RESPIRATORY MASK

Abstract

The multifunctional respiratory mask according to the invention for separating fine dust, pollen and/or viruses from breathing air has a shielding device that forms an outer and/or inner air chamber in the face region of a wearer and shields it from the environment against fine dust, pollen and/or viruses. In addition, a forehead bracket is provided having a housing arranged in the region of the forehead of the wearer and having two holding brackets, each formed laterally thereon, in the manner of eyeglass temples. A connecting line connects the housing with the air chamber closest to the face of the wearer, wherein at least one blower integrated into an air duct, a power supply, and a textile filter element are arranged in the housing. In addition, a metal plate filter element is arranged in the air duct, which forms a filter unit with the textile filter element, wherein the metal plate filter element and the textile filter element are arranged to be individually exchangeable in the housing and the power supply applies a voltage to the metal plate filter element by means of a switch or disconnects it therefrom and/or, when switched on, heats it to a temperature of at least 60° C.

Claims

1. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) for separating fine dust, pollen and/or viruses from breathing air, the multifunctional respiratory mask comprising: a shielding device which forms an outer and/or inner air chamber (22) in the face region of a wearer and shields it from the environment against fine dust, pollen and/or viruses; a forehead bracket (3) having a housing (4) arranged in the region of the forehead of the wearer and having two holding brackets (5), each formed laterally thereon, in the manner of eyeglass temples; a connecting conduit (6) connecting the housing (4) to the air chamber (22) closest to the wearer's face, wherein at least one blower (8) integrated into an air duct (7), a power supply (9) and a textile filter element (10) are arranged in the housing (4); a metal plate filter element (12) is arranged in the air duct (7), which forms a filter unit (10, 12) with the textile filter element (10), wherein the metal plate filter element (12) and the textile filter element (10) each are individually exchangeably arranged in the housing (4); and the power supply (9) applies a voltage to the metal plate filter element (12) by means of a switch (13) or disconnects it therefrom and/or, when switched on, heats it to a temperature of at least 60° C.

2. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate filter element (12) has a virus-killing disinfectant coating.

3. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shielding device for forming the air chamber has a dome-shaped breathing mask (2) resting on the face region of a wearer and covering it.

4. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shielding device has a visor (25) which shields the wearer's field of vision from the surroundings.

5. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 4, wherein the shielding device has sealing means for forming the air chamber, which sealing means are arranged between the visor (25) and the wearer.

6. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 4, wherein the visor (25) is attached to the forehead bracket (3) or to a visor holder (19).

7. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 4, wherein the sealing means are arranged between the visor (25) and the head, neck and/or torso of the wearer.

8. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 4, wherein a fastening device (26) for the sealing means designed as a bib-shaped filter cloth (27) for sealing the neck of the wearer is fastened to the underside of the visor (25) and the visor (25) is sealed in the region of the ears by means of sealing bodies (29), in particular made of foam.

9. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein a shell-shaped helmet part designed as head protection can be attached to the top of the forehead bracket (3) and/or to the lateral holding brackets (5).

10. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 3, wherein the respiratory mask (2) is designed without filter elements.

11. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein the respiratory mask (1) has a pressure-controlled exhalation valve (11) which opens when the wearer exhales.

12. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein the textile filter element (10) is a mesh made of polyester as a monofilament and has a mesh size of 0.5 to 150 μm, in particular 0.5 to 15 μm.

13. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate filter element (12) is a sintered metal plate and has a filter fineness of 1 to 15 μm, in particular 1 to 5 μm.

14. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein a control device (14) is arranged in the housing (4), by means of which the power supply (9) of the at least one blower (8) and/or the metal plate filter element (12) and/or its switch (13) is or are controllable.

15. Multifunctional respiratory mask (1) according to claim 1, wherein a nose bracket (15) is formed on the lateral retaining brackets (5) of the forehead bracket (3), which extends from one of the retaining brackets (5) over a region below the nose to the other of the holding brackets (5) and thus counteracts slipping of the forehead bracket (3) when worn.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Further advantages, details and embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the drawing. In the drawings,

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a complete multifunctional respiratory mask according to the invention worn by a wearer;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a forehead bracket as an essential part of the multifunctional respiratory mask according to FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 3 shows, in a schematic representation, a plan view of the forehead bracket according to FIG. 2;

[0050] FIG. 4 is a representation of how a wearer wears the forehead bracket of the multifunctional respiratory mask;

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a respiratory mask with a nose bracket for its additional attachment;

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a respiratory mask placed on a nose and mouth region in the form of a nose and mouth mask, which is attached to the forehead bracket (not shown) with an additional holding bracket;

[0053] FIG. 7 shows a tube section which is guided into the nose region of a wearer as an extension of the tube connection;

