WO2017002123A1

WO2017002123A1 - Computer implemented countdown time method and system for use with wearable air filters and dispensable air filter face masks

Info

Publication number: WO2017002123A1
Application number: PCT/IL2016/050706
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henry Harel; Orli TESLER RACHIN; Itamar MENDELOVITCH
Original assignee: Lotus Clear Air Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-01
Filing date: 2016-06-30
Publication date: 2017-01-05

Abstract

Computer implemented countdown time method and system (100) for adaptively determining total saturation countdown times for wearable air filters until a wearable air filter (101, 101A, 101B) is entirely saturated according to its manufacturer's product specification or another air filter replacement condition is reached. Dispensable air filter face masks (102) for improving the quality of inhaled air.

Description

Computer Implemented Countdown Time Method and System for Use with Wearable Air Filters and Dispensable Air Filter

Face Masks Field of the Invention

This invention relates to computer implemented countdown time method and system for use with wearable air filters and air filter face masks for improving the quality of inhaled air.

Background of the Invention

Air filter face masks with replaceable air filters have long been employed in a wide range of environments for improving the quality of inhaled air. Dispensable air filter face masks are becoming increasingly popular in urban environments to filter air pollutants for improving the quality of inhaled air. Air pollutants can be in the form of particles, vapors, gases, allergens, and the like. Air pollutants are typically measured in the same units μιη/m . Air filters for both air filter face masks and dispensable air filter face masks can be implemented as gas filters only, particle filters only or combined gas/particle filters. Gas filters become saturated by absorbing gas and/or vapor. Particle filters become saturated by absorbing particles. Saturation of a gas filter is cumulative of all the gases and vapors being absorbed at a particular geolocation. Similarly, saturation of a particle filter is cumulative of all particles being absorbed at a particular geolocation.

Depending on gases or vapors being filtered at a particular geolocation, some face mask wearers may not feel a gas filter is reaching its safe wear limit or worse still is saturated and therefore no longer filtering, thereby possibly exposing themselves to dangerous gases or vapors. In contradistinction to gas filters, face mask wearers feel a progressively increasing breathing resistance as a particle filter becomes progressively saturated. Continued usage of a saturated particle filter leads to leakage around a face mask, thereby leading face mask wearers to inhale particles.

Saturation of the gas filter and the particle filter of a combined gas/particle filter occur entirely independent of each other such that its gas filter can be entirely saturated and its particle filter entirely unsaturated and vice versa. In the case of a saturated gas filter and unsaturated particle filter, a face mask wearer would not feel increased breathing resistance but would be breathing polluted air in terms of undesirable gases and/or vapors.

Saturation of an air filter is highly dependent on average air consumption rates for different human activities and also differs between males and females, and age. Exemplary air consumption rates for adult males for different activities are as follows:

Activity Approx. air consumption

Seated work 10 litres/min

Walking/talking 50-60 litres/min

Moderately heavy work 50-70 litres/min

Fireman at work 150 litres/min

Face mask wearers face uncertainty regarding when to replace an air filter since it can be worn several times a day for relatively short outdoor periods during which time air pollution levels can dramatically change, for example, before, during and after rush hour traffic. Such uncertainty leads to some face mask wearers possibly discarding relatively unsaturated air filters leading to unnecessary expense and waste and exposing other face mask wearers to health risks.

PCT International Application No. PCT/US2011/026580 entitled

Dispensable Face Mask and Method of Making Same and published under PCT International Publication No. WO 2011/109327 discloses dispensable air filter face masks including a unitary structure face covering for wearing over at least a portion of a wearer's nose and mouth and including ear loops for securing the face mask to the wearer's head. The face masks have a non-stretched flat structure and include a filter web for filtration purposes.

Summary of the Invention

The first aspect of the present invention is directed towards a computer implemented countdown time method and system for adaptively determining total saturation countdown times for wearable air filters until a wearable air filter is entirely saturated according to its manufacturer's product specification or another wearable air filter replacement condition is reached, for example, a manufacturer recommended maximum usage duration from its first wearing, and the like. The wearable air filters can be implemented as either dispensable air filter face masks or replaceable air filters for use in air filter face masks. A face mask wearer breathes through a wearable air filter for inhaling filtered air and the computer implemented countdown time method and system adaptively determines the total saturation countdown times based on at least air pollution information of the polluted air being filtered by the wearable air filter immediately before inhalation. The present invention is equally suitable for wearable air filters implemented as gas filters only, particle filters only or combined gas/particle filters.

The present invention requires face mask wearers to each possess a portable personal two-way countdown time pager for uploading information to a countdown time server and downloading at least total saturation countdown times for display thereon. The countdown time pagers can be implemented as smart devices, for example, a smartphone, a smartwatch, and the like, running a countdown time app in bi-directional communication with the countdown time server. Alternatively, countdown time pagers can be implemented as a conventional feature cellphone, for example, Nokia 6210, and the like. Such feature phones include SMS functionality for bi-directional communication with a cellular phone network in bi-directional communication with the countdown time server. Further alternatively, countdown time pagers can be implemented as ssppeecciiffiiccaallllyy ddeessiiggnneedd ddeevviicceess ffoorr tthhee ppuurrppoossee ooff tthhee pprreesseenntt iinnvveennttiioonn.. SSuucchh ccoouunnttddoowwnn ttiimmee ppaaggeerrss ccaann bbee iimmpplleemmeenntteedd aass aa wwaattcchh,, aa bbaaddggee,, aanndd tthhee lliikkee..

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The countdown time server manages a computerized wearable air filter saturation consumption log for each wearable air filter until a wearable air filter is entirely saturated as per its predetermined manufacturer product specification.

15 The countdown time server determines a saturation consumption increment for each wear session. The durations of wear sessions can vary from relatively short periods of say 10 minutes to several hours or even longer. Wear sessions can include two or more wear sub-sessions which differ in terms of a prevailing air pollution level. Wear sessions can be indoor only, outdoor only or a combination 0 of both indoor and outdoor wearing.

Face mask wearers may readily use two or more wearable air filters as part of their daily routine. For example, a face mask wearer may use a first wearable air filter for travelling to and from work and a second wearable air filter while at work, thereby facilitating the most appropriate selection of wearable air filter for 5 different breathing environments. For example, the face mask wearer may select a particle filter only as his preferred wearable air filter for travelling to and from work and a gas filter only as his preferred wearable air filter while at work. The present invention can simultaneously manage more than one computerized wearable air filter saturation consumption logs for the same face mask wearers using two or more wearable air filters during their daily routines.

The present invention preferably also adaptively factors air consumption rates as input by face mask wearers in terms of their prevailing activity level for determining total saturation consumption times. The present invention also preferably adaptively factors an air consumption rate grade assigned to each face mask wearer depending on their sex, age, weight, fitness level, etc. The present invention can preferably alert a face mask wearer that a wearable air filter is unsuitable for filtering polluted air in their particular breathing environment. The present invention can preferably alert a face mask wearer that a wearable air filter has passed its manufacturer recommended expiry date. The present invention can preferably alert a face mask wearer that a wearable air filter has passed its manufacturer recommended maximum usage duration from its first wearing.

The present invention can adaptively modify the repetition rate of adaptively determining total saturation countdown times based on a multitude of saturation consumption factors. For example, the repetition rate can be increased during morning and evening traffic rush hours since it is known that outdoor air pollution levels can dramatically increase during relatively short periods. Also, the repetition rate can be increased when a wearable air filter is approaching its saturation limit, air pollution levels are high, a face mask wearer is engaged in a high activity level, and the like.

The second aspect of the present invention is directed towards dispensable air filter face masks capable of so-called High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEP A) filtration, namely, filtering 0.3 μηι or larger particles. The face masks of the present invention have a non-stretched permanent three dimensional curved shape intended to be slightly stretch fitted to comfortably engage a wearer's ears for being secured in place. The face masks are available in a range of different sizes such that wearers select the correct size to balance between a comfortable pressure being applied to the back of their ears for securing a face mask in place and the face mask being sufficiently stretch fitted to achieve intimate skin contact to form a three dimensional air filtration zone surrounding a wearer's nose and mouth such that the face mask effectively filters all inhaled and exhaled air.

The face masks of the present invention include a unitary structure single ply face covering made of nonwoven, elastic, thermoplastic filtration material and having a three dimensional curved nose panel, a rectangular shaped lower face panel and lateral ear loops flanking the lower face panel for securing the face mask to the wearer's head, and a crescent shaped single ply chin covering. The face mask is assembled from an initially planar face covering web and an initially planar chin covering web by means of conventional material manufacturing processes, for example, die cutting, laser cutting, stitching, adhesion, ultrasonic welding, and the like. The chin coverings are preferably made from the same nonwoven, elastic, thermoplastic filtration materials as the face coverings. Alternatively, chin coverings can be formed from different material than face coverings as long as the two different covering materials can be readily attached by conventional material manufacturing processes. Suitable nonwoven, elastic, thermoplastic filtration materials are commercially available from, for example, Sandler A.G. Postfach 11 44 D-95120 Schwarzenbach/Saale home webpage www.sandler.de. One particularly suitable material is Sandler's Sawascreen® 950210FI60.

Face coverings are preferably embossed with a relief arrangement for affording increased filtration surface area for facilitating breathability and decreased skin contact area for improving user comfort compared to non- embossed face coverings. Decreased skin contact area is particularly important for not impairing make-up. Relief arrangements can assume different visually attractive appearances including inter alia scales like appearance, petal like appearance, and the like. Face masks can be provided in different colors and shades. Face masks can bear graphics, slogans, advertising, and the like. Face masks can be provisioned with additives, for example, salt for easing breathing, make up fixer agents for not impairing make up, and the like.

Brief description of the drawings

In order to understand the invention and to see how it can be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar parts are likewise numbered, and in which:

Fig. 1 shows a pictorial representation of a computer implemented countdown time system for adaptively determining total saturation countdown times for wearable air filters;

Figs. 2 A to 2C show same day 24 hour air pollution graphs for the same pollutant at a downtown air pollution monitoring station, a residential area air pollution monitoring station and a rural area air pollution monitoring station;

Fig. 3 shows a graph of unsaturation remainder against saturation completion time for the same air filter specification for three different air pollution levels;

Fig. 4 shows a graph of unsaturation remainder against total saturation time for three activity levels of the same face mask wearer wearing a wearable air filter with the same air filter specification;

Fig. 5 shows exemplary records of a face mask wearer profile database including air consumption rate grades;

Fig. 6 shows a graph of unsaturation remainder against total saturation time for three different air consumption rate grades;

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of the computer implemented countdown time method for adaptively determining total saturation countdown times for a wearable air filter;

Fig. 8 shows a graph of total saturation consumption/unsaturation remainder against total wear time for a wearable air filter; Fig. 9 shows a graph of total saturation countdown time against total wear time for a wearable air filter;

Fig. 10 shows a schematic representation of a face mask wearer wearing a new wearable air filter completing an oval shaped training circuit path during a 2 hour training session;

Fig. 11 shows the start of the air filter saturation consumption log for the new wearable air filter being worn for the first time during the 2 hour training session;

Fig. 12 is a left front perspective view of a wearer wearing a dispensable air filter face mask and a face mask packaging for containing the dispensable air filter face mask;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation view of an opened out face mask prior to wearing along a line of sight denoted by arrow A in Figure 12;

Fig. 14 is a rear elevation view of the opened out face mask prior to wearing along a line of sight denoted by arrow B in Figure 12;

Fig. 15 is a top elevation view of an opened out face mask laid flat on a horizontal surface along a line of sight denoted by arrow C in Figure 13;

Fig. 16 is a bottom elevation view of an opened out face mask laid flat on a horizontal surface along a line of sight denoted by arrow D in Figure 13;

Fig. 17 is a front plan view of a planar single ply unitary structure face covering web and a planar single ply crescent shaped chin covering web of the Figure 12 face mask;

Fig. 18 is a front plan view of the face covering after forming of a non- stretched permanent three dimensional curved nose panel; and

Fig. 19 is a left front perspective view of a wearer wearing a dispensable air filter face mask with an embossed relief arrangement. Detailed description of the drawings

Computer Implemented Countdown Time System for Adaptivelv Determining Total Saturation Countdown Times for Wearable Air Filters

Figure 1 shows a computer implemented countdown time system 100 for adaptively determining total saturation countdown times for wearable air filters 101 for directly filtering polluted air before inhalation. The wearable air filters 101 can be in the form of either a dispensable air filter face mask 101A or an air filter face mask 102 with a replaceable air filter 10 IB and a screw fit front cap 102A for enabling convenient replacement of an air filter 101B.

Each wearable air filter 101 is identified by a unique identification code

103 in the form of a bar code, QR code, and the like. Each wearable air filter 101 is preferably packaged in individual wearable air filter packaging 104 also listing the unique ID code and additional air filter specification details, for example, its grade, its type, etc. Specification details can also include a manufacturer recommended expiry date from its manufacture date, a manufacturer recommended maximum usage duration from first wearing, and the like. Manufacturer recommended expiry date is typically, say, three years from manufacture. Manufacturer recommended maximum usage duration from first wearing is typically, say, one month.

Some face mask wearers each possess a portable personal two-way countdown time pager 105 constituted by a smart device 106 running a countdown time app 107. Such smart devices, for example, smartphones, smartwatches, and the like, include inter alia processing capabilities, a touch screen for input purposes and display purposes, GPS capability for determining outdoor geolocations, and the like. Other face mask wearers each possess a countdown time pager 105 constituted by a feature cellphone 108 of a cellular phone network 109 for providing cellular service thereto including inter alia SMS, and the like. The cellular phone network 109 is aware of the geolocation of its feature cellphones in terms of their cell locations. The smart devices 106 and the feature cellphones 108 are in bi-directional communication with a countdown time server 111 for uploading information thereto and receiving total saturation countdown times for display thereon and additional alerts. Uploaded information necessarily includes usage information regarding wearable air filters including inter alia wear start times and wear end times. Uploaded information also necessarily indicates an information source of the prevailing polluted air of the breathing environment in which a face mask wearer is located Such information can be uploaded automatically or manually depending on different factors including inter alia implementation of a countdown time pager 105, a set-up configuration of a countdown time pager 105, and the like. In the case of automatic uploading of the information source of the prevailing polluted air, a face mask wearer can preferably override the automatic uploading as the case may be. Uploaded information can also optionally include setting up a face mask wearer profile in terms of weight, age, sex, fitness, and the like.

The countdown time server 111 is connected to a wearable air filter database 112 of wearable air filter specifications, a face mask wearer profile database 113 of face mask wearer profiles in terms of weight, age, sex, fitness and the like, amongst others. The countdown time server 111 is connected to an air pollution monitoring network 114 of indoor Air Pollution Monitoring Stations (APMSs) 116 for monitoring indoor air pollution and outdoor Air Pollution Monitoring Stations (APMSs) 117 for monitoring outdoor air pollution. APMSs 116 and 117 monitor particles, selected gases, selected vapors, and the like, in units of μηι/m . APMSs 116 and 117 typically classify particles into different sizes and provide pollution levels for the different sizes.

Indoor air pollution monitoring stations are preferably in the form of commercially available indoor air pollution detectors. Indoor APMSs 116 can be deployed in factories, workshops, offices, medical facilities, and the like. Indoor APMSs 116 are preferably uniquely identified with an APMS identification code such that a face mask wearer can input a particular indoor APMS 116 monitoring the polluted air which he is inhaling filtered through his wearable air filter 101. The APMS identification code can be in the form of a bar code, a QR code, and the like. A face mask wearer can input an APMS identification code by different means depending on whether he is possession of a smart device 106 or a feature cellphone 108. In the case of the former, a face mask wearer can scan an APMS identification code. In the case of the latter, a face mask wearer can send an SMS with the APMS identification code to the countdown time server 111.

Outdoor APMSs 117 are preferably part of a national air pollution monitoring service and have known geolocations. Outdoor APMSs 117 monitor air pollution levels at regular intervals in accordance with their geolocation, time of day, day or week, and other factors. Outdoor APMSs 117 are typically more densely deployed in urban areas as opposed to rural area.

