JP6591701B2 - Adapter for connecting the filter cartridge to the respirator mask - Google Patents

Description

  Respiratory protection devices are often used to protect wearers from breathing airborne contaminants such as airborne dust, malodorous fumes, organic vapors, and the like. A typical personal respiratory protection device is known as a “respiratory mask” that can be provided to a user in either a half-face configuration or a full-face configuration. Incoming air is typically passed through one or more filter cartridges and filtered. Such breathing masks often have a single cartridge configuration in which the filter cartridge is centrally located, for example, laterally in front of the mask, or the filter cartridge is, for example, in the mask body (eg, in the respiratory mask). A dual cartridge configuration is used that is located on each front portion (in the vicinity of the wearer's cheek area). The filter cartridge can be fluidly connected to the mask body and then removed. To facilitate this, complementary connectors can be provided on the mask body and on the cartridge.

  In broad summary, an adapter is disclosed herein that facilitates connecting a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side to a mask body of a respiratory mask having a snap connector on the front side. The adapter includes an integral molded plastic main body having a snap coupling mechanism on the rear side and a twist coupling mounting mechanism on the front side. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. In any case, however, such subject matter may have been presented in the original claims of the present application, or in the amended claims, or in intermediate processing. This general summary, if presented, should not be construed as limiting the claimed subject matter.

1 is a front / side perspective view of a prior art respiratory mask and filter cartridge, both having a snap connector. FIG. It is a back surface top view of the filter cartridge of a prior art which has a bayonet coupling tool. 1 is a front / side perspective exploded view of an assembly comprising a respiratory mask having a snap connector, a filter cartridge having a bayonet connector, and an exemplary adapter as disclosed herein. FIG. FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary adapter of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a rear / 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 numbers in the various drawings indicate like elements. Unless otherwise indicated, all figures and drawings in this document are not to scale and are selected for the purpose of illustrating different embodiments of the invention. In particular, the dimensions of the various components are merely shown by way of example unless otherwise indicated, and the relationship 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” means that the property or attribute can be easily recognized by those skilled in the art unless otherwise specifically defined, but is absolute Does not require precise accuracy or perfect match (eg, within +/− 20% for quantifiable properties). The term “substantially” means a high degree of approximation (eg, within +/− 10% for quantifiable properties) unless specifically defined otherwise, again in this case absolute Does not require precise accuracy or perfect match. Terms such as identical, equal, uniform, constant, exact, etc. do not require absolute precision or perfect match, and are usually acceptable tolerances or measurement errors applicable to a particular situation. It is understood to be within range.

Glossary As used herein, terms such as “forward” and “front” generally refer to directions away from the wearer's face, “rearward” and “rear”. The term ")" generally refers to the direction toward the wearer's face. (All descriptions of the adapter disclosed herein and the respirator in which it is used refer to the condition that the respirator is mounted in place on the user's face unless otherwise noted. ) Terms such as “inward” and “inner” in the radial direction are distanced from the outer periphery of the element (eg, adapter, respirator mask body, cartridge, or connector) and are generally centered about the element ( For example, the direction toward the geometric center). Terms such as radial “outward” and “outer” refer to directions away from such a geometric center, for example, toward and / or through the outer periphery of the element. Terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, and “vertical” have their conventional meaning. By “lateral” is meant a left-right direction that is generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of the adapter and the mask body of the respiratory mask (and hence the sagittal plane of the wearer). By “axial”, the coupling of one element (eg, filter cartridge) is moved to engage with the coupling of another element (eg, the mask body or adapter of a respiratory mask). Direction is implied. For convenience of illustration, FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal axis (fr), a vertical axis (v), and a left-right axis (l). In the diagram of FIG. 1, the axial direction coincides with the front-rear direction (fr).

  A “snap connection” (sometimes referred to as “snap-on” or “push-on”) attachment system is a system for connecting two elements together, Comprises a complementary connector configured such that the elements can be connected together by pressing the connectors together in the axial direction. The snap coupling system does not require any rotational movement of the elements (and hence the coupling) relative to each other in order to perform the attachment.

  A “twisted” (sometimes referred to as “twist-on”) system is a system for connecting two elements together, the two elements connecting at least about 25 of one of the devices. Complementary couplings configured to allow the elements to be coupled together by a process that includes rotating over a degree of rotation arc.

  A “bayonet” mounting system is a specific type of “twisted connection” system for connecting two elements together, the two elements pressing the connector together in an axial direction, Complementary couplings configured to allow the elements to be coupled together by rotating over a rotating 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.

  Respirators, for example the half-mask respirator 100 of the type shown in the exemplary view in FIG. 1, often comprise a mask body 120 to which at least one filter cartridge 130 can be attached. The mask body 120 is configured to form an internal air space 123 around the wearer's nose and mouth, and to separate this space from the external air space 126, so that the internal air space is separated from the external air space 126. Air entering 123 must pass through the filter cartridge 130. In order to allow 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 because the fluid between the cartridge interior 223 and the mask body interior air space 123 is minimized 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, the filter cartridge is snap-coupled to the mask body. As shown in an exemplary manner in FIG. 1, the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask 100 can include a snap connector 110, and the filter cartridge 130 to be attached thereto has a complementary snap connector 131. Can do. (In many cases, one such coupling will be a “male” coupling and the other will be a complementary “female” coupling.) A snap coupling mounting system may be a Yuschak. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,761. As described in the '761 patent, in many such systems, the filter cartridge requires no rotational movement of the filter cartridge and provides an airtight connection between the filter cartridge and the mask body. Can be attached to the mask body simply by aligning the cartridge connector with the mask body connector and pressing the cartridge axially against the mask body without the need for any kind of gasket or O-ring .

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

  A particular type of twist connection system is a bayonet attachment system, for example, as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0145249 to Solintjes. As stated in the background of the '249 application, the bayonet system uses a quick rotation (eg, 45-90 degrees) to attach the filter cartridge to the mask body. To facilitate this, such a system may include a set of radially outwardly projecting tabs on one connector (eg, on the “male” connector on the mask body) and the other connector. A set of notches on the tool (eg, on the “female” connector of the filter cartridge) can be used. The filter cartridge is pressed axially against the mask body so that the tab is received in the notch and then the filter cartridge is rotated to perform the attachment. Of course, the roles could be reversed so 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 cartridge having a twist connector, such as a bayonet connector, to the mask body of a respiratory mask having a snap connector. To achieve this, an adapter of the present disclosure is provided. In an exemplary view, FIG. 3 illustrates a filter cartridge 200 having a twist connector (in this particular embodiment, a bayonet connector 210) on the back side 222 and a respiratory mask 100 having a snap connector 110 on the front side 121. An adapter 1 that can be used to connect to a mask body 120 is shown. The adapter 1 comprises an integral molded plastic main body 2 that includes 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 from, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, polystyrene, polyamide, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, and copolymers and blends of any of these. Or any suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting injection molding resin.

  The rear side 22 of the adapter 1 includes a snap coupling mechanism 10 that is attachable to the snap coupling 110 of the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask, so that the rear side 22 of the adapter is attached to the front side 121 of the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask. be able to. The front side 21 of the adapter 1 includes 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. Therefore, the rear side 222 of the filter cartridge is connected to the front side of the adapter 1. 21 can be attached. 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 causes the internal air of the respirator mask body to pass through a fluid path through the adapter main body. It can be brought into fluid connection with the space 123. The main body 2 of the adapter 1 includes an annular panel 5 that defines a through hole 15. As will be described in detail later herein, the annular panel 5 can provide the components of the snap connection mechanism on the rear side 22 of the adapter 1 and the twist connection (eg, The components of the bayonet attachment mechanism can also be provided.

  As shown in the rear view of the adapter 1 in FIG. 4, the snap coupling mechanism 10 on the rear side 22 of the main body 2 of the exemplary adapter 1 includes a generally circular rim 12 that defines a generally circular rearward opening 11. Including. In certain embodiments, the rim 12 is a circumferentially continuous, unbroken circular rim. The rim 12 is undercut forward. That is, the diameter of the opening 11 defined by the rim 12 varies along the front-rear axis of the adapter so that the diameter decreases towards the rear of the adapter. Therefore, the rim 12 has a flange 13 projecting radially inward at or near the rear end 16 of the rim 12. (The flange 13 is most easily recognized in the cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 5.) Thus, the radially inwardly projecting flange 13 is the smallest diameter of the rearward opening 11 (in the axial direction of the snap coupling mechanism of the adapter). The corresponding point (along the front-rear direction of the adapter) is provided. Therefore, the radial side of the rearward opening 11 is defined by the rim 12. In at least some embodiments, the forward end of the rearward opening 11 is defined by an annular rear surface 14 of the annular panel 5 of the adapter 1 (the rear surface 14 is most easily recognized in FIG. 4).

  The snap coupling mechanism 10 of the adapter 1 is configured to fit with the snap coupling 110 of the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask 100. Often, the respiratory mask snap connector 110 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 protruding annular flange 112 may be included. When the adapter 1 is pushed axially toward the snap connector 110 of the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask, the annular flange 112 of the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask radially extends into the rim 12 of the snap coupling mechanism 10 of the adapter 1. Can be linked. To facilitate the insertion of the annular flange 112 in the rim 12, the flange 112 is designed to be slightly deformable 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 made of a material having a specific flexural modulus). When the adapter 1 is fully moved axially rearward toward the mask body 120, the radially outwardly projecting lip 113 of the mask body annular flange 112 is defined by the rim 12 undercut to the front of the adapter. It will be firmly seated and held in the space.

