Surgical mask

Abstract

A surgical mask provides a wide range of wearers with a good fit and improved comfort, facilitates proper use of the mask, and reduces or eliminates fogging of eyewear, as compared with typical masks. The mask may include a pair of ties that are joined to the upper, central, and lower parts of either side of the body of the mask with the assistance of restraint members. The mask may also include a sealing member that reduces or eliminates gaps between the wearer's face and the upper part of the mask by forming a seal between the wearer's face and the mask in use. In addition, the mask may include a barrier panel that reduces or prevents the wearer's breath from escaping through the mask and rising to the wearer's eyewear.

1 . A mask comprising:
 a body portion for covering a wearer's face; and   a sealing member that conforms to the wearer's face to provide a seal between the body portion and the wearer's face.   
     
     
         2 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is attached to an upper part of the body portion. 
     
     
         3 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member includes a fold. 
     
     
         4 . The mask of  claim 3 , wherein the sealing member forms a pocket that conforms to the wearer's face and reduces or prevents the wearer's breath from escaping from gaps between the wearer's nose and cheeks and an upper part of the body portion by at least partially closing the gaps and channeling the breath away from the gaps. 
     
     
         5 . The mask of  claim 3 , wherein the sealing member includes a center section, two side sections, and two semi-arcuate regions between the center section and the side sections. 
     
     
         6 . The mask of  claim 5 , wherein the center section is narrower than the side sections and the semi-arcuate regions. 
     
     
         7 . The mask of  claim 3 , wherein the sealing member has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         8 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         9 . The mask of  claim 8 , wherein the sealing member is formed of a flexible soft material that exhibits an air permeability of 10 cubic feet/min or less, as measured by the WSP 70.1 standard, or is air impermeable. 
     
     
         10 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is formed of foam. 
     
     
         11 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises pleats. 
     
     
         12 . A mask of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a single set of ties or a single strap for securing the mask to the wearer's face; and   a set of restraint members positioned at the body portion for orienting or restraining the single set of ties or a single strap to the wearer's face.   
     
     
         13 . The mask of  claim 12 , wherein the set of restraint members includes a set of sleeves. 
     
     
         14 . The mask of  claim 12 , wherein the set of restraint members includes a set of loops. 
     
     
         15 . The mask of  claim 12 , wherein the set of restraint members are formed of elastic or flexible materials. 
     
     
         16 . The mask of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a barrier panel that reduces or prevents vapor from the wearer's breath from passing through the body portion.   
     
     
         17 . The mask of  claim 16 , wherein the barrier panel is made of a material that exhibits air permeability of 10 cubic feet/min or less as measured by the WSP 70.1 standard or is vapor impermeable. 
     
     
         18 . The mask of  claim 16 , wherein the barrier panel is positioned on or within the body portion. 
     
     
         19 . A mask of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stiffening member that reduces or prevent the collapse of the body portion into the wearer's face.   
     
     
         20 . The mask of  claim 19 , wherein the stiffening member is positioned on or within the body portion. 
     
     
         21 . The mask of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a deformable member that may be bent or pressed by a wearer into a configuration that allows the body portion to conform to the wearer's face.   
     
     
         22 . The mask of  claim 21 , wherein the deformable member is positioned on or within an upper part of the body portion. 
     
     
         23 . A mask comprising:
 a body portion for covering a wearer's face, having an upper part; and   a sealing member that conforms to the wearer's face and reduces or eliminates gaps that may be present between the wearer's nose and cheeks and the upper part of the body portion.   
     
     
         24 . A mask comprising:
 a body portion for covering a wearer's face, having an upper part; and   a sealing member that conforms to the wearer's face and reduces or prevents the wearer's breath from escaping from gaps between the wearer's nose and cheeks and the upper part of the body portion by at least partially closing the gaps and channeling the breath away from the gaps.