Abstract:
A half-face respiratory mask is disclosed. The respiratory mask has replaceable filters associated with inhalation valves, the filters further having a minimal relief from an outer surface of the respiratory mask. The respiratory mask may be made of a substantially transparent material, a substantially colorless material, or both, or of a aesthetically pleasing color scheme, and may be of a size, weight, and design such that the respiratory mask is physically discreet and unobtrusive to the user for everyday or active use, and is unobtrusive, discreet, or otherwise aesthetically appealing to users and passersby.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to half-face respiratory masks, especially those respiratory masks that are aesthetically pleasing, discreet, and unobtrusive for the user and passersby and are intended to protect the wearer from biological, chemical, and foreign object inhalants.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In the world today, many people are concerned for their own personal safety. Exposure to airborne pollutants has been linked to a variety of respiratory and cardiac health effects. Airborne particulate matter, known as PM, is one of the major components of smog. PM also includes microscopic particles in the air. These particles, capable of being inhaled by humans, are divided into two size ranges: “fine” and “coarse” particulate matter.  
         [0003]     “Fine” particles less than 2.5 micrometers in size (PM2.5) are responsible for causing the greatest harm to human health. 1/20th the width of a human hair, these fine particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs reaching areas where the cells replenish the blood with oxygen. They can cause breathing and respiratory ailments including irritation, inflammation and damage to the lungs and premature deaths.  
         [0004]     Some PM2.5 is released directly to the atmosphere from industrial smokestacks and automobile tailpipes, but a large percentage is actually formed in the atmosphere from other pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Major sources of these other pollutants may include fossil fuel combustion in motor vehicles, power plant and industrial emissions, as well as industrial processing and solvent vapors.  
         [0005]     Although not as serious a threat to human health as PM2.5, “coarse” particles covering the range from 2.5 to 10 micrometers in diameter (PM&lt;10), are also known to cause adverse health effects. When inhaled, they tend to be deposited in the upper parts of the respiratory system from which they can be eventually expelled back into the throat. Coarse particles generally remain in the form in which they are released into the atmosphere without chemical transformation, eventually settling out under the influence of gravity. While some of these coarse particles are generated naturally from sea salt spray, wind and wave erosion, volcanic dust, windblown soil, and pollen, they are also produced by human activities, such as construction, demolition, mining, road dust, tire wear, and grinding processes of soil, rocks, or metals.  
         [0006]     Obviously, critical and acute airborne particulates present a dangerous, immediate threat. In addition to the above mentioned airborne particulate matter, other airborne health hazards include threatened and horrifying realities such as outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), other inhalant viruses, and chemical or biological weapons attacks.  
         [0007]     Typical respiratory masks protect users against such inhalants and are available in a variety of configurations, such as fiber filters and larger, air-purifying chemical respirators. While these masks are effective in purifying air that the user inhales, they tend to be large, heavy, opaque, unsightly, or otherwise obtrusive to the user.  
         [0008]     Fiber filters, commonly known as surgical masks, are readily available but are not aesthetically pleasing due to their opacity. More importantly, most surgical masks fail to achieve an effective hermetic seal around the face, drastically decreasing their effectiveness. “Industrial” quality air purifying respiratory masks that utilize replaceable, long-life filtration cartridges are also available, and are effective in protecting against vapors and gases. However, industrial respirator masks tend to be bulky, made of opaque or otherwise visually obtrusive rubber and plastics, and prominently protrude from both sides of the user&#39;s face.  
         [0009]     While fiber filter masks fail to achieve optimum filtration due to their loose seal, and air-purifying respiratory masks provide an adequate seal but are visually and physically obtrusive, average persons desiring a personal respirator outside of industrial manufacturing or research facilities seek a filtration mask that is easily transported such as in a purse or briefcase; is light-weight and sleek for everyday wear during outdoor, athletic or other activities where airborne pollution and contaminants are of a concern; and is aesthetically stylish or sporty, or at least is as unnoticeable as possible.  
