WO2022064395A1

WO2022064395A1 - Individual portable device and assembly for air supply with improved filtering

Info

Publication number: WO2022064395A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/058657
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jorge Alberto Ferreira Noras
Original assignee: Jorge Alberto Ferreira Noras
Priority date: 2020-09-22
Filing date: 2021-09-22
Publication date: 2022-03-31
Also published as: WO2022064395A9

Abstract

The present invention falls within the area of individual portable air filtering devices, effectively protecting against infectious or non-infectious external agents of microscopic size. The invention relates to a portable individual device (10) for supplying air, comprising ventilation means (3) having an air inlet and an air outlet (6), a pre-filtration filter (45A) disposed upstream of the air inlet and a second filter (45) disposed downstream of the air outlet (6), the second filter (45) being suitable for filtering external agents, and the ventilation means (3) being configured to convey air under pressure to the air outlet (6) such that it can be breathed by a user at the outlet of the second filter (45). With the second filter (45), this solution keeps the air filtered even in case of contamination of the ventilation means (3). The invention also relates to an assembly (100) comprising the device (10) and a breathing accessory (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION

INDIVIDUAL PORTABLE APPLIANCE AND SET FOR AIR SUPPLY WITH IMPROVED FILTRATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is part of the area of individual portable devices for air filtration, having as examples of use the hospital, clinical or laboratory environments, enabling effective protection against external agents of reduced dimensions, such as pathogens of microscopic dimension, and being particularly suitable for biological and infectious risk situations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The so-called personal respiratory protective equipment devices are well known and have many uses. They are typically used to enable an individual user to breathe safely in a contaminated or potentially contaminated atmosphere, such as a smoke-filled atmosphere, a fire or a dust-laden atmosphere, or in a mine or at high altitudes where breathing air is insufficient, or in a toxic atmosphere, or in a laboratory. This equipment can also be used where desired to protect the user from contamination from the surrounding atmosphere, or to protect a surrounding area from potential contaminants from the user, such as when working in a clean room used to manufacture silicon chips.

The function of personal respiratory protection equipment is achieved through the use of air filters. A filter may be positioned at an air outlet of the equipment and therefore after being breathed in by the user, thus filtering air that the user is breathing, and thus ensuring that the air leaving the equipment is filtered at least to the extent of filtration. carried out by the filter, protecting the exterior from contaminating agents coming from the user.

A filter may also be positioned at an air inlet to the equipment, thus filtering air that the user is breathing, and ensuring that incoming air in the equipment it is filtered at least to the extent of the filtration carried out by the filter, protecting the user from external agents.

As discussed in more detail in the present disclosure, in one aspect of the present invention, it addresses this type of filters, which protect the user from external agents.

These personal respiratory protection equipment are portable, as it is intended that the user can move around and continue to be protected, breathing filtered air. Typically, the equipment includes a fan element, which includes a motorized system, the movement of the motor providing for air to be propelled from an inlet to an outlet, and supplied to a user for breathing. At some point in the equipment, there is a filter with a certain level of filtration, which collects external agents according to that level of filtration, thus providing a user with air as clean as that level provides.

However, portable equipment known in the state of the art only provides i) reduced protection, being typically inadequate to filter external agents that do not filter viruses and similar agents and ii) inadequate protection, as they only include a filter positioned before the fan element. , in the suction, which means that, if there is contamination of the fan - that is, downstream of the filter - a previously filtered air is contaminated again and thus supplied to a user, promoting the rapid propagation of external agents [according to the CBRN classification (Chemical, Biological, Reological and Nuclear Agents)], due to the principle of positive pressure.

The present invention addresses these problems in an innovative way.

In a further aspect of the present invention, it includes an air supply assembly including a breathing device, the breathing device being a mask, hood or helmet.

Some portable personal respiratory protective equipment includes a helmet (equipment that covers the wearer's head and is rigid, rather than a hood, which covers the wearer's head and is flexible), which is intended to provide some protection against impacts when working in a hazardous environment or when the user is at risk of being hit by a fall or thrown debris, such as in a mine, an industrial environment or on a construction site. Another type of respirator uses a hood when protection of the head from impacts is believed to be unnecessary.

The respirator hood is generally made of a soft, flexible material suitable for the environment in which the hood will be used. A hood may cover the wearer's entire head and a protective flap may be provided at a lower end of the hood to extend over the wearer's shoulder region. Hoods of this type are commonly used with a coverall to isolate the wearer from the environment in which he is working. The apron or skirt usually serves as an interface with the overalls to protect the wearer from external agents.

This type of hood also has a transparent region on the front, commonly called a visor, through which the wearer can see. The visor can be an integral part of the hood or detachable so it can be removed and replaced if damaged. The visor may extend to the sides of the hood and/or over the top of the hood to provide substantially unrestricted vision for the wearer.

This type of hood, known in the state of the art, aims to provide a zone of breathable air space over the wearer's head. At least one air supply tube sends breathing air into the hood. The air supply tube can be connected to a user-carrying portable air source - the fan element or even a canister of air - generally disposed on the user's back or carried on a belt.

Typically, in these solutions, the air supply includes the fan element, driven by a motorized system powered by a battery, as well as said filter.

The state of the art representative of these solutions is considered to be US patent no. US 8,936,022 (B2), which discloses a breathing hood and its air supply system. The invention disclosed in this patent, however, does not encompass the air quality aspects to be supplied that are the object of the present invention. However, this hood also provides i) reduced protection, and ii) inadequate protection, as explained above.

Additionally, it does not guarantee additional advantages provided by the breathing apparatus of the present invention, and described in detail in the sections that follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an individual portable device for supplying air with improved filtration of external agents.

In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises i) ventilation means with an air inlet and an air outlet, the ventilation means being configured to capture air at the air inlet and guide it under pressure to the air outlet, ii) a pre-filter filter arranged before the air inlet, the pre-filter filter being suitable for filtering external agents, and iii) a second filter arranged after the air outlet, the second filter being suitable for filtering external agents , the ventilation means being further configured to drive air under pressure to the air outlet in such a way that breathable air is supplied by a user at the outlet of the second filter, that air being filtered from external agents. Thus, in particular, the ventilation means are configured to lead air under pressure to the air outlet in such a way that breathable air is supplied by a user at the outlet of the second filter, this air being filtered from external agents, i.e., overcoming the airflow barrier of the second filter and providing breathable, breathing air to a user.

The external agents filtered by the pre-filter filter and the second filter of the present invention can be particles or gases, according to the CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Reological and Nuclear Agents) classification, and in the case of biological or rheological external agents , be infectious or non-infectious.

The apparatus thus operates in such a way that the ventilation means conducts air under pressure from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air entering the ventilation means is already filtered by the pre-filter filter. Additionally, this configuration allows that, by providing a second filter arranged after the air outlet of the fan, the air remains filtered even if there is contamination of the ventilation means, i.e. even if the air previously filtered by the pre-filter filter becomes contaminated again when being carried through the ventilation means, it will still supply breathable air by a user at the exit of the second filter, this air being filtered from external agents, by the action of the second filter.

It is also an object of the present invention a portable set for supplying air with improved filtration.

In one embodiment, the kit comprises the apparatus of the present invention, in any of its embodiments. The assembly further comprises a breathing device adaptable to the face of a user, the breathing device being connected to the second filter in such a way that air from the second filter is supplied for breathing by a user, the breathing device being further configured so that the user only breathes air from the breathing accessory. The breathing accessory is thus also a personal protective accessory.

Thus, the whole of the present invention provides that air is supplied to a user, through the breathing accessory, this air being breathable by a user and being filtered from external agents, by the action of the second filter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 - representation of an embodiment of the apparatus (10) of the present invention, in exploded view. The apparatus comprises ventilation means (3), which comprise an air inlet (not shown) and an air outlet (6). The apparatus additionally comprises a pre-filter filter (45A) comprising a filter holder (5A) and a filter element (4A) arranged inside the filter holder (45A). The apparatus also comprises a second filter (45) comprising a filter holder (5) and a filter element (4) arranged inside the filter holder (45). The pre-filter filter (45A) is capable of being arranged in connection with the air inlet of the ventilation means (3). The second pre-filter filter (45) is capable of being arranged in connection with the air outlet of the ventilation means (3).

Figure 2 - representation of an embodiment of the assembly (100) of the present invention, in exploded view. The assembly substantially comprises the apparatus (10) of figure 1. The apparatus additionally comprises a belt (7) for adjustable use by a user. In the assembly (100), an air transport duct (2) is arranged between the air outlet (6) of the ventilation means (3) and the second filter (45A). Additionally, the assembly (100) comprises a hood (1), to which the apparatus (10) is coupled through the second filter (45). Specifically, the second filter (45) is coupled to the hood through the air inlet opening in the hood (11). Additionally, the hood comprises an opening for the passage of a user's head, which is delimited by a peripheral elastic element (12), which provides a better fit to the user's head. The hood has a flexible (13) (and inflatable) section and a visor (9) connected together. Said flexible section (13) is further connected to the peripheral elastic element (12). As can be seen from the figure, the visor (8) is formed in a so-called frontal or front region, and the opening for air inlet (11) is in a so-called rear section of the hood (1). Additionally, said flexible section (13) comprises a permeable section (9) arranged below the visor, for exiting air breathed by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention are described below.

