Z-shield™ filtered air protective system
OwnerWilliam Pachoud, Steve Chapelinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Personal protective equipment systems and methods of use are presented. In various embodiments, air enters the apparatus and passes through an optional pre-filter and through a one-way air “check” valve. The incoming air then enters a counter-flow heat exchange path and proceeds towards a heating chamber. The incoming air is heated to a desired temperature and exits via a return path. The air is cooled to a desired exit temperature suitable to be delivered to a user. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with a mask worn by a patient or an isolation chamber at least partially enclosing a patient, e.g., a patient room(s) or a tent erected over a patient gurney or bed.
Claims31
A personal protective equipment (PPE) system, comprising:
- a facemask assembly comprising:
- a head band to allow said facemask assembly to attach to a user's head, wherein said head band surrounds at least a portion of the front of the head and at least a portion of the back of the head, without entirely encompassing the top of the head;
- and
- a shield, formed from transparent, air impermeable material, configured to extend over a portion of a face of the user including eyes, a nose, and a mouth of the user to define a breathing space over the eyes, nose and mouth of the user within an interior of said facemask assembly and operable to allow input air to flow over eyes, nose and mouth of the user, down the inside of the shield, and out the bottom of the shield;
- wherein the shield is curved to expose side portions of the user's head;
- a gaiter for extending between one or more ends of said shield and a body of a user, wherein at least one of said shield and said gaiter extend over the nose and mouth of said user to define a breathing space within said interior of said facemask assembly;
- and
- a positive pressure air supply assembly, including:
- an air inlet;
- a conduit assembly extending between said air inlet and said facemask assembly;
- and
- at least one air accelerator for forcing air through said conduit assembly from said air inlet to said facemask assembly.
A facemask system, comprising:
- a facemask assembly comprising:
- a head band to allow said facemask assembly to attach to a user's head, wherein said head band surrounds at least a portion of the front and at least a portion of the back of the head, without entirely encompassing the top of the head;
- a shield, formed from transparent, air impermeable material, configured to extend over a portion of a face of the user including eyes, a nose, and mouth of said the user to define a breathing space over the eyes, nose and mouth of the user within an interior of the shield and operable to allow input air to flow over eyes, nose and mouth of the user, down the inside of the shield, and out the bottom of the shield;
- wherein the shield is curved to expose side portions of the user's head;
- and
- a gaiter for extending between one or more ends of said shield and a body of the user, wherein at least one of said shield and said gaiter extend over a nose and a mouth of said user to define a breathing space within an interior of said facemask assembly.
An apparatus for use in a personal protective equipment (PPE) system, said system including an assembly comprising a head band to allow said assembly to attach to a user's head, wherein said head band surrounds at least a portion of the front of the head and at least a portion of the back of the head, without entirely encompassing the top of the head, and a shield, formed from transparent, air impermeable material, configured to extend over a portion of a face of the user including the user's eyes, a nose, and a mouth of the user to define a breathing space over the eyes, nose and mouth of the user within an interior of the shield, wherein the shield is curved to expose side portions of the user's head and operable to allow input air to flow over eyes, nose and mouth of the user, down the inside of the shield, and out the bottom of the shield, said apparatus comprising:
- a gaiter for extending between one or more ends of said shield and a body of the user, wherein at least one of said shield and said gaiter extend over a nose and a mouth of said user to define a breathing space;
- and
- a connector for removably attaching said gaiter to said shield.
A personal protective (PPE) system, comprising:
- a facemask assembly, comprising:
- a head band to allow said facemask assembly to attach to a user's head, wherein said head band surrounds at least a portion of the front of the head and at least a portion of the back of the head, without entirely encompassing the top of the head;
- and
- a shield, formed from transparent, air impermeable material, configured to extend over a portion of a face of the user including the user's eyes, a nose, and a mouth of the user to define a breathing space over the eyes, nose, and mouth of the user within an interior of the facemask assembly and operable to allow input air to flow over eyes, nose and mouth of the user, down the inside of the shield, and out the bottom of the shield;
- wherein the shield is curved to expose side portions of the user's head;
- an air inlet for providing air to an interior of said facemask assembly;
- and
- a gaiter for extending between one or more ends of said shield and a body of a user, wherein at least one of said shield and said gaiter extend over the nose and mouth of said user to define a breathing space within said interior of said facemask assembly;
- and
- a filtered air supply assembly, including:
- a filter for removing contaminants from air;
- a conduit assembly, extending between said filter and said air inlet of said facemask assembly;
- and
- a fan for forcing air through said conduit assembly from said filter of said filtered air supply assembly to said air inlet of said facemask assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.