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The invention relates to a sealing lip device for a respiratory mask, to a respiratory mask per se and to a method and mould for producing the same. According to the invention, the respiratory mask has an orifice (2) for receiving at least the nose tip of the mask wearer and a sealing lip (3) consis

The invention relates to a sealing lip device for a respiratory mask, to a respiratory mask per se and to a method and mould for producing the same. According to the invention, the respiratory mask has an orifice (2) for receiving at least the nose tip of the mask wearer and a sealing lip (3) consisting of an elastomeric material, which surrounds the orifice and crosses the bridge of the nose. Said sealing lip has a supporting zone which lies against the face of a mask wearer. The elastic pliability of the sealing lip (3) is such that the sealing lip zone (a) which seals the area around the bridge of the nose has a greater pliability than the sealing lip zone (b1, b2, c) which lies adjacent to the nostrils and/or the upper lip of the mask wearer, when the mask is applied to the face of the latter. From a production method viewpoint, the synthetic material is introduced in two separate injection-moulding steps, a support structure (4) with thick walls being preferably configured in the first step.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A sealing lip device for a breathing mask having a receiving opening for receiving at least the nose tip region of a mask wearer, a sealing lip which is formed from an elastomeric material and which surrounds the receiving opening and which is configured to cross the br

The invention claimed is: 1. A sealing lip device for a breathing mask having a receiving opening for receiving at least the nose tip region of a mask wearer, a sealing lip which is formed from an elastomeric material and which surrounds the receiving opening and which is configured to cross the bridge of the nose and which has a contact zone provided for bearing against the face of a mask wearer in use, wherein the sealing lip is elastically and yieldingly arranged in such a way that a first sealing lip zone which in use seals the region of the bridge of the nose has a higher degree of flexibility than a second sealing lip zone which in use is adjacent to at least one of the nostrils and the upper lip of the mask wearer in the application position of the breathing mask, wherein the sealing lip is suspended on a folding bellows structure in the region of the first sealing lip zone provided for sealing of the region of the bridge of the nose, the folding bellows structure including a fold indentation having zones of differing wall thickness, wherein a wall thickness of a zone of high load-bearing capacity is in the range of between 0.80 and 4 mm, and wherein the zone of high load-bearing capability is formed by two elastomeric portions which project up from a lower corner region of a frame portion and which extend into the sealing lip in the form of flat limbs. 2. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bellows structure forms an abutment device. 3. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bellows structure has a hinge characteristic defined by different wall thicknesses. 4. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bellows structure has a plurality of fold indentations. 5. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one fold indentation is structured to extend from the nose bridge region into a region adjacent to the nostrils in the position of use of the mask. 6. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one fold indentation extends around the entire periphery of the sealing lip device. 7. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flexibility of the sealing lip, which is related to an application direction, is structured to define an articulation axis in the nostril or upper lip region in use. 8. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein zones of higher load-bearing capability are provided in the region of the sealing lip and are configured in use to be positioned adjacent to the nostrils or the upper lip. 9. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the zones of higher load-bearing capability are formed by locally thickened zones of the sealing lip. 10. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the locally thickened zones are supported on a mask frame zone by way of a support structure which is formed in the sealing lip. 11. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the zones of higher load-bearing capability are of a pad-like configuration. 12. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the zones of higher load-bearing capability are each of a substantially crescent moon-shaped configuration in the region of the face-contact zone. 13. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 8, wherein a zone of high flexibility in and in opposite relationship to an application direction is provided in the region of the upper lip in use in a region which is between the zones of higher load-bearing capability. 14. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sealing lip device is adapted to be mounted to a mask base body. 15. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the mask base body is formed by a hard shell. 16. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the hard shell has a conduit connection which faces towards a forehead region in use. 17. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a coupling structure for coupling the sealing lip device to a hard shell. 18. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 15, further comprising structure to fix the position of the sealing lip device with respect to the hard shell in the peripheral direction. 19. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 15, wherein there is imparted to the sealing lip device a prestressing which is achieved by elastic deformation upon coupling to the hard shell. 20. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a frame portion extending substantially in one plane. 21. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 20, wherein the frame portion is of a configuration which advances in a region of an articulation axis relative to a zone of high load-bearing capability. 22. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a wall thickness of a thin zone of the sealing lip is in the range of between 0.65 and 1.85 mm. 23. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the zone of high load-bearing capability is of a different color from the thinner-wall zone. 24. A mold for producing a sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a mold core device which in conjunction with an outer mold defines a mold cavity with a fold portion for forming a portion of the sealing lip device having a varying degree of flexibility. 25. A mold as set forth in claim 24, wherein the outer mold is of a multi-part configuration. 26. A mold as set forth in claim 24, wherein the outside of a sealing lip, which in use is towards the mask wearer, is formed by an outer mold portion in conjunction with the mold core device, wherein the outer mold portion has a peripherally extending mold cavity channel which defines the outside of the sealing lip. 27. A mold as set for in claim 26, wherein the outer edge of the mold cavity channel extends in the region of the outer peripheral edge of the sealing lip. 28. A sealing lip device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises silicone rubber. 29. A mask for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient, comprising: a frame having a front side configured to be connected to a conduit for delivering the flow of breathable gas, and a rear side; and a cushion formed of elastomeric material and defining an internal space, the cushion having a front side configured to be attachable to and detachable from the rear side of the frame, the cushion having a rear side configured to engage the face of the patient in use, wherein the rear side of the cushion comprises a sealing lip having a peripheral edge defining a nose receiving opening configured to receive at least the patient's nose into the internal space, the sealing lip including a first zone configured to seal against the bridge of the patient's nose and two second zones configured to seal against the patient's face from the bridge of the patient's nose to areas adjacent the patient's nostrils and a third zone extending between the two second zones, the cushion further comprising a support wall extending from the front side to the sealing lip, the support wall being thicker than the sealing lip and comprising a first folding bellows structure extending at least along the first zone and the two second zones, the first folding bellows structure comprising a first fold indentation comprising two first fold flanks inclined relative to each other towards the internal space, the support wall comprising thickened wall portions in regions corresponding to the two second zones, the support wall further comprising a second folding bellows structure extending at least along the third zone, the second folding bellows structure comprising a second fold indentation comprising two second fold flanks inclined relative to each other towards the internal space, the cushion further comprising a groove provided on the front side configured to receive a peripheral portion of the frame when the cushion and frame are attached. 30. A mask as set forth in claim 29, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of projections configured to engage a periphery of the front side of the cushion when the frame and the cushion are attached. 31. A mask as set forth in claim 30, wherein the cushion further comprises a plurality of outlet openings configured to allow a flow of gas out of the internal space. 32. A mask as set forth in claim 31, wherein the plurality of outlet openings are tapered down in cross section from an interior surface of the cushion to an exterior surface. 33. A mask as set forth in claim 32, wherein ends of the first and second folding bellows structures are rounded. 34. A mask as set forth in claim 33, wherein the frame comprises a connector configured to connect a conduit configured to deliver the flow of breathable gas. 35. A mask as set forth in claim 34, wherein the frame comprises at least one fixture configured to receive a strap.