CN116943061A - Face mask and its components - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a mask and an assembly thereof, the mask comprising: the cover body is provided with at least a first filter layer and a second filter layer, and a cavity is defined between the first filter layer and the second filter layer; an active ventilation unit attached to a through hole opened on the first filter layer for active ventilation between the outside of the mask and the cavity via the through hole; wherein the first filter layer is for gas filtration between the outside space of the mask and the cavity and the second filter layer is for gas filtration between the inside space the mask is intended to protect and the cavity when the mask is worn. According to the mask disclosed by the application, not only can the air inhaled and exhaled by a wearer be subjected to bidirectional filtration, but also the resistance of the air exhausted or inhaled by the user can be reduced, and the breathing wearing experience of the wearer is improved.

Description

Face mask and its components

The present disclosure claims priority from chinese prior application filed on month 13 of 2022, 4, under application number 202220853915.7, entitled "mask and components thereof," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of masks, and more particularly to a mask with active ventilation units and assemblies thereof.

Background

A mask such as a mask is an instrument to be worn on the face of a user for preventing the wearer from inhaling harmful components in the air, which can block the invasion of suspended particles such as smoke, pathogenic microorganisms, or the like.

There are various types of masks on the market, including active masks and passive masks. Active masks are typically integrated with an active ventilation unit (such as a fan, or other active device) as opposed to passive masks. As a typical example of an active mask, an active fan is often integrated in the mask along with a respiratory valve to reduce respiratory resistance and further facilitate gas filtration and communication of the interior space the mask is intended to protect with the external environment. In general, such active masks integrated with active fans and respiratory valves can lead to a better respiratory wearing experience while providing good protection for the wearer.

However, during pandemics such as a new coronal epidemic or SARS, the active mask integrated with both the active fan and the respiratory valve described above may be undesirable because such a mask would expel the particles exhaled by the wearer containing pathogenic microorganisms directly into the external environment without filtration, which may lead to the risk of transmission of infectious diseases.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved active mask that may prevent particles exhaled by a wearer from being directly expelled to the external environment without filtration, while having a better respiratory wear experience relative to passive masks.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a mask is provided. The mask includes: the cover body is provided with at least a first filter layer and a second filter layer, and a cavity is defined between the first filter layer and the second filter layer; an active ventilation unit attached to a through hole opened on the first filter layer for active ventilation between the outside of the mask and the cavity via the through hole; wherein the first filter layer is for gas filtration between the outside space of the mask and the cavity and the second filter layer is for gas filtration between the inside space the mask is intended to protect and the cavity when the mask is worn.

According to the mask disclosed by the application, on one hand, the air inhaled and exhaled by a wearer can be bidirectionally filtered, so that particles exhaled by the wearer are prevented from being directly discharged to the external environment without being filtered; on the other hand, the active ventilation unit arranged on the mask can be utilized, so that the resistance of the user to exhaust or suck air is reduced, and the breathing wearing experience of a wearer is improved.

In some embodiments, the area of the second filter layer is greater than or equal to the sum of the areas of the first filter layer and the through holes. In this way, the gas filtration and circulation between the inner space, which the cover is intended to protect, and the cavity can be made more efficient, since a large area of the second filter layer can promote the exchange of gas between the inner space and the cavity.

In some embodiments, the second filter layer covers the entire inner side of the mask body. In this way, the gas filtration and circulation of the inner space and the above-mentioned cavity, which the cover is intended to protect, can be maximized.

In some embodiments, the active ventilation unit is configured to blow in an air flow in a direction towards the cavity or to exhaust an air flow from the cavity in a direction towards the outside space. In embodiments in which the active ventilation unit is configured to blow an air flow in the direction of the cavity, this may effectively increase the flow rate of the inhaled air, and in combination with the above-described arrangement of the cavity, may effectively reduce the resistance of the inhaled air; in embodiments where the air flow is exhausted from the cavity in a direction towards the outer space, this may effectively facilitate the exhaustion of exhaled air, and in combination with the arrangement of the cavity described above, may effectively reduce the exhaust resistance of exhaled air.

