# US 11,998,772 B2 · Receptacle device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,772 B2 - Document ID: US11998772B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/564,871 - Filed: 2021-12-29 - Published: 2022-08-04 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-01-29 - Applicants: Vasanth Mohanraj; Derek Jenwen Ho - Inventors: Vasanth Mohanraj; Derek Jenwen Ho - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998772B2 ## CPC - A62B 18/086: {Adaptations for consuming refreshments without unmasking} - A41D 13/1107: {characterised by their shape} - A62B 18/10: Valves - 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 ## Abstract There is provided a receptacle device for a mask, the receptacle device comprising: a valve; a body portion surrounding the valve; and an anchor portion; wherein the body portion and the anchor portion are integrally formed; and wherein the anchor portion and the body portion define a channel therebetween, and the channel is configured to releasably engage the mask. A method of manufacturing a mask assembly or retrofitting a receptacle device to a workpiece mask is also provided which comprises a mask and said receptacle device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A face mask receptacle device comprising: a valve comprising at least one slit; a body portion surrounding the valve; and an anchor portion; wherein at least one of the body portion or anchor portion is elastic; wherein the body portion and the anchor portion are inseparable by being integrally formed as one continuous piece; wherein the one continuous piece is configured to protrude through a hole of the face mask that, in an assembled configuration, the body portion and the at least one slit are in an exterior region of the face mask and the anchor portion is in an interior region of the face mask; wherein the valve is configured to receive a drinking, feeding or inhalation instrument therethrough; and wherein the valve is structurally concave in a non-deformed state prior to receiving the drinking, feeding or inhalation instrument therethrough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the valve is a self-sealing valve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the valve is flexibly suspended from the body portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the body portion and anchor portion comprises gripping ridges or gripping notches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the at least one slit comprises a slit pattern. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The receptacle device of claim 5, wherein the slit pattern is configured to conform to the shape of a drinking, feeding or inhalation instrument when inserted through the valve, and/or wherein the slit pattern is configured to releasably grip and hold in position a drinking, feeding or inhalation instrument when inserted through the valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion comprises a surface for a user's lips to brace against when inserting a drinking, feeding or inhalation instrument through the valve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, comprising a securing portion that is configured to engage at least one of the body portion, the anchor portion, and the mask. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The receptacle device of claim 8, wherein the securing portion comprises gripping ridges or gripping notches. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, comprising a guide portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The receptacle device of claim 10, wherein the guide portion comprises a base and a wall, and wherein the wall tapers towards the base. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the body portion is configured to protrude through the hole in the mask. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The receptacle device of claim 8, wherein the body portion is configured to protrude through a hole in the securing portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the body portion and anchor portion is configured to engage the mask by at least one of plastic joining, adhesive bonding, welding, mechanical fastening, stitching, and magnetic elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion and the body portion define a channel therebetween, and the channel is configured to releasably engage the mask. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The receptacle device of claim 15, wherein the channel is a groove. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The receptacle device of claim 15, wherein the mask is trapped within the channel to generate a substantially hermetic seal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The receptacle device of claim 2, wherein the self-sealing valve is configured to generate a hermetic seal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 5) The receptacle device of claim 5, wherein the slit pattern generates valve petals. ### Claim 20 (depends on 8) The receptacle device of claim 8, wherein the securing portion is configured to engage the mask by at least one of plastic joining, adhesive bonding, welding, mechanical fastening, stitching, and magnetic elements. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the valve is hemispherical. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The receptacle device of claim 1, wherein the anchor portion is configured to be substantially flush with an inner surface of the mask. ### Claim 23 (depends on 3) The receptacle device of claim 3, comprising a suspension ridge that connects the flexibly suspended valve and the body portion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The receptacle device of claim 23, wherein the suspension ridge, the flexibly suspended valve, and the body portion define a space therebetween; and wherein the space is collapsible on application of a force against the body portion. ### Claim 25 (depends on 8) The receptacle device of claim 8, wherein the anchor portion and the body portion define a channel therebetween, and the channel is configured to releasably engage the securing portion.