DOUBLE-PROTECTION MEDICAL MASK, PREFERABLY FOR FILTERING DUST, SMOG, AEROSOL, PATHOGENIC AGENTS, VIRUSES AND THE LIKE

Abstract

Described is a double-protection medical mask (1, 101), preferably for filtering dust, smog, aerosol, pathogenic agents, viruses and the like, which comprises a portion (2, 102) covering at least of the area of the nose, mouth and chin, provided with filtration means and designed to be hermetically and removably fixed to the face of the user (9) by adhesion means.

Claims

1. A double-protection medical mask (1, 101), preferably for filtering dust, smog, aerosol, pathogenic agents, viruses and the like, comprising a portion (2, 102) covering at least of the area of the nose, mouth and chin, provided with filtration means and designed to be hermetically and removably fixed to the face of the user (9) by adhesion means.

2. The mask (1, 101) according to claim 1, wherein said covering portion (2, 102) comprises at least one folded peripheral edge, with an accordion effect, inserted along at least part of the perimeter edge (3, 103) of said covering portion (2), between the outer surface of said covering portion (2, 102) and said adhesion means.

3. The mask (1, 101) according to claim 1, wherein said adhesion means comprise a layer of medical adhesive deposited along the perimeter edge (3, 103) of said covering portion (2, 102), preferably said layer of medical adhesive being breathable and/or of the bactericidal type.

4. The mask (1, 101) according to claim 3, wherein said adhesion means comprise a gel layer, deposited along the perimeter edge (3, 103) of said covering portion (2, 102), said gel layer being designed to removably adhere both on itself and on the face of the user (9), in such a way as to adapt said perimeter edge (3, 103) to the shape of the face of the user (9).

5. The mask (1, 101) according to claim 1, wherein said covering portion (2, 102) comprises bactericidal means applied to its inner surface.

6. The mask (1, 101) according to claim 1, wherein said covering portion (2, 102) comprises means for controlling the regular use of the mask (1, 101), said control means being designed to be applied to the inner and/or outer surface of said covering portion (2, 102).

7. The mask (1, 101) according to claim 1, wherein said adhesive edge (3, 103) comprises preservation means.

8. The mask (1, 101) according to claim 7, wherein said preservation means comprise bonding means or a sealed micro-hinge or a hermetic closing mechanism with a male-female edge or a mechanical closing system with Velcro or a mechanical closing system with a suction effect or magnetic means.

9. The mask (1, 101) according to claim 1, having a two-dimensional bar code comprising at least one data storage cryptogram designed to be read using optical means connected to a processing unit, in such a way as to access a data processor program, said data regarding the methods and the time of use of the mask (1, 101) and/or the place of use of the mask and/or the quantity available for each user (9) and/or to send a re-assignment order when it falls below a predetermined minimum threshold.

10. The mask (1) according to claim 4, made with water-repellent and breathable fabric.

11. The mask (1) according to claim 10, wherein said adhesive edge (3, 103) comprises preservation means, and wherein said preservation means comprise bonding means or a sealed micro-hinge or a hermetic closing mechanism with a male-female edge or a mechanical closing system with Velcro or a mechanical closing system with a suction effect or magnetic means, and wherein the preservation means are designed to allow the partial closing of the mask on itself in such a way that any excess of those parts of said adhesive edge (3) which do not adhere to the face of the user (9) are removably associated with each other allowing the customised adjustment of the mask (1).

12. The mask (1) according to claim 1, designed to be folded into at least two parts, a right-hand part (2′) and a left-hand part (2″) relative to a transversal axis of symmetry (10) of said covering portion (2), in such a way that, once said mask (1, 101) has been folded, said right-hand part (2′) has a right-hand perimeter edge (3′) hermetically and removably associated with a left-hand perimeter edge (3″) formed on said left-hand part (2″), in such a way as to protect the inner chamber of the mask (1) from outer contamination.

13. The mask (101) according to claim 4, wherein said covering portion (102) is designed to cover the face of the user (9) and is made of rigid or semi-rigid material and comprises means (107) for connection to the head of the user (9) designed to support the seal of the adhesive edge (103) for opposing the thrust of the positive pressure deriving from air blowing means.

