CN111388698B

CN111388698B - Filter element and protective product

Info

Publication number: CN111388698B
Application number: CN202010207897.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张思源; 倪隽儿
Original assignee: Zhejiang Aojian Medical Technology Development Co ltd; Suzhou Xingshuo Nanotech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhejiang Aojian Medical Technology Development Co ltd; Suzhou Xingshuo Nanotech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-23
Filing date: 2020-03-23
Publication date: 2022-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-23
Also published as: CN111388698A

Abstract

The present application provides a filter disc, comprising: a base layer; an ultraviolet light emitting diode coupled with the base layer; and the thin film power supply is used for providing power for the ultraviolet light-emitting diode. Ultraviolet emitting diode is coupled on the basic unit, makes the filter disc produce ultraviolet light, realizes disinfecting to each aspect material fibre of filter disc, makes the ultraviolet ray can exterminate the microorganism such as bacterium, virus that whole filter disc held back, and the ultraviolet sterilization disinfection function is strong, and is extremely strong to the bacterium virus killing effect along with airborne, realizes convenient efficient prevention and bactericidal function, reduces germ propagation and cross infection risk, improves user's health level.

Description

Filter element and protective product

Technical Field

The application belongs to the technical field of health care, concretely relates to filter element and protective articles.

Background

The mask is one of the essential important articles for epidemic prevention protection personnel and inspection and quarantine inspection and treatment personnel, and is also a protective article for preventing people from harming body health due to air pollution. The mask made of multi-layer gauze can only filter out larger dust particles in the air, has poor protective effect on bacteria and viruses which are transmitted through spray and air, and cannot meet the requirements of personnel protection when epidemic situations such as novel coronavirus, SARS, avian influenza, H1N1 influenza A, middle east respiratory syndrome and the like occur. The mask made of the high-efficiency fiber filter material can play a good role in filtering and protecting tiny particles, bacteria and viruses. Ultraviolet rays are widely used for surface sterilization of medical equipment, and an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UVLED) is one of LEDs and has a wavelength range of: 10-400 nm. The ultraviolet light-emitting diode has wide application prospect in the fields of biological medical treatment, anti-counterfeiting identification, purification (water, air and the like), computer data storage, military and the like. The electret fiber is a commonly used filtering material at present, filters and adsorbs particles, liquid drops and the like in fluid by virtue of electrostatic adsorption force, and has the advantages of small flow resistance and strong filtering capability.

Due to the influence of factors such as environmental pollution, genetic variation, antibiotic abuse and the like, the living environment of people is increasingly disturbed by bacteria, viruses and the like, and the health and the life of people are seriously threatened. In recent years, epidemic situations such as novel coronavirus, avian influenza, middle east respiratory syndrome and the like cause great loss to human health and life, and cause certain panic. When the epidemic situation is sudden, how to quickly, conveniently, economically and effectively isolate the infection source is an important problem. In daily life, a simple and effective way for preventing the transmission of germs is also needed, viruses, bacteria and the like are effectively killed, the transmission risk of the bacteria and the viruses is reduced, and the life quality and the health index of people are improved. People are increasingly demanding on the mask, and people pay more and more attention to the disinfection problem of the mask and the sterilization condition of air inside the mask while pursuing the filtering effect. The mask has no effect of killing bacteria and viruses, and the filtering effect is deteriorated after long-time use, and microorganisms are easy to breed, so that the problem of secondary pollution is solved. Although the mask can be treated with chemicals, this treatment can be performed only in a non-use state, and the mask in use cannot be sterilized in real time. The moist and warm environment of the mask is very suitable for the rapid breeding and propagation of bacteria and viruses. The mask is also quickly sterilized by ultraviolet irradiation, but the ultraviolet can only act on the surface of the mask and has no effect on germs and viruses attached to the surface of the fiber material inside the filter material layer.

Disclosure of Invention

To solve the above technical problem, the present application provides a filter sheet, including:

a base layer;

an ultraviolet light emitting diode coupled with the base layer; and the number of the first and second groups,

and the thin film power supply is used for providing power for the ultraviolet light-emitting diode.

Further, the light transmittance of the ultraviolet light emitting diode is 50% -99.9%.

Further, the ultraviolet light emitting diode comprises a bottom electrode and a top electrode, wherein at least one of the bottom electrode and the top electrode comprises a nanowire;

preferably, the nanowires are of a mesh-like structure;

preferably, the nanowire comprises at least one of a semiconductor nanowire, a metal nanowire, an alloy nanowire, a molecular nanowire and an insulator nanowire;

preferably, the nanowires include at least one of gold nanowires, silver nanowires, copper nanowires, iron nanowires, cobalt nanowires, perovskite nanowires, nickel nanowires, carbon nanowires, indium phosphide nanowires, silicon nanowires, gallium nitride nanowires, cadmium selenide nanowires, silicon dioxide nanowires, titanium dioxide nanowires, and DNA-based nanowires;

preferably, the nanowires are laid on a preset area of the base layer.

Further, at least one of the bottom electrode and the top electrode comprises a nanowire and an adhesive;

preferably, the adhesive comprises UV glue.

Further, the ultraviolet light emitting diodes are uniformly distributed on the base layer, or the ultraviolet light emitting diodes are located in the central area of the base layer, or the ultraviolet light emitting diodes are located in the edge area of the base layer.

Further, the base layer includes an optical fiber, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode is coupled to the optical fiber.

Further, the base layer further comprises ultraviolet-proof fibers, and the ultraviolet-proof fibers are arranged on one surface of the filter disc and used for blocking ultraviolet rays from being emitted from the surface.

Further, the thin film power supply comprises a thin film solar power supply unit, the thin film solar power supply unit comprises an energy storage battery, and the energy storage battery is connected with the ultraviolet light emitting diode and used for providing a power supply for the ultraviolet light emitting diode;

preferably, the thin-film solar power supply unit further comprises a USB charging interface, and the USB charging interface is connected with the energy storage battery and is used for providing a charging interface for the energy storage battery;

preferably, the thin film solar power supply unit comprises a nanowire thin film.

Further, still include:

the infrared sensor is used for searching whether a human body object exists in a preset range;

and the controller is connected with the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet light-emitting diode and is used for controlling the ultraviolet light-emitting diode to perform disinfection work within set time according to the detection state of the infrared sensor.

The present application also provides a protective article comprising: a base layer;

the thin film power supply is used for providing power for the ultraviolet light-emitting diode;

preferably, the ultraviolet LED lamp further comprises a switch, wherein the switch is used for controlling the ultraviolet LED to be switched on and off;

preferably, the device further comprises a breather valve, and at least one of the ultraviolet light-emitting diode, the thin film power supply and the switch is arranged on the breather valve;

preferably, the device further comprises a nose clip strip, and at least one of the ultraviolet light-emitting diode, the thin film power supply and the switch is arranged on the nose clip strip.

Has the advantages that: the utility model provides a filter element, including basic unit, ultraviolet emitting diode and film power supply, ultraviolet emitting diode with the basic unit is coupled, and film power supply is used for doing ultraviolet emitting diode provides the power, and ultraviolet emitting diode is coupled on the basic unit, makes the filter element produce ultraviolet light, realizes disinfecting to each aspect material fibre of filter element, makes the ultraviolet energy exterminate to microorganism such as bacterium, virus that whole filter element held back, and the disinfection function of ultraviolet sterilization is strong, and is extremely strong to the bacterium virus kill effect along with air propagation, realizes convenient efficient prevention and sterilization function, reduces germ transmission and cross infection risk, improves user's health level. The application also provides a protective article using the filter disc, which is particularly suitable for inspection and quarantine inspection and treatment personnel, medical epidemic prevention personnel and personnel working and living in a highly polluted and highly dusty environment.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a filter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a thin film solar power unit and an ultraviolet light emitting diode according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of a protective article according to an embodiment of the present application.

