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WO2021243013A1 - Dispositif protecteur respiratoire - Google Patents

Dispositif protecteur respiratoire Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021243013A1
WO2021243013A1 PCT/US2021/034505 US2021034505W WO2021243013A1 WO 2021243013 A1 WO2021243013 A1 WO 2021243013A1 US 2021034505 W US2021034505 W US 2021034505W WO 2021243013 A1 WO2021243013 A1 WO 2021243013A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mask
user
protective device
nose
mouth
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2021/034505
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ramses JIMENEZ
Melissa VARGAS
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2021243013A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021243013A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
    • A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
    • A41D13/1107—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres characterised by their shape
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
    • A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
    • A41D13/1161—Means for fastening to the user's head

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a respiratory protective device (RPD), for filtering contaminants in the air and, more particularly relates to a respiratory protective device providing at least partially separate airflow pathways for the user’s nose and mouth.
  • RPD respiratory protective device
  • a respiratory protective device may include a mask including a first portion configured to at least partially cover a nose of a user when the respiratory protective device is worn.
  • the mask may also include a second portion configured to at least partially cover a mouth of a user when the respiratory protective device is worn.
  • the respiratory protective device may also include a divider associated with one or more of the first portion and the second portion. The divider may be configured to be generally positioned between the nose and the mouth of the user.
  • the first portion and the second portion may be at least partially joined to one another. At least part of the first portion of the mask may be at least partially separated from at least part of the second portion of the mask. The first portion of the mask and the at least second portion of the mask may be configured to be at least partially folded away from each other.
  • the respiratory protective device may include a seal generally corresponding to the divider between the first portion of the mask and the at least second portion of the mask.
  • the respiratory protective device may include a retention system extending from one or more of the first portion and the second portion of the mask.
  • the mask may include a filtering material.
  • the filtering material may be associated with one or more of the first portion and the second portion.
  • the first portion of the mask may be lined with the filtering material having a substantially equivalent configuration as the first portion of the mask.
  • the second portion of the mask may be lined with the filtering material having a substantially equivalent configuration as the second portion of the mask.
  • the divider may include a malleable feature.
  • the malleable feature may be disposed between the first portion and the second portion.
  • the malleable feature may be associated with one or more of the first portion and the second portion.
  • the first portion of the mask may include a pinched base configured to be positioned below the nose of the user when worn.
  • the second portion of the mask may be configured to at least partially conform around a chin of the user.
  • a respiratory protective device may include a first portion configured to cover a nose of a user.
  • the respiratory protective device may include a second portion configured to cover a mouth of the user.
  • the first portion and the second portion may be configured to provide a first volume around the nose and a second volume around the mouth.
  • the first volume may be at least partially separated from the second volume.
  • the first portion and the second portion may be at least partially separated by a divider.
  • the divider may be configured to be disposed between the nose and the mouth of the user.
  • the first portion and the second portion may include a separation configured to be positioned generally between the nose and the mouth.
  • the separation may include one or more of a lower edge of the first portion and an upper edge of the second portion.
  • the first portion and the second portion may include at least partially separate components.
  • the first portion and the second portion may be at least partially coupled to one another at generally opposed lateral aspects.
  • a seal may be associated with one or more of the first portion and the second portion.
  • the seal may be configured to engage a region between the nose and the mouth.
  • the seal may at least partially impede air exchange between the first volume and the second volume.
  • a method for preventing the spread of infectious disease via a respiratory protective device may include providing a respiratory protective device including a first portion and a second portion.
  • the method may include fitting the respiratory protective device to a user with the first portion generally overlying a nose of the user and the second portion generally overlying the mouth of the user.
  • the first portion may generally define a first volume associated with the nose.
  • the second portion may generally define a second volume associated with the mouth of the user.
  • the first volume may be at least partially separated from the second volume to reduce air exchange between the first volume and the second volume.
  • FIG. 1 depicts an example respiratory protective device as applied to a user’s face according to one or more example implementations of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 depicts another illustrative example respiratory protective device according to one or more example implementations of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 depicts another example implementation of a respiratory protective device consistent with the present disclosure, having a pinched base and an at least a partially separated first portion from at least a second portion.
  • FIG. 4 depicts the illustrative example of a respiratory protective device of FIG. 3, further indicating the pinched base, according to an example embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 depicts another example implementation of a respiratory protective device consistent with the present disclosure including a separate first portion and second portion, according to an example embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 depicts the example implementation of FIG. 5 worn by a user.
  • FIG. 7 depicts another example implementation of a respiratory protective device consistent with the present disclosure, according to an example embodiment.
  • respiratory protective devices may be provided that may, at least in part, provide some degree of separation between air pathways associated with a nose of a person and air pathways associated with a mouth of a person.
