Face mask with seal and neutralizer

Abstract

A sealed face mask. The face mask may be a common paper face mask or a more technically complex gas mask. The face mask includes a periphery. The periphery includes a seal that surrounds the nostrils and the mouth and that sticks to the skin of the face. The adhesive of the seal may be a skin friendly adhesive or a skin unfriendly adhesive. With the skin unfriendly adhesive, the adhesive includes a strength sufficient to remove a first layer of skin from the face when the seal is pulled from the face. The seal includes a strip that may be elastomeric. The periphery of the face mask may be elastomeric. The face mask includes a neutralizing agent to minimize harmful effects of substances passing through the face mask. Further disclosed is a method for fixing the face mask to the face. Also disclosed are sealing strips for the lower ends of the legs of a pair of pants, sealing strips of the outer ends of the sleeves of a shirt, and sealing strips for other articles of clothing.

Description

[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 747,375 filed Dec. 29, 2003, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 052,532 filed Jan. 18, 2002, both applications of which are hereby incorporated by reference.[0002] The present invention relates generally to a face mask, more particularly to a face mask having a seal, and specifically to a sealed face mask having multiple features to maximize chances of survival. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The auto body repairman knows best. He or she best knows that the man on the street has little or no chance of surviving bioterrorism. He or she best knows the commuter has little chance against a sarin attack in a subway. He or she best knows that the college football game spectator maximizes his or her chances at survival by madly rushing to an exit—instead of politely waiting for the deadly rain—when the stadium is attacked with crop dusters. [0004] How does the auto...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] An advantage of the present invention is that a positive and relatively permanent seal is formed. A feature that contributes to this advantage is the aggressive skin unfriendly seal. Violent movement of the mouth such as yelling orders, yelling for an ambulance, yelling for your children and spouse is less likely to disengage an aggressive seal from the yeller's face. A jarring of the mask, such as a bumping into another person's head or back in a smoke filled staircase, is less likely to disengage an aggressive seal.

[0025] Another advantage of the present invention is that a seal is obtained quickly. A feature that contributes to this advantage is the aggressive skin unfriendly seal. The time that it takes to read this sentence is the time that a subway rider may have to put on a mask. Cleaning one's face is out of the question. A seal with an aggressive adhesive cuts through oil and dirt. A seal with an aggressive adhesive cuts through blackened skin colored by an explosion.

[0026] Another advantage of the present invention is that the periphery about the face mask is no longer the path of least resistance to air; air must now pass through the face mask where the face mask is structured to permit the air to pass. Accordingly, since the route of passage of air is now controlled, a neutralizer may be placed at the controlled entrance. Hence, the chances are maximized that 100% of the

Problems solved by technology

This ring of paint means that the face mask—whether a common p

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