Brace minimizing leakage around face filtration device or mask

Abstract

A brace for securing a face mask on a wearer includes a sealing ring and at least one securing strap attached to the sealing ring by at least one joint region. The sealing ring has a perimeter that forms an interior opening, and the perimeter is shaped and sized to surround a portion of the face mask when the face mask is placed over the wearer's nose and mouth. The securing strap is constructed as one or more head strap, ear straps, neck ties, or another securing mechanism for securing the sealing ring on the wearer and maintaining a seal of the face mask about the wearer's nose and mouth. The brace can include one or more of deformable metal bands, cushions, and reinforced regions over the bridge of the nose, at the joints of the sealing ring with the securing straps, and along the securing straps.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A face mask brace for sealing a face mask over a wearer's nose and mouth, the face mask brace comprising:
 a brace body comprising:
 a mouth sealing portion configured to extend over the wearer's nose and about the wearer's mouth over the face mask on a side surface of the face mask; 
 a head strap coupled to the mouth sealing portion at a first and second joint on a side of the mouth sealing portion and configured to extend about a head of the wearer; and 
 a first neck tie and second neck tie, each coupled to a third joint and a fourth joint, respectively on opposite sides of the mouth sealing portion below the first and second joints, the first neck tie and second neck tie configured as strings extending from the mouth sealing portion; 
   wherein the first neck tie is configured to be adjustably coupled to the second neck tie, such that the first and second neck ties and the head strap are configured to pull the face mask brace against the face mask   
     
     
         2 . The face mask brace of  claim 1 , wherein the head strap comprises a non-slip textured region in a center of the head strap. 
     
     
         3 . The face mask brace of  claim 2 , wherein the non-slip textured region comprises one or more raised areas of material having a lower surface fused to a surface of the head strap and an upper surface extending away from the surface of the head strap. 
     
     
         4 . The face mask brace of  claim 3 , wherein the raised areas of material have an upper surface formed as a circle, and wherein the raised areas of the material are arranged in one of a periodic or random pattern on the surface of the head strap. 
     
     
         5 . The face mask brace of  claim 3 , wherein the raised areas of material have an upper surface formed as a circle and a lower surface formed as a circle, the upper and lower surfaces connected to form raised cylindrical columns extending from the surface of the head strap. 
     
     
         6 . The face mask brace of  claim 5 , wherein the raised cylindrical columns are arranged in a cubic structure. 
     
     
         7 . The face mask brace of  claim 5 , wherein the raised circular columns are arranged in a hexagonal structure. 
     
     
         8 . The face mask brace of  claim 3 , wherein the raised areas of material are arranged as lines perpendicular to an edge of the head strap. 
     
     
         9 . The face mask brace of  claim 3 , wherein the raised areas of material are arranged in lines parallel to an edge of the head strap 
     
     
         10 . The face mask brace of  claim 3 , wherein the raised areas of material are arranged as a periodically waved line parallel to an edge of the head strap. 
     
     
         11 . The face mask brace of  claim 1 , wherein the face mask brace further comprises cushions positioned on either side of the mouth sealing portion configured to lay against sides of the wearer's nose to ensure sealing. 
     
     
         12 . The face mask brace of  claim 1 , wherein the face mask brace further comprises a first reinforced area of the face mask brace at a bridge of the wearer's nose positioned between the cushions. 
     
     
         13 . The face mask brace of  claim 12 , wherein the first reinforced area is configured with a second material disposed on a surface of the face mask brace. 
     
     
         14 . The face mask brace of  claim 13 , wherein the first reinforced area has a region of greater thickness than a thickness of the face mask brace. 
     
     
         15 . The face mask brace of  claim 14 , wherein the first reinforced area further comprises angled edges of the region of greater thickness. 
     
     
         16 . The face mask brace of  claim 14 , wherein the first reinforced area further comprises sloped edges of the region of greater thickness. 
     
     
         17 . The face mask brace of  claim 16 , wherein the first reinforced area further comprises a variable slate of raised cylinders having a series of radiuses of curvature to form an angled transition area between a raised area and the surface of the face mask brace. 
     
     
         18 . The face mask brace of  claim 17 , wherein the face mask brace further comprises a second and third reinforced region at the first and second joint. 
     
     
         19 . The face mask brace of  claim 18 , wherein the second and third reinforced regions are formed as areas of greater thickness than a thickness of the face mask brace. 
     
     
         20 . The face mask brace of  claim 19 , wherein the face mask brace further comprises a fourth and fifth reinforced region at the third and fourth joint.