  • a volume of air inhaled through the persons nose may be at least partially separated from a volume of air exhaled through the persons mouth (or vice versa).
  • the at least partially separated air pathways associated with the mouth and nose of a person may provide many unique advantaged, e.g., as compared with generally conventional face masks, e.g., which may generally provide a user with a uniform seal around the periphery of the mask.
  • respiratory protective devices may provide some degree of separation between previously exhaled air and subsequently inhaled air. Consistent with some such embodiments, a quantity of carbon dioxide re-breathed by a user of the respiratory protective device may be reduced to some degree.
  • the primary function of the respiratory system is to deliver oxygen to the cells of the body’s tissues and remove carbon dioxide; a cell waste product.
  • the main structures of the human respiratory system are the nasal cavity (i.e., nose), the trachea (i.e., throat), and the lungs.
  • air enters the body through the nose where the air is then warmed to body temperature, humidified, and at least partially filtered of particles.
  • the processes of warming, humidifying, and removing particles are important protective mechanisms that prevent damage to the throat and lungs.
  • the air is funneled to the lungs to facilitate gas exchange wherein oxygen is diffused into the blood to be distributed to the cells of the body, and carbon dioxide is diffused from the blood to be exhaled as a waste product.
  • the air including the carbon dioxide waste product, may typically be exhaled through the mouth.
  • additional and/or alternative mechanisms of breathing may occur, such as inhaling through the mouth and exhaling through the nose, inhaling and exhaling through the mouth, and/or inhaling and exhaling through the nose, and/or combinations of the foregoing.
  • RSD respiratory protective devices
  • face masks such as surgical masks and N95 masks, as well as other respiratory protective devices (RPDs)
  • RPDs respiratory protective devices
  • the exhalation of air e.g., including an increased carbon dioxide level relative to normal ambient air as a result of the elimination of carbon dioxide waste from the respiratory processes
  • the exhalation of air into the generally closed volume defined by a RPD may result in the subsequent inhalation of air having an elevated carbon dioxide level.
  • the anatomical structure and respiratory functional purposes of the nose and the mouth may be independent, yet may be forced to share the same air supply when a user is wearing a conventional face mask (e.g., as a result of the conventional mask covering the periphery of both the user’s mouth and the nose to generally form a common volume at least partially enclosing both the mouth and the nose), the present disclosure recognizes that carbon dioxide re-breathing may be a serious concern due to the hazard it may cause the user, depending on the condition of the user’s health and/or the state of the user’s immune system.
  • carbon dioxide re-breathing may result from respiratory use of some conventional face masks, and may be related to symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, headaches, muscular weaknesses, and drowsiness. All and/or some of these symptoms may be experienced by some users, in various combinations, while wearing some conventional face masks.
  • the amount of oxygen that is needed to function on a daily basis may be put at risk with current, conventional RPDs.
  • reducing CO2 exposure may result in improved wear time of the disclosed RPDs (e.g., with reduced consequences of CO2 rebreathing).
  • the findings of the above-mentioned testing may be incorporated in technical specifications regarding human factors for RPDs.
  • the effects of CO2 rebreathing that were identified during the above-mentioned testing may be at least partially mitigated, alleviated and/or eliminated.
  • a respiratory protective device may include a mask (e.g., one or more of masks 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, and 102e, which may be generally referenced as mask 102, when not discussing particular distinctions between example embodiments) that may be configured to at least partially and/or substantially cover the nose and the mouth of a user when respiratory protective device 100 is worn.
  • a mask e.g., one or more of masks 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, and 102e, which may be generally referenced as mask 102, when not discussing particular distinctions between example embodiments
  • the respiratory protective device 100 may (among other various uses) reduce the extent to which the user may spread respiratory particles (e.g., which may include pathogens) during exhalation, and/or reduce the extent to which the user may breath in airborne pathogens (and/or other airborne contaminants).
  • respiratory particles e.g., which may include pathogens
  • the mask may generally include a first portion (e.g., one or more of first portions 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, 104e, which may be generally referenced as first portion 104, when not discussing particular distinctions between illustrated example embodiments) and a second portion (e.g., one or more of second portions 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, which may be generally referenced as second portion 106, when not discussing particular distinctions between illustrated example embodiments).
  • the first portion 104 may be configured to at least partially (and/or substantially or completely) cover a nose of a user when the respiratory protective device 100 is worn.
  • the second portion 106 may be configured to at least partially (and/or substantially or completely) cover a mouth of the user when the respiratory protective device 100 is worn.
  • the respiratory protective device 100 may also include a divider (e.g., one or more of dividers 108a, 108b, which may be generally referenced as divider 108, when not discussing particular distinctions between illustrated example embodiments) associated with one or more of the first portion 104 and the second portion 106 of the mask 102.
