Air decontamination devices

Publication Date

April 2, 2003

Patent Number

US7326387B2

Abstract

A face seal assembly for respirators comprising a generally U-shaped frame having a bottom portion and first and second side portions spaced from each other and extending in a generally upward direction from the bottom portion. The assembly further includes a first face seal segment attached to the bottom portion at a point closer to the second side portion than the first side portion and to the first side portion at a point above the bottom portion, and a second face seal segment attached to the bottom portion at a point closer to the first side portion than the second side portion and to the second side portion at a point above the bottom portion. The first and second face seal segments may each include an elastic piece. Further, at least a portion of the first face seal segment may extend beyond the elastic piece of the first face seal segment to form a first face seal flap and at least a portion of the second face seal segment may extend beyond the elastic piece of the second face seal segment to form a second face seal flap. The first and second face seal segments may be made of cloth, which may be nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a flame-retardant material, or an elastic material. The cloth of the first and second face seal segments may also be nonporous to prevent the movement of air through the cloth.