[0054] FIG. 8 shows a front view of a respiratory mask designed as a nose mask with an exhalation valve;

[0055] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a nose mask with laterally arranged fastening openings; and

[0056] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a multifunctional respiratory mask.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a complete multifunctional respiratory mask 1 put on by a wearer. The main components of the multifunctional respiratory mask 1 according to the invention are a forehead bracket 3 with holding brackets 5 integrally connected to it and a housing for receiving filter elements for cleaning the breathing air and possibly other devices required for cleaning the breathing air. In the nose and mouth region, a respiratory mask 2 is put on, which is designed as a dome-shaped mouthguard adapter, possibly also in the form of a paper mask, so that its edge region rests substantially on the skin of the face or hugs it and thus forms an air chamber 22 and reliably and tightly covers the nose and mouth area to a certain extent. A nose bracket 15 is attached to the holding bracket 5, which is placed over the respiratory mask 2 and holds it so that the respiratory mask 1 consisting of forehead bracket 3, respiratory mask 2 and nose bracket 15 is reliably connected to form a unit. It is shown that the nose bracket 15 runs over the respiratory mask 2 and, so to speak, presses it firmly against the nose and mouth region of a wearer, for example by the tension from an additional fastening in the form of a band or rubber. In addition, there is a cavity in the interior of the nose bracket, so to speak as a tube connection, via which breathing air purified in the forehead bracket can be supplied to the interior of the respiratory mask for inhalation.

[0058] In addition, a removable visor holder 19 is arranged below the forehead bracket 3, spanning it in an arc. This detachable visor holder 19 makes it possible to attach a visor if necessary and to hold the attached multifunctional respiratory mask 1 in its shape, so that it does not slip and cannot easily be lost by the wearer. The holding brackets 5 are designed, based on the head size of a wearer, so that they can be pressed against the side head region from the temples to the side head region above the ears under pressing force and can also be attached to the back of the head with a band or rubber. This pressing force is dimensioned in such a way that the mask does not exert a high pressure that is uncomfortable for the wearer, but is held securely on the wearer's head to prevent slippage and loss.

[0059] An essential difference to conventional masks is that the actual respiratory mask 2, which covers the nose and mouth region, usually does not contain any filter elements, but rather, in connection with a hose connection or tube connection, feeds the interior of the respiratory mask 2, shown without exhalation valve 11, fresh, purified air for the wearer. The filter elements and other devices for optimal operation and optimal function of the multifunctional respiratory mask 1 are accommodated in the housing 4 of the forehead bracket 3. The housing 4 of the forehead bracket 3 has a grill cover 17 on its front. This grill cover 17 offers sufficient free cross-sections through which outside air is sucked in by the breathing of the wearer and is inhaled by the wearer. Two blowers or ventilators are provided behind the grill cover 17, wherein both fans 8 are provided for the inhaled air (see FIGS. 2 and 3). These fans 8 are arranged in the forehead bracket 3, expediently in at least one holding bracket 5, in which their power supply is also accommodated. Inside the housing 4 of the forehead bracket 3 and the holding bracket 5, internal channels, the inhalation channels 7 coming from the blowers 8, are provided, which lead via the corresponding tube connections or the hose connections 6 to the interior of the respiratory mask 2. Furthermore, a control device 14 is integrated into the housing 4 of the forehead bracket 3 (see FIG. 2), via which the speed and thus the volume flow of the integrated blower 8 can be regulated. A textile filter element 10 (see FIG. 3) is arranged behind the blower 8 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), which is provided essentially for filtering out fine dust, pollen, etc. In addition, in this embodiment, behind the textile filter element 10, a metal plate filter element 12 is provided in the inhalation direction, which can also be connected to the power supply consisting of batteries or accumulators. This metal plate filter element 12 can be connected to the power supply so that it is heated to a temperature in the range of 60° C. or above, so that viruses do not pass through this metal plate filter element 12 because they are killed by the high temperatures. It is equally possible to apply current to this metal plate filter element 12, which has a voltage of approximately 1 V to 1.5 V, which is sufficient that if the viruses come into contact with the metal plate filter element 12, they are killed by the current flow. An integrated switch 13 (also not shown) is also arranged in the housing 4.

[0060] It is essential in the multifunctional respiratory mask according to the invention that, depending on the intended use, either both the textile filter element 10 and the metal plate filter element 12 can be arranged in the housing 4, or it is also possible that only one of the two filter elements 10, 12 is arranged therein. If, for example, this multifunctional respiratory mask is intended mainly or exclusively for eliminating viruses, at least the metal plate filter element 12 will in any case be inserted into the corresponding frame in the housing 4. If the multifunctional respiratory mask 1 is to be used for filtering fine dust and/or pollen, then at least the textile filter element 10 will be used.

