Abstract: Vents and micro-structures of rubber molds may become clogged with rubber that is difficult to remove. These vents and micro-structures can be cleaned of rubber, even if heat aged, by subjecting the mold to high temperatures in the presence of a solvent to devulcanize any rubber present. If the rubber used with the mold being cleaned includes carbon black, a solvent may be used to dissolve the devulcanized polymer, leaving the carbon black which can be removed by water jets or other cleaning means.

Abstract: Vents and micro-structures of rubber molds may become clogged with rubber that is difficult to remove. These vents and micro-structures can be cleaned of rubber, even if heat aged, by subjecting the mold to high temperatures in the presence of a solvent to devulcanize any rubber present. If the rubber used with the mold being cleaned includes carbon black, a solvent may be used to dissolve the devulcanized polymer, leaving the carbon black which can be removed by water jets or other cleaning means.

Abstract: A method of reducing vulcanized rubber is provided. The method comprises the steps of heating the rubber, wherein the rubber includes synthetic rubber, in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent includes water to a temperature below a critical temperature of the solvent, providing a pressure that is at least equal to a saturated vapour pressure of the solvent at the temperature and maintaining the temperature and the pressure for a time sufficient to devulcanize the rubber and produce a reaction product that is primarily a solid phase and includes rubber hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method of reducing vulcanized rubber is provided. The method comprises the steps of heating the rubber, wherein the rubber includes synthetic rubber, in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent includes water to a temperature below a critical temperature of the solvent, providing a pressure that is at least equal to a saturated vapour pressure of the solvent at the temperature and maintaining the temperature and the pressure for a time sufficient to devulcanize the rubber and produce a reaction product that is primarily a solid phase and includes rubber hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A novel organic amine-impregnated activated carbon composition is disclosed which may be used in breathing gas filters to enhance removal of various toxic perfluorocarbons. Three processes for impregnating activated carbon with organic amines are also disclosed. One of these processes comprises the steps of placing the amine in contact with substantially dry activated carbon, subjecting the carbon and amine to an environment devoid of oxidizing gases or vapors (such as oxygen gas), and then heating the carbon and amine for an extended period while maintaining this oxidizer-free environment. Pretreatment procedures to enhance both the shelf-life and service-life of the amine-impregnated activated carbon are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a gas mask, a flexible nosecup is used to prevent humid air that is exhaled from contacting the eye pieces of the mask. The nosecup is equipped with a one-way valve to allow fresh air into the nosecup. The conventional rigid valve body attached to the nosecup is replaced with a valve body molded integrally with the material of the nosecup and a valving element with a concave disk, having its rim seated on the annular valve seat of the valve body. The concave valving element accommodates any flexing of the valve body without losing the seal.

Abstract: Activated carbon is used on gas-mask canisters for filtering air to remove toxic vapors. For military use, the charcoal is impregnated with inorganic salts or organic compounds for improving the chemical activity of the charcoal with respect to toxic vapors having low boiling points and small molecular sizes, e.g. cyanogen chloride. One such compound, namely triethylenediamine (TEDA) has been added to charcoal by sublimation at atmospheric pressure. A more effective method of impregnating charcoal with TEDA utilizes reduced pressure 0.13 to 13 Pa, preferably 1.3 Pa as a driving force to facilitate vaporization of the TEDA by sublimation. The activated carbon to be impregnated is dried at 110.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. for three hours and transferred to a vacuum desiccator. The required amount of the amine, namely 1.57 to 12.57%, preferably 4.7% is placed in the container on top of the activated carbon and the container is evacuated to a pressure of about 1.3 Pa and heated at 40.degree. C.

Abstract: Head harness form gas mask consists of several pieces of biaxially stretchable elastic fabric stitched together to provide a concave configuration in the relaxed state. The harness is shaped and sized to fit a range of normal human heads by stretching over the back and top of the head. The forward edge of the harness has a number of tongues of the elastic fabric that attach to a gas mask. The preferred material for the harness is a 280 denier bare spandex power net fabric that has a flat load versus elongation curve. A gas mask fitted with the harness applies a uniform pressure within the comfort range on the face of the wearer without significant adjustment of the harness, despite wide ranges in the head size and configuration of the wearer.