DE102020002554A1 - Virological respirator to protect against droplet infections - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a respiratory mask for protection against droplet infections, comprising a mask body, a visor, a filter element, a valve element and sealing element between the head and the mask body in an arrangement in which there is a protected space in front of the face to which the ambient air can only be reached via the Filter element can flow in and the breathing air escapes via a valve element. A comparatively easy breathing is made possible by the fact that the filter element is arranged essentially above the head, whereby a very large filter surface can be represented and all flow cross-sections in the filter connection area, in the air duct towards the interior of the mask and on the valve can also be made very large . A particularly secure seal to the face with good wearing comfort is achieved with a sealing element which consists of soft, elastic filter material and has a large contact area with the face.

Description

The present invention relates to a virological respiratory protection mask for protection against droplet infections, by which the mouth, nose and eyes are equally protected.

Breathing masks or helmets with the requirement to protect the whole face with the same sealing quality are known from applications in occupational safety. The face is protected from grinding dust, flying sparks or smoke. EP 1 809 386 B1 describes an air supply helmet with an inner gas space between the face and the visor, which is sealed from the ambient air by a fabric in the edge area of the helmet. Filtered air is fed into the helmet via an external blower.

DE 2711589 C2 describes a respiratory protection helmet with an integrated motorized fan, in which air is blown into the helmet from behind via a filter element arranged between the helmet and head, flows from top to bottom over the face and flows unhindered into the open at the lower end of the visor.

Respiratory masks that protect the entire face are also known from the field of gas protective masks. There are different concepts here. Known from the military field of application are masks made of elastic, rubber-like material, which are attached to the head with straps. Filter elements, usually with a fixed housing, are fastened in the front or side area of the mask via a connection device and can be exchanged. The view is made possible either through two viewing windows with panes in front of the eyes or a large, stable visor, which in many current applications extends over the entire face. In this concept, the visor usually has a rigid frame to which the filter housing and the rubber elements are attached, which ensure the seal towards the head. Due to their own weight and the correspondingly necessary contact pressure, these respiratory masks are not very comfortable to wear and breathing through the filter is perceived by many users as exhausting when the mask is worn for long periods of time.

Virological respiratory protection against droplet infections is most widespread in the form of molded respirators in which the filter material covers the mouth and nose. It is attached to the head using elastic straps, which are usually adjustable for higher quality masks, for example of class FFP2 and higher. Designs with and without an integrated valve are known. For medical use in contact with infected patients, the eyes are additionally protected with protective goggles or with a rimmed or rimless face protection visor that is attached to the head with a holding device. WO 2017/152896 A9 shows a complex virological respirator in combination with protective goggles and a protective hood.

Respiratory masks that only cover the mouth and nose have various disadvantages due to their design. In order to be able to suck the air through the filter, a certain negative pressure has to be created behind the filter material when inhaling. The smaller the flow cross-section on the filter surface, the greater the flow velocity through the filter fabric with the same air volume and the greater the flow resistance with the same filter effect. Since the filter size is limited by the arrangement in front of the mouth and nose and a valve integrated in the mask shell additionally reduces the flow cross-section through the filter material, a corresponding negative pressure must be generated when breathing in, which makes breathing noticeably difficult. Breathing is perceived as strenuous by many users after several hours of continuous use. The edge seal is usually shown with an elastic rubber lip, which admittedly adapts to different facial contours, but can lead to small leaks in small skin folds and stubble, especially when the facial muscles are moved. If face masks are worn on a daily basis in continuous use, the constant contact of the sealing lip with the skin can lead to pressure points, chafing points and skin irritations. Due to the small distance between the mouth, nose and mask, the filter material is constantly moistened by the air we breathe. This means that respiratory masks have to be changed several times a day if they are used continuously in hospitals.

The object of the invention is to create a virological respiratory protection mask which, while being lightweight, protects the whole face equally, enables easier breathing and does not have any further disadvantages of face masks.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the respirator is designed as a full protective face mask in which the filter element is not arranged in front of the mouth and nose as usual, but in the upper part of the respirator outside the field of vision of the visor. Advantageously above the head where there is the possibility of making the above-described flow cross-section on the filter element and all other opening cross-sections that can obstruct the breathing air, up to the outlet at the valve, much larger than is the case, for example, with face masks. A very high level of security In terms of sealing, while at the same time being comfortable to wear, the sealing element, which seals the face to the mask, also consists of filter material. Because no rubber seals come into contact with the skin with the appropriate contact pressure in the respiratory protection mask according to the invention, there is no risk of chafing or skin irritation. The subclaims contain further advantageous features which lead to a further increase in the sealing quality.

