WO2022074410A1

WO2022074410A1 - Face mask for covering a user's face

Info

Publication number: WO2022074410A1
Application number: PCT/HU2021/050056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zoltán SZIRÁCSIK
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-06-22
Filing date: 2021-10-08
Publication date: 2022-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-08

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a face mask (10) for covering a user's (100) face, said face mask (10) defines an interior space (20) with the face of the user (100), and comprises a membrane (50) which divides the interior space (20) into a nasal space (20a) and an oral space (20b) and fits over a lip portion (40) located between a nose and mouth of the user (100).

Description

Face mask for covering a user's face

The subject of the present invention is a face mask for covering the face of a user.

A special group of protective masks are face masks covering both the nose and the mouth of the user, typically worn in the healthcare. However, during epidemics, especially pandemics, their use becomes widespread and face masks are being used as personal health protective equipment. On the one hand, face masks are intended to protect the user by filtering inhaled air to a certain extent (which varies from mask to mask). On the other hand, by filtering the exhaled air, they can greatly reduce the release of infectious micro-organisms such as viruses.

There are three main types of commonly used face masks currently available. These are textile face masks that fit loosely (not hermetically) to the face, surgical face masks, and face masks with a filter that fits virtually airtightly to the user's face. The latter often include a valve for efficient removal of exhaled air or a filter insert with various certifications.

Textile face masks are made of fabric or woven fabric. The effectiveness of the filtration depends to a large extent on the material used and how closely the mask fits the user's face. Surgical and filtering face masks are usually made of a fabric consisting of several layers of so-called non-woven fabric. These are typically single-use items.

The common feature of the above face masks, which cover both the nose and the mouth, is that they form a physical barrier between the user's face and the environment, in such a way that the face mask, together with the user's face, defines an internal space. As both inhalation and exhalation take place in this internal space, part of the exhaled carbon dioxide is inevitably rebreathed by the user. Over time, this increases the presence of carbon dioxide and nitric oxide in the blood, causing headaches, dizziness, deconcentration and even lung diseases if used continuously. A further disadvantage of the known solutions is the gradual growth of bacteria in the interior space that are carried in with the exhaled air, the inhalation of which can also cause respiratory diseases. A further disadvantage of textile and surgical face masks is that due to their loose fit, some of the exhaled air flows upwards towards the wearer's eyes, which can cause the glasses to mist up when wearing glasses. This can be particularly uncomfortable or even dangerous, such as when driving, operating, or performing other activities.

It is recognised that with the current face masks, exhalation and inhalation take place in a single internal space, which has the drawbacks mentioned above.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a face mask that is free from the disadvantages of the state of the art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a face mask covering both the mouth and the nose of the user, where exhalation and inhalation take place in two separate volumes, so that the harmful substances exhaled do not return to the user's lungs, and which prevents the user's glasses from fogging.

In essence, the invention provides a face mask comprising a membrane fitting over the lip portion between the user's nose and mouth, dividing the internal space between the face mask and the user's face into a nasal space and an oral space.

These objects have been achieved by a face mask according to claim 1 .

Some of the preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Further details of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing is

Figure 1 a is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a face mask according to the invention in use,

Figure 1 b is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a second exemplary embodiment of a face mask according to the invention in use,

Figure 1 c is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a third exemplary embodiment of a face mask according to the invention in use,

Figure 1 d is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a face mask according to the invention in use, Figure 2a is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a face mask according to the invention, including a stiffening element, shown without the user,

Figure 2b is a schematic plan view of the face mask of Figure 2a,

Figure 3a is a schematic perspective view of the face mask of Figure 1 a shown without the user,

Figure 3b is a schematic perspective view of the face mask of Figure 1 b, shown without the user,

Figure 3c is a schematic perspective view of the face mask of Figure 1 c shown without the user,

Figure 3d is a schematic perspective view of the face mask of Figure 1d shown without the user.

Figure 1 a is a schematic cross-sectional side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a face mask 10 in use according to the invention. The face mask 10 is for covering the face of a user 100. In the context of the present invention, the face of the user 100 is understood to include the nose, or at least the portion thereof including the nostrils, and the area including the mouth and its surroundings. It is noted that although in Figures 1 a-1 d the face mask 10 extends from the bridge of the nose of the user 100 to the chin thereof, embodiments may be envisaged where the face mask 10 is shorter in the vertical direction, for example from the middle of the nose to the bottom of the mouth. The face mask 10 is preferably identical in shape and material to known commercially available face masks. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 a to 1 d, the face mask 10 is secured behind the ears of the user 100 during use by means of straps 2 that can be separately hooked behind the ears of the 100 user, but where appropriate, embodiments where the face mask 10 is secured in a different manner, for example by straps tied at the back of the neck of the 100 user, are also conceivable, as is obvious to the person skilled in the art. In use, the edge of the face mask 10 rests on the nose of the user 100, and on the facial regions below the mouth and between the mouth and the ears.

During use, i.e. in the applied state as illustrated in Figures 1 a-1 d, the face mask 10 defines an interior space 20 together with the face of the user 100, i.e. the interior space 20 is delimited by the face side surface of the face mask 10 and the face of the user 100. The interior space 20 may be closed or open depending on the design of the face mask 10. In the latter case, air may flow between the interior space 20 and the outside not only through the face mask 10, but also through the gap between the face mask 10 and the face of the user 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the face mask 10 includes an adjustable nose clip 4, such as a bendable and shape-retaining metal strap known per se, which takes the shape of the user's 100 nose, thereby reducing the gap between the face mask 10 and the face.

