JP2019514610A - Adapter for connecting the filter cartridge to the mask of the respiratory mask - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter that facilitates connecting a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side to a mask body of a respirator having a snap connector on the front side. The adapter includes an integral molded plastic main body having a snap connection on the back side and a twist connection on the front side.

Description

  Respirators are often used to protect the wearer from breathing airborne contaminants such as airborne dust, malodorous fumes, organic vapors, and the like. A common personal breathing protection device is known as a "breathing mask" which can be provided to the user in either a half face configuration or a full face configuration. Incoming air is generally passed through one or more filter cartridges and filtered. Such a respirator often has a single cartridge configuration in which the filter cartridge is, for example, laterally centered in front of the mask, or the filter cartridge is, for example, of the mask body (e.g. Use dual cartridge configuration located on each front side portion of the wearer's cheek area). The filter cartridge is fluidly connectable to the mask body and is removable therefrom. To facilitate this, complementary connectors may be provided on the mask body and on the cartridge.

  Broadly summarized, disclosed herein is an adapter that facilitates connecting a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the back side to a mask body of a respirator having a snap connector on the front side. The adapter comprises an integral molded plastic main body with a snap connection on the back and a twist connection on the front. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the Detailed Description of the Invention below. However, in any case, such subject matter may have been presented in the original claim or in the amended claim, or alternatively in an intermediate process Whether presented as such, this broad summary should not be construed as limiting the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 1 is a front / side perspective view of a prior art respirator and filter cartridge, both having snap connectors. FIG. 1 is a back plan view of a prior art filter cartridge having a bayonet coupling. FIG. 1 is a front / side perspective exploded view of an assembly comprising a respirator having a snap connection, a filter cartridge having a bayonet connection, and an exemplary adapter as disclosed herein. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary adapter of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a back / side cross-sectional view of the exemplary adapter of FIG. 4; FIG. 4 is a front perspective exploded view of the exemplary adapter of FIG. 3;

  Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. Unless otherwise indicated, all figures and drawings in this document are not to scale and are chosen for the purpose of illustrating different embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the dimensions of the various components, unless otherwise indicated, are only given as exemplary meanings, and the relationships between the dimensions of the various components should not be inferred from the drawings.

  As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the term "generally", unless specifically defined otherwise, can readily be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, although absolute It means that it does not require a certain accuracy or perfect match (e.g. within +/- 20% in the case of quantifiable characteristics). The term "substantially", unless specifically defined otherwise, means a high degree of approximation (e.g. within +/- 10% for quantifiable properties), but again in absolute terms Accuracy or perfect match is not required. The terms same, equal, uniform, constant, strictly, etc. do not require absolute accuracy or perfect match, but of the usual tolerances or measurement errors applicable to the specific situation It is understood to be within the scope.

GLOSSARY As used herein, terms such as "forward" and "front" generally refer to the direction away from the wearer's face, "rearward" and "rear". Terms such as “)” generally represent the direction toward the wearer's face. (All descriptions of the adapter disclosed herein and the respirator for which it is used are referred to with the respirator worn in place on the user's face, unless otherwise noted Yes). Terms such as "inward" and "inner" refer to the central position of the element (eg, adapter, mask body of a respirator, cartridge, or connector) away from the periphery of the element For example, it represents a direction towards the geometric center). Terms such as radial "outward" and "outer" refer to directions away from such geometric centers, for example, towards and / or through the periphery of the element. Terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, and “vertical” have their customary meaning. By "lateral" is meant a lateral direction that is generally perpendicular to the vertical axes of the adapter and the mask body of the respirator (and hence to the sagittal plane of the wearer). "Axial" causes the coupler of one element (e.g., the filter cartridge) to be moved into engagement with the coupler of another element (e.g., the mask body or adapter of the respiratory mask) Direction is meant. For convenience of illustration, a longitudinal axis (fr), a vertical axis (v), and a lateral axis (l) are shown in FIG. In the view of FIG. 1, the axial direction coincides with the front-rear direction (fr).

  “Snap connection” (sometimes called “snap-on” or “push-on”) mounting system is a system for connecting two elements together, two elements The device comprises a complementary connector configured to be able to connect the elements together by pressing the connectors axially against one another. The snap connection system does not require any rotational movement of the elements (and hence of the connection) relative to one another in order to carry out the attachment.

  A “twisted connection” (sometimes referred to as “twist-on”) system is a system for connecting two elements together, wherein at least one of the devices is at least about 25 And a complementary connector configured to be able to connect the elements together by a process that includes the steps of rotating through a degree arc of rotation.

  The “bayonet” mounting system is a particular type of “twisted” system for connecting two elements together, the two elements pressing the couplers axially together, one of the devices being A complementary connector configured to be able to connect the elements together by rotating through a rotary arc that is at least about 25 degrees. At least one of the connectors will include a central post having a plurality of radially outwardly projecting tabs ("bayonets") as described in detail herein.

  A respiratory mask, for example, a half mask respiratory mask 100 of the type shown in the exemplary illustration in FIG. 1, often comprises a mask body 120 to which at least one filter cartridge 130 can be attached. The mask body 120 forms an internal air space 123 around the wearer's nose and mouth and is shaped to separate this space from the external air space 126, so that the internal air space from the external air space 126 is Air entering 123 must pass through the filter cartridge 130. To enable the filter cartridge (s) to be attached to the mask body, the mask body comprises one or more connectors and each cartridge to be attached to the mask body comprises a complementary connector. This is the fluid between the interior 223 of the cartridge and the interior air space 123 of the mask body while minimizing any possibility of external (unfiltered) air leaking into the interior air space of the mask body. Allows the cartridge to be attached to the mask body so as to establish a connection.

  In one common type of mounting system, a filter cartridge is snapped onto the mask body. As shown in an exemplary manner in FIG. 1, the mask body 120 of the respirator 100 can be provided with snap connectors 110, and the filter cartridge 130 to be attached thereto has complementary snap connectors 131. Can. (In many cases, one such connector will be a "male" connector and the other will be a complementary "female" connector.) The snap connection system is Yuschak U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,761 to U.S. Pat. As described in the '761 patent, in many such systems, the filter cartridge does not require any rotational movement of the filter cartridge, and to obtain an airtight connection between the filter cartridge and the mask body Can be attached to the mask body simply by aligning the connector of the cartridge with the connector of the mask body and pressing the cartridge axially against the mask body without the need for any kind of gasket or o-ring of .