Wearable air filters 101 can optionally include a wearing sensitive device 118 for detecting wearing by a face mask wearer. Such wearing sensitive devices 118 are based on wearing changing a physical property of a wearing sensitive device, for example, its temperature, its color, and the like. One preferred embodiment of the wearing sensitive device 118 is a passive RF device such that, on prompting by an incoming wireless usage query, the wearing sensitive device 118 provides an outgoing wireless usage indication. In the case of an air filter face mask 102 with a replaceable air filter 101B, the face mask 102 can include the wearing sensitive device 118.

Figure 2A to Figure 2C show 24 hour air pollution level graphs for the same 24 hour period for the same air pollutant at a downtown APMS, at a residential area APMS and a rural area APMS, respectively. The downtown APMS and the residential area APMS show twin peaks corresponding to morning rush hour traffic and evening rush hour traffic.

Figure 3 shows a graph of unsaturation remainder against saturation completion time for three different air pollution levels: High, Medium and Low. The actual μηι/m values for what is regarded as a high pollution level, a medium pollution level and a low pollution level for different particle sizes, gases and vapors vary considerably. Figure 3 shows a high air pollution level considerably reduces saturation completion time compared to a low activity level.

Figure 4 shows a graph of unsaturation remainder against saturation completion time for three activity levels of the same face mask wearer wearing an air filter with the same air filter specification. The three activity levels for adult males are as follows:

Activity Level Air consumption rate

Seating (Low) 8-12 litres/min

Walking (Medium) 20-25 litres/min

Running (High) 55-60 litres/min

Figure 4 shows a high activity level considerably reduces saturation completion time compared to a low activity level.

Figure 5 shows exemplary records of the face mask wearer profile database 113 with air consumption rate grades (ACRGs) depending on a number of personal details including inter alia age, weight, sex, fitness level, and the like. The air consumption rate grades are assigned for face mask wearers at a medium activity level.

ACRG Air consumption rate

Low (L) 20 litres/min

Normal (N) 22 litres/min

High (H) 25 litres/min

The default ACRG assigned to face mask wearers who decide not to complete a face mask wearer profile is normal. Figure 5 shows face mask wearers with a low fitness level are assigned a high ACRG irrespective of their weight. Figure 5 shows that a 100kg face mask wearer with a high fitness level is assigned a medium ACRG compared to a 90kg face mask wearer with a high fitness level. Figure 6 shows a graph of unsaturation remainder against saturation completion time for the three ACRGs for the same wearable air filter specification. The computer implemented countdown time method for determining total saturation countdown times for a wearable air filter in accordance with the present invention is now described with reference to Figures 7 to 9 as follows.

Figure 7 is a top level flow diagram for adaptively determining total saturation countdown times for a wearable air filter showing the following steps: Step 151: Obtaining air pollution information of the polluted air being filtered by the wearable air filter

Step 152 Determining a total saturation countdown time for the wearable air filter based on at least the air pollution information

Step 153 Displaying the total saturation countdown time, if any, on the countdown time pager

Step 154 Repeating steps 151 to 153 until reaching a replacement condition for the wearable air filter

A new wearable air filter has an initial saturation consumption value SC = 0% and a complementary initial unsaturation remainder value UR = 100% where UR = 100% - SC. The countdown time server 111 determines an initial total saturation countdown time taking into account the different factors affecting its rate of saturation, namely, air pollution, a face mask wearer's fitness level and a face mask wearer's activity level. Initial total saturation countdown times can be determined in laboratory tests, outdoor trials, and the like. For example, at a certain air pollution level and a medium activity level, an initial total saturation countdown time can be, say, 12 wear hours of continuous outdoor wear. For a higher air pollution level and the same medium activity level, an initial total saturation countdown time can be, say, 10 wear hours of continuous outdoor wear. Also, at the same air pollution level but a high activity level, an initial total saturation countdown time can be say, 9 wear hours of continuous outdoor wear.

The countdown time server 111 is preferably programmed to determine total saturation countdown times as follows: First, at fixed periodic intervals, for example, every 30 minutes starting from an input signal that a face mask wearer is starting to wear a wearable air filter. Second, each time a face mask wearer inputs that he is changing his activity level. Third, in response to relatively sharp changes of air pollution information from the same indoor APMS or outdoor APMS. And fourth, in response to a face mask wearer changing breathing environments at the substantially the same geolocation. Suitable examples include inter alia a face mask wearer moving from an office environment with low air level pollution to an adjacent work shop with high air level pollution, a face mask wearer entering an office building with low air level pollution from a busy downtown area with high air level pollution, and the like.

The countdown time server 111 calculates a saturation consumption increment for each wearing session between consecutive determinations of total saturation countdown times based on the assumption of the same air pollution level and the same activity level. Accordingly, in the case of an initial total saturation countdown time of 12 wear hours = 720 wear minutes, the saturation consumption increment for 30 minutes of wear time is 30 / 720 = 4.16% and therefore the unsaturation remainder is 100% - 4.16% = 95.8%. The countdown time server 111 calculates saturation consumption increments for each wearing sessions between consecutive determinations of total saturation countdown times in a similar manner.

In the case of outdoor wear, the countdown time server 111 can employ geolocation information from either a face mask wearer's smart device 106 or feature cellphone 108 for obtaining air pollution information of the polluted air being filtered by a wearable air filter 101 in accordance with a set of prevailing air pollution level calculation rules. One exemplary air pollution level calculation rule is determining the prevailing air pollution level at a face mask wearer's instantaneous geolocation from a single APMS if a face mask wearer is located, say, within a 1 km radius and the next closest APMS is, say, five km away. Another exemplary air pollution level calculation rule is determining the prevailing air pollution level at the face mask wearer's instantaneous geolocation from the average of two APMSs if a face mask wearer is equidistanced therebetween.

The countdown time server 111 is preferably programmed to determine whether a wearable air filter 101 has passed its manufacturer recommended expiry date on being worn for the first time and, in the affirmative, display an alert on a face mask wearer's countdown time pager 105 regarding same. The countdown time server 111 is preferably programmed to compare air pollution information of the polluted air being filtered by a wearable air filter 101 with its air filter specification for determining whether it is suitable for filtering the polluted air and, in the negative, display an alert on the face mask wearer's countdown time pager 105.

Figure 8 shows a graph of total saturation consumption/unsaturation remainder against total wear time for an air filter. Total saturation consumption against total wear time is a continuously positive graph as total saturation consumption increases from 0% to 100%. The continuously positive graph includes straight line positive increments having gradients which can vary from slightly positive to highly positive. For example, a 2 hour gentle stroll in a rural environment typically consumes less saturation capability of an air filter than a 10 minute run in a busy downtown neighborhood at rush hour. The unsaturation remainder against total wear time graph is the complement of the Total Saturation Consumption (TSC) against total wear time graph according to the relationship Unsaturation Remainder (UR) = 100% - TSC.

Figure 9 shows a graph of total saturation countdown time against total wear time for an air filter which is a generally negative graph similar to the unsaturation remainder against total wear time graph. But whilst the unsaturation remainder against total wear time graph is a continuously negative graph, the total saturation countdown time against total wear time graph can include sudden drops and sudden rises in total saturation countdown times. Sudden drops in total saturation countdown times can be the result of a face mask wearer inputting he is changing his activity level from a low activity level to a higher activity level or a sudden increase in air pollution at rush hour. Contrastingly, sudden rises in total saturation countdown times can be the result of a sudden fall in air pollution or a face mask wearer inputting he is changing his activity level to a less strenuous activity level.

Exemplary Operation of Computer Implemented Countdown Time Method

Figures 10 and 11 shows the adaptive determination of total saturation countdown times for a new wearable air filter being worn for the first time by a face mask wearer and intending a 2 hour outdoor training session for completing an oval training circuit starting at clock time 18:00. The countdown time server is programmed to determine total saturation countdown times at 30 minute intervals from the start of a wearing session such that the countdown time server is set to display total saturation countdown times at the following clock times: 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30 and 20:00.

The face mask wearer starts and ends the outdoor training session at the same geolocation. The middle point of the oval training circuit is equidistanced between an APMS No. 1748 and another APMS No. 1943. The face mask wearer intends to include a 20 minute walking warm up, a 90 minute hour run and a 20 minute walking cool down. The face mask wearer walks at 2.5 mph and runs twice as fast at 5 mph. The countdown time server is also programmed to determine total saturation countdown times on the face mask wearer's input of a change in his activity level. Accordingly, the countdown time server will determine total saturation countdown times at 18:20 and 19:40 according to the face mask wearer's intended training schedule.

18:00 Clock Time Description

The face mask wearer uploads the unique wearable air filter identification code to the countdown time server. The face mask wearer starts wearing the wearable air filter and enters START to start the 2 hour wearing session. The face mask wearer also inputs his activity level is medium/walking. The countdown time pager uploads the unique identification code, the START WEAR entry and the face mask wearer's instantaneous geolocation to the countdown time server.

The countdown time server determines the wearable air filter has not expired and is new and therefore has an initial 0% saturation consumption value and an initial 100% unsaturation remainder. The countdown time server opens a new air filter saturation consumption log for the wearable air filter. The countdown time server obtains the air pollution level at the APMS 1748 from the national air pollution monitoring service and determines the wearable air filter is suitable for use at the start/end geolocation.

The countdown time server determines the total saturation countdown time for the air filter for display on the countdown time pager based on three factors as follows: First, the face mask wearer's air consumption rate grade ACRG. Second, his walking activity level. And third, the prevailing air pollution at the start/end geolocation. The total saturation countdown time can be, for example, 12:00 wear hours - 720 wear minutes.

18:00 Clock Time Summary

Saturation Consumption (SC): 0%

Total Saturation Consumption (TSC): 0%

Unsaturation Remainder (UR): 100% - TSC = 100%

Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 720 wear minutes 18:20 Clock Time Description

The face mask wearer inputs his activity level is now running and not walking. The countdown time server determines the saturation consumption increment during the 20 minute walking warm up as follows: 20 / 720 minutes = 2.77% such that the unsaturation remainder UR is 97.23%. The countdown time server determines the total saturation countdown time is 520 wear minutes for the wearable air filter based on the newly updated running activity level for display on the countdown time app. The face mask wearer will see a sudden sharp drop in the total saturation countdown time from 700 wear minutes to 520 wear minutes due to his increased air consumption rate because he is running and not walking.

18:20 Clock Time Summary

Wearing Session: From 18:00 to 18:20 = 20 wear minutes

Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 720 - 20 = 700 wear minutes

Saturation Consumption Increment (SCI): 20 / 720 = 2.77%

Total Saturation Consumption (TSC) = 2.77%

Unsaturation Remainder (UR) 100% - TSC = 97.23%

Face Mask Wearer Input: High activity level

Revised Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 520 wear minutes

18:30 Clock Time Description

The countdown time server determines the total saturation countdown time, the saturation consumption increment, the total saturation consumption and the unsaturation remainder for the 10 minute wearing session from the 18:20 clock time determination.

