GB2367757A

GB2367757A - Mask for cyclists

Info

Publication number: GB2367757A
Application number: GB0025028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Janice Alexander
Original assignee: Janice Alexander
Priority date: 2000-10-12
Filing date: 2000-10-12
Publication date: 2002-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-12
Also published as: GB0025028D0; GB2367757B

Abstract

A mask (1) for cyclists comprises a central portion (2) and two thinner portions (3,3') extending laterally from each side of the central portion. The mask (1) is sufficiently large to cover at least the nose and mouth of a wearer's face. The laterally extending portions are adapted to mutually engage behind a wearer's head. The central portion of the mask is provided with an opening (5) corresponding to the mouth of the wearer. A teat (6), having a first end (7) sealably attached to the central portion (2) of the mask and a second end capable of being taken in the wearer's mouth, provides a fluid channel between the first and second ends allowing respired air to be exhausted. Replaceable inserts (11) may be used with the mask (1). The filter insert also has an opening (12) that allows the teat (6) to pass through. The insert is further provided with means enabling it to be attached to a mask. The invention also relates to a method for producing said mask and filter insert.

Description

MASK FOR CYCLISTS The invention relates, in general, to masks. More particularly the invention relates to masks affording cold weather protection and/or protection from airborne pollutants and particulate matter, as typically worn by cyclists Masks worn by cyclists are customarily designed and manufactured to reduce or eliminate the exposure to potentially harmful airborne pollutants or other particulate matter.

In densely populated, or industrialized areas, pollutants that can offend against an individual's health include exhaust gases, particularly from motor vehicles and building dust. Typically these comprise acidic oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, unbumt or partially burnt hydrocarbons, brick dust and clay dust, heavy metals such as lead, and low level ozone.

--. Rural environments also contain airborne particulate matter such as pollen and dust from earth and plants that can contribute to or aggravate respiratory illness.

A number of masks for cyclists are provided with filter inserts which may be exchanged for fresh ones at the end of their useful lives. The filters may be predominantly fibre material laminated with other fabrics to give an appealing finish and reduce irritation of the skin The filters may also contain agents to absorb or neutralise pollutants, activated charcoal being one such agent.

The masks may take a number of forms, commonly they cover the lower half of a users face or the lower half of the face and the neck of a user, and are provided as a pre-shaped single-lined or double-lined neoprene mask. Another form of mask comprises a kerchief or scarf, typically of cotton, that also covers the lower part of the face and neck. Both of these types of mask have a malleable strip as a nose clip to effect good sealing of the mask against a users face.

These known masks, however, have their drawbacks. In known masks there is the difficulty of making high filtering performance compatible with good breathing performance, improving the filter capacity of the mask or filter by more densely packing filtering material reduces the through flow of air. The difficulty of exhausting respired air through such a filter causes respired air to build up inside the cavity formed between . the mask/filterand-the face of the user. Such oxygen-poor air is re-inhaled before new air can be drawn through the mask in a breathing cycle, to which prolonged exposure can cause the quicker onset of fatigue in a user undertaking strenuous activity.

Another drawback associated with known masks is that the filter material or lining materials readily take on moisture from respired air. The masks may then feel clammy and uncomfortable when used for other than short periods of time The present invention seeks to overcome such problems as found in currently known masks and filters.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a mask for cyclists, the mask comprising : a central portion adapted to overlie an area including the nose and mouth of a wearer, two laterally extending portions adapted to mutually engage, an opening corresponding to the mouth of a wearer, a teat, having a first and second end, sealably attached at the first end to the central portion, the teat being capable of providing a fluid channel between the first and second ends.

