Breathing mask with an indicator signalling penetration of a toxic substance into the mask

• US 5,323,774 A
• Filed: 02/23/1993
• Issued: 06/28/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
• Original Assignee: Dragerwerk AG
• Inventors: Fehlauer, Kai-Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US08/021,245
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 128/202.22, 128/205.23, 128/205.25, 128/206.12, 128/206.16, 128/206.17, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/205.26-205.28, 128/202.2 7
• US Class Current: 128/206.12
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/088 Devices for indicating filter saturation

Abstract

A breathing mask with a mask interior, through which the respiration air flows, and with a detection device with an indicator for indicating the presence of a toxic substance having penetrated into the breathing mask, is to be improved such that the indicator can be activated when the breathing mask has been put on. To accomplish this task, the detection device (1), which gas-tightly surrounds the indicator (6), has an operating means (5), which can be operated from the outside (21) of the mask, and with which the indicator (6) can be brought into contact with the respiration air in the mask interior (22) when the breathing mask has been put on.

Claims

1. Breathing mask, comprising:

a mask body defining a mask interior inside of said breathing mask through which respiration air flows;

a detection device attached in said mask interior, said detection device including an indicator means for indicating the presence of a toxic substance having penetrated into said mask interior, said detection device including a protective cover for gas tightly surrounding said indicator means said protective cover defining a readiness position of said indicator means and including operating means for bringing said indicator means from said readiness position into an operation position where said protective cover is removed from said indicator means and said indicator means is in contact with the respiration air in the mask interior, said operating means actuated from outside of said mask interior, wherein said indicator means of said detection device is actuated from outside said breathing mask after said breathing mask has been donned by a wearer.

2. Breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein:

said operating means comprises a bar extending towards the outside of the mask, said bar activating said indicator means upon being pushed from outside said mask, wherein said indicator means is slid out from under said protective cover.

3. Breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein:

said detection device includes a holder, said protective cover being formed of a film supported by said holder spanned over two deflecting pins;

a bar being provided and guided by said holder, said bar being covered by said film over at least a part of said bar, said bar having a first end with said indicator means formed thereon, said bar including a second end extending toward an outside of said mask and forming said operating means.

4. Breathing mask according to claim 1, further comprising:

an inner mask attached to said mask body, disposed in said mask interior, said detection device being attached to said inner mask of said breathing mask.

5. Breathing mask according to claim 3, further comprising:

an inner mask attached to said mask body, disposed in said mask interior, said detection device being attached to said inner mask of said breathing mask.

6. Breathing mask, comprising:

a mask body defining a mask interior through which respiration air flows, said mask body including a flexible portion;

a detection device positioned in said mask interior and including an indicator means for indicating the presence of a toxic substance which has penetrated into said mask interior, said detection device including a protective cover gas tightly sealing said indication means in a readiness position and including operating means for bringing said indicator means from said readiness position into an operation position whereat said protective cover removed from said indicator means and said indicator means is in contact with the respiration air in the mask interior, said operating means actuated from outside of said mask interior through said flexible portion, wherein said indicator means is actuated from outside said breathing mask after said breathing mask has been donned by a wearer.

7. A breathing mask according to claim 6, wherein said protective cover is formed of a strip-like protective cover extending towards an outside of said mask body for activating the indicator means.

8. Breathing mask according to claim 6, wherein said detection device is formed of a holder support and two deflecting pins connected to said holder support, said protective cover being formed of a film supported by said holder support spanned over said two deflecting pins, a bar being provided guided on said holder support, said bar having a first end with said indicator means formed thereon and having a second end extending toward an outside of said mask body and forming said operating means.

9. A breathing mask according to claim 6, further comprising:

an inner mask attached to said mask body, said inner mask being disposed in said mask interior, said detection device being attached to said inner mask.

10. Breathing mask, comprising:

a mask body defining a mask interior inside of said breathing mask through which respiration air flows;

a detection device being attached in said mask interior including an indicator means for indicating the presence of a toxic substance having penetrated into said mask interior, said detection device including a strip-like protective cover that gas tightly surrounds said indicator means said strip-like protective cover extending towards the outside of said mask defining a readiness position of said indicator means and including operating means for bringing said indicator means from said readiness position into an operation position where said protective cover is removed from said indicator means and said indicator means comes into contact with the respiration air in the mask interior, said operating means actuated from outside of said mask interior, wherein said indicator means of said detection device is actuated from outside said breathing mask after said breathing mask has been donned by a wearer.