Abstract:
A retractable drink system for providing fluid delivery to a wearer with a donned protective mask covering the mouth, the drink system including a drink tube mounted within the interior of the mask, the drink tube having a retracted position and a deployed position; and an actuation coupling externally accessible with respect to the mask, the actuation coupling moving the drink tube between the retracted and deployed positions.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a respiratory protective device and particularly to a retractable drink tube system for delivery of fluid to the wearer while the hood is donned. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Respiratory protective devices are only effective if they are worn. In many situations, wearers of the protective devices must don them for extended periods of time. While respiration is a critical physiological need, so is hydration and nutrition. Some respiratory protective devices have no provision for introducing fluids to the wearer while the device is donned. Thus, the device must either be removed—thereby sacrificing protection, or the wearer must suffer thirst and hunger until the threat passes. 
         [0003]    Some protective masks do provide a drink tube which, when coupled with an external fluid supply, permit the wearer to consume liquids. However, current designs have a number of drawbacks. First, the tubes are fixed in proximity to the wearer&#39;s mouth. While this facilitates use of the drink tube, it is also uncomfortable and/or distracting to a wearer that dons the protective mask for a period of time. The drink tube is inherently an obstruction to the user when not needed. Because the tube is fixed, they are generally required to be made of soft, flexible material as they come into frequent contact with the mouth, face and possibly nose of the wearer. The soft, flexible material often collapses under the vacuum created by the user to draw in a volume of liquid, particularly if it is viscous. In addition, because the material is soft and yielding, the internal diameter of the drink tube is restricted or the tube will collapse and/or kink. 
         [0004]    What is needed in the art is a drink tube that pivots from a retracted and deployed position so that the wearer is only presented with the obstruction when needed. 
         [0005]    Another need in the art is a drink tube that can be actuated without removing the respiratory protective device thereby maintaining constant protection for the wearer. 
         [0006]    Another need in the art is for a drink tube that does not collapse or kink. 
         [0007]    Another need in the art is for a drink tube that supports a larger internal diameter to permit greater amounts of fluid to be consumed by the wearer without the resistance inherent with a smaller internal diameter drink tube. 
         [0008]    Another need in the art is for a drink tube that is adjustable to different positions within the protective mask to accommodate an individual user&#39;s preferences and/or physiology. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a retractable drink system that provides fluid delivery to a wearer of a donned protective mask that covers the mouth. Fluid is generally defined as any substance such as a gas, liquid or powder which flows. It differs from a solid in that is can offer no permanent resistance to the change of shape. For the purposes of the present application fluids may include, but are not limited to, hydrating liquids such as water, liquid food solutions for caloric intake, and medical/therapeutic substances. In the context of this application, a mask includes those devices used to create a substantially fluid-tight seal about the mouth. Masks include, but are not limited to, full face piece masks, half masks, nose cups and quarter masks. The fluid tight seal may be set against airborne contaminants such as nuclear, chemical and/or biological particles, or may set against the intrusion of liquids such as an underwater mask. The mask may be directly exposed to the hazardous environment or may be further protected by another barrier such as a hood or full-body suit. 
         [0010]    A drink tube is mounted within the interior of the mask, the drink tube having a retracted position and a deployed position. An actuation coupling, externally accessible with respect to the mask, moves the drink tube between the retracted and deployed positions. The drink tube is biased towards a retracted position when the actuation coupling is not engaged. A fluid shut-off valve may be provided that is engaged when the drink tube is in a retracted position and disengaged when the drink tube is in a deployed position. In an embodiment of the invention, the drink tube moves from the retracted and deployed positions about a predetermined pivot point axis, the actuation coupling comprises an elongate member that is affixed to and turns in synchronization with the pivot point axis. 
         [0011]    A fluid shut-off valve may be integrated into the drink tube system whereby when the drink tube is in a retracted position the shut-off valve is engaged. When the drink tube is in a deployed position the shut-off valve is disengaged. In another embodiment of the invention, an extendable drink tube may be provided comprising a plurality of fluid-tight tubes slideably received within each other to extend and retract along a longitudinal path. 
