WO2007136175A1

WO2007136175A1 - Oxygen-generating mask

Info

Publication number: WO2007136175A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/001902
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byung-Rong Min
Original assignee: Semiline Inc.
Priority date: 2006-05-22
Filing date: 2007-04-19
Publication date: 2007-11-29
Also published as: KR100767009B1

Abstract

An oxygen generating mask for recycling the wearer's exhalation is disclosed. The oxygen-generating mask receives an oxygen generating material to generate oxygen via a reaction with moisture, carbon dioxide, or the like emitted in wearer's respiration. The oxygen-generating mask is capable of recycling the air exhaled in the wearer' s respiration and reusing the recycled air for an inhalation without using outside air. Accordingly, the oxygen-generating mask can contrive the wearer' s safety and the convenient wearing of the mask and in particular, can facilitate the easy exchange of damaged elements or inner consumable elements.

Description

OXYGEN-GENERATING MASK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an oxygen-generating mask for enabling the recycling of wearer' s breath, and more particularly, to an oxygen-generating mask which receives an oxygen .generating material to generate oxygen via a reaction with moisture, carbon dioxide, or the like emitted in wearer's respiration, the oxygen-generating mask being capable of recycling air exhaled in the wearer' s respiration and using the recycled air for an inhalation without using outside air, thereby contriving the wearer's safety and convenient wearing and in particular, facilitating the exchange of damaged elements or inner consumable elements.

Description of the Related Art

In general, when a fire or explosion occurs within buildings, subways, etc., there is a high risk that people are suffocated to death by toxic gas generated in ^* the fire or explosion prior to reaching emergency exits. Also, under certain emergency situations, for example, when a pit of a coal mine is collapsed by explosion, it frequently causes fatal death of miners from an oxygen deficiency. To protect valuable human life from the above mentioned accidents, it is proposed to use a gas mask or oxygen- generating mask. Although the gas mask is somewhat efficient to protect human life from toxic materials, the gas mask is useless under a specific emergency situation such as an oxygen deficiency. For this reason, recently, an oxygen-generating mask has been the center of interest because it is useful when outside air is toxic or has an oxygen deficiency. In the prior art, a variety of configurations of the oxygen-generating mask have been disclosed.

Generally, conventional oxygen-generating masks mainly use compressed oxygen. However, the use of compressed oxygen may cause a serious problem in the wearing and carrying of oxygen-generating mask because the compressed oxygen requires a large volume of an oxygen bottle. In particular, the oxygen bottle has a limit in the amount of air charged therein and thus, suffers from a very short use time. In conclusion, it can be said that conventional oxygen-generating masks are useless when the wearer requires a relatively long time to reach a safe zone.

To solve the above described problems, an oxygen- generating mask, which receives an oxygen generating material as a substitute for compressed oxygen, has developed. The oxygen generating material has a function of generating oxygen via a reaction with moisture, carbon dioxide, or the like emitted in wearer's respiration.

As examples of the oxygen-generating mask having the oxygen generating material, Korean Patent No. 272929 discloses the use of an oxide, peroxide, hydroxide, etc. of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal as an oxygen generating material. Korean Patent No. 532148 discloses the use of a sodium peroxide compound and manganese oxide compound as an oxygen generating material. Also, Korean Patent No. 518662 discloses the use of an alkaline metal oxide as an oxygen generating material. In addition to the above mentioned prior art, there are disclosed other various masks receiving an oxygen generating material therein.

However, most conventional known oxygen-generating masks have several problems of, for example, poor carrying efficiency due to their large volume, a difficulty in wearing under emergency situations such as fires, and troublesome exchange of damaged elements or inner consumable elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an oxygen-generating mask, which can achieve several advantages of, for example, a convenience in carrying by a light weight thereof, rapid wearing of the mask under an emergency situation such as a fire, and easy exchange of damaged elements or inner consumable elements, the oxygen- generating mask receiving an oxygen generating material therein and being capable of recycling air exhaled in wearer' s respiration and using the recycled air for an inhalation without using outside air, so as to contrive the wearer' s safety.

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an oxygen-generating mask comprising: a hood to come into close contact with the wearer's head and face, the hood having a viewing window formed in a front side thereof and a respiratory hose to be held in the wearer' s mouth; a connector having one end to be coupled to the respiratory hose and the other end forming a coupling end; and a respiration regulator having an upper end to be coupled to the coupling end of the connector and receiving an oxygen generating material therein, the oxygen generating material being adapted to generate oxygen while touching and reacting with air discharged in a wearer's exhalation, the generated oxygen being used for a wearer' s inhalation after being mixed with the remaining air, for enabling the wearer to take a breath.

