A head wearable air purifier

Abstract

A head wearable air purifier is described. The head wearable air purifier comprises a headgear; an air purifier assembly for generating a purified airflow, the air purifier assembly supported by the headgear; and a nozzle assembly, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises an air inlet for receiving a purified airflow from the air purifier assembly; an air outlet for emitting the purified airflow from the nozzle assembly; and a duct comprising a passageway for conveying purified airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the duct has an adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the air inlet for directing air towards the face of a user.

Description

[0001] A HEAD WEARABLE AIR PURIFIER

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Air pollution is an increasing problem and a variety of air pollutants have known or suspected harmful effects on human health. The adverse effects that can be caused by air pollution depend upon the pollutant type and concentration, and the length exposure to the polluted air. For example, high air pollution levels can cause immediate health problems such as aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness, whereas long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent health effects such as loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function, and the development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer.

[0004] In locations with particularly high levels of air pollution, many individuals have recognised the benefits of minimising their exposure to these pollutants and have therefore taken to wearing face masks with the aim of filtering out at least a portion of the pollutants present in the air before it reaches the mouth and nose. These face masks range from basic dust masks that merely filter out relatively large dust particles, to more complex air-purifying respirators that require that the air pass through a filter element or cartridge.

[0005] There have been various attempts to develop air purifiers that can be worn by the user but that do not require the user’s mouth and nose to be covered. For example, there are various designs for wearable air purifiers that are worn around the neck of the user and that create a jet of air that is directed upwards towards the user’s mouth and nose. Other headset arrangements have been developed in which both a fan and a filter are incorporated into at least one of the earcups of a set of headphones.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a head wearable air purifier comprising a headgear; an air purifier assembly for generating a purified airflow, the air purifier assembly supported by the headgear; and a nozzle assembly, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises an air inlet for receiving a purified airflow from the air purifier assembly; an air outlet for emitting the purified airflow from the nozzle assembly; and a duct comprising a passageway for conveying purified airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the duct has an adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the air inlet for directing air towards the face of a user. The nozzle assembly may be configured to be contactless to the wearer’s face (for example, spaced apart from the wearer’s mouth and / or nasal area when the head wearable air purifier is worn). The nozzle assembly may be configured to be face-contacting (for example, the nozzle assembly may be configured to contact the wearer’s mouth and / or nasal area when the head wearable air purifier is worn). The air purifier assembly may provide a continuous flow of air through the passageway when the head wearable air purifier is in use, for example. That is, the purified airflow generated by the air purifier assembly may flow continuously through the passageway while the adjustment mechanism is operated. This may enable the wearer to conveniently adjust a position and / or orientation of the nozzle assembly without interruption of airflow from the air purifier assembly to the wearer’s mouth and / or nasal area.

[0008] Such an arrangement allows a wearer to adjust the position of the air outlet to ensure that purified airflow is directed towards their mouth and nose, and allows the position of the air outlet to be adjusted to suit a wide range of wearers. In particular, such adjustments can be made without requiring adjustment to the headgear itself, such that the headgear may be maintained in a comfortable position and the outlet adjusted as required. In contrast, known arrangements require substantially all of the headgear to be moved in order to change the position of the air outlet relative to a wearer’s nose and mouth, such that a suitable position of the air outlet may lead to uncomfortable positioning of the headgear. Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may be configured to allow the air outlet to be moveable in a direction which is substantially parallel with a wearer’s sagittal plane. The air outlet may thereby be moveable in a direction which is generally vertical relative to the face of a wearer when the head wearable air purifier is in use.

[0009] Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may comprise a pivot portion configured to allow a first section (which may an inlet section of the duct, between the air inlet and the adjustment mechanism, for example) of the duct to pivot relative to a second section of the duct (which may be an outlet section of the duct, between the adjustment mechanism and the air outlet, for example), and to allow the second section of the duct to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of positions relative to the first section of the duct. Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may be configured to allow the first section of the duct to be pivotable up to an angle of 20° from parallel to the second section of the duct. For example, the first section of the duct may be pivotable up to an angle of 12° from parallel to the second section of the duct. This allows the air outlet to be fixable in a range of suitable positions around or covering the mouth and / or nose of a wearer.

[0010] Optionally, the pivot portion may comprise one of a plurality of inserts, wherein each insert is configured to fix the first section of the duct at a different respective predetermined angle relative to the second section of the duct. For example, when fixed in position, each insert may form part of an air flow path between the first and second section of the duct. Such an arrangement would allow a wearer to choose a preferred air outlet position by selecting an appropriate insert, and the position of the air outlet does not need to be adjusted each time the head wearable air purifier apparatus is worn. Such an arrangement may also reduce the weight of the head wearable air purifier compared with other adjustment mechanisms.

[0011] Optionally, the pivot portion may comprise a locking mechanism having a bearing surface and an engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion is moveable between a first position in which the engagement portion is frictionally engaged with the bearing surface to fix the first section of the duct at an angle relative to the second section of the duct, and a second position in which the engagement portion is disengaged from the bearing surface such that the first section of the duct is pivotable relative to the second section of the duct. Such an arrangement allows the wearer to adjust the position of the air outlet when wearing the head wearable air purifier and may allow the position of the air outlet to be changed when the head wearable air purifier is in use and delivering a flow of purifier air. Optionally, the engagement portion may be biased into the first position. This may help to ensure that the adjustment mechanism does not move from a fixed position accidentally, and improves ergonomics of the head wearable air purifier as the wearer does not need to manually fix the engagement portion in the first position when adjusting the position of the air outlet.

[0012] Optionally, the locking mechanism may be configured such that the first section of the duct is selectively fixable at any angle up to 20° from parallel to the second section of the duct. For example, the first section of the duct may be selectively fixable at any angle up to 12° from parallel to the second section of the duct. This allows the air outlet to be fixable in a range of suitable positions around or covering the mouth and / or nose of a wearer, and by being fixable at any angle in this range the air outlet can be adjusted to suit a wider range of different wearers.

[0013] Optionally, the engagement portion may comprise a plurality of grooves, each groove defining a predetermined angle between the first section of the duct and the second section of the duct, and the bearing surface may comprise a protrusion, wherein in the first position the protrusion is selectively engaged with any one of the grooves to fix the first section of the duct at the respective predetermined angle relative to the second section of the duct, and wherein in the second position the protrusion is disengaged from all of the grooves such that the first section of the duct is pivotable relative to the second section of the duct. For example, the plurality of grooves may comprise three grooves. In this way, the adjustment mechanism may provide a plurality of predetermined, discrete, positions of the air outlet relative to the air inlet. This may make the adjustment mechanism easy for a wearer to use, and the engagement of a protrusion with a groove may ensure that the air outlet is securely held in a selected positioned relative to the air inlet. Of course, it will be appreciated that the plurality of grooves and the protrusion may be arranged on either of the engagement portion or the bearing surface, in order to cooperate in a similar manner. Optionally, the plurality of grooves may comprise a first groove defining an angle of 180° between the first section of duct and the second section of the duct, such that they are parallel, a second groove defining an angle of less than or equal to 175° between the first section of duct and the second section of the duct, and a third groove defining an angle of greater than or equal to 185° between the first section of duct and the second section of the duct. For example, the second groove may define an angle of 175°, and the third groove may define an angle of 185° between the first section of the duct and the second section of the duct (that is, the second and third grooves define positions wherein the first section of the duct is at an angle of 10° from parallel to the second section of the duct); or the second groove may define an angle of 168°, and the third groove may define an angle of 192° between the first section of the duct and the second section of the duct (that is, the second and third grooves define positions wherein the first section of the duct is at an angle of 12° from parallel to the second section of the duct); or the second groove may define an angle of 160°, and the third groove may define an angle of 200° between the first section of the duct and the second section of the duct (that is, the second and third grooves define positions wherein the first section of the duct is at an angle of 20° from parallel to the second section of the duct). It will be appreciated that in other examples, the first groove may define an angle which is not 180°, for example this may be greater than or less than 180°, and the angles defined by the second and third grooves may be measured relative to the angle defined by the first groove (e.g., each being at an angle of up to 20° from the first groove, such as 5°, 10°, 12° or 20°).

[0014] Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may comprise a tube which is manually plastically deformably by a wearer to selectively fix the air outlet in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the air inlet. In this way the adjustment mechanism may be easily adjustable by a wearer in order to fixed the air outlet in any suitable position. For example, the tube may comprise a flexible pipe, and at least one manually plastically deformable element, for example a metal wire or other material that is manually plastically deformable, parallel with a longitudinal axis of the pipe.

[0015] Optionally, the air purifier assembly may be removably connectable to the headgear. For example, the air purifier assembly and the headgear may comprise corresponding connector portions which allow the air purifier assembly to be removably connectable to the headgear. In this way, the headgear may be lighter to wear or use without the air purifier assembly.

[0016] Optionally, the air purifier assembly may comprise a first air purifier assembly at a first side of the headgear, and a second air purifier assembly at a second side of the headgear opposite to the first side; wherein the air inlet is a first air inlet for receiving purified air from the first air purifier assembly, the duct is a first duct comprising a first passageway for conveying purified airflow from the first air inlet to the air outlet, and the adjustment mechanism is a first adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the first air inlet, and the nozzle assembly may further comprise a second air inlet for receiving a purified airflow from the second air purifier assembly, and a second duct comprising a second passageway for conveying purified airflow from the second air inlet to the air outlet.

[0017] Optionally, the first air purifier assembly and the second air purifier assembly may each be removably connectable to the headgear. This may help to reduce the weight of the headgear when air purification is not required (e.g., in examples where the head wearable air purifier is provided in a set of headphones). Optionally, the second duct may further comprise a free-moving hinged portion, which may be configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the second air inlet by adjustment of the first adjustment mechanism. That is, the free-moving hinged portion of the second duct is configured to move responsive to a change in the first adjustment mechanism of the first duct, without requiring user input or interaction with the second duct. For example, the free-moving hinged portion allows the second duct to bend, flex, or adjust freely or without user input or interaction when the position of the air outlet is changed by adjusting the first adjustment mechanism. The free-moving hinged portion may therefore present no or minimal resistance to motion of the air outlet relative to the second air inlet, specifically less resistance to motion of the air outlet than the first adjustment mechanism. In this way, a wearer needs to operate only a single adjustment mechanism (e.g., the first adjustment mechanism) to change the position of the air outlet. For example, this may allow the adjustment of the air outlet to be performed using only a single hand.