The advantages mainly achieved with the invention are that, in addition to the respiratory tract, the eyes are also protected from viruses with the same quality, and comparatively easy breathing is possible. Full protection face masks only meet these two requirements in combination if the air is fed to the protective mask through an external filter and blower device. Known for the protective masks indicated above and for full protective suits with inflated hoods. Due to complex sealing measures on the head, usually with rubber, these full protection face masks are very heavy. Due to the sealing on the face using a large, soft filter material, the necessary contact pressure is lower than with rubber seals. By using this comparatively light sealing material and when using a large, lightweight plastic disk, only small forces act on the mask body. As a result, it can be made of light, elastic molded foam or styrofoam, which ultimately leads to a very low overall weight. And that in turn increases the wearing comfort.

Another advantage is the spatial separation of the filter and valve. The large distance from one another causes an air flow in front of the visor when breathing, which reduces fogging of the visor. A problem that can often occur with full face masks.

Showing the seal to the face with soft filter material has another decisive advantage in addition to the good wearing comfort. This sealing element is shown without a fixed connection to the mask body and, like the filter element, is replaced as required. This increases the hygienic quality in the contact area of the face and makes it easier to disinfect the respirator after use.

Another advantage is that a plastically deformable, flexible wire is integrated in the elastic mask body, with which the contact surface of the sealing element can be individually adapted to the shape of the head. This feature also increases the wearing comfort and the sealing security. With the described invention, a cost-effective solution is presented which, with a low component weight and good wearing comfort, offers great protection against viruses and at the same time enables easy breathing. With all these advantages, the respirator is particularly suitable for continuous professional use such as in hospitals.

The breathing mask described has a mask body which, for reasons of weight and cost, is essentially made from molded foam. For this purpose, it is advantageous to use molded, air-impermeable rigid foam that consists of closed-pore foam material or of foam material that is given an air-impermeable surface during the manufacturing process. When selecting the material, it is important to ensure that, in addition to good dimensional stiffness, there is also a certain degree of component elasticity. This has the effect that the mask body adapts to different head shapes under pressure. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the mask body is made from molded styrofoam. In both embodiments, great weight and cost advantages are possible compared to more robust protective work masks or conventional gas masks.

The visor consists of a thin plastic disc without an additional, shaping frame component. To ensure a wide field of vision, the visor is arranged in an arc around the vertical axis in front of the face. It is attached to the mask body without an additional sealing element by means of an adhesive connection on a flange surface in the front area of the mask body, which has the same surface profile as the visor in the contact area.

In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in more detail, the visor is fastened by a holding profile arranged in the edge region of the mask body via a clip connection. In this case, the seal takes place via an elastic sealing element running on the edge of the visor. Low manufacturing costs are achieved by the fact that the visor disc can be punched from flat, pliable plastic material in both applications and the curved shape is only created during assembly.

Due to the greater distance between the filter element and the mouth and nose, the filter material is less moistened by the breathing air and the filter element therefore has to be replaced less often than is the case with face masks. Reducing the frequency of replacement results in indirect savings potential.

The filter element consists of a large, thin-walled filter material and is with its connection opening in the manner of a plug connection connected to the connection piece of the mask body. In order to achieve a low flow resistance, the connection opening and the further air channel in the mask body have a large cross-sectional area and advantageously extend over almost the entire width of the mask body in the upper region. In order to achieve a low overall height above the head, the filter element is preferably constructed like a flat bag, which in the solution described is arranged at a slightly inclined angle to the mask body and in the connection area has a significantly lower overall height compared to its length and width.

The connecting piece of the mask body is arranged above the forehead of the head and, in the exemplary embodiment, is directed backwards at an angle of approx. 15 ° to the horizontal plane. Alternatively, it can also be shown in a vertical, horizontal or other angular position. The openings on the filter element are aligned accordingly. This can have different advantages, depending on how the filter elements are manufactured. But also advantages in terms of the position of the filter element over the head and the overall visual appearance. The opening on the filter element is shown in such a way that, due to the elasticity of the filter material, the filter is connected to the connection piece with a defined radial tension force. A retaining contour on the connection piece also ensures a secure fit. An additional sealing element can be dispensed with if the two contact partners are appropriately radially pretensioned. In order to achieve greater security with regard to the sealing between the filter element and the connection piece, it can be useful, depending on the application, to arrange an additional sealing element between the two contact partners. Since the filter element is an interchangeable part, it has cost advantages to arrange this sealing element on the connecting piece.

The valve element is arranged directly in front of the mouth and nose. Due to the spatial separation of valve and filter, unlike face masks, there is no comparable size restriction for the valve. The valve therefore has as large a flow cross section as possible with a correspondingly smaller flow resistance during exhalation. Since valves are usually shown with a thin rubber membrane, a larger cross-sectional area of the valve also improves sound transmission when speaking.

In order to prevent moist breathing air from flowing directly onto the visor lens when exhaling and fogging it up, a breathing air guide shell is arranged in front of the valve. Similar to a face mask, this breathing air duct covers the area around the mouth and nose, but has a defined distance to the face for the inflow of fresh breathing air in the edge area towards the face. In the upper area of the nose and cheeks, the distance is significantly smaller than in the chin area, where most of the air flows in. The breathing air guide shell is shown, for example, as a thin plastic shell or, alternatively, made of absorbent filter material in order to absorb moisture in a targeted manner. In order to prevent exhaled air from flowing upwards to the visor, the shell has a curved surface shape in the upper edge area that extends up to the face. In this embodiment, the breathing air guide shell is preferably shown entirely or at least in this edge area made of soft elastic material. In this embodiment, the curved edge area rests against the skin with little contact pressure, similar to a soft sealing lip.

The breathing air guide shell and the valve are advantageously shown as a coherent, independent structural unit. The structural unit, hereinafter referred to as the valve unit, is fastened in an opening in the visor disc. The attachment is shown as a clip connection and enables simple assembly and disassembly for replacing the valve unit. This simplifies the cleaning of the respiratory protection mask and the valve unit can be replaced with little effort in the event of strong humidification or strong contamination. In the contact area for opening the visor, an annular, elastic sealing element is arranged on the valve unit which, in addition to a sealing profile, also has a retaining contour which, via its component elasticity, represents a clip connection to the visor.

Since the flow resistance for the breathing air when exhaling at the valve element is lower than through the filter element, an air flow from top to bottom inevitably arises in the breathing mask when breathing in and out. Due to the arrangement of the connecting piece in the upper area of the visor and the corresponding air passage through the mask body directly in front of the visor, the sucked in air flows along the inside of the visor from top to bottom, which also reduces the tendency to fogging.

In an alternative embodiment, the exhaled air is guided into air ducts, which are formed in the mask body on the left and right of the visor and extend as far as the connection piece, via a specific design of the breathing air guide shell. This ensures that less moist breathing air reaches the visor and that it is less fogged up. Since the breathing air flows out through the filter, depending on the embodiment, the Valve can be dispensed with. The air channels can be cost-effectively represented as deeper, half-open channel contours in the flange surface of the mask body. A closed channel results from the cover through the visor. This ventilation principle is known in snorkel masks and, according to the sales documents, is protected by patent in this application. This ventilation principle is not yet known for respiratory masks.

The sealing concept between the mask body and face is completely new. To improve the wearing comfort and the sealing quality, the sealing element is made of elastic filter material, preferably of soft filter fleece. The sealing element, hereinafter referred to as the sealing pad, is shown in this exemplary embodiment in the form of a circumferential sealing tape approx. 40 mm wide and approx. 5 - 10 mm thick, which conforms to the shape of the face when the mask body is pressed against it. It is in contact with the forehead, cheeks and larger areas of the chin in a circumferentially closed form. Since these facial areas do not lie in one plane, the sealing pad is modeled in a spatially similar design of the circumferential contact surface of a face, punched accordingly and advantageously preformed. The filter material used has a correspondingly high elasticity in order to compensate for small unevenness such as wrinkles or hairs on the contact surface. The large contact area between the sealing pad and skin in all facial areas provides greater protection than with a rubber sealing lip, which sometimes only has a line contact with the face. Due to the mostly stiffer shape in the circumferential direction, it is very difficult to achieve the same sealing quality in the area of small skin folds with a rubber seal with the same contact pressure.

The contact surface for the sealing pad on the side of the mask body has a geometrically analogous course in terms of the three-dimensional lines. The circumferential contact surface of the mask body has a smaller contact width than the sealing pad and has a curved surface in the contact area. As a result, the alignment of the sealing pad adapts better to the course and the spatial angular position of the face surface.

Since the sealing pad is exposed to moisture from the skin and contamination from the outside, the sealing pad is shown as an independent component that can be replaced with very little effort as required. Due to the pre-formed, geometric replica of the contact surface on the face, the face cushion has a surface profile, especially in the chin and cheek area, which extends partially into the mask body, similar to a slightly conically shaped shell. As a result, the correct position and position of the sealing pad on the mask body is predetermined. The sealing pad is held in a fixed position by the pressure exerted by the mask body in the direction of the face. The sealing pad can therefore only be changed by removing and inserting a fresh sealing pad before putting on the respiratory protection mask.

In an alternative embodiment, the sealing pad and the filter element are designed as a cohesive component. The connection between the two individual parts is shown directly below the filter opening to the connecting piece. On the one hand, this makes it easier to pull the filter element over the connecting piece and gives the sealing pad a predetermined position when it is placed on the mask body. If necessary, the filter element and sealing pad are always replaced at the same time. So that the sealing pad does not fold out when the respirator is turned, a small opening or loop is provided on the lower edge area of the sealing pad, via which the sealing pad can be hooked onto a retaining contour or retaining lug on the mask body.

A variant of the respiratory mask is shown for people who wear glasses. For this purpose, the sealing pad and the mask body are designed slightly modified. In this variant, the sealing pad has a greater wall thickness between the head and the mask body in the area of the two eyeglass temples than in the other contact areas of the face. In this area, the mask body has a correspondingly smaller wall thickness in the direction of the visor. The different wall thicknesses of the sealing body have a smooth transition to one another. In the area of the temple, the sealing pad has a thin slot into which the temple is inserted before the respirator is put on. The slot penetrates the sealing pad in the direction of the open temple and is arranged in a vertical plane. The slot has a vertical height that is slightly larger than usual glasses temples in the vertical direction. This also creates a seal around the temple. For better sealing, variants of sealing pads can be shown which locally have a greater width in the direction of the visor.

The sealing concept has another feature that is not known in full-face face masks. Due to the elasticity of the molded rigid foam body, a certain adaptation of the basic shape to the head is inevitably given by the contact pressure of the respiratory protection mask on the head. In the exemplary embodiment described, the mask body has, in addition to its elasticity, also a plastic deformability. It can be plastically deformed with hand force within certain limits and thus adapted to different face and head shapes in the contact area with the sealing pad. For this purpose, a plastically deformable, flexible wire is provided which is in direct contact with the mask body. In the embodiment described, the wire is shown as a closed ring, which has a spatially similar geometry to the sealing pad. This wire is arranged near the contact surface of the sealing pad. In the embodiment shown, the wire is invisible from the outside, inside the mask body. During the manufacturing process of the mask body, it is inserted into the mold before the molded foam is injected. The wire has a defined basic rigidity, which ensures that when the respirator is worn, the mask body retains its shape even with small bumps. The bending resistance of the wire is defined in such a way that the mask body can be deformed with normal hand force. If necessary, the contact course of the sealing element can be corrected in the wearing position on the head.

In the alternative embodiment, which is not shown in more detail, the mask body consists predominantly of a molded Styrofoam body. Since this has less elasticity, an elastic intermediate element is arranged between the sealing pad and the Styrofoam body in a circumferentially closed form, which is firmly connected to the Styrofoam body and is advantageously also made from molded foam. Since the basic rigidity of the mask body is given by the styrofoam body, the adapter element is designed to be softer and more elastic than the molded foam body in the application described above to ensure good sealing and good wearing comfort.

An elastic strap, which is attached to both sides of the mask body at eye level, runs over the ears around the head and creates a contact pressure that holds the respirator in the desired wearing position. The holding strap is advantageously adjustable in length. In this application example, the fastening is effected via a perpendicular slot in the mask body. The band has a correspondingly large width, so that a certain tilting moment is supported over the length of the slot in the mask body and the breathing mask is prevented from wobbling. Alternatively, the tilt stability can also be brought about by means of a second retaining strap, which is also connected to the mask body on both sides and is advantageously connected to the first retaining strap. In order to be able to easily change the retaining strap in the event of contamination, an easily detachable clip connection is formed between the retaining strap and the mask body in a special development of the invention.

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Atemschutzmaske in der Seitenansicht mit einer schemenhaften Darstellung eines Kopfes
• 2 das Ausführungsbeispiel der 1 in der Vorderansicht ohne Kopf
• 3 das Visier des Ausführungsbeispiels der 1 in der Vorderansicht
• 4 das Visier des Ausführungsbeispiels der 1 in der Seitenansicht im Zusammenbau mit der Ventileinheit
• 5 das Visier des Ausführungsbeispiels der 1 in der Draufsicht
• 6 den Maskenkörper des Ausführungsbeispiels der 1 in der Vorderansicht
• 7 die Seitenansicht der 6
• 8 die Draufsicht der 6
• 9 den Maskenkörper des Ausführungsbeispiels der 1 in einer vertikalen Schnittansicht zusammen mit dem Kopf und dem ersten Dichtungselement
• 10 Teilbereiche des Maskenkörpers des Ausführungsbeispiels der 1 in einer horizontalen Schnittansicht in Höhe der Wangen zusammen mit dem vorderen Bereich des Kopfes und dem ersten Dichtungselement
• 11 das erste Dichtungselement des Ausführungsbeispiels der 1 in der Ansicht von hinten in Richtung Visier
• 12 das erste Dichtungselement als Bauteileinheit mit dem Filterelement von einem alternativem Ausführungsbeispiel in der Ansicht von vorne in Richtung Gesicht
• 13 die Seitenansicht der 12 mit gestrichelten Linien die Andeutung von Teilumfängen eines Mittelschnitts
• 14 die Seitenansicht des Maskenkörpers eines alternativen Ausführungsbeispiels zu dem 12 und 13 das erste Dichtungselement und das Filterelement zeigen
• 15 eine horizontale Schnittansicht in Höhe der Brillenbügel eines alternativen Ausführungsbeispiels zusammen mit dem ersten Dichtungselement, Ausschnitten des Maskenkörpers und des Visiers
• 16 das erste Dichtungselement und den Maskenkörper des alternativen Ausführungsbeispiels der 15 in der Ansicht von hinten in Richtung Visier zusammen mit den Brillenbügeln, die nur als Schnittansichten im Bereich des ersten Dichtungselements dargestellt sind und dem Maskenkörper, der ebenfalls nur im Bereich des ersten Dichtungselements dargestellt ist.
• 17 einen kleinen Ausschnitt des horizontalen Mittelschnitts durch die Visierscheibe und der Ventileinheit stark vergrößert dargestellt.
• 18 Schrägansichten vom ersten Dichtungselement, vom Draht und vom Visier
• 19 die geänderte Luftführung in der Atemschutzmaske bei einer alternativen Ausführungsform in der Seitenansicht
• 20 die geänderte Luftführung in der Atemschutzmaske bei einer alternativen Ausführungsform in der Vorderansicht
• 21 eine horizontale Schnittansicht des Maskenkörpers und des Visiers in Höher der Wangen

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show schematically:

• 1 an embodiment of a respirator according to the invention in a side view with a schematic representation of a head
• 2 the embodiment of 1 headless in the front view
• 3 the visor of the embodiment of 1 in the front view
• 4th the visor of the embodiment of 1 in the side view in the assembly with the valve unit
• 5 the visor of the embodiment of 1 in top view
• 6th the mask body of the embodiment of 1 in the front view
• 7th the side view of the 6th
• 8th the top view of the 6th
• 9 the mask body of the embodiment of 1 in a vertical sectional view together with the head and the first sealing element
• 10 Subregions of the mask body of the embodiment of FIG 1 in a horizontal sectional view at the level of the cheeks together with the front area of the head and the first sealing element
• 11 the first sealing element of the embodiment of FIG 1 in the view from behind towards the visor
• 12th the first sealing element as a component unit with the filter element of an alternative embodiment in the view from the front in the direction of the face
• 13th the side view of the 12th with dashed lines the indication of partial circumferences of a central section
• 14th the side view of the mask body of an alternative embodiment to that 12th and 13th show the first sealing element and the filter element
• 15th a horizontal sectional view at the level of the temples of an alternative embodiment together with the first Sealing element, cutouts of the mask body and the visor
• 16 the first sealing element and the mask body of the alternative embodiment of FIG 15th in the view from behind in the direction of the visor together with the spectacle temples, which are only shown as sectional views in the area of the first sealing element, and the mask body, which is also only shown in the area of the first sealing element.
• 17th a small section of the horizontal middle section through the visor and the valve unit is shown greatly enlarged.
• 18th Oblique views of the first sealing element, the wire and the visor
• 19th the modified air flow in the respirator in an alternative embodiment in the side view
• 20th the modified air flow in the respirator in an alternative embodiment in the front view
• 21 a horizontal sectional view of the mask body and the visor higher than the cheeks

1 and 2 show the embodiment of the respiratory protection mask according to the invention ( 1 ) in the wearing position on the head ( 7th ). The large area of the filter element can be clearly seen ( 4th ), which is in a slightly inclined position above the head ( 7th ) is arranged. With regard to the total height of the respirator ( 1 ) the filter element ( 4th ) greater length and width than the height above the head ( 7th ). The thick arrows symbolize the air flow ( 15th ) of the breathing air that passes through the filter element ( 4th ) penetrates and via the connecting piece ( 11 ) into the interior of the respirator ( 1 ) and directly onto the lens of the visor ( 3 ) meets. It is sucked in through the gap between the face and the breathing air duct ( 8th ), essentially in the lower shell area, where the distance to the face is greater. The wall thickness and the curved shape of the breathing air guide shell ( 8th ) indicated as a sectional view in the upper edge area, in a simplified form at two different points. Due to this shape and the low flow resistance at the valve element ( 6th ) most of the humid breathing air flows over the valve element ( 6th ) outward. This largely prevents the visor from fogging up. It is easy to see that the dimensions and the flow cross-sections on the filter element ( 4th ) and on the valve element ( 6th ) are made relatively large. This essentially enables easy breathing. The valve unit ( 5 ) consisting of the breathing air guide shell ( 8th ) and the valve element ( 6th ) is in a first opening ( 16 ) the visor disc ( 3 ) attached. The breathing air duct ( 8th ) is preferably made of thin plastic or filter material. The curved shape in the upper edge area can also be represented by a soft rubber lip that is in slight contact with the nose and cheeks. Since the valve unit ( 5 ) has a very low component weight, a clip connection is sufficient for fastening in the visor, which is provided by a retaining contour ( 10 ) on the second sealing element ( 12th ) is shown. Easier to see in an enlarged view in 17th . The mask body ( 2 ) has an arcuate flange surface in the foremost area ( 24 ) where the visor ( 3 ) is flat and in this embodiment is firmly connected to it via an adhesive connection. The visor ( 3 ) has due to its height and the arched arrangement around the head ( 7th ) a large field of vision. Between the mask body ( 2 ) and the face of the head ( 7th ) is a first sealing element ( 9 ) arranged. With a large contact surface, it is in contact with the face, similar to a closed, wide sealing tape. Due to the shape of the mask body running towards the ears in the middle area ( 2 ) it is achieved that the contact surface on the face has a more uniform course with small radii and the good sealing quality can be represented more easily. In the case of face masks, the shape of the face inevitably results in a more uneven contact course of the seal with the higher risk of leakage, especially with large, slender noses. 1 shows a wide elastic strap ( 14th ), that of the respirator ( 1 ) gives the necessary contact pressure on the face with the appropriate elasticity.

For clarification, the 3 , 4th and 5 three corresponding views of the visor ( 3 ) shown. In addition, in 4th the valve element ( 5 ) shown in its assembled position. It should be made clear how it can only be achieved via the second sealing element ( 12th ) in the first opening ( 16 ) in sight ( 3 ) is held.

For a better understanding of the mask body ( 2 ) in the 6th , 7th and 8th shown in isolation in the same 3 views.

In 6th and 7th is the flange surface ( 24 ) easy to see that in contact with the visor ( 3 ) stands.

7th shows the horizontally arranged first slot ( 20th ), in which the strap ( 14th ) is attached.

In 8th is the large width of the connecting piece ( 11 ) clearly visible. The wide air duct ( 26th ) is shown with a dashed line. Connection piece ( 11 ) and air duct ( 26th ) have a large flow cross-section and thus cause little flow resistance.

9 shows in a vertical middle sectional view the first sealing element ( 9 ) together with the head ( 7th ). It shows the contact width with which the first sealing element ( 9 ) on the forehead and chin of the head ( 7th ) is present. The cross-sectional profile of the mask body ( 2 ) the rounded shape of the contact surface between the first sealing element ( 9 ) and the mask body ( 2 ) recognizable. As can be seen in the forehead area and chin area, the contact surface has a curvature in the entire circumferential area, which the first sealing element ( 9 ) enables better adaptation to the face surface.
The large flow cross-section of the air duct can also be seen in this sectional view ( 26th ), which is located between the filter element ( 4th ) and the interior of the respirator ( 1 ) extends. The wire integrated in the mask body ( 13th ) is close to the contact surface to the first sealing element ( 9 ) arranged. It is shown as a circumferential, closed ring with a shaped bending line that follows the spatial course of the contact surface of the first sealing element ( 9 ) is equivalent to. In this view, the wire diameter is shown as a non-hatched circle. The course of the bending can be seen better in 18th .

10 shows in a horizontal sectional view at the level of the cheeks how the first sealing element ( 9 ) on the head ( 7th ) is present. Here, too, the curvature of the contact surface between the first sealing element ( 9 ) and the mask body ( 2 ) recognizable. Dar wire ( 13th ) is like in 9 only shown as a circle not hatched. It can also be seen that the contact surface of the first sealing element ( 9 ) at this cutting height a slight angle ( 25th ) to the vertical center plane.

In 11 is the first sealing element ( 9 ) from behind, looking towards the visor ( 3 ) shown. It roughly shows the size relationships between the contact area to the face and the overall size.

12th shows the first sealing element ( 9 ) in a coherent structural unit with the filter element ( 4th ) of the described alternative embodiment in the view from the front in the direction of view of the face. You can see the large second opening ( 17th ) when attaching the filter element ( 4th ) to the respirator ( 1 ) via the connecting piece ( 11 ) is pulled. Filter element ( 4th ) and first sealing element ( 9 ) are directly below the second opening ( 17th ) connected with each other. Both components advantageously consist of the same filter material. For transport in the packaging, the two parts can be folded together to save space at the connection point. The third opening ( 18th ) is used to attach the unit to a retaining lug ( 19th ), which are attached in the lower area of the mask body ( 2 ) is arranged. The retaining lug is in 14th shown. This ensures a fixed position on the mask body ( 2 ) so that the first sealing element ( 9 ) especially when removing the respirator ( 1 ) cannot fall out.

13th shows the coherent structural unit from 12th in side view. The inner contour of the filter element ( 4th ) is shown with a dashed line. The size ratios of the filter element ( 4th ) and the wall thickness of the filter material. To make the bag-like shape of the filter element ( 4th ), a flat filter material twice as long is advantageously folded over in the middle and connected to one another on both sides in the edge area. The slightly curved line in the lower half between the upper and lower edges of the filter element ( 4th ), symbolizes an example of a parting line where the upper mold half and the lower mold half of the filter element ( 4th ) is connected to each other.

14th shows the mask body ( 2 ) in the side view associated with the alternative embodiment shown in FIG 12th and 13th is shown. It is essentially the retaining lug ( 19th ) shown on which the unit from 13th can be hung.

15th shows in a horizontal sectional view at the height of fictitiously assumed eyeglass temples ( 23 ) the installation space conditions for a spectacle wearer. A variant is shown with a special first sealing element ( 9 ) for glasses wearers. The first sealing element ( 9 ) shows in this variant in the area of the two temples ( 23 ) a greater wall thickness between the head ( 7th ) and mask body ( 2 ) than in the rest of the contact areas of the face. In this area the mask body ( 2 ) a correspondingly smaller wall thickness in the direction of the visor ( 3 ). The different wall thicknesses of the first sealing element ( 9 ) each have a smooth transition to one another, which is in 16 is made clear. In the area of the temple ( 23 ) has the first sealing element ( 9 ) on both sides of the head ( 7th ) a thin slit ( 21 ) into which the temples ( 23 ) before putting on the respirator ( 1 ) are introduced. The two slots ( 21 ) penetrate the first sealing element ( 9 ) in the longitudinal direction of the temples ( 23 ) and are arranged in a vertical plane. The slots ( 21 ) have a vertical height that is slightly larger than common eyeglass temples ( 23 ) in this direction. This creates a seal around the temple ( 23 ) causes around. The slots ( 21 ) are with its opening in the vertical direction in 16 shown.

16 shows the first sealing element ( 9 ) and the mask body ( 2 ) of the alternative embodiment of 15th in the view from behind towards the visor together with the temples ( 23 ), which are only available as sectional views in the area of the first sealing element ( 9 ) and the mask body ( 2 ), which is also only in the area of the first sealing element ( 9 ) is shown. It can be seen that in the area of the slots ( 21 ) the wall thickness of the first sealing element ( 9 ) is larger than in the rest of the area. Likewise, that the wall thickness of the mask body ( 2 ) is correspondingly lower in this area. The transition between the different wall thicknesses can also be seen in each case.

In 17th is a greatly enlarged view of the retaining contour ( 10 ), which is the second sealing element ( 12th ), via which the valve element ( 5 ) in the visor disc ( 3 ) is attached. Since the first opening ( 16 ) due to the arched curvature of the visor ( 3 ) has a spatial profile at the edge of the opening, the valve element ( 5 ) fixed in its position and orientation.

For better illustration, in 18th the oblique views of the first sealing element ( 9 ), the wire ( 13th ) and the visor ( 3 ) shown in their relative position to each other. For the sake of clarity, the components are shown with slightly larger distances. The spatial shape of the contact surface of the first sealing element is clearly visible ( 9 ).

19th illustrates the changed air flow ( 15th ) in the respirator ( 1 ) in an alternative embodiment in the side view. Starting in the middle of the breathing air guide shell ( 8th ) runs left and right in the mask body ( 2 ) a second air duct ( 27 ) up until shortly before the beginning of the first air duct ( 26th ). The two channels are each completely in the contact area between the visor ( 3 ) and the mask body ( 2 ) arranged. They are depressions in the flange surface ( 24 ) and have a similar, curved shape in the vertical direction as the flange surface ( 24 ). Through the attachment of the visor disc ( 3 ) on the flange surface ( 24 ) there is a closed channel in each case, which only through its course both in the area of the breathing air guide shell ( 8th ) and the first air duct ( 26th ) a connection to the inner air space of the respirator ( 1 ) Has. The recesses can advantageously be created by the tool shape of the mask body ( 2 ) can be represented inexpensively. The breathing air duct ( 8th ) is made of pliable, elastic material and has a curved surface shape in the edge area of the upper half of the component, which extends towards the face. The curved course of this surface can be seen in a simplified manner at two points on the breathing guide shell ( 8th ) indicated in a sectional view with a dashed line. The curved edge area rests on the nose and cheeks with little pressure and prevents the exhaled air from flowing directly onto the visor ( 3 ). The exhaled air is thereby fed into the two described second air ducts ( 27 ), which at this height opens an opening to the interior of the respirator ( 1 ) exhibit. The breathing air duct ( 8th ) in this embodiment has an overall width that extends into both edge areas of the mask body ( 2 ) extends. With the curved upward pointing arrows the air flow ( 15th ) of the exhaled air upwards in the direction of the first air channel ( 26th ) shown.

20th shows the mask body 19th and also illustrates the air flow ( 15th ) of the exhaled air through the two second air channels ( 27 ) at the edge of the visor ( 3 ). This means that less exhaled air flows into the field of vision of the visor ( 3 ) and there is less tendency to fog up due to the moisture in the breath.

21 shows the two second air ducts for clarity ( 27 ) in the mask body ( 2 ) in a horizontal sectional view at the level of the cheeks. It is easy to see how the position of the visor ( 3 ) and the shaped recess in the flange surface ( 24 ) a closed second air duct ( 27 ) is pictured.

