US3390676A

US3390676A - Protective breathing apparatus with regeneration of exhaled air

Info

Publication number: US3390676A
Application number: US275726A
Authority: US
Inventors: Warncke Ernst; Haas Hans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-09-21
Filing date: 1963-04-25
Publication date: 1968-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1985-07-02
Also published as: CH403497A; GB1034359A; DE1222800B; SE305811B

Description

y 1963 v E. WARNCKE ET AL 3,390,676

' PROTECTIVE BREATHING APPARATUS WITH REGENERATION OF EXHALED AIR Filed April 25, 1963 s SheetS -Sheet 1v I 29 a i I l r HI g H I I 1 W mvmons a Ernst War'nc/(e Hans Haas July 2, 1968 I E. WARNCKE ET AL 3,390,676

7 PROTECTIVE BREATHING APPARATUS WITH REGENERATION OF EXHALED AIR Filed April 25. 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS fr'nsz Warm/(e Hans Haas w W wzm July 2. 1968 E. WARNCKE ET AL PROTECTIVE BREATHING APPARATUS WITH REGENERATION OF EXHALED AIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 25. 1963 I INVENTORS frhsf Warm/(e -Hans Haas A'rronwfzs United States Patent 16 Claims. (Cl: 128142.2)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A breathing apparatus having a breathing bag, gas flask and regenerating container held in a housing, the breathing tube extends through the container. The breathing tube has perforations in each end communicating with the regenerating container and further includes a check valve in one end thereof to allow exhaled gases to enter the breathing bag. Inhaled gases pass from the breathing bag, through the perforations in said tube to the regener ating container, through the preforations in the other end of said tube to a hose extending from said tube to a breathing member. This space saving arrangement permits the use of a compact housing.

This invention relates to a breathing apparatus and, in particular, to a breathing apparatus in which the exhaled air is regenerated.

A protective breathing apparatus is known in which breathing bag is carried folded up in a housing and from which it extends to operating position when it is inflated while the apparatus is operating. The breathing bag opening is positioned on the underside of the housing. Also, this opening is covered by an easily removable closure such as a lid or the like. To simplify the use of the apparatus, the removable closure is connected with the valve for the compressed gas container so that the valve is opened when the closure is opened. The carrying means for this apparatus is fixed to the portion of the housing facing away from the body of the wearer, and the portion of the housing that faces the wearer, that is the back wall of the carrier, is removable. Therefore, the back wall of the housing and the closure for the breathing bag opening comprise a single piece. The back wall is pushed out from the housing and a lever for the operation of the valve for the compressed gas container is arranged so that this valve is closed until the back wall is pushed outwardly to swing the lever and open the valve. In an improved form of the apparatus, a preliminary flushing device is activated by the opening of the bottle valve in order to fill the breathing bag. Also, the breathing hose, face mask and mouthpiece are positioned in the housing so that, when the closure is opened, they will be readily accessible or preferably fall out automatically.

The object of the invention is to further improve the protective breathing apparatus, especially an apparatus having means for the regeneration of the exhaled air. In this device, the exhaled air is directed through a C0 absorbent material held in a special regenerating container. The CO is retained by the absorbent material. According to this invention, this container for the regenerating agent has its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compressed gas flask, and the crosssectional area of the regenerating container is such that 3,390,676 Patented July 2, 1968 the combined cross-sectional area of the compressed gas flask and the adjacent regenerating container is substantially in the shape of an oval. This construction achieves an especially space-saving apparatus, and additional advantages.

The means by which the objects of the invention are obtained are described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the apparatus of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 of a modified form of the apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 of a further modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of FIGURE 6 partially shown in section.

