US 12,502,564 B2Granted

Radiofrequency enabled filtering facepiece respirator

OwnerAndrew J. Mikaelian, Nyree S. Masoian +1inventors

InventorsAndrew J. Mikaelian, Nyree S. Masoian, Danielle K. Mikaelian

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Abstract

A radiofrequency enabled filtering facepiece respirator is provided. The filtering facepiece respirator includes a facemask adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer, where the facemask comprising a mask body containing a filtering structure. A harness is coupled to the mask body for securing the facemask on the face of the wearer. A mechanical valve is coupled to a portion of the mask body proximate the wearer's mouth, where the valve is adjustable between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, air is permitted to flow through the valve on exhalation but not on inhalation. In the second mode of operation, air is obstructed from flowing through the valve on exhalation and inhalation.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A filtering facepiece respirator and system comprising:

a facemask adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer, the facemask comprising a mask body containing a filtering structure;
a harness coupled to the mask body for securing the facemask on the face of the wearer;
a mechanical valve coupled to a portion of the mask body proximate the wearer's mouth, the valve being adjustable between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, where in the first mode of operation air is permitted to flow through the valve on exhalation but not on inhalation and in the second mode of operation air is obstructed from flowing through the valve on exhalation and inhalation;
a battery electronically coupled to the mechanical valve;
a wireless tag electronically coupled to the battery;
and
a controller electronically coupled to the battery and the mechanical valve, the controller being in wireless communication with a server having a processor and database;
the system comprising:
one or more wireless signal collectors, a gateway device, the server, and a facility;
where the wireless tag is configured to communicate measurement data with the one or more wireless signal collectors disposed at various locations within the facility, the one or more wireless signal collectors generating sense signals that are communicated to the gateway device to determine the geographical location of the filtering facepiece respirator within the facility, and
where the gateway device is configured to communicate with the server to transmit the geographic location information to the server, and
where the server is configured to communicate with the controller based on the geographic location of the filtering facepiece respirator, and
where the controller is configured to transmit a controller signal to the mechanical valve to adjust the valve between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation based on the geographic location of the filtering facepiece respirator within the facility.

10 more elements

A method of managing the operation of a filtering facepiece respirator within a facility, the method comprising:

providing a computing device having a processor and storage, where a database is stored in the storage;
mapping the geographical coordinates of various rooms and common areas of the facility and storing the geographical coordinates in the database;
installing one or more signal collectors and one or more gateway devices in various geographical locations within the facility, where the one or more signal collectors are in electronic communication with the one or more gateway devices, and where the one or more gateway devices are in electronic communication with the computing device;
storing in the database the geographical locations of the one or more signal collectors and the one or more gateway devices installed within the facility;
providing one or more target units having a transmitter, where the one or more target units are carried by one or more targets traveling throughout the facility, and where the transmitter continuously transmits to the one or more signal collectors electromagnetic waves carrying messages or electronic signals, and where the one or more signal collectors processes the messages or electronic signals it receives from the one or more target units and transmits geographical data to the one or more gateway devices, and where the one or more gateway devices routes the geographical data to the computing device;
processing the geographical data in the computing device and comparing the geographical data with the geographical locations of the one or more signal collectors and the one or more gateway devices stored in the database to determine relative geographic locations of the one or more targets within the facility;
generating a controller signal in the computing device based on the relative geographic locations of the one or more targets;
and
transmitting the controller signal from the computing device to a receiver carried by a filtering facepiece respirator worn by the one or more targets, where the controller signal adjusts the mode of operation of the filtering facepiece respirator.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/483,159Filed 23 Sep 2021 · us provisional application
Priority: 23 Sep 2020
Published: US 2022/0088424 A124 Mar 2022
Granted: 23 Dec 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

A62B 18/10
Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices: valves
A41D 13/11
Protecting only a particular body part: protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
A61M 16/202
Controlled valves: electrically actuated
A62B 9/006
Component parts for respiratory or breathing apparatus: indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination