WO2021228629A1 - Vehicle with a system for protecting passengers and crew members from airborne pathogens - Google Patents
Vehicle with a system for protecting passengers and crew members from airborne pathogens Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2021228629A1 WO2021228629A1 PCT/EP2021/061749 EP2021061749W WO2021228629A1 WO 2021228629 A1 WO2021228629 A1 WO 2021228629A1 EP 2021061749 W EP2021061749 W EP 2021061749W WO 2021228629 A1 WO2021228629 A1 WO 2021228629A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- breathing mask
- facepiece
- coupling
- duct
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
- A62B7/00—Respiratory apparatus
- A62B7/12—Respiratory apparatus with fresh-air hose
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
- A62B18/00—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
- A62B18/08—Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices
- A62B18/086—Adaptations for consuming refreshments without unmasking
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
- A62B7/00—Respiratory apparatus
- A62B7/14—Respiratory apparatus for high-altitude aircraft
Definitions
- Vehicle with a system for protecting passengers and crew members from airborne pathogens
- the invention relates to a vehicle featuring a system for protecting passengers from airborne pathogens, a combination of such a vehicle with a breathing mask being connectable with the system as well as suitable breathing mask.
- Passengers on board of a vehicle are at risk of being infected with an airborne pathogen being present in aerosols exhaled or secreted by other passengers or members of the crew of the vehicle, such as attendant, driver or the like.
- the risk is especially high in vehicles transporting large numbers of passengers for hours in a cabin with a confined space, like buses, trains, ferries or aircraft.
- a single passenger or crew member infected with a disease spread by an airborne pathogen may infect a large number of passengers or crew members during a journey in said vehicle.
- suitable protection of passengers as well of crew members is crucial for the safe operation of the vehicle.
- an operator of a vehicle comprising such a protection system would have an economical advantage in such a situation compared to competitors operating vehicles without a protection system.
- the protection system may also be an advantage during flu season, as it would offer passengers the possibility to protect themselves if wanted. Further, vulnerable passengers, like passengers suffering from immunodeficiency could protect themselves during journeys with such vehicles. Summary of the invention
- a vehicle has a system for protecting passengers and crew members of the vehicle from airborne pathogens.
- the vehicle comprises a multitude of seats for passengers, the seats being arranged in rows within a cabin of the vehicle.
- the vehicle further includes at least one supply of fresh air as well as at least one connection element for each seat or for each row of seats, said at least one connection element including at least one first coupling having a first shape for connecting a first tube of at least one breathing mask to said connection element, said at least one first duct connecting the at least one supply of fresh air to each of the connection elements.
- a passenger or crew member may connect a breathing mask with a connection element located near his seat or row of seats. By doing so, the passenger or crew member is able to breathe uncontaminated fresh air, thus eliminating the risk of being infected by another passenger or crew member.
- the vehicle may be any vehicle intended for the transport of a multitude of passengers, especially intended for the commercial transport of passengers.
- the inventive vehicle may be a taxi, minibus, bus, coach, train carriage, ferry or passenger aircraft.
- such vehicles transport more than one passenger and also include at least one crew member, such as driver, attendant, conductor or the like.
- the number of passengers may heavily vary depending on the type of vehicle.
- a taxi may carry from one to four passengers, while a passenger aircraft may carry anywhere from a few passengers to several hundred passengers.
- the vehicle comprises one seat for every passenger carried.
- the vehicle may also carry standing passengers, for example in the case of a train carriage.
- the vehicle preferably comprises a number of first couplings, which at least corresponds to the maximal number of passengers, which may be carried by the vehicle.
- airborne pathogens is understood as encompassing any bacteria, spore, virus or parasitic microorganisms, which may be spread from human to human by aerosols. This includes influenza viruses, coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, human parainfluenza viruses, mycobacteria, streptococci and enterococci.
- the seats of the vehicle are preferably arranged in rows within the cabin of the vehicle.
- the rows may comprise any suitable number of seats, especially from one to ten seats per row.
- the number of seats per row may vary within the vehicle. For example, depending on the booking class to which a row of seats belongs, the number of seats in a row may increase from a high booking class to a low booking class (such as first class, business class and economy class).
- the seats are preferably all oriented such as to face the direction of travel of the vehicle. Alternatively, however, some of the seats may be oriented otherwise, such as against the direction of travel or transversal thereto. Certain types of vehicles may have two directions of travel, such as train carriages.
- the seats may further be grouped, e.g. in compartments of four or six seats, where half of the seats of the compartment are oriented to face each other.
- the cabin of the vehicle preferably comprises at least one aisle.
- the at least one aisle is preferably arranged along a length axis of the cabin of the vehicle, thereby splitting each row of seats into two part-rows.
- the cabin of the vehicle may also comprise more than one aisle, especially two aisles, as is known e.g. from wide-body passenger aircrafts.
- the vehicle may comprise any suitable number of rows of seats, preferably from 1 row to 100 rows of seats.
- the cabin of the vehicle may comprise one deck with passenger seats or multiple decks with passenger seats, especially two decks, for example a double-decker bus or a large passenger aircraft such as an Airbus A380 or Boeing 747 model.
- the at least one supply of fresh air preferably is an intake for air surrounding the vehicle.
- the at least one supply of fresh air may be a treatment station for recycling air drawn from within the cabin of the vehicle, said treatment station comprising filters and the like to clean the air from pathogens and other contaminants, such as dust or odor.
- the at least one supply of fresh air comprises means to pretreat the air before it is supplied to the at least one first duct.
- Said means may comprise units to cool or heat the air, or compressors to pressurize the air.
- the supply of fresh air preferably is bleed air drawn from the engines of the aircraft, as is known in the art.
- the at least one supply of fresh air may comprise means to enrich the fresh air with oxygen.
- the supply of fresh air may be connected to an oxygen tank of the vehicle, preferably by means of a regulation valve allowing to regulate the amount of oxygen supplied to the at least one supply of fresh air.
- the vehicle comprises more than one supply of fresh air for redundancy.
- each of the fresh air supplies should be able to provide enough fresh air for the maximal number of passengers the vehicle may carry.
- the fresh air supplies may be of the same or of a different type.
- one supply may be an intake for air from outside of the vehicle while the second supply may be a treatment station for recycling air from the cabin.
- connection element may comprise one or more first couplings.
- the connection element comprises at least one coupling for each seat of the row.
- the vehicle comprises at least one connection element with at least one first coupling for every seat in the cabin of the vehicle.
- the couplings preferably comprise means to form a releasable connection with a first tube of a breathing mask, thereby bringing this first tube in fluid connection with the at least one first duct in order to supply fresh air to said breathing mask.
- the connection elements may be arranged on a side or partition wall of the cabin. Preferably, however, the connection elements are arranged on the seats.
- each seat may comprise a connection element for a person occupying this seat, e.g. located in an armrest of the seat.
- each seat comprises a connection element on the backside of backrest providing a coupling for a person sitting in a seat a row further back, i.e. similar to the arrangement of inflight entertainment systems known in the art.
- each first coupling comprises at least one valve which closes off the coupling when no first tube of a breathing mask is connected to it.
- the at least one first duct comprises branching points linking all connection elements of the vehicle to the at least one first duct.
- the vehicle preferably comprises more than one first duct.
- the vehicle may comprise one first duct spanning along a length of the cabin on each side thereof.
- the term first duct is hence to be understood to encompass a single duct as well as a system with several ducts each comprising several branching points.
- Each passenger and/or crew member may connect a first tube of a breathing mask to a first coupling of a connection element such as to be able to breathe fresh air uncontaminated by any pathogens stemming from another passenger or crew member.
- the vehicle comprises at least one exhaust to expel air from the cabin to the outside of the vehicle, wherein at least one second duct connects each of the connection elements to the at least one exhaust.
- the exhaust has to be placed on the outside of the vehicle in such a way as to ensure that air expelled from the exhaust is not drawn in to the intake.
- the at least one second duct comprises branching points linking all connection elements of the vehicle to the at least one second duct.
- the vehicle preferably comprises more than one second duct.
- the vehicle may comprise one second duct spanning along a length of the cabin on each side thereof.
- the term second duct is hence to be understood to encompass a single second duct as well as a system with several second ducts each comprising several branching points.
- each connection element comprises at least one valve which allows to selectively connect the first coupling with either of said at least one first duct or said at least one second duct, preferably in function of an air pressure applied within said first coupling.
- the first tube of the breathing mask when a breathing mask is connected with the at least one first coupling of a connection element, the first tube of the breathing mask will be connected selectively either to the at least one first duct when the person breaths and to the at least one second duct when the person exhales.
- each connection element comprises at least one second coupling for connecting a second tube of the at least one breathing mask to the connection element, said second coupling being connected with the at least one second duct.
- each connection element comprises the same number of first couplings and of second coupling.
- the first couplings and the second couplings are preferably arranged pairwise, such that for each first coupling there is a second coupling close by. This allows to connect a breathing mask having a first and a second tube to the connection element, whereby the first tube is connected to a first coupling and the second tube is connected to a second coupling.
- each seat of the vehicle comprises at least one connection element.
- the second coupling has a second shape being different from said first shape. Hence, it can be ensured that when using a breathing mask having a first and a second tube each of the tubes is connected to correct coupling.
- the at least one first duct and preferably said at least one second duct is/are arranged in or on a ceiling or wall of the cabin or below a flooring of the cabin of the vehicle.
- the at least one first duct and preferably said at least one second duct are preferably arranged behind a removable panel covering the ceiling or at least one wall of the cabin.
- At least a subset of the seats have a backrest which may be moved between a sitting position and a sleeping position, in which the backrest forms a substantially flat surface with a seat pan of the respective seat, wherein the cabin of the vehicle comprises for each seat of this subset of seats at least two connection elements, which are arranged at two different positions corresponding to the position of the backrest in the sitting position and in the sleeping position.
- connection elements of each seat are preferably arranged on a privacy wall at least partially encircling the seat.
- privacy walls are known in the art and are usually used to delimit seats of upper booking classes, usually first and business classes, from each other.
- the seat preferably further comprises a pre-tensioned holder for releasably connecting the first tube.
- the pre-tensioned holder exerts a force which is directed away of the backrest in the sleeping position, such that the first tube is always tensioned. This also prevents the danger of a passenger inadvertently twisting the first tube around his throat during sleep.
- said vehicle is a passenger aircraft.
- the present invention is especially advantageous to prevent the spread of an infection amongst passengers and crew members during a flight.
- the aircraft comprises an emergency oxygen supply system, which is connected to said at least one first duct.
- Emergency oxygen supplies are known in the art and provide passengers and crew members with sufficient oxygen in case of a depressurization of the cabin of the aircraft. Integration of the emergency oxygen supply system into the system of the present invention reduces the complexity, as not two parallel systems have to be installed.
- the aircraft may comprise an emergency oxygen supply system, which is separate from the protection system according to the present invention.
- the present application also relates to a combination of a vehicle according to the above and at least one breathing mask.
- the breathing mask includes a facepiece for covering the nose, mouth and chin of a person, at least one strap to hold the facepiece on the face of the person and a first tube which is connected to the facepiece at a first end and which comprises a first plug element on a second end, said first plug element having a third shape which is complementary to the first shape in order to plug said first plug element into the at least one first coupling.
- the first plug element comprises a valve, which is in the closed state when said first plug element is not connected to a first coupling. This prevents the inhalation of air possibly contaminated with an airborne pathogen by a person wearing the breathing mask when the first plug element is not connected to the system, e.g. when the person is moving around the cabin during boarding.
- the valve of the first plug element is moved between a closed position and an open position by mechanical means interacting with the at least one first coupling.
- the facepiece is preferably made of a flexible material, such as a nonwoven fabric, a flexible polymer, a textile material or a combination thereof.
- the facepiece preferably comprises sections with a deformable, non-resilient material which may be manually adapted to conform to contours of the face, e.g. to the contour of the bridge of the nose.
- Such a section may comprise a strip of a metal band, which may be integrated into the material of the facepiece.
- the facepiece may preferably be pre-formed to match the contours of a face, e.g. by injection moulding a polymeric material with an appropriate mould.
- the at least one strap is made of an elastic material.
- Use of an elastic material ensures that the breathing mask may be securely hold on heads with different diameters. Further, by using an elastic material, the facepiece is tightly drawn onto the face of a person wearing the breathing mask.
- the at least one strap and/or the facepiece preferably comprises means to adapt the length of the at least one strap. This allows to adapt the at least one strap to the size of the head of the person wearing the breathing mask.
- the breathing mask comprises more than one strap.
- the breathing mask may comprise two straps, which are arranged to be put on a head at two different heights.
- the at least one strap is connected to the facepiece on two lateral sides thereof, i.e. the at least one strap forms a sling.
- each strap may be connected to the facepiece on opposing lateral sides thereof.
- the two straps may be interlaced at the backside of the head. This allows for an easy adaptation of the straps to the size of the head of a person wearing the breathing mask.
- the facepiece comprises an opening, which is in fluid connection with the first tube, such that air may flow from the first tube through the facepiece.
- the first tube is preferably made of a flexible polymeric material, such as to allow a person wearing the breathing mask some degree of freedom of movement. Accordingly, the first tube preferably has a length, which is at least 50 cm. Preferably, however, the first tube has a length of at least 80 cm, more preferably of at least 1 meter.
- the diameter of the first tube is chosen such as to provide an adequate level of air to a person wearing the breathing mask, preferably at a flow rate of more than 3 liters per minute, more preferably of more than 5 liters per minute.
- the first tube has a diameter of at least 4 mm, but less than 10 mm.
- the facepiece may preferably comprise a return valve.
- said breathing mask comprises a second tube connected at a first end to the facepiece and comprising a second plug element at a second end, said second plug element having a fourth shape which is complementary to the second shape in order to plug said second plug element into the second coupling.
- the second plug element By connecting the second plug element into the at least one second coupling air exhaled from a person wearing the breathing mask may be discharged via the at least one second duct of the system.
- the second plug element comprises a valve, which is in the closed state when said second plug element is not connected to a second coupling. This prevents the inhalation of air possibly contaminated with an airborne pathogen by a person wearing the breathing mask when the second plug element is not connected to the system, e.g. when the person is moving around the cabin during boarding.
- the valve of the second plug element is moved between a closed position and an open position by mechanical means interacting with the at least one second coupling.
- the first and the second tube preferably have the same length and the same diameter.
- said first tube and said second tube are connected to each other over their entire length, e.g. by welding or gluing.
- said first tube and said second tube are unitary, i.e. formed as single element having two channels, each channel forming a tube.
- the second tube preferably has the same diameter as the first tube.
- said first connection element and said second connection element are affixed to each other. Further, preferably, said first connection element and said second connection element are integrated in a unitary connection element.
- the unitary connection element comprises the third and the fourth shape on a housing thereof.
- the facepiece of the breathing mask comprises at least one air filter element. Provision an air filter element allows the safe use of the breathing mask even in cases where the first tube and - if present - the second tube is not connected to the system. This allows the person wearing the mask to move around in the cabin, for example to visit a restroom. Further, the presence of an air filter element also provides for a safe boarding and deboarding of the vehicle.
- the facepiece of the breathing mask comprises a housing for an exchangeable air filter element. Provision of an exchangeable air filter element allows to use the breathing mask multiple times. Breathing masks with exchangeable filters are known in the art. One such mask for example is the OCOV mask developed by Michelin to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- the at least one air filter element comprises a valve and/or a removable cover element.
- a valve and/or a removable cover element the air filter element may be closed or opened depending on whether the first tube and - if present - the second tube are connected to the system.
- the facepiece comprises a connection piece for a drinking bottle.
- a passenger wearing the breathing mask may drink during the journey.
- the facepiece comprises a straw on a side facing the face of a wearer of the mask, which is in fluid connection with the connection piece. This allows the wearer of the mask to easily drink once a bottle is connected to the connection piece.
- the connection element comprises a valve, which closes the connection piece when no drinking bottle is connected.
- the present application further relates to a breathing mask for use in a combination as described above.
- the breathing mask comprises a facepiece for covering the nose, mouth and chin of a person, at least one strap to hold the facepiece on the face of the person and a first tube, which is connected to the facepiece at a first end and which comprises a first plug element on a second end, said first plug element having a third shape.
- Fig. 1 a schematic drawing of a first embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention
- Fig. 2 a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the arrangement of a seat and of two connection elements
- Fig. 3 a schematic drawing of different placements for connection elements in a vehicle according to the present invention
- Fig. 4 a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a breathing mask, which may be used in combination with a vehicle according to the present invention
- Fig. 5 a schematic drawing of a second embodiment of a breathing mask, which may be used in combination with a vehicle according to the present invention.
- Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a first embodiment of a vehicle 1 according to the present invention.
- the vehicle 1 comprises a cabin 2 with several rows of seats 4.1, 4.2, 4.3. Further, the cabin also comprises additional elements, such as windows 3.1., 3.2, 3.3.
- Each seat 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 comprises several elements. In the following, these elements are explained in relation to the second seat 4.2 shown.
- the seats 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 comprise a seat pan 5 which is affixed to a flooring F of the cabin 2. Further, a backrest 6 is connected to the seat pan 5. The backrest 6 may be pivoted relative to the seat pan 5 by a certain degree to be movable between an upright position and a reclined position.
- each seat 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 comprises one or two armrest(s) 7.
- a connection element 8 for each seat 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 is arranged on a wall W of the cabin 2.
- the connection element 8 comprises a first coupling 9 and a second coupling 10.
- the first coupling 9 and the second coupling 10 have a different shape, so that a first tube and a second tube of a breathing mask may only be plugged into the correct coupling 9, 10, respectively.
- a first duct 1 1 which is in connection with a supply of fresh air (not shown) is arranged in a ceiling C of the cabin 2.
- the first duct comprises first branching points 12 linking the first duct 12 to each of the connection elements 8.
- a second duct 13 is arranged below a flooring F of the cabin 2.
- the second duct 13 is connected to an exhaust (not shown) in order to expel air from the cabin 2 to the outside of the vehicle 1.
- the second duct 13 comprises second branching points 14 linking each connection element 8 to the second duct 13.
- the seat 4 includes a privacy wall 15 partially screening the seat 4 from the cabin 2.
- the backrest 6 is pivotable from an upright position U, where the backrest 6 is in a substantially vertical position to a sleeping position S where the backrest 6 forms a substantially flat surface with the seat pan 5.
- two connection elements 8.1, 8.2 are arranged on the privacy wall 15.
- a first connection element 8.1 is positioned to be easily reachable when the backrest 6 is in the upright position, while the second connection element 8.2 is positioned to be easily reachable when the backrest 6 is in the sleeping position S. Both connection elements are connected to the first duct 1 1 and to the second duct 13.
- Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of different placements for connection elements 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 in a vehicle according to the present invention.
