AIR MASK

An air mask is applied for a user to wear and includes a wearable main body, an airflow generator and a face shield. The wearable main body has a front part and a rear part and includes an airflow channel, an air inputting port disposed on the rear part, and an air outputting port disposed on the front part. The airflow generator is coupled to the air inputting port and configured for generating and guiding airflow to the airflow channel. The face shield is coupled to the front part of the wearable main body and has an air chamber communicated with the air outputting port. When the user wears the air mask, the air inputting port is located on rear head of the user, the air outputting port is located on forehead of the user, and the airflow flows downward from the forehead of the user to the air chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mask, and more particularly, to an air mask that can block the viruses and various suspended particles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Air is one of the important elements to people for living. However, the air pollution is getting worse caused by industries development. Therefore, there are many dusts, and various suspended particles in the air which may be harmful to the human body. In addition, the air is also considered as a media for spreading harmful substance and viruses, such as tuberculosis, SARS, MERS and COVID-19.

In order to prevent droplet infection, medical staffs and normal persons often wear masks to protect themselves from inhalation of viruses or pollutants in the air. However, most medical masks are disposable masks which cannot be reused, resulting in the waste of resources. Moreover, most the medical masks directly cover the nose and mouth of the user, thereby decreasing the comfortability. Although the medical masks with air permeability, the cavity between the mask and the user's face is still small. Therefore, the user may re-inhale the exhaust air, thereby decreasing practicality and comfortability. In addition, the medical masks do not completely cover the user's nose and mouth, so that the user may still inhale the unblocked harmful suspended particles and viruses. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new type of mask to solve the problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention provides an air mask to solve the problems of the prior art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the air mask is applied for a user to wear and includes a wearable main body, an airflow generator and a face shield. The wearable main body is configured to be worn by the user. The wearable main body has a front part and a rear part and includes an airflow channel, an air inputting port and an air outputting port. The air inputting port is disposed on the rear part and communicated with an external environment, and the air outputting port is disposed on the front part. The airflow generator is coupled to the air inputting port and configured for generating and guiding airflow to the airflow channel. The face shield is coupled to the front part of the wearable main body. The face shield has an air chamber communicated with the air outputting port. When the user wears the wearable main body, the air inputting port is located on rear head of the user, the air outputting port is located on forehead of the user, the face shield is located in front of face of the user, and the airflow flows downward from the forehead of the user to the air chamber.

Wherein, the air mask further includes a filter coupled to the airflow channel and configured to filter air in the airflow channel.

Wherein, the air mask further includes an ultraviolet light generator coupled to the airflow channel. The ultraviolet light generator is configured to emit an ultraviolet light into the airflow channel.

Wherein, the wearable main body is a helmet.

Furthermore, the wearable main body has an inner surface and includes a first fixing structure and a second fixing structure configured on the inner surface. When the user wears the wearable main body, the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure lean against on the rear head and the forehead of the user respectively.

Wherein, the face shield includes a transparent portion, a side structure and a bottom structure. When the user wears the wearable main body, the transparent portion, the side structure, and the bottom structure form the air chamber in front of the face of the user.

Wherein, the material of the bottom structure is fabric material with air permeability, and the airflow flows from the air chamber to the external environment through the bottom structure.

Wherein, the transparent portion includes ventilation hole, and the airflow flows from the air chamber to the external environment through the ventilation hole.

Wherein, the air mask further includes a controller coupled to the airflow generator. The controller is configured to control the airflow generator to generate the airflow.

Furthermore, the controller is a portable device. The controller is wireless connected to the airflow generator to remotely control the airflow generator.

In summary, the air mask of the present invention can increase the practicality and filter efficiency, and protect the health of users through the filter and the ultraviolet light generator. Moreover, the air mask of the present invention can block the unfiltered air to enter the face shield with the enclosed design, thereby increasing the filter quality and efficiency. Furthermore, the air mask of the present invention can increase the convenience and comfortability through the elastic structures and the flexible fixing structures of the wearable main body and face shield. Moreover, the air mask of the present invention also can increase the filter quality and efficiency through the downward direction airflow and ventilation holes and bottom structure. In addition, the air mask of the present invention can increase convenience through the control mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the sake of the advantages, spirits and features of the present invention can be understood more easily and clearly, the detailed descriptions and discussions will be made later by way of the embodiments and with reference of the diagrams. It is worth noting that these embodiments are merely representative embodiments of the present invention, wherein the specific methods, devices, conditions, materials and the like are not limited to the embodiments of the present invention or corresponding embodiments. Moreover, the devices in the figures are only used to express their corresponding positions and are not drawing according to their actual proportion.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the orientations or positional relationships of the terms “longitudinal, lateral, upper, lower, front, rear, left, right, top, bottom, inner, outer” and the like are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is merely for the convenience of the description of the present invention and the description of the present invention, and is not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to has a specific orientation, is constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limitations of the invention.

