WO2021198747A1

WO2021198747A1 - Accessory device for masks for protecting the respiratory tracts of a user

Info

Publication number: WO2021198747A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/053839
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano CERCHIARI
Original assignee: Cerchiari Stefano
Priority date: 2020-04-02
Filing date: 2020-04-23
Publication date: 2021-10-07
Also published as: IT202000007042A1

Abstract

An accessory device for masks (1) for protecting the respiratory tracts of a user (2), the masks comprise a covering element (30) of the mouth and nose of the user (2) and means for constraining the covering element (30) to the head of the user (2), the constraining means consisting of string and/or elastic bands (31) which engage the ears (21) of a user (20) in the worn condition of the mask (3). Furthermore, said accessory device comprises a sheet-like element (1) of transparent plastic, the a sheet-like element (1) comprises fixing means for fixing to said mix (3).

Description

STEFANO CERCHIARI

ACCESSORY DEVICE FOR MASKS FOR PROTECTING THE RESPIRATORY TRACTS OF A USER

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an accessory device for masks for protecting the respiratory tracts of a user.

These masks comprise a covering element of the user's mouth and nose and means for constraining the covering element to the user's head.

The constraining means are generally formed by strings and/or elastic bands which engage the ears of a user in a worn condition of the mask.

The masks known in the state of the art are currently used in a wide variety of applications to protect the respiratory system from airborne particles, from dust, for example for the defence against fine dust and other pollutants or from pathogens such as bacteria or viruses.

Specifically, the accessory device object of the present invention is provided in combination with a half-mask, i.e. a mask adapted to cover the lower part of the face, in particular only the mouth, the nose and the parts of the face adjacent thereto, avoiding the inhalation of dust or other matter suspended in air.

The masks are typically formed by one or more layers of materials permeable to air, typically by an internal layer, a filtering layer and a covering layer . Some masks provide a covering that creates an inner chamber enclosing the mouth and nose which are thus separated from the external environment and an elastic band constraining the covering to the user's face. In such masks, the covering is entirely in filtering material and, usually, in non-woven fabric. Alternatively, it is impermeable to air (for example rubber, neoprene or silicone) and equipped with interchangeable filters.

When air passes through the mask, the filtering layer retains the contaminants contained within the air flow, preventing their inhalation by the user. Similarly, the exhaled air passing through the mask is purified of pathogens and contaminants, allowing the protection of people nearby.

So-called "surgical" masks, thanks to low production and purchase costs and ease of use, are widespread, both inside hospitals and as an instrument for individual protection to be purchased in pharmacies, during daily life.

The masks known in the state of the art, however, only protect from contact with pathogens if they are diffused in the form of drops and do not favour adequate protection from pathogens diffused by air.

In fact, normal surgical masks can only create a barrier effect on aerial agents of up to 50%.

There is therefore an unsatisfied need to realize a mask which overcomes the above-described disadvantages .

The present invention achieves the above objects by providing an accessory device for masks as described above, wherein the accessory device comprises a sheet-like element of transparent plastic, the sheet-like element comprises means for fixing to the mask.

The accessory device object of the present invention therefore allows realizing an external protection in plastic, which resists impacts, blood, aerosols, fumes and direct vapours, shielded by the plastic part.

The combined action of the protection of the plastic sheet-like element and the use in the mask of layers of water-repellent and intrinsically inert and partially bacteriostatic polyethylene, allow superior protection compared to surgical masks.

The presence of the plastic sheet creates a real "barrier effect" so as to realize a new mask that allows passing all direct bacteriological tests.

The plastic is of the non-toxic type, also suitable for foods, inert, and can be easily sanitized without particular problems, both with UV rays and with ethylene oxide, gamma rays or other products.

This material therefore has a high inert capacity in contact with lipids, acids, bases. Contact with these substances does not cause the release of particles or other substances which can be traced back to the monomer of the plastic used in the accessory device object of the present invention.

The transparency has been designed to allow at least two years of absence of yellowing phenomena.

Preferably the sheet-like element consists of a polyvinyl chloride sheet.

Unlike the surgical masks known in the state of the art, the introduction of the polyvinyl chloride screen significantly reduces the impact of contaminants, making it possible to obtain a direct injection reduction greater than 65% because, as will be evident from the illustration of some embodiments, the aeration is no longer direct but lateral.

It is specified that the device object of the present invention is configured as an accessory device, thus it does not have to be subjected to all the stringent certification measures related to personal protective equipment, such as for example masks.

