JPH028748B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an optional dust respirator for protecting the breathing of workers from dust causing pneumonitis and fibrosis. More specifically, the present invention provides a dust-proof respirator of this type which is designed to open naturally, away from the mouth when opened, can be used at will at any time, is inexpensive, and features a large surface area to extend the period of use. oriented towards.

Filtration masks have historically been used to reduce the spread of microorganisms from the respiratory systems of physicians involved in procedures requiring sterile conditions, such as surgery. These masks normally tend to deflate around the nose and mouth when the wearer breathes in air, especially when the filtration media becomes moistened by moisture from the wearer's exhaled breath. Occurs after a short period of use. This shrinkage around the wearer's nose and mouth is not only uncomfortable and cumbersome, but also reduces the filtration effectiveness of the mask by forcing a large amount of air through the small surface area of the mask. These masks must also be punched or pushed open by a skilled doctor or nurse to make them useful. However, since surgical procedures are usually completed within a relatively short period of time, these drawbacks have not been considered to be too objectionable in the use of these masks. Such masks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,971,369 and 3,884,227.
No. 3736928, No. 3613678, and other specifications.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (NIOSH) recently announced requirements for dust masks for industrial workers exposed to dust that can cause pneumonitis and fibrosis, making it difficult for relatively unskilled workers to wear them for long periods of time. It has to be possible. In such a situation, the shortcomings of conventional surgical masks become a significant issue and must be overcome so that workers do not put themselves at risk by not wearing a mask.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dust-proof respiratory mask that does not have the disadvantages of conventional surgical masks as described above.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a dust-proof respiratory mask designed so that the maximum filtration area is automatically opened simply by applying the mask to the face.

To provide a dust-proof breathing mask which can be worn comfortably and can fit snugly over the mouth and nose so as to adapt to the shape of any wearer's face, regardless of its size. This is also an object of the present invention.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows the dustproof respirator when fitted.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the bottom of the dust-proof respirator of FIG. 1 in a partially opened state, with the upper portion thereof partially removed and cut.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the top of FIG. 1 with the dustproof respirator mask opened.

The invention can best be understood by referring to the drawings. Like parts are numbered like throughout the drawings.

Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, a dust respirator is indicated generally at 10. And it is made from a usually planar filtration media with horizontal and vertical dimensions. The filtration medium is formed from a central portion that is folded horizontally and connects opposing upper and lower surfaces 14 and 16, and has a pleat 18 in the central portion that connects the opposing surfaces, which allows the filtration medium to be vertically folded. Shorten to. opposing upper surface 14
and the lower surface 16 has at least one additional pleat 20 and 22 which further shortens the filtration media in the vertical direction. All of these pleats extend laterally to the edges 24 and 2 of the dust respirator.
6 by suitable means such as heat sealing. These pleats form a self-supporting pocket. That is, the material and structure of the pleats are selected so that, when unfolded, these pleats form a pocket that does not deform under its own weight.

The central fold 18 is the same as the upper and lower folds 20.
and 22, while the pleats 20 and 22 are horizontally shorter than the maximum horizontal dimension of the filtration media. This array is edge 2
4 and 26 are meant to taper from the opening of the mask. As a result of this arrangement of pleats 18, 20 and 22, the mask naturally expands when opened, thus eliminating the need for the person wearing the mask to puncture the breathing bag each time the mask is used.

The upper lip of the filtration media has a conventional easily deformable strip 28 which helps the upper lip of the filtration media selectively conform to the contours of the wearer's nose. That is, the strip 28 is made of a plastically deformable material.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the strip 28 may be on the surface thereof, but it is preferred that the strip 28 be embedded in the opposing surface. Preferably, the strip is a plastic strip reinforced with wire mesh.

The dustproof respirator 10 is provided with a fitting 3 for attaching it to the wearer 30 in a removable manner.
2 is provided. This is preferably an elastic cord to provide comfort around the wearer's ears.

The profile of the dust respirator 10 is preferably completed with two foldovers 34 and 36 spanning the lower and upper sides, respectively.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the dust-proof respirator 10 will naturally unfold into its open, ready-to-use condition by simply pulling on the upper and lower edges of the mask. When the dust respirator is not in use, it is easily stored in its original flat shape.

The design of the respirator allows the wearer to pull the fitting 32 and provide a relatively large filtration surface area to aid in filtration without requiring the wearer to do anything other than place the mask over the mouth and nose. Moreover, since it can be folded into a relatively limited size, it is easy to store, transport, handle, etc.

To provide a dust respirator with a useful life sufficient to meet the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the filtration media preferably has an initial surface area of about 70 to 75 square inches.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The specific examples described are in all respects merely illustrative of the invention and should not be construed as limiting it. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the dust respirator when fitted. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the bottom of the dust-proof respirator of FIG. 1 in a partially open state, with the upper portion thereof partially removed and cut. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the dust-proof respirator of FIG. 1 in an open state; 10... Dust-proof breathing mask, 14... Lower surface, 16... Upper surface, 18... Center folds, 20... Upper surface pleats, 2
2...Folds on the lower surface, 24, 26...edges, 28...strips, 32...attachments.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1 (a) It is formed from a central portion extending in the horizontal direction and opposing upper and lower surfaces connected by the central portion, and the central portion forms one horizontal pleat. and the upper surface and the lower surface have at least one horizontal pleat, the central pleat has a shorter horizontal length than the pleats on the upper surface and the lower surface, and the upper surface and the lower surface have at least one horizontal pleat. , an initially flat medium that is joined at both horizontal ends, by increasing the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface, the folds in the central part and the upper surface and the lower surface are expanded. (b) a plastically deformable strip provided horizontally at the opening edge of the upper surface; and (c) a fitting. A dust-proof breathing mask. 2. The dust-proof respiratory mask of claim 1, wherein each of the upper surface and the lower surface has one pleat. 3. The dust-proof respirator of claim 1, wherein said strip is embedded in said top surface.