Patent Publication Number: US-2022233893-A1

Title: Apparatus for connecting a face mask to an air hose

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to face masks, and in particular to apparatus for connecting a face mask to an air hose. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Respiratory masks are used in a wide variety of applications to protect a respiratory system from particles suspended in the air or from unpleasant or noxious gases. Such masks include filter masks which are commonly worn by persons who are in polluted environments in an effort to protect themselves from inhaling airborne contaminants. Filter masks typically have a fibrous or sorbent filter that is capable of removing particulate and/or gaseous contaminants from the air. 
     An example of a filter mask is disclosed in Patent Application Publication WO 2018/045456 filed by the present Applicant. The filter mask includes a face seal for providing an airtight flexible seal around the nose and mouth of a user, a support sealably attached to the face seal, wherein the support has an open area that allows for passage of incoming air and outlet valves for expelling exhaled air, a front shell for removably attaching to the support, wherein the front shell has inlet holes for allowing the incoming air to pass through the open area of the support, and a filter for filtering particulate elements from air. The filter is configured to be housed between the front shell and the support. The face seal provides a direct connection between the filter and the user. 
     Filter masks are often provided for use in environments in which ambient air is contaminated. However, in some circumstances face masks are needed for use in an environment in which ambient air is both contaminated and deficient in desired constituents. For example, it may be desirable to use a face mask with an auxiliary oxygen supply. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, some embodiments of the invention provide a connector apparatus, comprising a mask connector member to be secured to a mask to govern fluid flow through a vent in the mask, the mask connector member form mg a mask fluid flow passage through the vent between an external inlet and an internal outlet, the mask connector member including a mask valve received in the mask fluid flow passage, the mask valve movable between a rest position in which the mask fluid flow passage is blocked by the mask valve and an actuated position in which the mask fluid flow passage is unblocked by the mask valve, the mask connector member further including a biasing member biasing the mask valve towards the rest position; and a hose connector member to be secured to a fluid hose, the hose connector member forming a hose fluid flow passage between a hose inlet and a mask outlet, the hose inlet shaped to receive a fluid flow from the fluid hose when the fluid hose is secured to the hose connector member, the mask outlet shaped to form a sealed connection with the external inlet of the mask connector member to supply the fluid flow to the external inlet of the mask connector member when the hose connector member is coupled to the mask connector member, the hose connector member including a valve actuator to move the mask valve to the actuated position when the hose connector member is coupled to the mask connector member. 
     In some embodiments, the mask valve includes a first magnetic element and the valve actuator includes a second magnetic element configured to attract the first magnetic element to draw the mask valve from the rest position to the actuated position. 
     The mask connector may include an inner assembly to seal against an inner surface of the face mask around an inner periphery of the vent; and an outer assembly to seal against an outer surface of the face mask around an outer periphery of the vent, the inner assembly and the outer assembly releasably connectable through the vent to form the mask fluid flow passage through the vent. 
     The second magnetic element may be secured to a hose valve, the hose valve received in the hose fluid flow passage and movable between a rest position in which the hose fluid flow passage is blocked by the hose valve and an actuated position in which the hose fluid flow passage is unblocked by the hose valve, the hose valve configured to be drawn toward the actuated position when adjacent the mask valve by the first magnetic element. 
     The mask connector member may include a first mechanical coupling element and the hose connector member includes a second mechanical coupling element, the first and second mechanical coupling elements configured to releaseably couple the hose connector member to the mask connector member. 
     The hose fluid flow passage may be a non-linear passage. 
     The mask valve may be a disc valve. 
     The biasing member may be a compression spring. 
     In a second aspect, some embodiments of the invention provide a respiratory system, comprising an oxygen supply; a respiratory mask having a vent therethrough; a mask connector member secured to the respiratory mask to govern fluid flow through the vent, the mask connector member having a valve moveable between a rest position blocking fluid flow through the vent and an actuated position unblocking fluid flow through the vent, the valve biased towards the rest position; a hose having first and second ends and coupled to the oxygen supply at the first end to receive the flow of air from the oxygen supply; and a hose connector member coupled to the hose at the second end to receive the flow of air from the hose, the hose connector member shaped to be coupled to the mask connector member to drive the valve to the actuated position and to supply the fluid flow to pass through the vent. 
     In some embodiments, the mask includes an exhalation opening governed by a one-way valve. 
     The mask may be a filter mask to allow a user to breath filtered air through the mask when the hose connector member is not coupled to the mask connector member. 
     The oxygen supply may be an oxygen concentrator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of systems methods, and apparatus of the present specification. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a prior art face mask; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a connector apparatus shown deployed on a face mask; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective exploded view of a connector apparatus, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is a rear perspective view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 3 , with a mask connector member and a hose connector member uncoupled; 
         FIG. 4B  is a front perspective view of the connector apparatus cf  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of the connector apparatus of  FIG 3 . with the mask connector member secured to a mask substructure; 
         FIG. 5B  is a bottom elevation view of the connector apparatus and mask substructure of  FIG 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a rear perspective view of the mask connector member of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 3  disassembled and arranged near a vent of a mask substructure. 
         FIG. 6B  is a front perspective view of the mask connector member of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a left side elevation view of the mask connector member of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6D  is a bottom plan view of the mask connector member of  FIG 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a rear exploded view of the mask connector member of the connector apparatus of  FIG 3 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a front exploded view of the mask connector member of  FIG. 7A   
         FIG. 8A  is a front exploded view of the hose connector member of the connector apparatus of  FIG 3 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is a rear exploded view of the hose connector member of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a left side plan view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 3 , mounted on a mask substructure and with the mask connector member coupled to the hose connector member; 
         FIG. 9B  is a cross sectional view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 9A  without the mask substructure taken along the line  9 B- 9 B; 
         FIG. 9C  is a front elevation view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 9A  without the mask substructure; 
         FIG. 9D  is a right side plan view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 9A  without the mask substructure; 
         FIG. 9E  is a top plan view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 9A  without the mask substructure; 
         FIG. 9F  is a cross sectional view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 9E  without the mask substructure, taken along the lines  9 F- 9 F; 
         FIG. 9G  is a bottom plan view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 9A  without the mask substructure; 
         FIG. 9H  is a cross sectional view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 9E  without the mask substructure, taken along the line  9 H- 9 H; 
         FIG. 10A  is a left side plan view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 3 , with the mask connector member coupled to the hose connector member and the valves in blocking positions; 
         FIG. 10B  is a cross sectional view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 10A  taken along the line  10 B- 10 B; 
         FIG. 10C  is a right side plan view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 3 , with the mask connector member coupled to the hose connector member and the valves in actuated positions; 
         FIG. 10D  is a cross sectional view of the connector apparatus of  FIG. 10C  taken along the line  10 D- 10 D; 
         FIG. 11A  is a side elevation view of a mask connector member, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11B  is a top plan view cf the mask connector member of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11C  is a cross section view of the mask connector member of  FIG. 11A  taken along the line  11 C- 11 C of  FIG. 11B ; 
         FIG. 11D  is a side elevation exploded view of the mask connector member of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11E  is a top perspective exploded view of the mask connector member of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11F  is a bottom perspective exploded view of the mask connector member of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12A  is a top perspective view of a hose connector member, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 12B  is a side elevation view of the hose connector member of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12C  is a front side elevation view of the hose connector member of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12D  is a bottom plan view of the hose connector member of  FIG 12A ; and 
         FIG. 12E  is a cross sectional view of the hose connector member of  FIG. 12A  taken along the line  12 E- 12 E of  FIG. 12D . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various apparatus or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed embodiment. No embodiment described below limits any claimed embodiment and any claimed embodiment may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed embodiments are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , illustrated therein is a face mask  10  for filtering air. Face mask  10  is disclosed in Patent Application Publication WO 2018/045456; which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Face mask  10  is a respiratory mask for filtering pollutants and particulate based airborne contaminants from the air when positioned over the face of a user. Air is drawn in by the user&#39;s breath and pollutants are filtered out and prevented from entering the respiratory system of the user. As the user exhales, the face mask  10  expels the exhaled air. 
