Abstract: The present disclosure provides a respiratory protection device that includes a valve assembly operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some exemplary embodiments, the respiratory protection device includes an elastomeric seal, and a valve assembly and a breathing air source component are in sealing engagement with the elastomeric seal when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A respiratory protection device that includes a valve assembly operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some exemplary embodiments, the respiratory protection device includes an elastomeric seal, and a valve assembly and a breathing air source component are in sealing engagement with the elastomeric seal when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a respiratory protection device that includes a valve assembly operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some exemplary embodiments, the respiratory protection device includes an elastomeric seal, and a valve assembly and a breathing air source component are in sealing engagement with the elastomeric seal when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A respiratory protection device that includes a valve assembly operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some exemplary embodiments, the respiratory protection device includes an elastomeric seal, and a valve assembly and a breathing air source component that are in sealing engagement with the elastomeric seal when the valve assembly is in a closed configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a respiratory protection device that includes a valve assembly operable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In some exemplary embodiments, the respiratory protection device includes an elastomeric seal, and a valve assembly and a breathing air source component are in sealing engagement with the elastomeric seal when the valve assembly is in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing, an optical analyte sensor, and an optical reader. The optical analyte sensor is characterized by a first region that exhibit a first response to an analyte of interest and a second region that exhibit a second, different, response to an analyte of interest. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium and is disposed within the housing such that the detection medium is in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical reader includes at least one light source and at least one detector.

Abstract: A sensor 40 that detects a chemical such as an organic vapor. The sensor 40 includes a film that has a film body 58 that includes a detection layer 48 and that is responsive to the presence of a chemical by providing a color change. The film also includes an occluding layer 54 that has a first major surface 59 and that is bound to the film body 58 but is inert to the detection layer 48 to preclude the occluding layer 54 and the chemical from causing a color change in the film body 58 in an area 42 normal to the first major surface 59 of the occluding layer 54. A sensor having this construction can provide a distinctly visible image on the sensor, which may be helpful in evaluating the remaining life of a filter cartridge.

Abstract: A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing, an optical analyte sensor, and an optical reader. The optical analyte sensor is characterized by a first region that exhibit a first response to an analyte of interest and a second region that exhibit a second, different, response to an analyte of interest. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium and is disposed within the housing such that the detection medium is in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical reader includes at least one light source and at least one detector.

Abstract: A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing, an optical analyte sensor, and an optical reader. The optical analyte sensor is characterized by a first region that exhibit a first response to an analyte of interest and a second region that exhibit a second, different, response to an analyte of interest. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium and is disposed within the housing such that the detection medium is in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical reader includes at least one light source and at least one detector.

Abstract: A respirator 10 that includes a harness 12 and a mask body 14. The harness 12 has one or more straps 21 and a head cradle 16 that is joined to the one or more straps 21 and that includes first and second laterally-extending members 18, 20 and a latch 26. The latch 26 is able to secure the laterally-extending members 18, 20 in a spaced apart first open position to allow for placement on a person's head and is able to disengage so that the members 18, 20 can move to a second collapsed position to allow for off-the-face storage. The harness is beneficial in that it can be quickly removed from the wearer's head and can be conveniently disposed behind the wearer's neck when the wearer wants to temporarily displace the mask body from their face.

Abstract: A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing and a optical analyte sensor also disposed within the housing in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium that changes at least one of its optical characteristics in response to an analyte. The filter system further includes an optical reader having at least one light source and at least one detector. The optical reader is attached to the housing such that at least a portion of light emitted by at least one light source is reflected from the optical analyte sensor and captured by at least one detector.

Abstract: A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing, an optical analyte sensor, and an optical reader. The optical analyte sensor is characterized by a first region that exhibit a first response to an analyte of interest and a second region that exhibit a second, different, response to an analyte of interest. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium and is disposed within the housing such that the detection medium is in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical reader includes at least one light source and at least one detector.

Abstract: A filter cartridge 12 that includes a filter material 42, an end-of-service-life-indicator 40, a cartridge housing 22, and a window 38. The filter material 42 and ESLI 40 are disposed in the housing, and the ESLI 40 may be viewed through the window 38. The window 38 is configured such that the ESLI 40 can only be seen within a cone defined by an angle ? of 20 to 70 degrees. The limited viewing range precludes reader error when examining the ESLI for color change.

Abstract: A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing and a optical analyte sensor also disposed within the housing in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium that changes at least one of its optical characteristics in response to an analyte. The filter system further includes an optical reader having at least one light source and at least one detector. The optical reader is attached to the housing such that at least a portion of light emitted by at least one light source is reflected from the optical analyte sensor and captured by at least one detector.