[0061] If the multifunctional respiratory mask is used to clean the breathing air of fine dust, pollen and viruses, both filter elements, i.e. the textile filter element 10 and the metal plate/filter element 12, are inserted in the respective frame within the housing 4 of the forehead bracket 3.

[0062] In FIG. 2, a forehead bracket 3 of the multifunctional respiratory mask 1 according to the invention is shown in a three-dimensional view. In this forehead bracket 3, the grill cover 17 (see FIG. 1) is removed. Integral with the housing 4, holding brackets 5 are provided on each side in the manner of eyeglass temples which are under mechanical tension. When the forehead bracket has been put on by a wearer, these holding brackets 5 press on the sides of the head firmly enough that the forehead bracket 3 is held, but cannot slip too easily or even get lost. Since it is the forehead bracket 3 in which the breathing air is cleaned, but not the respiratory mask 2, as is usually the case in the prior art, the forehead bracket 3 has a housing 4 for accommodating the corresponding devices. The blowers 8 built into the housing 4 are shown in principle by respective circles. The blower 8 is provided for the inhaled air, i.e. it supports the inhalation process, since the filtering of the breathable air in the filter elements 10, 12 increases its flow resistance and thus makes breathing otherwise difficult. Behind the blowers, a disk-shaped textile filter element 10, which is provided for cleaning fine dust and pollen, for example, and a metal plate filter element 12, which is arranged in the inflow direction behind the textile filter element, are conveniently inserted into the corresponding frame receptacles. By designing the filter elements as frame elements which are inserted into the frame receptacles, easy removal or easy replacement of the respective filter elements 10, 12 is possible. Preferably, a pressure sensor can also be provided which measures the pressure drop across the filter element during inhalation and, if the increase is too great, indicating that the filter is clogging, sends a corresponding signal to the control device 14, which in turn preferably gives the wearer an acoustic or optical signal which indicates that the filter element 10, 12 should be replaced or cleaned. Batteries or rechargeable batteries are housed in the interior of the holding bracket 5 and are used to supply power to the fan 8 and the metal plate filter element 12. The short inhalation channel 7 provided in the housing 4 of the forehead bracket 3 by the blower 8 and the filter elements 10 described leads via the hose connection 6 or a corresponding tube connection to the nose region of the wearer under the respiratory mask 2 (see FIG. 7).

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a basic plan view of the housing 4 of the forehead bracket 3 with the basic arrangement of the respective fan 8, behind which the textile filter element 10 and in the inflow or inhalation direction and behind it the metal plate filter element 12 are arranged. The inhaled air flows through the two filter elements 10, 12 with the support of the blower 8 for the inhaled air and from there into the tube connection 6 to the interior of the respiratory mask 2.

[0064] FIG. 4 again shows the forehead bracket 3 with the housing 4 and the holding bracket 5 as the main element of the multifunctional respiratory mask 1, in which the elements for cleaning away the harmful particles or viruses are arranged, from where the purified breathing air is then supplied to the interior of the respiratory mask 2 via the tube connection 6. For the sake of better illustration of the arrangement of the fan 8, the grill 17 is removed from the front bracket 3 and shown separately on the left. In the housing 4 of the forehead bracket 3, the metal plate filter element 12, which is shown on the left below the grill 17, and the textile filter element 10, which is shown schematically on the right-hand side below the respiratory mask 2, are also shown separately. On the holding brackets 5 of the forehead bracket 3, tube connections 6 are drawn, at the ends of which connecting pins are shown. Via these hollow holding brackets 5, breathing air purified in the forehead bracket 3 is supplied to the interior of the respiratory mask 2 when the connecting pins are appropriately connected to the respiratory mask 2. The respiratory mask 2 sits over the nose and mouth region of the wearer. Since it is purified inhalation air, a wearer can inhale correspondingly clean inhalation air. In this embodiment, the respiratory mask 2 is shown without an exhalation valve 11. In addition, a visor holder 19 that spans the forehead region of the wearer is attached to the respective lateral holding brackets 5 of the forehead bracket 3 and serves to additionally attach a visor in front of the face for the safety of the wearer.

[0065] Finally, FIG. 5 shows the forehead bracket 3 according to FIG. 4, but additionally with inserted grill 17 and with a nose bracket 15, which ensures an additional holder and thus securing of the forehead bracket 3 on the head of a wearer, wherein the nose bracket 15 with the respiratory mask 2 (not shown) is guided to below the nose of a wearer. Expediently, this additional nose bracket 15, in order to fulfill its holding function, is made of elastic material and is designed as a tube connection 6 so that the appropriately purified breathing air can be supplied to the interior of the respiratory mask 2 of a wearer.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a respiratory mask 2 applied to the nose and mouth region of a wearer. This respiratory mask 2 or this mouth protection adapter 20 is designed in the shape of a dome and with its edges substantially hugs the shape of the face of a wearer in the nose and mouth region. In the region of its attachment to the respiratory mask 2, the nose bracket 15 has a connection 18 which is connected via a plug connection to the hose connection or tube connection 6 for supplying the purified breathing air.