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

  Next, referring to FIG. 6, the front side 21 of the main body 2 of the adapter 1 includes a twist coupling mechanism (in this embodiment, a bayonet mounting mechanism) 40. In some embodiments, the bayonet attachment mechanism 40 includes an annular column (ie, cylindrical tube) 41 that projects forward (and axially) from the annular panel 5 of the main body 2 of the adapter 1. The annular column 41 is hollow, thereby defining a through-hole 42 that extends completely through the annular column 41 along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 of the adapter 1. The front end portion 43 of the annular column 41 is disposed circumferentially around the front end portion 43 of the annular column 41, and at least protrudes radially outward from the front end portion 43 of the annular column 41. Two asymmetric tabs 44 and 45 are included. By asymmetry it 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 shown in FIG. 6) has a shorter circumferential length than that of another tab. In certain embodiments, three asymmetric tabs (one of the tabs (eg, tab 44) is one of the radial width and / or circumferential length of the other two (eg, tab 45)). May be used, and is arranged around the front end 43 of the annular column 41 in the circumferential direction. In certain embodiments, as in the exemplary design of FIG. 6, two of the tabs (eg, tab 45) have equal circumferential lengths and one of the tabs (eg, Tab 44) has a shorter circumferential length than that of the other two tabs.

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

  In some embodiments, a twist coupling attachment mechanism, such as a bayonet attachment mechanism, may utilize an annular elastic gasket 3 as shown in FIG. The rear surface of the gasket 3 can be brought into contact with the annular front surface 51 of the annular panel 5 of the main body 2 of the adapter 1. Therefore, a portion of the gasket 3 can occupy the space 47 between the rear end 46 of the asymmetric tab and the front surface 51 of the annular panel 5. The gasket 3 is annular so that it surrounds the rear end (shank) of the annular column 41 radially (and around) in the vicinity of the position where the column 41 connects to the annular panel 5 of the adapter 1. In at least some embodiments, the annular elastic 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, an open or closed cell foam (for example, polyurethane foam), for example, an elastic solid material such as silicone rubber, pressure sensitive It can be made of any type of compressible material, such as an adhesive layer. (The elasticity and resiliency of the gasket 3 is momentary to pass over 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 rear snap coupling mechanism 10 and a front bayonet attachment. At least one component of the mechanism 40 is also provided. Specifically, the annular panel 5 includes an annular rear surface 14 that defines the forward end of the circular rearward opening 11 of the snap coupling mechanism 10 (on the rear side of the adapter). The annular panel 5 also includes 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, of course, the annular column 41 of the bayonet attachment mechanism 40 on the front side of the adapter protrudes forward (integrally extends) from the annular panel 5.

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

  In order to attach the adapter 1 to the mask body of the respiratory mask, the adapter 1 is positioned with the snap coupling mechanism 10 on the rear side 22 of the adapter 1 aligned with the snap coupling 110 on the front side 121 of the mask body 120 (eg, FIG. 3) (from a position similar to that shown in FIG. 3) can be moved backwards toward the front side 121 of the mask body 120. Therefore, the adapter snap coupling mechanism 10 will move axially toward the mask body snap coupling 110 and will be in contact therewith. When contact is made, the flange 112 projecting forward of the snap connector 110 of the mask body is slightly biased radially inward by the rim 12 of the snap connection mechanism of the adapter 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 front end 114 of the flange 112 (having a radially outwardly projecting lip 113) of the mask body becomes radially inward of the adapter snap coupling mechanism 10. It moves in the axial direction toward the flange 13 protruding in the direction and passes through it. As the forward end 114 and lip 113 of the flange 112 pass forward through the flange 13, they will expand slightly outward in the radial direction and then be firmly seated in place. That is, in the attached state, the flange 112 of the snap connector 110 of the mask body 120 may be approaching (and not returned to) a state before it is attached (not bent). Good). However, the mask body snap coupling flange 112 may still be subjected to at least some radial inward pressure from the adapter rim coupling mechanism rim 12, essentially between these components. Helps bring an airtight seal. (Any contact between the front end 114 of the mask body flange 112 and the rear surface 14 of the annular panel 5 of the adapter may also contribute to this seal.) As noted, therefore, at least some implementations. In configuration, a full, leak-free snap coupling attachment of the adapter to the mask body of the respiratory mask can be achieved without using any type 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 that is, the adapter may be removed by the user (eg, without damaging or destroying either the mask body and / or the adapter). It cannot be removed manually. In other embodiments, the adapter may be removably attached to the mask body.

  With the adapter 1 attached to the front side 121 of the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask 100 by snap connection, the filter cartridge 200 having a twist connection (for example, bayonet connection) 210 on the rear side 222 is then attached to the adapter 1. It may be attached. To attach the filter cartridge 200 to the adapter 1, the filter cartridge and adapter are positioned so that the bayonet attachment mechanism 40 of the adapter is aligned with the bayonet coupling 210 of the cartridge. Further, the cartridge 200 has notches 213 and 214 in which the tabs 44 and 45 of the annular column 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. (E.g., rotated as needed). For example, the tabs are asymmetric so that one of the tabs (eg, tab 44 in FIG. 6) has a shorter circumferential length than the other two tabs (eg, tab 45 in FIG. 6). In some cases, the cartridge is oriented so that the tab 44 is aligned with a notch (eg, notch 213 in FIG. 2) in the cartridge bayonet fitting sized to accommodate only the tab 44. It is done. This can ensure that the desired positioning (angular orientation) of the filter cartridge is achieved.