Please refer toFIG. 1,FIG. 2andFIG. 3.FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating an air mask1according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a schematic diagram illustrating the side view of the air mask1inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a sectional schematic diagram illustrating the air mask1inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2andFIG. 3, the air mask1includes a wearable main body11and a face shield13. The wearable main body11is configured to be worn by a user and has a front part110A and a rear part110B. Furthermore, the wearable main body11includes an airflow channel111, an air inputting port112and an air outputting port113. The air inputting port112and the air outputting port113are connected to two ends of the airflow channel111respectively. The air inputting port112is disposed on the rear part110B and communicated with an external environment, and the air outputting port113is disposed on the front part110A. The face shield13is coupled to the front part110A of the wearable main body11. The face shield13has an air chamber135, and the air chamber135is communicated with the air outputting port113.

In practice, the wearable main body11is a helmet. The user can wear the wearable main body11on the user's head, and the airflow channel111may be located above of the user's head. As shown inFIG. 3, the airflow channel111can be configured on the front part110A and the rear part110B of the wearable main body11to connect the air inputting port112and the air outputting port113. That is to say, the airflow channel111can be configured along the shape of the helmet. The face shield13can be extended from the front part110A of the wearable main body11. Furthermore, the face shield13can be integrally formed on the wearable main body11, but it is not limited thereto. Because the air inputting port112is communicated with the external environment and the air outputting port113is communicated with the air chamber135, the air chamber135can be communicated with the external environment via the airflow channel111. That is to say, the air from the external environment can pass through the airflow channel111to the air chamber135.

In this embodiment, the air mask1further includes an airflow generator12coupled to the air inputting port112. The airflow generator12is configured for generating and guiding the airflow to the airflow channel111. In practice, the airflow generator12may be a fan. The airflow generator12can guide the air from the external environment into air inputting port112. As shown inFIG. 3, the airflow generator12is disposed in the airflow channel111and close to the air inputting port112, but it is not limited hereto. The airflow generator12also can be disposed in any position of the airflow channel111. When the airflow generator12guides the air from the external environment into air inputting port112, the airflow generator12also generates the airflow passing through the airflow channel111, then the airflow passes through the air outputting port113and to the air chamber135.

Please refer toFIG. 3andFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a schematic diagram illustrating the user9wears the air mask1of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, when the user9wears the air mask1, the front part110A of the wearable main body11is located on the front head of the user9, the rear part110B of the wearable main body11is located on the rear head of the user9, and the face shield13is located in front of the user's face. Furthermore, the air inputting port112is located on the rear head of the user9, and the air outputting port113is located on the front head of the user9.

In practice, the air inputting port112may be located right behind the user's head (as shown inFIG. 4), but it is not limited thereto. The position of the air inputting port112also may be located on any position of the rear head of the user9. Moreover, the air outputting port113may be located on the forehead of the user9, and the direction of the air outputting port113is facing the ground. Therefore, when the airflow generator12guides the air from the external environment into air inputting port112and generates the airflow in the airflow channel111, the airflow may flow downward from the airflow channel111to the air chamber135.

Please refer toFIG. 3.FIG. 4andFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a schematic diagram illustrating the wearable main body11of the air mask1inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 3,FIG. 4andFIG. 5, in this embodiment, the wearable main body11has an inner surface115and includes a first fixing structure1161and a second fixing structure1162. The first fixing structure1161and the second fixing structure1162are configured on the inner surface115. Furthermore, the first fixing structure1161is configured on the rear part1101B, and the second fixing structure1162is configured on the front part110A.

