A MOUTH-TO-MOUTH RESUSCITATION MASK

Abstract: A mouth-to-mouth resuscitation mask comprising a foil (1) of flexible synthetic plastics material, provided with a thickened, stiffened portion (3) containing a hole (4) provided with an air-permeable material. The mask is characterized in that the stiffened portion (3) has the shape and size of a credit card.

Description: This invention relates to a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation mask comprising a foil of flexible synthetic plastics or like material, a portion of which is provided with a stiffened part whose centre contains an opening covered by an air-permeable material, the foil being made of non-transparent material. It is an object of the present invention to improve such a mask disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift 2742213. To that effect, the mask is characterized in that the stiffened portion has the shape and size of a credit card and which mask is provided with a transparent eye window, so that when the victim of an accident has to be resuscitated, the eyes can be controled. Further the mask can easily be taken by someone as it has in folded condition the size of a credit card. Moreover, direct contact with blood is prevented. By impregnating the air-permeable portion with a scent, the use of the mask for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation can be promoted in a simple manner. In a further elaboration of the present invention, the foil may be provided circumferentially with an elastic edge, e.g. in the form of a separate piece of elastic, and the air permeable material is made in such a manner that air will flow more easily from the outside inwards than the other way round. Further only air but not fluids can pass the air permeable material. As a result, it is not only possible to put the mask and hence the air-permeable portion on the victim's head in a more or less fixed position, but it is moreover achieved that the mask can also serve to remedy hyperventilation problems: because the mask substantially seals over the face, the exhalation of too much air or nitrogen, producing the oppressed feeling in the event of hyperventilation, is prevented. As in a lot of instances the victim shows blood and someone may "fear" to administer aid, the foil can have a surgical green or blood red colour. In this simple manner, there is provided a life-saving aid that is easily carried along and can be used for both mouth-to-­ mouth resuscitation and to remedy hyperventilation symptoms. For the sake of clearness it is remarked that from AU-B-­ 448,073 in itself a mask for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is known which has a special mouth piece, so that it is not foldable into a flat product that can easily be put away in for example a pocket-boot. From DE-U-8,801,386 in itself is known a mask for mouth-­ to-mouth resuscitation comprising a foil of flexible synthetic plastics material, provided with a hole with an air-permeable material which material is electrostatic, so that bacteries will be hold back. Further resemblance is not there. One embodiment of the mask according to the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a mask according to the present invention worn on a head illustrated in stylized fashion; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows on a reduced scale the mask according to Figs. 1 and 2 in folded condition; and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1. As shown in the drawings, a mask is provided with a flexible foil 1 of synthetic plastics material wherein, at the location of the mouth of a head 2 shown in dash-dotted lines, there is provided a credit card-like, stiffened portion 3. The centre of stiffened portion 3 is provided with a hole 4 filled with a filler 7 covered on either side by a cover 5 of synthetic plastics material having apertures 8 therein. A suitable filter material is the material marketed by the company of Carl Freudenberg at Weinheim, BRD, under the name of Viledon Micro donfilter, type LRS 306. Cover 5 can be made of synthetic plastics material, fine muslin, mull, gauze or the like: on the one hand a good air-­ permeability is required and on the other minimal contact between the victim and the donor. In order to render this aid "more agreable", said filter can be prepared with a scent, e.g. menthol, so that the donor is not troubled, or hardly so, by a possible unpleasant odour from the victim. In this connection, it is observed that the foil can be coloured, so as to render any blood present on the victim inconspicuous, e.g. surgical green or blood red. In order that the victim's eyes may be observed, a transparent eye hole 9 is provided in the mask. In order that the mask may also be used in the event the victim is suffering from hyperventilation, foil 1 may be provided with an elastic circumferential edge 6, so that the air or nitrogen exhaled by the victim remains underneath the mask, thereby preventing over-exhalation of air or nitrogen, producing the oppressed feeling or hyperventilation. The illustration of the mask in folded condition in Fig. 3 appears to be self-explanatory. Possibly, the unit may be stored in a case carrying the bearer's personal data, such as name, address, blood group etc. As noted above, the gauzy portion 5 should be made in such a manner that air or oxygen can be easily supplied therethrough to the victim, but on the other hand, this gauzy portion should be made in such a manner that the air cannot be easily discharged by the victim, in which case the contemplated effect in remedying hyperventilation would not occur. Preferably, the gauzy portion is made in such a manner that the air-permeability from the outside inwards is relatively high, but the air-permeability from the inside outwards is lower. This can be achieved e.g. by providing passages with a tapered configuration from the outside inwards: an example is shown in Fig. 4.

Claims: 1. A mouth-to-mouth resuscitation mask comprising a foil (1) of flexible synthetic plastics material, provided with a thickened stiffened portion (3) containing a hole (4) provided with an air-permeable material (5, 7, 8), the foil being made of non-transparent material, characterized in that the stiffened portion has the shape and size of a credit card and is provided with a transparent eye window (9). 2. A mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the foil is provided circumferentially with an elastic edge (6) and the air permeable material is made in such a manner that air flows more easily from the outside inwards than the other way round. 3. A mask as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the air permeable material includes air passages which are tapered from the outside inwards. 4. A mask as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that only air but not fluids can pass the air permeable material. 5. A mask as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is packaged in a case on the outside of which the bearer's personal data can be written or otherwise displayed. 6. A mask as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air-permeable material is impregnated with a scent, e.g. menthol. 7. A mask according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foil has a surgical green or blood red colour.

Inventors: DANIELS, ROBERTUS FRANCISCUS CORNELIA MARIA
Applicants: DANIELS, ROBERTUS FRANCISCUS CORNELIA MARIA
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A61M16
IPC codes: A61M16