Single-person air purification device comprising barrier means

Abstract

Title: Single-person air purification device comprising barrier means The invention relates to a single-person air purification device (100) comprising a headpiece (200) forming a hollow body and carrying a visor (110) intended to extend in front of the face of a user, the headpiece (200) being intended to be worn on the head of a user, characterized in that the device (100) also comprises barrier means intended to extend between the visor (110) and the face of the user, to form a physical barrier between the face of the user and the external environment. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Single-person air purification device comprising barrier means

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of air treatment devices.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates in particular to a single-person air purification device.

[0003] Traditionally, to protect themselves from airborne pathogens, individuals wear masks or visors that create an air zone in front of the mouth and nose.

[0004] Furthermore, these masks or visors also make it possible to protect others from pathogens that individuals carry.

[0005] These masks and visors are passive devices in that they form a barrier to pathogenic agents without destroying them, or at least without reducing them.

[0006] While they provide protection for users, these devices are most often of limited effectiveness for several reasons.

[0007] A certain public is not accustomed to wearing a mask, as well as to the constraints and procedures inherent to it. The discomfort that wearing a mask can cause therefore limits its effectiveness and acceptance.

[0008] Furthermore, the mask, which is poorly supported due to its proximity to the face, creates heat and therefore significant discomfort.

[0009] Furthermore, practical use of the mask means that it must be removed and replaced very frequently (particularly for drinking and eating), which creates additional discomfort and reduces its effectiveness.

[0010] As for visors, which are much more pleasant to use, they have practically no protective effect against aerosols.

[0011] In order to improve protection against pathogens, active devices have been developed.

[0012] These active devices are in particular ventilated devices.

[0013] Commercially available active devices are generally intended for a highly specialized clientele, carrying out dangerous work.

[0014] These active devices take, for example, the form of a part of a diving suit, encompassing the head, or at least the face, in a sealed and closed space, often under overpressure.

[0015] Wearing such active devices is particularly uncomfortable over long periods and is not suitable for claustrophobic people.

[0016] Furthermore, such active devices are limiting for many actions such as social and / or playful interactions, or even eating.

[0017] Furthermore, commercial pressurization and filtration systems are complex because they require watertight connections and large air pumps.

[0018] Such active devices are also complex to implement for daily life, and therefore do not allow systematic use in a social environment.

[0019] Devices such as that described in the patent document published under number FR 3 114 244 were then developed.

[0020] These active devices are simplified and make it possible to create a protective air gap in front of the user's face.

[0021] However, if they are simpler in design, simpler to use and more compatible with social life, such active devices remain perfectible in the opinion of their designers themselves.

[0022] The invention aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing protection by an active device against: - external pathogens present in the air; - manual delivery of pathogens to the face; - agents carried by the user and potentially contaminating for others (via droplets, sneezing).

[0023] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a single-person air purification device providing increased protection for the user compared to the devices of the prior art.

[0024] The invention also aims to provide such a device which is comfortable to use.

[0025] The invention further aims to provide such a device which is simple to use.

[0026] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which has as its subject a single-person air purification device comprising a headpiece forming a hollow body and carrying a visor intended to extend in front of the face of a user, the headpiece being intended to be worn on the head of a user, the hollow body defining an air chamber fluidly connecting: - an air inlet having at least one suction mouth and incorporating filtration means, and - an air outlet intended to be arranged in front of a user's forehead, the device comprising suction means positioned between the air inlet and the air outlet and configured to suck air through the air inlet and discharge it through the air outlet so as to form a blade of air in front of the user's face, characterized in that the device also comprises barrier means intended to extend between the visor and the user's face, to form a physical barrier between the user's face and the external environment.

[0027] The barrier means thus make it possible to prevent air from infiltrating between the user's face and the air blade.

[0028] This therefore directly benefits the strengthening of the user's protection against airborne pathogens.

[0029] Furthermore, the barrier means make it possible to protect the air blade from an air current which could deform the air blade and reduce its effectiveness.

[0030] Furthermore, the barrier means form a protection against the venturi effect induced by the air flow coming from the air outlet.

[0031] Indeed, the flow of air exiting through the air outlet tends to cause suction of air from outside the device, this outside air potentially carrying bacteria and / or pathogenic agents.

[0032] Thanks to the presence of the barrier means, no outside air can come into contact with the user's face. The user is therefore protected from any contamination by outside air, or almost.

[0033] According to an advantageous aspect, the barrier means comprise at least one elastically deformable member.

[0034] The use of at least one elastically deformable member allows the barrier means to deform to fit the user's face in order to prevent air carrying pathogens or microbes from penetrating between the user's face and the air gap.

[0035] Furthermore, by their elastic characteristic, the barrier means adapt to the different positions of the device by the user, the positions not always being identical from one use to another.

[0036] According to another advantageous aspect, the air chamber has a lower wall intended to extend above the user's head, and the barrier means also comprise at least one elastically deformable member intended to extend between the lower wall and the user's head, to form a physical barrier between the user's head and the external environment.

[0037] Like the elastically deformable member located between the user's face and the visor, the or each elastically deformable member located between the user's head and the lower wall of the headpiece makes it possible to limit the risks that stale air, i.e. air carrying pathogenic agents or microbes, can reach the user's face.

[0038] According to another advantageous aspect, the or each elastically deformable member intended to extend between the visor and the user's face is integral with the visor. and located along a rim of the visor.

[0039] This makes it possible to offer the widest possible field of vision to the user of the device, while protecting them.

[0040] According to another advantageous aspect, the or each elastically deformable member intended to extend between the lower wall and the user's head is integral with the lower wall.

[0041] This makes it possible to maintain a correct position of the or each elastically deformable member so that the barrier means retain their effectiveness despite successive placements and removals of the device by the user.

[0042] According to another advantageous aspect, each elastically deformable member is in the form of a block of foam.

[0043] The use of a foam block makes it possible to form an effective barrier while limiting the weight of the device, for the benefit of comfort of use.

[0044] According to another advantageous aspect, each elastically deformable member is in the form of a lip made of polymer material.

[0045] The polymer material lips provide an effective barrier without compromising the aesthetics and weight of the device.

[0046] Indeed, when the polymer material used to form the lips is transparent, or almost so, it then becomes barely perceptible.

[0047] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings described below.

[0048] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation in perspective from above of a first embodiment of a single-person air purification device according to the invention.

[0049] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective representation from above of a second embodiment of a single-person air purification device according to the invention.

[0050] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation in side view of a single-person air purification device according to the invention.

[0051] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective representation from below of a single-person air purification device according to the invention.

[0052] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of a slot of an outlet of the single-person air purification device according to the invention.

[0053] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the outlet slit of the single-person purification device according to the invention, according to the cross-section plane VI - VI.

[0054] With reference to Figures 1 to 6, a single-person air purification device 100 is now described.

[0055] The device 100 comprises a headgear 200 intended to be positioned on the head of a user.

[0056] According to a first embodiment illustrated by [Fig.l], the device 100 also comprises a visor 150 intended to be positioned in front of the face of a user.

[0057] The visor 150 is for example pivotally mounted on the cover 200.

[0058] According to a second embodiment illustrated by [Fig.2], the device is without a visor.

[0059] As will be described below, the device 100 is notably intended to create a blade of air 180 in front of a user's face.

[0060] For this, the cover 200 forms a hollow body defining an air chamber fluidly connecting an air inlet 210 and an air outlet 220.

[0061] The device 100 also comprises suction means 300 positioned between the air inlet 210 and the air outlet 220.

[0062] The suction means 300 are configured to suck air through the air inlet 210 and discharge it through the air outlet 220 so as to form the air blade 180 in front of a user's face.

[0063] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the air inlet 210 has at least one suction mouth 211.

[0064] More specifically, the air inlet 210 has two suction mouths 211 opposite one another.

[0065] As illustrated by [Fig.3], the air inlet 210 incorporates filtration means 230.

[0066] The filtration means 230 comprise at least one particle filter. When the filtration means 230 comprise one or more particle filters, they are then of the passive type. Alternatively, filtration means 230 of the active type could also be used.

[0067] According to a first embodiment, as illustrated by [Fig.l], the filtration means 230 are common to each of the two suction mouths 211.

