EP3064082A1

EP3064082A1 - A dust proof container, a dust mask assembly and a method of manufacturing a dust proof container

Info

Publication number: EP3064082A1
Application number: EP15157177.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
Original assignee: Wiegand Aps
Current assignee: Wiegand Aps
Priority date: 2015-03-02
Filing date: 2015-03-02
Publication date: 2016-09-07

Abstract

A dust proof container which defines an outer layer made of a reinforcing web material and an inner layer adhered to the outer layer and made of an elastomeric material. The container defines a sealable opening between a first edge of the container and a second edge of the container, and the container further comprises a locking part located on the outer layer at the opening. The locking part defines an open state, in which the first edge and the second edge are spaced apart, and a closed state in which the elastomeric material of the inner layer at the first edge contacts the elastomeric material of the inner layer at the second edge.

Description

The present invention relates to a dust proof container, a dust mask assembly and a method of manufacturing a dust proof container.

Background

Dust proof containers are used in many circumstances. One particular instance when a dust proof container is particular useful is for the purpose of storing a dust mask when the dust mask is not in use. For instance, a worker may enter a dusty location, such as a workspace, a construction site, or a site in need of cleaning. The worker may wear a dust mask in order to prevent inhaling dust. The dust comprises fine particles of various materials, such as concrete, wood, fiberglass, metal, gypsum, silica or the like.
When the worker is leaving the dusty workspace, the dust mask may be removed and stored in a dust free location until the worker again needs to enter the dusty location. Dust masks need to be dust free on the inside, i.e. the side which is intended to cover the nose and mouth of the user, for several reasons. One reason being that in case the dust mask is dusty on the inside, this dust may be inhaled by the user when the user is wearing the mask. Another reason is that a dusty dust mask may not be able to fit tightly around the user's nose and mouth and in such cases the dust mask will not function properly.
In the prior art, prima facie dust proof containers exist, such as water proof containers. An example may be a container having a sealable opening, e.g. a water proof zipper. However, such water proof zippers are generally not intended for dusty locations since dust may damage the sealing properties of the water proof seal to such extent that the seal will be jammed and/or leaking.
One relevant prior art document, CN 204015178U , discloses a storage bag for a dust mask. This bag is foldable and connected to the dust mask and thus it cannot be ensured that the bag will not become dusty when the user enters the dusty location.
One problem which may occur is that the dust proof container will become dusty when working within a dusty location. Dust may affect the sealing properties of the container such that it does not seal off correctly. Dust may also increase the wear of the opening mechanism of the container.
Thus, it is an object according to the present invention to provide technologies for achieving a dust proof container, which may be sealed off in a dusty location without damaging or degrading the sealing properties of the container.

