MEDICAL HEATED FACE MASK

Abstract

A heated medical face mask is provided, including, a first outer layer having an outer surface and an inner surface; a second, inner layer having an outer surface and in inner surface; the first and second layers being fastened together around corresponding peripheral side and bottom edges but being open along an upper edge or side edge to form a pocket; and a heating element being releasably located in the pocket.

Claims

1. A heated medical face mask, comprising: a first outer layer having an outer surface and an inner surface; a second, inner layer having an outer surface and in inner surface; said first and second layers being fastened together around corresponding peripheral side and bottom edges but being open along an upper edge to form a pocket; and a temperature control element being releasably located in said pocket.

2. The medical face mask of claim 1, wherein said temperature control element is one of a heating element and a cooling element.

3. The medical face mask of claim 1, further including at least one fastening loop secured to each said peripheral side edge.

4. The medical face mask of claim 1, further including an elastic strap having a pair of free ends, each said end being secured to a corresponding said side edge of said joined first and second layers.

5. The medical face mask of claim 1, further including a material or textile tie, each having a free end, each said end being secured to a corresponding said side edge of said joined first and second layers at a corner or at the edge adjacent to the corner.

6. The medical face mask of claim 2, wherein said heating element is one of air-activated, battery powered and rechargeable.

7. The medical face mask of claim 1, wherein said temperature element has an area dimensioned to be approximately 80% of an area of said joined first and second layers.

8. The medical face mask of claim 1, wherein said temperature element has an area dimension to be approximately 25% to 60% of an area of said joined first and second layers.

9. The medical face mask of claim 1, wherein said pocket is defined by a supplemental layer of material dimensioned for at least partially wrapping around said temperature control element, as a continuation of the second or inner layer.

10. The medical face mask of claim 1, wherein said temperature control element is dimensioned to block approximately at most 80% of an area of said outer layer.

11. The medical face mask of claim 1, wherein said temperature control element is provided with at least one throughbore.

12. The medical face mask of claim 11, wherein said temperature control element has a pair of said at least one throughbores laterally spaced from each other.

13. The medical face mask of claim 1, wherein said temperature control element is dimensioned to be 3.5 inches long by 2 inches wide.

14. The medical face mask of claim 1, wherein said temperature control element is dimensioned to be 5 inches long by 3⅞ inches wide.

15. The medical face mask of claim 1, wherein said temperature control element has a surface area that is 40-60% of a surface area of the mask.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a front view of the present medical face mask being worn;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the present medical face mask equipped with a heating element;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the present medical face mask of FIG. 2 shown cut-away to reveal the heating element;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the present medical face mask equipped with a modified heating element;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a rear of the duckbill face mask used for higher temperature heating and demonstrating the heating element held in place by horizontally positioned and vertically spaced ¼″ yarn or cord fastened to the inside of the mask with fabric glue. This prevents the high temperature heating element from moving toward the wearer's face and skin.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the disposable medical face mask of FIG. 6 (on the left) equipped with a re-usable cooling pack; and a fabric re-usable mask containing a re-usable cooling pack on the right. The non-disposable cooling pack is in the center, below the two masks.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a rear view of another embodiment of the present medical face mask provided with a disposable heating element; (an air-activated warmer, or normal size hand warmer);

[0033] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the present medical face mask, the duckbill face mask equipped with a battery powered heating element held in place by the parallel and vertically spaced, glued-on ¼″ yarn cords; and

[0034] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective of a fabric mask with a supplemental layer sewn to the rear surface to accommodate a heating or cooling element

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the present heated medical face mask is generally designated 10 having a first, outer layer 12 with an outer surface 14 and an inner surface 16. A second, inner layer 18 has an outer surface 20 and in inner surface 22. It is contemplated that the outer and inner layers 12, 18 are made of any suitable textile, woven or non-woven, including but not limited to cotton, nylon, Temptrol® material, Gore-Tex® material, or other textiles known to those skilled in the art for manufacturing medical face masks. The typical surgical face masks are made with non-woven fabric, created using a melt blowing process, which has better bacteria filtration and air permeability while remaining less slippery than woven cloth. The material most commonly used to make them is polypropylene, either 20 or 25 grams per square meter (gsm) in density. From further research, surgical masks are made up of several layers of non-woven plastic and can effectively filter very small particles, such as droplets of SARS-CoV-2. The masks typically have an external waterproof layer 12 and an internal absorbent layer shown in the figures as 18.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment, the first and second layers 12, 18 are fastened together around corresponding peripheral side edge 24 and bottom edges 26 but being open along an upper edge 28 to form a pocket 30. An opening for the heating or cooling element may be on the side edge of the mask instead of the top edge. A temperature control element 32, preferably a heating element is dimensioned to be releasably located in the pocket 30. As is known in the art, the heating element 32 is contemplated as being one of air-activated, or battery powered and/or rechargeable (the battery being rechargeable). Also the heating element 32 is preferably washable and able to be disinfected. As described below, cooling elements are also contemplated as the temperature control element 32.

