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(11) | EP 3 205 375 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | PROTECTIVE SUIT |
| (57) A protective suit comprising a hood shroud (100) arranged to accommodate a wearer's
head therein, and the hood shroud comprising an opening (30) arranged to receive therethrough
a portion of a facemask worn by the user, the opening defined by a mouth, and the
mouth comprising an expansible resilient ring (1), to allow expansion of the opening
and to allow engagement of the shroud hood against that portion of the head mask which
protrudes through the opening to thereby form a barrier with the portion of the mask
(50), and the hood shroud comprising a portion surrounding the mouth which portion
comprises an external protective barrier material (4) and an internal resilient material
(3), .wherein the portion surrounding the mouth is such as to allow movement of the
inner resilient material relative to the outer protective barrier material (4), and
the external protective barrier material is substantially inextensible.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to protective suits, and more generally to protective apparel.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Known protective suits, make from a wearer protective material, are designed to be worn in conjunction with a face mask. The face mask is either connected to a filter, Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) cylinder or to an airline. If the design of the suit requires the use of a facemask, the facemask is not permanently attached to the suit however the interface between the suit and the mask needs to be "chemically tight", for example as per EN 17491-3 Jet tests. Suits are also required to meet other requirements such as a spray test, an Inward leakage test, and (limited) protection against liquid chemicals. The test requires that a water jet containing a visible dye tracer is directed at chemical protective overall worn by a test subject. The test involves targeting key areas where leakage could possibly occur, seam crossovers, flaps, seals etc. During the test, each area is jetted at pressure for a required time. Any leakage occurring is captured by staining on the test subject who is wearing a white absorbent overall underneath the suit during the test. After the test procedure the total stain area of any one suit must be less than or equal to, three times the total calibration stain area for a pass. Three identical suits must be successfully tested fully to pass the test.
[0003] A face seal of the hood shroud of a protective suit must be capable of fitting and sealing around different face masks, such as those provided by different manufacturers.
[0004] Known face seals include a face grommet which is made from rubber and is exposed externally, making it vulnerable to chemical permeation and degradation. Some known suits are designed to wear the face mask on top of the grommet seal. However, this interferes with the fit between the facemask and the wearer's face, which is not recommended by facemask manufacturers.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a protective suit comprising a hood shroud arranged to accommodate a wearer's head therein, and the hood shroud comprising an opening arranged to receive therethrough a portion of a facemask worn by the user, the opening defined by a mouth, and the mouth comprising an expansible resilient ring, to allow expansion of the opening and to allow engagement of the shroud hood against that portion of the head mask which protrudes through the opening to thereby form a barrier with the portion of the mask, and the hood shroud comprising a portion surrounding the mouth which portion comprises an external protective barrier material and an internal resilient material.
[0007] The protection barrier material and the internal resilient material may be considered as respective layers.
[0009] The resilient ring may comprise an O-ring, or continuous loop. The resilient ring may comprise a rubber material. The resilient ring may comprise a polymer material. The resilient ring may comprise an elastomer. The resilient ring may be a substantially torus shape. The resilient ring may have a substantially round cross-section.
[0010] The resilient ring may be substantially enclosed/encircled by/within a protective barrier material. The expansible ring may be contained within a tubular structure.
[0011] The protective barrier material may be a sheet material. The protective barrier material may be or comprise a chemical barrier material. The protective barrier material may be or comprise a fluid impervious material. The protective barrier material may be or comprise a fluid barrier material. The protective barrier material may be or comprise a particle-tight barrier material. The protective barrier material may be a fabric. The resilient material may be a fabric.
[0012] The protective barrier material may be formed by laminating (spun-bonded) polythene to a barrier film which is coated by a polymer. The combination of film and polymer advantageously preferably provides a particle-tight material with good resistance to penetration and permeation by many liquids and gases. The protective barrier may be or comprise a laminated material.
[0013] The inner resilient material arranged to be capable of stretching along its plane or extent. The outer protective barrier material is preferably substantially inextensible.
[0014] The portion surrounding the opening may be such as to allow movement of the (inner) resilient material relative to the (outer) protective barrier material. A major area extent of said portion is such that the inner resilient material is unattached to the protective barrier material.
[0015] Each of the inner resilient material and the outer protective barrier material may be considered as respective layers of the head shroud.
[0016] Each of the inner resilient material and the protective barrier material may be flexible. Each of the inner resilient material and the outer protective barrier material may be of sheet form. The inner resilient material may comprise a synthetic rubber, such as neoprene.
[0017] A portion of the outermost material (which is preferably the protective barrier material) which surrounds the opening comprises seam or joint, formed by the bringing together of two opposed edges, the edges inclined to one another, when viewed in plan. The edges may, in their initial unjointed/unconnected condition, form a part triangular shape. The edges may form two sides of a triangular shape. At least three such joints, or jointed regions, may be provided. One may be provided at each of a side region of the surrounding portion, and one at a lower region of the surrounding portion. The jointed edges may form a three dimensional formation or structure, as part of the hood shroud. The three-dimensional formation may define an inner volume (which is arranged to receive at least part of a user's head or part of a face mask).
[0018] Preferably, the opening, in an unextended condition, comprises an upper, a lower and a side margin portion. The lower margin portion may be of curved shape. Curved margin portions may be located intermediate of neighbouring upper, lower and side margin portions. The lower margin portion may have the greatest extent of curvature, when viewed in plan.
[0019] The hood shroud may comprise a tab or extension portion provided at each side of the opening. The tabs may comprise a portion which extends from or substantially at the mouth of the opening. The tabs are preferably displaceable relative to the opening, such as by way of hinged or pivotable type movement. The tabs are preferably secured to or an integral part of the mouth. In use, the tabs may be arranged to engage with the face mask. The tabs may be provided at the lower regions of the sides of the opening. The tabs may comprise an adhesive layer to attach the tab to the face mask. Each of the tabs may only extend for part of the extent of the side portions.
