Face mask

Abstract

A filter mask (1) with a first and second chamber (10, 20), the first chamber (10) form fitted to a wearer's face (40), the second chamber (20) extending off chamber walls (11) of the first chamber (10), the second chamber (20) connected to the first chamber (10) via a passage (32), at least the second chamber (20) including a filter or filter material (21), a divider (12) separating the first and second chamber (10,20) to prevent heat, water vapour, CO2, and moisture returning onto the face.

Description

[0001] FACE MASK

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a face mask.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion should not be assumed to relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but to assist in the inventive process undertaken by the inventors and in the understanding of the invention.

[0006] Face masks have been described in which a cavity between the mask and a wearer's face builds up moisture resulting in moisture build up on the face, representing, as well as moisture, the accumulation of heat and increased carbon dioxide levels from the wearer's warm breath. This can be uncomfortable and distracting for field workers, healthcare workers, and others.

[0007] Filter masks have also been described in which a part seal is formed between exterior air outside an edge or periphery of a zone. The zone is defined by the face mask on a wearer's face. The zone is the volume between the inside of the mask and the wearer's face. The zone includes air containing heat, moisture, airborne particles, and CO2, including air-borne particles and moisture, that is contained between the mask and the face. The zone is ideally sealed at the zone's periphery. This may be achieved by compression of a fabric or ridgeline onto the face. Imperfect mask-to-face seals, varied nose shapes, beards and the like all compromise the seal at the mask's periphery. The peripheral seal may be an effective barrier that seals the zone, preventing or at least reducing leakage out the sides of the mask. The desired aim is to force the air in the zone to flow through the porous wall of the mask or through a filter in the face mask. This barrier preferably reduces air-borne particles escaping from the zone via imperfect side seals, and encourages dissipation of air in the zone through the wall filter material of the mask. Indeed, filter masks are designed to prevent dangerous air-borne particles entering the wearer's airways. However, filtration of exhaled air from the zone may not be prioritised. Instead, in respirator masks with a one-way valve for allowing expiration of air therethrough may allow potentially harmful airborne matter to easily exit through the valve in the filter piece in the filter mask. Whilst this better provides for the comfort of the wearer, this may be at the risk of infecting those in the wearer's immediate vicinity.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

[0009] STATEMENT OF INVENTION

[0010] The invention according to one or more aspects is described herebelow and further defined in the independent claims. Some optional and / or preferred features of the invention are described herebelow and further defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided:

[0012] A face mask with a first portion and an additional chamber, the first portion adapted to be form fitted to a user's face to define a zone, the additional chamber extending from the first portion, the additional chamber in direct fluid communication to a concavity of the first portion via a passage, the passage adapted to permit exhaled air to flow from the concavity within the boundaries of the first portion to the additional chamber.

[0013] The first portion preferably includes a filter or filter material. The additional chamber may be an outer chamber. The additional chamber may be an outer chamber placed on any part of the first portion of the mask. The additional chamber may be attached to a bottom of the first portion. The additional chamber may be attached to a side of the first portion, such as may be advantageous for a welder. The additional chamber preferably includes a filter or filter material to safely allow exhaled air to be emitted to the surrounding air with a view to reducing or preventing hazardous particles from escaping the zone or the outer chamber. Hazardous particles may include airborne contagions, such as viruses or bacteria.

[0014] The face mask may further include a mouthpiece adapted to provide the passage between the first portion and the outer chamber or directly from the wearer's lips to the outer chamber.

[0015] In another aspect of the invention there is provided:

[0016] A filter mask including a first chamber in or through which a mouthpiece extends forming a passage between the wearer's airways and an additional second chamber in the form of a filter of the mask. The passage may be sealed at the wearer's mouth end by the wearer enclosing their lips around or over the end. In another aspect of the invention there is provided:

[0017] A face mask including a mouthpiece adapted to be held in a wearer's mouth in a first portion of the mask, the mouthpiece adapted to provide a passage for flow of exhaled air from the wearer's airways to an outer chamber of the mask, the first portion and the outer chamber made of material allowing limited transmission of air and moisture through walls of the material, but limiting transmission of hazardous airborne particles.

[0018] The first portion may define, with a wearer's face, a first chamber of the mask. The outer chamber may be nominated as a second chamber of the mask. The first portion may comprise mask material.

[0019] DIVIDER

[0020] A divider separating the first portion and the second chamber may form part of the first portion. The divider may be non-porous or minimally porous. The divider preferably does not allow a majority of heat, CO2, moisture or water vapour that has exited the first portion to return to the wearer's face. The first portion may take the form of a first chamber. The first chamber may be adapted to cup the wearer's face around their mouth and nose. Therefore, between the first chamber and the second chamber there is preferably a non-porous or minimally porous divider that prevents or mitigates against leakage of hazardous particles, heat, CO2, moisture, and water vapour from returning to the face. Preferably, the first portion and the additional chamber are made of a single piece from one material. The first portion and the additional chamber are preferably separated by a non-porous or minimally porous divider. The divider preferably surrounds the passage communicating the zone of the first portion with the additional chamber. The divider may be attached to the other components by glue. The divider is preferably attached to the other components by spot -welding. The divider may be attached to an internal edge of the first portion, and / or the peripheral of the second portion, whereby to join the first and second portion together.

[0021] FIRST AND SECOND CHAMBERS

[0022] The face mask may include a first portion of mask material in the form of a cup, bowl or other concave shape that may conform to a wearer's face covering the nose and mouth to form a first chamber. The first chamber may be defined by the first portion's walls or fabric and the wearer's face. The outer or second chamber may be defined by an exterior surface of the first portion's walls and an interior surface of the second chamber's walls. The second chamber is preferably a contained space extending off the first chamber and connected to the first chamber via a passage. The passage may be the mouthpiece. The passage or passage way may be mounted in or on the divider. Preferably, the passage extends through the divider.

[0023] The first and second chambers may be isolated from each or non-fluidica I ly connected other than via the passage. The passage may include a filter. The passage may be adapted to be extended into the wearer's mouth.

[0024] The second chamber may be adapted to fold down or be made of materials largely consisting of fabric. The second chamber may include filters. The second chamber may include multiple chambers. Preferably, the second chamber only includes a single chamber.

[0025] The second chamber may not be in contact with the wearers face. Rather, the second chamber may be adapted to extend off, or be mounted to, a wall or walls of the first chamber.

[0026] The second chamber may be adapted to receive moisture from the wearers mouth, The air flow capacity of the passage may be less than the rate of dissipation of air and moisture from the second chamber through the material and / or wall of the second chamber. The second chamber may be adapted to reduce a water vapour percentage of air inside the first chamber by allowing exhaled breath to travel through the passage from the first chamber to the second chamber. The second chamber may include water absorbent fabric. The second chamber may have no valve, with the material of which the additional chamber is comprised performing as a filter. This may prevent migration of hazardous material through the wall of the additional chamber. Advantageously, the second chamber may reduce high water vapour air on the wearers face.

[0027] MASK

[0028] The face mask may be of the type that is adapted to effectively seal against the wearer's face. Such a mask may include filter masks commonly rated according to standards in various jurisdictions as KN95, N95, Pl, P2 and P3 masks, including form-fitting masks having a formfitting cup shaped to fit around or onto the nose, cheeks and chin.

[0029] The filter mask may include straps. The straps may have a buckle, clasp and / or be resiliently deformable or elastic. The straps may be adapted to secure the face mask to the wearer's head. The straps may be adapted to only be attached to the first chamber, not to the second chamber.

[0030] PASSAGE

[0031] The term "passage" herein includes an orifice or opening. The passage may comprise a hole (or combination of adjacent holes) such as a slot or other shape, an aperture (or combination of adjacent holes), tube or other construction adapted to ensure free exchange of fluid between the first and second chambers occurs through the passage, and exchange of fluid per se between the chambers predominantly occurs through the passage. The passage may include a mesh wall wherein the holes between strands of the mesh provide the necessary holes for fluid communication.

