Abstract: A respirator cover or second-skin includes a support structure to cover a gas mask or respirator and is provided with cut-outs in the support structure to receive components of the respirator, the second-skin including an interior flexible gasket concentric and spaced from the outer perimeter of the second-skin which seals the cover to the outer surface of the respirator. The second skin serves to provide increased chemical protection to the user of a respirator, as an aid for garment interface, or to anchor a protective hood to the respirator.

Abstract: A helmet mounted protective shroud apparatus for use with respirators includes a shroud mating component adapted to surround a respirator and a shroud component connected to the shroud mating component. The shroud component includes a fabric component having an edge, a plurality of connection mechanisms connected to the fabric component, and a flap component configured to cover a top of the fabric component, wherein the shroud component is adapted to cover a helmet and surround a wearer's head and neck. The present invention allows a chemical-biological protective hood/shroud assembly to be integrated for use with a helmet and respirator.

Abstract: A modular chemical/biological headgear system includes a helmet liner of a resilient shock absorbing material that conforms generally to the shape of a wearer's head, provides a cavity for removable installation of one or more modular filters in the back, and a duct to convey filtered air from the one or more modular filters to a face mask. The helmet liner may be equipped and configured with a variety of interchangeable modular components including hardened outer shells, communications modules, enhanced chemical biological filters, and the like, to meet a wide variety of operational needs.

Abstract: The invention utilizes a chemical/biological hood with a filter-blower system that is attached to the chemical/biological hood. The filter-blower system provides overpressure to the hood only. The hood is fitted to or attached to a chemical/biological mask. Overpressure created by the filter-blower around the mask is created and is independent of the wearer's respiration so that over-breathing of the positive pressure is not possible. Typically this system would be available as a hood capable of providing enhanced protection. However, the filter-blower and hood system could be integrated with the mask. Cinching or sealing the hood at the neck can improve overpressure performance.

Abstract: A modular helmet-mask assembly for protecting a user's head and face from hazards such as from chemical and biological warfare agents. The invention includes an impact resistant helmet; a face protection assembly, which can be attached and detached from the helmet; and a transparent, impact resistant lens. The face protection assembly includes an impact resistant face protection shell with a vision port, through which the transparent lens can be positioned; a flexible nosecup assembly positioned to engage the mouth and nose of the user, which also includes a breathe-through airflow assembly and filter unit; and a flexible face seal which surrounds the nosecup assembly and lens and engages the face of the user. An adjustable head harness is attached to the shell or face seal, for adjustably securing the face seal and nosecup to the user's face to maximize comfort and protection while preventing fogging of the lens.

Abstract: Airflow is improved for multi-agent chemical biological air-purifying apparatus by providing a filter module that has multiple filter elements contained within a substantially sealed housing. The housing secures the filter elements in a spaced relation such that the top and bottom faces of each filter element are exposed to the flow of air and provides an air path within the housing adapted to channel air through the multiple filter elements in a parallel flow. The filter module may be made from a flexible and resilient plastic material and may be contoured to conform to the shape of a helmet liner or similar headgear.

Abstract: A neck dam collar is formed of a substantially vapor-proof material. Resiliently compressible portions of the collar either act as a cushion, a spacer, or both between a neck dam and the wearer's neck. In one embodiment, the collar is a discrete, cylindrical tube of flexible, elastic material. In another embodiment, a protective garment includes the neck dam collar.

Abstract: An aerosol collecting device adapted for attachment to a chemical vapor detection system is disclosed to include a chamber comprising an inlet with a collecting funnel attached thereto and open to ambient, an outlet, and a through cavity defined therebetween, wherein the outlet is adapted for fluid connection with an input port of the chemical vapor detection system; and a heating element for heating the chamber to a temperature above the boiling point of a target chemical agent of interest in the form of a droplet or aerosol, wherein the chemical agent in the form of a droplet or aerosol is converted into a vapor form as it passes through the cavity from the inlet to the outlet of the chamber, and prior to entering the intake port of the chemical vapor detection system.

Abstract: A chemical-biological protective mask having a weight distribution that imparts a balanced center-of-gravity to the wearer of the mask, and is adaptable for different operational requirements by adjusting or altering the air flow through the mask. The protective mask includes a head covering to fully cover the wearer's head including a hood, a face piece having a visor contoured to the wearer's face, ducting within the mask connected to a filtering system mounted at the rear of the head covering and a purge airflow through the hood. Additional side or front mounted filters can be added to provide either parallel or series filtration with the rear mounted filters. A blower system may also be used to impart an airflow into the mask and improve breathing resistance.

Abstract: An improved crew mask for protection of a user against chemical and biological hazards is provided. The novel crew mask includes the following features: a facepiece that includes a hybrid face seal with both intern and flat seals, and at least one transparent lens positioned at the level of the eyes of the person; at least one inlet hose for delivery of filtered air operably connected to the facepiece; at least one exhaust one-way exhaust port for venting air from the crew mask; and a compact filter unit with a reduced airflow resistance relative to currently employed filter units.

Abstract: A chemical/biological protection helmet is provided with a filter system. In order to provide for improved balance control and visibility, the filter system is positioned in the rear of the helmet. By rotating the visors, provided in the front of the helmet, the filter system can be actuated as the helmet is sealed.

Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for filtering airborne biological and/or chemical agents from air for breathing, comprises an outer hood adapted to seal with and encompass at least the head and neck of a wearer from ambient atmosphere, at least one transparent lens attached to the outer hood for providing visual sight to the wearer, at least one filter assembly attached to the outer hood, the filter assembly adapted for filtering airborne biological and/or chemical agents from air passing therethrough, an airflow regulator located in the outer hood, the airflow regulator including an outlet adapted for expelling exhaled air to ambient, and an inlet adapted for drawing air thereinto, and air conveying means located in the outer hood for conveying air filtered through the filter assembly from ambient to the inside surface of the transparent lens for drawing into the airflow regulator inlet.

Abstract: A device and method for a non-uniform lens which incorporates geometry for external and internal eye relief which meets requirements of optical corrections and optical sighting systems is provided. The geometry of the front and back surfaces of a lens are approximated by curve-fitting polynomials so that the optical correction is included. The non-uniform mask lens can be made of any optical material and can be cast or injection molded.

Abstract: An advanced chemical-biological mask for protecting a wearer from chemical and biological environmental contaminants. The mask provides improvements for the wearer in the areas of weight/bulk, fit/comfort, optical compatibility, breathing resistance, communication, and protection. The mask includes a facepiece, eye lens, filter means, inlet and outlet valves, and a nosecup all of which may be molded or integrally bonded to the facepiece which also has a face seal adapted to engage a person's face and form seal therewith. The mask also has a suspension flange which is connected to the facepiece adjacent the seal. An elastic suspension system includes a crown portion for suspending the mask on a person's head and pulling the seal downwardly and into contact with the person's face. The separate nosecup has integral channels to direct the flow of incoming gas along a path adjacent the lens to prevent fogging of the lens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter for a reduced threat chemical/biological protective spiratory device which includes a housing having an air intake orifice and an air exit orifice and which encloses a filtering element which includes a plurality of bonded spherical carbon beads arranged in a open cell type matrix. The filtering element also includes an aerosol and particulate filtering element which is a plurality of electrostatically charged polypropylene fibers.

Abstract: A gas mask having a facepiece comprised of three separate transparent layers secured around their peripheries in a detachable manner, the inner layer being made of soft material, the middle layer being made of material that flexibly retains its form, and the outer layer being made of material for protection against liquid agents. An eye outsert is formed from the middle layer over the area around the eyes of a wearer, and a nose cone is formed from the middle layer so as to provide space about the nose and mouth. Inhaled air is drawn through channels formed in the middle layer that extend from the periphery of the facepiece to the outsert. After passing through the outsert, inhaled air passes through a channel formed in the middle layer to the nose cone. A passageway is provided for exhaled air to pass from the nose cone. Prescription lenses for the wearer are integrally formed in a member that can be snapped into the eye outsert.

Abstract: A low profile chemical biological air filter, comprising a frame having a rst end for attachment to a mask and having an upwardly facing surface defining an inlet for the filter. The frame has a length sufficient to space first and second filters from the inlet to the attachment first end and a width sufficient to enclose the two filters. Its thickness is no greater than that necessary to contain only one of the two filters to minimize the thickness of the frame by placing the two filters side by side. The filters include a HEPA filter for removing particulate material from the air and a Whetlerized charcoal filter bed for secondary filtering of the air. The HEPA filter is supported in the frame at the inlet as is the charcoal filter bed along with a fines filter for protecting from dust which may be dislodged from the charcoal filter bed.

Abstract: A protective mask with a hood having a face piece, a head piece, and a bib ormed from an elastic impervious material. A foam rubber seal, mounted on the inside surface of the hood, is located on the periphery of the face piece. An pair of eye pieces are mounted on the face piece for permitting exterior vision from inside the hood. A plurality of filter cells with flexible charcoal filters are mounted on the bib. Air ducts extend from an air reservoir fed by the cells to the face piece to permit filtered air to be drawn into the face piece. A flapper valve is mounted on the face piece to permit air to be exhausted from the mask.

Abstract: Form-fitting, comfortable, soft-shell protective apparel, commonly called a as mask, for protecting the head, upper body and respiratory tract from chemical/biological agents and toxins and radioactive particles. A unitary, easy-to-put-on, heat and moisture-dissipating multi-layer construction enables prolonged use and internalizes an adjustable suspension system as well as the purified breathing-air path. The latter is structured to enable the self-contained purifying agent to be located away from the face for facilitating weapons compatibility and reducing fatigue. Goggle-like eye lensing is designed to minimize eye relief and maximize peripheral vision and look-down capability, while providing optical correction and laser-light protection. The mask design minimizes dead space leading to distortion and other communications problems, and enables purifying-agent changes in a "hot" environment.