Disposable mask assembly with exhaust filter

• US 7,559,323 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2005
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Respan Products, Inc. (Canadian Hospital Specialties Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Respan Products, Inc. (Canadian Hospital Specialties Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hacke, Gerhard A., Hacke, Cornel C., Foley, Martin P.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEMILLE, DANTON D
• Application Number:
  US11/269,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20070101990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,343 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.27, 128/205.25, 128/206.12, 128/206.16, 128/206.27, 128/206.28, 128/206.15, 128/201.23, 128/202.27
• US Class Current: 128/201.25
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1065 in the expiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/02 for respirators

Abstract

A face mask assembly and method of assembling a face mask is provided for a patient that includes a face piece sized to fit over the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth. The face mask assembly forms a mask chamber between the face piece and the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth. An inhalation adapter is coupled to the face piece to deliver medication to the chamber. A filter housing is coupled to the face piece and includes a flange section that defines a passageway to connect the mask chamber and the flange section. A filter is positioned in the filter housing. A cover is coupled to the flange section and has an exhalation opening or vent to allow gases from the mask chamber to pass through the filter and escape from the passageway to the atmosphere.

Claims

1. A face mask assembly for a patient, comprising:

a face piece sized to fit over the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth, and forming a mask chamber between said face piece and the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth;

an inhalation adapter coupled to said face piece to deliver a fluid to said chamber;

at least one filter housing coupled to said face piece including a flange portion, and defining a passageway connecting said mask chamber to said flange portion; and

at least one filter having first and second side edges tapering towards an annular rim disposed between said at least one filter housing and at least one cover, wherein

said at least one cover is snap-fitted over said flange portion and having said filter rim sandwiched therebetween, and having an exhalation vent to allow gases from said mask chamber to pass through said filter and escape from said passageway to the atmosphere.

2. A face mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein

said at least one filter housing is removably coupled to said face piece.

3. A face mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein

a width of said at least one filter is greater than a width of said flange portion, so that said at least one filter engages a top surface of said flange portion.

4. A face mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein

projections are arranged on said face piece to receive a nose clip.

5. A face mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein

said rim engages a top surface of said flange portion.

6. A face mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein

said filter is secured to said filter housing with an engagement of said cover.

7. A face mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein

said cover includes an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end wherein said first end defines a first opening.

8. A face mask assembly according to claim 7, wherein

said inner wall is L-shaped.

9. A face mask assembly according to claim 7, wherein

said first opening includes an annular wall with a substantially V-shaped cross-section.

10. A face mask assembly according to claim 9, wherein

said cross-section has a maximum diameter “

z”

.

11. A face mask assembly according to claim 10, wherein

said maximum diameter “

z”

is less than a diameter “

x”

of said flange portion.

12. A face mask assembly for a patient, comprising:

a face piece having at least one opening and forming a mask chamber between said face piece and the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth;

an inhalation adapter coupled to said face piece to deliver a fluid to said chamber;

at least one filter housing snap-fitted to said at least one opening, said filter housing including a flange portion, and defining a passageway connecting said mask chamber to said flange portion; and

at least one filter having first and second side edges tapering towards an annular rim disposed between said at least one filter housing and at least one cover, wherein

said at least one cover is snap-fitted over said flange portion and having said filter rim sandwiched therebetween, and having an exhalation vent to allow gases from said mask chamber to pass through said filter and escape from said passageway to the atmosphere.

13. A face mask assembly according to claim 12, wherein

a width of said at least one filter is greater than a width of said flange portion, so that said at least one filter engages a top surface of said flange portion.

14. A face mask assembly according to claim 12, wherein

projections are arranged on said face piece to receive a nose clip.

15. A face mask assembly according to claim 12, wherein

said rim engages a top surface of said flange portion.

16. A face mask assembly according to claim 12, wherein

said filter is secured to said filter housing with an engagement of said cover.

17. A face mask assembly according to claim 12, wherein

said cover includes an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end wherein said first end defines a first opening.

18. A face mask assembly according to claim 17, wherein

said inner wall is L-shaped.

19. A face mask assembly according to claim 17, wherein

said first opening includes an annular wall with a substantially V-shaped cross-section.

20. A face mask assembly according to claim 19, wherein

said cross-section has a maximum diameter “

z”

.

21. A face mask assembly according to claim 20, wherein

said maximum diameter “

z”

is less than a diameter “

x”

of said flange portion.