Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator (10) having a cup-shaped, molded mask body (20) and having integral nose pads (21, 26) provided by inwardly-folded tabs (41, 46), which tabs (41, 46) are integral extensions of at least one layer of the mask body (20).

Abstract: Buckle and respirators having such buckles. The buckle has a movable cinch bar allowing a strap to be inserted into and be secured by the buckle by opening the cinch bar and inserting the strap. The cinch bar then returns to a closed position and supports the strap over the cinch bar. The cinch bar may be deformable through the use of a living hinge connecting the cinch bar to the body of the buckle. The cinch bar may be split into two members, each being deformably coupled to the buckle body, perhaps with living hinges.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 contains a filtering structure 18 that is retained in position on the mask body 12 by a support structure 16 that includes a longitudinally-movable, centrally-spaced, transversely-extending member 26 that extends from a first side 22 of the structure 16 to a second side 24 without being joined together by any longitudinally-extending members that hinder movement of the transversely extending member 26 in the longitudinal direction. The transversely-extending members converge towards each other at east side 22, 24 of the mask body 12. A filtering face-piece respirator 10 of this construction can allow the mask body 12 to readily accommodate the motion of a person's jaw. Workers who use this filtering face-piece respirator may find it much easier to talk to other persons when working. A single mask size also may be able to properly fit to faces of various sizes.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a harness 14 and a mask body 12. The mask body 16 includes a filtering structure 18 and a support structure 16. The support structure 16 has first and second opposing side portions 22, 24 that each include a living hinge 44. The use of living hinges allows the mask body to respond dynamically to wearer jaw movement.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 includes (i) a filtering structure 18, (ii) a plastic support structure 16, and (iii) a nose clip 19 that is secured to the plastic support structure 18 by being molded therein. The inventive filtering face-piece respirator is beneficial in that it eliminates the need for an adhesive or welding step to secure the nose clip to the mask body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improving water quality using a gasification system. Whereas water is normally a deterrent to the combustion process, water is beneficial to the gasification of carbonaceous materials. The method and apparatus uses this, and other aspects, to utilize several processes to improve water quality by means of gasification in new and beneficial ways.

Abstract: Buckle and respirators having such buckles. The buckle has a movable cinch bar allowing a strap to be inserted into and be secured by the buckle by opening the cinch bar and inserting the strap. The cinch bar then returns to a closed position and supports the strap over the cinch bar. The cinch bar may be deformable through the use of a living hinge connecting the cinch bar to the body of the buckle. The cinch bar may be split into two members, each being deformably coupled to the buckle body, perhaps with living hinges.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 includes (i) a filtering structure 18, (ii) a plastic support structure 16, and (iii) a nose clip 19 that is secured to the plastic support structure 18 by being molded therein. The inventive filtering face-piece respirator is beneficial in that it eliminates the need for an adhesive or welding step to secure the nose clip to the mask body.

Abstract: Respirator and buckle having a flexural member allowing the buckle to move in three dimensions, potentially improving user comfort, the effectiveness of the respirator, and allowing for more precise adjustments to be made to the fit of the respirator on the user. The flexural member may be a three dimensional living hinge. By lifting on the buckle, the straps that secure the respirator to the user are released and the ability of the buckle to move in three dimensions tends to increase the situations in which the adjustment may occur. Various types of three dimensional living hinges may be utilized, including a cylindrical hinge and a serpentine hinge.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a harness 14 and a mask body 12. The mask body 16 includes a filtering structure 18 and a support structure 16. The support structure 16 has first and second opposing side portions 22, 24 that each include a living hinge 44. The use of living hinges allows the mask body to respond dynamically to wearer jaw movement.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 contains a filtering structure 18 that is retained in position on the mask body 12 by a support structure 16 that includes a longitudinally-movable, centrally-spaced, transversely-extending member 26 that extends from a first side 22 of the structure 16 to a second side 24 without being joined together by any longitudinally-extending members that hinder movement of the transversely extending member 26 in the longitudinal direction. The transversely-extending members converge towards each other at east side 22, 24 of the mask body 12. A filtering face-piece respirator 10 of this construction can allow the mask body 12 to readily accommodate the motion of a person's jaw. Workers who use this filtering face-piece respirator may find it much easier to talk to other persons when working. A single mask size also may be able to properly fit to faces of various sizes.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a mask body 12 and a harness 14 and a support structure 16. The support structure 16 has a perimeter 20 that includes buckles 40 that are integrally joined to the perimeter 20. A mask body of this construction avoids the need to separately make the buckles and the mask body support structure and avoids an additional step in the assembly of the respirator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reducing H2S in high-strength by-products by preventing H2S formation rather than temporarily scavenging H2S after it has formed. One exemplary additive uses an SRB inhibitor alone or in combination with a scavenging agent.