  • the divider may be configured to be generally positioned between the nose and the mouth of the user.
  • the divider 108 may be configured to at least partially aid in defining first portion 104 of mask 102 generally surrounding the nose of the user, and at least a second portion 106 of mask 102 generally surrounding the mouth of the user.
  • respiratory protective device 100 may generally include mask 102, which may be configured to generally and/or substantially cover the nose and the mouth of a user when respiratory protective device 100 is worn.
  • the first portion 104 and the second portion 106 may generally define at least partially separate volumes around the user's nose and mouth, respectively.
  • the air being exhaled by the mouth may be at least partially separated from the air being inhaled by the nose of the user.
  • the divider 108 may aid in the separation of the volumes defined by the first portion and the second portion, e.g., which may at least partially impede air exchange between the first volume and the second volume.
  • air inhaled from one of the volumes may have an at least somewhat lower carbon dioxide concentration as compared to air exhaled into the other volume (e.g., the second volume at least partially defined by the second portion).
  • divider 108 may be configured to be generally positioned between the user’s mouth and nose (i.e., in the general region between the top of the user’s upper lip and the bottom of the user’s nose), such that first portion 104 of mask 102 may define the first volume generally surrounding the user’s nose, and second portion 106 of mask 102 may define the second volume generally surrounding the user’s mouth, with the two volumes being at least partially separated.
  • mask may vary and will be dependent on the shape and size of the face of the user. Consistent with various embodiments, mask may be provided having different relative sizes. Consistent with various embodiments, masks may be provided having different relative sizes of the first portion and/or the second portion (e.g., as may more suitably accommodate users having larger relatively noses and/or relatively smaller noses and/or having users having relatively larger mouths and/or relatively smaller mouths).
  • respiratory protective device 100 may include divider 108 that may be configured to be generally positioned between the nose and the mouth of the user, wherein divider 108 may be configured to at least in define, and/or aid in defining, first portion 104 of mask 102 generally surrounding the nose of the user, and at least second portion 106 of mask 102 generally surrounding the mouth of the user.
  • first portion 104b and the second portion 106b may be at least partially, and/or completely joined to one another about the respective adjacent edges or regions (e.g., generally the bottom of first portion 104b and the top of second portion 106b).
  • the first portion and the second portion may include a single body (e.g., a single piece of fabric, woven and/or non- woven textile, etc.) and/or may include two separate pieces that are joined along at least a portion, and/or all of, the intersection of the two portions.
  • divider 108b may be secured (e.g., stitched, glued, woven, and/or otherwise attached or coupled) into a material of mask 102 (e.g., which may include one or both of the first portion and the second portion).
  • divider 108b may generally be secured at a predefined location (e.g., medially) to create one or more designated regions for a user’s nose and/or mouth (i.e., the first portion and the second portion, generally). Accordingly, divider 108 may essentially provide two autonomous mask regions (i.e., one mask region or mask feature generally covering the nose and one mask region or mask feature generally covering the mouth). As noted above, the dimensions of the mask may vary to accommodate different shapes and/or sizes of the faces and/or facial features. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the divider may be provided at various locations to accommodate different shapes and/or sizes of unique facial features.
  • the divider may generally be disposed between the first portion and the second portion. Consistent with some such embodiments, the divider may be configured to be generally located between a user's nose and mouth when the respiratory protective device is being worn, which may, at least in part, aid in defining the first portion and the second portion of the mask. In this regard, the divider may assist in and/or facilitate separating the flow of air exhaled by the mouth and inhaled by the nose. This may create a consistent flow of air in through the nose while the mouth exhales into a separate, but connected part of the mask (e.g., the second portion of the mask).
  • the divider may include a variety of configurations.
  • the first portion of the mask and the second portion of the mask may include a common piece, structure, or body and/or may include two or more separate pieces, structures, or bodies that may be joined to one another about at least a portion of the intersection therebetween
  • the divider may include a separate component or feature that is attached to the mask in a region between the first portion and the second portion (e.g., which may, as discussed above, include a region of the mask that may generally be configured to be positioned between the nose and the mouth of a user when wearing the respiratory protective device).
  • the divider may include, but is not limited to, and elastic band coupled to the mask, an elongated elastic body coupled to the mask, a malleable feature (such as a flexible metal wire or body, or a flexible plastic body, or the like) that may be manipulated to generally conform to the shape of a user's face (e.g., in generally the region of the upper lip of the user), as well as any other suitable conformable, shapeable and/or pre-shaped body.
  • any suitable arrangement for attaching the divider to the mask e.g., sewing, gluing, welding, etc.
  • integrating the dividing into the mask may be utilized.