The protective breathing apparatus, as shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2 is composed of a housing H holding a regenerating agent container positioned parallel to and extending in the same direction as the compressed gas flask 2. As seen in FIGURE 2, the container 1 has an approximately oval cross-section and is so detailed in shape that it, together with flask 2, forms a combined approximately oval cross-section. One longitudinal side surface 3 of container 1 may be flat or approximately so, or as shown in FIGURE 2 is a concave side surface 4 in order to match with flask 2. Container 1 is also shaped so that, when seen in cross-section, one side 5 is flat or approximately so. However, this apparatus can also be constructed so that in cross-section both sides 5 and 6 have parallel curvatures to adapt the apparatus to the curve of the body of the wearer.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the container 1 and the flask 2 are bound together by a band 2a so as to be insertable as a unit into the housing H. In a modified form of the invention, container 1 is formed integral with the housing I-I. Thus the container 1 becomes a part of the structural framework of the apparatus. Also, all the reinforcing members for the apparatus can be fastened directly or indirectly to container 1. Container 1 is composed of any suitable material and advantageously of a synthetic material. A breathing tube 7 has its longitudinal axis extending through container 1, and air exhausted from the lungs in the direction of arrow 8 passes through an exhalation valve 9 mounted on the end of tube 7 for opening in the direction of the arrow 8. The upper and lower ends of tube 7 communicate with perforations 10 which are provided in funnel-shaped extensions 11 on the ends of the tube. These extensions are also attached to the upper and lower walls 12 and 13, respectively, of container 1. Lower wall 13 also has a fitting 14 forming an opening 15 into the breathing bag 16. Upper wall 12 of container 1 also has a closa'ble filler opening 17 which extends outwardly of the container so that the container can be completely filled with absorbent material. Upper wall 12 also has a collar 18 by means of which the mouthpiece is connected to the container through an accordion hose 20. A breathing mask can replace mouthpiece 19.

3 The lower end of hose 20 is given a bellows-shaped portion 21 for attachment to collar 18. In the modification of FIGURE 3, the lower end of hose 20 is widened in a funnel shape so that it can be drawn over collar 18.

Upon exhalation, the exhaled air flows through breathing tube 7 and check valve 9 into breathing bag 16. However, a portion of the exhaled air passes through perforations 10 adjacent upper wall 12 into the regenerating material in container 1 and is freed of CO Because of the less flow resistance, the main portion of the exhaled air reaches the breathing bag 16 through tube 7. On inhaling, valve 9 closes and all the air flows out of the breathing bag through the perforations 10 adjacent lower Wall 13 and through the container 1 to hose 20.

Oxygen flask 2 is provided with a pressure reducer 22 screwed directly to the flask. The flask is filled through a filler tube containing a check valve. In addition to the reducing valve, there is a shut-off valve having a lever 23 controlling the release of oxygen from flask 2. This valve is connected by a cord 27 to the lid for housing H so that when the housing is opened the flow of oxygen begins from flask 2.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the housing H is constructed so that the lower part 25 forming a part of the cover can be drawn downward. Thus portion 25 is telescopically joined to the main body of the housing. The breathing bag is continued protected when the portion 25 is drawn downwardly. Also, in this position, it has suflicient space for movement to expand fully. As portion 25 moves downwardly, its upper portion slides on the oval or elliptical structure formed by container 1 and flask 2. A stop, not shown, is provided for holding portion 25 in its pulled out position and preventing it from being pulled out too far.

In the modification of FIGURE 3, housing H has a cover 26 hinged to the bottom of the housing. This cover is also connected by a cord 27 to lever 23 so that the cut-off valve is opened when the cover is swung downwardly.

In FIGURE 1, the space above container 1 which receives the tube is closed by a cover 28 by means of a snap-on joint 29. In FIGURE 3, the cover 30 is made just large enough to pull out the hose 20.

