Patent ID: 8443806

Claim:
An exhalation valve sealing device for use in manually performing a positive pressure test with a face mask having an exhalation valve assembly that includes a flap valve and a valve seat, said sealing device being molded of a polymeric plastic material, and being comprised of: a frame attachable to the face mask and defining a central aperture having a generally longitudinal axis; a movable cap having a generally frustoconical shape, said cap having an inner sealing surface and an opposed disc-shaped top, said inner sealing surface being of a diameter greater than the diameter of said top, said cap being movable in said central aperture in response to a manually applied force from an open position in which said cap is spaced from the exhalation valve assembly to permit normal operational use of the exhalation valve assembly, and a sealing position in which said sealing surface engages and seals the exhalation valve assembly in a closed position; and flexible and resilient link monolithically formed with and joined to said frame and said cap to form a unitary structure, wherein said link supports said cap in the open position and provides a biasing force to return said cap to the open position upon release of the manual force.