EP3912502A1 - Filtering mask and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Filtering mask and manufacturing method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3912502A1
EP3912502A1 EP21174770.4A EP21174770A EP3912502A1 EP 3912502 A1 EP3912502 A1 EP 3912502A1 EP 21174770 A EP21174770 A EP 21174770A EP 3912502 A1 EP3912502 A1 EP 3912502A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shell
filter element
face
filtering
mask
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP21174770.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Giuseppe Ghisa
Carmelo Mirabile
Davide Luigi VIGE'
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Istituto Poligrafico E Zecca Dello Stato SpA
Original Assignee
Istituto Poligrafico E Zecca Dello Stato SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Istituto Poligrafico E Zecca Dello Stato SpA filed Critical Istituto Poligrafico E Zecca Dello Stato SpA
Publication of EP3912502A1 publication Critical patent/EP3912502A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
    • A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
    • A41D13/1107—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres characterised by their shape
    • A41D13/1138—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres characterised by their shape with a cup configuration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B23/00—Filters for breathing-protection purposes
    • A62B23/02—Filters for breathing-protection purposes for respirators
    • A62B23/025—Filters for breathing-protection purposes for respirators the filter having substantially the shape of a mask

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of the devices of personal protection and of the medical devices.
  • the present invention relates to a device to protect the respiratory tract, preferably of the type compliant with UNI EN 149:2009 standard, with UNI EN 14683:2019 standard and to a method for implementing the device itself.
  • the filtering masks are mainly disposable devices which are worn on the face so as to cover mouth and nose. Such devices allow to protect the user from contaminant agents transported by air (for example potentially dangerous particles, vapours and gases if inhaled) thanks to the presence of a filter element retaining them.
  • the surgical masks instead are medical devices which have the specific function of protecting the user from pathogen agents existing in the surrounding environment. These devices are mainly used by authorised personnel in hospitals or clinics, but in case of epidemies or pandemics their use is highly widespread even among the civil population.
  • both the filtering masks and the surgical masks can be classified according to one or more reference standards.
  • the known devices generally comprise a supporting body for said filter element and retaining means, such as for example elastic laces, strings or bands, to keep the mask in contact with the user's face under worn condition.
  • the filter element can be integrated in the structure of the mask or be removable. In the latter case the replacement with a new filter is possible, in case it has exhausted its own filtering power or the user wishes to equip the mask with a filter having different properties.
  • the structure of the known filtering masks is generally not very ergonomic since they are devised to be usable for a short time frame. They have components assembled roughly, by determining functional inefficiency and poor sealing between face and mask.
  • the masks of the known solutions often cause discomfort for the user.
  • the mask can exert an excessive pressure on some areas of the face and, at the same time, it can guarantee only an uncertain contact with other areas of the face.
  • the features of the known masks generally can be improved in terms of versatility and durability of the used materials, even in relation to the ease in supplying the latter, both under a profile of simplifying the techniques for manufacturing the mask and under a profile of ease in use and costs for the producer or user.
  • the technical problem placed and solved by the present invention is then to provide a wearable device of personal protection, in particular a filtering mask to protect the respiratory tract, which allows to obviate one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks with reference to the known art.
  • the invention further relates to a filtering mask shell and to a method for manufacturing a filtering device as defined in claims 13 and 17, respectively.
  • filtering device wearable filtering device
  • respiratory mask are synonym of "filtering mask” and they are to be meant in the widest meaning to comprise any individual protection device, or medical device, wearable on a user's face or a face of health care professional, preferably, in the form of half-mask, and specifically configured to protect the upper airways, such as nose and mouth, by filtering inhaled/exhaled air.
  • the filtering obtainable with the filtering mask of the invention is means to prevent the inhalation of contaminant agents and pathogen organisms, in form of powders, mists, fumes, gases or vapours, and of the substances transported therewith.
