Breathing mask and flushing arrangement for a breathing mask

Abstract

A breathing mask, including a mask body having an inner area; a breathing valve configured to control the flow of breathing gas into the inner area of the mask body, the breathing valve comprising a membrane having an outer surface; and a flushing arrangement, comprising: a flushing area located adjacent the outer surface of the membrane; at least one exhalation chamber configured to receive exhaled air from the inner area of the breathing mask; and at least one channel fluidly connecting the flushing area and the at least one exhalation chamber; wherein, during user inhalation, air from the at least one exhalation chamber flows through the at least one channel into the flushing area, and during user exhalation, air from the flushing area flows through the at least one channel into the at least one exhalation chamber.

Claims

1. A breathing mask, comprising: a mask body having an inner area; a breathing valve configured to control the flow of breathing gas into the inner area of the mask body, the breathing valve comprising a membrane having an outer surface; and a flushing arrangement, comprising: (i) a flushing area located adjacent the outer surface of the membrane; (ii) at least one exhalation chamber configured to receive exhaled air from the inner area of the breathing mask; and (iii) at least one channel fluidly connecting the flushing area and the at least one exhalation chamber; wherein the flushing area and the at least one exhalation chamber are arranged such that, during user inhalation, exhaled air from the at least one exhalation chamber flows through the at least one channel into the flushing area in a first direction, and during user exhalation, the exhaled air from the flushing area flows through the at least one channel into the at least one exhalation chamber in a second direction different from the first direction and opposite to a direction of exhalation through an exhalation valve in order to exit the breathing mask, and wherein the flushing area is flushed with the exhaled air during user inhalation and user exhalation.

2. The breathing mask of claim 1, wherein the membrane is flexible or deformable and configured to flex or deform between an initial position, an inhalation position, and an exhalation position.

3. The breathing mask of claim 2, wherein the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the inhalation position is greater than the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the initial position.

4. The breathing mask of claim 2, wherein the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the exhalation position is smaller than the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the initial position.

5. The breathing mask of claim 2, wherein the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the inhalation position is smaller than the volume of the at least one exhalation chamber.

6. The breathing mask of claim 1, further comprising at least one tensioning element configured to urge against at least one of the following: the membrane, at least one exhalation valve configured to facilitate one-way airflow from the inner area of the breathing mask into the at least one exhalation chamber, or any combination thereof.

7. The breathing mask of claim 1, wherein the flushing area is defined by at least a portion of the outer surface of the membrane and at least a portion of a cover.

8. The breathing mask of claim 1, further comprising at least one exhalation valve configured to facilitate one-way airflow from the inner area of the breathing mask into the at least one exhalation chamber.

9. The breathing mask of claim 1, wherein the exhalation chamber further comprises at least one exhalation opening through which exhaled air in the exhalation chamber flows to an outside environment.

10. A flushing arrangement for a breathing mask having a breathing valve with a membrane for controlling inhalation and exhalation, the flushing arrangement comprising: a flushing area located adjacent an outer surface of the membrane; at least one exhalation chamber configured to receive exhaled air from the breathing mask; and at least one channel fluidly connecting the flushing area and the at least one exhalation chamber; wherein the flushing area and the at least one exhalation chamber are arranged such that, during user inhalation, exhaled air from the at least one exhalation chamber flows through the at least one channel into the flushing area in a first direction, and during user exhalation, the exhaled air from the flushing area flows through the at least one channel into the at least one exhalation chamber in a second direction different from the first direction and opposite to a direction of exhalation through an exhalation valve in order to exit the breathing mask, and wherein the flushing area is flushed with the exhaled air during user inhalation and user exhalation.

11. The flushing arrangement of claim 10, wherein the flushing area is defined by at least a portion of the outer surface of the membrane and at least a portion of a cover.

12. The flushing arrangement of claim 11, wherein the cover is integral with or connectable to at least a portion of the breathing valve of the breathing mask.

13. The flushing arrangement of claim 10, wherein the membrane is flexible or deformable and configured to flex or deform between an initial position, an inhalation position, and an exhalation position.

14. The flushing arrangement of claim 13, wherein the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the inhalation position is greater than the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the initial position.

15. The flushing arrangement of claim 13, wherein the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the exhalation position is smaller than the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the initial position.

16. The flushing arrangement of claim 13, wherein the volume of the flushing area when the membrane is in the inhalation position is smaller than the volume of the at least one exhalation chamber.

17. The flushing arrangement of claim 10, further comprising at least one tensioning element configured to urge against at least one of the following: the membrane, at least one exhalation valve configured to facilitate one-way airflow from an inner area of the breathing mask into the at least one exhalation chamber, or any combination thereof.

18. The flushing arrangement of claim 10, further comprising at least one exhalation valve configured to facilitate one-way airflow from an inner area of the breathing mask into the at least one exhalation chamber.

19. The flushing arrangement of claim 10, wherein the exhalation chamber further comprises at least one exhalation opening through which exhaled air in the exhalation chamber flows to an outside environment.

20. The flushing arrangement of claim 10, wherein the volume of the at least one exhalation chamber is in the range of about 10 cm.sup.3 to about 30 cm.sup.3.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Some of the advantages and features of the preferred aspects or embodiments of the invention have been summarized herein above. These embodiments, along with other potential aspects or embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art when referencing the following drawings in conjunction with the detailed descriptions as they relate to the figures.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of one embodiment of a breathing mask according to the principles of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the breathing mask of FIG. 1 during user inhalation;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the breathing mask of FIG. 1 during user exhalation; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a breathing mask according to the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end”, “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step or stage sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments or aspects of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

(7) The present invention is directed to a breathing mask 100 and a flushing arrangement 200 for such a breathing mask 100, as illustrated in certain preferred and non-limiting embodiments or aspects and in schematic form in FIGS. 1-4.

(8) With reference to FIG. 1, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the breathing mask 100 includes a mask body 1 having an inner area 20 in which the user's face is positioned. Breathing gas, e.g., breathing air, is supplied from a gas supply (not shown), which is part of a compressed-air breathing apparatus (or self-contained breathing apparatus). In particular, breathing air is supplied to the inner area 20 from a pressure line 3, e.g., a medium-pressure line, and through a breathing valve 2.

(9) The breathing valve 2 is configured to control (or throttle) the flow of breathing gas into the inner area 20 of the mask body 1. The breathing valve 2 is connected to the mask body 1 in a variety of known manners, e.g., frictional engagement, screw connections, plug connections, bayonet connections, and the like. An inhalation valve 6 is positioned in the connection region between the breathing valve 2 and the mask body 1, and this inhalation valve provides for one-way gas flow into the inner area 20 of the mask body 1.

(10) Further, the breathing valve 2 includes a membrane 4 with an outer surface 22. In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, this membrane 4 is flexible, movable, or deformable, such that the membrane 4 is configured to flex or deform between an initial position FIG. 1), an inhalation position (FIG. 2; during user inhalation), and an exhalation position (FIG. 3; during user exhalation).

(11) The breathing mask 100 includes the flushing arrangement 200, which, in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, has a flushing area 10 located or defined adjacent the outer surface 22 of the membrane 4. Further, at least one exhalation chamber 11 is provided and configured to receive exhaled air from the inner area 20 of the mask body 1 of the breathing mask 100. At least one channel 12 fluidly connects the flushing area 10 and the at least one exhalation chamber 11. In operation, and during user inhalation (FIG. 2), air from the at least one exhalation chamber 11 flows through the at least one channel 12 into the flushing area 10 as a result of the inhaled air following the path A-B-C, i.e., through the pressure line 3, the breathing valve 2, and the inhalation valve 6 into the inner area 20. In operation, and during user exhalation (FIG. 3), air from the flushing area 10 flows through the at least one channel 12 into the at least one exhalation chamber 11 as a result of the exhaled air following the path D-E-G, i.e., through at least one exhalation valve 7 (configured to facilitate one-way airflow from the inner area 20), through the at least one exhalation chamber 11, and to the outside environment (U) (via at least one exhalation opening 8). The flushing arrangement 200 may also be configured in an airtight manner, such that the exhaled air is only capable of exiting the breathing mask 100 via the at least one exhalation opening 8 and in to the outside environment (U).