Summary of the invention

At least the above object, or at least one of numerous further objects which will be evident from the below description of the present invention, is according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by a dust proof container defining an outer layer being made of a reinforcing web material and an inner layer adhered to the outer layer and being made of an elastomeric material, the container defining a sealable opening between a first edge of the container and a second edge of the container, the container further comprises a locking part located on the outer layer at the opening, the locking part defining an open state in which the first edge and the second edge are spaced apart, and a closed state in which the elastomeric material of the inner layer at the first edge is contacting the elastomeric material of the inner layer at the second edge. The elastomeric material may e.g. be rubber.
The expression dust proof should be interpreted to mean that the container should not allow small solid particles generated from various industrial or constructional work into the container. It is not necessary for the present container to be entirely liquid or gas tight. The container may be of different sizes; however, preferably, the present container is made for being carried on or by a human. The container defines an inner space which is protected from dust, and the size of the inner space is preferably sufficient for accommodating a dust mask.
The web material at the outer layer of the container should be substantially durable to withstand any tear and wear exposed to the container in a typical industrial or constructional environment. The outer layer in particular protects the inner layer of elastomeric material. Elastomeric materials are flexible but may easily break or be damaged when subjected to external forces from e.g. tools or abrasive materials.
The opening is defined between opposing first and second edges of the container and allows access to the inner space of the container. The opening should during normal use be closed off and especially then the user enters a dusty area. The inner space will be kept dust free for accommodating or to accommodate a piece of equipment, such as a dust mask. The locking part keeps the opening closed during such normal use of the container. When the inner space of the container should be accessed, the locking part is operated in order to briefly expose said opening, where after the locking part is operated again to seal off the opening.
By locating the locking part space apart from and outside the first and second edges constituting the opening of the container, the first and second edges may be protected from dust. However, the locking mechanism must not be made dust proof and may be made sufficiently rigid and durable to not be damaged by dust.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the locking part in the closed state is covering the first edge of the container and the second edge of the container. In this way the edges, which constitute the sealing elements which prevent dust to enter the inner space of the container, is protected from the outside.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the locking part is a zipper. The locking part is preferably a zipper which allows the container to be quickly opened thereafter quickly closed and sealed. The zipper should preferably be durable and mechanically resistant to dust, however, it must not be dust proof. The locking part may alternatively be made of e.g. Velcro.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the zipper is permeable to dust particles having a size of less than 1um, preferably less than 10um, more preferably less than 100um, most preferably less than 1mm. The above sizes are typical for the present dust particles generated by industrial work and/or construction work. Since the above particles are allowed to go through the zipper, these particles will not jam or damage the zipper.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the zipper is stitched onto the container by stitches adjacent the first edge and the second edge. The zipper is preferably stitched onto the container, i.e. the first and second edges, which constitute the sealing element for sealing of the opening and making the container dust proof, are protected from external forces from the outside by the zipper. The zipper should be stitched on such that when the zipper is closed, the opening is sealed.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the elastomeric material is a foamed polymeric material such as neoprene or a porous material such as gore-tex. A foamed polymeric material or a porous material will allow the formation of open cells at the first and second edges. When the first and second edges contact to seal off the inner space, the open cells will allow any dust particles which may have accumulated at the edge to enter the open cells and thus not inhibit the sealing performance of the edges.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the reinforcing web material is textile. The textile may be .e.g. natural textile such as cotton or synthetic textile such as nylon. The textile should be durable and be able to be adhered to the elastomeric material for supporting the elastomeric material.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the container further comprises a belt clip. The belt clip is used for attaching the dust proof container to a belt or other piece of clothes worn by the user.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the container has a substantially cylindrical shape. A cylindrical shape, i.e. a cylinder bounded by two opposite circular surfaces, allows for a large inner space, suitable for accommodating e.g. a dust mask.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the first and second edges of the dust proof container, when the locking part is in the closed state, defines a circular arc. The dust proof container is preferably opened along the cylindrical wall of the cylindrically shaped container.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the circular arc defines an angle of between 90° and 270°, preferably between 120° and 240°, more preferably 150° and 210°, most preferably 180°. Such arc length allow for a sufficiently large opening to be able to remove and introduce equipment, such as a dust mask.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the zipper is made of rigid plastic or metal. The above materials are not necessarily water proof, but sufficiently rigid to not be damaged by most dust particles.
According to a further embodiment of the first aspect, the dust proof container defines an innermost layer being adhered to the inner layer opposite the outer layer, the innermost layer being made of a reinforcing web material such as textile. Optionally, such layer protects the elastomeric layer in case the container is used for other purposes such as storing nails etc.
At least the above object, or at least one of numerous further objects which will be evident from the below description of the present invention, is according to a second aspect of the present invention obtained by a dust mask assembly comprising a dust mask and a dust proof container according to any of the preceding claims.
The above assembly according to the second aspect is preferably used together with the container according to the first aspect.
At least the above object, or at least one of numerous further objects which will be evident from the below description of the present invention, is according to a third aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of manufacturing a dust proof container by:

providing a container having an outer layer being made of a reinforcing web material and an inner layer adhered to the outer layer and being made of an elastomeric material,
defining a sealable opening between a first edge of the container and a second edge of the container,
applying a locking part onto the container on the outer layer at the opening, the locking part defining an open state in which the first edge and the second edge being spaced apart, and a closed state in which the elastomeric material of the inner layer at the first edge is contacting the elastomeric material of the inner layer at the second edge.

