Claims:I/We Claim:
1. A smart wearable face mask (100) comprising:
a filter body (104) having a shape so as to cover at least a nose and mouth of a wearer (102), the filter body (104) being breathable so that the wearer (102) inhales and exhales through the filter body (104);
a fan (200) attached to the filter body (104), wherein the fan (200) is configured to draw exhaled air out of the filter body (104);
a pump (202) configured to draw air inside and outside of the filter body (104); and
a processor (206) connected to the fan (200) and the pump (202), wherein the processor (206) is configured to activate the fan (200) and the pump (202) at a predefined time interval.
2. The smart wearable face mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined time interval is 5 seconds.
3. The smart wearable face mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump (202) is a 5-volt air pump.
4. The smart wearable face mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a securing mechanism (106a-106b) attached to the filter body (104), wherein the securing mechanism (106a-106b) is configured to hold the filter body (104) on the wearer's (102) skin.
5. The smart wearable face mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a power supply (208) for the fan (200).
6. The smart wearable face mask (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the power supply (208) is portable.
7. The smart wearable face mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter body (104) is formed at least in part of a gas permeable fabric, a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, or a combination thereof.
8. The smart wearable face mask (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan (200) further comprises an air filter (204).
9. The smart wearable face mask (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the air filter (204) is positioned directly adjacent to the filter body (104).
10. The smart wearable face mask (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the air filter (204) is selected from a carbon filter, a HEPA filter, a N95 filter, a N99 filter, a N100 filter, a R95 filter, a P95 filter, a P100 filter, an anti-microbial filter, an anti-bacterial filter, or a combination thereof.
Date: 05 April, 2022
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant

, Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a face mask providing a covering for nose and mouth of a wearer, and more particularly to the face mask with a fan attachment for drawing air through a filter body of the mask.
Description of Related Art
[002] Disposable face masks and respirators are well known in the art. In the medical field, such masks are used in preventing contamination of a patient by an exhaled breath of healthcare personnel. In recent years, with increased concern for infection of healthcare personnel by airborne pathogens, such masks have become important in preventing infection of healthcare personnel as well.
[003] Healthcare personnel now increasingly show a preference for wearing face masks which form a barrier or seal between the periphery of the mask and the face of the wearer. As a result of this sealing engagement between the mask and the wearer's skin, substantially all air inhaled or exhaled by the wearer is forced to flow through the filter media of the face mask. As a result, these better-fitting filter masks can become hot and uncomfortable to the wearer during periods of long-term wear. Breathability can also be a problem.
[004] In certain healthcare environments, there is a preference for including transparent panels in face masks through which the wearer's face can be seen. These panels allow improved communication between the healthcare personnel and patients by allowing the patient to see the mouth of the healthcare worker, and are particularly beneficial for serving hearing-impaired patients. Such masks with transparent panels often have a problem with condensation because the warm, moist air exhaled by the wearer causes the panel to fog with moisture vapor. A similar condensation problem can occur when the face mask wearer must also wear eyeglasses or goggles.
[005] The use of face masks with the noted associated problems is not restricted to the healthcare environment. Many industrial applications, such as handling hazardous materials or working in a cleanroom environment, also require the use of face masks and respirators that form a substantially tight seal between the face of the wearer and the periphery of the mask.
[006] Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a face mask design that provides increased airflow through the filter media of the mask by forcing exhaled air from the interior of the mask and delivering fresh air from the exterior of the mask.
SUMMARY
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a smart wearable face mask. The smart wearable face mask includes a filter body having a shape so as to cover at least a nose and a mouth of a wearer, the filter body being breathable so that the wearer inhales and exhales through the filter body. The smart wearable face mask further includes a fan attached to the filter body, wherein the fan is configured to draw exhaled air out of the filter body. The smart wearable face mask further includes a pump configured to draw air inside and outside of the filter body. The smart wearable face mask further includes a processor connected to the fan and the pump, wherein the processor is configured to activate the fan and the pump at a predefined time interval.
[008] The smart wearable face mask further includes an air filter positioned directly adjacent to the filter body. The air filter is selected from, one of, a carbon filter, a HEPA filter, a N95 filter, a N99 filter, a N100 filter, a R95 filter, a P95 filter, a P100 filter, an anti-microbial filter, an anti-bacterial filter, or a combination thereof.
[009] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application provide a smart wearable face mask. Next, embodiments of the present application enable a wearer to inhale quality and pure air.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a budget-friendly face mask with smart features and an air filter.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an itching-free, comfortable face mask.
[0012] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0013] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present disclosure and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a smart wearable face mask worn by a wearer, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates the smart wearable face mask, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be clear from this description of the disclosure that the disclosure is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the disclosure also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims.
[0019] “In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.”
[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a smart wearable face mask 100 worn by a wearer 102, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The smart wearable face mask 100 is a device that extends across a nose and cheeks of the wearer 102. The wearer 102 may be, but not limited to, a student, a nurse, a doctor, an engineer, a child, a waiter, a painter, a carpenter, and so forth. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the wearer 102. The smart wearable face mask 100 comprises a filter body 104 and a securing mechanism 106a-106b.
[0022] The filter body 104 has a shape so as to cover at least the nose and mouth of the wearer 102, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The filter body 104 may be breathable so that the wearer 102 inhales and exhales through the filter body 104. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the filter body 104 may be made up of a material, such as, a gas permeable fabric, a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, or a combination thereof.
[0023] Further, the filter body 104 of the smart wearable face mask 100 is held against the wearer 102 face by the securing mechanism 106a-106b which preferably causes the periphery of the smart wearable face mask 100 to form a substantially tight seal with the wearer's 102 skin. The securing mechanism 106a-106b may comprise a resilient, elastic strap extending from a side of the periphery of the smart wearable face mask 100 in a generally linear configuration. Furthermore, the smart wearable face mask 100 will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the smart wearable face mask 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As discussed in the FIG.1, the smart wearable face mask 100 is worn by the wearer 102 around the face. The smart wearable face mask 100 comprises a fan 200, a pump 202, an air filter 204, a processor 206, and a power supply 208.
[0025] The fan 200 may be a simple lightweight fan in plastic casing, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The fan 200 may be disposable, semi-disposable, or reusable. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan 200 is a micro fan. The fan 200 may be configured to run at a number of speeds or only a single speed. In a preferred embodiment, the fan 200 is attached to both sides of the filter body 104 to efficiently draw exhaled air as it enters an interior volume of the smart wearable face mask 100 from the nose and mouth of the wearer 102.
[0026] In a desired embodiment, the fan 200 is operational in a direction to draw the exhaled air from within the interior volume of the smart wearable face mask 100, in order to enhance breathability and comfort to the wearer 102. Alternatively, the fan 200 may be reversible to allow the wearer 102 to switch a direction of the fan 200, choosing between a direction to remove the exhaled air from the interior volume of the smart wearable face mask 100 or a direction to draw cool, fresh air into the interior volume of the smart wearable face mask 100. The fan 200 could be restricted to one direction as necessary, for example, in a hazardous environment, where forcing exterior air into the smart wearable face mask 100 might also bring in the harmful matter.
[0027] The fan 200 may be attached to the smart wearable face mask 100 in any number of ways. The fan 200 may be permanently attached to the smart wearable face mask 100 with adhesive. Alternatively, the fan 200 may be removably attached, for example, using a snap-in method, a pocket of material, or with material hooks such as Velcro®. Such a removable attachment arrangement would allow the use of a reusable fan with a disposable mask.
[0028] The fan 200 is further connected to the pump 202 that may be configured to suck the fresh air inside the smart wearable face mask 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pump 202 may be configured to suck the air out of the smart wearable face mask 100, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The pump 202 is a 5-volt air pump.
[0029] The fan 200 may also include an air filter 204 to aid in filtering the air that may provide the wearer 102 protection from viruses, bacteria, and other pollutants. The air filter 204 may be, but not limited to, a carbon filter, a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, a N95 filter, a N99 filter, a N100 filter, a R95 filter, a P95 filter, a P100 filter, an anti-microbial filter, an anti-bacterial filter, and so forth. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the air filter 204 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] Further, the fan 200 and the pump 202 may be connected to the processor 206, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The processor 206 may be configured to control operations of the fan 200 and the pump 202. The processor 206 may be configured to activate the fan 200 and the pump 202 at a predefined time interval. The predefined time interval is of 5 seconds. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 206 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 206 is ARDUINO. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processor 206 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of controlling the data.
[0031] Further, the fan 200, the pump 202, the processor 206 may be powered up using the power supply 208, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The power supply 208 may be a portable battery.
[0032] While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0033] This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the disclosure is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.