothiazolones, metals, ammoniums, alcohols and combinations thereof.

14. The face mask of claim 13, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises triclosan.

15. The face mask of claim 12, further comprising the antimicrobial agent coated onto the central portion.

16. The face mask of claim 12, further comprising the antimicrobial agent embedded into the central portion.

17. The face mask of claim 12, further comprising a one or more pull-away strips comprising microcapsules containing an agent selected from the group consisting of an antimicrobial agent, an odor-eliminator or neutralizer, a deodorizer, a disinfectant, an odor-emitter, a chemical neutralizer, a smoke-absorbing agent, an anti-nausea agent to suppress vomiting, and any combination thereof.