Abstract
This patent discloses an apparatus that protects a user's eyes from the dangerous particulates in the atmosphere. A high efficiency filter is utilized in conjunction with goggles or eye glasses to prevent dangerous particulates in the environment from reaching the compartment of air that touches the eyeballs. This apparatus is designed to help mitigate the spread of the Corona Virus outbreak.
Claims
1. An apparatus worn on a user's face comprising: a set of goggles; and a divider separating an air mass that touches the user's eyes and an external air mass wherein at least some portion of the divider contains a highly effective air filter.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising wherein the divider forms a substantially hermetic seal to at least one of the group comprising the skin on the user's face and the goggles.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising wherein the hermetic seal comprises at least one of the group of rubber, plastic, silicone, tape, metal fixation devices, non-metal fixation devices or other similar materials.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising wherein the goggles comprises at least one of the group of thin plastic surface(s), prescription eye glasses, and sunglasses.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising wherein the air filter comprises at least one of the group of an N95 filter, N99 filter and filter with bioactive substances.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising wherein a device is used to keep the seal firmly pressed against the skin of the face comprising at least one of the group of string, ties, rope, springs, magnets, or other similar type devices.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising wherein a one way valve is placed at a portion of the divider and wherein the filter is placed in proximity to the one way valve.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising wherein the filter can be removed and replaced.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising wherein the filter can be sterilized.
10. An apparatus adapted to be worn on a user's face for protecting the user from acquiring an airborne infection through the user's eyes comprising: a set of goggles wherein a first portion is adapted to be sealed to the user's face around the eyes and wherein a second portion consists of an opening, wherein the opening connects a medium of air outside the user's eyeballs to an external environment, and wherein the opening is located above a nose cutout in the set of goggles; and a filter component placed over the second portion of the set of goggles wherein the filter component comprises: a filter; and an attachment device that attaches the filter to the set of goggles, wherein all of an air mass that travels from the external environment into the medium of air outside the user's eyeballs passes through the filter, wherein none of the air mass that travels from the external environment into the medium of air outside the user's eyeballs passes in between the filter and the attachment device, and wherein none of the air mass that travels from the external environment into the medium of air outside the user's eyeballs passes in between the attachment device and the set of goggles.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising wherein the divider forms a substantially hermetic seal to at least one of the group comprising the skin on the user's face and the goggles.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising wherein the hermetic seal comprises at least one of the group of rubber, plastic, silicone, tape, metal fixation devices, non-metal fixation devices or other similar materials.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising wherein a set of lenses from the set of goggles is selected from the group consisting of thin plastic surface(s), prescription eye glasses, and sunglasses.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising wherein the filter is selected from the group consisting of an N95 filter and N99 filter.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising wherein a strap is adapted to keep the set of goggles firmly pressed against the user's face to cause the first portion to be substantially hermetically sealed.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising wherein a one way valve is placed at a portion of the divider and wherein the filter is placed in proximity to the one way valve.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising wherein the filter component can be removed and replaced.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising wherein the filter component can be sterilized.
19. An apparatus worn on a subject's face comprising: a set of goggles wherein at least one lens of the set of goggles contains at least one hole; and an air filter placed at the sites of the at least one hole.
20. An apparatus comprising: an air filter; and an adhesive substance to connect the high efficiency air filter to a portion of a set of goggles.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0018] FIG. 1A illustrates the front, oblique view of an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0019] FIG. 1B illustrates a top down view of an embodiment of the apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 2A illustrates a top down view of an embodiment of this apparatus, which is customizing a user's glasses to include a filter component.
[0021] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of this apparatus, which is customizing a user's glasses to include a filter component.
[0022] FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of a user wearing an embodiment of this apparatus, which is customizing a user's glasses to include a filter component.
[0023] FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of an example embodiment wherein the filters are placed on the lenses of eye glasses.
[0024] FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of an example embodiment wherein the filters are placed on the lenses of goggles.
[0025] FIG. 3C illustrates a non-adhesive side view of a small filter sized designed to fit over the lens of the goggles.
[0026] FIG. 3D illustrates an adhesive side view of a small filter sized designed to fit over the lens of the goggles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] FIG. 1A illustrates the front, oblique view of an embodiment of the apparatus. 100 illustrates an external frame of the goggles. 101 illustrates an internal frame within the goggles, which provides rigidity and keeps the lenses away from the eyes. 102 illustrates a material to form an air tight (or near air tight) seal between with the face. Note that this portion could be made out of rubber, silicone or similar type materials. Some of the materials could be stretchable. It could also be air filled, so as to provide better contact with the skin, such as is performed in a bag valve mask. 103 illustrates an air filter. Note that the preferred embodiment is an N95 filter, but other types of filters could also be used. In addition, the size and position of the filter could be variable. 105 illustrates a strap to secure the goggles to the head. Other securing devices could be implemented. 106 illustrates the lenses. Various configurations and materials of the lenses could be utilized.