Abstract: A filter cartridge 12 that includes a sorbent filter material 42, an end-of-service-life (ESLI) indicator 40, a housing, and a housing cover 24. The housing 22 has a sidewall 26 that has a window pane that allows the ESLI 40 to be viewed through it. The cover 24 is secured to a first perimeter 28 of the housing sidewall 26 and has an air throughput surface 32 and an opaque extension 36. The opaque extension 36 is positioned on the cover 24 such that the extension is juxtapositioned against an outer surface of the housing sidewall 26. The cover extension 36 also has a window pane located in it so that the ESLI 40 may be viewed through it too. The provision of an opaque extension 36 on the cover 24 and a window 38 in the extension 36 allows the ESLI 40 to be appropriately masked such that the sensor registration position is consistently achieved during manufacture of the filter cartridge 12.

Abstract: A filter cartridge 12 that includes a filter material 42, an end-of-service-life-indicator (ESLI) 40, a housing 22, a cover 24, and a window 38. The filter material 42 has first and second major surfaces 45, 47 and is disposed in the housing such that the second major surface 47 of the filter material is located downstream to the first major surface 45. The housing has a sidewall 26 through which the ESLI 40 can be seen. The cover 24 is secured to the housing 22 and has an opaque extension 36 that masks at least a portion of the housing sidewall 26. The window 38 is positioned on the extension 36 at a registration position where the ESLI 40 can be seen through the window 38 such that a change in a certain color of the ESLI 40 indicates that the cartridge 12 needs to be replaced. The use of the cartridge cover to provide the ESLI registration position allows the filter cartridges to be mass assembled without risk of error in achieving proper window registration.

Abstract: A respirator 10 that includes a harness 12 and a mask body 14. The harness 12 has one or more straps 21 and a head cradle 16 that is joined to the one or more straps 21 and that includes first and second laterally-extending members 18, 20 and a latch 26. The latch 26 is able to secure the laterally-extending members 18, 20 in a spaced apart first open position to allow for placement on a person's head and is able to disengage so that the members 18, 20 can move to a second collapsed position to allow for off-the-face storage. The harness is beneficial in that it can be quickly removed from the wearer's head and can be conveniently disposed behind the wearer's neck when the wearer wants to temporarily displace the mask body from their face.

Abstract: A sensor 40 that detects a chemical such as an organic vapor. The sensor 40 includes a film that has a film body 58 that includes a detection layer 48 and that is responsive to the presence of a chemical by providing a color change. The film also includes an occluding layer 54 that has a first major surface 59 and that is bound to the film body 58 but is inert to the detection layer 48 to preclude the occluding layer 54 and the chemical from causing a color change in the film body 58 in an area 42 normal to the first major surface 59 of the occluding layer 54. A sensor having this construction can provide a distinctly visible image on the sensor, which may be helpful in evaluating the remaining life of a filter cartridge.

Abstract: A filter cartridge 12 that includes a sorbent filter material 42, an end-of-service-life (ESLI) indicator 40, a housing, and a housing cover 24. The housing 22 has a sidewall 26 that has a window pane that allows the ESLI 40 to be viewed through it. The cover 24 is secured to a first perimeter 28 of the housing sidewall 26 and has an air throughput surface 32 and an opaque extension 36. The opaque extension 36 is positioned on the cover 24 such that the extension is juxtapositioned against an outer surface of the housing sidewall 26. The cover extension 36 also has a window pane located in it so that the ESLI 40 may be viewed through it too. The provision of an opaque extension 36 on the cover 24 and a window 38 in the extension 36 allows the ESLI 40 to be appropriately masked such that the sensor registration position is consistently achieved during manufacture of the filter cartridge 12.

Abstract: A filter cartridge 12 that includes a filter material 42, an end-of-service-life-indicator (ESLI) 40, a housing 22, a cover 24, and a window 38. The filter material 42 has first and second major surfaces 45, 47 and is disposed in the housing such that the second major surface 47 of the filter material is located downstream to the first major surface 45. The housing has a sidewall 26 through which the ESLI 40 can be seen. The cover 24 is secured to the housing 22 and has an opaque extension 36 that masks at least a portion of the housing sidewall 26. The window 38 is positioned on the extension 36 at a registration position where the ESLI 40 can be seen through the window 38 such that a change in a certain color of the ESLI 40 indicates that the cartridge 12 needs to be replaced. The use of the cartridge cover to provide the ESLI registration position allows the filter cartridges to be mass assembled without risk of error in achieving proper window registration.