Face shield

Abstract

To provide a face shield with an excellent shielding function.SOLUTION: There is provided a face shield including: a mounting part 12 to be mounted on a head of a user 18; a shield part 14 for protecting a face 19 of the user 18; and a nozzle part 16 capable of forming an air curtain 17 in front of the shield part 14, wherein the shield part 14 straightens the air curtain 17 outside the shield part 14, and the shield part 14 is arranged with a gap A between itself and the face 19 to allow for an interposition of goggles 22 and a mask 24 worn on the face 19.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a face shield capable of protecting a user's face.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in various operations performed at construction sites, medical sites, etc., instruments for protecting workers have been used. For example, in order to protect the face (facial surface) of a worker, solid instruments such as face shields and face guards are used. Also, in order to protect the eyes, protective glasses, goggles, etc. are used, and in order to protect the respiration, dust masks, gas masks, airline masks, air respirators, etc. are used. Furthermore, among these protective instruments, those forming an air curtain, for example, those shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in any of the inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, for example, in an operation of handling a material in a mucous or misty (foggy) state, there may occur a case where the material cannot be sufficiently prevented from adhering to the shield portion.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a face shield excellent in shield function.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Features of a face shield according to an aspect of the present invention include a mounting portion for mounting on a user's head, a shield portion for protecting the user's face, a nozzle portion capable of forming an air curtain in front of the shield portion, and being provided with these.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide a face shield excellent in shield function.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <First> Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In this embodiment and the drawings related to this embodiment, components with the same reference numerals are assumed to have the same structure or function. Also, it is assumed that components having the same structure or function may be described in different scales and shapes in different figures due to drawing circumstances and the like.

[0010] <Basic Structure of Face Shield 10> Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) schematically show a face shield 10 according to this embodiment. The face shield 10 includes a mounting portion 12, a shield portion 14, a nozzle portion 16, etc. The mounting portion 12 may be anything that can be mounted on the head of the user 18, and the shield portion 14 may be anything that can protect the face 19 of the user 18. The nozzle portion 16 may be anything that can form an air curtain 17 in front of the shield portion 14.

[0011] In this embodiment, the user 18 is a person who performs the construction (spraying work) of on-site foamed urethane foam. As the spraying work of on-site foamed urethane foam, general ones can be applied. Here, the "on-site foamed urethane foam" refers to what is so-called rigid polyurethane foam. The on-site foamed urethane foam is manufactured by foaming urethane foam raw materials at the molding site (construction site) using machinery or manually (hand foaming). The on-site foamed urethane foam is mainly used for preventing condensation in buildings and as a heat insulating material. Also, the "spraying work" mentioned here refers to, for example, the work of discharging urethane foam raw materials in a mist form by a foaming machine and directly spraying them onto an object to simultaneously perform the foaming molding of polyurethane foam and the adhesion of the polyurethane foam to the object. More specifically, as the spraying work of on-site foamed urethane foam, for example, the following work is performed.

[0012] <Example of Construction of On-Site Foamed Urethane Foam> Although illustration is omitted, the isocyanate (liquid) and polyol (liquid) that are raw materials for urethane foam are each sent from a drum can to a foaming machine by a drum pump. In the foaming machine, the isocyanate and polyol are each metered and pressurized by a proportioning pump. Further, the isocyanate and polyol are heated by a primary heater.

[0013] The isocyanate and the polyol are each heated (kept warm) even by a heater hose and are fed to a gun (spray gun) that mixes and discharges the isocyanate and the polyol. When the trigger of the gun is pulled, the isocyanate and the polyol meet inside the chamber of the gun and are mixed by collision stirring. Then, while the isocyanate and the polyol start the reaction and the formation (foaming) of the urethane foam, they are discharged from the gun toward the construction surface and adhere. After adhesion, the urethane foam during the reaction forms the urethane foam on the construction surface when the reaction (foaming) of the isocyanate and the polyol ends.

[0014] <Specific Configuration of Face Shield 10> In the example shown in FIG. 1, the wearing part 12 includes a helmet 20. The helmet 20 is provided with a wearing body and a shock-absorbing liner (not shown) inside a cap body that is put on the head of the user 18 and enables retention by a chin strap. And, a protective cap equipped with the face shield 10 is configured by the combination of the wearing part 12 and the shield part 14 and the like. Further, protective gear (wearing gear) such as goggles 22 and a mask 24 is worn on the face 19 of the user 18.

[0015] The shield part 14 includes a belt-shaped arm part 26 that is curved in an arc shape along the shape of the helmet 20 and a colorless and transparent plate-shaped lens shield (shield body) 28. The arm part 26 is formed of a hard synthetic resin. The lens shield 28 is curved along the shape of the arm part 26 and is integrally coupled to the arm part 26.

[0016] The lens shield 28 may be, for example, translucent, colored transparent, or colored translucent. In the present embodiment, the material of the lens shield 28 is PET (polyethylene terephthalate). However, it is not limited to this, and various materials can be applied to the lens shield 28 as long as it can be formed into a curved shape and the visibility of the user 18 can be ensured.

[0017] The shield part 14 can position the lens shield 28 in front of the face 19 of the user 18. A sufficient space (space A shown in Fig. 1(b)) is secured between the lens shield 28 and the face 19 of the user 18 to allow protective gear (wearing gear) such as goggles 22 or a mask 24 to be interposed therebetween. And the shield part 14 covers and protects the face 19 of the user 18 from the outside of the protective gear (wearing gear).

[0018] The shield part 14 is detachable from the mounting part 12. As a configuration for making the shield part 14 detachable, various ones can be adopted. In the present embodiment, as a configuration for making the shield part 14 detachable, snap buttons (also called "hook buttons" etc. in Fig. 1(b)) 30 are adopted.

[0019] The snap buttons 30 are arranged inside both ends (two places) of the arm part 26. The arrangement of the snap buttons 30 is not limited to two places, and may be, for example, three or more places. Each snap button 30 can fit the engaging members with unevenness arranged on the helmet 20 and the arm part 26. By fitting the engaging members with unevenness, the shield part 14 is attached to the mounting part 12. Further, by separating the engaging members with unevenness, for example, by the fingers of the user 18, the shield part 14 is removed from the mounting part 12.

[0020] In this way, by making the lens shield 28 of the shield part 14 detachable from the mounting part 12, for example, during construction, when a material such as urethane foam adheres to the lens shield 28, the lens shield 28 can be removed and replaced with a clean lens shield 28.

[0021] The shield part 14 is of the flip-up type and is provided with a flip-up mechanism part 32. The flip-up mechanism part 32 is arranged outside both ends (two places) of the arm part 26. The flip-up mechanism part 32 supports the lens shield 28 so that it can be displaced in the rotational direction as shown in FIG. 2. Further, the flip-up mechanism part 32 can, for example, utilize frictional force to stop the lens shield 28 at an arbitrary position between the closed position and the fully open position.

[0022] Note that the flip-up mechanism part 32 is not limited to one that utilizes frictional force, and for example, it may be one that can maintain the opening degree (position, posture) of the lens shield 28 by utilizing a movable mechanism such as a ratchet mechanism.

[0023] In FIG. 2, the lens shield 28 in the fully closed state is shown by a solid line, and the lens shield 28 in the state of being flipped up and stopped at an angle of about 45 degrees and the lens shield 28 in the state of being flipped up to the fully open position and stopped are shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0024] In this way, by making the shield part 14 of the flip-up type, the user 18 can move the lens shield 28 in front of the face 19 of the user 18 without removing the shield part 14. And the user 18 can adjust the positions of protective devices (wearable devices) such as goggles 22 and masks 24 without removing the shield part 14. Therefore, it is possible to easily adjust the protective device (wearable device).

[0025] A protective sheet 34 may be detachably provided on the outer surface 29 of the lens shield 28. The protective sheet 34 has a shape that substantially conforms to the outer shape of the lens shield 28 and covers the entire outer surface 29 of the lens shield 28. As the protective sheet 34, for example, a transparent release film (adhesive film) can be adopted. In this case, the protective sheet 34 is attached to the outer surface 29 of the lens shield 28 via an adhesive layer on the back surface.

[0026] In this way, by detachably providing the protective sheet 34 on the shield portion 14, for example, during construction, when urethane foam adheres to the protective sheet 34, the protective sheet 34 can be peeled off from the lens shield 28, and a new protective sheet 34 can be attached to the lens shield 28.

[0027] Further, the protective sheet 34 may be a stack of a plurality of protective sheets. In this case, when the outermost protective sheet 34 becomes dirty, the outermost protective sheet 34 is peeled off (detached), and the next-layer protective sheet 34 is exposed. By doing so, it is possible to always maintain a good field of view. The protective sheet 34 in this case functions as a so-called "disposable shield" or "tear-off shield".

[0028] Subsequently, the nozzle portion 16 is disposed above the shield portion 14. As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), an on-off valve 40 and a flow rate adjustment valve (also referred to as a "speed controller") 42 are connected in series to the nozzle portion 16 via a pipe (air tube) 38. As the pipe 38, a resin tube (such as a urethane tube) having appropriate flexibility and softness is used. In FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the pipe 38 is virtually shown by a two-dot chain line. Also, in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the reference numerals of the pipe 38 are attached only to a part in order to prevent the illustration from becoming complicated.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1(b), an air source 44 is connected to the on-off valve 40. In this embodiment, a compressor is used as the air source 44. Compressed air is discharged from the air source 44, and the compressed air from the air source 44 is dehumidified by a dryer and purified by a filter (not shown). The purified air passes through the on-off valve 40 in an open state, and the air passing through the on-off valve 40 is introduced into the nozzle portion 16 after passing through the flow rate adjustment by the flow rate adjustment valve 42.

[0030] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1(a), the nozzle unit 16 is configured by combining a plurality (here, five) of nozzle bodies (nozzle units) 46. The nozzle bodies 46 are arranged in a fan shape (arc shape) along the upper part of the arm portion 26 in the shield portion 14.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, for each nozzle body 46, the pipe 38 is branched by combining a Y-shaped pipe joint 48 and an L-shaped pipe joint 50. Among the plurality (here, five) of Y-shaped pipe joints 48, four Y-shaped pipe joints 48 (excluding one (the central one) of the Y-shaped pipe joints 48 (48A)) are used to form one inlet and two outlets. Also, the central Y-shaped pipe joint 48A is used to form two inlets and one outlet. The L-shaped pipe joint 50 has one inlet and one outlet each. Here, in FIG. 1(a), the reference numerals of the L-shaped pipe joints 50 are attached only to a part (only the L-shaped pipe joints 50 at both ends) in order to prevent the illustration from becoming complicated.

[0032] The air that has passed through the flow rate adjustment valve 42 is split by the Y-shaped pipe joint 48 and directed toward the foremost nozzle body 46 and the next-stage nozzle body 46. Thereafter, the air is also split by the Y-shaped pipe joint 48 and the L-shaped pipe joint 50 and directed toward the nozzle units 16 in the previous stage and the next stage. As shown in FIG. 3, the guiding of the air by the pipe 38 is performed in the left-right direction of the helmet 20 in accordance with the arrangement of the nozzle bodies 46.

[0033] Each nozzle body 46 is of a flat type (also referred to as a "straight type") formed in a trapezoidal shape. As shown in FIG. 4 for one nozzle body 46, each nozzle body 46 has a plurality (here, 16) of discharge holes (nozzles) 54 arranged at equal intervals in a fan-shaped spreading portion. In each nozzle body 46, the shape of the discharge hole 54 is a perfect circle, and the diameter of the discharge hole 54 is about 1 mm. The discharge holes 54 are arranged in a row (in parallel) along the length direction (width direction) of the fan-shaped spreading portion.

[0034] Although illustration is omitted, inside each nozzle body 46, a predetermined number (for example, about five) of flow straightening plates are provided. Inside each nozzle body 46, the introduced air is straightened by the flow straightening plates, and the straightened air is discharged from the discharge holes 54. The discharge mode (spray pattern) of the air is linear (straight).

[0035] The nozzle body 46 directs the discharge holes 54 toward the outside of the lens shield 28 (the side opposite to the side where the user's face 19 exists). Further, the nozzle body 46 directs the discharge holes 54 in a direction along the outer surface 29 of the lens shield 28. The discharge of air from the nozzle body 46 is performed outside the lens shield 28. The air discharged from the nozzle body 46 is straightened by the lens shield 28, and an air curtain 17 is formed outside the lens shield 28.

[0036] The graphs in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) show the characteristics of one nozzle body 46. FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are an air flow rate characteristic graph, a quiet characteristic graph, and an air collision force characteristic graph, respectively. The horizontal axis of FIG. 5(a) indicates the air pressure [MPa], and the vertical axis indicates the air flow rate [L / min] in the standard state (ANR). The horizontal axis of FIG. 5(b) indicates the distance [m], and the vertical axis indicates the noise value [dB]. The injection pressure condition according to FIG. 5(b) is 0.3 [MPa].

[0037] The horizontal axis of FIG. 5(c) indicates the air pressure [MPa], and the vertical axis indicates the collision force [g]. The injection distance condition according to FIG. 5(c) is 50 [mm].

[0038] In an embodiment using five such nozzle bodies 46, the air pressure was set to 0.5 to 0.7 MPa. Then, from FIG. 5(a), the air flow rate is 375 L (liters) / min or more per one nozzle body 46, and the total air flow rate related to the five nozzle bodies 46 is theoretically 375 L (liters) / min × 5 or more. From FIG. 5(c), the air collision force is 300 to 350 g.

[0039] In the present embodiment, all of the nozzle bodies 46 are integrated with the arm portion 26 of the shield portion 14 via the stay 58. When the shield portion 14 is flipped up, the nozzle bodies 46 are displaced integrally with the arm portion 26. Further, when the shield portion 14 is removed from the helmet 20, the nozzle bodies 46 are removed from the helmet 20.

[0040] Note that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the nozzle bodies 46 may be directly fixed to the helmet 20, and the shield portion 14 and the nozzle bodies 46 may be separated. In this case, when the shield portion 14 is flipped up or removed from the helmet 20, the arrangement and outer dimensions of the shield portion 14 and the nozzle bodies 46 are determined so that the shield portion 14 does not interfere with the nozzle bodies 46. In this case, even when the shield portion 14 is removed from the helmet 20, the nozzle bodies 46 remain at a certain position of the helmet 20.

[0041] <Merits of the face shield 10 according to the embodiment> According to the face shield 10 as described above, it is possible to provide a face shield having an excellent shielding function. Specifically, there are the following merits.

[0042] In the spraying operation related to the construction of the on-site foaming type urethane foam, generally, protective equipment (wearable equipment) such as helmets, protective glasses, goggles, gas masks, protective clothing, work gloves, and work clothes are used. During the spraying operation, as described above, urethane foam raw materials are discharged from the gun (spray gun) in a spray shape (particle shape, spray shape). Then, rebounds from the wall and ceiling, dripping, and mist (particles, fog) dancing in the space are generated. Therefore, the wearing of protective equipment (wearable equipment) is performed to prevent these urethane foam raw materials and urethane foam from adhering to the operator. However, the urethane foam raw materials and urethane foam have adhesiveness and curability, and it is difficult to remove the urethane foam raw materials and urethane foam that have once adhered.

[0043] For example, if urethane foam raw materials or urethane foam adhere in granular form to protective glasses or goggles, the accumulated urethane foam raw materials or urethane foam may block the worker's view. Also, in gas masks, the filter may become clogged, narrowing the air passage and reducing the function of the gas mask.

[0044] To prevent the urethane foam raw material or urethane foam from blocking the worker's view, it is possible to provide the helmet with a relatively large brim or visor. There are also face shields that have multiple overlapping, sticker-like transparent films affixed to them, and if the urethane foam raw material or urethane foam adheres to the outermost film and blocks the worker's view, the outermost film can be peeled off to maintain visibility (sometimes called "disposable shields" or "tear-off shields"). However, both those with a relatively large brim or visor and those that allow the film to be peeled off to ensure visibility require frequent replacement. In addition, the effects obtained may not be sufficient in terms of safety, workability, or cost.

[0045] Furthermore, even if the invention for forming an air curtain as disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art document is applied to the construction of an on-site foaming type urethane foam, the effect obtained is not sufficient. For example, if liquid urethane foam in the middle of reaction rebounds with a large (strong) pressure that cannot be swept away (prevented) by the discharge pressure of the air curtain, the liquid urethane foam passes through the air curtain and adheres to protective equipment (wearing equipment) such as goggles and gas masks, and exposed parts of the worker's face.

[0046] In addition, when a worker wears protective equipment (wearing gear), the size and shape of the protective equipment (wearing gear) may cause the air flow in the air curtain to branch or be drawn in. In such a case, for example, mist-like urethane foam may partially adhere to or accumulate on the protective equipment (wearing gear).

[0047] In view of such circumstances, according to the face shield 10 according to the present embodiment, an air curtain 17 is formed in front of the lens shield 28 in the shield portion 14. For this reason, the outer surface 29 of the lens shield 28 can be protected by the air curtain 17. And, for example, when the liquid urethane foam during reaction splashes back, it is possible to block the urethane foam with the air curtain 17, and prevent the urethane foam from reaching the lens shield 28.

[0048] Also, even when the urethane foam flies in with such a strong pressure that it cannot be blown away (prevented) by the discharge pressure of the air curtain 17, the lens shield 28 can prevent the urethane foam from reaching protective gear (wearing gear) such as the goggles 22 and the mask 24. Further, the air curtain 17 and the lens shield 28 can prevent the urethane foam from reaching from the side of the lens shield 28 to the inside of the lens shield 28 in multiple stages (here, two stages).

[0049] As a result of these, it is possible to prevent the lens shield 28 and the protective gear (wearing gear) from being soiled by the urethane foam. Further, it is possible to more surely prevent the urethane foam from adhering to the face 19 of the user 18.

[0050] Furthermore, since it is possible to prevent the urethane foam from reaching the protective gear (wearing gear), for example, it is possible to more surely prevent the user's 18 vision from being blocked or the function of the protective gear (wearing gear) from deteriorating due to the adhesion of granular urethane foam.

[0051] Also, by using the nozzle portion 16, the flow of the air curtain 17 can be kept constant. This can also more surely prevent the user's 18 vision from being blocked or the function of the protective gear (wearing gear) from deteriorating.

[0052] In addition, since the air curtain 17 is formed along the lens shield 28 in front of the lens shield 28, it is possible to bring the formation position of the air curtain 17 as close as possible to the face 19 of the user 18. As a result, the face shield 10 forming the air curtain 17 can be downsized in the front-rear direction (the front-rear direction of the user 18).

[0053] In addition, with the face shield 10, the user 18 can ensure a good field of view for a long time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the work from being interrupted by replacing the protective gear (wearing gear), etc., and it is also possible to easily visually confirm the construction state. And it becomes possible to stably perform the spraying operation of the urethane foam, and it becomes possible to easily improve the workability of the spraying operation and the quality of the sprayed urethane foam (for example, the application thickness, smoothness, etc.).

[0054] In addition, since the air is guided by the pipe 38 in the left-right direction of the helmet 20, it is possible to guide the air according to the arrangement of the nozzle bodies 46. For this reason, it is easy to introduce air evenly into each nozzle body 46, and it is possible to discharge air as evenly as possible from the plurality of nozzle bodies 46.

[0055] In the example of FIG. 3, the pipe 38 is arranged from left to right of the helmet 20 (from left to right as viewed from the user 18 wearing the face shield 10), but it is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to use a joint that can branch in one piece in five directions and directly introduce air from the center front part of the helmet 20 to the five nozzle bodies 46.

[0056] <Inventions extractable from the embodiments> From the embodiments described above, it is possible to extract inventions regarding the face shield as follows, for example. (1) A mounting portion (such as the mounting portion 12) for mounting on the head of a user (such as the user 18), A shield portion (such as the shield portion 14) for protecting the face (such as the face 19) of the user, A nozzle part (such as nozzle part 16) capable of forming an air curtain (such as air curtain 17) in front of the shield part, A face shield comprising the same. (2) The face shield according to (1) above, wherein the shield part straightens the air curtain outside the shield part. (3) The face shield according to (1) above, wherein the shield part is arranged with a space (such as space A) for interposing a wearing tool (such as goggles 22, mask 24, etc.) worn on the face between the shield part and the face. (4) The face shield according to (1) above, wherein the shield part is detachably provided on the mounting part. (5) The face shield according to (1) above, wherein a protective sheet (such as protective sheet 34, etc.) is detachably provided on the outer surface (such as outer surface 29 of lens shield 28, etc.) of the shield part. (6) The face shield according to (1) above, characterized in that the shield part can be flipped up via a flipping-up mechanism part (such as flipping-up mechanism part 32, etc.). (7) The face shield according to (1) above, wherein the nozzle part is connected to an air source (such as air source 44, etc.) via a pipe (such as pipe 38, etc.). (8) The face shield according to any one of (1) to (7) above, which is used for the construction (such as spraying work, etc.) of urethane foam, and the air curtain prevents the urethane foam from reaching the shield part. (9) A protective cap (such as helmet 20, etc.) comprising the face shield (such as face shield 10, etc.) according to any one of (1) to (7) above.

[0057] <Others> Note that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the concretization in implementing the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner thereby. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or its main features.

[0058] For example, the nozzle unit 16 only needs to be able to form the air curtain 17, and is not limited to being configured by combining a plurality of nozzle bodies 46. For example, an air curtain 17 along the curved shape of the lens shield 28 may be formed by one arc-shaped nozzle body (not shown).

[0059] Further, the air discharge hole 54 is not limited to having a perfect circular opening, and may be, for example, an opening in a slit shape (a linear or curved long hole shape). Furthermore, a discharge hole 54 for discharging air along the lens shield 28 may be formed outside the lens shield 28 on a portion (for example, the arm portion 26) that supports the lens shield 28. In this case, the portion that supports the lens shield 28 has the function of the nozzle unit 16.

[0060] Furthermore, the helmet 20 is not essential, and for example, the arm portion 26 may be directly attached to the head of the user 18.

Industrial Applicability

[0061] The face shield according to the present invention can be applied to industrial fields where it is necessary to protect the face of a user, such as the construction of on-site foamed urethane foam, other construction sites, or medical sites.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 10: Face shield 12: Mounting portion 14: Shield portion 16: Nozzle unit 17: Air curtain 18: User 19: Face 20: Helmet 22: Goggles 24: Mask 26: Arm portion 28: Lens shield 29: Outer surface 30: Snap button 32: Flip-up mechanism portion 34: Protection sheet 38: Pipe 40: On-off valve 42: Flow control valve 44: Air source 46: Nozzle body 48: Y-shaped pipe joint 50: L-shaped pipe joint 54: Discharge hole 58: Stay

Claims

1. A mounting part for mounting on the user's head, A shield part for protecting the user's face, A nozzle part capable of forming an air curtain in front of the shield part, A face shield comprising the same.

2. The face shield according to claim 1, wherein a protective sheet is detachably provided on the outer surface of the shield part.

3. The face shield according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle part is connected to an air source via a pipe.

4. A protective cap comprising the face shield according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images