The present invention relates to a sanitizing face mask which utilizes ultraviolet light to sterilize the wearer's exhalations as they are emitted from the mask.
The respiratory system represents a closed air system with a self-contained cavity, much smaller than a car cabin, or room. Unlike man-made rooms or vehicles in which air ducts and fans are used to circulate air, the human body uses inhalation and expiration as a mechanism to fill the respiratory system, thereby providing needed oxygen to the blood supply.
The respiratory system is also a pathway into the body for viruses, bacteria and other harmful pathogens. Inhalation can bring such organisms into the person and exhalation can deliver particles containing such organisms to others, thereby spreading disease.
Face masks are often worn by medical professionals to protect patents from any viruses or bacteria that may be harbored by the wearer. The face masks also provide a degree of protection to the wearer from outside sources. These masks can be made of a variety of materials, such as paper, fabric or various nonwoven materials. While these masks can be somewhat effective in preventing the virus particles from escaping through the mask, their efficacy is limited due to an imprecise fit and limited filtration. it would be desirable to equip the masks with a way to kill the virus particles so that even those that escape from the mask cannot infect the public.
This object is accomplished according to the invention by a sanitizing device comprising a housing having a central aperture and an ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) assembly mounted in the housing. The UV LED assembly is formed of a plurality of connected UV LEDs arranged circumferentially around the central aperture so as to project UV-C light into the aperture. UV-C light is a short-wave ultraviolet light that has been found to be effective in killing viruses in the air and on surfaces. Far UV-C light (e.g. 222 nm wavelength) is preferably used, as exposure to it has less adverse effects on humans. Alternative to an LED assembly, other sources of UV-C light could also be used. A power source is connected to the UV LED assembly to supply power to the assembly. The housing is configured with overhanging front and rear faces, so that the UV LED assembly is recessed within the housing and is not visible when viewing the housing directly from the front or rear. This arrangement protects the user and others from excessive UV exposure during use.
There is an attachment layer connected to a rear surface of the housing. The attachment layer is configured for attaching the sanitizing device to a face mask. The attachment layer can be any suitable attachment means, such as a releasable adhesive or a hook-and-loop type fastener, that follows the toroidal shape of the housing. If a hook-and-loop type fastener is used, one side of the fastener is affixed to the housing, and then a plurality of corresponding layers of the other side of the fastener are provided for attachment to a face mask, as new fastener is required each time the mask is discarded an a new one is used. Each side of the fastener can be affixed to the housing or the mask via an adhesive substance. The power source also has an attachment layer connected to its back surface. The attachment layer can also be any suitable attachment means, such as an adhesive or hook-and-loop type closure. A switch can be connected to the housing to turn the LEDs on and off. An indicator light can be connected to the switch so that the user, who may not be able to see the LEDs that are recessed in the housing, will know whether the LEDs are on or off.
To further prevent exposure by the LEDs, a filter cover can be placed over the aperture in the housing, on the front and/or rear sides of the housing.
The power source can be any suitable source of electrical power for the LEDs. In one embodiment, the power source is a battery. The battery is preferably configured to be as small and as flat as possible, so that it can be easily adhered to a face mask. The battery is connected to the LED assembly via a wire.
The sanitizing device according to the invention is ideally used on disposable paper face masks to sanitize the user's inhalations and exhalations. The housing is affixed to a front or rear central portion of the face mask, adjacent the wearer's mouth, so as to capture the majority of air exhaled by the wearer. The battery can be affixed to any suitable location on the mask. Once the mask has been used, the sanitizing device can be removed from the mask and re-used on a new mask by affixing the housing and battery to the new mask. The sanitizing device can be re-used as many times as needed. The battery can be replaced when it is depleted. Alternatively, a re-chargeable battery can be used instead. While envisioning a lightweight battery that can be connected to the housing and also adhered onto the mask, the invention does not require a particular design with regard to the battery. Therefore, for more professional uses it may be required to have more LEDs and a greater battery supply, in which case the wire can be connected to a larger battery source that can be located or clipped onto, held or stored on the person wearing the mask as well as any person or object in proximity to the mask, such that it is electrically connected to the sanitizing device according to the invention.
In an alternative embodiment, the sanitizing device can be permanently mounted in an aperture in a face mask so that it is not removable, or can be retro-fitted into a valve nozzle in an existing mask. The power source can be in the form of a battery that is attached to the mask, or can be in the form of a conductive material such as graphene, that is printed on the mask itself and connected to the LED assembly through the material of the mask.
In another embodiment of the invention, the mask is in the form of a rigid outer shall that is equipped with a closed tube through which the user breathes. The tube opens at an inlet opening through which air enters the tube from outside the outer shall, and extends in a serpentine pattern though the mask to an outlet opening adjacent the user's mouth and nose. The UV-C light sources, which can be LEDs, are positioned within the tube, so that air going in and coming out of the tube is exposed to the UV light in both directions. The user's skin is completely insulated from the UV light, as the LEDs are only located inside the closed tube. An additional face shield can be placed over the tube to further insulate the user's face from the radiation. The face shield can have an opening to accommodate the outlet opening of the tube.
While this invention calls for inhalation and exhalation to be the driving force in moving air in and out of the body, the invention is not limited thereby.
The light can be amplified by parabolic reflectors or mirrors and sealed from light leakage to the skin or eyes. Excessive heat caused by the LEDs is reduced due to the air flow through the tube during inhalation and exhalation. The lungs act as an air pump, thereby replacing the need for a fan by the respiratory system itself. Hence, when proper heat dissipating materials are used, the actual heat only creates a slight elevation in the temperature of the air entering the lungs, which is also desirable for the respiratory system. Therefore, the respiratory system itself absorbs the heat energy of the diodes using the face mask as an extension of the respiratory system while also accomplishing no light contact with the skin or eyes at the same time.
