The present disclosure delineates both active as well as passive respiratory filtration systems. The respiratory filtration systems are configured to be worn by a user, providing the user protection from the ambient environment, possibly containing microorganisms, pathogens, particulate matter, and the like. The respiratory filtration system is also designed to protect others by filtering the exhalation air released into the environment by the user. The disclosed respiratory filtration system(s) includes one or more hygienic materials. The hygienic materials are carefully selected and disposed at predetermined locations within the respiratory filtration system, so to optimize user to the observer(s) communications, especially the oronasal cover. Optimized communications include the transmission of distortion-free speech and/or unobstructed view of the user's oronasal area, especially the mouth.

The present disclosure delineates both active as well as passive respiratory filtration systems. The respiratory filtration systems are configured to be worn by a user, providing the user protection from the ambient environment, possibly containing microorganisms, pathogens, particulate matter, and the like. The respiratory filtration system is also designed to protect others by filtering the exhalation air released into the environment by the user. The disclosed respiratory filtration system(s) are comprised from one or more hygienic materials. The hygienic materials are carefully selected and disposed at predetermined locations within the respiratory filtration system, so to optimize user to the observer(s) communications, especially the oronasal cover. Optimized communications include the transmission of distortion-free speech and/or unobstructed view of the user's oronasal area, especially the mouth.

A room air purifier has a body with a frame at least partially defining an interior chamber and an opening to the chamber. A purification mechanism in the chamber includes one or more filters and one or more blowers. A panel is configured to removably mount to the body and cover the opening to the chamber. A base mounted to the body, and each leg of a set of legs is mounted to the base. A nonwoven fabric portion covers at least part of the body. The blower when activated generates an inflow through the nonwoven fabric portion and a filter, and an outflow though the body, all while hidden from view in what to an observer looks like an article of furniture.

A filter assembly and a drying apparatus having the filter assembly are proposed. The filter assembly (180) may purify air introduced into the main body (100) of the drying apparatus. The filter assembly (180) may be protruded by a predetermined distance to a side surface of the main body (100) by the moving plate (190). The filter frame (182) protruded by the moving plate (190) may be removed from the moving plate (190) to perform maintenance of filters (184, 186, 188).

Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide face mask that may include a transparent portion configured to cover a nose and mouth when disposed on a wearer, where the transparent portion includes a left front opening and a right front opening. A first strap and a second strap may be affixed to the transparent portion. A first filter may be configured to be removably disposed in the left front opening of the transparent portion to filter air, and a second filter configured to be removably disposed in the right front opening of transparent portion to filter the air. A first module may be configured to be removably affixed to the first filter and a second module configured to be affixed to the second filter. The modules may include a controller, a fan, a speaker, a microphone, a display, a memory, a communications interface, and/or a plurality of light emitting devices.

A system includes an array of connected disinfecting filter assembly modules arranged in a plane to filter air that passes through the array as the air flows along an airflow pathway through the array. Each module includes a housing that defines a first slot and a second slot, and a power control unit. A pre-filter can be slid in its operating position along the first slot of the housing, and an electrically enhanced filter can be slid in its operating position along the second slot. The electrically enhanced filter includes a high voltage wire and a ground grid to create an electric field the high voltage wire and the ground grid and an electrical contact pad that electrically connects the power control unit to the high voltage wire when the electrically enhanced filter is located in its operating position in the second slot of the housing.

A filter system for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The system comprises a housing reconfigurable relative to a bin between an operative configuration in which the housing is disposed upon the bin so that dirt separated from dirt-laden air can collect in the bin, and an idle configuration in which the housing is removed from the bin. The housing comprises an inlet for receiving dirt-laden air into the housing, an outlet via which cleaned air can exit the housing. The system further comprises first filtering means and second filtering means disposed within the housing, the first filtering means being positioned upstream of the second filtering means. The first and second filtering means comprises a filter medium configured to separate dirt from the dirt-laden air passing from the inlet to the outlet through the filter medium. The system further comprises filter cleaning means for removing dirt from the filter medium of the first filtering means when the housing is configured at least in the operative configuration.

The invention addresses the problem of air filtration and decontamination as required immediately for the COVID-19 pandemic but also will be useful in a variety of applications. Air (1) to the apparatus (100) enters and passes through an optional pre-filter (2) and through a one-way air “check” valve (3). The incoming air (1) then enters the counter-flow heat exchange path (4) and proceeds towards the heating chamber (6). As air enters the heating chamber (6), it immediately encounters heating elements (7). Upon encountering the heating chamber (6), the incoming air, which has been pre-heated by the exiting air, is heated to the desired temperature and exits via the return path (5). Upon completing the path through the exit path for the air, the air is now cooled to the desired exit temperature, for example within a few degrees of the incoming air, and is at a temperature suitable to exit (11) and be delivered to a user. This air may not have the virus removed from it, but the virus will be rendered harmless at this point. The invention is applicable in other contexts. For example, the operation of these systems can generally be reversed to decontaminate air including air exhaled by a user. This may be used in conjunction with a mask worn by a patient or an isolation chamber at least partially enclosing a patient, e.g., a patient room(s) or a tent erected over a patient gurney or bed.

A breathing mask for being worn on the face includes a filtration mechanism configured to filter out particles having a diameter larger than a first predetermined value; a connecting mechanism; and a removable nano-porous hydrophobic membrane configured to be removably attached to the filtration mechanism with the connecting mechanism. The nano-porous membrane is configured to filter out particles having a diameter larger than a second predetermined value, which is different from the first predetermined value.

An apparatus is used with supplied power for treating air flow of an air handing system of a facility. A frame has a plenum with an inlet and an outlet. The frame is configured to position in the air flow of the air handing system for passage of the air flow therethrough. A filter is disposed in the plenum and is configured to filter the air flow therethrough up to a filtration threshold. An ultraviolet light source disposed in the plenum is connected in electrical communication with the supplied power and is configured to generate ultraviolet radiation in the plenum. A permeable metal barrier disposed in the plenum is configured to impede the air flow therethrough up to an impedance threshold. The barrier is connected in electrical communication to the supplied power and is heated to a surface temperature.