Mask

Aug. 27, 1935. s. j. goldsmith 2,012,505

MASK Filed Feb. 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1

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Patented Aug. 27, 1935

2,012,505

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,412,595

MASK

Samnel J. Goldsmith, Chicago, Hl.

Application February 5, 1934, Serial No. 709,690

Claims. (Cl. 128—146) »0^0 ^present invention relates generally to masks for preventing the transmission and contraction of communicable diseases or other infectious matter. More particularly, the inven⁸ l!?^{n to} i^hat type of mask which is adaptnnr^¹ °¹_f^U?^{e by ph}y^slcians, surgeons, nurses and other sick room attendants, operates Berms from the air currents running in ^{and mouth of} the sick to the wear10 er and at the same time to prevent germ-laden air and droplets from the nose and mouth of the wearer from reaching the sick, and comprises a textile fabric member which is adapted to fit over and coyer the wearer’s nose and mouth and 15 has tapes at the sides thereof for encircling the wearers head and holding the mask in place.

One object of the invention is to provide a mask of this type which is an improvement upon and is more efficient than, previously designed ²⁰ ί^{16 Same purpose} by reason of the fact tnat it embodies a piece of moisture-proof “Cellophane’^ which is affixed to one side of, and is coextensive with, the nose and mouth-protecting, textile fabric member,· and serves effectively to Σ5 prevent the passage of air and droplets through the textile fabric member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mask of the last mentioned character in which the piece of moisture-proof “Cellophane” which forms a facing for one ride of the textile fabric member and is coextensive with the latter is connected permanently to, and is in the nature of a lamination of, the member so that it is inseparable from the member and gives the latter the proper or desired stiffness.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mask of the type and character under consideration in which the upper portion of the member having the piece of moisture-proof “Cellophane” laminated thereto is provided with two wedge-shaped infoldments which are stitched at the .upper ends thereof to form tucks whereby the upper portion of the member is shaped to conform to the wearer’s nose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mask for the purpose set forth and of the character last mentioned in which the upper portion of the nose and mouth-protecting member is provided with a- wire reinforcement which is shaped to bridge the wearer’s nose and forms a seal whereby air cannot escape upwardly above the nose where it is likely to becloud eye glasses on the wearer’s nose.

Still another object of the invention is to pro55 vide a mask in which the nose and mouth-protecting, textile fabric member has a rounded or »M8in'so as to conform r n«^t^yt^t&lt;ii^i^e*i^{0nt0Ur of the} wearer’s chin and ^{1 a second} member which is connected to the lower portion of, and is formed 5 «f^he..⁵⁸¹¹¹⁶ material as, the nose and mouthprotecting member, and is adapted to underlie ^cI11I? ^fi0 “ ^h01d the mask in Place and to catch any droplets which may ac‘«Λπ °^Γ ^downwardly to, the bottom jo margin of the mouth and nose-protecting memD£I*.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mask of the aforementioned type in which certain portions of the side parts of the chin- is engaging member are cut out to provide openings or spaces at the rides of the mask through which the wearer of the mask may readily breathe without the possibility of disseminating germs.

A still further object of the invention is to on provide a mask of the last mentioned character in which the chin-engaging member is stitched to the bottom margin of the nose and mouthprotecting member and the stitched margins of the two members are covered by a tape, the ends of which are extended to and joined to the ²⁰main mask-holding tape.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a facial mask for use by physicians, surgeons, nurses and other rick room attendants ,_nwhich is generally of an improved construction ^d0and may be manufactured at such a low cost that it is practical for the user to use it but once and then throw it away or otherwise dispose of it.

Other objects of the invention and the vari- _qous advantages and characteristics of the present ’ mask construction will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are _dnmore particularly defined by claims at the conelusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views: ⁴⁰

Figure 1 is a perspective showing in its operative position a mask embodying the invention and designed particularly for use by surgeons;

Figure 2 is a side view of the mask of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the mask showing in detail the position and arrangement of the breathing spaces in the side parts of the chinengaging member; ₆₅

2,012,605

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4—4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective of the wire, nose bridge-forming reinforcement in the upper por5 tion of the nose and mouth-protecting member;

Figure 5α is an enlarged detail section showing the manner in which the wire reinforcement is mounted at the upper portion of the nose and 10 mouth-protecting member;

Figure 6 is a perspective of a mask designed primarily for use by nurses and in instances where but limited protection is needed;

Figure 7 is a side view of the mask of Fig16 ure 6;

Figure 8 is a rear view; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical section exhibiting the construction and character of the nose and mouth-protecting member and the chin20 engaging member, and the manner in which these two members are secured together.