In the drawings like parts are provided with the same reference numerals. The figures show embodiments of the application only schematically.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are illustrative and intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", and the like, indicate orientations and positional relationships based on those shown in the drawings, and are used only for convenience of description and simplicity of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element being referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and thus, should not be considered as limiting the present invention.

Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically defined otherwise.

In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "communicating," "fixed," and the like are to be construed broadly and can, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations by those of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, the term "nano-range" or "nm range" refers to a size range of about 1nm to about 1 μm.

As used herein, the term "aspect ratio" refers to the ratio of the largest dimension or range of an object to the average of the remaining dimensions or ranges of the object, wherein the remaining dimensions are orthogonal relative to each other and relative to the largest dimension. In some cases, the remaining dimensions of the object may be substantially the same, and an average of the remaining dimensions may substantially correspond to any of the remaining dimensions. For example, the aspect ratio of a cylinder refers to the ratio of the length of the cylinder to the diameter of the cross-section of the cylinder.

As used herein, the term "nanoscale" object refers to an object having at least one dimension in the nanometer range. The nanoscale objects can have any of a wide variety of shapes, and can be formed from a wide variety of materials. Examples of nanoscale objects include nanowires, nanotubes, nanoplatelets, nanoparticles, and other nanostructures.

As used herein, the term "nanowire" refers to an elongated nanoscale object that is substantially solid. Typically, nanowires have lateral dimensions in the nanometer range (e.g., cross-sectional dimensions in terms of diameter, width, or width or diameter representing an average across orthogonal directions).

Fig. 1 is a filter 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a base layer 1, an ultraviolet light emitting diode 2, and a thin film power supply 3; the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 is coupled with the base layer 1, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 is used for disinfecting each layer of materials in the filter disc 10; the thin film power supply 3 is used for supplying power to the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2. The ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 can be arranged on the surface of the base layer 1, and can also be arranged in the base layer 1, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 can also be indirectly connected with the base layer 1 through an intermediate object. The ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 can efficiently kill viruses and bacteria adsorbed on the material of the filter disc 10, and effectively keep the filter disc 10 clean and sanitary, thereby protecting the wearer from the invasion of the viruses and bacteria.

Specifically, the base layer includes, but is not limited to, a metal material, an organic material, an inorganic non-metal material, for example, the base layer may be a fiber material; the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 is a transparent ultraviolet light emitting diode, and the light transmittance of the ultraviolet light emitting diode is 50-99.9%. The transparent ultraviolet light emitting diode is beneficial to the emission and transmission of ultraviolet light, and the disinfection effect is improved.

In another embodiment of the present application, the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 includes a bottom electrode and a top electrode, and at least one of the bottom electrode and the top electrode includes a nanowire. It is understood that the bottom electrode of the uv light emitting diode is the electrode on the side close to the surface of the base layer, and the top electrode of the uv light emitting diode is the electrode on the side away from the surface of the base layer. The bottom electrode may include nanowires, the top electrode may include nanowires, and both the bottom electrode and the top electrode may include nanowires. The nano wire has excellent conductivity and light transmittance, can still keep a lower surface resistance value after being bent for many times, is used as a battery of the ultraviolet light-emitting diode in the filter disc, and can effectively improve the light-emitting efficiency and the light transmittance of the ultraviolet light-emitting diode.

Specifically, the nanowires in the embodiment of the present application are in a grid structure, and the nanowires may be overlapped to form the grid structure. The nano wires in the nano wire grid-shaped arrangement structure can be regularly arranged; or may be a general arrangement, for example, most of the metal nanowires may be arranged in a direction that tends to be uniform. It can be understood that the nanowires are in a grid structure, so that invasion of viruses and bacteria can be effectively blocked, certain nanowires can play a role in disinfection, a good conductive path can be formed in the ultraviolet light-emitting diode to emit more ultraviolet light, and the disinfection effect of the filter disc is remarkably improved under multiple actions of the nanowires in the grid structure.