The respiration regulator may comprise: a body having the upper end to be coupled to the coupling end of the connector and a stepped portion formed along the inner periphery of an upper end thereof; an oxygen generator inserted into the body and fixedly caught by the stepped portion of the body, the oxygen generator including: a case centrally provided with a cylindrical partition for dividing the interior of the case into an inner passage space and an outer passage space; a non-woven fabric inserted into the outer passage space and receiving the oxygen generating material therein; upper and lower mesh-nets received in the outer passage space while interposing the non-woven fabric therebetween; and a fixture located at a lower end of the lower mesh-net and coupled to both the inner passage space of the case and the inner periphery of a lower end of the body; and a tube coupled to the outer periphery of the lower end of the body and configured to be repeatedly expanded or contracted as the air is introduced into or discharged from the tube according to the wearer's respiration, a pressure valve being provided at a lower end of the tube, to discharge surplus air to the outside if the pressure of air introduced into the tube exceeds a predetermined value. The connector may have a single coupling end and is connected to a single respiration regulator, or may have two coupling ends and is connected to two respiration regulators by use of the respective coupling ends thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an oxygen-generating mask according to the present invention, illustrating the wearing state of the mask;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the portion "A" of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a respiration regulator included in the oxygen-generating mask according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the assembled state of the respiration regulator shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the operation of the oxygen-generating mask according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an oxygen- generating mask according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an oxygen-generating mask according to the present invention, illustrating the wearing sate of the mask. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the portion "A" of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the oxygen-generating mask comprises: a hood 10; a connector 20; and a respiration regulator 30.

The hood 10 includes a viewing window 11 formed in a front side of the hood 10 and a respiratory hose 12 to be held in the wearer's mouth. The hood 10 is made of a generally known flexible cloth.

Thus, when the wearer completely puts on the oxygen-generating mask, the hood 10 is able to come into close contact with the wearer's head and face, to intercept the introduction of outside air. If necessary, a tightening string (not shown) may be provided at the hood 10, to more perfectly intercept the introduction of outside air. The viewing window 11 serves to provide the wearer with a visual field in a state wherein the wearer puts on the oxygen-generating mask, and is made of acryl or polycarbonate. The respiratory hose 12 is an element to be held in the wearer's mouth. As the wearer takes a breath while holding the respiratory hose 12 in his/her mouth, air exhaled in wearer's respiration can be guided to be recycled, and the wearer can use the recycled air for an inhalation without using outside air. In this case, the respiratory hose 12 can be easily made of plastics. Of plastics, in particular, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) having a superior heat resistance is preferable. In the following description, if no certain material is specially mentioned, it will be understood that the respective constituent elements of the present invention can be easily made of plastics, and preferably, be made of ABS.

The connector 20 has one end to be coupled to the respiratory hose 12 and the other end forming a coupling end 21 for the connection of the respiration regulator 30 that will be described later. As shown in the drawings, the connector 20 serves to connect the respiration regulator 30 and the respiratory hose 12 to each other, and the coupling end 21 of the connector 20 is coupled to the respiration regulator 30. The respiration regulator 30, to be coupled to the coupling end 21 of the connector 20, receives an oxygen generating material therein. The oxygen generating material acts to generate oxygen when it touches and reacts with air exhaled in wearer's respiration. The generated oxygen will be inhaled after being mixed with the remaining air, for enabling the wearer's respiration. Accordingly, the wearer, who puts on the oxygen-generating mask according to the present invention, can take a breath by recycling the air exhaled in his/her respiration and using the recycled air for an inhalation without using outside air. The air, exhaled in the wearer's respiration, contains much carbon dioxide and little oxygen. In the course that the air touches and reacts with the oxygen generating material received in the respiration regulator 30, oxygen is generated and mixed with the remaining air. As a result, the wearer can take a breath via the recycling of air exhaled in the wearer' s respiration without using outside air.

The above described oxygen-generating mask according to the present invention can be simply worn by the wearer in such a manner that the wearer puts on the hood 10 with a pulling force and then, holds the respiratory hose 12 in his/her mouth. Accordingly, the oxygen-generating mask can allow the wearer to rapidly wear the mask under an emergency situation, for the sake of rapid escape to a safe zone. Although there may exist a variety of shapes of respiration regulators, it is preferable that the respiration regulator 30 have the following configuration suitable for facilitating easy exchange of damaged elements or inner consumable elements. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the respiration regulator included in the oxygen-generating mask according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the assembled state of the respiration regulator shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the respiration regulator 30 according to the present invention is coupled to the connector 20, which is coupled to the respiratory hose 12 of the hood 10. The respiration regulator 30 includes: a body 31 to be coupled to the coupling end 21 of the connector 20; an oxygen generator 32 inserted in the body 31 and fixedly caught by a stepped portion 311 inside the body 31; and a tube 33 coupled to the outer periphery of a lower end of the body 31.

