EP4066904A1 - Protective mask and method of producing same - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject matter of the invention is a protective mask with a filter element (1) for covering a mouth and/or nose area of a person, each with opposite transverse and longitudinal edges (2, 3), and two opposite ends (7) each having headbands (6) for Attachment of the filter element (1) to a head of the person, with one end (7) assigned to one of the longitudinal edges (3) being attached to each transverse edge (2), so that the respective headband (6) extends along the longitudinal edge (3) extends, and the headbands (6) between their opposite ends (7) have different lengths and / or different degrees of extensibility.

Description

technical field

The invention relates to a protective mask with a filter element for covering a mouth and/or nose area of a person, each with opposite transverse and longitudinal edges, and two head straps, each having opposite ends, for attaching the filter element to a head of the person, with one on each transverse edge one end is attached to the longitudinal edges, so that the respective headband extends along the longitudinal edge. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining a protective mask, with the steps of producing a filter element for covering a mouth and/or nose part of a person, each having opposite transverse and longitudinal edges, and producing two headbands each having opposite ends for fastening the filter element to one head of the person.

Background of the Invention

Protective masks, masks for short, are used to protect the face, parts of it and the respiratory organs. As filter masks or fresh air masks, protective masks protect against gases, vapours, liquid mist, coarse and respirable fine dust, pathogens, viruses and/or annoying odours. Masks are differentiated, for example, in everyday masks, so-called makeshift masks made of fabric or community masks, as medical mouth and nose protection, MNS, for example according to EN 14683, filtering masks, for example according to EN 149, FFP1 mask, FFP2 mask, N95 mask , or FFP3 mask. The aforementioned FFP masks are usually used as part of personal protective equipment as part of occupational safety in areas where there are harmful substances in the air.

Such protective masks are usually attached to the head with a strap, which is guided either behind the ears or behind the head to a filter element of the Fixing the mask to a person's mouth and/or nose. Higher quality masks have two flexible head attachment straps, also called head straps, that are pulled over the head to secure the mask. Basically, in order to achieve a sufficient filtering effect, it is important that the protective mask can be attached to the head easily and in a defined and sealing manner.

A disadvantage of the aforementioned headbands, however, is that the rubber bands used have a technical limit, ie they can only be stretched by a certain factor compared to their non-stretched state. As a consequence, one of the headbands is often too tight and the other headband is too loose, so that the mask does not lie tightly on the head and does not achieve the desired filter effect.

Description of the invention

Proceeding from this situation, it is an object of the present invention to specify a mask which, compared to the masks known from the prior art, fits better and/or closer to the head of a person wearing the mask and in this respect enables a better filter effect.

The object of the invention is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous configurations are specified in the dependent claims.

• einem Filterelement zum Bedecken einer Mund- und/oder Nasenpartie einer Person mit jeweils gegenüberliegenden Quer- und Längsrändern, und
• zwei jeweils gegenüberliegende Enden aufweisende Kopfbänder zum Befestigen des Filterelements an einem Kopf der Person, wobei
  • an jedem Querrand jeweils einem der Längsränder zugeordnet ein Ende befestigt ist, so dass sich das jeweilige Kopfband entlang des Längsrandes erstreckt, und
  • die Kopfbänder zwischen ihren gegenüberliegenden Enden unterschiedliche Längen und/oder unterschiedliche Dehnbarkeiten aufweisen.

Accordingly, the task is solved by using a protective mask

• a filter element for covering a mouth and/or nose part of a person with respective opposite transverse and longitudinal edges, and
• two head straps each having opposite ends for attaching the filter element to a head of the person, wherein
  • one end is fastened to each transverse edge, assigned to one of the longitudinal edges, so that the respective headband extends along the longitudinal edge, and
  • the headbands have different lengths and/or different extensibility between their opposite ends.

An essential point of the invention is that the headbands are of different lengths and/or can be stretched with different stretching forces. In the latter case, this means, for example, that with the same length in the unstretched state, the headbands can have different lengths, in particular in the maximum stretched state. Since the neck has a smaller diameter than the head of the person wearing the protective mask, and insofar as the circumference of the head around the top of the head is larger than that on the bottom of the head, the longer headband or the headband with greater elasticity is expediently guided around the top of the head, while the shorter headband or the headband with the lower elasticity is guided around the lower head. Compared to protective masks with headbands of the same length or headbands with the same extensibility, the proposed protective mask is characterized by an improved fit, in particular on the transverse and/or longitudinal edges of the person's mouth and/or nose area, and thus by an increased filtering effect.

Instead of exactly two head straps, the protective mask can also have a plurality of head straps with different lengths and/or different extensibility. Different lengths means in particular that the headbands are of different lengths in relation to their longitudinal extension in an unstretched and/or stretched state. Different extensibility means in particular that the headbands have different lengths in the stretched state, that is to say are of different lengths in particular due to complete stretching, while the headbands can be of the same length in the non-stretched state. Basically, the term stretchability means the property of the headbands, how far the headbands can be lengthened without the headbands tearing or suffering irreversible damage/or and then retracting from the stretched state back to the unstretched state. The term different can mean a difference of 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 50% or some other value of the lengths. For example, the first head strap may extend 175 mm between its opposite ends when unstretched, while the second head strap may extend 170 mm between its opposite ends when unstretched. The headbands preferably run parallel and/or at a distance from one another.

The protective mask, also referred to below as a mask, is preferably designed as a respirator, in particular designed as a half mask, preferably for use as a filtering mask (FFP), in particular to prevent inhalation of harmful particles and to reduce infection with pathogens through the mouth and/or nose , and/or for use as an aerosol-filtering respiratory mask and/or filter particle mask in particular, more particularly to prevent transmission of pathogens by droplet infection and/or in particular to reduce a germ load, in particular a viral load, for example in the event of an epidemic or pandemic spread of infectious diseases such as COVID -19 The protective mask is preferably designed as a particle-filtering half mask in accordance with EN 149:2001 or EN 149:2001+A1:2009, in particular an FFP-1, FFP-2 or FFP-3 mask. Furthermore, the mask can be designed according to EN standards 136, 140, 143, 149, 1827, 12941 and/or 12942.

The filter element is preferably designed in the shape of a rectangle. According to a preferred development, the filter element has several layers of non-woven material, which layers are connected to one another along the transverse and longitudinal edges, with the connection of the transverse edges being able to spring back next to the fastened ends of the headband. The layers are in particular provided on top of one another and are preferably glued, connected and/or sewn to one another. The layers can comprise a woven fabric, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, embroidered fabric, scrim and/or a textile composite, in particular a fleece or woven fabric. In this way, the filter element can consist of textile fibers and/or have textile fibers, with natural fibers, preferably wool or cotton, and/or synthetic fibers, preferably synthetic fibers (man-made fibers) such as cellulosic fibers, for example viscose fibers, being used as textile fibers, in particular made of the group of polyesters (PES), polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (CLF), polyvinylidene chloride (CLF), acetate (CA), triacetate (CTA), polyacrylic (PAN), polyamide (PA) , polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL), polyurethanes, polyvinyl esters, (meth)acrylates and mixtures thereof. The aforementioned abbreviations for the textile fibers come from DIN 60001-4 (August 1991). The mask can, for example, as additional layers of fabric Intermediate layers included with different functions, such as additional filtering, sealing, moisture absorption, etc.

Furthermore, for the purpose of the filtering effect, the filter element can have a flexible, porous fabric that belongs to the textile composites and is not produced by classic methods of fabric binding of warp and weft or by stitch formation, but by intertwining and/or cohesive and/or adhesive connections of textile fibers . Nonwovens are generally loose materials made from staple fibers or filaments, in particular from synthetic fibers or man-made fibers, for example polypropylene, polyester, viscose, etc., which are held together by the adhesion inherent in the fibers. Individual fibers can have a preferred direction, so-called oriented or cross-ply non-wovens, or they can also be non-directional, so-called random non-wovens. The average diameter of the textile fibers of the filter element is preferably at most 100 μm, in particular at most 30 μm, preferably at most 20 μm, preferably at most 10 μm, particularly preferably at most 5 μm, very particularly preferably at most 2 μm. In general, the diameter of the textile fibers of the filter element should be in the range from 0.05 to 50 μm, in particular 0.1 to 50 μm, preferably 0.2 to 30 μm, particularly preferably 0.2 to 20 μm, very particularly preferably 0. 5 to 10 µm.

The nonwovens can be mechanically strengthened by needling, meshing or by swirling using sharp water jets, so-called spunlaced nonwovens. Nonwovens can also be produced, for example, by spunbonding, meltblow processes and preferably by electrospinning. Adhesively bonded nonwovens can be created by bonding the fibers with liquid binders, for example acrylate polymers, SBR/NBA, polyvinyl ester or polyurethane dispersions, or by melting or dissolving so-called binding fibers that are mixed into the nonwoven during manufacture. In the case of cohesive bonding, the fiber surfaces are dissolved using suitable chemicals and connected by pressure or welded at elevated temperatures. Nonwovens made from so-called spunbonded nonwovens, ie fabrics produced by spinning and then depositing, inflating or floating on a conveyor belt, are called spunbonded nonwovens. The shape of the filter element can be adapted to the Be adapted to the person's face to form a so-called CUP mask or be designed to be foldable to form a so-called folding mask.

The filter element can have an average pore size or average mesh size—depending on the type of fabric layer—of greater than 1 μm, in particular greater than 10 μm, preferably greater than 50 μm, particularly preferably greater than 100 μm, or more than 200 μm. In this way, a good separation rate with regard to particles and aerosols and/or a low breathing resistance can be achieved. Furthermore or additionally, the filter element can comprise an electrostatic material, in particular an electret, through which small dust particles and liquid droplets can be bound by electrostatic forces. The ratio or quotient of the average pore size or mesh size to the average diameter of the textile fibers of the filter element is particularly preferably in the range from 0.1 to 2000, in particular 1 to 500, preferably 5 to 350, particularly preferably 10 to 300, very particularly preferably 25 to 250, vary. In particular, the ratio or the quotient of the average pore size or mesh size to the average diameter of the textile fibers of the filter element should be no more than 2,000, in particular no more than 500, preferably no more than 350, particularly preferably no more than 300, very particularly preferably no more than 250. However, the ratio or the quotient of the average pore size or mesh size to the average diameter of the textile fibers of the filter element should be at least 0.1, in particular at least 1, preferably at least 5, particularly preferably at least 10, very particularly preferably at least 25, even more preferably at least 40 , amount. In this way, particularly efficient separation rates with regard to pathogens and aerosols are achieved.

In order to achieve an efficient separation rate with regard to pathogens, the filter element can have an average efficiency Em according to DIN EN 779 (July 1993) of at least 40%, in particular at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 90%, very particularly preferably at least 95%. For this purpose, the filter element can also have an average degree of separation Am according to DIN EN 779 (July 1993) of at least 50%, in particular at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, particularly preferably at least 95%, very particularly preferably at least 99%. Advantageously, the filter element is designed such that at an inflow velocity of 0.1 m/s, it has an average separation rate for particles and/or aerosols with diameters in the range from 1 to 100 μm of at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, preferably at least 95%.

According to a preferred development, the headbands each have at least one or more elastic threads that extend between the ends and are surrounded on the other side by a fleece. An upper layer and a lower layer of non-woven fabric are preferably provided, between which the elastic thread is provided. The elastic thread is preferably designed as Lyca thread or on a comparable stretchable material. Likewise, the headbands can preferably be designed as rubber bands, which are surrounded by a fabric, in particular a non-woven fabric, for increased wearing comfort. The head dispensers preferably each have two elastic threads which are arranged at a distance from one another and which are held stationary between two layers of non-woven fabric or are woven into the layers of non-woven fabric. For example, one headband has three elastic threads, while the other headband has four elastic threads. The materials of the headbands can also vary in such a way that the extensibility of the headbands is different, and as a result different tensile forces are required when putting on the protective mask.

According to another preferred embodiment, the headbands have different thicknesses and/or different diameters and/or are designed to be elastically stretchable. It is also conceivable that one headband has a larger number of elastic threads and/or stronger elastic threads than the other headband in order to obtain the different length and/or extensibility.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the headbands are glued, connected and/or sewn to the filter element at their ends and/or are designed in one piece with the filter element. Likewise, the opposite ends of the headband can be attached to the opposite transverse edges by welding, in particular ultrasonic welding or embossing. The headband preferably reaches up to the transverse edge and/or has a width of 5 mm, 10 mm or 15 mm.

According to another preferred embodiment, the filter element comprises a large number of particularly plate-like layers, in particular made of non-woven fabric, which can be folded in on one another and, by pulling on one of the longitudinal edges, can be unfolded into a ready-to-use configuration, and/or the filter element has several layers of non-woven fabric, which layers are bonded together along the transverse and longitudinal edges. In the folded configuration, the plate-like layers are preferably touching one another in order to be able to store the protective mask in a space-saving manner. Three plate-like layers are preferably provided, with the two longitudinal edges of the middle layer each being connected to a longitudinal edge of one of the two outer layers, for example sewn, glued and/or welded. The two outer plies may be folded onto the middle ply via the longitudinal edge joints thus formed to obtain the folded configuration. In the ready-to-use configuration, the protective mask preferably has a shape corresponding to the mouth and/or nose area.

According to yet another preferred development, the protective mask has a foam bracket which is arranged centrally on one of the longitudinal edges. The foam bracket can have an integrated flexible metal bracket which is integrated into the longitudinal edge. The protective mask can be adapted to the bridge of the nose with the foam bracket in order to keep a field of vision free and to minimize the entry and exit of breathing air upwards, so that the filter element rests in particular around the mouth and/or nose area.

• Herstellen eines Filterelements zum Bedecken einer Mund- und/oder Nasenpartie einer Person mit jeweils gegenüberliegenden Quer- und Längsrändern, und
• Herstellen zweier jeweils gegenüberliegende Enden aufweisende Kopfbänder mit zwischen den gegenüberliegenden Enden unterschiedlichen Längen und/oder unterschiedlich große Dehnbarkeiten, zum Befestigen des Filterelements an einem Kopf der Person, mit dem Schritt:
  Befestigen an jedem Querrand jeweils einem der Längsränder zugeordnet ein Ende, so dass sich das jeweilige Kopfband entlang des Längsrandes erstreckt.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a method for obtaining a protective mask, with the steps

• Manufacture of a filter element for covering a mouth and/or nose part of a person, each having opposite transverse and longitudinal edges, and
• Production of two headbands, each having opposite ends, with different lengths and/or different extensibility between the opposite ends, for fastening the filter element to a head of the person, with the step:
  Attach an end to each transverse edge associated with one of the longitudinal edges, so that the respective headband extends along the longitudinal edge.

In contrast to the methods known from the prior art, the proposed method allows both the filter element and the headbands to be manufactured in the same manufacturing machine and not separately. Accordingly, the filter element, the headbands and/or the attachment of the headbands are preferably manufactured in the same manufacturing machine. By manufacturing the headbands and attaching them in the same manufacturing machine, the protective mask can be manufactured much more cheaply and quickly.

According to a preferred development, the method includes the step:
Fasten at least one elastic thread extending between the ends between two layers of fleece provided on the other side to obtain each headband.

The elastic thread is preferably attached circumferentially along its entire extent, so that the elastic thread is provided within the fleece. The elastic thread is preferably covered on both sides, in particular from above and below, by fleece, in particular by a respective layer of fleece, which layers are then connected to one another, in particular glued, sewn and/or woven. According to another preferred development, the fastening includes gluing, connecting and/or sewing and/or forming one part with the filter element.

According to yet another preferred development, the headbands have different thicknesses and/or different diameters, and/or the headbands are designed to be elastically stretchable.

Further configurations and advantages of the method result for the person skilled in the art in analogy to the protective mask described above.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

eine schematisch perspektivische Ansicht einer Schutzmaske gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, und

Fig. 2

eine schematisch perspektivische Teilansicht eines Kopfbandes der Schutzmaske der Fig. 1.

Show in the drawings

1

a schematic perspective view of a protective mask according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and

2

a schematic perspective partial view of a headband of the protective mask 1 .

Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

1 shows a protective mask according to a preferred embodiment in a schematic perspective plan view. The protective mask is designed in accordance with the FFP2 standard and has a filter element 1 for covering a part of a person's mouth and/or nose. The filter element 1 has a rectangular plate-like shape with opposite transverse and longitudinal edges 2, 3 and is made of a non-woven fabric.

In the present case, the filter element 1 has three plate-like layers 4 each consisting of several layers of nonwoven fabric, the individual layers of nonwoven fabric of each layer 4 being connected to one another in a stationary manner along the transverse and longitudinal edges 2 , 3 by means of an embossing 5 . In 1 only the middle layer 4 is shown. The two outer layers 4 (not shown) are each connected at a longitudinal edge 3 to one of the two longitudinal edges 3 of the middle layer 4 and folded over one another, and in such a way in 1 not visible. By pulling on one of the longitudinal edges 3, the protective mask can be unfolded into a configuration ready for use.

The protective mask also has two elastic head straps 6, which at their opposite ends 7 are each attached to one of the transverse edges 2 and one of the longitudinal edges 3 assigned are attached. The attachment is achieved by gluing, sewing, welding and/or forming one piece with the filter element 1 . Accordingly, the two head straps 6 spaced apart from each other extend flush along one of the two longitudinal edges 3. To attach the protective mask to a person's head, the filter element 1 is placed on the person's mouth and/or nose and the stretched head straps 6 are wrapped around the Guided the person's head around, so that the first upper headband 6 comes to rest on the upper head and the second lower headband 6 on the lower head, and in this way the protective mask is clamped to the head.

2 shows the design of the headband 6 in detail. The headband 6 has two elastic threads 8 which extend between the ends 7 and are made of Lyca. The elastic threads 8 are spaced parallel to one another and surrounded on the other side by a fleece 9 , namely bordered on both sides along their entire extent by two rectangular layers of fleece 9 and thus held stationary between the layers of fleece 9 .

The protective mask also has a foam bracket 10 which is arranged centrally on one of the longitudinal edges 3 . The foam bracket 8 has an integrated, flexible metal bracket, by means of which the filter element 1 can be adapted to the bridge of the person's nose in order to keep the person's field of vision free and to minimize breathing air entering and exiting upwards.

How out 1 As can be seen, the headbands 6 have different lengths or extensibility between their opposite ends 7 . In the present case, the headband 6 shown at the front in the figure is designed with a shorter length or extent than the headband 6 shown at the back in the figure and therefore tensions more than the rear headband 6. Specifically, the rear headband has a length between the opposite ends 7 of 175 mm, while the front headband has a length of 170 mm. The difference can also be larger, for example 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm or more. The lengths can also have other values, but differ between the two headbands 6.

Because one headband 6 is longer than the other headband 6, the protective mask sits better on the person's head, namely the transverse and longitudinal edges 2, 3 fit better and thus seal the protective mask against the head better. Because usually the head has a larger circumference on the top of the head than on the lower head facing the neck. Correspondingly, the headband 6 with the shorter length is guided around the lower head and the headband 6 with the comparatively longer length is guided around the upper head.

Instead of a different length, the headbands 6 can likewise or additionally have different extensibility. Accordingly, it is expedient to design the headband 6 assigned to the top of the head with greater flexibility than the headband 6 assigned to the bottom of the head. Different degrees of extensibility can be obtained by headbands 6 of different strengths, different diameters and/or different materials. Likewise, elastic threads 8 of different strengths or different numbers of elastic threads 8 can be used in the headbands 6 . Above all, different lengths and/or extensibility allow the protective mask or the filter element 1 to fit better on the person's chin.

To produce the protective mask, both the filter element 1 and the head straps 6 are expediently produced in a common production machine on the one hand and the head straps 6 are fastened to the filter element 1 as described above on the other hand. By manufacturing the headbands and attaching them in the same manufacturing machine, the protective mask can be manufactured much more cheaply and quickly.

The exemplary embodiments described are merely examples that can be modified and/or supplemented in many ways within the scope of the claims. Each feature described for a particular embodiment can be used on its own or in combination with other features in any other embodiment. Each feature described for an embodiment of a particular category can also be used in a corresponding manner in an embodiment of another category. Reference List filter element 1 cross border 2 long edge 3 location 4 embossing 5 headband 6 End 7 elastic thread 8th fleece 9 foam hanger 10

Claims (10)

protective mask with a filter element (1) for covering a part of the mouth and/or nose of a person, each having opposite transverse and longitudinal edges (2, 3), and two opposite ends (7) having head straps (6) for attaching the filter element (1) to a head of the person, wherein one end (7) assigned to one of the longitudinal edges (3) is fastened to each transverse edge (2), so that the respective headband (6) extends along the longitudinal edge (3), and the headbands (6) have different lengths and/or different degrees of extensibility between their opposite ends (7). Protective mask according to the preceding claim, in which the headbands (6) each have at least one elastic thread (8) which extends between the ends (7) and is surrounded on the other side by a fleece (9). Protective mask according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the headbands (6) have a different thickness and/or a different diameter and/or are designed to be elastically stretchable. Protective mask according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the headbands (6) are glued, connected and/or sewn to the filter element (1) at their ends (7) and/or are designed in one piece with the filter element (1). Protective mask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element (1) comprises a plurality of sheet-like layers (4) which can fold in on one another and, by pulling on one of the longitudinal edges (3), unfold into a configuration ready for use, and/or the filter element (1) has several layers (4) of non-woven fabric, which layers (4) are connected to one another along the transverse and longitudinal edges (2, 3). Protective mask (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with a foam bracket (8) which is arranged centrally on one of the longitudinal edges (3). Procedure for obtaining a protective mask, with the steps Manufacture of a filter element (1) for covering a part of the mouth and/or nose of a person, each having opposite transverse and longitudinal edges (2, 3), and Production of two headbands (6) each having opposite ends (7) with different lengths and/or different degrees of extensibility between the opposite ends (7), for fastening the filter element (1) to a head of the person, with the step:
Fastening to each transverse edge (2) assigned to one of the longitudinal edges (3) one end (7) so that the respective headband (6) extends along the longitudinal edge (3). Method according to the preceding method claim, with the step:
Fastening at least one elastic thread (8) extending between the ends (7) between two layers of fleece (9) provided on the other side to obtain each headband (6). Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein the fastening comprises gluing, connecting and/or sewing and/or forming the filter element (1) in one piece. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, wherein the headbands (6) have a different thickness and/or a different diameter and/or are designed to be elastically stretchable.

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