3m Innovative Properties Company

Graham J Bostock

James F Dyrud

Dennis L Krueger

Desmond T Curran

Christopher P Henderson

John W Bryant

Seyed Abolhassan Angadjivand

Scott J Tuman

Cynthia Y Tamaki

Simon A Mortimer

Tammy M Chalmers

A personal respiratory protection device that comprises a multilayer body including a stiffening layer, filter media layer(s) and inner or outer cover layer(s). The mask body includes a central portion between first and second portions, the central portion being defined by a fold, bond, weld, seam, or combination thereof and having a width of about 160 to 220 mm and a height of about 30 to 110 mm. The device is capable of being folded flat for storage with the first portion in at least partial face-to-face contact with a surface of the central portion and the second portion contacting a surface of the first portion. When unfolded for use the device is capable of forming a cup-shaped off the face air chamber over the nose and mouth of a wearer.

Flat-folded personal respiratory protection devices and processes for preparing same

A personal respiratory protection device that includes a multi-layered structure and first and second means for attaching a headband. The multilayered structure includes a filter medium and is divided into a flat upper panel, a flat non-rectangular central panel, and a lower panel. The central panel is separated from each of the upper and lower panels by first and second lines of demarcation. The first and second lines of demarcation converge towards the first and second means for attaching a headband. The multi-layered structure can be folded at the respective lines of demarcation so that the device can be folded flat for storage and can be opened to form a cup-shaped off the face air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer while an upper peripheral edge and a lower peripheral edge contact the wearer's face when the device is in use.

Flat-folded personal respiratory protection devices

A personal respiratory protection device that comprises a mask body and an exhalation valve that is secured to the mask body. The mask body includes (i) a flat central panel; (ii) a flat first panel joined to the central panel through a fold-line, seam weld, or bond, the fold-line, seam, weld or bond of the first panel being substantially coextensive with an edge of the central panel; (iii) a flat second panel joined to the central panel through a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, the fold-line, seam, weld or bond of the second panel being substantially coextensive with an edge of the central panel. At least one of the center, first and second panels includes filter media. The device is capable of being folded for storage with the first and second panels in at least partial face-to-face contact with a common surface of the central panel and, during use, is capable of forming, over the nose and mouth of the wearer, a cup-shaped air chamber having a face-contacting periphery.

Fold-flat personal respiratory protection devices that have a flat substantially rectangular central portion having first and second edges, at flat first member joined to the first edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, said fold, bond, weld or seam of the first member being substantially coextensive with said first edge of said central portion, and a flat second member joined to the second edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, the fold, bond, weld or seam of the second member being substantially coextensive with said second edge of said central portion. At least one of the central portion and first and second members are formed from filter media. The device is capable of being folded flat for storage with the first and second members being in at least partial face-to-face contact with a common surface of the central portion and, during use, is capable of forming a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer with the unjoined edges of the central portion and first and second members adapted to contact and be secured to the nose, cheeks and chin of the wearer. The outer boundary of the unjoined edges which are adapted to contact the nose, cheeks and chin of the wearer are less than the perimeter of the device in the flat folded storage state. Also provided are process for preparing such devices.

A method of making a personal respiratory protection device. The method comprises: (a) forming a multi-layered structure that comprises a first cover web, a filtration layer that comprises a web that contains electrically-charged microfibers, and a second cover web; and (b) adapting the multi-layered structure into a first panel, a central panel, and a second panel such that the central panel is separated from each of the first and second panels by first and second lines of demarcation, and each of the first, second, and central panels is non-pleated. The first and second cover webs are disposed on first and second opposing sides of the filtration layer, respectively, and at least one of the cover webs comprises spunbond fibers. The resulting respiratory protection device is capable of being folded flat at the respective lines of demarcation for storage and can be opened to form a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer when in use.

Method of making a flat-folded personal respiratory protection device

Fold-flat personal respiratory protection devices are provided. The devices have a flat central portion having first and second edges, a flat first member joined to the first edge through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond that is substantially coextensive with the first edge, and a flat second member joined to the second edge through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond that is substantially coextensive with the second edge. At least one of the central portion and first and second members are formed from filter media. The device is capable of being folded flat for storage with the first and second members being in at least partial face-to-face contact with a common surface of the central portion and, during use, is capable of forming a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer.

Processes for preparing flat-folded personal respiratory protection devices

Fold-flat personal respiratory protection devices are provided. The devices have a flat central portion having first and second edges, a flat first member joined to the first edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, said fold, bond, weld or seam of the first member being substantially coextensive with said first edge of said central portion, and a flat second member joined to the second edge of the central portion through either a fold-line, seam, weld or bond, the fold, bond, weld or seam of the second member being substantially coextensive with said second edge of said central portion. At least one of the central portion and first and second members are formed from filter media. The device is capable of being folded flat for storage with the first and second members being in at least partial face-to-face contact with a common surface of the central portion and, during use, is capable of forming a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer with the unjoined edges of the central portion and first and second members adapted to contact and be secured to the nose, cheeks and chin of the wearer. The outer boundary of the unjoined edges which are adapted to contact the nose, cheeks and chin of the wearer are less than the perimeter of the device in the flat folded storage state. Also provided are processes for preparing such devices.

Flat-folded personal respiratory protection devices and processes for

A respiratory mask 1 has a molded, cup-shaped, shape-retaining shell 10 on the concave side of which is a layer of filter material 11 and, on the concave side of the filter material, without any intermediate shape-retaining layer, a layer of nonwoven material 12. The layer of filter material 11 and the inside layer 12 are conformed into the cup-shaped configuration of the shape-retaining shell 10. The inside layer 12 is preferably a smooth BMF material offering improved comfort to the wearer.

Growing community of inventors

Darlington, United Kingdom

Graham J Bostock