Protective mask

Abstract

To provide a protective mask to which a tube for measuring fit testing can be connected without using an adapter or a simulated surface body.SOLUTION: The protective mask 10 includes a face body 11 to be worn on the face in an airtight state, an opening 15 for connecting a measuring tube 2 extending from an external device 1 for measuring the airtight state of the face body 11, and a plug 20 for closing the opening 15 in an openable / closable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective mask, and more particularly to a protective mask having a structure to which a fit test measurement tube can be connected. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices for performing fit tests on protective masks are well known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mask fit determination device (measuring instrument) that includes a mask internal pressure detector inserted between the wearer's face and the facepiece, and a circuit control unit for determining the fit of the mask.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a measuring device for measuring the dust concentration inside and outside a mask and, based on the results, determining how properly the mask is worn, as well as a dummy facepiece for use in the measurement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-63938 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-69408 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the mask internal pressure detection unit is a piezo-resistive type ultra-small pressure sensor, and is inserted between the face and the facepiece via a flexible substrate (adapter).

[0006] In addition, in the measurement device disclosed in Patent Document 2, the dummy facepiece has an in-mask air suction unit that sucks and collects the air inside the facepiece, and an in-mask air dust sensor into which the collected air is introduced.

[0007] Thus, when performing a fit check of a protective mask, there are two cases: one is to use a protective mask that the wearer actually wears, and the other is to use a dummy facepiece for measurement.

[0008] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, when measurements are taken using a protective mask that the wearer actually wears, the wearer prepares an adapter to connect the tube of the measuring device to the mask, and then performs the measurements. The wearer must prepare an adapter that is compatible with the mask they use, which is time-consuming.

[0009] Furthermore, since the mask internal pressure testing section is inserted between the face and the mask via an adapter, it is not possible to strictly ensure close contact between the face and the facepiece.

[0010] On the other hand, when a mock facepiece for measurement is used, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a probe for connecting a tube to the mock facepiece is provided in advance, so there is no need to prepare an adapter for connecting a tube. However, since the measurement is performed using a mock facepiece, it is not possible to measure a protective mask that is actually used by the wearer.

[0011] Because of these issues when performing a fit check of a protective mask, it has been required that the protective mask that the wearer actually wears has a structure for connecting the tubes of a measuring device, without using an adapter or dummy facepiece.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved protective mask that can be connected to a tube for fit test measurement without using an adapter or a dummy facepiece, as an improvement over conventional protective masks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the first and second inventions of the present application relate to a protective mask that has a facepiece that is worn airtight against the face and has a structure to which a tube extending from an external device for measuring the degree of airtightness of the facepiece can be connected.

[0014] The protective mask according to the first invention of the present application is characterized in that the face piece has inner and outer surfaces, an opening for connecting the tube, and a plug that closes the opening in an openable and closable manner.

[0015] In one preferred embodiment of the protective mask according to the first aspect of the present invention, a connecting portion is provided for connecting the plug and the face piece.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the protective mask according to the first aspect of the present invention, the plug has a first surface located on the outer surface side and a second surface located on the inner surface side when the opening is sealed before measurement by the external device, and a display element is arranged on the second surface to indicate that measurement by the external device has been completed.

[0017] The protective mask according to the second invention of the present application is characterized in that the facepiece has an air guide pipe that penetrates from the inside to the outside and to which the tube can be connected, and the air guide pipe has a cock function for opening and closing the air passage located inside.

[0018] In one preferred embodiment of the protective mask according to the second aspect of the present invention, the air guide tube has an outer portion located outside the facepiece, and the air passage can be opened and closed by rotating the outer portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The protective mask of the present invention has a structure that allows connection of a tube extending from an external device for measuring the airtightness of the facepiece, so that fit test measurements can be performed using the product that will actually be worn, without using an adapter or dummy facepiece. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a measuring device is connected to a protective mask according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2](a) A perspective view of the protective mask before measurement, (b) A diagram showing the state in which the measurement tube of the measuring device is connected to the protective mask, and (c) A perspective view of the protective mask after measurement. [Figure 3] 2(a) and 2(b) are views similar to each other, showing an example of another embodiment of the protective mask according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4] 4(a) is a perspective view of the protective mask according to the second embodiment before measurement, (b) is a view similar to FIG. 4(a) in a state where the outer part of the air guide tube has been rotated, and (c) is a view showing the state where the measurement tube of the measuring device has been connected to the protective mask. [Figure 5] (a) An enlarged view of the air guide tube. (b) A view showing the air guide tube removed from the tubular guide part of the facepiece. [Figure 6] (a) A cross-sectional view taken along line VI(a)-VI(a) in FIG. 4(a). (b) A cross-sectional view taken along line VI(b)-VI(b) in FIG. 6(a). (c) A cross-sectional view taken along line VI(c)-VI(c) in FIG. 4(c). (d) A cross-sectional view taken along line VI(d)-VI(d) in FIG. 6(c). [Figure 7] 7(a) is a perspective view of the protective mask according to the third embodiment before measurement, (b) is a view similar to FIG. 7(a) in a state where the sampling port cover has been removed from the facepiece, and (c) is a view showing the protective mask with the measurement tube of the measuring device connected thereto. [Figure 8] (a) Enlarged view of the open end of the upper part of the connecting pipe. (b) Enlarged view of the tip of the measurement tube. [Figure 9] (a) A diagram showing the check valve structure in a closed state (b) A diagram showing the check valve structure in an open state (c). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The following embodiment relates to a protective mask 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, which is an example of the present invention, and includes not only essential configurations of the invention but also optional and preferred configurations.

[0022] First Embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, the protective mask 10 according to this embodiment is connected to a measurement device (external device, fit checker) 1 for a quantitative fit test that measures the dust concentration inside and outside the protective mask 10 and calculates a fit factor (fit coefficient) indicating how properly the protective mask 10 is worn from the results.

[0023] The protective mask 10 has inner and outer surfaces 11a and 11b and includes a face piece 11 that is fitted closely to the wearer's face, a filter unit 12 located on the front side of the face piece 11, and a strap 14 for fitting the face piece closely to the face.

[0024] The measuring device 1 includes a measurement tube (internal tube) 2 for measuring the dust concentration inside the protective mask 10, and an external tube 3 for measuring the dust concentration outside the protective mask 10. The tip 2a of the measurement tube 2 is connected to the protective mask 10 and inserted inside.

[0025] When performing measurements, first, the particle generator 6 and measuring device 1 are placed on the measurement table 5, and their power is turned on to generate dust 8 from the particle generator 6. The wearer (subject) holds the measurement tube 2 and external tube 3 extending from the measuring device 1 with one hand, maintaining a standing or sitting position, and waits until the measurement is complete. By comparing the amount of dust flowing in from the tip 3a of the external tube 3 with the amount of dust flowing in from the tip 2a of the measuring tube 2 inserted inside the protective mask 10, the fit of the facepiece 11 to the wearer's face can be checked.

[0026] Referring to Figures 2(a) and (b), the protective mask 10 has an opening 15 located in the upper part of the face piece 11 for connecting a measurement tube of the measurement device 1, and a plug 20 that closes the opening 15 in an openable and closable manner.

[0027] The plug 20 is circular and made of a soft or hard material, for example, an elastic material such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber, or a synthetic resin, and has a first surface 21 located on the outer surface 11a side of the face piece 11 and a second surface 22 located on the inner surface 11b side of the face piece 11 when the opening 15 is sealed. The plug 20 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the opening 15, and the inside of the face piece 11 can be kept airtight. Furthermore, the first surface 21 of the plug 20 has a flat shape and does not protrude from the face piece 11 to obstruct the wearer's field of vision. In addition to a circular shape, the plug 20 may have any of a variety of known shapes, such as an elliptical shape, a cylindrical shape, or a rectangular shape.

[0028] During measurement, the wearer pinches plug 20 and removes it from opening 15, and then inserts tip 2a of measurement tube 2 of measuring device 1 directly into opening 15. The size of opening 15 is designed so that measurement tube 2 can be inserted in a tightly sealed state, and when measurement tube 2 is inserted, no gap is formed between opening 15 and measurement tube 2 that could allow dust to get in. The measurer operates measuring device 1 so as to draw in air inside facepiece 11 through measurement tube 2, thereby measuring the amount of dust inside facepiece 11. In addition, by attaching a bamboo-shaped adapter to tip 2a of measurement tube 2 and inserting the adapter into opening 15, it is possible to maintain a tight seal with facepiece 11.

[0029] 2(c), after the measurement, the wearer attaches the plug 20 to the opening 15 so that the second surface 22 of the plug 20 faces outward. A display element 24 is arranged on the second surface 22 of the plug 20 to indicate that the measurement has been completed. In the illustrated example, the word "Completed" is arranged as the display element 24, which allows the wearer to easily recognize that the protective mask 10 has completed the measurement, which is performed once a year.

[0030] The display element 24 may be a letter, a known design such as a heart or star, a geometric pattern, a character, etc. Alternatively, the plug 20 may be formed by two-color molding, and the second surface 22 may have a different color from the first surface 21 to form the display element.

[0031] In the protective mask 10 of the first embodiment, the measurement tube 2 of the measuring device 1 can be directly inserted and measurement can be performed by simply removing the plug 20 that blocks the opening 15 without using an adapter.In addition, by using the plug 20 reversibly, it is easy for the outside to recognize that the protective mask 10 has been measured, making it highly convenient.

[0032] Although not shown, the face piece 11 may be formed so that the area around the opening 15 is thinner than other areas. In this case, the measurer can easily attach and detach the plug 20 by pressing his or her finger against the area around the opening 15 to cause flexible deformation.

[0033] 3(a) and (b) show another example of the protective mask 10 according to the first embodiment, in which the plug 20 is connected to the facepiece 11 via a connecting portion 25. The connecting portion 25 is a strap-like member made of soft or hard rubber or synthetic resin, and is joined to the plug 20 via a known adhesive or welding means. In this way, connecting the plug 20 to the facepiece 11 via the connecting portion 25 can prevent the wearer from losing the plug 20.

[0034] Second Embodiment The basic structure of the protective mask 10 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the protective mask according to the first embodiment, so only the differences will be explained below.

[0035] 4(a) to (c) and 5(a) and (b), the protective mask 10 according to this embodiment includes an airway 30 to which the measurement tube 2 of the measurement device 1 is connected.

[0036] The air guide tube 30 penetrates the inside and outside of the face piece 11 and has an outer section 31 extending to the outside of the face piece 11, an inner section 32 extending to the inside of the face piece 11, and an intermediate section 33 located between the outer section 31 and the inner section 32 and penetrating the face piece 11 in the inside-outside direction. The outer section (cock) 31 is rotatable in the direction of arrow A, and a tip section 31a is removably connected to the measurement tube 2.

[0037] The middle section 33 of the air guide tube 30 is inserted into a tubular guide section 18 formed in the face piece 11, and when the air guide tube 30 is turned in the direction of arrow A or the opposite direction, the middle section 33 rotates circumferentially inside the tubular guide section 18, and the outer surface of the middle section 33 essentially slides against the inner surface of the tubular guide section 18. An E-ring 19 with a locking claw is engaged with the outer surface of the inner section 32 of the air guide tube 30 to prevent the air guide tube 30 from falling off the face piece 11.

[0038] 6(a) to 6(d), the air guide pipe 30 has a first outer air passage 41 that communicates with the tip portion 31a of the outer portion 31 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the air guide pipe 30 while bending toward the intermediate portion 33, and a second outer air passage 42 that extends from the end of the first outer air passage 41 in the intermediate portion 33 in the radial direction of the intermediate portion 33 and has an outlet opening 42a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 33. The air guide pipe 30 further has a first inner air passage 43 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the air guide pipe 30 from the inner portion 32 toward the intermediate portion 33, and a second inner air passage 44 that extends from the end of the first inner air passage 43 in the intermediate portion 33 in the radial direction of the intermediate portion 33 and has an inlet opening 44a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 33.

[0039] The second outer ventilation passage 42 and the second inner ventilation passage 44 are parallel to each other, and a partition wall 45 is present between these two ventilation passages. A first O-ring 47 and a second O-ring 48 are interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the tubular guide part 18, through which the intermediate part 33 is rotatably inserted, and the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate part 33, in order to maintain a watertight state between these two circumferential surfaces.

[0040] 6(a) and 6(b), both the outlet opening 42a and the inlet opening 44a are substantially blocked by the inner peripheral surface of the tubular guide portion 18, and air circulation between the two openings 42a, 44a is cut off. Therefore, even if outside air flows through the first outer air passage 41 to the outlet opening 42a, it is blocked by the inner peripheral surface of the tubular guide portion 18 and cannot flow further than that.

[0041] A recess 49 is formed in a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the tubular guide portion 18. As shown in Figures 6(c) and (d), when the air guide tube 30 is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the outlet opening 42a and the inlet opening 44a face the recess 49. With the tip 2a of the measurement tube 2 connected to the tip portion 31a of the outer portion 31, the measurer operates the measuring device 1 to inhale air from the face piece 11 through the measurement tube 2, and the air from the face piece 11 flows through the recess 49 from the inlet opening 44a to the outlet opening 42a. If the air guide tube 30 in the state shown in Figure 6 is rotated in the direction opposite to arrow A and returned to the state shown by the solid line in Figure 5(a), the outflow of air will stop.

[0042] In this way, the cock structure of the air guide tube 30 makes it possible to control the inflow and outflow of air inside the facepiece 11, so that when measuring with the measuring device 1, the measurement can be easily performed by opening the cock while the measurement tube 2 is attached to the air guide tube 30, and when the protective mask 10 is in use, the cock can be closed to keep the inside of the facepiece 11 sealed.

[0043] Third Embodiment The basic structure of the protective mask 10 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the protective mask 10 according to the first embodiment, so only the differences will be explained below.

[0044] Referring to Figures 7(a) to (c) and Figures 8(a) and (b), the face piece 11 of the protective mask 10 of this embodiment has inner and outer surfaces 11a and 11b, a sampling port cover 60 that covers the sampling ports 51a to 51d from the outer surface side, and an attachment recess 61 covered by the sampling port cover 60.

[0045] A connecting tubular part 50 to which the tip 2a of the measuring tube 2 is detachably attached is disposed within the mounting recess 61. The connecting tubular part 50 is a hollow cylinder that communicates with the inside of the face piece 11, and is equipped with an open end 52 having sampling ports 51a to 51d, and a check valve structure that covers the sampling ports 51a to 51d from the inside surface so that the ports can be opened and closed.

[0046] The open end 52 of the connecting tubular part 50 has an outer peripheral edge part 53, a central cylindrical part 54 located radially inward of the outer peripheral edge part 53, partition walls 55 extending radially outward from the central cylindrical part 54 in a cross shape, and sampling ports 51a to 51d consisting of a plurality of openings located circumferentially between the partition walls 55. The central cylindrical part 54 has an insertion hole 56.

[0047] The check valve structure includes a check valve 70 having a flexible valve element 71 and a holding portion 72 that holds the center of the valve element 71, and a valve seat (the outer peripheral edge portion 53 of the connecting tubular portion 50) that is located radially outward of the sampling ports 51a to 51d and on which the valve element 71 can be seated. The holding portion 72 of the check valve 70 is inserted into the insertion hole 56 of the central cylindrical portion 54 of the connecting tubular portion 50, and the valve element 71 abuts against the inner surface of the outer peripheral edge portion 53 of the connecting tubular portion 50, which serves as the valve seat. In addition, a lower end portion 72a of the holding portion 72 has an expanded diameter so as to abut against the lower end of the central cylindrical portion 54 in order to prevent the check valve 70 from falling off.