In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises ventilation means with an air inlet and an air outlet, the ventilation means being configured to capture air at the air inlet and guide it under pressure to the air outlet. The ventilation means may comprise a motorized system comprising at least one motor and a turbine, which carries out said driving under pressure.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pre-filter filter arranged before the air inlet. This filter is thus configured to filter air before that air enters the ventilation means. Thus, this filter is configured and arranged in such a way that it filters the air before it is led through the ventilation means, under pressure, to the air outlet.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a second filter arranged after the air outlet, the second filter being suitable for filtering external agents. This second filter is thus configured to filter air after that air leaves the ventilation. Thus, this second filter is configured and arranged in such a way that it filters the air after leaving the ventilation means, already under pressure.

In one aspect of the present invention, the ventilation means is further configured to drive air under pressure to the air outlet such that breathable air is supplied by a user at the outlet of the second filter, that air being filtered of external agents.

Considering that the ventilation means themselves may be contaminated, such a solution thus ensures that the air that can be supplied to a user is guaranteed and properly filtered.

In one embodiment, the second filter is suitable for filtering external agents.

In one embodiment, the pre-filter filter is suitable for filtering external agents.

External agents, in the two said embodiments referring to the second filter and the pre-filter filter, can include one or more of the following agents: viruses, bacteria, dust, or other microbiological contaminating agents, or agents of chemical, rheological or nuclear.

In one embodiment, the pre-filter filter and/or the second filter are suitable for filtering external agents classified according to the CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Reological and Nuclear Agents) classification, whereby in the case of external biological or rheological, may be infectious or non-infectious.

The size of external agents filtered by a filter can correspond to a diameter or an average diameter of external agents that can be filtered by that filter.

In one embodiment, the second filter is suitable for filtering external agents with a size of at least 0.1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with an efficiency of at least 95%, optionally with an efficiency of at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%.

In one embodiment the second filter is suitable for filtering external agents with a size between 0.1 and 5 µm with an efficiency of at least 95%, or of at least 98%.

In one embodiment, for external agents with a size of at least 0.1 pm or between 0.1 and 10 pm or between 0.1 and 5 pm, that efficiency is at least 95%, or at least 98% , or at least 99%, or at least 99.9%, or at least 99.99%, or at least 99.999%.

In one embodiment, said air supplied at the outlet of the second filter is filtered from external agents with a size of at least 0.1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with an efficiency of at least 95%, optionally at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%.

Thus, this guarantees adequate protection considering some of the aforementioned agents, allowing the device to be suitable for filtering small external agents, specifically external agents with a dimension of at least 0.1 pm with an efficiency of at least 95 %, as well as enabling the user to be protected, even in an individual portable solution.

The apparatus of the present invention thus utilizes at least one high performance filter. Such a filter will have a correspondingly tight filter mesh, whereby the ventilation means of the present invention have a corresponding performance. The ventilation means are thus configured to make it possible to overcome a barrier of resistance to the flow created by the filter or corresponding filter element, and to supply air to the user that allows him to breathe.

In one aspect of the present invention, it can be noted that the second filter is a hospital respiratory grade filter. In another aspect of the present invention, and for any of said external agent dimensions and/or efficiencies, the ventilation means are configured to drive air under pressure to the air outlet in such a way that breathable air is supplied by a user at the outlet of the second filter, this air being filtered from external agents. This means that the ventilation means will have characteristics such that the air supplied at the outlet of the second filter is adequate for the effective breathing of a user. These characteristics may correspond, inter alia, to the operating power of the ventilation means, for example the power of an associated motor, and/or a maximum air flow. The ventilation means - or the respective motorized system - are thus configured to overcome a barrier of resistance to the flow created by the filter or corresponding filter element, and supply air to the user that allows him to breathe.

In one embodiment, the pre-filter filter is suitable for filtering external agents with a size of at least 0.1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with an efficiency of at least 95%, optionally with an efficiency of at least 98 %, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%.

In one embodiment the pre-filter filter is suitable for filtering external agents with a size between 0.1 and 5 µm with an efficiency of at least 95%, or of at least 98%.

In one embodiment, the pre-filter filter is configured so that the air supplied at the outlet of the pre-filter filter is filtered from external agents with a dimension of at least 0.1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with an efficiency of at least 95%, optionally at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%. In one aspect of the present invention, it can be noted that the second filter and/or the pre-filter filter is a hospital respiratory grade filter.

In one aspect of the present invention, the pre-filter filter and/or the second filter are configured to comprise at least one, optionally two, couplings in accordance with ISO 5356-1. Each filter is thus advantageously attachable and universally usable in accordance with ISO 5356-1:2015 Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment - Conical connectors - part 1: Cones and Sockets. Each filter comprises an air inlet and an air outlet, the inlet and or outlet being configured to comprise a coupling according to ISO 5356-1, as mentioned.

In another aspect of the present invention, and for any of said external agent dimensions and/or efficiencies, the ventilation means are configured to conduct air under pressure from the air inlet to the air outlet in such a way that breathing air is supplied. by a user at the outlet of the second filter, that air being filtered from external agents, for any embodiment of the pre-filter filter. This means that the ventilation means will have characteristics such that the air supplied at the outlet of the second filter is suitable for the breathing of a user, for any of the embodiments of the pre-filtering filter. These characteristics may correspond, inter alia, to the operating power of the ventilation means, for example the power or performance of an associated motor, and/or a maximum air flow.

In one embodiment, the pre-filter filter is removable, being individually attachable directly or indirectly to the ventilation means.

In one embodiment, the second filter is removable, being individually attachable directly or indirectly to the ventilation means.

A filter is directly attachable to the ventilation means when there is no other component or obstruction between the filter and the ventilation means, regardless of whether the filter is located downstream or upstream of the ventilation means. A filter is indirectly attachable to the ventilation means when there is another component between the filter and the ventilation means, regardless of whether the filter is located downstream or upstream of the ventilation means.

In one embodiment, the pre-filter filter and/or the second filter comprise a filter holder structure and a filter element.

In one embodiment, each filter holder structure and filter element being configured so that the filter element is arranged within the filter holder structure, and wherein each filter element is suitable for filtering external agents with a dimension of at least 0, 1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with an efficiency of at least 95%, optionally with an efficiency of at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%.

In one embodiment, for external agents with a size of at least 0.1 pm or between 0.1 and 10 pm or between 0.1 and 5 pm, that efficiency is at least 95%, or at least 98% , or at least 99%, or at least 99.9%, or at least

99.99%, or at least 99.999%.

In one embodiment, the filter holder structure is additionally configured so that the filter element inside is replaceable.

In one embodiment, each filter element is suitable for filtering external agents with a size of at least 0.1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with an efficiency of at least 95%, optionally with an efficiency of at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least

99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%.

99.99%, or at least 99.999%. In one embodiment, each filter holder structure is additionally configured so that the filter element inside it is replaceable.

In one embodiment, each filter holder is configured so that each corresponding filter element is fixedly coupled inside. In one embodiment, each filter holder is openable, comprising two faces that can be joined together. These faces, when coupled, provide that the corresponding filtering element is fixedly coupled inside the filter holder.

Such a solution simplifies maintenance, through a regular replacement of the simplified filters. Filters are thus consumables - for example hospitals - of low cost. Additionally, the operation itself is easy to carry out, capable of being performed by the user himself, by simple fitting/unplugging the different components.

In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention further comprises portable power means, preferably a battery. Portable power means - such as a battery - are configured to power the ventilation means.

In an embodiment where the portable power means consists of a battery, this comprises an electrical connector suitable for connection to external charging means. In one embodiment, the battery is induction chargeable. In one embodiment, the battery has a capacity such that the device can be operated for up to 15 hours.

In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a controller.

In one embodiment, one or more operating parameters of the apparatus are configurable, the controller being configured to change said parameters.

In one embodiment, the controller is configured to automatically change said parameters. In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention further comprises, optionally wireless, communication means, the wireless communication means being configured to send one or more digital data from the controller and/or receive one or more digital data and transmit it. them to the controller.

In one embodiment, the wireless communication means is configured to receive one or more digital data consisting of parameter change instructions, and transmit those instructions to the controller, being configured to change parameters based on those instructions.

Optionally, the wireless media are configured to communicate using a local area network wireless communications protocol such as Bluetooth or WiFi.

In a cumulative or alternative embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a local interface, such as a touchscreen or actionable buttons, the controller being configured to identify, upon actuation of the local interface, one or more parameter change instructions, and to change parameters based on these instructions.

