Abstract: For a firefighter, rescue worker, or chemical worker or another wearer needing head protection, a protective hood, a fitment, a face mask, and a head harness are combined. The head harness is attached to the face mask, at an upper portion of the face mask, so as to secure the face mask to the wearer's head, when the face mask and the head harness are worn. The protective hood is attached detachably to the face mask, at a lower portion of the face mask, but is not attached elsewhere. The protective hood is adapted to cover the wearer's head and to cover the head harness, except for a frontal region of the wearer's head, when the protective hood, the face mask, and the head harness are worn. The fitment is attachable to the face mask.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ventilation system for a protective suit for use in hazardous environments. In a further aspect it concerns the protective suit itself. An air purifying respirator draws air from outside the protective suit through a filter, supplies filtered breathing air via a breathing hose to a space within the face piece, and supplies filtered ventilating air via a ventilating hose to the interior of the protective suit. A ventilation valve in the ventilating hose automatically closes only during periods of high breathing demand to counter a pressure drop inside the face piece.

Abstract: A device for supplying breathing air in the interior of a safety clothing is provided wherein low air flow velocity and low noise is guaranteed so as to prevent drying out of the mucosa of the user, undesired partial cooling and nuisance due to noise. A hose system (3) is provided in the interior of a safety clothing (1), which hose system is connected to a compressed air source and has a tube section designed as a semicircle (5) at the level of the neck part (6). The tube section is sealed in its lower area (7) and made porous in its upper area (8), so that breathing air flows at a low velocity of flow upward to the breathing organs mouth and nose from the tube section.

Abstract: A cold weather breathing device and method. Exhaled air warmed by the lungs of a user is flowed into contact with a heat exchange medium to heat the heat exchange medium. The heat exchange medium is positioned in a hollow body adjacent the chest and under cold weather outer clothing of the user. Upon inhaling, cold outside air is contacted with the heat exchange medium so that the inhaled air is heated by the heat exchange medium.

Abstract: A vapor phase treated electret filter media includes an additive or mixtures thereof that enhance the charge stability of the media. The filter media achieves acceptable alpha values for a range of filtration challenges without significant decay in alpha values over time. Preferred charge additives include fatty acid amides and mixtures thereof. Exemplary vapor phase deposition monomers include fluorinated monomers.

Abstract: A personal containment system includes a generally fluid-tight barrier and a powered air delivery system. The blower is generally isolated from the outer environment and draws purified air from a filter in fluid communication with the blower and generally located outside the containment system. A sealed port between the blower and filter provides a generally fluid tight connection to the barrier and blower during filter replacement. Leakage of contaminants into the system is minimized, and limited to materials that might enter the blower inlet. The blower inlet remains accessible during filter replacement, thereby speeding and simplifying the filter replacement process.

Abstract: In a protective combination wearable by a firefighter or by an emergency worker, a face mask has a face-conformable gasket defining an outwardly opening trough. Further, a protective garment has a hood, which has a peripheral edge and which defines a tubular hem along the peripheral edge. Moreover, an inflatable tube, which extends through the tubular hem, is adapted to form a seal between the face-conformable gasket and the peripheral edge of the hood, when inflated so as to press the tubular hem along the peripheral edge of the hood into the outwardly opening trough, whereby to provide a seal between the face mask and the hood.

Abstract: For a firefighter, rescue worker, or chemical worker or another wearer needing head protection, a protective hood, a fitment, a face mask, and a head harness are combined. The protective hood is adapted to cover the wearer's head, except for a frontal region of the wearer's head. The fitment is attached to the protective hood so as to situate the fitment below the frontal region of the wearer's head. The head harness is attached to the face mask so as to secure the face mask to the wearer's head, over the frontal region of the wearer's head. The fitment is attached detachably to the protective hood and to the face mask. In a preferred embodiment, the fitment is a regulator of a self-contained breathing apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the fitment is a respirator, to which an air filter is attached.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective respiratory apparatus including a neck-sealable hood adapted to enclose the head of a wearer, the hood having an interior and exterior, two filters sealingly secured in symmetrical relation to the hood wherein air passing from the outside of the hood to the inside of the hood is filtered of contaminants, a half-mask cup inside the hood, the cup adapted to sealingly cover the nose and mouth of the wearer, the cup mechanically, but not fluidly coupled to the two filters, and at least one air intake valve in the cup wherein filtered air resident in the interior of the hood is drawn into the half-mask cup for respiration by the wearer.

Abstract: An oxygen head tent which is placeable over an individuals head for providing a gas, preferably oxygen, is described. The oxygen head tent has a hood portion which is connected to a hood ring. The hood ring slides over a two-piece neck ring, the two-piece neck ring consisting of an upper neck ring and a lower neck ring retained in adjacent relationship. The hood ring slides over the two-piece neck ring and forms a sealing relationship therewith. The two-piece neck ring has a neck seal retained therein and has a sealing ring on the outer periphery thereof for engagement with the working surface of the hood ring. Ports may be provided for directing a flow of a gas into and from the interior portion of the hood where the individuals head is located. The neck seal provides an adequate seal between the neck ring and the individuals neck such that a pressurized environment may be created in the hood.

Abstract: A protective neck and shoulder shroud assembly for use with a self contained breathing apparatus, the assembly including a neck curtain including a head portion, a left flap coupled to and extending generally forwardly from the head portion, and a right flap coupled to and extending generally forwardly from the head portion. The neck curtain further includes a fastener for releasably coupling the left and right flaps together such that when the flaps are coupled together. The neck curtain has a front opening located above the flaps, the front opening being located to expose at least a portion of a wearer's face or to expose at least a portion of an mask worn on the wearer's face when the neck curtain is worn by a wearer. The assembly includes a generally cylindrical enclosure shaped and sized to receive a gas canister therein, and a fastener for coupling the enclosure to an inner surface of the neck curtain.

Abstract: For a firefighter, a combination of protective gear comprises a face mask, a head harness, and a protective hood adapted to cover the wearer's head, except for at least a portion of the wearer's face, and to cover an outer perimeter of a window portion of the face mask. The protective hood is attached to the head harness, preferably to flexible straps of the head harness, so that the protective hood is attachable to the face mask, along with the head harness, and so the protective hood is detachable from the window portion, along with the head harness. The protective hood is attached thereto via stitches or is attached thereto detachably, as via snap fasteners or hook-and-loop fasteners.

Abstract: A neck seal for use in a protective hood includes an inner section including a passage for donning. The inner section is fabricated from an elastomeric material to form a seal around a neck of a user. The neck seal also includes an outer section adhered to the inner section. The outer section is fabricated from a material heat sealable to a hood covering material. In one embodiment, the elastomeric material of the inner section is a latex material. The outer section can, for example, be fabricated from a thermoplastic material. In one embodiment the thermoplastic material is a polyurethane such as a polyester-based polyurethane.

Abstract: An apparatus having a face mask removably attachable to a firefighting hood is provided. The face mask used in cooperation with a breathing apparatus such as a self-contained breathing assembly or a respirator. The face mask has a rim supporting a seal member that operatively sealingly engages the user's face providing a breathing chamber between the user's face and the face mask that is sealed off from the external environment. The firefighting hood has a compliant material enclosing the wearer's head and a support frame surrounding a front opening in the firefighting hood exposing the wearer's face. The firefighting hood matingly engages the face mask such that a perimeter portion of the firefighting hood around the front opening is nested behind the rim of the face mask so as to prevent gaps between the firefighting hood and the face mask.

Abstract: The device has a face cover, a mouth-and-nose mask, and fasteners for holding the face cover on the face. The face cover is provided with a flexible gasket surrounding the eyes, a sea means at its periphery, and a closable coupling to a filtered gas feed. The mouth-and-nose mask, placed inside the face cover, is fitted with a demand regulator and with a direct exhaust to atmosphere. The breathe-in and breathe-out paths are separated by cases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ventilation system for a protective suit for use in hazardous environments. In a further aspect it concerns the protective suit itself. An air purifying respirator draws air from outside the protective suit through a filter, supplies filtered breathing air via a breathing hose to a space within the face piece, and supplies filtered ventilating air via a ventilating hose to the interior of the protective suit. A ventilation valve in the ventilating hose automatically closes only during periods of high breathing demand to counter a pressure drop inside the face piece.

