DE102016122411A1 - Half-mask respirator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a breathing half-mask (10), wherein the breathing half-mask (10) covers the mouth and the nose area of the head of a user (12), the breathing half-mask (10) has an outlet valve (38) through which the user (12) exhaled air can escape, at the outlet valve (38) an outlet blower (40), in particular an axial fan, is arranged.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a breathing half-mask which covers the mouth and the nose area of the head of a user.

Description of the Prior Art

Lightweight half-masks, which consist of a nonwoven fabric and are fixed by means of a malleable noseband and rubber bands over the mouth and nose, are known. These essentially particle- and droplet-filtering half-masks are used, for example, as surgical masks in the medical field in order to prevent the transmission of pathogens by inhalation of secretion droplets. Another area of application is the reduction of the dust load of the lungs in very dusty ambient air, for example in the construction industry. Increasingly, such light breathing half-masks are used primarily in Asian cities in smog exposure.

The effectiveness of these half-masks, however, is low. In addition, these masks have a limited service life and are designed as "disposable products". This results in large amounts of contaminated waste.

Also known are professional respirators, which are often referred to as gas mask and abut with a sealing lip almost airtight on the user's face. Such respirators can be designed both as half-masks and as full-face masks and wear directly in the facial area of the mask special filters that filter dusts and aerosols and harmful gases and vapors from the ambient air. These respirators are usually used only in special environments with particularly high levels of air pollution or disaster, such as a fire or gas alarm.

A disadvantage of lightweight breathing half masks made of filter material is that the filter material used, for example, nonwoven fabric must be quickly polluted and renewed. On the other hand, a professional respirator can not meet fashion requirements that would allow the mask to be used in everyday life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a breathing half-mask, which is longer usable. Preferably, such a breathing half mask can also meet fashionable requirements due to their technical features.

• b) die Atemhalbmaske ein Auslassventil aufweist, durch welches vom Benutzer ausgeatmete Luft entweichen kann, und wobei
• c) am Auslassventil (38) ein Auslassgebläse (40), insbesondere ein Axialgebläse, angeordnet ist.

This object is achieved with a breathing half-mask of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which:

• b) the breathing half-mask has an outlet valve through which exhaled air from the user can escape, and wherein
• c) an outlet fan (40), in particular an axial fan, is arranged on the outlet valve (38).

The inventors have recognized that, particularly in regions of the world where air pollution is severe, such as in large cities, there is a need for a daily outdoor respiratory protective device which can efficiently provide purified air, which also provides high wearing comfort and which can be used longer than other known masks.

According to the invention, an outlet blower, in particular an axial blower, is arranged on the outlet valve for this purpose. Such an outlet blower reliably conveys the exhaled outlet air to the outside. Because the inventors have recognized that the exhaled air has a high moisture content, which can be reflected in the breathing half mask and thereby reduce the comfort of the mask. This is the case in particular when the breathing half mask comprises a filter cloth mask. In this case, particles, bacteria and / or contaminants can adhere better to a moist respiratory half mask and / or to a moist filter material, as a result of which the moist mask or the moist filter material is even more uncomfortable to wear.

Furthermore, it can be at least partially prevented with an outlet blower that the exhaled air is inhaled again. This reduces the CO2 content of the air inhaled in the following breath.

In this case, a breathing half mask is understood as meaning a breathing mask which is designed such that it can be fastened to the head of a user without covering the eye area. In particular, it is contemplated that the breathing half-mask is made approximately arcuate and covers the mouth and nose of the user. The fact that the breathing half mask is made compact, this is particularly suitable for everyday use.

The outlet valve can be designed as a check valve, in particular as a flutter valve.

The outlet blower is preferably arranged upstream of the outlet valve, ie with respect to the outlet valve in the interior of the breathing half-mask.

The outlet valve is preferably located in front of the mouth.

Preferably, an air space is provided within the breathing half-mask in front of the mouth, in which a guide element is arranged, which channels outlet air exhaled from the mouth at least partially in the direction of the outlet valve. Such a baffle may, for example, be a funnel-shaped ridge of more than 0.5 cm, preferably more than 1 cm, around the outlet valve. The baffle prevents at least in part that in the space between the user's face and the breathing half mask in front of the mouth, the incoming purified air mixes with the exhaled expired air.

Preferably, a negative pressure can be generated with the outlet blower in the breathing half mask. The negative pressure prevailing in the breathing half-mask makes it possible to generate an air flow from the interior of the breathing half-mask into the environment, which reliably dissipates the moisture contained in the air exhaled by the user to the outside.

In order to equip the breathing mask with a particularly efficient filter system, without making breathing difficult, it can preferably be provided that the breathing half mask has at least one inlet provided with an inlet blower, wherein at least one inlet blower an air filter is arranged, the filter resistance at least during inhalation is partially compensated by the capacity of the inlet fan. By the inlet fan, an active supply of purified air to the airways, whereby the resistance of the air filter is partially overcome by the capacity of the inlet fan and in this way the breathing of the user is supported. In this respect, the respiratory half mask is a respiratory aid. In this case, purified air is to be understood as meaning air from which aerosols and particles have essentially been filtered out.

The air filter is preferably viewed from outside the breathing half mask in front of the inlet fan, i. upstream of the intake fan. As a result, the inlet fan is less polluted. As a filter material of the air filter at the inlet is for example multilayer nonwoven material into consideration. Furthermore, an active charcoal filter can be integrated to eliminate unpleasant odors, gases and smoke particles. In order to allow a permanent, daily use of the breathing half mask, the air filter can be made interchangeable.

The at least one inlet can be arranged laterally at the mouth or even laterally from the mouth. Preferably, the inlet fan is then a radial fan. This can have a circumferential air guide element in the direction of the ear region of the breathing half mask, which deflects the radially emerging inlet air flow in the direction of the front region of the breathing half mask.

Preferably, the at least one inlet blower is arranged substantially outside the mouth area of the user. This allows a freer design in the front of the mask.

Preferably, the outlet fan and the optionally present at least one inlet fan are supplied by a particular rechargeable battery supply, which is arranged in a side region of the breathing half mask or on a headband for fastening the breathing half mask on the user's head.

Although it is also conceivable to carry a separate battery supply to the body, the battery supply in the immediate vicinity of the breathing mask avoids connecting cable from the head to the body. In particular, the battery supply can be arranged on the mask in the cheek area of the user, preferably less than 2 cm, in particular less than 1 cm, away from the user's ear. In particular, when the breathing half mask has two battery supplies, which are arranged laterally on the head and substantially outside the facial area of the user, a symmetrical construction of the breathing half mask is possible, which also results in a symmetrical weight distribution.

Preferably, the outlet valve and the outlet fan as well as the optional at least one inlet fan are connected via a mask support structure to which a replaceable filter fabric mask can be attached.

A filter fabric mask can be designed, for example, as an inlay mask, which is fastened to the support structure from the inside. The filter fabric mask may be made of the known nonwoven filter fabrics or cellulosic fabrics. Furthermore, the filter fabric mask can cover especially the front mouth and nose area. The mask support structure may have at least one clear passage in this area, which is then covered by the filter cloth mask.

If the filter fabric mask is designed to be transparent and the other elements on the mask support structure are arranged substantially outside the user's facial area, the recognizability of the user's facial features is hardly impaired, whereby the respiratory protection device is particularly attractive for everyday use. In this case, it is to be understood as being arranged outside the facial area if essential facial features such as the mouth and / or nose are not covered in an intransparent manner. The fact that the mouth remains visible as a facial feature with a worn half-mask, the communication can be facilitated in everyday life. Furthermore, the breathing half mask thereby meets optical requirements.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the breathing half mask has a transparent mask support structure. As a material here is in particular a transparent plastic into consideration, whereby the visibility of the user can be further increased. Depending on the fashion requirement, the mask support structure can also be designed to be translucent or opaque.

Preferably, the mask support structure and the filter cloth mask comprise a connection device with which the filter cloth mask can be positively connected with the mask support structure without tools and released again. In this way, the filter fabric mask can be easily replaced. As a connection device, for example, latching lugs on the mask support structure come into question, which cooperate with detent holes in the filter cloth mask. Also conceivable is a Velcro connection as a connection device. Regardless, a Velcro connection can also be used to attach the replaceable air filter to the inlet fan.

In order to ensure a sufficient sealing effect and at the same time high wearing comfort, it can be provided that the breathing half mask has a soft sealing lip which rests against the face of the user. If, in addition, the mask support structure also has a limited flexibility, the breathing half mask allows individual adaptation to the facial contour of the respective user due to low elastic deformation.

Preferably, all components of the breathing half mask are releasably connected to one another without tools. In this way, a simple disassembly of the individual components of the respirator is possible to clean them, for example, quickly.

To secure the breathing mask over the mouth and nose of the user, this may have a rubber band which is worn in the neck of the user. To enable easy handling in everyday life, the rubber band can also be detachably connected to the breathing half mask. Alternatively, an additional closure, for example, a magnetic closure, be provided in the rubber band, with the help of a quick on and off the mask is possible. Furthermore, the rubber band can also be detachably fastened to the connection elements.

In order to support the attachment of the breathing half mask to the user's head, it may further be provided that the breathing half mask has a stirrup which can be fastened to the user's ear. As a result, a slipping down of the breathing half mask can be prevented.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the breathing half mask comprises a controller, with the aid of which the delivery rate of the blower is adjustable. By means of a display can also be displayed, for example, the time of the next filter change. This can be determined by the filter resistance or by the duration of use.

list of figures

• 1 eine dreidimensionale Ansicht der Atemhalbmaske, die von einem Benutzer getragen wird.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. In this shows:

• 1 a three-dimensional view of the breathing mask, which is worn by a user.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Basic construction of the respirator

In 1 is generally designated 10 a respiratory half mask respiratory aid that provides purified air and by a user 12 will be carried.

The breathing mask 10 is designed such that it is attachable to the head of the user, without the eye area of the user 12 is covered. In the present embodiment, the breathing half mask overlaps 10 Mouth and nose of the user 12 , Alternatively, a breathing half mask 10 conceivable, just over the mouth of the user 12 goes, with the supply of purified air to the nose of the user 12 can be done via not specifically shown nasal cones. It is understood that the breathing mask 10 for different users 12 can be made in various sizes, with a distinction being made essentially between men, women and children.

The breathing mask 10 has a mask body 14 as a mask support structure which is arcuate when viewed from above and substantially from an ear of the user 12 extends over the mouth and nose to the other ear. Furthermore, the mask body 14 is curved outward, so that between the face of the user 12 and the inner surface of the mask body 14 a channel-shaped interior is formed, which is filled in operation with purified air. The mask body 14 Furthermore, it is elastically flexible in such a way that the breathing half mask 10 can be adapted to different face shapes.

At the edges of the mask body 14 each is a soft sealing lip 16 arranged on the face of the user 12 rests and the interior of the mask body 14 seals against the environment. As material for the sealing lip 16 For example, silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is considered.

The sealing lip 16 has a slot in which the edge of the mask body 14 can be inserted. Due to the elasticity of the sealing lip 16 arises in this way a positive connection between the mask body 14 and sealing lip 16 which is releasable without tools.

So the breathing mask 10 on the user's mouth and nose 12 can be attached, this has a rubber band 18 which is stretchable and the breathing half mask 10 to the face of the user 12 presses. In the present embodiment, the rubber band 18 over the head of the user 12 has been pulled and gets in the neck of the user 12 carried. In another embodiment, not specifically shown, it is provided that the rubber band 18 having two sections, which by means of a closure in the neck of the user 12 can be connected to each other.

To slip down the breathing mask 10 To prevent this, in the embodiment shown here, additionally has two brackets 20 on, which are designed substantially hook-shaped and both sides of the back of each ear of the user 12 are attached.

The breathing mask 10 further comprises two inlets, of which only the inlet located on the right cheek side 22 in 1 is recognizable. The inlet 22 includes an inlet fan 24 whose inlet slots are shown in phantom since the inlet fan 24 to the outside of a filter pad 26 is covered as an air filter. The filter pad 26 this is via a Velcro connection from the outside of the mask body 14 attached. On the inside of the mask body carries 14 however, a radial fan as inlet fan 24 , The inlet 22 thus connects via the inlet fan 24 the ambient air with the interior of the breathing half mask 10 ,

Not visible in the figure includes the inlet fan 24 an air deflector that extends from the radial fan towards the user's ear 12 escaping air towards the front of the breathing mask 10 deflects.

The filter pad 26 may include except a paper or non-woven filter in particular an activated carbon filter with which except aerosols and particles and unpleasant odors from the ambient air can be filtered out. Furthermore, the filter pad 26 comprise a fragrance pad which is either offered in different flavor directions or flavorable to the taste of the user, for the well-being of the user when wearing the breath half mask 12 to increase.

In the mouth and nose area of the breathing mask 10 has the mask body 14 a clear passage area 28 on. This light passageway 28 is from a filter fabric mask 30 spans over the mask body 14 is attached and preferably covers the mouth and nose area (see coarse dashed line).

Filter cloth mask 30 is slightly arched outwards in front of the mouth area and thus creates a free space in front of the mouth 32 ready, which allows a pleasant inhale and exhale.

