EP4138597B1 - Device for protecting at least one part of the face - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the general field of protection of human beings. It aims more precisely at a device for protecting the respiratory tract and at least part of the face.

State of the art

In the medical environment, healthcare workers use devices to protect their respiratory tract and at least part of the face against contaminating projections coming from patients and containing germs, bacteria or even viruses.

These known protective devices are, conventionally, surgical masks made of paper or fabric comprising one or more layers and being held on the wearer's face by cords passing around the ears or tied around the head, or even visors.

For ease of use, these masks are generally disposable and not reusable. However, in the event of a shortage, particularly during a pandemic, staff are tempted to reuse their masks, which represents a significant risk of transmission of infectious diseases. Furthermore, some of these so-called disposable masks are difficult to recycle.

In addition, these masks, which are certainly effective, have the disadvantage of not being waterproof and of requiring manufacturing in several operations, which lengthens the manufacturing time and significantly increases the unit cost of each mask. The document FR 2,182,700 discloses a device for protection against projections of the respiratory tract and at least part of a user's face comprising a single flexible sheet, made of a material impermeable to said projections and defining an overall rectangle or square strip, the strip of the sheet being shaped to cover at least the nose and the mouth of the user, the upper edge of said strip resting on the top of the nose.

Summary of the invention

The aim of the present invention is therefore to propose a device for protection against projections of the respiratory tract and at least part of the face of an individual intended in particular for nursing staff, said device being effective, easy to implement and to recycle, and inexpensive, its manufacture requiring only a single operation.

In accordance with the invention, a device is therefore proposed for protection against projections of the respiratory tract and at least part of the face of a user, remarkable in that it comprises a single flexible sheet, made of an impermeable material. to said projections, and defining a strip in the overall shape of a rectangle or square and at least two first strips each coming from one of the ends of the upper edge of said strip, the strip of the sheet being shaped to cover at least the nose and the mouth of the user, the upper edge of said strip coming to rest on the top of the nose or on the forehead, the first two straps being arranged to be tied together at the back of the user's head passing through the -above the ears of the latter.

The sheet is advantageously made of a transparent material.

The strip is shaped to be transparent at least in line with the user's eyes, when said protective device is worn by the latter.

Preferably, the sheet is made of polyvinyl chloride.

According to an alternative embodiment, the protective device comprises two second straps each coming from one of the ends of the lower edge or one of the side edges of said strip.

The sheet is advantageously cut in a single operation to define the strip and the first two strips or to define the strip and the first two strips and the two second strips.

Preferably, the sheet has additional generally round cutouts in the mechanically weakest and/or most stressed areas.

Brief description of the figures

• [Fig 1] est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de protection selon l'invention porté par un individu,
• [Fig 2] est une vue de dessus de la découpe à plat du dispositif de protection de la figure 1,
• [Fig 3] est une vue de dessus de la découpe à plat d'une variante de réalisation du dispositif de protection selon l'invention,
• [Fig 4] est une vue en perspective d'une deuxième variante du dispositif de protection selon l'invention porté par un individu,
• [Fig 5] est une vue de dessus de la découpe à plat d'une troisième variante de réalisation du dispositif de protection selon l'invention.

Other advantages and characteristics will become clearer from the description which follows of a mode of execution of the invention with reference to the appended figures in which:

• [ Figure 1 ] is a perspective view of a protective device according to the invention worn by an individual,
• [ Figure 2 ] is a top view of the flat cutout of the protection device of the figure 1 ,
• [ Figure 3 ] is a top view of the flat cutout of an alternative embodiment of the protection device according to the invention,
• [ Figure 4 ] is a perspective view of a second variant of the protective device according to the invention worn by an individual,
• [ Figure 5 ] is a top view of the flat cutout of a third alternative embodiment of the protection device according to the invention.

Description of embodiments

On the figures 1 and 2 , there is shown a protection device 1 against projections from the respiratory tract and at least part of a user's face. Said protective device 1 comprises a single sheet 2 defining a strip 3 in the overall shape of a rectangle or square and at least two first strips 4A, 4B each coming from one of the ends of the upper edge 31 of said strip 3.

