Exhalation valve cover for a face mask and face mask comprising the same

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of exhalation valve cover for face mask, comprising: cover plate;Multiple first supports, it is distributed around cover plate and extends from cover plate perpendicular to the plane where cover plate is located;Sealing ring, it is oppositely arranged with cover plate and is connected to multiple first supports;Multiple second supports, it is arranged on the bottom surface of cover plate, extends in parallel to the plane where cover plate is located and is connected to cover plate;Wherein cover plate, multiple first supports and sealing ring together define multiple first exhalation holes, and cover plate includes central hole in the center, multiple second supports divide central hole into multiple second exhalation holes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an exhalation valve cover for a face mask and a face mask including the exhalation valve cover. Technical Background

[0002] In existing technologies, protective face shields (such as medical masks, dust masks, or industrial respirators) typically block harmful substances from the outside world through filter materials. However, users often face high breathing resistance when exhaling, especially when worn for extended periods. Traditional face shield designs focus primarily on filtration efficiency and sealing, while neglecting the hydrodynamic optimization of the exhalation channel. This results in poor exhalation, leading to stuffiness, respiratory fatigue, and other problems, thus affecting wearing comfort.

[0003] While some face masks reduce exhalation resistance by adding an exhaust valve, this design may increase cost or reduce filtration integrity, especially posing a risk of contamination if the one-way valve fails. Therefore, how to effectively reduce exhalation resistance through structural optimization (such as airflow guidance design and the application of low-resistance materials) while ensuring protective performance has become a key technical issue for improving the practicality and user experience of face masks.

[0004] Furthermore, existing face mask exhalation valves typically employ a single-layer baffle or a simple perforated structure, causing airflow to concentrate through a single channel during exhalation. This can easily lead to problems such as high exhalation resistance and uneven airflow distribution. Some exhalation valves also lack sufficient sealing, potentially allowing external contaminants to seep in and compromise protective effectiveness. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an exhalation valve cover structure that can optimize airflow distribution, reduce breathing resistance, and ensure a tight seal. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, this invention proposes an exhalation valve cover for face masks. Through a multi-stage diversion structure, it optimizes the airflow path inside the face mask and optimizes the bracket layout, achieving a significant reduction in exhalation resistance, uniform airflow distribution, and reliable sealing without the need for complex components, while simultaneously ensuring both protective effectiveness and wearing comfort.

[0006] The exhalation valve cover for a face mask according to this invention includes: a cover plate; a plurality of first supports distributed around the cover plate and extending from the cover plate perpendicular to the plane in which the cover plate is located; a sealing ring arranged opposite to the cover plate and connected to the plurality of first supports; and a plurality of second supports arranged on the bottom surface of the cover plate, extending in a plane parallel to the plane in which the cover plate is located and connected to the cover plate. The cover plate, the plurality of first supports, and the sealing ring together define a plurality of first exhalation holes. The cover plate also includes a central hole in the center, and the plurality of second supports divide the central hole into a plurality of second exhalation holes. The exhalation valve cover according to this invention provides a plurality of first exhalation holes and a plurality of second exhalation holes through an optimized exhalation valve structure including a cover plate, a plurality of first supports, a sealing ring, and a plurality of second supports. This provides a multi-stage flow distribution structure and optimizes the airflow path inside the face mask, achieving a significant reduction in exhalation resistance, uniform airflow distribution, and reliable sealing without the need for complex components, while simultaneously ensuring protective effectiveness and wearing comfort.

[0007] In one variation, the number of first supports is 4-8, and they are evenly distributed around the cover plate. Preferably, the number of first supports is 6, and the number of first exhalation holes is 6, all of the same size. This structure of the exhalation valve cover optimizes the support layout while providing uniform airflow distribution, thereby reducing expiratory resistance.

[0008] In one variation, the central hole is shaped as a polygon, a circle, or an ellipse. Preferably, the central hole is a regular hexagon with chamfered corners. This structure ensures structural strength while reducing weight, and the chamfered corners reduce airflow turbulence.

[0009] In one variation, the number of secondary supports is 2-8, and the number of secondary exhalation ports is one more than the number of secondary supports. Preferably, the number of secondary supports is 5, and the number of secondary exhalation ports is 6, with not all ports being the same size. This structure provides structural strength and a multi-stage flow distribution structure, resulting in a significant reduction in expiratory resistance.

[0010] In one variation, the sealing ring is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure for engaging with the exhalation valve seat. This snap-fit ​​structure provides easy removal of the exhalation valve cover while ensuring a tight fit between the valve cover and the valve seat.

[0011] In one variation, the cover, multiple first supports, sealing ring, and multiple second supports are integrally molded. The one-piece design of the exhalation valve cover eliminates seams, improving both the product's aesthetics and manufacturing costs.

[0012] This invention also provides a face mask including the above-mentioned exhalation valve cover.

[0013] The present invention provides an exhalation valve cover for a face mask and a face mask including the exhalation valve cover, which provides a plurality of first exhalation holes and a plurality of second exhalation holes, thereby setting up a multi-stage diversion structure and optimizing the airflow path inside the face mask. It achieves a significant reduction in exhalation resistance, uniform airflow distribution and reliable sealing without the need for complex components, while also taking into account both protective effectiveness and wearing comfort. Attached Figure Description

[0014] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the corresponding accompanying drawings. These illustrative descriptions do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the exhalation valve cover of the present invention installed on a face mask;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a close-up schematic diagram of the exhalation valve cover according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the exhalation valve cover being removed from the mask according to this utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow path of the exhalation valve cover according to this utility model.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a comparison of exhalation resistance and airtightness between a mask equipped with the exhalation valve cover according to this utility model and existing masks. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the various embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following detailed description of the embodiments of this utility model provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed utility model, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the utility model. The technical solutions claimed by this utility model can be implemented even without these technical details and various variations and modifications based on the following embodiments.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used only to describe features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or the order of the indicated technical features.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "provided," "set up," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0023] The exhalation valve cover 1 for a face mask 100 of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the exhalation valve cover 1 according to this utility model includes a cover plate 10. The cover plate 10 adopts a circular or elliptical design with a thickness of 0.5-1.5mm, preferably 1.0mm, to ensure structural strength while reducing weight. The cover plate 10 includes a top surface 102 facing the external environment during installation and a bottom surface 101 opposite to the top surface. A central hole is provided in the center of the cover plate 10, and the shape of the central hole is one of polygonal, circular, or elliptical. It is worth noting that other suitable shapes of the central hole are also readily conceivable. Preferably, the central hole is in the shape of a regular hexagon, with each corner having a chamfer of a certain radius, such as R0.5mm-3mm, to reduce airflow turbulence.

[0025] The exhalation valve cover 1 according to this utility model further includes a plurality of first supports 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The plurality of first supports 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are distributed around the cover plate 10 and extend from the cover plate 10 perpendicularly to the plane containing the cover plate 10. In one embodiment, the plurality of first supports are evenly distributed along the edge of the cover plate 10, forming a vertically downward extending rib structure with a height of 2-20 mm and a width of 1-8 mm. In one embodiment, the number of the plurality of first supports 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 is 4-8 and evenly distributed around the cover plate 10, preferably including 6 first supports.

[0026] The exhalation valve cover 1 according to this utility model further includes a sealing ring 20, which is arranged opposite to the cover plate 10 and connected to a plurality of first supports 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. In one embodiment, the sealing ring 20 has an annular structure, with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the exhalation valve seat 2 of the mask 100 to ensure an interference fit, thereby enhancing the sealing effect. In one embodiment, the inner side of the sealing ring 20 is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure 201, which can adopt an elastic barb or groove design to cooperate with the corresponding flange of the exhalation valve seat 2 to achieve detachable fixation.

[0027] The exhalation valve cover 1 according to this utility model further includes a plurality of second supports 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45, which are arranged on the bottom surface 101 of the cover plate 10, extend in a plane parallel to the cover plate 10, and are connected to the cover plate 10. In one embodiment, the plurality of second supports are fixed parallel to each other on the bottom surface 101 of the cover plate 10, with a width of 1mm-5mm and a length covering the radius of the central hole 31. In one embodiment, the number of the plurality of second supports 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 is 2-8, preferably 5.

[0028] In the exhalation valve cover 1 according to the present invention, the cover plate 10, a plurality of first supports 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and a sealing ring 20 together define a plurality of first exhalation holes 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. In one embodiment, the first exhalation holes 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 are all the same size and are generally elliptical or polygonal in shape. In one embodiment, the number of the plurality of first exhalation holes is the same as the number of the plurality of first supports.

[0029] Furthermore, in the exhalation valve cover 1 according to this utility model, a plurality of second supports 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 divide the central hole 31 into a plurality of second exhalation holes 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56. In one embodiment, the plurality of second exhalation holes 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 are of the same size. In another embodiment, the plurality of second exhalation holes 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 are not all of the same size and are generally rectangular in shape. In one embodiment, the number of the plurality of second exhalation holes 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 is one more than the number of the plurality of second supports 41, 42, 43, 44, 45. In one embodiment, there are five second supports 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45, and six second exhalation ports 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56, wherein the two second exhalation ports located in the central region are larger in size, and the four second exhalation ports located at the edges are smaller in size, in order to optimize airflow distribution.

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, during use, the user's exhaled air is discharged through multiple first exhalation ports 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and multiple second exhalation ports 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56. This design effectively reduces expiratory resistance.

[0031] In one embodiment, the cover plate 10, a plurality of first supports 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, sealing ring 20, and a plurality of second supports 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are integrally molded. In another embodiment, it is made of medical-grade polypropylene (PP) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) through one-time injection molding, resulting in a seamless structure.

[0032] Figure 5 This data compares the expiratory resistance and airtightness of a mask 100 equipped with the exhalation valve cap according to this invention with existing masks. Compared to the FH 0601 and FH 0511 masks before the SATA upgrade, the expiratory resistance of the FH 0601 and FH 0511 masks equipped with the exhalation valve cap according to this invention is significantly reduced from 243Pa and 190Pa to 125Pa and 140Pa respectively, and the airtightness is significantly improved from 28s and 20s to 131s and 134s. Furthermore, compared to commercially available mask models 3M 3200, 3M 1210, 3M HF-52, Honeywell 7200, and Honeywell 5200, the expiratory resistance is significantly reduced and the airtightness is significantly improved.

[0033] The exhalation valve cover 1 of this invention achieves low breathing resistance, and its multi-stage flow-diverting structure ensures uniform expiratory pressure distribution, resulting in a measured reduction of over 30% in expiratory resistance. It also achieves optimized sealing: the sealing ring ensures a tight fit between the valve cover and the valve seat, effectively preventing the entry of external contaminants even under negative pressure. Therefore, the exhalation valve cover of this invention achieves a significant reduction in expiratory resistance, uniform airflow distribution, and reliable sealing without the need for complex components, while simultaneously ensuring both protective effectiveness and wearing comfort.

[0034] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An exhalation valve cover (1) for a face mask, characterized in that... include: Cover plate (10); Multiple first supports (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) are distributed around the cover plate (10) and extend from the cover plate (10) perpendicular to the plane in which the cover plate (10) is located; A sealing ring (20) is arranged opposite to the cover plate (10) and connected to the plurality of first supports (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16); Multiple second supports (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) extend in a plane parallel to the cover plate (10) and are connected to the cover plate (10); The cover plate (10), the plurality of first supports (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) and the sealing ring (20) together define a plurality of first exhalation holes (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), the cover plate (10) further includes a central hole (31) in the center, and the plurality of second supports (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) divide the central hole (31) into a plurality of second exhalation holes (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56).

2. The exhalation valve cover (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the plurality of first supports (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) is 4-8 and they are evenly distributed around the cover plate (10).

3. The exhalation valve cover (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of the plurality of first supports (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) is 6, and the number of the plurality of first exhalation holes (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) is 6 and they are all the same size.

4. The exhalation valve cover (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shape of the central hole (31) is one of polygon, circle, or ellipse.

5. The exhalation valve cover (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The central hole (31) is hexagonal in shape and has chamfers at each corner.

6. The exhalation valve cover (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the plurality of second supports (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) is 2-8, and the number of the plurality of second exhalation ports (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) is one more than the number of the plurality of second supports (41, 42, 43, 44, 45).

7. The exhalation valve cover (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The number of the plurality of second supports (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) is 5, and the number of the plurality of second exhalation ports (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) is 6, and they are not all the same size.

8. The exhalation valve cover (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing ring (20) is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure (201) for engaging with the exhalation valve seat (2).

9. The exhalation valve cover (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover plate (10), the plurality of first brackets (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16), the sealing ring (20) and the plurality of second brackets (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) are integrally formed.

10. A face mask (100) comprising an exhalation valve cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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