[0068] According to a second embodiment, not shown in the figures, each suction mouth 211 integrates its own filtration means 230.

[0069] The filtration means 230 thus make it possible to purify the air entering the air chamber via the suction vents 211 before it is ejected from the air chamber via the air outlet vent 220.

[0070] Still with reference to [Fig.3], the air chamber has a lower wall 240 intended to extend above the user's head.

[0071] The lower wall 240 is provided with a plurality of orifices 241 allowing the passage of air to form an overpressure zone 242 of air between the user's head and the lower wall 240 of the air chamber.

[0072] Thus, the air entering the air chamber through the air inlet 210 is evacuated from the air chamber both through the outlet 220 and through the plurality of orifices 241 made in the lower wall 240.

[0073] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the air chamber is divided into a first cavity 250 and a second cavity 260.

[0074] The first cavity 250 is intended for supplying the plurality of orifices 241 of the lower wall 240, and the second cavity 260 is intended for supplying the outlet mouth 220.

[0075] For this, the air chamber comprises a partition 270 dividing its total volume into the first cavity 250 and the second cavity 260.

[0076] More specifically, the partition 270 extends above the bottom wall 240.

[0077] The partition 270 is connected by a first end 271 to the outlet mouth 220 and has a second free end 272 arranged in the vicinity of the air inlet 210.

[0078] Alternatively, the second end 272 may be distant from the air inlet 210 so that the volume of the air chamber is only partially divided.

[0079] With reference to [Fig. 3], the device 100 also comprises a valve 400 configured to allow supply of the first cavity 250 only, of the second cavity 260 only, or of the first cavity 250 and of the second cavity 260 simultaneously.

[0080] In the present case, the second end 272 of the partition 270 is attached to the valve 400 so that the first cavity 250 and the second cavity 260 can be fluidically independent of each other.

[0081] Such a valve 400 may be of the manual type, that is to say manually adjusted by the user via a wheel or, on the contrary, controlled.

[0082] In the case of a controlled valve 400, the device 100 also integrates an electric battery 500 and a control unit 600.

[0083] The control unit 600 is then configured to control the suction means 300 on the one hand, but also the valve 400.

[0084] The control unit 600 can integrate communication means making it possible to create a communication path between the control unit 600 and a portable computer device, such as a smartphone or a digital tablet allowing the user to control the suction means 300 and / or the valve 400.

[0085] Alternatively, the control unit 600 can be coupled to a control box secured to the cover 200 and directly accessible to the user to control the suction means 300 and / or the valve 400.

[0086] To improve the comfort of use of the device 100, the cover 200 comprises also a frame 280 incorporating a belt 281 intended to surround the user's head.

[0087] It is this frame 280 which acts as a connection between the user's head and the headdress 200.

[0088] The frame 280 also incorporates adjustment means 282 for the belt 281 to fit around the user's head without the frame 280 being uncomfortable.

[0089] In order to further increase the comfort of the device 100, the cover 200 has two adjacent conduits 201, 202 separated by an opening 203.

[0090] According to a first embodiment, each conduit 202, 203 communicates with one of the first cavity 250 and the second cavity 260. In other words, each of the first cavity 250 and the second cavity 260 is fluidically connected to only one of the conduits 202, 203.

[0091] According to a second embodiment, the two conduits 202, 203 are connected to each of the first cavity 250 and the second cavity 260.

[0092] Each of the conduits 202, 203 is connected to the air inlet 210, and, consequently, to each of the two suction mouths 211.

[0093] Alternatively, each conduit 202, 203 could be connected to only one of the suction inlets 211. In this case, each conduit is associated with its own filtration means 230.

[0094] With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the air outlet 220 is now described.

[0095] The air outlet 220 extends between two ends 221 separated by a distance greater than or equal to one face width.

[0096] The outlet mouth 220 has a slot 222 through which the air discharged by the suction means 300 is extracted from the air chamber of the cover 200 to form the air blade 180 in front of the user's face.

[0097] The slot 222 extends between the two ends 221 of the outlet mouth 220 and has a curved profile so as to follow the shape of the user's face.