- the placement of the first connection element 8.1 for the first seat 4.1 shown corresponds to the embodiment as shown in Fig. 1.
- On the second seat 4.2 two possible locations for connection elements 8.2, 8.3 are shown.
- the second connection element 8.2 is located on the armrest 7 of the second seat.
- the third connection element 8.3 is arranged at the backside of the backrest 6 of the second seat 4.2.
- the third connection element 8.3 is intended to be used by a person sitting on the third seat 8.3 behind the second seat 8.2.
- connection elements 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 within a cabin 2 of a single vehicle may be arranged at different positions in order to fit the arrangement of seats 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 within this cabin. Further, the same cabin 2 may also comprise a seat arrangement as shown in Fig. 2, especially for seats of higher booking classes.
- Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a breathing mask 20, which may be used in combination with a vehicle 1 as describe above.
- the breathing mask 20 comprises a facepiece 21, which is formed such that it may be placed over the nose, mouth and chin of a person. Further, the breathing mask 20 includes a strap 22, which is attached to the facepiece 21 at both its lateral sides.
- the strap 22 thus forms a loop with which the facepiece 21 may be affixed to the head of a person.
- the strap 22 is made of an elastic material, such that the fecepiece 22 is drawn onto the face of a person wearing the breathing mask 20.
- the breathing mask comprises a first tube 23.
- the first tube 23 is attached at a first end to the facepiece 21 via a reinforcement flange 25.
- the first tube 23 comprises a first plug element 24.
- the first plug element 24 has a third shape which is complementary to the first shape of the first coupling 9. Connecting the first plug element 24 to a first coupling 9 allows to provide a wearer of the breathing mask
- the facepiece 21 further includes a strip 28 of a plastically deformable material to help adapting the facepiece to a contour of the face of a wearer of the mask, especially of the bridge of the nose.
- the facepiece 21 additionally comprises a return valve 26, which facilitates the exhalation of air through the facepiece 21.
- FIG. 5 show a schematic drawing of a second embodiment of a breathing mask 20, which may be used in combination with a vehicle 1 as described above. Similar to the breathing mask 20 shown in Fig. 4, this embodiment of a breathing mask 20 comprises a facepiece
- the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 comprises two straps 22.1, 22.2, which allow a tight and secure affixing of the breathing mask 20 on the face of a person wearing the breathing mask 20.
- this embodiment of the breathing mask 20 comprises the first tube 23 as well as a second tube 29.
- the second tube 29 runs parallel to the first tube 23 and is affixed thereto over its entire length.
- the second tube 29 comprises a second plug element 30 having a second shape being complementary to the shape of the second coupling 10.
- the breathing mask 20 according to this embodiment comprises an air filter element 33, which is removably arranged within a housing.
- the breathing mask includes a removable cover element 32, which may be removably connected to the housing 31
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- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
Abstract
The present application relates to a vehicle (1) with a system for protecting passengers and crew members of the vehicle from airborne pathogens, the vehicle comprising a multitude of seats (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) for passengers. The seats are arranged in rows within a cabin (2) of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes at least one supply of fresh air. The system comprises at least one connection element (8) for each seat or for each row of seats, said at least one connection element including at least one first coupling (9) having a first shape for connecting a first tube of at least one breathing mask to said connection element, wherein at least one first duct (11) connects the at least one supply of fresh air to each of the connection elements. The present application further relates to a combination of such a vehicle with a breathing mask as well as a breathing mask, which may be combined with such a vehicle.
Description
Vehicle with a system for protecting passengers and crew members from airborne pathogens
Technical Field
The invention relates to a vehicle featuring a system for protecting passengers from airborne pathogens, a combination of such a vehicle with a breathing mask being connectable with the system as well as suitable breathing mask.
Background Art
Passengers on board of a vehicle are at risk of being infected with an airborne pathogen being present in aerosols exhaled or secreted by other passengers or members of the crew of the vehicle, such as attendant, driver or the like. The risk is especially high in vehicles transporting large numbers of passengers for hours in a cabin with a confined space, like buses, trains, ferries or aircraft. In such situations, a single passenger or crew member infected with a disease spread by an airborne pathogen may infect a large number of passengers or crew members during a journey in said vehicle. Especially when faced with an epidemic or pandemic of an airborne pathogen suitable protection of passengers as well of crew members is crucial for the safe operation of the vehicle. Further, an operator of a vehicle comprising such a protection system would have an economical advantage in such a situation compared to competitors operating vehicles without a protection system. The protection system may also be an advantage during flu season, as it would offer passengers the possibility to protect themselves if wanted. Further, vulnerable passengers, like passengers suffering from immunodeficiency could protect themselves during journeys with such vehicles.
Summary of the invention
It is the object of the invention to create a passenger vehicle offering the possibility to passengers to protect themselves from being infected with airborne pathogens during a journey. The solution of the invention is specified by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, a vehicle has a system for protecting passengers and crew members of the vehicle from airborne pathogens. The vehicle comprises a multitude of seats for passengers, the seats being arranged in rows within a cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes at least one supply of fresh air as well as at least one connection element for each seat or for each row of seats, said at least one connection element including at least one first coupling having a first shape for connecting a first tube of at least one breathing mask to said connection element, said at least one first duct connecting the at least one supply of fresh air to each of the connection elements.
When using such a vehicle, a passenger or crew member may connect a breathing mask with a connection element located near his seat or row of seats. By doing so, the passenger or crew member is able to breathe uncontaminated fresh air, thus eliminating the risk of being infected by another passenger or crew member.
The vehicle may be any vehicle intended for the transport of a multitude of passengers, especially intended for the commercial transport of passengers. Hence, the inventive vehicle may be a taxi, minibus, bus, coach, train carriage, ferry or passenger aircraft. Usually, such vehicles transport more than one passenger and also include at least one crew member, such as driver, attendant, conductor or the like.
The number of passengers may heavily vary depending on the type of vehicle. For example, a taxi may carry from one to four passengers, while a passenger aircraft may carry anywhere from a few passengers to several hundred passengers. Usually, the vehicle comprises one seat for every passenger carried. However, in certain circumstances, the vehicle may also carry standing passengers, for example in the case of a train carriage. In
each case, the vehicle preferably comprises a number of first couplings, which at least corresponds to the maximal number of passengers, which may be carried by the vehicle.
The term airborne pathogens is understood as encompassing any bacteria, spore, virus or parasitic microorganisms, which may be spread from human to human by aerosols. This includes influenza viruses, coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, human parainfluenza viruses, mycobacteria, streptococci and enterococci.
The seats of the vehicle are preferably arranged in rows within the cabin of the vehicle. The rows may comprise any suitable number of seats, especially from one to ten seats per row. The number of seats per row may vary within the vehicle. For example, depending on the booking class to which a row of seats belongs, the number of seats in a row may increase from a high booking class to a low booking class (such as first class, business class and economy class). The seats are preferably all oriented such as to face the direction of travel of the vehicle. Alternatively, however, some of the seats may be oriented otherwise, such as against the direction of travel or transversal thereto. Certain types of vehicles may have two directions of travel, such as train carriages. In this special circumstance, it may happen that all seats or a majority of seats face against the direction of travel, e.g. when the train reverses travel direction at a station. The seats may further be grouped, e.g. in compartments of four or six seats, where half of the seats of the compartment are oriented to face each other.
The cabin of the vehicle preferably comprises at least one aisle. The at least one aisle is preferably arranged along a length axis of the cabin of the vehicle, thereby splitting each row of seats into two part-rows. Alternatively, the cabin of the vehicle may also comprise more than one aisle, especially two aisles, as is known e.g. from wide-body passenger aircrafts.
The vehicle may comprise any suitable number of rows of seats, preferably from 1 row to 100 rows of seats. The cabin of the vehicle may comprise one deck with passenger seats or multiple decks with passenger seats, especially two decks, for example a double-decker bus or a large passenger aircraft such as an Airbus A380 or Boeing 747 model.
The at least one supply of fresh air preferably is an intake for air surrounding the vehicle. Alternatively, the at least one supply of fresh air may be a treatment station for recycling air drawn from within the cabin of the vehicle, said treatment station comprising filters and the like to clean the air from pathogens and other contaminants, such as dust or odor.
Preferably, the at least one supply of fresh air comprises means to pretreat the air before it is supplied to the at least one first duct. Said means may comprise units to cool or heat the air, or compressors to pressurize the air. In the case that the inventive vehicle is a passenger aircraft, the supply of fresh air preferably is bleed air drawn from the engines of the aircraft, as is known in the art.
The at least one supply of fresh air may comprise means to enrich the fresh air with oxygen. For example, the supply of fresh air may be connected to an oxygen tank of the vehicle, preferably by means of a regulation valve allowing to regulate the amount of oxygen supplied to the at least one supply of fresh air.
Preferably, the vehicle comprises more than one supply of fresh air for redundancy. In this case, each of the fresh air supplies should be able to provide enough fresh air for the maximal number of passengers the vehicle may carry. If more than one fresh air supplies is present, the fresh air supplies may be of the same or of a different type. For example, in the case that the vehicle comprises to supplies for fresh air, one supply may be an intake for air from outside of the vehicle while the second supply may be a treatment station for recycling air from the cabin.
Each connection element may comprise one or more first couplings. For example, if only one connection element is present for every row of seats, the connection element comprises at least one coupling for each seat of the row. Preferably, however, the vehicle comprises at least one connection element with at least one first coupling for every seat in the cabin of the vehicle.
The couplings preferably comprise means to form a releasable connection with a first tube of a breathing mask, thereby bringing this first tube in fluid connection with the at least one first duct in order to supply fresh air to said breathing mask.
The connection elements may be arranged on a side or partition wall of the cabin. Preferably, however, the connection elements are arranged on the seats. For example, each seat may comprise a connection element for a person occupying this seat, e.g. located in an armrest of the seat. Preferably, however, each seat comprises a connection element on the backside of backrest providing a coupling for a person sitting in a seat a row further back, i.e. similar to the arrangement of inflight entertainment systems known in the art.
Preferably, each first coupling comprises at least one valve which closes off the coupling when no first tube of a breathing mask is connected to it.
Preferably, the at least one first duct comprises branching points linking all connection elements of the vehicle to the at least one first duct. Further, the vehicle preferably comprises more than one first duct. For example, the vehicle may comprise one first duct spanning along a length of the cabin on each side thereof. The term first duct is hence to be understood to encompass a single duct as well as a system with several ducts each comprising several branching points.
Each passenger and/or crew member may connect a first tube of a breathing mask to a first coupling of a connection element such as to be able to breathe fresh air uncontaminated by any pathogens stemming from another passenger or crew member.
Preferably, the vehicle comprises at least one exhaust to expel air from the cabin to the outside of the vehicle, wherein at least one second duct connects each of the connection elements to the at least one exhaust.
In this way, air exhaled by the passengers into the breathing mask may be expelled to the outside of the vehicle. Of course, in the case that the at least one supply of fresh air is an intake, the exhaust has to be placed on the outside of the vehicle in such a way as to ensure that air expelled from the exhaust is not drawn in to the intake.
Preferably, the at least one second duct comprises branching points linking all connection elements of the vehicle to the at least one second duct. Further, the vehicle preferably comprises more than one second duct. For example, the vehicle may comprise one second
duct spanning along a length of the cabin on each side thereof. The term second duct is hence to be understood to encompass a single second duct as well as a system with several second ducts each comprising several branching points.
Preferably, each connection element comprises at least one valve which allows to selectively connect the first coupling with either of said at least one first duct or said at least one second duct, preferably in function of an air pressure applied within said first coupling.
Hence, when a breathing mask is connected with the at least one first coupling of a connection element, the first tube of the breathing mask will be connected selectively either to the at least one first duct when the person breaths and to the at least one second duct when the person exhales.
In an alternatively preferred embodiment, each connection element comprises at least one second coupling for connecting a second tube of the at least one breathing mask to the connection element, said second coupling being connected with the at least one second duct.
Preferably, each connection element comprises the same number of first couplings and of second coupling. The first couplings and the second couplings are preferably arranged pairwise, such that for each first coupling there is a second coupling close by. This allows to connect a breathing mask having a first and a second tube to the connection element, whereby the first tube is connected to a first coupling and the second tube is connected to a second coupling.
Preferably, each seat of the vehicle comprises at least one connection element.
Preferably, the second coupling has a second shape being different from said first shape. Hence, it can be ensured that when using a breathing mask having a first and a second tube each of the tubes is connected to correct coupling.
