Technical Field

The invention relates to a mask with replaceable filter, which is used as personal protective equipment in various areas, especially in the healthcare sector.

The invention is specifically related to a mask with a filter that can be replaced by the user by being integrated into a chamber connected to a body made of medical PVC material.

State of the Art

Today, especially in the health sector, various types of masks are used for protection against diseases transmitted through respiratory and bodily fluids. Surgical masks with fabric content, paper masks and N95 masks, which are more effective than others in filtering out contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, dust, fog and smoke, are often used.

In the state of the art, disposable paper or washable cloth masks are preferred for protection against organisms that cause infectious disease since they are affordable and easy to find. In the event of an epidemic or chemical threat, an individual's average monthly use of the mask ranges from an average of 80 to 120 units depending on the health conditions. The disposal of these masks in dustbins after use does not eliminate the bacteria or virus that sticks to the mask and the threats continue to spread around with the infected mask. This is an undesirable situation. As the epidemic continues to spread, masks thrown into the environment are cause high amounts of waste. In addition, after the use of paper or cloth masks; high probability of hands, clothes, food products coming into contact with the mask during the disposal poses a very large threat. Because there is a high probability that there is an infectious organism on the mask.

In a research on the subject, the application numbered KR101574021 B1 was found. The application relates to the electric air cleaner respiratory protection tool, which includes a face mask, connection hose unit and electric air purifier device. The face mask is configured to protect the wearer's nose and eyes. Electric air purifier comprises an electric air ventilation device which draws air from outside, pumps and evacuates it and a filter unit which is fed by the electric air ventilation unit and removes the pollutants in the external air in order to generate purified air. The connecting hose unit connects the face mask and the electric air purifier device. In the application in question, eye protection and replaceable filter are mentioned. On the other hand, no mention of the mask having antimicrobial structure due to the body structure made of medical silicon or elastron PVC material has been made.

As a result, due to the negativity described above and the inadequacy of the existing solutions on the subject, an improvement in the relevant technical area has been made necessary.

Object of the Invention

The invention is inspired by existing situations and aims to solve the disadvantages mentioned above.

The main purpose of the invention is to create a long - lasting mask that allows multiple uses by means of the filter used in it being replaceable.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a mask that has antimicrobial properties and does not carry harmful microorganisms due to having a body made of medical silicone or elastron PVC material.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a mask which allow using different types of filters by having a universal structure and easy integration of different health equipment and effective filters against different epidemics and chemical attacks.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide a mask that is easy to produce and has low inert output when it becomes unusable.

The structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention will be understood more clearly through the detailed explanation written with the following figures and references to these figures, and therefore assessment should be made by considering these figures and detailed explanation.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a representation of the mask of the invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the mask of the invention.

Figure 3 shows the mask of the invention from different perspectives.

Description of Part References

1 . Strap 2. Eye protection

3. Body

4. Filter cover

5. Filter chamber

6. Filter

7. Top valve cover

8. Valve

9. Bottom valve cover

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the mask of the invention are explained for a better understanding of the subject.

The invention, a representation of which is given in Figure 1 , relates to a mask used as a personal protective equipment in various areas, especially in the healthcare sector.

In a preferred embodiment of the mask of the invention; it comprises

• a body (3) which is attached to the face of the user to cover the nose and mouth area and which is made of a material which does not retain bacteria or viruses,

• a strap (1 ) connected to the body in order to keep the body fixed on the face,

• at least one interchangeable filter (6) that filters out harmful microorganisms that may be transmitted by the respiratory tract, dust or pollen fragments,

• a filter chamber (5) in which the filter (6) is positioned,

• at least one filter cover (4) that secures the filter (6) and opens and closes the filter chamber (5) to allow the filter (6) to be replaced, and

• a valve (8) that allows the air collected in the mask during breathing to be evacuated.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it comprises a removable eye protection (2) in order to protect the eyes from external factors by being attached to the body (3) at a point close to the eyes. The eye protection (2) prevents the eyes from getting into contact with harmful organisms that may be transmitted by bodily fluids. It has a transparent structure made of PVC material. Therefore, it does not cause visual distortion or impairment. The eye protection (2) may be used only when desired due to its removable characteristics or may not be used. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it comprises a top valve cover (7) and a bottom valve cover (9), which are connected with the valve to allow the valve (8) to be replaced with a new one after its expiration. The covers (7, 9) in question are of removable characteristics so the valve (8) can be removed and replaced with a new one. Thereby, when the valve (8) is expired, the expiration of all parts are prevented.

Figure 2 gives an exploded view of the mask of the invention. The mask body (3) forms the main part of the mask. The eye protection (2) is connected to the upper part of the body (3) close to the eye, and the filter chamber (5) is connected to the lower part.

In an example embodiment of the invention, the assembly of the mask is as follows: First, the filter chamber (5) is mounted to the body (3). Two filters (6) are placed in the filter chamber (5), to its right and to its left. The type of filter (6) can differ according to the environmental conditions. The filter chamber (5) allows the use of different filter (6) types, or the filter (6) to be easily replaced by the user when it becomes unusable. A total of two filter covers (4), one on the right and one on the left of the filter chamber (5), are installed to secure the filters (6) that are placed in the filter chamber (5). Filter covers (4) also enable the filter chamber (5) to be opened and closed so that the filter (6) can be replaced. After the installation of the filter chamber (3) to the body (3) is completed, the bottom valve cover (9) is connected to the filter chamber (5). Thereafter, the valve (8) is placed on the bottom valve cover (9) and the top valve cover (7) is connected to the valve (8) to secure the valve (8). Finally, the strap (1) is connected to the mask body (3).

The mask body (3) can be produced from medical elastron material or medical silicone elastron PVC material. The body (3) made of medical silicone or elastron PVC material has an anti microbial structure by means of the characteristic of the material. When the medical silicone elastron PVC body is cleaned with alcohol, water or benzene / benzene - derived solutions, no threats (virus / bacteria) are left on the mask. The cleaning process can be achieved by methods such as washing, dipping into solution and / or applying a stream. Silicon or elastron PVC surfaces having substantially low bacteria or virus retention properties or even none with respect to the virus / bacteria concentration of the environment, minimize the possibility of transmission of the threat during disposal. Medical PVC, which is the raw material used in the mask body (3), is the generic name for many different polymeric chains and systems formed on the basis of Si - O - Si. PVCs, technically defined as “polysiloxanes”, are almost a "magic bridge" between organic and inorganic chemistry. PVCs, which combine the advantages of glass and plastic, have qualities that no other material in the world possesses. PVCs, like plastics (which are carbon based), are resistant and can be used in many forms. They are also resistant to heat and humidity, like glass (which is PVC based), are chemically hard and are insulating.

In addition to having the property of not retaining bacteria or viruses, the geometric design of mask of the invention is compliant with both the interfaces of medical equipment and the interfaces of replaceable filters of different types. In hospitals, patients may use common masks for oxygen or other respiratory needs in interventions during an epidemic. In the mask of the invention, since the filter chamber (5) where the filter (6) is placed and the connection interfaces of other medical devices are the same, the filter (6) can be removed and the hose or other equipment of the related device can be attached easily.

The strap (1), which allows the mask to be kept fixed on the face, is made of elastic material. Due to its elastic structure, it does not require any additional adjustment and is suitable for all age groups.

The filter chamber (5) is the part where the filter (6), which filters harmful microorganisms, dust and pollen particles and prevent their passage into the respiratory tract, is positioned. The filter cover (4), which allows the filter chamber (5) to be opened and closed, is installed in the filter chamber (5) so that the filter can be replaced (6). The opening and closing of the filter chamber (5) allows the replacement of the filter (6) after use. It also allows the integration of filters (6) suitable for different environmental conditions (FFP1 - FFP2 - FFP3 - 3 Layer Mask). By changing the filter (6), it is possible to install different filters (6), which vary based on different microbial threats, to the filter chamber (5) by the user. Thus, while the mask body (3), which has an average duration of five years, remains stable, while changing the filters provides a very economical opportunity. In addition to the fact that the mask can be used repeatedly provides and economical benefit, masks that are stored during periods of non - threat can be put into use again during the periods of threat. Thus, an insufficient mask production volume does not become a problem during periods of threat. At this point, only the filter (6) is purchased and installed in the filter chamber (5) by the user, allowing to be used again.

Since the filter (6), which is the unit where the viruses or bacteria will be retained mostly (which is also the unit where the air circulation is maintained), is installed in the filter chamber (5) on the body (3), removing the filter chamber (5) from the body (3) by pulling and then turning it upside down and shaking it will be enough to clean the filter (6). In this way, the possibility of transmission of viruses or bacteria is minimized.

The mask of the invention provides maximum compliance to each face type. Due to its thin foldable design, it can be carried in the pocket and can also be carried by hanging around the neck thanks to its strap (1). The mask is suitable for use in humid and hot environments between - 30 Ό and +50 TT The filter material used in the mask has a high filtration efficiency with an ultra - thin fiber structure. It provides low breathing resistance. Filter (6) may be made of activated carbon material. Depending on the type of the epidemic, the variety of viruses and bacteria, fabric filters produced with nanotechnology may also be included for the filter. The mask structure is suitable for this change.