Respiratory Mask Protective Strip for Storage and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory protection masks, particularly foldable ones, face issues with storage space due to bulkiness and intermingling of attachment elements when stacked, leading to difficulties in easy retrieval and potential contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A foldable respiratory protection mask design featuring a porous filtration piece with discrete outer zones for attachment, a protective strip along the edge that covers the attachment element, and a malleable nose insert for improved sealing, ensuring easy stacking and reduced contamination risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If foldable masks are stacked one above the other for storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but the attachment elements of different masks intermingle causing retrieval difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The protective strip acts as an intermediary element that covers and separates the attachment elements of adjacent masks when stacked. This mediator prevents direct contact and intermingling between cords of different masks, allowing dense stacking while maintaining easy retrieval by preventing cord tangling.
2Ease of operation
If the attachment element is exposed for easy access, then ease of use is improved, but contamination risk increases when masks are stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The mask structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the protective strip forms a separate protective zone that covers the attachment elements during storage, while allowing easy access during use. This segmentation enables the attachment element to remain protected when not in use while being easily accessible when needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the mask structure is simplified for easy manufacturing, then manufacturing ease is improved, but storage space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective strip is implemented as a thin, flexible film that can be easily integrated into the mask structure. This thin-film approach adds minimal volume to the mask while providing effective coverage of the attachment elements, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving storage efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design allows for efficient storage, prevents intermingling of attachment elements, enhances facial sealing to prevent contamination, and provides comfort and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a porous piece 2 for protection by filtration
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The mask has a porous protective part (2) comprising discreet outer zones on which a fastening element (3) is integrated to retain the part (2) in front of the nose and the mouth of a bearer, where the part (2) is formed by stacking of layers of a laminated non-woven spunbond-meltblown-spunbond. A protective strip (10) is provided along a part of edges (8, 9) of the part (2) and is integrated to the part (2) on the outer zones. The element (3) is interposed between the part (2) and the strip such that the strip partially covers the element (3).