GB2596836A

GB2596836A - A vizor and item of personal protection equipment incorporating a vizor

Info

Publication number: GB2596836A
Application number: GB2010483.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Russell Stannah Alan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-08
Filing date: 2020-07-08
Publication date: 2022-01-12
Also published as: GB202010483D0

Abstract

A PPE visor 5 comprising a screen 7 configured to at least partly over lie, but be spaced from, a wearer’s 6 face, wherein the vizor further includes an air inlet 11 positioned to deliver air to a wearer and at least one extraction aperture 16 positioned apart from the air inlet through which exhaled air may be extracted. The visor may be provided with an input pump 20 that delivers air to the air inlet and an extraction pump 22 that extracts air out of the at least one extraction aperture. The inlet pump and outlet pumps may be provided with filters. The visor may be provided with heat transfer means to either cool or heat the air supplied through the air inlet.

Description

A VIZOR AND ITEM OF PERSONAL PROTECHON EQUIPMENT INCORPRATLVG A VIZOR

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a vizor and to an item of personal protection equipment (PPE) incorporating a vizor

Background to the Invention

In situations where there is a risk of contagious diseases being transferred, care workers and others don vizors. These vizors are typically used in conjunction with a close-fitting face mask to prevent, for example, the transfer of viral infections between care giver and patient; although the need for protection against the spread of viral infection is not confined to the healthcare sector.

Whilst the present arrangements may be relatively effective in preventing the spread of disease they are most uncomfortable for wearers. Current vizors must be worn in combination with a confining mask with the result that heat is confined around the wearer's head. This can not only be discomforting but also lead to fatigue. Further, masks are yet another item of PPE that need to be purchased, stored, distributed for use, and disposed of after use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vizor and an item of PPE that includes a vizor that will go at least some way in addressing the aforementioned drawback; or which will at least provide a novel and useful choice.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a vizor comprising a screen configured to at least partly over lie, but be spaced from, a wearer's face, the screen having an inner surface directed toward the wearer, and an opposed outer surface; wherein the vizor further includes an air inlet positioned to deliver air to a the inner surface; at least one extraction aperture positioned apart from the air inlet through which, in use, air confined by said inner surface, may be extracted Preferably said screen is formed from a clear plastics material.

Preferably said vizor further includes a headband whereby, in use, the vizor may be attached to a wearer, wherein said air inlet is positioned on or adjacent to said headband.

Preferably said screen has a periphery, and wherein said at least one extraction aperture comprises a plurality of extraction apertures positioned about said periphery Preferably said plurality of extraction apertures are incorporated in a perforated conduit positioned about said periphery.

In a second aspect the invention provides an item of personal protection equipment (PPE) comprising a vizor as set forth above; an input pump configured to deliver air to said air inlet and an extraction pump configured to extract air through said at least one extraction aperture.

Preferably the item of PPE further includes a filter to filter air delivered by said input pump.

Preferably the item of PPE further includes a filter to filter air extracted by said extraction pump Preferably said input pump and said extraction pump are provided in a single unit.

Preferably said item of PPE further includes an extraction collar operatively connected to said extraction pump, said extraction collar being configured for support by a wearer's shoulders.

Preferably said item of PPE further includes heat transfer means operable to cool or heat air supplied through said air inlet.

Many variations in the way the present invention can be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art. The description which follows is intended as an illustration only of one means of performing the invention and the lack of description of variants or equivalents should not be regarded as limiting. Within the scope of the appended claims, wherever possible, a description of a specific element should be deemed to include any and all equivalents thereof whether in existence now or in the future

Brief Description of the Drawing

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1: shows a schematic view of a vizor according to the invention mounted on the head of a wearer.

Detailed Description of Working Embodiment

The invention provides a vizor 5 and an item of personal protection equipment (PPE) incorporating the vizor to be worn by wearer 6.

In the form shown the vizor 5 comprises a screen 7, which may be of a shape conventionally used in PPE, the screen having an inner surface 8 directed toward the wearer, an outer surface 9, and being secured to the wearer by a headband 10. The screen is conveniently formed from a transparent medical-grade plastics material of a type commonly used in such devices.

Secured to the screen, preferably to the headband and in a position adjacent to the top centre of the screen, is an air inlet 11 through which air can be passed to the inner surface 8 of the screen. The vizor further includes at least one extraction output through which air can be drawn from the space 12 between the wearer's face and the surface 8. In the form shown the at least one extraction output comprises a plurality of extraction apertures 13 that are positioned about the periphery 14 of surface 8 of the screen. The apertures 13 are conveniently provided as perforations or holes in a conduit 15 mounted or otherwise formed about the periphery 14. The conduit 15 preferably has a single output port 16 and the apertures 13 may be graded in size to ensure that, in use, a relatively constant vacuum is drawn around the periphery of the screen.

In order to provide an effective item of PPE a pump 20 is connected to supply tube 21, the output of which is the air inlet 11. A further pump 22 is provided, connected to extraction tube 23 which, in turn, is connected to port 16 to extract air, particularly exhaled air, from the space 12. Both pumps are configured and operated to work at relatively low positive and negative pressures respectively so to intrude to a minimal extent on the activity of the wearer.

The pumps 20 and 23 may be provided in a single unit and both the air supplied and the air extracted is preferably filtered to remove pathogens Suitable apparatus may also be provided, if desired, to cool or heat air supplied through air inset 11 In the particular embodiment shown, the PPE may further include an extraction branch 25 in the form of a collar supported on the wearer's shoulders and in a position close to the underside of vizor 5. This extraction branch 25 includes extraction apertures 26 and is connected into extraction tube 23 to provide additional extraction routes for air exhaled by the wearer.

It will thus be appreciated that the invention provides a form of PPE, and a vizor for use in PPE that obviates the need for the wearer to use an additional face mask and thus provides much enhanced levels of comfort for users. In the case of the embodiment described pathogens, and in particular viral pathogens are extracted from air supplied to the wearer and extracted from air exhaled by the wearer before being delivered to the environment in which the wearer is operating.

Claims

Claims A vizor comprising a screen configured to at least partly over lie, but be spaced from, a wearer's face, the screen having an inner surface directed toward the wearer, and an opposed outer surface; wherein the vizor further includes an air inlet positioned to deliver air to a the inner surface; at least one extraction aperture positioned apart from the air inlet through which, in use, air delivered confined by said inner surface, may be extracted.A vizor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said screen is formed from a clear plastics material.A vizor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said vizor further includes a headband whereby, in use, the vizor may be attached to a wearer, wherein said air inlet is positioned on or adjacent to said headband.A vizor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said screen has a periphery, and wherein said at least one extraction aperture comprise2 a plurality of extraction apertures positioned about said periphery A vizor as claimed in claim 4 wherein said plurality of extraction apertures are incorporated in a perforated conduit positioned about said periphery.An item of personal protection equipment (PPE) comprising a vizor as claimed in any one of claims Ito 5; an input pump configured to deliver air to said air inlet and an extraction pump configured to extract air through said at least one extraction aperture An item of PPE as claimed in claim 6 further including a filter to filter air delivered by said input pump An item of PPE as claimed in claim 6 further including a filter to filter air extracted by said extraction pump An item of PPE as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said input pump and said extraction pump are provided in a single unit 10. An item of PPE as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 further including an extraction collar operatively connected to said extraction pump, said extraction collar being configured for support by a wearer's shoulders.11 An item of PPE as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 further including heat transfer means operable to cool or heat air supplied through said air inlet.