CA2213262A1 - Face mask - Google Patents

Face mask

Info

Publication number
CA2213262A1
CA2213262A1 CA 2213262 CA2213262A CA2213262A1 CA 2213262 A1 CA2213262 A1 CA 2213262A1 CA 2213262 CA2213262 CA 2213262 CA 2213262 A CA2213262 A CA 2213262A CA 2213262 A1 CA2213262 A1 CA 2213262A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
mask
opening
valve
mask according
exhalation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2213262
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ian Maxwell
Staffan Ekstrom
Gunnar Innings
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Comasec International SA
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2213262A1 publication Critical patent/CA2213262A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62BDEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B18/00Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
    • A62B18/08Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices
    • A62B18/10Valves

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
  • Adjustment Of The Magnetic Head Position Track Following On Tapes (AREA)
  • Polishing Bodies And Polishing Tools (AREA)

Abstract

A face mask intended to cover at least the wearer's mouth and nose includes means for holding the mask in a fixed position on the wearer, and further includes a first and a second (1) opening, an inhalation valve fitted in the first opening and connectable to a source of breathing gas, and an exhalation valve (4) fitted in the second opening (1). According to the invention, the mask includes a device (5) which is fitted on the outside of the mask and surrounds the exhalation valve (4). The exhalation valve (4) is mounted in the device (5) such that when the device (5) is in an open position (5') the exhalation valve (4) will be out of contact with the second opening (1), and so that when the device (5) is in a closed position the inhalation valve will be in contact with the second opening (1). The exhalation valve functions as a one-part valve in the closed position of the device (5). The face mask also includes locking means which function to hold the device (5) either in its open or its closed position, and indicating means which can be seen by the wearer of the mask and which indicates whether the device is open or closed.

Description

FACE MASK
The present invention relates to a breathing mask which whenl wom is intended to cover at least the wearer's mouth and nose and which includes means to hold the mask in a fixed position on the face of a wearer, a first and a secGnd 5 opening, an inhalation valve fitted in the hrst opening and Col Inec~able to a source of breathing gas, and an exhalation valve fitted in the second ~penir,!~.
Such brea~l ,i"g masks are known to the art. The breathing malsk is normally a full-face mask which includes the des~, ibed mask as an inner mask that coversthe mouth and the nose region of the wearer's face, and an outer m~lsk which is 10 worn outside the inner mask and which covers the wearer s face ancl includes a ll dl w~uar~ viewing window in the region of the wearer's eyes. The outer mask and the inner mask are normally constructed so that breathing gas from a gas-storagesource will first enter the outer mask and flush the inner surface of the viewing window so as to remove any moisture that may be present, and then p~sses 15 through a valve and into the inner mask. Exhalation gas leaves the mask through an exhalation valve. These valves are normally one-way valves. Such breathing masks are also usually used together with helmets which er"brace the wearer's head and which include a breathing mask that covers the mouth ancl nose region of the wearer's face. The front side of the helmet includes a transparent viewing 2 o window or visor.
As the wearer approaches an area in which the atmosphere is known to be unsuitable or is anticipated to be uns~ lit~hle, the mask is donned ancl breathing gas is taken from a breathing-gas source, normally a gas cylinder having a gas pressure of up to 300 atm. Because the mask cannot be donned quickly, it must be2 5 donned in good time before entering a non-breathable atmosphere. When entering a breathable atmosphere after leaving an unbreathable atmosphere, the mask must be removed so as to not consume gas unnecess~rily from the breat!hing-gas source, which covers only a limited breathing time.
An object of the present invention is to enable breathable ambient air to be 3 o breathed-in while wearing the mask, and to switch to breathing frorrl the gas supply with the aid of a simple hand manipulation when the ambient air is not safe to breath.

