Respirator having valve with an ablated flap

A respirator and valve flap technology, applied in the field of respirator, can solve problems such as discomfort and achieve the effect of improving valve performance

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-07-31
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

When wearing a respirator in a polluted environment, the wearer feels good knowing their health is protected, yet at the same time, they feel uncomfortable as the hot, humid air exhaled builds up around their face

Method used

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  • Respirator having valve with an ablated flap
  • Respirator having valve with an ablated flap
  • Respirator having valve with an ablated flap

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0082] Example 1 represents an example of a valve having an ablated disc of the present invention. The flap of the exemplary valve was formed from an extruded sheet of 0.46 mm thick polyisoprene rubber (available from Fulflex, Inc., Brattleboro, VT). Cut the rubber sheet into Figure 7b disc in the shape shown. The disc 44 is 17.6 mm at the narrow end 46 and 22.4 mm at the wide end 48 . The length of the disc from the wide end to the narrow end is 25mm. The disc has two 2 mm diameter anchor holes 59 provided on the narrow end of the disc to facilitate connection to a flow test fixture. As shown, hole 59 is centered 2mm from the narrow end and sides of the disc. An ablated hinge region 58 is formed at the narrow end 46 of the valve flap. The articulation region 58 begins at the narrow end of the flap and extends 5.5 mm towards the wide end of the flap. The hinge area is 10mm wide and remains centered on the disc from side to side. The hinge region 58 is formed using a la...

example 2

[0085] Example 2 was formed and tested as in Example 1, except that the laser was run at 12% power.

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Abstract

A respirator (10) has a mask body (12), a harness (13), and an exhalation valve (14). Both the harness (13) and the exhalation valve (14) are secured to the mask body (12). The exhalation valve (14) comprises a valve seat (20) and a flap (22) that has a surface (57) that has been ablated. Through use of an ablated flap, the flap characteristics can be better fashioned to achieve desired valve performance. The valve flap can be fashioned to remain closed under any orientation but also to open with minimal force or pressure from the wearer's exhaled air. A valve having these qualities provides a respirator that is more comfortable for a person to wear, which can be particularly beneficial to workers who wear respirators for extended time periods.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to respirators having an exhalation valve using a valve flap having one or more ablated regions. Background technique [0002] People who work in polluted environments often wear respirators to protect themselves from inhaling airborne pollutants. Respirators typically have fiber or sorbent filters capable of removing particulate and / or gaseous pollutants from the air. When wearing a respirator in a polluted environment, the wearer feels good knowing their health is protected, yet at the same time, they feel uncomfortable as the hot, humid air exhaled builds up around their face. The more uncomfortable the face, the more likely the wearer is to remove the mask from the face to relieve the discomfort. [0003] To reduce the likelihood that the wearer will remove the mask from the face in a polluted environment, respirator manufacturers often incorporate an exhalation valve into the mask body that allows hot, humid air to be quickly cleared ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(China)
IPC IPC(8): A61M16/06
CPCA62B18/10A62B18/025Y10T29/49826Y10T29/49764A61M16/06
Inventor托马斯·I·英斯利薛建贤
Owner3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO