Patent Publication Number: US-2023132702-A1

Title: Dead air mask for killing microorganisms in air breathed by a wearer of the mask

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a domestic application that claims priority to, and the benefit of, International Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application No. PCT/US2021/023358, having the title of “Dead Air Mask For Killing Microorganisms In Air Breathed By A Wearer Of the Mask” filed on Mar. 19, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/992,554, filed on Mar. 20, 2020, having the title of “Dead Air Mask For Killing Microorganisms In Air” and Provisional Application No. 63/155,608, filed on Mar. 2, 2021, having the title of “Dead Air Mask For Killing Microorganisms In Air Breathed By A Wearer Of the Mask”. The disclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Various embodiments are hereafter described in detail and with reference to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or similar elements throughout the several figures and views that collectively comprise the drawings. 
         FIG.  1    is a frontal view of a person wearing a mask that kills microorganisms, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of the mask, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of the mask, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded view of light module of the mask, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional plan view of light module of the mask, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a view showing the configuration of a portion of the light module, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a view showing the configuration of a portion of the light module, according to another embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of the mask showing additional components, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     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.  1    illustrates one embodiment of a dead air mask  10  for killing microorganisms in the air breathed through the mask  10  by the person  100  wearing the mask  10 . The dead air mask  10  is shown being worn on the face of a person  100  in a frontal view perspective. The mask  10  may be attached to the person with one or more straps  16  for fitting around the ears of the person  100  as shown in  FIG.  1   , or alternatively the straps  16  may be configured to wrap around the head of the person  100 . In either case, the cover  12  of the mask  10  is adapted to cover at least the mouth of the person  100 , and preferable both the mouth and nose of the person  100  as shown in  FIG.  1   . The cover  12  may be form fitting to the face of the person  100  so that no air is able to escape from between the cover  12  and the face of the person  100 . That is, the cover  12  may form an air-tight seal with the face of the person  100  when the mask  10  is worn by the person  100 . The cover  12  may 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 person  100  in order to provide the air-tight seal when the mask  10  is worn by the person  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the cover  12  may include an expandable pocket  13  on each side of the cover  12 , so that each expandable pocket  13  is on one side of the mouth of the person  100  when the mask  10  is on the face of the person  100 . Each expandable pocket  13  is configured to expand in response to a sneeze or cough of the person  100 , and then to slowly contract back to its original shape while slowly pushing the exhaled air out of the front of the mask  10  through a light module  14  (discussed below). In other words, the expandable pockets  13  absorb the extreme pressure from the sneeze or cough and channel that pressure (along with the air) slowly out through the front of the mask  10 . 
     In order to kill microorganisms in the air that is breathed by the person  100  through the mask  10 , the mask  10  includes a light module  14  attached to the cover  12 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the light module  14  may protrude from the front of the cover  12 . Alternatively, the inlet end of the light module  14  may be flush with the cover  12 . In either case, the inlet end of the light module  14  may be exposed on the front of the cover  12  in order to receive air to be breathed in by the person  100 , as discussed in detail below.  FIG.  3    shows some of the component parts of the mask  10  in an exploded view, namely, the cover  12 , the light module  14 , and a power source  18  that provides power to the light module  14 . In one embodiment, the power source  18  may 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 module  14 , which is opposite to the inlet end, faces the mouth of the person  100  when the mask  10  is on the face of the person  100 . In an embodiment, the outlet end may be exposed to the face of the person  100 , as discussed below. 
       FIG.  4    shows an embodiment of the light module  14  of the mask  10 . The light module  14  is 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 module  14  may have a circular, elliptical, or other polygonal shape that may contour to the cover  12  of the mask  10 . The light module  14  may be composed of a housing  22  that includes airflow paths  24  defined by walls having a zig-zag orientation so that the airflow paths  24  have a zig-zag shape. The number of airflow paths  24  is not particularly limiting, and may range from one to ten zig-zagged airflow paths  24 . The airflow paths  24  extend from an inlet  28  on one end of the housing  22  to an outlet  29  on the opposite end of the housing  22 . The inlet  28  includes a plurality of openings  26  and is configured to receive air to be breathed in by the person  100  wearing the mask  10 . The outlet  29  faces the person  100  when the mask  10  is on the face of the person  100 , and also includes a plurality of openings  26 . In this configuration, the airflow paths  24  are configured to receive the air to be breathed in by the person  100  through the openings  26  in the inlet  28  and guide the breathed-in air through the openings  26  in the outlet  29  to the mouth and/or nose of the person  100  wearing the mask  10 . Similarly, the airflow paths  24  are configured to receive the air to be breathed out by the person  100  through the openings  26  in the outlet  28  and guide the breathed-out air through the openings  26  in the inlet  28  and out of the light module  14 /mask  10 . The airflow paths  24  thus receive both the air to be breathed in by the person  100  and air to be breathed out by the person  100 . 