In a preferred embodiment of that aspect of the invention there is provided a mask . according to claim 1 wherein the mask further comprises a filter insert which in use is disposed between the mask and the wearer, wherein the filter has an opening corresponding to the mouth of a wearer thereby allowing the teat to pass through the filter and the teat is provided with, between its first end and its second end, means for sealably engaging the periphery of the opening According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a filter insert for a mask, the insert comprising : a body portion adapted to overlie an area including the nose and mouth of a wearer, an opening corresponding to the mouth of a wearer, a teat having, a first end and a second end, sealably attached at the first end to the body portion, the teat being capable of providing a fluid channel between the first and second ends, and wherein the insert is capable of being affixed to a mask.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for producing a mask for cyclists, the method comprising: providing a central portion capable of overlying an area including the nose and mouth of a wearer, providing two laterally extending portions capable of mutually engaging . establishing an-opening to correspond to the mouth of a wearer in the central portion, providing a teat having a first end and a second end, and capable of providing a fluid channel between said first and second ends, and sealably attaching the first end of said teat to the central portion such that it embraces the opening.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for producing a filter insert for a mask, the method comprising: providing a body portion capable of overlying an area including the nose and mouth of a wearer establishing an opening in the body portion to correspond to the mouth of a wearer, providing a teat having a first and a second end, and capable of providing a fluid channel between said first and second ends, sealably attaching the first end of said teat to the body portion such that it embraces the opening, and providing means to enable the insert to be attached to a mask.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure L shows a perspective view of a mask according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a teat for use in the invention, and

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a mask according to the invention. A mask (1) comprises a central portion (2) and two, generally thinner portions (3,3'), one extending laterally from each side of the central portion (2). The central and two laterally extending portions (3,3') may be formed separately and joined together or may be formed integrally as a blank. Alternatively the mask (I) may be formed from two members joined at the center of the central portion.

The central portion (2) should be sufficiently large to cover at least that part of a wearer's face including the mouth and nose. The central portion blank may be seamed to shape the mask to effect good conformity with a user's face, especially to gather the top and/or bottom edge of the mask around the nose and/or chin areas respectively.

A malleable strip, for instance of annealed aluminum, may also be provided to encourage a good sealing fit of the mask to a user's face in the region around the bridge of the nose.

The mask may be formed from single or double lined closed cell neoprene rubber or other flexible cloth or cloth-like material, such as a fine polyamide mesh backed with cotton.

The relatively thin laterally extending portions of the mask are adapted to mutually . engage behind a wearer's head. Hook and loop type fastenings (4), for instance Velcro@, are a suitable way of providing this engagement, but other methods such as providing buttons, press-studs, a drawstring fastening, or tying the elongate portions together will readily suggest themselves to the skilled in the art The central portion of the mask is provided with an opening (5) corresponding to the mouth of a wearer, that it, in use, the opening overlies the mouth of a user. Conveniently the opening is substantially circular, although it may be otherwise shaped.

A teat (6) having a first end (7) and a second end (8) is sealably attached by the first end (7) to the central portion (2) of the mask such that the periphery of the opening (5) is contained within the boundary of the seal.

Sealing attachment of the first end of the teat (6) and the mask (1) may be made in a number of ways including bonding with heat or glue, or sewing or clipping together the elements and laminating a seal over the join, or other known methods. As an alternative method of construction, the mask and teat may be integrally formed.

The teat (6) is preferably formed from an elastomeric material, conveniently a natural or synthetic rubber such as latex rubber or silicone rubber. The teat should be sufficiently Jong that a mask user can take the second end (8) into his or her mouth when wearing the mask. At least one wall (9) defines a tube between the first and second ends (7,8) of the teat to form a fluid channel through which it is possible to discharge expirated air, and so prevent discomforting moisture build up on the inner surface of the mask. The elastomeric material of the teat readily deforms under pressure from the lips or teeth of the wearer to effect a seal preventing fluid communication between the first and second ends of the teat when the wearer is not breathing out. Air is thus inhaled exclusively through any filter material.

In an alternative, preferred embodiment the teat is provided with valve means (10) so that a mask wearer need not clamp shut the teat themselves. Conveniently, the valve means comprises a slit valve. The slit valve is advantageously at or near the second end of the teat such that the light pressure from the lips or teeth of a user causes the valve to open for expirated air to be expelled from the mask. The valve recloses when pressure is removed, thereby freeing a wearer from the task of clamping the teat shut for extended periods of time. The wearer may freely inhale filtered air through his or her mouth or nose with such an arrangement. The valve means may of course be any other valve means that obviates the need for a wearer to seal the teat themself A one way valve, conveniently a duck bill valve, may be usefully employed.

