WO2010034057A1

WO2010034057A1 - Respirator

Info

Publication number: WO2010034057A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/001262
Authority: WO
Inventors: Deni Carter; Sheng Rong Wu
Original assignee: J Blackwood & Son Ltd; Shanghai Dasheng Health Products Manufacture Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-23
Filing date: 2009-09-23
Publication date: 2010-04-01
Also published as: AU2009100292A4; AU2009295342A1; CN102264437A

Abstract

A collapsible respirator configured as a face mask (11). The face mask (11) comprises a mask portion (15) and a band (17) connected to the mask portion (15) for positioning it around the head of the user. The mask portion (15) comprises a mask body (21) and a nose bridge (23). In an assembled condition, the mask body (21) defines a nose cup (26) having a peripheral edge (27) adapted to contact the face of a user (13) around the nose and mouth. The mask body (21) can be caused to assume a folded condition by first folding lower panel (39) about the fold line (43) into a position in which it is in face-to-face contact with upper panel (37). The two panels (37, 39) are then folded in unison about respective fold lines (53, 57) so that the mask body (21) assumes a generally triangular collapsed condition. The nose bridge (23) is rigid but has some flexibility to allow adjustment of the shape of the nose cup (26) to fit the nose profile of the user (13).

Description

Respirator

Field of the Invention

This invention related to a respirator adapted to be worn as a face mask by a user to mitigate against inhalation of certain airborne particulate matter such as harmful particles (including dust particles), fumes and infectious diseases.

The invention has been devised particularly, although not solely, as a pandemic respirator.

Background Art

The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

It is known to provide respirators configured as a face mask to prevent inhalation of certain airborne particulate matter such as harmful dust and fumes. Typically, such a face mask comprises a mask body configured as a nose cup having a periphery adapted to contact the face of a user around the nose and mouth, and a band connected to the nose cup for positioning around the head of the user to retain the nose cup in position. Typically, the nose cup is formed of a fabric having a filtering capability. The nose cup incorporates a stiffening system for retaining the fabric in the configuration of the cup. The nose cup is somewhat pliant for some adjustment to fit the nose and face profile of the user but is otherwise limited in its ability to change shape. With this arrangement, the face mask essentially always maintains its nose cup configuration and so is not conducive to compact packaging for transport and storage.

It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. Disclosure of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a collapsible respirator comprising a mask portion having collapsed and assembled conditions, the mask portion comprising a mask body configured in the assembled condition to define an open interior having a periphery adapted to contact the face of a user around the nose and mouth of the user with the nose received in the interior, the mask body comprising two panels interconnected for folding one against the other, each panel comprising two sections interconnected about a fold line, the two fold lines being adjacent each other when the two panels are folded one against the other, whereby the two panels can be folded about the fold lines to cause the mask portion to assume the collapsed condition.

Typically, the body when in the assembled condition defines a nose-cup and when in the collapsed condition is generally flat for storage.

Preferably, the mask portion assumes a generally triangular configuration in the collapsed condition.

Preferably the body comprises four body portions each of generally triangular configuration, the four body portions being arranged in pairs with the two body portions forming each pair being interconnected at adjacent edges, each interconnected pair of body portions cooperating to define a respective one of the two panels, with each body portion thereby defining one of the sections of the panel and the interconnection between the two body portions providing the fold line therebetween.

Preferably, one panel moves through an over-centre position in folding against the other panel.

Preferably, the two panels comprise an upper panel and a lower panel. With this arrangement, the lower panel is foldable against the upper panel and in doing so moves through the over-centre position. Preferably, the two fold lines each define an arcuate profile when the body is in the assembled condition.

Preferably, the two fold lines are formed to provide stiffening for the body when in the assembled condition to hold the form of the mask portion.

Each fold line may be defined by a pleat in the respective panel.

Preferably, the upper panel includes a nose bridge for improving the fit of the mask body over the nose of the user.

Preferably, the nose bridge is rigid yet has some flexibility to allow adjustment of its shape. Because of its flexible construction, the nose bridge may provide a central hinge section about which it can fold when the mask body is in the collapsed condition. In this way, the nose bridge, when so folded, may function as a clip for retaining the mask body in the collapsed condition.