List of reference symbols

1

Respirator

2

Mask body

3

Visor

4th

Filter element

5

Valve unit

6th

Valve element

7th

head

8th

Breathing air guide shell

9

First sealing element (called sealing pad)

10

Holding contour

11

Connection piece

12th

Second sealing element (a valve unit 5 )

13th

wire

14th

Tether

15th

Air flow

16

First opening (on the visor 3 )

17th

Second opening (on the filter element 4th )

18th

Third opening (on the sealing pad 9 )

19th

Retaining lug (on the mask body 2 )

20th

First slot (on the mask body 2 )

21

Second slot (for glasses temples 23 )

22nd

glasses

23

Glasses temples

24

Flange surface

25th

angle

26th

First air duct (on the connecting piece 11 )

27

Second air channel (in the mask edge area)

Patent literature cited

• - EP 1 809 386 B1
• - DE 2711589 C2
• - WO 2017/152896 A9

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 1809386 B1 [0002, 0051]
• DE 2711589 C2 [0003, 0051]
• WO 2017/152896 A9 [0005, 0051]

Claims (20)

Respiratory protection mask (1) for protection against droplet infection, comprising a mask body (2), a visor (3), an exchangeable filter element (4), a valve element (6), and a sealing element A (9) between the mask body (2) and head, in an arrangement in which there is a protected space in front of the face to which the ambient air can only enter filtered via the filter element (4), characterized in that the filter element (4) in the upper half of the respirator (1) outside the Field of view of the visor (3) is arranged. Respirator (1) Claim 1 characterized in that the filter element is arranged above the head. Respirator (1) Claim 1 characterized in that the filter element (4) has a comparatively large flow cross section through the filter material. Respirator (1) Claim 3 characterized in that the filter element (4) consists of a thin-walled, large-area filter material which, without an additional filter housing, is in direct connection with a connecting piece (11) of the mask body (2). Respirator (1) Claim 1 characterized in that at least one valve element (6) is arranged in the lower half of the breathing mask (1) in the area of the nose, mouth or chin and has a comparatively large flow cross-section. Respirator (1) Claim 1 characterized in that the first sealing element (9) consists of soft, elastic filter material, has a preformed geometry which is roughly modeled on the face contour in the contact area and has a comparatively large contact area with the face. Respirator (1) Claim 6 or a preceding claim, characterized in that the first sealing element (9) is designed as an independent replaceable component, the location and position of which is predetermined by the spatial geometric shape of the contact surface in the mask body (2) and is held there by the contact pressure. Respirator (1) Claim 1 characterized in that the mask body (2) is shown as an air-impermeable molded foam body. Respirator (1) Claim 8 characterized in that the molded foam body has a defined component elasticity, through which its shape adapts to different head shapes. Respirator (1) Claim 1 or a preceding claim, characterized in that the mask body (2) has a flexible component property which makes it possible to plastically change the shape of the mask body (2) in the area of the first sealing element (9) by hand in order to adjust the contact surface of the sealing element ( 9) adapt to different face and head shapes. Respirator (1) Claim 10 characterized in that the plastic deformability of the mask body (2) is brought about by a plastically deformable, flexible wire (13) which is in non-positive or positive contact with the mask body (2). Respirator (1) Claim 1 characterized in that, in an alternative embodiment, the mask body (2) has a shaped styrofoam body. Respirator (1) Claim 1 characterized in that the mask body (2) has a connecting piece (11) which is arranged above the forehead of the head (7) and has a relatively large opening cross-section. Respirator (1) Claim 13 characterized in that the air channel (26) between the connecting piece (11) and the interior of the respiratory protection mask (1) has a channel width which corresponds almost to the inner width of the mask body (2) in this area. Respirator (1) Claim 1 characterized in that the respiratory protection mask has a breathing guide shell (8) which together with the valve element (6) form a coherent independent structural unit and this structural unit, called the valve unit (5), is fastened in a first opening (16) of the visor (3) that it can easily be dismantled for replacement. Respirator (1) Claim 15 characterized in that the breathing guide shell (8) is shown in an alternative embodiment made of filter material. Respirator (1) Claim 1 or Claim 16 characterized in that the respirator has a breathing guide shell (8) which has a large edge distance from the face in the lower shell half and in the upper half Half is in slightly sealing contact with the nose and cheeks and is shown at least in this contact area made of flexible, elastic material. Respirator (1) Claim 15 characterized in that the valve unit (5) has a second sealing element (12) which is in contact with the first opening (16) via an elastic retaining contour (10), with which a clip-like plug connection to the visor (3) is effected. Respirator (1) Claim 1 characterized in that, for one embodiment variant, the first sealing element (9) has second slots (21) on both sides above the ears, into each of which the temples (23) of a pair of glasses (22) can be inserted. Respirator (1) Claim 1 or a previous claim, characterized in that the respiratory protection mask has two second air ducts (27) which each run laterally in the wall area of the mask body (2), left and right of the visor (3) and in which exhaled air in the direction of the first air duct (26) flows.

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