# US 11,077,277 B2 · Interface including a foam cushioning element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,277 B2 - Document ID: US11077277B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/987,734 - Filed: 2018-05-23 - Published: 2018-09-20 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2008-03-04 - Assignees: ResMed Pty Ltd - Applicants: ResMed Pty Ltd - Inventors: Lee James Veliss; Renee Frances Doherty; Scott Alexander Howard; Alicia Kristianne Wells; Fiona Catherine Carroll; David Mark Gilliver; Brett Thomas Lindsay - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077277B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/0622: {having an underlying cushion} - A61M 16/0633: {with forehead support} - A61M 16/106: {in a path} - A62B 18/084: {Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets} - A61M 2209/06: Packaging for specific medical equipment - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) ## Abstract A respiratory mask assembly includes a frame having a channel and a cushioning element including a clip portion adapted for interference seal and removable retention in the channel. The cushioning element includes an interfacing portion constructed from foam and adapted to contact the patient's face in use. The interfacing portion may have a wider width than the clip portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A respiratory mask system, comprising: a frame; and an interfacing structure comprising: a full-face foam cushioning element having a foam material configured to directly contact a patient's face to form a seal therewith in use; and an attachment portion formed as a separate component distinct from and directly attached to the foam cushioning element and arranged to be removably attachable to the frame, the attachment portion being configured to retain the interfacing structure to the frame and form a seal with an entire perimeter of the frame, wherein the attachment portion includes an attachment surface that is directly attached to the foam cushioning element, wherein the foam cushioning element is attached to the attachment portion only along the attachment surface of the attachment portion, wherein the attachment surface forms a continuous attachment strip around a periphery of the foam cushioning element, and wherein respective inner perimeter surfaces of the foam cushioning element and attachment portion are offset. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the foam cushioning element and the attachment portion are adhered to one another. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The respiratory mask system of claim 2, wherein the foam cushioning element is adhered to the attachment portion along only an undersurface of the foam cushioning element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The respiratory mask system of claim 3, wherein a first portion of the undersurface of the foam cushioning element is adhered to the attachment portion and a second portion of the undersurface overhangs the inner perimeter surface of the attachment portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The respiratory mask system of claim 4, wherein the attachment portion is configured to be received in a channel of the frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The respiratory mask system of claim 4, wherein the inner perimeter surface of the attachment portion is configured to be received in a channel of the frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the foam cushioning element is constructed from polyurethane foam. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is adapted to form a structural support for the foam cushioning element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein respective outer perimeter surfaces of the foam cushioning element and attachment portion are aligned. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the foam cushioning element and the attachment portion form a layered arrangement. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The respiratory mask system of claim 10, wherein the attachment portion is configured to provide support to the foam cushioning element, and an inner portion of the foam cushioning element overhangs the attachment portion in at least one region around a periphery of the foam cushioning element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The respiratory mask system of claim 10, wherein the foam cushioning element forms a first layer of the interfacing structure and the attachment portion forms a second layer of the interfacing structure, wherein the first layer is adhered to the second layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein neither respective inner perimeter surfaces of the foam cushioning element and attachment portion nor respective outer perimeter surfaces of the foam cushioning element and attachment portion are aligned. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein a width of the attachment portion is less than a width of the foam cushioning element such that an inner edge of the foam cushioning element overhangs the attachment portion in at least one region around a periphery of the foam cushioning element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The respiratory mask system of claim 14, wherein the attachment portion has a height that is greater than the width of the attachment portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The respiratory mask system of claim 14, wherein the foam cushioning element in the at least one region around the periphery of the foam cushioning element forms a cantilever projection from the attachment portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is adapted to form an interference fit with the frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises foam. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is more rigid than the foam cushioning element. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the foam cushioning element is constructed from unskinned foam. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the frame is more rigid than the attachment portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the frame is adapted to be coupled to both (i) the foam cushioning element and (ii) a silicone-based cushion or a gel-based cushion. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a silicone-based cushion and a gel-based cushion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the offset of the inner perimeter surfaces of the foam cushioning element and attachment portion are offset so as to define an inner region of the foam cushioning element that overhangs the attachment portion such that the inner region of the foam cushioning element is unsupported by the attachment portion and forms a cantilever projection from the attachment portion. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The respiratory mask system of claim 24, wherein the inner region of the foam cushioning element overhangs the attachment portion a greater amount than any portion of the foam cushioning element overhangs an outer perimeter surface of the attachment portion, thereby causing the inner region of the foam cushioning element to compress and conform to the patient's face when pressed against the patient's face in use. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, further comprising a silicone-based cushion or a gel-based cushion, wherein the frame is adapted to connect to both 1) the foam cushioning element and 2) the silicone-based cushion or the gel-based cushion. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises rubber. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises a polymer. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The respiratory mask system of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is constructed and arranged to extend around an entire perimeter of the foam cushioning element.