Abstract:
A strapless respirator mask is disclosed. The strapless respirator mask comprises a cover plate defining a set of ventilation ports for air intake and a set of outlet ports for exhalation wherein the cover plate is affixed to a filter body defining a curvature of a first value; and a mouth piece coupled to the filter body, the mouth piece extending outward from the filter body and defining a curvature of a second value that substantially matches the curvature of the filter body. The respirator mask further houses an exhale valve and at least one filter pack.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/976,113 entitled “RESPIRATOR MASK” filed Apr. 7, 2014, the aforementioned priority application being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to a breathing apparatus and, more particularly, to a respirator mask which is placed within the mouth of an individual to filter the incoming air and/or exhaled breath of the individual. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is well known that a respirator mask is used in contaminated or polluted environments where toxic materials are in the air. Typically, the respirator mask is designed to be worn around the head of a person and includes a strap for securing the mask to the person&#39;s head. However, this type of design for a respirator mask may be uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time. Additionally, existing designs for respirator masks may be cumbersome and/or heavy to wear. Therefore, a need exists for a strapless respirator mask that is simple and light weight to use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A strapless respirator mask is disclosed. The strapless respirator mask comprises a cover plate defining a set of ventilation ports for air intake and a set of outlet ports for exhalation wherein the cover plate is affixed to a filter body defining a curvature of a first value; and a mouth piece coupled to the filter body, the mouth piece extending outward from the filter body and defining a curvature of a second value that substantially matches the curvature of the filter body. The respirator mask further houses an exhale valve and at least one filter pack. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0005]    Several embodiments of a respirator mask are set forth in the following figures. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 2A through 2F  and  3 A through  3 D illustrate various views of a first version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 4A through 4F  and  5 A through  5 D illustrate various views of a second version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 6A through 6F  and  7 A through  7 D illustrate various views of a third version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 8A through 8F  and  9 A through  9 D illustrate various views of a fourth version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 10A through 10E  illustrates various views of a fifth version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 11 through 14  illustrates various front views of other versions of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 15 and 16  is a side and corresponding cross-sectional view of yet another version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]    The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. 
       Example Exploded View of a Respirator Mask 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example exploded view of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated, the respirator mask includes a cover plate  100 , a set of filter packs  102 , an exhale valve  104 , a filter body  106  and a mouth piece  108 . The cover plate  100  includes a pattern of ventilation ports for air intake which enables incoming air to be filtered through the set of filter packs  102 . The exhale valve  104  enables air outtake through a set of outlet ports positioned substantially at the center of the cover plate  100 . In some embodiments, the exhale valve comprises a elastomeric material (or any other thin and flexible material), which is able to resume its original shape when a deforming force is removed. The filter body  106 , as shown, includes a set of flanges (e.g., a jutting rib of some type) to fit the exhale value  404  and secure the set of filter packs  102 . It is appreciated that any appropriate type of filter pack(s) with varying filtering properties or capabilities may be utilized and still be within the scope of the subject technology. 
       Example Respirator Mask—First Version 
       [0016]      FIGS. 2A through 2F  and  3 A through  3 D illustrate various views of a first version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. A side view  205  of a the respirator mask, a bottom view  210  of the respirator mask, a perspective view  215  of the respirator mask, a front view  220  of the respirator mask, a top view  225  of the respirator mask, and a cross-sectional view  230  of the respirator mask are shown in  FIGS. 2A through 2F . A front view  305  of the respirator mask, a perspective view  310  of the respirator mask, a top view  320  of the respirator mask, and a side view  325  of the respirator mask are shown in  3 A through  3 D. 
         [0017]    As illustrated in the various views  210 ,  225  and  320 , it is appreciated that the respirator mask includes an exterior housing that exhibits a curvature that allows the respirator mask to substantially conform to a face of a person when the respirator mask is fitted. Additionally, the respirator mask includes a curved mouth piece as can be seen in the views  210 ,  225  and  320  that is adapted to engage with a mouth of a person. The mouth piece extends outwardly from the filter body of the respirator. 
