Humidification face mask

Abstract

A self-contained re-humidification mask ( 1 ) having locating means ( 6 ) to enable the mask to be supported in an operative position on a user ( 4 ) is provided. The mask has a wall ( 2 ) shaped as a moulded domed mask configured to cover the face of a user from the nose to the chin. An endless peripheral edge is shaped and configured to generally anatomically follow the contours of a face of a user to define, with the face of a user, an air pocket ( 24 ). The mask has a single inlet-outlet aperture ( 8 ) located generally opposite a position occupied in use by a mouth of a user, and at least one re-humidification assembly ( 9 ) located in the inlet-outlet aperture such that it substantially fills the aperture. The re-humidification assembly includes a coil ( 17 ) of corrugated hygroscopic paper having an axis of the coil extending in the direction of fluid flow through the inlet-outlet aperture. The re-humidification mask preferably has a wall formed from a non-woven synthetic fibre sheet that is press moulded and heat set to the domed shape thereof.

1 . A self-contained re-humidification mask having locating means to enable the mask to be supported in an operative position on a user, the mask having a wall shaped as a moulded domed mask configured to cover the face of a user from the nose to the chin, the mask having an endless peripheral edge shaped and configured to generally anatomically follow the contours of a face of a user such that, in use, the domed shape of the mask defines, with the face of a user, an air pocket, the mask having a single inlet-outlet aperture located generally opposite a position occupied in use by a mouth of a user, and at least one re-humidification assembly located in the inlet-outlet aperture such that it substantially fills the aperture and is in open communication with the mouth and nose of the user and defines a fluid flow passage between the atmosphere and the air pocket, wherein the re-humidification assembly includes a coil of corrugated hygroscopic paper having an axis of the coil extending in the direction of fluid flow through the inlet-outlet aperture. 
     
     
         2 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the inlet-outlet aperture is defined by a squat tubular holder composed of an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve with each sleeve having an outwardly directed flange at one end thereof with the periphery of a hole cut in the mask wall extending between the two flanges so as to support the tubular holder in the mask and wherein the inner and outer sleeves have formations for holding the re-humidification assembly captive within the tubular holder. 
     
     
         3 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the mask wall is formed from a non-woven synthetic fibre sheet that is press moulded and heat set to the domed shape thereof and the inlet-outlet aperture is located in a hole cut from the mask wall. 
     
     
         4 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 3  in which the non-woven synthetic fibre sheet contains relatively low and high melting fibres and the press moulding is carried out at a temperature selected to cause the low melting fibres to trap the high melting fibres in the final shape of the wall and wherein the final wall is gas permeable, at least to a limited extent. 
     
     
         5 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 3  or in which the domed mask is moulded from a non-woven sheet of synthetic fibres having a weight of from 100 to 150 g/m 2  and the press moulding is carried out to provide a wall thickness in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the mask has an endless contoured peripheral edge configured to yieldingly engage the face of a user with the mask being suitably rigidly flexible to provide a suitable yielding characteristic. 
     
     
         7 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the peripheral edge of the mask has a soft, generally resilient, endless gasket formation for engagement with a user's face. 
     
     
         8 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the operative diameter of the re-humidification assembly is within the range of 10 to 80 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the corrugation height of the corrugated hygroscopic paper is in the range of 0.1 to 2.5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the re-humidification assembly has an axial dimension in the range of 8 to 25 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the re-humidification assembly includes a particle filter including electrostatic material. 
     
     
         12 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 11  in which the particle filter is suitable for the filtering of bacteria and/or viruses. 
     
     
         13 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the re-humidification assembly includes a pad impregnated with a medication. 
     
     
         14 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 13  whenever packaged together with a container containing medication for use in impregnating the pad of the mask. 
     
     
         15 . The re-humidification mask as claimed in  claim 1  in which the re-humidification mask is made as a disposable item.