  With the desired alignment achieved, the cartridge is then moved axially toward the adapter so that the annular column 41 of the adapter 1 enters into the opening 211 of the bayonet coupling 210 of the filter cartridge. , And in particular, thereby allowing tabs 44 and 45 of annular post 41 to enter and pass through notches 213 and 214, respectively, of the bayonet coupler of the cartridge. As the tabs pass through the notches, they enter a clearance space located in front of the rear wall of the cartridge housing (toward the interior of the cartridge). The cartridge can then be rotated (eg, over an arc of about 20 to about 90 degrees) so that all the tabs are now axial (instead of aligned with the notches) in the axial direction of the cartridge housing wall. Positioned forward. The cartridge housing wall prevents axial rearward movement of the tab and therefore prevents the filter cartridge from being removed from the adapter. (A circumferential stopper 215 can be provided in the cartridge coupler to limit cartridge rotation to a desired amount.) Thus, rotation of the cartridge is such that the tab is axially aligned with the notch. The cartridge is not allowed to be removed from the adapter unless it is rotated to the original position where the tab and notch are aligned. In some embodiments, when the filter cartridge 200 is locked in place, the forward end 43 of the adapter annular post 41 may abut or contact the filter cartridge strut 216 closely.

  Although the above description has focused on an adapter having a twist connection mechanism that is a bayonet attachment mechanism, the disclosure herein is not limited to a twist connection mechanism that is a bayonet attachment mechanism. That is, instead of a mechanism on the front side of an adapter with a bayonet attachment mechanism (eg, including 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 coupling mechanism that includes a screw that is complementary to the screw of the cartridge. Such a screw could, for example, be a “fine” screw that, for example, requires that the filter cartridge be rotated over at least one 360 degree rotation relative to the adapter (or vice versa). Alternatively, such a screw could be a “coarse” screw that requires, for example, less than 360 degrees, or even less than 270, 180, or 90 degrees of rotation.

  One difference between this general type of twisted connection and special twisted connection bayonet connections is that the screw-type twisted connection is the first axial push of the connectors towards each other before starting the twisting movement. Is not necessarily required. That is, such connectors need only be close enough to engage the screws before rotation begins, whereas in a bayonet connection, one connector begins to rotate. Before being done, the tab may need to be pushed axially far enough (e.g., against the resistance of the elastic gasket) so that it can be rotated unhindered. Another difference is that in a bayonet mounting system, the rotation step does not necessarily move the elements in a further distance axis direction towards each other, whereas in a threaded twist connection system, the rotation It can be moved further in the direction of the distance axis towards each other. In various embodiments, the twist coupled threaded connection may or may not use the general types of elastic gaskets described above.

  For example, the general type of snap-coupled connection described in the above-mentioned '761 US patent does not necessarily require any particular angle or rotational configuration or alignment between two parts that will be snap-coupled to each other. It will be understood that this is not necessary. However, it will be appreciated that in the current situation, the adapter 1 can be advantageously snap-coupled to the mask body 120 of the respiratory mask 100 only when the adapter 1 is in a particular angular orientation. Let's go. That is, the orientation of the filter cartridge relative to the adapter to which the filter cartridge is attached can be determined by the twist coupler (eg, by the tabs and cutouts of the bayonet attachment system described above), which is the orientation of the adapter relative to the mask body. Unless controlled, it cannot 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 attach the adapter 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. The shape is set. Fixing the orientation of the adapter relative to the mask body in this manner does not cause the cartridge to be unacceptably oriented when the cartridge is attached to the adapter (eg, the cartridge does not extend upwards to interfere with the user's field of view). Can bring about a situation.

  To achieve this, in some embodiments, the main body 2 of the adapter 1 has an apron 25 (eg, it may have a main surface that is at least generally parallel to the main surface of the annular panel 5 of the adapter main body). Can be included. The adapter 1 may further include an outer peripheral skirt 29 that protrudes 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 mask, at least a portion of the outer skirt 29 of the adapter 1 is laterally outward from a portion of the outer periphery 125 of the front side 121 of the respirator mask body. It can be comprised so that it can contact | abut. This can ensure that the adapter can only 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 once the adapter is attached to the mask body, the adapter cannot rotate relative 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 coupling mechanism 10 (and also from the bayonet attachment mechanism 40). A cutout 26 that is offset downward along the vertical axis may be defined. Such a cut-out may allow an unhindered function of the exhalation valve 140 of the mask body 120, for example, as in the exemplary configuration of FIG. In a further embodiment, the cutout 26 can be shaped so that the main body 2 of the adapter 1 has a generally V-shaped configuration that is symmetrical, and the snap coupling mechanism of the adapter is at the V-shaped apex 6. In close proximity, the main body apron 25 includes first and second side wings that provide V-shaped arms and serve as the lateral boundaries of the cutout.

  Considering the possibility of the presence of a cutout 26 as described above, it is clear that the outer periphery 20 (where the skirt 29 projects rearward) 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 (which is abutted from the outside by the adapter skirt 29) need not necessarily provide the extreme outermost edge of the mask body. is there. During use of the adapter 1, part or much 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 with a snap connector. One particular example of a respiratory mask having a snap connector is described in 3M Company, St. It is a product sold under the trade name 3000 SERIES HALF-MASK RESPIRATOR by Paul, MN. Such breathing masks often include a portion having at least one snap connector and are soft or can be shaped or otherwise shaped to conform to the facial contour. It has a mask body that also includes a flexible portion 127. In some embodiments, the respiratory mask may be a “half mask” type respiratory mask as illustrated in FIG. In other embodiments, the respirator may be a full face respirator. (A half-face respirator is connected to cover the person's nose and mouth, whereas a full-face respirator also covers the eyes.) In some embodiments, the respirator is passed through the respirator. It may be a “negative pressure” breathing mask that relies on the wearer's lungs as a means for inhaling air. In other embodiments, the respiratory mask may be a positive pressure respiratory mask that relies on forced air (eg, from a pressure tank or blower carried by a person). Whatever the specific type of respirator, it includes, for example, one or more adjustable straps for securing the mask body to the wearer's head, and any sliding or other undesirable movement of the mask body. A harness (not shown in any figure) may be used that minimizes this.

  The mask body 120 can include any suitable exhalation valve or valve group 140. An exhalation valve is a one-way valve that allows only outgoing air to pass through. The outlet valve may be, for example, 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 has been shown herein in which the adapter comprises a female snap coupling mechanism and the mask body of the respiratory mask comprises a male snap coupling, in other embodiments the adapter is male. A snap coupling mechanism can be provided and the mask body can comprise a female snap coupling.

  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 having a generally lateral center somewhere on the vertical axis of the respirator. It is also possible to use the adapter 1 with a respirator having two couplings to accept two cartridges (an example of such a respirator is found in US Pat. No. 7,650,884 to Fligangan '884. Note that the No. patent has a bayonet connector instead of a snap connector). In such designs, the cartridge is often mounted at some location along the side of the respiratory mask (eg, within the wearer's cheek area). In such an embodiment, keeping in mind the differences, all characterizations of the adapter 1 herein still apply.

  Any suitable filter cartridge comprising a twist coupler, such as a bayonet coupler, can be used with the adapter 1. One particular example of a filter cartridge having a bayonet coupler 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 (eg, a fibrous layer for filtering particles and / or an absorbent for filtering gas or vapor) incorporated therein (eg, a fiber layer for filtering particles). A housing 220 (consisting of two injection molded housing pieces that are assembled together to form the housing). Such cartridges may contain, for example, activated carbon for removing organic vapor from the air, non-woven filter with charged fibers for removing particulate matter, or a combination of both. One common type of filter cartridge designed to remove organic vapor from the air utilizes granulated coal particles as a filter medium within the cartridge. Granulated coal and other sorbents adsorb or absorb chemical contaminants (acids, bases, 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 as high a packing as possible. Pressure is applied.

  The twist coupler (e.g., bayonet coupler 210) of the filter cartridge 200 may be a separately fabricated component that is attached to the filter cartridge housing 220, but in many embodiments, such couplers. May be provided by a mechanism that is directly injection molded in the housing (eg, in 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. In the present specification, an exemplary embodiment is shown in which the adapter comprises a male bayonet attachment mechanism and the filter cartridge comprises a female bayonet coupling, but in other embodiments the adapter is a female bayonet attachment mechanism. And the filter cartridge can comprise a male bayonet coupling. The same is generally true for twist coupling mechanisms.

  The above description mentions that the adapter is attached to the mask body of the respiratory mask by manipulating the adapter relative to the mask body, and then the filter cartridge is attached to the adapter by manipulating the filter cartridge relative to the adapter. did. Such steps can be performed in any order (eg, the cartridge may be attached to the adapter before the adapter is attached to the mask body) and movement of either or both attached elements Will be understood. Further, the exemplary arrangement disclosed herein includes a female snap coupling mechanism of an adapter configured to snap couple to a mask of a male respiratory mask, and a twist coupling to a female twist coupling mechanism of a filter cartridge. Although a male twist coupling mechanism for an adapter configured to do is mentioned, either or both of these roles could be reversed if desired. It will be appreciated that an adapter as disclosed herein serves the purpose of facilitating attachment of the filter cartridge to the respirator mask while establishing the desired orientation of the cartridge relative to the mask. . An adapter as disclosed herein does not perform any filtration (eg, whether it is particle filtration, gas filtration, vapor filtration, etc.), so by definition. 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 respiratory mask having a snap connector on the front side. The adapter includes an integral molded plastic main body including front and rear sides, upper and lower ends, and an annular panel defining an annular panel therethrough, the rear side of the adapter A snap coupling mechanism that is attachable to the mask body snap connector of the respiratory mask, so that the rear side of the adapter can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask, and the front side of the adapter is twisted on the filter cartridge It has a twist coupling mechanism to which the coupling tool can be attached, so that the rear side of the filter cartridge can be When the adapter is attached to the respiratory mask's mask body and the filter cartridge is attached to the adapter, the interior of the filter cartridge is connected to the interior of the respiratory mask's mask body by a fluid path through the adapter's main body. The main body of the adapter is fluidly connected to the air space so that the back side of the adapter can be attached to the front side of the respirator mask body only when the vertical axis of the adapter is aligned with the respirator mask body vertical axis. It is an adapter that has a shape set.

