Abstract:
A positive-pressure respirator hood assembly comprising, a gas-impermeable hood made of a flexible material, formed with at least a transparent visor portion; a gas treatment unit, comprising a filter and a power-operated blower to force air through the filter and generate a positive pressure within the hood; a one-way purge valve for facilitating the exhaust of exhaled gases and moisture from the hood; and a sealing portion for sealingly securing the hood over a body portion of the user; the respirator hood assembly is designed to be compactly received in a container and to be deployed into an operative state automatically, whereby a user is provided protection from toxic gases and particulate material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to emergency safety equipment, particularly respirator hoods that provide filtered air to persons in toxic environments.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    There is increasing interest both from governmental agencies and the general public in protecting individuals from the harmful effects of toxic materials in the event of accidental incidents such as chemical spills, escape of toxic and noxious gases, smoke filled areas, dust and fumes, and in the event of chemical, biological, or other terror events.  
           [0003]    In addition, there is a strong desire among certain people to protect their pets and work animals (seeing-eye dogs, livestock, etc.) from the same harmful effects.  
           [0004]    Immediate protection of the respiratory tracts, eyes, and skin is required in such incidents and many of these incidents occur with little or no warning. This requires that any equipment used to protect the individual or animal (hereinafter in the specification and claims referred to as “user”) be readily available, i.e. carried with the user or stored nearby, and readily deployable into an operative state.  
           [0005]    Protective industrial masks, hoods, and powered air respirators are known, but they require skills and training in order to provide adequate protection. They are also bulky and not designed to be conveniently carried and rapidly deployed.  
           [0006]    Often the user exposed to the toxic environment is untrained in safety procedures, such as how to don and activate a powered air respirator hood,  
           [0007]    Most of the existing respiratory protective means are by necessity made in several sizes and do not fit bot adults and children in one size.  
           [0008]    In the event of a sudden or unexpected situation resulting in a toxic or noxious environment, it is clearly an advantage to have a device to supply filtered or purified air and also to provide nominal protection to the otherwise exposed skin of the head and neck from gases, liquids/droplets, particles, fine sprays and aerosols. Advantageously, the device should be readily available (easily carried and/or stored) and suitable for a wide size-range of users (adults, children, the elderly, the infirm, handicapped and sick people, people with beards, eyeglasses, long hair, etc., and animals) without a need to conform to facial features or body shapes. Furthermore, it is preferable that the activation and functioning is automatic, the donning is self-explanatory and comfortable, and the device is suitable for extended operation as well as short term use. It is also advantageous that the device has a long shelf life.  
         SUMMARY OF TB INVENTION  
         [0009]    Accordingly, it is the objective of this invention to provide a device that is protects a user from toxic environments for quick escape or for an extended period of time, typically for up to several hours, that is collapsible, easily carried or stored, compact, lightweight, comfortable, easy to use, one-size-fits-all, whose donning is self-explanatory, whose activation is automatic, and requires no training for use.  
           [0010]    The present invention is concerned with a positive-pressure respirator hood assembly comprising, a gas-impermeable hood made of a flexible material, and comprising at least a portion which is a transparent visor, a gas treatment unit comprising a filter for filtering particles, fine spray, aerosols, and toxic and noxious gases etc. hereinafter “hazardous materials”), and a power-operated blower to generate a positive pressure wit the hood; a one-way purge valve for facilitating the exhaust of exhalation gases and moisture from the hood; and a sealing portion for sealingly securing the hood over a body portion of the user. The hood assembly is designed to allow near immediate donning to a wide range of users, requiring no training to don and operate the hood assembly, whereby a user is protected from inhalation of and facial contact with the hazardous materials.  
           [0011]    The respirator hood is received within a container that is easily carried whereby upon opening the container and removing the respirator hood, the respirator hood is fully operational as the gas treatment unit is automatically activated. The respirator hood is foldable to allow it to fit within a small size container.  
           [0012]    The hood, including the sealing portion, is designed such that one size provides protection from a toxic environment to users whether male or female, regardless of facial or head features such as beard, hair length/thickness, eyeglasses, etc, and regardless of size (from toddlers to large adults). The design of the hood also allows it to be used to protect animals such as pets, livestock, etc.  
           [0013]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing portion is an elastic neck seal and according to another embodiment, the sealing portion is a torso-engaging and sealing wrap.  
           [0014]    The respirator hood may be carried and protected by a rigid container (case), in a flexible container or in a flexible container received within a case. Typically, the respirator hood is received within a sealed package for imparting it extended shelf life.  
           [0015]    The respirator hood may be provided in some principal configurations, e.g. one for individuals from toddlers to adults, another for infants up to about the age of three years, and yet another for animals.  
           [0016]    According to some particular designs, the operation of the blower can be stopped and the respiration hood may then be preserved for future use. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a front view of a respirator hood according to one embodiment of the invention, being worn by a user;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a side view of the respirator hood of FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a general exploded view illustrating the respirator hood removed from its container;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4A shows a user carrying the respirator hood as a carry along device;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4B shows a user carrying the respirator hood in a briefcase;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a detailed isometric exploded view of the respiratory hood assembly, also showing the gas flow path through the gas treatment unit;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a top section of the respiratory hood assembly, illustrating an activation mechanism;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is a side section of the respiratory hood assembly showing the hood to folded next to the gas treatment unit;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the respirator hood used by an infant;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is a rear view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 9 illustrating a sealing and closure means;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment showing the respirator hood being removed from a flexible container;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11 is an alternate embodiment of the respirator hood showing a packaging comprising a flexible container inside an outer case;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment with re-insertable activation mechanism;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 13 is a top section of a gas treatment unit of an alternate embodiment highlighting the re-insertable activating mechanism; and  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 14A and 14B are side views of alternate embodiments of the respirator hood used by dogs illustrating different closure means. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]    The present invention is a respirator hood assembly that is portable, compact, easy to store, easy to carry, easy to don, easy and comfortable to use, is designed in a one-size-fits-all manner for users of a wide range of sizes, requires no training for use, and is activated and operates automatically.  
         [0034]    Herein, the terms gas and gases are meant to denote the mixture of air and toxic and/or noxious gas or biological warfare agents, which may include particles, fine spray, aerosols, or droplets, collectively referred to as hazardous materials.  
         [0035]    Referring fist to FIG. 1, a respirator hood, generally designated  10 , is shown which comprises a hood  12 , made of a flexible, gas and liquid-impermeable material and a gas treatment unit  14  attached to the hood  12 . The hood  12  includes a visor  16 , also made of a flexible, gas-impermeable material, positioned adjacent to the eyes of a user  18 .  
         [0036]    Still referring to FIG. 1, fastened to the hood  12  is a sealing portion in the form of a collar or neck seal  20  made of an elastic material such as silicone, polyurethane, latex rubber, etc., allowing easy donning and requiring no latches, straps, ties, or the like. The neck seal  20  is sized to be, in the non-stretched condition, slightly smaller than that of a small toddler and whose material is such that it is easily stretched to a size conveniently larger than the head of a large adult user  18  regardless of long or thick hair, beards, etc. Further, the neck seal  20  is dimensionzed to be wide enough for wearing comfort. With this design, the respirator hood  10  is easily and conveniently donned within seconds by a wide range of individuals without need for training or operating instructions.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 further shows a cape or shroud  22  extending downward in a skirt-like manner fitting around tee neck toward the shoulders of the user  18  to protect the neck. A one-way purge valve  24  is integrated into the hood  12  to facilitate the exhaust of perspiration and exhalation gases such as carbon dioxide and moisture from the hood  12  while not allowing the entrance therethrough of outside gases. The one-way purge valve may be any suitable valve, outlet, or flow device, permitting the flow of gases, vapors or moisture in one direction only.  
         [0038]    In FIG. 2 arrow  26  shows where ambient gases enter the gas treatment unit  14 , arrow  28  shows where filtered air then enters the hood  12 , and arrow  30  shows where exhalation (exhaled air) and moisture exit from the hood  12  via the purge valve  24 . Seen again are side views of the visor  16  the neck seal  20 , and the shroud  22 .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 3 shows a respirator hood assembly  11  comprising the respirator hood  10  and its container, which is in the form of a rigid case, generally designated  32 , after the container  32  has been opened and the respirator hood  10  has emerged. At this point the respirator hood  10  is completely ready for donning and use. Container  32  comprises a front cover  34  and a rear cover  36 .  
         [0040]    The covers  34  and  36  are not part of the respirator hood  10  that is worn by the user  22 , however they are important in that they form the container  32  which forms a protective casing around the respirator hood  10  in order ensure/prolong the shelf life. Optionally, a gas-impermeable seal is formed which prevents the ingress of humidity since filters of the type used in respiratory protective devices are sensitive to humidity. The container  32  can be carried using either of its front handle  38  and a rear handle  40 , which are part of the container  32 . The handles  38  and  40  are also used to open the container  32 , which automatically activates the gas treatment unit  14 , as described below. Additionally, the container  32  plays a significant role in activation of the gas treatment unit  14 , as will become apparent hereinafter.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate how the lightweight and compact respirator hood assembly  11  is easily carried by the user  18  as a carry along (FIG. 4A) or may fit within a briefcase  44  (FIG. 4B). If carried as a carry along, as shown in FIG. 4A, the assembly  11  can include rings (not shown), or the like, for attaching an auxiliary carrying strap  42 . Desirably, the respirator hood assembly  11  fits into a portion of a typical small briefcase  44 . Analogously, the respirator hood assembly  11  can be carried in a purse or backpack (not shown).  
