US 2003/0192546 A1 · Flat-folded personal respiratory protection devices and processes for preparing same

Abstract

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.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A method of making a personal respiratory protection device, which method comprises:

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, wherein the first and second cover webs are disposed on first and second opposing sides of the filtration layer, respectively, where at least one of the cover webs comprises spunbond fibers;
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 adapted multi-layered structure forming a respiratory protection device that is capable of being 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 air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer when in use.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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

Life of this patent

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

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40