  • the first portion 104c and the second portion 106c may include at least partially separate separated pieces.
  • the first portion 104c and the second portion 106c may not generally be coupled, or joined, to one another about at least the region of the nose of the user.
  • the first portion 104c may generally define the first volume and the second portion 106c may generally define the second volume.
  • an edge of the first portion adjacent the second portion and an edge of the second portion adjacent the first portion may at least partially overlap with one another.
  • first portion and the second portion may include at least partially separate components (e.g., the first portion and the second portion may be at least partially separate at least in the region of the nose and/or mouth of the user), the overlapping of the first portion and the second portion may, in some embodiments, provide a generally continuous (albeit divided into at least two generally separate volumes) covering over the user's face.
  • the divider may be associated with one or more of the first portion 104c and the second portion 106c.
  • the divider may include a conformable or malleable component, etc.
  • the divider may be associated with (e.g., attached to and/or integrated with) the first portion 104c, for example in a generally lower edge thereof (e.g., which may generally be disposed the nose of the user in use).
  • the divider may be associated with (e.g., attached to and/or integrated with) the second portion 106c, for example in a generally upper edge thereof (e.g., which may generally be disposed above the mouth of the user in use).
  • a divider may be associated with each of the first portion 104c and the second portion 106c.
  • the divider may include one or more of a lower edge and/or hem of the first portion 104c and/or an upper edge and/or hem of the second portion 106c.
  • the mask may provide a volume around the nose of the user that is at least partially separated from a volume around the mouth of the user.
  • the divider may generally cause some degree of physical conformance of the mask between the two volumes of the user’s face. Accordingly, the divider may define, aid in defining, and/or at least partially separate, the first portion (i.e., the first volume generally surrounding the user’s nose), and the second portion (i.e., the second volume generally surrounding the user’s mouth).
  • the divider may share one or more elastic components with at least a portion of a retention system of the respiratory protective device to support the degree of physical conformance of the mask between the two volumes and the user’s face, which may further define, and/or at least partially separate, the two volumes of the mask.
  • respiratory protective device 100 may include a seal, e.g. that may at least partially limit airflow between the mask 102 and the user's face.
  • the seal may positioned in a location generally corresponding to divider 108 (e.g.., may be generally positioned between first portion 104 of mask 102 and second portion 106 of mask 102).
  • the inside of the mask e.g., which may include a lining, or liner material
  • the separation between the two volumes may be fitted to the user’s face with a seal to create better air separation of the space for both the nose and the mouth (i.e., separating the air inhaled through the nose from the air exhaled through the mouth).
  • the seal may include, but is not limited to, a rubber-like material (e.g., natural rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile, latex, silicone, urethane elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, etc.).
  • the rubber-like material may provide an at least partial seal against a user’s face, which may reduce mixing of air between the volume around the mouth and the volume around the nose.
  • the seal may not be required to create a completely airtight (or even necessarily a semi-airtight) seal between the mask and the user’s skin.
  • the function of the seal is generally directed at reducing, to at least some degree, the mixing of between the first volume and the second volume, and thereby contamination exchanged between the user’s nose and the mouth, complete isolation of the first volume and the second volume may not be necessary to reduce the amount of re-breathed carbon dioxide.
  • the general structure and configuration of the mask including the first portion (e.g., which may generally permit airflow from the top of the mask and down in through the sides of the mask before entering the nose), and the second portion (e.g., which may generally be configured to send exhaled air from the user’s mouth downward to the user’s neck area) may also reduce the amount of re breathed carbon dioxide.
  • the first portion of the mask and/or the second portion of the mask may be configured to be folded away from the user's face and/or to be folded away from each other.
  • a divider may, at least in part, enable autonomy between first portion 104 and at least second portion 106 of mask 102.
  • divider 108 may enable mask 102 to be folded so that first portion 104 or at least second portion 106 of mask 102 may be left in place over the mouth and/or the nose, respectively, while the other portion may be folded away from the mouth and/or the nose (i.e., depending upon which portion is to remain in place and which portion is to be folded away).
  • the first portion of the mask may be capable of being folded downwardly, e.g., to at least partially expose the nose of the user.
  • the second portion of the mask may be capable of being folded upwardly, e.g., to at least partially expose the mouth of the user.
  • the first portion may be folded upwardly to at least partially expose the nose of the user.
  • the second portion may be folded downwardly to at least partially expose the mouth of the user.
  • a user may continue to use the mask during meals (i.e., for eating and drinking) with the second portion of the mask folded away from the user's mouth (e.g., either upwardly and/or downwardly, depending upon the configuration of the mask), while the first portion of the mask may remain over the nose.