Preferably, the at least one first duct and preferably said at least one second duct is/are arranged in or on a ceiling or wall of the cabin or below a flooring of the cabin of the
vehicle. For ease of access, the at least one first duct and preferably said at least one second duct are preferably arranged behind a removable panel covering the ceiling or at least one wall of the cabin.
Preferably, at least a subset of the seats have a backrest which may be moved between a sitting position and a sleeping position, in which the backrest forms a substantially flat surface with a seat pan of the respective seat, wherein the cabin of the vehicle comprises for each seat of this subset of seats at least two connection elements, which are arranged at two different positions corresponding to the position of the backrest in the sitting position and in the sleeping position.
This allows to keep the length of the first tube and preferably of the second tube of a breathing mask as short as possible, which reduces the risk of a passenger or crew member to get entangled with the first tube and the second tube, when present.
In this case, the connection elements of each seat are preferably arranged on a privacy wall at least partially encircling the seat. Such privacy walls are known in the art and are usually used to delimit seats of upper booking classes, usually first and business classes, from each other.
In order to avoid a disturbance of a passenger by the first tube of a breathing mask connected to the first coupling, the seat preferably further comprises a pre-tensioned holder for releasably connecting the first tube. The pre-tensioned holder exerts a force which is directed away of the backrest in the sleeping position, such that the first tube is always tensioned. This also prevents the danger of a passenger inadvertently twisting the first tube around his throat during sleep.
Preferably, said vehicle is a passenger aircraft. As space in aircraft is sparse and passengers often sit close together for hours, the present invention is especially advantageous to prevent the spread of an infection amongst passengers and crew members during a flight.
Preferably, the aircraft comprises an emergency oxygen supply system, which is connected to said at least one first duct. Emergency oxygen supplies are known in the art
and provide passengers and crew members with sufficient oxygen in case of a depressurization of the cabin of the aircraft. Integration of the emergency oxygen supply system into the system of the present invention reduces the complexity, as not two parallel systems have to be installed.
However, alternatively, the aircraft may comprise an emergency oxygen supply system, which is separate from the protection system according to the present invention.
The present application also relates to a combination of a vehicle according to the above and at least one breathing mask. The breathing mask includes a facepiece for covering the nose, mouth and chin of a person, at least one strap to hold the facepiece on the face of the person and a first tube which is connected to the facepiece at a first end and which comprises a first plug element on a second end, said first plug element having a third shape which is complementary to the first shape in order to plug said first plug element into the at least one first coupling.
By connecting the first plug element into the at least one first coupling a person wearing the breathing mask may be supplied with fresh air. Preferably, the first plug element comprises a valve, which is in the closed state when said first plug element is not connected to a first coupling. This prevents the inhalation of air possibly contaminated with an airborne pathogen by a person wearing the breathing mask when the first plug element is not connected to the system, e.g. when the person is moving around the cabin during boarding. Preferably, the valve of the first plug element is moved between a closed position and an open position by mechanical means interacting with the at least one first coupling.
The facepiece is preferably made of a flexible material, such as a nonwoven fabric, a flexible polymer, a textile material or a combination thereof. The facepiece preferably comprises sections with a deformable, non-resilient material which may be manually adapted to conform to contours of the face, e.g. to the contour of the bridge of the nose. Such a section may comprise a strip of a metal band, which may be integrated into the material of the facepiece. Further, the facepiece may preferably be pre-formed to match
the contours of a face, e.g. by injection moulding a polymeric material with an appropriate mould.
Preferably, the at least one strap is made of an elastic material. Use of an elastic material ensures that the breathing mask may be securely hold on heads with different diameters. Further, by using an elastic material, the facepiece is tightly drawn onto the face of a person wearing the breathing mask.
The at least one strap and/or the facepiece preferably comprises means to adapt the length of the at least one strap. This allows to adapt the at least one strap to the size of the head of the person wearing the breathing mask.
Preferably, the breathing mask comprises more than one strap. For example, the breathing mask may comprise two straps, which are arranged to be put on a head at two different heights.
Preferably, the at least one strap is connected to the facepiece on two lateral sides thereof, i.e. the at least one strap forms a sling. Alternatively, when two straps are present, each strap may be connected to the facepiece on opposing lateral sides thereof. Flence, when putting the breathing mask on, the two straps may be interlaced at the backside of the head. This allows for an easy adaptation of the straps to the size of the head of a person wearing the breathing mask.
The facepiece comprises an opening, which is in fluid connection with the first tube, such that air may flow from the first tube through the facepiece. The first tube is preferably made of a flexible polymeric material, such as to allow a person wearing the breathing mask some degree of freedom of movement. Accordingly, the first tube preferably has a length, which is at least 50 cm. Preferably, however, the first tube has a length of at least 80 cm, more preferably of at least 1 meter.
The diameter of the first tube is chosen such as to provide an adequate level of air to a person wearing the breathing mask, preferably at a flow rate of more than 3 liters per minute, more preferably of more than 5 liters per minute. Preferably, the first tube has a diameter of at least 4 mm, but less than 10 mm.
To facilitate the exhalation of air, the facepiece may preferably comprise a return valve.
Preferably, said breathing mask comprises a second tube connected at a first end to the facepiece and comprising a second plug element at a second end, said second plug element having a fourth shape which is complementary to the second shape in order to plug said second plug element into the second coupling.
By connecting the second plug element into the at least one second coupling air exhaled from a person wearing the breathing mask may be discharged via the at least one second duct of the system. Preferably, the second plug element comprises a valve, which is in the closed state when said second plug element is not connected to a second coupling. This prevents the inhalation of air possibly contaminated with an airborne pathogen by a person wearing the breathing mask when the second plug element is not connected to the system, e.g. when the person is moving around the cabin during boarding. Preferably, the valve of the second plug element is moved between a closed position and an open position by mechanical means interacting with the at least one second coupling.
The first and the second tube preferably have the same length and the same diameter. Preferably, said first tube and said second tube are connected to each other over their entire length, e.g. by welding or gluing. Alternatively, said first tube and said second tube are unitary, i.e. formed as single element having two channels, each channel forming a tube. The second tube preferably has the same diameter as the first tube.
Preferably, said first connection element and said second connection element are affixed to each other. Further, preferably, said first connection element and said second connection element are integrated in a unitary connection element. In order to prevent a wrong connection, the unitary connection element comprises the third and the fourth shape on a housing thereof.