18:30 Clock Time Summary

Wearing Session: From 18:20 to 18:30 = 10 wear minutes

Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 520 - 10 = 510 wear minutes

Saturation Consumption Increment (SCI): 10 / 520 = 1.92%

Total Saturation Consumption (TSC) = 4.69%

Unsaturation Remainder (UR) 100% - TSC = 95.31 %

19:00 Clock Time Description The face mask wearer reaches the middle point of his oval shaped training circuit equidistanced between the APMS 1748 and APMS 1943 after running for another 30 minutes since the 18:30 clock time determination.

The countdown time server averages the prevailing air pollution level at the midpoint from the air pollution level readings at APMS 1748 and APMS 1943. Evening rush hour traffic has caused an increase in prevailing air pollution level at the APMS 1748 compared to the initial 18:00 clock time reading. Also, the APMS 1943 has a higher air pollution level reading than the AMPS 1748. The higher air pollution level readings are denoted 1748H and 1943H.

The countdown time server determines the total saturation countdown time for the air filter based on the newly updated prevailing air pollution level for display on the countdown time pager. The face mask wearer will see a sudden relatively sharp drop in the total saturation countdown time from 480 wear minutes to 400 wear minutes due to increased air pollution level at his geolocation.

19:00 Clock Time Summary

Wearing Session: From 18:30 to 19:00 = 30 wear minutes

Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 510 - 30 = 480 wear minutes

Saturation Consumption Increment (SCI): 30 / 510 = 5.88%

Total Saturation Consumption (TSC) = 10.57%

Unsaturation Remainder (UR): 100 % - TSC = 89.43%

Revised Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 400 wear minutes

19:30 Clock Time Description

The countdown time server determines the total saturation countdown time, the saturation consumption increment, the total saturation consumption and the unsaturation remainder for the 30 minute wearing session from the 19:00 clock time determination. The countdown time server obtains the air pollution level at the APMS 1748 only because the face mask wearer is no longer close to the APMS 1943. Evening rush hour traffic is beginning to wane causing a decrease in prevailing air pollution level at the APMS 1748 compared to the initial 18:00 clock time reading.

The face mask wearer will see a sudden slight rise in the total saturation countdown time from 370 wear minutes to 385 wear minutes due to less air pollution at his geolocation.

19:30 Clock Time Summary

Wearing Session: From 19:00 to 19:30 = 30 wear minutes

Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 400 - 30 = 370 wear minutes

Saturation Consumption Increment (SCI): 30 / 400 = 7.5%

Total Saturation Consumption (TSC) = 18.07%

Unsaturation Remainder (UR) 100% - TSC = 81.93%

Revised Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 385 wear minutes

19:40 Clock Time Description

The face mask wearer stops running and starts his last 20 minute cool down period. The face mask wearer inputs that his activity level is now medium. The countdown time server determines the total saturation countdown time based on the new activity level and the face mask wearer will see a further rise in total saturation countdown time due to lessened activity level.

19:40 Clock Time Summary

Wearing Session: From 19:30 to 19:40 = 10 wear minutes

Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 385 - 10 = 375 wear minutes

Saturation Consumption Increment (SCI): 10 / 385 = 2.59%

Total Saturation Consumption (TSC) = 20.66%

Unsaturation Remainder (UR) 100% - TSC = 79.33% Face Mask Wearer Input: Medium activity level

Revised Total Saturation Countdown Time (TSCT): 400 wear minutes

20:00 Clock Time Description

The face mask wearer finishes his 20 minute cool down as he reaches his start/end geolocation. The face mask wearer removes the air filter and enters STOP to the countdown time pager to terminate the 2 hour wearing session.

20:00 Clock Time Summary

Wearing Session: From 19:40 to 20:00 = 20 wear minutes

Total Saturation Countdown Time TSCT: 400 - 20 = 380 wear minutes

Saturation Consumption Increment (SCI) = 20 / 400 = 5%

Total Saturation Consumption (TSC) = 25.66%

Unsaturation Remainder (UR): 100% - TSC = 74.34%

The countdown time server uses the 74.34% unsaturation remainder for determining the initial total saturation countdown time for the next wearing session. For example, if the face mask wearer would use the same wearable air filter for the same training session the following day at the same time and the air pollution is the same, then the countdown time server would determine the initial total saturation consumption time as 720 wear minutes x 74.34% = 535.3 wear minutes.

Dispensable Air Filter Face Masks

Figures 12 to 16 show a dispensable air filter face mask 200 for improving the quality of inhaled and/or exhaled air. The face mask 200 is individually packaged in a compact, pocket-size face mask packaging 250. The face mask 200 has a non-stretched permanent three dimensional curved shape on being removed from the face mask packaging 250 and before being worn by a wearer. The face mask 200 includes an imaginary vertical centerline 201 dividing the face mask 200 into two identical left and right halves and an imaginary horizontal centerline 202 perpendicular to the vertical centerline 201. The face mask 200 is intended to be slightly stretched along its horizontal centerline 202 for engaging a wearer's ears for being comfortably secured in place and at the same time ensure intimate skin contact to form a three dimensional air filtration zone surrounding a wearer's nose and mouth for improving the quality of inhaled and/or exhaled air. The face mask 200 is capable of being elastically stretched along its imaginary horizontal centerline 202 in the range of 5% to 15% on application of a 200 gram stretching force therealong to comfortably achieve effective sealing contact with a wearer's face with only a moderate pressure being applied to the back of the wearer's ears for securing the face mask 200 in place. Namely, on release of the 200 gram stretching force, the face mask 200 reverts to its original length.

