KR20020086504A - Filtering face mask that has headband mounts - Google Patents

Abstract

The face mask includes a headband mount fixedly attached to the porous filtration mask body portion to detachably connect the headband assembly to the porous filtration mask body portion. The headband assembly can be pivotally connected to the headband mount and can include one or two straps. The package combination includes a plurality of face masks including a headband mount fixedly attached to the porous filtration mask body portion for removably connecting the headband assembly to the porous filtration mask body portion. The package can also include one or more headband assemblies.

Description

FILTERING FACE MASK THAT HAS HEADBAND MOUNTS}

A filtration facial mask (also referred to as a "respirator" in some cases) is typically used to (1) prevent impurities or contaminants from entering the wearer's respiratory passage, and / or (2) different from the pathogens that the person exhales. It is worn over a person's breathing pathway for two purposes to prevent exposure to contaminants. In the first case, the mask is worn in an environment where air contains particles harmful to the wearer, such as in an automotive paint shop. In the second case, the mask is worn in a high risk of infection, such as in an operating room.

Examples of filtration face masks are U.S. Patent No. 4,536,440 to Bug, 4,807,619 to Dird et al., 5,724,677 to Bryant et al. And D285,374 to Hoover et al. International Publication No. WO 98/58558, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Commercially available products include registered trademarks 1800, 1812, 1838, 1860, and 8210 masks manufactured by 3M Company.

To achieve these objectives, the mask must be able to fit snugly on the wearer's face. To achieve this fit, the filtration face mask typically has a headband extending laterally from the mask surrounding the back of the wearer's head and neck. The headband generally includes an elastic strap configured to be sized. Some masks have a headband using a single strap, while others use two straps.

The known headband coupling device for porous filtration face masks is permanent and must break the headband, face mask body or both the headband and face mask body to remove the headband from the face mask body. The drawback of the permanent connection device is that once each part, headband or face mask, has reached the end of its service life, the entire assembly is discarded. For example, if one strap or straps of the headband are broken or the filter portion of the face mask is blocked by the filtrate, the wearer discards the entire mask for a new mask.

Another drawback is that the mask has a single or two straps because the headband is permanently attached to the face mask. However, because the wearer's taste and hairstyle are different, some wearers may prefer a single strap while others wear a double strap that extends to surround the back of the wearer's head and neck.

Inadequate tension in a single strap headband positioned in an improper position of the wearer's head (for comfort or other reasons) may exert a force that biases the mask from the intended wear structure. This can cause leakage around the periphery of the mask, causing safety concerns and reduced service life. Similarly, leakage can be a concern even if the headband including the two straps is improperly worn.

Examples of facial masks with two straps are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 2,353,643 to Bulverian, US Pat. No. 3,220,403 to Silverberg, US Pat. No. 5,191,882 to Boggliano and Nimeyer US Pat. No. 5,086,768, issued. While such face masks and respirators accept two straps, both of these devices require two straps to be attached to the mask body for proper positioning of the mask. None of these patents describe a system that can have a single strap or can accept either a single strap or a duplex.

The present invention relates to a filtration face mask having a filtration medium integrated with the mask body and capable of removably attaching various headbands to the mask body.

1 is a front view of a face mask 10 having a headband assembly 20 comprising two straps each mounted to one side of a mask in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

1A is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of mask body portion 12 showing various layers within the mask body portion.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the mask 10 and headband assembly 20 shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a perspective view of a first strap connector 30 on a headband assembly to a face mask in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view of the headband mounting portion 114 according to the present invention.

5 is a perspective view of another mounting portion 214 according to the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating a combination of a plurality of face masks 310 and at least one headband assembly 320 in a package 380.

7 is a diagram illustrating a combination of a plurality of face masks 410 in a package 480.

In view of the above, there is a need for a new and improved headband for filtration face masks. Such a system should be provided to detachably connect the headband to the face mask using a headband assembly connector fixedly attached to the filtration face mask. By providing such a system, a manufacturer can supply a filtration face mask regardless of the headband assembly used to hold the face mask on the wearer's head. After a period of use of the filtration face mask, the user can detach the headband assembly from the face mask and reuse it in a new mask.