  • meals i.e., for eating and drinking
  • the second portion of the mask folded away from the user's mouth (e.g., either upwardly and/or downwardly, depending upon the configuration of the mask)
  • the first portion of the mask may remain over the nose.
  • the user’s nose may still be protected against inhalation of particles or droplets.
  • the respiratory protective device may further include a retention system (e.g., retention system 110), which may retain and/or assist in retaining, the mask in position relative to a user's face (e.g., relative to the user's mouth and/or nose).
  • retention system 110 may be configured generally extending from one or more regions of mask 102.
  • retention system 110 may include one or more head straps (e.g., ear or head loops, ties, or straps, or the like) that may be configured to hold mask 102 stationary over the space around the user’s nose and/or mouth.
  • the one or more head straps may extend outwardly from one or more regions of mask 102, including, but not limited to, one or more comers of mask 102.
  • divider 108 may include an elastic strip.
  • at least a portion of retention system 110 for mask 102 may extend from a region at least generally associated with the divider, and/or configured to exert tension on the divider (e.g., which may aid in conformance of the divider to the user's face).
  • the retention system for the mask may facilitate defining the two volumes (i.e., by the respective first portion and second portion), thereby improving separation between the two volumes, and/or providing conformance of the divider to the user’s face.
  • the mask (e.g., one or more of the first portion and the second portion) may be made from and/or may be lined with a filtering material.
  • the mask may include a filtering material making up, removeably disposed within, and/or integrally disposed within, at least a portion of the mask.
  • the filtering material may be a breathable material (e.g., may allow airflow there through) that may be configured to filter inhaled air that passes through the mask, e.g., to remove at least a portion of particulate contaminants from the inhaled airstream.
  • the filtering material may include a breathable material that may filter at least a portion of contaminants from exhaled air.
  • the filtering material may be made up of one or more layers having the same or substantially equivalent configuration (e.g., dimensions, shape, and/or arrangement, etc.) as one or more of the respective portions of the mask.
  • the filtering material may include one or more fabrics, textiles (woven and/or non-woven), foams, perforated materials, or the like.
  • the mask may be made up of the same or multiple filtering materials for each respective portion of mask, and/or may include different materials in different portions of the mask.
  • the first portion may be made of a same and/or different filtering material(s) than the second portion.
  • the mask may include a filtering material which may include FDA approved materials (e.g., N95 approved materials and/or other materials identified by the FDA as being suitable materials for user in respiratory masks), reusable fabrics, and/or fashionable materials and designs. Examples of such materials may include, but are not limited to, woven and/or non-woven materials (e.g., knit materials, random spun fabrics, felt materials, or the like).
  • the first portion of the mask may include and/or be lined with a filtering material having a substantially equivalent configuration to first portion of the mask.
  • the first portion of the mask may include a filtering material configured to cover the same or substantially equivalent region as the first portion of the mask.
  • the filtering material may include one or more fabrics.
  • the first portion may be made up of the same or multiple filtering materials.
  • at least the second portion of the mask may include and/or may be lined with a filtering material having a substantially equivalent configuration as the second portion of the mask.
  • the second portion of the mask may include a filtering material configured to cover the same and/or substantially equivalent region as the second portion of mask.
  • the filtering material may include one or more fabrics.
  • the second portion may be made up of the same or multiple filtering materials.
  • the respiratory protective device may essentially provide two masks in one (i.e., one mask or mask feature generally covering the mouth and one mask or mask feature generally covering the nose). Accordingly, in some embodiments both the first portion and the second portion of the mask may use the same fabric or have a different fabric on each respective portion, depending on the desired protection level and/or other considerations appreciated by a person of skill in the art.
  • the first portion may be fitted with an air filter (including, but not limited to, an N95 filter). It will be appreciated that the one or more fabrics making up the filtering material for the first portion may be made specifically to make it easier to inhale.
  • the one or more fabrics making up the filtering material for the first portion may be configured to create a better airflow intake, e.g., through the user’s nose.
  • the second portion of the mask may be fitted with an air filter (e.g., of any suitable configuration, including, but not limited to, an N95 filter).
  • an air filter e.g., of any suitable configuration, including, but not limited to, an N95 filter.
  • the one or more fabrics making up the filtering material for the second portion may be made specifically to make it easier to exhale.
  • the one or more fabrics making up the filtering material for the second portion may be configured to create a better airflow outtake, e.g., through the user’s mouth.
  • one or both portions (i.e., the first portion and/or the second portion) of the mask may be fitted with a portable, electronic, and/or wireless air filter that may maintain a desired air quality while breathing through the mask (e.g., such as a UV filtration and/or purification system).
  • the mask may be configured to be attached to a helmet or other head covering configured to control a level of air quality and/or to be used independently with the capabilities of testing inhaled air quality.