  In another common type of attachment system, the filter cartridge is attached to the mask body by a "twist connection" system. The twist connection system is configured such that the two elements are coupled together such that the elements can be connected together by rotating one of the elements with respect to the other by at least about a 25 degree rotational arc. It is optional. In some embodiments, a twist connection system may use a threaded connection in which one element is rotated relative to the other over an arc of at least 360 degrees or more (ie, over at least one rotation of the element). In other embodiments, the twist connection system may use a threaded connection, but may require less than one rotation, for example, a rotational arc of about 25 degrees to about 90, 180, or 270 degrees.

  A particular type of twist connection system is, for example, a bayonet mounting system as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0145249 to Solyntjes. As described in the background of the '249 application, the bayonet system uses quick rotation (eg, 45-90 degrees) to attach the filter cartridge to the mask body. To facilitate this, such a system includes a set of radially outwardly projecting tabs on one connector (e.g., on the "male" connector on the mask body) and the other connector A set of notches on the tool (e.g., on the "female" connector on the filter cartridge) can be used. The filter cartridge is pressed axially against the mask body so that the tabs are received in the notches and the filter cartridge is then rotated to perform the mounting. Of course, the role could be reversed such that the mask body has a female connector with a notch and the filter cartridge has a male connector with a tab.

  In some situations, it may be desirable to attach a filter connector having a twist connector, eg, a bayonet connector, to the mask body of a respirator having a snap connector. In order to achieve this, the adapter of the present disclosure is provided. In the exemplary illustration, FIG. 3 shows a respirator 100 having a filter cartridge 200 with a twist connector (in this particular embodiment, a bayonet connector 210) on the back side 222 and a snap connector 110 on the front side 121. An adapter 1 that can be used to connect to the mask body 120 is shown. The adapter 1 comprises a one-piece molded plastic main body 2 comprising a front side 21, a rear side 22, an upper end 23 and a lower end 24 (as seen most easily in FIGS. 4 and 6). The main body 2 is selected, for example, from polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, polystyrene, polyamide, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, and copolymers and blends of any of these Can be made of any suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting injection molding resin.

  The back side 22 of the adapter 1 comprises a snap connection mechanism 10 attachable to the snap connection 110 of the mask body 120 of the respirator, so that the back side 22 of the adapter is attached to the front side 121 of the mask body 120 of the respirator mask be able to. The front side 21 of the adapter 1 is provided with a twist connection mechanism (in this embodiment, the bayonet attachment mechanism 40) to which the bayonet connection tool 210 of the filter cartridge 200 can be attached. It can be attached to 21. These arrangements are such that when the adapter is attached to the mask body of the respirator and the filter cartridge is attached to the adapter, the interior 223 of the filter cartridge is the internal air of the mask body of the respirator by the fluid path through the main body of the adapter. It can be brought into fluid connection with the space 123. The main body 2 of the adapter 1 comprises an annular panel 5 defining a through hole 15. As will be described in detail later herein, the annular panel 5 can provide components of the snap connection mechanism of the back side 22 of the adapter 1 and also the twist connection of the front side 21 of the adapter 1 (e.g. Components of a bayonet attachment mechanism can also be provided.

  As shown in the rear view of the adapter 1 in FIG. 4, the snap connection mechanism 10 on the rear side 22 of the main body 2 of the exemplary adapter 1 has a generally circular rim 12 defining a generally circular rear facing opening 11. Including. In a particular embodiment, the rim 12 is a circumferentially continuous uninterrupted circular rim. The rim 12 is undercut forward. That is, the diameter of the opening 11 defined by the rim 12 changes along the longitudinal axis of the adapter so that the diameter decreases towards the rear of the adapter. Thus, the rim 12 has a radially inward projecting flange 13 at or near the aft end 16 of the rim 12. (Flange 13 is most readily discernible in the cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 5.) Therefore, the radially inward projecting flange 13 is of the smallest diameter of the rearward facing opening 11 (in the axial direction of the snap connection mechanism of the adapter Provide corresponding points along the back and forth direction of the adapter. Therefore, the radial side of the rearward facing opening 11 is defined by the rim 12. In at least some embodiments, the forward end of the rearward facing opening 11 is defined by the annular rear surface 14 of the annular panel 5 of the adapter 1 (the rear surface 14 is most easily discernible in FIG. 4).

  The snap connection mechanism 10 of the adapter 1 is configured to mate with the snap connection 110 of the mask body 120 of the respirator 100. In many cases, the snap connector 110 of the respirator is axially forward with a radially outwardly projecting lip 113 located near the forward end 114 of the flange 112 (as seen in FIG. 3) A projecting annular flange 112 may be included. When the adapter 1 is pushed axially towards the snap connection 110 of the mask body 120 of the respirator, the annular flange 112 of the mask body 120 of the respirator radially into the rim 12 of the snap connection mechanism 10 of the adapter 1. It can be linked. In order to facilitate the insertion of the annular flange 112 in the rim 12, the flange 112 is designed to be able to deform slightly radially inward so that it can pass through the narrowest diameter portion of the rim 12 (E.g., may be selected to have a wall thickness and / or may be made of a material having a particular flexural modulus). When the adapter 1 is moved sufficiently axially back towards the mask body 120, the radially outwardly projecting lip 113 of the annular flange 112 of the mask body is defined by the rim 12 undercut forward of the adapter It will be seated and held firmly in the space.

  With such an arrangement, the adapter 1 can be securely attached to the mask body 120 of the respirator by a snap connection. In some embodiments, an elastic gasket (this term broadly encompasses any type of compressible material such as a continuous or closed cell foam, an elastic solid material such as silicone rubber, or even a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive) ) May be used in the snap connection between the adapter and the mask body, but in some embodiments no elastic gasket of any kind is used in making the snap connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter comprises a female snap connection mechanism so that the adapter can be attached to a mask body comprising a male snap connection, but in some embodiments the adapter is a female snap It will be appreciated that a male snap connection can be provided so that the adapter can be attached to the mask body with the connection.