Preferably, the body is formed from pliant filtering material such as fabric having an air filtration capability.

Preferably, the respirator is stored in the collapsed condition in a bag. Typically, the bag comprises a sealed plastic bag.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a collapsible respirator comprising a mask portion comprising a body which defines a nose cup when in an assembled condition and which is generally flat for storage when in a collapsed condition, the body comprising upper and lower panels interconnected for folding one against the other, each panel comprising two sections interconnected about a fold line, the two fold lines being adjacent each other when the two panels are folded one against the other, whereby the two panels can be folded about the fold lines to cause the mask portion to assume the collapsed condition. - A -

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a collapsible respirator comprising a mask portion comprising a body which defines a nose cup when in an assembled condition and which is generally flat for storage when in a collapsed condition, and a nose bridge for improving the fit of the body over the nose of the user, the nose bridge being rigid yet flexible to allow adjustment of its shape, the nose bridge being foldable to function as a clip for retaining the mask body in the collapsed condition.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a package comprising a plurality of collapsible respirators according to the first, second or third aspects of the invention.

Preferably, the package further comprises a container in which the plurality of collapsible respirators are stored, the container being closed to retain the respirators therein and adapted to be opened for accessing the respirators.

Preferably, the container is of generally triangular configuration to conform to the generally triangular configuration that the mask portion of each respirator assumes in the collapsed condition. This arrangement is advantageous as it is conducive to compact packaging of the respirators.

The container may be of any appropriate form, such as a cardboard box.

The container may incorporate a window through which the contents of the container may be sighted. This is advantageous as it allows a visual inspection to be performed to ascertain whether there are respirators within the container.

The container may incorporate a portion that can be selectively detached to effect opening of the container to access the respirators contained therein. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a respirator according to the embodiment worn by a user;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the respirator stored in a collapsed condition in a sealed plastic bag;

Figure 3 is perspective view of the respirator in the collapsed condition removed from the plastic bag;

Figure 4 is a side view of the respirator stored in the collapsed condition;

Figure 5 is a rear view of the respirator stored in the collapsed condition;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the respirator being opened from the collapsed condition into an assembled condition;

Figure 7 is a rear view of the respirator partly opened into the assembled condition;

Figure 8 is a rear view of the respirator in the assembled condition;

Figure 9 is a front view of the respirator in the assembled condition;

Figure 10 is a side view of the respirator in the assembled condition; Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a box for packaging respirators according to the embodiment when in the collapsed condition sealed in the plastic bag;

Figure 12 is a schematic view of a blank from which the box is constructed; and

Figure 13 is a schematic view of a carton in which the boxes are packaged.

Description of Preferred Embodiment

The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a collapsible pandemic respirator configured as a face mask 11 adapted to be worn by a user 13. The face mask 11 comprises a mask portion 15 and a band 17 connected to the mask portion 15 for positioning it around the head of the user, as shown in Figure 1. The band 17 comprises two elastic band elements 19 of known kind.

The mask portion 15 comprises a mask body 21 , a nose bridge 23 and nose padding 25.

The mask portion 15 is foldable between a generally triangular collapsed condition for storage and transportation (as best seen in Figures 3 to 5), and an assembled condition ready for use (as best seen in Figures 8, 9 and 10). In the assembled condition, the mask body 21 defines a nose cup 26 having a peripheral edge 27 adapted to contact the face of a user around the nose and mouth,

The mask 11 is supplied in a sealed plastic bag 29, as shown in Figure 2. The mask portion 15 is in the folded condition when in the plastic bag 29. The mask 11 is removed from the plastic bag 29 when required for use.

The mask body 21 comprises a plurality of body portions 30 each formed of pliant filtering material such as fabric having an air filtration capability. More particularly, the body portions 30 comprise four body portions 31 , 32, 33 and 34 each of generally triangular configuration. The four body portions 30 are arranged in pairs, with two body portions 31 , 32 being interconnected at adjacent edges 35 to provide an upper panel 37, and the other two body portions 33, 34 being interconnected at adjacent edges 38 to provide a lower panel 39.

