Apparatus and system for a cough and sneeze gaurd for inhibiting the spread of disease

Abstract

An apparatus and system for inhibiting the spread of disease. The apparatus to inhibit the spread of disease includes a mucous collection chamber and a filter. The mucus collection chamber is configured to receive mucus expelled during one of a cough and a sneeze. The mucus collection chamber includes a support member having a coupling surface positoned opposite a filter receiving surface. A wall extends perpendicularly from the filter receiving surface of the support member in a direction opposite the coupling surface of the support member. The wall and the filter receiving surface define a filter receiving space. The filter is positionable in the filter receiving space. The filter is made of an antimicrobial material for collecting mucus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus to inhibit the spread of disease, the apparatus comprising:
 a mucus collection chamber configured to receive mucus expelled during one of a cough and a sneeze, the mucus collection chamber comprising a support member having a coupling surface disposed opposite a filter receiving surface, wherein a wall extends perpendicularly from the filter receiving surface of the support member in a direction opposite the coupling surface of the support member, the wall defining a filter receiving space; and   a filter positionable in the filter receiving space, the filter comprising an antimicrobial material for collecting mucus.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one exhaust port disposed through one of the support member and the wall, wherein the at least one exhaust port releases air from the filter receiving space in response to an increase in air pressure within the filter receiving space. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a substantially planar circular disk and wherein the wall is substantially cylindrical, the wall extending perpendicularly from an outer circumference of the support member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wall extends from a first end to a second end, the first end of the wall coupled to the filter receiving surface of the support member, the second end of the wall extending away from the support member, wherein the filter is positioned adjacent the second end of the wall and substantially covers the filter receiving space. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filter receiving surface of the support member, the filter, and the wall define an air gap, the air gap enhancing airflow through the filter receiving space. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacing element disposed between the filter receiving surface of the support member and the filter, the spacing element positioning the filter a predefined distance from the filter receiving surface of the support member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the spacing element comprises a ring and a plurality of spokes, each spoke supporting the filter. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling element coupled to the mucus collection chamber, the coupling element configured to couple the mucus collection chamber to a user. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a fastening element and wherein the coupling element comprises an elongated band coupled to the coupling surface of the support member, the band positionable around a user's wrist, the fastening element fastening the band around the user's wrist. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the coupling element comprises a fastener coupleable to a garment. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus to inhibit the spread of disease, the apparatus comprising:
 a mucus collection chamber configured to receive mucus expelled during one of a cough and a sneeze, the mucus collection chamber comprising a support member having a coupling surface disposed opposite a filter receiving surface, wherein a wall extends perpendicularly from the filter receiving surface of the support member in a direction opposite the coupling surface of the support member, the wall defining a filter receiving space;   a filter positionable in the filter receiving space, the filter comprising a material for collecting mucus; and   a coupling element coupled to the mucus collection chamber, the coupling element configured to couple the mucus collection chamber to a user.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one exhaust port disposed through one of the support member and the wall, wherein the at least one exhaust port releases air from the filter receiving space in response to an increase in air pressure within the filter receiving space. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the wall extends from a first end to a second end, the first end of the wall coupled to the filter receiving surface of the support member, the second end of the wall extending away from the support member, wherein the filter is positioned adjacent the second end of the wall and substantially covers the filter receiving space. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the filter receiving surface of the support member, the filter, and the wall define an air gap, the air gap enhancing airflow through the filter receiving space. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a spacing element disposed between the filter receiving surface of the support member and the filter, the spacing element positioning the filter a predefined distance from the filter receiving surface of the support member. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the spacing element comprises a ring and a plurality of spokes, each spoke supporting the filter. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a fastening element and wherein the coupling element comprises an elongated band coupled to the coupling surface of the support member, the band positionable around a user's wrist, the fastening element fastening the band around the user's wrist. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus to inhibit the spread of disease, the apparatus comprising:
 a mucus collection chamber configured to receive mucus expelled during one of a cough and a sneeze; and   a coupling element coupled to the mucus collection chamber, the coupling element configured to couple the mucus collection chamber to a user.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the mucus collection chamber comprises a support member having a coupling surface disposed opposite a filter receiving surface, wherein a wall extends perpendicularly from the filter receiving surface of the support member in a direction opposite the coupling surface of the support member, the wall defining a filter receiving space. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a filter positionable in the filter receiving space, the filter comprising an antimicrobial material for collecting mucus.