[0048] The tip 2a of the measurement tube 2 of the measuring device 1 has an outer cylindrical portion 81 whose diameter gradually increases outward, and an inner cylindrical portion 82 located inside the outer cylindrical portion 81. Insertion portions 83a to 83d consisting of multiple small pieces spaced apart in the circumferential direction are located at the tip of the inner cylindrical portion 82. The tip of the inner cylindrical portion 82 further has multiple slits 84 formed between the insertion portions 83a to 83d and extending in the longitudinal direction of the measurement tube 2.

[0049] 9, with the outer cylindrical portion 81 of the tip 2a of the measurement tube 2 attached to the connecting tubular portion 50, the insertion portions 83a-83d of the inner cylindrical portion 82 are inserted into the sampling ports 51a-51d. As a result, the valve element 71 of the check valve 70 covering the sampling ports 51a-51d is pressed inward and deformed, separating from the outer peripheral edge portion 53 which serves as the valve seat and opening the valve. With the valve open, the measurer operates the measurement device 1 so as to draw in the air inside the facepiece 11 through the measurement tube 2, causing the air inside the facepiece 11 to move into the inner cylindrical portion 82 through the slits 84 in the inner cylindrical portion 82, and the amount of dust inside the facepiece 11 is measured within the measurement device 1.

[0050] After the measurement, the measurement tube 2 is removed from the connecting tubular portion 50, and the valve body 71 of the check valve 70 is released from the pressing force and returns to its original state, abutting against the outer peripheral edge portion 53, which is the valve seat, and the valve is closed.

[0051] When a separate plug 20 is used as in the first embodiment, there is a risk of losing the plug 20 after measurement, but in this embodiment, the check valve 70 is built into the face piece 11, so there is no need to remove it from the face piece 11 before or after measurement, and there is no risk of losing it after measurement. Furthermore, when the measurement tube 2 is removed from the connecting tubular portion 50 after measurement, the valve closes and the inside of the protective mask 10 is sealed, so there is no chance of forgetting to seal the inside of the protective mask 10. Furthermore, by making the rubber hardness of the check valve 70 such that it does not open when inhaled, there is no risk of outside air being drawn in even if the sampling port covers 51a to 51d are forgotten to be closed.

[0052] In addition to the illustrated example, the protective mask 10 according to the present invention may also be a full-face mask that covers the entire face of the wearer. While the measuring device 1 performs a fit check of the protective mask 10 based on the amount of dust, the fit check is not limited to dust. For example, a gas may be used to perform a fit check based on the gas concentration. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, various known materials commonly used in this field may be used without limitation for the components constituting the protective mask 10 of the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" used in this specification are used simply to distinguish between similar elements, positions, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Measuring equipment (external equipment) 2 Measuring tubes 2a Tip of the measuring tube 10. Protective masks 11-hedron 15 Opening 20 stoppers 21 Page 1 22 Side 2 24 Display elements 25 Connecting part 30 Air duct 31 Outer part 41 First outer ventilation channel 42 Second outer ventilation channel 43 First inner ventilation channel 44 Second inner ventilation channel 50 connecting tubular part 51a~51d Sampling port 53 Outer periphery (valve seat) 70 Check valve 71 Valve body 72 Holding part 82 Inner cylinder

Claims

1. A protective mask having a facepiece to be worn in an airtight state on the face, and having a structure to which a tube extending from an external device for measuring the degree of airtightness of the facepiece can be connected, The facepiece has inner and outer surfaces, an opening for connecting the tube, and a plug for closing the opening in an openable and closable manner.

2. The protective mask according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion that connects the plug and the facepiece.

3. 3. The protective mask according to claim 1, wherein the plug has a first surface located on the outer surface side and a second surface located on the inner surface side when the opening is sealed before measurement by the external device, and a display element is disposed on the second surface to indicate that measurement by the external device has been completed.

4. A protective mask having a facepiece to be worn in an airtight state on the face, and having a structure to which a tube extending from an external device for measuring the degree of airtightness of the facepiece can be connected, The facepiece has an air guide pipe that passes through the inside and outside and to which the tube can be connected, and the air guide pipe has a cock function for opening and closing the air passage located inside.

5. 5. The protective mask according to claim 4, wherein the air guide tube has an outer portion located outside the facepiece, and the air passage can be opened and closed by rotating the outer portion.

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