Respiration that includes integral filter element, exhalation valve and impactor element

Abstract

A negative pressure respirator 20' that has an integrally-disposed filter element 28 and that covers at least the nose and mouth of a wearer. The respirator 20' includes an exhalation valve 22 and an impactor element 50 that covers the exhalation valve 22. The exhalation valve 22 has a diaphragm and an orifice and opens in response to increased pressure when the wearer exhales to allow exhaled air to be rapidly purged from the mask interior. The impactor element 50 is positioned in the exhale flow stream to remove particles and other contaminants from the exhaled air. The exhalation valve and impactor element have a ratio of Zn:Dj of less than about 5. The respirator 20' is beneficial because it provides comfort to the wearer by allowing warm, moist, high-CO2-content air to be rapidly-evacuated from the mask interior through the valve 22 and also protects the wearer from splash-fluids and from polluted air while at the same time protecting other persons or items from being exposed to particles and other contaminants exhaled by the wearer.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a respirator having an integrally distributed filter element in its mask body and an impactor element integrated with its exhalation valve. The impactor element enables the respirator to remove particulate contamination from the exhaled airflow. Background technique [0002] Filtering masks are generally worn over a person's respiratory passage for two general purposes: (1) to prevent contamination from entering the wearer's respiratory system; and (2) to protect other people or things from exposure to pathogens expelled by the mask wearer and other pollutants. In the first case, the mask is used in an environment where the air contains substances harmful to the wearer, for example in an automobile body shop. In the second case, masks are used in environments where there is a high risk of infectious disease or contamination of other people or things, such as in operating theaters or clean rooms. [0003] Face coverings that are certifi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although these respirators are a tight fit that prevents gaseous and liquid contaminants from entering and leaving the interior of the mask around its perimeter, these respirators typically lack an exhalation valve that quickly clears exhaled air inside the mask

Thus, known respirators can remove contaminants from the inhaled and exhaled air streams and can provide splash protection, but they generally do not provide the most comfortable fit for the wearer

While the exhalation valve is placed on the respirator to increase comfort, the mask has the disadvantage of allowing pollutants to enter the surrounding environment from the inside of the mask

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