  Next, referring to FIG. 6, the front side 21 of the main body 2 of the adapter 1 is provided with a twist connection mechanism (in this embodiment, a bayonet attachment mechanism) 40. In some embodiments, the bayonet attachment mechanism 40 includes an annular post (i.e., a cylindrical tube) 41 that protrudes forward (and axially) from the annular panel 5 of the main body 2 of the adapter 1. The annular post 41 is hollow, thereby defining a through hole 42 extending completely through the annular post 41 along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 of the adapter 1. The forward ends 43 of the annular post 41 are circumferentially spaced around the forward end 43 of the annular post 41 and each project at least radially outwardly from the forward end 43 of the annular post 41. It includes two asymmetric tabs 44 and 45. By asymmetry is meant that the tabs differ in at least one of their radial width and their circumferential length. In some embodiments, one of the tabs (tab 44 as labeled in FIG. 6) has a circumferential length shorter than that of another tab. In certain embodiments, three non-symmetrical tabs (e.g., one of the tabs (e.g., tab 44) are the other two (e.g., tab 45)) of either the radial width and / or the circumferential length. May be used), which are circumferentially spaced around the forward end 43 of the annular post 41. In certain embodiments, as in the exemplary design of FIG. 6, two of the tabs (e.g., tabs 45) have equal circumferential lengths and one of the tabs (e.g., The tabs 44) have a circumferential length shorter than that of the other two tabs.

  In some embodiments, at least two (e.g., three) asymmetric tabs will each have a rear end 46 located away from the front surface 51 of the annular panel 5 of the bayonet attachment mechanism 40. Therefore, a space 47 will be defined between the rear end 46 of the tab and the front face 51 of the annular panel 5. (In Figures 4 and 6, it will be noted that there is a small (unsigned) opening at a position just behind the tab in the annular panel 5. These openings are optional For example, it may be provided to enhance the ease of releasing the adapter from the injection molding cavity.)

  In some embodiments, a twist connection attachment mechanism, such as a bayonet attachment mechanism, may utilize an annular resilient gasket 3 as shown in FIG. The rear face of the gasket 3 can be brought into contact with the annular front face 51 of the annular panel 5 of the main body 2 of the adapter 1. Therefore, a portion of the gasket 3 may occupy the space 47 between the aft end 46 of the asymmetrical tab and the front face 51 of the annular panel 5. The gasket 3 is annular, so that it surrounds (and around) the rear end (shank) of the annular pillar 41 in the vicinity of the position where the pillar 41 leads to the annular panel 5 of the adapter 1. In at least some embodiments, the annular resilient gasket 3 is non-integral with the main body 2 of the adapter 1. That is, the gasket 3 may be a part made separately from the main body 2. For example, elastic solid material such as continuous or closed cell foam (for example, polyurethane foam) such as silicone rubber, pressure sensitive It may be made of any type of compressible material, such as a layer of adhesive. (The elasticity and elasticity of the gasket 3 momentarily pass over the at least two tabs 44 and 45 so that it is placed in place on the shank of the annular column 41 during the manufacture of the adapter 1 Will be able to be stretched)

  In the exemplary arrangement disclosed herein, a single element (annular panel 5) of the main body of the adapter provides at least one component of the snap connection mechanism 10 on the back side and also a front bayonet attachment Also provided is at least one component of mechanism 40. Specifically, the annular panel 5 comprises an annular rear face 14 which defines the front end of the circular rear facing opening 11 of the snap connection mechanism 10 (rear side of the adapter). The annular panel 5 also comprises an annular front face 51 on which the rear face of the elastic gasket 3 of the bayonet attachment mechanism 40 (on the front side of the adapter) rests. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the annular post 41 of the bayonet attachment mechanism 40 on the front side of the adapter protrudes forward from the annular panel 5 (extends integrally).

  Also, in at least some embodiments, the through holes 42 extending through the annular post 41 of the bayonet attachment mechanism 40 of the adapter 1 share a boundary with the aforementioned through holes 15 of the annular panel 5 of the adapter 1 (ie The through holes 42 are essentially the same shape and size as the through holes 15 and are aligned therewith). Thus, the two through holes 15 and 42 combine to provide a continuous fluid path extending completely through the thickness of the adapter. (Because the annular post 41 extends from the annular panel 5, the through holes 15 and 42 can be regarded as two axial lengths in series of one continuous fluid passage.)

  In order to attach the adapter 1 to the mask body of the respirator, the adapter 1 is shown with the snap connection mechanism 10 on the back side 22 of the adapter 1 aligned with the snap connection 110 on the front side 121 of the mask body 120 (e.g. From a position similar to that shown at 3) can be moved backward towards the front side 121 of the mask body 120; Therefore, the adapter snap connection 10 will move axially into contact with the mask body snap connector 110. When contact is made, the forwardly projecting flange 112 of the snap connector 110 of the mask body is slightly biased radially inward by the rim 12 of the adapter snap connector along at least a portion of its peripheral area It will be (bent). As the filter cartridge 200 continues to be pushed toward the mask body 120, the forward end 114 of the flange 112 (with the radially outwardly projecting lip 113) of the mask body is radially inward of the snap connection mechanism 10 of the adapter. It will move axially towards the flange 13 which projects in the direction and pass through it. As the forward end 114 of the flange 112 and the lip 113 pass forwardly through the flange 13, they will expand slightly radially outward and then be firmly seated in place. That is, in the attached state, the flanges 112 of the snap connectors 110 of the mask body 120 may be approaching (and return to) the pre-mounted (not flexed) situation. Good). However, the flanges 112 of the mask body snap connector may still be subjected to at least some radially inward pressure from the rim 12 of the adapter snap connector, essentially between these components Help to provide a hermetic seal. (Any contact between the front end 114 of the flange 112 of the mask body and the rear surface 14 of the annular panel 5 of the adapter may also contribute to this seal.) Therefore, as mentioned, at least some implementations In form, a sufficient leak free snap connection attachment of the adapter to the mask body of the respirator can be achieved without using any kind of elastic gasket.

  In many embodiments, the adapter may be permanently attached to the mask body by a snap connection. That is, the adapter is not intended to be removed during normal use of the respiratory mask 100, and thus, the adapter can be removed by the user (e.g. without damaging or destroying either the mask body and / or the adapter). It can not be removed manually. In other embodiments, the adapter may be removably attached to the mask body.

