Face mask seal

• US 4,167,185 A
• Filed: 04/18/1977
• Issued: 09/11/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scott Technologies, Inc. (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: A-T-O Incorporated
• Inventors: Lewis, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Application Number:
  US05/788,237
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 128/146 R, 128/146.3, 128/146.4, 128/146.5, 128/146.6, 128/146.7
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/025 Halfmasks A62B23/02 takes precedence; surgical face masks A41D13/11

Abstract

A resiliently flexible sealing element, conformable to the face of a wearer, in the form of a re-entrant flap is hingedly joined to and supported by a mask body in a spaced relationship thereto. The sealing element extends parametrically around the open side of the mask body and in selected locations thereabout is resiliently urged away from the mask body by web means disposed between the sealing element and the mask body. The web means provides pressure on the sealing surface of the sealing element directly at the deepest point on the user'"'"'s face so as to eliminate the tendency of the sealing element or flap to pull away from the user'"'"'s face at such selected locations.

Claims

1. A face seal comprising, in combination with a mask body having an open side adapted to fit about a facial portion of a user, said body defining a facial portion receiving cavity defining an inner body surface and having a marginal edge portion around said open side thereof, sealing means adapted to form a seal between said body and the face of a user thereof, said sealing means comprising a resiliently flexible perimetrical sealing element in the form of a re-entrant flap joined to said body adjacent to said marginal edge portion and normally folded inwardly over said inner surface of said mask body and spaced therefrom whereby said face seal is conformable in sealing relation to a facial portion of a user independently of said body, and resilient strut-like web means extending between said sealing element and said inner surface of said body at selected locations spaced apart about the perimeter of said open side of said body and corresponding to the deepest areas of the facial portion of a user, said web means being operable to mechanically urge said sealing element against such deepest areas of the facial portion of a user.

2. A face seal according to claim 1 wherein said web means extends generally in a transverse manner relative to said sealing element and said body.

3. A face seal according to claim 1 wherein said sealing element is hingedly joined to said body generally adjacent to the marginal edge portion around said open side thereof.

4. A face seal according to claim 3 wherein said web means extends generally in a transverse manner relative to said sealing element and said body.

5. A face seal according to claim 3 wherein said web means is joined to said body and said sealing element so as to resiliently buckle upon predetermined loading on said sealing element.

6. A face seal according to claim 3 wherein said mask body is relatively rigid, shape-sustaining relative to said sealing element and said web means.

7. A face seal according to claim 3 wherein said sealing element includes a portion extending inwardly of said facial portion receiving cavity to form a socket for receiving the chin of a user.

8. A face seal according to claim 3 wherein said web means and said sealing element are of integral one-piece construction.