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:
Mar. 13, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 19, 2003
Philip G. Martin, Forest Lake, MN (US);
Jianxian Xue, St. Paul, MN (US);
Philip G. Martin, Forest Lake, MN (US);
Jianxian Xue, St. Paul, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A filtering face maskthat has a mask body and a new exhalation valve. The mask body is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a person to help define an interior gas space when the mask is worn. The exhalation valvepermits fluid communication between the interior gas space and an exterior gas space. The exhalation valvehas a valve seatand a flap. The valve seatincludes a resilient seal surfaceand an orificethrough which exhaled air may pass to leave the interior gas space. The flapis mounted to the valve seatsuch that the flapmakes contact with the resilient seal surfacewhen the valve is in its closed position and such that the flapcan move away from the seal surfacein response to an exhalation to allow exhaled air to pass through the orificeto ultimately enter the exterior gas space. A filtering face mask that utilizes an exhalation valve that has a resilient seal surface can enable the valve to open under substantially less pressure, which, in turn, may improve wearer comfort.