The means .for supplying compressed gas for the apparatus may be one of several forms. The apparatus can be provided with a constant measured gas supply and also with a conventional pre-flushing device. The apparatus also has a lung-controlled gas supply as shown in the various figures. Lung-controlled valve 31 is formed as a unit for the housing for the pressure reducer. Control lever 32 for valve 31, the latter being a tilting valve, extends into the space containing the breathing bag to a point adjacent opening 15 communicating with container 1. This opening 15 is made so large that bag 16 when emptied, that is exhausted of air, is sucked into the opening so that the collapsing walls of the bag carry along tilting lever 32 so that the lung-controlled valve 31 is opened. Lever 32 is preferably somewhat offset from opening 15 so that it is first engaged preferably by a reinforced wall of the bag. Consequently, the bag produces a sidewise force on the lever for the immediate opening of the valve. The valve is completely opened by a further collapse of bag 16. In order that lever 32 can be positively engaged and without great resistance by breathing bag 16, the free end of the lever is provided with an enlarged portion 33 such as a ball, a disc or the like. This enlarged portion is offset from the lower opening 15 into the container 1.

Breathing bag 16 is made so that it is joined to container 1 by a neck 34 pushed over fitting 14. Bag 16 is joined by another fitting 35 such as a rubber collar or the like onto lung-operated valve 31 or a rim surrounding the valve.

In the modification of FIGURE 6, the housing H is made in one piece with internal walls forming a space 40 corresponding to the container 1 for the regenerating material and an additional space for receiving the flask 2. This form of construction eliminates the need for a separate external housing. Space 40 for the regenerating material is enclosed from the outside by the walls 41 of the housing H. This form of the invention is conveniently composed of synthetic material. Exterior walls 41 also define the space 42 for receiving breathing bag 16, a space 43 for receiving the breathing tube 20, this space being closed by a cover 44, and a space 45 for the oxygen flask 2. Space 42 for the breathing bag is closed by a cover 26. Exterior wall 41 also has a reagent material filling opening 46 closed by a cover and which opening forms somewhat of an extension of the container space so that the portion of the container through which the exhaled air flows can be positively filled completely with the absorbent chemical material.

Having now described the means by which the objects of the invention are obtained, we claim:

1. A protective breathing device including regeneration of the exhaled air comprising a housing, a breathing bag in said housing, a compressed gas flask held in said housing, a regenerating agent container coupled to said flask and positioned in said housing with its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said flask, a breathing tube extending longitudinally through said container, perforations in each end of said tube providing communication between the interior of said tube and the interior of said container, said breathing bag being in fluid communication with said flask, container and said tube, and a check valve in said tube opening in the direction of exhalation.

2. A device as in claim 1, said check valve being positioned at one end of said tube between said perforations and the imperforate body of said tube.

3. A device as in claim 2, including a flange on the end of said tube adjacent said check valve and attached to said bag for providing communication between said tube and said bag.

4. A device as in claim 3', further comprising a connecting piece on the end of said tube opposite said check valve, a breathing hose joined to said connecting piece, and a breathing member secured to said hose.

5. A device as in claim 4, said hose having a widened funnel-shaped end secured to said connecting piece.

6. A device as in claim 4, said hose having a widened bellows shaped end secured to said connecting piece.

7. A device as in claim 4, said container and said housing having common exterior walls defining the container space.

8. A device as in claim 7, said housing being composed of a synthetic material.

9. A device as in claim 4, said container being removably insertable within said housing adjacent said flask.

10. A device as in claim 4, said container being spaced from one end of said housing for providing a space to receive said breathing hose and breathing member, and a removable cover on said housing for providing access to said space.

11. A device as in claim 4, further comprising closure means for moving a portion of said housing to permit expansion of said breathing bag.

12. A device as in claim 11, further comprising a valve fitted to said compressed gas flask, and coupling means between said closure means and said valve for actuating said valve upon movement of said closure means.

13. A device as in claim 12, further comprising gas pressure reducing means connected between said flask and said valve, and a breathing bag actuated valve joined to said gas pressure reducing means.

14. A device as in claim 13, further comprising an actuating lever extending from said breathing bag actuated valve into contact with said breathing bag.

15. A device as in claim 14, further comprising a knob on the free end of said lever.

16. A device as in claim 15, said breathing bag actuated valve being joined to said breathing bag by a stub pipe joined to said valve and connected to a corresponding socket fitting secured to said bag.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 10 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

Great Britain. Great Britain. Germany. Great Britain. Germany. Germany. Germany.

K. L. HOWEIJL, Assistant Examiner.