[0098] By the expression "shape of the users' face", it is understood that between the two ears of the user, the face is not flat but follows an ovoid trajectory whose tip is centered on the nose.

[0099] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the slot 222 widens from a central portion 223 intended to be located above the user's nose towards each of the ends 221.

[0100] Still with reference to [Fig.5], the widening of the slot 222 crosses proportionally as a function of the distance of the central portion 223 towards the ends 221.

[0101] In a variant not illustrated, the widening of the slot 222 crosses exponentially as a function of the distance of the central portion 223 towards the ends. 221.

[0102] In other words, for several points taken successively along the slot 222, there is no proportionality between the widening of the slot 222 and the distance from the central portion 223.

[0103] Still with reference to [Fig.5], the slot 222 has a symmetry along an axial plane P intended to be confused with a plane of symmetry of the face of a user.

[0104] According to the embodiment illustrated by [Fig.6], the slot 222 is made in an insert 224 secured to the air outlet mouth 220.

[0105] More precisely, the insert 224 comprises a first lip 225 and a second lip 226 parallel to each other, the first lip 225 being movable in translation relative to the second lip 226 along an axis inscribed in the axial plane P. The translation movement is schematically represented by the double arrow F in [Fig.6].

[0106] The mobility of the first lip 225 relative to the second lip 226 makes it possible to vary a distance D between the first lip 225 and the second lip 226 and thus to vary the flow of air exiting through the slot 222.

[0107] As illustrated by [Fig.6], the translation of the first lip 225 relative to the second lip 226 is carried out along an axis extending substantially according to the user's gaze.

[0108] Thus, regardless of the direction in which the user is looking at it, the movement of the first lip 225 relative to the second lip 226 is done in such a way that even if the user turns his head, or looks up or down, the air blade 180 remains located in front of his face.

[0109] To ensure the mobility of the first lip 225 relative to the second lip 226, the device also comprises motor means 227.

[0110] The control unit 600 is also configured to control the motor means 227. Controlling the motor means thus makes it possible to vary the position of the first lip 225 relative to the second lip 226, in order to vary the distance D between the first lip 225 and the second lip 226.

[0111] With reference to [Fig.4], the device also comprises medium barriers 700 intended to extend between the visor 110 and the user's face.

[0112] More particularly, the barrier means 700 extend between the visor 110 and the user's face along a rim 111 of the visor 110 to form a physical barrier between the user's face and the external environment.

[0113] This thus makes it possible to prevent outside air from entering between the user's face and the visor 150 and disturbing the air blade 120.

[0114] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the barrier means 700 extend over the entire periphery of the visor 110, along the rim 111.

[0115] Thus, the entire bend is bordered by the barrier means 700.

[0116] The barrier means 700 comprise at least one elastically deformable member.

[0117] The conventionally deformable member can thus adapt to the user's face in order to create an effective barrier.

[0118] Still with reference to [Fig.4], the barrier means 700 also comprise elastically deformable members intended to extend between the lower wall 240 and the user's head.

[0119] This thus makes it possible to form a physical barrier between the user's head and the external environment.

[0120] The or each elastically deformable member intended to extend between the visor 110 and the user's face is integral with the visor 110 and located along the edge 111 of the visor. This makes it possible to maintain broad visibility for the user, without the barrier means 700 forming a hindrance, or at the very least the hindrance formed by the barrier means being as low as possible.

[0121] Similarly, the or each elastically deformable member intended to extend between the lower wall 240 and the user's head is integral with the lower wall 240.

[0122] According to one embodiment, each elastically deformable member is in the form of a block of foam.

[0123] According to another embodiment, each elastically deformable member is in the form of a lip made of polymer material.

[0124] In operation, the outside air is sucked in through the suction vents 211 of the air inlet 210, via the suction means 300.

[0125] Between the suction means 300 and the air chamber, the sucked air passes through the filtration means 230 in order to be depolluted.

[0126] The air is then forced back towards the outlet mouth 220 and / or towards the orifices 241. The choice of evacuation of the air from the air chamber is carried out using the valve 400 when the device 100 is equipped with it. In the absence of the valve 400, the evacuation of the air from the air chamber is carried out both via the outlet mouth 220 and via the orifices 241.

