Sealing cushion for a protective face mask

Abstract

Most protective masks are not designed to follow individual facial contours and have a limited ability to adjust to various facial sizes and shapes. A sealing cushion for use with surgical face masks and the like has a pliant body with a tacky surface and a wire embedded within, which together create a frame-like structure having a central aperture. The wire encased within the body of the cushion allows the apparatus to be shaped and fitted to the contours of the face to create a substantially airtight seal between the face and the mask. The sealing cushion can prevent or reduce entry of airborne contaminants around the sides and edges of the mask.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use with a protective face mask, the apparatus comprising:
 a) a body made of a pliant and tacky material; and   b) a wire embedded within the body, wherein the body and the wire together define a moldable frame including a central aperture for shaping and fitting around the mouth and nose of a user.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a first tacky side for adhering to the inside surface of a protective face mask and a second tacky side for adhering to the user's face. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is made of a soft silicone material and the wire is made of aluminum. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the wire is between 0.5 mm and 1.3 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is between ⅛ (one-eighth) inches and ⅜ (three-eighths) inches thick, between 3 inches and 5 inches in width, and between 2 inches and 4 inches in height, and wherein the central aperture is between 2 inches and 4 inches in width and between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches in height. 
     
     
         6 . A soft yet moldable sealing cushion for use with a protective face mask, the sealing cushion comprising:
 a) a body made of a pliant and tacky material, the body including a first tacky side for adhering to the inside surface of a protective face mask and a second tacky side for adhering to a user's face; and   b) a wire embedded within the body, wherein the body and the wire together define a moldable frame including a central aperture for shaping and fitting around the mouth and nose of a user.   
     
     
         7 . The sealing cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the body is made of a soft silicone material and the wire is made of aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . The sealing cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the wire is between 0.5 mm and 1.3 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The sealing cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the body is between ⅛ (one-eighth) inches and 3/8  (three-eighths) inches thick, between 3 inches and 5 inches in width, and between 2 inches and 4 inches in height, and wherein the central aperture is between 2 inches and 4 inches in width and between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches in height. 
     
     
         10 . A method of donning a protective face mask, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a sealing cushion for use with a protective face mask, the face mask comprising:
 i) a cover portion including an outside surface and an inside surface; and 
 ii) a securing element, the sealing cushion comprising: 
 i) a body made of a pliant and tacky material, the body including a first tacky side for adhering to the inside surface of the cover portion of the mask and a second tacky side for adhering to a user's face; and 
 ii) a wire embedded within the body, wherein the body and the embedded wire together define a moldable frame including a central aperture for shaping and fitting around the mouth and nose of the user; 
   b) adhering the first tacky side of the body of the sealing cushion to the inside surface of the cover portion of the mask;   c) placing the mask with the sealing cushion over the user's mouth and nose;   d) securing the mask to the user's head with the securing element; and   e) applying gentle pressure to the outside surface of the mask to further adhere the first tacky side of the cushion to the inside surface of the mask as well as to adhere the second tacky side of the cushion to the user's face around the mouth and nose.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the securing element of the face mask is selected from the group consisting of ear loops, tie straps, elastic bands, and hook and loop connections to a hair cap. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the body of the sealing cushion is made of a soft silicone material and the wire is made of aluminum. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the diameter of the wire is between 0.5 mm and 1.3 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the body of the sealing cushion is between ⅛ (one-eighth) inches and ⅜ (three-eighths) inches thick, between 3 inches and 5 inches in width, and between 2 inches and 4 inches in height, and wherein the central aperture is between 2 inches and 4 inches in width and between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches in height. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a substantially airtight seal is created between the mask and the user's face to reduce entry of aerosolized microorganisms through gaps or openings at the sides and edges of the mask. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cushion is reusable.