Apparatus and method to provide single-ply pathogenicidal barrier between first and second regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional masks have limitations such as contamination of external surfaces, restricted air permeability, and short lifetimes due to improper disposal and sterilization methods, leading to increased risk of pathogen transmission and shortages during pandemics.
Innovation Solution
A single-ply barrier treated with pathogenicidal components is introduced, which can be worn as a facial cover or used to enclose conventional masks, providing effective pathogen deactivation on both surfaces and improving air permeability, thus reducing contamination risks and extending mask lifetimes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional masks use multiple layers with pathogenicidal treatment only on the interior layer, then pathogen deactivation is achieved, but external surfaces become contaminated and air permeability is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pathogenicidal treatment to both outer surfaces of the mask, creating localized zones of pathogen deactivation where needed. This ensures that whichever surface contacts pathogens first (inner or outer) will deactivate them, preventing surface contamination while maintaining breathability through selective treatment of only the exterior surfaces.
2Reliability
If conventional masks use multiple layers with pathogenicidal components, then pathogen deactivation is achieved, but air permeability and breathability are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pathogenicidal treatment is applied locally to only the outer surfaces of the mask rather than throughout all layers. This localized application provides effective pathogen deactivation at the critical interface where pathogens first contact the mask, while leaving the internal layers untreated to maintain optimal air permeability and breathability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional masks are disposed of frequently due to contamination, then contamination risk is reduced, but mask shortages increase during pandemics
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is pre-treated with pathogenicidal components on both outer surfaces before use. This preliminary protection enables the mask to deactivate pathogens that contact either surface during use, preventing contamination accumulation and extending the mask's usable lifetime without increasing contamination risk, thereby reducing disposal frequency and improving mask availability during pandemics.
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 single-ply barrier effectively deactivates pathogens on both surfaces, enhances breathability, and extends the usage of conventional masks, minimizing contamination risks and reducing the need for frequent disposal and sterilization, thereby addressing the limitations of conventional masks.
Implementation Method 1
The pathogenicidal components coated on the outer surfaces of the first side and the second side are configured to deactivate the pathogens incident on the outer surface of the respective first side and the second side
Data Source
AI summary
A barrier is provided to be placed between a first region and a second region, to prevent passage of pathogens between the first and second regions. The barrier includes a single ply layer treated with pathogenicidal components. The single ply layer includes a first side directed toward the first region, and includes an outer surface coated with the pathogenicidal components such that pathogens in the first region are incident on the outer surface of the first side. The single ply layer also includes a second side directed toward the second region, and includes an outer surface coated with the pathogenicidal components such that pathogens in the second region are incident on the outer surface of the second side. The pathogenicidal components coated on the outer surfaces of the first and second side deactivate the pathogens incident on the outer surface of the respective first and second sides.