  With the adapter 1 attached by snap connection to the front side 121 of the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask 100, the filter cartridge 200 having a twist connector (for example, bayonet connector) 210 on the rear side 222 is then attached to the adapter 1. It may be attached. In order to attach the filter cartridge 200 to the adapter 1, the filter cartridge and the adapter are positioned so that the bayonet attachment mechanism 40 of the adapter is aligned with the bayonet coupler 210 of the cartridge. Furthermore, the cartridge 200 has notches 213 and 214 in which the tabs 44 and 45 of the annular post 41 of the bayonet attachment mechanism 40 of the adapter 1 extend radially outward from the central opening 211 of the bayonet coupling 210 of the filter cartridge. Positioned to align with (eg, rotated as needed). For example, the tabs are asymmetric such that one of the tabs (e.g., tab 44 of FIG. 6) has a circumferential length shorter than the other two tabs (e.g., tab 45 of FIG. 6) If so, the cartridge is oriented so that the tabs 44 align with the notches (eg, the notch 213 in FIG. 2) of the bayonet coupling of the cartridge sized to accommodate only the tabs 44. Be This can ensure that the desired positioning (angular orientation) of the filter cartridge is achieved.

  Once the desired alignment has been achieved, the cartridge is then moved axially towards the adapter, whereby the annular post 41 of the adapter 1 enters into the opening 211 of the bayonet connector 210 of the filter cartridge. And, in particular, thereby, the tabs 44 and 45 of the annular post 41 enter into and pass through the notches 213 and 214, respectively, of the bayonet connector of the cartridge. As the tabs pass through the notches, they enter a clearance space located towards the front of the back wall of the cartridge housing (toward the interior of the cartridge). The cartridge can then be rotated (e.g., through an arc of about 20 to about 90 degrees) so that all the tabs, in turn, align with the axial direction of the wall of the cartridge housing (instead of aligning with the notch) Positioned forward. The cartridge housing wall blocks the rearward axial movement of the tabs and thus prevents the filter cartridge from disengaging from the adapter. (A circumferential stop 215 can be provided in the cartridge connector to limit rotation of the cartridge to the desired amount.) Therefore, rotation of the cartridge causes the tabs to be axially aligned with the notch. And securely holds the cartridge in place, and does not allow the cartridge to be removed from the adapter unless the cartridge is rotated back to its original position where the tab and notch were aligned. In some embodiments, when the filter cartridge 200 is locked in place, the forward end 43 of the annular post 41 of the adapter may abut or contact the strut 216 of the filter cartridge.

  Although the above description has specifically focused on adapters having a twist connection mechanism that is a bayonet attachment mechanism, the disclosure herein is not limited to the twist connection mechanism that is a bayonet attachment mechanism. That is, instead of a mechanism on the front side of the adapter comprising a bayonet attachment mechanism (e.g. comprising one or more tabs as described above) such a mechanism is for example a filter that is desired to be attached to the adapter It could be a twist connection mechanism that includes a screw that is complementary to the screw of the cartridge. Such a screw could be, for example, a "fine-grained" screw which requires the filter cartridge to be rotated for at least one 360 degree rotation with respect to the adapter (or vice versa), as an example. Alternatively, such a screw could be, for example, a "coarse" screw which requires less than 360 degrees or even less than 270, 180 or 90 degrees of rotation.

  One difference between this type of twist connection in general and the special twist connection bayonet connection is that the screw type twist connection connection pushes the first axial direction of the connectors towards each other before starting the twisting movement Is not necessary. That is, such connectors need only be brought sufficiently close together to engage the screws before rotation is initiated, whereas in the bayonet connection, one connector starts to rotate. It may need to be pushed axially enough (e.g., against the resistance of the elastic gasket) sufficiently so that the tab can be rotated unhindered before it is done. Another difference is that in the bayonet mounting system, the rotation step does not necessarily cause the elements to move axially towards each other a further distance, while in the threaded twist connection system, the rotation does not move the elements A further distance axial direction can be moved towards each other. In various embodiments, the twist coupled threaded connection may or may not use the general type of elastic gasket described above.

  For example, the general type of snap connection described in the aforementioned '761 patent does not necessarily require any particular angle or rotational configuration or alignment between the two parts to be snapped together. It will be understood that it is not necessary to However, it is understood that, in the present situation, the adapter 1 may advantageously be snap-connected to the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask 100 only when the adapter 1 is at a specific angular orientation. I will. That is, the orientation of the filter cartridge relative to the adapter to which the filter cartridge is attached may be determined by the twist connector (e.g. by the tabs and notches of the bayonet attachment system described above), but this is the orientation of the adapter relative to the mask body Unless controlled, it can not be sufficient to determine the orientation of the filter cartridge relative to the mask body to which the adapter is attached. Thus, in at least some embodiments, the main body 2 of the adapter 1 can be attached to the mask body of the respiratory mask only when the vertical axis of the adapter is aligned with the vertical axis of the mask body of the respiratory mask It is set in shape. Fixing the orientation of the adapter relative to the mask body in this way prevents the cartridge from becoming unacceptably oriented when the cartridge is attached to the adapter (e.g., the cartridge does not extend upwards to obstruct the user's field of vision) It can bring about the situation.

  In order to achieve this, in some embodiments the main body 2 of the adapter 1 (for example, may have a main surface which is at least approximately parallel to the main surface of the annular panel 5 of the main body of the adapter) apron 25 May be included. The adapter 1 may further include an outer peripheral skirt 29 projecting rearward from at least a portion of the outer periphery 20 of the apron 25. When the adapter 1 is attached to the front side 121 of the mask body 120 of the respirator, at least a portion of the outer periphery skirt 29 of the adapter 1 is transversely outside the portion 125 of the outer periphery 125 of the front side 121 of the mask body of the respirator. It can be configured to be able to abut. This can ensure that the adapter can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask only when the vertical axis of the adapter is aligned with the vertical axis of the mask body of the respiratory mask. Furthermore, it can ensure that the adapter can not be rotated relative to the mask body when the adapter is attached to the mask body.

  In some embodiments, the lower portion of the apron 25 of the main body 2 of the adapter 1 has a lateral center on the vertical axis of the adapter and from the snap connection mechanism 10 (and also from the bayonet attachment mechanism 40) the adapter A cut-out 26 can be defined which is downwardly offset along the vertical axis of the. Such cutouts may allow for unobstructed functionality of the exhalation valve 140 of the mask body 120, as in the example configuration of FIG. 3, for example. In a further embodiment, the cutouts 26 can be shaped such that the main body 2 of the adapter 1 has a generally V-shaped configuration that is symmetrical about the left and right sides, the snap connection of the adapter being at the apex 6 of the V Adjacent, the main body apron 25 provides a V-shaped arm and includes first and second side wings that serve as lateral boundaries of the cut out.

