FR2983413A1 - Device for filtering air to protect person e.g. sportsmen, against physicochemical pollution by fume rejections, has tubular filter-holding module comprising side openings with optionally adjustable closure to allow replacement of filter - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a mouthpiece (1) connected to a tubular filter-holding module (2) that contains an easily replaceable filtering system. The module includes an opening directed backward for receiving the mouthpiece and another opening directed toward front and/or bottom. The module comprises two side openings (5) with optionally adjustable closure to allow replacement of a filter e.g. particle and/or gas filter, where the device is made from materials e.g. anti-microbial agents. The side openings are closed by solid caps attached to a filter-holder by attachment systems. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for individual protection against any form of physicochemical pollution by rejections of vehicles, industrial wastes, fumes or particulate or natural gas rejections (2) a respiratory drive method for improving sanitary and physical conditions of sportsmen, musicians playing a wind instrument, aged person or person suffered from obstructive chronic broncho-pneumonopathy.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new type of individual device for protection against any form of respiratory, gas or particulate air pollution.

The present invention also relates to a new type of individual resistance training device of the respiratory system. The present invention also relates to a new type of individual device with adjustable filtration / resistance level. The present invention also relates to the use of these devices by persons in need to protect themselves from one or more forms of air pollution, or the need to develop or increase their respiratory capacity in a context of air pollution. improvement in fitness, for example athletic, musical, geriatric or in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Air pollution can be of natural origin (bacteria, viruses, pollen, volcanic eruption, sandstorm, fire ...) or anthropogenic (industrial waste, agricultural, transport, work, cigarettes ...) . It results from the presence in the air of numerous and varied pollutants in gaseous or liquid / solid form in suspension. This pollution in outdoor or indoor environments leads to adverse impacts on human health. Among many examples identified, we can mention: - certain bacteria or viruses with airborne contamination that could lead to an epidemiological risk, especially in public transport some pollens affecting allergic or asthmatic persons fine particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres ( PM2.5) emitted by exhaust pipes and wear of tires and vehicle brakes or some chimneys of factories, heating, or some work. They are dangerous because of their atmospheric persistence, their ability to penetrate the pulmonary alveoli, their allergenic potential and their ability to vector carcinogenic or mutagenic compounds such as heavy metals or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Sulfur dioxide, produced by volcanic emissions or certain industrial processes or by the combustion of sulfur compounds, is a toxic gas that can trigger or increase respiratory diseases nitrogen dioxide, produced by internal combustion engines, including diesel and combustion processes, especially those of boilers or thermal power plants, is a toxic gas that has also been associated with Sudden Infant Death Ozone, formed from photochemical reaction on automotive or industrial pollutants, is a gas toxic associated with the occurrence of diseases such as asthma attacks and respiratory failure - carbon monoxide, from internal combustion engines and incomplete combustion of carbon compounds, is a colorless gas, odorless and toxic to very low doses by inhibition of oxygenation of human organs - certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vehicles or industrial processes or work using organic solvents, degreasers or dissolvents, or even present in passive smoking, are recognized as carcinogenic and / or reprotoxic. - certain radioactive particles resulting from aerial nuclear discharges containing radionuclides such as cesium-137, cesium-134 and iodine-131 are recognized as carcinogenic and mutagenic. Air pollution has worsened considerably in recent decades, and the World Health Organization in its Aide Memoire No. 313 of 2005 estimated its impact to more than 2 million annual deaths worldwide. In the same year, this Organization also updated the pollutant limit concentration guidelines mentioned above in order to significantly reduce health risks. However, despite growing awareness on the part of populations, governments and industry, these objectives for economic or practical reasons or even negligence are rarely taken into account and achieved. For public or private premises as well as for vehicle interiors, technical solutions for the depollution by mechanical filtration of stale air exist and develop little by little, the obstacle to their generalization being mainly of an economic nature. On the other hand, for people living in polluted environments or at risk of atmospheric pollution, the wearing of face protection devices has not developed for technical / practical reasons (insufficient or ineffective protection, heaviness, bulkiness, accumulation of condensation water, respiratory resistance), economic or aesthetic.