Another object of the invention is to provide a L l eall ,i"y mask of the aforesaid kind which can be switched from a gas-supply breathing mode and an dl I ,bien~ air breathing mode easily and effectively.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a mask which, when worn, will enable air to be inhaled through the medium of the inhalation valve, either from the gas supply or from the a" ,t ~enL dll"os,chere.
These objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention with the aid of a breathing mask which covers at least the wearer's mouth and nose and which includes means for holding the mask in a fixed position on the wearer, a first and a second opening, an inhalation valve which is fitted in the first opening and which is connec~hlo to a source of breathing gas, and an exl ,alalio" valve fitted in the second opening. The inventive mask is characterized by a valve positioning device which is connected to the exhalation valve and which has a second posiliol-in which the exhalation valve is out of conla~;l with the second opening, and a first position in which the exhalation valve is in conlacl with the second opening, wherein the wearer is only able to exhale through said opening when the device is in this latter position.
Particularly preferred embodiments have been made apparent in the claims appendant to the main claim.
2 0 The invention will now be described with reference to a non-limiting em-bodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates schematically and in horizontal section mask components disposed over the exhalation opening of a breathing mask.
The inhalation and exhalation openings of the mask are disposed in a rigid 2 5 plate fitted in the mask, which is pliable and flexible in other respects. The plate is referenced 6 and the exhalation opening is r~erenced 1. The exhalation valve 4 solely permits the passage of gas from the opening 1 and is fitted on an arm 3. The arm 3 is pivotal about a pivot pin 2 attached to an exhalation valve positioningdevice in the form of a cover 5, in a manner not shown. The arm 3 has an extension 3 0 7 which extends out on the side of the pivot pin 2 distal from the exhalation valve 4.
The cover 5 is arranged for pivotal movement towards and away from the exhala-WO 96/25982 PC'T/SE96/00216 tion valve 4. The extension 7 of the arm 3 terminates imme~ Iy ~Uj~cenl the inner defining surface of the cover 5.
The cover 5 is pivotal about a pivot pin 8 between the position shown in full seuLion lines and the position shown in dotted lines 5 . As the cover 5 is pivoted 5 from the closed posilion shown in full lines to the open posilion 5 (shown in dotted lines), it will come into ~"la~l with the e,~le"~io" 7 of the arm 3 and l;herewith rotate the valve 4 from the position shown in full lines, in which the valve closes theopening 1, to a position 5 in which the opening 1 is open. The cover 5 is held fixed in its open and its closed position with the aid of a locking means nol: shown. A
10 spring (not shown) biases the cover 5 in a di, ~:c~io, I towards its closed position.
The mask includes an indicalor which indicates the position of the cover 5, therewith obviating the need to "feel" for the cover in order to asce, lai,) whether it is open or closed. When the mask is a full-face mask, the cover posiliar, indicator may be fitted adjacent the cover and function to cause an electric signal to be ll ans" lil-15 ted to an indication lamp provided in the viewing window or visor. This lamp may bea light emitting diode. Alternatively, the locking means may include cm outwardly and upwardly projecting rod. This rod may, for instance, have an arm or some other device which extends perpendicularly to the rod axis and which must be brought from a low to a high position in order to be able to rotate the cover 5 from its2 o opening closing position to its opening uncovering position. Similarl~r, the rod must be brought back to the lower position when the cover 5 is swung back to its closed position. The rod is brought to its lower position when the cover 5 is closed bymeans of a spring force.
When using the illustrated mask, the mask is preferably fittecl with a 2 5 breathing-activatable inhalation valve, preferably a valve which is controlled by the need to breath and which is connected to a portable supply of brecllhil)g gas. The connection between the gas supply and the need-controlled inhalation valve may be an open connection. The mask can be donned in good time before e, l~ering an unbreathable atmosphere. The cover 5 is therewith open and il Ihalc,lion and 3 o exhalation take place through the exhalation opening 1. The need~ontrolled inhalation valve is not opened until activated by a subpressure, which can be generated by taking a deep breath. When expecting to enter an unbreathable atmosphere or when delecli"g that an u,)breall ,able dLII ,osphere has been enlered, the cover 5 can be closed without needing to ~otuate the locking means. When thecover 5 is closed, the cover will no longer act on the arm extension 7 and the valve 4 will be posilioned across the exl ,aldlion opening 1 and therewith close the 5 opening to the entry of inhalation gas.
When the cover 5, and therewith the e~l ,aldlion opening 1, is closed to the supply of breall ,i"g gas, there is generated in the mask a subpressure which ca~ Ises the need-controlled inhalation valve to open and gas to be breathed-in from the gas source. Air is then inhaled from the gas store and the expired gas will leave l o the mask through the exhalation valve 4.
The inventive mask may also be also be provided with a mechanically ~ctu:3hle inhalation valve, p,efer~bly a need-controlled inhalation valve, con"ec;~ed to a portable supply of breathing gas. The conneclion between the gas supply andthe need-controlled inhalation valve may be an open connection. The inhalation 15 valve is then inactive, i.e is closed. The mask can be donned in good time before entering an unbreathable almos,uhere. In this case, the cover 5 is open and gas is inhaled and exhaled through the exhalation opening 1. When expecting to enter anunbreathable atmosphere or when detecting that an unbreathable atmosphere has been entered, the cover 5 can be closed without needing to ~ct.u~te the locking 2 0 means. The arm extension 7 will therewith no longer act on the cover 5 and the valve 4 will be positioned across the exhalation opening 1 and therewith close the valve for inhalation purposes. As the valve is closed, the inhalation valve is activated so as to enable gas to be inhaled from the gas supply (not shown).
When the wearer re-enters a breathable atmosphere, all that is needed is to 2 5 open the cover 1 and to close the normal inhalation valve. The need-controlled inhalation valve is closed automatically as the cover 5 is opened.
The face mask according to one or more of Claims 1-12 includes prererably an outer mask or helmet fitted with a visor.
The face mask accordi"g to Claim 7 includes preferably an outer mask or a 3 o helmet with a visor provided with said indicating device.
The indicating device in the breathing mask is preferably an electronic device, for instance a light emitting diode.