The filter fabric mask 30 , which can be made of a nonwoven fabric, for example, absorbs moisture from the exhaled air and can be replaced from time to time. For this purpose, the filter cloth mask is exchangeable with the mask body 14 connectable. In the embodiment shown, the filter fabric mask 30 with two snap holes 34 from the inside for the mask body 14 provided latching pins plugged.

Furthermore, the mask body 14 near the chin area of the user 12 two support bars 36 on which upwards approximately at the level of the mouth of the user 12 an outlet valve 38 carry, which allows a discharge of the exhaled air. This is the exhaust valve 38 designed as a flutter valve with a flexible membrane, which is an air flow from the interior of the breathing half mask 10 outward allows an airflow from the environment to the interior of the breathing mask 10 however prevented. The filter fabric mask 30 indicates the intake valve 38 a corresponding through-hole.

Within the breathing mask 10 is the exhaust valve 38 another outlet blower 40 upstream in the form of an axial fan, which also exhales through the exhaust valve 38 supports and, above all, the exhaled air quickly transported to the outside.

In the open space 32 in front of the mouth is also around the exhaust valve 38 and the outlet blower 40 around a funnel-shaped footbridge 42 arranged as a guide element. This jetty 42 channeled out of the mouth exhaled exhaust air in the direction of the exhaust valve 38 and thus prevents the purified air coming from the side inlets 22 in the open space 32 Already mixed before inhalation with the exhaled air with high CO2 content.

Finally, the breathing mask indicates 10 a battery supply 44 on which the inlet blower 24 as well as the outlet blower 40 supplied with electrical energy. The battery supply 44 is in the two lateral end areas 46 of the mask body 14 the breathing mask 10 recorded, whose curvature is designed accordingly strong.

functionality

When activating the breathing mask 10 via a control, not shown, the inlet and outlet blower 24 and 40 switched on. The inlet fan 24 suck ambient air through the filter pad 26 and guide the thus purified air into the open space 34 in front of the mouth and nose area of the user 12 ,

Because so the filter resistance of the filter pad 26 is partially compensated and even a slight overpressure is generated, this supports the breathing of the user 12 so that the provision of purified air does not depend on the suction capacity of the user's lungs 12 depends.

Thereafter, exhaled air passes through the outlet valve 38 supported by the outlet blower 40 from the interior of the breathing mask 10 into the environment, when a sufficient operating pressure has built up for the flutter valve.

In a not specifically shown embodiment may be on the bracket 20 be waived if the rubber band 22 Ensures sufficient seat. Alternatively, it can be provided that connecting means for attachment to the earcups of a headset headset have. This will make the breathing halfmask 10 supported by the headband of the headphones.

In another exemplary embodiment, which is not specifically shown, it is provided that a headset for mobile phones or for music players is provided on the breathing half mask. This makes it possible to make calls or listen to music at the same time.

Claims (9)

Breathing mask (10), where a) the breathing half-mask (10) covers the mouth and the nose area of the head of a user (12), b) the breathing half-mask (10) has an outlet valve (38) through which exhaled air can escape from the user (12), c) an outlet fan (40), in particular an axial fan, is arranged on the outlet valve (38). Breathing half mask according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that within the breathing half mask (10) in front of the mouth, a free space (34) is provided, in which a guide element (42) is arranged, the outlet air exhaled from the mouth at least partially in the direction of the outlet valve (38) channeled. Breathing half mask according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with the at least one outlet blower (40) in the breathing half-mask (10), a negative pressure can be generated. Breathing half mask according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the breathing half mask (10) has at least one inlet (22) provided with an inlet fan (24), wherein the air filter (26) is arranged on the at least one inlet fan (24) whose filter resistance during inhalation is at least partially compensated by the flow rate of the inlet fan (24). Respiratory half mask after Claim 4 , characterized in that the at least one inlet fan (24) is disposed substantially outside the mouth area of the user (12). Breathing half mask according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet blower (40) and optionally present at least one inlet fan (24) are supplied by a battery supply (44) in a side region of the breathing half mask (10) or on a headband (22 ) is arranged for attachment of the breathing half-mask (10) on the head of the user (12). Breathing half mask according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet valve (38) and the outlet blower (40) and the optional inlet fan (24) are connected by a mask support structure (14) to which a replaceable filter cloth mask (30) can be attached , Breathing half mask according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mask support structure (14) and the filter cloth mask (30) comprise a connecting device (32), with which the filter cloth mask (30) with the mask support structure (14) without tools tool-positively connectable and detachable. Breathing half mask according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the breathing half-mask (10) has a soft sealing lip (16) which bears against the face of the user (12).

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