Molded head harness
First Claim
1. A process for making a head harness which is adapted for use in securing a respirator mask to the face of a wearer, comprising the steps of:
- a) inserting a moldable web into a mold, the web comprising a central portion and a peripheral portion extending at least partially around the central portion, the mold being adapted to receive the web as an insert and having a mold cavity shaped to permit the molding of a plurality of elastomeric fastening straps formed integrally with the peripheral portion of the web;
b) positioning and securing the web within the mold so that the peripheral portion of the web can extend into the mold cavity during the molding process;
c) clamping the blocks of the mold together at a suitable clamping pressure to thereby clamp the central portion of the web;
d) contacting the peripheral portion of the web with a molten elastomeric resin in a quantity sufficient to embed the peripheral portion of the web in the molten resin and form a plurality of elastomeric fastening straps which are integral with the peripheral portion of the web;
e) maintaining suitable pressure and temperature in the mold for a time sufficient to cure the resin and thereby form the head harness;
f) releasing the clamping pressure of the mold blocks; and
g) removing the head harness from the mold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An insert-molded head harness for use in securing a respirator mask to the face of a wearer, wherein the head harness comprises a web having a central portion and a peripheral portion extending at least partially around the central portion, and a plurality of elastomeric fastening straps having first and second ends, the first ends being integrally bonded to the peripheral portion of the web and the second ends being adapted to be used in securing a respirator mask to the face of a wearer. The head harness can include an elastomeric flange which comprises an elastomeric resin and embeds the peripheral portion of the web. The web preferably comprises a material selected from the group consisting of woven, knitted, and non-woven materials.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A process for making a head harness which is adapted for use in securing a respirator mask to the face of a wearer, comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting a moldable web into a mold, the web comprising a central portion and a peripheral portion extending at least partially around the central portion, the mold being adapted to receive the web as an insert and having a mold cavity shaped to permit the molding of a plurality of elastomeric fastening straps formed integrally with the peripheral portion of the web; b) positioning and securing the web within the mold so that the peripheral portion of the web can extend into the mold cavity during the molding process; c) clamping the blocks of the mold together at a suitable clamping pressure to thereby clamp the central portion of the web; d) contacting the peripheral portion of the web with a molten elastomeric resin in a quantity sufficient to embed the peripheral portion of the web in the molten resin and form a plurality of elastomeric fastening straps which are integral with the peripheral portion of the web; e) maintaining suitable pressure and temperature in the mold for a time sufficient to cure the resin and thereby form the head harness; f) releasing the clamping pressure of the mold blocks; and g) removing the head harness from the mold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification