Figgie International, Inc.

James V Zappa

Charles M Huck

Jeffrey J Dosch

Joseph Guglielmelli

A storage canister apparatus (10,110) particularly useful for housing a Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE) device therein, is described. A first embodiment of the storage canister comprises a container (12) provided with a removable closure means in a vacuum sealed relationship therewith to prolong the useful life of the PBE device housed therein. The closure means is secured to the container by a gasket seal (44) such that a pulling force on a handle (64) causes the closure means to move with respect to the container to release a plug (44) provided in an inner cover (16) to thereby break the vacuum seal to access the PBE device. A second embodiment comprises a 'peel top' closure means that is peeled from the container in response to a pulling force applied to a handle (156) to release the vacuum sealed relationship between a container (114) and the closure means to thereby access the PBE device housed therein. Both embodiments of the storage canister provide for instant access to the PBE device which is important when the breathing equipment must be donned quickly in an emergency situation.

Storage canister for protective breathing equipment

A quick-donning protective hood assembly for respiratory protection from smoke and noxious gases. The assembly consists of a clear 'TEFLON' film hood (12) having a scrubber canister (20) and an exhaust valve (42) supported thereon. A neck seal (14) is connected to the lower marginal edge of the hood. A springlike hoop (16) is connected to the lower marginal edge of the hood. A bib (18) is carried by the springlike hoop and supports an oxygen generator (22) which is interconnected with the scrubber canister by an oxygen supply line (24). Waist straps (54) extend from the sides of the bib and may be adjusted to secure the bib about the wearer. The assembly can be stored in a cylindrical storage container with the hoop being collapsed. When the assembly is withdrawn from the storage container, a lanyard (62) will initiate the operation of the chemical oxygen generator. In addition, chemiluminescent devices (64) are secured to the hoop when in the storage container, and the springing open of the hoop when withdrawn from the storage container will initiate a chemiluminescent reaction within the illuminating devices. The springlike hoop will additionally spring the assembly open to position the components for quick donning.

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Williamsville, NY, United States of America

James V Zappa