Hollow structure for breathing mask
View Patent ↗A hollow structure for a face mask includes an inner wall, an outer wall spaced from the inner wall to define a hollow area between the inner wall and the outer wall, and a bottom wall that couples the inner wall to the outer wall. A first portion and a second portion together define a closable opening into the hollow area. The second portion is coupled to the outer wall by a bi-stable membrane that allows the second portion to move between (1) a first, opened position in which the second portion is spaced from the first portion to allow access to the hollow area through the opening, and (2) a second, closed position in which the second position abuts the first portion to close the opening.
1. A hollow structure, comprising:
an inner wall;
an outer wall spaced from the inner wall to define a hollow area between the inner wall and the outer wall;
a bottom wall that couples the inner wall to the outer wall; and
a first portion and a second portion which together define a closable opening into the hollow area, the second portion being coupled to the outer wall by a membrane,
wherein the membrane is a bi-stable membrane that is movable between 1) a first position in which the second portion is spaced from the first portion to allow access to the hollow area through the opening, and 2) a second position in which the second portion abuts the first portion to close the opening,
wherein the bi-stable membrane is configured to remain in the first position and the second position without application of additional forces external to the bi-stable membrane, and
wherein the hollow structure is a cushion for a breathing mask.
2. The hollow structure of claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall includes a face-contacting portion arranged to form a contact zone configured to rest against a patient's face.
3. The hollow structure of claim 2 , wherein the face-contacting portion is configured to seal against the patient's face.
4. The hollow structure of claim 3 , wherein the hollow structure is provided with a connection structure adapted to connect the hollow structure to a component of a face mask.
5. The hollow structure of claim 2 , wherein the hollow structure includes a first section filled with a filler material.
6. The hollow structure of claim 5 , wherein the filler material is a fluid, gas, liquid, foam, expandable fluid, powder and/or gel.
7. The hollow structure of claim 5 , wherein the hollow structure includes a second section and a third section, the third section including the first portion, the second portion and the closable opening.
8. The hollow structure of claim 7 , wherein the second section is arranged between the first section and the third section and forms a transition between the first section and the third section.
9. The hollow structure of claim 8 , wherein the first section includes the hollow area, and the second section includes a second hollow area.
10. The hollow structure of claim 9 , wherein the second hollow area is configured to be filled with the filler material.