TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to the field of masks. In particular, the present invention provides a self-breathing filtering respiratory face mask.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Existing breathing masks depend upon passive material like non-woven fabric to prevent ingress of pollutants. While there are some masks which comprise an active inlet fan with inbuilt power source, they do not have any assisted exhalation mechanism and close proximity of power source can be a safety hazard.
Masks are typically worn for relatively short duration of time while venturing out in polluted environment (chemical or biological pollutants). However, with the advent of COVID-19, wearing a mask for long duration of time has become a necessity. Currently available masks when worn for long periods of time lead to fatigue and breathlessness due to accumulation of expelled gases inside the mask, and laboured breathing as the air has to pass through one more layer of material that generally restrict free flow of air.
Therefore, there is a need in the market to provide masks which are easy and convenient to use, while at the same time provide ease in breathability.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-breathing filtering respiratory face mask (100) comprising: at least one inhalation unit (110); at least one exhalation unit (120; and a fastening system.
This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific embodiments presented herein.
Fig. 1 depicts the self-breathing filtering respiratory face mask (100) comprising an inhalation unit (110), exhalating unit (120); and fastening system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 depicts the modular aspects of the inhalation or exhalation unit of the mask of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 depicts the external DC power source, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Those skilled in the art will be aware that the invention described herein is subject to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention described herein includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all such steps, features, compositions and methods referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.
Definitions
For convenience, before further description of the present invention, certain terms employed in the specification, examples are collected here. These definitions should be read in light of the remainder of the disclosure and

understood as by a person of skill in the art. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The terms used throughout this specification are defined as follows, unless otherwise limited in specific instances.
As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended for the purposes of exemplification only.
The present invention provides a self-breathing filtering respiratory face mask comprising: at least one inhalation unit; at least one exhalation unit; and a fastening system.
The at least one inhalation unit further comprises at least one removeable filter. The removeable filter, in an embodiment, can be a N95 grade filter. In another embodiment, the removeable filter can be a N99 grade filter. Other filters of varying standards are contemplated to be within the scope of the disclosure and within the regular expertise of a person skilled in the art to employ as a substitute. The at least one inhalation unit further comprises at least a fan. The fan is capable of being powdered by an external DC power source and is capable of drawing air from the external space and pushing it into the internal space between the mask and nose/mouth of the user wearing the mask. The at least one filter and at least one fan are arranged in a manner such that the air drawn from the external space first passes through the filter and then across the fan and into the internal space.
In an embodiment, the mask may comprise one or more inhalation units. In an embodiment, each inhalation unit may comprise one or multiple filters. In

another embodiment, each inhalation unit may comprise one or multiple fans. In an embodiment, each inhalation unit may comprise any combination of one or multiple filters and one or more fans.
In a preferred embodiment, the mask comprises one inhalation unit comprising a single removeable filter and a single fan. The filter is removably affixed in place by a filter holder.
The at least one exhalation unit comprises at least one fan capable of pushing air from the internal space into the external space. The at least one exhalation unit may optionally comprise a removeable filter similar to that present in the inhalation unit. The fan is capable of being powdered by an external DC source. In the event the exhalation unit comprises a filter, the filter and fan are arranged in a manner such that air present in the internal space first passes through the filter and then across the fan and into the external space. The filter if present is affixed in place by a filter holder.
In an embodiment, the mask may comprise one or more exhalation units. In an embodiment, each exhalation unit may comprise one or multiple fans. In an embodiment, each exhalation unit may comprise one or multiple filters. In an embodiment, each exhalation unit may comprise any combination of one or more fans and one or more filters. In a preferred embodiment, the mask comprises one exhalation unit comprising a fan.
The at least one fan in the inhalation unit and exhalation unit is provisioned to be connected to a DC power source. In an embodiment, the DC power source is an integrated battery pack. In an embodiment, the integrated battery power back can be rechargeable. In a preferred embodiment, the DC power source is an external DC power source. The external DC power source can be selected from the group consisting of battery pack, laptop, automobile DC unit, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the DC power source is a

battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, the external battery pack comprises one or more rechargeable cells.
The at least one fan in the inhalation unit and exhalation unit are internally wired to draw power from a DC power source. Where the DC power source is an integrated battery pack, the fan(s) are directly connected to the integrated battery back. Where in a preferred embodiment, the DC power source is an external battery pack, the fan(s) are connected to a male or female type connector on the mask. The male or female type connector can be connected with the external DC power source via a connector cable. In an embodiment, the connector is a USB type connector. Other connector types are also contemplated to be part of the present disclosure.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one fan in the inhalation unit or the exhalation unit functions at a single pre-set speed. In a preferred embodiment, the fan speed is variable. In an embodiment, the fan speed can be varied across at least 2 pre-set settings, low and high. In a preferred embodiment, the fan speed can be varied across at least 3 pre-set settings, low, medium, and high. The pre-set fan speed can be selected via a user accessible circuit. In an embodiment, the user accessible circuit is built into the mask and is accessed physically. In an embodiment, the user accessible circuit is built into the mask and is accessed remotely via an application which communicates with the circuit via wired or wireless technology such as IR, wireless, or Bluetooth. In an embodiment, the circuit is part of the connector cable connecting the fans to the external DC power source. In another embodiment, the circuit is part of the external DC power source. The speed of the fan(s) of the inhalation or exhalation unit can be independently selected.
The inhalation unit and exhalation units are modular in nature. Parts of the inhalation unit and exhalation unit can be replaced as per requirement.

