Infection Containment Band (IC Band)

Abstract

An infection containment band (IC Band) that consists of a wrist band with a mouth sized cavity that holds a filter in the filter chamber which is attached to, and/or part of the wrist band-resembling a wrist watch. There are pressure vents on the unit that release the air pressure when coughing or sneezing into the unit. The filter, in preferred embodiments consists of a sub-micron and/or standard filter and/or anti-microbial filter. The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof. Various features and sub-combinations of invention may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent.

Claims

1. A completely -disposable infection containment band (ic band) worn on the wrist for capturing and containing the infectious aerosolized droplets (viral, bacterial and/or mycobacterial micro-organisms) from a sick persons cough and/or sneeze, comprising: (a) one piece wrist band with filter chamber which holds a sub-micron filter, anti-microbial filter or standard filter; (b) filter chamber, rigidly connected to ic band; (c) filter chamber cap for securing the filter in place and creating a smooth rim for the mouth, separately connected to ic band; (d) vents around filter chamber for releasing pressure from filter chamber when someone coughs or sneezes into the ic band thus reducing infectious material blow back, rigidly connected to ic band; (e) band loop for keeping the ic band secure around the wrist, separately connected to ic band; (f) locking mechanism for closing and locking the ic band in place around the wrist, rigidly connected to ic band; (g) sub-micron filter to capture sub-micron gas cloud from cough or sneeze, separately connected to ic band;

2. Another embodiment of the infection containment band (ic band) venting, comprising: (a) sub-micron filter mesh securely fastened over the various embodiments of the filter chamber venting;

3. Another embodiment of the infection containment band (ic band) with an interchangeable wrist band and filter chamber worn on the wrist for capturing and containing the infectious aerosolized droplets (viral, bacterial and/or mycobacterial micro-organisms) from a sick persons cough and/or sneeze, comprising: (a) interchangeable wrist band, lockably interconnected; (b) interchangeable filter chamber which holds a sub-micron filter, anti-microbial filter or standard filter, lockably interconnected; (c) filter chamber cap for securing the filter in place and creating a smooth rim for the mouth, separately connected to ic band; (d) vents around filter chamber for releasing pressure from filter chamber when someone coughs or sneezes into the ic band thus reducing infectious material blow back, rigidly connected to ic band; (e) band loop for keeping the ic band secure around the wrist, separately connected to ic band; (f) locking mechanism for closing and locking the ic band in place around the wrist, rigidly connected to ic band; (g) sub-micron filter to capture sub-micron gas cloud from cough or sneeze, separately connected to ic band;

4. Another embodiment of a completely disposable slip-on infection containment band (ic band) worn on the wrist for capturing and containing the infectious aerosolized droplets (viral, bacterial and/or mycobacterial micro-organisms) from a sick persons cough and/or sneeze, comprising: (a) one piece wrist band with filter chamber which holds a sub-micron filter, anti-microbial filter or standard filter; (b) filter chamber, rigidly connected to ic band; (c) filter chamber cap for securing the filter in place and creating a smooth rim for the mouth, separately connected to ic band; (d) vents around filter chamber for releasing pressure from filter chamber when someone coughs or sneezes into the ic band thus reducing infectious material blow back, rigidly connected to ic band; (e) band loop for keeping the ic band secure around the wrist, separately connected to ic band; (f) locking mechanism for closing and locking the ic band in place around the wrist, rigidly connected to ic band; (g) sub-micron filter to capture sub-micron gas cloud from cough or sneeze, separately connected to ic band;

5. Another embodiment of the infection containment band (ic band) with a disposable filter cartridge worn on the wrist for capturing and containing the infectious aerosolized droplets (viral, bacterial and/or mycobacterial micro-organisms) from a sick persons cough and/or sneeze, comprising: (a) one piece wrist band with filter chamber which holds a sub-micron filter, anti-microbial filter or standard filter cartridge; (b) filter chamber, rigidly connected to ic band; (c) vents around filter chamber for releasing pressure from filter chamber when someone coughs or sneezes into the ic band thus reducing infectious material blow back, rigidly connected to icband; (d) band loop for keeping the ic band secure around the wrist, separately connected to ic band; (e) locking mechanism for closing and locking the ic band in place around the wrist, rigidly connected to ic band; (g) disposable filter cartridge, separately connected to ic band; (h) filter cartridge release button to discard used filter cartridge, securely attached to filter chamber;

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a completely disposable infection containment band (ic band) of the instant invention with a filter chamber that can hold a filter secured in the filter chamber showing various embodiments of vents on the side of the filter chamber, a band loop to secure the end of the band after closure and a chamber cap that secures the filter in the chamber. the (ic band) according to the invention is for the reduction of the spread of germs due to coughing and sneezing. the (ic band) according to the invention may be made from any materials commonly used in the art;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an infection containment band (ic band) of FIG. 1, showing various embodiments of the different sizes and closure mechanisms;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an infection containment band (ic band) of FIG. 1, showing various embodiments of the filter chamber venting options;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a top exploded view of an another embodiment of a infection containment band (ic band) of the instant invention utilizing a filter mesh over the various embodiments of the filter chamber venting;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a top exploded view of a rendered view of infection containment band (ic band) of FIG. 1, showing various embodiments of the vented filter chamber, the closure pin, the chamber cap and filter;

[0036] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of an infection containment band (Ic band) of FIG. 1, showing various embodiments of the band and filter chamber as one piece from the back;

[0037] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an another embodiment of a infection containment band (ic band) of the instant invention utilizing different mechanics so the bands and the filter chambers can be mixed and matched; another embodiment of a infection containment band (ic band) of the instant invention utilizing different mechanics so the bands and the filter chambers can be mixed and matched;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of an infection containment band (ic band) of FIG. 7, showing various embodiments of the band and filter chamber;

[0039] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an infection containment band (ic band) of FIG. 7, showing various embodiments of the band closure options;

[0040] FIG. 10 is a right perspective view of an another embodiment of a infection containment band (ic band) of the instant invention utilizing a “slip on” band;

[0041] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an another embodiment of an infection containment band (ic band) of the instant invention utilizing different mechanics with a disposable filter cartridge secured in the filter cartridge chamber which utilizes a filter cartridge release button to discard the filter and showing various embodiments of the vents on the side of the ic band;

[0042] FIG. 12 is a top exploded view of an infection containment band (ic band) of FIG. 11, showing various embodiments of the filter cartridge attached to the top and how it snaps into the filter cartridge chamber and how the filter cartridge is released from the filter cartridge chamber; and

[0043] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of an another embodiment of a infection containment band (ic band) of the instant invention utilizing different materials to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 & 12.

[0044] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0045] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a completely disposable infection containment band (IC Band) (#15) of the instant invention. The infection containment band is comprised of a wrist band with a vented filter chamber 26, a band loop 16 (#16) to secure the end of the band after closure and a chamber cap (#18) that secures the filter 17 (#17) in the chamber. The filter cartridge chamber 37 is shallow, allowing a submicron filter 17 (#17), anti-microbial filter 17 (#17) and/or submicron anti-microbial filter 17 (#17) to reside in the filter cartridge chamber 37 securely. In the embodiment shown, air vents on the sides of the filter cartridge chamber 37 allow for pressure to be released when coughing or sneezing into the infection containment band.

[0046] It will be appreciated that the IC Band (#15) can be similar to an adjustable watch band, made of cloth, rubber, plastic, leather or other non-metal material, a metal link band which may or may not have a clasp to open it or any mechanism to open or close it, or a slip on band or any type of band or strap made from any material may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0047] The IC Band (#15) according to the invention is for the reduction of the spread of germs due to coughing and sneezing. The IC Band (#15) according to the invention may be made from any materials commonly used in the art.

[0048] The filter chamber 26 can accommodate any type of filter 17 (#17) material. The filter 17 (#17) media is used to trap/contain infectious material as a result of coughing and/or sneezing into the IC Band (#15).

[0049] The filter chamber cap 18 (#18) is attached to the filter chamber 26 (#15) by gluing, welding, or mechanically fastening in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. It will be appreciated that the filter chamber cap 18 (#18) and the filter chamber 26 (#15) can be one piece instead of two separate pieces as referenced above.

[0050] Although the face of the filter chamber cap 18 (#18) and filter chamber 26 (#15) are shown as generally oval, it will be appreciated that the filter chamber cap 18 (#18) and filter chamber 26 (#15) may be oval, round, square or any shape desired. Nevertheless, it will also be appreciated that other materials may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the infection containment band (IC Band) (#15) of FIG. 1, showing various embodiments of the different sizes and closure mechanisms. It will be appreciated that the IC Band (#15) can utilize any type of closure mechanism (#19) for fastening an IC Band (#15), made from any material well known to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a top perspective of the IC Band (#15) of FIG. 1, showing various embodiments of the filter chamber 26 venting (#20) options. It will be appreciated that the IC Band (#15) can utilize any shape or location of the venting without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a top exploded view of another embodiment of the IC Band (#15) of the instant invention showing different mechanics utilizing a filter 17 mesh (#35) to cover the venting ports (#20). The filter 17 mesh (#35) is attached to the vent 29 ports (#20) on the filter chamber 26 (#15) by gluing, welding, or mechanically fastening in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The filter 17 mesh (#35) can be of any micron size, made from any suitable material and is designed to contain the particles of infectious material from coughing and sneezing.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a top exploded engineered view of the IC Band (#15) FIG. 1, showing various embodiments of the band with the vented filter chamber 26 (#15), the chamber cap (#18), the filter 17 (#17) and the closure pin (#19).

[0055] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective of the IC Band (#15) of FIG. 1, showing various embodiments of the band and filter chamber 26 (#15) as one piece, including the chamber cap (#18), the band loop 16 (#16) and closure pin (#19). The band and the filter chamber 26 (#15) can be one piece or separate pieces (see FIG. 7) and attached in any manner or fashion without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a top perspective of another embodiment of an IC Band of the instant invention utilizing different mechanics so the bands (#21) and the filter chamber 26 (#22) and filter chamber cap 18 (#23) can be mixed and matched. It will be appreciated that the band can utilize any type of fastening mechanism for fastening the wrist band (#21) to the filter chamber 26 (#22), made from any material well known to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective of an IC Band of FIG. 7, showing various embodiments of the band (#21) and filter chamber 26 (#22).

[0058] FIG. 9 is a top perspective of an IC Band of FIG. 7, showing various embodiments of the band closures options (#24). It will be appreciated that the IC Band of FIG. 7, can utilize any type of closure mechanism (#24) for fastening a wrist band (#21), made from any material well known to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a right perspective of another embodiment of an IC Band of the instant invention utilizing a “slip on” band. It will be appreciated that the entire slip-on IC Band 25 (#25) is one piece or can be a multi-piece unit without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0060] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an another embodiment of an IC Band (#27) of the instant invention utilizing different mechanics with a disposable filter cartridge 31 (#31) secured in the filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37) which utilizes a filter cartridge release button 33 (#33) to discard the filter 17 (#31). In the embodiment shown, air vents (#29) on the sides of the filter cartridge chamber 37 allow for pressure to be released when coughing or sneezing into the submicron and/or anti-microbial and/or submicron anti-microbial filter 17 (#31).

[0061] It will be appreciated that the IC Band (#27) can be similar to an adjustable watch band, made of cloth, rubber, plastic, leather or other non-metal material, a metal link band which may or may not have a clasp to open it or any mechanism to open or close it, or a slip on band or any type of band or strap made from any material without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0062] The IC Band (#27) according to the invention is for the reduction of the spread of germs due to coughing and sneezing.

[0063] The filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37) can accommodate any type of filter cartridge 31 (#31) material. This filter cartridge 31 (#31) media is used to trap/contain infectious material as a result of coughing and/or sneezing into the IC Band (#27).

[0064] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the IC Band (#27) of FIG. 11, showing various embodiments of the filter cartridge 31 (#31) and the filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37). It will be appreciated that the filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37) has a filter cartridge 31 (snap 39) release button (#33) on the side of the filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37). In the embodiment shown, the snap 39 release button (#33) utilizes a spring that pushes a plastic sled up and down which pops out the filter cartridge 31 (#31) when secured in the chamber. It will also be appreciated that the (snap 39) release button (#33) can be made from any material and utilize any reasonable method to release the filter cartridge 31 (#31)from the filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37).

[0065] It will also be appreciated that the filter cartridge 31 (#31) has a protruding snap 39 (#39) on the side of the filter cartridge 31 (#31) that allows the filter cartridge 31 (#31) to snap 39 (#39) securely into the snap port 41 (#41) inside the filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37) or any reasonable method to secure the filter cartridge 31 (#31) into the filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37). The snap port 41 (#41), located on the inside wall of the filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37) is a small cavity that allows the snap 39 (#39), on the filter cartridge 31 (#31) to plug into the snap port 41 (#41) and secure the filter cartridge 31 (#31) inside the unit. It will also be appreciated that the filter cartridge 31 (#31) has a rim attached to the top of the filter cartridge 31 (#31) in an effort to create a better seal when coughing or sneezing into the unit and can be made from rubber or any reasonable material without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the filter 17 (#17) pad is constructed from a submicron filter 17 (#17) media that hospitals currently use to filter 17 viruses and/or bacterial germs. New data from MIT shows the most dangerous germs are submicron and it is recommended that the use of the submicron filter 17 media (#17) would be preferred. Nevertheless, it will also be appreciated that other materials maybe utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, in one embodiment, the pad is simply an absorbent material to help reduce the spread of fluids from the sneeze or cough similar to the use of a tissue or handkerchief. In another embodiment, the pad is a material that is treated with an anti-viral and/or anti-bacterial agent. In another embodiment, the pad is a submicron material that is rated to stop the smallest viral or bacterial materials that are submicron/in a gas form.

[0067] The IC Band (#27) according to the invention is for the reduction of the spread of germs due to coughing and sneezing. The IC Band (#27) according to the invention may be made from any materials commonly used in the art.

[0068] Although the face of the filter cartridge 31 (#31) and filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37) are shown as generally oval, it will be appreciated that the filter cartridge 31 (#31) and filter cartridge chamber 37 (#37) may be oval, round, square or any shape desired.

[0069] It will be appreciated that the IC Band (#27) can be similar to an adjustable watch band, made of cloth, rubber, leather or other non-metal material, a metal link band which may or may not have a clasp to open it or any mechanism to open or close it, or a slip on band or any type of band or strap made from any material.

[0070] FIG. 13 is a top view of another embodiment of an IC Band (#27) that utilizes different materials to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 & 12. It will be appreciated that the invention may be made from any materials commonly used in the art, allowing the IC Band (#27) to fit into anyone's lifestyle.

[0071] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

[0072] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

[0073] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

[0074] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.