The mask which is shown in Figures 1,2, 3,4,5, and 5α of the drawings and represents one form of the invention is adapted primarily to be used 26 by surgeons although it may, of course, be worn by physicians, dentists, nurses and other sick room attendants or for any desired purpose. It operates to prevent transmission or contraction of communicable diseases or other-infectious mat30 ters by excluding from the wearer’s respiratory tract, germ-laden air running from the nose and mouth of the sick and by preventing germ-laden .air and droplets from the wearer’s nose and mouth from being transmitted to the sick, that is, the 35 person or persons being treated or attended by the wearer of the mask. The mask is essentially of simple design and consists of a readily flexible, main member 10 for protecting the wearer’s nose and mouth and a crescent-shaped, chin-engaging 40 member 11.

The main member 10 is adapted to fit over the wearer’s nose, mouth and cheeks, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, and is provided with a tape 12 at the upper margin thereof. The 45 upper portion of the member 10 is of greater width than the lower portion so that it not only covers the cheeks but extends almost to the qars. In the center of the upper portion of the member 10, tyro wedge-shaped infoldments 13 are 50 provided. These infoldments are stitched at the upper ends thereof to form tucks whereby the upper portion of the member 10 is shaped to conform to the nose of the wearer of the mask. The bottom portion of the member iO is designed so 55 that it extends to the bottom of, and covers, the chin of the wearer of the mask and has a rounded or convexly curved, bottom margin in order that it conforms to the contour of the wearer’s chin. The member ί 0 is formed of readily flexible, com60 positely made material which consists of an inner facing 14 of any suitable textile fabric, such as gauze, and an outer facing 15 of moistureproof “Cellophane”. This material is formed by sheeting the facing 15 directly onto a strip of 65 gauze as the “Cellophane” leaves the former heads during manufacture thereof, in order that the facing (5 is permanently attached to the gauze facing 14 throughout the entire area of the contacting or abutting faces thereof. The ma70 terial is what may be termed “laminated ‘Cellophane’ and gauze” and is characterized by the fact that the “Cellophane” facing strengthens and gives rigidity to the gauze facing 14. By virtue of the fact that the nose and mouth-protecting 75 member 10 embodies the outer facing IS of mois ture-proof “Cellophane”, the mask is non-porous and no germs can pass either inwardly to the respiratory tract of the wearer of the mask or outwardly through the member 10 to the patient being treated by the one wearing the mask. Fur- 5 thermore, moisture or droplets from the nose or mouth of the wearer of the mask cannot pass through the member ID. Because of the absorptive property of the inner facing IS of gauze, all droplets from the wearer’s nose and mouth io are absorbed by the inner facing and hence infectious matter is prevented by the mask from being transmitted from the wearer of the mask to the person being treated by the mask wearer. By employing a gauze inner facing, the mask is ex- 15 tremely comfortable to the wearer. The tape 12 is formed of any suitable textile fabric and is preferably folded upon itself in a lengthwise direction so that it is of double thickness. It is coextensive with the top margin of the member 20 10 and is connected to the latter by stitching 16. In attaching the tape 12 to the upper portion of the nose and mouth-protecting member 10 of the mask, the tape is folded around the top margin of the member 10 and then the stitching 16 is 25 formed so that the loops thereof pass through the tape and the top margin of the member 11.

In order to reinforce the member 10 and at the same time to form a nose bridge for holding the mask in place, a wire 17 is disposed in the 30 channel or space between the folded portions of the tape 12 (see Figure 5α). This wire is coextensive with the upper portion of the member 10 and has the central portion thereof bent into the form of an arch or bridge for nose engaging 35 purposes. The bridge-forming portion of the wire is adapted when in its operative position on the nose of the wearer of the mask to assist in holding the mask in place and to form a seal whereby the breath of the mask wearer cannot 40 pass upwardly into the wearer’s eyes or around glasses on the wearer’s nose where it might becloud such glasses. The ends of the wire 17 terminate at the end portions of the member 10 and serve as a reinforcement for the mask. The 45 wire is formed of readily bendable metal so that the nose bridge portion may be bent to fit noses of different shapes.

The chin-engaging member II is formed of the same material as the nose and mouth-protecting 50 member 10 and consists of an inner facing 18 of gauze and an outer facing 19 of moisture-proof “Cellophane”. The outer facing of “Cellophane” is permanently united to the gauze facing 18 throughout the entire area of the contacting faces 55 thereof and renders the member I I moistureproof. The member 11 is adapted to underlie the chin of the wearer of the mask as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, and has the front margin thereof curved substantially conformably to the ⁶⁰bottom margin of the member 18 and united to the latter by stitching 28. A pocket 21 is formed between the members 18 and 11 and this pocket is so shaped because of the curvature or roundness of the stitched margins of the two ^Ul>members, that it fits the chin of the wearer of the mask in a snug fashion. In the event of accumulation of moisture or droplets in the pocket, such moisture and droplets are absorbed by the gauze inner facing 18 of the member II. When the mask is not in use, the member 11 assumes the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings/ When the chin-engaging member II is in this position, the mask occupies but a small amount. -5

2,012,505 of space and may be readily stacked with other masks of like character.

