IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,121,085
Granted Patent B2
US 12,121,085 · App. 17/071,485 · Granted Oct 22, 2024

Augmented face mask

Inventor: Tadd Bernard Hughes (Andover, MA)
Assignee: Raytheon Company
A41D13/1115A41D13/1161A41D31/04A62B18/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,121,085
App. No.
17/071,485
Granted
Oct 22, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Protective garments and face masks are provided that include a body portion having a plurality of exterior pleats configured to elongate in a first direction. The body portion further has an outer surface and an inner surface. The body portion further has an inner portion with a plurality of interior pleats connected between an upper edge of the body portion and a sealing surface. The inner portion is configured to elongate in a second direction at an acute angle from the first direction. In certain implementations, the sealing surface simultaneously contacts a nose and cheeks of a wearer in response to the elongation in the second direction.

Claims (36)

1. A face mask comprising:

a body portion including an outer surface and an inner surface, the body portion further including a plurality of exterior pleats configured to compress together and lay flat at rest and to elongate in a first direction towards a chin of the wearer of the face mask; and

an interior portion secured to the inner surface of the body portion along an upper edge of the body portion, the interior portion including a plurality of interior pleats positioned from the upper edge of the body portion towards a lower edge of the body portion the plurality of interior pleats being configured to compress and lay flat against the body portion at rest and to elongate in a second direction towards a nose of the wearer at an acute angle from the first direction, whereby each of the plurality of interior pleats simultaneously contact the cheeks and the nose of the wearer in response to the elongation in the second direction to form a sealing surface,

wherein the plurality of exterior pleats includes at least three pleats, and

wherein the plurality of interior pleats includes at least two pleats.

2. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the interior portion is fabricated from a flexible material.

3. The face mask of claim 2 wherein the flexible material includes one or more of foam including a hydrophobic coating, cotton, and polypropylene.

4. The face mask of claim 2 wherein the flexible material is coated with a hydrophobic coating.

5. The face mask of claim 4 wherein the plurality of interior pleats includes the hydrophobic coating applied to surfaces connecting each of the plurality of interior pleats, the surfaces being exposed to the wearer's exhalation.

6. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the interior portion is attached to the inner surface of the body portion by one or more of stitching and adhesive.

7. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the plurality of interior pleats is configured to retain a shape of the sealing surface when simultaneously contacting the nose and the cheeks of the wearer.

8. The face mask of claim 7 wherein the interior portion further comprises a nose wire configured to retain the shape of the sealing surface when simultaneously contacting the nose and the cheeks of the wearer.

9. The face mask of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first ear loop configured to secure the face mask to a first ear; and

a second ear loop configured to secure the face mask to a second ear.

10. The face mask of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first pair of straps configured to be tied together to secure the face mask to a first ear; and

a second pair of straps configured to be tied together to secure the face mask to a second ear.

11. A protective garment comprising:

a body portion including an outer surface and an inner surface, the body portion further including a plurality of exterior pleats configured to compress together and lay flat at rest and to elongate in a first direction towards a chin of a wearer of the protective garment; and

an interior portion secured to the inner surface of the body portion along an upper edge of the body portion, the interior portion including a plurality of interior pleats positioned from the upper edge of the body portion towards a lower edge of the body portion the plurality of interior pleats being configured to compress and lay flat against the body portion at rest and to elongate in a second direction towards a nose of the wearer at an acute angle from the first direction, whereby each of the plurality of interior pleats simultaneous contact the cheeks and the nose of the wearer at multiple points of contact along the nose of the wearer in response to the elongation in the second direction to form a sealing surface

wherein the plurality of exterior pleats includes at least three pleats, and

wherein the plurality of interior pleats includes at least two pleats.

12. The protective garment of claim 11 wherein the interior portion is fabricated from a flexible material.

13. The protective garment of claim 12 wherein the flexible material includes one or more of foam including a hydrophobic coating, cotton, and polypropylene.

14. The protective garment of claim 12 wherein the flexible material is coated with a hydrophobic coating.

15. The protective garment of claim 14 wherein the plurality of interior pleats includes the hydrophobic coating applied to surfaces connecting each of the plurality of interior pleats, the surfaces being exposed to the wearer's exhalation.

16. The protective garment of claim 11 wherein the interior portion is attached to the inner surface of the body portion by one or more of stitching and adhesive.

17. The protective garment of claim 11 wherein the plurality of interior pleats is configured to retain a shape of the sealing surface when simultaneously contacting the nose and the cheeks of the wearer.

18. The protective garment of claim 17 wherein the interior portion further comprises a nose wire configured to retain the shape of the sealing surface when simultaneously contacting the nose and the cheeks of the wearer.

19. The protective garment of claim 11 , further comprising:

a first ear loop configured to secure the protective garment to a first ear; and

a second ear loop configured to secure the protective garment to a second ear.

20. The protective garment of claim 11 , further comprising:

a first pair of straps configured to be tied together to secure the protective garment to a first ear; and

a second pair of straps configured to be tied together to secure the protective garment to a second ear.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2020
From: HUGHES, TADD BERNARD
To: RAYTHEON COMPANY
Reel/Frame 054070/0291 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220117331A1 · Apr 21, 2022