In some embodiments, the first filter layer may have a different filtering performance than the second filter layer. In particular, the gas filtration resistance of the first filter layer is greater than the gas filtration resistance of the second filter layer. In this way, the so-called "short-circuit" phenomenon can be effectively avoided and the discharge of the gas exhaled by the user via the second filter layer and the through-holes is facilitated.

In some embodiments, the edges of the first filter layer and the edges of the second filter layer are joined together via ultrasonic welding. In this way, the edges of the first filter layer and the edges of the second filter layer may be conveniently joined to define the cavity.

In some embodiments, the edges of the first filter layer and the edges of the second filter layer together define an outer contour of the mask body. In these embodiments, the filter area of both the first and second filter layers may be maximized to facilitate bi-directional filtration and communication of air between the inner and outer sides of the mask.

In some embodiments, the mask may further comprise: a spacer material disposed within the cavity between the first filter layer and the second filter layer. In these embodiments, the spacer material may avoid sticking between the first filter layer and the second filter layer, thereby more effectively maintaining the cavity volume.

In some embodiments, the mask may further comprise a connector secured to the through-hole, the active ventilation unit being removably or non-removably mounted to the connector. In this way a reliable and convenient way of bonding the active ventilation unit to the first filter layer is provided.

In some embodiments, the active ventilation unit is an active fan or pump structure.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a mask assembly is provided. The mask assembly includes: the cover body is provided with at least a first filter layer and a second filter layer, and a cavity is defined between the first filter layer and the second filter layer; a through hole provided on the first filter layer and configured to allow an active ventilation unit to be detachably fitted on the through hole to be assembled to form a mask, and to be capable of active ventilation between an outside of the mask and the cavity via the through hole; wherein the first filter layer is for gas filtration between the outside space of the mask and the cavity and the second filter layer is for gas filtration between the inside space the mask is intended to protect and the cavity when the mask is worn.

A mask assembly according to the present disclosure may be removably assembled with an active ventilation unit to form a mask suitable for wearing by a user. In this way, after the mask is used, once the mask needs to be discarded, the active ventilation unit can be detached, so that the active ventilation unit is reused, and the waste of the active ventilation unit is avoided. With this design, the mask assembly of the present disclosure is marketable independent of the active ventilation unit, which can help reduce the cost of purchasing the mask.

In some embodiments, the mask assembly further comprises: and a connection member mounted on the through hole and allowing the active ventilation unit to be detachably mounted on the connection member. In this way, the active ventilation unit may be more easily mounted to the mask assembly.

In some embodiments, the gas filtration resistance of the first filter layer may be greater than the gas filtration resistance of the second filter layer. In these examples, the so-called "short-circuit" phenomenon may be effectively avoided and the discharge of the gas exhaled by the user via the second filter layer and the through-holes is facilitated.

In some embodiments, the mask assembly further comprises: a spacer material disposed within the cavity between the first filter layer and the second filter layer. In this way, the spacer material may avoid adhesion between the first filter layer and the second filter layer, thereby more effectively maintaining the cavity volume.

It should also be appreciated that the descriptions in this summary are not intended to limit key or critical features of embodiments of the disclosure, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description.

Drawings

The above and other features, advantages and aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals denote like or similar elements, in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic interior view of an active mask according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 shows a schematic partial cross-section of an active mask integrated with an active ventilation unit according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a variation of an active mask integrated with an active ventilation unit according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 shows a schematic partial cross-section of an active mask integrated with an active ventilation unit according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a variation of an active mask integrated with an active ventilation unit according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present disclosure are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic interior view of an active mask according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 1, an active mask 10 may typically have a mask body 11 and straps 12. The cover 11 is used for covering at least the nose and mouth of a wearer when worn, and for filtering and circulating the air passing through the nose and mouth. It should be appreciated that the mask body 11 may also be designed to cover other parts of the wearer than the mouth and nose, such as other parts of the face. The strap 12 functions to be worn over the user's ear and/or head. In some embodiments, it is also possible that the active mask is not provided with the above-described straps, for example, it is also possible that the active mask may be provided in a helmet-like form. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular shape and appearance of the mask body 11 and the harness 12, so long as it provides at least a gas filtering function for the nose and mouth of the user.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the mask body 11 may comprise at least two layers of filter material, which may comprise at least a first filter layer 1 and a second filter layer 2 (as further described below in fig. 2-5), for example, wherein the first filter layer 1 may be positioned closer to an outer space (i.e., the external environment) than the second filter layer 2 (e.g., facing directly into the outer space) when worn, and the second filter layer 2 may be positioned closer to an inner space (e.g., facing directly into the inner space) that the mask 10 is intended to protect than the first filter layer 1. As an example, the filter material may be selected from, for example, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, porous films, and the like.