In any case, the combination of the mask and the accessory device in plastic exceeds all the requirements of UNI EN 14126:2004, as it is absolutely inert.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sheet like element, in the worn condition of the mask, has dimensions such as to completely cover the user's face.

In particular, the sheet-like element is substantially rectangular in shape and has, in the worn condition of the mask, an upper side placed at the user's eyebrows, a lower side placed at the user's chin and two lateral sides placed at the user's cheeks.

Unlike the surgical masks known in the state of the art which are limited to the protection of the nose and mouth, the accessory device object of the present invention also allows to protect the user's eyes from possible contamination.

Thanks to this configuration, the device object of the present invention avoids a direct exchange of saliva or water vapour between users by forming an insurmountable barrier, permanently separating the user from the people around him.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing means consist of at least two flaps, which in the worn condition of the mask extend on opposite sides of the sheet-like element, in the direction of the user 's ears.

Furthermore, each flap comprises at least one seat for engaging the fixing means of the mask.

One of the most advantageous aspects of the device object of the present invention is the ease of fixing to the masks known in the state of the art.

The ease of fixing also has an important aspect, as, in addition to the obvious advantages, it allows the user to limit the area of contact between his hands (possibly with gloves worn) and the part of the plastic sheet, further decreasing the possible contamination .

Furthermore, once the mask is fixed, when the same mask is not in use, the rigidity of the plastic used allows the sheet-mask combination to momentarily be placed on a surface, simply by using one side of the plastic sheet.

This avoids contact of the mask with parts at risk of contamination.

It is possible to provide any type of fixing of the plastic sheet to the mask, but preferably the plastic sheet is fixed to the fixing means of the mask.

It is preferred to use a fixing to the constraining means to allow a greater extension of the plastic sheet, so that it completely covers a user's face, up to the temples. For this reason, according to an embodiment, the engagement seat is formed by a partial notch of the flap, which extends from an edge of the flap towards the inside, in a transversal direction with respect to the direction of extension of the flap.

As will be evident from the illustration of some embodiments, the realization of the notch allows fitting the string or the elastic band of the mask inside the notch, in a simple and easy way.

The notch is transversal to the direction of extension of the flap, but also to the direction of extension of the string or the elastic band of the mask: this allows wearing the mask and the sheet-like element in a stable manner, as the sheet-like element is kept in position thanks to the tension exerted by the elastic band or by the string that fixes the mask.

According to a further embodiment, the notch has, at the end opposite the edge of the flap, a hole for engaging the constraining means.

According to an improvement, the engagement seat is formed by a notch that has a U-shape.

This notch is configured so as to make at least one engagement tab for the constraining means of the mask.

The presence of this tab allows to obtain a more stable fixing of the mask with respect to the notch described above.

In fact, the elastic bands of the mask engage with the edges of the engagement tab and can also be fixed to the latter, as will be evident from the illustration of an embodiment, so as to decrease the length of the elastic bands. The decrease in the length of the elastic bands is a particularly advantageous aspect which allows first of all to adapt the masks, known in the state of the art, to the different sizes of the user's head.

Furthermore, in the case of consumed elastic bands with a reduced elastic capacity, the possibility of reducing the length of the latter allows to prevent the mask from adhering to the user's face.

The subsequent variants that will be described are aimed at further improving the fixing of the sheet-like element to the mask and at making the positioning of the same more secure, as well as improving the wearability of the sheet-like element- mask combination.

According to an embodiment, at least two flaps are provided on each side.

Furthermore, three notches are preferably provided for each flap.

From what has just been described it is evident that a particularly advantageous aspect of the device object of the present invention is the adaptability to the various types of masks known in the state of the art: the peculiar realization of the fixing means in fact allows, in a completely easy way, to combine it with any mask, regardless of its features.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of some exemplary embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings wherein: figures la to lc show three different views of a possible embodiment of the device object of the present invention, figures 2a and 2b show a further embodiment of the device object of the present invention.

It is specified that the figures attached to the present patent application show two possible embodiments of the device object of the present invention to better understand its advantages and features described.

These embodiments are therefore to be understood for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes of the inventive concept of the present invention, that is, to provide an accessory device for masks that allows to obtain a high protection for the user who wears it, guaranteeing safety and ease of use.

With particular reference to figures la to lc, the accessory device is formed by a sheet-like element 1, fixed to a classic mask for protecting the airways of a user 2.

The mask consists of a covering element 30 of the mouth and nose and is fixed to the user's face through the use of elastic bands 31.

As shown in figure lb, each elastic band 31 is connected with the ends thereof to the edges of the covering element 30, so as to create a loop which is placed around the ear 21 of the user 2.

The sheet-like element 1 is made of transparent plastic and is placed above the covering element 30, so as to create, as illustrated in figure la, a sort of protective screen towards the user 2.

The sheet-like element 1 is substantially rectangular in shape and has, an upper side 11 placed at the eyebrows of the user 2, a lower side 12 placed at the chin of the user 2 and two lateral sides 13 placed at the cheeks of the user 2.

As can be seen from figure la, the sheet-like element 1 has a slightly flared shape, to follow the profile of the user 2 both in length and frontally, i.e. in order to create a frontal curvature that best suits the shapes of the face of the user 2.

The sheet-like element 1 is fixed to the elastic bands 32 by means of special fixing means, visible in figures lb and lc.

On each side, the sheet-like element 1 has two flaps 14 and 15 which extend from the side 13 of the sheet-like element 1 towards the user's ear 21.

These flaps 14 and 15 are realized in one piece with the sheet-like element 1.

Furthermore, each flap 14, 15 has three notches 40, 41, 42 oriented transversely with respect to the direction of extension of each flap, and which extend from the edge of each flap 14 and 15 towards the inside.

Preferably, the notches 40, 41 and 42 extend starting from the lower edge of each flap, so as to facilitate the insertion of the elastic band 31.

Furthermore, each notch 40, 41 and 42 has, at the end opposite the lower edge of the flaps 14 and 15, an engagement hole, respectively 401, 411 and 421, adapted to house the elastic band 31, once inserted inside the notches.

It is evident that the sheet-like element 1 can be fixed both when the mask is worn by the user and when it is not worn. To fix the sheet-like element 1 it is sufficient to bring the elastic band 31 close to the edge of the flap 14 and 15, to slide the elastic band 31 along one or more notches 40, 41, 42, until the elastic band 31 engages at least inside one of the holes 401, 411, 421.

As can be seen from the figure, the number of two flaps 14, 15 per side, is functional for obtaining a high stability of the sheet-like element 1, since it prevents the latter from oscillating with respect to the covering element 30.

The number of notches is also not random, as three notches allow to create a passage for the elastic band 31 which is optimal for fixing the sheet-like element 1.

In fact, with particular reference to figure lb, it can be seen that the elastic band 31, starting from the right side of the image, moves away and approaches the gaze of an observer in front of the image.

With reference to image lb, starting from right to left, at the beginning the elastic band 31 is in fact comprised between the sheet-like element 1 and the user's face, then it is inserted inside the notch 42 and the hole 421, passes externally to the sheet like element 1 to fit inside the notch 41 and hole 411.

At this point the elastic band 31 returns to be positioned between the face of the user 2 and the sheet-like element 1, and then inserts inside the notch 40 and hole 401, to be external to the sheet like element 1, to be easily fixed to the ear 21 of the user 2. As illustrated, the path of the elastic band 31 is the same relative to the flap 14 and the flap 15.

Finally, on the basis of that which has been illustrated, it is specified that the sheet-like element 1 creates a visor that can be repeatedly applied to multiple types of masks and the shape of the notches 40, 41, 42 has been designed to allow the covering of eyes, nose and mouth, safeguarding the user.

It can be removed at any time and, in a constant temperature environment, does not fog due to the lack of closure and thanks to the material that does not tend to condense water vapour on its surface.

The features of the sheet-like element 1 described with reference to figures la, lb and lc, can also be found in the variant of the device object of the present invention, illustrated in figures 2a and 2b.

In particular, figure 2a shows an extended view of the sheet-like element 1, arranged on a plane.

The sheet-like element 1 therefore has a shape adapted to follow the profile of the face of the user 2, when the device itself is worn with the mask.

The sheet-like element 1 has four flaps 14 and 15, two on each side, which, as described above, are realized in one piece with the sheet-like element 1 and extend towards the ears of the user 2.

Unlike the variants described above, the flaps 14 and 15 have an engagement seat realized by a U- shaped notch 5.

According to a generic form, the notch can be formed by three cuts, two cuts parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the sheet-like element 1, and a connecting cut between the two cuts, oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis A.

Three cuts are therefore made on the surface of the flap, so as to obtain an engagement tab.

Thanks to the elastic deformation of the material of the sheet-like element 1, this engagement tab can protrude with respect to the plane identified by the sheet-like element 1, so that the elastic band of the mask engages with the edges of this engagement tab, in particular engages between the various edges realized by the cuts made on the sheet-like element 1.

Starting from this generic configuration, with particular reference to figures 2a and 2b, it is possible to provide that the U-shaped notch is formed by two parallel sections and a connecting section, in which the free ends of the parallel sections continue through a first curve, to end through a second curve towards the connecting section.

According to this configuration, the notch is realized through seven cuts, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56, so as to realize two engagement tabs 57.

It is evident from the illustration of figure 2a how these cuts are made, in particular a cut 50 and a cut 52 according to a direction perpendicular to the axis A which are connected through a cut 51 parallel to the axis A.

Similarly, a cut 54 and a cut 56 are made in a direction perpendicular to the axis A, which are connected through a cut 55 parallel to the axis A.

The cuts 52 and 54 are connected through a cut

53. In this way the U-shape of the notch 5 is obtained.

On the basis of that which has been illustrated, it is possible to orient the U-shape in any manner, for example in figure 2a the U-shape of the flap 14 is parallel to the axis A, while the U-shape of the flap 15 is inclined with respect to the axis A.

The inclination of the U-shape, advantageously, is dictated by the shape of a user's face, so as to facilitate the fixing of the elastic bands, without generating too much tension.

The presence of the two engagement tabs 57 allows to guarantee a stable fixing of the elastic band of the mask, as shown in figure 2b.

According to this figure, the elastic band 31 is passed so as to realize a path that alternates the passage of the elastic band 31 on the two faces of the sheet-like element 1, so as to engage and be fixed with the engagement tabs 57.

It is possible to provide that the elastic band 31 is wound on one or both of the tabs 57, so as to decrease the total length of the elastic band 31.

From that which has just been described, it is evident that different embodiments of the U-shaped notch can be provided.

For construction and production simplicity, according to an improvement, the cuts 51-56 are made without removing the material of the sheet-like element 1, so that the edges of the tabs 57 are in contact with the remaining parts of the flaps 14 and 15.

Alternatively, it is possible to provide for making cuts by removing material, i.e. that the edges of the engagement tabs are not in contact with the flaps 14 and 15, but that a gap zone is formed in which to insert the elastic band 31.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, some preferred embodiments have been shown in the drawings and described in detail.

It must be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiment, but, on the contrary, it intends to cover all the modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

The use of "for example", "etc.", "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise indicated.

The use of "includes" means "includes, but not limited to" unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. An accessory device for masks (1) for protecting the respiratory tracts of a user (2), the masks comprise a covering element (30) of the mouth and nose of the user (2) and means for constraining the covering element (30) to the head of the user (2), the constraining means being formed by string and/or elastic bands (31) which engage the ears (21) of a user (20) in the worn condition of the mask (3), characterized in that said accessory device comprises a sheet-like element (1) of transparent plastic, the sheet-like element (1) comprises fixing means for fixing to said mask (3).

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said sheet-like element (1) is formed by a sheet of polyvinyl chloride.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said sheet-like element (1), in the worn condition of the mask, has dimensions such as to completely cover the face of the user (2).

4. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said sheet-like element (1) is substantially rectangular in shape and has, in the worn condition of the mask (3), an upper side (11) placed at the eyebrows of the user (2), a lower side (12) placed at the chin of the user (2) and two lateral sides (13) placed at the cheeks of the user (2).

5. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said fixing means consist of at least two flaps (14, 15), the flaps (14, 15) in the worn condition of the mask (3), extend on opposite sides of said sheet-like element (1), in the direction of the ears (21) of the user (2), each flap (14, 15) comprising at least one seat for engaging the fixing means of said mask (3).

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said engagement seat consists of a partial notch (41, 41, 42) of said flap (14, 15), the notch (41, 41, 42) extends from an edge of said flap (14, 15) inwards, transversely with respect to the direction of extension of said flap (14, 15).

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein said engagement seat is constituted by a U-shaped notch (5), the notch (5) is configured so as to realize at least one engagement tab (57) which has engagement edges for said constraining means.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said notch is formed by two parallel sections and a connecting section, wherein the free ends of the parallel sections continue through a first curve, to end through a second curve towards the connecting section .

9. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least two flaps (14, 15) are provided per side.

10. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein three notches (40, 41, 42) are provided for each flap (14, 15).

11. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the notch (40, 41, 42) has, at the end opposite the edge of the flap (14, 15), an engagement hole (401, 411, 421) of said constraining means.