Description
The basic requirement for the correct functionality of any respiratory half mask is to ensure perfect tightness between the elastic part of the half mask and the face. This tightness has been achieved through a process of gradual developmental and design steps, which mainly involved the optimisation of the shape of each individual part of the mask.
The individual dimensions are based on an anthropometric study of the human face, primarily focused on the European population, and represent the average values of the morphometric dimensions of a human adult face. Maximum flexibility and the ability to perfectly fit the human face are achieved by the geometry of the facepiece – the half mask fitting tightly to the user’s face, and the highly flexible nature of the selected material.
The flexibility of RESPIRA half mask is based on a special type of silicone for the elastic part which was developed and introduced specifically for use in healthcare and therefore meets the most stringent requirements. The maximum flexibility of the silicone allows uniform distribution of the pressure which the facepiece exerts on the face, thus achieving perfect tightness while ensuring high levels of comfort during periods of prolonged use. In addition, the silicone is characterised by very high resistance to chemicals, ensuring there is no risk of damage to the half mask even when in contact with a wide range of chemicals. Another significant advantage of this material is its minimal tendency to permanent deformations, which is beneficial from the storing point of view. The half masks can be stored folded in small packages for long time period without and any negative impacts. After unpacking, the half mask returns to its original shape and is ready for immediate use.
Furthermore, thanks to its extreme resistance to ageing, the silicone does not lose its flexibility and characteristics, which ensures a significantly
longer service life. The rigid part of the half mask, which serves to attach the filter, is made of a high-performance thermoplastic polymer, which is reinforced with a fibrous filler to increase its strength. The material adheres perfectly to the silicone part, which is essential to ensure a reliable seal.
The bond of the silicone with the rigid part is so strong that it is able to withstand a considerable mechanical load.
Filter
The RESPIRA protective respiratory half mask is equipped with a circular filter, which is attached to the facepiece by a threaded connection. The design of the connection makes the replacement of the filter simple and intuitive, without the need to remove the facepiece from the face.
This system, featuring a circular thread, allows for very quick filter change using only one hand. This design feature results from user’s needs in emergency situations, where the speed and simplicity of replacing the filter often has a significant impact on the level of health protection provided. Tightness at the connection between the solid part of the half mask and the filter is provided by a silicone sealing ring, which is anchored to the filter body. Thanks to its design, this ring ensures reliable sealing throughout the service life of filter as it does not deform or lose elasticity. The circular filter itself is designed to suit a wide range of filter materials. In terms of breathability, the minimum normatively deter- 2 mined filter area is 150cm , this is safely met and can be greatly increased by increasing the density of the composition of the filter material.
The filter insert is fixed inside the filter using a special adhesive. This provides not only strength to the joint at the connection of the filter insert with the solid parts of the filter but also perfect tightness.
The filters of the protective respiratory half mask are equipped with a variety of filter materials that are recommended for each type of environment at protection levels P1 to P3.
The uniqueness of the RESPIRA filters is based on the fact that we have used, as the first and only manufacturer, filter material manufactured purely from nanofibrous materials and we have placed the exhalation valve on a circular filter. The intentional utilisation of an exhalation valve in P3 filters provides unique comfort to wearers during use. In addition, the filter is designed in such a way that the pressure of the exhaled air can be used to regenerate the filter insert. This unique system extends the service life of the filter in a contaminated environment because the exhaled air partially purifies the filter insert from captured particles.
The capture values we have achieved are 99.99%.