JP2939627B2 - Liquid shielding, manufacturing method thereof, face mask and visor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION RELATED APPLICATIONS This application filed on Oct. 2, 1987 with U.S. Pat.
Application.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention generally relates to a disposable medical product, in particular a visor that keeps liquids away from the eyes of the wearer.
The present invention relates to a disposable face mask provided with.

[Background of the Invention]

Wearing protective face masks has become a standard procedure in many areas of health care and other related activities. The use of a face mask is important, for example, to laboratory technicians conducting tests, nurses caring for infectious disease patients, physicians during surgery, and dentists working in the patient's mouth.

With the rapid increase in the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS, the use of protective equipment, including masks, has become even more important. Center for Daisy's Control in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Disease Control) discovered that AIDS can pass through contact with liquids. The disease is transmitted by contact of AIDS-contaminated bodily fluids with another bodily fluid source, such as the eyes, nose, mouth and the like. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the patient's bodily fluids from contacting the attendant's eyes, nose and mouth.

Conventionally developed protective masks are designed to cover the wearer's face from the bridge of the nose to under the chin, generally filtering pathogens and other particulates. However, masks that prevent the passage of pathogens have little value in preventing liquid from reaching the face. That is, conventional facial masks do not protect the wearer from patient fluids that may contain AIDS virus. A face mask designed to prevent the penetration of liquid from the outside of the mask to the wearer's face is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 104,807, filed October 2, 1987 by Hubbard et al.
It is described in Mask (Body Fluids Barrier Mask).
The Hubbard mask prevents splashed or released liquid from penetrating the mask and reaching the wearer's mouth and nose.
This is particularly important from the aforementioned spread of AIDS. However, Hubbard's mask does not protect the eyes.

Irema Shield Mat
e) Other protective masks, such as (catalog number SM5000), generally help keep liquids out of the wearer's eyes, but with problems that reduce the effectiveness of these masks. In such a mask, a vertical sheet of relatively stiff transparent plastic is secured to the opposite ends of the mask with double-sided tape. When the mask is applied to the wearer's face, the plastic remains flat, thus creating a gap away from the facial contour. In addition, the tendency of the visor to remain unflexed causes the plastic to be pressed against the forehead of the wearer causing discomfort. Also, a foam strip must be added across the upper edge of the visor to provide a comfortable fit and to keep the visor from being stained by grease or sweat. Clearly, the gap between the visor and the mask will be an opening for the liquid, which must be excluded.

If the wearer of the imaima shield mate mask attempts to compensate for the plastic disagreement on his face, it will generally be overcompensated, causing the plastic to wrinkle. Plastic produces glare and reflections. Plastic wrinkles increase glare and reflection by increasing the surface exposed to light.

Ballard Medical Products
Another liquid shield is commercially available from the Company under the trade name Safety Shield Kit. The safety shield kit contains a protective mask, a separate eye shield and a pair of rubber gloves. Eye blocking is similar to a pair of dustproof glasses with a secure elastic fastener around the wearer's head. Many parts of the ballad kit reduce the convenience of a one-piece shield.
That is, there is a need for a convenient eye protection shielding visor that prevents liquids from entering the wearer's eyes, does not wrinkle and does not reflect glare.

(Summary of the Invention)

The present invention described in this description is a shield with a fluid shield visor for a facial mask and a method of making the same that substantially eliminates or reduces the problems associated with conventional eye masks. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the wearer's eye via the visor without causing wrinkles or reflecting glare to the wearer's eye.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover includes a liquid shielding visor secured to the mask that prevents liquid from entering the wearer's face from outside the mask. The liquid shielding visor is made of a transparent plastic material, such as polyethylene or polyester, which is notched so as to easily conform to various facial shapes and reduce reflection. In addition, the mask is provided with a dark band to further reduce reflection and glare.

Wearing a mask without the need for a separate eye protection device is a technical advantage of the present invention. In addition, it is a technical advantage that this shield allows the mask to conform to the contour of the wearer's face without wrinkling the visor. It is another technical advantage to further reduce the glare that the shield reflects. Finally, it is a technical advantage that the mask and shield combination remain flat.

〔Example〕

1 and 2 like reference numerals are used for similar and corresponding parts. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a liquid resistant shield 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The mask 12 is the nose 14 of the wearer from outside the mask.
And slow the flow of liquid to the mouth. Visors 16 fixed to opposing ends of the mask 12 make it more visible to a wearer who prevents splashing of liquids into the eye 18 of the wearer.

