Abstract: A multi-part headband attachable to a face mask blank and a method of attaching the same. The multi-part headband has a unit length corresponding to the distance between the attachment locations as measured along a surface of the face mask blank or along an axis intersecting the attachment locations, to facilitate material handling and attachment using high speed manufacturing equipment. The headband material is positioned along the headband path and attached at the left and right headband attachment locations. At least one longitudinal score line is formed in the headband material extending generally along the headband path, whereby the at least one longitudinal score line defines a multi-part headband. The face mask blank may comprise a molded cup-shaped face mask, a flat folded face mask or a variety of other face mask constructions.

Abstract: Fold-flat personal respiratory protection devices are provided. The devices have a flat central portion having first and second edges, a flat first member joined to the first edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, said fold, bond, weld or seam of the first member being substantially coextensive with said first edge of said central portion, and a flat second member joined to the second edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, the fold, bond, weld or seam of the second member being substantially coextensive with said second edge of said central portion. At least one of the central portion and first and second members are formed from filter media.

Abstract: A replaceable lens attachment system for respiratory devices and methods of use. The replaceable lens attachment system includes a face shield having rotatable attachment members and a replaceable lens. The rotatable attachment members include cams and flanges. The attachment system may further comprise a helmet respirator with support elements disposed thereon. The method includes bowing the lens and inserting it into the frame. The rotatable attachment members are rotated to urge the lens into the frame and cover the frame. The flanges and support elements provide impact resistance to the lens.

Abstract: The present specification describes a sterility indicator device which comprises a container means and a cover means. The container means comprises a plurality of discrete zones, wherein each zone contains biologically active substrate useful in determining the effectiveness of a sterilization process. Each zone is in effect an individual sterility indicator. The device results in increased reliability and accuracy due to the increased number of discrete zones. The number of discrete zones may be of sufficient size so as to provide statistically significant predictive values at the ninety-five percent or better confidence interval for lower numbers of surviving spores.

Abstract: The use of a precipitable dye and a contrast-coloring dye together enhance visualization of plaques in confluent lawns of bacteria in bacteriophage and bacteria assays. A test sample suspected of containing a bacteriophage is combined with bacteria capable of replicating the bacteriophage, and applied to a water-proof surface to form a support for bacterial growth. The support is provided with the contrast-coloring dye and precipitable dye, and nutrients and salts capable of supporting growth of the bacteria. A lawn of bacteria is formed on the support, and plaques detected on the lawn indicate presence of the bacteriophage. The plaques contain a precipitate formed by enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme of the bacterial lawn. A similar procedure is used for detecting bacteria, except that a test sample suspected of containing a bacteria is combined with bacteriophage capable of replicating in the bacteria, and plaques detected indicate presence of the bacteria.

Abstract: A fluid guide device that can evenly and effectively distribute the potential from a fluid transport source over an area substantially larger than the opening of a source conduit. The fluid guide device includes a first major surface having a structured surface that includes a plurality of flow channels disposed thereon. The flow channels extend from a first point to a second point along the structured surface and have a minimum aspect ratio of about 10:1 and a hydraulic radius no greater than about 300 micrometers (.mu.m). The fluid guide device also includes an active fluid transport source provided external to the structured polymeric surface to provide a potential over the flow channels to promote movement of matter through the flow channels from a first potential to a second potential. The fluid transport source is connected with a plurality of the flow channels of the structured surface by way of a manifold.

Abstract: A composite headband attachable to a face mask and a method for attaching same. The composite headband has at least one discrete elastomeric core and at least one continuous thermoplastic skin layer secured to the elastomeric core. The composite headband has a first modulus in an unactivated state and a second, lower modulus in an activated state. The thermoplastic skin layer forms a microtextured permanently deformed skin layer when the composite headband is in the activated state. In one embodiment, the at least one elastomeric core and the at least one thermoplastic layer are in continuous contact in the activated state. The composite headband is positioned along the headband path and attached to at least one of the left and right headband attachment locations. The headband path is either an axis intersecting the left and right headband attachment locations or a path that generally follows a contour of a surface of the face mask blank.

Abstract: An improved face mask that is retained by a carriage and harness assembly, thereby allowing the face mask to drop down from the face of the wearer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous material or a membrane in which the membrane includes an azlactone moiety which is blended with or grafted to a thermoplastic polymer to provide a porous material having an internal structure characterized by a multiplicity of spaced, randomly disposed, non-uniform shaped, equiaxed particles of the polyazlactone polymer/thermoplastic polymer blends or the azlactone-graft copolymer. Each of the adjacent particles throughout the material are separated from one another to provide said material with a network of interconnected micropores and each of the particles are connected to each other by a plurality of fibrils. In addition to unmodified azlactone membranes, membranes which have been modified by subsequent reaction of the azlactone moiety with a suitable nucleophile are also included within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: An ergonomic banded ear plug device includes a band having a connecting section and two legs configured for extending under the chin or behind the back of the head of the wearer. Plug retaining members are at the end of each of the legs for retaining resilient foam-type plug members that substantially block the ear canal of the wearer. In addition, each of the legs includes a resilient flexing section including a pair of parallel extending ribs with a slot formed therebetween. The ribs bendably flex outward and downward to provide a substantially constant force against the ear of the wearer over a broad range of sizes and rotatably flex for improved fit.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis array that includes: (a) a plurality of capillary tubes arranged adjacent each other in a generally longitudinal orientation, each of the tubes having an inlet end, and outlet end, and an internal diameter no greater than about 1000 microns; and (b) a registration assembly in which adjacent tubes are held in place with a fixed lateral spacing relative to each other at both the inlet and the outlet ends of the tubes. The array is flexible along the lengths of the tubes.

Abstract: A jaw piece is attachable to a base edge of the helmet. The jaw piece and a portion of the base edge of the helmet define a user viewing window. A first face shield is pivotable between an open position and a closed position extending across the viewing window. A seal is provided to engage with a perimeter of the viewing window when the first face shield is in the closed position. The attaching assembly for attaching the first face shield comprises a helmet cam having first helmet cam surfaces configured to releasably attach the first face shield to the protective helmet system and second helmet cam surfaces configured to releasably attach a second face shield to the protective helmet. The attaching assembly generates a first biasing force to bias the seal toward the perimeter of the viewing window when the first face shield is in the closed position and a second biasing force to bias the first face shield away from the jaw piece when in the open position.

Abstract: A shield that is configured for use with a mask to form a protective article. The mask includes (i) a central portion having a pair of opposed edges, (ii) a first portion joined to an edge of the central portion, and (iii) a second portion joined to the other edge of the central portion. At least one of the central, upper and lower portions is formed from filter media. The shield is flexible and transparent, having upper and lower edges, with the lower edge having at least one projection. It is dimensioned to cover the portion of the wearer's face not covered by the mask. The shield is adapted to be attached to the mask and moved between a first position in which the shield lower edge and the lower edge projection lies in front of the mask central portion, and a second position in which the lower edge projection engages the mask such that at least a portion of the shield lower edge lies behind the central portion.