Respirator mask for filtering breathed air

• US 6,584,975 B1
• Filed: 08/28/2000
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eldridge Taylor
• Original Assignee: Eldridge Taylor
• Inventors: Taylor, Eldridge
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, MITAL B
• Application Number:
  US09/649,881
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.77, 128/205.29, 128/206.12, 128/206.13, 128/206.17, 128/206.21, 128/206.27, 128/206.28, 128/206.29, 128/207.11, 128/207.18, 128/206.11
• US Class Current: 128/206.11
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/06 Nose filters

Abstract

A respirator mask for filtering breathed air including a mask portion dimensioned for covering the mouth of the user. The mask portion includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and an air chamber therebetween. The mask portion includes a generally circular peripheral edge. The peripheral edge includes a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed side edges. The mask portion includes a recessed mouth section on the inner portion thereof. The recessed mouth section includes a central aperture in communication with the air chamber. The mask portion includes a pair of air vents secured to the outer portion thereof. The pair of air vents each have open inner and outer ends. The open inner ends are in communication with the air chamber. A mouthpiece portion is removably coupled with respect to the mask portion. The mouthpiece portion includes a shield portion dimensioned for positioning within the recessed mouth section of the mask portion. The shield portion includes a central opening that is alignable with the central aperture of the recessed mouth section. The mouthpiece portion includes an inner tube having an open inner end and an open outer end. The open outer end is secured to the central aperture of the shield portion. The open inner end is positionable within the user'"'"'s mouth.

Claims

1. A respirator mask for filtering breathed air for preventing a user from breathing unfiltered air, wherein the user having a face including a mouth and nose, the respirator mask comprising, in combination:

a mask portion dimensioned for covering the mouth of the user, the mask portion including an inner portion, an outer portion, and an air chamber therebetween, the mask portion including a generally circular peripheral edge, the peripheral edge including a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed side edges, the mask portion including an elastic band having opposed ends secured to the opposed side edges thereof for extending around the user'"'"'s head when the mask portion is positioned on the mouth of the user, the mask portion including a pair of nose sections extending upwardly from the top edge thereof, the pair of nose sections each including upper ends positionable within the nose of the user, the pair of nose sections each having an air tube positioned therein, the air tubes having open upper and lower ends, the open upper ends being exposed through the upper ends of the nose sections, the open lower ends being in communication with the air chamber, the mask portion including a recessed mouth section on the inner portion thereof, the recessed mouth section including a central aperture in communication with the air chamber, the recessed mouth section including a plurality of peripherally disposed protrusions extending inwardly therefrom, the mask portion including a pair of air vents secured to the outer portion thereof, the pair of air vents each having open inner and outer ends, the open inner ends being in communication with the air chamber, the open outer ends each having a filter screen disposed therein; and

a mouthpiece portion removably coupled with respect to the mask portion, the mouthpiece portion including a shield portion dimensioned for positioning within the recessed mouth section of the mask portion, the shield portion including a central opening being alignable with the central aperture of the recessed mouth section, the shield portion including a plurality of peripherally disposed apertures therethrough for selectively snap-engaging the peripherally disposed protrusions of the recessed mouth section, the mouthpiece portion including an inner tube having an open inner end and an open outer end, the open outer end secured to the central aperture of the shield portion, the open inner end having a peripheral flange, the open inner end being positionable within the user'"'"'s mouth.

2. A respirator mask for filtering breathed air for preventing a user from breathing unfiltered air, wherein the user having a face including a mouth and nose, the respirator mask comprising, in combination:

a mask portion dimensioned for covering the mouth of the user, the mask portion including an inner portion, an outer portion, and an air chamber therebetween, the mask portion including a generally circular peripheral edge, the peripheral edge including a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed side edges, the mask portion including a recessed mouth section on the inner portion thereof, the recessed mouth section including a central aperture in communication with the air chamber, the mask portion including a pair of air vents secured to the outer portion thereof, the pair of air vents each having open inner and outer ends, the open inner ends being in communication with the air chamber; and

a mouthpiece portion removably coupled with respect to the mask portion, the mouthpiece portion including a shield portion dimensioned for positioning within the recessed mouth section of the mask portion, the shield portion including a central opening being alignable with the central aperture of the recessed mouth section, the mouthpiece portion including an inner tube having an open inner end and an open outer end, the open outer end secured to the central aperture of the shield portion, the open inner end being positionable within the user'"'"'s mouth.

3. The respirator mask for filtering breathed air as set forth in claim 2, wherein the mask portion includes an elastic band having opposed ends secured to the opposed side edges thereof for extending around the user'"'"'s head when the mask portion is positioned on the mouth of the user.

4. The respirator mask for filtering breathed air as set forth in claim 2, wherein the mask portion includes a pair of nose sections extending upwardly from the top edge thereof, the pair of nose sections each including upper ends positionable within the nose of the user, the pair of nose sections each having an air tube positioned therein, the air tubes having open upper and lower ends, the open upper ends being exposed through the upper ends of the nose sections, the open lower ends being in communication with the air chamber.

5. The respirator mask for filtering breathed air as set forth in claim 2, wherein the recessed mouth section includes a plurality of peripherally disposed protrusions extending inwardly therefrom and the shield portion includes a plurality of peripherally disposed apertures therethrough for selectively snap-engaging the peripherally disposed protrusions of the recessed mouth section.

6. The respirator mask for filtering breathed air as set forth in claim 2, wherein the open outer ends of the air vents each have a filter screen disposed therein.

7. The respirator mask for filtering breathed air as set forth in claim 2, wherein the open inner end of the inner tube has a peripheral flange.