Softshell protective mask

Abstract

Form-fitting, comfortable, soft-shell protective apparel, commonly called aas mask, for protecting the head, upper body and respiratory tract from chemical/biological agents and toxins and radioactive particles. A unitary, easy-to-put-on, heat and moisture-dissipating multi-layer construction enables prolonged use and internalizes an adjustable suspension system as well as the purified breathing-air path. The latter is structured to enable the self-contained purifying agent to be located away from the face for facilitating weapons compatibility and reducing fatigue. Goggle-like eye lensing is designed to minimize eye relief and maximize peripheral vision and look-down capability, while providing optical correction and laser-light protection. The mask design minimizes dead space leading to distortion and other communications problems, and enables purifying-agent changes in a "hot" environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Protective apparel for protecting the head, neck and respiratory tract areas of a human body from harmful chemical, biological, or radioactive atmospheric contaminants and which also provides a source of purified breathing air from such atmosphere, said apparel comprising: hood means including a face piece portion which has a lens arrangement for direct vision and a communication device in said face piece portion at the position of nose and mouth regions located on said face piece portion, said hood means being comprised of unitary laminated construction of material having a first layer composed of a heat and moisture dissipating material, a second layer comprised of material providing a contaminant barrier, and a third layer comprised of material providing a flexible, puncture-resistant barrier, said hood means further including a suspension system in the head portion of said hood means, said suspension system comprising a series of permanently elastic strips extending from said face piece portion, attached between the said first and second layer materials; and   said source of purified breathing air being provided by a separable air-purifying filter external to said hood means, said filter shaped in a substantially flattened structure, and including connecting means for enabling rapid disengagement and replacement of such filter without loss of integrity of the purified air, wherein said connecting means divides to form a pair of paths of purified air flow, one path extending to either side of the neck and jaw areas of the wearer.   
     
     
       2. Protective apparel according to claim 1, wherein said first layer material is from the class of hollow-core fiber fabrics which includes polyester and a polyester-cotton combination. 
     
     
       3. Protective apparel according to claim 2, wherein said second layer is of saran material. 
     
     
       4. Protective apparel according to claim 3, wherein said third layer is from the class of flexible chemically protective materials which includes bromobutyl.