[0032] The passage may extend through a mouth piece. The mouthpiece may be in the form of an elongate body with a first end receivable in a wearer's mouth and a second end extending into the second chamber. The passage may be the mouthpiece or include the mouthpiece. The passage may include multiple holes, collectively forming the passage, spread across a wall between and / or separating the first and second chambers.

[0033] The passage way may be in the form of a barrier with one or more holes. The barrier should not be a membrane that is too porous whereby to allow backflow - backflow is preferably minimised, if not eliminated altogether.

[0034] MOUTHPIECE

[0035] The passage may include or be adapted to receive the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may include an ovular shape cross-section. The mouthpiece may include an ovular prism. The mouthpiece may include a cylinder. An ovular prism may form the entire passage between contact with lips of the wearer and the mask.

[0036] The ovular prism's cross section may rather take the form of two distanced circles connected with space between them also forming part of the cross-section.

[0037] Preferably, the ovular prism's cross-section may take the form of a rectangle with rounded corners. The mouthpiece may comprise a tube that is flared at the mouth end, whereby to facilitate the wearer holding the mouth end in their mouth. The length of the mouthpiece and its spacing from its outer end is preferably calculated such that the mouth end can rest just inside the wearer's mouth. This may be, for example, just over the wearer's lower lip, but comfortably so that it does not interfere with the wearer's tongue, thereby permitting the wearer to comfortably speak or carry on a conversation. Preferably, the mouth end does not extend long enough to go further into the mouth than the wearer's teeth.

[0038] The mouthpiece may be disposable and the mask reusable. The mouthpiece may be attached or fixed to the mask. The mouthpiece may be adapted to slide in a recess or hole in chamber walls of the first chamber. The mouthpiece may be adapted to extend into the second chamber and retractably extend into the wearers mouth in the first chamber.

[0039] The passage is preferably made of waterproof or water-resistant material. The passage may be made of food-safe, skin-safe rubber, synthetic rubber, plastic. The passage may be made of material having the consistency of a water bottle nozzle or a baby bottle teat depending on personal preferences and the intended age, intended activity or purpose of the wearer. Preferably, the passage is made of food-grade silicon rubber.

[0040] The material may have physical properties as follows:

[0041] Shore hardness in the range of about 25 - 80, preferably 35 - 55 Shore / A;

[0042] Tear strength in the range of about 20 - 30, preferably about 25 kN; and / or

[0043] Density in the range of about 1.05 - 1.2, preferably about 1.09 - 1.12 g / cm3.

[0044] In another aspect, the mouth piece according to the eighth or ninth embodiment of the invention may have a generally oval shape whereby to allow the ovaloid shape of a wearer's mouth to easily conform to the shape and to create a good seal therewith.

[0045] The mouthpiece may include a single passage adapted to fluidically connect a first chamber of the filter mask to a second chamber of the filter mask. The mouth piece may include a curved mouth contact feature. The mouth contact feature may include a curve adapted to match a curved contour of a wearer's lips or an interior of the wearer's mouth. The mouth contact feature may be located at a first end of the mouthpiece. The mouth contact feature may enclose a first end of the passage. The mouthpiece may further include ribs on an exterior of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may include between 2 and 8 ribs, preferably 3 - 5 and most preferably 4. The mouthpiece could alternatively have on its exterior a spiral feature with 2 - 8 annular passes instead of the ribs. The ribs may be adapted to receive an elastic or permanently deformable (malleable) sleeve or hole of the filter mask. The elastically deformable sleeve or hole may be a hole or aperture that fluidically connects the first chamber to the second chamber of the filter mask. The mouthpiece may include ribs adapted to seal and secure the mouthpiece in the hole or aperture between the first and second chambers. The ribs may be located at a second end of the mouth piece. The ribs may enclose a second end of the passage.

[0046] The eighth embodiment of the filter mask may include the first and second chambers of the filter mask. The first chamber of the filter mask may be contoured around a wearer's mouth. The first chamber of the filter mask according to the ninth embodiment of the filter mask may be in the form of a straight conical shape and the second chamber may have a cylindrical shape.

[0047] USE OF THE FACE MASK

[0048] The face mask may be adapted for use with the following procedure:

[0049] 1. Fitment of the face mask to the face including attachment of straps, elastic etc,

[0050] 2. Pushing the mouthpiece inwards towards the wearers mouth; and

[0051] 3. The wearer holding the mouthpiece and forming a seal around the mouthpiece with the wearer (users) lips.

[0052] Alternatively, use of the face mask may include the following:

[0053] 1. Fitment of the face mask to the face,

[0054] 2. Breathing regularly into and out of the first chamber, air moving into the second chamber traps moisture in the second chamber, and

[0055] The face mask filters air both through the first chamber walls and the second chamber walls.

[0056] FACE MASK

[0057] The face mask may be adapted to form a seal with the mouthpiece such that air does not exit the user's lips into a zone inside the face mask. The zone inside the face mask may be bounded by the face mask and the user's or wearer's face.

[0058] The filter may receive air only from outside the zone and directly from the user's lips or airways. The mouthpiece may form a secondary seal in addition to the first chamber by being located between the wearer's airways and extending directly from the wearer's lips through to the outer chamber.

[0059] The mask may include a KN95, N95, Pl, P2 and P3 mask filter. The mask filters may be adapted to be located either in the first chamber only, in the second chamber only or in the first and second chambers. Therefore, both the first and second chambers may be adapted to filter air.

[0060] Advantages of the mask according to the invention include:

[0061] 1. Dissipation of heat and moisture through the removal of same from the zone via the passage, rather than permitting build-up of heat and moisture, etc. in the zone;

[0062] 2. Related to 1., minimal moisture from exhaled breath means a wearer's glasses, such as safety glasses or spectacles, are not subjected to fogging;

[0063] 3. Related to 1., skin rashes and irritations are diminished. Skin moisture on the face is reduced, giving the wearer better comfort and mitigating against overheating, which is a problem for wearers of PPE gear. Also, wearers of the inventive mask are less prone to reducing fidgeting by the wearer that might otherwise occur due to skin irritation.

[0064] 4. Related to 1., the mask remains clean for a long time due to the non-build up of moisture, thereby not attracting dust, grime and dead skin around which beads of moisture tend to bead, coalesce and / or accumulate; and

[0065] 5. The air breathed by the wearer is clean for a long time as the air is adequately filtered through the mask material and / or a filter.

[0066] It will be appreciated that any of the features described herein can be used in any combination, and that the invention as described in respect of the second aspect may have the specific features referred to above in respect of the invention as described in respect of the first aspect.

[0067] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

[0069] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a standard Pl or P2 mask without multiple cavities; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of filter mask according to a first embodiment of the invention with a mouth piece shown held by a wearer's mouth and the wearer exhaling into a via the mouth piece into a second chamber;

[0070] Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view of the filter mask shown in Fig. 2 with the mouth piece extending through a first chamber and shown held by a wearer's lips or mouth generally;

[0071] Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of the filter mask shown in Fig. 2 with the mouth piece shown to be removed from the wearer's mouth and pushed by the wearer into the second chamber, further showing the wearer exhaling;

[0072] Figure 3c is a cross-sectional view of the filter mask and mouth piece in position as shown in Fig. 2 with the wearer inhaling;

[0073] Figure 4a is a schematic inside rear view of a filter mask according to one embodiment with a mouthpiece with a rectangular profile and adapted to extend into the zone of a first chamber;

[0074] Figure 4b is a schematic inside rear view of filter mask according to another embodiment with a divider in the form of a panel comprising a small hexagonal pattern of holes corresponding in size and opposed positioning to a wearer's open mouth;

