Patent Application
20240081439
This disclosure relates to a mask, and in particular a mask configured as a respirator.
Respirators are a type of mask worn over the mouth and nose to protect the wearer's respiratory system by filtering out substances such as dust, fumes, bacteria, etc., from inhaled air.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, including: a strap attachment configured such that a strap is attachable to the strap attachment without tying the strap into a knot.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the strap attachment includes a first through-hole, a second through-hole, and a third through-hole configured such that the strap is attachable to the strap attachment by passing the strap through each of the first, second, and third through-holes.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein: the first through-hole is spaced-apart from the second through-hole in a first direction, and the third through-hole is spaced-apart from the first and second through-holes in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the strap attachment is configured such that the strap is attachable to the strap attachment by passing a free end of the strap out of the third through-hole and underneath a segment of the strap between the first and second through-holes.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the strap attachment includes an indicator arrow between the first and second through-holes pointing in a direction away from the third through-hole.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the first, second, and third through-holes are elliptical and exhibit major axes that are non-parallel to one another.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the strap is a strand of elastic material having first and second free ends.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein: the strap attachment is a first strap attachment and the mask further includes second, third, and fourth strap attachments, the first and second strap attachments are configured to attach to a first strand without tying the first strand into any knots, and the third and fourth strap attachments are configured to attach to a second strand without tying the second strand into any knots.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the strap attachment includes a through-hole configured to receive a fastener.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein: the fastener includes a head, a shaft, and a deflectable loop, and the deflectable loop is biased to a relaxed state in which the deflectable loop is able to retain the strap attachment on the shaft.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein: the head is arranged between an inner shell and an outer shell of the mask, and the shaft projects through an opening in the outer shell.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, further including: a filter arranged between the inner and outer shells.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein: the outer shell includes a first opening in a first side wall, a second opening in a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and a third opening in a bottom wall, the inner shell includes a first opening in a first side wall, a second opening in a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and a third opening in a bottom wall such that the first, second and third openings of the inner shell substantially align with corresponding first, second and third openings of the outer shell, and the filter overlaps the first, second, and third openings of the inner and outer shells.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the inner and outer shells each include: a forward panel; and a perimeter wall projecting from an edge of the forward panel to a free end.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the perimeter walls of the inner and outer shells are tapered toward the forward panels.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein: the first, second, and third openings of the outer shell are formed in the perimeter wall of the outer shell, and the first, second, and third openings of the inner shell are formed in the perimeter wall of the inner shell.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, further including: a seal adjacent the free ends of the perimeter walls of the inner and outer shells.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the forward panels are transparent.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, wherein the filter is arranged so as to not obscure a view through the forward panels.
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a mask, including: an outer shell including a first opening in a first side wall, a second opening in a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and a third opening in a bottom wall; an inner shell including a first opening in a first side wall, a second opening in a second side wall opposite the first side wall, and a third opening in a bottom wall such that the first, second and third openings of the inner shell substantially align with corresponding first, second and third openings of the outer shell; and a filter overlapping the first, second, and third openings of the inner and outer shells, wherein the inner and outer shells each include a transparent forward panel and the filter is arranged so as to not obscure a view through the forward panels.
This disclosure relates to a mask, and in particular a mask configured as a respirator. Among other benefits, which will be appreciated from the below description, the disclosed mask is relatively easy to manufacture. Further, the disclosed mask is reusable, customizable, and adjustable.
With joint reference to
With reference to
The facepiece portion 14 is provided by an inner shell 22 and an outer shell 24, in this example. The inner shell 22 is shown in more detail in
In
The perimeter wall 28 includes a first opening 32 in a first side wall 34, a second opening 36 in a second side wall 38 opposite the first side wall 34, and a third opening 40 in a bottom wall 42. A gasket 44 is attached to an exterior of the perimeter wall 28 and surrounds an entire perimeter of each of the first opening 32, second opening 36, and third opening 40. The gasket 44 is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam in this example, and is adhered to the inner shell 22 using an adhesive.
The outer shell 24 is shown in more detail in
The perimeter wall 48 includes a first opening 52 in a first side wall 54, a second opening 56 in a second side wall 58 opposite the first side wall 54, and a third opening 60 in a bottom wall 62. When the inner shell 22 is inserted into the outer shell 24, the first openings 32, 52, second openings 36, 56, and the third openings 40, 60 are substantially aligned with one another.