The face mask 200 includes a dual component construction including a single ply unitary structure face covering 203 and a crescent shaped single ply chin covering 204. The face covering 203 and the chin covering 204 are preferably made from the same nonwoven, elastic, thermoplastic filtration material. One such suitable nonwoven, elastic, thermoplastic filtration material is Sawascreen® 950210FI60 commercially available from Sandler A.G. Postfach 11 44 D-95120 Schwarzenbach/Saale home webpage v v\v.s ! ju i lor.uo. Alternatively, the chin covering 204 can be made from suitable elastic thermoplastic cloth with similar elasticity as the face covering 203 but with different thickness, texture and color. Similar elasticity is in the order of 20% variability. The chin covering 204 does not need to afford breathability and therefore does not require pores.

The single ply material can be a single material or alternatively can be constituted by two or more layers of different materials incapable of being physically separated without total destruction of the single ply material. One layer can be 100% Thermoplastic PolyUrethane (TPU) and another layer can be 100% PolyPropylene (PP). The two layers can be combined by mechanical or thermal or chemical adhesion.

Sawascreen® 950210FI60 technical specification is as follows:

The face covering 203 includes four sections as follows:

A central non- stretched three dimensional curved nose panel 206 shaped and dimensioned for covering a wearer's nose, a central non-stretched permanent three dimensional curved rectangular shaped lower face panel 207 shaped and dimensioned for covering a wearer's mouth and his cheeks and extending towards his ears, and left and right ear loops 208 flanking the lower face panel 207.

The nose panel 206 has left and right nose panel side edges 209 converging at an uppermost nose panel apex 211. The nose panel 206 has a smaller radius of curvature than the lower face panel 207 such that the left and right nose panel side edges 209 bear against the opposite sides of a wearer's nose on wearing the face mask 200 in order not to leave separations between the left and right nose panel side edges 209 and a wearer's upper cheeks. The small radius of curvature of the nose panel 206 is achieved by the formation of left and right seams 212 lateral to the uppermost nose panel apex 211 and converging inward from the left and right nose panel side edges 209. The formation of the seams 212 is described hereinbelow with reference to Figures 17 and 18.

The lower face panel 207 is disposed beneath the nose panel 206 and has left and right uppermost lower face panel edges 213 lateral to the nose panel 206 and correspondingly merging with the left and right nose panel edges 209 and an arcuate lowermost lower face panel edge 214 opposite the nose panel 206 and the left and right uppermost lower face panel edges 213.

Left and right ear loops 208 correspondingly have oval shaped ear apertures 216 for receiving a wearer's ear therethrough. The oval shaped ear apertures 216 correspondingly have distal curved ends 217 for bearing against the backs of a wearer's ears and correspondingly have proximal curved ends 218 extending towards a wearer's cheekbones on wearing the face mask 200. The ear loops 208 are formed with so-called oval shaped inner piping 219 for strengthening the ear apertures 216. The ear loops 208 are also formed with U shaped outer piping 221 for strengthening same.

The crescent shaped chin covering 204 includes a leading chin covering edge 222 for attaching to the lowermost lower face panel edge 214 and a trailing chin covering edge 223 opposite the leading chin covering edge 222 for being disposed towards a wearer's neck. The chin covering 204 preferably extends lengthwise between the proximal curved ends 218 of the ear apertures 216. The leading chin covering edge 222 is attached to the an arcuate lowermost lower face panel edge 214 along an arc shaped seam intended to be in registration with a wearer's lower jaw bone on wearing the face mask 200.

On wearing the face mask 200, the face mask 200 is slightly stretched across a wearer's face such that his ears extend through the opposite ear apertures 216. The slight stretching of the face mask 200 intimately seals contact of the nose panel 206 on his nose, the lower face panel 207 on his cheeks and the chin covering 204 on his chin's underside thereby forming a three dimensional air filtration zone for surrounding a wearer's nose and mouth for filtering all inhaled and exhaled air.

The face mask 200 bears an identification code 231 for uniquely identifying same. The identification code 231 can be in the form of a QR code, a bar code, and the like. Alternatively or additionally, the packaging 250 can bear an identification code 251 uniquely identifying the face mask 200.

Figure 17 shows a planar single ply unitary structure face covering web 224 and a planar single ply crescent shaped chin covering web 236. The face covering web 224 is formed with left and right triangular shaped cutouts 227 with their bases formed in the nose panel side edges 209. The left cutout 227 is formed by first and second left cutout edges 228. The right cutout 227 is formed by first and second right cutout edges 229. The left cutout edges 228 are attached together to form the left seam 212 and the right cutout edges 229 are attached together to form the right seam 212 as shown in Figure 18. The formation of the seams 212 elevates the central non-stretched permanent three dimensional curved nose panel 206 with respect to the lower face panel 207 in the face covering web 224. Alternatively, the central non-stretched permanent three dimensional curved nose panel 206 can be formed by pleats in the same locations of the seams 212 instead of the cutouts 227.