In embodiments where the face mask 10 is made of a soft material (e.g., textile), the face mask 10 may optionally include one or more stiffening elements 30 to maintain the shape of the face mask 10 during use. The stiffening elements 30 function as a skeleton to reduce deformation of the face mask 10, and thus the interior space 20, during breathing. The stiffening element 30 may be formed, for example, from rigid or flexible plastic sticks, metal sticks, etc., as is apparent to the person skilled in the art. The stiffening element 30 may be attached to the face mask 10 in a number of ways, for example by adhesive bonding from the outside or from the inside, or arranged between layers in the case of face masks 10 comprising a plurality of layers. The stiffening element 30 may be arranged, for example, parallel to the axis of symmetry of the face mask 10, as shown in Figure 2a, or, for example, transversely (not shown in the figures), as is apparent to the skilled person.

The face mask 10 according to the invention comprises a membrane 50 dividing the interior space 20 into a nasal space 20a and an oral space 20b, and fitting over a lip portion 40 between the nose and mouth of the user 100. The membrane 50 may be attached to the face mask 10, for example by gluing, sewing or other known means, depending on the material, as is obvious to the person skilled in the art. The arrangement of the membrane 50 within the face mask 10 can be seen in Figures 2b and 3a-3d.

In the context of the present invention, the lip portion 40 is understood to mean the area between the nose and the mouth (orbicularis oris), the location of which is clearly shown in Figures 1 a-1 d. The function of the membrane 50 is to divide the interior space 20 into spaces 20a and 20b and to reduce the air flow between the separated spaces 20a, 20b thus formed during respiration. In this way, when the face mask 10 is used, the user's 100 nose is located in the space 20a and the mouth is located in the space 20b. The membrane 50 may be made of, for example, textile, paper (e.g., corrugated paper), rubber, nonwoven fabric, or resilient plastic, or any material capable of fitting over the lip portion 40 of the user 100 when the face mask 10 is in the applied position, thereby being able to assume the shape of the lip portion 40 of the user 100. As the membrane 50, due to its shape and preferably its flexible design, follows the shape of the lip 40, the gap between them and the airflow through them is minimised. In a preferred embodiment, the edge of the membrane 50 fits over the lip portion 40. For example, the membrane 50 is made of a textile material with a rubber band (not shown in the figures) around the edge of the membrane 50. The membrane 50 according to the invention prevents air exchange between the spaces 20a, 20b, so that air flow between the two spaces 20a, 20b is negligible when the mask is in use. It is further noted that since the pressure differences between the spaces 20a, 20b are not very large during breathing, the membrane 50 does not have to provide a strictly hermetic air seal between the spaces 20a, 20b.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 b and 3b, the face mask 10 includes a first valve 22a for promoting airflow between the nasal space 20a and the outworld, through which the user 100 can breathe more easily. In another possible embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 c and 3c, the face mask 10 includes a second valve 22b for promoting air exchange between the oral space 20b and the outside world, through which exhaled air can more easily exit the oral space 20b. It is noted that embodiments are conceivable wherein the face mask 10 includes both valves 22a and 22b (see Figures 1 d and 3d). The valves 22a, 22b may be configured as valves known per se, for conventional face masks, and the valves 22a, 22b may optionally include filter inserts. The valves 22a, 22b may be used to facilitate breathing, thereby making the face mask 10 more comfortable to wear, and to reduce pressure differentials between the spaces 20a, 20b, thereby assisting the operation of the membrane 50.

The following is a suggested way of using the face mask 10 of the present invention. In a first step, the user 100 applies the face mask 10 to his/her face as shown in Figures 1 a-1d, such that the edge of the membrane 50 fits over the lip portion 40. For embodiments with nose clip 4, the adjustment thereof can increase the comfort and reduce the size of the gap between the face mask 10 and the nose. Once the face mask 10 is applied, the user 100 preferably inhales air through his/her nose and exhales through his/her mouth. This avoids not only the re-intake of the exhaust air, but also the fogging of the glasses.

Various modifications to the above disclosed embodiments will be apparent to a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection determined by the attached claims.

Claims

- 7 - Claims

1. A face mask (10) for covering a user's (100) face, said face mask (10) defining an interior space (20) with the face of the user (100), characterised in that it comprises a membrane (50) which divides the interior space (20) into a nasal space (20a) and an oral space (20b) and fits over a lip portion (40) located between a nose and mouth of the user (100).

2. A face mask (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the material of the membrane (50) is selected from the group consisting of textile, paper, rubber, non-woven fabric and flexible plastic.

3. A face mask (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an edge of the membrane (50) which fits on the lip portion (40) is provided with a rubber band.

4. A face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises an adjustable nose clip (4).

5. A face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises one or more stiffening elements (30) fixed to the face mask (10) for retaining the shape of the face mask (10).

6. A face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a first valve (22a) for promoting air flow between the nasal space (20a) and the outworld.

7. A face mask (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a second valve (22b) for promoting air exchange between the oral space (20b) and the outworld.