Protective hood and oral/nasal mask

• US 6,340,024 B1
• Filed: 11/04/1994
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Astronics DME LLC (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DME Company LLC (Hillenbrand Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brookman, Michael J., Hiner, Eric M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, MITAL B
• Application Number:
  US08/334,751
• Time in Patent Office: 2,636 Days
• Field of Search: 128/201.15, 128/201.19, 128/201-2-2, 128/201.28, 128/204.18, 128/205-5-2, 128/206.12, 128/206.17
• US Class Current: 128/201.25
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 17/04 Hoods

Abstract

An improved oral/nasal mask-hood is provided for protection of individuals in the event of fire or smoke exposure. When attached to a supplemental supply of oxygen the mask-hood also provides hypoxia protection to individuals exposed to decompression as in some aircraft incidents. The mask-hood employs a five stage filtering process for converting toxic atmospheric air to breathable fresh air. The hood covers the wearer'"'"'s head, neck and shoulder area. A neck seal is provided inside the hood for preventing gases from locating within the hood and irritating the wearer'"'"'s eyes. A transparent member is located on the hood adjacent the wearer'"'"'s line of sight to provide visibility during the emergency. The hood-mask device, as assembled, is small enough to retrofit into the space provided for the present decompression mask alone.

Claims

1. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device usable alone or the device usable in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

an exclusively dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve;

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

wherein said device provides protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases which might be present during hypoxic and fire emergencies;

a hood constructed of a non-flammable, gas impermeable material, said hood covering a user'"'"'s head and neck area, said hood having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said means for converting attached to said hood;

means for viewing during hypoxic and fire emergencies attached to said hood and disposed substantially in front of a user'"'"'s eyes;

means for preventing fogging of said means for viewing during exhalation by said user, said means for preventing fogging disposed on said hood and is adjacent said exhalation valve when said hood is properly deployed; and

means for preventing said atmospheric air from locating within said hood, said means for preventing attached to said interior surface of said hood.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for preventing is a non-permeable, flexible neck seal, said neck seal having a neck seal aperture to allow a user'"'"'s head area to be inserted through said aperture, said neck seal shaped to allow said neck seal to be adjacent to a substantial portion of a user'"'"'s neck area, said neck seal aperture having an elastic edge to tightly seal said neck seal around said substantial portion of the user'"'"'s neck area.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for retaining is an elastic strap attached to said mask, whereby a portion of a user'"'"'s head is inserted through said strap thereby allowing said strap to be wrapped around the user'"'"'s head.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for coverting comprises:

a housing member having a first end and a second end;

means for filtering said inhaled gases disposed within said housing member;

means for oxidating toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for filtering and the second end of said housing member; and

means for reducing the temperature of said inhaled gases, said means for reducing disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the second end of said housing member.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said means for converting further comprises a screen disposed within said housing member intermediate the first end of said housing member and said means for filtering.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said hood is further constructed of a flexible material to allow said hood to be folded compactly around said means for converting.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a heat shrink material disposed around said hood to keep said hood folded compactly around said means for converting, and a deployment strap to release said hood from its compact position.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is stored in a standard overhead oxygen mask aircraft compartment during non-emergency situations.

9. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device used alone or the device is used in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

a dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve;

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

a hood constructed of a non-flammable, gas impermeable material, said hood covering a user'"'"'s head and neck area, said hood having an interior surface and an exterior surface, said means for converting attached to said hood;

means for viewing during said hypoxic and fire emergencies attached to said hood and disposed substantially in front of a user'"'"'s eyes;

means for preventing fogging of said means for viewing during exhalation by said user; and

means for preventing said atmospheric air from locating within said hood, said means for preventing attached to said interior surface of said hood;

wherein said means for viewing comprises a transparent member attached to said hood substantially in front of a user'"'"'s eyes, said transparent member constructed of a rigid material, wherein said means for preventing fogging is a desiccant material attached to said hood and disposed adjacent to said exhalation valve.

10. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device usable alone or the device usable in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

an exclusively dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve;

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

wherein said device provides protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases which might be present during hypoxic and fire emergencies;

wherein said means for converting comprises;

a housing member having a first end and a second end;

means for filtering said inhaled gases disposed within said housing member;

means for oxidating toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for filtering and the second end of said housing member; and

means for reducing the temperature of said inhaled gases, said means for reducing disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the second end of said housing member;

wherein said means for converting further comprises a screen disposed within said housing member intermediate the first end of said housing member and said means for filtering;

wherein said means for converting further comprises a plurality of filters, a first of said plurality of filters located within said housing member intermediate said screen and the first end of said housing member, a second of said plurality of filters located within said housing member intermediate said means for reducing and said means for oxidating, a third of said plurality of filters located within said housing member intermediate said means for reducing and the second end of said housing member.

11. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device usable alone or the device usable in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

an exclusively dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve;

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

wherein said device provides protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases which might be present during hypoxic and fire emergencies;

wherein said means for converting comprises;

a housing member having a first end and a second end;

means for filtering said inhaled gases disposed within said housing member;

means for oxidating toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for filtering and the second end of said housing member; and

means for reducing the temperature of said inhaled gases, said means for reducing disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the second end of said housing member;

wherein said means for filtering comprises;

an immobilized activated carbon monolith disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the first end of said housing member; and

a plurality of zeolite molecular sieves located within said housing member intermediate said carbon monolith and the first end of said housing member.

12. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device used alone or the device is used in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

a dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve; and

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

wherein said means for converting comprises;

a housing member having a first end and a second end;

means for filtering said inhaled gases disposed within said housing member;

means for oxidating toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for filtering and the second end of said housing member; and

means for reducing the temperature of said inhaled gases, said means for reducing disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the second end of said housing member;

wherein said means for filtering comprises;

an immobilized activated carbon monolith disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the first end of said housing member;

a plurality of zeolite molecular sieves located within said housing member intermediate said carbon monolith and the first end of said housing member;

wherein said carbon monolith having a plurality of external threads cooperating with internal threads of said housing member to help prevent sidewall channeling of said gases.

13. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device usable alone or the device usable in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

an exclusively dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve;

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

wherein said device provides protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases which might be present during hypoxic and fire emergencies;

wherein said means for converting comprises;

a housing member having a first end and a second end;

means for filtering said inhaled gases disposed within said housing member;

means for oxidating toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for filtering and the second end of said housing member; and

means for reducing the temperature of said inhaled gases, said means for reducing disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the second end of said housing member;

wherein said means for oxidating is a catalyst monolith.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said catalyst monolith is attached to an internal wall of said housing member to prevent sidewall channeling of said gases.

15. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device usable alone or the device usable in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

an exclusively dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve;

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

wherein said device provides protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases which might be present during hypoxic and fire emergencies;

wherein said means for converting comprises;

a housing member having a first end and a second end;

means for filtering said inhaled gases disposed within said housing member;

means for oxidating toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for filtering and the second end of said housing member; and

means for reducing the temperature of said inhaled gases, said means for reducing disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the second end of said housing member;

wherein said means for reducing is a molded heat absorber.

16. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device used alone or the device is used in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

a dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve; and

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

wherein said means for converting comprises;

a housing member having a first end and a second end;

means for filtering said inhaled gases disposed within said housing member;

means for oxidating toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for filtering and the second end of said housing member; and

means for reducing the temperature of said inhaled gases, said means for reducing disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the second end of said housing member;

wherein said means for reducing is a molded heat absorber;

wherein said heat absorber having a plurality of external threads cooperating with internal threads of said housing member to help prevent sidewall channeling of said gases.

17. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device usable alone or the device usable in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

an exclusively dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve;

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

wherein said device provides protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases which might be present during hypoxic and fire emergencies;

wherein said means for converting comprises;

a housing member having a first end and a second end;

means for filtering said inhaled gases disposed within said housing member;

means for oxidating toxic carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for filtering and the second end of said housing member;

means for reducing the temperature of said inhaled gases, said means for reducing disposed within said housing member intermediate said means for oxidating and the second end of said housing member;

a detachable oxygen reservoir bag attached to said first end of said first housing, said reservoir bag having an ambient air valve to receive ambient air; and

an air tube attached at a first end to said reservoir bag and at a second end adaptable to be attached to said breathable oxygen source;

wherein said breathable oxygen source is an aircraft'"'"'s emergency oxygen supply.

18. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device used alone or the device is used in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

a hood constructed of a non-flammable, gas impermeable material, said hood covering a user'"'"'s head and neck area, said hood having an interior surface and an exterior surface;

a dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air, said means for converting attached to said hood;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an exhalation valve;

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

means for viewing during hypoxic and fire emergencies attached to said hood and disposed substantially in front of a user'"'"'s eyes;

means for preventing fogging of said means for viewing during exhalation by said users, said means for preventing fogging disposed on said hood and is adjacent said exhalation valve when said hood is properly deployed; and

means for preventing said atmospheric air from locating within said hood, said means for preventing attached to said interior surface of said hood.

19. A device for protection to a user, from heat, noxious and/or toxic gases during hypoxic and fire emergencies, the device used alone or the device is used in conjunction with a breathable oxygen source comprising:

a hood constructed of a non-flammable, gas impermeable material, said hood covering a user'"'"'s head and neck area, said hood having an interior and exterior surface;

a dry multi-stage filtering means for converting atmospheric gases into breathable air, said means for converting attached to said hood;

means for preventing the atmospheric gases from bypassing said dry filtering means;

a mask having a first and second mask aperture, said mask constructed and arranged to conform to the contours of a user'"'"'s mouth and nose region, said mask connected to said means for converting at said first mask aperture, said mask having an escalation valve;

means for retaining said mask tightly on a user'"'"'s mouth and nose regions at said second mask aperture, said means for retaining connected to said mask;

a rigid transparent member for viewing during hypoxic and fire emergencies attached to said hood and disposed substantially in front of a user'"'"'s eyes;

an anti-fogging desiccant material attached to the interior surface of said hood and disposed adjacent to said exhalation valve, said desiccant material preventing the exhaled air from fogging said transparent member; and

means for preventing said atmospheric air from locating within said hood, said means for preventing attached to said interior surface of said hood.