Description

[0059] Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the double-protection medical mask, preferably for filtering dust, smog, aerosol, pathogenic agents, viruses and the like, illustrated by way of example and without limiting the scope of the invention, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a user 9 wearing an embodiment of the mask 1;

[0061] FIG. 2 shows the mask 1 folded back on itself;

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a user 9 wearing another embodiment of the mask 1, equipped with a valve 5;

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the user 9 wearing the mask 1 of FIG. 1;

[0064] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the operation of the opening 8 defined in the mask 1;

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the mask 101 with the semi-rigid covering portion 102;

[0066] FIG. 7 shows a second version of the mask 101 with the covering portion 102 which covers the entire face, including the eye zone using the visor 109. The above-mentioned drawings show a preferred embodiment of a double-protection medical mask, preferably for filtering dust, smog, aerosol, pathogenic agents, viruses and the like, according to the invention, which is identified in its entirety with the numerals 1 and 101, which comprises a covering portion 2 and 102.

[0067] According to the first embodiment, the portion 2 of the mask 1 is made of fabric and is used to protect the zone of the nose, mouth and chin (FIGS. 1-5), whilst the portion 102 of the mask 101 of a variant embodiment is made of rigid or semi-rigid material and protects the entire face, except obviously the area of the eyes, which will be covered by other means which are not the object of the invention (FIG. 7).

[0068] The mask 1 of FIG. 1 also comprises a central border 4, of per se known type, extending substantially along the transversal axis of symmetry 10 of the covering portion 2.

[0069] In any case, the portion 2 (102) is designed to be hermetically and removably fixed to the face of the user 9 by adhesion means.

[0070] The covering portion 2 has bactericidal and virucidal substances inside it. These substances are silver ions, pure copper silver, or “Tea Tree Oil”, extract of grapefruit seeds, benzalkonium chloride, etc., inserted in the weft of the fabric.

[0071] According to a particular version of the invention, along the entire perimeter edge 3 there is a double peripheral edge with folds, that is to say, pleats, inserted between the outer surface of the covering portion 2 and the adhesion means.

[0072] According to a first variant embodiment, the adhesion means comprise a layer of medical glue, of per se known type, deposited along the perimeter edge 3 of the covering portion 2. This layer of glue is breathable and of a bactericidal type.

[0073] According to another variant, the adhesion means comprise a gel layer, for example made of gel, but also of made of hydrogel, but also of silicone material, rubber or other similar material, deposited along the perimeter edge 3 (103) of the covering portion 2 (102), which is designed to adhere on itself and to the face of the operator 9, allowing the adaptation to the shape of the face of the user 9. In this way, therefore, without the aid of glues the mask 1 (101) adheres perfectly to the face of the user 9.

[0074] The mask 1 (101) is therefore provided along its entire outer perimeter with an adhesive edge 3 (103) which is able to adapt to the face of any user 9.

[0075] Preferably, where the mask 1 (101) is equipped with ties or other means for connection to the head of the user 9, there are two outer flaps 7 which allow an easy gripping and facilitate setting up of the device 1 (101).

[0076] These flaps 7 may also be designed to house any ties or elastics for connection to the head of the user 9, of any type, by simply heat sealing or perforating the fabric of the mask 1 (101) for the passage of the tie.

[0077] The mask 1 (101) may be made of various materials, for example non-woven fabric, and may use specific adhesives such as Tegaderm® or silicone materials.

[0078] The mask 1 (101) is equipped with filter and water-repellent material, such as to also allow the use in damp environments and in occasional contact with water (professional or recreational use).

[0079] Preferably, the filter fabric is equipped with folds in such a way as to allow a greater filtering and respiratory capacity.

[0080] The perimeter edge 3 (103) comprises preservation means for the adhesive means, which are impermeable to water and air, for example by using a glue.

[0081] According to other variants, a watertight micro-hinge can be used or a hermetic closing mechanism made of plastic such as that used in bags with male-female edges or a mechanical closing system with Velcro or suction effect or magnetic means.

[0082] In any case, there is also, but not necessarily, the simultaneous presence of the two systems: adhesive on the inner part of the edge 3 (103) and mechanical closing on the outer part of the edge 3 (103).

[0083] For a professional use, each individual mask 1 or 101 is equipped with a “QR Code” which allows, by downloading a dedicated application (“app”) to the relative personal computer, smart phone, smartphone or tablet, information to be provided on the methods and time of use of the mask, the place of use, the quantity available for each operator, and to place orders for supplies when they fall below minimum threshold, etc.

