Patent ID: 7322351
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: A61M,A62B

Abstract:
1. A respiratory mask comprising: a mask cap adapted to be attached to a wearer's face and defining a chamber therein and a through-hole in fluid communication with said chamber; and a valve unit including a hollow valve body that projects in an axial direction from a periphery of said through-hole in said mask cap and that is formed with a valve seat which defines a valve opening in said valve body for fluid communication with said chamber through said through-hole, said valve unit further including an abutting plate that is securely connected to said valve body, and a single-piece elastic block body that is disposed in said valve body between said valve seat and said abutting plate, that is formed with a shoulder abutting sealingly against said valve seat for closing said valve opening, and that has a bottom end abutting against said abutting plate, said elastic block body being elastically compressible in the axial direction so as to be deformed in the axial direction to thereby space said shoulder apart from said valve seat when pressed by an external force; wherein said elastic block body includes a first segment that extends through said valve opening, and a second segment that is enlarged in cross-section from said first segment and that defines said bottom end of said elastic block body, said first and second segments cooperatively defining said shoulder of said elastic block body; and wherein said valve unit further includes a mounting seat that has a tubular portion defining an accommodating space therein and having a bottom end, and a connecting portion extending radially and outwardly from said bottom end of said tubular portion and attached sealingly to the periphery of said through-hole in said mask cap, said abutting plate extending radially and inwardly from said bottom end of said tubular portion and being formed with an aperture for fluid passage therethrough, said valve body having a tubular portion, which is in the form of a single piece, that extend fittingly into said accommodating space so as to be secured to said mounting seat, said valve seat extending radially and inwardly from said tubular portion of said valve body.