Abstract: A maintenance-free respirator 10 that includes a mask harness and a mask body 11. The mask body 11 has at least one layer of filter media 56 and has a perimeter 32 that includes an upper segment 34. The upper segment 34 includes first and second concave segments 36, 38 that are located, respectively, on first and second sides of a central plane 40, when viewing the mask body from a top view. A maintenance-free respirator 10 of this configuration is comfortable to wear and can provide a snug fit to a wearer's face, particularly beneath each of the wearer's eyes, while at the same time having an ability to improve compatibility with various protective eyewear.

Abstract: A maintenance-free respirator 10 that includes a mask harness and a mask body 11. The mask body 11 has at least one layer of filter media 56 and has a perimeter 32 that includes an upper segment 34. The upper segment 34 includes first and second concave segments 36, 38 that are located, respectively, on first and second sides of a central plane 40, when viewing the mask body from a top view. A maintenance-free respirator 10 of this configuration is comfortable to wear and can provide a snug fit to a wearer's face, particularly beneath each of the wearer's eyes, while at the same time having an ability to improve compatibility with various protective eyewear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust apparatus for releasable or permanent connection to a personal protection respiratory device that defines a filtered air volume adjacent to the face of a wearer and comprises at least one exhalation valve. The exhaust apparatus comprising a powered blower in fluid connection with the at least one exhalation valve, the blower being operable to draw a portion of the wearer's exhaled breath through the at least one exhalation valve. Using such an exhaust apparatus for releasable connection to a personal protection respiratory device improves the comfort and overall experience for respirator wearers who use the respirator for intensive work, and/or for long periods of time, and/or in hot and humid environmental conditions by removing the heat and moisture build-up inside the respirator.

Abstract: A respirator has a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator. An air flow control system for the respirator has an air delivery conduit within the shell of the respirator, a valve member moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit, and a valve actuator outside of the shell of the respirator. The valve actuator is manipulatable by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.

Abstract: A respirator has a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator. An air flow control system for the respirator has an air delivery conduit within the shell of the respirator, a valve member moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit, and a valve actuator outside of the shell of the respirator. The valve actuator is manipulatable by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.

Abstract: An exhaust valve shroud for a personal protection respiratory device, the shroud comprising a main body defining an inlet for receiving exhaled air from an exhalation valve, an outlet for emitting exhaled air from the shroud, and a perimeter flow conduit for carrying the exhaled air from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the perimeter flow conduit includes a bifurcated transition section which receives air from the inlet in a substantially forward facing direction and directs the air into first and second substantially downwardly extending flow passages, each of which passages are in communication with the outlet.

Abstract: A maintenance-free respirator 10 that includes a mask harness and a mask body 11. The mask body 11 has at least one layer of filter media 56 and has a perimeter 32 that includes an upper segment 34. The upper segment 34 includes first and second concave segments 36, 38 that are located, respectively, on first and second sides of a central plane 40, when viewing the mask body from a top view. A maintenance-free respirator 10 of this configuration is comfortable to wear and can provide a snug fit to a wearer's face, particularly beneath each of the wearer's eyes, while at the same time having an ability to improve compatibility with various protective eyewear.

Abstract: A maintenance-free respirator 10 that includes a mask harness and a mask body 11. The mask body 11 has at least one layer of filter media 56 and has a perimeter 32 that includes an upper segment 34. The upper segment 34 includes first and second concave segments 36, 38 that are located, respectively, on first and second sides of a central plane 40, when viewing the mask body from a top view. A maintenance-free respirator 10 of this configuration is comfortable to wear and can provide a snug fit to a wearer's face, particularly beneath each of the wearer's eyes, while at the same time having an ability to improve compatibility with various protective eyewear.

Abstract: A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) for delivering a forced flow of filtered air to a wearer is disclosed.

Abstract: A respirator assembly has a shell that defines a breathable air space for a user wearing the respirator assembly. The respirator assembly has an air delivery conduit within the shell for providing air to the breathable air space. The air delivery conduit has an air outlet that is either adjustable in configuration or has a vane associated therewith that is adjustable in position so that the direction of the air exiting the air outlet is controllable between first and second air flow directions. The user is able to control the direction of air exiting the air outlet while the respirator assembly is worn by the user.