Upper or lower here means elements or parts of elements of the protective device, according to the invention, located respectively at the top or bottom of the latter, when it is worn normally by the user.

It goes without saying that the strip 3 could be of any shape other than rectangular or square, according to embodiments which are not covered by claims 1 to 7.

With this configuration, in normal use of the protection device 1, the strip 3 of the sheet 2 is shaped to cover at least the nose and the mouth of the user, the upper edge 31 of said strip 3 coming to rest on the top of the nose, and the first two straps 4A, 4B are arranged to be tied together at the back of the user's head, passing over the latter's ears.

However, in this configuration, it is clearly understood that the lower edge 32 of the strip 3 is free and therefore that the lower part of the protective device 1 is open, which offers better breathing to the user than with surgical masks. known, which tend to oppress said user by hindering their breathing.

• le PVC est un matériau facilement lavable, désinfectable et donc réutilisable,
• le PVC est un mono-matériau 100% recyclable, sans phtalate et conforme aux Directives européennes Reach, ce matériau étant déjà utilisé pour réaliser de nombreux produits destinés à être en contact avec la peau d'un utilisateur tels que, par exemple, des étuis cartes bancaires ou des garde-ordonnances de pharmacies,
• le PVC est un matériau résistant à la déchirure, qui présente toutefois une certaine élasticité lorsqu'il est utilisée en feuille souple de faible épaisseur, de l'ordre de 0,25 à 0,75 mm, ce qui est intéressant pour le maintien du dispositif de protection 1 à l'aide des deux premières lanières 4A, 4B et pour son adaptation à la forme du visage de l'utilisateur quelle que soit sa morphologie, garantissant ainsi un confort d'utilisation et une protection efficace tout en conférant à la partie basse de la bande 3 une certaine rigidité permettant au dispositif de protection 1 d'assurer son rôle de bouclier protecteur pouvant également protéger le cou de l'utilisateur, et
• le PVC est enfin un matériau d'utilisation courante et donc peu onéreux.

The sheet 2 is flexible and made of a material impervious to splashes, such as, for example, contaminating splashes coming from patients, said material being advantageously synthetic such as, preferably, polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Indeed, PVC has the following numerous advantages:

• PVC is an easily washable, disinfectable and therefore reusable material,
• PVC is a 100% recyclable mono-material, phthalate-free and compliant with European Reach Directives, this material already being used to make numerous products intended to be in contact with a user's skin such as, for example, cases bank cards or pharmacy prescription keepers,
• PVC is a material resistant to tearing, which however presents a certain elasticity when used in flexible sheet of low thickness, of the order of 0.25 to 0.75 mm, which is interesting for maintaining the protective device 1 using the first two straps 4A, 4B and for its adaptation to the shape of the user's face whatever their morphology, thus guaranteeing comfort of use and effective protection while giving the lower part of the strip 3 a certain rigidity allowing the protective device 1 to ensure its role as a protective shield which can also protect the user's neck, and
• Finally, PVC is a commonly used material and therefore inexpensive.

We therefore understand that the use of PVC makes it possible to overcome the main disadvantages of known surgical masks made of paper or fabric, namely: permeability, single use, lack of comfort and non-recyclability.

In reference to the figure 2 , the sheet 2 is cut in a single operation to define the strip 3 and the first two strips 4A, 4B in the shape of an L. This operating mode, which requires no addition of material, no welding or gluing between two elements or part of elements, is particularly simple and quick, and therefore inexpensive.

To avoid any risk of untimely tearing in the mechanically weakest and/or most stressed areas such as, in particular, the sharp angles between the strip 3 and the first two strips 4A, 4B, additional generally round cutouts 21 are advantageously made on sheet 2 to said areas. For the same reasons, we can also provide roundings, not shown in all the sharp corners.

According to an alternative embodiment, the protection device 1' is similar to the protection device 1 previously described and comprises a sheet 2' which is flexible and impermeable to projections, the flat cutout of which is shown in the Figure 3 , and defining a strip 3' in the overall shape of a rectangle or square and two first strips 4A', 4B' each coming from one of the ends of the upper edge 31' of said strip 3'. However, the protective device 1' further comprises two second straps 5A', 5B' each coming from one of the ends of the lower edge 32' of said strip 3'.

With this configuration, in normal use of the protection device 1', the strip 3' of the sheet 2' is shaped to cover at least the nose and the mouth of the user, the upper edge 31' of said strip 3' resting on the top of the nose, the first two straps 4A', 4B' are arranged to be tied together at the back of the user's head passing over the ears of the latter, and the two second straps 5A', 5B' are arranged to be tied together at the back of the neck of said user.

However, with this configuration of the protective device 1', it is understood that the two second straps 5A', 5B' can also be tied together under the user's chin. The tying of said two second straps 5A', 5B' under the chin makes it possible to better apply said protective device 1' to the face of said user and to limit the entry of projections, particularly at the level of the top of the protective device 1' and the cheeks. of the user.

Likewise, to avoid any risk of untimely tearing in the mechanically weakest and/or most stressed areas such as, in particular, the sharp angles between the strip 3' and the first two straps 4A', 4B' and second straps 5A' , 5B', additional generally round cutouts 21' are advantageously made on the sheet 2' in said zones. For the same reasons, we can also provide roundings, not shown in all corners.

To avoid any risk of untimely tearing in the mechanically weakest and/or most stressed areas, the additional cutouts 21, 21' can be replaced by welding points. However, this configuration requires adding an operation to the manufacturing of the protection device 1, 1' and will therefore increase its unit cost.

Those skilled in the art will have no difficulty in dimensioning the sheet 2, 2' to adapt the protective device 1, 1' to the different morphologies of adults or children.

According to a second alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4 , the protection device 11 is similar to the protection device 1 previously described and comprises a flexible sheet 12 which is impermeable to projections defining a strip 13 in the overall shape of a rectangle or square and two first strips 14 each coming from one of the ends of the upper edge 131 of said strip 13.

However, in normal use, the protective device 11 differs from the protective device 1 in that the strip 13 of the sheet 12 is shaped to cover at least the nose and the mouth of the user and a large part of the face of this last, the upper edge 131 of said strip 13 then coming to rest on the forehead of the user, and the two first straps 14 are arranged to be tied together at the back of the head of said user while passing above the ears of this last.

It is clearly understood that with this configuration which also covers the user's eyes, the strip 13 of the protective device 11 is shaped to be transparent at least in line with the user's eyes, when said protective device 11 is worn. by the latter. For reasons of ease of manufacture, the sheet 12 is made of a transparent material such as, preferably, polyvinyl chloride for the same reasons previously described, the strip 13 of the protective device 11 then being entirely transparent.

Like the previous protective devices 1, 1', the sheet 12 is cut in a single operation to define the strip 13 and the first two strips 14 in the shape, for example, of an L. This operating mode, which does not require any addition of material, no welding or bonding between two elements or part of elements, is particularly simple and quick, and therefore inexpensive.

To avoid any risk of untimely tearing in the mechanically weakest and/or most stressed areas such as, in particular, the sharp angles between the strip 13 and the first two strips 14, additional generally round cuts are advantageously made on the sheet 12 to said areas. For the same reasons, we can also provide roundings, not shown in all the sharp corners.

According to a third alternative embodiment, the protection device 11' is similar to the protection device 11 previously described and comprises a sheet 12' which is flexible and impervious to projections, the flat cutout of which is shown in the Figure 5 , and defining a strip 13' in the overall shape of a partly transparent rectangle or square and two first strips 14A', 14B' each coming from one of the ends of the upper edge 131' of said strip 13'. However, the protective device 11' further comprises two second straps 15A', 15B' each coming from one of the side edges of the strip 13', said side edges connecting together the lower edges 132' and upper 131' of said strip 13'.

Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the two second strips 15A', 15B' could also each come from one of the ends of the lower edge 132' of said strip 13'.

With this configuration, in normal use of the protection device 11', the strip 13' of the sheet 12' is shaped to cover at least the nose and mouth of the user and a large part of the face of the latter, the edge upper 131' of said strip 13' coming to rest on the user's forehead, the first two straps 14A', 14B' are arranged to be tied together at the back of the user's head passing over the above the ears of the latter, and the two second straps 15A', 15B' are arranged to be tied together at the back of the neck of said user.

Likewise, to avoid any risk of untimely tearing in the mechanically weakest and/or most stressed areas such as, in particular, the sharp angles between the strip 13' and the first two straps 14A', 14B' and second straps 15A' , 15B', additional generally round cutouts 121' are advantageously made on the sheet 12' in said zones. For the same reasons, we can also provide roundings, not shown in all corners.

In the configuration with four straps of the protection device 1' or 11', each first strap 4A', 14A', 4B', 14B' can be tied with the second strap 5A', 15A', 5B', 15B' located on the side of the same lateral edge of the band 3', 13' around one of the user's ears.

Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first two straps 4A, 4B, 4A', 4B', 14, 14A', 14B' of the protection device 1, 1', 11, 11' could also each come from one of the side edges of the strip 3, 3', 13, 13'.

Furthermore, like the protection devices 11, 11', it goes without saying that the protection device 1, 1' may include a sheet 2, 2' made of a transparent material, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Finally, we understand that the configuration of the protective device 1, 1', 11, 11' according to the invention with two or four straps makes it possible to adapt said protective device 1, 1', 11, 11' to the morphology of the face of the user while guaranteeing its perfect placement on said face.

The protection device 1, 1', 11, 11' according to the invention is particularly intended for nursing staff against projections, in particular liquid and/or solid, from patients, but it can also be used by ambulance drivers, firefighters or law enforcement forces. Likewise, the protective device 1, 1', 11, 11' could be usefully used by firefighters and healthcare personnel as an "over-mask" serving as a first protective barrier making it possible to block liquid splashes (contaminating droplets, blood, etc...) and thus increase the lifespan of the filter masks worn just below.

Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of protection devices 1, 1', 11, 11' conforming to the invention which have just been described are only particular illustrations, in no way limiting of the invention of which the The subject matter is defined by claims 1 to 7.

Claims (7)

1. A device (1, 1', 11, 11') for protecting the respiratory tract and at least one part of the face of a user against projections, comprising a single flexible sheet (2, 2', 12, 12'), made of a material impermeable to said projections, and defining a strip (3, 3', 13, 13') having the overall shape of a rectangle or a square and at least two first straps (4A, 4B, 4A', 4B', 14, 14A', 14B') each coming from one of the ends of the upper edge (31, 31', 131, 131') of said strip (3, 3', 13, 13'), the strip (3, 3', 13, 13') of the sheet (2, 2', 12, 12') being shaped to cover at least the nose and the mouth of the user, the upper edge (31, 31', 131, 131') of said strip (3, 3', 13, 13') resting on the top of the nose or on the forehead of said user, the two first straps (4A, 4B, 4A', 4B', 14, 14A', 14B') being arranged to be tied together at the back of the head of the user while passing above the ears of the latter.
2. The protective device (1, 1') according to claim 1, characterised in that the sheet (2, 2') is made of a transparent material.
3. The protective device (11, 11') according to claim 1, characterised in that the strip (13, 13') is shaped to be transparent at least in front of the eyes of the user, when said protective device (11, 11') is worn by the latter.
4. The protective device (1, 1', 11, 11') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sheet (2, 2', 12, 12') is made of polyvinyl chloride.
5. The protective device (1', 11') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises two second straps (5A', 5B', 15A', 15B') each coming from one of the ends of the lower edge (32', 132') or from one of the lateral edges of said strip (3', 13').
6. The protective device (1, 1', 11, 11') according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the sheet (2, 2', 12, 12') is cut out in a single operation to define the strip (3, 13) and the two first straps (4A, 4B, 14) or define the strip (3', 13') and the two first straps (4A', 4B', 14A', 14B') and the two second straps (5A', 5B', 15A', 15B').
7. The protective device (1, 1', 11, 11') according to claim 6, characterised in that the sheet (2, 2', 12, 12') includes additional generally round cutouts (21, 21', 121') at the mechanically weakest and/or most stressed areas.

Images