Figure 19 shows the face mask 200 with an embossed relief arrangement

232 having a scale like appearance for affording increased filtration surface area for facilitating breathing and decreased skin contact area for improving user comfort. Figure 20 also shows the face mask 200 can be additionally provisioned with a usage sensitive device 233 for detecting wearing by a user in the sense that usage changes a physical property, for example, its temperature, its color, and the like. One preferred embodiment of the usage sensitive device 233 is a passive RF device such that, on prompting by an incoming wireless usage query 234, the usage sensitive device 233 provides an outgoing wireless usage indication 236. While particular embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Computer implemented countdown time method for adaptively determining total saturation countdown times for a wearable air filter, a face mask wearer wearing a face mask including the wearable air filter for inhaling filtered air and in possession of a portable personal two way countdown time pager, the wearable air filter having an air filter specification and a unique identification code, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) obtaining air pollution information of the polluted air being filtered by the wearable air filter;

(b) determining a total saturation countdown time for the wearable air filter based on at least the air pollution information;

(c) displaying the total saturation countdown time for the wearable air filter, if any, on the countdown time pager; and

(d) repeating steps (a) to (c) until reaching a replacement condition for the wearable air filter.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (b) factors the face mask wearer's activity level during a wearing session.

3. The method according to either claim 1 or 2 wherein step (b) factors a face mask wearer's air consumption rate grade.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein step (b) includes computing the air pollution information of the polluted air from the air pollution information from at least two air pollution monitoring stations in proximity to the face mask wearer's outdoor geolocation.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the repetition rate of step (d) is dependent on a multitude of saturation consumption factors including at least one of i) time of day, ii) when an air filter is approaching its saturation limit, iii) a high air pollution level and iv) a face mask wearer's activity level.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and executing the further step of comparing the air pollution information to the air filter specification for determining whether the wearable air filter is suitable for filtering the polluted air and, in the negative, displaying an alert on the countdown time pager regarding same.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein a replacement condition is a manufacturer recommended expiry date and executing the further steps of determining whether the air filter has passed its manufacturer recommended expiry date and, in the affirmative, displaying an alert on the countdown time pager regarding same.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein a replacement condition is a manufacturer recommended maximum usage duration from its first wearing and comprising the further steps of determining whether the air filter has passed its manufacturer recommended maximum usage duration from its first wearing and, in the affirmative, displaying an alert on the countdown time pager regarding same.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the face mask includes a wearing sensitive device for detecting wearing and comprising the further step of automatically detecting whether the face mask wearer is wearing the wearable air filter.

10. A computer countdown time program for executing the computer implemented countdown time method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A computer implemented countdown time system for executing the computer implemented countdown time method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A dispensable air filter face mask having a non-stretched permanent three dimensional curved shape before being worn by a wearer, the face mask comprising:

(a) a single ply unitary structure face covering made from non-woven, elastic, thermoplastic filtration material, said face covering including:

i) a central non- stretched permanent three dimensional curved nose panel shaped and dimensioned for covering the wearer's nose and having left and right nose panel side edges converging at an uppermost nose panel apex,

ii) a central non-stretched permanent three dimensional curved rectangular shaped lower face panel shaped and dimensioned for covering the wearer's mouth and cheeks and extending towards the wearer's ears, said lower face panel being disposed beneath said nose panel and having left and right uppermost lower face panel edges lateral to said nose panel and correspondingly merging with said left and right nose panel side edges and a lowermost lower face panel edge opposite said nose panel and said left and right uppermost lower face panel edges, and

iii) left and right ear loops flanking said lower face panel and each having an oval shaped ear aperture for receiving a wearer's ear therethrough; and

(b) a crescent shaped single ply chin covering made from elastic thermoplastic material and attached to said lowermost lower face panel edge along an arc shaped seam intended to be in registration with the wearer's lower jaw bone on wearing the face mask,

the face mask being intended to be worn slightly stretched fitted across the wearer's face such that his ears extend through said ear apertures for intimate sealing contact of said nose panel on his nose, said lower face panel on his cheeks and said chin covering on his chin's underside thereby forming a three dimensional air filtration zone surrounding the wearer's nose and mouth for filtering inhaled and exhaled air.

13. The mask according to claim 12 having an imaginary vertical centerline dividing the face mask into two identical left and right halves and an imaginary horizontal centerline perpendicular to said vertical centerline wherein said face covering is capable of being elastically stretched along said imaginary horizontal centerline in the range of 5% to 15% on application of a 200 gram stretching force therealong.

14. The mask according to either claim 12 or 13 wherein said nose panel has a smaller radius of curvature than said lower face panel.

15. The mask according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein said face covering is formed from an initial planar face covering web including left and right triangular cutouts lateral to said uppermost nose panel apex.

16. The mask according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein at least said face covering is embossed with a relief arrangement.

17. The mask according to any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein said left and right ear loops includes inner oval shaped piping for strengthening an associated oval shaped ear aperture for receiving a wearer's ear therethrough.

18. The mask according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein said face covering and said chin covering are made from the same non-woven elastic, thermoplastic filtration material.

19. The mask according to any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein the face mask bears an identification code for uniquely identifying same.

20. The mask according to any one of claims 12 to 19 and further comprising a usage sensitive device for detecting wearing by a user wherein said usage sensitive device has a physical property which changes in response to wearing the face mask.

21. The mask according to claim 20 wherein said usage sensitive device is a passive RF device such that said usage sensitive device, on prompting by an incoming wireless usage query, provides an outgoing wireless usage indication.

22. A face mask packaging for individually packaging a single face mask according to any one of claims 12 to 21 wherein said face mask packaging bears an identification code uniquely identifying the face mask.