         [0042]    The convenient carrying and compact storage features of the respirator hood assembly  11  are important in that they provide immediate availability of the respirator hood  10  to the user  18 . These features, along with the automatic activation of the gas treatment unit  14  (discussed below) and simple donning, allow he respirator hood  10  to be in fill use within seconds. Rapid deployment can be critical to the health, or even survival, of the user  18 .  
         [0043]    In FIG. 5 an arrow  46  indicates the gas flow path. Gases enter the gas treatment unit  14  firstly through an opening  48  in a housing  50  that accommodates the gas treatment unit  14 . The opening  48  is exposed to the ambient as soon as the front cover  34  is detached or removed. A washer  52  provides a seal between the housing  50  and a filter  54  that filters the incoming gases. The filter  54  is any suitable filter as known in the art for filtering of hazardous materials such as particles, toxic/noxious gases, fine sprays and aerosols. The filter  54  is sealed to a base  56  by a washer  55 . The base  56  is fitted on a manifold  58 . The manifold  58  distributes the gases, now filtered, back through an opening  60  of the base  56 . The filtered gases then enter and exit a battery powered blower  62  through a fitting  64  and an opening  66 . The blower  62  is sealed to the housing  50  by washer  67 . Through the opening  66 , the filtered gases enter the hood  12 . The hood  12  is fastened to the gas treatment unit  14  between the fitting  64  and a fitting  65 . The washers  52 ,  55  and  67  are all replaceable by a suitable glue or other sealing compound such as silicone or epoxy.  
         [0044]    Also seen in FIG. 5 is a battery  68  that powers the blower  62 . The power is activated automatically when the covers  34  and  36  of the container  32  are opened, typically by handles  38  and  40 . An activating mechanism utilizing a latch  70 , a toggle  72 , and a switch  74  is explained below. The latch  70  sits in an indentation  76  (see also FIG. 6). Fitting into the housing  50  is a blower cover  78 , which can be made in different configurations to add flexibility to the design of the components in the gas treatment unit  14 .  
         [0045]    Blower  62  produces a positive pressure within the hood  12  which improves thee protection to the user  18  by preventing entry of gases via the neck seal  20  in the event the neck seal  20  is loose or if openings occur due to movement of the user  18 . The positive pressure produced by the blower  62  also prevents the entry of gases into the hood  12  as it is donned, prevents build-up of exhalation gases such as carbon dioxide and moisture (including the exhaust of perspiration, which improves the comfort of the user  18 ).  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6 is a top section of the respirator hood assembly  11  showing the parts that activate the blower  62 . The latch  70  the top of which fits in the indentation  76 , is actuated when the front cover  34  is opened. Separating the cover  34  from the respirator hood  10  causes the latch  70  to rupture and thus in this embodiment the operation of the respirator hood  10  is irreversible once the respirator hood  10  is operated. As the front cover  34  is detached or removed, latch  70  is pulled outwardly and thereby pulls on toggle  72  which activates the switch  74 , thereby facilitating power to the blower  62 , which is powered by the battery  68 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 7 shows a side section of the respirator hood assembly  11 , showing the hood  12  folded between the covers  34  and  36 . The compactness of the collapsible hood  12  is illustrated, as well as the fastening of the hood i 2  to die gas treatment unit  14  by the fittings  64  and  65 .  
         [0048]    To use the respirator hood  10 , the covers  34  and  36 , of container  32 , are separated detached and removed. The covers  34  and  36  are no longer needed. As is described above, this activates the blower  62  making the gas treatment unit  14  and respirator hood  10  fully operational. The neck seal  20  is then stretched over the head of the user  18 . There are no other actions necessary. Even if the respirator hood  10  is donned backward or to the side, i.e. with the visor  16  not in front of the eyes, the user  18  is still protected. Furthermore, the hood  12 , or a large enough portion of it, may be made of a transparent or translucent material affording the user  18  reasonable visibility. Alternatively, the hood  12  can be easily adjusted to a more appropriate. The positive pressure within the hood  12 , produced by the blower  62 , prevents ingress of the unwanted gases during any adjustment of the hood  12 . Thus, the respirator hood  10  is easily operated and used without the need for operating instructions even in time of stress.  
         [0049]    It is appreciated that an untrained person of an age of from about three years to a complete, and large sized, adult can have ready access to, and can use a device according to the invention for head and neck protection and for the supply of pressurized purified air in the event of sudden exposure to toxic or noxious gases including particles, fine spray or aerosols.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment where an infant  90  uses the invention. It is dangerous to fit a neck seal around the neck of an infant  90  and so here a hood  92  which includes a visor  94  is designed to fit over the head and upper body of the infant  90 . The arms of the infant  90  may be completely inside the hood  92  (this option not shown) or may sealingly protrude tom the sides  96  and  97  which are formed when the hood  92  is closed around the torso of the infant  90 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 9 illustrates one option of how the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be closed around the torso of the infant  90 . Any suitable closure means can be used, such as an elastic seal (analogous to neck seal  22 ) suitable for an infant&#39;s torso, however, typically a hook and loop type fastener, commonly known as VELCRO™, is the most convenient. A portion containing hooks  98  and a portion containing loops  99  is shown. The hooks  98  and loops  99  potions can be reversed. This arrangement is also suitable for people suffering from neck injuries, etc.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 10 shows a different embodiment in which the respirator is contained in a flexible container such as a foil or laminated bag  110 . The bag  110  is made of a gas-impermeable material to protect the respirator hood  10  (especially the filter  62  from humidity, to ensure long shelf life) and is preferably made of a material that provides mechanical protection as well. Automatic activation in this embodiment can be achieved by various means including, for example, by activating a switch such as the switch  74  (FIG. 6) (or a switch  136  shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) which can be articulated with an opening edge  114  of the bag  110 , or a tear-ribbon, etc. The bag  110  preferably includes a handle  116  for easy carrying.  
         [0053]    It should be understood that several variations on this embodiment are possible, including, but not limited to, one where the respirator hood  10  is activated by stretching the neck seal.  22  before donning.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 11 illustrates a packaging arrangement in which the respirator hood  10  is contained in a flexible container such as a foil, laminated or plastic bag  118  which is further contained within an outer rigid container, generally designated  120 , which provides mechanical protection for the respirator hood  10 . The outer container  120  could be a rigid case, a tough sack or other suitable container. In this embodiment the bag  118  need not provide mechanical protection, but is still preferably made of a gas-impermeable material. The top cover  122  and bottom cover  124  may be held together by any suitable means such as mechanically, by pressure sensitive adhesive, etc.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of an alternate respirator hood assembly, generally designated  126 , emphasizing the internal components of an alternate gas treatment unit, generally designated  128 . In this embodiment the activation of a respirator hood, generally designated  130 , is reversible, i.e. it is possible to stop the operation of the gas treatment unit  128  and preserve it for future use. This is useful if, for example, the respirator hood  130  was accidentally activated or the user  18  escapes from, but needs to return to a toxic environment, etc.  
         [0056]    An activation pin  132 , typically integral to a bottom cover  134 , penetrates into the gas treatment unit  128  compressing a switch  136  when the assembly  126  is in the packaged condition (best seen in FIG. 13). Detaching or removal of the respirator hood  130 , from the bottom cover  134  detaches the pin  132  from the switch.  136  thereby actuating the switch  136 . The pin  132  can be re-inserted to re-compress the switch  136  and shut down the blower  54  of the gas treatment unit  128  to de-activate the respirator hood  130 .  
         [0057]    Also shown in FIG. 12 is a lip  146  on the cover  138  to aid in opening the covers  134  and  138 . A covering  148 , which is preferably a gas-impermeable material, in order to protect the gas treatment unit  128  from humidity/moisture, etc., is adjacent to the cover  138  and attached to cover  134  at its perimeter. A tab  150  is provided for easy peel back of the covering  148 . A handle  152  is integral to the over  134 , which along with the lip  146  makes for easy gripping of the assembly  126 . The handle  152  and the lip  146  are also used for easy opening of the covers  134  and  138 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 13 shows a top section of the gas treatment unit  128  highlighting the re-insertable pin  132  which is part of the activation mechanism. Since the pin  132  is integral to the cover  134 , detaching or removal of the cover  134  detaches the pin  132  from the switch  136 . The blower  62  is thus actuated and the gas treatment unit  128  and the respirator hood  130  are then fully operational.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIGS. 14A and 14B show embodiments that are suitable for animals; depicted by a small dog  160  (FIG. 14A) and a large dog  162  (FIG. 14B). For the small dog  160  a hook and loop closure means, discussed above for infants, may be appropriate. For a large dog  162 , a sealing portion such as the elastic neck seal  20  for a human adult user  18  may be appropriate. For animals, hoods  164  and  166 , including visors  168  and  170 , may require some size and shape differentiation from humans and size and shape differentiation from animal to animal depending on type and size. In the case of very small animals, for example gerbils (not shown), the animal, or more than one animal, can be completely inside the hood  164 ;  166 .