Another embodiment of the invention allows replaceable inserts (11) to be used with the mask (1). In this-embodiment the filter insert also has an opening (12) corresponding to the mouth of a mask wearer that allows the teat (6) to pass therethrough. Means are

'ded f 1 1 1 provided for attaching the filter insert to the mask, or otherwise retaining the insert (11) p in a position between the mask and the face of a wearer. The filter insert should be sealed against the teat when fitted in place, and this can be achieved simply in a number of ways. A preferred way comprises providing a pair of closely spaced resilient flanges In a further aspect of the invention, a filter insert (21) comprises a body portion (22) of such size and shape as to cover at least that part of a wearers face including the mouth and nose. The insert (21) is provided with an opening (25) corresponding to the mouth of a wearer and a teat (26) having a first end (27) and a second end (28) the teat being capable of providing a fluid channel between the first and second ends, and the teat (26) being sealably attached to the body portion (22) similarly to the manner described heretofore.

The insert is further provided with means enabling it to be attached to a mask. This further aspect of the invention allows standard masks to be fitted with inserts having high filtering performance without the associated drawbacks.

Claims

Claims A mask for cyclists, the mask comprising : a central portion adapted to overlie an area including the nose and mouth of a wearer, two laterally extending portions adapted to mutually engage, an opening corresponding to the mouth of a wearer, a teat, having a first and second end, sealably attached at the first end to the central portion, the teat being capable of providing a fluid channel between the first and second ends.
2. A mask according to claim 1 wherein the mask further comprises a filter insert which in use is disposed between the mask and the wearer, wherein the filter has an opening corresponding to the mouth of the wearer, thereby allowing the teat to pass through the filter, and the teat is provided with, between its first end and its second end, means for sealably engaging the periphery of the opening
3. A mask according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the teat is formed from an elastomeric material
4 A mask according to claims 1,2, or 3 wherein the teat is formed from a natural or synthetic rubber.
5 A mask according to claims 1 to 4 wherein the teat is formed from latex rubber.
6 A mask according to claims 1 to 4 wherein the teat is formed from silicone rubber
7 A mask according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the teat is provided with a valve at or near its second end.
8. A mask according to claim 7 wherein the valve is a slit valve.
9. A mask according to claim 7 wherein the valve is a one-way valve.
10 A mask according to any one of the preceding claims wherein in use the second end of the teat may be engaged by the mouth of a wearer
11 A mask according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the teat is substantially funnel-shaped
12. A mask according to any one of the preceding claims provided in the form of a scarf.
13. A mask substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings
14. A filter insert for a mask, the insert comprising: a body portion adapted to overlie an area including the nose and mouth of a wearer, an opening corresponding to the mouth of a wearer, a teat having, a first end and a second end, sealably attached at the first end to the body portion, the teat being capable of providing a fluid channel between the first and second ends, and wherein the insert is capable of being affixed to a mask.

.
15. An insert according to claim 14 wherein the teat is formed from an elastomeric material
16. An insert according to claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the teat is formed from a natural or synthetic rubber
17. An insert according to claims 14 to 16 wherein the teat is formed from latex rubber.
18 An insert according to claims 14 to 16 wherein the teat is formed from silicone rubber
19. An insert according to any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein the teat is provided with a valve at or near its second end.
20. An insert according to claim 19 wherein the valve is a slit valve.
21. An insert according to claim 19 wherein the valve is a one-way valve.
22. An insert according to any one of claims 14 to 21 wherein in use the second end of the teat may be engaged by the mouth of the wearer.
23. A method for producing a mask for cyclists, the method comprising: providing a central portion capable of overlying an area including the nose and mouth of a wearer, providing two laterally extending portions capable of mutually engaging, establishing an opening to correspond to the mouth of a wearer in the central portion, providing a teat having a first end and a second end, and capable of providing a fluid channel between said first and second ends, and sealably attaching the first end of said teat to the central portion such that it embraces the opening
24. A method according to claim 23 further comprising providing a filter insert capable of being attached to the mask, establishing an opening to correspond to the mouth of a wearer such that the teat may partially pass there through, and providing means for the teat and periphery of the opening of the filter to sealably engage
25. A method for producing a mask substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.
26. A method for producing a filter insert for a mask, the method comprising: providing a body portion capable of overlying an area including the nose and mouth of a wearer establishing an opening in the body portion to correspond to the mouth of a wearer, providing a teat having a first and a second end, and capable of providing a fluid channel between said first and second ends, sealably attaching the first end of said teat to the body portion such that it embraces the opening, and providing means to enable the insert to be attached to a mask.