In one or more embodiments, the parameters may consist of the flow of air at the exit of the ventilation means or the rotation speed of a motor comprised by the ventilation means, among others.

In one embodiment, the controller may be configured to, upon recognition of one or more features of the pre-filter filter and/or the second filter, change or adapt one or more operating parameters of the apparatus.

In one embodiment, changing or adapting one or more operating parameters of the apparatus may comprise altering or adapting one or more operating parameters of the apparatus so that breathable air is supplied by a user, that air being filtered from external agents. In one example, the controller can recognize that the second filter is a filter suitable for filtering external agents from 0.1-10 pm with an efficiency of 99.99% - these being characteristics of the second filter - and thus change the throughput of air at the exit of the ventilation means or at the rotation speed of a motor comprised by the ventilation means, so that breathing air continues to be supplied to a user, this air being filtered from external agents.

Various embodiments of the kit of the present invention are described below.

As mentioned, in one embodiment, the kit comprises the apparatus of the present invention and a breathing device adaptable to the face of a user, the accessory being connected to the second filter of the device in such a way that it is supplied with air from the second filter, for a user's breathing. In one embodiment, the ventilation means are configured to drive air under pressure to the air outlet such that breathable air is supplied by a user within the breathing apparatus. This means that the ventilation means will have characteristics such that the air supplied into the breathing apparatus is suitable for the breathing of a user.

Thus, the air that reaches the breathing hood in order to be breathed by the user, being substantially free of elements such as external agents, classified CBRN, as mentioned, examples being dust and microbiological contaminants.

In one embodiment, the interior of the breathing device is such that it is filtered from external agents with a size of at least 0.1 pm, between 0.1 and 10 pm or between 0.1 and 5 pm with a corresponding efficiency, of at least 95%, optionally at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%.

In one embodiment, the breathing apparatus is configured to be adaptable to a wearer's face such that positive air pressure is formed within the breathing apparatus relative to its exterior. This ensures that there is no air inlet to the breathing device, only outlet, thus promoting that the air breathed by a user is exclusively the air coming from the device. In one embodiment, the means for venting and/or coupling the breathing apparatus to a user's face or head may be such that positive air pressure is formed within the breathing apparatus relative to its outside.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the breathing apparatus is configured to be hermetically adaptable to a wearer's face.

In one embodiment, said breathing accessory consists of a mask.

In one embodiment, said breathing accessory consists of a helmet.

In one embodiment, said breathing apparatus consists of a hood comprising a flexible section adaptable to a wearer's head and a visor, optionally the visor extending over substantially the entire face of the wearer.

In one embodiment, the flexible section is additionally inflatable.

In one embodiment, the hood comprises an opening for passing through or inserting a wearer's head.

Regarding this aspect, the previously mentioned solutions known in the state of the art are rarely used in environments with external agents classified as CBRN, with infectious and non-infectious biological risk. This is due to the aforementioned low filtration efficiency of this solution, when the contaminated air contains pathogens such as harmful, infectious and non-infectious biological agents of particularly small dimensions, for example external agents with a diameter greater than or equal to 0.1 pm, or when the device providing ventilation is contaminated.

Known state-of-the-art solutions are designed to operate in environments with various types of circumstances, but are not particularly suitable for microbiological risk environments. The existence of viruses and bacteria that can reach dimensions reduced in the hospital, clinic or laboratory atmosphere, advises the use of equipment that effectively retains them and removes them from the air to be breathed.

The present invention provides a user with comfortable conditions of operation in a contaminated environment, or presumably contaminated, by the use of a breathing accessory provided with a system of supplying decontaminated ambient air in a safe way. Indeed, the respiratory hood appears as an advantageous solution in relation to exclusively face masks, equipment that supply breathing air with a lower quality, since in these there will always be re-inspiration of expired air, responsible for user discomfort and fatigue.

The present invention provides an assembly for supplying air to a breathing hood which, in addition to being safe and comfortable, is easy to maintain. In fact, the whole of the invention only requires the regular replacement of the filters and the cleaning of the components of the air supply circuit, which are inexpensive operations, either because the consumables are filters - for example, hospital respiratory - of low cost or because the operation in itself it is easy to implement, capable of being performed by the user himself, by simple fitting/unmounting the different components.

The present invention provides ease of operation to a user of the set, through the possibility of charging the device's battery and ventilation means by induction and controlling the air supply, changing the flow rate of the ventilation means, by means of a mobile phone application. operatively connected to the breathing hood air supply set via wireless, Bluetooth or WiFi connection.