Preferably, the facepiece of the breathing mask comprises at least one air filter element. Provision an air filter element allows the safe use of the breathing mask even in cases where the first tube and - if present - the second tube is not connected to the system. This allows the person wearing the mask to move around in the cabin, for example to visit
a restroom. Further, the presence of an air filter element also provides for a safe boarding and deboarding of the vehicle.
Preferably, the facepiece of the breathing mask comprises a housing for an exchangeable air filter element. Provision of an exchangeable air filter element allows to use the breathing mask multiple times. Breathing masks with exchangeable filters are known in the art. One such mask for example is the OCOV mask developed by Michelin to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Preferably the at least one air filter element comprises a valve and/or a removable cover element. By providing a valve and/or a removable cover element the air filter element may be closed or opened depending on whether the first tube and - if present - the second tube are connected to the system.
Preferably, the facepiece comprises a connection piece for a drinking bottle. Hence, a passenger wearing the breathing mask may drink during the journey. Preferably, the facepiece comprises a straw on a side facing the face of a wearer of the mask, which is in fluid connection with the connection piece. This allows the wearer of the mask to easily drink once a bottle is connected to the connection piece. Preferably, the connection element comprises a valve, which closes the connection piece when no drinking bottle is connected.
The present application further relates to a breathing mask for use in a combination as described above. The breathing mask comprises a facepiece for covering the nose, mouth and chin of a person, at least one strap to hold the facepiece on the face of the person and a first tube, which is connected to the facepiece at a first end and which comprises a first plug element on a second end, said first plug element having a third shape.
Other advantageous embodiments and combinations of features come out from the detailed description below and the entirety of the claims.
Brief description of the drawings
The drawings used to explain the embodiments show:
Fig. 1 a schematic drawing of a first embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the arrangement of a seat and of two connection elements; Fig. 3 a schematic drawing of different placements for connection elements in a vehicle according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a breathing mask, which may be used in combination with a vehicle according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 a schematic drawing of a second embodiment of a breathing mask, which may be used in combination with a vehicle according to the present invention.
In the figures, the same components are given the same reference symbols.
Preferred embodiments
Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a first embodiment of a vehicle 1 according to the present invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a cabin 2 with several rows of seats 4.1, 4.2, 4.3. Further, the cabin also comprises additional elements, such as windows 3.1., 3.2, 3.3. Each seat 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 comprises several elements. In the following, these elements are explained in relation to the second seat 4.2 shown. The seats 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 comprise a seat pan 5 which is affixed to a flooring F of the cabin 2. Further, a backrest 6 is connected to the seat pan 5. The backrest 6 may be pivoted relative to the seat pan 5 by a certain degree to be movable between an upright position and a reclined position. Further, each seat 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 comprises one or two armrest(s) 7. In the embodiment shown, a connection element 8 for each seat 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 is arranged on a wall W of the cabin 2. The connection element 8 comprises a first coupling 9 and a second coupling 10. The first coupling 9 and the second coupling 10 have a different shape, so that a first tube and a second tube of a breathing mask may only be plugged into the correct coupling 9, 10, respectively. A first duct 1 1 which is in connection with a supply of fresh air (not shown) is
arranged in a ceiling C of the cabin 2. The first duct comprises first branching points 12 linking the first duct 12 to each of the connection elements 8. A second duct 13 is arranged below a flooring F of the cabin 2. The second duct 13 is connected to an exhaust (not shown) in order to expel air from the cabin 2 to the outside of the vehicle 1. The second duct 13 comprises second branching points 14 linking each connection element 8 to the second duct 13.
Shows a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the arrangement of a seat 4 and of two connection elements 8.1, 8.2. In this embodiment, the seat 4 includes a privacy wall 15 partially screening the seat 4 from the cabin 2. The backrest 6 is pivotable from an upright position U, where the backrest 6 is in a substantially vertical position to a sleeping position S where the backrest 6 forms a substantially flat surface with the seat pan 5. In order to be able to use breathing masks with a relatively short first tube two connection elements 8.1, 8.2 are arranged on the privacy wall 15. A first connection element 8.1 is positioned to be easily reachable when the backrest 6 is in the upright position, while the second connection element 8.2 is positioned to be easily reachable when the backrest 6 is in the sleeping position S. Both connection elements are connected to the first duct 1 1 and to the second duct 13.
Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of different placements for connection elements 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 in a vehicle according to the present invention. The placement of the first connection element 8.1 for the first seat 4.1 shown corresponds to the embodiment as shown in Fig. 1. On the second seat 4.2 two possible locations for connection elements 8.2, 8.3 are shown. The second connection element 8.2 is located on the armrest 7 of the second seat. The third connection element 8.3 is arranged at the backside of the backrest 6 of the second seat 4.2. The third connection element 8.3 is intended to be used by a person sitting on the third seat 8.3 behind the second seat 8.2. As a person having skill in the art will appreciate, connection elements 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 within a cabin 2 of a single vehicle may be arranged at different positions in order to fit the arrangement of seats 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 within this cabin. Further, the same cabin 2 may also comprise a seat arrangement as shown in Fig. 2, especially for seats of higher booking classes.
Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a breathing mask 20, which may be used in combination with a vehicle 1 as describe above. The breathing mask 20 comprises a facepiece 21, which is formed such that it may be placed over the nose, mouth and chin of a person. Further, the breathing mask 20 includes a strap 22, which is attached to the facepiece 21 at both its lateral sides. The strap 22 thus forms a loop with which the facepiece 21 may be affixed to the head of a person. The strap 22 is made of an elastic material, such that the fecepiece 22 is drawn onto the face of a person wearing the breathing mask 20. The breathing mask comprises a first tube 23. The first tube 23 is attached at a first end to the facepiece 21 via a reinforcement flange 25. At a second end, the first tube 23 comprises a first plug element 24. The first plug element 24 has a third shape which is complementary to the first shape of the first coupling 9. Connecting the first plug element 24 to a first coupling 9 allows to provide a wearer of the breathing mask
20 with fresh air. The facepiece 21 further includes a strip 28 of a plastically deformable material to help adapting the facepiece to a contour of the face of a wearer of the mask, especially of the bridge of the nose. The facepiece 21 additionally comprises a return valve 26, which facilitates the exhalation of air through the facepiece 21.