  • the mask may include a malleable portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion of the mask.
  • the mask may additionally and/or alternatively utilize the same region between the user’s mouth and nose to incorporate a malleable and/or conformable portion, which may, in some embodiments, work as a clip to keep the mask in position while in use.
  • the feature identified as the divider may additionally and/or alternatively include the malleable portion.
  • the malleable portion may at least partially conform to the user’s face between the user’s mouth and nose, which may provide improved separation of the volume defined by the mask around the mouth (e.g., by the second portion) and the volume defined by the mask around the nose (e.g., by the first portion).
  • the malleable portion may include extendable, opposed lateral ends that may be workable to replace conventional hooks, loops, ties, and/or straps configured to loop around the ear and/or head of the user (i.e., to hold a protective mask on the user’s face).
  • the extendable lateral ends of the malleable portion may provide a more comfortable fit of the mask around the user’s nose, cheeks, and jaw. Additionally or alternatively, the extendable lateral ends of the malleable portion may assist in creating and/or maintaining separation between the first portion and the second portion.
  • the first portion of the mask may include pinched base the may be configured to be positioned below the user’s nose.
  • first portion 104c of mask 102c may include an additional stitching positioned central to first portion 104c and ventral to the user’s nose when worn.
  • pinched base 300 may be configured to gently pinch and secure the lower portion of the user’s nose in first portion 104c of mask 102c, and enable airflow from a top of mask 102c down through at least one side of mask 102c before entering the user’s nose (i.e., nostrils).
  • the user’s nose may be outlined in first portion 104c with a foam material configured to provide a suction capability around the user’s nose to create a more accurate fit to the user’s facial dimensions.
  • second portion 106c of mask 102c may be configured to be shrinkable around the chin (e.g., conform to the chin) of the user.
  • second portion 106c of mask 102c may be at least partially made from, and/or may include, an elastic material 302. While the elastic material is generally indicated as hem 302, it will be appreciated that the elastic material may include a greater or lesser region of second portion 106c.
  • the elastic material may include materials composed of polyurethane, including constructed fibers such as, e.g., Lycra®, spandex, and elastane.
  • second portion 106c of mask 102c may stretch to fit the dimension of the size and shape of at least a portion of the user’s face (e.g., chin) and, once secured around the perimeter of the user’s face, may revert back to its original form.
  • second portion 106c of mask 102c may be spaced from first portion 104c such that second portion 106c and first portion 104c do not share a seam.
  • second portion 106c may include a fold inlay configured to direct exhaled air downward to the user’s neck area, e.g., which may reduce the likelihood and/or occurrence of contamination spreading between the respective portions of mask 102c.
  • a user may realize at least some degree of protection from any biological and/or non-biological contaminants present in the immediate air around the user (e.g., when other people with certain infections cough, sneeze, or talk, thereby spewing nasal and throat secretions into the air (e.g., airborne particulates and respiratory droplets)).
  • a respiratory protective device consistent with the present disclosure may enable a user to filter and/or deactivate at least a portion of such biological and non-biological contaminants from the nearby air, which is breathed in by the user.
  • the mask may provide a volume around the mouth that is at least partially separated from a volume around the nose.
  • the respective volume around the nose and mouth may, for example, allow a consistent flow of air in through the nose while the mouth exhales into a separate but attached part of the mask. Accordingly, there may be at least some limitation on the mixing of air exhaled through the user’s mouth (which may be relatively higher in CO2 as comparted to inhaled air) and air inhaled through the user’s nose, thereby at least partially reducing the rebreathing of exhaled CO2, among other benefits including reducing the occurrence and/or likelihood of transferring contaminants between the user’s nose and mouth, which is often experienced with most conventional masks.
  • a user utilize a respiratory protective device consistent with the present disclosure to reduce and/or prevent the spread of infectious disease and/or otherwise reduce and/or prevent the inhalation of contaminants.
  • the respiratory protective device may generally include a mask configured to cover the nose and the mouth of the user when the respiratory protective device is worn.
  • the respiratory protective device may further include a first portion and a second portion.
  • the first portion may generally define a fist volume around a nose of the user.
  • the second portion may generally define a second volume around a mouth of the user.
  • a divider may be generally positioned on the mask so as to be generally positioned between the nose and the mouth of the user when the mask is being worn.
  • the divider may be configured to aid in defining the first portion of the mask generally surrounding the nose of the user, and the second portion of the mask generally surrounding the mouth of the user.
  • the user may affix the mask to the user’s face via a retention system extending from one or more regions of the mask.
  • the mask Once affixed the to the user’s face, the mask may provide at least partially separated airways of breathing (e.g., for inhaling and exhaling).