Abstract: An exhaust valve shroud for a personal protection respiratory device, the shroud comprising a main body defining an inlet for receiving exhaled air from an exhalation valve, an outlet for emitting exhaled air from the shroud, and a perimeter flow conduit for carrying the exhaled air from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the perimeter flow conduit includes a bifurcated transition section which receives air from the inlet in a substantially forward facing direction and directs the air into first and second substantially downwardly extending flow passages, each of which passages are in communication with the outlet.

Abstract: A respirator has a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator. An air flow control system for the respirator has an air delivery conduit within the shell of the respirator, a valve member moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit, and a valve actuator outside of the shell of the respirator. The valve actuator is manipulatable by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.

Abstract: A respirator has a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user wearing the respirator. An air flow control system for the respirator has an air delivery conduit within the shell of the respirator, a valve member moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the amount of air flow through the air delivery conduit, and a valve actuator outside of the shell of the respirator. The valve actuator is manipulatable by a user of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.

Abstract: A maintenance-free respirator 10 that includes a mask harness and a mask body 11. The mask body 11 has at least one layer of filter media 56 and has a perimeter 32 that includes an upper segment 34. The upper segment 34 includes first and second concave segments 36, 38 that are located, respectively, on first and second sides of a central plane 40, when viewing the mask body from a top view. A maintenance-free respirator 10 of this configuration is comfortable to wear and can provide a snug fit to a wearer's face, particularly beneath each of the wearer's eyes, while at the same time having an ability to improve compatibility with various protective eyewear.

Abstract: An air flow control system for a respirator (10) is described which includes a shell that defines a breathable air zone for a user (18) wearing the respirator (10), an air delivery conduit (27) within the shell of the respirator, and a valve member (557) moveable relative to the air delivery conduit and within the shell to vary the air flow through the air delivery conduit. The air flow control system also includes an outer device (46) outside of the shell of the respirator that is rotatable by a user (18) of the respirator while wearing the respirator to control movement of the valve member.

Abstract: A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) for delivering a forced flow of filtered air to a wearer is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust apparatus for releasable or permanent connection to a personal protection respiratory device that defines a filtered air volume adjacent to the face of a wearer and comprises at least one exhalation valve. The exhaust apparatus comprising a powered blower in fluid connection with the at least one exhalation valve, the blower being operable to draw a portion of the wearer's exhaled breath through the at least one exhalation valve. Using such an exhaust apparatus for releasable connection to a personal protection respiratory device improves the comfort and overall experience for respirator wearers who use the respirator for intensive work, and/or for long periods of time, and/or in hot and humid environmental conditions by removing the heat and moisture build-up inside the respirator.

Abstract: A method of controlling a powered air purifying respirator blower system to deliver a substantially uniform volumetric airflow to a user includes the steps of determining one of (a) ambient air density or (b) ambient air temperature and ambient air pressure, and adjusting an electrical characteristic of the electric motor in response to the determination and the at least two calibration values. The powered air purifying respirator blower system may include a fan powered by an electric motor, the motor being controlled by an electronic control unit for delivering a forced flow of filtered air to a user. In some embodiments, the electronic control unit may be operable to adjust an electrical characteristic of the motor in accordance with a predetermined correlation between the speed of the fan and the applied motor electrical characteristic for a selected substantially uniform volumetric airflow from the fan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust apparatus for releasable or permanent connection to a personal protection respiratory device that defines a filtered air volume adjacent to the face of a wearer and comprises at least one exhalation valve. The exhaust apparatus comprising a powered blower in fluid connection with the at least one exhalation valve, the blower being operable to draw a portion of the wearer's exhaled breath through the at least one exhalation valve. Using such an exhaust apparatus for releasable connection to a personal protection respiratory device improves the comfort and overall experience for respirator wearers who use the respirator for intensive work, and/or for long periods of time, and/or in hot and humid environmental conditions by removing the heat and moisture build-up inside the respirator.