The body 31 has an upper end to be coupled to the coupling end 21 of the connector 20, and the stepped portion 311 of the body 31 is formed along the inner periphery of an upper end of the body 31.

The body 31 and the coupling end 21 of the connector 20 can be easily coupled to each other by spiral coupling, as shown in the drawing. The stepped portion 311 is provided to guarantee the easy fixation of the oxygen generator 32.

The oxygen generator 32 according to the present invention is inserted into the body 31 and fixedly caught by the inner stepped portion 311 of the body 31. The oxygen generator 32 includes: a case 321 centrally provided with a cylindrical partition 3211 for dividing the interior space of the case 321 into an inner passage space 3212 and an outer passage space 3213; a non-woven fabric 323 inserted into the outer passage space 3213 of the body 31 and receiving an oxygen generating material 3231 therein; upper and lower mesh- nets 322 and 324 received in the outer passage space 3213 while interposing the non-woven fabric 323 therebetween; and a fixture 325 located at a lower end of the lower mesh-net 324, so as to be coupled to the inner passage space 3212 of the case 321 and to the inner periphery of the lower end of the body 31.

As the partition 3211 divides the interior space of the case 321 into the inner passage space 3212 and the outer passage space 3213, the wearer's inhalation and exhalation pass through the inner and outer passage spaces 3212 and 3213, respectively. In the present invention, to allow the wearer's exhalation to pass through the outer passage space 3213 and the wearer's inhalation to pass through the inner passage space 3212, a block frame 3214 is formed only at the center of an upper end of the inner passage space 3212. Specifically, the block frame 3214, formed at the upper end of the inner passage space 3212, can prevent the wearer's inhalation from entering the inner passage space 3212 and thus, causing the wearer' s inhalation to mainly pass only through the outer passage space 3213. No block frame 3214 is formed at a lower end of the inner passage space 3212, and this allows air, introduced into the tube 33, to easily pass through the inner passage space 3212 by an inhalation pressure, so as to be inhaled for the wearer's respiration.

The non-woven fabric 323, which receives the oxygen generating material 3231 therein, is inserted into the outer passage space 3213 of the case 321. In the course that the air, exhaled in the wearer's respiration, will be guided to pass through the outer passage space 3213, moisture, carbon dioxide, or the like contained in the air touches and reacts with the oxygen generating material 3231, resulting in the generation of oxygen. The generated oxygen is transferred into the tube 33 while being mixed with the remaining air. The mixture of the oxygen and air within the tube 33 subsequently passes through the inner passage space 3212 of the case 321, so as to be reused for a wearer's inhalation. With the repetitive implementation of the above described procedure, the wearer can reuse the air exhaled in the wearer's respiration for a his/her inhalation without using outside air. The oxygen generating material 3231, received in the non-woven fabric 323, may be selected from a variety of known materials. For example, although the oxygen generating material 3231 may include peroxide and manganese oxide compound as a catalyst, to react with moisture, carbon dioxide, or the like exhaled in the wearer's respiration, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a variety of compounds may be used if necessary. Additionally, the amount of the oxygen generating material 3231 can be easily determined in consideration of a mask wearing time, on the basis of known technologies. The upper and lower mesh-nets 322 and 324 are received in the outer passage space 3213 of the case 321 while interposing the non-woven fabric 323 therebetween. The mesh- nets 322 and 324 enable the air exhaled in the wearer's respiration to easily pass therethrough and can secure the non-woven fabric 323 at a fixed position. The upper and lower mesh-nets 322 and 324 are made of plastics or metals.

The fixture 325 is provided at a lower end of the lower mesh-net 324 and coupled to both the inner passage space 3212 of the case 321 and the inner periphery of the lower end of the body 31. As shown in the drawing, the coupling can be easily accomplished by spiral coupling.

According to the present invention, the tube 33 is coupled to the outer periphery of the lower end of the body 31. The tube 33 can be repeatedly expanded or contracted as air is introduced into or discharged from the tube 33 according to the wearer's respiration. A pressure valve 331 is provided at a lower end of the tube 33. The pressure valve 331 is used to discharge surplus air to the outside if the pressure of air, introduced into the tube 33, exceeds a predetermined value.

Specifically, the tube 33 is expanded as the air, exhaled in the wearer' s respiration, is introduced into the tube 33 after passing through the oxygen generator 32. The tube 33 is then contracted as the introduced air will be used for a wearer's inhalation. To guarantee the expansion or contraction of the tube 33 during the wearer' s respiration, the tube 33 is preferably made of polyethylene or polypropylene. The pressure valve 331 is provided at the lower end of the tube 33. If the pressure of air introduced into the tube 33 exceeds a predetermined value by the reason of, for example, generation of oxygen during the wearer' s respiration, the pressure valve 331 operates to discharge the surplus air, in order to regulate the pressure of air inside the tube 33. The pressure valve 331 can be easily prepared by use of a generally known one.

In the respiration regulator 30 having the above described configuration, the respective constituent elements are detachably assembled with one another, to guarantee easy exchange of damaged elements or inner consumable elements.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the operation of the oxygen-generating mask according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the oxygen generating mask according to the present invention is completely worn by the wearer as the wearer puts on the hood 10 with a pulling force and holds the respiratory hose 12 in his/her mouth. Then, if the wearer takes a breath, the air exhaled in the wearer's respiration is moved into the tube 33 after passing through the oxygen generator 32 received in the body 31 of the respiration regulator 30 that is connected to the connector 20. While passing through the oxygen generator 32, moisture or carbon dioxide contained in the wearer' s exhalation touches and reacts with the oxygen generating material 3231 of the oxygen generator 32, thereby resulting in the generation of oxygen. The generated oxygen is moved into the tube 33 while being mixed with the remaining air. The air moved into the tube 33 contains oxygen, and will be consumed for a wearer's inhalation after passing through the inner passage space 3212 of the oxygen generator 32. As the air is introduced into or discharged from the tube 33, the tube 33 is repeatedly expanded or contracted, thereby allowing the wearer to take a breath without using outside air via the recycling of the air exhaled in him/her respiration. Although the connector 20 may have the single coupling end 21 as described above, if necessary, the connector 20 may have a plurality of coupling ends 21, to allow a plurality of respiration regulators 30 to be coupled to the respective coupling ends 21. FIG. β is a perspective view illustrating an oxygen- generating mask according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the connector 20 has two coupling ends 21a and 21b such that two respiration regulators 30a and 30b can be connected to the coupling ends 21a and 21b, respectively. This configuration has an effect of increasing the amount of an oxygen generating material received in the oxygen-generating mask, thus enabling a long time use of the resulting mask. In particular, this configuration guarantees a great amount of air to be filled in the tube 33, therefore there is an advantage in that the respiration capability of the mask can be easily regulated.

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides an oxygen generating mask receiving an oxygen generating material capable of generating oxygen by reacting with moisture, carbon dioxide, or the like contained in air exhaled in the wearer's respiration. As a result, under an emergency situation, for example, when a fire or explosion occurs within buildings, subways, etc., the wearer can take a breath by recycling air exhaled in the wearer' s respiration and using the recycled air for an inhalation without using outside air. This has the effect of contriving the wearer' s safe escape and the convenient wearing of the mask. In particular, the oxygen-generating mask of the present invention has the effect of facilitating the exchange of damaged elements or inner consumable elements.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An oxygen-generating mask comprising: a hood to come into close contact with the wearer' s head and face, the hood having a viewing window formed in a front side thereof and a respiratory hose to be held in the wearer' s mouth; a connector having one end to be coupled to the respiratory hose and the other end forming a coupling end; and a respiration regulator having an upper end to be coupled to the coupling end of the connector and receiving an oxygen generating material therein, the oxygen generating material being adapted to generate oxygen while touching and reacting with air discharged in a wearer' s exhalation, the generated oxygen being used for a wearer' s inhalation after being mixed with the remaining air, for enabling the wearer to take a breath.

2. The oxygen-generating mask according to claim 1, wherein the respiration regulator comprises: a body having the upper end to be coupled to the coupling end of the connector and a stepped portion formed along the inner periphery of an upper end thereof; an oxygen generator inserted into the body and fixedly caught by the stepped portion of the body, the oxygen generator including: a case centrally provided with a cylindrical partition for dividing the interior of the case into an inner passage space and an outer passage space; a non- woven fabric inserted into the outer passage space and receiving the oxygen generating material therein; upper and lower mesh-nets received in the outer passage space while interposing the non-woven fabric therebetween; and a fixture located at a lower end of the lower mesh-net and coupled to both the inner passage space of the case and the inner periphery of a lower end of the body; and a tube coupled to the outer periphery of the lower end of the body and configured to be repeatedly expanded or contracted as the air is introduced into or discharged from the tube according to the wearer' s respiration, a pressure valve being provided at a lower end of the tube, to discharge surplus air to the outside if the pressure of air introduced into the tube exceeds a predetermined value.

3. The oxygen-generating mask according to claim 2, wherein the case comprises a block frame provided at the center of an upper end of the inner passage space.

4. The oxygen-generating mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector has a single coupling end and is connected to a single respiration regulator.

5. The oxygen generating mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector has two coupling ends and is connected to two respiration regulators by use of the respective coupling ends thereof.