In one embodiment, the mobile phone application may alternatively consist of or comprise an application for another technology platform.

The invention is particularly appreciated in the clinical practice of dentistry, for the comfort and safety it provides, due to the physical proximity of Organs respiratory organs between the doctor and the patient, during the intervention/observation.

In one embodiment, the flexible hood section is formed from a plurality of material sections, the material sections being seamlessly joined together and, optionally, sections of material comprising, preferably consisting of, non-woven woven material (TNT). This makes it possible to form a flexible section in a simplified way, adaptable to the head of a user and, at the same time, the hermetic character of the hood is not broken, by not forming perforations resulting from seams.

In one embodiment, the seamless joining can be accomplished by welding the sections of material.

In one embodiment, the flexible section of the hood comprises at least one peripheral elastic element, which forms said opening for the passage of a user's head, and thus enables a suitable and tight or hermetic placement of the hood.

In one embodiment, the hood has a front side on which the visor is arranged and a rear side, the hood further comprising an opening for air inlet inside the hood, the opening being connected to the second filter in such a way that it is provided with air from the second filter, for breathing of a user.

In one embodiment, the breathing apparatus further comprises an air distributor, the air distributor being arranged in the air inlet opening in such a way that air from the second filter and entering the air inlet opening is diverted and thus distributed. for more than one region of the breathing device's interior. The distributor thus advantageously allows the air to be better distributed inside the breathing device.

In one embodiment, the breathing device comprises a permeable section configured to allow air to pass out of the breathing device. This allows, in a simplified way and without changing the concept of the breathing accessory, to provide an outlet for air breathed by the user.

In one embodiment, the hood contains the flexible section, which in turn comprises the permeable section. In one embodiment, the permeable section is positioned below the visor such that the air breathed in by the wearer is projected into the permeable section or the visor and thence into the permeable section. Such an embodiment is represented in Figure 2.

In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises an air transport duct arranged between the air outlet and the breathing device (a mask, hood or helmet), the breathing device thus being connected to the second filter via the transport duct of air.

In one embodiment, the conduit is arranged between the air outlet and the second filter, and the second filter is coupled to an inlet of the breathing device.

In one embodiment, the pre-filter filter is directly coupled to the ventilation means, in a hermetic manner.

In one embodiment, the ventilation means are directly coupled to the transport duct, in a hermetic manner.

In one embodiment, the transport conduit is directly coupled to the second filter, in a hermetic manner.

In one embodiment, the second filter is directly coupled to the opening of the hood, in a hermetic manner.

In one embodiment, the visor is made of a plastic material so long as it allows the user to see through it, it may be of a material of any of the types used in the prior art for the present purpose.

In one embodiment, the visor is made of a polymeric material, which allows the user to see through it, and can be of a material of any of the types used in the prior art for the present purpose.

In one embodiment, the connection of the visor to the flexible section is laminated. Further embodiments of the kit of the present invention are described below, wherein the respiratory accessory consists of a hood.

The kit for supplying air to the respiratory hood of the invention is a protective equipment preferably to be used by health professionals, namely doctors and nurses in direct contact with patients, who cannot keep the recommended safety distance to prevent contagion, when performing the tasks of care or observation of patients. It can also be used by other professionals, such as dentists.

As recommended, this embodiment provides a safety/protection equipment that includes a protective hood similar to those known in the prior art, in flexible material, the front part of which includes a visor and the rear part of which ends in an entrance. of air under pressure from the air duct. Said hood normally includes a lace or mesh portion - which operates as a permeable section -, on the back, filtering material, on the lower front part (under the chin) (not shown), through which the air exits, enabling continuous renewal ambient air inside the hood.

Atmospheric air is drawn in through a fan contained in the ventilation means, which take the form of a box attached or not to a belt suitable for being attached to a user. An air supply circuit allows air to be filtered at two different times to ensure perfect decontamination: through a first pre-filtration filter, located at the entrance of the ventilation means or insufflator, which pre-filters the air ; and through a second filter placed in the hood air supply duct.

Each filter holder has the function of receiving the filters - hospital respiratory - that are stuck between their opposite faces in a known way.