  Embodiment 2 is the adapter of embodiment 1 in which the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism that can be attached to the bayonet connection tool of the filter cartridge.

  Embodiment 3 includes an annular panel that includes a through hole extending through the annular panel, the annular panel including a through hole penetrating the annular panel includes an annular rear surface that defines a front end of the rearward opening of the snap coupling mechanism on the rear side of the adapter. The adapter of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the panel includes an annular front surface against which the rear surface of the elastic gasket of the twist coupling mechanism on the front side of the adapter is abutted. Embodiment 4 includes a circumferentially continuous uninterrupted rim in which the snap coupling mechanism on the rear side of the main body of the adapter defines a circular rearward opening, the rim being undercut forward. Thereby, it is any one adapter of Embodiment 1-3 which has a flange which protruded inward in radial direction in the rear-end part of a rim | limb. Embodiment 5 is the adapter of embodiment 4, wherein the forward end of the circular rear opening of the snap coupling mechanism on the rear side of the main body of the adapter is defined by the annular rear surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter.

  Embodiment 6 includes an apron in which the main body of the adapter includes an apron, and includes an outer peripheral skirt that protrudes rearward from at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the apron, and the outer peripheral skirt is attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask. And at least a portion of the outer peripheral skirt of the adapter is configured to abut on the outer peripheral portion on the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask from the laterally outer side. The adapter according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, which can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask only when aligned with the vertical axis of the respirator.

  Embodiment 7 defines a cutout in which the lower portion of the apron of the main body of the adapter has a lateral center on the vertical axis of the adapter and is offset downward from the snap coupling mechanism along the vertical axis of the adapter. It is an adapter of Embodiment 6. In the eighth embodiment, the cut-out is shaped so that the adapter has a substantially V-shaped configuration with left-right symmetry, the snap coupling mechanism of the adapter is close to the apex of the V-shape, and the apron of the main body Is the adapter of embodiment 7 including first and second side wings that provide V-shaped arms and serve as the lateral boundaries of the cutout.

  Embodiment 9 is one adapter of any of embodiments 1-8, provided that the back side of the adapter does not include any type 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 screw-type connector to which the twist connector on the rear side of the filter cartridge can be attached. .

  The eleventh embodiment is a bayonet attachment mechanism in which the twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter can be attached to the bayonet connector of the filter cartridge, and the bayonet attachment mechanism of the adapter is 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, and the forward end of the annular column is a circle around the forward end of the annular column 10. The adapter of any one of embodiments 1 and 4-9, including at least two asymmetric tabs spaced circumferentially and each protruding radially outward from a forward end of the annular column.

  Embodiment 12 has at least two asymmetric tabs each having a rear end disposed away from the front surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, one of the tabs being from the circumferential length of another tab. 12 is an adapter according to embodiment 11, which also has a short circumferential length. Embodiment 13 includes three asymmetric tabs in which the forward end of the annular column is circumferentially spaced around the forward end of the annular column, two of the tabs being of equal circumferential length The adapter of embodiment 12, wherein one of the tabs has a shorter circumferential length than that of the other two tabs. Embodiment 14 is an annular elastic gasket whose rear surface is abutted against the annular front surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, the portion of the gasket between the rear end of the asymmetrical tab and the front surface of the annular panel. The adapter of embodiment 12 or 13, further comprising an annular elastic gasket that occupies space and the annular elastic gasket is non-integral with the main body of the adapter and surrounds the rear shank of the annular column of the bayonet attachment mechanism from the radially outer side. It is. In the fifteenth embodiment, the through hole extending through the annular column of the bayonet attachment coupler 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. 15. The adapter of any one of embodiments 11-14, which combines to provide a continuous fluid path that extends completely through the thickness of the front and back of the adapter.

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

  Embodiment 19 is a method of adapting a mask body of a respiratory mask having a snap connector on the front side to receive and fluidly connect a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side, the method comprising: 16. A method comprising snapping the rear side of any one of the adapters of embodiments 1-15 to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask. Embodiment 20 is the method of embodiment 19, further comprising attaching the rear side of the filter cartridge with the twist coupler to the front side of the adapter by the adapter's twist coupling mechanism. Embodiment 21 is the method of embodiment 19 or 20, wherein the twist connection mechanism of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism and the twist connection tool of the cartridge is a bayonet connection tool.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain representative structures, features, details, configurations, etc. disclosed herein can be changed and / or combined in many embodiments. All such variations and combinations are believed to be within the boundaries of the contemplated invention, as well as exemplary designs selected by the inventor to serve as exemplary illustrations. Is. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific exemplary structures described herein, but to at least the structures described by the language of the claims and equivalents of these structures. Expanding. Any element expressly set forth herein as an alternative may be explicitly included in or excluded from the claim, in any combination, as desired There is a case. Any of the elements or combinations of elements described herein in open-ended terms (eg, including and derivatives thereof) 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 refer to the ability to perform a particular action with the mechanism or to be performed on the mechanism. ) And removable (removable) terms. The use of all such adjectives herein, including those in the claims, means that the mechanism is specifically adapted to perform an action or cause an action to be performed thereon. Should be interpreted. As a specific example, the expression “mechanism that is attachable to a coupler” should be interpreted as “a mechanism adapted to be attached to a coupler”.

Various theories and possible mechanisms can be described herein, but in any case, such description is not intended to limit the claimed subject matter. If there is any inconsistency or inconsistency between the description herein and the disclosure of any documents incorporated herein by reference, the description of the specification is not claimed. Shall prevail.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[Aspect 1]
An adapter that facilitates connecting a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side to a mask body of a respiratory mask having a snap connector on the front side, the adapter comprising a front side and a rear side, an upper end and An integral molded plastic main body including a lower end and an annular panel defining a through hole therethrough;
The rear side of the adapter includes a snap coupling mechanism that can be attached to a snap connector of a mask body of a respiratory mask, so that the rear side of the adapter can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask. ,
The front side of the adapter includes a twist coupling mechanism to which a twist coupling tool of a filter cartridge can be attached, so that the rear 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 respiratory mask, and the filter cartridge is attached to the adapter, the interior of the filter cartridge is passed through the main body of the adapter by a fluid path through the main body of the respiratory mask. Fluidly connected to the internal air space,
The main body of the adapter can attach the rear 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. The shape is set 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 that can be attached to a bayonet connection tool of the filter cartridge.
[Aspect 3]
The annular panel including the through-hole penetrating the annular panel includes an annular rear surface that defines a front end of a rearward opening of the snap coupling mechanism on the rear side of the adapter, and the through-hole penetrating the annular panel The adapter according to aspect 1, wherein the annular panel including: an annular front surface against which a rear surface of an elastic gasket of the twist coupling mechanism on the front side of the adapter is brought into contact.
[Aspect 4]
The snap coupling mechanism on the rear side of the main body of the adapter includes a circumferentially continuous uninterrupted rim defining a circular rearward opening, the rim being undercut forward; The adapter according to aspect 1, further comprising a flange protruding radially inward at a rear end portion of the rim.
[Aspect 5]
The aspect of claim 4, wherein the forward end of the circular rearward opening of the snap coupling 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 that protrudes rearward from at least a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the apron, and the outer peripheral skirt is attached to the front side of the mask main body of the respiratory mask. Sometimes, at least a portion of the outer peripheral skirt of the adapter is configured to abut against the front outer peripheral portion of the mask body of the respiratory mask from the lateral outer side, so that the adapter is the vertical of the adapter The adapter according to aspect 1, wherein the adapter 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 part of the apron of the main body of the adapter has a lateral center on the vertical axis of the adapter, and a cutout offset downward from the snap coupling mechanism along the vertical axis of the adapter. The adapter according to aspect 6, wherein the adapter is defined.
[Aspect 8]
The cut-out is shaped so that the adapter has a generally V-shaped configuration that is symmetrical, and the snap coupling mechanism of the adapter is close to the apex of the V-shape, The adapter according to aspect 7, wherein the apron includes first and second lateral wings that provide the V-shaped arms and serve as lateral boundaries of the cutout.
[Aspect 9]
The adapter according to aspect 1, provided that the rear side of the adapter does not contain any kind 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 includes a screw-type connector to which the twist connector on the rear side of the filter cartridge can be attached.
[Aspect 11]
The twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism that can be attached to a bayonet connection tool of the filter cartridge;
The bayonet attachment mechanism of the adapter includes an annular column that integrally extends forward from the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, and the annular column extends along the longitudinal axis of the main body of the adapter. A through hole extending through the column, the front end of the annular column being circumferentially spaced around the front end of the annular column, and from the front end of the annular column Including at least two asymmetric tabs each projecting radially outwardly;
The adapter according to aspect 1.
[Aspect 12]
The at least two asymmetric tabs each have a rear end disposed away from the front surface 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, wherein the adapter also has a short circumferential length.
[Aspect 13]
The front end of the annular column includes three asymmetric tabs spaced circumferentially around the front end of the annular column, two of the tabs being of equal circumferential length The adapter according to aspect 12, wherein one of the tabs has a circumferential length that is shorter than the circumferential length of the other two tabs.
[Aspect 14]
An annular elastic gasket having a rear surface abutted against an annular front surface of the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, the portion of the gasket being formed between the rear end of the asymmetric tab and the front surface of the annular panel. And further comprising an annular elastic gasket that occupies a space therebetween, the annular elastic gasket being non-integral with the main body of the adapter and surrounding a rear shank of the annular column of the bayonet attachment mechanism from a radially outer side. The adapter according to aspect 12.
[Aspect 15]
The through hole extending through the annular column of the bayonet attachment coupler 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; 12. The adapter of aspect 11, wherein the two through holes join to provide a continuous fluid path that extends completely through the thickness before and after the adapter.
[Aspect 16]
A mask body of a respiratory mask having a snap connector on the front side;
The adapter according to aspect 1, wherein the rear side of the adapter is attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask by the snap coupling mechanism of the adapter;
An assembly comprising:
[Aspect 17]
The assembly according to aspect 16, further comprising a filter cartridge having a twist coupler, wherein a rear side of the filter cartridge is attached to the front side of the adapter by the twist coupling mechanism of the adapter.
[Aspect 18]
The assembly according to aspect 17, wherein the twist coupling mechanism of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism and the twist coupling tool of the cartridge is a bayonet coupling tool.
[Aspect 19]
A method of adapting a mask body of a respiratory mask having a snap coupling on the front side to receive a filter cartridge having a twist coupling on the rear side and fluidly connected to the filter cartridge,
A method comprising snapping the back side of the adapter of aspect 1 to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask.
[Aspect 20]
20. The method of aspect 19, further comprising attaching a rear side of the filter cartridge having a twist coupler to the front side of the adapter by the twist coupling mechanism of the adapter.
[Aspect 21]
20. The method of aspect 19, wherein the twist coupling mechanism of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism and the twist coupling tool of the cartridge is a bayonet coupling tool.

