All weather electric indoor/outdoor heat exchanger face mask

Abstract

A face mask apparatus is formed with a breathing chamber that provides adjustable warm and humidified air for inhalation. The breathing chamber heats cold air that is breathed in through the face mask during normal breathing, which is worn over the nose and mouth of a person. A temperature gauge monitors temperature for future adjustment of the amount of heat generating current. The air in the chamber is heated for inhalation by a resistive carbon fiber tape. The temperature of the resistive material (and by extension the warm air generated), is regulated / adjusted by increasing or decreasing the current output settings on the power source. Warm and humidified air is produced. The face mask may be part of a balaclava hood or a hat, or to other head gear, or as a stand-alone with straps around the head, optionally with an adjustable solar powered battery.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a face mask and method for using the face mask in all-weather indoor and outdoor conditions, 24 hrs. a day / 7 day a week, to condition air drawn into the face mask before it is actually breathed and thereby supply warm and humidified air to persons in need thereof, particularly in extremely cold weather, e.g., in freezing and / or below freezing weather.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]All references are included in their entirety as if reproduced in full herein.[0003]It is well established that cold weather, and particularly cold air, can play havoc with your lungs and health. See American Lung Association, “COLD WEATHER AND YOUR LUNGS”. See, “Why Breathing Cold Air Hurts When You're Running”, Runners World, William O. Roberts MD Dec. 3, 2019, More than 60 million people run or Jog in the United States, and more than 110 million people participate in walking for fitness. Cold air is often dry air, which dry air is often a killer, c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The aforementioned references describe circumstances which can be characterized as perfect places for the applicant's invention. Another huge advantage of the invention is that in the same room of any facility, each individual's inspired warm air can be custom tailored, (bespoke), to that specific individual. In fact, each individual outside or inside can have a custom tailored bespoke warm air inhalation profile.

[0017]U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,343 of Cummins, for a respiratory heated face mask, which discloses a face mask with an electric heater element. This is different than the applicant's invention in that it has an extended air inlet (24), nothing in or on the housing (18), and a severely restrictive heater element directly in front of the mouth, (54), a restrictive filter (48), and a further restrictive threaded cap, and further restrictive air inlets and air outlets with check valves, (26,34,32,36,38,40).

[0018]United States Patent Application Number US 2011 / 0297152 of Duveen is a re-humidification mask with a single inlet / outlet aperture centrally located in front of the user's mouth. A coil of corrugated hygroscopic paper is fitted into this aperture having an axis of the coil in the direction of fluid flow. While not employing any heating element, this mask adds heat and moisture from the exhaled air to condition the inhaled air by virtue of storage of heat and moisture in the corrugated paper coil. Unfortunately, the operation introduces significant air resistance to the breathing process. Also, the paper coil will easily get waterlogged in certain environments and must be changed periodically.

[0019]U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,584 of Dearstine discloses an electrically powered face mask. A severe fatal shortcoming of this reference is that as shown on Cover Page and FIG. 1 There are two air inlet ports, 28 and 32, on both sides of the face, with inlet port 30, directly above the mouth. Every animal from the ant to the elephant has the mouth and air intake directly in front, or slightly behind the nose, through the mouth. It does not work any other way. It would be an extreme restriction, extreme difficulty, or extreme unworkable burden on air inhalation to try to inspire air from both sides of the face, and the front port, and therefore Dearstine '584 is substantially unworkable. Furthermore, to open these three inlet ports requires much energy, which is additional restriction of inhalation. Dearstine '584 at column 1, reference claims twice, “Warm and dry the face of a wearer” Dearstine '584 at column 2, line 65, says the same thing. This reference of Dearstine '584 discloses or claims nothing about heating or humidification of the air for inhalation of the “face of a wearer”: See Dearstine '584 at column 1, Field of the invention, and at column 1, second to last paragraph. Applicant's other aforementioned prior references disclose that dry air is very harmful for inhalation, although the Dearstine '584 reference does not disclose warming or humidification of air for inhalation, nor humidification of the air for inhalation. The Dearstine '584 reference exclusively discloses warming the face.

[0020]The Dearstine '584 reference also claims at column 2, lines 45-48, a cost-effective invention for manufacture and marketing. Applicant differs with 4 separate distinct inhale and exhale flaps; see Dearstine '584 at column 4, lines 19-21, taken together with the requirement of two batteries, see Dearstine '584 at FIG. 7; therefore, this Dearstine '584 reference is not cost-effective to manufacture. This reference claims an array of electrical resistance wires for generating heat, positioned in each inhale port with wire attachments to these electrical resistance wires, provides additional resistance to the airflow inhalation of air.

[0021]Moreover, as disclosed in the invention, after the person exhales the exhalation flap closes, so that the mask is empty, and then air warmed by the electrical wires heats the oncoming air and warms the face. This reference discloses or claims nothing about heating or humidifying air for inhalation.

Problems solved by technology

Cold air is often dry air, which dry air is often a killer, causing much mortality and morbidity, especially for those with lung diseases.

See COPD among adults in NY disclosing that 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with (COPD), Airway diseases (see NIH, NIEHS, “Lung Diseases”, revised 2020,) also can cause discomfort, mortality, and morbidity.

The medical costs caused by cold dry air is in the many billions.

It is awkward, restricts breathing, impairs speaking, cumbersome, accumulates moisture and germs, and is stifling and claustrophobic, the more it is wrapped around the face, the more restrictive the breathing becomes.

It has a severe restriction of breathing, i.e., it obstructs air flow and requires a large amount of work from a user's diaphragm to get the air in.

Anything between the mouth and the airflow impedes inhalation and exhalation causes restriction and impedes breathing.

The HME masks are claustrophobic, impair speaking, are not heated air And Humidity adjustable, and they accumulate moisture and germs.

Unfortunately, the operation introduces significant air resistance to the breathing process.

Also, the paper coil will easily get waterlogged in certain environments and must be changed periodically.

It would be an extreme restriction, extreme difficulty, or extreme unworkable burden on air inhalation to try to inspire air from both sides of the face, and the front port, and therefore Dearstine '584 is substantially unworkable.

Furthermore, to open these three inlet ports requires much energy, which is additional restriction of inhalation.

Applicant's other aforementioned prior references disclose that dry air is very harmful for inhalation, although the Dearstine '584 reference does not disclose warming or humidification of air for inhalation, nor humidification of the air for inhalation.

While it does heat the inspired cold air, it also displays the problems noted above associated with the prior art devices.

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