The advantage of this method is that cost savings can be achieved by supplying the filtration face mask and the headband assembly independently. By providing a headband-free filtration face mask, the cost of including the headband assembly in each mask and the cost of attaching the headband assembly to each mask can be reduced.

Another advantage is that the wearer can reuse their own headband, which in some cases may need to be removed from the porous filtration mask body portion used and attached to the new mask body portion with little need for adjustment. This can improve both the comfort and convenience of the filtration face mask. By reusing the headband, it is possible to improve comfort by providing a headband assembly made of expensive material that cannot be supplied to all face masks because of cost constraints and is discarded after one use. In addition, a more robust face filter may be provided.

In summary, the present invention provides a filtration face mask comprising a porous filtration mask body portion in a first aspect. The mask body is configured to fit the wearer's nose and mouth before the wearer inhales to filter air. The filtration face mask also includes a headband mount fixedly attached to opposite sides of the porous filtration mask body portion. The headband mount is configured to detachably connect to a headband assembly capable of supporting the porous filtration mask body portion over the wearer's nose and mouth.

The present invention provides a plurality of filtration face masks in a package in a second aspect. Each filtration face mask in the package is configured to fit the wearer's nose and mouth before the wearer inhales to filter the air. The filtration face mask also includes a headband mount fixedly attached to opposite sides of the porous filtration mask body. The headband mount is configured to detachably connect to a headband assembly capable of supporting the porous filtration mask body portion over the wearer's nose and mouth. The package may be provided without any headband assembly. In other words, the package does not have any headband assembly. In another aspect, the package may include at least one headband assembly. The headband assembly includes a connector configured to connect to the headband mount of one of the filtration face masks, if provided. The number of headband assemblies in the package is less than the number of filtration masks in the package.

The present invention provides a method of using the filtration face mask of the present invention in a third aspect. This method includes providing first and second filtration face masks, each face mask including a porous filtration mask body portion. The porous filtration mask body is configured to fit the wearer's nose and mouth before the wearer inhales to filter the air. The filtration face mask also includes a headband mount fixedly attached to opposite sides of the porous filtration mask body portion. The headband mount is configured to be detachably connected to a headband assembly capable of supporting the porous filtration mask body portion on the wearer's face. The method of use also includes providing a headband assembly comprising a connector configured to connect to a headband mount on the porous filtration mask body portion. The connector is attached to a headband mask on the first filtration face mask, with the mask including the headband assembly held over the wearer's nose and mouth. The air breathed in by the wearer is filtered through the first filtration face mask. After use, the connector on the headband assembly is detached from the headband mount on the first filtration face mask and attached to the headband mount on the second filtration face mask. Thereafter, the first filtration face mask is optionally discarded.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be described in detail below in connection with the illustrated embodiments of the invention.

Glossary of Terms

As used in connection with the present invention, the following terms have the meanings provided below.

The "removable connection" used in the headband assembly of the present invention means that the headband assembly can be connected and / or disconnected from a pair of headband mounts fixedly attached to the porous filtration mask body without damaging the headband assembly. it means.

By “porous filtration mask body portion” is meant an air permeable mask body portion having a filter medium integral with the material forming the mask body portion. (For example, in the case of a molded face mask, the unitary filter media may be provided in the form of a shaping shaping layer used to have a desired shape in the porous mask body portion.)

“Fixed attachment” used for components attached to the porous filtration mask body portion means that detachment of the attached component will essentially destroy at least a portion of the porous filtration mask body portion or allow unfiltered air to pass through the porous filtration mask body portion. Means an attachment technique that creates a space or hole that can be made.

“Integral” as used in the filter media used in the porous filtration mask body portion of the present invention means that the filter medium is in the mask body portion, as opposed to being in the cartridge housing.

Like reference numerals refer to the corresponding structures throughout the several views.

