DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention generally relates to the technical field of protection systems, and it particularly relates to a protective equipment which can be worn by a user to cover at least the nose and mouth.

State of the Art

As known, currently there are protection masks certified as MD (medical device) for protecting the wearer and the nearby people, and masks for protecting an operator in works that potentially expose them to risks due to the presence of harmful gases or harmful microparticles, the so-called PPE (personal protective equipment).

As also known, the use of MDs to prevent the spread of the COVID 19 virus (so-called Coronavirus) is not only recommended but also compulsory nowadays. Therefore, an operator who uses PPE at work must be equipped with a MD to be worn before and after the use of PPE in order to be able to move freely.

As clear, this is considerably disadvantageous, given that it basically requires having two or more objects to be alternated depending on the uses.

Furthermore, standard MDs used to prevent the spread of COVID 19, that is disposable masks, have a generally very low filtering surface, resulting in difficulty in breathing.

Furthermore, such masks are unsafe for the wearer, because they cover the nose and mouth well but they cover the rest of the face surface poorly, leaving vacant spaces through which the virus could enter.

Furthermore, disposable masks also have a high environmental impact.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome the drawbacks illustrated above by providing a face protection device that is highly functional and cost- effective.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a face protection device which can act both as a device of the medical type in accordance with Directive 93/42/EEC and as of the personal protective type in accordance with Regulation EU 2016/425 by suitably changing the filters.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a face protection device which facilitates the breathing of the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a face protection device with minimum environmental impact.

These and other objects which will be more apparent hereinafter, are attained by a protective equipment as described, illustrated and/or claimed herein.

The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in light of the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and IB are schematic figures of an embodiment of the face protection device 1 worn by a user respectively in the configuration of personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with Regulation EU 2016/425 and of medical device (MD) in accordance with Directive 93/42/EEC;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are axonometric schematic figures of an embodiment of the face protection device 1 in the configuration of the personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with Regulation EU 2016/425, respectively in the assembled and exploded configuration;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are axonometric schematic figures of the embodiment of the face protection device 1 of FIGS. 2 and 3 in the configuration of the personal medical device (MD) in accordance with directive 93/42/EEC respectively in the assembled and exploded configuration;

FIGS. 6A and 6C are axonometric schematic figures of a further embodiment of the mask or half-mask 10 and of the locking element 30, respectively in exploded and assembled configuration, with FIGS. 6B and 6D showing some enlarged details;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are exploded axonometric schematic figures of a further embodiment of the face protection device 1 respectively in the configuration of personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with Regulation EU 2016/425 and of medical device (MD) in accordance with Directive 93/42/EEC; FIGS. 9 and 10 are axonometric schematic figures respectively exploded and assembled of a further embodiment of the removable locking means 30;

FIGS. 11 and 12A are axonometric schematic figures of a further embodiment of the face protection device 1, with FIG. 12B showing some enlarged details.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

With reference to the attached figures, herein described is a face protection device 1, designed to be worn by a user to cover at least the nose and mouth, which, combined with one or more first filtering elements 40 or with one or more second filtering elements 50, it will be configured alternately as a medical device (MD) in accordance with directive 93/42/EEC or as a personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with Regulation EU 2016/425.

Therefore, the face protection device 1 will take a different function depending on the filtering elements 40 or 50.

Specifically, the one or more first filtering elements 40 may be made of fibrous material, preferably non-woven fabric.

On the other hand, the one or more second filtering elements 50 may be one or more of the following filters: dust filter (white); type A filter (brown); type B filter (grey); type E filter (yellow); type K filter (green); NO-P3 filter (blue-white); Hg-P3 type filter (red- white).

Alternatively, the one or more second filtering elements 50 may be combined filters which include two or more of the types mentioned above.

In any case, the filters 40 or 50 will be connected to a single interface suitable to house both of them, although as an alternative to each other.

This single interface may be the face protection device 1, which may include a mask or half-mask 10 and preferably, depending on the filtering elements 40 or 50 used therewith and on the embodiment of the invention, means 30 for removably locking one or more first filters 40 thereon or unidirectional valve means 60 for forcing the air to pass exclusively through the filters 50.

As clear, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the device 1 may include both the locking means 30 and the unidirectional valve means 60.

It is clear that although hereinafter reference will always be made to a half-mask 10, a full-face mask provided with a visor may alternatively be provided for without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

The half-mask 10 may be made of relatively rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, for example polypropylene, polyamide or the like, and it may include an outer surface 11 and a substantially concave inner surface 12.

There may also be provided for a substantially annular element made of elastomeric material 20, for example NBR rubber, silicone or thermoplastic elastomers, designed to come into contact with the face of the user to define, cooperating with the inner surface 11 of the half-mask 10, a working chamber 5 during use, particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1A and IB.

In a first embodiment, for example illustrated in FIGs. 2 to 5, the element made of elastomeric material 20 may be monolithic with the half-mask 10, for example co-moulded therewith, and extend transversely from the peripheral edge 13 thereof.

In another embodiment, for example illustrated in FIGs. 7 and 8, the element made of elastomeric material 20 may be removably couplable with the half-mask 10 with the interposition of the locking means 30. To this end, the element made of elastomeric material 20 may include an appropriate recess 21 for guiding and centring the locking means 30.

The half-mask 10 may include a pair of lateral through openings 14, 14' and a central through opening 15, which may place the working chamber 5 in fluidic communication with the external environment.

Respective bayonet couplings 16, 16' extending from the outer surface 11 of the halfmask 10 may be arranged at the openings 14, 14' to surround them and allow the removable coupling of the one or more filtering elements 50.

Preferably, when the filtering elements 50 are coupled, the bayonet fittings 16, 16', the one-way valve means 60 may be connected to the through opening 15.

Therefore, when the user inhales, the air will pass from the external environment into the working chamber 5 exclusively through the openings 14, 14' and the relative filters 50, while when exhaling the air will pass from the working chamber 5 to the external environment through all the openings 14, 14' and 15.

On the other hand, the inner surface 12 of the half-mask 10 may comprise a seat 17 for housing the one or more filtering elements 40, the seat 17 may preferably being coextensive with the inner surface 12.

When the one or more filtering elements 40 are arranged in the seat 17, preferably neither the filtering elements 50 nor the one-way valve means 60 may be connected to the half-mask 10. Therefore, the air will be free to flow into the working chamber 5 and to flow out therefrom through the three openings 14, 14' and 15.

Furthermore, in this case the one or more filtering elements 40 may be locked in the seat 17 by means of the appropriate locking means 30, which may have any configuration provided that they carry out the function of removably locking the one or more filtering elements 40 into the seat 17.

For example, the removable locking means 30 may include a substantially annular element 31 extending along the peripheral edge 13 of the seat 17 so that the one or more filtering elements 40 remain interposed between the latter and the inner surface 12.

Advantageously, one or more transversal elements 32 for connecting various points of the substantially annular element 31 to each other may be provided for so that the removable locking means 30 define a sort of grid.

Advantageously, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6D or in FIGS. 7 - 8, the removable locking means 30 may include tabs 33 which can be snap-actuated to removably retain the substantially annular element 31. The tabs 33 may be present on the annular element 31 and/or on the half-mask 10.

Possibly, for example as illustrated in FIG. 5, the tabs 33 may define male elements which can be inserted into female seats 34 and 41 present on the substantially annular element 31 and on the filtering element 40 in order to retain it removably.

In a further embodiment, for example illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the removable locking means 30 may include hinge elements 34, 34' for holding the one or more filtering elements 40 in operative position. Suitably, the hinge elements 34, 34' may be removably locked in the closed position by means of snap means 35, 35', for example appropriate tabs.

In a further embodiment, for example illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B, the removable locking means 30 may include appendages 36, 36', susceptible to be inserted through the openings 14 to prevent the insertion of the filtering elements 50 on the bayonet couplings 16 when the removable locking means 30 are inserted on the half-mask 10. This will allow to guarantee the alternative use of the filtering elements 40 or 50. Suitably, the half-mask 10 may include one or more eyelets 18 for connection to elastic bands or similar positioning elements 70, for example to a safety helmet 80.

Furthermore, one or more elements 71, for example elastic bands, for connecting the half-mask 10 to the helmet 80 may be provided for. This will allow to avoid losing face protection device 1 when the operator removes it, for example for smoking.

In the light of the above, it is clear that the invention attains the pre-set objectives.

As a matter fact, the device 1 may act both as a device of the medical type in accordance with directive 93/42/EEC and of the personal protective type in accordance with Regulation EU 2016/425, by suitably changing the filters 40 or 50. Furthermore, the device 1 will have a large air passage surface, which facilitates breathing for the user.

Furthermore, the environmental impact of the device 1 is minimal given that it basically consists of filters only.

The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of protection of the attached claims. All details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different depending on the technical needs, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.