Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02298707 2000-O1-31
WO 99/06116 PCT/US97/22707
FILTERING FACE MASK HAVING ONE OR TWO STRAPS
TECHMCAL FIELD
This invention pertains to a mufti-purpose headband for a filtering face mask
and, in particular, to a mufti-purpose headband that may use one or two straps
to
mount to the face mask.
BACKGROUND
Filtering face masks (also referred to in some instances as "respirators") are
worn over the breathing passages of a person for two common purposes: (1) to
prevent impurities or contaminants from entering the wearer's breathing track;
and
(2) to protect others from being exposed to pathogens and other contaminants
exhaled by the wearer. In the first situation, the respirator is worn in an
environment where the air contains particles harmful to the wearer, for
example, in
an auto body shop. In the second situation, the respirator is worn in an
environment where there is a high risk of infection, for example, in an
operating
room.
To accomplish either of these purposes, the respirator must be able to
maintain a snug fit to the wearer's face. To achieve a snug fit, filtering
face masks
typically have a headband extending laterally from the mask around the back of
the
wearer's head and neck. The headbands usually include an elastic strap member
that adapts to a range of sizes to provide a comfortable fit. Some masks have
a
headband that uses a single strap while others use two straps.
Because there are differences in wearers' preferences and hair styles, some
wearers rnay prefer a single strap while others may prefer dual straps
extending
around the back of the wearer's head and neck. Masks typically are only
manufactured with either one strap or two straps and are not able to accept
interchangeably either a single strap or double straps. Uneven tension from a
two
strap configuration may exert forces that skew the mask from its intended
wearing
configuration. This can cause leaks around the mask perimeter, creating safety
concerns and an incumbent decrease in utility.
-1-
*rB
CA 02298707 2005-05-24
60557-6231
Examples of face masks that accommodate two straps
are shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 2,353,643 to
Bulbulian, U.S. Patent No. 3,220,40.3 to Silverberg, U.S. Patent
No. 5,191,882 to Vogliano, and U.S. Patent No. 5,086,768 to
Niemeyer. Although these face masks and respirators accommodate
two straps, the devices all require that both straps be
attached to the mask body for proper positioning of the mask.
None of the patents disclose a mask with a single strap or a
system that can accommodate either a single strap or double
straps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it can be seen then that a new
and improved headband system for a face mask is needed. Such a
system should provide for mounting either a single strap or
double straps to the face mask at a single attachment point to
establish a good seal against the wearer's face. The system
should also provide for utilizing an essentially identical
strap for either the single strap configuration or utilizing
two of the same straps in a double strap configuration. And the
system should interchangeably mount either the single strap or
two straps to the mask. The present invention addresses these,
as well as other shortfalls associated with known face mask
headbands.
In a first aspect, the invention provides a headband
assembly configured for connecting to a mounting member that is
disposed on a mask body of a filtering face mask. The headband
assembly comprises a first strap connector for connecting a
strap to the mounting member and a second strap connector for
connecting two of the straps to the mounting member.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a face
mask headband system that is adapted for being attached to a
2
CA 02298707 2005-05-24
60557-6231
mask body of a filtering face mask, which headband assembly
comprises: (a) a first strap connector that is joined to a
strap for connecting the strap to a mounting member disposed on
the mask body; and (b) a second strap connector adapted for
being connected to the mounting member on a mask body and that
is adapted for having two of the first strap connectors being
connected thereto.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a
face mask that comprises a mask body, a mounting stud located
at each side of the mask body, a single headband having end
connectors configured for pivotally connecting to the mounting
studs, and a double headband assembly configured for mounting
to the mask body interchangeably with the single headband. The
double headband assembly includes a mask mounting member having
a connector for pivotally connecting to the mounting stud. The
mask mounting member also includes a mechanism that allows two
of the single headbands to be attached thereto.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a
face mask that comprises a mask body and a harness assembly.
The harness assembly is configured for pivotally connecting to
the mask body. The harness assembly comprises a first strap
connector for connecting to a first strap and a second strap
connector for connecting to a second strap.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a
method of wearing a filtering face mask, which method
comprises: supporting a mask body over the nose and mouth of a
wearer, the mask body being supported by the face mask headband
assembly.
