Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that has a harness 14 and a mask body 12. The mask body 12 includes a support structure 16 and a filtering structure 18. The support structure 16 contains an auxetic mesh 20 that has been molded into an intended cup-shape configuration, and the filtering structure 18 contains a filtration layer 42 for removing contaminants from the ambient air. The use of an auxetic mesh 20 in the support structure 16 provides more uniformly-sized openings 26 in the mesh 20 and reduces opportunities for mesh overlapping and mesh distortion.

Abstract: A unidirectional valve for use with a filtering face mask. The valve can include a flap, and a valve seat. The flap can be cantilevered and can flex away from a seal surface of the valve seat to an open position. The valve can further include a housing that at least partially covers the valve seat and the flap. In some embodiments, the height of the housing is no greater than about 1.25 cm, while the distance between the flap and the seal surface when the flap is in the open position is at least 0.35 cm. A projection can be coupled to an inner surface of the housing, and the height of the projection can generally decrease toward the front of the housing. In some embodiments, the projection can have a profile that substantially follows the profile of the flap when the flap is in the open position.

Abstract: An earplug system 10a, 10b that includes a foam earplug 12a, 12b and a deformable sheath 14 that individually surrounds at least the body 16 of the foam earplug 12a, 12b in a noncompressed condition. The deformable sheath 14 allows the earplug to be compressed with a person's fingers in the sleeve before being placed within the user's ear. In this manner, the earplug can be inserted into the ear canal without being soiled or otherwise contaminated from a wearer's unclean hands.

Abstract: An earplug assembly 10 that includes an earplug system 20 that has an earplug 12, 12? and a package portion 32 such as a deformable sheath 14 that individually surrounds at least the body 31 of the earplug 12, 12?. A securement portion 28 is joined to the packaging 32 to enable the assembly 10 to be secured to another object such as a worker's helmet 30. In this manner, the earplugs can be readily available to the user in a protected condition. Opportunities for misplacement of the earplugs are reduced.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator that has a harness and a mask body where the mask body includes a filtering structure and a support structure. An exhalation valve is attached to the mask body and includes a valve seat that is integral to the mask body. The present invention is beneficial in that it eliminates the need to separately manufacture some or all of the non-dynamic parts of the exhalation valve. There also is no need to subsequently attach the valve seat to the mask body.

Abstract: Face masks that include a unidirectional valve are disclosed. The unidirectional valves permit fluid communication between an interior gas space defined by the mask and the wearer and an exterior gas space outside of the face mask. The unidirectional valves includes one or more valve flaps positioned over an opening formed in the base of the valve. Each of the valve flaps includes a free edge and a hinge located generally opposite from the free edge.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 contains a filtering structure 18 that is retained in position on the mask body 12 by a support structure 16 that includes a longitudinally-movable, centrally-spaced, transversely-extending member 26 that extends from a first side 22 of the structure 16 to a second side 24 without being joined together by any longitudinally-extending members that hinder movement of the transversely extending member 26 in the longitudinal direction. The transversely-extending members converge towards each other at east side 22, 24 of the mask body 12. A filtering face-piece respirator 10 of this construction can allow the mask body 12 to readily accommodate the motion of a person's jaw. Workers who use this filtering face-piece respirator may find it much easier to talk to other persons when working. A single mask size also may be able to properly fit to faces of various sizes.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that has a support structure 16 and a filtering structure 18. The filtering structure 18 includes first and second transversely extending members 26, 28 that can move toward and apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The filtering structure 18 has a filtration layer 52 and a pleat 58. The pleat 58 allows the filtering structure 18 to contract and expand when the first and second transversely-extending members 26, 28 move toward and apart from each other, respectively. This ability to expand and contract in an accordion-like manner enables the mask body to better accommodate wearer jaw movement.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a harness 14, a mask body 12, and an exhalation valve 38. The mask body 12 has a support structure 16 that includes a frame 32. The exhalation valve 38 is conveniently secured to the mask body 12 at the frame 32. The provision of a frame on the mask body affords a good foundation for securing an exhalation valve to the mask body.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14 and a support structure 16. The support structure 16 has a perimeter 20 that includes buckles 40 that are integrally joined to the perimeter 20. A mask body of this construction avoids the need to separately make the buckles and the mask body support structure and avoids an additional step in the assembly of the respirator.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a harness 14 and a mask body 12. The mask body 16 includes a filtering structure 18 and a support structure 16. The support structure 16 has first and second opposing side portions 22, 24 that each include a living hinge 44. The use of living hinges allows the mask body to respond dynamically to wearer jaw movement.