  • the separate airways of breathing may be, at least in part, facilitated via a seal that may, in some implementations, be generally corresponding to the divider between the first portion of the mask and the second portion of the mask.
  • the seal may include, but is not limited to, a rubber-like material that may provide an at least partial seal against a user’s face, which may reduce the level of air being exchanged between the volume around the mouth and the volume around the nose.
  • the first portion of the mask and the second portion of the mask may be configured to be folded away from each other and/or folded away from the face of the user separately from one another.
  • the first portion of the mask may remain over the nose while the second portion of the mask may be folded away to expose the mouth without losing all protection against contaminants and/or contagious air droplets.
  • the portion of the mask that is intended to be disposed over the mouth is folded away (e.g., folded upwardly about the region generally coinciding with the upper lip / region between the upper lip and the nose)
  • the user’s nose may still be protected against inhalation of particles or droplets.
  • the mask may be at least partially made from and/or lined with a filtering material.
  • the filtering material may include one or more fabrics generally covering the mouth and the nose of the user and configured to act as a barrier between airborne contaminants and the user’ s mouth and nose.
  • the respective portions (i.e., first portion and second portion) of the mask may use the same fabric or have a different fabric, depending on the desired protection level and/or other considerations appreciated by a person of skill in the art.
  • the mask may be fitted with an Ultraviolet (UV) light (e.g., of any suitable configuration).
  • UV Ultraviolet
  • UV light is a form of electromagnetic radiation present in sunlight and in specialized lamps, that is capable of sterilizing surfaces with which it comes into contact.
  • a UV light may be affixed to the mask (e.g., sewn into, etc.) such that the user may turn the UV light on (or off, accordingly) to sterilize one or more regions of the mask after the mask has been worn. Accordingly, the mask may be sterilized and subsequently reused several times, thus providing a sustainable alternative to disposable face masks.
  • the first portion of the mask may include and/or may be lined with a filtering material having a substantially equivalent configuration as the first portion of the mask.
  • the second portion of the mask may include and/or may be lined with a filtering material having a substantially equivalent configuration as the second portion of the mask.
  • a filtering material may be integrally-disposed within at least a portion of the mask and may be made up of one or more layers having the same or substantially equivalent outer dimensions of the respective portions (i.e., first portion or second portion) of the mask.
  • the respective portions (i.e., first portion and second portion) of the mask may use the same fabric or may include a different fabric, depending upon the desired protection level and/or other considerations appreciated by a person of skill in the art. Consistent with the foregoing, each of the respective portions of the mask may be fitted with an Ultraviolet (UV) light (e.g., of any suitable configuration).
  • UV Ultraviolet
  • the mask may include a malleable portion fastened between the first portion and the second portion of the mask.
  • the mask may use a divider (e.g., which may include, but is not limited to, an elastic, metal, plastic, and/or other malleable or conformable materials, and/or combinations thereof) to separate the air being used by the mouth from the nose.
  • the mask may additionally and/or alternatively utilize that same region between the user’s mouth and nose to incorporate the malleable and/or conformable portion, which may, in some embodiments, be configured to secure the mask to the face of the user.
  • the malleable feature may at least partially conform to the user’s face between the user’s mouth and nose, thus providing and improved separation of the volume defined by the mask around the mouth and the volume defined by the mask around the nose.
  • the first portion of the mask may include a pinched base positioned below the user’s nose.
  • the pinched base may be configured to gently pinch and secure the lower portion of the user’s nose in the first portion of the mask.
  • the pinched base may be configured to enable airflow from the top of the mask through to at least one side of the mask before entering the user’s nose (i.e., nostrils).
  • first portion 104d and the second portion 106d may be configured as separate components, e.g., in which each of the first portion 104d and the second portion 106d may include separate retention systems (e.g., ear loops, or other suitable retentions systems, as generally discussed herein). As such, the first portion 104d and the second portion 106d may be worn cooperatively, e.g., as generally depicted in FIG. 6. Consistent with related embodiments, the first portion and the second portion may be at least partially connected to one another.
  • first portion 104d and the second portion 106d may be configured as separate components, e.g., in which each of the first portion 104d and the second portion 106d may include separate retention systems (e.g., ear loops, or other suitable retentions systems, as generally discussed herein).
  • the first portion 104d and the second portion 106d may be worn cooperatively, e.g., as generally depicted in FIG. 6. Consistent with related embodiments, the first portion and
  • first portion and the second portion may be connected to one another, e.g., at the generally lateral expanses or edges thereof, and/or may be connected to one another via a common retention system.
  • first portion and the second portion may be connect via common ear loops (or other retention system as generally discussed herein), which may both serve to connect the first portion and the second portion and to retain the first portion and the second portion relative to a user's face.
  • the first portion 104d may generally include a configuration that pinches the nose of the user, and/or otherwise provides an at least partially fitted or contoured shape to the first portion in the region of the nose of the user. Consistent with such an implementation, the lower edge of the first portion may at least partially fit around the nostril region of the nose of the user (e.g., which may include approximating, abutting, and/or at least partially overlying the upper lip of the user).
  • the fitted shape of the lower region of the first portion 104d may tend to direct and/or create an airflow from the top of the first portion coming down and in through the side of the first portion before entering the nostrils of the user, during inhalation via the nose.
  • the shape of the first portion may tend to create an airflow that may be at least partially directed up along the sides of the nose and exiting from an upper region of the first portion.
  • the first portion may be formed from an at least partially air permeable material (such as a filtering material, a fabric, etc.). As such, at least a portion of inhaled air may be drawn through the first portion itself.
  • the second portion 106d may generally include a configuration that may include a fold and spacing in the middle region that may facilitate contouring the second portion around the mouth, face, and/or chin of a user in a manner that may tend to encourage and/or create an airflow of exhaled air from the mouth of the user in a generally downward direction that exit towards and/or below the chin, jawline, and/or neck region of the user.
  • the shape of the second portion may tend to encourage and/or create an airflow in an upward direction, e.g., from a region at and/or below a neck, jawline, and/or chin of the user.
  • the second portion may be formed from an at least partially air permeable material (such as a filtering material, a fabric, etc.). As such, at least a portion of inhaled air may be drawn through the second portion itself.
  • the combination of the foregoing configurations of the first portion 104d and the second portion 106d may at least partially decrease mixing of exhaled air and inhaled air. Accordingly, in some implementations, contamination of inhaled air with exhaled carbon dioxide may be at least partially reduced.
  • the respiratory protective device lOOe may include a first portion 104e and a second portion 106e.
  • the first portion 104e and the second portion 106e may each be generally configured in a similar manner as the first portion 104d and the second portion 106d depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the first portion 104e and the second portion 106e may be at least partially, substantially, and/or fully connected to one another about the interface therebetween (e.g., at a line of junction, contact, and/or intersection as may occur when worn by a user).
  • the respiratory protective device lOOe may include many of the features and configurations as the respiratory protective device lOOd, but may generally be provided as a single assembly.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif protecteur respiratoire pouvant comprendre un masque. Le masque peut comprendre une première partie configurée pour recouvrir au moins partiellement le nez d'un utilisateur lorsque le dispositif protecteur respiratoire est porté. Le masque peut également comprendre une seconde partie configurée pour recouvrir au moins partiellement la bouche d'un utilisateur lorsque le dispositif protecteur respiratoire est porté. Le dispositif protecteur respiratoire peut également comprendre un diviseur associé à une ou plusieurs parmi la première partie et la seconde partie. Le diviseur peut être configuré pour être généralement positionné entre le nez et la bouche de l'utilisateur.
PCT/US2021/034505 2020-05-27 2021-05-27 Dispositif protecteur respiratoire Ceased WO2021243013A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US202063030450P 2020-05-27 2020-05-27
US63/030,450 2020-05-27

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Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20220125132A1 (en) * 2020-10-26 2022-04-28 Beau Murphy Beard wrap device
US11433212B1 (en) * 2021-10-07 2022-09-06 Health Micro Devices Corporation Self-contained face mask system with automatic droplet dispenser for humidification
JP3238600U (ja) * 2022-04-27 2022-08-04 文彬 毛 口と鼻の間の空気流動を遮断できるマスク

Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140245524A1 (en) * 2012-01-24 2014-09-04 Lee Stephens Protective face covering
WO2018199694A1 (fr) * 2017-04-27 2018-11-01 왕종문 Masque
DE202020101745U1 (de) * 2020-03-31 2020-04-08 Wörner Südfrottier e.K. Gesichtsschutz
US20200121005A1 (en) * 2017-05-30 2020-04-23 MPOINTAERO Inc. Surgical masks

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080271740A1 (en) * 2007-05-03 2008-11-06 3M Innovative Properties Company Maintenance-free flat-fold respirator that includes a graspable tab
US20100258130A1 (en) * 2009-04-14 2010-10-14 Kun-Chen Wu Kitchen Mask

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140245524A1 (en) * 2012-01-24 2014-09-04 Lee Stephens Protective face covering
WO2018199694A1 (fr) * 2017-04-27 2018-11-01 왕종문 Masque
US20200121005A1 (en) * 2017-05-30 2020-04-23 MPOINTAERO Inc. Surgical masks
DE202020101745U1 (de) * 2020-03-31 2020-04-08 Wörner Südfrottier e.K. Gesichtsschutz

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