In an embodiment of the present application, the nanowire includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a semiconductor nanowire, a metal nanowire, an alloy nanowire, a molecular-based nanowire, or an insulator nanowire. For example, the nanowire includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a gold nanowire, a silver nanowire, a copper nanowire, an iron nanowire, a cobalt nanowire, a perovskite nanowire, a nickel nanowire, a carbon nanowire, an indium phosphide nanowire, a silicon nanowire, a gallium nitride nanowire, a cadmium selenide nanowire, a silicon dioxide nanowire, a titanium dioxide nanowire, or a DNA-based nanowire.

In one embodiment of the present application, a filter sheet lays the nanowires on a predetermined area of the base layer. The preset area can be the whole surface of the base layer, and also can be a certain local area or a plurality of local areas on the base layer, when the whole surface of the nanowire is laid on the base layer, the production process can be simplified, part of the nanowire is used for forming an electrode of the ultraviolet light emitting diode, and part of the nanowire is used for forming a filtering network on the base layer, so that the disinfection effect is further enhanced.

In an embodiment of the present application, at least one of the bottom electrode and the top electrode of the ultraviolet light emitting diode includes a nanowire and an adhesive, and the adhesive can bond the nanowire to the base layer, and can enhance the structural stability of the ultraviolet light emitting diode, so that the sterilization effect of the filter disc has durability.

Specifically, in a more specific embodiment of the present application, the adhesive includes UV glue, and the UV light generated by the UV led acts on the UV glue to increase the adhesion of the UV glue, so that the adhesion of the nanowires on the filter is excellent.

In another embodiment of the present application, the uv leds are uniformly distributed on the base layer, or the uv leds are located in a central region of the base layer, or the uv leds are located in an edge region of the base layer. The ultraviolet light-emitting diodes are uniformly distributed on the base layer, and ultraviolet light generated by the ultraviolet light-emitting diodes can be uniformly distributed on the base layer, so that bacteria and viruses attached to the base layer can be killed more effectively. The ultraviolet light emitting diode can also be positioned in the central area of the base layer, the central area of the base layer corresponds to the mouth and nose part and is easy to be attached with viruses and bacteria, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode is arranged in the central area of the base layer and can mainly kill the viruses and bacteria in the central area of the base layer. The uv leds may also be located at the edge region of the base layer. The edge area of the base layer corresponds to the part except the mouth and the nose, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode is arranged at the edge area, so that the gas passing rate of the filter disc can be improved.

In another embodiment of the present application, the base layer comprises an optical fiber, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode is coupled to the optical fiber. When light generated by the ultraviolet light-emitting diode is transmitted in the optical fiber, the total reflection condition is damaged due to the bending of the optical fiber and the like, the ultraviolet light continuously leaks from the surface of the optical fiber, and the ultraviolet light is introduced into the base layer, so that various materials of the filter disc are disinfected, the ultraviolet light can kill microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and the like trapped by the whole filter disc, the convenient and efficient prevention and disinfection functions are realized, the risk of pathogen transmission and cross infection is reduced, secondary pollution is avoided, and the health level of a user is improved.

In another embodiment of the present application, the base layer further includes uv blocking fibers disposed on a surface of the filter sheet for blocking uv light from exiting the surface. Coating and grafting on the surface of the fiber or doping ultraviolet-proof or ultraviolet-proof high-absorptivity substances into the fiber to prepare the ultraviolet-proof fiber, wherein the ultraviolet shielding rate can reach more than 95 percent. The ultraviolet-proof fiber is arranged on one surface of the filter disc, when the filter disc is used, the surface faces to the face of a person, and the ultraviolet-proof fiber can effectively reflect or absorb ultraviolet rays generated by the ultraviolet light-emitting diode, so that the face of the person is not irradiated by the ultraviolet rays generated by the ultraviolet light-emitting diode.

