US 7,827,990 B1 · Sealing lip device for a respiratory mask, respiratory mask and a method and a mould for producing the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing lip device for a respiratory mask, to a respiratory mask per se and to a method and mould for producing the same. According to the invention, the respiratory mask has an orifice (2) for receiving at least the nose tip of the mask wearer and a sealing lip (3) consisting of an elastomeric material, which surrounds the orifice and crosses the bridge of the nose. Said sealing lip has a supporting zone which lies against the face of a mask wearer. The elastic pliability of the sealing lip (3) is such that the sealing lip zone (a) which seals the area around the bridge of the nose has a greater pliability than the sealing lip zone (b1, b2, c) which lies adjacent to the nostrils and/or the upper lip of the mask wearer, when the mask is applied to the face of the latter. From a production method viewpoint, the synthetic material is introduced in two separate injection-moulding steps, a support structure (4) with thick walls being preferably configured in the first step.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A sealing lip device for a breathing mask having a receiving opening for receiving at least the nose tip region of a mask wearer, a sealing lip which is formed from an elastomeric material and which surrounds the receiving opening and which is configured to cross the bridge of the nose and which has a contact zone provided for bearing against the face of a mask wearer in use, wherein the sealing lip is elastically and yieldingly arranged in such a way that a first sealing lip zone which in use seals the region of the bridge of the nose has a higher degree of flexibility than a second sealing lip zone which in use is adjacent to at least one of the nostrils and the upper lip of the mask wearer in the application position of the breathing mask,

wherein the sealing lip is suspended on a folding bellows structure in the region of the first sealing lip zone provided for sealing of the region of the bridge of the nose, the folding bellows structure including a fold indentation having zones of differing wall thickness,
wherein a wall thickness of a zone of high load-bearing capacity is in the range of between 0.80 and 4 mm, and
wherein the zone of high load-bearing capability is formed by two elastomeric portions which project up from a lower corner region of a frame portion and which extend into the sealing lip in the form of flat limbs.

A mask for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame having a front side configured to be connected to a conduit for delivering the flow of breathable gas, and a rear side;
and
a cushion formed of elastomeric material and defining an internal space, the cushion having a front side configured to be attachable to and detachable from the rear side of the frame, the cushion having a rear side configured to engage the face of the patient in use, wherein the rear side of the cushion comprises a sealing lip having a peripheral edge defining a nose receiving opening configured to receive at least the patient's nose into the internal space, the sealing lip including a first zone configured to seal against the bridge of the patient's nose and two second zones configured to seal against the patient's face from the bridge of the patient's nose to areas adjacent the patient's nostrils and a third zone extending between the two second zones, the cushion further comprising a support wall extending from the front side to the sealing lip, the support wall being thicker than the sealing lip and comprising a first folding bellows structure extending at least along the first zone and the two second zones, the first folding bellows structure comprising a first fold indentation comprising two first fold flanks inclined relative to each other towards the internal space, the support wall comprising thickened wall portions in regions corresponding to the two second zones, the support wall further comprising a second folding bellows structure extending at least along the third zone, the second folding bellows structure comprising a second fold indentation comprising two second fold flanks inclined relative to each other towards the internal space, the cushion further comprising a groove provided on the front side configured to receive a peripheral portion of the frame when the cushion and frame are attached.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sealing lip device for a respiratory mask, respiratory mask and a method and a mould for producing the same

Life of this patent

Sealing lip device for a respiratory mask, respiratory mask and a method and a mould for producing the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35