EP1982750A1

EP1982750A1 - Respirator

Info

Publication number: EP1982750A1
Application number: EP07251629A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christopher Alan Lennan-Purnell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-18
Filing date: 2007-04-18
Publication date: 2008-10-22

Abstract

A respirator comprising one or more filters, the respirator being such that, in use, it covers the nostrils of the user but not the mouth.

Description

The invention relates to a respirator, particularly, but not exclusively, a respirator for use during air travel.
During air travel, many travellers are concerned about the risk of airborne infection carried via the cabin air conditioning system.
It is known to use a face respirator, alternatively known as a face mask, to help prevent airborne infections. Such face respirators cover both the nose and mouth of the user.
A problem with face respirators is that is it not possible to eat, drink or speak while the respirator is being used.
It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.
Accordingly, the invention provides a respirator comprising one or more filters, the respirator being such that, in use, it covers the nostrils of the user but not the mouth.
As the respirator does not cover the mouth of the user, it is possible for the user to eat, drink and speak while using the respirator. As the user is likely to be at rest or asleep whilst travelling in an airplane, breathing will predominantly be through the nose. Accordingly, the performance of the respirator will not be significantly less than that of the known respirator, yet it will have the advantage that it can continue to be worn while the user eats, drinks or speaks.
The respirator may be such that, in use, one edge of the respirator sits on the upper lip of the user. The term "upper lip" as used herein refers to the area between the nose and the mouth.
The respirator may be such that, in use, one edge of the respirator sits on the bridge of the nose of the user.
The respirator may be contoured so that, in use, it is a close fit with all or part of the nose of the user.
The respirator may be such that, in use, the edges of the respirator form a seal with the face of the user.
The respirator may comprise a filter to impede passage of particular material such as dust and other foreign bodies to the nostrils of the user. Any suitable known filter may be used.
Alternatively, or in addition, the respirator may comprise a filter to impede passage of bacteria or other infectious organisms to the nostrils of the user. Any suitable known filter may be used.
Said filter may comprise a liquid such as a sterile solution.
The filter(s) may be an integral part of the respirator. Thus, the filter may be made of the same material as the rest of the respirator, and may be manufactured with the rest of the respirator, in one piece.
Alternatively, the filter(s) may be a separate part of the respirator. Thus, the respirator may comprise two or more parts: The filter(s) and a housing for the filter(s) in which the filter(s) are mounted.
The respirator may comprise a strap or adhesive means to attach the respirator to the user. For example, the respirator may comprise an elasticised strap that fits behind the head of the user. Alternatively, the respirator may comprise adhesive tape to stick the respirator to the face of the user.
The invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the following drawings of which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a respirator according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the respirator of Figure 1 in use;
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a respirator according to the invention; and
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a respirator according to the invention.

The drawings show a respirator (1) comprising one or more filters (2, 3) mounted in a housing (4), the respirator (1) being such that, in use, it covers the nostrils (5) of the user but not the mouth (6).
The housing (4) comprises a gauze (7) and a body (8). The body (8) may be made of any suitable material such as a moulded plastics material.
The body (8) is contoured so that, in use, it is a close fit with part of the nose of the user, and the lower edge of the body (8) sits on the upper lip (9) of the user, and the upper edge of the body (8) sits on the bridge (10) of the nose of the user. The gauze (7) is positioned so that, in use, it covers the nostrils (5) of the user.
The respirator (1) is attached to the user by two elasticated straps (11) which pass behind the head of the user.
The embodiment shown in Figure 3 comprises a single filter (2) to impede the passage of particular material (such as dust and other foreign bodies), bacteria and other infectious organisms to the nostrils of the user.
The embodiment shown in Figure 4 comprises two separate filters (2,3), one (2) to impede the passage of particular material to the nostrils of the user, and the other (3) to impede the passage of bacteria and other infectious organisms to the nostrils of the user. The filter (3) comprises a liquid.
The respirator (1) may be worn while the user is eating, drinking or speaking. It is particularly useful for air travel, but it may also be used when sleeping in an air conditioned hotel or by walkers, cyclists and motorists.
In an alternative embodiment, the filter(s) may be an integral part of the respirator. Thus, the filter may be made of the same material as the rest of the respirator, and may be manufactured with the rest of the respirator, in one piece. This will be cheaper than having the filter(s) as separate parts mounted in a housing, as in the embodiments shown in the drawings. It will function, however, in a similar manner to those embodiments.

Claims

A respirator comprising one or more filters, the respirator being such that, in use, it covers the nostrils of the user but not the mouth.
A respirator according to claim 1, wherein the respirator is such that, in use, one edge of the respirator sits on the upper lip of the user.
A respirator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the respirator is such that, in use, one edge of the respirator sits on the bridge of the nose of the user.
A respirator according to any preceding claim, wherein the respirator is contoured so that, in use, it is a close fit with all or part of the nose of the user.
A respirator according to any preceding claim, wherein the respirator is such that, in use, the edges of the respirator form a seal with the face of the user.
A respirator according to any preceding claim, wherein the respirator comprises a filter to impede passage of particular material to the nostrils of the user.
A respirator according to any preceding claim, wherein the respirator comprises a filter to impede passage of bacteria and other infectious organisms to the nostrils of the user.
A respirator according to claim 7, wherein said filter comprises a liquid.
A respirator according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter(s) are an integral part of the respirator.
A respirator according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the filter(s) are a separate part of the respirator.
A respirator according to any preceding claim, wherein the respirator comprises a strap or adhesive means to attach the respirator to the user.