Abstract: A single strap respirator mask with a head harness, including a respirator mask, which has a cup shape to fit over the face of a user. The mask includes a pair of ear portions located at and extending from opposite sites of the mask and each ear portion tapers in width from an inside position to an outside end as it extends from the mask. A single strap extends around the head of a user and is attached to the outside end of each ear portion. A head harness is attached to the single strap and lies against the back of the head of a user. The head harness has a width substantially larger than the width of the strap to broaden the support of the strap against the back of the head of a user.

Abstract: A corded earplug and a method of making a corded earplug, including providing a flexible cord material. Providing a mold member having at least one mold opening of a shape to produce at least an earplug portion inserting a short portion of the flexible cord material into the interior of the mold opening. Providing plastic material to form the earplug portion, and injecting the plastic material into the mold opening to surround the short portion of the cord material and to integrally form the earplug portion with the short portion of the cord material bonded within the earplug portion.

Abstract: A filter material laid in folds in a plurality of folds, characterized in that the folds are provided with at least one bending portion having a bending resistance moment that is reduced in comparison with the remaining portions and a method and apparatus for producing same.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a thermoplastic filter material laid in folds, with the folds fixed in close vicinity. The thermoplastic filter material which has been heated for forming the folds is accumulated within a cooling path such that the folds are pushed together and fixed by cooling with respect to their shape.

Abstract: An earmuff for hearing protection of the ear of a wearer, including an outer cup of rigid plastic material. An inner cup of foam material is supported by the outer cup, and a cushion is attached to the outer cup for lying around the ear of the wearer. The outer cup of rigid plastic material includes a filler of metal powder such as Carbonyl iron powder.

Abstract: A respirator mask, including a body member of a thin rigid plastic material and having an inner surface conforming to the face of a user. The body member includes as an inner surface and at least one opening to receive a filter cartridge. A first over-molded member is formed of a flexible, rubber-like material and is over-molded on the inner surface of the body member to form an over-molded inner surface to fit and seal upon the face of the user. A second over-molded member is formed of a flexible rubber-like material and is over-molded within the at least one opening for receiving a filter cartridge. The second over-molded member includes at least one flange member extending inwardly around the cartridge opening and is flexible from a first position to seal to a cartridge member and to a second position to allow the cartridge member to pass through the flange and then return to the first position to lock the cartridge member within the cartridge opening.

Abstract: An earplug dispenser for manual operation by a user includes a bottle member to receive a plurality of earplugs. A dispensing mechanism is located at an open end of the bottle member so that when the bottle member is turned upside down, the dispensing mechanism projects downward and the earplugs fall by gravity to the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism includes an impeller member having a plurality of impeller openings to have individual earplugs located within the impeller openings by gravity and additionally includes a knob member projecting downward from the impeller and including a ratchet mechanism so that the rotation of the knob provides for rotation of the impeller and any individual earplugs captured in the impeller openings in only one direction.

Abstract: A molded storage container with dual compartments for storing a plurality of useful objects including a plurality of molded storage elements, each hinged to an adjacent storage element. A first storage elements forms a bottom wall of a first storage compartment and has a configuration approximating the configuration of the useful object. A second storage element folds about a first hinge and is spaced from the first storage element to form the top wall of the first compartment. The second storage element has a similar configuration to the first storage element and forms the bottom wall of a second storage compartment. A third storage element folds about a second hinge and is spaced from the second storage element to form the top wall of the second storage compartment smaller in size than the first storage compartment. The third storage element also has a similar configuration to the first and second storage elements.

Abstract: A unidirectional fluid valve for use with a respirator includes a flexible flap initially formed as a flat resilient member. A valve body has a flat valve seat to support the flexible flap. The flexible flap is contoured to make contact with the valve seat when a fluid is not passing through the valve body, and free to lift from the valve seat when a fluid passes through the valve body. The valve body additionally includes an arm located off center relative to the flap and the arm extends inwardly in the valve body to contact the flexible flap off center to push the flexible flap at a position to deform the flexible flap to contour a concave configuration for the flexible flap and provide a secured end and a free end for the flap. In this way the flexible flap is normally pushed into sealing engagement with the flat valve seat when fluid is not passing through the valve body and is free to move away from the valve seat when fluid passes through the valve body.

Abstract: A buckle located around a resilience strap and a method of manufacturing includes a resilient strap material provided on a continuous basis and having a particular width and thickness. The strap material is stretched to reduce the width and thickness of the strap material at a particular position. A mold member is provided to form a buckle and the buckle is molded around the strap at the particular position where the strap material is reduced in width and thickness to increase the friction between the buckle and the strap material.

Abstract: An earplug composed of a resilient polymeric material including a first hollow member having a closed end and an open end and with the closed end having a rounded cone shaped configuration. At least one flange member extending from the first hollow member and having a similiar cone shaped rounded configuration as the closed end of the hollow member but larger in diameter and located rearward of the closed end. A plug member for insertion into the open end of the first member and with the plug closing off and sealing the open end of the first member to form an air pocket immediately adjacent the closed end and the flange member.The plug member serving in combination with the rearward end of the first member as a handle for insertion of the earplug in an ear canal.

Abstract: An earplug dispenser for manual operation by a user includes a bottle member to receive a plurality of earplugs. A dispensing mechanism is located at an open end of the bottle member so that when the bottle member is turned upside down, the dispensing mechanism projects downward and the earplugs fall by gravity to the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism includes an impeller member having a plurality of impeller openings to have individual earplugs located within the impeller openings by gravity and additionally includes a knob member projecting downward from the impeller so that the rotation of the knob provides for rotation of the impeller and any individual earplugs captured in the impeller openings.