Abstract: A system and method for disposing non-radioactive mercury found in waste material at a concentration of greater than 260 mg of mercury per kg of the waste material is provided. The method includes a chemical treatment step followed by an encapsulation step. The chemical treatment includes mixing the waste mercury with sulfur in a reactor to convert the mercury into mercury sulfide. The chemical treatment also includes maintaining conditions within the reactor for reaction efficiency and safety. Other additives may be added to the reactor to further mitigate leachability or mobility of the mercury in order to meet a regulatory standard regarding waste mercury. The encapsulation includes placing the chemically treated mercury inside an impervious container, such as a steel, cement, or plastic container. The encapsulated and chemical treated mercury can then be placed in a landfill without an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.

Abstract: A face mask apparatus for filtering air, the face mask apparatus including a primary face mask having a face seal for providing an airtight flexible seal around the nose and mouth of the user; a support sealably attached to the face seal, wherein the support has an open area that allows for passage of incoming air; a front shell for removably attaching to the support, wherein the front shell has at least one inlet hole for allowing the incoming air to pass through the open area of the support; a filter for filtering particulate elements from air, wherein the filter is configured to be housed between the front shell and the support, and the face seal provides a direct connection between the filter and the user; and a receiver projecting from an exterior surface of the front shell for receiving a secondary mask.

Abstract: A respirator mask, having a face cup shaped to cover a nose and a mouth of a user, the face cup having a face seal for providing an airtight flexible seal around the nose and mouth of the user, the face cup having at least one respiration port therethrough; a filter for filtering particulate elements from air, the filter received in an inhalation passage formed through the face cup by the at least one respiration port to filter air passing through the inhalation passage; and an accessory housing secured to the face cup to hold a mask accessory, the accessory housing being shaped to receive at least one accessory therein.

Abstract: A respiratory system composes an oxygen supply, a vented respiratory mask, a hose coupled to the oxygen supply, and a connector apparatus joining the respiratory mask and the hose. The connector apparatus may comprise mask connector member to govern fluid flow through a vent in a mask, a mask valve received in a mask fluid flow passage movable between a rest position in which the mask fluid flow passage is blocked and an actuated position in which the mask fluid flow passage is unblocked, a biasing member biasing the mask valve towards the rest position, and a hose connector member to be secured to a fluid hose. The hose connector member includes a valve actuator to move the mask valve to the actuated position when the hose connector member is coupled to the mask connector member.

Abstract: A face mask for filtering air includes a face seal for providing an airtight flexible seal around the nose and mouth of a user, a support sealably attached to the face seal, wherein the support has an open area that allows for passage of incoming air and outlet valves for expelling exhaled air, a front shell for removably attaching to the support, wherein the front shell has inlet holes for allowing the incoming air to pass through the open area of the support, and a filter for filtering particulate elements from air. The filter is configured to be housed between the front shell and the support. The face seal provides a direct connection between the filter and the user.

Abstract: A face mask for filtering air includes a support defining an open area that provides for passage of air between the mouth and environment; a seal coupled to the support and extending rearwardly from the support, the seal sized and shaped to surround a nose and a mouth of a user and support the face mask on the user's face when the face mask is worn by the user; a moldable member extending rearwardly from a rear edge of the support, the moldable member increasing in malleability upon the application of heat and decreasing in malleability upon cooling; a front shell for removably attaching to the support, the front shell having inlet holes for facilitating passage of incoming air through the open area of the support; and a filter for filtering particulate elements from air, the filter configured to be housed between the front shell and the support.

Abstract: A scent pod is attached to a face mask. The scent pod includes a scented body for providing a scent to the user and a scent body holder for holding the scented body and securing the scented body to the face mask. A face mask includes a support for attaching to a user's face and a scent pod for providing a scent. The scent pod is attached to the support. The scent pod provides the scent to an internal chamber of the face mask.

Abstract: A face mask for filtering air includes a face seal for providing an airtight flexible seal around the nose and mouth of a user, a support sealably attached to the face seal, wherein the support has an open area that allows for passage of incoming air and outlet valves for expelling exhaled air, a front shell for removably attaching to the support, wherein the front shell has inlet holes for allowing the incoming air to pass through the open area of the support, and a filter for filtering particulate elements from air. The filter is configured to be housed between the front shell and the support. The face seal provides a direct connection between the filter and the user.

Abstract: A two-piece fastener plate and fastener assembly and method of securing a roof membrane to a roof deck wherein the fastener is reinforced with rigid, inflexible concentric dome-shaped ribs separated by concentric depressions or dimples. The concentric depressions or dimples are provided with pairs of barbs for gripping the roof membrane when the fastener secures the roof membrane to the roof deck.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a thermally insulating bag configured to receive a heated hair care device and insulate the device from ambient objects. The bag is capable of receiving multiple shapes, sizes, and types of heated devices, such as curling irons, flat irons, and straightening irons. Additionally, the bag provides multiple compartments configured to receive and thermally insulate multiple irons from each other, or the cord of a single iron from the heating element portion of the iron. The bag further includes at least one air vent configured to allow a small percentage of hot air to escape from the interior of the bag to the ambient air.