Holding device for a respiratory mask

Abstract

A headband device for a respiratory mask includes a strap portion including a multi-layered construction including an inner cover layer, an outer cover layer, and foam padding. The inner cover layer has a face contacting surface adapted to contact a patient's skin in an application position of the headband device. The outer cover layer is adapted to be oriented outwardly from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device. The inner cover layer and the outer cover layer are coupled to one another via connection points that are laterally spaced from one another when viewed in cross-section, each connection point being spaced outwardly away from the face contacting surface of the inner cover layer so as to position the connection points outwardly away from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A headband device for a respiratory mask, comprising:
 a strap portion including a multi-layered construction including an inner cover layer, an outer cover layer, and foam padding,   the inner cover layer having a face contacting surface adapted to contact a patient's skin in an application position of the headband device,   the outer cover layer adapted to be oriented outwardly from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device,   wherein the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer are coupled to one another via connection points that are laterally spaced from one another when viewed in cross-section, each said connection point being spaced outwardly away from the face contacting surface of the inner cover layer so as to position the connection points outwardly away from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device.   
     
     
         18 . The headband device according to  claim 17 , wherein each lateral side of the strap portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a rounded edge. 
     
     
         19 . The headband device according to  claim 17 , wherein said foam padding is encapsulated between the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer. 
     
     
         20 . The headband device according to  claim 17 , wherein the face contacting surface extends within a first plane and said laterally spaced connection points extend within a second plane which is offset from the first plane. 
     
     
         21 . The headband device according to  claim 17 , wherein the inner cover layer includes a textile material. 
     
     
         22 . The headband device according to  claim 17 , wherein the outer cover layer includes a fleece material. 
     
     
         23 . The headband device according to  claim 17 , wherein each said connection point includes an ultra-sonic weld, a thermo-weld, or a stitching seam. 
     
     
         24 . The headband device according to  claim 17 , wherein the outer cover layer includes a fastening portion adapted to fix the strap portion to the respiratory mask, the fastening portion including a hook fastener adapted to engage with a loop fastener of the outer cover layer, and the loop fastener includes a fleece material. 
     
     
         25 . The headband device according to  claim 17 , wherein each lateral side of the strap portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a rounded edge;
 wherein said foam padding is encapsulated between the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer;   wherein the face contacting surface extends within a first plane and said laterally spaced connection points extend within a second plane which is offset from the first plane;   wherein the inner cover layer includes a textile material;   wherein the outer cover layer includes a fleece material;   wherein each said connection point includes an ultra-sonic weld or a thermo-weld;   wherein the outer cover layer includes a fastening portion adapted to fix the strap portion to the respiratory mask, the fastening portion including a hook fastener adapted to engage with a loop fastener of the outer cover layer; and   wherein the loop fastener includes a fleece material.   
     
     
         26 . A respiratory mask arrangement, comprising:
 a respiratory mask having a forehead rest element, and   the headband device according to  claim 17 .   
     
     
         27 . A headband device for a respiratory mask, comprising:
 a pair of upper side band portions adapted to extend over a patient's ears;   an upper rear band portion adapted to extend along an upper portion of a patient's head, the upper rear band portion provided between the upper side band portions;   a pair of lower side band portions adapted to extend below the patient's ears;   a lower rear band portion adapted to extend along or adjacent a neck portion of the patient's head, the lower rear band portion provided between the lower side band portions;   a pair of connecting portions adapted to extend behind the patient's ears to interconnect the upper side band portions and upper rear band portion with the lower side band portions and lower rear band portion,   wherein:   each of the upper side band portions includes a hook and loop fastener,   each of the upper side band portions has a multi-layered construction including an inner cover layer, an outer cover layer, and foam padding,   each said inner cover layer has a face contacting surface adapted to contact a patient's skin in an application position of the headband device,   each said outer cover layer is adapted to be oriented outwardly from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device, and   each said inner cover layer and a respective said outer cover layer are coupled to one another via connection points that are laterally spaced from one another when viewed in cross-section, each said connection point being spaced outwardly away from the face contacting surface of the inner cover layer so as to position the connection points outwardly away from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device.   
     
