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

Abstract

A negative pressure respirator (20') having an integrally distributed filter element (28) covering at least the nose and mouth of a wearer. The respirator (20') includes an exhalation valve (22) and an impactor element (50) covering the exhalation valve (22). The exhalation valve (22) has a valve membrane and a hole, and an opening that responds to the high pressure generated when the wearer exhales, thereby allowing the exhaled air to be purged quickly inside the mask. The impactor element (5)) is located in the exhaled airflow and removes particles and other contaminants from the exhaled airflow. Z for exhalation valve and impactor element n :D j The ratio is less than about 5. The respirator (20') is advantageous because it provides comfort to the wearer by rapidly drawing warm, humid, high CO 2 It also protects the wearer from splashes and polluted air, while protecting other people or objects from exposure to particles and other pollutants 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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