WO2022049610A1

WO2022049610A1 - Personal protection device against the spread of infectious diseases

Info

Publication number: WO2022049610A1
Application number: PCT/IT2021/050273
Authority: WO
Inventors: Domenicantonio GRIECO
Original assignee: Grieco Domenicantonio
Priority date: 2020-09-03
Filing date: 2021-09-03
Publication date: 2022-03-10
Also published as: IT202000020908A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an at least portable device with at least one motor for forced air intake powered mainly, but not exclusively, by at least a battery. The present invention has the purpose of sucking mainly, but not exclusively, the air exhaled by each human being or by an animal that is in adulthood, to allow disinfection by killing, inactivating or removing/diluting microorganisms such as at least, bacteria and viruses. The same invention allows every adult human being or animal, to inhale mainly, but not exclusively, in a forced manner, disinfected air by killing, inactivating or removing/diluting microorganisms such as at least bacteria and viruses. The aim is to control the risk of infection for people at least or the risk of contamination of objects or environments. The ultimate goal of this invention is to reduce and finally to eliminate social distancing in the event of epidemics, pandemics, and each form of spread of contagious disease. To reduce the risk of the spread of infectious diseases by air, at the state of the art the only individual protective devices to protect the airways of each individual are masks that completely cover the respiratory tract and are distinguished, depending on whether or not they depend from the ambient atmosphere, in: - isolating respirators; - filter respirators; - air barrier respirators with filters. These devices aim to reduce as much as possible the spread of droplets that are expelled during the exhalation phase of each individual. They can have different shapes and sizes and are produced with different materials. Their main limitation is that to be effective they must completely cover the airways.

Description

PERSONAL PROTECTION DEVICE AGAINST THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wearable electromechanical device that has the purpose of protecting every individual, human or animal, from infectious diseases transmitted by air. The device filters and disinfects the air, transporting it near the mouth and nose that inhale it. In the subsequent exhalation phase, the air expelled by the individual is taken up by the device, filtered, and disinfected before being definitively returned to the environment. This process produced by the device also creates an air barrier in front of the respiratory tract, which effectively isolates them from the surrounding environment, preventing infected air from other sources from contaminating them and allowing the mouth and nose to discharge the others at the same time, their primary functions (drinking, eating, talking, smelling, etc.) because they are not materially covered by other devices such as masks.

STATE OF THE ART

To reduce the risk of the spread of infectious diseases by air, at the state of the art the only individual protective devices to protect the airways of each individual are masks that completely cover the respiratory tract and are distinguished, depending on whether or not they depend from the ambient atmosphere, in:

- isolating respirators: they work independently of the ambient atmosphere and protect against both oxygen deficiency and high concentrations of contaminants. Breathing air is taken from cylinders or external sources such as compressed air networks, compressors, or an unpolluted ambient source;

- filter respirators: masks necessary to protect yourself from dust. The air is filtered and conveyed through an electric fan inside the hooded mask (not watertight) worn by the operator. This system is ineffective when the electric fan is off;

- air barrier respirators with filter: they are, finally, respiratory protection devices that allow washing of the upper airways through a visor, anchored to the upper part of the head, which covers the whole face, and a flow of laminar air which is made to flow on the side;

- face protection devices: these are devices that cover only the nose and mouth, such as disposable masks; These devices aim to reduce the spread of infections as much as possible by also blocking the transmission of droplets that are expelled during the exhalation phase of each individual. They can have different shapes and sizes and they can be produced with different materials. Their main limitation is that to be effective they must completely cover the airways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a prevailing but not exclusive purpose of the present invention to protect each individual, human or animal, from infectious diseases transmitted by air, by creating an air barrier in front of the oral cavities and respiratory tract;

Another object of the present invention is to take air from the external environment, disinfect it, purify it and transport it near the respiratory tract to be inhaled by the individual who uses it;

It is also an object of the present invention to take the air exhaled by the individual who uses it to disinfect and purify it before being definitively expelled into the environment;

Another object of the present invention is to keep the oral cavities and respiratory tracts uncovered and allow the individual to use them to perform natural functions, such as drinking, eating, speaking, smelling, etc., without the need to cover them materially to protect themselves from airborne infectious diseases, such as using other personal protective equipment such as face masks;

Last but not least, the object of the present invention is to transfer air treated by the invention itself in front of the respiratory tract of the individual using it, to combat allergies or respiratory intolerances of any kind;

These and other purposes are achieved by an individual protection device against the spread of infectious diseases found which comprises a fairly light and transportable machine body (1). At least two ducts (4) and (18) are connected to the machine body (1) on which in turn at least two outlets (3) and (19) are respectively located. The outlets (3) and (19) and the ducts (4) and (18) are fixed to at least one fixing system (2).

With particular reference to Figure 1, through a preferred but not exclusive form illustrated by way of nonlimiting example, the described invention is represented as a whole, with various shapes and small dimensions. The invention comprises a machine body (1), inside which a variously shaped and small-sized box-like body (11) is located, comprising at least one small electric motor (11A) powered mainly, but not exclusively, by battery. In said box-shaped body (11) there is placed at least one switch (11D) with repeated pulses, operated manually by the user of the invention, necessary to start at least the electric motor (11A). The same electric motor (11A) can also be controlled via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, paired with at least one device. The box-like body (11) further comprises a battery pack (11C), both of the rechargeable and of the replaceable type, which is mainly but not exclusively, removable and replaceable. Said battery pack produces the electromotive force necessary to drive at least the electric motor (11A). At least one control board (11B) is attached to the box-like body (11), also preferably, but not exclusively, enclosed in the box-like body (11). The control board (11B) provides at least the circuit complex and its components suitable for controlling the electric motor (11A) and all the command and operational control functions of the entire device found. The control board (11B) also manages the control of the functionality of the present invention through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections combined with at least one device. Finally, on the said box-like body (11) there is at least one USB connection (HE) for recharging the battery pack, if of the rechargeable type, and physically connected to the circuit assembly (11B). The box-like body (11) also comprises at least one fan (11F) keyed mainly, but not exclusively, on a shaft rotated by the motor (11A). The fan (11F), set in rotation, causes depression and sucks air through the nozzle (3) and the duct (4) and transfers it to the container (7), located inside the machine body (1). The enclosure (7) and the fan (11F) are connected using the duct (10). Air is drawn directly from the breath of the individual using the entire device. In the container (7) there is inserted at least one filter (8) soaked in a reagent based mainly, but not exclusively, of colloidal silver which disinfects, by killing, inactivating, or removing/diluting the microorganisms such as at least, bacteria and viruses present in the air inside the container itself (7). The disinfection process is further strengthened, but not exclusively, by at least one system of ultraviolet UVc rays (9) always present in the container (7), which further disinfect the air present in the container itself (7). After being disinfected, the air sucked in by the fan (11F) is expelled into the external environment through the duct (12).

The box-like body (11) also comprises at least another fan (11G) keyed mainly, but not exclusively, on a shaft rotated by the motor (11A). The fan (11G), set in rotation, determines pressure and pushes air taken directly from the external environment through the duct (13) towards the container (15), also located inside the machine body (1) and to which the fan (11G) is connected through the duct (14). The air present in the container (15) is disinfected by killing, inactivating, or removing / diluting microorganisms such as at least bacteria and viruses using at least one filter (16) soaked in a reagent based mainly, but not exclusively, on colloidal silver. Here too the disinfection process is further strengthened, but not exclusively, by at least one system of ultraviolet UVc rays (17) always present in the container (15), which further disinfect the air present in the container itself (15). After having been disinfected by passing through the container (15), the air is transferred under pressure through the duct (18) and the nozzle (19) near the respiratory tract of the individual wearing the present invention, to be inspired by the same, individual.

The device found through the operation described above, in addition to disinfecting the air exhaled and inspired by the individual who uses it, creates a pressure difference in front of the oral cavities and respiratory tract through the air sucked in depression by the nozzle (3) and the air expelled under pressure from the nozzle (19) placed one in front of the other mainly, but not exclusively, on the two sides of the face of the person using the invention. This forced pressure difference creates an air barrier in front of the oral cavities and respiratory tract of the individual, which uses only air treated by the device found to breathe. All this, from experiments carried out, prevents at least the droplets (droplets) exhaled by the user of the invention from being released into the environment and possibly contaminated outdoor air from being treated before being breathed by the individual using the present invention.

Other important details useful for the present description and better set out in the respective claims are the following:

A) At least one non-return valve (5), which in the process of inhaling the air that comes out forcibly from the nozzle (19) intervenes simultaneously and blocks any return of air previously exhaled by the subject.

B) At least four shut-off valves (6) to allow mainly, but not exclusively, the isolation of the containers (7) and (15) and to allow at least their removal and at least their sanitization or at least their disposal, without there may be a risk of spillage of contaminated material.

Claims

1. Individual protection device against the spread of infectious diseases as shown in figure 1 , described through a preferred, not exclusive, form illustrated by way of non-limiting indication, characterized by the fact that it comprises:

One camera body (1);

At least one mainly, but not exclusively, suction nozzle (3);

At least one mainly, but not exclusively, suction duct (4);

At least one non-return valve (5);

At least four shut-off valves (6);

At least one conduit d mainly, but not exclusively, pressure (18);

At least one mainly, but not exclusively, suction nozzle (19);

At least one fixing system (2).

2. The Personal Protective Equipment Against the Spread of Infectious Diseases as in Figure 1 , described in a preferred but not exclusive form illustrated for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, is quite light, small in size, and mainly, but not exclusively, transportable.

3. Personal protective device against the spread of infectious diseases according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one mouth (3) made of at least plastic material and at least anatomically shaped to be positioned mainly, but not exclusively, near the mouth of at least one adult, human or animal subject. The nozzle (3) conveys into the machine body (1), through at least the duct (4) to which it is at least connected, mainly, but not exclusively, the air and the droplets that every individual, human or animal exhales, using the individual protection device against the spread of infectious diseases according to claim 1 ;

4. Personal protective device against the spread of infectious diseases according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one duct, mainly, but not exclusively, of suction (4), through which at least the components are transported into the machine body (1) droplets that each individual, human or animal, exhales. The duct (4) is variously shaped and of at least plastic material, at least flexible and mainly, but not exclusively, moldable. The duct (4) is connected mainly, but not exclusively, to the container (7) inside the machine body (1) and at least to the outlet (3), through at least hermetic tightening systems;

5. Machine body (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one box-shaped body, variously shaped and of at least plastic material, fairly light and of reduced dimensions. The machine body (1), according to claim 1 and as described in fig. 1 through a preferred but not exclusive form illustrated by way of indication and not of limitation, is mainly, but not exclusively, transportable.

5 Machine body (1) according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one container(7) variously shaped to contain inside it disinfectant products such as at least colloidal silver(8) and at least one system of ultraviolet rays UVc ( 9) to allow the disinfection, through killing, inactivation or removal/dilution of microorganisms such as at least, bacteria and viruses. The container(7) is at least of plastic material and of such dimensions that it can, in turn, be contained mainly, but not exclusively, inside the box-like body of the machine body (1); Machine body (1) according to claims 1,5 and 6, characterized in that it comprises mainly, but not exclusively, at least one suction duct (10), variously shaped and of at least plastic material, at least flexible and mainly, but not exclusively moldable. The duct (10) is connected at least to the container(7) and at least to the motor body (11) through mainly, but not exclusively, hermetic tightening systems; Machine body (1) according to claims 1,5,6 and 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one motor body (11); Motor body (11) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one motor (I la) located mainly, but not exclusively, in a suitable compartment in the box-like body of the machine body (1) and powered mainly, but not exclusively, battery operated and mainly, but not exclusively, with the electromotive force generated by a direct current. At least one suction fan (I lf) and at least one pressing fan (11g) are keyed onto the motor shaft (I la). The fan (I lf) and the fan (11g) are variously shaped, of at least plastic material and keyed to the shaft of the motor body (I la) at least directly or at least through a transmission system; The motor body (11) according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one battery pack (11c), both of the rechargeable and the replaceable type, mainly, but not exclusively, housed in a suitable compartment in the body box of the motor body (11) and electrically connected to the motor(l la) through special electrical wiring. The motor (I la) is operated by at least one manual actuation switch (l id) with repeated pulses by at least the individual user of the invention. The switch(l ld) intercepts at least the electromotive force generated at least by the direct current of the battery pack (11c). This switch (l id) is positioned mainly, but not exclusively, on the box of the machine body (1). The battery pack (11c), according to claims 8 and 9, if of the rechargeable type, is characterized by the fact that it includes at least one USB connector (1 le), connected to it using special electrical wiring, from which it draws the energy. The USB connector (l ie) is mainly, but not exclusively, positioned on the boxed body of the camera body (1). The battery pack is mainly, but not exclusively, removable and replaceable; Motor body (11) according to claims 8, 9, and 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one control board (11b) also preferably, but not exclusively, enclosed in a box-shaped compartment variously shaped and placed in turn preferably, but not exclusively, inside the motor body (11). In the control board (11b) there is at least the circuit complex and the related components suitable to power mainly, but not exclusively, the electric motor (I la) and to manage mainly, but not exclusively, the command

