The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 18, 2005
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2001
Daniel A. Japuntich, St. Paul, MN (US);
Vaughn B. Grannis, Inver Grove Heights, MN (US);
Harold J. Seppala, St. Paul, MN (US);
Anthony B. Ferguson, Woodbury, MN (US);
Daniel A. Japuntich, St. Paul, MN (US);
Vaughn B. Grannis, Inver Grove Heights, MN (US);
Harold J. Seppala, St. Paul, MN (US);
Anthony B. Ferguson, Woodbury, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A filtering face mask that comprises a mask body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer, the mask body comprising a filtration layer through which inhaled air may pass before being inhaled by a wearer of the face mask; and an exhalation valve that is attached to the mask body, the exhalation valve allowing air exhaled by a wearer to pass from an interior of the mask body to its exterior without having to pass through the filtration layer, the exhalation valve comprising: a valve seat that comprises: a seal surface; and an orifice that is circumscribed by the seal surface; and a single flexible flap that has one fixed portion and one free portion and a circumferential edge, the circumferential edge having a first segment that is associated with the one fixed portion of the flap so as to remain at rest during an exhalation and having a second segment that is associated with the one free portion of the flexible flap so as to be lifted away from the seal surface during an exhalation, the second segment of the circumferential edge also being located below the first segment when the filtering face mask is worn on a person, the flexible flap being mounted to the valve seat such that the one free portion of the flap is pressed towards the seal surface in an abutting relationship with it when a fluid is not passing through the orifice.