Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Means for removing substance from respiratory gas
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-29
2001-01-16
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Means for removing substance from respiratory gas
C128S201170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173712
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to face masks capable of preventing passage of airborne aerosol particles, and more particularly to a disposable face mask comprising two disparate portions of material and a method of manufacturing the same.
Disposable masks have been manufactured for many years. In the medical field, most of these masks have been for use in preventing contamination of a patient by the breath of health care personnel. In recent years with increased concern for infection of health care personnel with airborne pathogens, particularly such as the hepatitis B virus and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, it has become necessary to prevent not only the contamination of patients due to exhalation from health care personnel, but also to prevent infection of health care personnel due to inhalation of airborne infection particles. It has become even more important in view of the advent of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the recent increase in infectious tuberculosis associated with many HIV patients.
In addition, it has been found that aerosols having airborne liquid and solid particles are generated not only by the exhalation of infected patients, but also by certain procedural manipulations and processes that impart energy to any microbial suspension. Surgical procedures involving use of drills and saws are particularly prolific producers of the aerosols which may contain tuberculosis, HIV or other pathogens from an infected patient. Concern with tuberculosis has been increasing since new strains of the disease show strong resistance to multiple types of drug treatment.
In addition, it has been shown that many of the viral hemorrhagic fevers such as yellow fever, Rift Valley fever and perhaps Rocky Mountain spotted fever, rabies and smallpox can be transmitted through aerosols. A considerable number of studies have been made which are now beginning to identify the transmission of such viruses through “non-accident” situations. Accordingly, it is now believed that many of the those non-accident situations result from aerosol contamination.
Of the current medical masks on the market, it appears that many are not effective against aerosols. For example, one of the presently available molded-type surgical masks has almost no resistance to particles smaller than two (2) microns and has a low efficiency in blocking particles as large as nine (9) microns. Some masks apparently demonstrate somewhat better qualities, but none appear to be fully satisfactory in preventing the passage of aerosols through the mask or around the periphery of the mask.
Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a mask which will minimize the passage of aerosols both through and around the mask, while maintaining the comfort of the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing disadvantages, and others, of prior art construction and methods.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved design for a disposable face mask to prevent bypass of aerosols between the edges of the mask and the face of the wearer. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable mask with two distinct portions formed from disparate materials selected to optimize performance based on the placement of the portions.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In accordance with the objects and purposes of the present invention, a disposable mask is provided for protecting the face of a wearer. The mask has an opening sized to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer, and a sealed end opposite the opening. The opening may be defined by a top edge extending over the nose and cheeks of the wearer, a bottom edge extending below the mouth of the wearer, and two opposite sides. The body of the mask comprises a first portion adjacent the edges of the opening that is formed from a material shapeable around the face of the wearer. The body of the mask also comprises a second portion coupled with the first portion and extending to the sealed end. This second portion is formed from a filter material which is thus concentrated in the end or center of the mask.
The mask may be configured as any number of conventional masks. For example, in one particular embodiment, the mask may be formed from two generally trapezoidal panels sealed along three edges, with each other edges forming the opening of the mask. In another embodiment, the mask may be formed as a generally rectangular mask with a number of lateral pleats formed therein to allow the mask to conform to the nose and mouth of the wearer. The pleats may extend across the second material forming the filter portion of the mask, or may be eliminated from the second portion depending on the configuration of the filter material. Alternatively, the mask may be formed as a traditional molded cup or cone-shaped mask. Various configurations and shapes of masks are well known to those skilled in the art and any and all such conventional masks are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The first portion of the mask formed from shapeable material may comprise a single layer of material, multiple layers of material, and multiple combinations of different materials. In one embodiment, multiple layers of material are bonded together to form the material of the first portion, with one layer of material extending to be coupled with the second portion. Similarly, the second portion may also be formed from multiple layers of material bonded together with a layer extending for attachment to the first portion. Bonding may be accomplished through any conventional method, such as sewing, heat bonding, ultrasonic bonding, or the like. The second portion of the mask consists of filter media and may comprise a single layer of material, multiple layers of material, and multiple combination of different material.
The mask also includes devices for attaching to the face of the wearer. Any manner of conventional attaching devices are within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the mask may include at least one strap for securing about the wearer's head. Alternatively, the mask may include straps extending from the top and bottom edges thereof for being tied around the wearer's head. In an alternative embodiment, the mask may include loops for being fitted over the ears of a wearer. A vast number of attaching devices are well known to those skilled in the art and any manner of such device may be incorporated in the present invention. It should be appreciated that a number of configurations and alternative embodiments may be employed in the present invention, and that the invention is not limited to any particular type of mask, material, bonding method, or attachment method to the face of the wearer.
The present invention also encompasses a method of manufacturing a mask formed from disparate materials. The method comprises bonding one strip of shapeable material to each side of an intermediate strip of filter material, forming a composite strip. Trapezoidal panels for forming the mask may then be cut from the composite strip in an alternating manner, thus reducing the amount of scrap material produced. Upper and lower panels are then placed in juxtaposition and bonded along three sides. Although this method is directed particularly at trapezoidal panel masks, similar methods of aligning the disparate materials, bonding them, and then cutting the appropriate mask shape may then be applied to other mask types, including rectangular pleated styles and cup or cone-shaped masks.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate two embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1292095 (1919-01-01), Schwartz
patent: 2012505 (1935-0
Brown Michael A.
Dority & Manning
Hamilton Labta M.
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
LandOfFree
Disposable aerosol mask with disparate portions does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Disposable aerosol mask with disparate portions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Disposable aerosol mask with disparate portions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2525387