[0018] Optionally, the second duct may further comprise a second adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the second air inlet. Such an arrangement may help to ensure that the air outlet is securely held in a selected position relative to the first air inlet and second air inlet.

[0019] Optionally, the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism may be independently adjustable. This may provide greater versatility in the selection of a position for the air outlet relative to the first air inlet and the second air inlet.

[0020] Optionally, the headgear may comprise a headband which is connected to the first air purifier assembly at a first side of the headband, and is connected to the second air purifier assembly at a second side of the headband, wherein the headband, the first air purifier assembly and the second air purifier assembly lie in a common plane, and wherein the air outlet is pivotable relative to the first air inlet and the second air inlet about an axis which is parallel to the common plane. For example, the air outlet may thereby be moveable in a direction which is generally vertical relative to the face of a wearer when the head wearable air purifier is in use.

[0021] Optionally, the head wearable air purifier may further comprise comprising a first ear cup and a second ear cup, wherein the first ear cup comprises the first air purifier assembly and a first speaker assembly, and wherein the second ear cup comprises the second air purifier assembly and a second speaker assembly. In this way, the head wearable air purifier may also be used as a set of headphones.

[0022] Optionally, the nozzle assembly may be removably connectable to the air purifier assembly. For example, the nozzle assembly may further comprise an attachment mechanism for connecting the nozzle assembly to the air purifier assembly. This may help to reduce the weight of the headgear when air purification is not required, as a wearer can remove the nozzle assembly.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a nozzle assembly for a head wearable air purifier comprising a headgear; and an air purifier assembly for generating a purified airflow, the air purifier assembly supported by the headgear; wherein the nozzle assembly comprises an air inlet for receiving a purified airflow from the air purifier assembly; an air outlet for emitting the purified airflow from the nozzle assembly; and a duct comprising a passageway for conveying purified airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the duct has an adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the air inlet for directing air towards the face of a user. The nozzle may be configured to be contactless to the wearer’s face (for example, spaced apart from the wearer’s mouth and / or nasal area when the head wearable air purifier is worn). The nozzle assembly may be configured to be face-contacting (for example, the nozzle assembly may be configured to contact the wearer’s mouth and / or nasal area when the head wearable air purifier is worn).

[0024] In this way, the present invention may provide a nozzle assembly allowing a wearer to adjust the position of the air outlet to ensure that purified airflow is directed towards their mouth and nose, and allows the position of the air outlet to be adjusted to suit a wide range of wearers. In particular, such adjustments can be made without requiring adjustment to the headgear itself, such that the headgear may be maintained in a comfortable position and the outlet adjusted as required. In contrast, known arrangements require substantially all of the headgear to be moved in order to change the position of the air outlet relative to a wearer’s nose and mouth, such that a suitable position of the air outlet may lead to uncomfortable positioning of the headgear. The adjustment mechanism may be provided in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0025] Optionally, the nozzle assembly may be removably connectable to the air purifier assembly of the head wearable air purifier. For example, the nozzle assembly may further comprise an attachment mechanism for connecting the nozzle assembly to the air purifier assembly. Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may be configured to allow the air outlet to be moveable in a direction which is substantially parallel with a wearer’s sagittal plane. The air outlet may thereby be moveable in a direction which is generally vertical relative to the face of a wearer when the head wearable air purifier is in use.

[0026] Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may comprise a pivot portion configured to allow a first section of the duct to pivot relative to a second section of the duct, and to allow the second section of the duct to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of positions relative to the first section of the duct.

[0027] Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may be configured to allow the first section of the duct to be pivotable up to an angle of 20° from parallel to the second section of the duct. For example, the first section of the duct may be pivotable up to an angle of 12° from parallel to the second section of the duct. This allows the air outlet to be fixable in a range of suitable positions around or covering the mouth and / or nose of a wearer.

[0028] Optionally, the pivot portion may comprise one of a plurality of inserts, wherein each insert is configured to fix the first section of the duct at a different respective predetermined angle relative to the second section of the duct. For example, when fixed in position, each insert may form part of an air flow path between the first and second section of the duct. Such an arrangement would allow a wearer to choose a preferred air outlet position by selecting an appropriate insert, and the position of the air outlet does not need to be adjusted each time the head wearable air purifier apparatus is worn. Such an arrangement may also reduce the weight of the head wearable air purifier compared with other adjustment mechanisms.

[0029] Optionally, the pivot portion may comprise a locking mechanism having a bearing surface and an engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion is moveable between a first position in which the engagement portion is frictionally engaged with the bearing surface to fix the first section of the duct at an angle relative to the second section of the duct, and a second position in which the engagement portion is disengaged from the bearing surface such that the first section of the duct is pivotable relative to the second section of the duct. Such an arrangement allows the wearer to adjust the position of the air outlet when wearing the head wearable air purifier and may allow the position of the air outlet to be changed when the head wearable air purifier is in use and delivering a flow of purifier air. Optionally, the engagement portion may be biased into the first position. This may help to ensure that the adjustment mechanism does not move from a fixed position accidentally, and improves ergonomics of the head wearable air purifier as the wearer does not need to manually fix the engagement portion in the first position when adjusting the position of the air outlet.