Particularly advantageously, the invention can be defined as an assembly for supplying air to a breathing hood, comprising:

- a breathing hood, having a front side which includes a visor and a rear side which includes at least one air inlet opening; - ventilation means/air insufflator device, formed by a fan, powered by battery that captures the air through the air inlet of the filter holder and leads it, under pressure, to the outlet;

- an air transport duct from the inflator device to the hood; wherein, in the air circulation circuit, there are at least two types of filters, at least one filter of said two types of filters being a pre-filtration filter, situated before the air enters the ventilation means/blower device air and at least one second filter of said two types of filters, a fine filter filter, located in the air transport circuit from the ventilation/blower means to the hood, in such a way that the air reaching the breathing hood in order to be breathed by a user is substantially free of dust and microbiological contaminants, such as external agents classified CBRN.

Particularly advantageously, the filters are removable as they are clamped between the two sides of the filter holders.

In a preferred embodiment the filters are hospital respiratory filters.

Preferably, the ventilation means of the inflator apparatus for supplying air to the breathing hood comprises a fan with a maximum air flow rate of about 180 l/min, which corresponds to an outlet pressure of about 28 mbar.

A possible embodiment of the invention contemplates the inflator device attached to a belt, for support by a user.

Particularly advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention, in particular an air insufflation apparatus for supplying air to a breathing hood, is parameterizable by adjustment buttons on the ventilation/fan means or by a mobile phone application operatively connected to the apparatus by a wireless connection. Desirably, the mobile application can be operatively connected to the inflator device via a wireless connection of the Bluetooth or Wifi type.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a controller and remote communication means configured to be remotely controllable, being specifically configured to be controlled via a digital application, for example. example allowing to turn the set on and/or off remotely. This is particularly useful in the event of a malfunction or shutdown.

In a possible embodiment of the invention the battery is directly chargeable by electrical connector or by induction.

The invention in a preferred embodiment allows an autonomy of up to 15 hours of work.

A further embodiment of the present invention is described below, referring to Figure 2.

In Figure 2 an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in an exploded view, in which the components are separated. The hood, whose air inlet opening, on the back, is configured to receive a tubular protuberance from the filter holder where the second filter, also known as fine filtering, is located, is connected through the filter holder to the transport duct. of air. The filter holder therefore additionally serves as a connector between the breathing hood and the air transport duct. This construction provides an easy disassembly of the components because they are joined by simple fitting and also provides a quick replacement of the filter which is removable. Access to the filter elements by simply handling the plug-in filter holders is also an added value of the invention. The opposite end of the filter holder is also a tubular protuberance able to fit into the distal end of the duct. The air that circulates in the air transport duct under pressure, overcomes the resistance imposed by the second filter and arrives at the hood, conveniently free of harmful substances, for example microbiological contaminants, as it has been filtered twice: the first of which in the pre-filter or pre-filter filter releasably fitted to the filter holder and the second to the at least one second filter in the air circuit between the ventilation/blower means and the hood. The ventilation/air blower means have a hole where the filter holder is fitted, which contains the filter element corresponding to the pre-filter or pre-filter, through which the air is admitted to the fan (not shown in the figure). This construction provides an easy disassembly of the components because they are joined together by simple fitting and also provides a quick replacement of the filter, which is removable and can be fitted in filter holders, which can also be fitted. On the opposite face of the ventilation/insufflator means projects the air outlet under pressure, which can be fitted at the end proximal to the air transport duct and sized to withstand pressures up to 28 mbar, adequate pressure to overcome the resistance imposed by a particular fine filter filter. The belt that makes it possible to keep the inflator and its intake at the level of the user's waist is also shown.

The controller may consist of any computer controller device known in the prior art, such as a microcontroller.

In various embodiments, the controller may consist of or comprise a microcontroller, with the ability to receive external data via inputs and provide triggering of outputs, based on configured rules and/or predefined programming.

In various embodiments, the apparatus, the assembly and/or its elements include components to execute at least some of the examples of resources and resources of the described methods, either through hardware components (such as memory and/or processor), software or any combination thereof.

An article for use with the apparatus and/or assembly, such as a pre-recorded storage device or other similar computer-readable medium, including program instructions recorded thereon, or a computer data signal carrying computer-readable program instructions can target a device to facilitate the implementation of the methods described herein. It is understood that such apparatus, articles of manufacture and computer data signals are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

A "computer readable medium" means any medium that can store instructions for use or execution by a computer or other computing device, including read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or flash memory, random access memory (RAM), a portable floppy disk, a hard disk (HDD), a solid-state storage device (e.g. NAND flash or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), and/or an optical disc, such as a Compact Disc (CD) , Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or Blu-Ray™ Disc. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described herein, several changes being possible which remain within the scope of the present invention. Evidently, the preferred modes presented above are combinable, in the different possible ways, avoiding the repetition of all these combinations here.