In practice, the first fixing structure1161and the second fixing structure1162may be protruded from the inner surface115or installed on the inner surface115. The first fixing structure1161and the second fixing structure1162may be formed by plastic materials such as EVA foam (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate foam) and PVC foam (Polyvinyl chloride foam). Furthermore, the sizes of the first fixing structure1161and the second fixing structure1162can be corresponding to the size of the user's head. As shown inFIG. 4, the first fixing structure1161is located on the rear part110B corresponding to the rear head of the user9, and the second fixing structure1162is located on the front part110A corresponding to the forehead of the user9. When the user9wears the air mask1, the inner surface115of the wearable main body11is facing to the user's head, and the first fixing structure1161and the second fixing structure1162contact and lean against on the rear head and the forehead of the user9respectively.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5, the wearable main body11further includes an elastic structure117. The elastic structure117is configured between the inner surface115and the first fixing structure1161. Furthermore, the elastic structure117includes a first arm1171A, a second arm1171B, and a bending portion1172connected to the first arm1171A and the second arm1171B. The first arm1171A is connected to the inner surface115and the second arm1171B is connected to the first fixing structure1161. In practice, when the user wears the air mask1, the rear head of the user contacts and pushes the first fixing structure1161toward the inner surface115direction. At this time, the elastic structure117generates an elastic force when the elastic structure117is compressed by the first fixing structure1161. Then, the elastic structure117pushes back the first fixing structure1161according to the elastic force to contact and lean against the rear head of the user, to fix the wearable main body11on the user' head. It should be noted that the type of the elastic structure is not limited in this embodiment, the elastic structure also can be a spring. Therefore, the air mask of the present invention can increase the convenience and comfort through the elastic structure and the flexible fixing structures.

In this embodiment, the air mask1further includes a filter14coupled to the airflow channel111and configured to filter air in the airflow channel111. In practice, the filter14may be a HEPA filter (high efficiency particulate air filter), an activated carbon filter or any filter with air cleaning function. When the air passes through the filter14, the filter14can filter suspended particles (such as PM2.5 particles, bacteria, pollen and other invisible allergens) in the air. As shown inFIG. 3, the filter14is disposed in the airflow channel111and between the airflow generator12and the air inputting port112. When the airflow generator12guides air from the external environment to the air inputting port112, the filter14will filter the air first, and the filtered air flows into the airflow channel111, then the filtered air flows to the air chamber135, so that the user can inhale clean air. Therefore, the air mask of the present invention can increase the practicality and filter efficiency, and protect the health of users. It should be noted that the filter not only can be disposed between the airflow generator and the air inputting port, the filter also can be disposed in any position of the airflow channel.

In this embodiment, the air mask1further includes an ultraviolet light generator15coupled to the airflow channel111. The ultraviolet light generator15is configured to emit an ultraviolet light into the airflow channel111. In practice, when the airflow generator12guides air from the external environment to the airflow channel111, the air passes through the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light generator15. At this time, the ultraviolet light can kill the virus and bacteria in the air to generate the clean air. Then, the clean air flows to the air chamber135, and the user can inhale clean air. Therefore, the air mask of the present invention can increase the practicality and filter efficiency, and protect the health of users. It should be noted that the ultraviolet light generator not only can be disposed on the position inFIG. 3, the ultraviolet light generator also can be disposed in any position of the airflow channel.

Please refer fromFIG. 1toFIG. 4. In this embodiment, the face shield13includes a transparent portion131, a side structure132and a bottom structure133. Furthermore, the transparent portion131, the side structure132and the bottom structure133form the air chamber135. When the user9wears the face shield13, the transparent portion131is located in front of the face of the user9, the side structure132may contact the cheek of the user9, and the bottom structure133may contact the chin of the user9.

In practice, the side structure132may be formed by plastic materials such as EVA foam (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate foam) and PVC foam (Polyvinyl chloride foam). When the user9wears the air mask1, the side structure132will deform according to the face shape of the user, and only contact and attach on the face of the user9instead of forcibly resisting, thereby increasing the convenience and comfortability. Furthermore, the material of the bottom structure133can be fabric material with permeability such as clothes, and the bottom structure133also can optionally cover the chin of the user9. Therefore, the air mask1of the present invention can block the unfiltered air to enter the air chamber135, and the user9can inhale the clean air, thereby increasing filter efficiency and filter quality.

In practice, when the user9generates carbon dioxide air or exhaust air during breathing, the carbon dioxide air or exhaust air may pass through the bottom structure133to the external environment. Because the clean air outputted from the air outputting port112flows downward to the user's face, and the user's face is located between the air outputting port112and the bottom structure133, the user9can inhale the clean air before the clean air passes through the bottom structure133to the external environment. At this time, part of the clean air will also push the carbon dioxide air or exhaust air generated by the user9to pass through the bottom structure133. Furthermore, because the airflow only flows in the one downward direction, the air chamber does not generate the turbulence. That is to say, the user will not re-inhale the carbon dioxide air or exhaust air. Therefore, the air mask of the present invention can increase the filter quality and efficiency.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the transparent portion131of the face shield13further includes ventilation holes1361. The airflow flows from the air chamber135to the external environment through the ventilation holes1361. In practice, as shown inFIG. 1, the transparent portion131may include two ventilation structures136, and each ventilation structure136includes a plurality of ventilation holes1361. Furthermore, the ventilation structures136can be located on the lower position of the transparent portion131, and the user's face is located between the air outputting port112and the ventilation structure136. Therefore, the user9can inhale the clean air before the clean air passes through the ventilation holes1361to the external environment. Similarly, because the airflow only flows in the one downward direction, the user will not re-inhale the carbon dioxide air or exhaust air, and part of the clean air also will push the carbon dioxide air or exhaust air to pass through the ventilation holes1361. Therefore, the air mask of the present invention can increase the filter quality and efficiency. It should be noted that the shape and number of the ventilation structures are not limited inFIG. 1.

In addition to the above-mentioned components, the air mask of the present invention may also include a control mechanism. Please refer toFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a schematic diagram illustrating the air mask1and a controller16according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the air mask1further includes a controller16coupled to the airflow generator and disposed on the bottom side of the wearable main body11. The controller16is configured to control the airflow generator to generate the airflow. In practice, the controller16may be a switch, a push button, a touch switch, a knob or any component with on/off function. Therefore, the user can control the airflow generator by pressing or touching the controller16. Furthermore, the controller16also can be coupled to the ultraviolet light generator and control the ultraviolet light generator to generate the ultraviolet light. In one embodiment, the airflow generator is a variable speed fan, and the controller can control the speed of the airflow. It is should be noted that the position of the controller16is not limited hereto, the controller16may be disposed on any position of the wearable main body11.

Moreover, the air mask1further includes a circuit board and a power supply module (not shown in figure). In this embodiment, the circuit board is disposed in the wearable main body, and the circuit board is connected to the airflow generator, the ultraviolet light generator, the controller16and the power supply module. Furthermore, the power supply module includes a battery and a rechargeable component17configured for providing electrical power to the airflow generator and the ultraviolet light generator. In practice, the battery may be a secondary battery or rechargeable battery, and the rechargeable component17may be a recharging cable. The recharging cable may receive and transmit the electrical power to the battery. Therefore, the controller16can control the airflow generator and the ultraviolet light generator through the circuit board, and the power supply module can drive the airflow generator and the ultraviolet light generator through the circuit board.

The type of the controller is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, the controller also can be another type. Please refer toFIG. 7.FIG. 7is a schematic diagram illustrating the air mask2and the controller26according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the aforementioned embodiment is that the controller26is a portable device and the air mask2includes a transceiver (not shown in figure). Furthermore, the transceiver is connected to the airflow generator. The controller26is wireless connected to the transceiver to remotely control the airflow generator. In practice, the controller26may be a mobile phone or a tablet, and the controller26and the transceiver can be connected in Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth or NFC. Therefore, the user can control the airflow generator by the mobile phone or the tablet. Furthermore, the transceiver also can be connected to the ultraviolet light generator, so that the user can control the ultraviolet light generator to generate the ultraviolet light through the portable device. Therefore, the air mask of the present invention can increase convenience through the control mechanism.

In addition to the aforementioned structure, the air mask also can be another structure. Please refer toFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a schematic diagram illustrating an air mask5according to another embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the aforementioned embodiment is that the wearable main body51includes a circular telescopic belt514and an airflow structure515, and the airflow structure515is configured above the circular telescopic belt514. In practice, the airflow channel is configured in the airflow structure515, and the face shield53is disposed on one side of the circular telescopic belt514and connected to the airflow structure515. The airflow generator is disposed on the other side of the circular telescopic belt and opposite to the face shield53. When the user wears the air mask5, the circular telescopic belt514of the wearable main body51is arranged on the user's head, the face shield53is located in front of the face of the user, and the airflow generator is located on rear head of the user. The functions of the airflow generator and the face shield are the same with the functions of the corresponding components in the aforementioned embodiment, it will not be scribed herein.

In summary, the air mask of the present invention can increase the practicality and filter efficiency, and protect the health of users through filter and the ultraviolet light generator. Moreover, the air mask of the present invention can block the unfiltered air to enter the face shield with the enclosed design, thereby increasing the filter quality and efficiency. Furthermore, the air mask of the present invention can increase the convenience and comfortability through the elastic structures and the flexible fixing structures of the wearable main body and face shield. Moreover, the air mask of the present invention also can increase the filter quality and efficiency through the downward direction airflow and ventilation holes and bottom structure. In addition, the air mask of the present invention can increase convenience through the control mechanism.

With the examples and explanations mentioned above, the features and spirits of the invention are hopefully well described. More importantly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.