Abstract: A packaged filtration mask comprising a filtration mask packaged in a container in a vacuum or a partial vacuum, wherein the packaged filtration mask comprises an indicator configured to indicate the presence of a vacuum or a partial vacuum in the container, or configured to indicate the lack of a vacuum or a partial vacuum in the container.

Abstract: A milking apparatus is described that includes a longitudinally extending liner made from a resiliently deformable material. The liner is mounted on a rigid support shell. The liner comprises an outer hood configured to lie over an outer surface of the rigid support shell, and an inner barrel configured to be disposed within the rigid support shell and to define an internal volume. The inner barrel extends in the longitudinal direction away from an opening at a first end of the liner, through which opening an animal teat is insertable into the internal volume. The inner barrel is connected to the outer hood at a plurality of longitudinally extending connection regions on an inner surface of the outer hood. These connections define boundary conditions that limit the deformation of the barrel that encloses the teat can be set by the configuration of the liner itself.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a breathing apparatus that comprises a plurality of oxygen sensors, each for sensing an oxygen content of a gas in the breathing apparatus, the controller being configured to control the operation of the breathing apparatus based on the output of one or more of the oxygen sensors and additional information relating to the operation of the breathing apparatus. Also a breathing apparatus comprising the controller and the plurality of oxygen sensors.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a speech diaphragm module comprising: a body; a lid secured to the body to form an enclosed volume therein; a resilient film secured within the enclosed volume along an attachment join formed around a periphery of the resilient film; and a tensioning feature arranged to displace an operative portion of the resilient film relative to the attachment join to apply a tension across the resilient film. Some other embodiments provide a method of manufacturing a speech diaphragm module, a respirator, and a kit of parts for forming a speech diaphragm module.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a breathing apparatus that comprises a plurality of oxygen sensors, each for sensing an oxygen content of a gas in the breathing apparatus, the controller being configured to control the operation of the breathing apparatus based on the output of one or more of the oxygen sensors and additional information relating to the operation of the breathing apparatus. Also a breathing apparatus comprising the controller and the plurality of oxygen sensors.

Abstract: A teat cup inflation comprises a mouthpiece having a vent for the limited admission of ambient air into the inflation barrel above the lower tip of the teat. One or more airflow passages are formed by the configuration of the barrel and extend along the length of the barrel to vent air from mouthpiece to the short milk tube. The one or more airflow passage can be formed between the sides of barrels that are multisided in cross-section.

Abstract: A filtration mask has a collapsible air guide and two filter supports connected at a hinge. The filter supports are movable between a storage position and a deployment position in which the angle between the filter supports being less in the deployment position than in the storage position. In an aspect of this invention, the filter support each have a recess at the hinging edge, and an exhale valve communicating with the air guide is mounted in the recess. In another aspect the exhale valve is connected to the filter supports by a flexible membrane. In a third aspect the air guide is formed by hinged panels.

Abstract: A hood assembly for a protective suit has a hood (41) and a seal (10). The seal extends about the rim of the hood and comprises a sheet composed partly or entirely of resilient material. The sheet is provided with a pocket (14). The pocket (14) has an inner layer (16) for contacting a contoured surface and an outer layer (18), separated by a filler medium (22). The outer layer is curved about the filler medium when no stretching force (26) is applied to the sheet, and as the sheet is subjected to a stretching force a first component of the stretching force is transmitted along the outer layer. As the sheet is subjected to a stretching force the curvature of the outer layer is reduced, so that a pressing force (28) is transmitted from the outer layer, through the filler medium, onto the inner layer. The pressing force presses the inner layer against the contoured surface, so as to reduce fluid flow between the inner layer and the contoured surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for milking animals such as cows, components of the apparatus and methods of milking animals employing the apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least two resilient membranes having a space therebetween into which the teat of the animal may be inserted. The membranes are held by a support structure under tension in a direction transverse to the direction of insertion of the teat, to protect the teat from excessive force when the membranes fall onto the teat.

Abstract: A filtration mask has a collapsible air guide and two filter supports connected at a hinge. The filter supports are movable between a storage position and a deployment position in which the angle between the filter supports being less in the deployment position than in the storage position. In an aspect of this invention, the filter support each have a recess at the hinging edge, and an exhale valve communicating with the air guide is mounted in the recess. In another aspect the exhale valve is connected to the filter supports by a flexible membrane. In a third aspect the air guide is formed by hinged panels.

Abstract: A process for making an article comprising a thermoplastic component (4) and a rubber component (3) having an halogenated surface in which the thermoplastic component is welded directly to the halogenated surface of the rubber component by, for example, RF or impulse welding. The product comprises a rubber component having an halogenated surface and a thermoplastic component in which the halogenated surface of the rubber component and the thermoplastic component are fused together.

Abstract: A respirator assembly has a respirator mask and a separate bracing device. The bracing device has a pressure element mountable over a frontpiece of the respirator mask, which bears against that frontpiece to hold the respirator mask against the face of a user. The bracing device also has two connection portions, each having one end attached to the pressure element and the other end being for attaching the bracing device to a helmet worn by the user. The connection portions are extendable. Thus, shortening or distending the connection portions reduces the distance between the helmet and the respirator mask and thereby causes the pressure element to bear against the frontpiece of the respirator mask, compressing the user's head between the helmet and the mask and thereby holding the mask against the user's face.

Abstract: A respirator which has a collapsible air guide (2) and two filter supports (3), the filter supports (3) each having a first end (35)=joined to the first end (35) of the other, and a second end (36) opposite to the first end (35). The air guide (2) is in a collapsed state when second ends (36) of the filter supports (3) are adjacent to one another, and is in a deployed state when the second ends (36) are further apart. The air guide (2) may be located between the filter supports (3) when the second ends (36) of the filter supports (3) are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing milk from a teat of an animal comprising an outer body having an opening into which the teat is insertable into a space defined by two or more resilient membranes. A pressure difference is applied between the space between the resilient membranes and a region outside the membranes to cause the membranes to ball on to the teat, thereby massaging it to extract milk. To avoid exerting excessive force on the end of the teat yet retain a useful massage pressure, the resilient membranes are under tension in a direction transverse to the direction of teat insertion before the provision of any pressure difference (before the insertion of the teat).

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for milking animals such as cows, components of the apparatus and methods of milking animals employing the apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least two resilient membranes having a space therebetween into which the teat of the animal may be inserted. The membranes are held by a support structure under tension in a direction transverse to the direction of insertion of the teat, to protect the teat from excessive force when the membranes fall onto the teat.

Abstract: Skirts for air cushion vehicles that are formed from material that is tensively strengthened in at least one direction, and preferably two different directions, so as to resolve and reduce the axial and radial stresses in the skirt. The material may be strengthened by incorporation of reinforcing cords arranged to reduce the axial and radial stresses in the skirt both when a vehicle comprising such a skirt is static and when it is in motion.