[0075] Figure 4c is a schematic inside rear view of an embodiment of the mask in which a telescopic insert trapped in a sleeve of a mouthpiece is adapted to move for insertion into a wearer's mouth;

[0076] Figure 4d is a schematic inside rear view of an embodiment of the mask in which the entire divider panel contains an array of small air holes collectively adapted to allow expulsion of air from the zone;

[0077] Figure 4e is a schematic inside rear view of a filter mask according to an embodiment with a mouthpiece with a stadium shaped profile and adapted to extend into the zone of a first chamber;

[0078] Figure 4f is a schematic inside rear view of filter mask according to another embodiment with a divider in the form of a panel comprising an open mouth-sized circular hole;

[0079] Figures 5a - b show two perspective views of according to different versions of the mouth piece with two different forms of panel adapted to provide a wall between a first and second chamber of the filter mask;

[0080] Figure 6a shows a perspective view of a mask in assembled form according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4e, including a mouth piece and panel;

[0081] Figure 6b shows an exploded view of the mask shown in Fig. 6a , with the mouth piece and panel shown separate to a mask body;

[0082] Figure 7 .is a rear view of a filter mask according to an eighth embodiment of the invention in which a mouth piece is oval in shape;

[0083] Figure 8a is a side view of the filter mask shown in Fig. 7.

[0084] Figure 8b is a top view of the filter mask shown in Fig. 8a

[0085] Figure 9 is a side view of a filter mask according to a ninth embodiment of the invention;

[0086] Figure 10 is a rear view of a mouthpiece of the filter mask according to either the eighth or ninth embodiment shown respectively in Figs. 7 and 8a;

[0087] Figure 11a is a top view of the mouth piece of the filter mask according to either the eighth or ninth embodiment shown respectively in Figs. 7 and 8a;

[0088] Figure 11a is a side view of the mouth piece shown in Fig. 11a.

[0089] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In describing the various embodiments of the invention, like features will be referred to using like references, with references for features of each embodiment generally preceded by 1, 2, 3, or followed by a Roman numeric sequence, such as i, ii, iii, etc. or an alphabetical sequence such as a, b, c, relative to the corresponding feature of the first embodiment. For example, a feature 10 of the first embodiment may represented as 110, 210, 300, (or nlO), or 10a, 10b, 10c, (or lOx) or lOi, lOii, lOiii, (or lOr) etc. in second, third and fourth embodiments, respectively.

[0091] Figure 1 shows a typical Pl or P2 mask X according to the prior art.

[0092] A filter mask 1 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 2 with a first and second chamber 10, 20, the first chamber 10 form fitted to a wearer or users face 40, the second chamber 20 extending off chamber walls 11 of the first chamber 10, the second chamber 20 connected to the first chamber 10 via a passage 32, at least the second chamber 20 including a filter orfilter material 21.

[0093] The filter mask 1 may further include a mouthpiece 30 adapted to provide a passage 32 between the first and second chamber 10, 20 or directly from the wearer's lips 41 to the second chamber 20.

[0094] A filter mask 1 may include first chamber 10 in or through which a mouthpiece 30 extends forming a sealed passage between the wearer's airways and an additional second chamber in the form of a filter 20 of the mask 1.

[0095] Referring to Fig. 2, the first chamber 10 and second chamber 20 are manufactured as one piece. Separation of first and second chambers 10,20 is by a divider 12 and a passage 32 which are preferably manufactured in one piece. Preferably the divider 12 is spot welded, glued, sewed, or pressure packed into position to partition the first and second chambers from each other. Alternatively, the wall 12 of the first chamber forms the divider between the first chamber 10 zone and the second chamber 20. The passage 32 may be a tube or other conduit affixed in or on the wall of the divider 12 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0096] FIRST AND SECOND CHAMBERS

[0097] The first chamber 10 is bounded by first chamber walls 11 or fabric and the wearer's face 40. The second chamber 20 is bounded by the first chamber walls 11 and second chamber walls 22. The second chamber 20 is contained space extending off the first chamber 10 and connected to the first chamber 10 via a passage 32. The passage 32 includes the mouthpiece 30. The outer wall 11 of the first chamber 10 may be made of filter material to assist in the dissipation of filtered air from the zone 3. The outer wall 11 and the second chamber wall 21 may be made of the same filter material. RESPIRATOR MASK

[0098] The respirator mask 1 is sealable to the face of a wearer. The mask 1 is of the type commonly known and rated as N95, Pl, P2 and P3 masks. The face mask 1 combines a mouthpiece 32 as an additional or secondary seal and an outer chamber 20. For example, users with beards or face deformities may require additional sealing that P3 masks do not provide on a face with no facial hair or face deformities. However, preferably the peripheral seal edge of the first chamber 10 provides an adequate seal to the wearer's face.

[0099] The respirator mask 1 is preferably single use and throw-away.

[0100] MOUTHPIECE

[0101] The mouthpiece 30 optionally includes an ovular shape cross-section. The mouthpiece 30 optionally is not adapted for insertion into the mouth 41 of a user but rather only provide a passage 32 for air between the first and second chambers 10, 20. The mouthpiece 30 optionally includes an ovular prism. The mouthpiece 30 optionally includes a cylinder. An ovular prism optionally forms the entire passage 32 between contact with lips 41 of the wearer and the filter.

[0102] The ovular prism's cross section optionally takes the form of two distanced circles connected with space between them also forming part of the cross-section.

[0103] Optionally, the ovular prism's cross-section may take the form of a rectangle with rounded corners.

[0104] The mouthpiece 30 is optionally disposable or one-time use and the mask 1 reusable. The mouthpiece 30 is optionally movable as shown in Fig. 4c, but is always attached or fixed to the mask 1 for safety reasons pertaining to choke hazards.

[0105] PASSAGE

[0106] The passage 32 optionally includes the mouthpiece 30 or include the mouthpiece 30. Different embodiments of the passage 32 are shown in Fig. 4. The passage 32 optionally includes multiple holes, spread across the wall between the first and second chambers 10, 20.

[0107] USE OF THE FILTER MASK

[0108] The filter mask 1 of Figs. 2 and 4c is adapted for use with the following procedure as partially shown in Figure 3:

[0109] 1. Fitment of the filter mask 1 to the face 40 including attachment of straps, elastic etc.

[0110] 2. Drawing the mouthpiece 30 inwards towards the wearer's mouth 41.

[0111] 3. The wearer holding the mouthpiece 30 and forming a seal around the mouthpiece 30 with the wearer's lips 41.

[0112] The use of the mask 1 may further be described as follows:

[0113] 1. Breathing into the passage 32 releases hot air and moisture, vapour, and CO2.

[0114] 2. By breathing through the passage 32, the hot air, vapour, and CO2 will bypass the first chamber 10 or the zone 3- entering only the second chamber.

[0115] 3. The hot air, vapour, and CO2 will be trapped in the second chamber 20 due to the non- porous or minimally porous divider 12. The hot air and CO2 can only escape through the filtered outer layer 21 of the second chamber 20 - this ensures minimal amounts of hot air, vapour, and CO2 re-enter the first chamber 10.

[0116] 4. With no or minimal hot air, vapour, and CO2 in the first chamber 10, the environment inside the first chamber 10 is much more comfortable for breathing through the nose. It makes the wearer's facial skin more comfortable, allowing it to stay cooler and making skin irritations less likely to occur, and making the overall respirator 1 experience much healthier and more pleasant for the wearer.

[0117] FILTER

[0118] The filter 1 is optionally adapted to form a seal with the mouthpiece 30 such that air does not exit the user's lips 41 into a zone 3 inside the filter mask 1. The zone 3 inside the filter mask 1 is bounded by the filter mask 1 and the users or wearers face 40 as shown in Fig. 3.