The present invention provides a system for supporting a filtration face mask over a wearer's nose and mouth to filter air prior to inhalation. The filtration face mask includes a porous filtration mask body that may be shaped or provided in a flat structure. For example, examples of some porous filtration mask bodies include US Pat. No. 5,307,706 to Cronzer et al., US Pat. No. 4,807,619 to Dird, US Pat. No. 4,536,440 to Bug and D285,374 to Hoover et al., International Publication No. WO 98/58558 to Angular Band et al. Commercially available products include registered trademarks 1800, 1812, 1838, 1860, and 8210 masks manufactured by 3M Company.

Regardless of the shape of the porous filtration mask body portion (as distinguished by a nonporous mask body portion including a filtration medium and a mask or respirator comprising a cartridge, whether or not the cartridge is replaceable), the mask body portion is a mask body portion. And a filter medium configured integrally with the. Preferably, the integral filtration media cannot be separated from the porous filtration mask body without physically breaking the filtration media. In many cases, the filtration media is provided in layers of approximately the same width as the porous filtration mask body. Since the filtration medium is constructed integrally with the mask body portion, the entire mask body portion is generally discarded when the filter medium is clogged or contaminated or otherwise reaches a service life limit.

With respect to the porous filter mask body portion, the present invention also provides various headband mounts that are fixedly attached to the porous filter mask body portion. The headband mount is configured to detachably connect the headband assembly to the porous filtration mask body portion. The headband mount may be considered a headband connection system that consists of or suitably includes a headband mount regardless of the headband assembly. have. While embodiments of some of the headband mounts shown are described below, many other mechanisms may be used instead of the embodiments shown. For example, a hook-loop closure tool may replace the headband mount described below.

An advantage provided by some embodiments of the present invention is that the connection between the headband assembly and the porous filtration mask body portion can be pivoted or rotated at the point of attachment. Such pivot attachment can improve both fit and comfort of the filtration face mask.

Another advantage provided by some embodiments of the present invention is that at a single connection point a single strap or a dual strap can be attached to the face mask to provide a good seal against the wearer's face. Such a system may use essentially the same strap for a single strap structure or two identical straps in a dual strap structure. Such a system can then alternately mount a single strap or two straps to a mask. The present invention addresses these and other drawbacks of known face mask headbands.

In FIG. 1, a filtration face mask 10 is shown that includes a mask body portion 12 having a nose clip 16 located on top of the mask body portion. The mask 10 is generally configured to follow the face contour of the wearer, and the nose clip 16 is flexible so that the mask better fits the sharp contour of the wearer's nose. The nose clip may have a structure disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,558,089 to Castiglion.

When the wearer inhales, the air is sucked through the filtration mechanism integrally formed with the mask body 12. The filtration material may comprise a fibrous nonwoven filtration material 12a (of FIG. 1A). In a negative pressure half mask respirator, such as the respirator 10 shown in FIG. 1, a common filtration material includes an entangled web of electrically charged melt expanded microfibers (BMF). BMF fibers typically have an average fiber diameter of about 20 micrometers (μm) or less, preferably about 2 to about 15 μm. If the fibers are randomly entangled in the web, they have sufficient density to be treated with a mat. Examples of fibrous materials that can be used as filters in the mask body include US Pat. No. 5,706,804 to Bowman, US Pat. No. 4,419,993 to Peterson, US Pat. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,472,481 and 5,411,576 to U.S. Pat. And U.S. Patent 5,908,598 to Rousseau.

The fiber material may contain additives, such as those disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,025,052 and 5,099,026 to Crater et al. To enhance filtration performance, and to improve performance, for example, in WO99, for example, Rousseau et al. It may also have low levels of extractable hydrocarbons as disclosed in / 16945. Fiber webs may also be made using the techniques disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,874,399, published in WO 99/16532 and WO 99/16533 to Rousseau, et al. To have increased oil spray resistance. Electric charging is added to nonwoven BMF fiber webs using, for example, the techniques disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,496,507 to Angular Band, et al., US Pat. No. 4,215,682 to Kubrick et al., And US Pat. Can be.

