EP0459123B1 - Breathing protection mask - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a breathing mask with connection openings for filters and a mask body which is designed as a full mask or half mask.

Such a respiratory mask with a mask body as a full mask has become known from DE-C-17 08 046. The known respirator mask consists of a mask body with connection openings for filters and exhalation valves and an internal half mask. The mask body is designed so that its shape or its form of manufacture does not have to be changed if the connection points for the filter or the exhalation valves are to be laid. For this purpose, the mask body has indentations or protrusions which, if necessary, can be punched through at the desired locations and are used for the optional connection of one or more filters or one or more exhalation valves. The production of a specific respirator configuration is done by first creating a uniform mask body without openings and later punching indentations in the desired position and attaching filters and / or exhalation valves to the connections created here.

In the known respirator, it is disadvantageous that the area of application of the respirator is defined by perforations which have been punched once. eg as a single-filter or as a two-filter respirator. Retrofitting to a different breathing mask configuration is only possible if connecting pieces that are no longer required are closed using the accessories provided. If, for example, a two-filter respirator with an exhalation valve is converted to the single-filter respirator, either an additional exhalation valve or a separate sealing plug must be inserted into the connection opening in the mask body instead of the second filter. In the known respirator there is also the risk that indentations are accidentally punched through during use of the device and then the respirator cannot be used due to the leakage that has occurred.

A half mask with connection openings for attaching filters and exhalation valves has become known from DE-U-16 25 097. In a first embodiment, two filters are attached to the side of the half mask, and the exhalation valve is located on the front side of the half mask in front of the mouth. A second embodiment provides for only a single filter to be inserted into the connection opening of the exhalation valve and for the breathing air to flow out via a rubber lip valve on the underside of the half mask. The side connection openings are closed in this state.

In the known half mask, it is disadvantageous that the conversion from the configuration with two filters to that with a single filter is only possible if the connection openings which are no longer required laterally are sealed by loose accessories. In the opposite case, ie when converting from one filter to two filters, a loose exhalation valve must be used in place of the individual filter in the half mask and the rubber lip valve on the bottom are closed. The conversion option is thus linked to the storage of certain additional components. In practice, this method of retrofitting has proven to be unusable.

The invention has for its object to improve a respirator in such a way that retrofitting to one or the other respirator configuration is simplified and is possible without loose closure parts.

The object is achieved in that a connecting adapter with connecting pieces can be attached to the full face mask or half mask in at least two preferred positions and that a predetermined number of connecting openings and connecting pieces overlap in each preferred position and that different numbers of filters can be connected to the covering points and which are not in Cover openings are closed with sealants attached to the connection adapter.

The advantage of the invention lies essentially in the fact that different connection respirator mask configurations can be realized with the connection adapter, in that it is attached to the respirator mask in different preferred positions and at the same time, in each preferred position, certain connection pieces on the connection adapter are covered by connection openings on the respirator mask, into which filters can then be inserted. Add-on parts for closing unused connection openings are not necessary, since these be sealed with sealants attached to the connection adapter. The connecting pieces in the connection adapter are either designed as circular openings in the wall of the connection adapter or as threaded or plug sockets.

Such a connection adapter can be attached to a respirator with full face mask and inner mask as well as directly to a half mask.

In the case of the full face mask, the connection adapter is placed over the connection openings in the mouth area, with a predetermined number of connection openings and connection pieces being covered in each preferred position. The connection openings are circular openings in the full mask. In the case of a rigid full mask, it is expedient to manufacture the connection adapter from flexible material so that it fits particularly well on the contour of the full mask. To seal the overlap of connection openings and connection pieces between the connection adapter and the full mask from the environment, annular sealing beads can be attached to the inside of the connection adapter. The sealing beads prevent breathing gas from flowing out of the overlap points into the environment. The connection adapter can also be designed as a changeover switch which is attached to the full face mask or is also part of the full face mask and can be brought into the corresponding preferred position by rotation.

In the case of the half mask, the connection adapter is plugged directly onto the half mask and the filters are buttoned into the half mask. Since the half mask is usually made of rubber-elastic material, the sealing function is fulfilled at the same time by the buttoning.

Single-filter and two-filter respirators are usually used in the device. With the respiratory protection mask according to the invention, a single-filter respiratory mask can be implemented in a first preferred position and a two-filter respiratory mask in the second preferred position. With the single-filter respirator, the filter is attached to the front of the connection adapter at the level of the mouth, while with the two-filter respirator, the filters are attached to the side flanks of the connection adapter. Identical filters can be used for both configurations of the respirator as a single-filter or two-filter respirator.

The connection adapter is designed such that it engages around the side flanks of the half mask or the full mask and is designed to hold the filter. In the case of a half mask, the connection adapter is expediently made of solid material and, since it rests in a U-shape on the elastic side flanks, serves as a support for the half mask. Since the intrinsic weight of the filter is completely absorbed by the connection adapter, the half mask can be designed for the purely sealing function and made of soft, supple material, e.g. Silicone.