[0037] At least one fastening loop 34 is secured to each peripheral side edge 24. In an alternative to the loops 34, at least one elastic strap 36 is provided having a pair of free ends, each end being secured to a corresponding side edge of the joined first and second layers 12, 18. An alternative to the loop 34, or elastic strap 36, is fabric or textile ties attached to or adjacent to the four corners of the face mask to tie over the head and behind the neck as in the commonly used surgical mask.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment, the heating element 32 has an area dimensioned to be approximately 80% at most, and more preferably lower, as in 25%-60% of an area of the joined first and second layers 12, 18 which each share the same area. As an option the pocket 30 is defined by a supplemental layer 38 optionally an extension of the second layer 18, of material dimensioned for at least partially wrapping around the heating element 32.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, another embodiment of the present heated medical face mask is generally designated 40. Components shared with the face mask 10 are designated with identical reference numbers. One feature of the face mask 40 is that the inner layer 18 is provided with at least one and preferably a pair of vertically spaced, generally parallel retaining ribs 42 secured as by stitching, adhesives or the like. The ribs 42, preferably made of cordage or dense, rolled cloth, are spaced to retain the temperature control element 32 in place via friction, or simply obstruction.

[0040] The ribs 42 are configured for holding the temperature control element 32 in place by engaging a respective upper and lower element edge 44, 46 while the wearer walks or performs other non-strenuous activities. In the depicted embodiment, the ribs 42 secure the heating element 32 so that it is retained against the inner layer 18, and as such is somewhat distanced from the wearer's nose and mouth. As a result of this, higher temperature can be utilized.

[0041] As an alternate embodiment of the mask depicted in FIG. 5, the ribs 42 are replaced by a sheet of fabric 43 secured, as by stitching or the like to the interior of the mask. On one side edge, an opening 45 is provided for insertion of a rolled or folded heating element and optional cord. Once in the space defined by the fabric 43, the heating element is positioned to be relatively flat and to expand into the space. The fabric 43 functions to separate the heating element from the wearer's face.

[0042] Another feature of the face mask 40 is that the heating element 32 is provided with at least one optional throughbore 48 for enhancing the flow of ambient air into the element to be heated before being inhaled by the wearer. In the preferred embodiment, there are a pair of throughbores 48 laterally spaced from each other, in a generally central region of the element 32. In a still further preferred embodiment, two ½″ diameter throughbores 48 are placed ½ way between to the upper heating element edge 44 and the bottom heating element edge 46 and are separated by 1.5 to 2″ along the length of the element 32. The throughbores 48 enhance air flow through the mask 40.

[0043] Still another feature of the face mask 40 is that the heating element 32 is dimensioned to block less of the area of the mask, and having a dimension of 3.5 inches long along length “L” and 2 inches wide along width “W”. In another contemplated element 32, the length “L” is 5 inches and the width “W” is 3⅞ inches. In another contemplated element 32, the length “L” is 3½ inches and the width “W” is 2 inches. In still another embodiment, the length “L” is 3¼ inches and the width “W” is 2¾ inches.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment, as seen in FIG. 4, the disposable face mask 40 is 6¾″ in length. From the top edge 28 to the bottom edge 26 it is 3¾″. The mask 40 is pleated so that it can expand from top to bottom in order to wrap around one's face, from the bridge of the nose to under the chin. The expanded dimension is 5½″ from the top 28 to the bottom edge 26.

[0045] The battery powered heating element 32 preferably occupies sufficient enough area to provide heating, while not blocking a significant amount of air from flowing through the mask. The heating element 32 currently being worked on has the following dimensions.

