Respirator having dynamic support structure and pleated filtering structure

Abstract

A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that has a support structure 16 and a filtering structure 18. The support structure 16 includes first and second transversely extending members 26, 28 that can move toward and apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The filtering structure 18 has a filtration layer 52 and a pleat 58. The pleat 58 allows the filtering structure 18 to contract and expand when the first and second transversely extending members 26, 28 move toward and apart from each other, respectively. This ability to expand and contract in an accordion-like manner enables the mask body to better accommodate wearer jaw movement.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to filtering face-piece respirators that can be longitudinally expanded or contracted to accommodate movement of the wearer's jaw. Expansion of the respirator is achieved by employing a movable support structure in the mask body in combination with a pleated filter structure. Background technique [0002] Respirators are typically worn on a person's airway for at least one of two common purposes: (1) to prevent impurities or contaminants from entering the wearer's airway; and (2) to protect other persons or objects from exposure to Pathogens and other pollutants exhaled by the wearer. In the first case, the respirator is worn in an environment where there are particles in the air that are harmful to the wearer, such as an auto body shop. In the second case, respirators are worn in environments where there is a potential for contamination of other people or things, such as operating theaters or clean rooms. [0003] Some respirators are cl...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Respirator wearers often need to talk to co-workers at work

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