# US 11,896,854 B2 · Hygiene mask with seal forming structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,854 B2 - Document ID: US11896854B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/529,375 - Filed: 2021-11-18 - Published: 2022-03-10 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-31 - Assignees: ResMed Pty Ltd - Applicants: ResMed Pty Ltd - Inventors: Rupert Christian Scheiner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896854B2 ## CPC - A62B 18/025: {Halfmasks (A62B23/02 takes precedence; surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - A41D 13/1161: {Means for fastening to the user's head} - A61M 16/0605: {Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient} - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A62B 7/10: with filter elements - A62B 18/08: Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices (eye-pieces for protective goggles A61F9/02; composition of materials for the windows or other transparent parts A62D7/00) - A62B 18/084: {Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets} - A62B 23/025: {the filter having substantially the shape of a mask (surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - A41D 13/1176: {forming a complete seal at the edges of the mask} - 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) - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - 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)} ## Abstract A mask for use at an operating pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure includes a body with a three-dimensional shaped chamber that is configured to receive a user's mouth and nares and operate at the operating pressure. The mask also includes a nose portion having an uppermost portion sized to avoid contact with the user's nasal ridge and to contact the user's nose along the user's sagittal plane and around at least a portion of the user's nares on an inferior side of the user's nose inferior to the user's nasal ridge. The nose portion is constructed from an at least partially impermeable material to limit airflow toward the user's eyes in use. The mask also includes a positioning and stabilising structure to provide a force to hold the seal forming structure in position against the user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mask for use at an operating pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure, the mask comprising: a body forming a three-dimensional shaped chamber configured to operate at the operating pressure throughout a user's respiratory cycle and configured to receive the user's mouth and nares, wherein an inner surface of the body is configured to be spaced apart from the user in use throughout the user's respiratory cycle; and a nose portion having a surface defining a plane at its most superior side that is configured and sized to avoid contact with and intersection of the user's nasal ridge, the surface on the most superior side of the nose portion being configured to contact the user's nose along the user's sagittal plane and around at least a portion of the user's nares on an inferior side of the user's nose inferior to the user's nasal ridge without intersecting the user's sagittal plane at the user's lip superior and without entering the user's nasal passages, at least a portion of the nose portion is configured to direct airflow through the user's nose and is configured to limit airflow toward the user's eyes in use; and a positioning and stabilising structure to provide a force to hold the nose portion in position on the user's head; wherein at least a portion of the body is configured to allow passage of air into and out of the three-dimensional shaped chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is permeable, such that the body is configured to allow air to enter and exit the three-dimensional shaped chamber through a surface of the body in front of the user's mouth. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a port through which air can enter and exit the three-dimensional shaped chamber, and wherein the body is substantially impermeable and air can only enter and exit the three-dimensional shaped chamber through the port, in use. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the nose portion includes a cantilever structure configured to extend from the body towards the user's face in use, the cantilever structure configured to extend around anterior and lateral portions of a periphery of an alar base of the user's nose. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The mask of claim 4, wherein the cantilever structure includes: a central portion configured to contact an inferior region of the user's nose proximate to the user's pronasale; a pair of lateral end portions configured to contact the user proximate a nasolabial sulcus; and a pair of middle portions, each middle portion of the pair of middle portions located between the central portion and one lateral end portion of the pair of lateral end portions, each middle portion configured to contact the user's face proximate to the alar base. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The mask of claim 5, further comprising a bridge connected to the nose portion, and wherein the bridge extends between each middle portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The mask of claim 4, wherein the cantilever structure includes a pair of ends configured to extend partially around the user's mouth. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the body is formed from a spacer fabric, a foam, and/or a thermoformed material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the body is formed from a rigid or semi-rigid material, and wherein the body maintains its three-dimensional shape configured to space an interior surface of the body away from the user's lips in use. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein a central superior portion of a perimeter of the body is provided with a plastically deformable element that is configured to bend and change a shape of the body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, further comprising at least one filter element configured to filter air prior to entering and/or exiting the three-dimensional shaped chamber, and wherein the at least one filter element is provided to an interior surface of the three-dimensional shaped chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The mask of claim 11, wherein a rigid member is coupled to at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the filter element, the rigid member is resilient and configured to return to a neutral position after a compressive force is removed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the positioning and stabilising structure comprises two elastic loops, each elastic loop configured to engage one of the user's ears. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The mask of claim 13, wherein the two elastic loops are connected to the body around at least a majority of a perimeter of the body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The mask of claim 13, wherein the two elastic loops each form a complete, unbroken perimeter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The mask of claim 13, wherein the two elastic loops are thicker proximate to the body, and taper toward a free end distal to the body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, further comprising a mouth portion configured to extend around the user's mouth between the user's chin and the user's lip inferior, the mouth portion connected to the nose portion to form a single, continuous structure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the nose portion includes a U-shape and/or a C-shape that is configured to avoid contact with the user's subnasale. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the nose portion includes the surface and a lateral edge oriented approximately orthogonal with respect to the surface, the lateral edge and the surface configured to simultaneously contact the user in use. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the nose portion is directly connected to the inner surface, and wherein the positioning and stabilising structure is directly connected to an edge of the body oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to the inner surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the nose portion is constructed from an at least partially impermeable material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein said portion of the nose portion comprises a material that is at least partially permeable and/or comprises a hole configured to direct airflow through material of the nose portion. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The mask of claim 22, wherein said portion of the nose portion includes the material that is at least partially permeable, the material being configured to direct airflow in at least two directions. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The mask of claim 22, wherein said portion of the nose portion includes said hole, the hole including a valve. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The mask of claim 22, wherein said portion of the nose portion includes said hole, the hole including a first opening with a first diameter and a second opening with a second diameter different from the first diameter. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The mask of claim 1, wherein the nose portion has a permeability less than a permeability of the body. ### Claim 27 A mask for use at an operating pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure, the mask comprising: a body forming a three-dimensional shaped chamber configured to operate at the operating pressure throughout a user's respiratory cycle and configured to receive the user's mouth and nares, wherein an inner surface of the body is configured to be spaced apart from the user in use throughout the user's respiratory cycle; and a nose portion having a surface defining a plane at its most superior side configured and sized to avoid contact with and intersection of the user's nasal ridge, the surface being configured to contact the user's nose along the user's sagittal plane and around at least a portion of the user's nares on an inferior side of the user's nose inferior to the user's nasal ridge without intersecting the user's sagittal plane at the user's lip superior and without entering the user's nasal passages, at least a portion of the nose portion is configured to direct airflow through the user's nose and is configured to limit airflow toward the user's eyes in use; and a positioning and stabilising structure to provide a force to hold the nose portion in position on the user's head; wherein at least a portion of the body is configured to allow passage of air into and out of the three-dimensional shaped chamber.