The inner and outer shells 22, 24 are shaped at respective free ends 30, 50 to correspond to a shape of a face of the wearer 12. In particular, free ends 30, 50 are contoured to accommodate a nose of the wearer 12. Further, the perimeter walls 28, 48 are dimensioned so that the forward panels 26, 46 do not directly contact a tip of a nose of the wearer 12 or the mouth of the wearer 12.
The inner and outer shells 22, 24 are formed of a plastic material, and in particular a transparent plastic material in this example. The plastic material may be rigid or deformable. The inner and outer shells 22, 24 are vacuum formed in one example. Other manufacturing techniques come within the scope of this disclosure. The forward panels 26, 46 could include an anti-fog coating in some examples. In one particular example, an inner surface of the forward panel 26 includes an anti-fog coating.
First openings 32, 52, second openings 36, 56, and the third openings 40, 60 are arranged in the perimeter wall 28, 48 and are configured to permit air to flow in and out of the mask 10, to and from the mouth and nose of the wearer 12. A filter 64 (
The filter 64 exhibits a length such that a single filter 64 can extend about the mask 10 to overlap each of the first openings 32, 52, second openings 36, 56, and the third openings 40, 60. By providing the filter 64 such that the filter 64 overlaps the first openings 32, 52, second openings 36, 56, and the third openings 40, 60 in the perimeter walls 28, 48, as opposed to the front viewport 20, the front viewport 20 remains unobscured by the filter 64, and the filter 64 is taken out of the direct path of exhalation of the wearer 12, prolonging the useful life of the filter 64. The filter 64 protects the wearer 12 from the nearby environmental conditions, and protects those near the wearer 12 from the air expelled by the wearer 12
The free end 50 of the outer shell 24 includes a plurality of tabs 70 (
The strap attachment 72A exhibits a length between a forward end 84 and a rear end 86, and a width perpendicular to the length. The strap attachment 72A includes a plurality of through-holes, which extend between a first side 88 (
The through-holes that facilitate attachment of the strap 18A will now be described. The strap attachment 72A includes a first through-hole 92, a second through-hole 94, and a third through-hole 96 configured to permit one to attach the strap 18A to the strap attachment 72A. The first through-hole 92 is spaced-apart in a direction of the width of the strap attachment 72A from the second through-hole 94. The third through-hole 96 is closer to the forward end 84 than the first and second through-holes 92, 94. The third through-hole 96 is also arranged between the first and second through holes 92, 94. In this example, the first, second, and third through-holes 92, 94, 96 are elliptical and exhibit major axes that are non-parallel to one another. The arrangement of the through-holes facilitates weaving of the strap 18A such that the strap 18A can attach to the strap attachment 72A without tying the strap 18A into a knot.
In one example, as shown in
The strap 18A is made of an elastic material in this example such that weaving the strap 18A in the above-described manner will hold the strap 18A in place relative to the strap attachment 72A. An opposite free end of the strap 18A is weaved in a similar manner relative to strap attachment 72D, and the strap 18A can then be passed around the head of the wearer 12. The strap 18B is attached to strap attachments 72B, 72C in a similar manner. While an exemplary manner for attaching a strap to a strap attachment has been described, this disclosure extends to other strap attachment techniques that do not require a user to tie a strap into a knot.
The strap attachment 72A includes an indicator arrow 102 in this example. The arrow 102 is pointing in the direction that a user is to pull on the free end 98 to tighten the mask 10. The arrow 102 may be formed as a through-hole in one example. The arrow 102 may take other forms, including being provided as a recess into the second side 90, painted-onto the second side 90, or applied as a sticker, as examples.
The strap attachment 72A also includes a through-hole 104 configured to attach to the fastener 70A. The through-hole 104 is closer to the forward end 84 than the first, second, and third through-holes 92, 94, 96. The through-hole 104 is circular in shape, in this example, and exhibits a diameter that permits the deflectable loop 78 to pass through the through-hole 104 when the deflectable loop 78 is in a deflected state, but not when the deflectable loop 78 is in a relaxed state. The through-hole 104 is exhibits a slightly larger diameter than the shaft 76.
Directional terms such as “upward,” “downward,” “forward,” “rearward,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used herein for purposes of explanation and with reference to the orientation of components illustrated in the drawings. Such directional terms should not be considered limiting. Further, it should be understood that terms such as “generally,” “substantially,” and “about” are not intended to be boundaryless terms, and should be interpreted consistent with the way one skilled in the art would interpret those terms.
Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples. In addition, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.
One of ordinary skill in this art would understand that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and non-limiting. That is, modifications of this disclosure would come within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.
