WO2021216002A1

WO2021216002A1 - An air-purifying respiration assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2021216002A1
Application number: PCT/SG2021/050224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Deborah KHOO; Calvin KOH; Ching Chiuan YEN; Wai Tung CHOW; Pravar JAIN
Original assignee: National University Of Singapore; National University Hospital (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-20
Filing date: 2021-04-20
Publication date: 2021-10-28

Abstract

An air-purifying respiration assembly (100) and method for providing air comprising a shield (108) arranged to cover at least a portion of a face, a housing (104) having an inlet (304) in fluid communication with an outlet (308), a fan (310) located within the housing (104), said fan configured to extract air from the inlet (304) to a filter (302) such that the extracted air is directed to the covered face by the outlet (308). In one embodiment, the housing (104) is directly attached to the face shield (108) and the air-purifying respiration assembly (100) further includes a power source (102) arranged to provide power to the filtered air system.

Description

AN AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATION ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to personal protective equipment, in particular, an air-purifying respiration assembly and method for protecting a user from inhaling air-borne diseases. Still more particularly, the invention relates to an assembly and method for providing filtered air to a facemask.

Background

Many air-purifying respiration assemblies that are currently on the market are bulky and run the risk of collision and dislodgements when in use. Further, because the facemask is tethered to an air filtering system by a tubing, there is significant dead space in the tubing. In addition, the tubing hinders the mobility of the user. Further, the air respiration assembly usually requires a heavy battery, and over time, the user will experience fatigue from prolonged usage of the assembly.

Further, the battery of these air-purifying respiration assemblies requires proprietary charging docks and proprietary HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter cartridges which increases the producing costs of these articles and time of production.

Accordingly, there is a need for an assembly and method for providing filtered air to a facemask that overcomes the limitations described above.

Summary of The Invention

An air-purifying respiration assembly comprising of a shield arranged to cover at least a portion of a face, a housing having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet, a fan located within the housing, said fan configured to extract air from the inlet to a filter such that the extract air is directed to the covered face by the outlet. In use, the fan provides a positive relative pressure system to the mask which aids in reducing the physical strain in breathing, where the pressure within the mask that is greater than the environment that surrounds that mask.

The assembly further including an adaptor arranged to selectively engage the shield with the housing.

Since the housing is directly attached to the mask, this reduces the chances of an accidental disconnection (dislodgement) between the housing and the shield, unlike a tethering air filtering system which requires a tube to connect the housing and the shield.

In still yet another advantageous embodiment, a method for providing filtered air to at least a portion of a covered face. The method comprising the steps of providing a housing having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet, positioning a fan on the housing for extracting air from the inlet to a filter such that the extracted air is directed to the covered face by the outlet.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the air-purifying respiration assembly of the present invention.

FIG. IB is a perspective view showing the air-purifying respiration assembly of the present invention on a face.

FIG. 2 shows the air-purifying respiration assembly of the present invention, where the assembly includes a battery charger.

FIG. 3 A shows a housing of the present invention.

FIGS. 3B and 3C show a housing engaged with a shield of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a method for providing filtered air to at least a portion of a covered face of the present invention.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1A shows an air-purifying respiration assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an assembly 100 includes an elliptical shaped shield 108 arranged to cover a full face, extending from the forehead to the chin, the shield 108 includes a supporting structure 110 adapted to sit on a face, a contoured flexible peripheral edge 106 arranged to fit against the face extending peripherally about the face so as to enclose the cheeks and between the forehead and thereby forming a seal. In use and properly fitted, the shield 108 forms an air-tight seal with the face thereby not allowing air to escape from the shield. The assembly 100 is adapted to engage a housing 104 such that filtered air is delivered to the face. A power source 102 is connected to the housing so as to provide power to the housing 104. The supporting structure 110 and contoured flexible peripheral edge 106 may be made of flexible silicone, so as to prevent discomfort when worn on the face for a prolonged period of time. The silicone may be designed to withstand high heat and is of a medical grade. The housing 104 is arranged to sit on top of the shield 108. The shield 108 may include a snorkeling mask with an inbuilt expiratory valve about the head area, and a one-way air outlet about the mouth area.

Alternatively, an adaptor may be arranged to selectively engage the shield 108 with the housing 104. In addition, the adaptor may be located proximate to the outlet of the housing

104

Alternatively, the shield may be arranged to cover at least a portion of the face extending from the wearer’s nose to the chin. Importantly, the invention is arranged to provide respiratory security for the wearer. Accordingly, the shape and extent of facial coverage may vary between embodiments, whilst maintaining respiratory security, and still fall within the scope of the invention

Alternatively, the housing 104 may be positioned near the mouth or along the edges of the shield 108.