In some embodiments, the first filter layer 1 and the second filter layer 2 may have other additional functions than the filtering function. For example, in embodiments where the first filter layer 1 faces the external environment, it may have additional functions of UV radiation resistance, water resistance and/or antibacterial, etc., while in the case where the second filter layer 2 faces directly into the internal space and contacts the skin of the user, the filter material of the second filter layer 2 may be selected to have the functions of flexibility, skin-friendly, cooler or/and warmer body feel, and antibacterial.

In some embodiments, each of the first filter layer 1 and the second filter layer 2 may include one or more layers of filter material. The number of layers and materials of the filter material may depend on the particular application for which it is intended.

In addition to having the filter materials described above, in some embodiments, the housing 11 may include non-filter materials that may be disposed and/or positioned around the filter materials described above, for example, to provide securing, supporting, protecting, etc. functions of the filter materials, or may provide some additional functions independent of the filter materials. For example, in some embodiments, the cover 11 may be further provided with a nose clip or the like.

Further, to achieve a better breathing experience, the mask 10 of the present disclosure may be provided with an active ventilation unit 4. By way of example, the active ventilation unit 4 may be an active fan, a pump structure or any other possible type of active ventilation unit.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic partial cross-section of an active mask integrated with an active ventilation unit 4 according to a first example embodiment of the present disclosure; fig. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a variation of an active mask integrated with an active ventilation unit 4 of a first example embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the mask body of the active mask may include at least a first filter layer 1 and a second filter layer 2. The first filter layer 1 and the second filter layer 2 may define a cavity 7. By way of example only, the first filter layer 1 may be arranged to face directly into an outside space of the mask body (e.g., the external environment), while the second filter layer 2 may be arranged to face directly into an inside space that the mask body is intended to protect (e.g., the nose and mouth of a user may be positioned within the inside space when worn).

In some embodiments, the edges of the first filter layer 1 and the second filter layer 2 may be joined 6 together, thereby defining the cavity 7. For example, the edges may be joined 6 together by ultrasonic welding, sewing, gluing, etc. However, it will be appreciated that it is also possible that the edges of the first filter layer 1 and the second filter layer 2 are not directly joined together. For example, the first filter layer 1 and the second filter layer 2 may be indirectly joined together via other non-filter materials, in which case the cavity 7 may be defined at least by the first filter layer 1, the second filter layer 2 and the non-filter materials.

In the embodiment of fig. 2 and 3, an active ventilation unit 4 may be attached to the first filter layer 1 in a through hole 3 provided for auxiliary gas to be discharged from the cavity to the external space. In this arrangement, the user's exhale experience may be facilitated as will be described later.

In some embodiments, the mask may further include a connector 5 fastened to the through hole 3, and the active ventilation unit 4 may be mounted on the connector 5. By way of example only, the connection 5 may be a rigid connection 5, which may be fastened to the through hole 3 by means of ultrasonic welding, magnetic attraction, gluing, felt-fastening, etc.; the connection mode between the active ventilation unit 4 and the connecting piece 5 can comprise magnetic attraction, gluing, felt buckle, buckle and the like. In a further embodiment, the connection 5 may be detachably or non-detachably fastened to the through-hole 3, and the active ventilation unit 4 may be detachably or non-detachably mounted on the connection 5. This allows the user to conveniently remove the active ventilation unit 4 and/or the connector 5 when changing the filter material of the mask or discarding the mask, so that the active ventilation unit 4 and/or the connector 5 can be reused or waste of the active ventilation unit 4 and/or the connector 5 is avoided. In some embodiments, the connection 5 may have other functions in addition to the connection function. For example it may have the function of a one-way valve.

Furthermore, although the connection 5 is mentioned above, it should be understood that in some particular embodiments the connection 5 may be omitted, in which case the active ventilation unit 4 may be directly detachably or non-detachably fitted to the through-hole 3, for example clamped to the through-hole 3.

