Fibrous filtration face mask having a new unidirectional fluid valve
First Claim
1. A filtering face mask that comprises:
- (a) a mask body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer; and
(b) an exhalation valve that is attached to the mask body, the exhalation valve comprising;
(1) a valve seat that comprises;
(i) a seal surface;
(ii) an orifice that is surrounded by the seal surface; and
(iii) a flap-retaining surface; and
(2) a single flexible flap that has a stationary portion and only one free portion and a peripheral edge that includes a stationary segment and a free segment, the stationary segment of the peripheral edge being associated with the stationary portion of the flap so as to remain at rest during an exhalation, and the free segment being associated with the one free portion of the flexible flap so as to be lifted away from the seal surface during an exhalation, the free segment also being completely located below the stationary segment when the filtering face mask is worn on a person and viewed from the front; and
(3) a valve cover that is disposed over the valve seat and that comprises a surface that holds the flexible flap in an abutting relationship against the flap-retaining surface, wherein the flexible flap is held against the flap-retaining surface in a location and position relative to the seal surface such that the flap is pressed towards the seal surface in a substantial abutting relationship therewith under any orientation of the valve when a fluid is not passing through the orifice.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A filtering face mask that has a mask body and an exhalation valve. The mask body is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer. The exhalation valve is attached to the mask body and includes a valve seat that comprises a seal surface, an orifice that is circumscribed by the seal surface, a flap-retaining surface, and a single flexible flap that has a fixed portion and a free portion and first and second opposing ends. The first end of the single flexible flap is associated with the fixed portion of the flap so as to remain at rest during an exhalation, and the second end is associated with the free portion of the flexible flap so as to be lifted away from the seal surface during an exhalation. The second end also is located below the first end when the filtering face mask is worn on a person. The flexible flap is positioned on the valve seat such that the flap is pressed towards the seal surface in an abutting relationship therewith when a fluid is not passing through the orifice. A valve cover is disposed over the valve seat and comprises a surface that mechanically holds the flexible flap against the flap-retaining surface.
70 Citations
53 Claims
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1. A filtering face mask that comprises:
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(a) a mask body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer; and (b) an exhalation valve that is attached to the mask body, the exhalation valve comprising; (1) a valve seat that comprises; (i) a seal surface; (ii) an orifice that is surrounded by the seal surface; and (iii) a flap-retaining surface; and (2) a single flexible flap that has a stationary portion and only one free portion and a peripheral edge that includes a stationary segment and a free segment, the stationary segment of the peripheral edge being associated with the stationary portion of the flap so as to remain at rest during an exhalation, and the free segment being associated with the one free portion of the flexible flap so as to be lifted away from the seal surface during an exhalation, the free segment also being completely located below the stationary segment when the filtering face mask is worn on a person and viewed from the front; and (3) a valve cover that is disposed over the valve seat and that comprises a surface that holds the flexible flap in an abutting relationship against the flap-retaining surface, wherein the flexible flap is held against the flap-retaining surface in a location and position relative to the seal surface such that the flap is pressed towards the seal surface in a substantial abutting relationship therewith under any orientation of the valve when a fluid is not passing through the orifice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A filtering face mask that comprises:
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(a) a mask body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer; and (b) an exhalation valve that is attached to the mask body, the exhalation valve comprising; (1) a valve seat that comprises; (i) a seal surface; (ii) an orifice that is surrounded by the seal surface; and (iii) a flap-retaining surface; and (2) a single flexible flap that has a stationary portion and only one free portion and a peripheral edge that extends 360°
about the flap and that includes a stationary segment and a free segment, the stationary segment of the peripheral edge being associated with the stationary portion of the flap so as to remain at rest during an exhalation, and the free segment being associated with the one free portion of the flexible flap so as to be lifted away from the seal surface during an exhalation, the free segment also being completely located below the stationary segment when the filtering face mask is worn on a person and viewed from the front; and(3) a valve cover that is disposed over the valve seat and that comprises a surface that holds the flexible flap in an abutting relationship against the flap-retaining surface in a location and position relative to the seal surface such that the flap is pressed towards the seal surface in an abutting relationship therewith when a fluid is not passing through the orifice under any orientation of the valve, the point where the flexible flap is held against the flap retaining surface being located off center relative to the flap. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification