Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 includes a supporting frame structure 16 and a filtering structure 18. The frame structure is injection molded onto the filtering structure 18 such that the frame structure 16 becomes bonded to the filtering structure 18. A mask body having such a support structure allows the filtering structure to follow its configuration closely, providing improved aesthetics and collapse resistance to the resulting article.

Abstract: Buckle and respirators having such buckles. The buckle has a movable cinch bar allowing a strap to be inserted into and be secured by the buckle by opening the cinch bar and inserting the strap. The cinch bar then returns to a closed position and supports the strap over the cinch bar. The cinch bar may be deformable through the use of a living hinge connecting the cinch bar to the body of the buckle. The cinch bar may be split into two members, each being deformably coupled to the buckle body, perhaps with living hinges.

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: An filtering face-piece respirator that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body includes a support structure 16, filtering structure 18, and a face seal element 40. The face seal element 40 is overmolded onto at least a portion of a perimeter of the support structure of the mask body. The overmolding of the face seal member to the support structure allows the face seal to become firmly secured to the mask body at its perimeter.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 includes a supporting frame structure 16 and a filtering structure 18. The frame structure is injection molded onto the filtering structure 18 such that the frame structure 16 becomes bonded to the filtering structure 18. A mask body having such a support structure allows the filtering structure to follow its configuration closely, providing improved aesthetics and collapse resistance to the resulting article.

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.

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-piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 includes (i) a filtering structure 18, (ii) a plastic support structure 16, and (iii) a nose clip 19 that is secured to the plastic support structure 18 by being molded therein. The inventive filtering face-piece respirator is beneficial in that it eliminates the need for an adhesive or welding step to secure the nose clip to the mask body.

Abstract: Buckle and respirators having such buckles. The buckle has a movable cinch bar allowing a strap to be inserted into and be secured by the buckle by opening the cinch bar and inserting the strap. The cinch bar then returns to a closed position and supports the strap over the cinch bar. The cinch bar may be deformable through the use of a living hinge connecting the cinch bar to the body of the buckle. The cinch bar may be split into two members, each being deformably coupled to the buckle body, perhaps with living hinges.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 includes (i) a filtering structure 18, (ii) a plastic support structure 16, and (iii) a nose clip 19 that is secured to the plastic support structure 18 by being molded therein. The inventive filtering face-piece respirator is beneficial in that it eliminates the need for an adhesive or welding step to secure the nose clip 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-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: Respirator and buckle having a flexural member allowing the buckle to move in three dimensions, potentially improving user comfort, the effectiveness of the respirator, and allowing for more precise adjustments to be made to the fit of the respirator on the user. The flexural member may be a three dimensional living hinge. By lifting on the buckle, the straps that secure the respirator to the user are released and the ability of the buckle to move in three dimensions tends to increase the situations in which the adjustment may occur. Various types of three dimensional living hinges may be utilized, including a cylindrical hinge and a serpentine hinge.

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 respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 32 and a nose foam 10. The mask body 32 is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a person and has an interior surface 34. The nose foam 10 has a rear side 24, a front side 26, a rear side 24, and is secured to the interior surface 34 of the mask body 32 at a mask contacting surface 12. The nose foam 10 also has a central portion 14 and first and second side-contacting portions 16 and 18 that are symmetrically located on opposing sides of the central portion. The nose foam further has a nose-contacting surface 20 that extends over the central portion 14 and the first and second side-containing portions 16, 18. The nose-contacting surface 20 is skewed at first and second angles ? to a plane 22 that cuts through the nose foam orthogonally to its lengthwise dimension. A nose foam of this construction can provide a snug fit to a wearer's face in the nose region without having to use a nose clip.