Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing foam, a respirator, and a method for manufacturing a sealing foam. The sealing foam includes: a main body part, the main body part being a porous foam; an air-proof film on a continuous surface; and an anchor layer, the anchor layer being continuously provided on the upper layer of the main body and provided between the air-proof film and the main body part, and the anchor layer being partially embedded in pores of the porous foam. The respirator includes a respirator main body and a sealing foam of the present invention. The method for manufacturing a sealing foam includes: providing a porous foam to prepare a main body part of a sealing foam, and providing an anchor layer and an air-proof film on the porous foam, so that the air-proof film is continuously provided on an upper surface of the main body part, wherein the anchor layer is provided between the air-proof film and the main body part, and is partially embedded in pores of the porous foam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing strip, a respirator, and a method for manufacturing a sealing strip. The sealing strip includes a main body part, the main body part having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The main body part includes a curved surface part. The curved surface part includes a first convex part and a second convex part, and the first convex part and the second convex part are connected to each other in the lengthwise direction of the sealing strip to define a concave part located therebetween. The concave part is configured to accommodate the nose of a wearer. The first convex part and the second convex part are symmetrical about the concave part. A first side surface of the curved surface part is a sinusoidal curved surface with a constant amplitude extending in the lengthwise direction of the sealing strip.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an exhalation valve and a filtering face mask that includes such exhalation valve are disclosed. The exhalation valve can include a valve seat and a valve flap disposed over a seal surface and an orifice of the valve seat. The valve flap is adapted to be sealed against the seal surface of the valve seat when the exhalation valve is disposed in a closed configuration such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve seat. The orifice of the valve seat can include a substantially circular shape in a plane defined by a first major surface of the valve seat. Further, the seal surface can circumscribe the orifice and can include a substantially noncircular shape in the plane defined by the first major surface of the valve seat.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of a respirator that includes a polymeric netting is disclosed. The respirator can include a mask body including a perimeter, a harness attached to the mask body, and a face seal disposed adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the mask body. In one or more embodiments, the face seal includes a polymeric netting including polymeric ribbons and polymeric strands, where each of the polymeric ribbons and strands having a length, width, and height, where the length is the longest dimension, the width is the shortest dimension, and the height is the dimension transverse to the length and the width. The polymeric ribbons have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5 to 1, a major surface that is intermittently bonded to only one polymeric strand, and a height that is at least two times greater than a height of the one polymeric strand.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a respirator are disclosed. The respirator can include a mask body and one or more elastic straps that are secured to the mask body on opposing sides. The elastic straps can have an openwork construction and can include a netting that has an array of polymeric strands periodically joined together at bond regions throughout the array. In one or more embodiments, the openwork elastic straps are lighter and more breathable than conventional straps. This improvement in breathability can make the respirator more comfortable to wear.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of a respirator that includes a polymeric netting is disclosed. The respirator can include a mask body including a perimeter, a harness attached to the mask body, and a face seal disposed adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the mask body. In one or more embodiments, the face seal includes a polymeric netting including polymeric ribbons and polymeric strands, where each of the polymeric ribbons and strands having a length, width, and height, where the length is the longest dimension, the width is the shortest dimension, and the height is the dimension transverse to the length and the width. The polymeric ribbons have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5 to 1, a major surface that is intermittently bonded to only one polymeric strand, and a height that is at least two times greater than a height of the one polymeric strand.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a respirator are disclosed. The respirator can include a mask body and one or more elastic straps that are secured to the mask body on opposing sides. The elastic straps can have an openwork construction and can include a netting that has an array of polymeric strands periodically joined together at bond regions throughout the array. In one or more embodiments, the openwork elastic straps are lighter and more breathable than conventional straps. This improvement in breathability can make the respirator more comfortable to wear.

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: A respirator 10 that has a mask body 12, a harness 13, and an exhalation valve 14. Both the harness 13 and the exhalation valve 14 are secured to the mask body 12. The exhalation valve 14 comprises a valve seat 20 and a flap 22 that has a surface 57 that has been ablated. Through use of an ablated flap, the flap characteristics can be better fashioned to achieve desired valve performance. The valve flap can be fashioned to remain closed under any orientation but also to open with minimal force or pressure from the wearer's exhaled air. A valve having these qualities provides a respirator that is more comfortable for a person to wear, which can be particularly beneficial to workers who wear respirators for extended time periods.

Abstract: A valve 14 that includes a valve seat 20 and a flap 22 that has a surface 57 that has been ablated. Through use of an ablated flap, the flap characteristics can be better fashioned to achieve desired valve performance. The valve flap can be fashioned to remain closed under any orientation but also to open with minimal force or pressure from the flow stream. A valve having these qualities provides a valve can operate more efficiently, which may be particularly beneficial when used one respiratory masks where the valve is powered by the wearer.

Abstract: A respirator that includes a mask body and a nose clip. The mask body is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a person, and the nose clip is placed on the mask body to extend over the bridge of the wearer's nose when the mask is worn. The nose clip has a predefined shape that comprises first and second wings. These wings exert a force resiliently inward on each side of the wearer's nose when the mask is worn. The invention eliminates the need for the wearer to individually shape the nose clip to the wearer's nose.