METHODS AND SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CONTROLLING AIR FLOW WITHIN A MASK

Abstract

A mask with a seal along an upper portion of a mask to divert air flow along a lateral axis of the mask.

Claims

1. A mask comprising: a filtering surface configured to filter aerosol particles, the filtering surface including a lateral axis that extends from a first outer edge to a second outer edge; a first ear strap coupled to the first outer edge; a second ear strap coupled to the second outer edge; an inflatable bag positioned on an inner surface of the filtering surface, the inflatable bag being configured to form a seal and passively control a flow of air around the seal towards the first outer edge or the second outer edge.

2. The mask of claim 1, further comprising: a gap having a gap volume and a varying profile; a bag volume associated with the inflatable bag, wherein the inflatable bag is filled with air substantially equal to the gap volume, wherein the inflatable bag is configured to be partially inflated before being worn, wherein when the inflatable bag is partially inflated a pressure within the inflatable bag is substantially similar to that of ambient air pressure.

3. The mask of claim 1, wherein when the inflatable bag is partially inflated the inflatable bag is filled up to seventy five percent capacity, wherein air up to one hundred percent capacity is injected into the inflatable bag before the pressure within the inflatable bag is greater than the ambient air pressure.

4. The mask of claim 3, wherein the inflatable bag is positioned below an upper edge of the filtering surface, the filtering surface including an external layer that is formed of a protective surface, a filtering layer formed of a filtering material, an embedded sealing layer formed of the inflatable bag, and an internal layer.

5. The mask of claim 4, wherein the inflatable bag is configured to increase a thickness of the mask at locations proximate to the upper edge of the filtering surface.

6. The mask of claim 5, wherein the inflatable bag has contours that correspond to a nose of a wearer.

7. The mask of claim 1, further comprising: a conduit with a proximal end positioned within the inflatable bag and an open distal end; a check valve positioned within the conduit configured to allow one way air flow from the open distal end into the inflatable bag.

8. The mask of claim 7, wherein the conduit is configured to allow the inflatable bag to be inflated when the mask is being worn.

9. The mask of claim 1, wherein the seal diverts the flow of air along the lateral axis of the filtering surface.

10. The mask of claim 9, wherein the flow of air cannot flow along a central axis of the filtering surface through the seal.

11. A method associated with a mask comprising: coupling a first ear strap to a first outer edge of a filtering surface; coupling a second ear strap to a second outer edge of the filtering surface; filtering aerosol particles flowing across the filtering surface, the filtering surface including a lateral axis that extends from the first outer edge to the second outer edge; inflating an inflatable bag positioned on an inner surface of the filtering surface; forming a seal with the inflated inflatable bag to passively control a flow of air around the seal towards the first outer edge or the second outer edge.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the inflatable bag is configured to be partially inflated before being worn, wherein when the inflatable bag is partially inflated a pressure within the inflatable bag is substantially similar to that of ambient air pressure, wherein a gap has a gap volume and a varying profile, and the inflatable bag has a bag volume associated with the inflatable bag, wherein partially inflating the inflatable bag inflates the inflatable bag with air substantially equal to the gap volume.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein when the inflatable bag is partially inflated the inflatable bag is filled up to seventy five percent capacity, wherein air up to one hundred percent capacity may be injected into the inflatable bag before the pressure within the inflatable bag is greater than the ambient air pressure.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the inflatable bag is positioned below an upper edge of the filtering surface, the filtering surface including an external layer that is formed of a protective surface, a filtering layer formed of a filtering material, an embedded sealing layer formed of the inflatable bag, and an internal layer.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: increasing a thickness of the mask, via the inflatable bag, at locations proximate to the upper edge of the filtering surface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the inflatable bag has contours that correspond to a nose of a wearer.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: positioning a conduit with a proximal end positioned within the inflatable bag; controlling air flow through the conduit via a check valve positioned within the conduit.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: inflating the inflatable bag to be inflated when the mask is being worn.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: diverting the flow of air along the lateral axis of the filtering surface.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the flow of air cannot flow along a central axis of the filtering surface through the seal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a mask to passively control airflow, according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a mask to passively control airflow, according to an embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a mask to passively control airflow, according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4 depicts a method associated with mask to passively control airflow, according to an embodiment.

[0021] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art, that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 1 depicts a mask 100 configured to passively control air flow of particles emitted from a user, according to an embodiment. Mask 100 may include ear straps 102, filtering surface 101, and an inflatable bag 103 that has a bag volume preferably larger than a gap volume.

[0024] Ear straps 102 may be positioned on sidewalls of the mask 100. Ear straps 102 form loops on the outer edges of the filtering surface 101, wherein a lateral axis of mask 100 extends from first outer edge 110 to second outer edge 120. Ear straps 102 may have a first end that is positioned proximal to an upper portion of the outer edge 110, and a second end that is positioned proximal to a lower portion of the outer edge 110. Ear straps 102 may be configured to be coupled to ears of a user to retain the mask 100 on the user's face. In other embodiments, other mechanisms or devices may be utilized to secure mask 100 to the user's face.

