# US 11,998,774 B2 · Face mask with improved face seal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,774 B2 - Document ID: US11998774B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/660,399 - Filed: 2022-04-22 - Published: 2023-10-26 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-04-22 - Applicants: Keith Allan Langenwalter - Inventors: Keith Allan Langenwalter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998774B2 ## CPC - A62B 23/025: {the filter having substantially the shape of a mask (surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - A41D 13/1107: {characterised by their shape} - A41D 13/1138: {with a cup configuration} - A41D 13/1161: {Means for fastening to the user's head} - A62B 18/025: {Halfmasks (A62B23/02 takes precedence; surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - A62B 18/084: {Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets} - B01D 46/0002: {Casings; Housings; Frame constructions} - B01D 46/103: {Curved filtering elements} - 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 - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract A reusable face mask with a foam face seal to protect against transmission of airborne pathogens. The face mask uses an easily interchangeable, readily available, non-proprietary, standard filter. It has a section specifically designed to mitigate the fogging of glasses, and has a user-interchangeable strap/harness system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device with means for filtering air that a user breathes, comprising: a) a first frame, comprised of a flexible non-air permeable material, having an inner surface and an outer surface, and having a large area in the middle of the first frame to allow air to flow through, b) a face seal, having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the outer surface attached to the inner surface of the first frame, said face seal fully circumferentially surrounding the user's mouth and nose, and forming a seal against the user's face with the inner surface, c) a filter pocket in the middle of the first frame, sized to receive a standard surgical mask as a filter, d) a second frame, comprised of a flexible material, having a large area in the middle of the second frame to allow air to flow through, which is removably attached to the first frame, and secures the filter in place, and e) a strap system, removably attached to the first frame, to hold the first frame onto a user's face, whereby the device forms a seal around the user's face, defining an isolated air volume around the user's nose and mouth, separated from the outside environment, only allowing air to pass between the isolated volume and the outside environment through the filter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the first frame and second frame are composed of a thermoplastic urethane or silicone material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the face seal is composed of a foam material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the second frame is attached to the first frame via one or more magnets. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein there is a malleable material attached or embedded in the nose region of the first frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein the malleable material is a metal wire. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the nose region of the first frame has varying thicknesses to adjust the stiffness in a particular area. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the strap system is comprised of straps that go behind a user's head. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the strap system is comprised of ear loops that go behind a user's ear. ### Claim 10 A method of filtering the air that a user breathes, comprising: a) a first frame, comprised of a thermoplastic urethane or silicone material, having an inner and an outer surface, and having a large area in the middle of the frame to allow air to flow through, b) a face seal, and attached to the inner surface of the first frame, said face seal fully circumferentially surrounding the user's mouth and nose, and forming a seal against the user's face, c) a filter pocket in the middle of the first frame, sized to receive a standard surgical mask as a filter, d) a second frame, comprised of a thermoplastic urethane or silicone material, which is removably attached to the first frame, and secures the filter in place, and e) a strap system, removably attached to the first frame, to hold the first frame onto a user's face, whereby a seal is formed around the user's face, defining an isolated air volume around the user's nose and mouth, separated from the outside environment, only allowing air to pass between the isolated volume and the outside environment through the filter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the second frame is attached to the first frame via a plurality of magnets. ### Claim 12 A device with means for filtering air that a user breathes, comprising: a) a frame, comprised of a flexible material, having an inner and an outer surface, a top and bottom surface, and two ends, whereas the frame is contoured to sit on a user's face across the bridge of the nose and the cheeks, with the inner surface facing a user's cheek, the top surface is facing a user's eyes, the bottom surface is substantially parallel to the top surface, and the ends are closer to a user's ears than a user's nose, b) a face seal, having an inner and outer surface, a top and bottom surface, and two ends, whereas the outer surface is attached to the inner surface of the frame, the inner surface contacts a user's cheek, and the top surface is substantially aligned with the top surface of the frame, c) an upper fabric, comprised of a non-air permeable material, having an inner surface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, whereas the inner surface is attached to the outer surface of the frame, the top edge is substantially aligned with the top surface of the frame, and the bottom edge extends beyond the bottom surface of the frame, d) a lower fabric, comprised of a multi-layer fabric including a washable filtration layer, having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, whereas the top edge is attached to the bottom edge of the upper fabric, and the bottom edge extends below the user's chin, and e) a strap system, removably attached to the frame, to hold the frame onto a user's face, whereby a volume of air around the user's nose and mouth is substantially separated from the outside environment, and a minimal amount of air is allowed to escape this air volume past the user's cheeks. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein the frame extends below the ear at the end of the ends, and there are a plurality of attachment points for the strap system at each of the ends. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein a separate, much smaller frame member is attached to the lower fabric below the frame near each end, not being attached to the frame, and has an attachment point for the strap system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein the first frame and second frame are composed of a thermoplastic urethane or silicone material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein the face seal is composed of a foam material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein there is a malleable material attached or embedded in the nose region of the first frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device according to claim 17, wherein the malleable material is a metal wire. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein the nose region of the first frame has varying thicknesses to adjust the stiffness in a particular area. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein the device is small and can fold up smaller than a user's fist.