Fig. 5 show a schematic drawing of a second embodiment of a breathing mask 20, which may be used in combination with a vehicle 1 as described above. Similar to the breathing mask 20 shown in Fig. 4, this embodiment of a breathing mask 20 comprises a facepiece
21 including a strip of plastically deformable material. In difference to the breathing mask 20 according to Fig. 4, the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 comprises two straps 22.1, 22.2, which allow a tight and secure affixing of the breathing mask 20 on the face of a person wearing the breathing mask 20. Further, this embodiment of the breathing mask 20 comprises the first tube 23 as well as a second tube 29. The second tube 29 runs parallel to the first tube 23 and is affixed thereto over its entire length. At the second end, the second tube 29 comprises a second plug element 30 having a second shape being complementary to the shape of the second coupling 10. Further, instead of a return valve 26 the breathing mask 20 according to this embodiment comprises an air filter element 33, which is removably arranged within a housing. As the air filter element 33 is removable, a used air filter element 33 may be exchanged with a new air filter element 33, which allows to re-use the breathing mask 20 according to this embodiment multiple
times. When the first plug element 24 and the second plug element 30 are plugged in, the air filter element 33 is no longer needed. Hence, the breathing mask includes a removable cover element 32, which may be removably connected to the housing 31
Claims
1. Vehicle with a system for protecting passengers and crew members of the vehicle from airborne pathogens, the vehicle comprising a multitude of seats for passengers, the seats being arranged in rows within a cabin of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes at least one supply of fresh air, characterized in that the system comprises at least one connection element for each seat or for each row of seats, said at least one connection element including at least one first coupling having a first shape for connecting a first tube of at least one breathing mask to said connection element, wherein at least one first duct connects the at least one supply of fresh air to each of the connection elements.
2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle comprises at least one exhaust to expel air from the cabin to the outside of the vehicle, wherein at least one second duct connects each of the connection elements to the at least one exhaust.
3. Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that each connection element comprises at least one valve which allows to selectively connect the first coupling with either of said at least one first duct or said at least one second duct, preferably in function of an air pressure applied within said first coupling.
4. Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that each connection element comprises at least one second coupling for connecting a second tube of the at least one breathing mask to the connection element, said second coupling being connected with the at least one second duct.
5. Vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each seat of the vehicle comprises at least one connection element.
6. Vehicle according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second coupling has a second shape being different from said first shape.
7. Vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one first duct and preferably said at least one second duct is arranged in or on a ceiling or wall of the cabin of the vehicle or below a floor of said cabin.
8. Vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a subset of the seats have a backrest which may be moved between a sitting position and a sleeping position, in which the backrest forms a substantially flat surface with a seat pan of the respective seat, wherein the cabin of the vehicle comprises for each seat of this subset of seats at least two connection elements, which are arranged at two different positions corresponding to the position of the backrest in the sitting position and in the sleeping position.
9. Vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said vehicle is a passenger aircraft.
10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the aircraft comprises an emergency oxygen supply system which is connected to said at least one first duct.
1 1. Combination of a vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 10 and at least one breathing mask, said breathing mask including a facepiece for covering the nose, mouth and chin of a person, at least one strap to hold the facepiece on the face of the person and a first tube which is connected to the facepiece at a first end and which comprises a first plug element on a second end, said first plug element having a third shape which is complementary to the first shape in order to plug said first plug element into the at least one first coupling.
12. Combination according to claim 1 1, characterized in that said breathing mask comprises a second tube connected at a first end to the facepiece and comprising a second plug element at a second end, said second plug element having a fourth shape which is complementary to the second shape in order to plug said second plug element into the second coupling.
13. Combination according to any of claims 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the facepiece of the breathing mask comprises at least one air filter element.
14. Combination according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one air filter element comprises a valve and/or a removable cover element.
15. Combination according to any of claims 1 1 to 14, characterized in that the facepiece comprises a connection piece for a drinking bottle.
16. Breathing mask for use in a combination according to any of claims 1 1 to 14, comprising a facepiece for covering the nose, mouth and chin of a person, at least one strap to hold the facepiece on the face of the person and a first tube which is connected to the facepiece at a first end and which comprises a first plug element on a second end, said first plug element having a third shape.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP21723963.1A EP4149633A1 (en) | 2020-05-13 | 2021-05-04 | Vehicle with a system for protecting passengers and crew members from airborne pathogens |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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CH5802020 | 2020-05-13 | ||
CH00580/20 | 2020-05-13 |
Publications (1)
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WO2021228629A1 true WO2021228629A1 (en) | 2021-11-18 |
Family
ID=75850191
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/EP2021/061749 WO2021228629A1 (en) | 2020-05-13 | 2021-05-04 | Vehicle with a system for protecting passengers and crew members from airborne pathogens |
Country Status (2)
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EP (1) | EP4149633A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021228629A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB897531A (en) * | 1958-11-06 | 1962-05-30 | Kidde Walter Co Ltd | Improvements in or relating to breathing masks |
US4905684A (en) * | 1985-06-04 | 1990-03-06 | Geor-Gina Fume Protection Devices Inc. | Fume protection device |
US5567230A (en) * | 1995-04-05 | 1996-10-22 | Sinclair; Hugh J. | Air filter for use with aircraft ventilation systems |
US20120103327A1 (en) * | 2010-10-27 | 2012-05-03 | Drager Safety Ag & Co. Kgaa | Gas mask with a drinking device |
US20200376305A1 (en) * | 2020-06-10 | 2020-12-03 | Noah Lang | Personal protective equipment system for safe air, train or bus travel protecting against infectious agents including novel coronavirus - covid-19 |
-
2021
- 2021-05-04 WO PCT/EP2021/061749 patent/WO2021228629A1/en unknown
- 2021-05-04 EP EP21723963.1A patent/EP4149633A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB897531A (en) * | 1958-11-06 | 1962-05-30 | Kidde Walter Co Ltd | Improvements in or relating to breathing masks |
US4905684A (en) * | 1985-06-04 | 1990-03-06 | Geor-Gina Fume Protection Devices Inc. | Fume protection device |
US5567230A (en) * | 1995-04-05 | 1996-10-22 | Sinclair; Hugh J. | Air filter for use with aircraft ventilation systems |
US20120103327A1 (en) * | 2010-10-27 | 2012-05-03 | Drager Safety Ag & Co. Kgaa | Gas mask with a drinking device |
US20200376305A1 (en) * | 2020-06-10 | 2020-12-03 | Noah Lang | Personal protective equipment system for safe air, train or bus travel protecting against infectious agents including novel coronavirus - covid-19 |
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EP4149633A1 (en) | 2023-03-22 |
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