Non-consumable respirator training filter

• US 10,460,627 B1
• Filed: 12/28/2016
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Wilke, Douglas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Samchuan C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Korb, Jennifer L
• Application Number:
  US15/392,007
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/02 for respirators
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 27/00 Methods or devices for testing respiratory or breathing apparatus for high altitudesapparatus for testing gastightness in general G01M
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/02 Valves non-return valves mounted in breathing masks or helmets A62B18/10
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/00 Models for purposes not provided for in G09B23/00, e.g. full-sized devices for demonstration purposes model vehicles, tracks therefor, models in the nature of toys A63H

Abstract

A training filter includes an upper shell having a substantially central hole; a lower shell adjoined to the upper shell; and a plug positioned in the substantially central hole and extending through the lower shell, wherein the plug includes a top wall having a plurality of apertures; a valve adjacent to the top wall and the plurality of apertures; the plug defining a hollow breathing resistance core adjacent to the valve; an angled sidewall flanking the breathing resistance core; and a connection mechanism connected to the plug opposite the top wall. The training filter duplicates the weight, size, shape, and breathing resistance of an actual filter and is reusable and cleanable without a shelf life unlike an actual filter.

Claims

1. A training filter, comprising:

an upper shell having a central hole;

a lower shell adjoined to said upper shell; and

a plug positioned in said substantially central hole and extending through said lower shell, wherein said plug comprises;

a top wall having a plurality of apertures;

a valve adjacent to said top wall and said plurality of apertures;

said plug defining a hollow breathing resistance core adjacent to said valve;

an angled sidewall flanking said breathing resistance core adjacent said top wall; and

a connection mechanism connected to said plug opposite the top wall.

2. The training filter of claim 1, wherein said valve comprises a stem outwardly extending from said top wall of said plug.

3. The training filter of claim 1, wherein said connection mechanism includes a hole creating a continuous air flow path from said plurality of apertures through said hollow breathing resistance core and through said connection mechanism.

4. The training filter of claim 1, further comprising a ballast surrounding said plug.

5. The training filter of claim 4, wherein said upper shell and said lower shell comprise an air pocket surrounding said ballast.

6. The training filter of claim 1, wherein said valve comprises a flapper valve.

7. The training filter of claim 1, wherein said valve and said angled sidewall are configured to alter a breathing resistance through said plug.

8. The training filter of claim 7, wherein said plurality of apertures is arranged in a pattern.

9. The training filter of claim 8, wherein said plurality of apertures and said angled sidewall are configured to match a breathing resistance of an actual filter.

10. The training filter of claim 9, wherein said angled sidewall, said pattern of said plurality of apertures, a predetermined number of said plurality of apertures, and said valve are configured to alter said breathing resistance.

11. The training filter of claim 1, wherein said connection mechanism is threaded and outwardly protrudes from said lower shell.

12. A reusable training filter, comprising:

a first shell having a hole;

a second shell adjoined to said first shell;

a plug positioned in said hole and extending through said second shell, wherein said plug comprises;

a valve seat comprising at least one aperture;

a valve adjacent to said valve seat and said at least one aperture;

said plug defining a hollow breathing resistance core adjacent to said valve;

an angled upper sidewall flanking said breathing resistance core; and

a connector connected to said plug;

a ballast surrounding said plug,

wherein said first shell and said second shell comprise an air pocket surrounding said ballast.

13. The training filter of claim 12, wherein said valve comprises a stem outwardly extending from said valve seat of said plug.

14. The training filter of claim 12, wherein said connector comprises a hole creating a continuous air path from said at least one aperture through said hollow breathing resistance core and through said connector.

15. The training filter of claim 12, wherein said valve comprises a flapper valve.

16. The training filter of claim 12, wherein said valve and said angled upper sidewall are configured to alter a breathing resistance through said plug.

17. The training filter of claim 16, wherein said at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern.

18. The training filter of claim 17, wherein said plurality of apertures and said angled upper sidewall are configured to match a breathing resistance of an actual filter.

19. The training filter of claim 18, wherein said angled upper sidewall, said pattern of said plurality of apertures, and a predetermined number of said plurality of apertures are configured to alter said breathing resistance.

20. The training filter of claim 12, wherein said connector is threaded and outwardly protrudes from said second shell.

21. The training filter of claim 12, wherein said training filter duplicates the weight, size, shape, and breathing resistance of an actual filter and is reusable and cleanable.