WO2015123718A1

WO2015123718A1 - A mask

Info

Publication number: WO2015123718A1
Application number: PCT/AU2015/000083
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Batty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-18
Filing date: 2015-02-17
Publication date: 2015-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-18

Abstract

A mask (1; 100) for the promotion of nasal breathing comprises an elongate mouth cover (5) for placement over a user's mouth, the mouth cover (5) having a front face (8) and a rear face (10) and a peripheral seal (15) extending away from the rear face (10), the peripheral seal (15) being adapted to contact and seal against skin surrounding the mouth of a user during use. The mask further includes an adjustable valve (30) operatively associated with the mouth cover (5) for the selective flow of air between the front face (8) of the mouth cover (5) and the rear face (10) thereof.

Description

A MASK

Field

[0001] The invention relates to a mask for the promotion of nasal breathing. Background

[0002] Nasal breathing relates to the concept of breathing through the nostrils rather than through the mouth. Nasal breathing allows for the proper mixing of inhaled air with the gas nitric oxide (NO) which is produced in the nasal sinuses. In the lungs, nitric oxide enhances the uptake of oxygen which is vital to all physiology in the human body.

[0003] Depending on the individual concerned, the possible benefits of breathing through the nostrils include:

1. High blood pressure may be reduced.

2. High blood cholesterol levels may be reduced.

3. Snoring may be reduced or eliminated.

4. Sleep apnoea occurrences may be reduced.

5. Sleep pattern may be improved.

6. Energy levels and mental alertness may be increased.

7. Incidence of respiratory infections may be reduced.

8. Nocturnal drooling may be reduced and contained.

9. Nocturnal teeth grinding may be reduced or eliminated.

10. May aid in treatment of depression.

1 1. May aid in cognitive and memory function.

12. Weight gain may be reduced.

13. Hair loss may be reduced.

14. Occurrence of headaches and migraines maybe reduced.

15. Chance of developing adult onset of Type II diabetes may be reduced.

16. May be used by athletes in training to benefit from enhanced oxygen utilisation. [0004] It can be difficult for a person to concentrate on breathing through his/her nostrils rather than through the mouth to obtain the possible benefits listed above. Furthermore, if the person is asleep then under normal circumstances (i.e. when both the nasal passages and the mouth are unblocked) he/she has no natural control over whether to breathe through the mouth or through the nose or both.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to assist in the promotion of nasal breathing at least to an extent.

[0006] A preferred embodiment aims to promote nasal breathing in a controllable environment. Summary of Invention

[0007] There is disclosed herein a mask for the promotion of nasal breathing, comprising: an elongate mouth cover for placement over a user's mouth, the mouth cover having a front face and a rear face and a peripheral seal extending away from the rear face, the peripheral seal being adapted to contact and seal against skin surrounding the mouth of a user during use, and an adjustable valve operatively associated with the mouth cover for the selective flow of air between the front face of the mouth cover and the rear face thereof.

[0008] In use, the mask provides a means of selectively reducing the oxygen available to a user's mouth, so as to promote nasal breathing. The level of reduction in oxygen flow to the user's mouth is adjustable and the mouth cover can therefore be operated at a setting that is comfortable for the user.

[0009] Preferably, the mouth cover includes a peripheral sidewall extending rearwardly between the rear face and the peripheral seal. The sidewall creates a gap between the rear face of the mouth cover and the peripheral seal for the increased comfort of the user when the mask is being worn. More preferably, the mask includes a removable soft sponge that is accommodated in the gap. The soft sponge increases user comfort, helps to keep the user's lips together and to absorb any saliva flow. [0010] Preferably, the valve is adjustable between at least a fully open position and a fully closed position. More preferably, the valve is adjustable to at least one intermediate position between the fully open position and the fully closed position. Preferably, the valve is a rotary valve. Preferably, the rotary valve includes a static component integrally formed with the cover plate and an adjustable component detachably connectable to the static component and rotatably movable relative thereto. Preferably, the mouth cover is formed from polyurethane or medical grade silicone. Preferably, the static component of the valve has a generally circular peripheral rim. Preferably, the mouth cover includes an aperture at either end thereof in which a head/neck band is received. Preferably, the head band includes a generally circular ring adapted to closely fit over the peripheral rim for attachment of the head band to the mouth cover. In use, the generally circular ring is held in place by tension of the strap and provides an even pressure over the mouth cover to assist in holding it in place. Preferably, the head band is adjustable to fit a user's head or neck. Preferably, the mouth cover has a profile that is curved to fit the face of a user. Pressure generated inside the mask when worn with the adjustable valve in the fully closed position helps to keep a user's lips close together and restricts the mouth from opening.

