A filter mask having one or more malleable stiffening members

A filter mask comprising:

• a filter material having an inner surface to be worn against a wearer's face, and an outer surface, the filter material comprising at least one pleat for folding and unfolding the filter material such that when folded the filter material assumes a generally flat storage configuration having upper, lower and side edges and such that when unfolded the filter material forms a mask configured to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer, the at least one pleat disposed between the upper, lower and side edges and configured to fit over a chin of the wearer and to provide a breathing chamber when unfolded;
• a first malleable stiffening member attached to or within the filter material proximate to the upper edge, the first malleable stiffening member configured to conform the filter material to at least a nose portion and a cheek portion of the face of the wearer, the malleable stiffening member having a bend portion, which is bent, creased, folded, or angled away from the inner surface and indicating at least the outer surface and the nose portion of the filter mask;
• a second malleable stiffening member attached to or within the filter material proximate to the lower edge, the second malleable stiffening member configured to conform the filter material to at least a chin portion and a jaw portion of the face of the wearer;
• and a means for securing the filter material to the wearer's face.

A stack of filter masks comprising:

• a plurality of filter masks, each filter mask comprising a filter material having an inner surface to be worn against a wearer's face, and an outer surface, the filter material comprising at least one pleat for folding and unfolding the filter material such that when folded the filter material assumes a generally flat storage configuration having upper, lower and side edges and such that when unfolded the filter material forms a mask configured to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer, the at least one pleat disposed between the upper, and lower edges and configured to fit over a chin of the wearer when unfolded;
• a malleable stiffening member attached to or within the filter material proximate to the upper edge, the malleable stiffening member configured to conform the filter material to at least a nose portion and a cheek portion of the face of the wearer, the malleable stiffening member having a bend portion indicating at least the outer surface and the nose portion of the filter mask;
• a securing means for securing the filter material to the wearer's face;
• and wherein the masks are positioned in a nestled relation to one another, the inner surface of at least one mask being apposed to the outside surface of an adjacent mask, thereby forming a stack.