[0084] In the lower part of the mask 1 made of filtering fabric or in any case non-rigid fabric, in the proximity of the jaw or under the chin, there is advantageously an opening 8 in the fabric, substantially parallel with the edge 3 of the mask designed to guarantee a “non-return valve” effect: the opening 8 is in fact able to automatically close during breathing in and open to favour breathing out. This effect, where provided because it is considered useful and safe, is simply achieved by cutting on one or more layers of filter fabric (FIG. 5).

[0085] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the mask 1 (non-rigid) is designed to be folded into at least two parts, a right-hand part 2′ and a left-hand part 2″ relative to a transversal axis of symmetry 10 of the covering portion 2, in such a way that, once it has been folded, the right-hand part 2′ is hermetically and removably associated with the left-hand part 2″, thanks to the fact that the right-hand part 2′ has a right-hand portion of the perimeter edge 3 (right perimeter edge 3′) which is hermetically and removably associable with the left portion of the perimeter edge 3 (left perimeter edge 3″, which has the same features as the right edge 3′) defined on the left-hand part 2″ of the covering portion 2.

[0086] This is useful in the case of use of filtering masks 1 by patients with serious infections: this device, once removed from the patient's face, can be immediately and irreversibly sealed to prevent any dispersion of pathogenic agents in the surrounding environment simply by causing the perimeter edges 3 of the device removed to adhere to each other, or by acting on the mechanical closures.

[0087] Similarly, this is also useful for the healthy user who can reclose the mask and re-use it whilst maintaining the same degree of safety initially guaranteed by the mask 1.

[0088] Preferably, the mask has various colours and/or shapes and/or wording and/or signs which differentiate its use, distinguishing it between healthy and infected individuals.

[0089] In case of use by an infected person, it is necessary for the closure to be irreversible and, once closed, does not even allow the reopening, even occasionally.

[0090] According to the invention, in the case of excess, the perimeter edges 3 of the mask 1 are allowed to adhere to each other, adapting the profile of the mask to the morphology and the size of the face of the user 9 so as to keep intact the sealing capacity with solids and liquids.

[0091] This new feature makes the mask easy to wear, customisable to the user in a simple, but also effective and safe way for any user 9, men, women and children.

[0092] The covering portion 102 of a particular type of mask 101 is such as to cover the entire face of the user 9, except for the eyes.

[0093] By using a semi-rigid/rigid material, such as polycarbonate or the like, it is possible to make the containment shell in such a way as to perfectly cover both the mouth and the nose of the patient (FIG. 6).

[0094] With reference to FIG. 6, for this type of mask 101, the covering portion 102 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, equipped with suitable means for connection to the head of the user 9, for example ties 107 and preferably equipped with a regulator 117, housed on flaps 116 associated with the portion 102.

[0095] Suitable valves 105 and 108 advantageously provide for the filtering of the air and the safety.

[0096] For this reason, the mask 101 is extremely easy to wear and has an excellent sealing capacity which make it an excellent instrument for the so-called NIV therapy (“Non Invasive Ventilation”).

[0097] More specifically, in this case the ties 107 are advantageously useful because they are designed to support the seal of the adhesive edge 103 of the mask 101 in such a way as to oppose the thrust of the positive pressure deriving from the mechanical blowing means of the air.

[0098] The adhesion means guarantee the seal, whilst a simple tie passed behind the nape of the neck acts as a counter-thrust against the positive pressure exerted inside the device by the artificial respiratory device.

[0099] The mask 101 may, as mentioned above, be completed by a single inlet/outlet valve 105 (obviously two separate inlets can be provided), a safety valve 108 which opens in the case of an emergency and, if necessary, a cap to allow entry of oral treatments (administration of medicines, solutions, aerosols . . . ).

[0100] The patient will not have any feeling of oppression and will act with the maximum freedom of movement.

[0101] According to a further alternative, for an absolute protection of the mouth, nose and eyes, the mask 101 comprises a visor 109 which can be seen in FIG. 7. The visor 109, made of optically transparent material, guarantees maximum protection for the user even in the case of momentary immersion in liquids.