FIG. 1A shows an enlarged cross section of a portion of mask body portion 12 including filtration layer 12a, outer cover web 12b, and inner shape layer 12c. The filtration layer 12a is integrally formed with the mask body 12. That is, the filtration layer forms part of the mask body portion 12 and is not a part that is later attached to the body portion. The lid web 12b can protect the filtration layer 12a from abrasion and retain any fibers that can be released from the filtration layer 12a. Cover web 12b is typically not as filtration layer 12a, but may also have filtration capabilities. The cover web can be made from a nonwoven fibrous material containing, for example, polyolefins and polyesters. (See, eg, US Pat. Nos. 4,807,619 and 4,536,440 to Angular Band et al. And WO 98/58558).

The shaped layer 12c constitutes the mask body 12 and supports the filtration layer 12a. The feature layer 12c is located on the interior of the mask body 12, but may be located on either side of the filtration layer 12a (or on both sides of the filtration layer 12a). The shaped layer 12c may be made of, for example, a nonwoven web of thermobonded fibers molded into a cup shaped structure. The feature layer can be molded according to known processes (see US Pat. No. 5,307,796 to Cronzer et al.). The shaping layer or layers are usually made of bicomponent fibers having a core of high melting point material, such as polyethylene terephthalate, surrounded by a sheath of low melting point material, and when heated in the mold, the shape layer follows the shape of the mold and the room temperature This shape is maintained when cooled. The low melting skin material can be used to join the layers together when pressed together with other layers, such as the filtration layer.

In addition, the filtration face mask of the present invention may include a thermochromic alignment indication seal at its periphery so that the wearer can easily verify that it is properly fitted (see US Pat. No. 5,617,849 to Springet et al.). The face mask may include additional layers, valves, and the like (see, eg, US Pat. No. 5,509,436).

The headband mounting portion is fixedly attached to opposite sides of the mask body portion 12. 1 to 3, the headband mount is shown in the shape of a mounting stud 14 extending outward from the surface of the mask body 12. Such mounting stud 14 may comprise a cylindrical portion having an upper extended end.

The headband mount can be attached to the porous filtration mask body by any suitable technique, including but not limited to gluing, welding, mechanical bonding, molding, and the like. Preferably, this attachment technique does not require drilling holes in the filtration media in the porous filtration mask body 12. The headband mount can be fixedly attached to the porous filtration mask body portion 12 such that removal of the headband mount can break at least a portion of the porous filtration mask body portion 12 or not filter into the porous filtration mask body portion 12. This will create a space or hole through which air can pass through.

Mask body portion 12 is attached to headband assembly 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two straps 24 may be used to hold the wearer's mask 10. The strap 24 may be attached to the first strap connector 30 attachable to the second strap connector 50. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the headband assembly 20 has a single strap 22 used for the headband assembly such that the connector 30 is mounted on the mask body portion 12 rather than the second strap connector 50. Other structures may be employed to attach the strap 22 to the studs 14.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the second strap connector 50 is mounted to the mask body 12 on the mounting stud 14. The orifice 54 is sized to fit over the mounting stud 14 by being tightly fitted over the extended end portion of the mounting stud 14 similar to the direct mounting of the first strap connector 30. When stud member 14 is inserted through orifice 54, the extended end retains base 52 relative to mask body portion 12. According to this configuration, the base 52 is freely rotated about the stud 14, and the second strap connector 50 is pivotally mounted to the mask body 12.

If the mask 10 uses only a single strap 22 as shown in FIG. 3, the strap extends between two first strap connectors 30, each connected to an end 26 of the strap 22. . The first strap connector 30 includes a tongue 32 having a rounded end and an orifice 34 (of FIG. 2) formed to pass through the tongue. Each first strap connector 30 includes a strap receiver 36 with a gripping member 38. The gripping member in the preferred embodiment includes a hinge 40 and a serrated tip edge 42 shown as a living hinge that reduces cost and facilitates fabrication. The gripping member 38 pivots between the open position shown in FIG. 3 for inserting the end 26 of the strap and the closed position shown in FIG. 1 in which the strap 22 is held fixed. When the end of the strap 26 is inserted through the receptacle 36 and then the gripping member 38 is closed, the serrated tip edge 42 engages with the strap 22 and the first strap connector 30 at the selected position. To the strap 22.

