Abstract: A personal flotation garment device is provided for facilitating balanced flotation of a snorkeler swimming in a horizontal alignment or floating vertically. The garment comprises a front portion, a back portion, two laterally opposed arm portions and a plurality of buoyancy pockets. The garment may be formed in the shape of a shirt having a zipper extending vertically along the bisected center of said front portion to allow a user to don the garment. Buoyancy pockets enclosing closed-cell foam material are symmetrically disposed about the front and back portions. These buoyancy elements are balanced to allow a snorkeler to comfortably swim face down in a body of water. The garment may be constructed of an insulating layer and an elastic liner to promote contoured fit that provides thermal retention and UV protection.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a composite sheet, a reinforcement panel is provided including an air permeable core and an air impermeable surface layer. Perforations are formed in the reinforcement panel that extend through the surface layer and do not extend through the reinforcement panel. A mold surface is provided onto which the composite sheet may be formed. At least one outer coat of material is applied onto the mold surface. At least one coat of resin and reinforcement material is applied over the outer coat to form a reinforcement layer. The perforated reinforcement panel is applied to the reinforcement layer. Air is removed from the composite sheet.

Abstract: A filler valve assembly that includes a first housing member with an elongated hollow filler tube secured thereto, the filler tube having an outlet through which liquid exits when filling containers. A second housing member having secured thereto an elongated piston with an enlarged end portion is provided so that the elongated piston is disposed interior of the filler tube. The piston is axially moveable with respect to the filler tube to move the enlarged portion of the piston from a first, closed position to a second, open position. When in the closed position, a substantially liquid-tight seal is formed between the outlet of the filler tube and the enlarged portion of the piston, both the outlet and the enlarged portion being formed of a metal so that the seal is formed solely by metal-to-metal contact.