Collapsible Cough Catcher Sleeve Isolating Filter From Hands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing the spread of airborne diseases, such as coughing and sneezing, are impractical and ineffective as they often require hand contact with contaminated filter elements, leading to further transmission of pathogens, and existing devices are cumbersome or stigmatizing.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible device with a filter element isolated within a sleeve that collapses for easy storage, allowing users to trap pathogens without hand contact, providing a portable and discreet solution for coughing and sneezing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed configuration device with perforations is used to filter cough emissions, then pathogen filtration is achieved, but hand contamination occurs through contact with the filter element and perforations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen filtration effectivenessVSAvoidhand contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is extracted from direct contact with the user's hand by placing it inside a collapsible sleeve. The sleeve acts as an intermediary container that holds the filter element during coughing, preventing the hand from touching contaminated surfaces while still allowing the filter to capture pathogens through the sleeve's opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is nested within the collapsible sleeve, creating a hierarchical structure where the sleeve contains the filter. This nesting arrangement allows the filter to perform its filtration function while being protected from direct hand contact, as the sleeve serves as an outer protective layer that the user handles instead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a mask is worn to protect others from airborne diseases, then pathogen spread is reduced, but social stigma and feeling of confinement increase leading to non-compliance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen spread preventionVSAvoiduser compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a fixed, permanent-looking mask to a dynamic, collapsible structure that can be quickly deployed and stored. The collapsible nature allows the device to be compact during storage (reducing stigma) and expanded during use (providing protection), making users more willing to comply with its use in social settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to be disposable after a single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and maintenance that would require prolonged wear. Users can discard the contaminated device immediately after use, reducing the psychological burden of wearing protective equipment and increasing compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If tissue is used to cover mouth and nose during coughing, then some pathogen containment is achieved, but hand contamination occurs and tissue disposal requires proximity to waste facilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen containmentVSAvoiddisposal convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible sleeve integrates multiple functions into a single device: it serves as both the containment structure and the disposal unit. The sleeve can be sealed to contain pathogens during coughing, and then disposed of as a complete unit, eliminating the need for separate waste disposal facilities and simplifying the user's actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a collapsible device is used to isolate the filter element, then hand contamination is prevented and portability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand contamination preventionVSAvoidcollapsible structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a flexible collapsible sleeve made of thin material that can be easily folded and stored. This flexible shell structure provides the necessary containment function while maintaining simplicity in design and manufacturing, avoiding complex mechanical components while still achieving the isolation of the filter element from hand contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively prevents the spread of airborne pathogens by isolating the filter element from the user's hands and environment, offering a practical, cost-effective, and socially acceptable means to manage coughing and sneezing without risking infection transmission.

Implementation Method 1

A collapsible device with a filter element isolated within a sleeve that collapses for easy storage, allowing users to trap pathogens without hand contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9723880B1Cough catcher

Publication Date: 2017.08.08 MACEY JR JOHN W

AI summary

The apparatus prevents the spread of airborne diseases. An outer sleeve has a passage with a filter element. A user grabs the outer sleeve and coughs or sneezes into the passage. The filter element traps airborne pathogens within the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve thus allows a user to handle the device without being contaminated by the aerosolized emissions emitted during coughing or sneezing within the passage.