Abstract: A method of constructing a compact protective hood comprising the steps of vulcanizing a heat-resistant, non-elastic crown to an elastomeric neck dam, the neck dam formed by injection molding directly to the crown.

Abstract: A compact protective hood comprising a pre-molded, substantially non-elastic crown having at least one preformed fold line whereby the package size of the hood is reduced by folding the hood along the at least one preformed fold line.

Abstract: A compact protective hood comprising a pre-molded, substantially non-elastic crown having at least one preformed fold line whereby the package size of the hood is reduced by folding the hood along the at least one preformed fold line

Abstract: The present invention is a flexible respiratory protective hood having interior and exterior surfaces. Multiple apertures are die-cut in the hood in a predetermined geometric configuration. A substantially rigid respiration component to provides a fluid pathway between hood interior and exterior. Raised fluid ports extend from the respiration component and are aligned with the apertures. Fluid ports extend from the hood interior surface and project from the hood exterior surface. A bond between the hood interior surface and the respiration component form a fluid impermeable seal between the respiration component and hood.

Abstract: A retractable drink system for providing fluid delivery to a wearer with a donned protective mask covering the mouth, the drink system including a drink tube mounted within the interior of the mask, the drink tube having a retracted position and a deployed position; and an actuation coupling externally accessible with respect to the mask, the actuation coupling moving the drink tube between the retracted and deployed positions.

Abstract: A fluid impermeable interface between a polymer hood and an elastomeric neck dam includes a film composite material having a fluid impermeable outer surface and a fibrous backing inner surface. At least one fiber-free fluid barrier channel is formed in the fibrous backing inner surface. An adhesive disposed within the at least one fiber-free fluid barrier channel bonds the elastomeric neck dam to the fibrous backing inner surface, forming a mechanical bond and a fluid barrier between the fibrous backing inner surface and the elastomeric neck dam.

Abstract: A flexible respiratory protective hood having interior and exterior surfaces, at least one aperture in the hood die-cut in a predetermined geometric configuration, a substantially rigid respiration component adapted to provide a fluid pathway between hood interior and exterior, at least one raised fluid port extending from the respiration component, the raised fluid port arranged in aligned relation to the aperture, the fluid port is received by the aperture in the hood interior surface and projects from the hood exterior surface whereby a portion of the hood interior surface abuts the respiration component between the raised fluid port, a bond between the hood interior surface and the respiration component thereby forming a fluid impermeable seal between the respiration component and hood.

Abstract: A retractable drink system for providing fluid delivery to a wearer with a donned protective mask covering the mouth, the drink system including a drink tube mounted within the interior of the mask, the drink tube having a retracted position and a deployed position; and an actuation coupling externally accessible with respect to the mask, the actuation coupling moving the drink tube between the retracted and deployed positions.

Abstract: A respiratory protective hood design that aligns rigid components of the respiratory protective hood into a predetermined geometric configuration suitable for a visor to overlay without causing the visor to crease while in the packaged state. An exhalation unit abuts two filtration units on each side to create a substantially uniform surface area over which a visor is disposed while in a packaged state.

Abstract: The present invention is a filter cartridge with integrated inhalation and exhalation valves. The exhalation valve integrated into the filter cartridge prevents unfiltered air from being inhaled. The inhalation valve(s), also integrated into the filter cartridge, effectively reduces the dead space inside the filter cartridge and thereby limits re-breathing of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A flexible hood has an upper part and a lower part formed integrally with the upper part. A visor is carried by the upper part and a filter is mounted to the lower part on an external side. In a first configuration, the visor is positioned away from a user's face to accommodate spectacles or goggles. In other configurations, the visor is positioned closer to the user's face to reduce the “tunnel vision” effect created by the first configuration. A continuous loop strap joins together the upper and lower parts of the hood to provide an infinite number of positions of adjustment. When the hood is not worn, it is placed into its fully retracted configuration and then compressed so that it occupies less space. When so compressed, it is folded in half with the visor abutting the filter. This storage configuration protects the visor from damage.