[0067] In FIG. 7, a hollow extension belonging below the respiratory mask 2 in its applied state to the tube connection 6 is shown, which when the respiratory mask 2 (see FIG. 6) is applied under it in the nose region of a wearer, purified air is supplied to the wearer directly into the interior of the respiratory mask therefrom. As is also shown in FIG. 6, the connection 18, at which the tube connection or the hose connection 6 is provided for supplying the inhaled air, is shown. The plug connection is designed in such a way that the hose connection or tube connection 6 is sealed after it has been plugged onto the connection 18.

[0068] The exhalation valve 11 according to FIG. 8 is designed as a flap valve, so that, when exhaling, the overpressure generated inside the respiratory mask 2 ensures that the flap of the exhalation valve 11 opens outwards so that the exhaled air reaches the outside. It is also possible that a textile filter is additionally arranged between the interior, so to speak when the respiratory mask 2 is on, and the flap opening of the exhalation valve 11, in order to hold back exhaled particles or viruses. The right of the two figures in FIG. 8 shows a side view of the nose mask.

[0069] FIG. 9 shows a nose mask with laterally attached fastening openings through which the tube connections 6 (see FIG. 4) arranged on the respective sides can be inserted and thus the nose mask is correspondingly fixed and held. The middle of the three views is a front view, whereas the two side representations each show side views.

[0070] In FIG. 10, a further embodiment of a multifunctional respiratory mask 1 according to the invention is shown. The respiratory mask 1 shown has a visor 25 which is fastened to a visor holder 19 arranged on the underside of the one-piece forehead bracket 3 or holding bracket 5 and which is equipped with a fastening device 26. A filter cloth 27 is releasably fastened to the visor 25 by means of the fastening device 26. The filter cloth 27 is fixed to the neck of the wearer by an elastic band 31, for example made of a stretchable plastic. The filter cloth 27 seals the air chamber 22 enclosed by the visor 25 in front of the wearer's face in the region of the neck against fine dust, pollen and/or viruses.

[0071] In the region of the ears, the air chamber 22 is shielded from the environment by sealing bodies 29, which are arranged between the head of the wearer, the connecting lines 6 carrying filtered air, and the visor 25 so that no air exchange is possible in the region of the ears. The sealing bodies, which in this example are made of foam, additionally dampen the sound that is generated by the air flow in the connecting lines 6, so that the noise burden to which the wearer is exposed when wearing the mask is reduced.

[0072] Although the sealing bodies 29 are made airtight, the filter cloth 27 is not made completely airtight in the present example, but allows the air exhaled by the wearer to flow out, so that a slight overpressure which builds up in the air chamber 22 as the mask 1 continues to be used can be increased or decreased by adjusting the air permeability of the filter cloth 27. However, within the scope of those skilled in the art, a large number of alternative arrangements or permeabilities of the sealing elements are also conceivable, which can cause a different outflow behavior of the air from the air chamber 22.

[0073] The multifunctional respiratory mask 1 according to the invention also has a helmet receptacle 35 on the upper side of the forehead or holding bracket 3, 5, by means of which a shell-shaped helmet is attached to the bracket, so that the wearer is protected from objects falling on his head.

[0074] To avoid time-consuming putting on and taking off the mask, a swiveling device 37 is provided on the holding bracket 5 in the region of the back of the head, by means of which the visor 25 can be brought in a swiveling or circular movement from the position in front of the wearer's field of vision to a position above the wearer's head. In the present embodiment, the fastening device 26, which connects the filter cloth 27 to the visor 25, is designed to be detachable. This makes it possible to detach the filter cloth 27 from the visor 25, so that in the detached state it hangs like a bib held by the elastic band 31 in front of the wearer's chest. As a result, the visor 25 is folded upwards, wherein the laterally arranged sealing bodies 29 also advantageously are designed in such a way that they have recesses and can therefore be guided past the connecting lines 6 and the ears of the wearer during the pivoting without blocking.

[0075] Similar to a welder's mask, the embodiment of the multifunctional respiratory mask 1 shown in FIG. 10 has fixing means 33, which are preferably adjustable, by means of which the respiratory mask is reliably held on the wearer's head regardless of its pivoted position.

[0076] If the visor 25 of the multifunctional respiratory mask 1 is to be moved from the overhead position back into the position in front of the field of view and a closed air chamber 22 is formed, the visor 25 is first pivoted downwards by means of the pivoting device 37. The filter cloth 27 is then connected to the visor 25 by means of the fastening device 26, for example by means of a Velcro fastener, whereby the air chamber 22 is closed in front of the wearer's field of vision.