[0030] Optionally, the locking mechanism may be configured such that the first section of the duct is selectively fixable at any angle up to 20° from parallel to the second section of the duct. For example, the first section of the duct may be selectively fixable at any angle up to 12° from parallel to the second section of the duct. This allows the air outlet to be fixable in a range of suitable positions around or covering the mouth and / or nose of a wearer, and by being fixable at any angle in this range the air outlet can be adjusted to suit a wider range of different wearers.

[0031] Optionally, the bearing surface may comprise a plurality of grooves, each groove defining a predetermined angle between the first section of the duct and the second section of the duct, and the engagement portion may comprise a protrusion, wherein in the first position the protrusion is selectively engaged with any one of the grooves to fix the first section of the duct at the respective predetermined angle relative to the second section of the duct, and wherein in the second position the protrusion is disengaged from all of the grooves such that the first section of the duct is pivotable relative to the second section of the duct. For example, the plurality of grooves may comprise three grooves. In this way, the adjustment mechanism may provide a plurality of predetermined, discrete, positions of the air outlet relative to the air inlet. This may make the adjustment mechanism easy for a wearer to use, and the engagement of a protrusion with a groove may ensure that the air outlet is securely held in a selected positioned relative to the air inlet..

[0032] Optionally, the plurality of grooves may comprise a first groove defining an angle of 180° between the first section of duct and the second section of the duct, such that they are parallel, a second groove defining an angle of less than or equal to 175° between the first section of duct and the second section of the duct, and a third groove defining an angle of greater than or equal to 185° between the first section of duct and the second section of the duct. For example, the second groove may define an angle of 175°, and the third groove may define an angle of 185° between the first section of the duct and the second section of the duct (that is, the second and third grooves define positions wherein the first section of the duct is at an angle of 10° from parallel to the second section of the duct); or the second groove may define an angle of 168°, and the third groove may define an angle of 192° between the first section of the duct and the second section of the duct (that is, the second and third grooves define positions wherein the first section of the duct is at an angle of 12° from parallel to the second section of the duct); or the second groove may define an angle of 160°, and the third groove may define an angle of 200° between the first section of the duct and the second section of the duct (that is, the second and third grooves define positions wherein the first section of the duct is at an angle of 20° from parallel to the second section of the duct). It will be appreciated that in other examples, the first groove may define an angle which is not 180°, for example this may be greater than or less than 180°, and the angles defined by the second and third grooves may be measured relative to the angle defined by the first groove (e.g., each being at an angle of up to 20° from the first groove, such as 5°, 10°, 12° or 20°).

[0033] Optionally, the adjustment mechanism may comprise a tube which is manually plastically deformably by a wearer to selectively fix the air outlet in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the air inlet. In this way the adjustment mechanism may be easily adjustable by a wearer in order to fixed the air outlet in any suitable position. For example, the tube may comprise a flexible pipe, and at least one manually plastically deformable element, for example a metal wire or other material that is manually plastically deformable, which may be parallel with a longitudinal axis of the pipe.

[0034] Optionally, the air inlet may be a first air inlet for receiving purified air from a first air purifier of a head wearable air purifier, the duct is a first duct comprising a first passageway for conveying purified airflow from the first air inlet to the air outlet, and the adjustment mechanism is a first adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the first air inlet, and the nozzle assembly may further comprise a second air inlet for receiving a purified airflow from a second air purifier of the head wearable air purifier, and a second duct comprising a second passageway for conveying purified airflow from the second air inlet to the air outlet.

[0035] Optionally, the second duct may further comprise a free-moving hinged portion, which may be configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the second air inlet by adjustment of the first adjustment mechanism. In this way, a wearer needs to operate only a single adjustment mechanism to change the position of the air outlet. For example, this may allow the adjustment of the air outlet to be performed using only a single hand.

[0036] Optionally, the second duct may further comprise a second adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the second air inlet. Such an arrangement may help to ensure that the air outlet is securely held in a selected position relative to the first air inlet and second air inlet.

[0037] Optionally, the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism may be independently adjustable. This may provide greater versatility in the selection of a position for the air outlet relative to the first air inlet and the second air inlet.

[0038] The term “air purifier” as used herein refers to a device or system capable of removing contaminants from air and emitting a supply of purified or filtered air. The term “head wearable” is used herein to define an item as being capable of or suitable for being worn on the head of a user.

