# US 10,864,391 B2 · Annular unit for moisture management in respiratory mask > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,391 B2 - Document ID: US10864391B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/780,740 - Filed: 2015-12-03 - Published: 2018-12-13 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-03 - Assignees: Honeywell International Inc. - Applicants: Honeywell International Inc. - Inventors: Anna Liu; Linan Zhao; Kevin Lu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864391B2 ## CPC - A62B 18/08: Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices (eye-pieces for protective goggles A61F9/02; composition of materials for the windows or other transparent parts A62D7/00) - A41D 13/1161: {Means for fastening to the user's head} - A41D 13/1176: {forming a complete seal at the edges of the mask} - A41D 31/12: Hygroscopic; Water retaining - A41D 31/125: {Moisture handling or wicking function through layered materials} - A62B 23/025: {the filter having substantially the shape of a mask (surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - A41D 13/1138: {with a cup configuration} - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES ## Abstract Embodiments relate generally to absorbing elements in respiratory face masks. Applicants have developed a structure for respiratory masks that can both absorb moisture from the face (such as perspiration, as well as from condensed moisture in the breath), and maintain a low breath resistance (won't increase the breath resistance significantly). The structure may comprise an annular structure added to the respiratory masks for moisture management, wherein the annular structure comprises moisture absorbent materials. This structure may also be known as an absorbing element operable to absorb moisture effectively, provide a respiratory mask with improved moisture control characteristics, reduce fogging of a face shield or eyeglasses of the wearer, and reduce the amount of uncomfortable moisture buildup on the face of the wearer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A face mask comprising: a body shaped to fit over at least a portion of a user's face, wherein the body comprises a filtering material; and an absorbing element attached to an inner surface of the body, wherein: the absorbing element is operable to seal the face mask against user's face; the absorbing element is operable to absorb moisture; the absorbing element comprises at least one absorbing sheet layer operable to disperse moisture within the absorbing element, an absorbent core operable to absorb the moisture, a facing layer operable to allow moisture to penetrate into the absorbing element, and a back layer operable to contain the moisture within the absorbing element; and the absorbing element is removably attached to the inner surface of the body, and may be removed and replaced by a second absorbing element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The absorbing element of claim 1, wherein the absorbing element is operable to absorb at least approximately 20 grams of moisture. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The face mask of claim 1, wherein the absorbent core comprises one or a combination of the following: super absorbent fibers (SAF), super absorbent polymers (SAP), wood pulp, and nonwoven materials. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The face mask of claim 1, wherein the at least one absorbing sheet layer is hydrophilic. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The face mask of claim 1, wherein the at least one absorbing sheet layer is attached to the absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core and the at least one absorbing sheet layer are enclosed between the facing layer and the back layer. ### Claim 6 A method of manufacturing a face mask comprising an absorbing element, the method comprising: providing an absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core comprises an annular shape; attaching the absorbent core to one or more absorbing sheet layers, wherein the one or more absorbing sheet layers are operable to disperse moisture within the absorbing element; forming an absorbing element by enclosing the absorbent core and one or more absorbing sheet layers between a facing layer and a backing layer, wherein the backing layer is operable to contain the moisture within the absorbing element, wherein the facing layer is operable to contact the face of a user, and wherein the facing layer allows moisture to penetrate into the absorbing element; and attaching the absorbing element to an attachment element of the face mask, wherein the attachment element comprises a removable attachment with the absorbing element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising removing and replacing the absorbing element during a life of the face mask. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising assembly of the face mask, comprising forming a body of the face mask, and attaching straps to the face mask. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising attaching a nose bridge to an interior or exterior of the face mask. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more absorbing sheet layers of the absorbing element are attached to one another via ultrasonic welding or thermal welding. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising attaching the attachment element to an inner surface of the face mask. ### Claim 12 A face mask comprising: a body shaped to fit over at least a portion of a user's face, wherein the body comprises a filtering material; and an absorbing element attached to an inner surface of the body, wherein the absorbing element is operable to absorb moisture and is located around a perimeter of the face mask, and wherein the absorbing element comprises: a facing layer operable to contact the user's face, wherein the facing layer allows moisture to penetrate into the absorbing element; at least one absorbing sheet layer operable to disperse moisture within the absorbing element; an absorbent core operable to absorb the moisture; and a backing layer operable to contain the moisture within the absorbing element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The face mask of claim 12, wherein the absorbing element is operable to seal the face mask against the user's face. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The face mask of claim 12, wherein the absorbing element is removably attached to the inner surface of the body, and may be removed and replaced by a second absorbing element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The face mask of claim 12, wherein the facing layer comprises a moisture penetrable material, hydrophobic material that allows moisture to penetrate into the absorbing element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The face mask of claim 12, wherein the at least one absorbing sheet layer comprises a combination of polyester and pulp material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The face mask of claim 12, wherein the absorbent core comprises one or a combination of the following: super absorbent fibers (SAF), super absorbent polymers (SAP), wood pulp, and nonwoven materials. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The face mask of claim 12, wherein the backing layer comprises a nonwoven material operable to protect and package one or more other layers of the absorbing element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The face mask of claim 12, wherein the at least one absorbing sheet layer is hydrophilic. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The face mask of claim 12, wherein the at least one absorbing sheet layer is attached to the absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core and one or more absorbing sheet layers are enclosed between the facing layer and the backing layer.