Nebulizer, filter or inhalant mask encouraging use thereof

The present invention is a generally conical nebulizer, aerosol, filter or inhalant face mask for sealing against the atmosphere a wearer's mouth and nose, the improvement comprising a representation of a face on the outside surface with an exhaust valve located where the mouth would be located. The exhaust valve is adapted to visibly lift outward and up from the outside mask surface to imitate a flapping tongue.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to nebulizer, filter or inhalant masks, especially with reference to those adapted for use by children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nebulizer, filter or inhalant masks are well known to provide human-to-nebulizing equipment connection for delivery of atomized liquids and aerosols. The lungs can be easily penetrated by medicinal aerosols and provides a convenient and generally safe vehicle for obtaining rapid absorption of medication by the body. Medication or drugs are generally delivered to the lung membrane in the form of a fine mist or aerosol which is breathed into the lungs through the nose or mouth of the patient. Quite typically, a nebulizer is used to convert a liquid into a fine aerosol, and the aerosol is introduced into the lungs by means of a face mask which delivers the aerosol through the mouth and nose of the patient. However, conventional face masks have been consistently designed with medical necessity and cost minimization in mind over patient acceptance of the face mask. It is known that inhalant systems incorporating a face mask are often repeatedly used by a patient in order to treat what is usually a long term, repeating or chronic illness. Although providing an aerosol to the lungs of some medications is clearly preferable to injection or oral medications, it is a rather dreary prospect to the patient.

It is well known in the art of holiday celebration to provide decorative masks for revelers. These ornamental masks have no function other than to provide entertainment in the context of the celebration and often bear relatively accurate representations of famous persons or fantastical faces. Regardless of their basis in reality or fantasy, most of such ornamental face masks bear a two or three dimensional representation of a face with at least a nose and eyes, most often with a mouth of some sort. Most persons from a very early age are exposed to such ornamental masks and associate them with rather happy memories. Even a fleeting view of such ornamental masks brings to mind happier times. Such ornamental masks bear the faces of clowns, animals, cartoon characters, and other brightly colored entities.

There is a need for a face mask that combines the benefits of ornamental face masks with the functions of face masks for receiving aerosol or nebulized liquids so that children and young persons are thereby encouraged to engage in what is sometimes a frightening or dreary experience for them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a generally conical nebulizer, aerosol, filter or inhalant face mask for sealing against the atmosphere a wearer's mouth and nose, the improvement comprising a representation of a face on the outside surface with an exhaust valve located where the mouth would be located. The exhaust valve is adapted to visibly lift outward and up from the outside mask surface to imitate a flapping tongue. This is a truly hilarious effect.

In an alternate embodiment of this invention, one or more exhaust valves are located amount the facial features so that when activated the valves imitate flapping ears, nose, eyes or eyelids.

It is well known in the medical arts that face masks for inhaling liquids in the form of aerosols, vapors, gases or nebulized liquids or dry powderized medications in the form of fine, dry particles for medical purposes should be generally conical in shape. Such a mask from the wearer's side comprises a conical concavity which is ringed at a peripheral edge with a soft, compressible material so that a user's mouth and nose area can be sealed off against the outside air for receiving said liquids or powders for medical purposes. Said liquids or powders are delivered with oxygen containing gas to the wearer through an opening generally at the bottom of the wearer's side concavity. That opening extends through the mask shell to a cylindrical extension upward from the outside surface of the mask to connect with a rigid or flexible conduit bearing the liquids or powders to the wearer. In order to economize and reduce mask weight, the mask is a shell so that the outside surface facing away from the user is generally conical in shape.

The effect of viewing such a mask from the outside is that the cylindrical hose connector could be imagined to be very large nose. The downward-sloping conical surfaces away from the nose connection can bear facial features of an ornamental mask used in holiday celebrations. The facial features of such ornamental masks are arranged on the outside surface of the invention mask referencing the location of the hose connector as the nose on such a face.

Creating facial features on such a mask is relatively easy. Features such as the lips of a large, smiling mouth can be painted or mold-formed on the part of the downward sloping outside surface that broadens in an inferior direction to accommodate a wearer's mouth. Features such as or large, striking and happy looking eyes, eyelids, brightly colored hair and/or prominent colorful ears can be painted or mold-formed on the part of the downward sloping outside surface that narrows in a superior direction from the hose connector to capture a wearer's nose without covering or impressing upon a wearer's eyes.

It is critical in a sealed breathing circuit using such a mask to provide for the wearer a valve or vent to the atmosphere for exhausted breath. Examples of such exhaust valves are well known in the art. Exhaust valves in one form generally use a thin septum connected in one part to a conduit in the breathing circuit. The thin septum is supported over and seals the openings of a fenestrated frame so that the thin septum rises off the openings when a slight positive pressure is imposed on the breathing circuit. Operation of the exhaust valves vents is not optional. A wearer should not be burdened by the simple act of exhalation during a medical procedure for inhalation of vapors, gases or nebulized liquids. The positive pressure required to open the exhaust valve should be quite low with respect to the external atmospheric pressure. The exhaust valve should react almost instantaneously upon initiation of exhalation of a user. Placement of the exhalation valve close to a wearer's nares or mouth provides the fastest response to opening of the valve at the initiation of exhalation.

Even adult wearers of nebulizer masks don them with some apprehension. For children, the unknown operation of the breathing circuit with its complicated, strange-looking, noisy and/or odd smelling equipment terminating in a mask to be attached to a child's face is a potentially frightening event. The present invention locates a fenestrated frame and its sealing thin septum at a location on a face mask shell where a viewer might associate the location of a mouth if eyes are formed or painted in a position superior to the hose connector. In other words, if eyes are seen above the hose connector on the outside surface, a viewer would tend to look below the hose connector on the outside surface of the mask for mouth features. In a preferred embodiment, the thin septum of the exhaust valve is red with one end free to lift off the fenestrated frame during exhalation of a wearer in a manner that would imitate the flapping of a tongue. In most cultures, wagging or flapping a tongue is a comic event. In the present invention, it is a comic relief and encouragement to a child wearer of the mask to engage in such flapping of their face mask “tongue”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is now discussed with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1shows invention mask100comprising a lower portion101and upper portion102, respectively having lower outside surface104and upper outside surface103. An ornamental cheek and lip part105is shown extending generally from side to side with ornamental freckles, a middle part of which defines an upper lip above tongue valve114. Valve114is an exhaust valve for a wearer's exhalations adapted to be actuated when positive pressure is exerted on the inside space of the mask100when sealed to a wearer's face surfaces. Valve114comprises a more rigid attachment end115and flapping tongue end116.

Mask100further comprises a hose connector108which defines a cylindrical passage109by inside surface110. Surface110is adapted to receive a hose or other gas conduit end so that gas and aerosols can be delivered to a mask wearer. Hose connector108preferably has an outward and downward sloping outside surface111having an slightly acute angle with reference to inside surface110. Outside surface111for hose connector108thus more closely resembles a nose to a frontal viewer of the outside surface of mask100. Thus far in the description, an ornamental face on mask100has been described bearing a cheeks and an upper lip above a tongue adapted to flap up and down during a wearer's exhalation and a large nose represented by the outside surfaces of the hose connector108.

On lateral sides of mask100are formed extensions112with holes113for straps that can secure mask100to a wearer's head. Extensions112may be formed in the shape of large or small colorful ears with reference to the cheek and lip with reference to what a viewer would construe to be an ornamental face with a nose at hose connector108.

On the upper surface103of mask100are representations of eyes107and hair106. It should be understood that the form, shape, size, colors, emotion and other aspects of such eyes and hair may vary widely while achieving the objects of the invention, i.e., encouraging or entertaining a user and/or viewer of mask100while observing the flapping valve114on an ornamental face.

FIG. 2is a frontal view of the mask ofFIG. 1and shows how a viewer would typically see a mask100worn by a user. It is part of the objects of the invention that the user would know that a viewer would see a flapping tongue valve114while the user uses mask100. Such activity entertains the user to be able to wag their “tongue” at a viewer.

FIG. 3is section117of the mask ofFIG. 2showing a ribbed surface110adapted to engage a gas conduit connected thereto. Mask100further comprises in one embodiment a soft sidewall120with rim119that compress and seal to the facial skin of a mask wearer. Frame part126is shown in cross section supporting the under side of valve114and connects to a top edge of shell wall part118. Attachment end115is shown secured in slot124, leaving a flexible thin septum end116distal to end115.FIGS. 6,7and8are respectively frontal, side and rear views of the exhaust valve114ofFIG. 4showing that valve114is formed of an elastomeric material appropriate for a valve of this type in a curved shape so that when it is connected in slot124(FIGS. 3 and 5) at flange126, end116effectively seals openings125(FIG. 5).FIG. 5shows that lips123may be formed in surface105to define an upper edge of the “tongue” shape of valve114. Valve114is preferably formed of a bright red elastomeric material.FIGS. 6 and 7further show that valve114comprises a concave inside surface127adapted to seal openings125(FIG. 5).

FIGS. 9 and 10show how end116of the exhaust valve114flaps to an open position along path130during exhalation by a wearer. Exhaust air travels along paths128through openings125, forcing upward and outward end116, giving the viewer the impression of a wagging or flapping tongue. At the end of the exhalation by a wearer, valve114returns to the position shown inFIGS. 1,2,3and4along path129.

The above design options will sometimes present the skilled designer with considerable and wide ranges from which to choose appropriate apparatus and method modifications for the above examples. However, the objects of the present invention will still be obtained by that skilled designer applying such design options in an appropriate manner.