  • the filtering mask and the relative implementation method as subject of the present invention relate to a device compliant with UNI EN 149:2009 standard, classifiable as filtering device FFP2 or FFP3, and/or compliant with NIOSH standard, classifiable as filtering device N95 or N99, or classifiable as medical device of class I, II, IIR according to UNI EN 14683:2019 standard.
  • an effective and simple filtering mask is provided, in terms of implementation technique and overall structure.
  • Said mask consists of a reduced number of distinct components, assembled to each other with simple mechanical procedures, without the use of glues, thermosetting or other types of permanent constraints. This allows at the end of the useful life of the product simply to disassemble (for example manually) the components and to be able to dispose them separately.
  • the mask of the invention comprises a supporting body, or shell, supporting a filter element, means for adjusting the adherence of the mask to the face and retaining means to allow the user to wear it.
  • the shell and, preferably, the adjusting means are made of reusable plastic material, suitable to a use in sanitary environment.
  • the filter element is superimposed on the shell, by covering a plurality of through-openings obtained on the latter. Under condition coupled to the shell and of worn device, the filter element faces frontally on the user's mouth and nose. The specific positioning of the openings, in a central region of the shell, forces the inhaled air to cross the filter element by avoiding preferential routes.
  • the filter element can be removed from the mask, for example for a replacement or it can be re-user after washing.
  • the shell can be interchangeable.
  • the mask, the present invention relates to, then has a very limited environmental impact thanks to the replaceability of the filter element and/or of the shell.
  • the mask comprises components all made of washable, disinfectable materials, which can be re-used several times.
  • An additional advantage is to be able to provide a device of personal protection which can be re-used indefinitely over time which, according to need, can be equipped with diversified filtering properties.
  • the shell of the mask of the present invention, and preferably even the filter element is obtained from one single sheet made of shaped and suitably bent plastic material. In an assembling step it is provided to bend an upper flap of said sheet made of plastic material and to constraint it to an external face of the latter, so as to retain a corresponding flap of filter element and to define a portion of nasal bridge of the device.
  • the invention then provides a method for implementing a filtering mask quickly, through simple bending procedures and with cheap raw materials, to the advantage of an extremely simplified production process which evidently reflects into modest costs even in terms of final product.
  • the above-mentioned means for adjusting the adherence of the mask to the face allows to fix the upper flap to the external face of the shell.
  • the means for adjusting the adherence of the mask to the face has at least two technical effects synergic to each other.
  • said adjusting means allows to obtain in one single compact device both a reversible constraint of the filter element and an adjustment of the mask shape in a critical region, such as the nasal bridge. In this way the ergonomics and, above all, the sealing of the mask can be considerably improved with respect to possible vents due to the reduced adherence of the edges of the mask to the face, through a correct assembly of the components constituting it.
  • the compactness of the mask of the invention further guarantees the non-interference with additional face personal protection devices.
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B a preferred embodiment of a wearable device of personal protection according to the present invention is illustrated.
  • Said device, or filtering mask is shown under condition worn on a user's face and it is designated as a whole with reference 100.
  • the mask 100 comprises a supporting body G, or shell, for a removable filter element (not shown in Figures 8A and 8B ), retaining means 70 to allow the user to wear the mask and means for adjusting the adherence of the mask to the face.
  • a removable filter element not shown in Figures 8A and 8B
  • retaining means 70 to allow the user to wear the mask and means for adjusting the adherence of the mask to the face.
  • the latter are designated with reference 50 and therefor the arrows in Figure 8A exemplify an activation and relative adjustment mode.
  • the filtering device 100 is shaped as half-mask covering the user's upper airways (nose and mouth) extending, in particular, from the nasal bridge to the middle cheek, by covering preferably the chin-maxillary region.
  • the retaining means 70 comprises one or more strings, laces, or bands, preferably made of elastic material, suitably coupled with the shell G, or even with the filter element.
