Thermally controlled face engaging device
AssigneeEMBR Labs IP LLC
InventorsMatthew J. Smith, Locklin George
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A face engaging device such as a nozzle, facemask, etc., may include a housing including a fluid channel extending through the housing to an opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with the mouth of a user. The housing may include a first surface configured to be placed in contact with the skin of the user and a second surface exposed to the fluid channel. The face engaging device may also include a thermal actuator supported by the housing and including a first heat transfer surface position on the first surface, where the first heat transfer surface is configured to apply a thermal profile to the skin of the user when the opening is placed in fluid communication with the mouth of the user.
Claims24
A face engaging device comprising:
- a housing including a fluid channel extending through at least a portion of the housing to an opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with a mouth and/or nose of a user, wherein the housing includes a first surface configured to be placed in contact with skin of a user and a second surface exposed to the fluid channel;
- and
- a thermal actuator supported by the housing and including a first heat transfer surface positioned on the first surface, wherein the first heat transfer surface is configured to be in contact with the skin of the user when the opening is placed in fluid communication with the mouth and/or nose of the user, wherein the thermal actuator includes a second heat transfer surface positioned on the second surface.
A method of operating a face engaging device including a thermal actuator, the method comprising:
- placing an opening of a housing of the face engaging device in fluid communication with a mouth and/or nose of a user, wherein the opening is connected to a fluid channel extending through the housing;
- positioning a first surface of the housing in contact with skin of the user and positioning a second surface of the housing to be exposed to the fluid channel;
- applying a thermal profile to the skin of the user with the thermal actuator supported by the housing when the opening is placed in fluid communication with the mouth and/or nose of the user, wherein the thermal actuator includes a first heat transfer surface positioned on the first surface of the housing and a second heat transfer surface positioned on the second surface of the housing;
- drawing fluid through the fluid channel and into the mouth and/or nose of the user;
- and
- transferring heat between the thermal actuator and the fluid passing through the fluid channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.