Respiratory mask with inserted spacer
A respiratory mask that conforms to N95 performance and other high performance standards with improved air permeability for improved air circulation. The respiratory mask has a mask body and a headband for putting on the respiratory mask to the face of a wearer, the mask body consisting of an inside mask having two or more filter layers; an outside mask, having two or more filter layers; one or more spacers inserted between the filter layers of the inside mask to generate space between different filter layers of the inside mask; and one or more spacers inserted between the filter layers of the outside mask to generate space between different filter layers of the outside mask so that when air is discharged by the wearer, the spacers together with the filter layers provide a pumping effect mechanism to blow out more carbon dioxide given off by the wearer to the surrounding and to take in more air from the surrounding for the wearer. Various forms and shapes of the spacer have been proposed.
1. A respiratory mask for improved air circulation, said respiratory mask comprising a mask body and a headband for putting said respiratory mask to the face of a wearer, said mask body comprising:
three or more filter layers, each of said layers comprising an outer edge, wherein said outer edges of said three or more layers are joined together such that at least two enclosed volumes are created between adjacent ones of said filter layers; and
one or more spacers, each positioned in a respective one of said at least two enclosed volumes, so as to maintain a minimum spacing between the filter layers defining said enclosed volume;
so that when air is discharged by said wearer, the spacers together with the filter layers provide a pumping effect to blow out carbon dioxide given off by said wearer to the surroundings and to take in air from the surroundings for said wearer.
2. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the spacer enables the puffing up of the mask when there is insufficient exchange of exhaled air with the air from the surroundings, thereby increasing the size of the respiratory mask so as to provide a visual check on the choking of the mask of the wearer.
3. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer acts as a semi-rigid supporting frame to prevent the respiratory mask from collapsing during inhalation.
4. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer is of round cross section.
5. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer is of rectangular cross section.
6. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer is of square cross section.
7. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer is an offset tapered concentric ring.
8. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer is an offset or non-offset tapered square frame.
9. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer is an offset or non-offset tapered diamond frame.
10. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer is an offset or non-offset tapered elliptical frame.
11. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer is made by folding at least one of said filter layers in the cross sectional shape of a dovetail running in parallel across the mask body, either horizontally or vertically or both horizontally and vertically in combination.
12. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 where the respiratory mask comprises a foam lining on the opening of the respiratory mask to provide air tight sealing to prevent any discharge of contaminants from getting out or into the respiratory mask.
13. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein the respiratory mask comprises a neck curtain of sufficient length to cover the neck and any facial hair of a wearer.
14. A respiratory mask as claimed in claim 1 wherein said respiratory mask comprises four filter layers and said spacer is positioned between the two inner filter layers.