Patent landscapes › Clothing & accessories
Is a face mask patented?
Short answer: specific designs of a face mask have been patented many times, but "a face mask" as a general idea is not what is protected. What matters is the exact combination of features in your version.
What our index shows
- 1,647 US and WO patent publications since 2000 have a title matching “face maskcovering” or a close variant (our index of 9.7 million patent families; one publication per family).
- Among the 1132 best keyword matches we examined, 754 were published in 2020 or later, and the earliest was published in 2000.
- Most frequent assignees in those matches: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO (18), KIMBERLY CLARK CO (18), KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV (13), TABATA CO LTD (6).
- Most common patent classes (CPC subclasses): A41D (643), A62B (545), A61M (167), B01D (91).
Counts come from keyword matching on titles and abstracts, so they are indicative, not a legal count. Some matches are different products that share a word.
14 real patent publications related to a face mask
- Face mask apparatus with secondary filter US-2023142434-A1 2023 · O2 IND INC
A face mask apparatus for filtering air, the face mask apparatus including a primary face mask having a face seal for providing an airtight flexible seal around the nose and mouth of the user; a support sealably attached to the fa…
View on Google Patents - Scented filter system for a sanitary face mask US-11565138-B1 2023 · SKINNER BRENDER
The scented filter system for a sanitary face mask is a medical device. The scented filter system for a sanitary face mask is adapted for use with a patient. The scented filter system for a sanitary face mask filters the air that …
View on Google Patents - Face mask with removable filter US-2022054871-A1 2022 · BILLINGS CLINC
A filtering face mask includes a mask body, a filter frame, and a filter. The mask body is configured to cover a user's nose and mouth to define an interior cavity. The mask body defines an opening for the passage of air betwe…
View on Google Patents - Face Mask With Replaceable Filter US-2021316173-A1 2021 · Nile Hudson LLC
A protective face mask is provided that includes a mask body having a pair of opposing ends that taper inwardly from a middle portion including an upper nose cover and a lower mouth cover. An ear loop including a slide adjuster is…
View on Google Patents - Reusable Face Mask Supporting a Disposable Filter Cartridge Therein and Sterilizing Case for the Face Mask US-2021392975-A1 2021 · TURK WILLIAM
A face mask for filtering air has a mask body for extending over a nose and mouth area of a user. The mask body and integrally joined supporting straps are formed of an elastomeric material that is unitary in structure so as to be…
View on Google Patents - Reusable Face Mask with Changeable Filters US-2021346736-A1 2021 · RAVIKUMAR VIKRAM
A reusable face mask including a face protector covering the user's nose, mouth, portion of cheeks and portion of chin. The face protector having an opening over the mouth and a raised or higher profile along the periphery of …
View on Google Patents - Arrangement for a moulded protective half-face mask with disposable filter, adjustable strap and holder for a disposable filter WO-2021222996-A1 2021 · FIBER TECIDOS TECNICOS LTDA
The invention relates to a protective half-face mask (1) moulded in a single piece using polyester (2) on the outer part and polyamide (3) on the inner part, which allow flexibility and a capacity for moulding to the shape of the …
View on Google Patents - Particulate filter face mask having fan breathing assist US-10342999-B2 2019 · SONG YANG
A respiratory mask assembly ( 10 ), adapted to be placed over the nose and mouth of the face of a wearer. The mask assembly includes a base mask ( 12 ), defining a set of openings; a filter ( 30 ), detachably supported by the base…
View on Google Patents - Washable fabric face mask with a compartment for an air filter US-2017209720-A1 2017 · MINGO MICHAEL
A protective and thermally insulating mask useful in preventing inhalation of airborne materials and keeping a user's face, ears and neck warm. The protective mask allows the user to comfortably and conveniently wear it around…
View on Google Patents - Filtering face mask with a unidirectional valve having a stiff unbiased flexible flap US-7503326-B2 2009 · 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
A filtering face mask that includes a mask body that is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a wearer to create an interior gas space when worn; and an exhalation valve that is in fluid communication with the interio…
View on Google Patents - Filtering face mask that has a resilient seal surface in its exhalation valve US-7188622-B2 2007 · 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
A filtering face mask 10 that has a mask body and a new exhalation valve 14 . The mask body is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a person to help define an interior gas space when the mask is worn. The exhalati…
View on Google Patents - Filtering face mask that uses an exhalation valve that has a multi-layered flexible flap US-7028689-B2 2006 · 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
A filtering face mask that includes a mask body and an exhalation valve. The mask body is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a wearer to create an interior gas space when worn, and the exhalation valve is in fluid …
View on Google Patents - Crush resistant filtering face mask US-6923182-B2 2005 · 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
A filtering face mask that includes a mask body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a person and a harness that is attached to the mask body. The mask body comprises i) a first shaping layer that has been molded; ii)…
View on Google Patents - Face mask that has a filtered exhalation valve US-6805124-B2 2004 · 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
A filtering face mask that covers at least the nose and mouth of a wearer and that includes an exhalation valve. The exhalation valve opens in response to increased pressure when the wearer exhales to allow the exhaled air to be r…
View on Google Patents
What this means for your idea
Because patents cover specific combinations of features, the useful question is not “has a face mask been patented?” but “has my combination of features been described before?” Accessories and apparel are often protected by design patents as much as utility patents; how something fastens, adjusts or is shaped is usually the difference.
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Guides that help with this
First-look landscape. Not exhaustive. Not legal advice. This page lists keyword-matched publications from a limited database; it does not say whether any product is or isn't covered by a patent, whether a patent is still in force, or whether your idea is patentable. Consult a registered patent attorney or agent.