This adjustable retention system changes the length of the strap 22 to a size that is most comfortable to fit around the wearer's head and neck. As described below, the dual straps 24 are also connected to the same first strap connector 30.

The first strap connector 30 is inserted onto the mounting stud 14 to easily attach to the mask body 12. Stud 14 is inserted through orifice 34 (of FIG. 2) formed of tongue 32. The extended end of the stud 14 is forcibly fitted into the orifice 34 such that the stud member 14 can be pressed through the orifice 34 such that the first strap connector 30 snaps onto the stud 14. Combined. However, the extended end portion of the stud member 14 retains the tongue 32 relative to the mask body 12 when inserted. When the first strap connector 30 is attached to the mask body portion 12, the connector 30 rotates about the stud 14 and pivotally connects between the stud member 14 and the first strap connector 30. Is formed. This structure provides greater flexibility in fitting the mask to the shape and size of the wearer for a more comfortable fit.

2, an embodiment of a headband structure 20 for a mask 10 using a dual band assembly is shown. When double strap 24 is used to surround the back of the wearer's head and neck, second strap connector 50 is used. The second strap connector 50 includes a base 52 having an orifice 54 formed in the base. Base 52 includes two strap receivers 60 extending generally perpendicular to each other with braces 56 extending therefrom. The strap receiver 60 is configured to receive a first strap connector 30 and form a harness assembly that is connected to the dual strap 24. Although this embodiment uses two straps 24 or a dual band harness, only one of the straps 24 can be mounted as shown in FIG. 3 to be used as a single strap 22 in a single band harness assembly. . Thus, interchangeability of straps 24 and 22 having the same first strap connector 30 is provided for a more flexible mask holding system.

Each strap receiver 60 includes a retention pin 62 extending upwardly from the base. The pin 62 includes an inclined face 64 angled toward the insertion end of the strap receiving portion 60 that easily and instantly secures the connector tongue 32 to the receiving portion 60. Near the outward end of the strap receiving portion 60, the retainer 66 forms a space for receiving the tongue 32 of the first strap connector 30. Retainer 66 includes side 68 and recessed base 70. The crossing member 72 is configured to slide the tongue 32 into the strap receiving portion 60, spaced from the recessed base 70. When inserted, tongue 32 extends below cross member 72 and above recessed base 70. The tongue 32 is sufficiently flexible to bend upward and slides over the inclined face 64 of the pin 62 until the retaining pin 62 mates with the orifice 34. The elasticity of the flexible tongue 32 bounces the tongue 32 back into a generally flat position with a pin 62 extending through the orifice 34. The pin 62 and the cross member 72 cooperate to hold the first strap connector 30 in the second strap connector 50. A generally perpendicular expansion structure of the two strap receivers 60 is provided to space the ends of the dual straps 24 away from each other to make the wearer more stable and comfortable.

Using the present invention, the same strap 22 can be employed in a dual or single headband system 20. The mask body 12 need not be modified to accommodate a single or double strap. The present invention also provides a headband for pivotally mounting a single or double strap structure to the mask body portion 12.

In another variation, screwing the strap through an opening formed by the brace 56 and the two strap receivers 60 to provide a headband assembly that enables a drop-down mask and headband combination. It may also be possible.

4 shows another headband mount fixedly attached to porous filtration mask body 112. The headband mount shown in FIG. 4 is in the form of a pin receiver 114 fixedly attached to the porous filtration mask body 112 at the position of the mounting stud 14 on the body 12. Receiver 114 includes a space 115 into which the headband assembly can be detachably connected. The receiver 114 is preferably mounted to rotate about an axis 113 extending generally vertically through the porous filtration mask body 112 in the region where the receiver 114 is attached to the body portion 112. Can be. Such rotation can improve the fit and / or comfort of the mask when the headband assembly is placed on the wearer's head.

5 shows another headband mount fixedly attached to porous filtration mask body 212. The headband mount shown in Figure 5 is in the form of a receiver 214 that includes a space 215 in the form of a keyhole. The space 215 includes a neck 215a and a central portion 215b. It is preferred that the width ω of the neck 215a is smaller than the diameter of the central portion 215b (generally circular in the preferred embodiment).

The receiver 214 is configured to be connected to a stud 270 that is attached to the headband, for example, at the first strap connector 30 or the second strap connector 50 (eg, see FIGS. 1-3). Stud 270 includes shaft 272 and extended end 274. The diameter of the shaft is preferably at least slightly larger than the width of the neck 215a of the space 215 and the same or smaller than the diameter of the central portion 215b of the space 215. As a result, when stud 270 is inserted into space 215, stud 270 remains within central portion 215b of space 215. Once stud 270 is sized properly, it can rotate about its longitudinal axis 276, which can improve the fit and / or comfort of the mask when the headband assembly is positioned on the wearer's head.

Figure 6 shows a package 380 comprising a plurality of filtration face masks 310 (with a headband mount fixedly attached to the porous filtration mask body) in accordance with the present invention. The package also includes at least one headband assembly configured to be removably connected to the filtration face mask 310 in the package 380. In the combination shown, the package 380 includes two headband assemblies 320. In some cases, it is desirable to provide at least one headband assembly 320 with a single strap and at least one headband assembly 320 with two straps. By doing so, users can select the headband assembly 320 that is most comfortable for them.

Although package 380 may include a plurality of headband assemblies 320, the number of headband assemblies 320 is preferably less than the number of filtration face masks 310. As a result, cost savings can be achieved by providing a headband assembly 320 that can be reused with two or more filtration face masks.

Another variation is shown in FIG. 7 where the package 480 includes a plurality of filtration face masks 410 in accordance with the present invention. This package 480 does not include any headband assembly. In other words, there is no headband assembly in the package 480. (Can be purchased separately from the filtration face mask 410)

While the various features and advantages of the invention have been described in the foregoing description, together with a detailed description of the structure and function of the invention, the description is exemplary only and is indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms expressing the claims To the extent possible, details of the form, size and arrangement of the components are possible within the principles of the invention.

Claims (12)

A porous filtration mask body configured to fit the wearer's nose and mouth prior to entering the wearer to filter air; A headband mount fixedly attached to opposing sides of the porous filtration mask body, And the headband mounting portion is removably connected to a headband assembly capable of supporting a porous filtration mask body portion over the wearer's nose and mouth. The filtration face mask of claim 1, wherein each headband mount comprises a stud. The filtration face mask of claim 1 or 2, wherein the porous filtration mask body portion comprises a flexible nose brace to fit the mask body portion to the wearer's nose. 3. The filtration face mask of claim 1 or 2, wherein the porous filtration mask body portion comprises a molded body portion comprising a nonwoven fiber web. 3. The filtration face mask of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a headband assembly comprising a connector detachably connected to the headband mounting portion. 6. The filtration face mask according to claim 5, wherein the connector is a connector pivotally connected to the headband mounting portion. 6. The filtration face mask of claim 5, wherein the headband assembly includes only a single strap. 6. The filtration face mask of claim 5, wherein the headband assembly comprises two straps. With package, An apparatus comprising a plurality of filtration face masks of claims 1 and 2 in a package. 10. The package of claim 9, wherein the package further comprises at least one headband assembly contained within the package, the headband assembly including a connector configured to connect to a headband mount on the filtration face mask, the number of headband assemblies in the package. Wherein the number is less than the number of filtration face masks in the package. The combination of claim 10, wherein at least two headband assemblies are located in the package, the at least one headband assembly comprises only a single strap, and the at least one headband assembly comprises two straps. Is to use a filtration face mask, Providing a first and second filtration face mask, wherein each face mask comprises the filtration face mask of claim 1; Providing a headband assembly comprising a connector configured to connect to a headband mount on the porous filtration mask body portion; Attaching a connector on the headband assembly to the headband mount on the first filtration face mask; Maintaining a first filtration face mask over the nose and mouth of a user using the headband assembly; Filtering the inhaled air through the first filtration face mask, Separating the connector on the headband assembly from the headband mount on the first filtration face mask; Attaching a connector on the headband assembly to a headband mount on the second filtration face mask.