Claims

24 CLAIMS

1. Personal portable device for supplying air with improved filtration of external agents, characterized in that it comprises i) ventilation means with an air inlet and an air outlet, the ventilation means being configured to capture air at the air inlet and conduct it under pressure to the air outlet, ii) a pre-filter filter arranged before the air inlet, the pre-filter filter being suitable for filtering external agents, and iii) a second filter arranged after the air outlet, being that the second filter is suitable for filtering external agents, the ventilation means being additionally configured to lead air under pressure to the air outlet in such a way that breathable air is supplied by a user at the outlet of the second filter, that air being filtered from external agents.

Apparatus according to the preceding claim wherein the pre-filtering filter and/or the second filter are suitable for filtering external agents classified according to the CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Reoiogical and Nuclear Agents) classification.

Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the pre-filter filter and/or the second filter are configured to comprise at least one, optionally two, couplings in accordance with ISO 5356-1.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second filter is suitable for filtering external agents with a size of at least 0.1 µm, optionally up to 10 µm, with an efficiency of at least 95%, optionally with efficiency of at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%, said air supplied at the outlet of the second filter being filtered from external agents with a dimension of at least 0.1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with an efficiency of at least 95%, optionally at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99 %, optionally at least 99.999%.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pre-filter filter is suitable for filtering external agents with a size of at least 0.1 µm, optionally up to 10 µm, with an efficiency of at least 95%. , optionally with efficiency of at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, the air supplied at the outlet of the pre-filter filter being filtered of external agents with a dimension of at least 0.1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with a efficiency of at least 95%, optionally at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-filter filter and/or the second filter are removable, being individually attachable directly or indirectly to the ventilation means.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pre-filter filter and/or the second filter comprise a filter holder structure and a filter element, each filter holder structure and filter element being configured so that the filter element is arranged inside the filter holder structure, and where each filter element is suitable for filtering external agents with a dimension of at least 0.1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with an efficiency of at least 95 %, optionally at least 98% efficiency, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%, and optionally each filter holder structure is additionally configured so that the filter element inside is replaceable, and optionally each filter element is suitable for filtering external agents with a dimension of at least 0.1 pm, optionally up to 10 pm, with an efficiency of at least 95%, optionally with an efficiency of at least 98%, optionally at least 99%, optionally at least 99.9%, optionally at least 99.99%, optionally at least 99.999%.

8. Portable kit for supplying air with improved filtration, characterized in that it comprises the apparatus of any one of the preceding claims and a breathing device adaptable to the face of a user, the breathing device being connected to the second filter in such a way that it is supplied with air from the second filter for breathing by a user, the breathing device being further configured so that the user only breathes air from the breathing device.

An assembly according to the preceding claim wherein the breathing device is configured to be adaptable to a wearer's face in such a way that it is positive air pressure is formed inside the breathing apparatus relative to its outside.

An assembly according to the preceding claim wherein the breathing apparatus is configured to be hermetically adaptable to the face of a wearer.

An assembly according to any one of claims 8-10 wherein said breathing apparatus consists of a mask, helmet, or hood, the hood optionally comprising a flexible section adaptable to a wearer's head and a visor, optionally the visor extending over substantially the entire face of the wearer, optionally the flexible section being additionally inflatable.

An assembly as claimed in the preceding claim wherein the flexible section of the hood is formed from a plurality of sections of material, the sections of material being seamlessly joined together and, optionally, the sections of material comprising, preferably consisting of, woven material. non-woven (TNT).

13. Assembly according to any one of claims 11-12 wherein the hood has a front side on which the visor is arranged and a rear side, the hood further comprising an opening for air inlet within the hood, the opening being connected to the second filter in such a way that it is supplied with air from the second filter for breathing by a user.

An assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein it further comprises an air distributor, the air distributor being arranged in the air inlet opening such that air from the second filter and entering the air inlet opening is diverted and thus distributed over more than one region of the interior of the breathing device, evenly.

An assembly according to any one of claims 8-14 wherein the breathing apparatus comprises a permeable section configured to allow the passage of air out of the breathing apparatus and, optionally, the assembly is according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the flexible section comprises the permeable section. 27

16. Assembly according to any one of claims 8-15 wherein it further comprises an air transport duct arranged between the air outlet and the breathing accessory, the breathing accessory thus being connected to the second filter via the transport duct of air, and the conduit being optionally arranged between the air outlet and the second filter, and the second filter being coupled to an inlet of the breathing apparatus.