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...

Examples

Example

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present face mask 10 includes a seal 12 for engaging a band of skin 14 that has been cleaned and from which hair has been removed. The face mask 10 further includes a covering 16 having a periphery 18. The seal 12 is engaged between the periphery 18 and the band of skin 14 to form a positive seal between the face mask 10 and the face, to minimize leakage of intake air flowing between the periphery 18 and the face, and to force air through the covering 16. With the path of least resistance now the route through the covering 16, air must flow through activated charcoal engaged in the covering 16.

[0057] More particularly, as shown in FIG. 1, the band of skin 14 runs from a bridge of the nose, down the right side of the nose, to a position on the front of the face beyond the right side of the mouth, to a position on the front of the face below the lower lip on the front of the chin, to a position on the front of the face beyond the left side of the...

[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...

Examples

Example

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present face mask 10 includes a seal 12 for engaging a band of skin 14 that has been cleaned and from which hair has been removed. The face mask 10 further includes a covering 16 having a periphery 18. The seal 12 is engaged between the periphery 18 and the band of skin 14 to form a positive seal between the face mask 10 and the face, to minimize leakage of intake air flowing between the periphery 18 and the face, and to force air through the covering 16. With the path of least resistance now the route through the covering 16, air must flow through activated charcoal engaged in the covering 16.

[0057] More particularly, as shown in FIG. 1, the band of skin 14 runs from a bridge of the nose, down the right side of the nose, to a position on the front of the face beyond the right side of the mouth, to a position on the front of the face below the lower lip on the front of the chin, to a position on the front of the face beyond the left side of the...

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