In another embodiment of the present application, the thin film power supply includes a thin film solar power supply unit, the thin film solar power supply unit includes an energy storage battery, and the energy storage battery is connected to the ultraviolet light emitting diode and is configured to provide a power supply for the ultraviolet light emitting diode.

Specifically, the thin-film solar power supply unit further comprises a USB charging interface, and the USB charging interface is connected with the energy storage battery and used for providing a charging interface for the energy storage battery. According to actual needs, the energy storage battery can be used for supplying power to the ultraviolet light-emitting diode continuously, and the phenomenon that the ultraviolet light-emitting diode cannot work normally after an external power supply is powered off is avoided. The USB charging interface provides a charging interface for the energy storage battery, and the energy storage battery is charged by connecting the charging interface to an external power supply.

It can be understood that, when the ultraviolet light emitting diode works, the energy storage battery can discharge to supply power to the ultraviolet light emitting diode, and the energy storage battery is charged, so that on one hand, the thin-film solar power supply unit converts light energy into electric energy, and the electric energy can be further converted into direct current suitable for being stored by the energy storage battery through the charging circuit and then stored by the energy storage battery. On the other hand, when the electric quantity of the energy storage battery is insufficient, the USB charging interface can be connected with an external charging power supply to charge, and therefore the ultraviolet light emitting diode can work normally under various different power supply conditions.

More specifically, the thin-film solar power supply unit in the embodiment of the present application includes a nanowire thin film. The nanowire film has high light transmittance, high conductivity and flexibility, so that the nanowire film can be used in a solar power supply unit to efficiently generate electric energy and promote the disinfection effect of the filter disc.

In one embodiment of the present application, referring to fig. 2, the filter further includes an infrared sensor for retrieving whether a human subject exists within a predetermined range; and the controller is connected with the infrared sensor and the ultraviolet light-emitting diode and is used for controlling the ultraviolet light-emitting diode to perform disinfection work within set time according to the detection state of the infrared sensor. Specifically, when the infrared sensor detects that the human body object leaves the preset range, the controller detects the output signal of the infrared sensor, the ultraviolet light emitting diode is controlled to be started to work, and the ultraviolet lamp is controlled to be stopped to work when preset time is over.

Specifically, the infrared sensor is disposed on the filter, for example, at an end of the filter, and is configured to detect whether a human body object enters a predetermined range of the filter, where the predetermined range is an effective detection area of the infrared sensor, and generates an induction signal when the human body object is not detected. At the moment, after the controller receives the sensing signal, the controller controls the ultraviolet lamp of the ultraviolet light-emitting diode to start working according to the sensing signal, and then the ultraviolet light-emitting diode is triggered to start to sterilize.

In this embodiment, whether a human body object approaches is detected through the infrared sensor, when the human body object approaches, the controller controls the ultraviolet light emitting diode to be turned off, and when the human body leaves, the controller controls the ultraviolet light emitting diode to be turned on. Therefore, intelligent control can be realized, manual operation is not needed, the use is simple and convenient, the use is more humanized, and the sanitation can be kept under the unused state. Moreover, the utility model has the advantages of full protection to human body.

The application also provides a protective article, which comprises the filter disc as described in any one of the above, wherein the protective article comprises but is not limited to a mask, a protective suit, a protective cap, an isolation gown, a lab coat or a shoe cover.

