Respirator mask

Abstract

A mask for supplying gas under pressure to an airway of a human including: a flexible manifold shell, being made of a flexible material, the manifold including means for connection to a gas delivery pipe. There are at least two side walls which are at least partially formed by portions of the manifold shell; a flexible face contacting element defining an orifice to accommodate the nose of the human; a first connecting strap having a first end connected to the mask and a second end connectable to a mask retaining strap; and a second connecting strap having a first end connected to the mask and a second end connectable to the mask retaining strap. The first strap and the second strap engage respective side walls of the mask for distributing opposing distortional forces to a substantial portion of the respective side walls when the mask is in use. The connection of the straps to the mask allow forces exerted by the first and second straps are capable of deforming the manifold at least along X and Y axes to create a variety of different mask/orifice shapes. The manifold of the mask has a manifold height and a centroid. The first and second straps engage the mask along a connecting length thereby joining the first and second straps to respective side walls of the mask so that an axis through the centroid normal to the Y axis, intersects with at least part of each strap.

1 . A mask for supplying gas under pressure to an airway of a human including:
 a flexible manifold shell, being made of a flexible material, the manifold including means for connection to a gas delivery pipe,   at least two side walls which are at least partially formed by portions of the manifold shell;   a flexible face contacting element defining an orifice to accommodate the nose of the human;   a first connecting strap having a first end connected to the mask and a second end connectable to a mask retaining strap;   a second connecting strap having a first end connected to the mask and a second end connectable to the mask retaining strap;   wherein, the first strap and the second strap engage respective side walls of the mask for distributing opposing distortional forces to a substantial portion of the respective side walls when the mask is in use;   wherein the connection of the straps to the mask allow forces exerted by the first and second straps are capable of deforming the manifold at least along X and Y axes to create a variety of different mask/orifice shapes;   wherein, the manifold of the mask has a manifold height and a centroid; and wherein the first and second straps engage the mask along a connecting length thereby joining the first and second straps to respective side walls of the mask so that an axis through the centroid normal to the Y axis, intersects with at least part of each strap.   
     
     
         2 . A mask according to  claim 1  wherein the first end of each strap connects to a wall of the mask via webs which form the first end. 
     
     
         3 . A mask according to  claim 2  wherein the webs connected to the manifold along opposing sidewalls. 
     
     
         4 . A mask according to  claim 3  wherein the webs are integral with the walls of the manifold and when transmitting load to the mask, are capable of inducing distortion in the mask along the X, Y and Z axes while a seal is maintained between the mask and a users face. 
     
     
         5 . A mask according to  claim 4  wherein the length of the contact between each of the webs of the respective first and second straps is greater than the width of each said first and second straps. 
     
     
         6 . A mask according to  claim 5  wherein, the face contacting element maintains a seal between the mask and the face of a wearer irrespective of induced movement of the mask in either the X, Y or Z directions, when a load is applied by the straps on the mask. 
     
     
         7 . A mask according to  claim 6  wherein a ratio of the manifold height to the distance of the connecting length of the webs to the mask falls within the range 0.8-2.0. 
     
     
         8 . A mask according to  claim 7  wherein a ratio of the contact length of the web at the wall of the manifold to the length of the manifold wall falls within the range 0.3-1.0. 
     
     
         9 . A mask according to  claim 8  wherein the webs each have an oblique angled edge the same an oblique angled wall of the manifold and which forms the contact length between each web and the manifold. 
     
     
         10 . A mask according to  claim 9  wherein the webs contact the manifold wall at an interface between the manifold and the face contacting part. 
     
     
         11 . A mask according to  claim 10  wherein the height of the manifold is measured from a lowermost wall of the manifold to an uppermost wall or apex of the manifold at a point which engages a nose bridge of a user. 
     
     
         12 . A mask according to  claim 11  wherein, the face contacting part has a flexible membrane allowing X, Y or Z axis movement of the mask. 
     
     
         13 . A mask according to  claim 12  wherein the membrane to deforms or displaces in a rolling motion to retain a gas seal against the face of a wearer. 
     
     
         14 . A mask according to  claim 13  wherein a resultant force generated by loadings applied by the straps is applied at a location generally in the middle third of the height of the manifold so that the load is applied above the neutral axis of the manifold. 
     
     
         15 . A mask according to  claim 14  wherein, the higher the ratio between the web contact length and the length of the manifold wall, the higher above a neutral axis through the centroid a resultant force transmitted to the mask will be applied. 
     
     
         16 . A mask according to  claim 15  wherein, the manifold shell has an average wall thickness within the range of 1 mm-2.5 mm. 
     
     
         17 . A mask according to  claim 16  wherein, the flexible face contacting portion has as average wall thickness within the range of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. 
     
     
         18 . A mask according to  claim 17  wherein, the manifold includes a third strap for anchoring the mask. 
     
     
         19 .- 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A mask for supplying gas under pressure to an airway of a human including:
 a flexible manifold shell, being made of a flexible material, the manifold including means for connection to a gas delivery pipe,   at least two side walls which are at least partially comprised of portions of the manifold shell;   a first mask shape forming element for distributing distortional forces to a substantial portion of one side wall that attaches to or is integral with a significant portion of that one side wall of the mask; and a second mask shape forming element for distributing distortional forces to a substantial portion of an other side wall that attaches to or is integral with a significant portion of that other side wall of the mask, each mask shape forming element being connected to, or being connectable to, a strap;   a flexible face contacting element defining a recess to accommodate the nose of the human;   wherein, forces exerted by the first and second mask shape forming elements are, capable of deforming the flexible face forming element and manifold in the X-Y plane to create a variety of different mask/orifice shapes and attitudes.   
     
     
         48 .- 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A mask for supplying gas under pressure to an airway of a human including:
 a flexible manifold shell made of a flexible material, the manifold including means for connection to a gas delivery pipe,   at least two side walls which at least partially comprise portions of the manifold shell;   a first mask shape forming element for distributing distortional forces to a substantial portion of one side wall that attaches to or is integral with a significant portion of that one side wall of the mask; and   a second mask shape forming element for distributing distortional forces to a substantial portion of another side wall that attaches to or is integral with a significant portion of that other side wall of the mask, each mask shape forming element comprising a generally triangular shaped web one side of which engages the manifold wall and being connected to, or being connectable to, a strap;   a flexible face contacting element defining an orifice to accommodate the nose of the human;   wherein forces exerted by the first and second mask shape forming elements are, capable of deforming the flexible face forming element and manifold in the X and Y planes to create a variety of different mask/orifice shapes;   characterised in that the manifold of the mask is defined by;   a manifold height extending along a Y axis; and the shape forming elements define a connecting length joining the respective first and second shape forming elements to each wall; wherein a ratio of height of the manifold to connecting length falls within the range 0.8-2.0; wherein a resultant force applied from distribution of load thorough said web over a predetermined length of web or over a span of point loads applied to the web lies approximately in a middle third of the manifold height to allow the mask to accommodate distortion from such applied load.   
     
     
         55 .- 59 . (canceled)