Abstract: A filtering face mask that includes a mask body that is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a wearer to create an interior gas space when worn; and an exhalation valve that is in fluid communication with the interior gas space. The exhalation valve includes a valve seat with a seal surface and an orifice through which exhaled air may pass to leave the interior gas space; and a flexible flap that is mounted to the valve seat such that the flap makes contact with the seal surface when the valve is in its closed position and such that the flap can flex away from the seal surface during an exhalation to allow exhaled air to pass through the orifice. The flap is unbiased when in its closed position and exhibits a cantilever bend ratio of 0.0050 or less.

Abstract: A filtering face mask 10 that has a mask body and a new exhalation valve 14. The mask body is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a person to help define an interior gas space when the mask is worn. The exhalation valve 14 permits fluid communication between the interior gas space and an exterior gas space. The exhalation valve 14 has a valve seat 20 and a flap 22. The valve seat 20 includes a resilient seal surface 24 and an orifice 30 through which exhaled air may pass to leave the interior gas space. The flap 22 is mounted to the valve seat 20 such that the flap 22 makes contact with the resilient seal surface 24 when the valve is in its closed position and such that the flap 22 can move away from the seal surface 24 in response to an exhalation to allow exhaled air to pass through the orifice 30 to ultimately enter the exterior gas space.

Abstract: A filtering face mask that includes a mask body and an exhalation valve. The mask body is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a wearer to create an interior gas space when worn, and the exhalation valve is in fluid communication with the interior gas space. The exhalation valve comprises a valve seat that has a seal surface and an orifice through which an exhale flow stream may pass to leave the interior gas space. A flexible flap is mounted to the valve seat such that the flap makes contact with the seal surface when the valve is in its closed position and such that the flap can flex away from the seal surface during an exhalation to allow exhaled air to pass through the orifice to ultimately enter an exterior gas space. The flexible flap has at least first and second juxtaposed layers where at least one of the layers is stiffer or has a different elastic modulus than the other layer.

Abstract: Exhalation and inhalation valves that are sized and adapted to fit on a mask body of a personal respiratory protection device. The exhalation and inhalation valves comprise a valve seat that has a seal surface and an orifice through which an exhale flow stream may pass to leave the interior gas space. A flexible flap is mounted to the valve seat such that the flap makes contact with the seal surface when the valve is in its closed position and such that the flap can flex away from the seal surface during an exhalation to allow exhaled air to pass through the orifice to ultimately enter an exterior gas space. The flexible flap has at least first and second juxtaposed layers where at least one of the layers is stiffer or has a different elastic modulus than the other layer. These valves provide extraordinarily lower pressure drop in use, and they operate more efficiently and require less actuation power to operate.

Abstract: A filtering face mask 10 that has a mask body and a new exhalation valve 14. The mask body is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a person to help define an interior gas space when the mask is worn. The exhalation valve 14 permits fluid communication between the interior gas space and an exterior gas space. The exhalation valve 14 has a valve seat 20 and a flap 22. The valve seat 20 includes a resilient seal surface 24 and an orifice 30 through which exhaled air may pass to leave the interior gas space. The flap 22 is mounted to the valve seat 20 such that the flap 22 makes contact with the resilient seal surface 24 when the valve is in its closed position and such that the flap 22 can move away from the seal surface 24 in response to an exhalation to allow exhaled air to pass through the orifice 30 to ultimately enter the exterior gas space.

Abstract: A hot dip coating system comprises a bath of molten coating metal contained in a vessel having a strip passage opening located below the top surface of the bath. A metal strip is directed along a path extending through the strip passage opening and through the bath of molten coating metal, to coat the strip. An electromagnet is employed to prevent the escape of the bulk of the molten coating metal from the bath through the strip passage opening while permitting the strip to move along its path. Expedients are provided to reduce leakage of molten coating metal through the strip passage opening.

Abstract: Undrawn, tough, durably melt-bondable, macrodenier, thermoplastic, multicomponent filaments, such as sheath-core and side-by-side filaments, comprising a first plastic component and a second lower-melting component defining all or at least part of the material-air boundary of the filaments. The filaments can be made by melt-extruding thermoplastics to form hot filaments, cooling and solidifying the hot filaments, and recovering the solidified filaments without any substantial tension being placed thereon. Aggregations of the filaments can be made in the form of floor matting and abrasive articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Abstract: A hot dip coating system comprises a bath of molten coating metal contained in a vessel having a strip passage opening located below the top surface of the bath. A metal strip is directed along a path extending through the strip passage opening and through the bath of molten coating metal, to coat the strip. A plug composed of solidified coating metal surrounds the strip downstream of the strip passage opening and is substantially stationary relative to the moving strip. The plug prevents escape of molten coating metal from the bath through the strip passage opening while permitting the strip to move along its path. Expedients are provided to chill the coating metal downstream of the strip passage opening to form and maintain the plug and to heat that part of the molten metal coating bath which is immediately downstream of the plug.