METHOD OF PURIFYING AIR FOR INHALATION AND SYSTEM FOR PURIFYING AIR FOR INHALATION

Abstract

A method of purifying air for inhalation. The method includes the steps: use of an ionizing device, electrically charging airborne particles; outputting the charged airborne particles, and filtering air through a filter included in a respiratory mask worn by a user present, wherein the filter includes filter fibers of a material attracting at least some of the charged airborne particles. A related system for purifying air for inhalation is also provided.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A method of purifying air for inhalation, the method comprising: by means of an ionizing device, electrically charging airborne particles, outputting the charged airborne particles, and filtering air through a filter comprised in a respiratory mask worn by a user present, wherein the ionizing device and user are located within a confined space, such as a room, and the filter comprises filter fibers of a material attracting at least some of the charged airborne particles.

19. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the filter fibers are made of a dielectric material.

20. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the filter comprises filter fibers being pre-charged.

21. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the filter comprises filter fibers being non-pre-charged.

22. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the ionizing device is located at a maximum of 15 meters from the user in the confined space.

23. The method as defined in claim 22, wherein the ionizing device is located at a maximum of 10 meters from the user in the confined space.

24. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the ionizing device and user are located at a maximum distance from each other of 2 meters.

25. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein the ionizing device and user are located at a maximum distance from each other of 1.5 meters.

26. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the time it takes for the charged particles to travel from the ionizing device to the respiratory mask is less than 300 seconds.

27. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the concentration of charged airborne particles in the air passing through the filter in the respiratory mask is at least 30,000 ions/cm.sup.3.

28. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the air including the airborne particles to be ionized by the ionizing device is circulating within the confined space.

29. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the air to be ionized by the ionizing device is drawn from outside the confined space.

30. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the ionizer device is stationary arranged.

31. System for purifying air for inhalation, the system comprising: an ionizing device arranged to electrically charge airborne particles, and at least one respiratory mask worn by a user, the respiratory mask comprising a filter arranged to filter air to be inhaled by the user, wherein the ionizing device and user are located within a confined space, such as a room, and the filter comprises filter fibers of a material adapted to attract the charged airborne particles.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the filter is made of fibers of a dielectric material.

33. The system according to claim 31, wherein the ionizing device is located at a maximum of 15 meters from the user in the confined space.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the ionizing device is located at a maximum of 10 meters from the user in the confined space.

35. The system according to claim 31, wherein the ionizing device and user are located at a maximum distance from each other of 2 meters.

36. The system according to claim 35, wherein the ionizing device and user are located at a maximum distance from each other of 1.5 meters.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention, and other aspects, will now be described in more detail in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the system according to the invention implemented in a confined space.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the ionization device arranged within a shorter distance from the user.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a respiration mask in the correct position on the user.

[0033] All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only disclosing parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] A first embodiment of the system according to the invention is described with reference to FIG. 1. The system illustrated in FIG. 1 is intended for use within a confined space, i.e. a substantially cuboidal room 1. The design/shape and size of the room could however be modified in many ways since the shape/design of the space affect the function of the system. Depending on the size and design of the room, one, or more, ionizing devices 10 are arranged within the room. The illustrated system comprises one ionizing device 10 arranged close to the sealing and one of the corners of the confined space but the position could be anywhere within the room as long as the ionizing device not is covered or blocked by furniture or other equipment that are interfering with the flow of air past the ionizing device.

[0035] The ionizing device 10 is ionizing air borne particles in the air surrounding the device 10. Preferably the air in the confined space is at least to some extent circulating within the space to improve the ionization level within the entire space. In the ionizing device 10 a high voltage is applied on one or more conductors, for example needles or a carbon fiber brush, to electrically charge air borne particles close to the conductor. This technique is well known in the art and often referred to as “corona discharging” for ionizing of particles.

[0036] In FIG. 1, a user 2 wearing a respiratory mask 3 is illustrated. The respiratory mask could be designed in many different ways but must contain a nose and mouth covering element 4 to ensure that all inhaled air is passing a filter 5 fitted in the mask. The element is held in the correct place on the user by one or more adjustable straps 7 extending around the head of the user. The filter 5 is arranged close to the nose and mouth to ensure that the flow of air through the filter could be maintained without more limitations than necessary for the user. The air is lead to the filter via a filter inlet 6 and the filter area must be large enough to ensure that enough air is fed to the user. The mask 3 is preferably designed to be comfortable for the user to wear and made of a material providing the desired strength, appearance and weight.

[0037] The filter 5 fitted in the mask is made of a material that is able to bound the ionizied particles in the air passing through the filter to reduce the amount of particles that are inhaled by the user. Different types of filter fibres could be used depending on the expected type of particles in the air that needs to be purified. The filter is preferably removably secured in the respiratory mark to make it possible to replace the filter by another type of filter, or a new fresh filter after the expected life-time of the filter has been passed.

[0038] The filter comprises filter fibers of a material attracting the charged airborne particles. Different types of fiber materials could be used such as dielectric fibers, precharged fibers or non-precharged fibers each having different characteristics and weaknesses.

[0039] A second embodiment of the system according to the invention is described with reference to FIG. 2. The system comprises the same components, an ionization device and a respiratory mask, and operates according to the same method but the ionization device is configured differently. The ionizing device 20 is in this embodiment positioned within a much smaller distance from the user, for example on the surface of a work station 8 close to the intended position 9 of the user as illustrated in FIG. 2. The user, not illustrated in FIG. 2, is wearing the same type or respiratory mask 3 as described above. The short distance between the ionization device 20 and the filter in the mask 3 eliminates the need for a confined space to ensure the desired level of ionizied particles around the filter inlet is reached.

[0040] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in a further embodiment, not illustrated in the figures, the ionization device is arranged on the user that for example is carrying the ionization device on the back, chest alternatively hanging in a strap around the neck of the user. In this embodiment the distance between the ionization device and the filter inlet is reduced even further. This embodiment is favourable since the user will be able to move within larger areas compared to the embodiments where the ionization device is stationary arranged.

[0041] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.