Abstract: A protective headgear for a firefighter comprising a firefighting hood constructed from an aramid knit material, including a front opening for exposure of the firefighters face; an SCBA mask shaped to engage the firefighter's face; a fastening system for attaching the SCBA mask to the firefighting hood along the perimeter of the mask such that the front opening of the hood is positioned within the perimeter of the mask, assuring that at least the firefighter's mouth will be within the mask when worn; and a retainer attached to opposite sides of the mask and adapted to extend around the back of the firefighter's head such that the strap holds the mask snugly against the firefighter's face. Preferably, the fastening system attaches the mask to the firefighting hood at a plurality of points along the perimeter of the mask, such that when the hood and face mask system is donned by the firefighter, there is no skin exposed between the hood and the mask.

Abstract: There is described a wearable garment capable of supplying air to a user comprising a plurality of compartments disposed about the garment, a plurality of air storage vessels for fitting into respective ones of the compartments, an air regulator, a connector for connecting the plurality of air storage vessels to the regulator, and a breathing member connected to the regulator in fluid communication therewith, wherein the breathing member allows a user to receive air from the plurality of air storage vessels.

Abstract: A hood, particularly for an emergency escape breathing apparatus and having a box-like appearance, comprises generally planar front and rear panels left and right side panel and a top panel. The panels are made from flexible material, but the box-like shape is maintained by stiffening the front and rear panels by stiffening means. The front panel is formed with a transparent visor. Breathable gas is supplied to the hood via a valve attached to a fitting on the front panel.

Abstract: A cold weather breathing device that protects the face including the mouth and nostril area from direct exposure to the external environment, prevents a user's goggles from fogging in cold environments, and keeps moist exhaled breath away from the user's face. In a preferred embodiment, the device is configured to provide separate breathing channels for exhaled air from the mouth and nose. To promote ease of cleaning, the breathing device can be attached to a head garment with a simple interlocking design that allows its removal and separate cleaning. The breathing device provides a nose-channel-forming member and mouth disc that are mounted on the head garment and inset into a mouth-channel-forming member which is thus attached to the head garment.

Abstract: A protective neck and shoulder shroud assembly for use with a self contained breathing apparatus, the assembly including a neck curtain including a head portion, a left flap coupled to and extending generally forwardly from the head portion, and a right flap coupled to and extending generally forwardly from the head portion. The neck curtain further includes a fastener for releasably coupling the left and right flaps together such that when the flaps are coupled together. The neck curtain has a front opening located above the flaps, the front opening being located to expose at least a portion of a wearer's face or to expose at least a portion of an mask worn on the wearer's face when the neck curtain is worn by a wearer. The assembly includes a generally cylindrical enclosure shaped and sized to receive a gas canister therein, and a fastener for coupling the enclosure to an inner surface of the neck curtain.

Abstract: A carrying device for a respirator is combined with protective clothing. The combination includes shoulder belts and waist belts on the carrying device. Quick-connection elements are provided at the ends of the shoulder belts and of the waist belts. Coupling elements are provided on the protective clothing for the quick-connection elements.

Abstract: An apparatus having a face mask removably attachable to a firefighting hood is provided. The face mask used in cooperation with a breathing apparatus such as a self-contained breathing assembly or a respirator. The face mask has a rim supporting a seal member that operatively sealingly engages the user's face providing a breathing chamber between the user's face and the face mask that is sealed off from the external environment. The firefighting hood has a compliant material enclosing the wearer's head and a support frame surrounding a front opening in the firefighting hood exposing the wearer's face. The firefighting hood matingly engages the face mask such that a perimeter portion of the firefighting hood around the front opening is nested behind the rim of the face mask so as to prevent gaps between the firefighting hood and the face mask.

Abstract: A protective structure for use in a surgical environment includes a face shield formed as a transparent tube to extend around the wearer's head and a cloth head covering extending above and around the face shield, with a viewing aperture being formed in the head covering to extend in front of the wearer's face, and with the head covering being attached to the face shield around the viewing aperture. A support structure extends from a rear portion of the face shield to a front portion thereof, forming an air channel through which air is moved by an internal fan between an air inlet aperture in the head covering at the rear of the support structure and an air outlet at the front of the support structure above the wearer's face.

Abstract: The instant invention is a skin diving snorkel having a conduit with an end above the water surface, and an underwater end that terminates in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece provides a flow path between the conduit and the interior of the diver's mouth. A buoyant chamber, separate from the conduit, surrounds and is coaxial with the conduit above water end. A lower opening in the chamber is joined to the conduit by a convoluted diaphragm. The convoluted diaphragm provides a flexible and watertight barrier that enables the chamber to be easily buoyed a short distance upward, guided by the snorkel conduit. The conduit's open end protrudes loosely through an upper opening in the chamber. The conduit open end carries a flexible circular diaphragm which, when it makes contact with the upper opening of the buoyed chamber, serves as a check valve allowing exhalation flow from the conduit to ambient, but blocks the flow of water into the snorkel.

Abstract: An air-impermeable hood having first and second substantially airtight seals adapted to encircle a portion of a wearer's body below the head, typically the neck. Continuously exhaled air from the wearer of the hood is channeled between the first and second seals pressurizing a space there between creating a continuously pressurized purge zone to the introduction of ambient air into the hood. When the pressure in the purge zone exceeds the resistance of the second seal, air taking the path of least resistance flows out of the second seal. The effect is that exhaled air from the wearer creates a pressurized barrier against ambient air yet also prevents the accumulation of excess carbon dioxide and moisture within the ocular area.

Abstract: A breathing mask worn by a firefighter or by another wearer in a hazardous environment exposing the wearer potentially to heat and/or flame as well as to smoke and/or other chemical and/or biological agents is provided with an air filter, which is contained in a canister having an air inlet or air inlets and being connected to the breathing mask via a conduit, and with a protective cover for the conduit and for the canister. The protective cover comprises a fabric shell, which covers the conduit, essentially as far as the breathing mask, and which covers the canister, except that the fabric shell has an air inlet or air inlets communicating with the air inlet or air inlets of the canister. The fabric shell is made from a heat-resistant, flame-resistant fabric, preferably an aluminized fabric, such as an aluminized knit comprising approximately 33% polybenzimidazole fibers and approximately 67% polyparaphenylene terephthalamide fibers.

Abstract: A head gear apparatus (10) is provided that moves air to cool a caregiver's head. The head gear apparatus (10) includes a helmet (12) that has a shell (114) configured to rest upon a head of a user and a fan housing (120) movably coupled to shell (114), a fan (122) is positioned to lie within fan housing (120) and moves with fan housing (120) relative to shell (114), and a garment (14) selectively coupled to helmet (12). Garment (14) includes a face shield (20).

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying breathable gas wherein the apparatus includes a main housing, a sub-housing having a gas flow path between a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a power source within the main housing and an impeller within the sub-housing in fluid communication between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The impeller is adapted to releasably engage the motive power source external the gas flow path and the sub-housing is releasably connectable to said main housing. Also disclosed is a method of cleaning, sterilising or disinfecting the gas flow path of the breathable gas supply apparatus. The method includes removing the sub-housing from the main housing, cleaning, sterilising, disinfecting or replacing the sub-housing and connecting the sub-housing to the main housing.

Abstract: Aeration tube provided on its lower end with a mouthpiece (2) and on its upper end with an air intake hole (41), such tube consisting in its length of two or more tubular elements (1, 3) connected in such a way that the tube can be folded two or more times on itself.

Abstract: A sleep apnea headgear for positioning breathing apparatus on the head of a user includes a T-shaped rear portion and a T-shaped front portion each having latitudinal and longitudinal legs and a chinstrap made from a stretchable, breathable, laminated neoprene substitute having an inner surface of LYCRA® fabric and an outer surface of UBL loop material. The rear portion includes a hook-and-loop fastener at opposite lateral segments of its latitudinal leg for securing opposite ends of the chinstrap to the outer surface of the latitudinal leg, and a hook pad on the inner surface at each lateral end of the latitudinal leg. The front portion includes a slot opening at each lateral end of its latitudinal leg sized for receiving a corresponding lateral end of the latitudinal leg of the rear portion, whereby the hook pads may be attached directly to the outer loop surface of the latitudinal leg of the front portion.

Abstract: The invention is a special modified scuba diving apparatus intended for use by an animal, and more specifically the famous diving dog “Shadow.” The invention includes a helmet, a harness for supporting the helmet and a source of breathable gas, a special regulator providing a supply of breathable gas to the interior of the helmet, an exhaust for withdrawing exhaled air and residue water from the helmet without depressurizing the helmet, and a system of weights to compensate for the buoyancy of the user, and to counteract a net moment created about the center of buoyancy. The breathing system includes a muffler. An intercom system for providing voice instructions to Shadow can also be included.