Abstract:
A personal air filter device with an air filter assembly retained in the air filter holding member is disclosed. An ear support member is attached to the air filter holding member and can be hung over the ear of the user to support the air filter holding member. Alternatively, a clip member attached to the air filter holding member can be utilized to attach the device to the user&#39;s clothing or accessories. An air tube assembly extends from the air filter holding member to the mouthpiece for the purpose of breathing filtered air flowing through the air filter assembly. An air intake check valve situated near the end of the air tube attached to a mouthpiece retaining member and an air outflow check valve situated near the outer surface of the mouthpiece retaining member to ensure exhaled air is directed out of the device and is not reinhaled.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/652,162, filed May 25, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to air filtering apparatus and, more particularly to a personal air filtering apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the World Health Organization (WHO), urban outdoor air pollution is estimated to cause 1.3 million deaths worldwide per year. Those living in middle-income countries disproportionately experience this burden. The American Heart Association states that air pollutants contribute measurably and significantly to both acute and chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Air pollutants are comprised of particulate matter and other gaseous chemicals that can be harmful to a person&#39;s health when inhaled. The outdoor air pollution in many cities around the world far exceeds the WHO recommended levels for health, containing an unsafe amount of particulate matter and potentially toxic gasses because of the emissions generated by the heightened industrial activity and vehicle emissions in and around those cities. 
     To protect themselves from breathing these harmful pollutants, some people wear respirator type masks while outdoors. These masks can either be simple cloth scarves that are wrapped around the user&#39;s nose and mouth, or more advanced masks such as an N95 disposable particulate respirator. 
     Although respirator masks are in common use, they have a number of disadvantages. They are visually unsightly and feel restrictive because they tend to cover a major portion of the user&#39;s face, usually extending from the lower chin, over the mouth and nose and ending just under the user&#39;s eyes. Wearing a mask carries a stigma as other people may assume that the user is ill and attempt to avoid contact with them. Without a proper fitting, it is difficult to achieve a tight seal around the user&#39;s face with facemask respirators (and nearly impossible to achieve a proper seal if the user has facial hair, facial deformities or sensitive skin), thus allowing the user to inhale more unfiltered air and minimizing the effectiveness of the respirator. When these masks are held on by utilizing straps that wrap around the user&#39;s head, the straps tend to disturb a person&#39;s hair and also contribute to the unfavorable visual impression. For these reasons and others, many people elect not to wear a protective face mask even though, due to poor air quality, there may be a serious risk to their health from breathing the ambient air in the area where they live or work. 
     A number of attempts have been made to address the issues with facemask respirators described above. However, these non-mask respirators have their own drawbacks. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,105 shows a respiratory apparatus with a nostril intake manifold connected to two hoses that surround the user&#39;s head and join to one extension tube leading to a filter box attached to the user&#39;s waist. U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,386 shows a device with a mouthpiece and check valves leading to two tubes that encircle the user&#39;s head with the filter cartridge placed behind the user&#39;s head on the upper back or neck. The device balances on the user&#39;s shoulders and is held on by biting the mouthpiece. Each of the above devices wrap around the user&#39;s head and are difficult to manage and unwieldy to use in daily activities. They are also visually obtrusive and unattractive. Further, the distance of the filter from the breath intake orifice, particularly for U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,105 and similar devices, creates a greater drag on air flow increasing the effort necessary to inhale if the device is not powered. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,782,234; 5,771,885 and 7,025,060 show more compact respirators where the device is held in the user&#39;s mouth and gripped by his or her teeth. The filter is located directly in front of the user&#39;s mouth and employs air flow check valves. While these mouth-held respirators avoid the larger size and unwieldiness of the previously described respirators, these mouth-held respirators have other issues. As these respirators are held in solely by force of the teeth, the respirator will fall out if the user tries to speak without removing it entirely. If the respirator is used for extended periods, the user&#39;s jaw could tire from supporting the entire weight of the device. The position of the filter protruding from the user&#39;s mouth also gives these respirators a strange appearance. 
     Furthermore, for nostril plug type filters (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,918,225 and 6,962,156), the entire filter mechanism is inserted into the user&#39;s nostrils. These are single-use devices that must be replaced after each use, and the amount of filtration material that can be used is limited to a size that fits inside a human nostril. In addition, these nostril plug type filters do not accommodate persons who prefer to breathe through their mouth, which is often necessary when engaging in strenuous exercise. 
     Thus, the need exists for a personal air filter designed to minimize or eliminate one or more of these problems and to provide greater comfort and ease of use to the user, thereby increasing the likelihood that a person will wear the device and realize its health benefits. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of a personal air filter described in this application include a wearable respirator device that does not overly obscure the user&#39;s face. The personal air filter device may attach to either the user&#39;s nose or mouth depending on their breathing preference and the embodiment chosen. It may be worn a number of ways—one embodiment utilizes the user&#39;s ear as a support member by having a piece that hooks over the user&#39;s ear, similar to an earphone, to support the device. In other embodiments, the device can be attached to the user&#39;s person or clothing by means of a clip, for instance, by clipping the device to the user&#39;s headband, necklace, shirt collar hat or other accessories. It is therefore relatively quick and easy to put on or take off and is held on by a support mechanism other than the breathing orifice. The personal air filter device is preferably foldable for compact carrying and storage. The personal air filter device also preferably allows the user to easily and quickly remove and replace the air filter assembly. The filtration material utilized in the air filter assembly may be composed of a variety of filtration materials with different filtration capabilities, including the ability to filter particulates, toxic gases and bacteria and viruses. In one embodiment, the filter can be recharged and reused. The personal air filter device also preferably allows the user to replace the pieces inserted into the user&#39;s breathing orifices, for hygiene and proper fit. 
     Thus, several advantages of one or more aspects are that the personal air filter device allows a wider range of people with different facial types to achieve a proper air seal. Other advantages of one or more aspects is that the personal air filter device may be more visually attractive, it is supported by means other than solely the breathing orifice, it can be used multiple times, it leaves the user&#39;s face relatively uncovered and unrestricted, the user has flexibility to choose whether they wish to breathe through their nose or mouth, it does not disturb a person&#39;s hair, the filter is not located directly in front of the user&#39;s face, and the distance from the filter to the breathing orifice is still minimized, thus allowing for ease of breathing. These and other advantages of one or more aspects will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, embodiments of the personal air filter are disclosed. 
     One embodiment of the device may be a personal respiratory device comprising: an air filter assembly with filter media; an air filter holding member; an air tube coupled to the air filter holding member; a breathing orifice interface connected to the end of the air tube which is opposite the air filter holding member; at least one air intake check valve; at least one air outflow check valve; and a member that connects the personal respiratory device to a user&#39;s person or clothing; wherein said air intake check valve and said air outflow check valve are capable of insuring the breathing in of filtered air and that air expelled from the user&#39;s lungs exits the device and does not flow back into the air tube; said breathing orifice interface capable of being inserted into said user&#39;s breathing orifice for the purpose of breathing filtered air flowing through said air tube wherein such filtered air has passed through the filter media located in the air filter holding member. 
     Another embodiment of the personal air filter device may include an air filter cartridge assembly, an air filter holding member, an ear pad, an ear support member, a first air tube member, a second air tube member, a third air tube member, a mouthpiece retaining member, a mouthpiece, an air intake check valve, air outflow check valves, said air filter cartridge assembly having stacked components including a rigid top cover member, a particulate disk filter member, an activated carbon filter disk member, a rigid lower filter retaining member and a central retaining fastener, said stacked components held together by said central retaining fastener, said filter cartridge assembly removably retained in said air filter holding member, said ear pad attached to the wall of said air filter holding member that is meant to be in contact with the user&#39;s ear, said first air tube member fixed to said air filter holding member allowing air to flow from said air filter cartridge assembly to said first air tube member, said second air tube member rotatably attached to said first air tube member, said third air tube member slidably attached in a telescoping fashion to said second air tube member, said mouthpiece retaining member rotatably attached to said third air tube member, said mouthpiece rotatably attached to said mouthpiece retaining member, said ear support member being an inverted J shape and attached at one end to said air filter holding member, said ear support member capable of being hung over the ear of said user to support said air filter holding member, said mouthpiece capable of being inserted into said user&#39;s mouth for the purpose of breathing filtered air flowing from said air filter cartridge assembly, said air intake check valve situated in said third air tube member, said air outflow check valves situated near the outer surface of said mouthpiece retaining member, and said air intake check valve and said air outflow check valves insuring the breathing in of filtered air and the expellation of exhaled air from the device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the personal air filter device, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the device may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the device. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a personal air filter device in accordance with various embodiments being worn by a person. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the device being worn by a person. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of the device. 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the air filter cartridge assembly and an embodiment of the air filter holding member. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of an embodiment of the device. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the device. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device showing the air filter cartridge assembly removed. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device in the folded position. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a person wearing a clip-on embodiment of the device. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a person wearing an embodiment of the device utilizing a headband. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a person wearing a nose breathing version of the device in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial section view of a person wearing a nose breathing version of the device in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an ear pad and ear support member embodiment of the device. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a clip mount version of the device in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of a headband version of the device in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a nose piece version of the device in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a nose piece embodiment of the device with the nose/mouth shield in place. 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective alternate embodiment of the device with a hinged lid and a separate air filter pack. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the device with an air filter holding member and an air filter assembly located behind the ear. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the device with a single flexible air tube. 
         FIG. 21  is a plan view of a ball joint version of the invention in the folded, storage position. 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view of the ball joint version of the invention in the use position. 
         FIG. 23  is an exploded view of the mouth piece with mouthpiece cover. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the device with nose piece and nose shield in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed descriptions of certain embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present personal air filter device may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the device. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a front perspective view of a person  1  wearing a personal air filter device  100  in accordance with various embodiments. An air filter holding member  2  retains an air filter cartridge assembly  50  that may be removed from the air filter holding member  2 . The air filter holding member  2  includes a resilient ear pad  18  that rests against the user&#39;s ear, and the air filter holding member  2  is supported by the user&#39;s ear.  FIG. 13  shows a partial perspective view of the ear pad  18  attached to the air filter holding member  2 , and the ear support member  16  attached at pivot point  82 . A recessed area  84  allows the inverted J shaped ear support member  16  to be stored when not in use. When in use, the ear support member  16 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , is placed over the user&#39;s ear near where the ear meets the head. This supports the air filter holding member  2 . A first air tube member  4  extends from the air filter holding member and is open on both ends, allowing air to pass from the air filter cartridge assembly  50  to the second air tube member  6  and the third air tube member  8  and finally to the mouthpiece retaining member  10  and the mouthpiece  12  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The joint between the first air tube member  4  and the second air tube member  6  is preferably rotatable which allows the second air tube to be folded for storage, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The joint between the second air tube member  6  and the third air tube member  8  is preferably a telescoping slip joint so that the user can slide the third air tube member  8  in or out depending on the size of the user&#39;s face and the distance between the user&#39;s ear and mouth. The joint between the third air tube member  8  and the mouthpiece retaining member  10  is preferably rotatable to allow the user to turn the mouthpiece retaining member  10  to the ideal angle with respect to the user&#39;s mouth. One potential effect of the personal air filter device  100  is that it does not overly detract from seeing the features of the user&#39;s face. Although the personal air filter device  100  is shown as including three air tubes, fewer tubes may be utilized in some embodiments. For example, the three air tubes  4 ,  6 , and  8  may be consolidated into a single air tube that connects the air filter holding member  2  to the mouthpiece holding member  10 . Various other configurations are also possible. 
       FIG. 2  shows a side view of a person  1  wearing the personal air filter device  100 . The entire personal air filter device  100  remains in close proximity to the user&#39;s face and provides a short air travel distance from the air filter cartridge assembly  50  and the user&#39;s mouth. This relatively short distance reduces the amount of internal drag on the air passing through the tubing  4 ,  6  and  8 . Rotatable joint  14  can be clearly seen and is the folding point for when the personal air filter device  100  is not in use and is folded for storage. 
       FIG. 3  shows a side view of the personal air filter device  100 . In this view the mouthpiece  12  can be clearly seen. The mouthpiece  12  is snapped into the mouthpiece retaining member  10  and can swivel to allow the mouthpiece  12  to be at the correct orientation with respect to the user&#39;s mouth. The curved condition of the third air tube member  8  matches the curved condition of the second air tube member  6  so that it can be easily slid in or out to accommodate the specific distance between each user&#39;s ear and mouth. 