Multiple LEDs can be placed along the extent of the tube. Heat sinks can be attached to the LEDs to further reduce the amount of heat from the LEDs that is released into the region of the mask. The serpentine shape of the tube with multiple curves ensures that air that is inhaled and exhaled is exposed to radiation for a longer period of time than with the use of a shorter, straight tube. The tube can be removable from the outer shell or can be integrally molded with the outer shell.
In a further embodiment, the LEDs are contained in a separate housing that is connected to the mask by tubing. The mask can be formed of any suitable material, such as paper, flexible plastic, or a hard plastic shell. A ventilation tube is connected to the mask and extends to a separate housing that has internal channels inside. Air exhaled from the user travels through the tubing and into the housing, where it travels through the internal channels and out of an exit port in the housing. LEDs are arranged in the internal channels, and are powered by a power source such as batteries, which are also contained in the housing. As the air travels through the channels, it is irradiated by the LEDs, so that viruses, bacteria, etc. are destroyed prior to the air exiting from the exit port. In addition, air that is inhaled by the user enters the housing through the exit port, travels through the channels and the tube to the user. As it does so, the air entering the housing from the outside is also irradiated by the LEDs so that the user is inhaling purified air as well.
In addition to the UV radiation, the LEDs also emit heat, which can also aid in destroying the viruses or bacteria. However, an additional heat source could also be supplied to the channels, in addition to the LEDs. While a single tube can be used for both inhalation and exhalation, two separate tubes could also be used, and connected to the housing by different ports. The two tubes could merge into a single tube prior to connection to the mask, and be closed off from each other by a valve that is activated by the user's breathing patterns. The housing could be attached to a strap or other connecting devices to make it easy for the user to carry. The housing could also be attached to the user via straps or other devices.
In a further embodiment, the housing is constructed of several parts that fit together to create the channels. The housing is formed by a back panel to which the LEDs are affixed, a frame structure surrounding the back panel, a channel plate having at least one channel arranged therein, and a front panel with an exit/entry port. The frame structure connects to the back panel and to the front panel, keeping the channel plate between them. The LEDs are arranged on the back panel so as to be disposed in the at least one channel of the channel plate when the housing is assembled.
In a preferred embodiment, the channel is arranged in a helical structure, so that the inhaled/exhaled air travels in a helical path, from outside to inside. At the center of the channel plate is a relief opening that allows air to enter and be expelled during use.
The channel, in addition to having a helical structure, can have meandering side walls that elongate the channel as well as create eddies as the air flows through it. In particular, the side walls can be constructed so as to create rounded bulges throughout the helical course of the channel, to trap the air and cause the eddies. This way, the air is maintained exposed to the LEDs for a longer period of time, allowing further disinfection of the air entering and exiting the housing.
The back panel can have an exterior surface that has a series of fins, forming a radiator structure, thus increasing the surface area of the back plate, to allow heat from the LEDs to dissipate more quickly, and not overheat the interior of the housing. The fins can be separated by spacers that allow the housing to be placed on a surface without damaging the fins.
It is believed that this invention will add another layer of protection to masks used for mitigation of disease. The invention is comfortable, easy to operate and convenient to use.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:
Referring now in detail to the drawings.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in the diagram in
An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in
LEDs 304 are arranged in different longitudinal areas along respiration tube 300, and on opposite sides of the tube 300, to maximize exposure along the length and width of the tube. Reflectors in the form of mirrors 306 or other types of reflective material are placed at the bends in the respiration tube 300 to further reflect the light from LEDs along the length of the tube. Heat sinks 305 can be placed adjacent each one of LEDs 304 in order to absorb some of the heat generated by LEDs 304 during use. As shown in
Alternative embodiments of the invention are shown in
As shown in
Another embodiment of the housing of the invention is disclosed in
Frame 535 holds rear panel 530 in a removable manner.
In between front panel 510 and rear panel 530 is a channel plate 550, having a side wall 551 with an opening 552 that opens into connection port 521, and support struts 553 extending between the top and bottom walls 554, 555. A channel wall 580 is positioned on top of struts 553 and forms a helical channel 587 extending from opening 552 to the center of channel plate 550. As can be seen in
In the assembled position, the center of the channel 587 connects with exit port 520, and the end of channel 587 connects with connection port 521, so that air that is breathed in and out the tube 410 flows through channel 587 and is expelled or inhaled through exit port 520. As the air passes through the channel, it is irradiated by LEDs 590, which are attached to the interior of rear panel 530 so as to be located along the course of the channel 587. LEDs 590 can be powered by any suitable means such as batteries (not shown). The effect of the undulations causes the air to remain the channel for longer periods of time, which increases the exposure of the air to the LEDs, thus more effectively killing any pathogens in the inhaled and exhaled air.
The device of the present invention is a simple and effective way to sanitize the air traveling through a face mask. It is lightweight, portable and inexpensive to manufacture as well as comfortable to wear.
Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/509,279, filed on Oct. 25, 2021, which claims priority under 35 USC 119e of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/196,775 and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/097,132, filed on Nov. 13, 2020, which claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/105,248, filed on Oct. 24, 2020, the disclosures of all of which are herein incorporated by reference. This application also claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/298,962, filed on Jan. 12, 2022, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63196775 | Jun 2021 | US | |
63105248 | Oct 2020 | US | |
63298962 | Jan 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17509279 | Oct 2021 | US |
Child | 17903153 | US | |
Parent | 17097132 | Nov 2020 | US |
Child | 17509279 | US |