To increase wearing comfort, the connection adapter for a half mask is provided with a strap for attaching the respiratory mask to the head of the device wearer. Due to the uniform force application of the holding force over the front and the side flanks The half mask creates an even pressure on the face.

The connection adapter is provided on the side facing the respiratory mask with sealing plugs as sealants, which can be buttoned into the connection openings which are not covered and seal them. The buttoning ensures a secure closure of the connection openings and does not lead to leaks even if the respirator mask is deformed externally.

In an expedient embodiment of the invention, pit-like, rectangular recesses are provided in the area of the connecting piece, which serve to center and prevent rotation of the filter. The filters have a corresponding counterpart, which protrudes into the recess and is designed so that the filter can only be attached to the connection adapter in a fixed position. A subsequent adjustment of the filter on the connection adapter in order to achieve a convenient position for the device wearer is no longer necessary.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing.

Fig. 1

die Seitenansicht einer Atemschutzmaske mit einem Filter,

Fig. 2

die Atemschutzmaske nach Fig. 1 im Längsschnitt,

Fig. 3

eine Teilansicht aus Fig. 2 im Schnitt A-A,

Fig. 4

die Atemschutzmaske nach Fig. 1 bis 3 mit umgestecktem Anschlußadapter zur Befestigung von zwei Filtern,

Fig. 5

eine Atemschutzmaske als Vollmaske mit zwei Filtern,

Fig. 6

Eine Atemschutzmaske als Vollmaske mit zwei Filtern im Schnitt.

Show it:

Fig. 1

the side view of a respirator with a filter,

Fig. 2

1 in longitudinal section,

Fig. 3

3 shows a partial view from FIG. 2 in section AA,

Fig. 4

1 to 3 with plugged-in connection adapter for fastening two filters,

Fig. 5

a full face mask with two filters,

Fig. 6

A full face mask with two filters on average.

Fig. 1 shows the side view of a breathing mask (20) with a half mask (1) made of rubber-elastic material, a connection adapter (2) made of solid material, a filter (3), a strap (17) and an exhalation valve (5). The breathing mask (20) is constructed symmetrically; therefore only one half is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Symmetrical components are identified by the same reference number and index "a".

The connection adapter (2) is placed on the half mask (1) in a first preferred position and allows an individual filter (3) to be attached in this position. The connection adapter (2) embraces the elastic half mask (1) in a U-shape and is therefore a support for the side flanks thereof. In the upper area of the connection adapter (2), two connection pieces (4, 4a) are provided as circular openings in the wall of the connection adapter (2). The second connecting piece (4a) is located on the rear side and is not shown in Fig. 1. In the area of the connecting piece (4, 4a) there is a rectangular, pit-like recess (6, 6a) which acts as a centering aid and Protection against rotation for filters (3) to be used later. In the lower area of the connection adapter (2) there are two sealing plugs (7, 7a) which are attached to the inside of the connection adapter (2) and point in the direction of the half mask (1). The strap (17) is guided in an oval eyelet (18) and can be adjusted by moving it in the vertical direction to the head of a device carrier, not shown.

Fig. 2 shows a vertical section through the breathing mask (20) according to Fig. 1. The half mask (1) has two connection openings (8, 8a) and a filter connection opening (9). The connection openings (8, 8a, 9) are openings in the rubber-elastic mask wall of the half mask (1). In the position of the connection adapter (2) shown, the connection openings (8, 8a) are sealed with the sealing plugs (7, 7a), which are part of the connection adapter (2). The filter (3) is buttoned into the filter connection opening (9) of the half mask (1). The filter (3) is held in the filter connection piece (10) and centered by a filter recess (11) in the connection adapter (2). The filter connection piece (10) is designed as a circular opening in the wall of the connection adapter (2). A corresponding counterpart of the filter (3) engages in the rectangular, pit-like filter recess (11) and thus holds the filter (3) in the predetermined position. In the upper area of the connection adapter (2) there is a filter plug (12) on the inside, which protrudes into a filter recess (13) of the half mask (1). Corresponding depressions (14, 14a) are provided on the side flanks of the half mask (1). The half mask (1) also has a circumferential sealing bead (21), which rests on the face of the device carrier, not shown. A directional valve (22) is provided to prevent gas flow through the filter (3) during exhalation. The exhaled gas can only flow out through the exhalation valve (5).

Fig. 3 shows a partial view of Fig. 2 in the sectional plane A-A, in which the symmetrically arranged connection openings (8, 8a) and sealing plugs (7, 7a) can be seen. The filter (3) consists of a screwable housing (15) into which a filter cartridge (16) with a seal (19) is inserted. To change the filter, the housing (15) is screwed on and the filter cartridge (16) is changed. Unfastening the filter (3) from the filter connection opening (9) is not necessary.

Fig. 4 shows a breathing mask (20) with a connection adapter (2) which is placed in a second preferred position on the half mask (1) and in this preferred position enables the connection of two filters (3).
The conversion from the single-filter respirator according to FIGS. 1 to 3 to a two-filter respirator according to FIG. 4 takes place in such a way that first the filter (3) and the sealing plugs (7, 7a) from the connection openings (8, 8a , 9) are unplugged, Fig. 3. Then the connection adapter (2) is pulled off the half mask (1) and, rotated by 180 degrees around a horizontal axis, put back on. In the new position, Fig. 4, the filter connecting piece (10) lies opposite the filter recess (13), and the sealing plugs (7, 7a) protrude into the recesses (14, 14a), Fig. 2, Fig. 4. Since the aspect ratios of the connection adapter (2) with respect to the half mask (1) vice versa, the plug (7a) lies in the recess (14) and the plug (7) in the recess (14a).

The filter connection opening (9) is sealed with the filter plug (12). The connection pieces (4, 4a) cover the connection openings (8, 8a) of the half mask (1), and two filters (3) can be used here. These filters (3) are not shown in FIG.

The filters (3) are centered on the connection adapter (2) via the recesses (6, 6a). Identical filters (3) can be used for both configurations of the respirator as a single-filter or two-filter respirator.

Fig. 5 shows the front view of a full face mask (30) with a mask body as a full mask (36), a connection adapter 32, two filters (33, 33a), a strap (47) and an exhalation valve (35). The full mask (36) has connection openings (38, 38a), Fig. 6, and a filter connection opening (39), which are designed as circular openings in the mask wall of the full mask (36). The connection adapter (32) is placed in a second preferred position on the full face mask (36) and in this position allows the attachment of two filters (33, 33a). In the lower area of the connection adapter (32), two connection pieces (34, 34a) are provided for receiving the filters (33, 33a). A filter connector (40) is located in the upper area and is used in the first preferred position with a filter attached in the middle. The connecting pieces (34, 34a, 40) are designed as threaded bushings. On the inside of the connection adapter (32) sealing plugs (37, 37a) and a filter sealing plug (42) are attached, which point in the direction of the full face mask (36) and serve to seal unused connection openings (38, 38a, 39). In the position shown, the filter connection opening (39) is sealed with the filter plug (42) and the connection openings (38, 38a), (Fig. 6) are in overlap with the connection piece (34, 34a).

Fig. 6 shows the full face mask (30) of FIG. 5 in section. The gas flow is illustrated by arrows. The gas enters via the connection piece (34, 34a), the connection openings (38, 38a) and the directional valves (351, 352), sweeps over the viewing window (43) and reaches the interior of the inner mask (31 ). The exhaled air flows out through the exhalation valve (35). In the second preferred position of the connection adapter (32) with a filter, there is an equivalent gas flow. The connection adapter (32) is provided on the inside of the connection piece (34, 34a, 40) with circumferential sealing beads (45, 45a) which seal the overlap points against the environment.

The conversion from the two-filter full-face mask into a single-filter full-face mask is done in such a way that the connection adapter (32) is pulled off and put back on rotated by 180 degrees. In the new position, not shown in the figures, the sealing plugs (37, 37a) are in the connection openings (38, 38a) and the filter connection piece (40) covers the filter connection opening (39). The connection pieces (34, 34a, 40) shown here are for one Screw connection of the filters (33, 33a); but it can also be used connector with plug connection. Identical filters (33, 33a) can be used for both configurations as a single-filter or two-filter respirator.

Claims (6)

1. Protective respiratory mask with connection openings (8, 8a, 9, 38, 38a, 39) for filters (3, 33, 33a) and a mask body which is formed as a full mask (30, 36) or half mask (1), characterised in that a connection adapter (2, 32) with connection pieces (4, 4a, 10, 34, 34a, 40) can be secured on the full mask (34) or half mask (1) in at least two preferred positions and in that in each preferred position a given number of connection openings (8, 8a, 9, 38, 38a, 39) and connection pieces (4, 4a, 10, 34, 34a, 40) overlap and in that different numbers of filters (3, 33, 33a) can be connected at the overlap points and the connection openings (8, 8a, 9, 38, 38a, 39) which are not overlapped are sealed with sealing means (7, 7a, 12, 37, 37a, 42) provided on the connection adapter (2, 32).
2. Protective respiratory mask according to claim 1, characterised in that in the first preferred position a single filter (3, 33) can be connected and in the second preferred position two filters (3, 33, 33a) can be connected.
3. Protective respiratory mask according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the connection adapter (2, 32) embraces the side flanks of the half mask (1) or the full mask (32) and the connection pieces (4, 4a, 10, 34, 34a, 40) are used to support the filters (3, 33, 33a).
4. Protective respiratory mask according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the connection adapter (2) for the half mask (1) is securing means for the band structure (17).
5. Protective respiratory mask according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the connection adapter (2, 32) on the side facing the half mask (1) or the full mask (36) is provided with sealing stoppers (7, 7a, 12, 37, 37a, 42) which blank off the connection openings (8, 8a, 9, 38, 38a, 39) which are not overlapped.
6. Protective respiratory mask according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that provided in the region of the connection pieces (4, 4a, 10) there are pit-like recesses (6, 6a, 11) for centering and securing the filters (3) against torsion.

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