CN107281663B

CN107281663B - End of service life indicator for dust mask

Info

Publication number: CN107281663B
Application number: CN201610222912.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张建雄; 屈铁成; 金朝霞
Original assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Current assignee: Omsignal Inc
Priority date: 2016-04-12
Filing date: 2016-04-12
Publication date: 2021-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-12
Also published as: CN107281663A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an end of a life-span indicator for a dust mask, and more particularly to a dust mask having an end of a life indicator, the dust mask comprising: a half-face dust mask fabric, an attached At least one strap to the dust mask fabric, the tank, the end of the expiry indicator held by the dust mask fabric, and a tube coupled to the tank and the end of the expiry indicator.

Description

End of service life indicator for dust mask

Background

Dust masks protect humans from particulate matter, such as dust and aerosols suspended in the air. Inhalation of such particles can result in short or long term damage to the lungs. The dust mask may also provide partial protection against bacterial and viral spores that may attach to the aerosol. Dust masks can be manufactured in a variety of ways, but are typically made very inexpensive and disposable. Because of the extended use time, the dust masks can become saturated or clogged with particulate matter and therefore desirably can be discarded and replaced with new, unused dust masks. For gases such as SO that may readily diffuse through the fabric substrate of a dust mask₂(sulfur dioxide), the dust mask may not provide protection.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a dust mask having an end portion with a life indicator is disclosed. This dust mask includes: a half-face dust mask fabric, at least one strap attached to the dust mask fabric, a tank, a life indicator end retained by the dust mask fabric, and a tube coupled to the tank and the life indicator end.

In another embodiment, an end of a dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a tank and a collapsible fluid conduit, wherein the conduit includes a plug that blocks an internal fluid passageway of the conduit when the collapsible fluid conduit is collapsed closed.

In yet another embodiment, an end of a life indicating dust mask system is disclosed. The system includes at least one fluid dispenser assembly and at least one dust mask. The fluid dispenser assembly includes a tank and a collapsible fluid conduit connected to the tank. The dust mask includes a half-face dust mask fabric, at least one strap attached to the dust mask fabric, and an end of a life indicator retained by the dust mask fabric.

These and other features will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

Fig. 1A and 1B are illustrations of a dust mask having a life indicator end according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an end of a dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3A, 3B, and 3C are illustrations of folding of the ends of a dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is an illustration of a dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly end coupled to a life indicator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5A is an illustration of a back side of a dust mask having a life indicator end according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5B is an illustration of the front side of a dust mask having a life indicator end according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

First, it should be appreciated that while the following describes illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of technologies, whether currently known or not yet existing. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative embodiments, the drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

A dust mask includes an end portion of a lifespan indicating portion. It is desirable to replace the dust mask after it has been saturated with dust or other particulate matter. On the other hand, it is not desirable to discard the dust mask prematurely: this unnecessarily incurs additional costs for purchasing a dust mask and also wastes limited material resources. The end of the life indicator disclosed herein helps avoid both the undesirable situations of continuing to use a full dust mask and prematurely discarding the dust mask while having a remaining use performance. The end of the life indicator indicates to the user when the dust mask disclosed herein has been used for a predetermined period of time that is considered to be the useful life of the dust mask. In one embodiment, the indicator features information that becomes increasingly visible as the end of the life span is approached. The information may include information spelled out with letters or characters, such as "NO USE", "USED", "DISCARD", "DISPOSE", "FIN", "FINI", or other suitable brief information represented with human-readable characters. Alternatively, the indicator portion may feature a generic logo or pictogram that indicates the depletion of the dust mask's life span. The indicator may include a hygroscopic material (bibulous material) molded or cut into the shape of a character or letter constituting the information. When the mask is in use, a reservoir of liquid is coupled to the indicator portion via a tube and the liquid is gradually dispensed to the absorbent material, causing the absorbent material to display its indication over time (as it fills with liquid). When the dust mask is not in use, the mask is folded closed, which causes a mechanical blockage in the tube to seal the fluid passage of the tube to prevent further fluid flow to the indicator portion. Thus, the time for folding and not using the mask does not increase the life of the mask.

Turning now to fig. 1A and 1B, a dust mask having an end of a deadline indicating portion 100 is depicted. In one embodiment, the dust mask having an end portion with a duration indicator portion 100 includes one or more straps 102, the straps 102 being for securing the dust mask to a wearer's face, such as a human face or a companion animal (e.g., a dog or cat) face. The dust mask having the end of the term indication part 100 further includes a half-face dust mask fabric 104, and an end of the life indication part 106. The half-face dust mask fabric 104 may be constructed of a porous fabric material that allows gases (e.g., air) to pass easily therethrough but filters particulate matter. It will be appreciated that some fine particles may pass through the fabric, while coarser larger particles are blocked by the fabric material. The half-face dust mask fabric 104 may be cut and/or ultrasonically welded to cover the mouth and nose while leaving the user's eyes and eyes unobstructed. When the dust mask having the end of the lifetime indication part 100 has a remaining lifetime, the information of the end of the lifetime indication part 106 may be invisible or hardly noticeable, as shown in fig. 1A. As the remaining life of the dust mask gradually decreases, the information of the end of the life indication portion 106 becomes more visible and more obvious, as shown in fig. 1B.

Turning now to fig. 2, further details of the dust mask having the end of the time limit indicator 100 will be described. The end of the life indicator 106 includes a moisture absorbent material that forms a character, symbol, letter, general logo, or pictogram that can display information or an indicator to a user. The term "absorbent material" as used herein refers to a material that absorbs and retains a liquid (e.g., ink, water, or other liquid). When the absorbent material is dry or relatively liquid-less, the absorbent material does not form a significant contrast with the facial mask fabric 104. When the absorbent material is saturated with liquid, the absorbent material contrasts with the facial mask fabric 104, thereby displaying a visual indicator. In some embodiments, the visual indicator may take the form of information represented by a character, symbol, or letter, such as "NO USE", "USED", "DISCARD", "DISPOSE", "FIN", "FINI", or other suitable brief information represented by a human-readable character. However, in another embodiment, the absorbent material may be shaped or molded to display a generic logo and/or pictogram that indicates a depletion in the life of the dust mask.

In one embodiment, the appearance and/or visibility of the absorbent material may gradually transition from invisible or non-contrasting to visible and contrasting. The extent to which the transition is made may provide an indication to the user of the extent to which continuity along the life of the dust mask is occurring at this time, thereby aiding the user in making a determination of when to expect replacement of the dust mask. In one embodiment, the appearance and/or visibility of the absorbent material may be gradually directionally established, for example, from the left side to the right side of the end of the life indicator 106. Further, the relative progression of the contrasting outer circumferences across the end of the life indicator 106 provides an indication to the user of the degree of continuity of the life along the dust mask at that time.

The dust mask having the end of the life indicator 100 also includes a reservoir 108 or reservoir coupled to a collapsible fluid conduit 110 or tube. The reservoir 108 may hold a fluid, such as ink or another liquid, that may flow through the collapsible fluid conduit 110 to the end of the life indicator 106. The collapsible fluid conduit 110 includes a mechanism that prevents fluid from flowing from the tank 108 to the end of the life indicator 106 when the collapsible fluid conduit 110 is collapsed closed. Therefore, when the dust mask having the end of the term indication part 100 is not used and is properly folded, the use term indicates the time when the remaining use term of the dust mask is not performed and/or is not accumulated. This is significant because the life span does not drop significantly when the dust mask is not in use, as the particulate matter may not continue to fill and/or clog the fabric 104.

In one embodiment, the collapsible fluid conduit 110 includes a plug 112, the plug 112 adapted to be inserted into a valve 114 and then block the internal fluid passageway of the collapsible fluid conduit 110, thereby preventing fluid from flowing from the tank 108 to the end of the life indicator 106. In one embodiment, the collapsible fluid conduit 110 includes a flexible elbow 116 or sleeve that couples a first tube segment 118 to a second tube segment 120. The first tube segment 118 and the second tube segment 120 are hollow and facilitate fluid flow therethrough. It should be understood that other fluid conduit configurations are also intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the collapsible fluid conduit 110 may comprise a flexible hose structure. It should also be appreciated that in one embodiment, when the collapsible fluid conduit 110 is collapsed closed, fluid may still flow from the tank 108 to the end of the life indicator 106, but at a reduced flow rate, such as a flow rate of about 1/5 for an unfolded fluid flow rate, or a flow rate of about 1/10 for an unfolded fluid flow rate.

Turning now to fig. 3A, 3B, and 3C, a folding operation of a folded fluid conduit 110 is illustrated, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. When folded to the closed position, the plug 112 is inserted into the valve 114 and at least partially blocks the fluid flow path of the collapsible fluid conduit 110, such as blocking the fluid flow path of the second tube segment 120. The valve 114 may include a flexible membrane that is deformed to at least partially obstruct the fluid flow path of the second tube segment 120. Alternatively, the valve 114 may be a flapper valve that prevents the flow of fluid through the valve 114 when the collapsible fluid conduit 110 is collapsed open and the plug is removed from the valve 114, and snaps (snap) or pivots open when the plug 112 is inserted into the valve 114 to at least partially obstruct the fluid flow path of the second tube segment 120. The tank 108 and the collapsible fluid conduit 110 may be placed in a dust mask having an end of the life indicator 100 such that when the user collapses the dust mask closed, the plug 112 is naturally inserted into the valve 114.

Turning now to fig. 4, further details of the collapsible fluid conduit 110 are illustrated, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the tank 108 and the collapsible fluid conduit 110 constitute the end of the dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly that can be removed from the dust mask at the end of its life and reused with a new dust mask during replacement. In this embodiment, the collapsible fluid conduit 110 also includes a nozzle 122 that is sealingly coupled to a socket 124 at the end of the life indicator 106 in a new, newly manufactured dust mask.

Turning now to fig. 5A and 5B, the back side of the dust mask having the end of the time limit indicator 100 and the front side of the dust mask having the end of the time limit indicator 100 are depicted. As best shown in FIG. 5A, the reusable end of the dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly may be held by a fabric pocket in the half-face dust mask fabric 104 or by a strap or snap (snap). In one embodiment, the half-face dust mask fabric 104 may include a nose piece (nose piece) 140, the nose piece 140 being bendable to adapt the shape of the half-face dust mask fabric 104 to the individual's face. In one embodiment, the end of the life indicator 106 may be ultrasonically welded to the half-face dust mask fabric 104.

It is contemplated that the dust mask having the end of the term indication part 100 may be distributed and/or sold in the form of a kit. For example, a plurality of half-face dust mask fabrics 104 with attached ends of the life indicator 106 may be combined with a single reusable end of the dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly in a package (i.e., the tank 108 and the collapsible fluid conduit 110), suitable for display in a retail store or transport in an e-commerce or on-line retail business model. For example, a consumer may purchase a moderately priced kit or retail package from a store or online retail website, wherein the kit or package includes 5 half-face dust mask fabric 104 with attached ends of a life indicator 106 and a single reusable end of a dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly. When the coupled ends of the first half-face dust mask fabric 104 and the life indicator 106 are used up (i.e., the end of the life indicator 106 indicates that the life has been used up), the reusable end of the dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly is separated from the end of the life indicator 106 and removed from the first half-face dust mask fabric 104, and the reusable end of the dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly is installed into the second half-face dust mask fabric 104 and connected to the end of the life indicator 106 that is coupled (e.g., ultrasonically welded) to the second half-face dust mask fabric 104. The fluid in the tank 108 may be replenished at the same time, or the tank 108 may be refilled at the same time. The kit, which includes a plurality of half-face dust mask fabrics 104 with coupled ends of a life indicator 106 and a single reusable end of a dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly, may also include fluid for replenishing a tank 108. As described above, the fluid may be ink or another fluid that forms a visual contrast with the half-face dust mask fabric 104 when the end of the life indicator 106 is filled with the fluid.

In other cases, the plurality of half-face dust mask cloths 104 with the coupled ends of the life indicator 106 may be packaged with the ends of the dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly in a shipping container or box intended for use in a work environment (e.g., a power plant, a furniture assembly plant, a glass manufacturing plant, etc.) where many workers may use the dust mask with the ends of the life indicator 100. As an example, 100 pieces of half-face dust mask fabric 104 with attached ends of life indicator 106 may be packaged in a kit with 20 dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assemblies. The shipping container or box may also include a fluid for replenishing the tank 108.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the systems and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the details given herein. For example, various elements or components may be combined or combined in another system, or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described or illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or described as directly coupled or connected to each other may be indirectly coupled or connected through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A dust mask having an end portion with a lifetime indication portion, comprising:

a half-face dust mask fabric;

at least one strap attached to the dust mask fabric;

a storage tank;

an end portion of a life indicating section held by the dust mask fabric; and

a tube coupled to the end of the tank and the life indicator,

wherein the tube comprises a plug that blocks the internal fluid passage of the tube when the tube is folded back on itself.

2. The dust mask of claim 1, wherein the end of the life indicator includes an absorbent material in the form of text characters and the reservoir holds a liquid.

3. The dust mask according to claim 2, wherein the moisture-absorbing material gradually absorbs the liquid held in the reservoir as the liquid flows from the reservoir to the life indicator.

4. An end of a dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly comprising:

a storage tank; and

a collapsible fluid conduit, wherein the conduit comprises a plug that blocks an internal fluid passage of the conduit when the collapsible fluid conduit is collapsed closed.

5. The end of the dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly of claim 4, wherein the folded-over fluid conduit is configured to be coupled to an end of a life indicator held by a dust mask fabric and to fluidly transfer fluid from the tank to the end of the life indicator when the folded-over fluid conduit is folded open.

6. The end of the dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly of claim 4 wherein the reservoir contains ink fluid.

7. The end of the dust mask life indicator fluid dispenser assembly of claim 4, wherein the tank is configured to be refillable.

8. An end of life indicating dust mask system comprising:

at least one fluid dispenser assembly, wherein the fluid dispenser assembly comprises:

storage tank, and

a collapsible fluid conduit connected to the tank, the collapsible fluid conduit including a plug that blocks an internal fluid passageway of the collapsible fluid conduit when the collapsible fluid conduit is collapsed back onto itself; and

at least one dust mask, wherein the dust mask includes:

a half-face dustproof mask fabric,

at least one strap attached to the dust mask fabric, an

An end of the life indicating section held by the dust mask fabric.

9. The end of life indicating dust mask system of claim 8, wherein the dust mask includes a retaining structure for receiving the tank and the end of life indicating portion is configured to be sealingly coupled to the collapsible fluid conduit.