The above method according to the third aspect is preferably used together with the container according to the first aspect and/or the assembly according to the second aspect.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a dust mask assembly according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a zipper of a dust proof container according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a clip of a dust proof container according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dust mask assembly 10. The dust mask assembly 10 comprises a dust mask 12 and a dust proof container 14. The dust mask 12 comprises a flexible pad 16 which has a shape for covering the nose and mouth of a human user and sealing against the face surrounding the nose and mouth of said user. The dust mask 12 further comprises a resilient strap 18 which is connected to the flexible pad 16. The strap 18 is intended to be put about the head of the user for allowing the flexible pad 16 to remain on the face of the user and apply a sealing pressure onto the face surrounding the nose and mouth of said user. The flexible pad 16 further comprises a filter 20 for filtering the air and remove any dust particles contained in the air inhaled by the user from the surroundings.
The dust proof container 14 comprises an opening 22 for allowing the dust mask 12 to be introduced into the dust proof container 14. The dust proof container 14 has an outer layer 24 and an inner layer 26, whereby the outer layer 24 faces the outside of the dust proof container 14 and the inner layer 26 faces the inside of the dust proof container 14. The outer layer 24 is made of a textile material in order to provide a wear resistant and substantially rigid outer surface of the dust proof container 14. The inner layer 26 is made of neoprene in order to be completely dust proof. Optionally, the inner layer 26 is covered by an innermost layer of textile (not shown) which allows the inside of the dust proof container 14 to be wear resistant and substantially rigid. The dust proof container 14 must not be water proof, but preferably capable of withstanding spray water such as rain.
The opening 22 may be closed by the user via a zipper 28 bridging the opening 22. By closing the zipper, mutual edges 30 of the inner layer 26 will contact as will be shown in more detail in the next figure.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dust proof container 14 and a close-up of the zipper 28 when the opening 22 is closed. The zipper 28 is stitched onto the dust proof container 14 outside the outer layer 24 and bridging the opening 22. When the opening 22 is closed, the zipper 28 causes the first edge 30 and the second edge 30', which together defines the opening 22 of the dust proof container 14, to contact each other and seal off the opening. The size and shape of the container 14 and the corresponding interior space of the container 14 should be appropriate for the dust mask to be stored inside the container 14 without crumpling the dust mask. A too small container 14 in relation to the dust mask may cause the dust mask to be jammed between the first edge 30 and the second edge 30' so that no proper dust proof seal is established when the zipper 28 is closed.
The zipper 28 is preferably of a wear resistant type which does not have to be dust proof. In this way, small dust particles which enter the zipper 28 will do minimal damage to the zipper 28. The zipper 28 applies a contact force between the first edge 30 and the second edge 30', which allows the first edge 30 and the second edge 30' to establish a dust proof sealing between the corresponding edges of the inner layer. The inner layer is substantially protected from dust and being neoprene will establish a proper sealing even if slightly contaminated with dust.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front side and the rear side of dust proof container 14. The rear side comprise a belt clip 34.

List of parts with reference to the figures

10. Dust mask assembly
12. Dust mask
14. Dust proof container
16. Flexible pad
18. Straps
20. Filter
22. Opening
24. Outer layer
26. Inner layer
28. Zipper
30. Edge
32. Stitches
34. Belt clip

Claims

A dust proof container defining an outer layer being made of a reinforcing web material and an inner layer adhered to said outer layer and being made of an elastomeric material, said container defining a sealable opening between a first edge of said container and a second edge of said container, said container further comprising a locking part located on said outer layer at said opening, said locking part defining an open state, in which said first edge and said second edge are spaced apart, and a closed state in which said elastomeric material of said inner layer at said first edge is contacting said elastomeric material of said inner layer at said second edge.
The dust proof container according to claim 1, wherein said locking part in said closed state is covering said first edge of said container and a second edge of said container.
The dust proof container according to claim 2, wherein said locking part is a zipper.
The dust proof container according to any of the claims 2-3, wherein said zipper is permeable to dust particles having a size of less than 1um, preferably less than 10um, more preferably less than 100um, most preferably less than 1 mm.
The dust proof container according to any of the claims 3-4, wherein said zipper is stitched onto said container by stitches adjacent said first edge and said second edge.
The dust proof container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said elastomeric material is a foamed polymeric material such as neoprene or a porous material such as gore-tex.
The dust proof container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said reinforcing web material is textile.
The dust proof container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said container further comprises a belt clip.
The dust proof container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said container has a substantially cylindrical shape.
The dust proof container according to claim 9, wherein said first and second edges of said dust proof container when said locking part is in said closed state defines a circular arc.
The dust proof container according to claim 9, wherein said circular arc defines an angle of between 90° and 270°, preferably between 120° and 240°, more preferably 150° and 210°, most preferably 180°.
The dust proof container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said zipper is made of rigid plastic or metal.
The dust proof container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said dust proof container defines an innermost layer being adhered to said inner layer opposite said outer layer, said innermost layer being made of a reinforcing web material such as textile.
A dust mask assembly comprising a dust mask and a dust proof container according to any of the preceding claims.
A method of manufacturing a dust proof container by:
providing a container having an outer layer being made of a reinforcing web material and an inner layer adhered to said outer layer and being made of an elastomeric material,

defining a sealable opening between a first edge of said container and a second edge of said container,

applying a locking part onto said container on said outer layer at said opening, said locking part defining an open state, in which said first edge and said second edge being spaced apart, and a closed state in which said elastomeric material of said inner layer at said first edge is contacting said elastomeric material of said inner layer at said second edge.