[0119] The filter 1 optionally receives air only from outside the zone 3 and directly from the user's lips 41 or airways. In other words, optionally the mouthpiece 30 forms a secondary seal in addition to the mask 1 between the wearer's airways and the filter 1.

[0120] The filter may include a KN95, N95, Pl, P2 or P3 mask filter.

[0121] A benefit of the mask 1 according to the invention is that since there is minimal hot air in the first chamber 10 because of the effective dissipation of hot moist air from the wearer's mouth 41 and the zone 3. Accordingly, fogging on a wearer's glasses is mitigated. Fogging in a prior art mask X is caused by moist air escaping from the upper edge of the peripheral seal of the sole chamber.

[0122] Figures 10 to 112b show a mouth piece according to an eighth or ninth embodiment of the invention. The mouthpiece 130 includes a single passage 132 adapted to fluidically connect a first chamber 110,210 of the filter mask 101,201 to a second chamber 110,210 of the filter mask 101,201. The mouth piece 130 includes a curved mouth contact feature 139. The mouth contact feature 139 includes a curve adapted to match curved contour of a wearer's lips or interior of the wearers mouth. The mouth contact feature 139 is located at a first end 136ii of the mouthpiece 130. The mouth contact feature 139 encloses the first end 136ii of the passage 132. The mouthpiece 130 further includes four ribs 138 on an exterior of the mouthpiece 130. The mouthpiece 130 could alternatively have on its exterior a spiral feature with 2 - 8 annular passes instead of the ribs 138. The ribs 138 are adapted to be received an elastic or permanently deformable sleeve or hole formed in the filter mask 101, 201. The elastically deformable sleeve or hole is a hole that fluidically connects the first chamber 110,210 to the second chamber 120,220 of the filter mask 101,201. The ribs 138 extend from a second end 136i of the mouth piece 130 to a location intermediate the length of the mouthpiece 130. The ribs 138 enclose a second end 136i of the passage 132. The mouthpiece 130 includes at the first end 136ii a mouth insert 134 shaped to conform to a wearers mouth by having a concave recess and side wings 134i that extend further rearwardly than upper and lower portions 134ii.

[0123] The eighth embodiment of the filter mask 101 shown in Figs. 7 to 8b includes the first and second chambers 110,120 of the filter mask 101. The first chamber 110 is shaped to conform to the contours around a typical wearer's mouth.

[0124] The first chamber 210 of the ninth embodiment of the filter mask shown in Fig. 9 has a truncated conical shape and the second chamber 220 has a cylindrical shape with a bevelled outer edge and curved joining wall at the transition between the first and second chamber s 210,220.

[0125] Therefore the mouth piece 130 may be separated from the filter mask 100, 200 and may be removably or releasably inserted into the mask 100,200. The mouth piece 130 may be insertable in an aperture 14 in the divider 12 in a fixed position, or may be adapted to be shunted reciprocally and axially, coaxially with the aperture 14 provided in the divider 12, between the wearer's mouth and in communication with the second chamber 120,220.

[0126] DEFINITIONS, MEANINGS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS

[0127] Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0128] In this specification, reference to a "filter" includes mask material, such as the standard walls of a mask, that are capable of filtering airborne particles from a flow of air therethrough.

[0129] In the present specification, terms such as "apparatus", "means", "device" and "member" may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an "apparatus", "means", "device" or "member" or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an "apparatus", "assembly", "means", "device" or "member" is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0130] In the present specification, the phrase "and / or" refers to severally or any combination of the features. For example, the phrase "feature 1, feature 2 and / or feature 3" includes within its scope any one of the following combinations: Feature 1 or feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 and feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 or feature 2 and feature 3; feature 1 and feature 3 or feature 2; feature 1 and feature 2 and feature 3.

[0131] The meaning of descriptive, precise or absolute terms such as "flexed", "normal", "parallel", "horizontal", "vertical" or "fully" includes the preceding qualifier "substantially or almost", unless the context or contrary is expressly indicated.

[0132] Qualifying relative terms, such as "relatively", "sufficiently", "near", "almost" or "substantially", may be taken to indicate a variation in an absolute value of between O2and 10^ or between 0% and 10%, relative to the absolute value. For example, "near horizontal" may be taken to mean any orientation between 0- and 10^ relative to the horizontal.

[0133] Where the word "for" is used to qualify a use or application of an object term, the word "for" is only limiting in the sense that the device or component should be "suitable for" that use or application.

[0134] In the present specification, the term "integral" means formed of one body in a single process. In particular, the term "integrally formed" means formed of the one body without postforming attachment of separately formed component parts. That is, "integrally formed" and the similar term "unitarily formed" mean formed in a single forming process and do not include post-forming attachment of component parts by means of fastener or other component fixing substances or methods.

[0135] Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, which will usually be apparent from the context.

[0136] In the present specification, the term "integral" means formed of one body in a single process. In particular, the term "integrally formed" means formed of the one body without postforming attachment of separately formed component parts. That is, "integrally formed" and the similar term "unitarily formed" mean formed in a single forming process and do not include post-forming attachment of component parts by means of fastener or other component fixing substances or methods.

[0137] The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element.

[0138] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The features and components of each of the embodiments of the invention described in the detailed description and / or depicted in the accompanying drawings may be interchangeable as required, with regard to functional equivalency and compatibility. A feature or component described with reference to one but not all embodiments, if functionally and dimensionally compatible as an addition with another embodiment herein described, or substitutable with a corresponding feature or component of that other embodiment in relation to which it has not been expressly described, should be read as a potential addition or substitution to that other embodiment and as being within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, in considering a feature or component that is described in relation a particular embodiment but may be omitted from the embodiment without losing the functionality characterising the invention and without departing from the scope of the invention, unless the context and expressions used in describing the embodiment imputes that the feature or component is essential to the invention as broadly described, the omittable feature or component may be read as not being included in the embodiment.

Claims

The claims:

1. A filter mask with a first and second chamber, the first chamber form fitted to a wearer or users face, the second chamber extending off chamber walls of the first chamber, the second chamber connected to the first chamber via a passage, at least the second chamber including a filter or filter material.

2. The filter mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter mask further includes a mouthpiece adapted to provide a passage between the first and second chamber or directly from the wearer's lips to the second chamber.

3. The filter mask as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the passage includes a single hole.

4. The filter mask as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the mouth piece includes a first end adapted to fit in the wearer's mouth.

5. The filter mask as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the first end includes a contoured surface adapted to follow the wearer's lips.

6. The filter mask as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the mouth piece comprises a tube.

7. The filter mask as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the first end has a concave shape adapted to fit in the wearer's mouth.

8. The filter mask as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the mouthpiece includes a mouthpiece body extending from a second end thereof and having annular or helical external sealing features.

9. The filter mask as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the sealing features comprise at least two annular ribs.

10. The filter mask as claimed in Claim 9, wherein a groove defined by the ribs is adapted to sealingly receive an inner edge of an aperture between the first and second chambers whereby the passage is defined by the mouth piece and exchange of fluid between the first and second chambers with minimal resistance occurs through the passage.

11. The filter mask as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the mouthpiece includes ribs adapted seal and secure the mouthpiece in a hole in a panel between and partitioning the first and second chambers.

12. The filter mask as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the first chamber is, apart from the passage, the characteristics of a KN95, N95, Pl, P2 or P3 filter mask.

13. The filter mask as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mouthpiece is adapted to form a sealed passage between the wearer's airways and a filter of the mask.

14. The filter mask as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the second chamber is positioned relative to the first chamber to not make contact with the wearer's face when the filter mask is worn.

15. The filter mask as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the passage includes a single hole or multiple holes and no mouthpiece.

16. The filter mask as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the second chamber includes one or more water vapour absorbent materials.

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