[0011] There is further disclosed herein a mask for the promotion of nasal breathing, including a mouth cover as disclosed herein and a head band attached thereto.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0013] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mouth cover of a mask according to a first embodiment;

[0014] Fig. 2 is an exploded plan view of the mouth cover of Fig.1 ; [0015] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the mouth cover of Fig. 1; [0016] Fig. 4 is a right side view of the mouth cover of Fig. 1 ;

[0017] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a mask including the mouth cover of Fig. 1 attached to a head/neck band; [0018] Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the mask of Fig. 1 in situ over the mouth of a user;

[0019] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a mask including a mouth cover according to a second embodiment attached to a head/neck band; and

[0020] Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the mask of Fig. 7 in situ over the mouth of a user. Description of Embodiments

[0021] A first embodiment of the mask 1 includes an elongate polyurethane mouth cover 5 shown in Figs 1 to 5. The mouth cover 5 has a generally oval shape in plan view (see Fig. 2) such that the cover is at its widest at a central portion 2 thereof and tapers to a narrower width at the ends 4, 6 thereof, and having a curved profile (seen in Fig. 3) so that it fits easily over the facial contours of a user in the vicinity of the user's mouth.

[0022] The mouth cover 5 has a front face 8 and a rear face 10 (seen in Fig. 3). The rear face 10 has a peripheral sidewall 12 extending therefrom that creates a gap between the front face 8 and rear face 10 when the mask 1 is being worn by a user. A peripheral seal 15 extends rearwardly from the peripheral sidewall 12, the seal 15 including an outwardly turned flange 20 that is adapted in use to contact and seal against the skin of a user surrounding the user's mouth, in a manner similar to the seal of a snorkel mask. The mask includes a removable soft sponge 60 or similar cushioning and absorbent material that is accommodated in the gap between the rear face 10 and the peripheral seal 15.

[0023] The mouth cover 5 includes a rotary ventilator valve 30 that provides a means of selectively allowing air to flow from the front face 8 of the mouth cover 1 through to the rear face 10, or selectively blocking air flow therethrough. The rotary ventilator valve 30 has a circular valve plate 32 that is integrally formed with the mouth cover 5 and is therefore static in use. The valve plate 32 has a circular aperture 37 at the centre thereof and a plurality of radially spaced apertures 35 located around the aperture 37 in a lower semi-circle thereof, the apertures 35 extending from the front face 8 through to the rear face 10 of the mouth cover 5. The rotary valve 30 also has an adjustable valve component 40 consisting of a circular disc of the same dimensions as the valve plate 32. The adjustable valve component 40 has a central lug 47 that is sized to be a complimentary fit inside the central aperture 37 in the valve plate 32. The adjustable valve component also has a plurality of apertures 45 located around the central lug 47 in one hemisphere thereof, the other hemisphere being solid and having no apertures. The adjustable valve component 40 is attachable to the front of the valve plate 32 by inserting the central lug 47 into the aperture 37. A resilient flange 48 at the lower end of the lug 47, just seen in Fig. 1 and in dotted lines in Fig. 2, yields during insertion of the lug 47 and snaps back into shape once it has passed through it to secure the adjustable valve component 40 in place for rotation within the aperture 37. The apertures 45 of the adjustable valve component 40 correspond to the apertures 35 of the valve plate 32. The adjustable valve component 40 is rotatably adjustable by the user of the mask 1 to selectively expose or cover up one or more of the apertures 35 in the static valve plate 32 to allow a greater or lesser amount of air to flow through the rotary ventilator valve 30.

[0024] The rotary ventilator valve 30 is adjustable between a fully open setting at which each of the apertures 45 of the adjustable valve component 40 align with each of the apertures 35 so as to permit air flow therethrough and a fully closed setting at which each of the apertures 35 is covered up by the solid portion of the adjustable valve component 40 such that no air is permitted to flow through any of the apertures 35. At least one intermediate setting is possible in which the adjustable valve component 40 is rotated to a position at which a selected number of the apertures 45 align with a corresponding number of the apertures 35 to allow a controlled amount of air flow through the valve 30.

