Abstract: A pleated filter element comprising a pleated filter media comprising a plurality of oppositely-facing pleats with a pleat direction and with a plurality of upstream and downstream pleat tips and pleat valleys, wherein the pleated filter media comprises two corrugated edges and two noncorrugated edges. The first (second) corrugated edge of the pleated filter media comprises an edge dam of hardened adhesive that occupies the upstream and downstream pleat valleys at a location laterally inwardly proximate the first (second) corrugated edge and that extends along an entire longitudinal extent of the pleated filter media. The pleated filter media is a multilayer media comprising an organic polymeric nonwoven web, that exhibits a Percent Penetration of less than 5, laminated with a fiberglass prefilter layer that is disposed upstream of the primary filtration layer and that exhibits a Percent Penetration of greater than about 70.

Abstract: A cartridge holder for a respirator, the cartridge holder including a fit-check device with a sealing platen that can be actuated between a first, unsealed position and a second, sealed position in which at least a portion of the sealing platen contacts a major surface of a disposable filter cartridge within the cartridge holder so as to prevent airflow through the disposable filter cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge holder for a respirator, the cartridge holder including a fit-check device with a sealing platen that can be actuated between a first, unsealed position and a second, sealed position in which at least a portion of the sealing platen contacts a major surface of a disposable filter cartridge within the cartridge holder so as to prevent airflow through the disposable filter cartridge.

Abstract: A filter cartridge having a filter media with two opposing ends each being occluded by an adhesive edge seal.

Abstract: A pleated filter element comprising a pleated filter media comprising a plurality of oppositely-facing pleats with a pleat direction and with a plurality of upstream and downstream pleat tips and pleat valleys, wherein the pleated filter media comprises two corrugated edges and two noncorrugated edges. The first (second) corrugated edge of the pleated filter media comprises an edge dam of hardened adhesive that occupies the upstream and downstream pleat valleys at a location laterally inwardly proximate the first (second) corrugated edge and that extends along an entire longitudinal extent of the pleated filter media. The pleated filter media is a multilayer media comprising an organic polymeric nonwoven web, that exhibits a Percent Penetration of less than 5, laminated with a fiberglass prefilter layer that is disposed upstream of the primary filtration layer and that exhibits a Percent Penetration of greater than about 70.

Abstract: A filter cartridge having a filter media with two opposing ends each being occluded by an adhesive edge seal.

Abstract: A cartridge holder for a respirator, the cartridge holder including a fit-check device with a sealing platen that can be actuated between a first, unsealed position and a second, sealed position in which at least a portion of the sealing platen contacts a major surface of a disposable filter cartridge within the cartridge holder so as to prevent airflow through the disposable filter cartridge.

Abstract: A filtration device including a fluid-impermeable housing having a gas inlet and outlet, and containing within the housing first filter media particles of an extended surface area substrate and containing at least one metal impregnant, and second filter media particles of an extended surface area zirconium hydroxide substrate and zinc (hydr)oxide. The device may be used in atmospheres containing various harmful gases, and may provide particularly useful improvements in NOx breakthrough times compared to a device containing only the first filter media particles or only the second filter media particles.

Abstract: A filtration device including a fluid-impermeable housing having a gas inlet and outlet, and containing within the housing first filter media particles of an extended surface area substrate and containing at least one metal impregnant, and second filter media particles of an extended surface area zirconium hydroxide substrate. The device may be used in atmospheres containing various harmful gases, and may provide particularly useful improvements in NOx breakthrough times compared to a device containing only the first filter media particles or only the second filter media particles.

Abstract: A filtration device including a fluid-impermeable housing having a gas inlet and outlet, and containing within the housing first filter media particles of an extended surface area substrate and containing at least one metal impregnant, and second filter media particles of an extended surface area zirconium hydroxide substrate and containing zinc (hydr)oxide. The first or second filter media particles also contain an amine-functional material. The device may be used in atmospheres containing various harmful gases, and may provide particularly useful improvements in breakthrough times for nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and formaldehyde compared to a device containing only the first filter media particles or only the second filter media particles.

Abstract: Air filtering devices are disclosed that contain a first filter cartridge having a cartridge inlet and a cartridge outlet and a curved filter bed having a concave surface disposed such that air to be filtered passes through the inlet, the curved filter bed, and the outlet. The air filtering devices also contain a blower assembly having a blower inlet in fluid communication with the cartridge outlet and a blower outlet, the blower assembly includes a motor proximate to the concave surface of the curved filter bed. The motor has a rotational axis such that the rotational axis is adjacent to the center of curvature of the curved filter bed. The air filtering device may be used in powered air purifying respirators.

Abstract: A filtration device including a fluid-impermeable housing having a gas inlet and outlet, and containing within the housing first filter media particles of an extended surface area substrate and containing at least one metal impregnant, and second filter media particles of an extended surface area zirconium hydroxide substrate and containing zinc (hydr)oxide. The first or second filter media particles also contain an amine-functional material. The device may be used in atmospheres containing various harmful gases, and may provide particularly useful improvements in breakthrough times for nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and formaldehyde compared to a device containing only the first filter media particles or only the second filter media particles.

Abstract: A prefilter cover for a bidirectional-airflow respirator cartridge, the prefilter cover including front and rear clamshell portions that are flexibly connected by a flexible connecting member.

Abstract: A respirator 10 that includes a mask body 14, a filter cartridge receptacle 15, and a filter cartridge 12. The filter cartridge 12 has a side 30 that is capable of being plugged into the receptacle 15. The filter cartridge 15 can be inserted into the proper position within the receptacle 15 while the mask body 14 is being donned. The securement can be achieved without having the user visibly witness the actual engagement. An audible click or other indication can be provided so that the user knows that proper engagement has been achieved. The engagement may exhibit little spacing between the filter cartridge 12 and the mask body 14, thereby improving viewer visibility and making the inventive respirator 10 more comfortable to wear.

Abstract: A radial flow filtration system includes a housing and one or more generally cylindrical filter cartridges including a filter cartridge shell and a filter section. The filter cartridge is removable with respect to the housing and the filter section in removable with respect to the filter cartridge shell.

Abstract: A prefilter cover for a bidirectional-airflow respirator cartridge, the prefilter cover including front and rear clamshell portions that are flexibly connected by a flexible connecting member.

Abstract: A filtration device including a fluid-impermeable housing having a gas inlet and outlet, and containing within the housing first filter media particles of an extended surface area substrate and containing at least one metal impregnant, and second filter media particles of an extended surface area zirconium hydroxide substrate and zinc (hydr)oxide. The device may be used in atmospheres containing various harmful gases, and may provide particularly useful improvements in NOx breakthrough times compared to a device containing only the first filter media particles or only the second filter media particles.