  In view of the possibility of the presence of the cut-outs 26 as described above, it is clear that the outer periphery 20 (with the skirt 29 projecting backwards) of the adapter 1 may be a partial outer periphery. Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that the outer peripheral portion 125 of the mask body (this part is abutted from the outside by the skirt 29 of the adapter) does not necessarily have to provide the extreme outermost edge of the mask body. is there. When the adapter 1 is in use, a portion or many of the rear surface 27 of the apron 25 may abut or contact the front surface 128 of the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask 100. However, the front surface 28 of the apron 25 will typically not contact the rear surface 222 of the filter cartridge 200.

  The adapter 1 can be used with any respirator comprising a mask body having a snap connection. One particular example of a respirator with snap connectors is described in 3M Company, St. It is a product sold by Paul, MN under the trade name 3000 SERIES HALF-MASK RESPIRATOR. Such a respirator often includes a portion having at least one snap connector and is also soft that can be shaped or otherwise shaped to be able to conform to the contours of the face It has a mask body that also includes a flexible portion 127. In some embodiments, the respirator mask may be a "half mask" type of respirator as illustrated in FIG. In another embodiment, the respirator may be a full face respirator. (Half-face (half-mask) breathing masks connect to cover the nose and mouth of the person, whereas full-face breathing masks also cover the eyes.) In some embodiments, the breathing mask passes through the breathing mask It may be a "negative pressure" respirator that relies on the wearer's lungs as a means to inhale air. In other embodiments, the respirator may be a positive pressure respirator that relies on forced air (e.g., from a pressure tank or blower carried by a person). Whatever the particular type of respirator, it includes, for example, one or more adjustable straps for securing the mask body to the wearer's head, and any slip or other undesirable movement of the mask body A harness (not shown in any of the figures) may be used to minimize

  The mask body 120 can include any suitable exhalation valve or valve group 140. The exhalation valve is a one-way valve that allows only outgoing air to pass. The outlet valve may, for example, be a button type valve, or it may be a cantilever valve or a flapper valve or the like (a flapper valve is shown in FIG. 1). Although an exemplary embodiment is shown herein where the adapter comprises a female snap connection and the mask body of the respirator comprises a male snap connector, in other embodiments the adapter is male. A snap connection can be provided and the mask body can be provided with a female snap connection.

  In the general type of embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the adapter 1 is used with a respirator that receives a single cartridge mounted at a location with a generally lateral center somewhere on the vertical axis of the respirator. It is also possible to use the adapter 1 with a respirator mask having two connectors for receiving two cartridges (an example of such a respirator is found in US Pat. No. 7,650,884 to Flanigan '884. Note that the patent does have a bayonet coupler instead of a snap connector). In such a design, the cartridge is often attached to some extent along the side of the respirator (e.g., in the wearer's cheek area). In such embodiments, all the characterizations herein of adapter 1 still apply, noting the differences.

  Any suitable filter cartridge comprising a twist connector, for example a bayonet connector, can be used with the adapter 1. One particular example of a filter cartridge having a bayonet connector is described in 3M Company, St. It is a product sold under the trade name 6000 SERIES CARTRIDGES by Paul, MN. Such filter cartridges often define an interior 223 (e.g., a filter medium (e.g., a fibrous layer for filtering particles, and / or an absorbent for filtering gases or vapors)). A housing 220 is comprised of two injection molded housing pieces that are assembled together to form the housing. Such a cartridge may, for example, incorporate activated carbon to remove organic vapors from air, non-woven filters with charged fibers to remove particulate matter, or a combination of both. One common type of filter cartridge, designed to remove organic vapors from air, utilizes granulated charcoal particles as the filter media in the cartridge. Granulated charcoal and other sorbents adsorb or absorb chemical pollutants (acid, base, NOx, etc.). The filter cartridge housing may be filled with granulated charcoal, activated carbon or other adsorbent material (or a combination of adsorbent materials), to compress the absorbent particles together to have the highest possible packing density. Pressure is applied to the

  The twist connector (e.g., bayonet connector 210) of the filter cartridge 200 may be a separately made component attached to the filter cartridge housing 220, but in many embodiments such connector May be provided by a mechanism that is injection molded directly into the housing (e.g., into the rear housing piece) in the process of making the housing piece, as in the exemplary filter cartridge shown in FIG. It may be convenient. Although an exemplary embodiment is shown herein where the adapter comprises a male bayonet attachment mechanism and the filter cartridge comprises a female bayonet connector, in other embodiments the adapter comprises a female bayonet attachment mechanism And the filter cartridge may comprise a male bayonet coupling. The same is generally true for the twist connection mechanism.

  The above description mentions that the adapter is attached to the mask body of the respirator by operating the adapter to the mask body, and then the filter cartridge is attached to the adapter by operating the filter cartridge to the adapter did. Such steps may be performed in any order (eg, the cartridge may be attached to the adapter before the adapter is attached to the mask body), movement of either or both of the attached elements It will be understood that it may be included. Further, the exemplary arrangements disclosed herein provide a female snap connection for an adapter configured to snap into a mask of a male respirator, and a twist connection to a female twist connection for a filter cartridge. Although the male twist connection mechanism of the adapter configured to do so is mentioned, one or both of these roles could be reversed if desired. It will be appreciated that the adapter as disclosed herein serves the purpose of facilitating attachment of the filter cartridge to the mask of the respirator while establishing the desired orientation of the cartridge relative to the mask. . By definition, the adapter as disclosed herein does not perform any filtration (e.g., regardless of whether it is particulate filtration, gas filtration, vapor filtration, etc.) , Not a filter cartridge. Of course, the adapter will support the weight of the filter cartridge attached to it.

