| abstract |
The present invention is directed to a face mask comprising a multi-layer filter material. One or more antimicrobial and/or hydrophilic and/or stain release agents are adhered to a textile material that forms the outer layers of the multi-layer filter material. The agent(s) is/are adhered to the textile material in such a manner that they are not released from the textile material even if the face mask is washed, so that the face mask as such is re-usable. The particular arrangement of textile layers of the face mask according to the present invention also allows that the face mask can be washed. That is, the textile and the overall structure of the face mask is preserved albeit the physical stress applied during washing. In preferred embodiments, where one or more antimicrobial agents are adhered to the textile material, the face mask can be used to protect the wearer against airborne particulate and microbial pollution, and, in particular, sanitize the inhaled air. Likewise, the environment, such as other persons, are protected from particles and microbes that are exhaled by the wearer of a face mask according to the present invention. Washability and/or usability of the textile material within the multi-layer filter material of the face mask is/are improved when one or more hydrophilic and/or stain release agents are adhered to the textile material, which is particularly advantageous to ensure that the face mask is rendered as clean as possible during wash, i.e. that absorbed or adsorbed stains are released from the textile. The invention further relates to a method of finishing a textile material by applying and binding antimicrobial and/or hydrophilic and/or stain release agents to the textile material so that the agents are essentially irreversibly adhered to the finished textile material. |