The upper and lower panels 37, 39 are interconnected at adjacent edges 41 to provide a fold line 43. In this embodiment the interconnection at adjacent edges 41 comprises stitching, but of course any other appropriate form of interconnection may be used. With this arrangement, the lower panel 39 can be folded about the fold line 43 into a position in which it is in face-to-face contact with the upper panel 37.

The interconnection between the two body portions 31 , 32 at adjacent edges 35 comprises a pleat 51 which provides a fold line 53 about which the two body portions can fold. Similarly, the interconnection between the two body portions 33, 34 at adjacent edges 38 comprises a pleat 55 which provides a fold line 57 about which the two body portions can fold.

The two body portions 31 , 32 may be formed as discrete parts connected together in any appropriate way (such as stitching) to form the pleat 51 and also provide the upper panel 37. Alternatively, the upper panel 37 may be of one-piece construction, with the pleat 51 not only providing the fold line 53 but also dividing the upper panel into the two body portions 31 , 32. Similarly, the two body portions 33, 34 may be formed as discrete parts connected together in any appropriate way (such as stitching) to form the pleat 55 and also provide the lower panel 39. Alternatively, the lower panel 39 may be of one-piece construction, with the pleat 55 not only providing the fold line 57 but also dividing the lower panel into the two body portions 33, 34.

With this arrangement, the mask body 21 can be caused to assume the folded condition by first folding the lower panel 39 about the fold line 43 into a position in which it is in face-to-face contact with the upper panel 37. At such a stage, the pleat 55 within the lower panel 39 is aligned with and adjacent the pleat 51 within the upper panel 37. Consequently, the two fold lines 53, 57 are alongside each other so that the upper and lower panels 37, 39 can be folded in unison about the respective fold lines 53, 57. In this way, the mask body 21 can be folded into the collapsed condition, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

The two pleats 51 , 55, as well as the two fold lines 53, 57, each define an arcuate profile when the body is in the assembled condition, as best seen in Figure 10 (in which each arcuate profile is identified by reference numeral 61). As the lower panel 39 folds about fold line 43 towards the upper panel 37, it passes through an over-centre position. In particular, the pleat 55 within the lower panel 39 buckles and passes through the over-centre position so that its curvature conforms to the curvature of the pleat 51 when the two panel sections 37, 39 are folded together.

The nose bridge 23 is rigid but has some flexibility to allow adjustment of the shape of the nose cup 26 to fit the nose profile of the user 13. Because of its flexible construction, the nose bridge 23 provides a central hinge section 63 about which it can fold when the mask body 21 is in the collapsed condition. In this way, the nose bridge 23, when so folded, functions as a clip 65 for retaining the mask body 21 in the collapsed condition, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4.

The peripheral edge 27 of the nose cup 26 is configured to adjust to conform to the face profile of the user 13 around the nose and mouth.

Referring now to Figure 11 , there is shown a container 71 in which a plurality of respirators 11 according to the embodiment in their sealed plastic bags 29 can be packaged. The container 71 is normally closed to retain the respirators therein and adapted to be opened for accessing the respirators when necessary.

The container 71 is of generally triangular configuration to conform to the generally triangular configuration that the mask portion 15 of each respirator assumes in the collapsed condition. This arrangement is advantageous as it is conducive to compact packaging of the respirators 11 in the container 71 and also compact packaging of the containers one in relation to another in a carton 72, as shown in Figure 13.

In the arrangement illustrated, the container 71 comprises a cardboard box. 73. The box 73 comprises three side walls 75 arranged in a triangular formation and two opposed end walls 77. One end wall 77 incorporates a window 79 through which the contents of the box 73 may be viewed. This is advantageous as it allows a visual inspection to ascertain whether there are respirators 11 available within the box 73. The box 73 has an end section 81 that can be selectively detached to open the box to gain access the respirators contained therein. An integral zipper formation 83 is provided to facilitate detachment of the end section 81 to open the box 73.

In the arrangement illustrated, the box 73 is constructed from a blank 74, as shown in Figure 12.