List of Exemplary Embodiments Embodiment 1 is an adapter that facilitates connecting a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the back side to a mask body of a respirator having a snap connector on the front side, wherein The adapter comprises an integral molded plastic main body including front and back sides, upper and lower ends, and an annular panel defining an opening therethrough and the rear side of the adapter is , A snap connection mechanism attachable to a snap connector of the mask body of the respirator, so that the back side of the adapter can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respirator, the front side of the adapter twists the filter cartridge It is equipped with a twist connection mechanism to which a connector can be attached so that the back side of the filter cartridge is in front of the adapter It can be attached to the side, and when the adapter is attached to the mask body of the respirator and the filter cartridge is attached to the adapter, the inside of the filter cartridge is the inside of the mask body of the respirator by the fluid path passing through the main body of the adapter The main body of the adapter is fluidly connected to the air space so that the back of the adapter can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respirator only when the vertical axis of the adapter is aligned with the vertical axis of the mask body of the respirator It is an adapter that is configured to

  Embodiment 2 is the adapter of Embodiment 1, wherein the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism attachable to the bayonet coupler of the filter cartridge.

  Embodiment 3 illustrates that the annular panel including the through hole through the annular panel includes an annular rear surface defining the forward end of the rearward facing opening of the snap connection mechanism on the rear side of the adapter, and the annular panel including the through hole through the annular panel The adapter of embodiment 1 or 2 wherein the panel comprises an annular front face against which the rear face of the elastic gasket of the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter is abutted. Embodiment 4 is characterized in that the snap connection mechanism on the rear side of the main body of the adapter comprises a circumferentially continuous uninterrupted rim defining a circular back-facing opening, the rim being undercut forwardly, 4. An adapter according to any of the preceding embodiments, thereby having a radially inwardly projecting flange at the rear end of the rim. Embodiment 5 is the adapter of Embodiment 4, wherein the front end of the circular rearward facing opening of the snap connection mechanism on the back side of the main body of the adapter is defined by the annular back surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter.

  In the sixth embodiment, the main body of the adapter includes an apron, and an outer peripheral skirt projecting rearward from at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the apron, the outer peripheral skirt being attached to the front of the mask body of the respirator And at least a portion of the outer peripheral skirt of the adapter is configured to abut against the outer peripheral portion of the front outer periphery of the mask body of the respirator, so that the adapter has the vertical axis of the adapter the mask body of the respirator mask. The adapter according to any of the preceding embodiments, which can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respirator only when aligned with the vertical axis of the.

  Embodiment 7 is characterized in that the lower part of the apron of the main body of the adapter has a lateral center on the vertical axis of the adapter and defines a cutout offset downward from the snap connection mechanism along the vertical axis of the adapter. It is an adapter of Embodiment 6. Embodiment 8 is configured such that the cut-out is such that the adapter has a substantially V-shaped configuration with left-right symmetry, and the snap connection mechanism of the adapter is close to the apex of the V, and the apron of the main body 20 is an adapter according to embodiment 7, which provides a V-arm and includes first and second lateral wings which become lateral boundaries of the cut-out.

  Embodiment 9 is an adapter according to any of embodiments 1-8, provided that the back side of the adapter does not comprise any kind of elastic gasket or sealing material.

  Embodiment 10 is the adapter of any one of Embodiments 1 and 3-9, wherein the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter includes a threaded connection on which the twist connection on the back side of the filter cartridge can be attached. .

  Embodiment 11 is a bayonet attachment mechanism in which the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter is attachable to the bayonet coupler of the filter cartridge, and the bayonet attachment mechanism of the adapter is integrally integrated forward from the annular panel of the main body of the adapter. The annular column includes a through hole extending through the annular column along the longitudinal axis of the main body of the adapter, the forward end of the annular column being circular around the forward end of the annular column The adapter of any one of Embodiments 1 and 4-9, comprising at least two asymmetric tabs disposed circumferentially spaced apart and each projecting radially outward from the forward end of the annular post.

  Embodiment 12 has at least two asymmetric tabs each having a rearward end spaced from the front face of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, one of the tabs being greater than the circumferential length of the other tab The adapter of embodiment 11, wherein the adapter also has a short circumferential length. Embodiment 13 is characterized in that the forward end of the annular post includes three asymmetric tabs arranged circumferentially spaced around the forward end of the annular post, two of the tabs being of equal circumferential length The adapter of embodiment 12, wherein the one of the tabs has a circumferential length less than that of the other two tabs. Embodiment 14 is an annular elastic gasket, the rear surface of which is in contact with the annular front surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, wherein a portion of the gasket is between the rear end of the asymmetric tab and the front surface of the annular panel. The adapter of embodiment 12 or 13 further comprising an annular elastic gasket occupying space, the annular elastic gasket being non-integral with the main body of the adapter, and radially enclosing the aft shank of the annular post of the bayonet attachment mechanism. It is. Embodiment 15 shows that the through hole extending through the annular post of the bayonet attachment fitting on the front side of the main body of the adapter shares the boundary with the through hole of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, so that two through holes 15. The adapter of any one of embodiments 11-14, which combines to provide a continuous fluid pathway extending completely through the thickness of the adapter.

  Embodiment 16 is any one of embodiments 1 to 15 wherein the mask body of the respirator has a snap connector on the front side and the back side of the adapter is attached to the front side of the mask body of the respirator by the snap connector of the adapter. And an adapter. Embodiment 17 is the assembly of embodiment 16, further comprising a filter cartridge having a twist connector, the back side of the filter cartridge being attached to the front of the adapter by the adapter's twist connection mechanism. Embodiment 18 is the assembly of embodiment 16 or 17, wherein the adapter twist connection is a bayonet attachment mechanism and the cartridge twist connector is a bayonet connection.

  Embodiment 19 is a method of adapting a mask body of a respirator mask having a snap connector on the front side, and a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side, to be fluidly connected thereto. Embodiment 16 is a method comprising snapping the back side of any one of the adapters of the embodiments 1-15 to the front side of a mask body of a respiratory mask. Embodiment 20 is the method of embodiment 19, further comprising attaching the back of the filter cartridge having the twist connector to the front of the adapter by means of the adapter twist connection. Embodiment 21 is the method of embodiment 19 or 20, wherein the adapter twist connection is a bayonet attachment mechanism and the cartridge twist connector is a bayonet connection.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain representative structures, features, details, configurations, etc. disclosed herein may be altered and / or combined in many embodiments. All such variations and combinations are considered by the inventor not only as representative designs selected to serve as illustrative descriptions, but also as being within the contemplation of the contemplated invention. It is a thing. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific exemplary structures described herein, but at least to the structures described by the language of the claims, and equivalents of these structures. Expanding. Any of the elements specifically described herein as alternatives may, if desired, be explicitly included in or excluded from the claims in any combination. There is a case. Open-ended terms (eg, including and derivatives thereof) any of the elements or combinations of elements described herein may be closed-ended terms (eg, consisting of and derivatives thereof) and partially It is considered to be further described in closed-end terms (eg, consisting essentially of, and derivatives thereof). The various mechanisms disclosed herein are adjectives (eg, attachable, connectable) that imply the ability to cause a mechanism to perform or perform a particular action on a particular action. It was characterized by the words of) and removable. All such uses of the adjective herein, including those in the claims, are intended to mean that the mechanism is specifically adapted to perform an action or to cause an action to be performed thereon. It should be interpreted. As a specific example, the expression "mechanism attachable to a coupler" should be interpreted as "mechanism adapted to be attached to a coupler".

  Although various theories and possible arrangements may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter in any way. If any inconsistencies or inconsistencies exist between the description of the present specification and the disclosure of any document incorporated herein by reference, the description of the present specification will not be claimed. Shall take precedence.

Although various theories and possible arrangements may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter in any way. If any inconsistencies or inconsistencies exist between the description of the present specification and the disclosure of any document incorporated herein by reference, the description of the present specification will not be claimed. Shall take precedence.
Hereinafter, aspects of the present invention will be described.
[Aspect 1]
An adapter for facilitating connection of a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side to a mask body of a respirator having a snap connector on the front, said adapter comprising front and rear sides, an upper end and An integral molded plastic main body including a lower end and an annular panel defining an aperture therethrough;
The back side of the adapter comprises a snap connection mechanism attachable to a snap connection of the mask body of the respirator, so that the back side of the adapter can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respirator ,
The front side of the adapter is provided with a twist coupling mechanism to which a twist coupling of the filter cartridge can be attached, so that the back side of the filter cartridge can be attached to the front side of the adapter;
When the adapter is attached to the mask body of the respirator and the filter cartridge is attached to the adapter, the interior of the filter cartridge is provided with a fluid path through the main body of the adapter of the mask body of the respirator Fluidly connected to the internal air space,
The main body of the adapter can be attached to the back side of the adapter to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask only when the vertical axis of the adapter is aligned with the vertical axis of the mask body of the respiratory mask Is shaped as
adapter.
[Aspect 2]
The adapter according to aspect 1, wherein the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism attachable to a bayonet coupler of the filter cartridge.
[Aspect 3]
The through hole through the annular panel, the annular panel including the through hole through the annular panel including an annular rear surface defining a forward end of a rearward facing opening of the snap connection mechanism on the back side of the adapter, the through hole through the annular panel The adapter according to aspect 1, wherein the annular panel comprising an annular front face on which the rear face of the elastic gasket of the twist coupling mechanism of the front side of the adapter is abutted.
[Aspect 4]
The snap connection mechanism on the rear side of the main body of the adapter includes a circumferentially continuous uninterrupted rim defining a circular rearward facing opening, the rim being undercut forwardly, The adapter according to aspect 1, having a flange projecting radially inward at the rear end of the rim.
[Aspect 5]
The adapter according to aspect 4, wherein the front end of the circular rearward facing opening of the snap connection mechanism on the rear side of the main body of the adapter is defined by an annular rear surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter adapter.
[Aspect 6]
The main body of the adapter includes an apron and includes an outer peripheral skirt projecting rearward from at least a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the apron, the outer peripheral skirt being attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask. Sometimes, at least a portion of the outer peripheral skirt of the adapter is configured to abut against the outer peripheral portion of the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask from the lateral outside, so that the adapter is the vertical of the adapter The adapter according to aspect 1, which can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask only when an axis is aligned with the vertical axis of the mask body of the respiratory mask.
Aspect 7
The lower portion of the apron of the main body of the adapter has a transverse center on the vertical axis of the adapter, and a cut-out offset downward from the snap connection mechanism along the vertical axis of the adapter The adapter according to aspect 6, which defines.
[Aspect 8]
The cut-out is configured such that the adapter has a generally V-shaped configuration that is symmetrical about the left and right, and the snap connection mechanism of the adapter is proximate to the apex of the V, and the main body The adapter according to aspect 7, wherein the apron comprises first and second side wings providing the V-shaped arms and being lateral boundaries of the cut-out.
[Aspect 9]
The adapter of aspect 1, provided that the back side of the adapter does not include any type of elastic gasket or sealing material.
[Aspect 10]
The adapter according to aspect 1, wherein the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter comprises a threaded connection on which the twist connection on the back side of the filter cartridge can be attached.
[Aspect 11]
The twist coupling mechanism on the front side of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism attachable to a bayonet coupler of the filter cartridge;
The bayonet attachment mechanism of the adapter includes an annular post integrally extending forwardly from the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, the annular post extending along the longitudinal axis of the main body of the adapter. A through hole extending through the post, the forward end of the annular post being circumferentially spaced about the forward end of the annular post, from the forward end of the annular post Including at least two asymmetric tabs each projecting radially outward,
The adapter according to aspect 1.
[Aspect 12]
The at least two asymmetric tabs each have a rear end spaced from the front face of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, one of the tabs being from the circumferential length of another tab The adapter according to aspect 11, which also has a short circumferential length.
[Aspect 13]
The forward end of the annular post includes three asymmetric tabs spaced circumferentially around the forward end of the annular post, two of the tabs being of equal circumferential length The adapter according to aspect 12, wherein the at least one of the tabs has a circumferential length less than the circumferential length of the other two tabs.
[Aspect 14]
An annular resilient gasket having a rear surface abutted against an annular front surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, wherein a portion of the gasket is between the rear end of the asymmetric tab and the front surface of the annular panel Further comprising an annular elastic gasket occupying a space between them, the annular elastic gasket being non-integral with the main body of the adapter and radially surrounding the rear shank of the annular post of the bayonet attachment mechanism The adapter according to aspect 12.
Aspect 15
The through hole extending through the annular post of the bayonet fitting on the front side of the main body of the adapter shares a boundary with the through hole of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, so that The adapter according to aspect 11, wherein the two through holes combine to provide a continuous fluid pathway extending completely through the thickness of the adapter.
Aspect 16
A respirator mask body having a snap connector on the front side;
The adapter according to aspect 1, wherein the back side of the adapter is attached to the front side of a mask body of the respiratory mask by the snap connection mechanism of the adapter;
An assembly comprising:
Aspect 17
The assembly according to aspect 16, further comprising a filter cartridge having a twist connector, wherein the back side of the filter cartridge is attached to the front side of the adapter by the twist connection mechanism of the adapter.
[Aspect 18]
The assembly according to aspect 17, wherein the twist connection mechanism of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism and the twist connection of the cartridge is a bayonet connection.
Aspect 19
A method of adapting a mask body of a respirator mask having a snap connector on the front side, and a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side, to be fluidly connected with the filter cartridge,
A method, comprising snapping the back side of the adapter according to aspect 1 to the front side of a mask body of the respiratory mask.
[Aspect 20]
22. The method according to aspect 19, further comprising attaching a back side of the filter cartridge having a twist connector to the front side of the adapter by the twist connection mechanism of the adapter.
[Aspect 21]
22. The method according to aspect 19, wherein the twist connection mechanism of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism and the twist connection of the cartridge is a bayonet connection.

