DE202020103896U1 - Mouth and nose coverings and their use - Google Patents

Abstract

Oral and nose covering, comprising a base body made of an elastic plastic for receiving an exchangeable filter material, which is arranged between the base body and the face of the wearer and / or on an outer surface of the base body, the base body being continuously and anatomically shaped in the area of the center of the face without interruption is, and adjoin the area of the center of the face at least partially grid-like areas.

Description

The invention relates to a mouth and nose covering and its use.

Mouth and nose covers for occupational safety and / or protection against infection, for example for protection against dust or for curbing the spread of pathogens, are sufficiently known in the prior art. A large number of mouth and nose covers are designed as single-use items that are disposed of after use. This disposal leads to piles of rubbish, especially in times of increased need for mouth and nose covers, for example due to long-term risks of infection. Reusable mouth and nose covers are therefore a means of avoiding waste.

Reusable protective masks made of several components are known, for example, such as a cup-like base body made of plastic, which covers the mouth and nose of a wearer and is fixed to the wearer's head by means of straps. Furthermore, the mask has two inner bodies made of plastics, which can be inserted flat into the bottom of the cup-like base body and between which an exchangeable filter material is arranged.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an alternative mouth and nose covering that is reusable, has a reduced number of components and enables easy use for the wearer and flexible for use in a wide variety of areas, such as occupational safety, medicine, sports and / or is customizable for allergy sufferers.

The object is achieved by a mouth and nose covering with the features according to protection claim 1; the subclaims reproduce advantageous configurations.

According to the invention, the mouth and nose cover has a base body made of an elastic plastic for receiving an exchangeable filter material, which is arranged between the base body and the face of the wearer and / or on an outer surface of the base body. The main body in the area of the center of the face is continuous and anatomically shaped without interruption. Furthermore, according to the invention, at least partially grid-like areas adjoin the area of the face center.

Such a mouth and nose covering advantageously adapts anatomically to the face shape of a wearer. Furthermore, the base body, which is continuously formed without interruption in the area of the center of the face, advantageously offers a stable yet elastic shape and has no openings that favor the direct ejection of droplets. Furthermore, the base body advantageously has a low breathing resistance due to the at least partially grid-like areas and enables good ventilation. Furthermore, such a mouth and nose covering can advantageously prevent the inhalation of dusts, vapors, exhaust gases and / or pollen and / or reduce the risk of infection from droplets and / or aerosols when a suitable replaceable filter material is received.

An elastic plastic in the sense of the invention means elastomers or thermoplastics. Well-known elastomers used in the medical sector are, for example, ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPDM), polyisobutylene, acrylic rubber, urethane rubber or silicone rubber. Elastomers include thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), which are divided into thermoplastic copolymers and thermoplastic elastomer alloys. Known, non-exhaustively named TPEs are, for example, polyamide-TPE (also referred to as TPA), copolyester-TPE (also referred to as TPC), olefin-TPE (also referred to as TPO), styrene-TPE (also referred to as TPS), urethane -TPE (also called TPU), TPE with cross-linked rubber (also called TPV). Thermoplastic plastics means thermoplastics with sufficient elasticity in the solid state. Such thermoplastics, which are not mentioned exhaustively, are, for example, polyurethanes, polyethylene, polypropylene, soft PVC, thermoplastic polyurethane or polystyrene.

An outer surface of the base body means the surface of the base body facing away from the face of the wearer.

The center of the face in the sense of the invention means an area comprising an imaginary line that runs through the nose, philtrum and chin and, with symmetrical facial relationships, is approximately perpendicular to the interpupillary line.

Continuous without interruption within the meaning of the invention means that the base body has no interruptions, for example in the form of cutouts.

Anatomically shaped in the sense of the invention means that the base body is designed in such a way that the base body adapts to the anatomical conditions of the wearer and covers the nose protruding from the wearer's face without exerting pressure on it. For this purpose, the base body advantageously has a trough in the area of the nose, as a result of which the base body can rest more precisely on the nose.

In embodiments, the grid-like areas are areas outside the center of the face. In further embodiments, the grid-like areas are arranged symmetrically in the base body. In embodiments, the grid-like areas are arranged to the right and left of the continuous area of the base body. In embodiments, the grid-like areas are arranged in the base body in such a way that they cover the cheeks up to the edge of the face of a wearer. The edge of the face in the sense of the invention means the area of the parotid glands that lie in front of and below the wearer's ear on both sides.

The main body can have different dimensions so that the main body is suitable for different face sizes of a wearer, for example for children, young people or adults.

In embodiments, the base body covers the face of a wearer in the vertical direction from the base of the nose to the front chin surface and in the horizontal direction from one face edge to the other face edge. A vertical direction means a direction parallel to the imaginary line through the nose, philtrum and chin. A horizontal direction means a direction parallel to the interpupillary line and perpendicular to the imaginary line through the nose, philtrum and chin.

In preferred embodiments, the base body is designed to be reusable. This advantageously avoids waste and protects the environment in the long term.

In preferred embodiments, the elastic plastic is selected from silicone or TPE. Such plastics are advantageously soft and flexible and allow the mouth and nose covering to be adapted to the anatomical conditions of a wearer. Such plastics are also advantageously biocompatible and do not trigger any adverse reactions upon body contact and are therefore also suitable for use in the medical field. Such plastics can also advantageously be heat-sterilized.

Depending on the intended use, in particular for the domestic area, the base body can be cleaned and / or disinfected in hot water or mild soapy water.

In embodiments, silicones include silicone rubber. For the purposes of the invention, silicone rubber means room temperature or hot crosslinking silicone rubbers. Silicone rubbers contain polysiloxanes with groups accessible for crosslinking reactions, such as hydroxyl groups and / or vinyl groups. Known, non-exhaustively named silicone rubbers are, for example, methyl silicone, vinyl-methyl-silicone, phenyl-vinyl-methyl-silicone, phenyl-modified silicone.

In embodiments, the elastic plastic has a SHORE A hardness in the range from 20 ShA to 90 ShA, preferably 20 ShA to 65 ShA. The SHORE-A hardness is determined according to DIN ISO 7619-1.

In preferred embodiments, the exchangeable filter material is selected from hygiene paper, flexible filter materials and filter membranes. Advantageously, contaminated filter material can thus be simply exchanged after use and the filter material used can be disposed of.

In embodiments, the area of the exchangeable filter material corresponds to the area of the base body. In further embodiments, the area of the exchangeable filter material is larger or smaller than the area of the base body.

For example, hygiene papers are advantageously available in every household. Furthermore, the exchangeable filter material advantageously filters the inhaled and exhaled air and retains particles and / or germs depending on the pore size of the exchangeable filter material.

Hygiene paper in the context of the invention means toilet paper, paper towels, handkerchiefs, cosmetic tissues, serviettes and / or kitchen towels.

Flexible filter materials in the context of the invention means filter materials and filter papers made from natural or synthetic fibers. Such flexible filter materials can be washable and / or sterilizable. For the purposes of the invention, filter materials are flat structures produced by means of textile manufacturing processes, for example woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, knitted fabrics, fleeces and felts. Nonwovens in the context of the invention are non-woven fabrics, for example melt-blown nonwovens. For the purposes of the invention, filter papers are flat materials that are formed by dewatering, compressing and drying a fiber suspension.

Filter membranes within the meaning of the invention are thin, porous polymer films.

In embodiments, the replaceable filter material has antibacterial and / or antiviral properties.

In preferred embodiments, the replaceable filter material has indicators. As a result, the mouth and nose cover advantageously has increased user-friendliness, since for the The carrier can be seen when the filter material needs to be changed.

Indicators in the context of the invention are chemical elements or compounds that are applied to the filter material or are contained in the filter material. Known indicators are, for example, humidity or wetness indicators.

In preferred embodiments, the base body has at least one retaining strap for attachment to the head of a wearer. The mouth and nose cover is thereby advantageously fixed on the wearer's head so that it remains in its position even over longer periods of wear.

The retaining straps can consist of known materials, such as rubber, textile or elastomer straps.

In embodiments, the base body has a plurality of openings for fastening the retaining straps to the base body. The openings can have polygonal cross-sections. Furthermore, the base body can have a reinforcement in the area of the openings, for example an increased thickness. In embodiments, the plurality of openings are arranged on the edges of the base body. The edges of the base body mean the areas of the base body which are arranged on the face edge of a wearer when the mouth and nose cover is worn. The main body has a right and a left edge. E.g. two openings are arranged on one edge of the base body, one at the upper end and one at the lower end of an edge of the base body.

In preferred embodiments, the base body has tabs formed on both sides for attachment to the ears of a wearer. The base body therefore advantageously has no separate retaining straps for fastening to the head of a wearer. Furthermore, the tabs can advantageously be molded on during the manufacture of the base body, so that no separate steps are necessary for connecting the retaining straps to the base body.

Both sides mean that the tabs are formed on the right and left edge of the base body.

The molded tabs can have different shapes. In embodiments, the molded tabs have a triangular shape. In further embodiments, the molded tabs have a semicircular shape. In embodiments, the tabs are made of the same material as the main body.

In preferred embodiments, the grid-like area has a multiplicity of cutouts with variable dimensions, the cutouts which are arranged directly adjacent to the area which is continuously designed without interruptions having the largest dimensions. This advantageously reduces the breathing resistance of the mouth and nose cover and enables ventilation.

In embodiments, the recesses have a polygonal shape, preferably a square shape.

Dimensioning in the sense of the invention means the two-dimensional expansion of the recesses within the base body. The dimensions of adjacent cutouts can differ.

In embodiments, the recesses are arranged in the form of a grid in the grid-like area, for example in rows and columns. The columns extend in a direction parallel to the imaginary line through the nose, philtrum and chin, and the rows extend perpendicular to the columns.

In further embodiments, the cutouts within a column have the same dimensions or the dimensions of the cutouts in a column vary in such a way that they increase and decrease symmetrically along a direction parallel to the imaginary line through the nose, philtrum and chin.

In further embodiments, the recesses have varying dimensions within a row, the dimensions of the recesses of a row varying in such a way that the dimensions decrease starting from the center of the face towards the edge of the face.

In embodiments, the recesses have a round shape.

In preferred embodiments, the base body has a thickness in the range from 0.5 mm to 4 mm. Such a base body is advantageously sufficiently flexible and enables the anatomical adaptation to the face of a wearer.

In embodiments, the base body has a thickness in the range from 0.5 mm to 2 mm in the areas of the face edge.

In preferred embodiments, the base body has a thickness in the range from 1 mm to 2 mm in the grid-like areas. Material can advantageously be saved as a result.

In preferred embodiments, the base body has a thickness in the range of 2.5 mm to 4 mm in the area of the center of the face.

In preferred embodiments, the base body has at least one means for fixing the replaceable filter material. The replaceable filter material is thereby advantageously fixed on the base body.

In embodiments, the at least one means for fixing is arranged on the inner surface and / or the outer surface of the base body. This advantageously enables the exchangeable filter material to be arranged on the inner and outer surfaces of the base body, so that the filter effect of the exchangeable filter material is increased. Furthermore, the replaceable filter material is advantageously fixed in addition to its arrangement between the base body and the face of the wearer. The inner surface of the base body means the surface of the base body facing the face of the wearer. In further embodiments, the at least one means for fixing is selected from Velcro points, adhesive silicone points and film hinges. In further embodiments, the at least one means for fixing is arranged on the inner surface and / or the outer surface of the base body in the area of the facial edges. Velcro and adhesive silicone points are advantageously easy to attach to the base body and can be exchanged. Film hinges within the meaning of the invention are band hinges which have a thin-walled joint groove and are connected in one piece to the parts to be connected, the base body and the flap. Film hinges are advantageously easy and inexpensive to manufacture. In further embodiments, the base body has a film hinge on both sides. The film hinge is on both sides, i.e. on the right and left edge of the base body, molded onto the base body and each connected to a flap. In embodiments, the parts connected by means of the film hinge have corresponding components of a clamping or latching mechanism which enable the film hinge to be fixed in an end position, for example in the closed state.