The triangular boxes 73 can be packed within the carton 72, which is rectangular, in a tessellated arrangement for compactness, as shown in Figure 13. In the arrangement illustrated, the boxes 73 are stacked in two layers, each comprising ten boxes arranged in tessellated fashion in one direction. In each layer, boxes are also packed end-to-end in the other direction. Other packing arrangements are, of course, possible.

From the foregoing it is evident that the present embodiment provides a simple yet highly effective respirator which can be collapsed for storage and transportation. This significantly reduces the space requirements for storage of respirators as compared to prior art arrangements referred to above.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiment described.

Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

The Claim Defining the Invention is as Follows:

1. A collapsible respirator comprising a mask portion having collapsed and assembled conditions, the mask portion comprising a mask body configured in the assembled condition to define an open interior having a periphery adapted to contact the face of a user around the nose and mouth of the user with the nose received in the interior, the mask body comprising two panels interconnected for folding one against the other, each panel comprising two sections interconnected about a fold line, the two fold lines being adjacent each other when the two panels are folded one against the other, whereby the two panels can be folded about the fold lines to cause the mask portion to assume the collapsed condition.

2. The collapsible respirator according to claim 1 wherein the body when in the assembled condition defines a nose-cup and when in the collapsed condition is generally flat for storage.

3. The collapsible respirator according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the mask portion assumes a generally triangular configuration in the collapsed condition.

4. The collapsible respirator according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the body comprises four body portions each of generally triangular configuration, the four body portions being arranged in pairs with the two body portions forming each pair being interconnected at adjacent edges, each interconnected pair of body portions cooperating to define a respective one of the two panels, with each body portion thereby defining one of the sections of the panel and the interconnection between the two body portions providing the fold line therebetween.

5. The collapsible respirator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one panel moves through an over-centre position in folding against the other panel.

6. The collapsible respirator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the two panels comprise an upper panel and a lower panel.

7. The collapsible respirator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the two fold lines each define an arcuate profile when the body is in the assembled condition.

8. The collapsible respirator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the two fold lines are formed to provide stiffening for the body when in the assembled condition to hold the form of the mask portion.

9. The collapsible respirator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each fold line comprises a pleat in the respective panel.

10.The collapsible respirator according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the upper panel includes a nose bridge for improving the fit of the mask body over the nose of the user.

11. The collapsible respirator according to claim 10 wherein the nose bridge is rigid yet has some flexibility to allow adjustment of its shape.

12.The collapsible respirator according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the body is formed from pliant filtering material such as fabric having an air filtration capability.

13.The collapsible respirator according to any one of the preceding claims stored in the collapsed condition in a bag.

14.The collapsible respirator according to claim 13 wherein the bag comprises a sealed plastic bag.

15.A collapsible respirator comprising a mask portion comprising a body which defines a nose cup when in an assembled condition and which is generally flat for storage when in a collapsed condition, the body comprising upper and lower panels interconnected for folding one against the other, each panel comprising two sections interconnected about a fold line, the two fold lines being adjacent each other when the two panels are folded one against the other, whereby the two panels can be folded about the fold lines to cause the mask portion to assume the collapsed condition.

16.A collapsible respirator comprising a mask portion comprising a body which defines a nose cup when in an assembled condition and which is generally flat for storage when in a collapsed condition, and a nose bridge for improving the fit of the body over the nose of the user, the nose bridge being rigid yet flexible to allow adjustment of its shape, the nose bridge being foldable to function as a clip for retaining the mask body in the collapsed condition.

17.A package comprising a plurality of collapsible respirators according to any one of the preceding claims.

18.The package according to claim 17 further comprising a container in which the plurality of collapsible respirators are stored, the container being closed to retain the respirators therein and adapted to be opened for accessing the respirators.

19.The package according to claim 18 wherein the container is of generally triangular configuration to conform to the generally triangular configuration that the mask portion of each respirator assumes in the collapsed condition.

2O.The package according to claim 17, 18 or 19 wherein the container comprises a cardboard box.

21. The package according to claim 18, 19 or 20 wherein the container comprises a window through which the contents of the container may be sighted.

22.The package according to any one of claims to 21 wherein the container comprises a portion that can be selectively detached to effect opening of the container to access the respirators contained therein..

23.A collapsible respirator substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24.A package substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.