Surgical Mask With Adhesive Vapor Barrier

Abstract

The invention provides an improved surgical mask which provides a vapor barrier between the mouth and nostrils which are covered by the mask during the use of the same, and the area proximate the eyes of the user and thus prevents the fogging or clouding of any optical device being used by the user.

Description

This invention relates to an improved mask, and more particularly to an improved surgical mask such as is utilized by surgeons, physicians, nurses and researchers.

THE PRIOR ART

Surgical masks have been known for a long period of time and have been used extensively in hospitals, offices, and research laboratories. Throughout the long period of time, hereinabove referred to, one problem has exixted, and although this problem doesnot necessarily affect every user of the mask herein referred to, it all too often affects the visual ability of the user, and may on occasions lead to dire consequences. The problem referred to is that of the fogging of the optical portion of spectacles worn by a user of the mask.

It is well known that during the exhaling portion of a breathing cycle, the exhaled product emanating from the nose and/or mouth contains moisture or droplets which, if permitted to vent between the mask and the face of a user, proximate the area of the eyes, and more particularly to be deposited upon the optical surfaces of spectacles being worn by the user, can materially obstruct the view of the user.

Prior art surgical masks have failed to provide adequate means for forming a substantially complete barrier against moisture or vapor escape between the face of one wearing the mask and the mask itself, and more particularly at a critical boundary of the mask, below and proximate the eyes of a user. One prior art attempt to solve the problem, which is solved by the present invention, made use of a flexible, but semi-rigid member mounted along one edge of the mask, which member may be deformed to the general contour of the face of a user. The foregoing has failed to solve the problem by failing to provide a substantially complete barrier against breath moisture or vapor escape proximate the critical area proximate the eyes. The failure is due to the semi-rigid nature of the member used, which semi-rigid nature doesnot permit the edge of the mask to change when the contour of the face changes due to changes in facial expression, such as is brought on during a surgical operation or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally utilizes structures heretofore known in the art, but imparts an improvement to said structures, by imparting to them a capability to provide a substantially complete vapor barrier between the mask structure and the face of a user. The mask structure, in accordance with the invention, is provided with a flexible adhesive member along at least one peripheral border of the mask, the illustrative embodiment being more fully described below.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved surgical mask, which mask will provide a substantially complete moisture barrier between the face of the user thereof and the mask structure, and more particularly, between the mouth and nostrils of the user, and the space proximate the eyes of the user.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved surgical mask which is simple to fabricate and use, and which doesnot materially increase the cost of said mask.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved surgical mask which doesnot interfere with the normal breathing pattern heretofore found by users of surgical masks.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art when reference is had to the specification herein and the drawings to which reference is made.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is illustrative of a surgical mask embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the surgical mask of FIG. 1, showing a section of the novel portion of the mask peeled back.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a surgical mask 10 comprises a main body member 12, which main body member is formed of several layers of fine mesh cloth, such as is well known in the art. The main body member 12 has a peripheral border extending along main body sides 14, 16, 18 and 20 respectively. The main body member 12 has extending therefrom, at its upper extremities, a pair of securing means 22 and 24 respectively, and at its lower extremities a pair of securing means 26 and 28 respectively. Along one peripheral border portion, and illustratively that portion coinciding with side 14, a vapor barrier or vapor blocking member 30 is secured to main body member by means well known in the art. One such means, for purposes of illustration, and not by way of limitation, could be the sewing together of the mask body and the vapor blocking member along a common edge. Another means visualized could entail the adherence of the vapor blocking member to the mask body along a side thereof by adhesive means.

The vapor blocking member 30 comprises a base member 32 upon which is deposited an adhesive material 34, having the usual desired balance of adhesion, cohesion, stretchiness and elasticity. Such adhesive materials are well known in the art, and may illustratively be similar to the adhesive material used on surgical tapes. A cover member 36, having a low adhesion factor, overlays the adhesive material 34 and acts to preserve the same. Some suitable materials utilize wax coatings as the low adhesive material.

When a user desires to utilize the mask, the cover member 36 is peeled back from the adhesive and removed. The adhesive material is placed between the eyes of the user and his nostrils across the nose and pressed into contact with the skin to form a tight fit. The tight fit assures the formation of a substantially complete vapor barrier between the mouth and/or nostrils and the space proximate the eyes. the mask is further generally maintained in proper position by appropriately tying securing means 22, 24, 26 and 28 as is well known to users of such masks.

Having described my invention, I intend that the claims made herein be given as broad an interpretation as is consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An improved surgical mask comprising a main body member of a filtering material having upper, lower and side edges, a first pair of securing means spaced from said upper edge and extending laterally from opposite side edges and a second pair of securing means adjacent said lower edge and extending laterally from opposite side edges and an adhesive blocking member extending along said upper edge.

2. An improved surgical mask as set forth in claim 1 and wherein said adhesive vapor blocking member comprises a base member upon which said adhesive member has been deposited, and said base member is secured to said main body member.

3. An improved surgical mask as set forth in claim 2 and wherein said adhesive vapor blocking member is disposed between said base member and a cover member.

4. An improved surgical mask member as set forth in claim 3 and wherein said cover member has a low adhesion factor.