In an alternative embodiment, the filter material holds solely due to the design of the base body shape (e.g. due to the trough).

In preferred embodiments, the base body has a kinked edge along the center of the face, which enables the base body to be folded for transport purposes. The mouth and nose cover is therefore advantageously foldable and easy to stow away. It is also advantageous - also due to the choice of material - that different areas of the base body do not stick together when the base body is folded.

A kink edge within the meaning of the invention means the center line of the symmetrical base body, which extends along a direction parallel to the imaginary line through the nose, philtrum and chin and is designed as a tangential transition in the base body.

The invention also includes the use of an inventive mouth and nose covering in the medical, biotechnological, industrial and / or sports field.

By accommodating an exchangeable filter material adapted to the use of the mouth and nose covering, the mouth and nose covering can be used in a large number of areas. The mouth and nose cover is therefore advantageously multifunctional and helps to avoid waste. E.g. the mouth and nose covering can be used with exchangeable particle-filtering filter materials known in the industrial sector, such as filter materials for FFP-1 to FFP-3 masks.

E.g. the mouth and nose cover can be used in sports as impact protection in ball sports.

In embodiments, the mouth and nose covering is used for allergy sufferers, for example to filter pollen.

To implement the invention, it is also expedient to combine the embodiments and features of the claims described above.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of some exemplary embodiments and associated figures. The exemplary embodiments are intended to describe the invention without restricting it.

• 1 schematisch die Anordnung einer Mund-Nasenbedeckung am Kopf eines Trägers und eine Mund-Nasenbedeckung mit Öffnungen zur Befestigung von Haltbändern in Seitenansicht,
• 2 zeigt die Innenfläche einer Mund-Nasenbedeckung aus 1 in der frontalen Draufsicht,
• 3 zeigt eine Mund-Nasenbedeckung mit angeformten Laschen in Seitenansicht und die Außenfläche einer Mund-Nasenbedeckung mit angeformten Laschen in der frontalen Draufsicht,
• 4 zeigt die Außenfläche einer Mund-Nasenbedeckung mit Filmscharnier zur Fixierung des austauschbaren Filtermaterials im offenen und geschlossenen Zustand.
• 5 zeigt die Innenfläche einer Mund-Nasenbedeckung mit Filmscharnier zur Fixierung des austauschbaren Filtermaterials im offenen und geschlossenen Zustand.

Show it

• 1 schematically the arrangement of a mouth and nose cover on the head of a wearer and a mouth and nose cover with openings for fastening straps in side view,
• 2 shows the inner surface of a mouth and nose covering 1 in the frontal plan view,
• 3 shows a mouth and nose covering with molded tabs in a side view and the outer surface of a mouth and nose covering with molded tabs in a front plan view,
• 4th shows the outer surface of a mouth and nose cover with a film hinge for fixing the exchangeable filter material in the open and closed state.
• 5 shows the inner surface of a mouth and nose cover with a film hinge for fixing the exchangeable filter material in the open and closed state.

Embodiments

Example 1: Oral and nose covering with openings for fastening retaining straps

1 shows schematically the arrangement of a mouth and nose covering 1 on the head of a wearer. It can be seen that the mouth and nose cover 1 covered in the vertical direction from the base of the nose to the front of the chin and in the horizontal direction from the edge of the face to the other edge of the face. The mouth and nose covering 1 has a base body 10 to accommodate an exchangeable filter material (not shown for the sake of clarity), which is arranged between the base body and the face of the wearer. In the area of the center of the face, the base body has an uninterrupted continuous area 11 on the at least partially grid-like areas 12 connect. The uninterrupted continuous area 11 is anatomically formed and covers the nose, philtrum, mouth and chin of the wearer. The grid-like areas 12 are symmetrical to the right and left of the uninterrupted continuous area 11 arranged and cover the cheeks to the edge of a wearer's face. The basic body 10 still has openings 13th for attaching retaining straps.