.

Claims (12)

Claims
1. A face mask for covering at least a wearer's mouth and nose and having means for holding the mask fixed in position on the wearer, a first and a second (1) opening, an inhalation valve fitted in the first opening and connectable to a source of breathing gas, and an exhalation valve (4) fitted in the second opening (1), characterized by an inhalation valve positioning device (5) which is connected to the exhalation valve (4) and which has a second position in which the inhalationvalve (4) is out of contact with the second opening (1) and a first position in which the valve (4) is in contact with the second opening (1), wherein solely exhalation through the opening (1) is possible when the device (5) is in its first position.
2. A mask according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mash; includes locking means for holding the device (5) in said second position, in which the exhalation valve (4) is spaced from said opening (1), and in the first position in which the exhalation valve (4) is in contact with said opening (1).
3. A mask according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the device (5) is an openable cover (5) which is attached to the outside of the mask and surrounds the exhalation valve (4); and in that the cover (5) is pivotally or foldably mounted on the mask, for instance mounted on a pivot pin (2) for pivotal movement in the plane of the cover (5).
4. A mask according to Claim 2, characterized in that the device (5) can be opened by simultaneous actuation of both the device (5) and the locking means.
5. A mask according to Claim 2, characterized in that the device (5) can be closed solely by actuation of the device (5).
6. A mask according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, characterized in that the mask includes spring means which bias the device (5) to its first position when the locking means is actuated.
7. A mask according to one or more of Claims 1-6, characterized by indicating means which when the mask is worn are visible to the wearer and which indicate when the device (5) is located in said second position in which the exhalation valve (4) is spaced from the opening (1), and when the device (5) is in its first position in which the exhalation valve (4) is in contact with the opening (1).
8. A mask according to Claim 7, characterized in that the indicating means is in mechanical or electrical contact with the locking means or with the device (5).
9. A mask according to one or more of Claims 1-8, characterized by second locking means connected to the device or to the inhalation valve, said second locking means functioning to hold the inhalation valve closed when the device is in its open position (5').
10. A mask according to Claim 9, characterized in that the second locking means functions to prevent opening of the inhalation valve when the device (5) is in its second position.
11. A mask according to Claim 10, characterized in that the inhalation valve is a breathing-actuable inhalation valve which can be opened when the device (5) is in its first position in which the exhalation valve (4) is in contact with the opening (1), by virtue of the effect of a deep breath on the inhalation valve when the mask is worn.
12. A mask according to Claim 10, characterized in that the inhalation valve is an inhalation valve that can be actuated mechanically and which is activated when the device (5) is brought to its first position in which the exhalation valve (4) is in contact with the opening (1).
CA 2213262 1995-02-20 1996-02-19 Face mask Abandoned CA2213262A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9500627-6 1995-02-20
SE9500627A SE504000C2 (en) 1995-02-20 1995-02-20 Face mask for gas breathing from storage or the surrounding atmosphere

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2213262A1 true CA2213262A1 (en) 1996-08-29

Family

ID=20397300

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2213262 Abandoned CA2213262A1 (en) 1995-02-20 1996-02-19 Face mask

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0810897B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH11500637A (en)
AU (1) AU705233B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2213262A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69608952T2 (en)
SE (1) SE504000C2 (en)
WO (1) WO1996025982A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE511288C2 (en) * 1995-07-05 1999-09-06 Comasec International Sa Breathing equipment that automatically opens to the outside air in case of failure
FR2755021B1 (en) * 1996-10-31 1998-11-27 Comasec International NON-RETURN VALVE, RESPIRATORY DEVICE, MASK, HELMET AND PROTECTIVE SCAPHANDER
FR2815727B1 (en) 2000-10-25 2003-03-07 Lebas Sports PAIR OF INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES
CN114344752B (en) * 2021-12-29 2023-09-26 南通通易航天科技股份有限公司 Breathing linkage device for aviation oxygen supply

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE580706C (en) * 1929-10-27 1933-07-14 Nordiska Armaturfab Ab Filter connection piece for gas masks
FR796977A (en) * 1935-10-22 1936-04-18 Improvements to gas protection devices

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE9500627L (en) 1996-08-21
DE69608952T2 (en) 2001-02-01
EP0810897A1 (en) 1997-12-10
AU705233B2 (en) 1999-05-20
JPH11500637A (en) 1999-01-19
DE69608952D1 (en) 2000-07-27
AU4852896A (en) 1996-09-11
EP0810897B1 (en) 2000-06-21
SE504000C2 (en) 1996-10-14
WO1996025982A1 (en) 1996-08-29
SE9500627D0 (en) 1995-02-20

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