Mask with inhalation valve

• US 20020170557A1
• Filed: 05/06/2002
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Original Assignee: Trudell Medical International (Trudell Medical Limited)
• Inventors: Schmidt, James N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,013,896 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0016 located downstream of the dispenser, i.e. traversed by the product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0018 with exhalation check valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves

Abstract

A mask for use in inhaling a substance includes a mask housing defining a chamber. The housing has an inlet and an outlet communicating with the chamber. A valve is disposed in the inlet and is integrally formed with the housing, such that the valve and the housing are formed as a one-piece unit. In a preferred embodiment, the housing further comprises an exhaust port and an exhalation valve disposed in the exhaust port, with a shield disposed around the exhaust port. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a mask also is provided.

Claims

1. A mask for use in inhaling a substance comprising:

a mask housing defining a chamber and having an inlet and an outlet communicating with said chamber; and

an inhalation valve disposed in said inlet and integrally formed with said mask housing, wherein said valve and said mask housing are formed as a one-piece unit.

2. The mask of claim 1 wherein said valve is a one-way duckbill valve.

3. The mask of claim 1 wherein said mask housing further comprises an exhaust port, wherein said exhaust port is spaced from said inlet.

4. The mask of claim 3 further comprising an exhalation valve disposed in said exhaust port.

5. The mask of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a channel formed around said inlet.

6. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for delivering a substance to a user, the method comprising:

molding a one-piece mask comprising a mask housing defining a chamber and having an inlet and an outlet communicating with said chamber and an inhalation valve disposed in said inlet and integrally formed with said mask housing.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said inhalation valve is a one-way duckbill valve.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said mask housing further comprises an exhaust port, wherein said exhaust port is spaced from said inlet.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising disposing an exhalation valve in said exhaust port.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said one-piece mask is made of silicone.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein said molding said one-piece mask comprises forming a channel around said inlet.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising inserting an output end of a delivery device into said channel.