Designed to help save lives and protect individuals from harm from air-borne particles, the Readi Mask from Global Safety First, of Manasquan, NJ, was recently named the recipient of the prestigious 2011 Visionary Award presented at the VISION 2011 Consumer Products Conference in Carlsbad, California.

The Readi Mask was selected over four other finalists by the attendees at the tenth annual VISION Conference, which was held from January 10-12 at the Park Hyatt in Carlsbad, California. The annual event is organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and each year it brings together hundreds of executives from nonwovens and consumer products companies around the world for three days of education and networking.

Readi Mask is a patented Particle Respirator designed to eliminate the problems with mask fit that are said to plague the respirator market. Readi Mask is said to be light, portable, effective and is made in the USA. It utilizes DelStar’s electrostatically charged DelPore melt blown media and a medical grade adhesive is used around the entire perimeter of the mask. 

Now in its tenth year, the Visionary Award is presented to a new consumer product that utilizes nonwoven fabrics in its final form. The five finalists made presentations during VISION 2011 and conference attendees voted for the recipient of the 2011 Visionary Award.

“The technical advances in the finished product, along with its novel and extensive use of nonwoven materials, proved to VISION attendees that the Readi Mask is truly a visionary product,” says Rory Holmes, President of INDA. “There were five outstanding products representing all aspects of consumer products – from baby care to wipes to cleaning products – and they were all winners by being selected as finalists in the 2011 competition.”

Mike Jacobsen and Rory Holmes presented the Visionary Award to John Schwind and Karen Conte of Global Safety First.

The other four finalists were:

Kimberly-Clark, Roswell, GA - Huggies Jeans Diaper — The Huggies Jeans Diaper is said to have a unique blue denim appearance with printed graphics that replicate authentic blue jeans. The U.S. introduction included a newly developed pigmented and printed nonwoven outercover and matching components such as nonwoven stretch ears and a nonwoven landing zone.

Nutek, Chagrin Falls, OH - Simply Soy Biodegradable Wipes — Simply Soy Biodegradable Wipes are said to both lubricate and clean and feature extra large, biodegradable wipes or towelettes with soy-based lubricants and environmentally friendly cleaners. Simply Soy biodegradable wipes are also said to feature the same safe chemistry as Simply Soy lubricant and can be used to clean and lubricate tools and other metal surfaces to prevent rust-build up.

Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH - Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers with Dry Max — Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers with Dry Max utilize a new manufacturing process that makes the product thinner while locking in wetness to make it the driest Pampers ever. This process is said to allow the company to get rid of bulky fluff material and to put the high powered absorbent gel exactly where babies need it.

Rockline Industries, Sheboygan, WI - Flushable Moist Toilet Tissue — By modifying the specifications and the addition of an engineered geometrical quilted thermal emboss design, Rockline was able to create a durable, bulkier, softer moist toilet tissue product that is said to maintain flush ability. The product is also said to be more than 95% biodegradable.

Previous recipients of the Visionary Award were Rockline’s Regenerated Cotton Wipe, which received the Visionary Award in 2010. Other previous recipients include Ahlstrom’s Disruptor Filter Media (2009); Kimberly-Clark’s Spa Sensials personal care treatment (2008); Tyco Healthcare Retail Group’s Swim Pants (2007); Chicopee’s Disaster Relief Blanket (2006); Fiberweb’s Resolution Print Media (2005); Church & Dwight’s Brillo Scrub ‘n’ Toss (2004); FMJ ChemBio’s Civilian Quick Escape Mask (2003); and Procter & Gamble's Swiffer (2002).

The 2011 VISION Consumer Products returns to New Orleans next year and will be held January 24-26, 2012 at the Hotel InterContinental. For more information, visit www.inda.org