Improvement of these personal respiratory protection devices therefore remains more relevant than ever and could reduce health risks, prevent or stop microbial outbreaks spreading in public places such as public transport, and also meet the wishes and economic opportunities of users. In another setting, recent studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of resistance training of the respiratory system in many sports (Int J. Sports Med 2004, 25, 284 and Eur J. Appl Physiol 2007, 99, 393) and for musicians playing wind instruments. It also appears that this type of training makes it possible to improve the physical condition of the elderly (J. Aging Phys Act, 2008, 16, 245) as well as that of patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Eur Respir. J. 2002, 20, 570 and Chest 2003, 124, 468), a condition representing the fifth leading cause of death in the world according to the World Health Organization. Accordingly, there is a growing need for practical and economical individual devices for personal training of the respiratory resistance system. State of the art Most individual antipollution masks incorporate the concept of military or industrial filter respirators covering both the nose and the mouth. Initially, these masks were made of relatively rigid materials and secured by strips around the head.

They were uncomfortable and quickly led to problems of condensation and choking due to poor evacuation of exhaled air. With advances in materials such as soft silicone polymers and non-woven materials, these masks have become lighter and more flexible. Specific valves have also been introduced to more effectively remove expired air rich in water vapor and carbon dioxide (WO2005077214). Nevertheless, despite these technical improvements, the wearing of these masks outdoors still has rejections from users to use them commonly. The most frequently mentioned disadvantages are a lack of aesthetics because of their size and the facial marks caused by the fastening strips and the points of contact with the skin, as well as a lack of comfort due to the dead volume between the mask and face accumulating heat and humidity. This type of mask is also not suitable for some people with beards or mustaches, or with sensitive skin. In order to overcome these problems and improve visibility, mouthpiece masks that do not cover the nose have been proposed (US 5386825, US 5771885, US 7025060, WO 2005105216A1, US 2006137689A, WO 2008063126A). All these masks have a more or less complex valve system, which increases their cost and makes cleaning more difficult. In addition, the presence of valves causes in the long run perverse effects such as condensation of water vapor and the formation of microbial biofilm on the filter when the expiration is channeled in parallel thereto, and also the formation of biofilms microbial in the interstices and surfaces covered by these valves which represents a potential source of infection. All these masks also have openings on their top and / or in front of which has the disadvantage of exposing the filter or the valve system during use in the rain. In addition, none of these masks offers the possibility of adjusting the filtration level, which represents another disadvantage. An adjustable filtration level would indeed allow a personalized use in adequacy with the degree of ambient pollution and the breathing comfort capacity of the user. As part of respiratory training, several individual devices have recently been proposed on the market (eg www.powerlung.com; www.powerbreathe.com; health-fitness-center.com; www.expand-a-lung. com), some of them with adjustable resistance. Nevertheless none of these devices offers the possibility of filtering the air with an antipollution system.

The present invention aims to propose a new type of individual device for protection against air pollution but also can be used for respiratory training, and does not have the disadvantages mentioned above.

General description of the device The device is characterized by a mouthpiece connected to a compact tubular module containing an easily replaceable filter system, this module has in addition to the rearward opening for receiving the mouthpiece another opening oriented towards the front and / or bottom and one or two optionally adjustable closure openings for example located on each side of said module. The size of the device is compact, and the materials for its realization are chosen for their efficiency, lightness, comfort, aesthetics, cost and ease of industrial implementation. Non-limiting examples include plastics, polymers, silicones, woods, glasses, carbonaceous materials, metals, composites or mixtures thereof. They may optionally include antimicrobial properties by incorporating antimicrobial agents such as triclosan, biocidal amines or silver salts to further reduce microbial biofilm formation. Description of the drawings In the detailed description of an exemplary device, references are made to the following drawings: FIG. 1 shows an exploded oblique view from above of an example of mouthpiece and filter holder module.

Fig. 2 represents various types of filters, folded or not.

Fig. 3 shows various examples of closure system of the filter holder module for cutting. Fig. 4 shows an example of adjustable level closure in oblique view. Fig. 5 describes the passage of inspired air in an example of device in oblique view with side closures in fully open position.

Fig. 6 describes the passage of the inspired air in an example of device in oblique view with side closures in fully closed position. Fig. 7 shows another example of adjustable level closure in oblique view.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the type of adjustable level closure exemplified in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES AND OPERATION OF THE DEVICE In illustrative and nonlimiting examples of the scope of the invention, the device comprises a mouthpiece (FIG 1-1) such as those commonly used for tubas; it is preferably made of flexible and hypoallergenic material, for example of the silicone type. This mouthpiece is characterized by a male threaded or ridged opening to allow its attachment to the female part of the filter holder module (Fig 1-3). The tubular filter holder module (Fig 1-2) made of flexible, semi-rigid or rigid light material has an opening facing downwards during wearing (Fig. 1-4) and 2 lateral openings (Fig. 1-5). The constituent materials of the mouthpiece and the filter holder may optionally incorporate antimicrobial agents.

The filter, cottony type (Fig. 2-6), flat (Fig. 2-7) pre-cut or cut at will, rolled once (Fig. 2-8) or several times (Fig. 29), is introduced in the filter holder module by one of the lateral openings. This filter will be chosen according to the needs of the user (particulate anti-absorbant or certain gas neutralizer, suitable resistance to respiratory resistance training, or a combination of the above characteristics). In the case of an antipollution application, it will preferably be chosen with the lowest resistance to inspiration while combining a good efficiency. Many types of materials are currently being developed as air filtration media: particulate filters based on polyester nonwovens, polypropylene or glass wool, or gas filters based on activated carbons, molecular sieves or zeolites, pure or impregnated with catalytic salts, presented in the form of granules or soft tissues, or combined filters (particles and gases) in the form of flexible composite fabrics integrating both physical and chemical filtration. The filter may have a white side whose darkness over time may be indicative of its fouling state. In the case of a respiratory training application, it will be possible to opt for filters made of porous materials with variable density to offer the user a choice of scalable resistors. Another way of giving the user the choice of a suitable resistance is to provide him with a predecoupable filter strip of the desired length in order to roll it in a number of turns corresponding to the desired resistance.

Once the new filter is installed in the filter holder, the side openings are closed by means of detachable plug-in caps (Fig. 3-10), plug-in caps attached to the filter holder (Fig. 311), clip-on caps (Fig. Fig. 3-12), screw-on caps (Fig. 3- 13), or any possible type of fasteners on the filter holder body. The side closures described in Figure 3 are either full thus allowing no lateral air inlet, or type adjustable opening. Of all the possible types of adjustable opening, two non-limiting examples are provided in FIGS. 4 and 7. In the example of FIG. 4, an inner cover turned to correspond to the outer cover allows an air inlet (FIG. 4-14), slightly offset it allows a continuous adjustment of the closing of this air inlet (Fig. 4- 15), until the total closing when it is turned so as to block the holes of the outer cover ( Fig. 4-16). In the example of Figure 7, the variable aperture is inspired by the adjustable openings of the diaphragms of photographic lenses. This "mechanical iris" technology is well known (Fig. 8), its operation is based on several concentric lamellae (for example in Fig. 8-25) fixed (Fig. 8-23 connected to Fig. 8). 22) on an internal base ring (Fig. 821) and connected to an external rotating ring (Fig. 8-26), for example by a screw-in system (Fig. 8-20 and Fig. 8-28). When the external rotating ring pushes the reliefs of the lamellae (Fig. 8-24) with pins (Fig. 8-27) outwards, the lateral opening is maximal (Fig. 7-17). The opposite rotation of this ring (Fig. 8-28 on screw thread Fig. 820) causes the slats to move towards the center, thus ensuring a more or less pronounced closing according to the degree of rotation of the latter (Fig. 7). -18), until it closes completely when the slats completely overlap (Fig. 7-19). The materials of these side closures are chosen for their lightness and strength, among plastics, metal including titanium, or carbonaceous or composite, and optionally can incorporate antimicrobial agents.

