Abstract: A barrier means for a parts washer apparatus including a fluid curtain (30, 32) generated at the entrance and exit of the wash zone (12) of the parts washer (10), said fluid curtain defined in a thin planar shape and substantially covering the opening to and exit from said wash zone. The fluid barrier (30, 32) is produced by the flowing of fluid over one or more edges (36, 46) of a reservoir (34) positioned at the top of said wash zone (12), said edge (36, 46) defined such that said fluid flows thereover in a uniform manner. Alternately, said fluid curtain is generated by fluid emanating from a plurality of nozzles (84), each nozzle defined with a fan-shaped opening such that a laminar flow of fluid (83) is generated thereby.

Abstract: A split plastic tubular annulus about five inches in length and six inches in diameter which is manufactured to be spring biased to cause interlocking terminal edges to interengage but being of a springy resiliency allowing the annulus to be sprung apart manually and thus fitted around a soldier's leg above a boot worn on the foot thereof and beneath a pantsleg thereabove, following which the pantsleg is drawn downward over the annulus and tucked inside said boot whereupon, when the boot is laced over the pantsleg, the annulus gravitates into the pantsleg, blocking out the latter at the level of the top of the boot.