Abstract: A method for producing a melt-blown non-woven mat wherein a fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer resin is extruded in molten form through a row of nozzles into a stream of hot gas which attenuates the molten resin into fibers that form a fiber stream. The fibers are collected on a receiver in the path of the fiber stream to form the non-woven mat. At least two spaced rows of nozzles are provided to produce first and second fiber streams spaced from each other. The spaced fiber streams are collected on the receiver to form a first non-woven mat portion and a second non-woven mat portion and with the first non-woven mat portion overlaying the second non-woven mat portion. At a position intermediate the first and second fiber streams, material different than the fiber-forming resin is injected to have the different material captured between the first and second fiber streams and thereby form a collected structure of the first and second mat portions sandwiching the different material.

Abstract: A breathing mask is provided which comprises an exhaling valve disposed in an opening of the breathing mask wall. The exhaling valve includes a thin diaphragm which is adapted to be moved by the breathing pressure during inhaling and exhaling either towards or away from a sealing seat. To provide a less expensive breathing mask whose exhaling valve safely closes in particular in dust-particle-containing air and which nevertheless involves low opening and closing pressures, the diaphragm is provided with an arch. Air is allowed to escape over only a part of the circumference of the diaphragm, while the remaining part of the diaphragm circumference is so connected to a base member that the arching direction of the arch is at least partly reversible by the breathing pressure.

Abstract: A filter respirator forming a face mask to be worn upon the face of a user including a support layer of flexible material. The support layer is molded to conform to the contours of the face of the user and forms a flexible support layer for filter material. A separate layer of filter material filters out impurities. An exhalation valve extends through the support layer and the filter layer in a central position. The exhalation valve includes an inside surface surrounding the central position. A molded non-porous flexible inner flange forms a flexible half-mask for sealing to the face of the user. The inner flange is attached to the peripheral edges of at least the support layer and extends inward to the central position. The inner flange includes a central opening with a surrounding portion conforming and adjacent to the inside surface of the exhalation valve.

Abstract: A face mask to be worn upon the face of a wearer and for providing filtering of particular impurities in the air, including at least one layer of flexible material molded generally to conform to the contours of the face of the wearer and forming a flexible support carrier for filter material and with the one layer of flexible material allowing the passage of air through the one layer, a separate layer of filter material supported by the one layer of flexible material and with the filter material filtering out the particular impurities in the air, a molded, rubber-like bead member extending around the peripheral edge of the layers forming the face mask and with the molded rubber-like bead member providing an edge seal between the face mask and the face of the wearer, and the bead member including membrane portions extending inwardly to the interior of the mask from the bead member at least in the areas of the sides of the nose and upper cheekbones of the wearer for providing additional sealing in those areas.

Abstract: A combined chest piece and shoulder pad, comprising an integral unitary structure formed of molded non-woven fiber material including a chest piece portion having a shape to form a foundation for the chest area of a jacket and with the chest piece portion having a central area surrounded by peripheral edge portions and with the peripheral edge portions more tightly compacted than the central area to provide for a tapering between the central area and the peripheral edge portions and with the central area compacted sufficiently to provide for a firm support of the jacket in the chest area, and a shoulder pad portion having a shape to form a foundation for the shoulder portion of the jacket and with the shoulder pad portion having an inner edge and an outer edge and with a portion of the inner edge contiguous with a peripheral edge portion of the chest piece portion and with the inner edge more tightly compacted than the remaining portion of the shoulder pad portion and with the remaining portion of the shoulde

Abstract: A face mask for filtering air to a wearer including a plurality of non-woven fibers molded in a generally cup shaped configuration for fitting over the mouth and nose of the wearer and with the cup shaped configuration including a nose bridge portion for lying along the bridge of the nose of the wearer, nose pad portions aligned to either side of the nose bridge portion for fitting against the sides of the nose and a central portion lying below the nose bridge and nose pad portions and with the fibers of the nose pad portions more lightly compacted during molding than the fibers of at least portions of the central portion for providing sealing of the face mask along the sides of the nose and the cheekbones of the wearer, and an elongated ridge member extending across the nose bridge portion and along the nose pad portions and with the elongated ridge more tightly compacted than the nose pad portions to produce a springing action to push the nose pad portions against the side of the nose and the cheekbones of

Abstract: A face mask formed by a plurality of fibers and generally having a cup shape to fit over the mouth and nose of a wearer and for filtering the air passing through the fibers, including, a nose bridge portion, nose pad portions to either side of the nose bridge portion to fit against the sides of the nose and against the cheekbones of the wearer, and a central portion of the face mask below the nose bridge portion and the nose pad portions and with the fibers of the nose pad portions more lightly compacted than the fibers in at least the central portion of the face mask to have the nose pad portions thicker and more flexible than at least the central portion of the face mask for providing a seal against the sides of the nose and the cheekbones for preventing the passage of air between the mask and the face of the wearer.