       FIG. 4  shows a side section view of the air filter holding member  2  and the air filter cartridge assembly  50  as defined by section line  120  shown in  FIG. 3 . The air filter holding member  2  includes a well that the outer walls  21  of air filter cartridge assembly  50  fits into. The air filter cartridge assembly  50  is held in place by means of a magnet  34  built into the center of the air filter holding member  2  and a ferrous metal plate  36  built into the center of the inner filter holding member  30 . However, other standard means of attachment may be employed such as a snap fit, or a screw fit. A screen portion  22  protects the first filter member  24  and the second filter member  26 . The filter members may be composed of a variety of filtration material. In this embodiment, the first filter member  24  is a particulate filter. The second filter member  26  is comprised of an activated carbon cloth—a material that absorbs and traps various gases, bacteria and viruses. The outside diameter of the filter pieces  24 ,  26  is approximately two inches in diameter, giving them enough surface area to produce effective filtering while also maintaining a sufficient airflow to permit relatively unrestricted breathing by the user. Over time, the filter members  24 ,  26  will become saturated and lose their effectiveness. At that time, the user can extend the life of the activated carbon cloth  26  filter by heating it at approximately 150° F. for approximately ten minutes. The particulate filter  24  can be gently washed to extend its life. Eventually, the user can replace the entire air filter cartridge assembly  50  with a new one.  FIG. 4  also shows the attachment of the ear pad  18  to a rigid plate  42  which is in turn attached to the underside of the air filter holding member  2  by screw  32 . 
     Screw  32  can be removed by the user and at least two alternate options can be employed for wearing the personal air filter device. The first is to remove the ear pad and replace it with a clip  180 , as shown in  FIG. 14  so that the personal air filter device  100  can be clipped onto an item of the user&#39;s clothing such as the user&#39;s hat or shirt  76  as shown in  FIG. 9 . As mentioned previously, the mouthpiece  12  is capable of rotating so that it can be turned ninety degrees for use in the clip mode. The second option is to insert a headband member  60  between the back of the air filter holding member  2  and the ear pad  18  as shown in  FIG. 15 . This allows for a more secure fit to the user&#39;s head if so desired as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an end view of the personal air filter device  100 . This view shows a clear view of air outflow check valve  40 . This valve opens when the user is expelling air from his or her lungs. An air intake check valve  41  is located between the mouthpiece retaining member  10  and the mouthpiece  12  as shown in the exploded view in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the personal air filter device  100 . All components of the air filter cartridge assembly, as described previously, are stacked in order. The filter discs  24 ,  26  are trapped in place by the upper cartridge housing  21  and the lower cartridge housing  30 . The cutout  23  in the side wall of the upper cartridge housing  21  allows air to pass from the air filter cartridge assembly  50  to the first air tube member  4 . The rotating joint  14  is clearly shown to be hollow to allow air to pass through it when in the use position. The upper surface of the upper cartridge housing  21  is molded in a screen pattern  22  to allow free flow of air into the air filter cartridge assembly  50  while protecting the filter material  24 ,  26  below it. 
       FIG. 7  shows clearly the ability for the air filter cartridge assembly  50  to slide into the air filter holding member  2 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the personal air filter device embodiment  100  in its folded form, ready for storage. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show an alternate embodiment of the personal air filter device where instead of the mouthpiece  12  and mouthpiece retaining member  10 , a nose piece  170  is substituted in its place. The section view in  FIG. 12  shows a nostril interface  171  of the nose piece  170  being inserted into the user&#39;s nasal passage. In this way, the user has the choice of either breathing through his or her nose or through his or her mouth when using the device. 
       FIG. 13  shows the folded out ear support member  16  that holds the air filter holding member  2  onto a person&#39;s ear. 
       FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of an alternate way to hold the air filter holding member  2  onto a person. A spring biased clip  180  is attached to the underside of the air filter holding member  2  in place of the ear pad member and may be clipped onto a person&#39;s clothing. 