     Each of the top and bottom of the light module  14  may be formed of one or more panels  20  that enclose the airflow paths  24  within the light module  14 . The light module  14  is thus sealed except for the openings  26  in the inlet  28  and the outlet  29 . One or more of the panels  20  may include an ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  configured to emit anti-microbial light into the airflow paths  24  at a wavelength that kills microorganisms in the air irradiated in the airflow paths  24  by the anti-microbial light. The ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  may be one or more LEDs. In another embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  may be a light bulb. The ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  may emit blue light. In one embodiment, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  emits the anti-microbial light at a wavelength in the range of 200 nm to 300 nm. For instance, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  may emit anti-microbial light at a wavelength of 262 nm. Both of the top panels  20  and the bottom panels  20  of the light module  14  may include the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23 , so that the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  is provided on opposing sides of the light module  14 . Alternatively, only the top panels  20  may include the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  while the bottom panels  20  do not, and vice versa. Further, where multiple panels  20  are used, one or more of the panels  20  may include the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23 , and some may not include the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23 . The shape and size of the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  are not particularly limited, and are simply required to emit an appropriate amount of anti-microbial light into the airflow paths  24  to kill microorganisms in the air irradiated in the airflow paths  24 . The housing  22  protects the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  from physical damage. With this orientation, the photons emitted from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  are directed toward the airflow paths  24  such that air passing through the light module  14  is 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 source  23  may be glued to the panel  20  with a heat-resistant glue. In other embodiments, the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  may be attached to the panel  20  with tape, or mechanically. The power source  18  may supply power to the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23 . 
       FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional plan view of the light module  14 , and shows the zig-zag airflow paths  24  extending between the inlet  28  of the light module  14  and the outlet  29 . The zig-zag shape of the airflow paths  24  may disrupt laminar flow of the microorganisms in the air moving in the airflow paths  24 . 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 source  23 . The zig-zag shape of the airflow paths  24  also increases the amount of time the air spends in the airflow paths  24 , thus maximizing the exposure of the air passing in the airflow paths  24  to the anti-microbial light before the air enters the mouth and/or nose of the person  100 . Accordingly, the probability that some of the harmful microorganisms in the air will reach the person&#39;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 person  100  is completely free of harmful microorganisms. That is, the zig-zag shape of the airflow paths  24  significantly increases the probability that all microorganisms in the air breathed in by the person  100  through the mask will be killed before being inhaled through the mask by the person  100 . In some embodiments, the interior surfaces of the housing  22  and/or the walls of the airflow paths  24  may 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 paths  24  to the ultraviolet (UV-C) light. As an alternative to mirrors, the interior surfaces of the housing  22  and/or the walls of the airflow paths  24  may include a reflective coating, or may be formed of a chrome material. Similarly, the interior surfaces of the top and bottom panels  20  of the light module  14  may have, or be formed of, mirrors; may include a reflective coating; or may have, or be formed of, a chrome material. 
       FIG.  6    shows a close-up view of the outlet  29  of the light module  14 , according to one embodiment. It is noted, however, that the inlet  28  of the light module  14  may the same configuration as the outlet  29 . The outlet  29  may include a plurality of walls  30  that each have one or more slits  32  through which the air breathed in and the air breathed out passes. The slits  32  of each wall  30  are offset relative to the slits  32  of an adjacent wall  30  to form staggered airflow paths  34  through the plurality of walls  30 . The staggered airflow paths  34  allow the air to pass through offset slits  32 , but blocks the anti-microbial light emitted by the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  from passing through the offset slits  32  and irradiating the face of the person  100  wearing the mask  10 . The staggered airflow paths  34  thus allow the air to pass to and from the person through the offset slits  32  while protecting the person  100  from the harmful anti-microbial light. In like manner, the inlet  28  having this same configuration prevents harmful ultraviolet (UV-C) light from exiting the inlet  28  of the light module  14  and impacting other people. In one embodiment, the light module  14  may be comprised of four walls  30  as shown in  FIG.  6   . However, the number of walls  30  is not particularly limiting, and the number of walls  30  may be less than or greater than four. Nor is the number of slits  32  limiting to this disclosure. What is important is that the number of walls  30  and slits  32  be sufficient to allow air to pass through the outlet  29  while blocking harmful anti-microbial light from passing therethrough. Further, the distance between the walls  30  is not particularly limited in this disclosure, only that the distance allows air to freely pass through the slits  32  to the openings  26 . In an embodiment, the walls  30  may be spaced 0.1 mm to 5 mm from each other. The outlet  29  may be exposed to the face of the person  100  when the mask  10  is on the face of the person  100 . Thus, the openings  26  at the outlet  29  also are exposed to the face of the person  100  when the mask  10  is on the face of the person  100 . The mask  10  is thus configured so that all of the air breathed in by the person wearing the mask  10  enters only into the inlet  28  of the light module  14 , passes through the airflow paths  24  while being irradiated by the anti-microbial light from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23 , and exits through the outlet  29 . Similarly, all of the air breathed out by the person wearing the mask  10  enters only into the outlet  29 , passes through the airflow paths  24  while being irradiated by the anti-microbial light from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23 , and exits through the inlet  28  and out of the mask  10 . In some embodiments, the surface of the walls  30  that faces the airflow paths  24  may 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 walls  30  that faces the openings  26  of the outlet  29  may 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 outlet  29  on the side of the walls  30  that faces the airflow paths  24 , while not promoting such action on the side of the walls  30  that face the wearer  100  of the mask  10 . 
       FIG.  7    shows a close-up view of the outlet  29  of the light module  14 , according to another embodiment. The inlet  28  of the light module  14  may the same configuration as the outlet  29  of this embodiment, or may have the configuration shown in  FIG.  6   , and vice versa. In this embodiment, the outlet  29  forms a light barrier into which the airflow paths  24  open. The light barrier (outlet  29 ) comprises rows of offset walls  36  forming a plurality of staggered airflow paths  40  through gaps  38  between the offset walls  36 . The gaps  38  allow passage of the air breathed in and out by the person, but block the anti-microbial light emitted by the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23  from passing through the staggered airflow paths  40  and irradiating the face of the person  100  wearing the mask  10 . The staggered airflow paths  40  thus allow the air to pass to and from the person through the gaps  38  while protecting the person  100  from the harmful anti-microbial light. In one embodiment, the light barrier may be comprised of three rows of offset walls  36  as shown in  FIG.  7   . However, the number of rows of offset walls  36  is not particularly limiting, and the number of walls may be less than or greater than three. Nor are the number walls  36  and corresponding gaps  38  between the walls  36  limiting to this disclosure. What is important is that the number of walls  36  and corresponding gaps  38  be sufficient to allow air to pass through the outlet  29  while blocking harmful anti-microbial light from passing therethrough. Further, the plurality of walls  36  may not be located in uniform rows, and may be arranged somewhat randomly throughout the light barrier (outlet  29 ). The distance between the walls  36  is not particularly limited in this disclosure, only that the distance allows air to freely pass through the gaps  38  to the openings  26 . In an embodiment, the walls  36  may be spaced 0.1 mm to 5 mm from each other. As in the  FIG.  6    embodiment, the outlet  29  may be exposed to the face of the person  100  when the mask  10  is on the face of the person  100 . Thus, the openings  26  at the outlet  29  also are exposed to the face of the person  100  when the mask  10  is on the face of the person  100 . The mask  10  is thus configured so that all of the air breathed in by the person wearing the mask  10  enters only into the inlet  28  of the light module  14 , passes through the airflow paths  24  while being irradiated by the anti-microbial light from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23 , and exits through the outlet  29 . Similarly, all of the air breathed out by the person wearing the mask  10  enters only into the outlet  29 , passes through the airflow paths  24  while being irradiated by the anti-microbial light from the ultraviolet (UV-C) light source  23 , and exits through the inlet  28  and out of the mask  10 . In some embodiments, the surface of the walls  30  that faces the airflow paths  24  may 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 walls  36  that faces the openings  26  of the outlet  29  may 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 outlet  29  on the side of the walls  36  that faces the airflow paths  24 , while not promoting such action on the side of the walls  36  that face the wearer  100  of the mask  10 . 
       FIG.  8    shows that the mask  10  may have additional components. In particular, the mask  10  may include a fan  42 . The fan  42  may be configured to rotate in response to an inhale or an exhale of the person  100  when the mask  10  is on the face of the person  100 . The fan  42  thus assists the breathing of the person  100 . In an embodiment, the fan  42  may be attachable to the inlet  28  of the light module  14  as shown in  FIG.  8   . Attentively, the fan  42  may be attachable to the outlet  29  of the light module  14 . The fan  42  may include a sensor  46  that detects an inhale and an exhale by the person  100  when the mask  10  is on the face of the person  100 . A motor  48  of the fan  42  may rotate the fan  42  in a first rotation direction to help move the air toward the person  100  with the inhale, and in a second rotation direction to help move the air away from the person  100  with the exhale. Further, the fan  42  may be part of an assembly that includes a visual indicator (not shown) that indicates when the person  100  wearing the mask  10  is inhaling or exhaling. For instance, the visual indicator may be a light that turns green when an inhale is detected by the sensor  46  and the motor  48  rotates the fan  42  in one direction, and turns red when an exhale is detected by the sensor  46  and the motor  48  rotates the fan  42  in an opposite direction. 
     In addition, the mask  10  may include a detachable vent cover  44  that is attachable to the inlet  28  of the light module  14 . The detachable vent cover  44  may include movable louvers that open and close. The louvers may be sprung at a 45 degrees angle downward, as shown in  FIG.  8   , to prevent rain from entering the light module  14 . The louvers may be opened and closed manually. In an embodiment, the detachable vent cover  44  may include a smart chip or sensor that can detect the pressure of a sneeze or a cough of the person  100  wearing the mask  10 , 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 pockets  13 . 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 mask  10  may be modular, so that the light module  14 , the power source  18 , the fan  42 , and the detachable vent cover  44  may be detachable from the mask  10 . This allows the component modular parts to be detached from the mask for repair or replacement. In addition, the mask  10  may accommodate more than one light module  14 . For instance, multiple light modules  14  may be stackable (not shown) within the mask  10 . In such a case, an additional power source  18  (more several power sources  18 ) may be provided to help supply power to the multiple light modules  14 . The multiple light modules  14  and power sources  18  may be sized to fit within the mask  10 . 
     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.