[0039] The invention includes the combination of the aspects and optional features described except where such a combination is impermissible or expressly avoided.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a head wearable air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 shows a top view of a nozzle assembly of the head wearable air purifier of Fig. 1;

[0043] Figures 3a-3c show side views of the nozzle assembly of Fig. 2;

[0044] Figure 4 shows a side view of the head wearable air purifier of Fig. 1;

[0045] Figure 5 shows a front view of the head wearable air purifier of Fig. 1; Figure 6 shows a detail view of a pivot portion of an adjustment mechanism which may be used in embodiments of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the pivot portion of Fig. 6;

[0047] Figure 8 shows a further cross-section of the pivot portion of Fig. 6;

[0048] Figure 8 shows a cross-section of a further pivot portion which may be used in embodiments of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 9 shows a cross sectional view of a further pivot portion which may be used in embodiments of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 10 shows an enlarged view of the pivot portion of Fig. 9;

[0051] Figure 11 shows a side view of a further head wearable air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 12 shows a cross-section of a further adjustment mechanism;

[0053] Figures 13a-13c show side views of a further head wearable air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 14 shows a side view of a nozzle assembly;

[0055] Figure 15 shows a cross-section view of an insert; and

[0056] Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a head wearable air purifier according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a head wearable air purifier 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The head wearable air purifier 100 comprises a headphone system comprising a pair of ear cups 120a, 120b mounted on a headgear. In this embodiment, the headgear is a headband 110, though it will be appreciated that in other embodiment alternative forms of headgear may be used. A first ear cup 120a is mounted on a first end of the headband 110 and a second ear cup 120b is mounted on an opposite, second end of the headband 110. One or both of the first ear cup and the second ear cup then comprises an air purifier assembly for generating a purifier airflow and a speaker assembly, wherein the air purifier assembly comprises a filter assembly, an impeller for creating an airflow through the filter assembly, a motor arranged to drive the impeller and an air outlet downstream from the filter assembly for emitting the filtered airflow from the speaker assembly. The or each air purifier assembly may provide a continuous flow of purified air when the head wearable air purifier 100 is in use (e.g., with no interruption to the operation of the impeller). For example, the impeller may be a mixed flow impeller that has a generally conical or frusto-conical shape, and both the impeller and the motor are disposed within an impeller casing that is generally frusto-conical in shape. The head wearable air purifier 100 then further comprises a nozzle assembly 130 arranged to receive the filtered airflow from one or both of the first ear cup 120a and the second ear cup 120b. The nozzle assembly 130 is removably connectable to the first ear cup 120a and the second ear cup 120b. The nozzle assembly 130 may be configured to be contactless to the wearer’s face (for example, spaced apart from the wearer’s mouth and / or nasal area when the head wearable air purifier 100 is worn). Alternatively, the nozzle assembly 130 may be configured to be face-contacting (for example, the nozzle assembly 130 may be configured to contact the wearer’s mouth and / or nasal area when the head wearable air purifier 100 is worn).

[0059] The term “headphones” as used herein refers to a pair of small loudspeakers, or speakers, joined by a headband that is designed to be worn on or around the head of a user. Typically, the speakers are provided by electroacoustic transducers that convert an electrical signal to a corresponding sound. Circumaural headphones, often referred to as full-size or over-ear headphones, have earpads whose shape is that of a closed loop (e.g. circular, elliptical etc.) so that they encompass the entire ear. Because these headphones completely surround the ear, circumaural headphones can be designed to fully seal against the head to attenuate external noise. Supra-aural headphones, often referred to as on-ear headphones, have earpads that press against the ears, rather than around them. This type of headphone generally tends to be smaller and lighter than circumaural headphones, resulting in less attenuation of outside noise.

[0060] Fig. 2 is a top view of the nozzle assembly 130, and Figs. 3a-3c show side views of the nozzle assembly 130 in different positions. The nozzle assembly 130 comprises a first air inlet 131a for receiving purified air from a first air purifier, in the first ear cup 120a, and a second air inlet 131b for receiving purified air from a second air purifier, in the second ear cup 120b, and an air outlet 132 for emitting the purified airflow from the nozzle assembly, for example towards the mouth and nose of a wearer in use. The first air inlet 131a and the second air inlet 131b are openings which allow purified air to into the nozzle assembly 130, and the air outlet 132 is an opening which allows purified air to exit the nozzle assembly 130. In this example, the air outlet 132 is formed in a face mask 145 which is configured to be placed over the wearer’s mouth and nose, in use. In other examples, though, a face mask may cover a different extent of a wearer’s face, such as just the mouth or just the nose, and / or the face mask may be configured to contact the face of the wearer, in use. For example, Fig. 16 shows a further example of a head wearable air purifier 1000, in which the air outlet is formed in a face mask 1045 which is configured to cover just the mouth of the wearer, in use.

[0061] The nozzle assembly 130 comprises an elongate bar. The elongate bar comprises two elongate bar portions 143a, 143b extending between the first and second ear cups 120a, 120b. The face mask 145 is coupled to a central portion of the elongate bar such that the face mask 145 partially extends across the two elongate bar portions 143a, 143b. The face mask 145 comprises a raised section 147 extending upwardly from the elongate bar and towards the wearer’s nose wearable air purifier 100 is worn. The raised section 147 comprises an arcuate portion 149 that wraps around the wearer’s nose in use. Some portions of the nozzle assembly 130 may not be intended to contact the wearer’s face in use, for example the arcuate portion 147 may be proximal to the wearer’s nose and not come into contact with the wearer’s nose in use.

[0062] To convey purified airflow from the first air inlet 131a to the air outlet 132, the nozzle assembly 130 comprises a first duct having an inlet section 133a and an outlet section 134a. Similarly, to convey purified airflow from the second air inlet 131b to the air outlet 132, the nozzle assembly 130 comprises a second duct having an inlet section 133b and an outlet section 134b. The nozzle assembly 130 further comprises a first adjustment mechanism 135a which is configured to allow an outlet section 134a of the first duct to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of positions relative to the inlet section 133a of the first duct, and a second adjustment mechanism 135a which is configured to allow an outlet section 134b of the second duct to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of positions relative to the inlet section 133b of the second duct. This allows the air outlet 132 to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the first air inlet 131a and the second air inlet 131b for directing air towards the face (in particular, towards the mouth and nose) of a user. Fig. 3a shows a side view of the nozzle assembly 130 in which the air outlet 132 is fixed in a first position relative to the second air inlet 131b. In particular, in this position, the adjustment mechanism 135b is fixed such that the outlet section 134b of the second duct is parallel to the inlet section 133b of the second duct, such that the longitudinal axes of the inlet section 133b and the outlet section 134b are collinear, and each lie along a common axis 136a. That is, the angle between the inlet section 133b and the outlet section 134b is 180°.

[0063] Fig. 3b shows a side view of the nozzle assembly 130 in which the air outlet 132 is fixed in a second position relative to the second air inlet 131b. In particular, in this position, the adjustment mechanism 135b is fixed such that the outlet section 134b of the second duct is not parallel to the inlet section 133b of the second duct but is dipped below the inlet section 133b and fixed in this position. As a result, there is a reflex angle 137 (i.e., an angle of greater than 180°) between a longitudinal axis of the inlet section 136b and a longitudinal axis of the outlet section 136c. It should be noted that the reflex angle 137 is measured at an upper side of the nozzle assembly 130. In particular, the reflex angle 137 between the inlet section 133b and the outlet section 134b of the second duct is 192°.

[0064] Fig. 3c shows a side view of the nozzle assembly 130 in which the air outlet 132 is fixed in a third position relative to the second air inlet 131b. In particular, in this position, the adjustment mechanism 135b is fixed such that the outlet section 134b of the second duct is not parallel to the inlet section 133b of the second duct but is raised above the inlet section 133b and fixed in this position. As a result, there is an obtuse angle 138 (i.e., an angle greater than 90 and less than 180) between the longitudinal axis of the inlet section 136b and the longitudinal axis of the outlet section 136c. It should be noted that the obtuse angle 138 is measured at an upper side of the nozzle assembly 130. In particular, the obtuse angle 138 between the inlet section 133b and the outlet section 134b of the second duct is 168°.

[0065] In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanisms 135a, 135b are configured such that the air outlet 132 is fixable in the three positions shown in Figs. 3a-c, but it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the adjustment mechanisms 135a, 135b may be configured to be fixable at any desired position, for example any position between the raised position of Fig. 3c and the dipped position of Fig. 3b.

[0066] The nozzle assembly 130 also comprises a first attachment mechanism 139a and a second attachment mechanism 139b for removably connecting the nozzle assembly 130 to the first ear cup 120a and the second ear cup 120b. For example, the attachment mechanisms 139a, 139b may comprise magnetic connectors.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows a side view, and Fig. 5 shows a front view, of the head wearable air purifier 100 of Fig. 1.

[0068] Fig. 4 shows that the headband 110, the first ear cup 120a (not visible in Fig. 4) and the second ear cup 120b line in a common plane 140. Due to the adjustment mechanisms 135a, 135b, and as described above with respect to Figs. 3a-3c, the air outlet 132 is pivotable relative to the first air inlet 131a and the second air inlet 131b about an axis (indicated by cross 150, which shows the axis is directed into the page) which is parallel to the common plane 140. Fig. 5 indicates the location of a sagittal plane 160 of a wearer when in use. From these, it will be appreciated that the air outlet 132 is moveable along a path generally indicated by arrow 170, which is parallel with the sagittal plane 160 of the wearer.

[0069] Fig. 6 shows a detail view of a pivot portion 200 of an adjustment mechanism which may be used in a nozzle assembly for a head wearable air purifier, for example the pivot portion may form part of the adjustment mechanism 135b forming part of the nozzle assembly 130 of the head wearable air purifier 100 as described above. Figs. 7 and 8 show cross- sectional views of a locking mechanism of the pivot portion.

[0070] The pivot portion 200 allows the inlet section 133b and the outlet section 134b of the second duct section to be pivotably moveable relative to one another. A downstream end of the inlet section 133b is received within an upstream end of the outlet section 134b such that purified airflow can flow from the air inlet to the air outlet. At or about its downstream end, the inlet section 133b comprises a pivot 210 which is rotatably received within a fulcrum portion 220 disposed at or about an upstream end of the outlet section 134b. A circular sidewall 205 extends laterally outwards from the outlet section 134b in order to define a portion of an enclosure for the pivot portion 200 to help prevent foreign material entering the pivot portion 200 and the passageway for purified airflow. The pivot 210 protrudes laterally outwards from the inlet section 133b in order to protrude through the fulcrum portion 220. The pivot 210 is a generally triangular protrusion, with a circular pintle portion at a top comer of the triangle, which defines the pivot point for the pivot portion 200. Side faces of the triangular shape define a limit of motion of the inlet section 133b relative to the outlet section 134b, by abutting surfaces of the fulcrum portion 220 at the ends of the range of motion. For example, the pivot 210 may have dimensions such that the inlet section 133b is pivotable up to an angle of 20° from parallel relative to the outlet section 134b of the duct.