[0046] As seen in FIG. 4, the heating element 32 is optionally powered by a battery 50 connected to the element via a conventional power cord 52. It is contemplated that the battery 50 is worn on the wearer's person in a pocket or the like. Also, the battery 50 is contemplated as an 11.1 V, 2600 mAh 3-Level Remote Controlled Li-ion battery, or a 7.4 V Li-ion battery, any of the above preferably with a key Fob®, depending on the temperatures needed by the wearer, as well as the purpose of the mask. It is envisioned that wearers using the mask 40 for keeping warmer outdoors in colder temperatures would prefer temperatures within the mask to be approximately 120-130° F. Such temperatures are considered to be very comfortable against the skin. Relatively higher temperatures for use in colder environments are contemplated as being in the range of 180-200° F. The latter range would result in the inhaled air being the average of one's exhale and one's inhale (140-150° F.) and potentially act to logarithmically reduce the viable virus inhaled. The power cord 52 exits a side 54 comes out the side of the element 32 and subsequently the side of the mask 40. The power cord 52 optionally exits the bottom edge 26 of the mask as an alternative. In one embodiment, the heating element 32 is wired with Bus Bars 55 which are imbedded wires designed for the electricity to flow through a FabRoc™ conductive media, and are separated by 2 inches. The actual FabRoc™ conductive media pad is 4″ long by 2 and 5/16″ wide. Other sizes of the heating elements are contemplated and various distances between the Bus Bars are contemplated to result in the desired temperature profile.

[0047] In addition, the final temperature of the inhaled air is actually the average of one's exhale (98.6° F.), and the temperature of the heating pad or air-activated warmer. It is envisioned to use either of these heating modalities in a non-disposable (reusable) face mask as well.

[0048] The heating element 32 is preferably covered in a washable and disinfectable material, in order for it to be cleaned and reused. There may not be need for perforations, to allow for additional airflow through the mask if, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, the heating element 32 occupies approximately 25-60% of the total open mask surface area, which refers to the mask laid upon a substrate and expanded so that folds or pleats are stretched out. It is contemplated that the amount of surface area of the face mask occupied by the heating element 32 varies from 25-60% of the total open mask surface area.

[0049] If an air-activated warmer is used for heating the dimensions of the larger air-activated warmers are 5″ long by 3 and ⅞″ wide and can be too large to allow for the passage of air easily through the mask. It is contemplated that the size of the heating element can vary in order to result in the desired temperatures along with providing for enough unoccupied space to allow for airflow through the mask. As a result of this, additional sizes may be suitable using an appropriately matched power source i.e. battery. In this regard, either 7.4V, 2600 mAh or a 11.1V, 2600, mAh batteries are examples. As a result of this, a normal size air-activated warmer (hand warmer) 3.5″ long by 2″ wide would suffice and function best.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6, the present mask 10 is shown with the temperature control element 32 being a non-disposable reusable cooling pack as mask 10a, and the mask 10b, which is a non-disposable washable fabric mask with the same non-disposable and reusable cooling pack shown hidden within the pocket 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the cooling pack 32 has dimension of 4.75×3.25 inches. In this embodiment, the temperature control element (cooling pack) 32 takes up approximately 80% of the surface area of the mask 10.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 7, the present face mask 10 is shown with a reduced size temperature control element 32 located in the pocket 30.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternate embodiment of the present face mask is designated 60. Components shared with the masks 10 and 40 are designated with identical reference numbers. The main distinction of the face mask 60 is that it is of the “duckbill” type known in the art. This mask 60 is not contemplated as being equipped with the pocket 30 for receiving the temperature control element 32 as described above. Instead, the heating element 32 is up against the inner surface of inside of the mask, held in place by horizontal parallel, and vertically spaced ¼″ wide fabric cords 42.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of the present face mask is designated 70. Components shared with 10, 40, and 60 are designated with identical reference numbers. The main distinction of face mask 70 is that it is not disposable and able to be laundered. A supplemental double layer of polyester mesh 71 is sewn to the bottom and side edges of the inside of the mask and the top edge has an opening 30 for the placement of a heating or cooling element. An additional small ¼″ opening 54 is present on the left side for passage of the power cord if this is the chosen heating modality.

[0054] While a particular embodiment of the present medical heated face mask has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.