Claims (21)

An adapter for facilitating connection of a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side to a mask body of a respirator having a snap connector on the front, said adapter comprising front and rear sides, an upper end and An integral molded plastic main body including a lower end and an annular panel defining an aperture therethrough;
The back side of the adapter comprises a snap connection mechanism attachable to a snap connection of the mask body of the respirator, so that the back side of the adapter can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respirator ,
The front side of the adapter is provided with a twist coupling mechanism to which a twist coupling of the filter cartridge can be attached, so that the back side of the filter cartridge can be attached to the front side of the adapter;
When the adapter is attached to the mask body of the respirator and the filter cartridge is attached to the adapter, the interior of the filter cartridge is provided with a fluid path through the main body of the adapter of the mask body of the respirator Fluidly connected to the internal air space,
The main body of the adapter can be attached to the back side of the adapter to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask only when the vertical axis of the adapter is aligned with the vertical axis of the mask body of the respiratory mask Is shaped as
adapter.   The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism attachable to a bayonet coupler of the filter cartridge.   The through hole through the annular panel, the annular panel including the through hole through the annular panel including an annular rear surface defining a forward end of a rearward facing opening of the snap connection mechanism on the back side of the adapter, the through hole through the annular panel The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the annular panel comprising the annular front includes an annular front against which the rear face of the elastic gasket of the twist coupling mechanism of the front of the adapter is abutted.   The snap connection mechanism on the rear side of the main body of the adapter includes a circumferentially continuous uninterrupted rim defining a circular rearward facing opening, the rim being undercut forwardly, The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange at a rear end of the rim.   The front end of the circular rearward facing opening of the snap connection mechanism on the rear side of the main body of the adapter is defined by an annular rear surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter. Adapter.   The main body of the adapter includes an apron and includes an outer peripheral skirt projecting rearward from at least a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the apron, the outer peripheral skirt being attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask. Sometimes, at least a portion of the outer peripheral skirt of the adapter is configured to abut against the outer peripheral portion of the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask from the lateral outside, so that the adapter is the vertical of the adapter The adapter according to claim 1, which can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask only when an axis is aligned with the vertical axis of the mask body of the respiratory mask.   The lower portion of the apron of the main body of the adapter has a transverse center on the vertical axis of the adapter, and a cut-out offset downward from the snap connection mechanism along the vertical axis of the adapter The adapter of claim 6, wherein the adapter defines.   The cut-out is configured such that the adapter has a generally V-shaped configuration that is symmetrical about the left and right, and the snap connection mechanism of the adapter is proximate to the apex of the V, and the main body The adapter according to claim 7, wherein the apron comprises first and second side wings providing the V-shaped arms and being lateral boundaries of the cut out.   The adapter according to claim 1, provided that the back side of the adapter does not contain any kind of elastic gasket or sealing material.   The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter comprises a threaded connection on which the twist connection on the back side of the filter cartridge can be attached. The twist coupling mechanism on the front side of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism attachable to a bayonet coupler of the filter cartridge;
The bayonet attachment mechanism of the adapter includes an annular post integrally extending forwardly from the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, the annular post extending along the longitudinal axis of the main body of the adapter. A through hole extending through the post, the forward end of the annular post being circumferentially spaced about the forward end of the annular post, from the forward end of the annular post Including at least two asymmetric tabs each projecting radially outward,
An adapter according to claim 1.   The at least two asymmetric tabs each have a rear end spaced from the front face of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, one of the tabs being from the circumferential length of another tab The adapter according to claim 11, wherein the adapter also has a short circumferential length.   The forward end of the annular post includes three asymmetric tabs spaced circumferentially around the forward end of the annular post, two of the tabs being of equal circumferential length The adapter according to claim 12, wherein one of the tabs has a circumferential length less than the circumferential length of the other two tabs.   An annular resilient gasket having a rear surface abutted against an annular front surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, wherein a portion of the gasket is between the rear end of the asymmetric tab and the front surface of the annular panel Further comprising an annular elastic gasket occupying a space between them, the annular elastic gasket being non-integral with the main body of the adapter and radially surrounding the rear shank of the annular post of the bayonet attachment mechanism An adapter according to claim 12.   The through hole extending through the annular post of the bayonet fitting on the front side of the main body of the adapter shares a boundary with the through hole of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, so that 12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the two through holes combine to provide a continuous fluid path extending completely through the thickness of the adapter. A respirator mask body having a snap connector on the front side;
The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the back side of the adapter is attached to the front side of a mask body of the respiratory mask by the snap connection mechanism of the adapter;
An assembly comprising:   17. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a filter cartridge having a twist connector, wherein the back side of the filter cartridge is attached to the front side of the adapter by the twist coupling mechanism of the adapter.   18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the twist connection mechanism of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism and the twist connection of the cartridge is a bayonet connection. A method of adapting a mask body of a respirator mask having a snap connector on the front side, and a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side, to be fluidly connected with the filter cartridge,
A method comprising snapping the back side of the adapter according to claim 1 to the front side of a mask body of the respiratory mask.   20. The method of claim 19, further comprising attaching the back side of the filter cartridge having a twist connector to the front side of the adapter by the twist connection mechanism of the adapter.   20. The method of claim 19, wherein the twist connection mechanism of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism and the twist connection of the cartridge is a bayonet connection.

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