Specifically, when the protective article of the present application is, for example, a mask, referring to fig. 3, the filter sheet may be used as the mask body 4, or may be used as one layer of the mask body 4, and the other layers of the mask body are made of materials such as nonwoven fabric. In consideration of flexible use, the protective article further comprises a switch 5 for controlling the on and off of the ultraviolet light emitting diode, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode 2 can be controlled according to actual needs. Further, protective articles still include breather valve 6 to do benefit to the user and have good breathing and experience, ultraviolet emitting diode film power at least one of switch set up in on the breather valve to the space of 6 departments of reasonable utilization breather valves makes gauze mask elegant appearance, safety and sanitation. Preferably, the protective product can further comprise a nose holding strip 7, and at least one of the ultraviolet light-emitting diode, the thin-film power supply and the switch is arranged on the nose holding strip 7, so that the protective product is simple in structure and convenient and sanitary to use. Of course, the protective article may further include a hanging lug 8, and the hanging lug may be replaced by a binding rope and set according to actual needs. The protective article provided by the embodiment of the application is particularly suitable for inspection and quarantine inspection and treatment personnel, medical epidemic prevention personnel and personnel working and living in a high-dust and high-pollution environment, and is particularly suitable for being used in a period of spreading infectious viruses.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated in greater detail by the inventors, it should be understood that modifications and/or alterations to the above-described embodiments, or equivalent substitutions, will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and that no limitations to the present disclosure are intended or should be inferred therefrom.

Claims

1. A filter disc, comprising:

a base layer;

the ultraviolet light emitting diodes are coupled with the base layer and uniformly distributed on the base layer, each ultraviolet light emitting diode comprises a bottom electrode and a top electrode, the bottom electrode and the top electrode respectively comprise nanowire materials, the nanowires are of a grid structure, and the whole surface of each nanowire is laid on the base layer; and the number of the first and second groups,

2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the uv led has a transmittance of 50% to 99.9%.

3. The filter element of claim 1, wherein the nanowires comprise at least one of semiconductor nanowires, metal nanowires, alloy nanowires, molecular-based nanowires, and insulator nanowires.

4. The filter element of claim 3, wherein the nanowires comprise at least one of gold nanowires, silver nanowires, copper nanowires, iron nanowires, cobalt nanowires, perovskite nanowires, nickel nanowires, carbon nanowires, indium phosphide nanowires, silicon nanowires, gallium nitride nanowires, cadmium selenide nanowires, silicon dioxide nanowires, titanium dioxide nanowires, DNA-based nanowires.

5. The filter element of claim 3, wherein the nanowires are disposed in predetermined regions of the base layer.

6. The filter element of any of claims 3-5, wherein at least one of the bottom electrode and the top electrode comprises nanowires, a binder.

7. The filter element of claim 6, wherein the adhesive comprises a UV glue.

8. The filter of claim 1, wherein the base layer comprises optical fibers, and wherein the ultraviolet light emitting diodes are coupled to the optical fibers.

9. The filter of claim 1, wherein the base layer further comprises uv blocking fibers disposed on a surface of the filter for blocking uv light from exiting the surface.

10. The filter of claim 1, wherein the thin film power supply comprises a thin film solar power unit comprising an energy storage cell connected to the ultraviolet light emitting diode for providing power to the ultraviolet light emitting diode.

11. The filter of claim 10, wherein the thin-film solar power unit further comprises a USB charging interface, wherein the USB charging interface is connected to the energy storage cell for providing a charging interface for the energy storage cell.

12. The filter of claim 10, wherein the thin film solar power unit comprises a thin film of nanowires.

13. The filter element of claim 1, further comprising:

an infrared sensor for retrieving whether a human body object exists within a predetermined range;

14. A protective article, comprising:

a base layer;

the ultraviolet light emitting diodes are coupled with the base layer and uniformly distributed on the base layer, each ultraviolet light emitting diode comprises a bottom electrode and a top electrode, the bottom electrode and the top electrode both comprise nanowire materials, the nanowires are of a grid structure, and the whole surface of each nanowire is laid on the base layer; and the number of the first and second groups,

15. The protective article of claim 14, further comprising a switch for controlling the turning on and off of the ultraviolet light emitting diode.

16. The protective article of claim 15, further comprising a breather valve, wherein at least one of the ultraviolet light emitting diode, the thin film power supply, and the switch is disposed on the breather valve.

17. The protective article of claim 15, further comprising a nasal splint, wherein at least one of the uv leds, the thin film power supply, and the switch is disposed on the nasal splint.