Sterilization mask with UVC reflective chamber
OwnerStephen Almeidainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The sterilization mask with UVC reflective chamber includes a chamber with reflective liner, through which inhaled and exhaled air passes. The reflective chamber is also referred to as a sterilization chamber. Using a reflective chamber ensures each photon of UVC light has a long life, thus dissipating slowly. Increasing the life of the UVC photons decreases the quantity of photons that must be created. Thus, less power is required to achieve the sterilization. Sterilization is defined as a 6-log reduction (99.9999%) of various microbes including viruses, bacteria, and spores. The reflective chamber is made reflective using an UVC internal reflective surface. This surface is preferably formed from ePTFE, or other equivalently UVC reflective material.
Claims15
A portable air sterilization device for a user, the device passing inhaled air and exhaled air through a sterilization chamber, the device comprising:
- a chamber;
- the chamber including a mask connection point and an atmospheric connection point;
- the inhaled air and the exhaled air passing in and out of the chamber via the mask connection point;
- atmospheric air passing in and out of the chamber via the atmospheric connection point;
- a chamber dividing wall that separates the chamber into a single-direction inhalation flow path and a single-direction exhalation flow path;
- a UVC reflective interior surface lining an inside of the chamber;
- the UVC reflective interior surface having reflectivity of 90% or more with respect to UVC light;
- one or more UVC light sources creating UVC light within the chamber;
- the UVC light bouncing around the inside of the chamber by reflecting off the UVC reflective interior surface, thereby sterilizing the inhaled air and the exhaled air;
- whereby the portable air sterilization device is able to efficiently sterilize air by maximizing the life of the UVC light.
A portable, wearable, UVC sterilizing mask comprising:
- a sterilization chamber;
- the sterilization chamber including an inner wall;
- the inner wall separating the sterilization chamber into a single-direction inhalation flow path and a single-direction exhalation flow path;
- an inhalation assistance fan;
- the inhalation assistance fan placed at an inlet to the single-direction inhalation flow path;
- the inhalation assistance fan operating during both inhalation and exhalation;
- a UVC reflective material applied to the inner wall, the UVC reflective material having reflectivity of 90% or more with respect to UVC light;
- one or more UVC emitters radiating UVC light into the sterilization chamber;
- the UVC light reflective off the UVC reflective material, thereby increasing a dwell time of the UVC light within the sterilization chamber;
- the one or more UVC emitters having an intensity;
- the intensity automatically adjusted based on an airflow through the sterilization chamber, with increased airflow increasing intensity, and decreased airflow decreasing intensity;
- whereby the portable, wearable, UVC sterilizing mask minimizes power use while sterilizing both incoming and outgoing air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.