[0025] Filtering surface 101 may be a mechanical barrier that interferes with the direct airflow in and out of respiratory orifices of the user. Filtering surface 101 may be configured to limit particles from moving across the front surface and the rear surface of the mask. In embodiments, filtering surface 101 may include multiple layers of various materials that filter aerosol particles.

[0026] Inflatable bag 103 may be a container, balloon, plastic bag, receptacle, etc. that is configured to increase in thickness based on a volume of air positioned within inflatable bag 103. Inflatable bag 103 may be configured to extend along the lateral axis of the filtering surface 101 below an upper edge of filter surface 101, and may have a first end positioned proximate to first outer edge 110 of the filtering surface 101 and a second end positioned proximate to second outer edge 120 of the filtering surface 101. The inflatable bag 103 may have varying profiles according to the shapes of the gap between the inner surface of the filtering surface and a typical user's face around the nose ridge. The inflatable bag 103 may have a bag volume larger than a gap volume. The inflatable bag 103 may have a bag volume substantially larger than a gap volume. Inflatable bag 103 may be configured to be partially inflated and/or prefilled with air. By partially inflating the bag with air and positioning the bag along an upper and inner surface of the filtering surface, a varying profile of the inner surface of the mask may be created by increasing a thickness of the mask 100 at desirable locations.

[0027] In embodiments, partial inflation means the inflatable bag 103 is filled with air appreciably less than a bag volume under the ambient pressure, wherein the pressure within the inflatable bag 103 is substantially similar to that of the ambient air pressure. When the inflatable bag 103 is partially inflated, the inflatable bag 103 is not stretched much by the air within inflatable bag 103. If the inflatable bag 103 is filled with air at a volume equal to the bag volume, the inflatable bag 103 is fully filled and the pressure within the inflatable bag 103 may be still substantially similar to that of the ambient air pressure. However, such a fully infilled or inflated bag may be at the verge of being stretched and hardened. When the fully inflated bag is inflated further by injecting more air, the bag may start to harden by the bag pressure building up, and having a pressure that may be greater than the ambient air pressure. A bag volume can be approximately measured by filling up the inflatable bag 103 with incompressible fluid, such as water. In embodiments, inflatable bag 103 may be partially inflated when inflatable bag 103 is filled with approximately 1% to 95% of the bag volume at ambient pressure. When inflatable bag 103 is partially inflated it is more flexible, pliable, and more adaptable to conform with a confined space, such as the gaps between the inner surface of a filtering surface and a user's face.

[0028] In embodiments, inflatable bag 103 may be fully inflated when the air within inflatable bag is substantially similar to that of the bag volume, such as from 95% to 105% of the bag volume at ambient pressure. When inflatable bag 103 is fully inflated, injected more air into the inflatable bag 103 may increase the pressure within inflatable bag 103 to be greater than the ambient pressure. This may cause inflatable bag 103 to stretch and harden by the increase in bag pressure caused by the injected air. This hardening effect makes the inflatable bag 103 lose its adaptability and pliability to naturally fill the gaps around the user's nose ridge.

[0029] Furthermore, inflatable bag 103 may be substantially partially inflated with air when inflatable bag 103 is filled with 1% to 75% of the bag volume at ambient pressure. In embodiments, substantially partial inflation may mean the volume of air in the bag is substantially less than the bag volume at ambient pressure, such as only 75% or 50% of the bag volume at ambient pressure. For example, the inflatable bag 103 that is 50% inflated may be equivalent to 50% fully inflated and 50% not inflated at all and the entire bag may look deflated and flexible and non-uniform. The bag only 50% inflated may look much different from the bag 100% inflated. Accordingly, when inflatable bag 103 is substantially partially inflated at 50%, 50% more air may be injected into inflatable bag 103 before the air pressure within inflatable bag 103 starts to be greater than the ambient air pressure. When inflatable bag 103 is substantially partially inflated, portions of the bag may not be inflated at all. The bag flexibility created by the partial inflation may allow the bag to thicken more at the gaps around the nose ridge but less at the cheeks when the mask is worn. In this case, the formed seal may adapt to the face of a user naturally.

[0030] The increase in thickness of mask 100 along the lateral axis of mask 100 may form a seal, border, restriction, etc. along the lateral axis of mask 100 below an upper surface of mask 100 without forming a seal on outer edges 110, 120 or the lower edge of filtering surface 101. This may divert aerosol particles emitted from the user's nose and mouth to the first outer edge 110 and the second outer edge 120 of the filtering surface 101, restricting or limiting the aerosol particles from interacting with a user's eyes or glasses, reducing fogging of glasses. In further embodiments, inflatable bag 103 may have a profile 130 that is contoured to a user's face and include cutouts, projections, etc. The profile 130 of inflatable bag 103 may conform with a user's nose, cheek bones, etc.

