According to the United Nations Resolution 687, issued in 1991, chemical weapons are considered weapons of mass destruction. Following the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001, there has been heightened awareness of the threat of a possible chemical and biological attack. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security considers at least 10 countries to have or to be in the process of developing a biological warfare capability. Specialized equipment or advanced technology is not required for the development of biological warfare agents, according to the Department.
The United States Department of Defense is committed to being fully prepared in the event of a chemical or biological attack, as stated in its annual report to Congress. An essential element in achieving this goal is equipment that protects soldiers in such hostile environments. A crucial component of this protective equipment is a reliable, safe mask.
The Challenge: Developing a Mask To Ensure The Safety of Soldiers
Until recently, chemical warfare masks have proven ineffective in offering safety against a variety of agents and gasses that may be used during a terror attack or on the battlefield. Chemical weapons include nerve agents such as mustard gas, which pose significant risk of serious injury or death by asphyxiation. Once inhaled, these agents directly attack the respiratory system and can be fatal. Disrupting the mechanism by which nerves transfer messages to the organs, agents block the enzyme that normally relaxes the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. Any small exposure puts the soldier at great risk.
The United States government has recorded defects with protective masks such as leaks or a poor fit between the mask and the user’s face. The material used in the masks’ seals showed a low resistance to chemical, nerve, and biological agents, with mask failures occurring after three hours of exposure. In a study featuring firefighters training for the occurrence of a terrorist attack, the sarin and mustard gas released penetrated every mask but one.
The Solution: Introduction of Chlorobutyl – Second Skin for Mask
Jefferson Rubber Works and America Technologies Corporation (ATC) worked closely together to develop an alternative to the existing flawed masks being used by the U.S. military. Jefferson Rubber’s highly skilled team of engineers developed a new compound, using Chlorobutyl, which they used to form a custom-injected second skin molded to specifically suit the application. This new compound works as a sealant that overcomes the prior masks’ permeability.
Chlorobutyl is a rubber compound produced by reacting chlorine with butyl rubber. Its improvements over standard rubber are extensive, including a higher tolerance to heat, great resistance to flex-fatigue, and good adhesion. It is also nearly impermeable to hazardous chemical and biological agents over a prolonged period of time. As a result, masks using Chlorobutyl provide greater protection against penetration of hazardous chemical agents, proving to be ideally suited for the military’s needs.
Results: Improved Safety for Soldiers in the Field
Immediately following Jefferson Rubber’s and ATC’s release of the Chlorobutyl “second skin”, significant improvements were recorded. Resistance against exposure to chemical, nerve and biological agents doubled since Jefferson’s and ATC’s new development of the custom-injected second skin. Today, nearly all of the protective masks issued by the United States military include Jefferson Rubber’s Chlorobutyl second skin.
Jefferson’s and ATC’s new development not only enhanced the overall effectiveness of the mask, but more importantly, ensured the safety of soldiers, whether on the battlefield or when responding to terrorist attacks.
Shown above: A close out for a Cadillac side window, A second skin for military gas masks, Boots and grommets for wire harness and cable assemblies, Launch plug for a Sidewinder missile.
Worcester, MA – Jefferson Rubber Works, Inc. (JRW), a leading manufacturer and provider of custom engineered injection-molded rubber solutions, announces their expanded capabilities for government and military applications.
JRW’s custom injection molding process and state-of-the-art technology enable them to produce custom molded rubber products with greater speed and efficiency than conventional rubber molding equipment. Utilizing superior engineering, JRW has the ability to work with government agencies to design and craft customized solutions to meet the most difficult specifications. With unparalleled accuracy, JRW provides a free prototyping service for customers in need of rubber solutions.
JRW, an industry innovator, has been providing advanced rubber solutions to the government for more than 30 years. Cutting edge technological innovations, such as their rubber shields for gas masks that aid in protecting against various chemical and biological agents, have been and continue to be the trademark of Jefferson Rubber.
By employing applicable plastic technology to replace aging compression and transfer molding methods, JRW is able to reduce costs and produce superior solutions to meet the needs of government agencies.
Specializes in convoluted boots/bellows for accelerator, brake and transmission cables
Worcester, MA – Jefferson Rubber Works, Inc. (JRW), a leading manufacturer and provider of custom engineered injection-molded rubber solutions, announces their expanded capabilities for automotive applications.
JRW’s custom injection molding process and state-of-the-art technology enable them to produce custom molded rubber products with greater speed and efficiency than conventional rubber molding equipment. Utilizing superior engineering, JRW has designed and crafted customized solutions for the domestic automotive industry for over 30 years.
With their ability to meet the most difficult specifications, JRW specializes in the manufacture of convoluted boots/bellows for accelerator cables, brake cables, and transmission cables. JRW has brought their unparalled accuracy to many other automotive applications, including: head and tail lamp seals, boots, grommets, and vent tubes for Chrysler Cirrus and Stratus; door switch boots for Ford and GM gas tanks and courtesy lights; airtight, watertight window seals for Cadillac, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile; and wiring harness grommets for Honda and Toyota.
By employing applicable plastic technology to replace aging compression and transfer molding methods, JRW is able to reduce costs and produce superior solutions to meet the needs of automotive companies. JRW also provides free material and manufacturing design assistance for their application.
JRW is QS9000 certified (a higher certification designation than is required), utilizes EDI for accurate and efficient order processing, and offers both JIT and Kan Ban delivery methods.
