INVISIBLE FACE MASK

Abstract

The inventive Invisible Face Mask apparatus comprises a headgear or headwear such as a cap, helmet, strap or a visor, which is equipped with an air purifying mechanism, such as an air filter, that filters ambient air, and an air blower which generates an airflow pushing the purified air in a downward direction in front of and adjacent to the user's face.

Claims

1) A facial mask apparatus and system comprising: a headgear or headwear equipped with, an air purifier, and an air blower using a fan, wherein the air purifier is configured to purify ambient air and the fan is configured to blow the purified ambient air in a downward direction from a top of a head area of a user towards a chin of the user and adjacent to a face of the user.

2) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein the air purifier comprises a replaceable H13, HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter.

3) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein the air purifier is capable of filtering ambient air to 99.97% purity.

4) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein the air purifier is capable of filtering particles down to a diameter of 0.3 micron.

5) The apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein the apparatus weighs about one pound.

6) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein a speed of air produced by the air blower is approximately 38 to 76 inches per second at a point of discharge.

7) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan.

8) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 6, wherein the air blower has capacity of 17 GPM to maximum 30 GPM, with 3 speed or variable speed control.

9) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein the fan, a battery, and a control system are mounted over a side, back or top of a hat or sun visors and an air hose is included to transfer air to a front of the user's face.

10) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein an adjustable air nozzle is configured to be positioned right over a forehead of the user and is configured to pass air parallel with the face of the user to provide full coverage of the user's face, and the air nozzle is configured to evenly distributed air at a discharge point.

11) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein the air purifier and the air blower are mounted as a kit over the headgear or headwear, which is a hat, cap, visor, helmet or hard hat, or the air purifier and air blower are built into the headgear or headwear.

12) The apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein a battery for the air blower is rechargeable and capable to provide required power to the system for a minimum of 6 hours of operation.

13) The face mask apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein a control system for the air blower has a battery level indicator to show an approximately remaining charge of battery.

14) The apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to be monitored/control through a mobile phone application with the user mobile phone.

15) The apparatus and system of claim 1, wherein the system has a short face shield to protect the user in harsh environments.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The following description is not to be interpreted or applied in a limiting sense, but as illustrating the general principles and aspects of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the following claims. Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other disclosed and undisclosed features.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numeral 101 shows a conventional popularly used headwear cap worn by user 100. Ambient air 102 is taken in through air filter 103, preferably with a 17 GPM to 30 GPM (Variable or 3 Speed switch) centrifugal Aair fan with an HEPA filter, which is preferably part of a battery-operated air purifying system 104. Preferably, the battery is rechargeable. Purified Air passes through air hose 105 and is discharged through nozzle 106, preferably having a discharge surface of 2 square inches, in front of and in a direction 107 substantially parallel to user's face, preferably at a speed of 38 inches per second which can be increased to 76 inches per second, thus preventing infected ambient air 102 to be breathed in by user 100. Preferably, the air nozzle is configured to be adjustable. In one embodiment, the inventive apparatus is configured to weigh about one pound.

[0020] In one embodiment, a control system for the air blower has a battery level indicator to show the an approximately remaining charge of battery.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Ambient air 102 is taken in through the apparatus 111 mounted on cap 101. Filtered air 107 flows across and parallel to user's face in a curtain like fashion, protecting user from breathing in harmful germs and viruses.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numeral 109 shows a conventional widely used bike helmet worn by user 100. Ambient air 102 is taken in through air filter 103, which is part of a battery-operated air purifying system 104. Purified Aair passes through air hose 105 and is discharged through nozzle 106, which is preferably located right over user's forehead to allow air discharge flow in front of and in a direction 107 substantially parallel to user's face, thus preventing infected ambient air 102 to be breathed in by user 100. Preferably, the air flow speed is between approximately 38 and 76 inches per second.

[0023] Advantageously, the inventive IFM of the present disclosure can be worn in lieu of conventional face masks in locations of public gathering, such as restaurants, sports stadiums, movie theaters, hotels, concerts, museums, parks, airplanes, and any place where significant number of people are in attendance.

[0024] In another embodiment, the disclosed air fan is adjustable to adjust the air flow according to the preference of the user and the environment and circumstance in which the IFM is used. Preferably the inventive system is configured to be monitored/control through a mobile phone application with the user mobile phone. the air purifier comprises a replaceable H13, HEPA filter and (Optional) an activated carbon filter. (Activated carbon filter removes chlorine, particles such as sediment, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), taste and odor. Preferably, the air purifier is capable of filtering ambient air to 99.97% purity and of filtering particles down to a diameter of 0.3 micron. the entire fan, & a battery, and a control system are mounted over a side, back or top of a hat or sun visors and an air hose is included used to transfer air to a front of the user's face. Preferably, the air purifier and the air blower are configured to be mounted as a kit over the headgear or headwear. In one embodiment, the inventive IMF includes a short face shield to protect the user in harsh environments.

[0025] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.