Respirator Flow Control Apparatus And Method
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsGarry J. Walker, Andrew Murphy, Desmond T. Curran, Derek A. Parkin, Thomas I. Insley, Mark A. J. Fernandes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A respirator has a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator. An air flow control system for the respirator has an air delivery conduit within the shell of the respirator, a valve member moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit, and a valve actuator outside of the shell of the respirator. The valve actuator is manipulatable by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.
Claims26
An air flow control system for a respirator, the control system comprising:
- a shell defining a breathable air zone for a user;
- an air delivery conduit within the shell of the respirator and having an air flow inlet end extending through an air inlet opening of the shell, the conduit being separable from the shell;
- a valve member moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit;
- and
- a valve actuator outside of the shell of the respirator that is manipulatable by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.
A method for controlling air flow within a respirator comprises:
- forcing air through an air delivery conduit within a shell of the respirator, wherein the shell defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator and the air delivery conduit includes an air flow inlet end extending through an air inlet opening of the shell, the conduit being separable from the shell;
- and
- manipulating an actuator outside of and adjacent to the shell, by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator, to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit.
A respirator comprising:
- a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator, wherein the shell includes a visor portion to permit a user wearing the respirator to see through the visor portion of the shell;
- a plurality of air delivery conduits within the shell of the respirator;
- a valve within at least one of the air delivery conduits to vary the amount of air flow therethrough;
- and
- a valve actuator for controlling the valve, wherein the valve actuator is outside the shell of the respirator and is capable of manipulation by a user of the respirator while the user is wearing the respirator,
- wherein the plurality of air delivery conduits are separable from the shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.