[0102] In practice, the user 9 who wants to wear the mask 1 must firstly pick it out from its sterile wrapper, open the two outer flaps 7 of the mask 1 and remove any protective film (not illustrated). Next, holding the mask 1 with the two flaps 7 well apart, it must be positioned on the nose and the fingers then slid along the two edges 3′ and 3″ of the mask 1 in such a way as to make the perimeter edge adhere to the face.

[0103] Therefore, as mentioned, any excess fabric edges will be sealed by making them adhere to each other, by means of the adhesion means, any excess parts of perimeter edges 3, for example in the zone below the chin, by reciprocal superposing in such a way that any excess parts of edges 3 which do not adhere to the face due to the morphology of the user 9, are sealed to each other simply by applying a slight pressure of the fingers of the user 9.

[0104] If re-use is necessary, the user 9 must simply remove the mask 1 from the face and fold it onto itself by causing all the perimeter edges 3 to adhere to each other; the mask 1 folded in this way will be placed in a case, in the pocket of trousers or gowns, in the case of medical operators, thus maintaining the relative previous safety parameters unchanged.

[0105] In this way, the inside of the mask 1 is hermetically sealed and protected against any form of contamination until its subsequent use, in absolute safety.

[0106] If the user 9 is infected by a virus, or other pathogens in such a way that he/she is dangerous and represents a potential source of contagion, once the new mask 1 has been worn he/she is immediately and completely isolated from the outside environment and is able to carry out all his/her actions with extreme freedom (without ties, elastics, constrictions, etc.) whilst wearing the mask 1.

[0107] If the mask 1 is worn, the patient 9 can also remove it by simply taking care to close the mask 1 on itself by making the perimeter edges 3″ which are superposed adhere to each other after folding, in such a way that all the exudated objects of potential contagion can remain hermetically sealed inside it. In this case, too, it is without doubt possible to re-use the new invention safely; obviously, the user 9 must be sufficiently informed about the methods of execution of the simple operations necessary in such a way as to act and ensure compliance with maximum safety criteria that the new invention is able to guarantee.

[0108] If the peripheral edge of the covering portion 2 has, on the other hand, the perimeter edges 3 equipped with a mechanical closing mechanism of the male/female type, the user, in order to close the mask 1, must consequently press the edges 3 together.

[0109] If the peripheral edge has a full barrier hinge in the perimeter edges 3, this hinge must be reclosed.

[0110] In this way, the safety chain is guaranteed before, during and after use, from the moment it is applied up to the destruction centre, without there being inhaling or loses which could contaminate the rooms and the workers responsible for collection.

[0111] Moreover, the bactericidal agents used during the production phase and still present in the mask 1 continue their action to attack the pathogens even when the mask 1 is disposed of. Similarly, before closing the mask, it may be subjected to nebulising with alcohol or other disinfectant, in such a way as to definitively neutralise any pathogen present inside it.

[0112] From the above description it may be seen how the invention achieves the preset purpose and aims and in particular the fact that a double-protective medical mask is made, preferably for the filtering dust, smog, aerosol, pathogenic agents, viruses, including SARS, COVID and the like, which avoids any problems connected with the facial seal and allows a mask to be made which guarantees the perfect seal for any facial morphology of the user, whether it is a man, with or without a beard (having the main fastening point along the entire nose and above the mouth), a women, or a child: the presence of the perimeter edge of integral adhesion makes the system adaptable to any face and guarantees a perfect seal.

[0113] In particular, the presence of adhesion edges which have an excellent seal and can be re-used allows efficiency and protection for the user who needs to temporarily remove the mask and then put it back.

[0114] Another advantage of the invention is that the mask described above is the guarantee of a perfect seal which definitively solves the problem of misting up of spectacles; this problem must not be underestimated as it makes the work of professionals difficult and adversely affects it. This increases the safety and comfort for health personnel, as well as improving use by normal users.

[0115] Another advantage of the double-protective medical mask is due to the fact that the mask is equipped with an active and passive double-protection system which improves the effectiveness of the masks on the market and even allows immersion under water.

[0116] Lastly, another advantage of the invention is due to the fact that, despite the absolute guarantee of safety, the new device is characterised in that it has a low production cost even in terms of engineering of the machines necessary for production, allowing on the one hand, for it to be economically competitive, and, on the other hand, to provide a product which is original, exclusive and with high margins.

[0117] The invention can be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

[0118] Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by other technically equivalent elements.

[0119] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be of any type, depending on requirements, provided that they are consistent with their production purposes.