Anti-fog surgical mask with a middle vapor barrier

Abstract

A surgical mask having a surgical body for covering the nose and mouth of a wearer, and a surgical mask include a surgical mask body, a middle vapor barrier, and middle tie(s) or ear loop(s). The vapor barrier is positioned between a mouth and a nose of a wearer's face to inhibit vapor, e.g., the moisture in exhale.

Description

BACKGROUND1. Technical Field[0001]The present invention pertains in general to surgical mask and, more particularly pertains to a surgical mask which reduce or eliminate fogging that may occur on eye wear or an eye-shield worn by a user of the surgical mask.2. Background of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to surgical face masks and more particularly to a mask having a vapor barrier for preventing clouding or fogging of optical aids used by a wearer of a surgical mask.[0003]Surgical masks are worn by surgeons and others in operating and the like to substantially prevent contamination or infection from airborne bacteria exhausted from the breath of the wearer. Surgical masks are generally lightweight in construction and contain several features designed for adaption to an individual wearer's features.[0004]The surgical mask is comprised of a rectangular shaped surgical mask body (not shown) of pleated or non-pleated material, an ear loop attached to one side and an ea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a surgical mask with a new and improved design to prevent fogging of optical aids. It has several technical effects including being comfortable to wear, reducing fogging to the eye glasses, directing the flow of air away from the user's eyes, and providing a securing mechanism between the surgical mask and the user's face using middle tie(s) or ear loop(s). These technical effects make it easier for wearers of surgical masks to see with clarity while performing surgeries.

Problems solved by technology

Although a variety of facial shapes to most closely approximate the wearer's features, it is inadequate to prevent the wearer's breath from being vented between the face of the wearer and the surgical mask.

Since these masks are not designed to prevent from fogging by mouth breathing, some breath exhausts through the lower portion of the mask into the vicinity of the wearer's eyes.

Because warm air rises, the wearers breath also has a natural tendency to rise under the surgical mask and through the upper surgical mask surface area producing fogging of the optical aids positioned in the vicinity of the wearer's eyes.

This obscuration of the wearer's vision is a nuisance at best and a hazard at worst.

This shortcoming of the prior art mask often requires the surgeon to pause to clear the lenses of condensation interfering with his or her vision.

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