Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Face mask covering a breathing passage
Patent
1990-03-02
1991-07-02
Burr, Edgar S.
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Face mask covering a breathing passage
12820512, 12820122, 12820125, A62B 1808
Patent
active
050278100
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a self-contained emergency breathing apparatus intended to be stored for a long period of time and then to be used for a short period of time in order to enable the wearer of the apparatus to move away from a zone in which there is a high risk of asphyxiation.
When a fire occurs in a confined space, for example on board an aircraft, in a theater, in an office or residential building, in a hotel, etc . . . most of the deaths are due to asphyxiation. Proposals have therefore been made, over a considerable period of time, to provide individual emergency apparatuses that can be stored in hotel rooms, offices or residential premises, or which can be carried on the person in certain public locations (e.g. in an auditorium or concert hall). Such apparatuses are designed to have an endurance of about 5 to 10 minutes which is relatively short but sufficient to enable persons wearing them to reach an emergency exit without being asphyxiated. It is also likely that the use of such apparatuses will reduce panic, both on the part of individuals and collectively, and panic is often an additional cause of deaths and accidents.
The apparatuses which are currently available commercially comprise a mask or hood intended to envelop the head of a person, and are provided with filters of varying degrees of sophistication, for the purpose of absorbing toxic components in the surrounding air before the air is breathed by the person wearing the apparatus.
Apparatuses of this type are generally capable of being stored for a relatively long period of time without losing effectiveness, and they are relatively reliable since they do not include any moving parts. They are also simple to use since they merely need placing over the head and tying around the neck in order to avoid filling with smoke or other toxic compounds.
Their drawbacks stem from the principle on which they operate : at the present time no filtering materials exist capable of absorbing all the toxic compounds likely to be released by fires. The manufacturers of such apparatuses therefor make an initial selection of filtering materials, which will absorb some toxic components and let others pass. There are therefore some types of fire where these masks are ineffective. In addition, they are of little use if the level of oxygen in the surrounding air falls below a predetermined limit. Finally, it is necessary for the filtering materials be checked and replaced at regular intervals in order to avoid loss of filtering capacity.
Self-contained breathing apparatus have also been proposed comprising their own air or oxygen supplies, and some of these apparatuses are capable of operating in a closed circuit, because they include air regeneration means such as means for absorbing carbon dioxide and water vapour. These apparatuses are generally sophisticated, expensive, and intended for use by professionals in special circumstances. Others are intended to be used by the public for a short lapse of time, but they are generally poorly designed and cannot provide the results expected.
The object of the invention is to provide a self-contained emergency breathing apparatus having a high degree of reliability, capable of being stored for a long period of time and remaining usable without loss of capacity and is simple and easy to use by non specialized persons.
Another object is also to provide an apparatus of this type, which performs very much better than competitive apparatus.
A breathing apparatus of the above type is therefore proposed comprising a mask or hood for covering a large portion of the head of the user in substantially air-tight manner, oxygen supply means and carbon dioxide absorbing means, the apparatus being characterized in that the oxygen supply means comprise a cylinder having a volume of about 100 cm.sup.3 or so, filled at an initial pressure of about 200 bars with a breathable oxygen containing gas, means for expanding said gas to a pressure which is several times greater than the ambient pressure and an ejection nozzle connected by
REFERENCES:
patent: 2366904 (1945-01-01), Haugh
patent: 3521629 (1970-07-01), Reynolds
patent: 3976063 (1976-08-01), Henneman et al.
patent: 4440163 (1984-04-01), Spergel
patent: 4552140 (1985-11-01), Erie
Morillon Christian
Patureau Jean-Pierre
Bertin & Cie
Burr Edgar S.
Malvaso Lisa E.
Teikoku Sen-I Co., Ltd.
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