As part of an anti-pollution application, a filter suitable for filtering the pollution components that it is desired to eliminate or reduce is inserted into the filter holder module and the side caps are replaced. The density of the filter, obtained by more or less compacting of a cotton-like filter or by more or less rolling of a flat membrane-type filter, makes it possible to adjust the level of efficiency and resistance of the filtration. . The device is used by placing the mouthpiece in the mouth, with the main opening of the filter holder facing downwards. The user inhales through the mouth and can exhale at will through the mouth and / or nose. The advantage of a systematic expiration by the nose allows in addition to its lack of resistance, to avoid the passage of hot and humid air in the device and to drive out the polluted ambient air which accumulates in the long run in the nostrils . It is possible to easily synchronize inspiration through the mouth and expiration through the nose, with a little attention and training. In the case of a flat membrane filter and adjustable closing side openings, the opening of the latter (Fig. 4-14 or 7.17) allows the entry of polluted air from the sides. This inspired polluted air thus passes through only one filter layer corresponding to that between the filter holder and the mouthpiece (Fig. 5), thus allowing a minimum resistance to inspiration. In the event of increased pollution, the user can continuously adjust the filtration level by progressively closing the side openings until they are fully closed (Fig. 4-16 or 7-19). The inspired polluted air then passes through two layers of filter membrane corresponding to that located towards the main opening of the bottom of the filter holder module and that located between the filter holder and the mouthpiece (Fig. 6), thus allowing have superior filtration efficiency at the cost of increased inspiration resistance. The flat filter rolled in the filter holder may be periodically rotated to position new filter parts to the openings. The filter should be changed when it becomes saturated or when its efficiency is insufficient. Progressive blackening of a white filter face may be a good indicator of the degree of fouling for the user. The device will be cleaned very simply by removing the filter after removing the side caps and passing these caps and the module and the mouthpiece under running water, added a detergent if necessary.

In the case of a respiratory drive application, a suitable resistance filter is inserted into the filter holder module and the side caps are replaced. The density of the filter, obtained by more or less compact compaction of a cottony type filter or by more or less significant rolling of a flat membrane-type filter, makes it possible to adjust the level of resistance of the filtration. The device is used by placing the mouthpiece in the mouth, with the main opening of the filter holder facing downwards. The user inspires by the mouth if he wishes to work the muscles related to the inspiration and / or expires by the mouth if he wishes to work the muscles related to the expiration. The resistance can be adjusted even more precisely in the case of caps with adjustable opening by varying the degree of closure as described in the previous paragraph. The filter system here is preferably washable and non-disposable, for example plastic with holes of appropriate sizes for a given strength. The device will be cleaned very simply by removing the filter after removing the side caps and passing the filter, the caps and the module and the mouthpiece under running water, with a detergent if necessary . It should be noted that the two main applications of this type of device, antipollution and respiratory training, are not necessarily exclusive because with some rather dense antipollution filters the user will be able to obtain a certain resistance to the inspiration which could actually constitute a form of respiratory training.

Advantages of the device The advantages of this type of device are: - their air purification efficiency combined with a low resistance to inspiration - an unmatched lightness, increased by the absence of a valve - an opportunity to adjust the level or filtration resistance - their ease of use and replacement of the filter - their ease of cleaning increased by the absence of valve - the ability to use different types of filter as needed - their mixed use antipollution and respiratory drive - their possible use by people wearing a beard or mustache - their use by people wearing glasses without causing condensation on these glasses - their possible use even in the rain, the filter being protected - their simplicity and comfort of use - little or no condensation of water inside thus avoiding the development of microbial biofilms - their low cost and ease of industrial manufacture - their portability, aesthetics and small footprint.

