Patent US4635628A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4635628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical face mask with improved moisture barrier
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1985-09-11
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Granted: 1987-01-13
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Expires: 2005-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A surgical face mask (10) having a pleated panel (12) for covering the nose and mouth of a wearer, and including head straps (16,18,24,26) for securing the face mask (10) to the wearer. A polyester Sontara material (36) is flame laminated and compressed with an open-cell polyester foam (34) to form an integral laminate moisture barrier which is secured across the top of the pleated panel (12). The barrier restricts the moisture content of vapor from permeating the face mask (10) and clouding eyeglasses, or the like. A polyester top border strip (58) is folded around the top edge of the pleated panel (12), and a malleable stay (38) is sandwiched therebetween. The entire combination, including the moisture barrier (32) is heat seal bonded proximate the top edge of the face mask (10) by heat seal bond techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Vance M. Hubbard
- 👤 Welton K. Brunson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:35
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/18; A; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/05; A41D13/11; A41D13/1107; A41D13/1115; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/065; B32B27/36; B32B2250/00; B32B2250/24; B32B2266/00; B32B2266/02; B32B2266/0214; B32B2266/0264; B32B2266/06; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/30; B32B2307/31; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/724; B32B2307/7242; B32B2307/7246; B32B2367/00; B32B2535/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
In a surgical face mask of the type having a panel for covering the nose and mouth of a wearer, and means for securing the mask to the wearer's face, the improvement in said mask comprising a barrier strip disposed across the top inside surface of said panel for restricting the permeation of moisture therethrough, said barrier strip comprising a synthetic resin material layer sandwiched between a polyester foam material layer and said panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a surgical face mask of the type having a panel for covering the nose and mouth of a wearer, and means for securing the mask to the wearer's face, the improvement in said mask comprising a barrier strip disposed across the top inside surface of said panel for restricting the permeation of moisture therethrough, said barrier strip comprising a synthetic resin material layer sandwiched between a polyester foam material layer and said panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical face mask of claim 1 wherein said synthetic resin material comprises a polyester material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The surgical face mask of claim 2 wherein said foam material is open-celled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The surgical mask of claim 3 wherein said polyester material and said foam material are laminated together so as to form an integral barrier strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical mask of claim 4 wherein said barrier strip is permanently compressed to reduce permeation of vapor therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical face mask of claim 1 further including a malleable stay attached to said face panel for forming said panel to a desired shape around the wearer's nose.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The surgical face mask of claim 6 further including a border strip of material sandwiching said stay between the border strip and the panel, and a heat-made bond around said stay fastening said border strip and said stay to said panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The surgical face mask of claim 7 wherein said border strip is polyester and is folded around the top edge of said panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The surgical mask of claim 8 wherein said barrier strip is disposed adjacent said border strip and further including a heat seal bond around said stay for fastening said border strip, said stay and said barrier strip proximate the top edge of said panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
A face mask with an improved moisture barrier, comprising: a panel constructed of a polyester material for covering a portion of a wearer's face; means for fastening said panel to the wearer's head; a moisture barrier constructed of a polyester material layer laminated to a polyester open-celled foam layer; a stay; a polyester border folded over the top edge of said panel and sandwiching said stay therebetween; and bonding means bonding said panel, moisture barrier and border together across the top inside surface of said panel and peripherally around said stay with said polyester material layer disposed between said open-celled foam layer and said polyester border.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A face mask with an improved moisture barrier, comprising: a panel constructed of a polyester material for covering a portion of a wearer's face; means for fastening said panel to the wearer's head; a moisture barrier constructed of a polyester material layer laminated to a polyester open-celled foam layer; a stay; a polyester border folded over the top edge of said panel and sandwiching said stay therebetween; and bonding means bonding said panel, moisture barrier and border together across the top inside surface of said panel and peripherally around said stay with said polyester material layer disposed between said open-celled foam layer and said polyester border.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The face mask of claim 10 wherein the polyester material and the foam of said moisture barrier are integrally laminated together.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The face mask of claim 11 wherein said moisture barrier is permanently compressed to reduce permeation of vapor therethrough.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-01-12 | 1990-07-14 | 1991-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-12 | 1994-07-14 | 1995-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-12 | 1998-07-14 | 1999-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |