Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible film container (10) from a flexible sheet of thermoplastic material. A gaseous mixture of fluoride gas and nitrogen gas is then introduced into the interior of the flexible film container, thereby expanding the flexible film container to an inflated configuration. The gaseous mixture is maintained within the flexible film container for approximately 15 seconds to 2 minutes so as to react to form a fluorinated barrier layer or surface. The fluoride gas is then removed from the flexible film container and the flexible film container is deflated to a collapsed configuration. The deflated flexible film container is then provided with a final seal and flattened for final shipment.

Abstract: This invention relates to protective hoods, and in particular personal protective hoods which surround an individual's head and protects the individual from contact with Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear (CBRN), smoke, noxious fumes, and products of combustion, such as carbon monoxide. The protective hoods contain neck dams that seal against a person's neck and are formed from thermoplastic elastomers or polyolefins.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an articulated joint for a pressure vessel, especially a pressure suit, by separately forming a structural fabric and a gas barrier layer into a series of alternating peaks and valleys. The structural fabric can be formed into the three dimensional shape by patterning or heat shrinkage. The resulting articulated joint, pressure vessels and pressurized suits are also described.

Abstract: An economical and reliable system for the contained transfer of particulates by means of a series of transfer containers facilitates the particulate transfer without either exposure of the operating personnel and the environment to the particulate, or environmental contamination of the particulate itself. The system employs a multiple o-ring canister assembly which can be attached to either the discharging port or charging port of a piece of processing equipment. The canister has a series of circumferential o-ring grooves which allows the attachment of a series of individual transfer containers. In a charging mode, once the particulate is charged to the processing equipment, a first transfer container is collapsed and a second transfer container is placed in the next o-ring groove, thereby containing the remaining contaminated section of the first transfer container. The first transfer container is removed through a bag-out sleeve which is an integral part of the second transfer container.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an articulated joint for a pressure vessel, especially a pressure suit, by separately forming a structural fabric and a gas barrier layer into a series of alternating peaks and valleys. The structural fabric can be formed into the three dimensional shape by patterning or heat shrinkage. The resulting articulated joint, pressure vessels and pressurized suits are also described.

Abstract: An economical and reliable system for the contained transfer of particulates by means of a series of transfer containers facilitates the particulate transfer without either exposure of the operating personnel and the environment to the particulate, or environmental contamination of the particulate itself. The system employs a multiple o-ring canister assembly which can be attached to either the discharging port or charging port of a piece of processing equipment. The canister has a series of circumferential o-ring grooves which allows the attachment of a series of individual transfer containers. In a charging mode, once the particulate is charged to the processing equipment, a first transfer container is collapsed and a second transfer container is placed in the next o-ring groove, thereby containing the remaining contaminated section of the first transfer container. The first transfer container is removed through a bag-out sleeve which is an integral part of the second transfer container.