(12) In this manner, a pendular flow (F) is created between the at least one exhalation chamber 11 and the flushing area 10 through the at least one channel 12. In particular, at least a portion of the exhaled air alternates between the at least one exhalation chamber 11 and the flushing area 10. It is envisioned that a plurality of exhalation chambers 11, which may or may not have different volumes and/or shared volumes, can also be provided and positioned in fluid communication with the flushing area 10.

(13) In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the flushing area 10 is defined by at least a portion of the outer surface 22 of the membrane 4 and at least a portion of a cover 9 (or cap). This cover 9 may be integral with or connectable to at least a portion of the breathing valve 2 of the breathing mask 100. Further, the cover 9 serves to protect the membrane 4 and shields the flushing area 10 from the outside environment (U).

(14) As discussed above, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect where the membrane 4 is flexible or deformable (and therefore, moves between the initial position, the inhalation position, and the exhalation position), the flushing area 10 has a variable volume. Accordingly, the volume of the flushing area 10 when the membrane 4 is in the inhalation position (FIG. 2) is greater than the volume of the flushing area 10 when the membrane 4 is in the initial position (FIG. 1), and the volume of the flushing area 10 when the membrane 4 is in the exhalation position (FIG. 3) is smaller than the volume of the flushing area 10 when the membrane 4 is in the initial position.

(15) With reference to FIG. 2, which illustrates user inhalation, when the membrane 4 moves or flexes “in”, i.e., from the initial position to the inhalation position (or towards the direction of the inhalation valve 6), the volume of the flushing area 10 increases. Accordingly, and during user inhalation, airflows from the at least one exhalation chamber 11 to the flushing area 10, as represented by arrow F. With reference to FIG. 3, which illustrates user exhalation, when the membrane moves or flexes “out”, i.e., from the initial position (as the membrane 4 transitions from the inhalation position), the volume of the flushing area 10 decreases. Accordingly, and during user exhalation, airflows from the flushing area 10 to the at least one exhalation chamber 11, as represented by arrow F. This pendular (or back-and-forth) airflow over the membrane 4 serves to flush or ventilate the membrane 4 using exhaled air, as opposed to the use of air from the outside environment (U).

(16) In order to improve airflow and ventilation, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the volume of the flushing area 10 when the membrane 4 is in the inhalation position is smaller than the volume of the at least one exhalation chamber 11, i.e., the volume of at least one exhalation chamber 11 is always greater than the volume of the flushing area 10. This volume differential beneficially enhances airflow and ventilation in the flushing area 10. In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the volume of the at least one exhalation chamber 11 is in the range of about 10 cm.sup.3 to about 30 cm.sup.3, and in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the volume of the at least one exhalation chamber 11 is in the range of about 10 cm.sup.3 to about 20 cm.sup.3.

(17) In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the breathing mask 100 and flushing arrangement 200 include at least one tensioning element 24 referred to collectively as “tensioning elements 24”). Tensioning elements 24 may be arranged or configured to urge against, e.g., pretension, urge in a specified direction, and the like, certain elements of the breathing mask 100 and/or flushing arrangement 200. Such an arrangement provides for increased air pressure to be maintained in the inner area 20 of the mask body 1 of the breathing mask 100. In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, a first tensioning element 13 and a second tensioning element 14 are provided, where the first tensioning element 13 urges the exhalation valve 7 into a closed or sealed position, and the second tensioning element 14 urges the membrane 4 towards the “in” or inhalation position.

(18) For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, features and advantages of the invention have been described. It is herein to be understood that not all advantages of this invention can be achieved in relation to any particular embodiment. As such, the invention can be embodied in configurations to optimize one or various advantages. Applications of the invention can be indicated for any one advantage, or combination of advantages, as indicated for implementation.

(19) While several embodiments of the breathing mask and flushing arrangement are shown in the accompanying figures and described hereinabove in detail, other embodiments will be apparent to, and readily made by, those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it is to be understood that this disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive.