Face mask that has a filtered exhalation valve
US6584976B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA62B23/025
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A filtering face mask that covers at least the nose and mouth of a wearer and that includes an exhalation valve. The exhalation valve opens in response to increased pressure when the wearer exhales to allow the exhaled air to be rapidly purged from the mask interior. An exhale filter element is placed in one of several locations in the exhale flow stream to remove contaminants from the exhaled air. The face mask is beneficial in that it provides comfort to the wearer by allowing warm, moist, high-CO2-content air to be rapidly evacuated from the mask interior through the valve and also protects the wearer from splash fluids and polluted air while at the same time protecting other persons or things from being exposed to contaminants in the exhale flow stream.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.