       FIG. 15  shows an exploded view of an alternate way of wearing the personal air filter device by attaching the headband  60  between the ear pad holding plate  42  and the back of the air filter holding member  2 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a person wearing the nose breathing embodiment of the personal air filter device where flexible tubular members  171  are inserted into the user&#39;s nostrils. An outflow check valve flap  173  is directed downwards to allow easy escape of air when a nose piece shield  176  is snapped into place using attachment  178  as shown in  FIG. 17 . Air intake check valve, not shown, is similar to the intake check valve  41  shown in the mouth breathing version of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 18  shows a partial perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the air filter holding member  400  where the top cover  402  of the air filter holding member  400  is hinged  404  and can be lifted to insert or remove an air filter pack  410  which may be an assembly consisting of a particulate filter material on the outside and a carbon activated material on the inside. The perimeter edge  416  of air filter pack  410  is trapped between the downwardly facing radial rib  414  and the ledge  412  inside filter housing well  408  thereby creating an air tight seal and forcing air entering the personal air filter device to pass through the air filter pack  410 . 
       FIG. 19  shows an alternate embodiment of the personal air filter device  500  where the air filter holding member  502  is just behind the user&#39;s ear and the air tube  504  rests on the top portion of the user&#39;s ear where the ear meets the head. This configuration helps balance the weight of the entire assembly so that the weight of the air tube going to the user&#39;s mouth and the weight of the air filter holding member are approximately equal. 
       FIG. 20  shows another alternate embodiment of the personal air filter device  600  where a single flexible air tube  602  is used in place of the telescoping tube configuration shown in the previously described embodiments. This configuration  600  produces cost savings in comparison to the previous embodiment. 
       FIG. 21  shows a plan view of another embodiment of the device  700  where a flexible tube  704  can wrap around the main air filter holding member  708  forming a compact storage configuration. The ball joint air passageway  702  allows the tube to lie in close contact with the main filter area  708  when in the folded storage position and when the tube  704  is extended out as shown in  FIG. 22 , the tube  704  and mouthpiece  706  are in the correct position for use. Dotted lines  710  shows the air passage way within the ball valve  702 . 
       FIG. 23  shows a plan view of the mouthpiece  12  with the option of a secondary mouthpiece insert cover  812  which is capable of being removably attached to the mouthpiece  12 . This allows the user to change mouthpieces as needed, either to install a different size mouthpiece to accommodate differences in mouth size and structure, or to replace a worn or soiled mouthpiece with a new one. 
       FIG. 24  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the device  900  where the air filter holding member  914  is triangular in shape. The main breathing tube  904  is rotatably attached to the back of the air filter holding member  902  by means of an L shaped joint  918 . The curve of the breathing tube  904  is designed to follow the contour of the user&#39;s face. The embodiment  900  shown is designed for use with the user&#39;s nose. Flexible nostril insert members  910  extend from check valve housing  912  and are inserted into the nose and act to help hold the breathing tube in place during use and prevent ambient air leakage into the nose. A nose concealing panel  908  is held onto breathing tube  904  via retaining clips  906 . The concealing panel can also be fixedly attached to the breathing tube or combined with the breathing tube in a single piece. Another version of this embodiment  900  employs a mouthpiece rather than the nosepiece shown in  FIG. 24 . Ear support member  916  holds the device  900  to the user&#39;s head and works as described in earlier versions of the invention. 
     The above description and drawings show a novel device for a personal air filtration system that can be worn in an unassuming way, without covering major portions of the user&#39;s face and yet provide a significant degree of filtering of common outdoor air pollutants. 
     While the personal air filter device has been described in connection with a number of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the device to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the device as defined by the appended claims. For example, although the body of the device is preferably made out of plastic, other materials may similarly be used, such as glass and bio-plastic. In addition, although the shape of the air filter and air filter holder are preferably round, different shapes may be similarly used, such as a triangular, rectangular or heart shaped filter and filter holder. Moreover, the filter case and nose/mouth shield may be decorative in nature, allowing the user to personalize the appearance of the device. It is contemplated that the nose/mouth shield will be produced in many colors, shapes and patterns, again allowing users to personalize the device. Additionally, the filter material can be scented or flavored. The ear piece may include earphones that provide audio to the user of the filter from a Bluetooth enabled device, such as a cellphone, tablet, or laptop computer. In addition, the device may contain a pollutant sensor to indicate when the filter should be replaced. The device may further contain a mechanism to alert the user to the levels of pollution in the area the user is using the device.