To provide for ready breathing of the wearer 01 the mask, the side portions of the chin-en5 gaging member 11 are cut away to form a pair of openings 22. These, openings are located to the margin of the member 11 which is stitched to the bottom margin of the members 10, and are lateraUy°^{ned that the wearer}’^s breath is directed ^A tape 23 serves to support the mask in its operative position. The central portion of this tape is folded in a lengthwise direction around tne contacting or contiguous margins of the members 10 and H, as shown in Figure 4, and is secured in place by means of the stitching 20 in forming the mask, the member 11 is placed on the member 10 so that the toner facing It abuts agamst the gauze facing 14 of the member 10 and the two curved margins of the members coJ22^ld« ^the central portion of the tape 23 is folded lengthwise around the rounded margins of the two members and the stitching 20 f°^rmed by passing the loops thereof through the tape and the two members. The ends of the tape 22 are sufficiently long so that they may be ^placed over the ears of the wearer of the mastand then tied around the back of the wearer’s head. When the ends of the tape 23 are tied together in this manner, the members 10 and H are held in their proper positions.

In applying the mask, the chin-engaging member H is first swung away from the member 10 in order to open the pocket 21. Thereafter, the chm-engaging member is placed under the wearer’s chin and the member IQ is swung into place over and across the mouth and lower portion of the nose. After the members 10 and II are properly positioned, the arch or bridge part of the wire 11 is moved inwardly so that the user’s nose is securely gripped. After this is done, the ends of the tape 23 are passed over the wearer’s ears and behind the head and are then tied in order to hold the mask in place. When the mask is in place, the openings 22 provide for breathing but do not allow the breath of the wearer of the mask to flow downwardly. AU moisture and droplets are absorbed or caught by the gauze inner facings of the members 10 and II, as heretofore pointed out, arid the respiratory tract of the wearer of the mask is protected against germs by way of the outer facings 15 and 19 of moisture-proof Cellophane”.

The mask which is shown in Figures 6,7, 8 and 55 ³ ^Presents another form of the invention is adapted primarily for use by nurses and other sick room attendants, and comprises a readily flexible main member HO and a chin-engaging member Η I. The upper portion of the member 60 * *® ^of ^^ess width than the lower portion and has downwardly divergent side edges which are normally spaced from the wearer’s cheeks a sufficient distance to permit of ready breathing of the wearer of the mask. The member 5 is formed of 65 composite material and consists of an inner facing 114 and an outer facing H 5 of moisture-proof CeUophane”. The inner facing Is formed of Canton flannel instead of gauze as in the case of the inner facing 14 of the mask of Figures 1,2 3 70 4, 5, and 5α, and the outer facing H5 of “Cellophane” is permanently attached to the inner facing as in the case of the outer facing 15 of the member I Oof the mask first described. The chinengaging member IH is formed of the same ma75 terlal as the mainmember HO and fnrma q pocket

Hi for receiving the wearer’s chin. The contacting or contiguous margins of the members 110 ^{and 1} J ^{are secured} together by means of stitchtog 120 and a tape 122, The central portion of this tape is secured to the bottom portion of the 5 main member 110 by means of the stitching 120 and the ends extend upwardly and are connected m any suitable manner to a tape 112. The latter nas the central portion thereof stitched to the upper portion of the main member ί 10 and the ends thereof are extended so as to form the supporting,medium or instrumentality for the mask. The ends of the tape 123 are Joined or connected to the ends of the tape 112 at points between the extreme end parts of the tape I12 and the upper portion of the member f f 0. By so connecting the ends of the tape t23, the lower portion of the main member HO as well as the chin-engaging member HI, is held to place when the ends of the tape H 2 are tied around the back of the head °^f *?^{arer 01 the} “ask· A wire Hl is connned in the central portion of the tape 112 which is applied to the upper portion of the main member HO and is arched so as to form a nose bridge mLv¹⁶taMee,· like the bridge of the 25

Retires ²’ ³’ ⁴’ ⁵’ ^{and 5a}> ^f°rms a seal whereby the breath of the wearer of the mask is precluded from passing upwardly.

. The mask of Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 is applied similarly to the first described mask and oper- 30 ates to prevent transmission. or contraction of communicable diseases or other infectious matby excluding from the wearer’s respiratory ^lad“ ™“ing from the nose and ^{and by} Preventing germ-laden 35 mnnFh 'i ^dr°P^let^s from the wearer’s nose and mouth from being transmitted to the sick, that is, the person or persons being treated or attended ^{Wearer the mask}’ ^Because of the absorptive properties of the Canton flannel which an member HO and the chin-engaging member HI, all.droplets or moisture from the wearer’s nose ίϊΐ?⁰⁰?¹ absorbed and hence precluded from leaving the mask.

_i«,??^^ey^etoJ?^escri^{bed mask} constructions are ⁴⁵exceedingly efficient in operation and may be manufactured at such a low cost that it is practica! for the wearers of the masks to use the

J?^ut °P^{ce and then to them} away or otherwise dispose of them. ⁵⁰ ^Tl^e.?}^veil^{tion 18 n0t to 1x5} understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended c’atos. without departing from the spirit and 55 scope of the invention. ⁵