Abstract: An improved protective breathing mask comprising fire-resistant stretchable material shaped as a hood for wearing over and enclosing the head. An access opening allows the head to be placed therethrough such that a substantially airtight closure is provided at the neck. The mask includes a visor and filter materials sealed to the stretchable material. The improvement to the basic mask construction is a breathing adaptor provided on the interior side of the mask face, which encloses a one-way respirator. The breathing adaptor maintains the mouth and nose spaced apart from the filter, and efficiently directs breathing efforts to equalize inhalation airflow via substantially all of the filter, while the one-way valve eases exhalation airflow and reduces condensation on the interior side of the visor. Thus, filter utilization is improved and the filter protection time is extended, for increased safety.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of a resilient poultry feather plucking finger having a shank portion with an enlarged shoulder, a neck portion and an enlarged head portion, into an opening in a rigid finger support. The apparatus includes a locator plate and a blade assembly having a cutting blade, a hydraulic or pneumatic mechanism to displace the blade assembly and cause the blade to close on a finger which is being held by the stationary locator plate as a result of the movement of the blade assembly.

Abstract: A spindle moistener assembly for a cotton picker which assembly includes a plurality moistener members mounted in cantilever fashion to an elongated support with each moistener member including a mounting arm at one end secured to the support and a moistener pad at the opposite end disposed to be engaged by the picker spindles for moistening same during the rotation of the picker drum. Each moistener member is constituted of a unitary body of resilient material integrally formed at one end with the mounting arm and at the opposite end with the moistener pad.