         [0010]     The present invention provides a respiratory mask that provides respiratory protection against various airborne pollutants, is aesthetically discreet, is physically unobtrusive through its light weight and sleek shape, is easily stored, and does not require extensive training in proper usage.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     New respiratory masks that provide protection against various airborne pollutants are provided. The respiratory masks of the present invention are intended to be aesthetically and physically discreet and unobtrusive, and less bulky than previously reported half-face respiratory masks.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, the respiratory mask is of a half-face style, or in other words the respiratory mask covers the lower portion of a user&#39;s face including the nose and mouth, while at the same time not covering the eyes and upper cheek areas of a user. The respiratory mask may be minimally-sized to fit the face of the wearer, and not protrude significantly from the sides of the face. The respiratory mask may be composed of light-weight materials. In this embodiment, the respiratory mask may be worn for extended periods of time or during strenuous physical activity, such as jogging, without the wearer experiencing discomfort or instability from a weighty or bulky mask.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment, the respiratory mask includes at least one one-way exhalation valve and at least one one-way inhalation valve, with the at least one one-way inhalation valve having an associated filter to protect the wearer of the respiratory mask from different types of inhalants, and with the filter having a minimal relief from the outer surface of the respiratory mask.  
         [0014]     As used in the present invention, relief is defined as how far an item is raised relative to other areas in close proximity. For example, when referring to the respiratory mask, relief is the term given to how far the respiratory mask sticks out from the face of the user, and when referring to the filters, relief is the term given to how far the filter sticks out from the outer surface of the respiratory mask, with the outer surface being the surface of the respiratory mask that faces away from the user. Therefore, minimal relief is the term given to that relief that is the least amount of relief possible, without compromising the integrity of the filter or the respiratory mask. The minimal relief of a filter may be as little as a flush fit to the outer surface of the respiratory mask so that no discernable difference in the profile of the respiratory mask and filter are apparent, or the minimal relief of a filter may be a noticeable difference between the profile of the outer surface of the respiratory mask and the profile of the filter.  
         [0015]     In another embodiment, the inhalation valve or valves are mounted on a portion of the respiratory mask at a location that extends from the chin and laterally up the respiratory mask over the wearer&#39;s jaw-line toward the earlobe.  
         [0016]     In another embodiment, the one-way inhalation valve may be elongated and extend in a smile-like shape or crescent shape from the region of the mask nearest an earlobe of the user, through the chin region of the mask, and back to a region of the mask nearest the other earlobe of the user. The valve may also extend along the jaw-line of the user in such an embodiment. The one-way inhalation valve may also be a series of two or more valves extending through a similar region of the mask.  
         [0017]     In another embodiment, the elongated valves may extend in either one or both directions from the chin region of the mask up the jaw-line region of the mask, but not fully to the earlobe region of the mask.  
         [0018]     In another embodiment, the exhalation valve or valves may be incorporated into the area of the respiratory mask covering the wearer&#39;s mouth, and the shape of the exhalation valve may be other than circular.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment, the respiratory mask of the present invention may be made of materials that are substantially transparent, substantially colorless, or both, or in whole or in part use a color scheme of multiple colors that is stylish or otherwise visually appealing.  
         [0020]     As used in reference to the present invention, substantially transparent is defined as the view through a particular material being unobstructed by hazing, bubbling, fillers, or other opaque additives. However, it is contemplated that a substantially transparent material may be subject to image distortion or imperfections in the particular material used to construct the respiratory mask and associated parts described herein. Substantially colorless is defined as the particular material not having a noticeable coloration, however it is contemplated that some inherent coloration in the material due to diffraction, thickness variations, or material imperfections, may be apparent.  
         [0021]     In another embodiment, the filter may be a fiber filter, or a filter containing purification agents such as activated carbon, such filters being known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the filter may be capable of filtering out one or more inhalants such as biological agents, chemical agents, and foreign objects. Biological agents may include those agents such as viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. Chemical agents may include those agents such as gases, mists, vapors, aerosols, and liquids. Foreign objects may include those objects such as particulate matter, dust, smoke, hair, insects, dander, and pollen.  
         [0022]     In another embodiment, the filter or filters of a respiratory mask may be integrally incorporated into the respiratory mask, such that the filter or filters have minimal relief from the surrounding outer surface of the respiratory mask. The integral incorporation may be achieved by several modes of attachment such as the filter body twisting into a receiver part of the respiratory mask, in a snap-in-snap-out configuration, or other appropriate connection arrangement that is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The receiver part of the respiratory mask may be associated with the inhalation valve or valves. The filter or filters may also be removable to allow for interchange between new and spent filters or interchange between filters that filter different inhalants under changing conditions.  
         [0023]     In another embodiment, the respiratory mask may further comprise a rolled edge on the mask portion. The rolled edge is an inwardly turned, fully incorporated portion of the respiratory mask. The rolled edge is intended to provide a comfortable fit of the respiratory mask on the user&#39;s face by using a rounded edge to contact and conform to the irregular shape of the face, to provide for a better seal with the face of the user to prevent leakage, and to allow for the mask to be worn by users having diverse and variant facial shapes and sizes.  
         [0024]     In another embodiment, a single inhalation valve may be incorporated into the area of the respiratory mask covering the wearer&#39;s chin, and the shape of the inhalation valve may be other than circular.  
         [0025]     In another embodiment, when more than one inhalation valve is incorporated in the respiratory mask, the inhalation valves may be located in the mask portions covering opposite sides of the wearer&#39;s chin. When one or more valves are incorporated in the chin portion of the respiratory mask, one or more of the valves may be circular. The inhalation valves may be located in a series along the chin portion and covered by either a single filter that is of an appropriate shape and size to encompass all the inhalation valves, or multiple filters. The series of inhalation valves along the chin portion may extend along the portion of the respiratory mask, that covers the jaw-line of the wearer, toward the portion of the respiratory mask closest to the ear or earlobe of the wearer.  
         [0026]     The size, shape and location of the inhalation and exhalation valve or valves may vary depending upon the location at which the valves are incorporated into the respiratory mask, the size of the respiratory mask, the overall aesthetic appeal of the respiratory mask, or at the discretion of the designer of the respiratory mask. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of a first embodiment of a respiratory mask.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a detail view of a valve for use in a respiratory mask.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a view of a second embodiment of a respiratory mask with chin inhalation valves.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a view of a third embodiment of a respiratory mask with elongated chin inhalation valves.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a first embodiment of a respiratory mask.  
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a second embodiment of a respiratory mask. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]     The respiratory mask  100  of the present invention is represented in  FIGS. 1-5 . The respiratory mask  100  may be constructed of a suitable, flexible, substantially transparent material such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone rubbers, or other moldable materials that are non-allergenic or non-sensitizing and are suitable for the invention described. The respiratory mask  100  may also be substantially colorless in addition to being substantially transparent, or may utilize multiple colors in stylish or appealing patterns or schemes.  
         [0034]     Incorporated into the respiratory mask are one-way inhalation  120  and one-way exhalation  140  valves. The relative positions of the inhalation valves may be reversed from the positions depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . All valves may be constructed in a similar manner. Each valve may include a port  123  incorporated into the body of the respiratory mask  100  with a flexible valve flap  121  that contacts a valve seat  122 , and a way of attaching a filter cartridge such as by a bayonet-style coupling  130 , threading, snap-fitting, or other suitable connections known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The inhalation and exhalation valves may be circular, ovular, or otherwise elongated, such as an elongated oval or crescent shape extending laterally up the respiratory mask over the wearer&#39;s jaw-line toward the earlobe, to conform with the goal of minimizing their relief and maximizing the respiratory mask&#39;s sleek design.  
