DEAD AIR MASK FOR KILLING MICROORGANISMS IN AIR BREATHED BY A WEARER OF THE MASK

A wearable mask includes a light module attached to a cover. The light module includes an inlet for receiving air to be breathed in by the person, and an outlet that faces the person. Airflow paths extend between the inlet and the outlet, and receive air to be breathed in by the person. An ultraviolet (UV-C) light source emits anti-microbial light into the one or more airflow paths at a wavelength that kills microorganisms in the air in the one or more airflow paths. Walls at the inlet and outlet each includes one or more slits through which the air passes. The one or more slits of each wall are offset relative to the one or more slits of an adjacent wall to form staggered airflow paths that allow the air to pass through offset slits, but blocks the anti-microbial light from passing through the offset slits.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a mask that is wearable on the face of a person for killing microorganisms in the air that is breathed by the person through the mask. In particular, the disclosure relates to a mask that includes one or more ultraviolet (UV-C) light sources that emit anti-microbial light at a wavelength that kills microorganisms in the air breathed through the mask by the person wearing the mask.

BACKGROUND

Masks have been worn by people to protect themselves from breathing air containing harmful microorganisms. These microorganisms may include viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites. Many masks cover the mouth and nose of the wearer. Most accessible masks are made of cloth and include fabric having micro-filters. There is no evidence that such masks are effective at preventing all microorganisms from being breathed in by the wearer. Other masks have sought to employ ultraviolet (UV-C) light to kill the microorganisms. However, those masks are unable to assuredly prevent, in a simple and efficient manner, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light from harming the skin of the wearer. Moreover, existing ultraviolet (UV-C) light masks may not kill all of the microorganisms passing through the mask.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure discusses a microbe killing mask that is wearable on the face of a person. The mask may kill microorganisms in the air that is breathed by the person through the mask. The mask may have a light module including one or more airflow paths which extend between an inlet of the light module and an outlet thereof, and which receive the air breathed in and breathed out by the person. One or more ultraviolet (UV-C) light sources emit anti-microbial light into the airflow paths at a wavelength that kills microorganisms in the air passing along the airflow paths. Such a wavelength may be in the range of 200 nm to 300 nm. The airflow paths may have a zig-zag shape. This zig-zag shape increases the amount of time the air spends in the airflow paths, thus maximizing the exposure of the air passing in the airflow paths to the anti-microbial light before the air enters the mouth and/or nose of the person. This configuration greatly increases the likelihood that the irradiated air entering the mouth and/or nose of the person is completely free of harmful microorganisms. Further, the zig-zag shape of the airflow paths may disrupt laminar flow of the microorganisms, which could otherwise shield some microorganisms traveling in the center of the flow from the irradiated light. The present disclosure is thus an improvement over the known microbe killing masks.

The inlet and outlet ends of the light module may each include a light barrier comprising a staggered airflow path that allows irradiated air to pass through the light barrier, but blocks the anti-microbial light from passing through the light barrier and irradiating the face of the person. The light barrier may be formed of a plurality of walls having one or more slits through which the air passes. The slits of each wall are offset relative to the slits of an adjacent wall to form a staggered airflow path through the plurality of walls allowing air to pass through offset slits, but blocking the anti-microbial light from passing therethrough. Alternatively, the light barrier may be formed of rows of offset walls forming a staggered airflow path through the light barrier that allows the air to pass through, but blocks the anti-microbial light from passing through the light barrier. The light module thus protects the face of the person wearing the mask from the harmful anti-microbial light emitted from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source. The present disclosure is thus an improvement over the known microbe killing masks in this regard as well.

The mask may be configured to have a relatively simple design in which the light module serves as the sole air inflow/outflow path into and out of the mask. That is, the one or more airflow paths receive both the air breathed in by the person wearing the mask and air breathed out by the person. As such, the air breathed in and breathed out by the person passes through the same airflow paths to be irradiated by the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source when entering and exiting the mask. Because of all of the air breathed in and out by the person wearing the mask passes through the same airflow paths and is irradiated by the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source, the mask eliminates the need for an air filter to catch microorganisms in the air passing into the mask.

Further, a side of the outlet of the light module may be exposed to the mouth and/or nose of the person wearing the mask and may include several openings or slits to provide for uninhibited airflow into and out of the outlet so that breathing by the person wearing the mask is not overly obstructed.

In one embodiment, a mask that is wearable on the face of a person comprises: a cover for covering at least one of the mouth and the nose of the person; a light module attached to the cover and comprising: an inlet for receiving air to be breathed in by the person, and an outlet that faces the person when the mask is on the face of the person; one or more airflow paths extending between the inlet and the outlet, the one or more airflow paths configured to receive at least the air to be breathed in by the person; an ultraviolet (UV-C) light source configured to emit anti-microbial light into the one or more airflow paths at a wavelength that kills microorganisms in the air in the one or more airflow paths; and a plurality of walls at each of the inlet and the outlet, wherein each of the plurality of walls comprises one or more slits through which the air passes, and the one or more slits of each wall are offset relative to the one or more slits of an adjacent wall to form staggered airflow paths through the plurality of walls that allow the air to pass through offset slits, but blocks the anti-microbial light from passing through the offset slits.

In an embodiment, each of the one or more airflow paths has a zig-zag shape.

In an embodiment, the mask further comprises a power source that supplies power to the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source.

In an embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source comprises an LED.

In an embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source emits the anti-microbial light at a wavelength in the range of 200 nm to 300 nm.

In an embodiment, the mask further comprises a fan proximate the inlet of the light module. In an embodiment, the fan includes: a sensor that detects an inhale and an exhale by the person when the mask is on the face of the person; and a motor that rotates the fan in a first rotation direction to help move the air toward the person with the inhale and in a second rotation direction to help move the air away from the person with the exhale.

In an embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source comprises two ultraviolet (UV-C) light sources provided on opposing sides of the light module.

In an embodiment, the outlet is exposed to the face of the person when the mask is on the face of the person.

In an embodiment, the one or more airflow paths receive both the air to be breathed in by the person and air to be breathed out by the person.

In a further embodiment, a mask that is wearable on the face of a person comprises: a cover for covering at least one of the mouth and the nose of the person; a light module attached to the cover and comprising: an inlet for receiving air to be breathed in by the person, and an outlet that faces the person when the mask is on the face of the person; one or more airflow paths extending between the inlet and the outlet, the one or more airflow paths configured to receive at least the air to be breathed in by the person; an ultraviolet (UV-C) light source configured to emit anti-microbial light into the one or more airflow paths at a wavelength that kills microorganisms in the air in the one or more airflow paths; and a light barrier located on each end of the one or more airflow paths and into which the one or more airflow paths open, wherein the light barrier comprises rows of offset walls forming a plurality of staggered airflow paths through the light barrier that allow the air to pass therethrough, but blocks the anti-microbial light from passing through the light barrier.

In an embodiment, each of the one or more airflow paths has a zig-zag shape.

In an embodiment, one of the light barriers is exposed to the face of the person when the mask is on the face of the person, and includes multiple openings through which the plurality of staggered airflow paths pass to and from the face of the person.

In an embodiment, the mask further comprises a power source that supplies power to the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source.

In an embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source comprises an LED.

In an embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source emits the anti-microbial light at a wavelength in the range of 200 nm to 300 nm.

In an embodiment, the mask further comprises a fan proximate the inlet of the light module. In an embodiment, the fan includes: a sensor that detects an inhale and an exhale by the person when the mask is on the face of the person; and a motor that rotates the fan in a first rotation direction to help move the air toward the person with the inhale and in a second rotation direction to help move the air away from the person with the exhale.

In an embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source comprises two ultraviolet (UV-C) light sources provided on opposing sides of the light module.

In an embodiment, the one or more airflow paths receive both the air to be breathed in by the person and air to be breathed out by the person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing selected embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein. The disclosure and description herein is illustrative and explanatory of one or more presently preferred embodiments and variations thereof, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in the design, organization, means of operation, structures and location, methodology, and use of mechanical equivalents may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It should also be understood that the drawings are intended to illustrate and plainly disclose presently preferred embodiments to one of skill in the art, but are not intended to be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products and may include simplified conceptual views to facilitate understanding or explanation. As well, the relative size and arrangement of the components may differ from that shown and still operate within the spirit of the invention.

Moreover, it will be understood that various directions such as “upper”, “lower”, “bottom”, “top”, “left”, “right”, and so forth are made only with respect to explanation in conjunction with the drawings, and that components may be oriented differently, for instance, during transportation and manufacturing as well as operation. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.

FIG.1illustrates one embodiment of a dead air mask10for killing microorganisms in the air breathed through the mask10by the person100wearing the mask10. The dead air mask10is shown being worn on the face of a person100in a frontal view perspective. The mask10may be attached to the person with one or more straps16for fitting around the ears of the person100as shown inFIG.1, or alternatively the straps16may be configured to wrap around the head of the person100. In either case, the cover12of the mask10is adapted to cover at least the mouth of the person100, and preferable both the mouth and nose of the person100as shown inFIG.1. The cover12may be form fitting to the face of the person100so that no air is able to escape from between the cover12and the face of the person100. That is, the cover12may form an air-tight seal with the face of the person100when the mask10is worn by the person100. The cover12may be made of silicon, rubber, plastic and/or other material, and may be heated, e.g., in hot water, to be form fitted to the face of the person100in order to provide the air-tight seal when the mask10is worn by the person100.

In one embodiment, the cover12may include an expandable pocket13on each side of the cover12, so that each expandable pocket13is on one side of the mouth of the person100when the mask10is on the face of the person100. Each expandable pocket13is configured to expand in response to a sneeze or cough of the person100, and then to slowly contract back to its original shape while slowly pushing the exhaled air out of the front of the mask10through a light module14(discussed below). In other words, the expandable pockets13absorb the extreme pressure from the sneeze or cough and channel that pressure (along with the air) slowly out through the front of the mask10.

In order to kill microorganisms in the air that is breathed by the person100through the mask10, the mask10includes a light module14attached to the cover12. As shown inFIG.2, the light module14may protrude from the front of the cover12. Alternatively, the inlet end of the light module14may be flush with the cover12. In either case, the inlet end of the light module14may be exposed on the front of the cover12in order to receive air to be breathed in by the person100, as discussed in detail below.FIG.3shows some of the component parts of the mask10in an exploded view, namely, the cover12, the light module14, and a power source18that provides power to the light module14. In one embodiment, the power source18may be battery or battery pack, such as a lithium ion battery pack. The battery or battery pack may be rechargeable or replaceable. An outlet end of the light module14, which is opposite to the inlet end, faces the mouth of the person100when the mask10is on the face of the person100. In an embodiment, the outlet end may be exposed to the face of the person100, as discussed below.

FIG.4shows an embodiment of the light module14of the mask10. The light module14is shown having a substantially rectangular shape in this illustrated embodiment, but the overall shape is not limited to a rectangle or square. In some embodiments, the light module14may have a circular, elliptical, or other polygonal shape that may contour to the cover12of the mask10. The light module14may be composed of a housing22that includes airflow paths24defined by walls having a zig-zag orientation so that the airflow paths24have a zig-zag shape. The number of airflow paths24is not particularly limiting, and may range from one to ten zig-zagged airflow paths24. The airflow paths24extend from an inlet28on one end of the housing22to an outlet29on the opposite end of the housing22. The inlet28includes a plurality of openings26and is configured to receive air to be breathed in by the person100wearing the mask10. The outlet29faces the person100when the mask10is on the face of the person100, and also includes a plurality of openings26. In this configuration, the airflow paths24are configured to receive the air to be breathed in by the person100through the openings26in the inlet28and guide the breathed-in air through the openings26in the outlet29to the mouth and/or nose of the person100wearing the mask10. Similarly, the airflow paths24are configured to receive the air to be breathed out by the person100through the openings26in the outlet28and guide the breathed-out air through the openings26in the inlet28and out of the light module14/mask10. The airflow paths24thus receive both the air to be breathed in by the person100and air to be breathed out by the person100.

Each of the top and bottom of the light module14may be formed of one or more panels20that enclose the airflow paths24within the light module14. The light module14is thus sealed except for the openings26in the inlet28and the outlet29. One or more of the panels20may include an ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23configured to emit anti-microbial light into the airflow paths24at a wavelength that kills microorganisms in the air irradiated in the airflow paths24by the anti-microbial light. The ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23may be one or more LEDs. In another embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23may be a light bulb. The ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23may emit blue light. In one embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23emits the anti-microbial light at a wavelength in the range of 200 nm to 300 nm. For instance, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23may emit anti-microbial light at a wavelength of 262 nm. Both of the top panels20and the bottom panels20of the light module14may include the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23, so that the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23is provided on opposing sides of the light module14. Alternatively, only the top panels20may include the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23while the bottom panels20do not, and vice versa. Further, where multiple panels20are used, one or more of the panels20may include the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23, and some may not include the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23. The shape and size of the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23are not particularly limited, and are simply required to emit an appropriate amount of anti-microbial light into the airflow paths24to kill microorganisms in the air irradiated in the airflow paths24. The housing22protects the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23from physical damage. With this orientation, the photons emitted from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23are directed toward the airflow paths24such that air passing through the light module14is irradiated by the anti-microbial light. In one embodiment, the light module may be 3 cm to 10 cm or more in length, and may have a width of the same dimensions. In an embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23may be glued to the panel20with a heat-resistant glue. In other embodiments, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23may be attached to the panel20with tape, or mechanically. The power source18may supply power to the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23.

FIG.5is a cross-sectional plan view of the light module14, and shows the zig-zag airflow paths24extending between the inlet28of the light module14and the outlet29. The zig-zag shape of the airflow paths24may disrupt laminar flow of the microorganisms in the air moving in the airflow paths24. The laminar flow could otherwise shield some microorganisms traveling in the center of the airflow from being irradiated by the anti-microbial light from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23. The zig-zag shape of the airflow paths24also increases the amount of time the air spends in the airflow paths24, thus maximizing the exposure of the air passing in the airflow paths24to the anti-microbial light before the air enters the mouth and/or nose of the person100. Accordingly, the probability that some of the harmful microorganisms in the air will reach the person's mouth or nose without being irradiated (i.e., killed) by the anti-microbial light is greatly diminished, if not completely eliminated. This configuration greatly increases the likelihood that the irradiated air entering the mouth and/or nose of the person100is completely free of harmful microorganisms. That is, the zig-zag shape of the airflow paths24significantly increases the probability that all microorganisms in the air breathed in by the person100through the mask will be killed before being inhaled through the mask by the person100. In some embodiments, the interior surfaces of the housing22and/or the walls of the airflow paths24may have, or be formed of, mirrors. The mirrors may better reflect and/or ricochet rays of the ultraviolet (UV-C) light and thus increase exposure of pathogens in the air irradiated in the airflow paths24to the ultraviolet (UV-C) light. As an alternative to mirrors, the interior surfaces of the housing22and/or the walls of the airflow paths24may include a reflective coating, or may be formed of a chrome material. Similarly, the interior surfaces of the top and bottom panels20of the light module14may have, or be formed of, mirrors; may include a reflective coating; or may have, or be formed of, a chrome material.

FIG.6shows a close-up view of the outlet29of the light module14, according to one embodiment. It is noted, however, that the inlet28of the light module14may the same configuration as the outlet29. The outlet29may include a plurality of walls30that each have one or more slits32through which the air breathed in and the air breathed out passes. The slits32of each wall30are offset relative to the slits32of an adjacent wall30to form staggered airflow paths34through the plurality of walls30. The staggered airflow paths34allow the air to pass through offset slits32, but blocks the anti-microbial light emitted by the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23from passing through the offset slits32and irradiating the face of the person100wearing the mask10. The staggered airflow paths34thus allow the air to pass to and from the person through the offset slits32while protecting the person100from the harmful anti-microbial light. In like manner, the inlet28having this same configuration prevents harmful ultraviolet (UV-C) light from exiting the inlet28of the light module14and impacting other people. In one embodiment, the light module14may be comprised of four walls30as shown inFIG.6. However, the number of walls30is not particularly limiting, and the number of walls30may be less than or greater than four. Nor is the number of slits32limiting to this disclosure. What is important is that the number of walls30and slits32be sufficient to allow air to pass through the outlet29while blocking harmful anti-microbial light from passing therethrough. Further, the distance between the walls30is not particularly limited in this disclosure, only that the distance allows air to freely pass through the slits32to the openings26. In an embodiment, the walls30may be spaced 0.1 mm to 5 mm from each other. The outlet29may be exposed to the face of the person100when the mask10is on the face of the person100. Thus, the openings26at the outlet29also are exposed to the face of the person100when the mask10is on the face of the person100. The mask10is thus configured so that all of the air breathed in by the person wearing the mask10enters only into the inlet28of the light module14, passes through the airflow paths24while being irradiated by the anti-microbial light from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23, and exits through the outlet29. Similarly, all of the air breathed out by the person wearing the mask10enters only into the outlet29, passes through the airflow paths24while being irradiated by the anti-microbial light from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23, and exits through the inlet28and out of the mask10. In some embodiments, the surface of the walls30that faces the airflow paths24may have, or be formed of, mirrors; may include a reflective coating; or may have, or be formed of, a chrome material. On the other hand, the (opposite) surface of the walls30that faces the openings26of the outlet29may have a black or dark color, and/or may include anti-reflective material. This configuration may help reflect and/or ricochet rays of the ultraviolet (UV-C) light in the outlet29on the side of the walls30that faces the airflow paths24, while not promoting such action on the side of the walls30that face the wearer100of the mask10.

FIG.7shows a close-up view of the outlet29of the light module14, according to another embodiment. The inlet28of the light module14may the same configuration as the outlet29of this embodiment, or may have the configuration shown inFIG.6, and vice versa. In this embodiment, the outlet29forms a light barrier into which the airflow paths24open. The light barrier (outlet29) comprises rows of offset walls36forming a plurality of staggered airflow paths40through gaps38between the offset walls36. The gaps38allow passage of the air breathed in and out by the person, but block the anti-microbial light emitted by the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23from passing through the staggered airflow paths40and irradiating the face of the person100wearing the mask10. The staggered airflow paths40thus allow the air to pass to and from the person through the gaps38while protecting the person100from the harmful anti-microbial light. In one embodiment, the light barrier may be comprised of three rows of offset walls36as shown inFIG.7. However, the number of rows of offset walls36is not particularly limiting, and the number of walls may be less than or greater than three. Nor are the number walls36and corresponding gaps38between the walls36limiting to this disclosure. What is important is that the number of walls36and corresponding gaps38be sufficient to allow air to pass through the outlet29while blocking harmful anti-microbial light from passing therethrough. Further, the plurality of walls36may not be located in uniform rows, and may be arranged somewhat randomly throughout the light barrier (outlet29). The distance between the walls36is not particularly limited in this disclosure, only that the distance allows air to freely pass through the gaps38to the openings26. In an embodiment, the walls36may be spaced 0.1 mm to 5 mm from each other. As in theFIG.6embodiment, the outlet29may be exposed to the face of the person100when the mask10is on the face of the person100. Thus, the openings26at the outlet29also are exposed to the face of the person100when the mask10is on the face of the person100. The mask10is thus configured so that all of the air breathed in by the person wearing the mask10enters only into the inlet28of the light module14, passes through the airflow paths24while being irradiated by the anti-microbial light from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23, and exits through the outlet29. Similarly, all of the air breathed out by the person wearing the mask10enters only into the outlet29, passes through the airflow paths24while being irradiated by the anti-microbial light from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source23, and exits through the inlet28and out of the mask10. In some embodiments, the surface of the walls30that faces the airflow paths24may have, or be formed of, mirrors; may include a reflective coating; or may have, or be formed of, a chrome material. On the other hand, the (opposite) surface of the walls36that faces the openings26of the outlet29may have a black or dark color, and/or may include anti-reflective material. This configuration may help reflect and/or ricochet rays of the ultraviolet (UV-C) light in the outlet29on the side of the walls36that faces the airflow paths24, while not promoting such action on the side of the walls36that face the wearer100of the mask10.

FIG.8shows that the mask10may have additional components. In particular, the mask10may include a fan42. The fan42may be configured to rotate in response to an inhale or an exhale of the person100when the mask10is on the face of the person100. The fan42thus assists the breathing of the person100. In an embodiment, the fan42may be attachable to the inlet28of the light module14as shown inFIG.8. Attentively, the fan42may be attachable to the outlet29of the light module14. The fan42may include a sensor46that detects an inhale and an exhale by the person100when the mask10is on the face of the person100. A motor48of the fan42may rotate the fan42in a first rotation direction to help move the air toward the person100with the inhale, and in a second rotation direction to help move the air away from the person100with the exhale. Further, the fan42may be part of an assembly that includes a visual indicator (not shown) that indicates when the person100wearing the mask10is inhaling or exhaling. For instance, the visual indicator may be a light that turns green when an inhale is detected by the sensor46and the motor48rotates the fan42in one direction, and turns red when an exhale is detected by the sensor46and the motor48rotates the fan42in an opposite direction.

In addition, the mask10may include a detachable vent cover44that is attachable to the inlet28of the light module14. The detachable vent cover44may include movable louvers that open and close. The louvers may be sprung at a 45 degrees angle downward, as shown inFIG.8, to prevent rain from entering the light module14. The louvers may be opened and closed manually. In an embodiment, the detachable vent cover44may include a smart chip or sensor that can detect the pressure of a sneeze or a cough of the person100wearing the mask10, and control the louvers to close when the sneeze or a cough occurs, or when a deep inhale before a sneeze occurs, thus forcing the exhaled air of the sneeze or a cough into the expandable pockets13. Alternatively, the louvers may be manually closed by the person when the sneeze or a cough occurs.

It is to be noted that each component of the mask10may be modular, so that the light module14, the power source18, the fan42, and the detachable vent cover44may be detachable from the mask10. This allows the component modular parts to be detached from the mask for repair or replacement. In addition, the mask10may accommodate more than one light module14. For instance, multiple light modules14may be stackable (not shown) within the mask10. In such a case, an additional power source18(more several power sources18) may be provided to help supply power to the multiple light modules14. The multiple light modules14and power sources18may be sized to fit within the mask10.

Although several preferred embodiments have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and describe in the foregoing specification, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that additional embodiments, modifications and alterations may be constructed from the principles disclosed herein.