ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 16 -- United States Patent no. 12,496,472, issued on Dec. 16.
"Cold sterilizable protective mask" was invented by Paul-David Morrison (Leander, Texas) and Mark David Vitale (Highlands Ranch, Colo.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A protective mask suited for quick regulatory approval and mass production to provide protective use of a wearer includes a mask body having a major portion forming at least one breathing opening configured for holding a filter. The mask body forms a cover contoured to cover, except for the at least one breathing opening, the wearer's mouth and nose when the mask is worn. The mask body further has a flange, wherein a length of the flange extends a...