Abstract: A protective apparatus including a flexible hood provided with a visor movable from a distal position to a proximate position relative to the ocular area of a wearer of the hood and a slack fold coincident to a bottom portion of the visor providing the visor with a range of movement defined by the distal and proximate positions.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective hooded respirator optimized for both high protection against nuclear, chemical and/or biological agents as well as having a design configuration enabling it to be stored as a highly compact unit. The hood includes a flexible oral-nasal breathing interface interior to the hood. A filter-housing exterior to the hood is fluidly coupled by a single conduit that intakes filtered air during inhalation and exhaled air during exhalation. When in storage, the flexible oral-nasal is folded into a substantially flat configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective respiratory apparatus including a neck-sealable hood adapted to enclose the head of a wearer, the hood having an interior and exterior, two filters sealingly secured in symmetrical relation to the hood wherein air passing from the outside of the hood to the inside of the hood is filtered of contaminants, a half-mask cup inside the hood, the cup adapted to sealingly cover the nose and mouth of the wearer, the cup mechanically, but not fluidly coupled to the two filters, and at least one air intake valve in the cup wherein filtered air resident in the interior of the hood is drawn into the half-mask cup for respiration by the wearer.

Abstract: An air-impermeable hood having first and second substantially airtight seals adapted to encircle a portion of a wearer's body below the head, typically the neck. Continuously exhaled air from the wearer of the hood is channeled between the first and second seals pressurizing a space there between creating a continuously pressurized purge zone to the introduction of ambient air into the hood. When the pressure in the purge zone exceeds the resistance of the second seal, air taking the path of least resistance flows out of the second seal. The effect is that exhaled air from the wearer creates a pressurized barrier against ambient air yet also prevents the accumulation of excess carbon dioxide and moisture within the ocular area.

Abstract: The present invention is a slip resistant nasal occlusion device for protective respirators including two suction cup pads and a clip connecting them together for biasing them against the sides of a wearer”s nose to occlude the nose wherein a vacuum is created by the engagement of the suction cup pads against the surface of the wearer”s nose. An alternative embodiment of the invention employs bioadhesive to engage and secure the noseclip from slipping off the nose.

Abstract: A respiratory protective hood having an integrated, externally adjustable noseclip for occluding the nose to obstruct nasal respiration. An air-impermeable hood adapted to enclose the head of a wearer is provided. The hood has a nasal region, an ocular region and an oral region. A substantially transparent visor is sealingly integrated into the ocular region of the air-impermeable hood and adapted to permit outward vision by the wearer. A noseclip adapted to compress a wearer's nostrils together is provided thereby substantially inhibiting nasal respiration. An actuator for engaging and disengaging the noseclip from the wearer's nostrils is positioned external to a nasal access passage cut from the air-impermeable hood in the nasal region. An elastomeric air-impermeable boot securely fitted to the actuator means air-impermeably seals the nasal access passage whereby the wearer engages and disengages the noseclip to the wearer's nostrils by manipulation of the actuator.

Abstract: An improved protective breathing mask comprising fire-resistant stretchable material shaped as a hood for wearing over and enclosing the head. An access opening allows the head to be placed therethrough such that a substantially airtight closure is provided at the neck. The mask includes a visor and filter materials sealed to the stretchable material. The improvement to the basic mask construction is a breathing adaptor provided on the interior side of the mask face, which encloses a one-way respirator. The breathing adaptor maintains the mouth and nose spaced apart from the filter, and efficiently directs breathing efforts to equalize inhalation airflow via substantially all of the filter, while the one-way valve eases exhalation airflow and reduces condensation on the interior side of the visor. Thus, filter utilization is improved and the filter protection time is extended, for increased safety.

Abstract: A container is provided which includes a dry pocket nozzle receptacle for storing a pouring implement such as a nozzle. The nozzle receptacle comprises a generally cylindrical tube for accommodating a nozzle. The tube includes a threaded proximal portion having an aperture for receiving the nozzle, and a cap, which is flexibly attached to the proximal portion of the tube, for sealing the tube so as to prevent environmental exposure to the nozzle and residual container contents. In one embodiment, the nozzle receptacle is an integral part of the container, while another embodiment provides a separate device which may be used with existing containers. Yet another embodiment includes an integral frustoconical portion disposed within the cap and a similar frustoconical portion disposed within the distal end of the tube for sealing the interior of the nozzle when it is situated within the tube during storage.