2 Figure 13 shows the front plan view of the inner surface, which faces the wearer's face, of the mouth and nose covering 1 out 1 . The basic body 1 points in the area of the openings 13th a reinforcement 131 on, which is designed as a regional material thickening. The grid-like areas 12 have a large number of recesses 121 with a square shape and variable dimensions. The recesses 121 , which are immediately adjacent to the continuously formed area 11 are arranged, have the largest dimensions. Out 2 it can also be seen that the recesses 121 in rows and columns in the grid-like area 12 are arranged. The recesses point 121 dimensions that vary within a column in such a way that the area of the recesses in the vertical direction, parallel to the imaginary line through the nose, philtrum and chin, of the base body increases to its center and decreases again. It can also be seen in 2 that the dimensions of the recesses 121 vary within a line in such a way that the area of the recesses decreases from the center of the face towards the edge of the face.

Example 2: Mouth and nose covering with molded tabs

3 shows the side view and the front plan view of the outer surface, the side facing away from the face of a wearer, of an mouth and nose covering 1 , their basic body 10 analogous 1 and 2 is formed with molded tabs 14th . Using the tabs 14th the mouth and nose cover can be attached to the ears of a wearer. The tabs 14th are on both sides, on the right and left edge of the base body, on the base body 10 molded and have a triangular shape.

Example 3: Oral and nose covering with a film hinge

4th shows the front plan view of the outer surface of an mouth and nose covering 1 with film hinges on both sides 15th for fixing the replaceable filter material (not shown). The film hinges 15th are on both sides, on the right and left edge of the body 10 molded and connect the base body 10 both sides with the flaps 16 . 4th above shows the mouth and nose covering 1 with film hinges in the open state and 4th down when closed. To fix the closed state of the film hinge 15th (please refer 4th below) show the main body 10 and the flaps 16 Corresponding components of a locking or clamping mechanism.

5 shows the front plan view of the inner surface of an oral and nose covering 1 with film hinges on both sides 15th for fixing the replaceable filter material (not shown) analogous to 4th in the open ( 5 above) and closed state ( 5 below).

List of reference symbols

1

Mouth and nose covering

10

Base body

11

Uninterrupted, continuously trained area

12

At least partially grid-like area

121

Recesses

13

openings

131

Reinforcement

14th

Molded tabs

15th

Film hinge

16

flap

17th

Clamping or locking mechanism

Claims (14)

Oral and nose covering, comprising a base body made of an elastic plastic for receiving an exchangeable filter material, which is arranged between the base body and the face of the wearer and / or on an outer surface of the base body, the base body being continuously and anatomically shaped in the area of the center of the face without interruption is, and adjoin the area of the center of the face at least partially grid-like areas. Mouth and nose covering after Claim 1 , characterized in that the base body is designed to be reusable. Mouth and nose covering after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the elastic plastic is selected from silicone and TPE. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the replaceable filter material is selected from hygiene paper, flexible filter materials and filter membranes. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the replaceable filter material has indicators. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the base body has at least one retaining strap for attachment to the head of a wearer. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that the base body has tabs formed on both sides for attachment to the ears of a wearer. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized in that the grid-like area has a multiplicity of cutouts with variable dimensions, the cutouts which are arranged directly adjacent to the continuously continuous area having the largest dimensions. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 or 8th , characterized in that the base body has a thickness in the range from 0.5 mm to 4 mm. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the base body has a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm in the grid-like areas. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that the base body has a thickness in the range of 2.5 mm to 4 mm in the area of the center of the face. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the base body has at least one means for fixing the replaceable filter material. Mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that the base body has a kinked edge along the center of the face which enables the base body to be folded for transport purposes. Use of a mouth and nose covering according to one of the Claims 1 to 13th in the medical, biotechnological, industrial and / or sports field.

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