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 assembly has a respirator hood having a front side that includes a visor and a back side that includes an air inlet opening. The respirator assembly also has a shape stable manifold having an air inlet conduit extending through the air inlet opening of the hood and having, within the hood, a plurality of air delivery conduits in fluid communication with the air inlet conduit.

Abstract: A supplied air respirator (10, 50) that includes a clean air source (16, 54), a facepiece (18, 18?), a hose (12, 52), and a hose adjustment mechanism (14, 34). The clean air source (16, 54) is designed to be carried by a user of the (10, 50), and the face piece (18, 18?) is sized to fit at least over the user's nose and mouth. The hose (12) extends from the clean air source (16, 54) to the facepiece (18, 18?). The hose adjustment mechanism (14, 36) enables the hose length to be controlled so that slack is eliminated between the clean air source (16, 54) and the facepiece (18, 18?). The supplied air respirator (10, 50) is beneficial and that it reduces opportunities for the hose (12, 52) to become inadvertently caught on an article located in the work environment.

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

Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device that comprises a multilayer body including a stiffening layer, filter media layer(s) and inner or outer cover layer(s). The mask body includes a central portion between first and second portions, the central portion being defined by a fold, bond, weld, seam, or combination thereof and having a width of about 160 to 220 mm and a height of about 30 to 110 mm. The device is capable of being folded flat for storage with the first portion in at least partial face-to-face contact with a surface of the central portion and the second portion contacting a surface of the first portion. When unfolded for use the device is capable of forming a cup-shaped off the face air chamber over the nose and mouth of a wearer.

Abstract: A method of controlling a powered air purifying respirator blower system to detect a low air pressure high airflow event is disclosed. The blower system comprises a fan powered by an electric motor, controlled by an electronic control unit for delivering a forced flow of filtered air to a user. The electronic control unit has a plurality of data points representing events defining an acceptable operating range in terms of different characteristics of the blower system stored therein. The method comprises sampling a characteristic that represents the operating condition of the blower to obtain a sampled data point; comparing the sampled data point and the stored data point representing a low air-pressure high airflow event, for the same characteristic; repeating the sampling during a fixed time period, and if the comparing step indicates the low air-pressure high airflow event has been reached for the majority of the time period; activating an alarm.

Abstract: A method of controlling a powered air purifying respirator blower system to deliver a substantially uniform volumetric airflow to a user (6) 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 (22) in response to said determination and said at least two calibration values. The powered air purifying respirator blower system may include a fan (21) powered by an electric motor (22), the motor being controlled by an electronic control unit (23) for delivering a forced flow of filtered air to a user (06). The electronic control unit (23) may include at least two calibration values for the electrical characteristics of the electric motor (22) stored therein. The system may include at least one sensor (26) adapted to be in communication with the electronic control unit and arranged to determine one of (a) ambient air density or (b) ambient air temperature and ambient air pressure.

Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device that includes a multi-layered structure and first and second means for attaching a headband. The multilayered structure includes a filter medium and is divided into a flat upper panel, a flat non-rectangular central panel, and a lower panel. The central panel is separated from each of the upper and lower panels by first and second lines of demarcation. The first and second lines of demarcation converge towards the first and second means for attaching a headband. The multi-layered structure can be folded at the respective lines of demarcation so that the device can be folded flat for storage and can be opened to form a cup-shaped off the face air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer while an upper peripheral edge and a lower peripheral edge contact the wearer's face when the device is in use.

Abstract: A respirator assembly is described, which includes a respirator shell defining an air inlet opening, an air inlet conduit positionable within the air inlet opening, and an outer device configured to fit over the air inlet conduit and sandwich a portion of the respirator shell between the air inlet conduit and outer device. The air inlet conduit is configured to be removable from the air inlet opening when not attached to the outer device.

Abstract: A powered air purifying respirator and method for directing a forced flow of air to a wearer. A battery operatively powers a fan fluidly coupled with the air flow path which exhibits, in some circumstances, a passivation. A voltage delay sensing circuit, operatively coupled to the battery, provides an indication related to the passivation. A signal may provide an indication to a user of the passivation of the power source. A correction circuit may correct such passivation.

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: A respiratory component mounting assembly includes a first respiratory component, a second respiratory component and a mounting clip for mounting the second respiratory component to the first respiratory component. Each of the first and second respiratory components includes at least two spaced apart clip openings. The mounting clip has an intermediate portion and two spaced apart free ends connected to the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion of the mounting clip is received within both of the clip openings of the first respiratory component and the free ends of the mounting clip are received in the clip openings of the second respiratory component for releasably securing the first and second respiratory components together.

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 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 personal respiratory protection device includes a multi-layered structure and first and second means for attaching a headband to hold the device in position on a wearer's face. The multilayered structure includes a filter medium and is divided into a flat upper panel having an upper peripheral edge, a flat non-rectangular central panel and a lower panel having a lower peripheral edge. The central panel is separated from each of the upper and lower panels by first and second lines of demarcation. The first and second lines of demarcation converge towards the first and second means for attaching a headband. The multi-layered structure is capable of being folded at the respective lines of demarcation so that the device can be folded flat for storage and can be opened to form a cup-shaped off the face air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer while the upper peripheral edge and the lower peripheral edge contact the wearer's face when the device is in use.