     The face mask  10  includes a front shell  12  that acts as an outer layer of the face mask  10  and provides a protective outer surface. The front shell  12  attaches to a support  16  and the front shell  12  and the support  16  work together to hold a filter  14  therebetween. The face mask  10  may include a head strap  28  attached to the front shell  12  for holding the face mask  10  to a user&#39;s head. The front shell  12  has inlet holes  18  for allowing incoming air to pass in to the face mask  10  and through to the filter  14 , where the filter  14  filters particulate elements from the air. The face mask  10  includes a face seal  24  attached to the periphery of the support  16  for providing a flexible and air-tight seal around the nose and mouth of the user. The face seal  24  is located behind the front shell  12  and contacts the users face to make an air tight seal against the skin. This forces all of the air intake through the front shell  12  and through the filter  14 . 
     The filter  14  may be generally symmetrical about a center axis. When the filter  14  is folded together for use, the nose portions  38 , separated by a central nose slit, mate together to form the three dimensional form for insertion into the face mask  10 . The nose portions  38  align with the nose seal  40  of the face seal  24  on the framework  34  of the support  16 . The perimeter of the filter  14  seals with the face seal  24 . 
     The face seal  24  has a mating surface  19  that seals against a peripheral surface  17  of the front shell  12 . The face seal  24  has attachment apertures  21  for providing access and sealing around the inner attachment members  30 . Similarly, the face seal  24  also has a top aperture  23  for providing access and sealing around the upper attachment  37 . 
     The front shell  12  also has exhale ports  20  separate from the inlet holes  18 , which allow exhaled air to pass out of face mask  10 . The exhale ports  20  allow exhaled air to outlet the face mask  10  so that the exhaled air does not have to pass back through the inlet holes  18  thereby degrading the filter  14  from the inside. The exhale ports  20  exit downward and away from the mouth and nose of the user. This may advantageously direct exhaled air away from the face mask  10  and reduce fogging where the user is also wearing eyeglasses. 
     The exhale ports  20  are in fluid communication with outlet valves  22  on the support  16 . The outlet valves  22  are one-way valves and only allow for the exhaling of air from the inside of the face mask  10  and exit to the environment. The outlet valves  22  are one-way in that they do not allow air to pass from the outside of the face mask  10  in to the respiratory system of the user. 
     The support  16  has exit valves  46  that lead to the exhale ports  20  on the front shell  12 . The exit valve  46  is a one-way valve that has a shaft  48  that passes through a hole  50  on the support  16 . The exit valve  46  rests on a seat  52  of the support  16  to prevent air from passing inward. An inhalation air pathway is indicated by arrow A, while an exhalation air pathway is indicated by arrow B. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a face mask, such as face mask  10 , may be adapted to be connected to an oxygen supply by the use of a connector apparatus  100  of the present disclosure. In oxygen supply system  80  of  FIG. 2 , face mask  10  is connected to air hose  60  drawing from an oxygen supply (not shown). The oxygen supply may be, for example, an oxygen tank or an oxygen concentrator. Filter mask substructure  400  is connected to air hose  60  by connector apparatus  100 . Connector apparatus  100  includes a mask connector member  200  and a hose connector member  300 . 
     Filter mask substructure  400  may be, for example, similar to support  16  of face mask  10 . For example, filter mask substructure  400  may be used in creating a mask along with a front shell and a filter in the way that support  16  may be used in creating mask  10  along with front shell  12  and filter  14 . Although a front shell and filter for use with filter mask substructure  400  may include an opening or cutout on a tower right side to permit mask connector member  200  to be mounted to filter mask substructure  400  and to permit hose connector member  300  to be connected to mask connector member  200 . In some embodiments, an opening or cutout may be on a lower left side in addition or in alternative to on a lower right side to permit a connector apparatus  100  to be joined to a left side vent. 
