Flexible connector

1. A connector structured to connect a delivery conduit to a patient interface device comprising:

(a) a flexible coupling comprising:

(1) a first end,

(2) a second end, and

(3) a bellows portion extending radially with respect to a central axis between the first end and the second end, the bellows portion having a longitudinally directed inward bellows disposed parallel to the central axis when the flexible coupling is in a non-flexed state; and

(b) a swivel connector connected to the flexible coupling.

2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein the second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the delivery conduit, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the patient interface device.

3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein the second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the patient interface device, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the delivery conduit.

4. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the bellows portion has a curved S-shape cross-section.

5. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the bellows portion has a narrowed neck portion.

6. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the bellows portion has a plurality of corrugations.

7. The connector of claim 1 , further comprising an exhaust member structured to allow an exhaust path for a patient's exhaled breath.

8. The connector of claim 1 , further comprising a hinge element structured to limit an amount of movement of the flexible coupling.

9. The connector of claim 1 , further comprising an entrainment valve structured to supply a patient with ambient air should a flow of breathing gas being delivered to such patient be interrupted.

10. A connector structured to connect a delivery conduit to a patient interface device comprising:

(a) a flexible coupling comprising:

(1) a first end,

(2) a second, and

(3) a bellows portion extending radially with respect to a central axis between the first end and the second end, wherein the bellows portion includes a longitudinally directed inward bellows disposed parallel to the central axis when the flexible coupling is in a non-flexed state; and

(b) (1) hinge clement structured to limit an amount of movement of the flexible, coupling, (2) an entrainment valve structured to supply a patient with ambient air should a flow of breathing gas being delivered to the patient be interrupted, or (3) both the hinge element and the entrainment valve.

11. The connector of claim 10 , wherein the flexible coupling is structured to connect with at least one of the delivery conduit and the patient interface device.

12. The connector of claim 11 , further comprising a swivel connector structured to connect with the flexible coupling.

13. The connector of claim 12 , wherein the first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein the second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the delivery conduit, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the patient interface device.

14. The connector of claim 12 , wherein the first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein the second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the patient interface device, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the delivery conduit.

15. The connector of claim 12 , further comprising an exhaust member structured to allow an exhaust path for the patient's exhaled breath.

16. The connector of claim 10 , wherein the bellows has a curved S-shape cross-section.

17. A system for delivering a pressurized breathing gas to a patient, comprising:

(a) a patient interface device;

(b) a gas flow generating device structure to produce a flow of gas;

(c) a delivery conduit having a first end portion operatively coupled to the gas flow generating device and a second end portion, wherein the delivery conduit is structured to carry the flow of gas from the gas flow generating device during operation of the system; and

(d) a connector structured to connect the delivery conduit to the patient interface device, the connector comprising:

(1) a flexible coupling comprising:

(i) a first end,

(ii) a second end, and

(iii) a bellows portion extending radially with respect to a central axis between the first end and the second end, the bellows portion having a longitudinally directed inward bellows disposed parallel to the central axis when the flexible coupling is in a non-flexed state; and

(2) a swivel connector connected to the flexible coupling.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein the second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the delivery conduit, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the patient interface device.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein the second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the patient interface device, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the delivery conduit.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the bellows portion has a curved S-shape cross-section.

21. The system of claim 17 , wherein the bellows portion has a narrowed neck portion.

22. The system of claim 17 , wherein the bellows portion has a plurality of corrugations.

23. The system of claim 17 , wherein the connector further comprises an exhaust member structured to allow an exhaust path for the patient's exhaled breath.

24. The system of claim 17 , wherein the connector further comprises a hinge element structured to limit an amount of movement of the flexible coupling.

25. The system of claim 17 , wherein the connector further comprises an entrainment valve structured to supply the patient with ambient air should the flow of gas be interrupted.

26. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the S-shape cross section has outer portions and a lower interior curve therebetween, and wherein the bellows portion has a thickness that gradually reduces from a maximum thickness at the outer portions to a minimum thickness at the lower interior curve.