Examples of Use of this New Type of Device The following examples, not limiting the scope of the invention, detail possible applications of the device, which will be used with a filter appropriate to said application. In the context of a use against pollution, the device is advantageously used by pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or sportsmen evolving in areas polluted by rejections of vehicles, industrial discharges or even particulate or gaseous discharges natural ( for example, sandstorms, volcanic emissions, gaseous decomposition of biomass). It is also advantageously used by transport agents 30 in common or in public places very frequented during microbial epidemic risks, especially during periods of spread of influenza.

It is also advantageously used by sensitive people, allergic, asthmatic or pregnant women in polluted areas with a health risk or allergen, including smoky places, smelly or contaminated with pollen or allergen suspensions. It is also advantageously used by people performing manual work of development, repair or maintenance in a context of DIY or building sites or public works, and during peaks of chemical pollution, particularly due to the use of adhesives, paints or solvents, or during peaks of pollution with fine particles, in particular due to the use of sanders, tools for drilling or cutting, or even powdery materials of the cement, plaster or mortar type.

It is also advantageously used by people living in areas polluted by pesticides carrying a health risk or by malodorous fermentation products, in particular by farmers during handling or evolution in the vicinity of these products. It is also advantageously used by individuals as a leakage mask at the start of fires, with a specified duration of use corresponding to the capacity of fine filter and carbon monoxide absorption of the filter used. In this case its use can be advantageously supplemented by the wearing of a plastic eye mask to preserve the ocular system during the leak. For use in respiratory training, it is advantageously used by athletes, musicians playing wind instruments, the elderly or patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for the purpose of improve their physical condition.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Lightweight, compact and individual air filtration device characterized in that it comprises a mouthpiece (Fig. 1-1) connected to a tubular filter holder module (Fig. 1-2) containing an easily replaceable filter system ( Fig. 2), this module has in addition to the opening towards the rear (Fig. 1-3) intended to receive the mouthpiece another opening oriented towards the front and / or the bottom (Fig. 1-4), as well as one or two optionally adjustable closing side openings (Fig. 1-5) for replacing the filter. The materials chosen for the device may optionally incorporate one or more antimicrobial agents. 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the or the lateral openings are closed by solid caps attached to the filter holder by fastening systems such as those described in Figure 3: detachable nestable (Fig. 3-10), can be attached to the filter holder (Fig. 3-11), clip-on (Fig. 3-12) or screw-in (Fig. 3-13). 3. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the or the side openings are adjustable closure, examples of such variable closure systems are described in Figure 4 with a rotatable inner cover that can completely obstruct (Fig. 4-16), partially (Fig. 4-15) or not at all (Fig. 4-14) the holes of the outer cover, and in Fig. 7 by a system of concentric lamellae of mechanical iris type brought outwards (Fig. 7-17), or partially (Fig. 7-18) or completely (Fig. 7.19) brought inward. The purpose of these variable closure side openings is to allow a filtration / resistance continuum between a single layer of coiled filter when in the fully open position (Fig. 5) and two layers of the same filter when in the fully closed position (Fig. 6). 4. Device according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 characterized by the use of a particulate filter and / or gas for antipollution use. 5. Device according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 characterized by the use of a porous filter density / strength defined for use in respiratory training. 6. Method of personal protection against any form of physico-chemical pollution by vehicle discharges, industrial discharges, smoke or even particulate or natural gaseous discharges, using the device described according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4. 7. Method of personal protection against any form of biological pollution, in particular microbial epidemic in public places busy or pollen-like allergen, using the device described in any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4. 8. Method of personal protection against any form of particulate pollution or gaseous smelly or presenting a health risk, resulting from manual work of development, repair or maintenance in a context of DIY or construction sites or public works, or agricultural work using pesticides or in contact with emanations of fermentations or smelly products, using the device described in any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4. 9. An individual protection method for fleeing a fire and its associated particulate and gaseous pollution, using the device described in any of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4. 10. Method of respiratory training to improve the sanitary and physical conditions of sportsmen, musicians playing wind instruments, the elderly or suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, using the device described according to any one Claims 1, 2, 3 or 5. 20