Claims (10)

An adapter that facilitates connecting a filter cartridge having a twist connector on the rear side to a mask body of a respiratory mask having a snap connector on the front side, the adapter comprising a front side and a rear side, an upper end and An integral molded plastic main body including a lower end and an annular panel defining a through hole therethrough;
The rear side of the adapter includes a snap coupling mechanism that can be attached to a snap connector of a mask body of a respiratory mask, so that the rear side of the adapter can be attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask. ,
The front side of the adapter includes a twist coupling mechanism to which a twist coupling tool of a filter cartridge can be attached, so that the rear 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 respiratory mask, and the filter cartridge is attached to the adapter, the interior of the filter cartridge is passed through the main body of the adapter by a fluid path through the main body of the respiratory mask. Fluidly connected to the internal air space,
The main body of the adapter can attach the rear 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. The shape is set 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 that can be attached to a bayonet connection tool of the filter cartridge.   The annular panel including the through-hole penetrating the annular panel includes an annular rear surface that defines a front end of a rearward opening of the snap coupling mechanism on the rear side of the adapter, and the through-hole penetrating the annular panel The adapter of claim 1, wherein the annular panel includes an annular front surface against which a rear surface of an elastic gasket of the twist coupling mechanism on the front side of the adapter is abutted.   The snap coupling mechanism on the rear side of the main body of the adapter includes a circumferentially continuous uninterrupted rim defining a circular rearward opening, the rim being undercut forward; The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a flange projecting radially inward at a rear end portion of the rim.   The front end of the circular rearward opening of the snap coupling 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 that protrudes rearward from at least a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the apron, and the outer peripheral skirt is attached to the front side of the mask main body of the respiratory mask. Sometimes, at least a portion of the outer peripheral skirt of the adapter is configured to abut against the front outer peripheral portion of the mask body of the respiratory mask from the lateral outer side, so that the adapter is the vertical of the adapter The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter 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 twist connection mechanism on the front side of the adapter is a bayonet attachment mechanism that can be attached to a bayonet connection tool of the filter cartridge;
The bayonet attachment mechanism of the adapter includes an annular column that integrally extends forward from the annular panel of the main body of the adapter, and the annular column extends along the longitudinal axis of the main body of the adapter. A through hole extending through the column, the front end of the annular column being circumferentially spaced around the front end of the annular column, and from the front end of the annular column Including at least two asymmetric tabs each projecting radially outwardly;
The adapter according to claim 1. A mask body of a respiratory mask having a snap connector on the front side;
The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the rear side of the adapter is attached to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask by the snap coupling mechanism of the adapter.
An assembly comprising: 9. The assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a filter cartridge having a twist connector, wherein a rear side of the filter cartridge is attached to the front side of the adapter by the twist connection mechanism of the adapter. A method of adapting a mask body of a respiratory mask having a snap coupling on the front side to receive a filter cartridge having a twist coupling on the rear side and fluidly connected to the filter cartridge,
The method of claim 1, comprising snapping the back side of the adapter of claim 1 to the front side of the mask body of the respiratory mask.

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