Notches 20 are formed in the visor 16 so that the visor 16 can bend without wrinkling. The curvature of the visor 16 allows the mask 12 to match the face of the wearer and still prevent liquid from splashing into the eye 18. A dark band 22 is provided to further reduce glare. Wear-resistant shield 10 on wearer's head
An elastic ring or string-like piece 24 is provided so as to be detachably attached to 26.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the liquid-resistant shield 10 constructed according to the present invention. The mask 12 is a disposable laminate that is designed to prevent or delay the penetration of liquid, particularly from outside the mask to the wearer's face. The mask 12 is generally a U.S. Pat. No. 4,6,697 assigned to Technol, Inc. with Hubbard et al.
It is made as described in 35,628 and referenced in this description.

As shown by the notch in the flap 28, the face mask 12 has an outer surface of the cover material 30 which is the first outermost layer.
Have four material layers. The innermost layer, the third layer or inner surface 32, is comprised of a lightweight, high porosity, soft, non-irritating nonwoven fabric, such as Dexter Inc. product No. 3768. The third layer, inner surface 32, prevents unwanted substances such as facial hair, loose fibers or sweat droplets from contacting the outer layer adjacent inner surface 32. This contact causes liquid to be drawn up through these layers by a wicking effect, and the inner surface 32 forms a comfortable surface for contact with the wearer's face. The wick effect occurs when a foreign substance or particle comes into contact with a barrier material 34 that comprises a barrier layer, a second layer intended to prevent the passage of liquid. Unwanted liquids are sucked up by foreign substances, such as hair, loose fibers or drops of sweat, through barrier materials designed to allow only gas to pass through. In the present invention, the innermost layer or inner surface 32 prevents such unwanted substances from contacting the next outer layer of this layer, a gas and liquid distinguishable barrier material 34.

The innermost layer, the layer adjacent inner surface 32, is capable of distinguishing between gas and liquid and may be, for example, low density polyethylene pore X-6212 from Visqueen Film Products. Made of barrier material 34. Non-wetting materials, such as those used to form the barrier material 34, have small pores that prevent the passage of liquids having relatively high surface tension, but allow the passage of gases that still have low surface tension. It may be provided with holes as large as possible to facilitate breathing but still small enough to slow down the flow of liquid. The barrier material 34 is adapted to allow gas to pass freely in each direction, but to restrict the passage of liquid in at least one direction. The mask 12 is configured with a barrier material 34 positioned to restrict the passage of liquid from outside the mask 12. For a more detailed description of the structure and operation of the barrier material, see Thompson, the inventor of Proctor & Gamble Bull Campani.
amble CO.) and referred to this description December 30, 1975
It is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,135, dated.

The outer layer adjacent to the barrier material 34 is a filter media 36 which is melt blown polypropylene or polyester. Melt blowing means that the molten polymer is extruded through an extrusion die, then reduced, and the resulting filaments are broken by high temperature, high velocity air or steam. The filter media 36 inhibits the passage of airborne bacteria in each direction and prevents the passage of pathogenic bacteria to and from the wearer of the mask 12. The next outermost layer is a treated cover stock 30 made of a non-woven material such as, for example, cellulose fibers. The cover material 30 is preferably chemically coated or treated, for example, by spraying a liquidproofing agent to make the cover material 30 liquid-resistant.

The cover material 30 and the filter media 36 assist in assisting the barrier material 34 by reducing the amount of liquid splashed or sprayed onto the mask 12. By requiring the liquid to pass through these two outer layers before reaching the barrier material 34, the liquid is at a lower pressure and the barrier material 34 can better prevent the passage of liquid.

The mask 12 is provided with sealing edges 38, 40, 42 which are heat-sealed or ultrasonically sealed. The attachment, such as the string 24, is integral with the sealing rim 38. The sealing rim 42 has a stiffener 46 included to help shape and better fit the mask 12 around the wearer's nose.

The visor 16 comprises a clear plastic film, such as polyester or polyethylene, and is dimensioned to be generally applied across the width of the facial mask 12 and to cover and extend over the wearer's eyes. Visor
The material comprising 16 should have a thickness of about 0.005 in and must have sufficient stiffness to prevent collapse but still have sufficient flexibility to bend.

The visor 16 is secured to the opposing edges of the mask 12 at adhesive areas 48, 50 created by an adhesive, ultrasonic seal or heat fusion. Each adhesive area 48, 50 is sufficient to secure the visor 16 to the mask 12 (approximately 1/4 inch × 1).
/ 2in). The visor 16 has a mask 1 for each of the adhesive areas 48 and 50.
It has been found that if it did not extend across the full width of 2, it would more easily conform to the contours of the wearer's face. Each bonding area 4
If 8,50 extend across the mask 12 holding the visor 16, the visor 16 may be more likely to wrinkle as the wearer attempts to fit the visor 16 to the face contour wearing the mask 12. Increase. The visor 16 is applied such that about 1/3 of its depth D covers the mask 12. This is generally desirable for the best overall performance of the liquid resistant shield 10. The depth D in the preferred embodiment is 4 ³ / 8in, width W is 7 ¹ / 2in.

Notch 20 near the center of visor 16 adjacent to mask 12
Is formed. The notch 20 is intended to help the visor 16 bend gradually around the wearer's nose without wrinkling. Notch 20 resembles the shape of a keyhole that has been found to be of a suitable shape. Notch 20 is circular part 21
And a narrow slot 23. The radius of the circular part 21 is 1 /
4in, the narrow slot 23 is 1 / 4in from position A to position B
Has a tapered opening up to 1 / 8in. Notch length 20 C
Is about 7 / 8in. The notch 20 causes the visor 16 to warp, bend or twist, or all of these effects when the mask 12 is applied to the wearer's face.

The visor 16 gradually slopes upward from near each adhesive area 48, 50 to the notch 20 to form an arcuate edge 52. When the mask 12 is applied to the face of the wearer by the notch 20 and the arcuate edge 52, the visor 16 is curved and the arcuate edge 52
Comes into almost contact with the first broken line 54. When the broken line 54 touches the arc-shaped edge portion 52, the gap between the visor 16 and the mask 12 becomes blocked.

A strip 22 of dark material is applied to the upper edge of the mask 12 adjacent to the visor 16. The band 22 may be made of any suitable material, such as a treated cover material similar to the outermost layer 30 of the mask 12, and the band 22 may be, for example, a blackened area below the eyes of a football player. Use in the same way.

In use, the visor 16 is secured to the mask 12 with adhesive areas 48,50. The wearer attaches the mask 12 so as to cover his mouth and nose so that the visor 16 covers the eyes and extends once. The straps 24 are tied around the head or ears to secure the protective or liquid-resistant shield 10 to the wearer. The wearer of the liquid-resistant barrier 10 forms the mask 12 as needed by shaping the band 46 to the contour of the face to conform to the shape of the face. The combination of the notch 20, the adhesive areas 48, 50 and the arcuate edge 52 allows the visor 16
Will bend around the wearer's face. Further, the visor 16 is not wrinkled, and the area between each arcuate edge 52 and the first fold line 54 is substantially in contact with each other. That is, the wearer is protected from the released or splashed liquid and can comfortably wear the mask for a long period of time without excessive glare or reflection.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a visor 60 according to a modification of the present invention. The visor 60 includes first and second extended sides 6.
It can be configured and used in much the same way as described above except for 2,64. The visor 60 has a keyhole-shaped notch 66 that facilitates conforming to the wearer's face.

Each side 62, 64 is formed as an integral part of the body 68 along edges 70, 72, respectively. Each edge 70,72 has a side 62,64
Are scored so that they can be easily folded sideways to the side of the wearer's head. I.e. each side 6
2,64 provide additional protection to the wearer against liquid entering from the side.

The visor constructed according to the invention may of course be fixed to a mask which is not intended to impede the flow of liquid. The visor still helps protect the eyes from the liquid in this case, but care must be taken because the nose and mouth come into rapid contact with the liquid.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid-resistant visor attached to a facial mask constructed according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a mask and visor constructed according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a modification of the present invention. It is a top view of a visor. 10 ... shield, 12 ... mask, 16 ... visor, 18 ... eye,
20 …… Notch, 22 …… Strip, 48,50 …… Adhesion area

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A61F 9/04 310 A61F 9/04 315

Claims (21)