[0031] In embodiments, filtering surface 101 may be formed of multiple layers, surfaces, etc. For example, filtering surface 101 may have an external layer that is formed of a protective surface, a filtering layer formed of a filtering material, an embedded sealing layer formed of the inflatable bag 103, and an internal layer, wherein the internal layer may be configured to provide comfort of mask 100 and may be formed of a different material than that of the external layer and/or filtering layer. Accordingly, the embedded sealing layer formed of the inflatable bag 103 may be positioned between the filtering layer and the internal layer, wherein the thickness of mask 100 may vary based on the inflation of inflatable bag 103 and the positioning of the air within inflatable bag. When the inflatable bag 103 is partially inflated to fill the gap, mask 100 may passively control a flow of air around the seal towards the first outer edge 110 or the second outer edge 120, wherein the gap is typically formed between the inner surface of the filtering surface 101 and a user's face without the inflatable bag 103.

[0032] FIG. 2 depicts a mask 200, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in FIG. 2 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity a detailed description of these elements may be omitted. Mask 200 may include ear straps 202, filtering surface 201, and inflatable bag 203.

[0033] Inflatable bag 203 that has a larger volume than a gap may have varying thicknesses at locations corresponding to the gap shapes around the nose ridge. Further, the thickness of inflatable bag 203 may be wider than the gap between the inner surface of the filtering surface and the user's face when inflatable bag 203 is fully inflated.

[0034] Inflatable bag 203 may be configured to be positioned on an inner and upper side of filtering surface 201, and be configured to be partially filled with air. Inflatable bag 203 may have a bag volume that is substantially larger than that is needed to fill the nose gaps, such that only partial inflation of inflatable bag 203 is required. Inflatable bag 203 may be configured to form a seal along the inner and upper surface of filtering surface 201. This may passively control the flow of air emitted from the user to outer edges of filtering surface 201.

[0035] FIG. 3 depicts a mask 300, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in FIG. 3 may be described above, and for the sake of brevity a detailed description of these elements may be omitted. Mask 300 may include ear straps 202, filtering surface 201, inflatable bag 203, conduit 304 with opening 306, and valve 305.

[0036] Conduit 304 may be a tube, pipe, channel with a proximate end positioned within inflatable bag 203 and a distal end opening 306 positioned outside of inflatable bag 203. Utilizing conduit 304, a user may inflate bag 203 while mask 300 is positioned over a user's face or before the user positions the mask over the user's face.

[0037] Conduit 304 may also include a valve 305, which is configured to control the air flow in and out of inflatable bag 203. For example, valve 305 may be a one way check valve enabling a user to inflate bag 203 without air escaping bag 203 through conduit 304. In embodiments, a length of conduit 304 may be greater than a distance from the border of inflatable bag 203 to an outer edge of filtering surface 201.

[0038] In further embodiments, valve 304 may be formed by twisting or folding conduit 304 to close the air passage in the conduit 304 after the inflatable bag 203 is inflated enough.

[0039] Furthermore, a layer of fabric may be placed on top of the inflatable bag and between the bag and its user's face to provide comfort.

[0040] In further embodiments, conduit 304 may be positioned on a lower portion of inflatable bag 203, on a central axis of filtering surface 201, and align with a user's mouth. This may more easily allow the user to inflate bag 203 if mask is being worn.

[0041] FIG. 4 depicts a method 400 for utilizing a mask, according to an embodiment. The operations of method 400 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 400 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 400 are illustrated in FIG. 4 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

[0042] At operation 410, an inflatable bag extending along a lateral axis of a mask may be partially inflated. The partial inflation of the bag may naturally increase a thickness of the mask being worn at portions aligned with the inflatable bag where otherwise gaps may form. The partial inflation may allow one bag and with one configuration of bag inflation to conform with more sizes and shapes of nose ridges. In order to fully utilize the conformation capability of the partial inflation of a bag, the bag may be made of non-elastic material, such as plastic film, rather than elastic material such as latex.

[0043] At operation 420, a wearer may position the mask over his nose and mouth, wherein the inflatable bag is aligned with the ridge of the user's nose. Responsive to positioning the mask over his nose and mouth, a seal may be formed between the user's face and the inflatable bag.

[0044] At operation 430, the user of the mask may breath.

[0045] At operation 440, the mask may passively control air flow between the user's face and the mask via the inflatable bag. More specifically, the inflatable bag may restrict air from flowing directly upward into the user's eyes and the air may be diverted out of the outer edge of the mask.

[0046] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0047] Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.