MASK WITH SEALING INDICATOR
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for providing an indication of properly wearing a mask. A mask device, in one embodiment, includes a flexible filtering screen configured to cover a mouth and a nose of a user, a power source disposed on the flexible filter screen, an output device configured to generate an output indication responsive to the power generated by the power source.
1 . A mask device comprising:
a flexible filtering screen configured to cover a mouth and a nose of a user;
a power source disposed on the flexible filter screen; and
an output device configured to generate an output indication responsive to the power generated by the power source.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a piezoelectric element.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric strip.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the piezoelectric strip is attachable to a portion of the flexible fitting screen and is configured to move and generate an electric current responsive to movement of the flexible filtering screen due to breathing of the user.
5 . The device of claim 2 , further comprising a power storage device configured to store electrical charge produced by the piezoelectric element.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the power storage device is a capacitor.
7 . The device of claim 5 , further comprising a controller configured to:
sense the electrical charge stored in the power storage device; and
cause the power storage device to discharge responsive to the sensed electrical charge being greater than a threshold amount.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the output device is a light.
9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the light is a light emitting diode.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the output device is a speaker.
11 . A method for indicating proper mask usage, the method comprising:
generating an electrical current from a power source disposed on the flexible filter screen responsive to movement of the flexible filter screen;
storing the generated electrical current in a storage device;
discharging the stored electrical current responsive to the stored electrical current being greater than a threshold value; and
outputting an indication responsive to the discharged electrical current.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein generating the electrical current comprises generating the electrical current piezoelectrically in response to an applied force.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein storing the generated electrical current comprises storing the generated electrical current in a capacitor.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein outputting the indication comprises outputting the indication via a light.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein outputting the indication comprises outputting the indication via a speaker.
16 . A method for making mask device, the method comprising:
attaching a power storage element to a piezoelectric element;
attaching a controller to the power storage element;
attaching an output device to the controller; and
attaching the attached elements to a flexible section of a mask.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising setting a threshold level for the controller.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein attaching the output device comprises attaching a light.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the light is a light emitting diode.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein attaching the output device comprises attaching a speaker.