[0028] FIG. 1B illustrates a top down view of an embodiment of the apparatus. 100 illustrates an external frame of the goggles. 101 illustrates an internal frame within the goggles, which provides rigidity and keeps the lenses away from the eyes. 105 illustrates a strap to secure the goggles to the head.
[0029] FIG. 2A illustrates a top down view of an embodiment of this apparatus, which is customizing a user's glasses to include a filter component. 200 illustrates the apparatus. 201 illustrates the portion of the apparatus that forms a substantially (approximately or near complete) hermetic seal with the user's forehead. 202 illustrates the frame, which courses over the side of the face and fits over the person's ear. 203 illustrates a hinge. Note that a hinge would be on both sides. 204 illustrates a lens. 205 illustrates the bridge of the glasses. 206 illustrates the filter. Note that the specific filter can vary in design, type (e.g., N95 or N99), size or other aspects. It could be designed to be replaceable or other design features, even cosmetic, can be implemented.
[0030] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of an embodiment of this apparatus, which is customizing a user's glasses to include a filter component. 200 illustrates the apparatus. 201 illustrates the substantially (approximately or near complete) hermetic seal to the forehead 207 and the side of the face (e.g., lateral and posterior to the eye). 206 illustrates the filter. Note that the specific filter can vary in design, type (e.g., N95 or N99), size or other aspects. It could be designed to be replaceable or other design features, even cosmetic, can be implemented. 208 illustrates the nose.
[0031] FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of a user wearing an embodiment of this apparatus, which is customizing a user's glasses to include a filter component. 200 illustrates the apparatus. 209 illustrates straps securing the apparatus to the patient's head snugly so a substantially hermetic seal can be achieved. 210 illustrates tightening devices at the back of the head.
[0032] FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of an example embodiment wherein the filters are placed on the lenses of eye glasses. 300 illustrates the frame around the right lens. 301 illustrates the bridge portion of the frame. 302 illustrates the frame around the left lens. 303 illustrates the right lens. 304 illustrates the left lens. 305 illustrates a filter (e.g., N95) attached (substantially hermetically sealed) to the right lens. Note that the substantially hermetically sealed causes air mass that traverses from the external environment (e.g., in the room where the person is exposed to the Corona virus) into the air mass that touches the user's eyeball to be filtered. 306 illustrates a filter (e.g., N95) attached (substantially hermetically sealed) to the left lens. Note that the substantially hermetically sealed causes air mass that traverses from the external environment (e.g., in the room where the person is exposed to the Corona virus) into the air mass that touches the user's eyeball to be filtered.
[0033] FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of an example embodiment wherein the filters are placed on the lenses of goggles. 307 illustrates a set of goggles. 308 illustrates a hole in the set of goggles. In this embodiment, the hole is dime sized.
[0034] FIG. 3C illustrates a non-adhesive side view of a small filter sized designed to fit over the lens of the goggles. 308 illustrates the side of a small filter not touching the lens with size designed to fit over the hole 308 in the goggles 307, as shown in FIG. 3B, with enough coverage to have some overlap with the lens. For example, the size of the filter could be quarter sized.
[0035] FIG. 3D illustrates an adhesive side view of a small filter sized designed to fit over the lens of the goggles. 309 illustrates the side of a small filter touching the lens with the size designed to fit over the hole 308 in the goggles 307, as shown in FIG. 3B, with enough coverage to have some overlap with the lens. 311 illustrates a ring of adhesive. Types of adhesive could vary. For example, the size of the filter could be quarter sized. The goal of this embodiment is for the user to be able to prep the goggles (e.g., put the filter 310 and affix the adhesive portion 311 to the lens and adequately cover the hole 308), then put on the goggles at the beginning of the day and wear them all day long when out and about in the daily activities of life. Then, at the end of the day, return home, discard the adhesive filter and wash the goggles, wash their hands, etc. This unit is meant to be worn with the a separate N95 mask. This unit is designed to be far more comfortable than a full gas mask covering the mouth, face, eyes, nose, etc. This will result in greater compliance. In the event that a user decides to use the goggles rather than the modified eye glasses, as described in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the user could fit prescription eye glasses inside of the goggles.