         [0012]    An embodiment of the invention is well suited for nose cup masks. In this embodiment, a substantially triangular nose cup has a top nose bridge, a left lower corner, a right lower corner, a face-sealing concave rear side opening, a convex front, an interior and an exterior. A drink tube is mounted within the interior of the nose cup, the drink tube has a retracted position and a deployed position. An actuation coupling externally accessible with respect to the nose cup moves the drink tube between the retracted and deployed positions. An exhalation port extends through the nose cup front. A substantially rigid backing plate is mounted about the exhalation port on the interior surface of the nose cup front. The drink tube is pivotally affixed to the backing plate. A fluid supply inlet port passes through the backing plate. The fluid supply inlet ports fluidly couples a drink source external to the nose cup with the drink tube internal to the nose cup. An actuation coupling is externally accessible with respect to the nose cup, the actuation coupling moving the drink tube between the retracted and deployed positions wherein the drink tube moves from the retracted and deployed positions about a predetermined pivot point axis, the actuation coupling includes an elongate member that is affixed to and turns in synchronization with the pivot point axis. An attachment bracket pivotally secures a portion of the drink tube to the backing plate. The attachment bracket is secured to a first edge of the backing plate and the drink tube in the retracted position laterally traverses the backing plate thereby terminating at a second edge of the backing plate, the second edge substantially distal to the first edge. The drink tube traversing the backing plate may be preformed to align with the outer perimeter of the exhalation port thereby maintaining an unobstructed exhalation pathway. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an elevated view of a nose cup embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are top down, partially sectional elevated views of a nose cup embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3A-3D  are elevated sequential views of a nose cup folding method according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the invention integrates the pivoting drink tube  10  within the interior  15  of nose cup  20 . Nose cup  20  is substantially triangular in shape with a top nose bridge  30 , a left lower corner  40 , a right lower corner  50 , a face-sealing concave rear side opening  60 , and convex front  70 . Drink tube  10  couples fluid supply source  130  ( FIGS. 2A-B ) with dispensing tip  90 . Exhalation port  100  extends through nose cup front  70 . Substantially rigid backing plate  110  is mounted about exhalation port  100  on the interior surface of nose cup front  70 . 
         [0018]    Fluid supply inlet port  120  passes through backing plate  110 . Fluid supply inlet port  120  fluidly couples fluid source  130  ( FIGS. 2A-B ) external to nose cup  20  with drink tube  10 A-B internal to nose cup  20 . Actuation coupling  140  is externally accessible with respect to nose cup  20  via actuation interface  150 . 
         [0019]    Turning to  FIGS. 2A-B , actuation coupling  140  ( FIG. 1 ) moves drink tube from retracted position  10 A to deployed position  10 B along an arc. Note that retracted dispensing tip position  90 A moves along the arc defined by arrow path  95  to deployed dispensing tip position  90 B in  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2B , drink tube  10  is moved to deployed position  10 C along arrow path  105 . Note that deployed dispensing tip position  90 C is further away from concave rear side opening  60  than dispensing tip position  90 B. An advantage of the present invention is that the wearer can move drink tube  10  to a position that is most effective and comfortable to that particular wearer. 
         [0020]    In the embodiment shown, actuation coupling  140  moves drink tube  10  from retracted position  10 A to deployed position  10 B about predetermined pivot point axis  160 . At least one attachment bracket  170  pivotally secures a portion of drink tube  10  to backing plate  110 . For pivoting a fluid connection, one or more pivot joints  180  may be provided along the pivot point axis  160 . 
         [0021]    It can be seen in  FIG. 1  that attachment brackets  170 A-B are secured to a first edge of backing plate  110 . Drink tube  10  in the retracted position laterally traverses backing plate  110  thereby terminating at a second edge of the backing plate, the second edge substantially distal to the first edge. Drink tube  10  is also preformed to align with the outer perimeter of exhalation port  100  thereby maintaining an unobstructed exhalation pathway while in the retracted position. An advantage of this configuration is that drink tube  10 , exhalation port  100  and backing plate  110  form a compact, rigid collection of parts around which nose cup  20  may be folded for compact storage. 
         [0022]    A folding method according to an embodiment of the invention is provided in  FIGS. 3A-D . As noted above, nose cup  20  is generally triangular-shaped having a nose bridge  30 , a left lateral extension  40  and a right lateral extension  50  ( FIG. 3A ). Nose bridge  30  is folded downward ( FIG. 3B ). Either lateral extension (left lateral extension  40  in this example) is folded inward over the folded nose bridge  30 . ( FIG. 3C ) Finally, the remaining later extension (right lateral extension  50  in this example) is folded inward to either abut or overlap left lateral extension  40  thereby forming highly compact folded nose cup  30 . Note that the position of actuation interface  50  disposed substantially below backing plate  110  does not obstruct the folding method. 
         [0023]    An advantage of the invention is that by pivoting the drink tube away from the wearer when not in use, the drink tube can be made of substantially rigid material which permits a larger internal diameter, greater fluid flow, and less drinking resistance. 
         [0024]    Another advantage of the invention is that the drink tube may be repositioned without removing the protective device thereby maintaining its protection factor. 
         [0025]    Yet another advantage of the invention is that embodiments thereof support folding of the mask into highly compact shapes for storage and portability. 
         [0026]    Yet another advantage of the invention is that it permits the wearer to adjust the position of the drink tube to accommodate the preferences, comfort and physiology of the wearer. 
         [0027]    It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
         [0028]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. Now that the invention has been described,