For a single strap configuration, the strap is
inserted through a connector that includes a retainer member
receiving one end of the strap. Each connector includes a
3
CA 02298707 2005-05-24
60557-6231
tongue member with an orifice formed therethrough for mounting
onto one of the studs of the mask body. There is a slight
interference fit between the widened portion of the stud and
the orifice in the tongue so that the connector snaps onto the
stud but is retained by the widened end portion. The connectors
provide for adjusting the length of the strap and for fitting
various head sizes. In addition, the connectors rotatably mount
to the studs, providing for a pivotal connection between the
strap and the mask body.
When a dual strap configuration is used, the same end
connectors are utilized. A harness assembly having a mask
mounting member, however, is utilized that receives a pair of
strap end connectors. In a preferred embodiment, a mounting
member includes two end connector receiving portions that
extend in a diverging arrangement to one another to provide for
a spaced apart mounting configuration between the ends of the
dual straps.
The end connector retaining portions include a
recessed base receiving the tongue of the end connector with a
pin extending upward from the base. The pin includes an angled
upper portion to provide for sliding the tongue into a
receiving portion and over the pin. The innermost side of the
pin is, however, not angled and retains the tongue once
inserted. Sides and a cross bar retain the remainder of the end
connector flat against the mask mounting member. The mask
mounting
3a
PCT/US97/ 22707 , "'"''''= _'= _ ~~'!'~' I~tf~
CA 02298707 2000-02-O1 ~rITE:'a'l.._'..'.'v'.1;.'j'G
Minnesota Mining & j ;-.
z 3,.Feb. 999 s:~: -,--- -.. .~
Manufacturing Co.
81i~75 ~,au~~~C~t=~
Our Ref.: D 1106 PCT
member also includes an orifice formed therein similar to the orifice in the
end
connector for mounting to the studs of the mask body. The mask mounting
member pivotally connects to the mask body to provide for a range of
adjustment
and a more comfortable fit for the wearer.
The present invention is advantageous in that the same end connectors used
with a single strap configuration may also be utilized with a dual strap
configuration. In addition, the same stud members on the mask body are
utilized,
providing for easy mounting and interchanging between a single strap connector
or
dual strap headband assembly. The face mask and headband assembly of the
invention provide for easily interchanging either a single or dual strap
configuration
using the same elements for reducing the total number of parts required.
BRIEFDESCRIPTTON OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings, where like reference letters and numerals indicate
corresponding structure throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 shows a front elevational view of a face mask having a double
headband assembly mounted at one side of the mask according to the principles
of
the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of the mask
and double headband shown in FIG. 1; and,
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a single headband mounted to the mask
according to the principles of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1 there is shown a filtering face mask, generally designated 10, that
includes a mask body 12 having a nose brace 16 at an upper portion of the mask
body. The mask 10 is generally configured to follow the contour of the
wearer's
face, and the nose brace 16 is pliable to adapt to the contour of the wearer's
nose.
At either side of the mask body 12 are mounting members shown in the form of
studs 14 extending outward from the surface of the mask body 12. The mounting
studs 14 include a cylindrical portion with an upper widened end. The mask
body
-4-
AMENDED SHE
CA 02298707 2000-02-O1
12 attaches to a headband assembly, generally designated 20. As shown in both
FIGS. 1 and 2, two straps 24 may be utilized to retain the mask 10 on the
wearer.
Straps 24 are attached to a first strap connector 30 that is capable of
connecting to
a second strap connector 50. Or as shown in FIG. 3, the headband assembly 20
may take on a different configuration where a single strap 22 is used in the
headband assembly such that connector 30 attaches the strap 22 to the mounting
member 14 on the mask body 12 rather than to the second strap connector 50.
Referring to FIG. l, the second strap connector 50 mounts to the mask
body 12 on the stud members 14. The orifice 54 is sized so that it fits onto
the stud
member 14 with an interference fit over the widened end portion of the stud
member 14 similar to the direct mounting of the end connector 30. Once the
stud
member 14 has been inserted through the orifice 54, the widened end portion
retains
the base 52 against the mask body 12. With this configuration, the base 52 is
free
to rotate about the stud 14, and the second strap connector 50 is pivotally
mounted
to the mask body 12. When the mask 10 uses only a single strap 22 as shown in
FIG. 3, the strap extends between two end connectors 30, one connecting to
each
end 26 of the strap 22. The end connector 30 includes a tongue portion 32
having a
rounded end and an orifice 34 (FIG. 2) formed therethrough. Each end connector
30 includes a strap receiving portion 36 that has a gripping member 38. The
gripping member includes a hinge 40, shown as a living hinge in the preferred
embodiment for reduced cost and ease of manufacture, and a leading serrated
edge
42. The gripping member 38 pivots between an open position, shown in FIG. 3,
for
inserting the end 26 of the strap and a closed position, shown in FIG. 1 where
the
strap 22 is firmly retained. When the gripping member 38 is closed, following
insertion of strap 26 end through the receiving portion 36, the serrated
leading edge
42 engages the strap 22 and secures the connector member 30 to the strap 22 at
the
selected position.