     Connector apparatus  100  is configured to connect air hose  60  to one of the exhale openings of mask  10 . For example, connector apparatus  100  may be configured to be coupled to a seat  52  of support  16  in place of a valve  46 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an example connector apparatus  100  is shown in an exploded view. Mask connector member  200  includes a mask valve  220 , an outer bracket  250 , an inner bracket  260 , a spring base plate  272 , a helical spring  274 , a valve guide plate  276 , and a bracket cover  280 . Hose connector member  300  includes a hose valve  320 , a housing  340 , a spring base plate  352 , a helical compression spring  354 , a valve guide plate  356 , and a hose connection elbow  330 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  are shown assembled. Mask connector member  200  forms a mask fluid flow passage D from an external inlet  212  to an internal outlet  214 . Hose connector member  300  forms a hose fluid flow passage C between a hose inlet  312  and a mask outlet  314 . Mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  are shaped to be coupled to one another to form a sealed connection between mask outlet  314  and external inlet  212  to allow a fluid flow to pass from hose inlet  312  to internal outlet  214  through connector apparatus  100 . 
     Each of mask valve  220  and hose valve  320  have a blocking member shaped to block the passage therethrough. Mask valve  220  is moveable between a rest position in which passage D is blocked by a blocking member of mask valve  220  and an actuated position in which passage D is unblocked by the blocking member. Similarly, hose valve  320  is moveable between a rest position in which passage C is blocked by a blocking member of hose valve  320  and an actuated position in which passage C is unblocked by the blocking member. 
     As will be described further below with reference to  FIGS. 10A to 10D , connector apparatus  100  is configured so that valves  220  and  320  are in rest positions when mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  are removed from one another, but are in actuated positions when mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  are coupled to one another. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , connector apparatus  100  is shown with mask connector member  200  mounted on an example filter mask substructure  400  to govern fluid flow through vent  410  of filter mask substructure  400 . As described above, filter mask substructure  400  may be similar to support  16  of face mask  10 . The filter mask substructure  400  is shaped to support a filter cover to form a filter mask, allowing a user to breathe through the filter cover when mask valve  220  blocks mask connector member  200  blocking vent  410 . 
     Mask connector member  200  is configured to govern the flow of fluid, such as oxygen enriched air, through a vent  410  in a mask formed of substructure  400 , while hose connector member  300  is configured to govern the flow of fluid out of a hose (not shown) provided to supply a fluid flow to the mask. For example, a hose may be a respiratory hose supplying an oxygen enriched air flow. Mask substructure  400  also includes a second vent  412 , which may be used, for example, as an exhalation vent governed by a one-way valve. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A to 6D , mask connector member  200  is shown disassembled and arranged near vent  410 . Vent  410  is supported by vent framing  450 . Vent framing  450  includes a plurality of spokes joined at a center support  452 . 
     Mask connector member  200  includes mask valve  220  which has a blocking member  226 , and a shaft  222  having an annular groove  224 . Mask connector  200  also includes an inner assembly  230  and an outer assembly  240 . Inner assembly  230  is shaped to seal against an inner surface  420  of mask substructure  400  to limit fluid flow out of vent  410  to fluid flow through mask fluid flow passage D. Outer assembly  240  is shaped to seal against an outer surface  430  of mask substructure  400  to limit fluid flow into vent  410  to fluid flow through hose fluid flow passage C. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , inner and outer assemblies  230  and  240  are shown in exploded views. Inner and outer assemblies  230  and  240  can be joined to one another by passing snap-fit projections  252  and  262  through vent  410 . Snap-fit projections  262  can be pushed through vent  410  and interlocked with corresponding structural supports on valve framing  450 . Snap-fit projections  252  can be pushed through vent  410  and interlocked with corresponding structural supports on inner assembly  230 . 