       Example Respirator Mask—Second Version 
       [0018]      FIGS. 4A through 4F  and  5 A through  5 D illustrate various views of a second version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. A side view  405  of a the respirator mask, a bottom view  410  of the respirator mask, a perspective view  415  of the respirator mask, a front view  420  of the respirator mask, a top view  425  of the respirator mask, and a cross-sectional view  430  of the respirator mask are shown in  4 A through  4 F. A front view  505  of the respirator mask, a perspective view  510  of the respirator mask, a top view  520  of the respirator mask, and a side view  525  of the respirator mask are shown in  5 A through  5 D. 
         [0019]    The respirator mask as illustrated in  4 A through  4 F and  5 A through  5 D include a set of ventilation ports in a configuration that is different than the respirator mask illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2F  and  3 A through  3 D. 
       Example Respirator Mask—Third Version 
       [0020]      FIGS. 6A through 6F  and  7 A through  7 D illustrate various views of a third version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. A side view  605  of a the respirator mask, a bottom view  610  of the respirator mask, a perspective view  615  of the respirator mask, a front view  620  of the respirator mask, a top view  625  of the respirator mask, and a cross-sectional view  630  of the respirator mask are shown in  FIGS. 6A through 6F . A front view  705  of the respirator mask, a perspective view  710  of the respirator mask, a top view  720  of the respirator mask, and a side view  725  of the respirator mask are shown in  FIGS. 7A through 7D . 
         [0021]    The respirator mask as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A through 6F  and  FIGS. 7A through 7D  include a set of ventilation ports in a configuration that is different than the respirator masks illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 5 . 
       Example Respirator Mask—Fourth Version 
       [0022]      FIGS. 8A through 8F  and  FIGS. 9A through 9D  illustrate various views of a fourth version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. A side view  805  of a the respirator mask, a bottom view  810  of the respirator mask, a perspective view  815  of the respirator mask, a front view  820  of the respirator mask, a bottom view  825  of the respirator mask, and a cross-sectional view  830  of the respirator mask are shown in  FIGS. 8A through 8F . A front view  905  of the respirator mask, a perspective view  910  of the respirator mask, a top view  920  of the respirator mask, and a side view  925  of the respirator mask are shown in  FIGS. 9A through 9D . 
         [0023]    The respirator mask as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A through 8F  and  FIGS. 9A through 9D  include a set of ventilation ports in a configuration that is different than the respirator masks illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 7 . 
       Example Respirator Mask—Fifth Version 
       [0024]      FIGS. 10A through 10E  illustrates various views of a fifth version of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. A front view  1005  of a the respirator mask, a side view  1010  of the respirator mask, a perspective view  1015  of the respirator mask, a top view  1020  of the respirator mask, and a rear view  1025  of the respirator mask are shown in  FIGS. 10A through 10E . 
         [0025]    The respirator mask of  FIGS. 10A through 10E  includes a different filter body than the respirator masks illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 9 . Additionally, the set ventilation ports in  FIG. 10A .  FIGS. 10A through 10E  are different than the respirator masks illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 9 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 11 through 14  illustrates various front views,  1100 ,  1200 ,  1300  and  1400  respectively of other versions of a respirator mask in accordance with some embodiments. It should be understood that in any of the afore-described respirators, a tapered air channel may be provided for filtered air to pass through, wherein the tapered air channel optimizes the space and air flow resistance, providing greater efficiency to the filter. Additionally, a connection point between the exhale valve, and filtered air intake is provided, wherein the proximity of the filtered air intake (right and left of the exhale valve) is a KEY feature in this design. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16  there is shown a side and corresponding cross-sectional view  1500  and  1600  respectively of yet another version of a respirator mask and illustrates a different angled exhale valve walls than was previously shown and described in  FIGS. 1 through 14 . More particularly, instead of the exhale walls being parallel they are angled to optimize the space relation between the filtered air intake and exhale valve. 
         [0028]    The previous description is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject technology. 
         [0029]    A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect can apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as an aspect can refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration can apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as a configuration can refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.