  • the retaining means 70 fixes the mask 100 to the user's auricle, however, once fixed to the shell they can even be tied up behind the nape or in any way it results more advantageous.
  • the above-mentioned components constituting the mask 100 can all be assembled and disassembled therebetween, from an assembled condition and vice versa.
  • the shell G represents the most external component of the mask 100 and comprises a plurality of openings 11a configured to allow the passage of the air to be inhaled/exhaled.
  • the openings 11a can be holes and/or slots passing through the thickness of the shell G, each one (or in groups) having the same or different size.
  • the positioning of said plurality of openings 11a on the shell G is so that, under condition of worn mask 100, they face frontally on the mouth and nose.
  • FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of the shell G is shown in plan, under not assembled condition with the additional components of the mask 100.
  • the shell G is obtained from one single, suitably shaped, planar sheet. Said suitably flexed and/or bent sheet assumes, under assembled condition with the additional above-mentioned components, the shape of shell G shown in Figures 8A and 8B .
  • the shell G can modify its shape, preferably at the portion of nasal bridge N of the device 100, as it will be described more in details hereinafter.
  • the sheet comprises a central region 11, a flap 23 and, preferably, two lobes 40a, 40b placed side by side. Said flap 23 and said two lobes 40a, 40b are positioned respectively opposed with respect to said central region11.
  • said flap 23 and said lobes 40a, 40b are intended to position at the nose and the chin, respectively. Therefore, they will be designated for convenience as upper flap 23 and lower lobes 40a, 40b.
  • the two lower lobes 40a, 40b are overlapped and retained together, preferably with reversible joint, by defining a concave lower portion M of the mask 100 intended to house the chin.
  • a first lobe 40b of said two lobes 40a, 40b comprises a first liftable tongue 45.
  • the first tongue 45 is inserted in a corresponding eyelet 42 obtained in the second lobe 40a.
  • the respective peripheral edges 44, 46 of the first 40b and the second 40a lobe are inserted in corresponding eyelets 43, 41 obtained in the second 40a and first 40b lobe, respectively.
  • the sheet, or shell G preferably has a thickness comprised between 0.3 millimetres and 1.5 millimetres.
  • the sheet or shell is made of washable, antibacterial, hypoallergenic and disinfectable material.
  • Said shell (by referring to the component under assembled condition) that is sheet (by referring to the component under not assembled condition), is preferably made of plastic, flexible material or having properties so as to be deformable elastically.
  • said plastic material can include a polymeric material included in the list comprising polyurethane, polypropylene, polycarbonate, or any combination thereof.
  • the sheet can be shaped through flat die cutting techniques or other technique for removing material. Said plurality of openings 11a is obtained in the central region 11 of the sheet G and, by further referring to Figure 2 , it is intended to be covered by the filter element 60.
  • Figure 2 shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the filter element 60 under not assembled condition with the additional components of the mask 100 Under assembled condition, the filter element 60 results to be overlapped to the shell G by covering said plurality of openings 11a. Upon wearing the mask 100, the filter element 60 faces frontally on the user's mouth and nose.
  • the filter element 60 is shaped so as to correspond substantially to the shape of the shell G, then by providing a corresponding central portion 69 and an upper flap 62, wherein at least said central portion 69 is made of filtering material.
  • the filter element 60 can further comprise two lower lobes 66, 65.
  • the filter element 60 is implemented as a multilayer structure, for example made of overlapped textile materials, wherein said layers are suitably constrained to each other.
  • the constraint can be obtained by heat-sealing, sewing, needle punching techniques or equivalent fastening techniques. In each case, the constraint guarantees specific filtration features, such as breathability, filtering power, and so on.
  • the number and type of the materials constituting the filter element 60 is selected based upon the filtration capability which is to be obtained.
  • the filter element 60 comprises a multilayer structure made of non-woven fabric. Still more preferably, each layer of said structure is implemented from polymeric material with a weight comprised between at least 20 grams/square meter and at least 60 grams/square meter.
