GB2593683A

GB2593683A - Technically advanced protective equipment for face

Info

Publication number: GB2593683A
Application number: GB2004567.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Sheffield Timothy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-03-30
Filing date: 2020-03-30
Publication date: 2021-10-06
Also published as: GB202004567D0

Abstract

A reusable face mask comprises a face mask section for covering the wearers nose and mouth, attached via securing straps and sealed to the face, and further comprises a purification or filtration medium 2 of either UV, heat or chemicals in a sealed air purification unit 1 either attached to the mask via tubes or pipes or incorporated within the mask. A mechanical or battery-operated compressor or fan may assist with forcing the air over the bacteria killing filtration medium and may force the filtered air back to the wearer once purified and cooled if required. The battery may also be utilised to power indicators to show that the device is operating correctly. A separate tank may be utilised to hold the clean air ready for circulation. The mask may be suitable to use in conjunction with separate eyewear.

Description

Title -Technically advance protective equipment Patent 2004567.0

Description

Problem-Facemasks being used to protect people against Covid19 are of the Surgical Mask type, or respirators FFP@, N95, or FFP3 type. Some 4000 Spanish nurses have contracted the disease as of March 28' 2020. Whilst the FFP3 has improved performance they are all filters that filter various sized particles. The filter becomes contaminated and they are suggested as only being 95% effective. This should also cover the use of Air compressors to raise temperature of air to a point where virus is killed, this could be a small unit for the mask as outlined or on an industrial scale for a building, hospital or aviation, industrial or residential use.

Solution and design A new design of a REUSABLE facemask that incorporates features to kill bacteria including Covid19.

The facemask will have additional new feature 1) compared to previous designs that purify/cleanse air before it is breathed in that kill bacteria. The inlet can be located on the O front, side or back or attached to the mask. The main new concept is a purifying unit can be located at the front rear, top or side and attached via a tube or part of the mask. The mask C\I coud appear one integrated unit or made up of components.

CO

CD We breath 8 litres at rest and maybe 20 litres at work per minute so the unit will process up sufficient air per minute to sustain breathing.

Cn The mask would comprise a face piece covering mouth and nose (separate existing eye protection may also be used.

Face piece The covering section is sealed around the mouth and nose (or uses forced air such that a seal is not required) and would be sanitised prior to use. Ideally the face contact section would be anti bacterial and the whole unit is sterilised before use. Any sectional pieces can be removed for cleaning/sanitising.

The inlet and bacteria killing air purification unit section could be combined into the front of the mask if the processing unit can be made small enough, or separate and fitted to the rear, top or side of the head or back. The unit may also be integrated so it appears as a single unit.

The exhale section would also be part of the mouth covering section but separated from the inlet via normal breathing process which operates one way valves. Thus air breathed in does not mix with air breathed out.

The process Air will be drawn in through the mask (either mechanically/electric motor assisted with a battery aided fan or by natural breathing through an inlet that can be located anywhere on the mask, possibly rear or top section.

The air will pass over a source that will kill all bacteria. Such as small heat source to heat the air above the temperature to kill the bacteria, or through a liquid that kills the bacteria or treated with UV light or over a filter bed that is certified to kill bacteria. Anything that is proven effective against the bacteria would be included in the design.

The air will then be cooled or treated further if necessary to remove impurities and to ensure it is good to breathe. The air is then fed directly into the mouth or nose via a mouth and nose covered section (either directly as part of an integrated face piece section or connected by tubes).

The clean bacteria free air will either be placed in a small tank fitted to the unit, this need be be big enough to accommodate and process normal breathing eg 8-20 litres per minute. Or if the air is bacteria free it can be fed directly into the mouth, either with the help of a fan or by normal breathing.

The air must be cooled and or filtered prior to breathing it in so it is of useable quality..

CD The air must be exhaled though a different exit via a tube using a two way valve so the C\I exhaled air does not mix with the treated air.

CO

CD The unit is reusable, robust and relatively low cost. It can be sterilised before use using sanitiser or UV light.

CO It is important all components are sealed and prevent leaks.(A hood can be used to test this as per existing masks or alternatively the unit could create excess mechanically drawn forced purified air so much more clean air is created and directed to the mouth in a way that there is no possibility of breathing contaminated air.

The design could include rechargeable batteries where needed and indicators to show the unit is working and alarm to show when batteries needed recharging if it is electronically assisted. This may not be necessary for masks that use the wearer to draw the air over a liquid or bed of bacteria killing substance. If a heater is used this should be a small heating unit where all the air if made to pass over to guarantee the appropriate temperature reached to kill the bacteria.

Flow Process 1. Outside Air drawn in 2. Bacteria Killed -by air purifying/cleaning unit 3. Treated air passed to holding tank then mouth/nose or direct to mouth/nose 4. Exhaled air removed via one way valve. (Aims

Claims

1. A low maintenance reusable Face Mask with an additional new small Air Purification/Cleansing Unit to kill bacteria. The air Cleansing unit will use Heat, chemicals er UV light to guarantee bacteria is killed. The purification component will kill and not only filter bacteria dependent on size. The Air Purification unit may be integrated into the mask as a single unit, or the new purifying unit is attached by tubes to the mask. It will be certified to kill Covid19 and other bacteria.

2. The mask will be sealed to the face or sufficient excess air produced such a seal not required using forced airflow.

3. The bacteria killing medium will be UV light, a chemical or electric powered heat source guaranteed to kill bacteria and integrated into a componentised sealed part of the mask air will pass over the medium or heat source.

4. The mask may or may not contain an additional holding tank for clean air once processed according to claim 1.

5, The mask components will be connected where needed by flexible airtight and water tight tubes according to claim 1.

6, The Mask may be assisted by mechanical/electronic devices such as a fan and indicators to show working correctly according to claim 1.

7. The mask design and components should be small portable and light weight.

8. The Mask will be insulated so it is safe with any chemical or heat source protected according to claim 1.

9. The purification unit may require liquid or batteries or heating element and fan according to claim 1 but will be reusable and maintainable.

10. Once the input air has passed over the bacteria killing area the air will pass over a filter/cooler to ensure fit to breathe according to claim 1. Airflow may be fan assisted or not.

11.The mask should meet existing specification for a sealed face mask but be certified for killing and not just filtering bacteria according to claim 1.

12.The Mask will be fully cleanable by UV light or sanitiser making it long lasting according to claim 1.

13.The mask may be supplemented with existing eyewear protection to prevent infection through eyes according to claim 1.