         [0035]     The flexible valve flap  121  may be circular, or otherwise elongated to conform to the shape of the valve, and connected to the rest of the valve by a pin through the center of the flexible valve flap  121  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the flexible valve flap  121  may be U-shaped such that the top of the U is secured while the rest of the U forms a seal with the valve seat  122 , or the flexible valve flap and the manner of securing the valve flap may be of any other appropriate arrangement that is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the flexible valve flap  121  may be supported by a spoke arrangement, a grid arrangement, or by any other suitable arrangement, many of which are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The valve flap(s)  121  on the exhalation valve(s)  140  are seated during inhalation by the user. Conversely, the valve flap(s)  121  on the inhalation valve(s)  120  are seated during exhalation by the user.  
         [0036]     The inhalation  120  and exhalation  140  valves may be located in several portions of the respiratory mask  100 . The exhalation valve(s)  140  may be located in a portion of the respiratory mask  100  near the user&#39;s mouth to reduce respiratory condensation as depicted in  FIGS. 1, 3 , and  4 , or the exhalation valve(s)  140  may also be located in any portion of the respiratory mask. The exhalation valve(s)  140  may be disguised by a vented cover  145  as depicted in  FIG. 1 , or by a directional valve cover  220  and vent  230  as depicted in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0037]     The inhalation valve  120  may be one of several such valves incorporated into the respiratory mask. The inhalation valve  120  may be located in several positions, such as in a lateral position with respect to the exhalation valve  140 , in a substantially equidistant arrangement of two inhalation valves  120  around the exhalation valve  140 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , as a single valve in either position, as chin inhalation valves  200  located in the chin region of the respiratory mask  100 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 , or as an elongated oval or crescent shaped valve or valves  260  extending from the region covering the user&#39;s chin, along the portion of the respiratory mask covering the user&#39;s jaw-line toward the wearer&#39;s earlobe, as shown in  FIG. 4 . A lateral position is defined as being in a position generally horizontal with respect to the exhalation valve, when the respiratory mask is in place on the face of a user. A substantially equidistant arrangement is defined as a generally symmetrical arrangement of the inhalation valves  120  about the exhalation valve(s)  140 . It is not an object of the present invention that the lateral position be perfectly horizontal, nor the substantially equidistant arrangement be perfectly spaced or perfectly symmetrical. The size and shape of the inhalation  120  and exhalation  140  valves can vary depending upon the overall size of the respiratory mask, user preferences, aesthetic considerations, and other factors. For example, the shape may be circular, oblong, ovular, crescent-shaped, or multi-sided. Multi-sided is defined as any shape other than round or oval and includes square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or any other shape that will allow the valve to function in its intended manner, and also includes those same shapes with regular, defined corners or rounded corners. In keeping with the inconspicuous and unobtrusive nature of the invention, the respiratory mask and all valves and valve materials may be constructed of materials that are in whole or in part substantially transparent, substantially colorless, or both, or use in whole or in part a color scheme that is stylish or otherwise visually appealing.  
         [0038]     The inhalation valve(s)  120  may be covered by a filter cartridge  180  that locks into place over the valve. The filter cartridge  180  may attach by one of several modes such as threading, pressure-fit snapping, bayonet-style couplings, or other connections known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The filter cartridge  180  forms an airtight seal with the receiver  110  of the respiratory mask so that no inhalants are able to leak around the filter cartridge and into the respiratory system of the user. The connection site for the filter to the respiratory mask body may be located near the valve as depicted by the coupling  130  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or the connection site may be built into the receiver as threads, snap-in-snap-out couplings, or other connections known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0039]     The filter cartridge(s)  180  may be as minimally sized as possible so that their physical bulk is unobtrusive, discreet, and aesthetically pleasing. The filter cartridges may have some relief from the natural curvature or surface of the respiratory mask, however that relief may be minimal relief and the minimal relief may be limited to less than 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2, or 1 millimeters from the surface of the respiratory mask body. The result is that less attention will be drawn to the user when filter cartridges of a slender or minimal relief are used. The filter medium in the cartridges may cover a wide range of materials that are well known in the art, such as simple pressed fiber filters, including felts, and layered materials including activated carbon or other materials that will sequester harmful inhalants such as particles, dust, vapors, bacteria, mists, aerosols, viruses, and gases. The filter cartridges may be replaced as the cartridges become worn or otherwise ineffective. Cartridges of variable-strength filtration levels may be made to fit the valves thereby allowing a wearer to exchange cartridges depending upon the type and toxicity of inhalants intended to be protected from in a given setting or circumstance. The filtration cartridges may be made in a variety of shapes to complement the valve shape or shape of the area surrounding the valves where a sealing contact between the filter and the respiratory mask must be made.  