FIG. IB shows the assembly 100 mounted to the face 112 of a wearer, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a strap 114 is adapted to hold the shield 108 such that the supporting structure 110 and the contoured flexible peripheral edge 106 are snugly fitted onto the wearer’s face. FIG. 2 shows the assembly 100 including a charger 202 to charge the power source 102. The power source 102 may include a 12 volts lithium battery pack capable of providing power to housing 104 thereby providing filtered air to the face. The charger 202 and the power source 102 are connected by a cable.

Alternatively, the power source 102 may be a rechargeable battery pack or a power bank that is capable of providing power to the housing 104. The connection between the power source 102 and the housing 104 may be of industry-standard connector for transmitting power on single cables, such as USB-C, or USB 1.1 to 3.0. In addition, the power source 102 is configured to accept USB-C, or USB 1.1 to 3.0 connections. Alternatively, the transmission of power from power source 102 to the housing 104 may be wireless, where the housing 104 may include a receiving module configured to receive power wirelessly from a transmitting module from a power source.

Alternatively, the power source 102 may be embedded in the housing 104 thereby eliminating the need for an external power source, and in turn reducing the number of separate components.

FIGS 3 illustrates a housing 104 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the housing includes an inlet 304 in fluid communication with an outlet 308. A filter 302 is located within the housing on a top surface of the housing 104, a fan 310 is positioned below the filter. The filter 302 may include a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) or a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values) filter. The fan 310 and the filter 302 are located at the same end of the housing 104 and both the fan 310 and filter 302 are horizontally positioned. The fan 310 may be a centrifugal fan or a blower centrifugal fan or a fan that is capable of drawing and expelling air. The housing 104 may be capable of delivering filtered air with a minimum velocity of 2 meters per second, having an average airflow rate of 1.5 cubic feet per minute or 43 liters per minute at an average velocity of 4 meters per second, at the inlet inside the mask, thereby producing a constant positive relative pressure. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the airflow rates, with these provided as an example only. The invention may be adapted to provide varying airflow rates according to the application to which the invention is designed. The constant positive relative pressure helps to reduce physical strain in breathing and also reduces chances of drawing in unfiltered air from the edges of the mask in the event when the mask is not well fitted or tightly fitted. When in operation, the fan 310 is configured to extract air from the inlet 304 to a filter 302 such that the extracted air is directed to the covered face by the outlet 302. The housing 104 further including a U-bend structure 306 located at the other end of the housing 104, a channel is formed within the structure 306. The channel provides a pathway for the extracted air to travel so that the extract air can be directed to the outlet 302. At a distal end of the structure 306, the structure 306 includes an integral adaptor 314 configured to engage an engaging member 312 of the shield 106. The housing 104 may be manufactured by additive manufacturing. The structure 306 having a top portion that is larger than the bottom portion.

Alternatively, the adaptor may be a separate element from the housing 104 or the structure 306, the adaptor may be arranged to attach to the housing 104 or the structure 306 so as to connect the housing 104 or the structure 306.

Alternatively, the fan 310 and the filter 302 may be orientated vertically where the filter 302 is sandwiched between fan 310 and the structure 306.

Alternatively, the fan 310 may be within and integrated with the housing 104, such that the housing encloses the fan.

Alternatively, the fan 310 may be placed in close proximity of the filter 302 for example at the distal end of the housing 104.

Alternatively, the structure 306 may be an S-bend structure or a curved structure capable of directing air from one end to another end.

Alternatively, the structure 306 may be a trap structure, tee structure, 90 degrees elbow structure, 45 degrees elbow structure, or a Y-branch structure.

Alternatively, in other embodiments, the structure 306 may include suitable shapes and sizes that allow the structure to fit onto the housing Alternatively, the structure 306 may include at least two ports, one port arranged to engage with the mask, the other port arranged to engage with the fan. FIG. 4 illustrates a method for providing filtered air to at least a portion of a covered face. The air from the environment is extracted into a housing by a fan 404, where the housing is attached to a facemask, the housing includes a U-bend structure, and a filter is located proximate to an inlet, where the extracted air enters the filter via the inlet and towards a channel in a U-bend structure, and out of the housing into the facemask by an outlet 402.

Claims

1. An air-purifying respiration assembly comprising: a shield arranged to cover at least a portion of a wearer’s face; a housing having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet; a fan located within the housing, said fan configured to extract air from the inlet to a filter such that the extracted air is directed to the covered face by the outlet.

2. The assembly according to Claim 1, further including an adaptor arranged to selectively engage the shield with the housing.

3. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing further having a U-bend structure.

4. The assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the U-bend structure is located at the other end of the housing and a channel is formed within said structure.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing configured to deliver air at a positive relative pressure.

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shield further having a contoured flexible peripheral edge arranged to fit against the face extending peripherally about the face so as to enclose the cheeks and between the forehead and thereby forming a seal.

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a power source arranged to provide power to the filtered air system.

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter is located proximate to the fan.

9. A method of providing filtered air to at least a portion of a covered face, the method comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet; positioning a fan on the housing for extracting air from the inlet to a filter such that the extracted air is directed to the covered face by the outlet.