     Snap-fit projections  262  are mounted in an inner bracket  260  of inner assembly  230 . Inner assembly  230  also includes a valve guide assembly  270  and a bracket cover  280 . Valve guide assembly includes a valve guide plate  276 , a spring base plate  272 , and a helical compression spring  274 . Snap-fit projections  252  are mounted on an outer bracket  250  of outer assembly  240 . Outer bracket  250  forms a seat for blocking member  226  of mask valve  220 . The seat surface of outer bracket  250  is angled relative to the direction of fluid flow and is made from a malleable silicone to assist the blocking member  226  in sealing against the outer bracket  250 . 
     Guide plate  276  is shaped to be received in inner bracket  260  in a pair of guide cavities  264  diametrically opposed to one another across a portion of passage D through bracket  260 . Guide plate  276  has a center aperture  278  to receive shaft  222  of mask valve  220  in a snap-fit connection with guide plate  276  holding shaft  222  at groove  224  when inner assembly  230  and outer assembly  240  are joined by snap-fit projections  262  and  252 . Shaft  222  may be pushed through a portion of passage D in outer bracket  250 , through vent  410 , through an aperture in center support  452  of valve framing  450 , through a central aperture of spring base plate  272 , through helical spring  274 , and finally through center aperture  278  of guide plate  276 . Central aperture  278  is shaped to hold shaft  222 . The insertion of shaft  222  through central apertures may assist in stabilizing mask valve  220  as shaft  222  is supported by intervening components. 
     When mask valve  220  is secured to guide plate  276  the movement of mask valve  220  is limited by the limited range of movement available to guide plate  276 . Guide plate  276  is able to move up and down within guide cavities  264 , with movement towards vent  410  limited by edges  266  at the base of cavities  264  when inner assembly  230  is assembled. Movement of guide plate  276  away from edges  266  is limited by bracket cover  280  when inner assembly  230  is assembled. 
     When inner assembly  230  is sealed against inner face  420  of mask substructure  400 , spring base plate  272  rests against center support  452  of vent framing  450  and supports helical spring  274  as spring  274  bears against guide plate  276 . Spring  274  bears against guide plate  276  to bias guide plate  276  away from vent  410 , thereby also drawing mask valve  220  towards vent  410 . When drawn towards vent  410 , mask valve  220  seats against outer bracket  250  around a periphery of blocking member  226  to block fluid flow through outer bracket  250 . 
     Referring to FlGS.  8 A and  8 B, hose connector member  300  is depicted in exploded views. Hose connector member  300  includes an elbow extension  330 , a valve housing  340 , and a valve guide assembly  350 . Like valve guide assembly  270  of mask connector member  200 , valve guide assembly  350  includes a spring base plate  352 , a helical spring  354 , and a valve guide plate  356 . Hose connector member  300  includes hose valve  320  which has a blocking member  326 , and a shaft  322  having an annular groove  324 . 
     Guide plate  356  is shaped to be received in housing  340  in a pair of guide cavities  342  diametrically opposed to one another across a portion of passage C through housing  340 . Guide plate  356  has a center aperture  358  to receive annular shaft  322  of hose valve  320  in a snap-fit connection with guide plate  356  holding shaft  322  at groove  324 , with hose valve  320  separated from guide plate  356  by housing inner frame  348 . Post  322  may be pushed through a portion of passage D in housing  340 , through an aperture in inner frame  248 , through a central aperture of spring base plate  352 , through helical spring  354 , and finally through center aperture  358  of guide plate  356 . Central aperture  358  is shaped to hold shaft  322 . The insertion of shaft  322  through central apertures may assist in stabilizing hose valve  320  as shaft  322  is supported by intervening components. 