[0025] The tapered ends 4, 6 of the mouth cover 5 each include a slot 9 through which an adjustable head/neck band 50 can be inserted (see Figs. 5 and 6). The head/neck band 50 allows the user to attach the mouth cover 1 to his or her face such that the mask 1 can be worn over the mouth without otherwise needing to be held in place. It may sit round the user's head or the user's neck and is adjustable to accommodate either possibility. The head/neck band 50 may include a portion that extends over the top of a user's head as well as around the user's face in order to secure the mask 1 in place. The head/neck band may include one or more padded sections for added comfort and extra hold.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment of the mask 100, seen in Figures 7 and 8, the adjustable valve component 40 is affixed to the valve plate 32 at the rear face 10 of the mouth cover 5, via a nut 165. The adjustable valve component 40 now also has a central aperture 166 of the same diameter as the central aperture 37 of the valve plate. The nut 165 extends from the front of the mouth cover 5, through the central aperture 37 and the central aperture 166 and is attached to or formed integrally with the perimeter of the aperture 166 for co-rotation of the valve component 40. The head of the nut 165 includes a groove 167 to facilitate user rotation of the valve component 40 from the front of the mouth cover 5 by using a coin or similar item to rotate the nut 165.

[0027] The head/neck strap 50 now extends through the slots 9 which act as guide slots for the head/neck strap 50. The head/neck strap 50 is attached at its ends to a rigid polyurethane ring 170 that is sized to fit closely over the valve plate 32 to keep the head/neck strap 50 in place on the mouth cover 5. In use of the mask 100, the ring 170 is held in place under the tension of the strap 50 and provides for an even pressure distribution over the mouth cover 5 to assist in holding it in place on the user.

[0028] Adjustability of the head/neck strap is achieved via conventional means, for example, using a slider in a manner similar to a bra strap.

[0029] The mask 1, 100 is intended to be worn at a setting of the rotary ventilator valve 30 that reduces the air flow through the valve, and hence which reduces respiration through the mouth. Placing the rotary ventilator valve 30 in a fully closed position whilst the mouth cover 5 is sealed over the mouth of a user will result in very little or no air flow to the mouth of the user, forcing the user to breathe through his/her nostrils. However, to use the mask 1, 100 in this setting, the user must have unobstructed nasal passages and be instructed on nasal breathing techniques such as an "alternate nostril breathing" exercise as is known in the art.

[0030] It is therefore envisaged that the user sets the rotary ventilator valve 30 to an aperture setting at which he/she feels comfortable and, over time, reduces the number of apertures that are open to air flow until he/she is comfortable with the fully closed setting. Optimum benefits to the user can be achieved by wearing the mask 1 overnight, therefore prolonging the promotion of nasal breathing over an extended period of time, but it is recommended that the mask 1, 100 be worn in the daytime until such time as the user is comfortable and relaxed wearing the mask 1 , 100. [0031] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be considered by persons skilled in the art that some elements of the embodiments can be combined and/or used in either embodiment and that the invention can be described in many other forms. In particular, it is envisaged that the mouth cover may be made from a variety of different materials and is not to be limited to those materials described herein.

Claims

1. A mask for the promotion of nasal breathing, comprising: an elongate mouth cover for placement over a user's mouth, the mouth cover having a front face and a rear face and a peripheral seal extending away from the rear face, the peripheral seal being adapted to contact and seal against skin surrounding the mouth of a user during use, and an adjustable valve operatively associated with the mouth cover for the selective flow of air between the front face of the mouth cover and the rear face thereof.

2. The mask of claim 1, further including a peripheral side wall extending rearwardly between the rear face and the peripheral seal.

3. The mask of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the valve is adjustable between at least a fully open position and a fully closed position.

4. The mask of claim 3, wherein the valve is adjustable to at least one intermediate position between the fully open position and the fully closed position.

5. The mask of either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the valve is a rotary valve.

6. The mask of claim 5, wherein the rotary valve includes a static component integrally formed with the cover plate and an adjustable component detachably connectable to the static component and rotatably movable relative thereto.

7. The mask of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the mouth cover is formed from

polyurethane or medical grade silicone.

8. The mask of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mouth cover has a profile that is curved to fit the face of a user.

9. The mask of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the static component of the valve includes a generally circular peripheral rim.

10. The mask of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mouth cover includes an aperture at either end thereof in which a head band is received.

11. The mask of claim 10 when dependent on claim 9, in which the head band includes a generally circular ring adapted to closely fit over the peripheral rim for attachment of the head band to the mask.

12. The mask of either claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the head band is adjustable.

13. The mask of any one of the preceding claims, further including a removable foam or sponge pad arranged in a rear of the mask between the rear face of the mouth cover and the peripheral seal.