[0071] The pivot portion 200 comprises a locking mechanism having a bearing surface 215, which depends from a lower side of the pivot 210 and which protrudes laterally outwards from the pivot 210, and an engagement portion 230. The engagement portion 230 is moveable by pivoting on a shaft 234, which extends outwards from a side face of the engagement portion 230 in order to be received within an aperture 225 in the sidewall 205. The engagement portion 230 comprises a groove 232. In Fig. 7, the engagement portion 230 is shown in a position in which the engagement portion 230 is disengaged from the bearing surface 215, with an upper end of the engagement portion tilted towards the inlet portion 133b and a lower end tilted away from the inlet portion 133b. In this position, the inlet portion 133b is pivotable relative to the outlet portion 134b in order to move an air outlet relative to an air inlet. However, the engagement portion 230 can also be positioned in such a way that the bearing surface 215 is frictionally engaged within the groove 232 in order to hold the pivot 210 and the inlet portion 133b in a fixed position relative to the engagement portion 230, and thereby relative to the outlet portion 134b, in order to hold the air outlet in a fixed position relative to the air inlet. Fig. 8 shows the engagement portion 230 in a position in which it is engaged with the bearing surface 215 such that the bearing surface 215 is frictionally engaged within the groove 232 in order to fix the air outlet in a position relative to the air inlet. The engagement portion 230 may be sized and shaped so as to substantially fill the area between the sidewall 205, which may help protect the adjustment mechanism from foreign debris such as dust or the like. The bearing surface 215 may be made of rubber, for example, in order to increase friction between the bearing surface 215 and the engagement portion 230.

[0072] Fig. 9 shows a cross sectional view of a second pivot portion 300 which may be used in embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 10 shows an enlarged view of the pivot portion 300, in particular an enlarged view of region 240. The pivot portion 300 is generally the same as the pivot portion 200 described above with respect to Figs. 6-8. However, in this example, the engagement portion 230 comprises a plurality of grooves 233 (in particular three grooves 233a, 233b, 233c as shown in Fig. 10), and the pivot 210 comprises a protrusion 235 which is selectively engageable with any one of the grooves 233 by a wearer, by moving the engagement portion 230 and pivoting the outlet section 134b relative to the inlet section 133b. Each groove of the plurality of grooves 233 thereby defines a different respective angle between the outlet section 134b and the inlet section 133b for positioning the air outlet relative to the air inlet.

[0073] Fig. 11 shows a side view of a further head wearable air purifier 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the second head wearable air purifier 400 is substantially the same as the head wearable air purifier 100 described above, except for details of the nozzle assembly 430, which comprises a different adjustment mechanism 435b. A cross-section view of the adjustment mechanism 435b is shown in Fig. 12.

[0074] In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 435b comprises a flexible pipe 436, which defines a passageway for conveying purified airflow from the air inlet of the nozzle assembly 430 to the air outlet 430. The adjustment mechanism 435b further comprises manually plastically deformable metal wires 437a, 437b which are positioned in opposing sidewalls of the flexible pipe 436. In this way, the adjustment mechanism 435b provides a tube which is manually plastically deformable by a wearer to selectively fix the air outlet in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the air inlet. It will be appreciated that the other side of the nozzle assembly 430 may comprise a similar adjustment mechanism, for example.

[0075] Figs. 13a-13c show side views of a further head wearable air purifier 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the third head wearable air purifier 500 is substantially the same as the head wearable air purifier 100 described above, except for details of the nozzle assembly 530, which comprises a different adjustment mechanism.

[0076] In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism comprises a pivot portion, wherein the pivot portion comprises one of a plurality of inserts 535a, 535b, 535c, wherein each inset is configured to fix a first section of the duct (e.g., an inlet section, as described above) at a different predetermined angle relative to a second section of the duct (e.g., an outlet section, as described above). A different insert 535a, 535b, 535c is shown in each of Figs. 13a-13c, such that the nozzle assembly 530 is arranged in each of Figs. 13a-13c with the air outlet being positioned at a different position relative to the air inlet. Specifically, in Fig. 13a the outlet section of the duct is parallel to the inlet section of the duct; in Fig. 13b the outlet section of the duct is 12° below parallel to the inlet section of the duct; and in Fig. 13c the outlet section of the duct is 12° above parallel to the inlet section of the duct.

[0077] Fig. 14 shows a side view of the nozzle assembly 530 and an insert 535a which is removed from the nozzle assembly 530, for example allowing a user to choose a different insert (e.g., either insert 535b or insert 535c) and thereby fix the air outlet at a different predetermined position relative to the air inlet. The insert 535a may be considered to form a majority of an inlet section of the nozzle assembly 530, which is configured to fluidly connect an air inlet with an outlet section 534b of the nozzle assembly, leading to the air outlet 132. Fig. 14 also shows the second attachment mechanism 139b for removably connecting the nozzle assembly 530 to a second ear cup of a head wearable air purifier as described herein.

[0078] Fig. 15 shows a cross-section view of the insert 535a, showing that the insert 535a defines a portion of a passageway for conveying purified airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0079] Fig. 16 shows a front view of a head wearable air purifier 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the head wearable air purifier 1000 is substantially the same as the head wearable air purifier 100 described above, except for details of the nozzle assembly 1030. In particular, in this embodiment, the nozzle assembly 1030 has a face mask 1045 which is configured to cover just the mouth of a wearer, in use.

[0080] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments have been described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A head wearable air purifier comprising: a headgear; an air purifier assembly for generating a purified airflow, the air purifier assembly supported by the headgear; and a nozzle assembly, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises: an air inlet for receiving a purified airflow from the air purifier assembly; an air outlet for emitting the purified airflow from the nozzle assembly; and a duct comprising a passageway for conveying purified airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the duct has an adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the air inlet for directing air towards the face of a user.

2. The head wearable air purifier of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the air outlet to be moveable in a direction which is substantially parallel with a wearer’s sagittal plane.

3. The head wearable air purifier of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a pivot portion configured to allow a first section of the duct to pivot relative to a second section of the duct, and to allow the second section of the duct to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of positions relative to the first section of the duct.

4. The head wearable air purifier of claim 3, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the first section of the duct to be pivotable up to an angle of 20° from parallel to the second section of the duct.

5. The head wearable air purifier of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the pivot portion comprises one of a plurality of inserts, wherein each insert is configured to fix the firstsection of the duct at a different respective predetermined angle relative to the second section of the duct.

6. The head wearable air purifier of claim 5, wherein, when fixed in position, each insert forms part of an air flow path between the first and second section of the duct .

7. The head wearable air purifier of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the pivot portion comprises a locking mechanism having a bearing surface and an engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion is moveable between a first position in which the engagement portion is frictionally engaged with the bearing surface to fix the first section of the duct at an angle relative to the second section of the duct, and a second position in which the engagement portion is disengaged from the bearing surface such that the first section of the duct is pivotable relative to the second section of the duct.

8. The head wearable air purifier of claim 7, wherein the engagement portion is biased into the first position.

9. The head wearable air purifier of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism is configured such that the first section of the duct is selectively fixable at any angle up to 20° from parallel to the second section of the duct.

10. The head wearable air purifier of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the engagement portion comprises a plurality of grooves, each groove defining a predetermined angle between the first section of the duct and the second section of the duct, and the bearing surface comprises a protrusion, wherein in the first position the protrusion is selectively engaged with any one of the grooves to fix the first section of the duct at the respective predetermined angle relative to the second section of the duct, and wherein in the second position the protrusion is disengaged from all of the grooves such that the first section of the duct is pivotable relative to the second section of the duct.

11. The head wearable air purifier of claim 10, wherein the plurality of grooves comprises three grooves.

12. The head wearable air purifier of claim 11, wherein the plurality of grooves comprises a first groove defining an angle of 180° between the first section of duct and the second section of the duct, such that they are parallel, a second groove defining an angle of less than or equal to 175° between the first section of duct and the second section of the duct, and a third groove defining an angle of greater than or equal to 185° between the first section of duct and the second section of the duct.

13. The head wearable air purifier of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a tube which is manually plastically deformable by a wearer to selectively fix the air outlet in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the air inlet.

14. The head wearable air purifier of claim 13, wherein the tube comprises a flexible pipe, and a manually plastically deformable element.

15. The head wearable air purifier of claim 14, wherein the manually plastically deformable element is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the flexible pipe.

16. The head wearable air purifier of any preceding claim, wherein the air purifier assembly is removably connectable to the headgear.

17. The head wearable air purifier of any preceding claim, wherein the air purifier assembly comprises: a first air purifier assembly at a first side of the headgear, and a second air purifier assembly at a second side of the headgear opposite to the first side; wherein the air inlet is a first air inlet for receiving purified air from the first air purifier assembly, the duct is a first duct comprising a first passageway for conveying purified airflow from the first air inlet to the air outlet, and the adjustment mechanism is a first adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the first air inlet, and wherein the nozzle assembly further comprises: a second air inlet for receiving a purified airflow from the second air purifier assembly, anda second duct comprising a second passageway for conveying purified airflow from the second air inlet to the air outlet.

18. The head wearable air purifier of claim 17, wherein the first air purifier assembly and the second air purifier assembly are each removably connectable to the headgear.

19. The head wearable air purifier of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the second duct further comprises a free-moving hinged portion, which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the second air inlet by adjustment of the first adjustment mechanism.

20. The head wearable air purifier of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the second duct further comprises a second adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow the air outlet to be selectively fixed in each of a plurality of different positions relative to the second air inlet.

21. The head wearable air purifier of claim 20, wherein the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism are independently adjustable.

22. The head wearable air purifier of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the headgear comprises a headband which is connected to the first air purifier assembly at a first side of the headband, and is connected to the second air purifier assembly at a second side of the headband, wherein the headband, the first air purifier assembly and the second air purifier assembly lie in a common plane, and wherein the air outlet is pivotable relative to the first air inlet and the second air inlet about an axis which is parallel to the common plane.

23. The head wearable air purifier of claim 22, further comprising a first ear cup and a second ear cup, wherein the first ear cup comprises the first air purifier assembly and a first speaker assembly, and wherein the second ear cup comprises the second air purifier assembly and a second speaker assembly.

24. The head wearable air purifier of any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle assembly is removably connectable to the air purifier assembly.

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