3m Innovative Properties Company

Daniel J Stepan

Yonas Gebrewold

Lance E Behymer

Dwayne D Daugaard

Michael K Domroese

Philip G Martin

Thomas G Skulley

Erik J Johnson

Christopher P Henderson

Audra A Wilson

Claudio Ponzio

Francesco Lovo

Dan Mattano

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.

Buckle and respirator using such buckle, having a deformable cinch bar, and method

A filtering face-piece respiratorthat includes a mask bodyand a harnessThe mask bodycontains a filtering structurethat is retained in position on the mask bodyby a support structurethat includes a longitudinally-movable, centrally-spaced, transversely-extending memberthat extends from a first sideof the structureto a second sidewithout being joined together by any longitudinally-extending members that hinder movement of the transversely extending memberin the longitudinal direction. The transversely-extending members converge towards each other at east sideof the mask bodyA filtering face-piece respiratorof this construction can allow the mask bodyto 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.

Filtering face-piece respirator that has expandable mask body

A filtering face-piece respiratorthat comprises a harnessand a mask body. The mask bodyincludes a filtering structureand a support structure. The support structurehas first and second opposing side portionsthat each include a living hinge. The use of living hinges allows the mask body to respond dynamically to wearer jaw movement.

Filtering face-piece respirator support structure that has living hinges

A filtering face-piece respiratorthat comprises a mask bodyand a harness. The mask bodyincludes (i) a filtering structure, (ii) a plastic support structure, and (iii) a nose clipthat is secured to the plastic support structureby 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.

Filtering face-piece respirator having nose clip molded into the mask body

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Daniel J Stepan