Respirator test accessory

• US 8,312,761 B1
• Filed: 06/24/2009
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TSI Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TSI Incorporated
• Inventors: Montividas, Robert, Remiarz, Richard, Johnson, Brian, Carideo, Max
• Primary Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US12/491,049
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40, 434/262, 434/267, 434/270, 128/201.22, 128/201.23, 128/206.22, 128/206.24, 128/206.25, 128/206.27
• US Class Current: 73/40
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 27/00 Methods or devices for testing respiratory or breathing apparatus for high altitudesapparatus for testing gastightness in general G01M
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/02 by using fluid or vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/027 Details with respect to the testing of elastic elements, e.g. gloves, condoms
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/227 for flexible or elastic containers

Abstract

A test accessory for testing a variety respirators. The accessory is designed to compliment existing equipment to provide a robust assessment of respirator performance. The accessory may include a head form having an inflatable bladder capable of fitting a variety of sizes of respirator masks. In some embodiments, the inflatable bladder does not rely on adhesives to effect a seal, thereby eliminating manufacturing and quality assurance steps. The test accessory may also include a detachable instrumentation module that may be removed from the accessory, enabling calibration and maintenance at a remote facility without need for transporting the entire unit. The module may also house a memory device that may be upgraded with calibration data and firmware during the calibration process.

Claims

1. A head form assembly for respirator testing, comprising:

a face portion;

a base portion that cooperates with said face portion, said face portion and said base portion cooperating to define a recess that surrounds said face portion;

a bladder member disposed in said recess, a portion of said bladder member being compressed between said face portion and said base portion to secure said bladder member within said recess, said bladder member forming an inflatable bladder defining an interior chamber, said bladder member including first and second flange portions that are compressed between said face portion and said base portion to define said interior chamber, said flange portions cooperating to define an inlet to said interior chamber.

2. The head form assembly of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive disposed proximate said recess and between portions of said bladder member.

3. The head form assembly of claim 1 further defining a passageway that passes into said head form assembly, said passageway being in fluid communication with said inlet, said passageway being adapted for connection with a pressure source for inflation of said inflatable bladder.

4. The head form assembly of claim 3 wherein a plenum is defined between said passageway and said inlet to said interior chamber.

5. The head form assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of clips adapted to secure a mask to the base portion.

6. The head form assembly of claim 1 wherein said head form assembly approximates the full shape of a human head.

7. The head form assembly of claim 1 wherein said base portion includes a neck portion adapted to test respirators that seal around said neck portion.

8. The head form assembly of claim 1 further comprising an adaptor adapted establish a flow circuit through said head form assembly for detection of leaks in said head form assembly.

9. The head form assembly of claim 1 wherein said recess is continuous.

10. A head form assembly for respirator testing, comprising:

a face portion;

a base portion that cooperates with said face portion, said face portion and said base portion cooperating to define a recess that surrounds said face portion;

a bladder member disposed in said recess, a portion of said bladder member being compressed between said face portion and said base portion to secure said bladder member within said recess, said bladder member forming an inflatable bladder defining an interior chamber; and

an adhesive disposed proximate said recess and between portions of said bladder member.

11. The head form assembly of claim 10, wherein said bladder member includes first and second flange portions that are compressed between said face portion and said base portion to define said interior chamber, said flange portions cooperating to define an inlet to said interior chamber.

12. The head form assembly of claim 11 further defining a passageway that passes into said head form assembly, said passageway being in fluid communication with said inlet, said passageway being adapted for connection with a pressure source for inflation of said inflatable bladder.

13. The head form assembly of claim 12 wherein a plenum is defined between said passageway and said inlet to said interior chamber.

14. The head form assembly of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of clips adapted to secure a mask to the base portion.

15. The head form assembly of claim 10 wherein said head form assembly approximates the full shape of a human head.

16. The head form assembly of claim 10 wherein said base portion includes a neck portion adapted to test respirators that seal around said neck portion.

17. The head form assembly of claim 10 further comprising an adaptor adapted to establish a flow circuit through said head form assembly for detection of leaks in said head form assembly.

18. A head form assembly for respirator testing, comprising:

a face portion;

a base portion that cooperates with said face portion, said face portion and said base portion cooperating to define a recess that surrounds said face portion;

a bladder member disposed in said recess, a portion of said bladder member being compressed between said face portion and said base portion to secure said bladder member within said recess, said bladder member forming an inflatable bladder defining an interior chamber; and

an adaptor adapted establish a flow circuit through said head form assembly for detection of leaks in said head form assembly.

19. The head form assembly of claim 18, wherein said bladder member includes first and second flange portions that are compressed between said face portion and said base portion to define said interior chamber, said flange portions cooperating to define an inlet to said interior chamber.

20. The head form assembly of claim 19 further defining a passageway that passes into said head form assembly, said passageway being in fluid communication with said inlet, said passageway being adapted for connection with a pressure source for inflation of said inflatable bladder.

21. The head form assembly of claim 20 wherein a plenum is defined between said passageway and said inlet to said interior chamber.

22. The head form assembly of claim 18 further comprising a plurality of clips adapted to secure a mask to the base portion.

23. The head form assembly of claim 18 wherein said head form assembly approximates the full shape of a human head.

24. The head form assembly of claim 18 wherein said base portion includes a neck portion adapted to test respirators that seal around said neck portion.

25. The head form assembly of claim 18 further comprising an adaptor adapted to establish a flow circuit through said head form assembly for detection of leaks in said head form assembly.

26. The head form assembly of claim 18, further comprising an adhesive disposed proximate said recess and between portions of said bladder member.