A method for a person to control transmission of particles to and away from his/her frontal face region including the step of obtaining a face covering apparatus with a frame that can be held on the person's head and a covering assembly on the frame. With the frame on the person's head, the wall structure on the covering assembly is movable between blocking and staging positions. In the former position, the wall structure blocks airborne particles moving toward and away from a person's nostrils and/or mouth. In the latter position, the wall structure does not reside directly forwardly of the person's frontal face region below a horizontal plane at or above a top of the person's mouth.

A face covering apparatus and method of using the apparatus. A frame is configured to be placed in an operative position on a wearer's head and releasably maintained in the operative position by at least one of: a) resting upon one or both of a wearer's ears and b) frictionally engaging a part of the wearer's head. A covering assembly on the frame has a wall structure with: i) a first region configured to conform to the wearer's face region around the wearer's nose; and ii) a second region configured to conform to the wearer's face region around the wearer's mouth. The face covering apparatus is configured so that with the frame in the operative position on the wearer's head and the wall structure in a blocking position on the frame, the first and second regions on the wall structure together reside in the path of airborne particles moving: A) in a forward direction from the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth; and B) in a rearward direction towards the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth.

A flat mounting plate frictionally engages a protective facemask body inner surface, surrounds a first opening, at least partially, and defines a second opening that is co-extensive with the first opening, at least partially. A flat retaining plate frictionally engages the protective facemask body outer surface, surrounds the first opening, at least partially, and defines a third opening that is co-extensive with the first opening, at least partially. A tubular spacer is positioned between the flat mounting plate and the flat retaining plate inserted into the first opening to define a passageway connecting the second opening to the third opening for nourishment to flow therethrough. A gasket is positioned between the flat mounting plate and the flat retaining plate to seal the passageway. The flat mounting plate and the flat retaining plate define jaws for gripping the protective facemask body to hold the port assembly in place.

A respirator oxygen mask having a filter, a mask body, an outer edge is described herein. Disposed in the mask body of the respirator oxygen mask is a mask opening and a straw opening, with the mask opening disposed above the straw opening. Additionally, a sliding door is adapted to cover the mask opening. The straw opening having a mask straw attachment adapted to receive a straw and a straw opening cover removably attached to the mask straw attachment. The respirator oxygen mask also having a face mask reduction attachment adapted to fasten to the outer edge. Furthermore, the mask body having a front surface with a hose attachment ring disposed over the filter and adapted to receive a tube and a rear surface with a filter holder and a filter cover to secure the filter in place.

A respirator mask. The respirator mask has a filter that extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the mask itself, leaving a central area that coincides with the position of the wearer's mouth unobstructed. A front panel of the mask may be transparent over at least the central area in order to allow the mouth to be seen while the mask is worn. The filter may be a pleated particulate filter, a chemical/gas filter, or a filter of mixed type. The front panel may also include other features, like a port for a drinking straw. The respirator mask may include headgear.

A protective mask having a valve assembly that allow a user to drink a beverage while wearing the mask to maintain a safe environment by filtering contaminants, such as pathogens and particles from passing through the mask. The valve assembly may be provided on the mask or may be separately provided for attachment to a mask. The protective mask with the valve assembly has an attachment portion that allows common beverage straws to connect with the valve assembly to allow liquids to be draw through the mask by a user through a passageway. A check valve limits liquid flow in a single direction and actuates to open the valve when a user draws in liquid through the mouthpiece. The valve remains closed and blocks passage of inhaled or exhaled air, and blocks liquid flow in the direction opposite of the flow direction.

A portable hydration system and various components are disclosed. The system utilizes a pump to transfer potable liquid (e.g. water) from a liquid container to a user during challenging activities (e.g. endurance motorcycle riding).

A portable hydration system and various components are disclosed. The system utilizes a pump to transfer potable liquid (e.g. water) from a liquid container to a user during challenging activities (e.g. endurance motorcycle riding).

A combined microphone and fluid-delivery apparatus includes a microphone disposed at an end of a support member, and a fluid passageway supported by the support member. A mouthpiece extends from the passageway so as to be positioned adjacent the microphone. The mouthpiece defines an outlet port that is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway.

A hydration system including a fluid reservoir, a fluid path in communication with the reservoir, and a magnetic quick connect interposed in the fluid path is disclosed. A fluid delivery system for a hydration system is also disclosed that includes a magnetic quick connect interposed in a fluid delivery path of the delivery system. The magnetic quick connect can also be used in a wide variety of fluid delivery systems. A kit for forming a fluid delivery system for a hydration system is also disclosed, as are various components of a hydration system.