TODAY’S PATENT – SMOKE MASK

The SMOKE MASK was invented by John S. Tanaka (Menlo Park, CA) on 12^th February 1985, bearing the patent number US4498472A.

The invention relates to a protective mask for traversing toxic smoke-filled regions.

A protective breathing apparatus for traversing toxic smoke zones, having a face mask portion covering the nose and mouth of a user in a sealed relationship to the face, a pleated flexible vessel made of a gas-impermeable material and capable of containing ambient air, and a sealed air passageway between the mask and vessel. When not in use, the vessel can be tightly compressed and reduced in size for easy portability; however, for use, the vessel can be instantly expanded, drawing at least 60 cubic inches of ambient air therein. An object of the present invention is to provide a light weight, highly portable smoke mask to escape from a toxic smoke-filled structure such as a hotel, condominium, apartment or office building, in the event of a fire.