Worcester, MA – Jefferson Rubber Works, Inc. (JRW), a leading manufacturer and provider of custom engineered injection-molded rubber solutions, offers a full range of engineering and design services to assist with part design and material selection for optimum production in a variety of OEM applications. Offering free design review tooling, Jefferson Rubber Works services a wide array of markets, including automotive, appliance, medical, government, public utility, construction, hydronics and industrial.
JRW is a custom injection molding operation serving the industry with high volume precision parts in all types of elastomers. In addition to providing engineering and design services, Jefferson Rubber offers extensive developmental prototyping and testing to ensure optimum customer satisfaction. A wide range of secondary, finishing and assembly operations are also available on site. JRW-s in-depth knowledge of thermoset elastomers, has allowed it to evolve into a leading OEM provider of rubber molded solutions.
Additionally, JRW utilizes real time SPC monitoring systems on all of its molding equipment to ensure that the highest quality parts are produced. Having served industry giants in each of the aforementioned markets, JRW has maintained a stellar reputation by meeting on-time requirements while conforming to strict industry specifications.
Jefferson’s continued commitment to quality products is rivaled only by the devotion to customer needs synonymous with American manufacturing.
Capabilities for the Water Treatment & Hydronics Industries
Worcester, MA – Jefferson Rubber Works, Inc. (JRW), a leading manufacturer and provider of custom engineered injection-molded rubber solutions, announces their expanded capabilities for water treatment and hydronics applications.
JRW’s custom injection molding process and state-of-the-art technology enable them to produce custom molded rubber products with greater speed and efficiency than conventional rubber molding equipment. Utilizing superior engineering, JRW has the ability to work with water treatment and hydronics professionals to design and craft customized solutions to meet any specification. With unparalleled accuracy, JRW provides a free prototyping service for customers in need of rubber solutions.
JRW, an industry innovator, has been providing advanced rubber solutions to the water treatment and hydronics industry for more than 30 years. Cutting edge technological innovations, such as their well and expansion tank diaphragms, have been and continue to be the trademark of Jefferson Rubber.
By employing applicable plastic technology to replace aging compression and transfer molding methods, JRW is able to reduce costs and produce superior solutions to meet the needs of water treatment and hydronics industry providers.
The patient benefits of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery have proven to be extensive. The technique, which allows surgeons to perform the same procedures as in traditional open surgery, greatly reduces wound complications as well as scarring. This procedure employs small incisions as opposed to large abdominal incisions. As a result, patients enjoy increased post-operative comfort, reduced hospital stays, a quicker return to normal physical capacities, and an expedient return to work.
Recently, a leading manufacturer of balloon dissection and fixation devices used in laparoscopic procedures, found that its customers were experiencing allergic reactions to latex used in the instruments. The manufacturer needed to provide a safe and effective alternative to the existing instrument without compromising the quality of the product line.
The Challenge: Reconstructing Medical Seal For A Safer, More Effective Laparoscope
The properties of the seal of the laparoscope proved to be harmful to patients when the laparoscope was inserted into the body cavity for diagnostic purposes. The latex seal used with the laparoscope failed to maintain the proper air pressure required to complete the procedure effectively. In addition, Nitrosamines contained in the standard latex seals were often causing topical allergic reactions to exposed patients.
To address these problems, the manufacturer collaborated with Jefferson Rubber Works of Worcester, Mass. to develop an alternative to the faulty latex seals. As Nitrosamines are carcinogenic chemical compounds produced from nitrites and amines found in common latex products, Jefferson explored the possibility of utilizing a basic, latex-free material called Polyisoprene.
The Solution: Safe Tripartite Approved Polyisoprene
Jefferson worked with the manufacturer to construct a new Tripartite approved Polyisoprene seal that not only removes the harmful Nitrosamines affecting the patients, but also boasts superior physical properties when compared with the former latex composition. The new rubber makeup outperforms the former application in both durability and safety.
The outcome was a prototype that effectively eliminated the two major challenges in laparoscopic surgery: allergic reactions by the patients, and the retention of air pressure. Jefferson’s Polyisoprene composition has now passed all laboratory requirements, and has already attained approval for use in the operating room.
Results: Improved Patient Overall Experience
Jefferson’s new rubber seal has outperformed the former application in both durability and safety. The advanced sealing properties have greatly reduced the risk of blood loss on the operating table, resulting in safer treatments ranging from liver and urology surgery, to procedures concerning the appendix and abdominal wall.
Suitable Packaging Maintains Effectiveness of Respirator Components
Worcester, MA – Jefferson Rubber Works, Inc. (JRW), a leading manufacturer and provider of custom engineered injection-molded rubber solutions, introduces its highly effective packaging system for respirator masks. Ideal for use on jobsites where health and safety are a requirement, Jefferson Rubber’s quality design and production of its environmentally safe, reusable, packaging solution allows for better functionality of respirator masks for prevention of respiratory concerns on the jobsite – reducing the number of work-related respiratory illnesses that occur each year.
Its durable hard-plastic egg crate package safely houses the masks’ exhalation valves, preserving the usefulness of the unit, as well as exhibiting increased safety and protection of the valve during shipping over conventional cardboard options.
Not only is the packaging system intended to eliminate valve and sealing complications within the mask, it can ultimately save the mask manufacturer from extended shipping expenses. With durable plastic packing solutions, each crate is reusable and returnable, allowing the manufacturer to circumvent the requirement of purchasing cardboard shipping solutions for each distribution.
Occupational respiratory conditions continue to decelerate within companies who utilize Jefferson Rubber Works’ packaging system, as exhalation valves prove functional for easier breathing in a safer work environment.
