Personal Respiratory Protection Device

• US 20160184617A1
• Filed: 08/13/2014
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Walker, Garry J., Henderson, Christopher P.
• Granted Patent: US 11,247,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1138 with a cup configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/025 the filter having substantially the shape of a mask surgical face masks A41D13/11

Abstract

The present invention relates to a personal respiratory protection device, in particular, such a device comprising a respirator body having a periphery, a filter media, forming at least part of the respirator body, and a gasket, the gasket being located at the periphery and extending along at least a portion of its length.

Claims

1. Personal respiratory protection device for use by a wearer, comprising:

a respirator body having a periphery, a filter media, forming at least part of the respirator body, and a gasket, the gasket being located at the periphery and extending along at least a portion of its length,

wherein the gasket is formed of a vapour impermeable flexible elastomeric material and is contoured, the contour comprising a ridge that projects away from the periphery, and wherein the ridge acts as a barrier to exhalation vapours.

2. Device of claim 1, wherein the ridge causes the personal respiratory device to sit at an angle to the face of the wearer.

3. Device of claim 1, wherein the ridge is provided with an indent adapted to accommodate the nose of a wearer.

4. Device of claim 1, further comprising headband means to secure the personal respiratory device onto a wearer such that the gasket flexes and conforms to the facial features of the wearer.

5. Device of claim 4, wherein the headband means are adjustable, such that when the adjustable headband means are adjusted the gasket flexes and conforms to the facial features of the wearer.

6. Device of claim 1, wherein the ridge is deformable such that the gasket fits substantially flush against the nose and cheeks of a wearer.

7. Device of claim 1, wherein the gasket extends along the entire periphery of the respirator body.

8. Device of claim 7, wherein the gasket fits substantially flush against the nose, cheeks and chin of a wearer.

9. Device of claim 1, wherein the ridge is formed from a local increase in thickness of elastomeric material.

10. Device of claim 1, wherein the ridge is formed in the region of the gasket that contacts the nose of a wearer during use.

11. Device of claim 1, wherein the contour is substantially V-shaped.

12. Device of claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

13. Device of claim 12, wherein the gasket is injection moulded.

14. Device of claim 1, wherein the filter media is in the form of a cover, and the respirator body comprises an inner cup shaped support and the filter media is overlaid on the inner cup shaped support.

15. Device of claim 14, wherein the cover and the inner cup shaped support are joined at the periphery of the respirator body.

16. Device of claim 1, wherein the respirator body comprises at least two panels.

17. Device of claim 1, wherein the device is a maintenance-free respirator device.

18. Device of claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises a sheet-like elastomeric material.

19. Device of claim 1, wherein the gasket is provided with an aperture adapted to accommodate the nose and mouth of a wearer.