BREATHING HALF MASK AND PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A BREATHING HALF MASK

Abstract

A breathing half mask, which can be brought by a folding operation from a storage state into a use state. A mouth area is arranged between a nose area (11) with a nose sealing line (41) and a chin area (12) with a chin sealing line (42). A first connection section (14.1, 14.2) connects the nose area (11) and/or the chin area (12) to the mouth area. A second connection section (15.1, 15.2) connects the nose area (11) and/or the chin area (12) to another mask area (10) in order to limit the nose sealing line (41) and/or the chin sealing line (42). The second connection section (15.1, 15.2) extends a distance from an edge of the nose area (11) and/or from an edge of the chin area (12) between the first connection section (14.1, 14.2) and the nose sealing line (41) and/or the chin sealing line (42).

Claims

1. Breathing half mask for protection against particles, aerosols and/or odors, wherein the breathing half mask can be brought by at least one folding operation from a storage state into a use state, the breathing half mask comprising: a nose area with a nose sealing line; a chin area with a chin sealing line; a mouth area arranged between the nose area and the chin area for defining a breathing space in a use state of the breathing half mask, the nose area, the chin area and the mouth area serving as three mask areas; a first connection section, which connects the nose area and/or the chin area to the mouth area and forms a folding area for the folding operation; and a second connection section, which connects the nose area and/or the chin area to at least one of the other mask areas and which limits a length of the nose sealing line and/or a length of the chin sealing line, wherein the second connection section extends at least partially over an area of the nose area and/or over an area of the chin area at a distance from an edge of the nose area and/or from an edge of the chin area between the first connection section and the nose sealing line and/or the chin sealing line.

2. Breathing half mask in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second connection section connects the nose sealing line and/or the chin sealing line to the mouth area such that the length of the nose sealing line and/or the length of the chin sealing line are limited.

3. Breathing half mask in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second connection section connects the nose sealing line to the chin sealing line such that the length of the nose sealing line and the length of the chin sealing line are limited.

4. Breathing half mask in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second connection section connects the nose area, the chin area and the mouth area to one another.

5. Breathing half mask in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second connection line is arranged at most in the use state at right angles or obliquely or essentially at right angles to a horizontal extension of the breathing half mask in the use state.

6. Breathing half mask in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second connection section is configured by at least one connection materially-bonded, comprised at least by a welded-in plastic part and/or at least by a mechanical clamp.

7. Breathing half mask in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second connection section is arranged at a distance of 1% to 30% of a length of the breathing half mask from a first longitudinal end or from the second longitudinal end, wherein the length from a first longitudinal end of the breathing half mask to a second longitudinal end of the breathing half mask, which latter end is located opposite the first longitudinal end, is measured in the direction of a horizontal extension of the breathing half mask in the use state.

8. Breathing half mask in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a third connection section arranged next to the second connection section such that the third connection section further limits the length of the nose sealing line and/or the length of the chin sealing line.

9. Process for manufacturing a breathing half mask for protection against particles, aerosols and/or odors, wherein the breathing half mask can be brought by at least one folding operation from a storage state into a use state, the process comprising the steps of: providing a nose area with a nose sealing line, a chin area with a chin sealing line and the mouth area arranged between the nose area and the chin area for defining a breathing space, the nose area, the chin area, and the mouth area serving as three mask areas; connecting the nose area and/or the chin area to the mouth area by means of a first connection section such that the first connection section connects the nose area and/or the chin area to the mouth area and forms a folding area for the folding operation; and connecting the nose area and/or the chin area to at least one of the other mask areas by means of a second connection section such that a length of the nose sealing line and/or a length of the chin sealing line are limited.

10. A breathing half mask for protection against particles, aerosols and/or odors, wherein the breathing half mask can be brought by at least one folding operation from a storage state into a use state, the breathing half mask comprising: a nose area with a nose sealing line; a chin area with a chin sealing line; a mouth area arranged between the nose area and the chin area for defining a breathing space in a use state of the breathing half mask, the nose area, the chin area and the mouth area serving as three mask areas; a first connection section, which connects the nose area and/or the chin area to the mouth area and forms a folding area for the folding operation; a second connection section, which connects the nose area and/or the chin area to at least one of the other mask areas and which limits a length of the nose sealing line and/or a length of the chin sealing line, wherein the second connection section extends at least partially over an area of the nose area and/or over an area of the chin area at a distance from an edge of the nose area and/or from an edge of the chin area between the first connection section and the nose sealing line and/or the chin sealing line, wherein the breathing half mask is formed by the steps of: providing the nose area, the chin area and the mouth area, arranged between the nose area and the chin area for defining a breathing space; connecting the nose area and/or the chin area to the mouth area by means of the first connection section such that the first connection section connects the nose area and/or the chin area to the mouth area and forms a folding area for the folding operation; and connecting the nose area and/or the chin area to at least one of the other mask areas by means of the second connection section such that the length of the nose sealing line and/or the length of the chin sealing line are limited,

11. A breathing mask in accordance with claim 10, wherein the second connection section connects the nose sealing line and/or the chin sealing line to the mouth area such that the length of the nose sealing line and/or the length of the chin sealing line are limited.