(57) [Claims] 1. A liquid shield for protecting a wearer's eyes, comprising: a fluid impermeability mounted over the wearer's eyes to protect the wearer's eyes from liquids directed from outside the visor. A transparent visor and a lower portion of the visor so that the visor can be curved to conform the visor to the wearer's face without wrinkling the visor. A notch, a fluid-impermeable mask, and connecting the mask to the visor only at the corners of the end of the mask and the visor,
The mask and the visor can be separately matched to the face of the wearer, and the nose and the mouth of the wearer can be protected between the face of the wearer and the visor so as to protect the mouth. Liquid shielding comprising: placing the mask adjacent to the visor so that reflection is less likely to occur on the mask. 2. The liquid shield according to claim 1, wherein the darkened portion is formed of a band made of a blackened material fixed to the mask. 3. A disposable liquid shield, comprising: a liquid-resistant disposable mask dimensioned to closely match the mouth and nose of the wearer and resisting passage of liquid from outside the mask; A visor sized to cover the wearer's eyes and secured to the mask at opposing ends of the mask; and a visor contoured around the wearer's nose without wrinkling the visor. A notch formed in a lower portion of the visor so as to substantially match the visor, and a black band provided on the mask adjacent to the visor so that reflection hardly occurs. Disposable liquid shield. 4. A method of manufacturing a liquid shield to protect a wearer's eyes, comprising: forming a mask sized to closely match the mouth and nose of the wearer; Ultrasonically sealing the plastic visor to the mask when securing the plastic visor to the mask so as to extend and hold the wearer's eye over the liquid from the liquid directed to the wearer's eye from Forming a notch approximately in the center of the plastic visor adjacent to the mask so that the mask and the plastic visor are easily matched to the face of the wearer and reflection is less likely to occur. And a method comprising: 5. A liquid shield for protecting a wearer's eyes, a nose and a mouth, wherein the wearer's eyes are mounted so as to protect the wearer's eyes from liquid directed from outside the visor. A fluid-impermeable, transparent visor and a lower portion of the visor so that the visor can be gradually curved and substantially conform to the wearer's face without wrinkling the visor. A gas-permeable but liquid-impermeable cutout provided with a spreadable strip provided along the upper edge of the mask to protect the wearer's nose and mouth. Wherein the mask is coupled to the visor only at the corners of the ends of the mask and the visor, and the visor and the mask are separately conformed to the wearer's face; The mask is A liquid shield positioned partially between a user's face and the visor, wherein the notch comprises a slot and an enlarged portion provided at an upper end of the slot. 6. A disposable liquid shield, comprising: a liquid-impermeable visor dimensioned to cover a wearer's eye; and a dimension adapted to cover the wearer's mouth and nose. A gas permeable mask coupled to the visor only at opposing ends of the visor and resisting the passage of liquid from outside the mask; and a spreadable mask provided along an upper edge of the mask. A band and a lower portion of the visor so that the mask and the visor can gradually and substantially conform to the contours around the nose of the wearer without wrinkling the visor. And a notch for matching the face, wherein the mask and the visor separately match the face of the wearer, wherein the notch is a slot and an upper end of the slot. Enlargement provided in the department And a disposable liquid shield comprising: 7. A liquid shield for protecting a wearer's eyes, a nose and a mouth, wherein the wearer's eyes are covered so as to protect the wearer's eyes from liquid directed from outside the visor. An attached, fluid-impermeable, transparent visor; and a lower portion of the visor so that the visor can be gradually curved to substantially conform to the wearer's face without wrinkling the visor. And a mask that is connected to the visor so as to cover the mouth and nose of the wearer and that is impermeable to liquid from outside the mask. A first layer means comprising a material for slowing down the velocity of the liquid; Within a part of A second means added to the first layer means, substantially impermeable to the passage of liquid outside the mask, so as to prevent liquid from passing through the mask; A third layer means comprising a non-woven fabric applied to the second layer means so as to prevent liquid from being sucked up through the second layer means; Means for mounting; and a liquid shield comprising: 8. At the opposite end of the mask and the visor, the mask is connected to the visor,
The liquid shield according to claim 7, wherein the mask and the visor can separately conform to the face of the wearer. 9. The liquid shield according to claim 7, wherein the notch has a slot and an enlarged portion provided at an upper end of the slot. 10. A liquid shield for protecting the wearer's eyes, nose, and mouth, wherein the wearer's eyes are shielded so as to protect the wearer's eyes from liquids directed from outside the visor. A fluid-impermeable, transparent visor attached to the lower portion of the visor so that the visor can be gradually curved to substantially conform to the wearer's face without wrinkling the visor. A notch provided in a portion; and a liquid-impermeable multi-layer face mask coupled to the visor so as to removably cover the mouth and nose of the wearer. First and second layer means each made of a material that slows down the velocity of the liquid impinging on the outside of the face mask; and low density polyethylene so as to prevent the liquid from passing further. Configured number A third non-suction layer means made of a material for contacting the wearer, wherein each of the layer means is air-permeable. 11. The liquid shield of claim 10, wherein said first layer means of said mask comprises a cover material with a liquid moderating chemical coating comprising a nonwoven material. 12. The liquid shield of claim 11, wherein said nonwoven material comprises cellulosic fibers. 13. The liquid shield according to claim 10, wherein said second layer means of said mask comprises a filter media to suppress the passage of airborne bacteria. 14. The liquid shield of claim 13 wherein said filter media comprises a melt expanded polypropylene material. 15. At the opposite end of the mask and the visor, the mask is connected to the visor so that the mask and the visor can conform to the face of the wearer separately. 11. The fluid shield according to claim 10, wherein: 16. The liquid shield according to claim 10, wherein the notch has a slot and an enlarged portion formed at an upper end of the slot. 17. A liquid-resistant shield for protecting the wearer's eyes, nose and mouth, comprising: a fluid-impermeable transparent visor for protecting the wearer's eyes from liquids directed from outside the visor; Formed of a plurality of material layers arranged as
A mask that is gas permeable, but substantially liquid impervious; and an opposite corner of the visor and the mask so that the visor can be positioned over the wearer's eyes. A pair of connecting portions formed between the mask and the visor by an adhesive portion, and a lower portion having a gradually inclined arc-shaped edge in a lower corner portion at an opposite end of the visor. An edge of the visor, wherein the arcuate edge extends below a central portion of the lower edge of the visor, such that the visor is an optimal bond between the visor and the mask. Means for improving the performance of the mask, wherein the material layer comprises a barrier capable of distinguishing between a gas and a liquid, so that the gas can freely pass through the barrier in any direction. Outside of A liquid-resistant shield configured to restrict the passage of these liquids. 18. A disposable face mask and visor for protecting a wearer's eyes, nose and mouth, wherein the visor is formed of a transparent plastic film and any of which is directed from outside the visor. A main body having a lower portion secured to the face mask only by an adhesive area at opposing edges of the face mask to protect a wearer's eyes from liquids; and the main body adjacent to the adhesive area The visor is provided with a gradually inclined arcuate green portion extending from a lower corner portion of each end of the visor, and extending the arcuate edges in a direction approaching each other along the lower portion of the visor. Wherein the adhesive area and the arcuate edge cooperate with each other to match the visor to the face of the glue and to close the gap between the visor and the face mask; A facial mask and visor comprising a first extended side and a second extended side on the main body to provide additional protection of the wearer from the liquid. 19. A visor for connecting a face mask to protect a wearer's eyes, the visor comprising a main body formed of a transparent plastic film, wherein the main body has a first body. A longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge are provided, the upper and lower portions extending to provide additional protection from the liquid for the wearer's eyes. A notch is provided in the lower portion of the visor so that the visor can be gradually curved and substantially conform to the face of the wearer without wrinkling the visor. A visor provided with a slot having an enlarged portion formed at the upper end of the slot. 20. A disposable liquid shield for protecting a wearer's eyes, nose, and mouth, which is dimensioned to closely match the wearer's mouth and nose, and provides for the passage of liquid from outside the mask. A disposable, liquid-resistant mask that resists, a visor covering the wearer's eyes, and fixed to the mask at opposing ends of the mask; and a visor adjacent to the visor so that reflection is less likely to occur. A liquid shield comprising: a blackened portion formed on the mask; 21. A face mask and visor for protecting a wearer's eyes, nose and mouth, wherein said visor is formed of a transparent plastic film, and said visor is made of any liquid directed from outside the visor. A lower portion fixed to the face mask is provided on the visor only by bonding an opposing end portion of the face mask to protect a wearer's eyes, and a lower edge portion is provided on the visor, A notched portion near the center of the lower edge portion is provided at the lower edge portion, and an arc-shaped edge portion which is gradually inclined to a lower corner portion of the end of the visor adjacent to a bonding point with the face mask Wherein the glue point and the arcuate edge cooperate with each other so that the visor conforms to the wearer's face and closes any gaps between the visor and the mask. The visor A lower edge portion having a gradually inclined arc-shaped edge portion at a lower corner portion of the opposite end, wherein the arc-shaped edge portion extends below a center portion of the lower edge portion of the visor; A face mask and a visor comprising means for improving the matching of said visor, so as to be the optimum bonding point between the visor and the face mask.