         [0040]     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , a series of chin inhalation valves  200  may be incorporated into the chin region of the respiratory mask  100 . The chin inhalation valves  200  may include two or more valves of the same style as the inhalation valves  120 . When only a single chin inhalation valve  200  is incorporated into the respiratory mask, the chin inhalation valve  200  may be of any shape other than circular or a disc. The size of the chin inhalation valves  200  can vary depending upon the overall size of the respiratory mask, user preferences, aesthetic considerations, and other factors. The chin inhalation valves may be elongated  260  and may include support structures  250  for the valve flaps as are known in the art and depicted in  FIG. 4 . The elongated chin inhalation valves  260  may also be merged into a single elongated valve that extends in a smile-shape or crescent-shape from the rear edge of the respiratory mask on one side, through the chin region of the respiratory mask, to the rear edge of the respiratory mask on the other side. It is also contemplated that the valves or elongated single valve may not extend fully from the chin to the region of the mask near the wearer&#39;s earlobe or rear edge of the respiratory mask, but to a region of the mask in-between the chin and the rear edge. A filter  210 , or filter cartridge is then alternatively put into place over each inhalation valve  200 , or is put into place over the inhalation valve(s)  200 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the filter  210  may be a single filter that covers the chin region and extends laterally up the jawline region to a point nearest the earlobe of the user. The filter  210  may be designed to protect the user against harmful inhalants such as biologic agents including viruses, bacteria, and pathogens, chemical agents including gases, mists, vapors, aerosols, and liquids, and foreign objects including particulate matter, dust, smoke, hair, small insects, dander, and pollen.  
         [0041]     Both the sealing of the respiratory mask  100  and the comfort of the user may be greatly increased by the incorporation of a rolled edge  150  into the respiratory mask  100 . The rolled edge  150  is an inwardly turned, fully incorporated portion of the respiratory mask as shown in  FIG. 3 . The rolled edge  150  provides a comfortable fit of the respiratory mask on a user&#39;s face, while at the same time allowing more material to form a better seal with the face. The rolled edge  150  also provides an adaptable contact area to conform to the different facial sizes and shapes of users of respiratory masks.  
         [0042]     As depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the respiratory mask  100  may be held in place on the user&#39;s face by a head strap  160 , a neck strap  170 , or both, or the two straps may be combined into one head harness  165  that is worn around the head in a manner that is both comfortable to the user and unobtrusive or otherwise stylish or aesthetically pleasing. The straps or head harness may be made of a comfortable soft, elastomeric material, and may cause the respiratory mask to be snug-fit to the user&#39;s face with a hook and loop attachment (i.e. Velcro®), a buckle arrangement, an alligator clip design, or other appropriate method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The respiratory mask may also be secured to the user&#39;s face with prosthetic adhesive materials available from numerous companies, and other adhesive materials known to those of skill in the art. For example, Skin-Bond® from Smith &amp; Nephew, Ben Nye Prosthetic Adhesive, and Kryolan® Medical Adhesive are but a few of the numerous adhesive materials available that are compatible with attachment of a device such as a respiratory mask to the skin of a user.  
         [0043]     The invention has been described with reference to various specific and illustrative embodiments. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.