6 and operational control functions through Bluetooth connections and Wi-Fi paired with at least one device. The control board (11b) is also characterized by the fact that it includes at least one display(l lh) positioned mainly, but not exclusively, on the box of the machine body (1) to check the functionality of the entire individual protection device against the spread of infectious diseases according to claim 1. Machine body (1) according to claims 1,5,6, 7, and 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one duct (12) mainly, but not exclusively, for the forced expulsion of the air coming at least from the motor body (11) employing at least the suction fan (I lf). The air expelled from the duct (12) is that coming at least from the container (7) after having been treated with disinfectant products such as at least colloidal silver (8) and at least one system of ultraviolet UVc rays (9) to allow disinfection, by killing, inactivation or removal/dilution of microorganisms such as at least, bacteria and viruses. The duct(12), variously shaped, of at least plastic material, at least flexible and mainly but not exclusively moldable, is connected at least to the motor body (11) through at least one hermetic clamping system. Machine body (1) according to claims 1,5, 6, 7, 8 and 12, characterized in that it comprises at least one duct (13) mainly, but not exclusively, for the forced suction of air coming at least from the outside. The duct (13), variously shaped, of at least plastic material, at least flexible and mainly but not exclusively moldable, is connected at least to the motor body (11) through at least one hermetic tightening system; Machine body (1) according to claim l,5,6,7,8,12e 13, characterized in that it comprises at least one duct (14) mainly, but not exclusively, of forced pressure of the air coming at least from the body motor (11) using at least the pressing fan (11g), variously shaped and of at least plastic material, at least flexible and mainly but not exclusively moldable. The duct (14) is connected at least to the container(15) and at least to the motor body (11) through mainly, but not exclusively, hermetic tightening systems; Machine body (1) according to claims 1,5,6,7,8,12,13 and 14, characterized in that it comprises at least one container (15) variously shaped to contain inside it disinfectant products such as at least colloidal silver (16) and at least one system of ultraviolet rays UVc (17) to allow the disinfection, by killing, inactivating or removing/diluting microorganisms such as at least, bacteria and viruses. The container(15) is at least of plastic material and of such dimensions that it can, in turn, be contained mainly, but not exclusively, inside the box-like body of the machine body (1); Individual protection device against the spread of infectious diseases according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one duct, mainly, but not exclusively, of pressure(18), variously shaped and of at least plastic material, at least flexible and mainly but not exclusively moldable. The duct (18) e is connected at least to the nozzle (19) and mainly, but not exclusively, to the container (15), inside the machine body (1), through at least some hermetic tightening systems;

7 Individual protection device against the spread of infectious diseases according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one mouth (19) made of at least plastic material and at least anatomically shaped to be positioned mainly, but not exclusively, in the near the mouth of at least an adult, human or animal subject. The nozzle (19) mainly, but not exclusively, expels the disinfected air coming at least from the container (15) located mainly, but not exclusively, inside the machine body(l) and allows the subject, human or animal, to use the found to inhale at least the disinfected air coming from the same machine body (1); Individual protection device against the spread of infectious diseases according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one non -return valve (5) inside the duct (4), variously shaped to the duct (4). The non -return valve (5) in the process of inhaling the air that comes out forcibly from the vent (19) intervenes simultaneously and blocks any return of air previously exhaled by the subject. The non-return valve (5), although it has been described in the machine body (1) through a preferred, not exclusive, form illustrated by way of non-limiting example, in fig. 1, it can be positioned in any point of the same duct (4) according to the needs of industrial production and without any exclusivity; Machine body (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least four shut-off valves(6) each internal to the ducts (4), (10), (14), and (18), respectively, variously shaped to the ducts(4), (10), (14) and (18). The shut-off valves (6), although they have been described in the machine body (1) through a preferred, not exclusive, form illustrated by way of non-limiting example, in fig.l, can be positioned in any point of the respective ducts (4), (10), (14) and (18) according to the needs of industrial production and without any exclusivity; Individual protection device against the spread of infectious diseases according to claim 1, characterized by the fact of comprising at least one fixing system (2) to which at least the nozzle (3) is anchored mainly, but not exclusively, at least the nozzle (19) and at least the ducts (4) and (18). The fixing system (2) is mainly, but not exclusively, of at least plastic material, mainly, but not exclusively, moldable and ergonomic.

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