  • the filtering material consists of multilayer fabric comprising filtering fabric containing activated carbon nanoparticles, coupled to non-woven fabric.
  • the filter element 60 could consist of at least three layers wherein:
  • Said adjusting means 50 is configured for bending and fixing reversibly the upper flap 23 of the shell G on an external face G" of the latter, by retaining the corresponding upper flap 62 of the filter element 60 and by defining a portion of nasal bridge N of the mask 100.
  • the adjusting means 50 fulfils the function of maintaining the sheet G and the filter element 60 coupled to each other, and under bent condition, so that said filter element 60 defines a (concave) region suitable to receive frontally the user's mouth and nose.
  • the adjusting means 50 further allows an adjusting of the width of the mask 100 at the nasal area.
  • the adjusting means 50 is preferably made of hypoallergenic plastic material.
  • the adjusting means 50 comprises a screw 51 nut 52 coupling.
  • said coupling is engaged in corresponding pairs of through holes (24, 63) and (25, 64) obtained on said shell G and said filter element 60.
  • said pairs of through-holes are positioned symmetrically to each other with respect to a sagittal plane which crosses the device 100 when it is worn.
  • the nut 52 has internally a V-like thread which allows an approaching (or moving away) adjustment with steps having stroke of 180°.
  • the screw 51 in the illustrated example, comprises a head portion 51a having an abutment surface with the external face G" of the shell G.
  • said abutment surface has a tilted profile so as to correspond and adhere to the external face G" of the shell G and to prevent the rotation of the screw 51 itself during the adjustment with the nut 52.
  • said filter element 60 can include second openings 61 configured to implement a reversible joint with an edge element 21 of the shell G.
  • said edge element 22 is obtained at the upper flap 23.
  • Said second openings 61 are absent at the central portion 69 of the filter element 60 and, preferably, are obtained at its own upper flap 62.
  • the shell G is preferably shaped so as to offer, at the respective upper flap 23, said edge element 22.
  • said edge element 22 comprises an apex 21 so as to insert with joint in said in said second openings 61.
  • the fact of providing said edge element 21, 22 and said second openings 61 allows in a simply way to obtain a correct positioning of the filter element 60 with respect to the shell G.
  • the screw 51 is then inserted in corresponding first through-holes 24, 63 of the sheet G and of the filter element 60, respectively.
  • the insertion direction is so as to cross first of all the external surface G" of the sheet G and, subsequently, the filter element 60 ( Figures 6C-6D ).
  • the screw 51 is then inserted at corresponding second through-holes 64, 25 at first of the filter element 60 ( Figure 6E ) and then of the sheet G ( Figure 6F ), respectively.
  • Both upper flaps 23, 62 are bent and fixed reversibly on the external face G" of the so-obtained shell G ( Figure 6H ).
  • both upper flaps 23, 62 result to be overlapped and the screw 51 can be inserted in an additional corresponding through-hole 26 obtained in the upper flap 23 of the shell G.
  • the above-mentioned through-holes 24, 25, 26, 63, 64 result to be all overlapped.
  • the nut 52 is screwed onto the screw 51, by closing the coupling ( Figure 6L ).
  • the upper flap 62 of the filter element 60 is kept by the upper flap 23 of the shell G so that a portion of nasal bridge N of the mask 100 remains defined.
  • Figures 6M and 6N show the shell G and the filter element 60 in coupled configuration, wherein the inner portion (that is the concave region suitable to receive frontally the user's mouth and nose) and the external face G" of the shell G are visible, respectively.
  • the mask 100 comprises retaining means 70 to be worn by the user.
  • Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment of said retaining means, under not assembled condition with the additional components of the mask 100.
  • the retaining means 70 preferably comprises one or more elastic elements, in form of ribbon, string, band, lace or the like.
  • Said retaining means is removable from the device 100, it preferably comprises mobile ends 71 and, by further referring to Figure 1 , they can be inserted in third openings 31-34 obtained on the shell G.
  • said third openings are obtained correspondingly on said shell G and said filter element 60, on the latter designated with the references 67a, 67b, 68a, 68b. In this way it is possible to further improve the coupling sealing and the correct positioning between filtering element 60 and shell G.
  • Said third openings are positioned in opposite way and laterally with respect to the central region 11 of the shell G and, in case, with respect to the central portion 69 of the filter element 60.
  • said mobile ends 71 are made of stiff plastic material. Each end is configured to rotate by 90° so as to assume a reversible T-like configuration to be inserted and cross said third openings.
  • the T-like shape of the end prevents it from being extracted from the opening, by sealing thanks to the tension applied once the mask 100 is worn.
  • the retaining means can be removed easily with inverse procedure with respect to their insertion, that is by rotating the end by 90° and by pulling it so as to get it out of the respective opening.
  • both the shell G and the filter element 60 provide four corresponding holes, positioned in pairs laterally with respect to the central region/portion 11, 69.
  • a first pair F1 comprising the holes 31, 68b
  • a second pair F2 comprising the holes 32, 67b
  • a third pair F3 comprising the holes 33, 67a
  • a fourth pair F4 comprising the holes 34, 68a.
  • one or two elastic elements to assembly the retaining means, depending upon the assembly procedure. At least three different configurations are possible: According to a first configuration, two elastic elements are provided wherein the two mobile ends of a first elastic element are inserted in said first and fourth pair of the holes F1, F4, respectively. The two mobile ends of the second element are inserted in said second and third pair of the holes F2 and F3. All mobile ends are anchored according to what previously described.
  • the two elastic elements preferably have different length so as to adapt to the shape of the user's nape.
  • the two mobile ends of the first elastic element are inserted in said first and second pair of the holes F1 and F2, respectively.
  • the two mobile ends of the second elastic element are inserted in said third and fourth pair of the holes F3 e F4, respectively. All mobile ends are anchored according to what previously described.
  • the two elastic elements preferably have same length and each one is shaped so as to be fixed to a respective auricle.
  • one single elastic element is provided, the two mobile ends thereof are inserted in said pairs of holes with sequence F1, F3, F4, F2. All mobile ends are anchored according to what previously described. In this way, with one single elastic element two strings are obtained, to be used as in the first above-mentioned configuration.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
  • Preparing Plates And Mask In Photomechanical Process (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Networks Using Active Elements (AREA)
EP21174770.4A 2020-05-20 2021-05-19 Filtering mask and manufacturing method thereof Withdrawn EP3912502A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102020000011710A IT202000011710A1 (it) 2020-05-20 2020-05-20 Maschera filtrante e relativo metodo di realizzazione

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3912502A1 true EP3912502A1 (en) 2021-11-24

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Family Applications (1)

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EP21174770.4A Withdrawn EP3912502A1 (en) 2020-05-20 2021-05-19 Filtering mask and manufacturing method thereof

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EP (1) EP3912502A1 (it)
IT (1) IT202000011710A1 (it)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1523884A (en) * 1924-01-18 1925-01-20 Leduc Joseph Edouard Foldable sanitary mask
GB2241896A (en) * 1990-02-28 1991-09-18 Karl Wingett Smith An oro-nasal mask
JPH06335535A (ja) * 1993-04-01 1994-12-06 Kayseven Co Ltd マスク

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1523884A (en) * 1924-01-18 1925-01-20 Leduc Joseph Edouard Foldable sanitary mask
GB2241896A (en) * 1990-02-28 1991-09-18 Karl Wingett Smith An oro-nasal mask
JPH06335535A (ja) * 1993-04-01 1994-12-06 Kayseven Co Ltd マスク

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT202000011710A1 (it) 2021-11-20

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