Face Mask With Segmented Filter Openings For Breathability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current face masks inadequately protect against airborne diseases like COVID-19, experiencing issues with airflow dynamics, virus breach, eye protection, comfort, and recyclability, while also posing challenges for facial recognition and causing adverse side effects such as skin irritation and fogging.
Innovation Solution
A face mask design featuring a periphery covering the nose and mouth with distinct filter openings, a seal to limit medium communication, and an extended portion for eye coverage, using non-porous materials like Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for breathability and ease of disinfection, with replaceable filters and a secure fastening system to prevent slippage and cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dense filter material is used to block viruses, then virus filtration is improved, but air flow permeability deteriorates causing breathing difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The mask divides air flow into two separate paths: an unfiltered path for oxygen intake through uncovered facial areas (nose, mouth, cheeks) and a filtered path for exhaled carbon dioxide removal through the filter material. This segmentation allows high-filtration material to be used without compromising overall breathability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask applies filter material selectively only where carbon dioxide exhalation occurs (through the nose), while leaving other areas uncovered for oxygen intake. This local application of filtration ensures virus blocking where needed without restricting overall air flow.
2Ease of operation
If the filter membrane is made moveable to accommodate breathing motion, then comfort is improved, but blowout breaches and fogging occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the filter membrane moveable to accommodate breathing (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by leaving the filter material stationary and uncovered, allowing skin and uncovered facial areas to move with breathing motions. This eliminates blowout breaches and fogging while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the filter material from the traditional enclosed mask structure and positions it externally on the nose, separating the filtration function from the breathing motion accommodation function. This allows the filter to remain stationary while the face moves naturally during breathing.
3Reliability
If plastic shields are added to protect eyes and face, then protection is improved, but skin irritation and scarring occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces durable but harmful plastic shields with a disposable cloth napkin that can be easily discarded after use. This eliminates skin irritation and scarring caused by repeated plastic contact, while maintaining protection through the filtered exhalation path.
4Stability of the object's composition
If multiple elastic bands and ties are used to secure the mask, then mask stability is improved, but device complexity and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening system from the traditional multi-band mask design, using only a simple headband to hold the filter in place on the nose. This dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining mask stability through the lightweight, minimal fastening approach.
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
The mask effectively filters out pathogens, reduces virus transmission, maintains breathability, and allows facial recognition by keeping facial features visible, while being comfortable and reusable, minimizing skin irritation and fogging issues.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter configured for covering the first opening; a second filter configured for covering the second opening
Implementation Method 2
the seal is seated on the face of the user, forming an inner space and an outer space, the inner space is defined by a space between the covering and the user, limiting communication of a medium between the inner space and the outer space through the seal
Data Source
AI summary
A face mask for a user having a face, a nose and a mouth, the face mask including a covering including a periphery, a top end, a bottom end, the covering configured to cover at least a portion of the nose of the user and at least a portion of the mouth of the user, wherein the covering is configured substantially according to the shape and size of the nose of the user and the mouth of the user; a first opening disposed at a first location of the covering; a second opening disposed at a second location of the covering; a first filter configured for covering the first opening; a second filter configured for covering the second opening; and a seal disposed on the periphery.