Respirator

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mask or shield adapted to generate a flow of positive pressure air directed through substantially opposing jets that creates a stream of laminar flow filtered air to create a turbulent air pocket therein for supplying filtered breathable air to a wearer's face.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A respirator comprising:
 a face mask configured to cover the face of a wearer and form an engineered gap between an edge of the face mask and the face of the wearer when the face mask is worn;   at least one air filter attached to the face mask and configured to filter unpurified air to provide breathable air;   a powered impeller unit mounted on the face mask, the impeller unit being oriented to emit the breathable air inside the face mask in a substantially 360 degree plane; and   a releasable attachment point on the face mask adapted for releasably coupling the face mask to the face of the wearer via eyewear or head gear worn by the wearer,   wherein the engineered gap is configured to allow a positive flow of the breathable air together with exhaled air to exit the face mask and exclude ingress of external unpurified air.   
     
     
         2 . The respirator of  claim 1 , wherein the releasable attachment point comprises at least one magnet positioned on the face mask. 
     
     
         3 . The respirator of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one magnet is configured to provide a snap fit between the face mask and a corresponding magnetic strip on the eyewear or head gear to secure the face mask to the face of the wearer. 
     
     
         4 . The respirator of  claim 2 , wherein the magnet provides the functionality of an electrical connection between a battery and the powered impeller unit. 
     
     
         5 . The respirator of  claim 1 , wherein the respirator comprises an external moisture barrier. 
     
     
         6 . The respirator of  claim 1 , wherein mechanical activation or electrical malfunction triggers formation of a seal to close the engineered gap between the edge of the face mask and the face of the wearer. 
     
     
         7 . The respirator of  claim 6 , wherein the seal is formed between the face of the wearer and at least one strip of flexible material on at least one edge of the mask. 
     
     
         8 . The respirator of  claim 1 , wherein the face mask includes a molded interior surface that allows a flow of air directed within an internal cavity of the face mask to radiate out in an arc substantially parallel to the interior surface of the face mask to peripheral edges of the face mask to prevent a lateral mixing of external unpurified air into the interior of the face mask from the engineered gap between the edge of the face mask and the face of the wearer. 
     
     
         9 . A respirator comprising:
 a face mask shaped to cover the mouth and nose of a wearer and to avoid covering an eye region of the wearer when worn by the wearer;   a strip of flexible material along an outer edge of the face mask that contacts the face of the wearer when worn by the wearer;   at least one air filter attached to the face mask and configured to filter unpurified air to provide breathable air; and   a powered impeller unit mounted on the face mask, the impeller unit being oriented to emit the breathable air inside the face mask in a substantially 360 degree plane.   
     
     
         10 . The respirator of  claim 9 , wherein the face mask is configured to form an engineered gap between the outer edge of the face mask and the face of the wearer when worn by the wearer, wherein the engineered gap is configured to allow a positive flow of the breathable air together with exhaled air to exit the face mask and exclude ingress of external unpurified air. 
     
     
         11 . The respirator of  claim 9 , further comprising a releasable attachment point on the face mask adapted for releasably coupling the face mask to the face of the wearer via eyewear or head gear worn by the wearer. 
     
     
         12 . The respirator of  claim 11 , wherein the releasable attachment point comprises at least one magnet positioned on the face mask. 
     
     
         13 . The respirator of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one magnet is configured to provide a snap fit between the face mask and a corresponding magnetic strip on the eyewear or head gear to secure the face mask to the face of the wearer. 
     
     
         14 . The respirator of  claim 12 , wherein the magnet provides the functionality of an electrical connection between a battery and the powered impeller unit. 
     
     
         15 . A respirator comprising:
 a face mask shaped to cover the mouth and nose of a wearer and to avoid covering an eye region of the wearer when worn by the wearer, the face mask comprising a curved interior surface defining a cavity between the face mask and the face of the wearer;   a strip of flexible material along an outer edge of the face mask that contacts the face of the wearer when worn by the wearer;   at least two substantially opposing air supply lines in fluid communication with the face mask, wherein the curved interior surface of the face mask defines a path between the at least two opposing air supply lines for positive streams of laminar flow of air; and   an air filter for filtration of the laminar flow of air,   wherein the at least two opposing air supply lines are spaced apart and directed to allow the streams of the laminar flow of filtered air to collide at an intersection region within the cavity of the face mask creating a turbulent flow of air that radiates away from the intersection region therein for supplying filtered breathing air to the wearer and exclusion of outside unpurified air.   
     
     
         16 . The respirator of  claim 15 , wherein the face mask does not form a seal around the face region of the wearer, wherein the face mask is shaped to avoid covering an eye region of the wearer when attached to the face region. 
     
     
         17 . The respirator of  claim 15 , wherein the face mask interior surface is molded to allow the turbulent flow of air within the cavity of the face mask to radiate out thereby preventing a venturi effect entraining outside air and providing a control of bleed air to an exterior of the face mask. 
     
     
         18 . The respirator of  claim 15 , wherein the respirator comprises an external moisture barrier. 
     
     
         19 . The respirator as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein mechanical activation or electrical malfunction triggers formation of a seal between the edge of the face mask and the face of the wearer. 
     
     
         20 . The respirator of  claim 19 , wherein the seal is formed between the face of the wearer and the strip of flexible material.