     
         28 . The headband device according to  claim 27 , wherein each said outer cover layer includes the hook and loop fastener adapted to fix each of the side band portions to the respiratory mask, the hook and loop fastener including a hook fastener adapted to engage with a loop fastener of the outer cover layer, and the loop fastener includes a fleece material. 
     
     
         29 . The headband device according to  claim 27 , wherein the headband device is structured to maintain its spatial shape when not in use. 
     
     
         30 . The headband device according to  claim 27 , wherein the multi-layered construction includes an ultra-sonic weld or a thermo-weld. 
     
     
         31 . The headband device according to  claim 27 , wherein each lateral side of the side band portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a rounded edge. 
     
     
         32 . The headband device according to  claim 27 , wherein the face contacting surface has a generally convex exterior surface. 
     
     
         33 . The headband device according to  claim 27 , wherein each said foam padding is encapsulated between a respective said inner cover layer and outer cover layer. 
     
     
         34 . The headband device according to  claim 27 , wherein the face contacting surface extends within a first plane and said laterally spaced connection points extend within a second plane which is offset from the first plane. 
     
     
         35 . The headband device according to  claim 27 , wherein the lower rear band portion has the multi-layered construction. 
     
     
         36 . The headband device according to  claim 27 , wherein each said outer cover layer includes the hook and loop fastener adapted to fix the at least one of the band portions to the respiratory mask, the hook and loop fastener including a hook fastener adapted to engage with a loop fastener of the outer cover layer;
 wherein the loop fastener includes a fleece material;   wherein the multi-layered construction includes an ultra-sonic weld or a thermo-weld;   wherein each lateral side of the band portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a rounded edge;   wherein each said foam padding is encapsulated between to respective said inner cover layer and outer cover layer; and   wherein the face contacting surface extends within a first plane and said laterally spaced connection points extend within a second plane which is offset from the first plane.   
     
     
         37 . A respiratory mask, comprising:
 a seal adapted to form a seal with a patient's face; and   the headband device according to  claim 27 .   
     
     
         38 . A headband device for holding a respiratory mask in a position on a face of a patient to enhance a mask seal with the patient's face, the headband device including a plurality of bands for holding the respiratory mask, said plurality of bands comprising:
 at least one upper band configured to extend above a patient's ears in use;   at least one lower band configured to extend below the patient's ears in use; and   a back head portion,   wherein at least one band of said plurality of bands includes a multi-layered construction having at least a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer of a different material from the first fabric layer, said first fabric layer being constructed and arranged to be located on a patient-contacting side in use, and said second fabric layer being constructed and arranged to be located on a non-patient-contacting side in use,   wherein said first fabric layer and said second fabric layer are coupled by at least one connection configured to be positioned away from the patient's face when in use, and   wherein said at least one band of said plurality of bands has a first rounded lateral edge when viewed in cross-section.   
     
     
         39 . The headband device of  claim 38 , wherein the multi-layer construction comprises a layer of padding material between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer. 
     
     
         40 . The headband device of  claim 38 , wherein the multi-layer construction further comprises a foam layer, the foam layer positioned between said first fabric layer and said second fabric layer. 
     
     
         41 . The headband device of  claim 38 , wherein the at least one band of said plurality of bands includes a second rounded lateral edge, opposite said first rounded lateral edge, as viewed in said cross section. 
     
     
         42 . The headband device of  claim 38 , wherein the back head portion comprises back head bands being configured to engage a back of a patient's head and extend on either side of a patient's parietal bone behind the patient's ears and assume, in use, a substantially oval shape. 
     
     
         43 . The headband device of  claim 38 , wherein said at least one lower strap and said at least one upper strap include a hook and loop material adapted for attachment to the respiratory mask. 
     
     
         44 . The headband device of  claim 38 , wherein the headband device is structured to maintain a spatial shape when not in use. 
     
     
         45 . The headband device of  claim 38 , wherein the at least one connection includes laterally spaced connections. 
     
     
         46 . The headband device of  claim 38 , wherein the multi-layer construction comprises a layer of foam padding material between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer;
 wherein said foam padding material is encapsulated between said first fabric layer and said second fabric layer;   wherein the at least one band of said plurality of bands includes a second rounded lateral edge, opposite said first rounded lateral edge, as viewed in said cross section; and   wherein the at least one connection includes laterally spaced connections.