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US 5,617,849 AGranted
Respirator having thermochromic fit-indicating seal
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsJames E. Springett, Leonard W. Barrett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Respirator 10 has a respirator body 11 that is configured to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer. A thermochromic material 18 is positioned on the respirator body 11 such that the thermochromic material 18 makes thermal contact with the wearer's face when the respirator 10 is worn. The contact causes the thermochromic material 18 to change color to allow the wearer to determine if a proper fit has been established.
Claims12
A respirator that comprises:
- a respirator body configured to fit over at least the nose and mouth of a wearer;
- and
- a thermochromic material positioned on the respirator body such that the thermochromic material makes thermal contact with the wearer's face when the respirator is worn, the thermal contact causing the thermochromic material to change color to allow the wearer to determine if a proper fit is established.
A method of evaluating the fit of a respirator on a person's face, which comprises the steps of:
- placing a respirator over at least the nose and mouth of a person, wherein the respirator has a thermochromic material positioned on the respirator such that the thermochromic material makes thermal contact with the wearer's face when the respirator is placed over the nose and mouth of a wearer;
- displacing the respirator from the wearer's face;
- and then
- visually examining the thermochromic material on the respirator to ascertain color changes that indicate where the respirator does and does not make thermal contact with the person's face.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.