This adjustable retaining system allows the length of the strap 22 to vary to
a size that fits most comfortably around the neck and head of the wearer. As
explained below, dual straps 24 also connect to the same connector members 30.
-5-
AMENDED SHEET
CA 02298707 2000-02-O1
The end connectors 30 easily attach to the mask body 12 by inserting them
onto the mounting studs 14. The stud 14 inserts through the orifice 34 (FIG.
2)
formed in the tongue 32. The widened end portion of the stud 14 has a slight
interference fit with the orifice 34 to enable the stud member 14 to be forced
through the orifice 34 so that the connectors 30 snap onto the studs 14. Once
inserted, however, the widened end portion of the stud member 14 retains the
tongue 32 against the mask body 12. When the end connector 30 has been
attached to the mask body 12, the connector 30 rotates about the stud 14, and
a
pivotal connection is formed between the stud member 14 and the end connector
30. This configuration provides greater flexibility in adapting the mask to
the shape
and size of the wearer's head to achieve a more comfortable fit.
In FIG. 2, there is shown an embodiment of the headband configuration 20
for the mask 10 which uses a double band assembly. When double straps 24 are
used around the back of the head and neck of the wearer, a second strap
connector
50 is utilized. The second strap connector 50 includes a base 52 that has an
orifice
54 formed in the base. The base 52 includes two strap receiving portions 60
extending at substantially right angles to one another with a brace 56
extending
therebetween. The strap receiving portions 60 are configured for receiving the
end
connectors 30 and forming a harness assembly connecting to double straps 24.
Although this embodiment uses two straps 24 or a double band harness, a single
one of the straps 24 may be mounted as shown in FIG. 3, for use as a single
strap
22 in a single band harness assembly. Therefore, the interchangability of the
straps
24 and 22 having the same end connectors 30 provides for a more adaptable mask
retaining system.
Each of the strap receiving portions 60 includes a retaining pin 62 extending
upward from the base. The pin 62 includes a slanted face portion 64 angled
toward
an insertion end of the strap receiving portion 60 to allow connector tongue
32 to
be easily and readily secured to receiving potion 60. Near the outward end of
the
strap receiving portion 60, a retainer 66 forms a space for receiving the
tongue 32
of the end connectors 30. The retainer 6b includes sides 68 and a recessed
base 70.
A cross member 72 is spaced apart from the recessed base 70 and is configured
for
- 6/ 1 -
AMENDED SHEET
CA 02298707 2000-02-O1
sliding the tongue 32 into the strap receiving portion 60. When inserted, the
tongue
32 extends under the cross member 72 and over the recessed base 70. The tongue
32 is flexible enough to bend upward and slide over the angled face 64 of the
pin 62
until the retaining pin 62 is in registration with the orifice 34. The
resiliency of the
- 6/2 -
AMENDED SHEET
CA 02298707 2000-O1-31
WO 99/06116 PCT/US97122707
flexing tongue 32 springs the tongue 32 back to a substantially planer
position with
the pin 62 extending through the orifice 34. The pin 62 and the cross member
72
cooperate to retain the end connector 30 in the mask mounting member 50. The
substantially right angled diverging configuration of the two strap receiving
portions
60 provides for spacing the ends of the double straps 24 apart from one
another for
a more stable and comfortable fit for the wearer.
Using the invention, identical straps 22 may be employed with either a
double or single headband system 20. The mask body 12 does not need to be
modified for receiving either a single or double strap. The present invention
also
provides for a headband 20 that pivotally mounts to the mask body 12 with
either a
single or double strap configuration.
Although numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention
have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the
structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only,
and that
changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and
arrangement
of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated
by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
