Respirator mask with tapered filter mount and valve aligning pins and ears

• US 5,505,197 A
• Filed: 12/11/1992
• Issued: 04/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Moldex-Metric Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Modex/Metric Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Scholey, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US07/989,210
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 128/201.23, 128/201.24, 128/206.15-206.17, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 128/207.12, 128/201.28, 128/205.24, 128/202.27, 128/206.1 2, 2/441, 137/315
• US Class Current: 128/206.17
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/00 Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effortA62B17/00 takes precedence; anaesthetic masks A61M16/06

Abstract

A respirator mask, including a unitary body member formed of a flexible rubberlike material and having an inner surface to fit and seal upon the face of a user. The body member including at least one opening to receive a filter cartridge and including an internally extending flange portion forming the circumference of the opening. A filter cartridge formed of a substantially rigid material and including an inner grooved portion having a shape substantially complementary to the internally extending flange portion of the body member and with the flange portion for reception within the grooved portion of the cartridge to provide for the cartridge being locked within the opening in the body portion. The internally extending flange portion of the body member and the grooved portion of the cartridge forming a seal to prevent any passage of air from the outside to the inside of the mask, except through the filter cartridge.

Claims

1. A respirator mask, including

a unitary body member formed of a flexible rubberlike material and having an inner surface to fit and seal upon the face of a user;

the body member including at least one opening to receive a filter cartridge and including an internally extending flange portion forming the circumference of the opening;

a filter cartridge formed of a substantially rigid material and including an inner grooved portion having a shape substantially complementary to the internally extending flange portion of the body member and with the flange portion for reception within the grooved portion of the cartridge to provide for the cartridge being locked within the opening in the body portion,

means for compensating for manufacturing tolerances, said compensating means including the internally extending flange member having a tapered outer surface extending towards the outside of the mask and the grooved portion of the cartridge having a tapered surface complementary to the tapered surface of the internally extending flange and

wherein the internally extending flange portion of the body member and the grooved portion of the cartridge forms a seal to prevent any passage of air from the outside to the inside of the mask, except through the filter cartridge.

2. The respiratory mask of claim 1 wherein the body member includes two openings to receive two cartridges and with the openings located on either side of the mask.

3. The respiratory mask of claim 1 wherein the filter cartridge includes a built-in inhalation valve so that each time a cartridge is replaced, a new inhalation valve is provided.

4. The respiratory mask of claim 1 wherein the opening in the body member is circular and the cartridge and the grooved portion are also circular.

5. The respiratory mask of claim 1 additionally including an interior recess formed in the interior of the body member and an exhalation valve located in the interior of the body member and with the interior recess having a lip portion and with the interior recess receiving the exhalation valve and with the lip portion locking the exhalation valve and sealing the exhalation valve within the interior recess.

6. The respiratory mask of claim 5 wherein the lip portion includes at least one ear member and with the exhalation valve including at least one projecting pin portion to be received within the ear member so as to assure that the exhalation valve is properly aligned in the interior recess to provide for an air flow in the proper direction.

7. A respiratory mask, including,

a main body portion molded as a unitary structure to form a mask member for sealing on the face of a user,

the main body portion including an opening through the mask to receive a cartridge member located on the exterior of the mask,

a cartridge member for reception within the opening of the main body portion of the mask, and

means for locking the cartridge within the opening and for providing a seal between the cartridge and the opening and with the means for locking including a groove on one of the cartridge or opening and a complementary flange on the other of the cartridge and opening and with the cartridge locked within the opening when the flange is seated within the groove, and

means for compensating for manufacturing tolerances, said compensating means including the flange having a tapered outer surface and the groove having a tapered surface complementary to the tapered surface of the flange.

8. The respiratory mask of claim 7 wherein the main body member includes two openings to receive two cartridges and with the openings located on either side of the mask.

9. The respiratory mask of claim 7 wherein the filter cartridge includes a built-in inhalation valve so that each time a cartridge is replaced, a new inhalation valve is provided.

10. The respiratory mask of claim 7 wherein both the opening and flange are circular.

11. The respiratory mask of claim 7 additionally including an interior recess formed in the interior of the body portion and an exhalation valve located in the interior of the body portion and with the interior recess having a lip portion and with the interior recess receiving the exhalation valve and with the lip portion locking the exhalation valve and sealing the exhalation valve within the interior recess.

12. The respiratory mask of claim 11 wherein the lip portion includes at least one ear member and with the exhalation valve including at least one projecting pin portion to be received within the ear member so as to assure that the exhalation valve is properly aligned in the interior recess to provide for an air flow in the proper direction.