In some embodiments, the area of the second filter layer 2 may be arranged to be greater than or equal to the sum of the areas of the first filter layer 1 and the through holes 3, which may allow a more efficient gas filtration and flow between the inner space, which the cover is intended to protect, and the cavity 7, as a large area of the second filter layer 2 may facilitate the exchange of gas between the inner space and the cavity. In particular, the second filter layer 2 may cover the entire inner side of the cover. In this way, the gas filtration and circulation of the inner space and the above-mentioned cavity, which the cover is intended to protect, can be maximized. Still further, the edges of the first filter layer 1 and the edges of the second filter layer 2 may together define the outer contour of the mask body. In this way, gas filtration and communication between the interior space of the enclosure, the cavity, and the exterior space of the enclosure can be maximized.

Generally, the first filter layer 1 and the second filter layer 2 are substantially parallel. In order to sufficiently define the volume between the first filter layer 1 and the second filter layer 2 and to avoid sticking together, a spacer material 8 may be provided in the cavity 7 as described in fig. 3, in some embodiments. By way of example only, the spacing material 8 may be a porous material that is very air-permeable and relatively stiff compared to the filter material, which may not serve as a filter material, but rather merely serve to sufficiently separate the first filter layer 1 from the second filter layer 2. However, in other embodiments, it is also possible that the spacer material 8 acts as a filter material.

In the embodiment of fig. 2 and 3, the active ventilation unit 4 may be arranged as a blow-out air flow towards the outer space of the hood. It will be readily appreciated that in this way, it is possible to allow a negative pressure to be created in the cavity 7 between the first and second filter layers 1, 2 during operation of the active ventilation unit 4, which can help the gas exhaled by the user to pass more easily through the second filter layer 2 into the cavity 7 and then to be expelled via the through-holes 3 to the outer space of the enclosure.

Further, in some embodiments, the gas filtration resistance of the first filter layer 1 may be greater than the gas filtration resistance of the second filter layer 2. In this way, it is possible to effectively avoid the "short-circuiting" phenomenon, which is a phenomenon in which gas enters the cavity from the outside space through the first filter layer 1 and is then directly discharged to the outside space by the active ventilation unit 4 through the through-holes 3, and to promote the discharge of the gas exhaled by the user through the second filter layer 2, through-holes 3.

In some embodiments, the active ventilation unit 4 may operate continuously during the period when the mask is being worn. In still other embodiments, the active ventilation unit 4 may be configured to operate intermittently according to the breathing rhythm of the user. For example, the active ventilation unit 4 may only operate when the user exhales gas. This may improve the energy efficiency of the active ventilation unit 4.

In order to verify the breathing effect of the mask of the present disclosure when worn, the inventors of the present application conducted comparative experiments on the mask of the present disclosure, a modified mask (note: the modified mask is similar to the mask of the present disclosure in structure, which also has a first filter layer, a second filter layer, and an active ventilation unit, but is different in that the second filter layer covers only the through-hole 3 so as not to form a cavity with the first filter layer), and a conventional mask (note: the conventional mask has the first filter layer and the second filter layer, but does not have an active ventilation unit), wherein the three masks were the same in material selected as the filter material, and the experimental results were as follows:

table 1

As can be seen from table 1 above, the resistance of the user's exhaled air can be greatly reduced compared to conventional masks; while the resistance to inhalation and exhalation by the user is greatly reduced compared to a retrofit mask.

Thus, with the design of the mask of the present disclosure, not only the air inhaled by the user can be effectively filtered via the first filter layer 1 and the second filter layer 2, but also the air exhaled by the user can be effectively filtered via the second filter layer 2, which avoids the drawbacks of conventional masks with a breathing valve. More importantly, with the aid of the active ventilation unit 4 and the cavity 7, the resistance of both the user's inhalation and exhalation gases can be reduced, in particular the resistance of the exhalation gases can be greatly reduced, which greatly contributes to an improved respiratory experience for the user when wearing the mask, which is significantly superior to both conventional masks and retrofit masks.

The embodiments in which the active ventilation unit 4 is configured to discharge the air flow from the cavity in the direction of the outside space are mainly described above with reference to fig. 2 and 3, but it will be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to such an arrangement, and that embodiments in which the active ventilation unit 4 is configured to blow the air flow in the direction of the cavity are also possible.

As an example, fig. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional schematic view of an active mask integrated with an active ventilation unit 4 according to a second example embodiment of the present disclosure; fig. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a variation of an active mask integrated with an active ventilation unit 4 of a second example embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the active ventilation unit 4 is configured to blow in an air flow in the direction of the cavity 7. It will be readily appreciated that in this manner, in addition to bi-directional filtering of inhaled and exhaled air, the relatively large cavity volume constructed may also allow the blown air to be dispersed within the cavity volume, thereby effectively reducing the load on the active ventilation unit and thus the noise of the active ventilation unit. In addition, the flow rate of the gas entering the inner space which is protected by the mask can be effectively increased, so that a user has better inhalation experience.

The application has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, but such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain features are recited in mutually different embodiments or in dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used to advantage. The scope of the application encompasses any possible combination of the features recited in the various embodiments or the dependent claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Furthermore, any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the application.

Claims (15)

1. A mask (10), comprising:

the filter comprises a cover body (11), wherein the cover body (11) is provided with at least a first filter layer (1) and a second filter layer (2), and a cavity (7) is defined between the first filter layer (1) and the second filter layer (2);

an active ventilation unit (4) attached to a through hole (3) opened on the first filter layer (1) for active ventilation between the outside of the mask (10) and the cavity (7) via the through hole (3);

wherein the first filter layer (1) is used for gas filtration between the outside space of the mask (10) and the cavity (7) and the second filter layer (2) is used for gas filtration between the inside space, which the mask (10) is intended to protect, and the cavity (7) when the mask (10) is worn.

2. The mask (10) according to claim 1, wherein,

the area of the second filter layer (2) is larger than or equal to the sum of the areas of the first filter layer (1) and the through holes (3).

3. The mask (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second filter layer (2) covers the entire inner side of the mask body (11).

4. The mask (10) according to claim 1, wherein the active ventilation unit (4) is configured to blow in a gas flow towards the cavity (7) or to expel a gas flow from the cavity (7) towards the outside space.

5. The mask (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first filter layer (1) has a different filtering performance than the second filter layer (2).

6. The mask (10) according to claim 5, wherein the gas filtration resistance of the first filter layer (1) is greater than the gas filtration resistance of the second filter layer (2).

7. The mask (10) according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the first filter layer (1) and the second filter layer (2) are joined together via ultrasonic welding.

8. The mask (10) according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the first filter layer (1) and the edges of the second filter layer (2) together define the outer contour of the mask body (11).

9. The mask (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: -a spacer material (8) arranged in the cavity (7) between the first filter layer (1) and the second filter layer (2).

10. The mask (10) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the mask (10) further comprises a connection (5) fastened to the through-hole (3), the active ventilation unit (4) being detachably or non-detachably mounted on the connection (5).

11. The mask (10) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the active ventilation unit (4) is an active fan or pump structure.

12. A mask assembly, comprising:

the filter comprises a cover body (11), wherein the cover body (11) is provided with at least a first filter layer (1) and a second filter layer (2), and a cavity (7) is defined between the first filter layer (1) and the second filter layer (2);

-a through hole (3) provided on the first filter layer (1) and configured to allow an active ventilation unit (4) to be detachably fitted on the through hole (3) to be assembled to form a mask (10) and to be actively ventilated between the outside of the mask (10) and the cavity (7) via the through hole (3);

wherein the first filter layer (1) is used for gas filtration between the outside space of the mask (10) and the cavity (7) and the second filter layer (2) is used for gas filtration between the inside space, which the mask assembly is intended to protect, and the cavity (7) when the mask (10) is worn.

13. The mask assembly according to claim 12, further comprising: -a connection (5) mounted on the through hole (3) and allowing the active ventilation unit (4) to be removably mounted on the connection (5).

14. The mask assembly according to any one of claims 12-13, wherein the gas filtration resistance of the first filter layer (1) is greater than the gas filtration resistance of the second filter layer (2).

15. The mask assembly according to any one of claims 12-13, further comprising: -a spacer material (8) arranged in the cavity (7) between the first filter layer (1) and the second filter layer (2).