12. A breathing mask in accordance with claim 10, wherein the second connection section connects the nose sealing line to the chin sealing line such that the length of the nose sealing line and the length of the chin sealing line are limited.

13. A breathing mask in accordance with claim 10, wherein the second connection section connects the nose area, the chin area and the mouth area to one another.

14. A breathing mask in accordance with claim 10, wherein the second connection line is arranged at most in the use state at right angles or obliquely or essentially at right angles to a horizontal extension of the breathing half mask in the use state.

15. A breathing mask in accordance with claim 10, wherein the second connection section is configured by at least one connection in substance, comprised by a welded-in plastic part and/or at least by a mechanical clamp.

16. A breathing mask in accordance with claim 10, wherein the second connection section is arranged at a distance of 1% to 30% of a length of the breathing half mask from a first longitudinal end or from the second longitudinal end, wherein the length from a first longitudinal end of the breathing half mask to a second longitudinal end of the breathing half mask, which latter end is located opposite the first longitudinal end, is measured in a direction of a horizontal extension of the breathing half mask in the use state.

17. A breathing mask in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a third connection section arranged next to the second connection section such that the third connection section further limits the length of the nose sealing line and/or the length of the chin sealing line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] In the drawings:

[0040] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of an exemplary embodiment of a breathing half mask according to the present invention applied by a user in the use state;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a top view of mask areas at a process step of an exemplary embodiment of the process according to the present invention for manufacturing a breathing half mask;

[0042] FIG. 3a is a top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a breathing half mask according to the present invention in the storage state;

[0043] FIG. 3b is a detail view of the first exemplary embodiment of a breathing half mask according to the present invention from FIG. 3a;

[0044] FIG. 4a is a top view of a second exemplary embodiment of a breathing half mask according to the present invention in the storage state;

[0045] FIG. 4b is a detail view of the second exemplary embodiment of the breathing half mask according to the present invention from FIG. 4a; and

[0046] FIG. 5 is a top view of the second exemplary embodiment of a breathing half mask according to the present invention from FIG. 4a in the use state.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Referring to the drawings, elements having the same function and mode of operation are always designated by the same reference numbers in FIGS. 1 through 5.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention in its use state 3 during use by a user 100. The breathing half mask 1 shown is a horizontally foldable breathing half mask 1. The breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention has in this exemplary embodiment three mask areas 10. The three mask areas 10 are a nose area 11, a chin area 12 as well as a mouth area 13. The nose area 11, the chin area 12 and the mouth area 13 extend along a horizontal extension of the breathing half mask 1, which follows a broken line. The nose area 11, the chin area 12 and the mouth area 13 are arranged in a vertical direction relative to one another. The mask areas 10 may have especially textile filter materials or may consist of textile filter materials, for example, nonwovens. Mechanical and/or electrostatic and/or triboelectric filter materials may be used, especially for the mouth area 13, to provide a filter property. The entire breathing half mask 1 can be attached to the head of a user 100 by means of a holding band 4, which is arranged at the mouth area 13 of the breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention. The nose and the mouth of the user 100 can be securely covered in this manner by a breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention, and a breathing space 43 can be defined in front of the mouth and the nose of the user 100 especially by the mouth area 13. The nose area 11 has a nose sealing line 41 for better sealing against the user 100, and the chin area 12 has a corresponding chin sealing line 42. First connection sections 14.1, 14.2, which also form over a part of their length at the same time a folding area 40 for a folding operation from a storage state 2 (not shown) into the shown use state 3 of the breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention, make it possible to connect the individual mask areas 10. The mask areas 10 are preferably welded to one another at these first connection sections 14.1, 14.2.

[0049] A nose reinforcement 20 and a chin reinforcement 30 are provided in this exemplary embodiment at the mouth area 13, which is preferred but not necessary for the embodiment of the present invention. The nose reinforcement 20 and the chin reinforcement 30 are preferably formed in one piece with the rest of the mouth area 13. Both the nose reinforcement 20 and the chin reinforcement 30 are arranged in this embodiment shown on a surface of the nose area 11 and of the chin area 12 facing away from the breathing space 43. The nose reinforcement 20 and the chin reinforcement 30 extend each overlapping with the nose area 11 and with the chin area 12 and preferably have a higher stiffness than the respective covered nose area 11 or chin area 12. The nose reinforcement 20 may also be connected permanently, for example, especially welded, to the nose area 11 and the chin reinforcement may be connected to the chin area 12. Due to the presence of the nose reinforcement 20 and of the chin reinforcement 30, a higher stiffness can be provided for the entire breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention. This increased stiffness may also be provided already by the simple presence of either the nose reinforcement 20 or alternatively of the chin reinforcement 30. The folding operation from the storage state 2 into the use state 3 of a breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention may also be supported by the nose reinforcement 20 and by the chin reinforcement 30. Folding up of the breathing half mask 1 from its use state 3 back into the storage state 2 can be prevented or at least made rather difficult by the presence of the nose reinforcement 20 and of the chin reinforcement 30. Further, the defined breathing space 43 can be increased in an especially simple manner by the nose reinforcement 20 and by the chin reinforcement 30, as a result of which the wear comfort for the user 100 can be increased, on the whole, with the use of a breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows mask areas at a process step of an exemplary embodiment of the process according to the present invention for manufacturing a breathing half mask 1. The individual mask areas 10, especially the nose area 11, the mouth area 13 as well as the chin area 12 are already arranged vertically. Respective adjacent mask areas 10 are connected to one another at least partially by welding at their respective first connection sections 14.1, 14.2. It is clearly visible here that the nose reinforcement 20 and the chin reinforcement 30, which have at least essentially a triangular or trapezoid shape in this embodiment, extend overlapping over the nose area 11 and the chin area 12, respectively. At the same time, the nose reinforcement 20 and the chin reinforcement 30 are not necessary for the present invention, especially not for connecting the mask areas 10 to one another. The remaining sections of the first connection sections 14.1, 14.2 can also be connected to one another, especially welded together, by a slight folding up, made possible especially by one embodiment. This slight folding up is made possible, for example, by at least a part of the connection sections 14.1, 14.2 being configured each as a folding area 40. It is also clearly visible in this view that the individual mask areas 10 are preferably configured as one-piece mask sections. An especially simple manufacturing step in the process for manufacturing a breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention can be made possible in this manner.

[0051] FIG. 3a shows a first exemplary embodiment of a breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention in the storage state 2. The nose area 11 and the chin area 12 were folded vertically in the direction of the mouth area 13 in the breathing half mask 1 shown, so that the nose area 11 and the chin area 12 cover the mouth area 13. The nose area 11 partially covers here the chin area 12 in an area around the nose sealing line 41.2. In other words, the nose area 11 is folded over the chin area 12. A reversed folding of the chin area 12 over the nose area 11 is also possible in the storage state 2.

[0052] The length of the nose sealing line 41 as well as the length of the chin sealing line 42 are limited by two second connection sections 15.1, 15.2. The two second connection sections 15.1, 15.2 extend each over an area of the nose area 11 and over an area of the chin area 12 at a distance from an edge of the nose area 11 and from an edge of the chin area 12, especially from the first longitudinal end A and from the second longitudinal end B of the breathing half mask 1, between the two first connection sections 14.1, 14.2 and the nose sealing line 41 as well as the chin sealing line 42. The two first connection sections 15.1, 15.2 connect the nose sealing line 41.1 and the chin sealing line 41.2 to one another. The two second connection sections 15.1, 15.2 have a transverse configuration in relation to the horizontal extension H of the breathing half mask 1.

[0053] The two second connection sections 15.1, 15.2 divide the nose sealing line 41 and the chin sealing line 42 especially into an unusable nose sealing line 41.1 and an unusable chin sealing line 42.1, which are indicated by broken lines here, and into a usable nose sealing line 41.2 and a usable chin sealing line 42.2. The unusable nose sealing line 41.1 and the unusable chin sealing line 42.1 are limited each in the direction of one of the longitudinal ends A, B by the two first connection sections 14.1, 14.2 and in the direction of the center of the breathing half mask 1 by the two second connection sections 15.1, 15.2. The usable nose sealing line 41.2 and the usable chin sealing line 42.2 are limited by the second connections sections 15.1, 15.2. Unlike the unusable nose sealing line 41.1 and the unusable chin sealing line 42.1, the usable nose sealing line 41.2 and the usable chin sealing line 42.2 can be used in the use state 2 of the breathing half mask 1 for defining the breathing space 43 and are placed sealingly on the parts of the face of the user 100. The two second connection sections 15.1, 15.2 preferably shorten the nose sealing line 41 and the chin sealing line 42 to the usable nose sealing line 41.2 and to the usable chin sealing line 42.2 in the use state 2 of the breathing half mask 1 by the unusable nose sealing line 41.1 and by the unusable chin sealing line 42.1 in the storage state 3 of the breathing half mask 1.