[0127] The air evacuated through the orifices 241 makes it possible to create the overpressure zone between the cover 200 and the user's head, as represented schematically by [Fig.3].

[0128] The air evacuated through the outlet 220, and more precisely through the slot 222, makes it possible to create the air blade 120 in front of the user's face.

[0129] The device 100 which has just been described offers protection of the user against the external environment.

[0130] Indeed, the air blade 120 forms a barrier of purified air in front of the user's face, which prevents microbes and / or bacteria from reaching the user's face. the user.

[0131] Furthermore, the overpressure zone, created by the presence of the orifices 241 on the lower wall 240, makes it possible to limit air pollution between the air blade 120 and the user's face.

[0132] In addition, the maintenance of the clear zone, that is to say free from external bacteria or microbes, is ensured by the presence of the barrier means 700.

[0133] Furthermore, the simplicity and lightness of the device 100, as well as its aesthetics close to lightweight consumer helmets, may facilitate its acceptance by the general public.

[0134] In summary, the device 100 makes it possible to achieve: - a supply, in front of the user's nose and mouth, of air filtered and purified of any pathogenic agent; - prevent the intrusion of potentially polluted air between the device 100 and the user's head, without having to resort to a tight or pressurized closure, which generates discomfort and a feeling of being trapped; - a visible barrier in front of the face, through the presence of the visor, giving the user a psychological warning preventing him from mechanically touching his face, and - the considerable limitation of the projection of aerosols, for example by spitting or sneezing, thus reducing the risk of viral spread from the user to the person they are talking to.

[0135] Finally, the device 100 also makes it possible to offer the following advantages.

[0136] The air flow which passes between the face and the visor 110, i.e. the air blade 120, significantly reduces the tendency of the 110 visor to get dirty or fog up.

[0137] The device 100 thus provides greater protection than a visor 110, while limiting the need for cleaning.

[0138] A collar (not shown) located on the bottom of the visor 110 can also limit the flow of air penetrating towards the user's face. This collar can be either made of rigid material or flexible material (fabric, transparent plastic), but preferably being removable.

[0139] In the event of a violent sneeze, for example, the masks tend to lift, allowing rapid projection of air and aerosols laterally to the mask. The large volume of air in front of the face and the air blade 120 can more easily absorb a sneeze and immediately evacuate potentially contaminated air from below, without dirtying or polluting the device 100.

[0140] The device 100 remains reasonably acceptable in social life, because it is practical and easy to use while respecting the environment, in particular through the choice of recyclable and recycled materials and through low energy consumption.

Claims

Claims

1. A single-person air purification device (100) comprising a headpiece (200) forming a hollow body and carrying a visor (110) intended to extend in front of a user's face, the headpiece (200) being intended to be worn on a user's head, the hollow body defining an air chamber fluidly connecting: - an air inlet (210) having at least one suction mouth (211) and incorporating filtration means (230), and - an air outlet mouth (220) intended to be arranged in front of a user's forehead, the device (100) comprising suction means (300) positioned between the air inlet (210) and the air outlet mouth (220) and configured to suck in air through the air inlet (211) and discharge it through the air outlet mouth (220) so as to form a blade air (120) in front of the user's face,characterized in that the device (100) also comprises barrier means (700) intended to extend between the visor (110) and the user's face, to form a physical barrier between the user's face and the external environment, and in that the air chamber has a lower wall (240) intended to extend above the user's head, and the barrier means (700) also comprise at least one elastically deformable member intended to extend between the lower wall (240) and the user's head, to form a physical barrier between the user's head and the external environment, the lower wall (240) being provided with a plurality of orifices (241) allowing the passage of air to form an overpressure zone (242) of air between the user's head and the lower wall (240) of the air chamber.,

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each elastically deformable member intended to extend between the visor (110) and the user's face is integral with the visor (110) and located along a rim (111) of the visor (110).

3. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each elastically deformable member intended to extend between the lower wall (240) and the user's head is integral with the lower wall (240).

4. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each elastically deformable member is in the form of a block of foam.

5. Device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each elastically deformable member is in the form of a lip made of polymer material.

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