     When hose valve  320  is secured to guide plate  356  the movement of hose valve  320  is limited by the limited range of movement available to guide plate  356 . Guide plate  356  is able to move up and down within guide cavities  344 , with movement towards vent  410  limited by edges  344  at the base of cavities  342 . Movement of guide plate  356  away from edges  344  is limited by an inner surface of elbow extension  330  when elbow extension  330  is joined to housing  340  of hose connector member  300 . 
     Elbow extension  330  is joined to housing  340  of hose connector member  300  and held in place by adhesive to provide an enclosed and non-linear passage C through hose connector member  300 . In some embodiments, an elbow extension may be held in place on a housing other than by adhesive, such as by way of mechanical fasteners. Elbow extension  330  includes a backstop member  332  and a sealing wall extension  334  to enclose passage C through hose connector member. Elbow extension  330  also forms a fluid line projection  336  on which a fluid line (not shown) can be mounted to allow inlet  312  to receive a fluid flow from the fluid line. 
     When hose connector member  300  is assembled, spring base plate  352  rests against an inner surface of inner frame  348  of housing  340  and supports spring  354  as spring  354  bears against guide plate  356 . Spring  354  bears against guide plate  356  to bias guide plate  356  away from inner frame  348 , thereby also drawing hose valve  320  towards inner frame  348 . When drawn towards inner frame  348 , hose valve  320  seats against housing  340  around a periphery of blocking member  326  to block fluid flow through housing  340 . The seat surface of housing  340  is angled relative to the direction of fluid flow and is made from a malleable silicone to assist the blocking member  326  in sealing against the housing  340 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A to 9H , connector apparatus  100  is shown with inner assembly  230  and outer assembly  240  joined together. Mask connector member  200  is shown with mask substructure  400  received between inner assembly  230  and outer assembly  240  in  FIG. 9A , but without a mask or mask substructure received between inner assembly  230  and outer assembly  240  in  FIGS. 9B to 9H . 
     Mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  are shown coupled to one another to form a sealed connection between mask outlet  314  and external inlet  212 . Mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  are coupled by way of projections  346  snap-fitted to flange  254  of outer bracket  250 . As shown, blocking members  226  and  326  block passages D and C, respectively. In some embodiments, projections  346  may be omitted or may be supplemented or replaced by alternative snap on members that may be released by a mechanical action. 
     However, when a sealed connection between mask outlet  314  and external inset  212  valves  220  and  320  must be moved to actuated positions to allow a flow of fluid through connector apparatus  100 . 
     Referring to FlGS.  10 A to  10 D, when a magnet  228  is secured to mask valve  220  and a magnet  328  is secured to hose valve  320 , magnets  228  and  328  are arranged to be attracted to one another when mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  are coupled to one another. The attraction of magnets  228  and  328  to one another overcomes biasing forces generated by compression springs  274  and  354  and thereby causes valves  220  and  320  to move from rest positions shown in FlGS.  10 A and  10 B to actuated positions shown in FlGS.  10 C and  10 D. When valves  220  and  320  are in actuated positions as shown in  FIGS. 10C and 10D , passages C and D are open through mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300 . 
     Valves  220  and  320  open when mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  are coupled to one another to allow fluid to flow from a hose affixed to hose connector member  300  through vent  410 . For example, a fluid flow may be an oxygen enriched air flow from an oxygen source such as an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen tank or other reserve. 
     When magnet  228  is mounted on mask valve  220 , mask valve  220  of mask connector member  200  is an actuator of hose valve  320 . When magnet  328  is mounted on hose valve  320 , hose valve  320  of hose connector member  300  is an actuator of mask valve  220 . In some embodiments, magnets such as magnets  228  and  328  are embedded, rather than mounted to a surface, and are covered by at least a thin layer of plastic. 
     Valves  220  and  320  close when mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  are removed from one another, since the magnetic attraction between magnets  228  and  328  is reduced to the point where it is not able to overcome the biasing forces generated by compression springs  274  and  354 . Closing of passages C and D prevents, respectively, entrance of unfiltered air through open vent  410  and loss of fluid from a hose affixed to hose connector member  300 . 