[0054] FIG. 3b shows in an enlarged view a detail of the breathing half mask 1 from

[0055] FIG. 3a. The area of the second longitudinal end B of the breathing half mask 1 can be seen. The unusable chin sealing lines 41.1, 42.1 can additionally be connected by an additional connection section, for example, a welding, to one another and especially also to the mouth area 13 both on the second longitudinal end B and on the first longitudinal end A of the breathing half mask.

[0056] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b show a second exemplary embodiment of a breathing half mask 1 according to the present invention in the storage state 2. Unlike in the first exemplary embodiment from FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, the breathing half mask 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment has two third connection sections 16.1, 16.2. The two third connection sections 16.1, 16.2 are arranged each next to the respective connection section of the two second connection sections 15.1, 15.2 such that the two third connection sections 16.1, 16.2 further limit the length of the nose sealing line 41 and the length of the chin sealing line 42. The lengths of the unusable nose sealing line 41.1 and of the unusable chin sealing line 41.2 are increased and the lengths of the usable nose sealing line 41.2 and of the usable chin sealing line 42.2 are shortened. The extension of the two third connection sections 16.1, 16.2 in the vertical direction and in the direction of the horizontal extension H is greater here than that of the two second connection sections 15.1, 15.2. One each of the two third connection sections 16.1, 16.2 is arranged in the direction from the center of the breathing half mask 1 towards the longitudinal ends A, B of the breathing half mask 1 in front of one of the two second connection sections 15.1, 15.2 and at a distance from the respective second connection section 15.1, 15.2. The third connection sections 16.1, 16.2 in the present exemplary embodiment are weld seams, while the second connection sections 15.1, 15.2 are welded-in plastic parts.

[0057] The second exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b shows especially a shape of a breathing half mask 1, in which the geometry of the breathing space 43 is set by means of the second connection sections 15.1, 15.2. Only the two third connection sections 16.1, 16.2 are intended to limit the length of the nose sealing line 41 and the length of the chin sealing line 42 and thus they reduce the size of the breathing half mask 1 from, for example, a size XL without the third connection sections 16.1,16.2 to a size M with the third connection sections 16.1, 16.2.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows the breathing half mask 1 from FIG. 4a and from FIG. 4b in a view in which the breathing half mask 1 is brought from the storage state 2 into the use state 3. The two arrows at the usable nose sealing line 41.2 and at the usable chin sealing line 42.2 show how the breathing half mask 1 is brought into the use state 3 by folding up the nose area 11 and the chin area 12. The breathing space 43 is defined in the mouth area 13. As can be seen, the nose sealing line 41 and the chin sealing line 42 are limited to the usable nose sealing line 41.2 and to the usable chin sealing line 42.2 by the third connection sections 16.1, 16.2. Only the usable nose sealing line 41.2 and the usable chin sealing line 42.2 can be folded up in order to define the breathing space 43 and to bring it into contact with the parts of the face of the user 100. By folding up the breathing half mask 1 even more, the breathing half mask 1 is brought finally into the use state 2 shown in FIG. 1, wherein the longitudinal ends A, B of the breathing half mask 1 move towards one another due to the folding up.

[0059] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0060] 1 Breathing half mask

[0061] 2 Storage state

[0062] 3 Use state

[0063] 4 Holding band

[0064] 5 Fastening element

[0065] 10 Mask area

[0066] 11 Nose area

[0067] 12 Chin area

[0068] 13 Mouth area

[0069] 14 First connection section

[0070] 15 Second connection section

[0071] 16 Third connection section

[0072] 20 Nose reinforcement

[0073] 30 Chin reinforcement

[0074] 40 Folding area

[0075] 41 Nose sealing line

[0076] 41.1 Unusable nose sealing line

[0077] 41.2 Usable nose sealing line

[0078] 42 Chin sealing line

[0079] 42.1 Unusable chin sealing line

[0080] 42.2 Usable chin sealing line

[0081] 43 Breathing space

[0082] 100 User

[0083] A First longitudinal end

[0084] B Second longitudinal end

[0085] H Horizontal extension