Facemask and Method of Manufacturing Same

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a protective facemask absent of a nose wire that can be used in multiple applications, particularly in the medical field. The facemask includes a body having a top edge and a bottom edge. The top and bottom edges cooperate with each other to define a periphery that contacts a wearer's face. Further, the top edge includes a treated zone containing a surface coating. The surface coating contains a non-metal malleable material that can be manipulated so as to retain a shape that fits contours of the wearer's face.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to the field of protective facemasks, and more specifically to a facemask without a metal nose wire and a manufacturing process for such facemasks.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Various configurations of disposable filtering facemasks or respirators are known and may be referred to by various names, including “facemasks”, “respirators”, “filtering face respirators”, and so forth. For purposes of this disclosure, such devices are referred to generically as “facemasks.”[0003]The ability to supply aid workers, rescue personnel, and the general populace with protective facemasks during times of natural disasters or other catastrophic events is crucial. For example, in the event of a pandemic, the use of facemasks that offer filtered breathing is a key aspect of the response and recovery to such event. For this reason, governments and other municipalities generally maintain a ready stockpile of the facemasks for immedi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a protective facemask that is designed to cover a wearer's face. The mask has a body with a top edge and a bottom edge that work together to create a seal around the wearer's face. The top edge has a surface coating that contains a non-metal malleable material that can be shaped to fit the contours of the wearer's face. The coating can be applied in a thin-strip configuration or a layered configuration. The mask can also have securing members to secure it to the wearer's face. The invention provides a protective facemask that can effectively filter out harmful particles and provide a comfortable fit on the wearer's face.

Problems solved by technology

This is an extremely expensive undertaking.

Current facemask production lines are capable of producing only about 100 masks / minute due to current technology and equipment restraints, which falls far short of the estimated goal.

Attachment of the nose wires contributes to much of the time and complexity of current facemask production.

In addition, the nose wires of individual facemasks are difficult to recycle as they are metal and embedded into the nonwoven layers of the facemask.

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