     Referring to FlGS.  11 A to  11 F, an alternate embodiment of mask connector member  200  is shown, in which valve guide assembly  270  is replaced by leaf compression spring  290 . Center aperture  278 ′ is found in leaf spring  290  rather than guide plate  276 . Like guide plate  276 , leaf spring  290  is shaped to be received in an outer bracket  260 ′ in a pair of guide cavities  264 ′. Leaf spring  290  provides a biasing force to hold mask valve  220 ′ against outer bracket  240 ′. 
     In another alternate embodiment in which no helical spring and spring base plate are needed, a guide plate, such as guide plate  276 , is magnetized and a bracket cover, such as bracket cover  280 , is a metal to which the guide plate is attracted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12A to 12E , an alternate embodiment of hose connector member  300  is shown, which does not include a valve. Hose connector member  300 ′ is similar to hose connector member  300  but with hose valve  320  and valve guide assembly  350  removed. Further, elbow  330 ′ and housing  340 ′, corresponding to elbow  330  and housing  340 , are formed integrally. Magnet  328 ′ is secured to inner frame  248 ′. 
     In some embodiments, both magnets  228  and  328  are permanent magnets. However, in some embodiments only one of mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  includes a permanent magnet, for example one of mask connector member  200  and hose connector member  300  may include a magnetic element such as a piece of ferromagnetic metal. 
     In some embodiments, neither mask connector member  200  nor hose connector member  300  includes a magnet, and mask valve  220  is instead moved to an actuated position by a mechanical actuator of hose connector member  300  and/or hose valve  320  is moved to an actuated position by a mechanical actuator of mask connector member  200 . For example, bringing hose connector member  300  may cause a protrusion on mask connector member  200  to push against hose valve  320  to actuate hose valve  320  into an actuated position using kinetic energy. 
     In some embodiments, mechanical connections, such as projections  346 ,  252 , or  262 , are replaced or augmented by one or more of an alternative snap-fit connection, a threaded connection, a latch connection, a magnetic connection, and a keyhole tack connection. 
     In some embodiments, mechanical connections, such as projections  346 ,  252 , or  262 , are not included. For example, the connection between an actuator of a hose connector member and a valve of a mask connector member may be relied upon to hold the hose connector member and mask connector member together, such as where the connection between an actuator and a valve is a strong magnetic connection. In another example, the snap-fit connection between snap-fit member  222  and guide plate  276  may be relied upon to hold inner assembly  230  and outer assembly  240  together without projections  252  and  262  in some embodiments. 
     In the embodiments depicted in the drawings, a connector apparatus is provided to retrofit an existing vent to one which can be used with a fluid line. However, in some embodiments, a connector apparatus is integrated into a mask natively. For example, while example connector apparatus  100  is mounted by way of projections and a valve shaft passing through vent  410 , a connector mask may instead be secured to a mask integrally rather than mounted on the mask. 
     In some embodiments, the connector apparatus  100  is configured for use with water or other liquids. In some embodiments, oxygen supply system  80  is also configured for use with water or other liquids rather than an air supply from supply  700 . For example, in some embodiments a connector apparatus includes a straw extending from mask connector member  200  beneath mask  500  and coupled to the internal outlet  214  of the mask connector so that a user can draw liquid into their mouth. 
     In some embodiments, a connector apparatus may be used with a vent other than a mask vent. For example, a connector apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured to join a fluid supply such as an oxygen tank to a hose or may be configured to join two hoses together. In some embodiments, a connector apparatus of the present disclosure may be used with a non-filter face mask, such as a face mask which is provided to block all ingress of air other than air flow through a connector apparatus of the present disclosure or a face mask which provides for ingress of unfiltered air in addition to air supplied through a connector apparatus of the present disclosure. 
     The present invention has been described here by way of example only. Various modification and variations may be made to these exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.