The mask of the present invention is essentially fabric based comprising at least a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is an impervious layer to prevent diffusion of air across it. The second layer provides stiffness to the mask and thickness to the mask. In an embodiment, the first layer is taffeta. In an embodiment, the second layer is polywool. In an embodiment, the mask comprises 4 layers. The outermost layer (layer 1) is for cosmetic purposes, which can be printed upon in an embodiment. Layer 2 is same as first layer as described previously. Layer 3 is same as the second layer as described previously. Layer 4 is the innermost layer made of any soft fabric with sensorial attributes. The various layers are welded together by at least one line of weld.
The mask of the present invention can be worn by a user by the provision of the fastening system, which comprises an adjustable head band and two or more adjustable ear straps. The fastening system allows for distribution of pressure over a larger area, thus preventing chaffing of skin or excess pressure in certain areas of the body. The mask also has a bendable nose clip to conform to various shapes and sizes of nose to provide a comfortable yet secure fitting.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 1 depicts the self-breathing filtering respiratory face mask (100) of the present invention. The mask (100) comprises a single inhalation unit (110) and a single exhalation unit (120). A fastening system comprising ear and head bands are also present on the mask. The inhalation and exhalation unit are electrically connected to each other. Fig. 2 depicts the parts of modular nature of the inhalation or exhalation unit assembly/mounting (200). As seen in Fig. 2, each unit comprises a screw on cap (210), fan holder (220), fan (230), filter holder (240), filter (250), and cover (260). The whole assembly can be dismantled for ease in cleaning/maintenance. The assembly can also be removed to facilitate the cleaning and washing of the mask fabric material. Fig. 3 depicts an external DC power source (300) which is a rechargeable battery pack (310). The power source further includes an indicator

for charge level, means for controlling fan speed (low-medium-high), and an on-off switch. The power pack may be connected to the mask (100) via a USB type cable of variable length (320).
In another exemplary embodiment, the exhalation unit can achieve continuous air-flow of more than 19 liters per minute (LPM), which is significantly more than the average requirement of 8 LPM by a user (measured by anemometer).
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the functional efficacy of the mask (100) of the present invention was tested and was shown to effectively purify the ambient/external air having AQI of 350-400 to less than AQI 25 (as measured in internal space) within 60 seconds. The same is achieved only by the concurrent functioning of both inhalation and exhalation unit. The levels of oxygen and carbon-di-oxide are also maintained in the internal space.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The following are a non-limiting set of advantages of the mask of the present invention.
Maintenance of optimum gases (oxygen, carbon-di-oxide) levels in the air in the internal space between mask and user nose/mouth.
Maintenance of moisture level in the air in the internal space between mask and user nose/mouth.
Cost effective as only filter needs to be replaced periodically.
Safe to use as power source is positioned away from the mask and immediate vicinity of user face.
Versatility in being able to use multiple power sources.
Ability to control fan speed.

Modular design, allowing for replacement of inhalation unit and parts thereof; and exhalation unit and parts thereof.
Ability to breathe freely due to air circulation.
Protection from stale air.
Ease of disassembly and cleaning.
The present invention allows various changes and modifications that do not violate the claimed scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the above description. The present invention can be successfully implemented in the absence of any element not specifically described in the written description.

I/We Claim:
1. A self-breathing filtering respiratory face mask (100) comprising: at least one inhalation unit (110); at least one exhalation unit (120); and a fastening system.
2. The mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one inhalation unit (110) further comprises at least a removeable filter (130), wherein said filter is any of N95 - N99 fabric and the like; and at least a fan (140).
3. The mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one exhalation unit (120) comprises at least a fan (150).
4. The mask (100) as claimed in claim 2-3, wherein said at least one fan is provisioned to be connected to an external DC power source.
5. The mask (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the speed of at least one fan can be one or more selectable speeds.
6. The mask (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein speed of at least one fan of the at least one inhalation unit is same or different than speed of at least one fan in at least one exhalation unit.
7. The mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mask is essentially fabric based, wherein said fabric comprises at least a first and a second layer, wherein the first and second layer are welded to each other by at least one line of weld.

8. The mask (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first layer is an impervious layer to prevent air diffusion across it, wherein the second layer provides stiffness and thickness to the mask.
9. The mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a detachable cable and an external battery back, wherein the detachable cable can electrically connect the at least one fan and the battery pack, and wherein the battery pack comprises at least a circuit to control speed of said at least one fan.