[0020] The protective suit may be a chemically protective suit or apparel. The majority of material of which the suit is made comprises the protective barrier material. The head shroud is preferably integral with the suit. The protective suit may be a one piece item which comprises a hood shroud.
[0021] The protective suit may comprise one or more features described in the detailed description and/or in the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a head shroud of a protective suit,
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through an opening of the head shroud of Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a plan view of an outermost part of the head shroud,
Figure 4 is a plan view of an inner part of the head shroud,
Figure 5 is a plan view of the outermost part and the inner part connected together, and
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the head shroud of Figure 1 secured over a face mask
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a head shroud 100, which is an integral part of a chemically protective suit 5. As will be described in detail below, the shroud comprises an opening 30 which is arranged to receive and accommodate a face mask (not shown) worn by a wearer of the protective suit (as a separate component to the protective suit.) The opening 30 is defined by two components, which constitute a portion extending around the opening.
[0024] The first component, as shown in Figure 3, is an external layer of a chemical barrier sheet material or fabric. This protective barrier material may comprise a chemical barrier material which may be formed by laminating (spun-bonded) polythene to a barrier film which is coated by a polymer. The combination of film and polymer advantageously preferably provides a particle-tight material with good resistance to penetration and permeation by many liquids and gases. The portion of the material is cut to a pattern, which includes the provision of three notches 14, 15 and 16, one provided at each opposing side region, and one provided at a lower most region. Each notch comprises two inclined sides, meeting to form a part triangular shape. At an uppermost region 13 of the component, each of two opposing free ends 40 are separate from each other. By providing free ends which need to be connected together, three-dimensional structure can be created from the initially flat sheet material from which the component is cut. Each free end comprises two edge portions, 40a and 40b. The end portions 40a and 40b are arranged to be jointed by way of the edge portion 40a of one free end connected to the other edge portion 40a, and similarly for the edge portions 40b. It will be appreciated that when edge portions 40a are connected, the edge portions 40b form an uppermost notch formation, similar to that of notches 14, 15 and 16.
[0025] Centrally of the first component 4, there is provided an opening 50, defined by an inner margin 45. The inner margin is provided with two tabs 17, which when flat and viewed in plan extend into the region defined by the margin 45. The tabs 17 are an integral part of the first component. Each of the tabs is of substantially rectilinear form, and comprises three (straight) edge portions. Those parts of the margin 45 which connect to the tabs, form hinges 45a which allow the tabs to be moveable about the margin 45. In order to enhance sealing properties of the tabs in use, each tab may be provided with a double layer of protective barrier material. One surface, an inwardly facing surface, of each of the tabs is provided with an adhesive layer or material 26 (as shown in Figure 1). This may be achieved by way of double-sided adhesive tape, or an applied adhesive layer. In use, the adhesive is arranged to adhere to an outer surface of the face mask, and to thereby ensure that the sealing in each of those regions is enhanced. Advantageously, the tabs being positioned at the lower regions of the side portions, and being suitably dimensioned to be of minimal principal dimensions, the tabs do not interfere with a wearer's vision when the face mask is not being worn, by ensuring that vision of the user from the face mask is not occluded.
[0026] The second component 3, as shown in Figure 4, comprises an inner portion of a stretchable material, such as neoprene. In use the component 3 forms what may be termed a face seal. In an unextended condition, the component 3 is of substantially rounded shape, and is provided with an opening 60 which is located substantially centrally thereof. The shape of the opening 60 is intentionally of irregular shape so as to correctly fit with the first component 4.
[0027] As can be seen from a comparison of Figure 3 and Figure 4, the opening 60 provided in the neoprene (face seal) 3 is smaller than the opening 50 of the (outer) protective barrier material 4. As can be seen in Figure 4, shows there are four points 18, 19, 20 and 21 around the face seal opening of the neoprene face seal. During manufacture of the head shroud, these are aligned with the points 22, 23, 24 and 25, respectively, shown in Figure 5. They are then stitched them together using elasticated thread 8, as shown in Figure 2, and thereby stretching the smaller inner neoprene face opening 60 to ensure the next points 19 and 23 align perfectly, and continuing around in this way to ensure that all four points are aligned until the two components are joined fully.
[0028] In use, we have appreciated that there needs to be sufficient protective barrier material 4 in the outer shroud to allow the neoprene inner face seal 3 to stretch fully, when applied to fit around and against a face mask. When the hood shroud is assembled, each of the notches 14, 15 and 16, and indeed the edge portions 40a and 40b, are joined together by way of ultrasonic welding. This causes the region of each joint to form a three-dimensional structure or formation. Thus, such a three-dimensional formation is located at the top, lowermost and side portions of the mouth, and can broadly be described as defining a quasi-conical structure, or indeed a three-dimensional structure with sufficient structural integrity to be self-supporting. This then creates excess chemical barrier material which in use allows the underlying second component (for example neoprene) to fully stretch when the hood shroud is fitted to the face mask, without the inextensible chemical barrier material constraining or limiting this movement.
[0029] With reference to Figures 2 and 5, the head shroud further comprises a stretchable O-ring, 1. The O-ring 1 serves to define the mouth of the opening 30. The O-ring is made of an elastomer. The O-ring is encapsulated in a formed tubular portion 2 of the chemical barrier material. This ensures that the material O-ring is protected from degradation by exposure to any chemicals. Flanged portions 2a of the tubular portion allow it to be attached to the inner neoprene layer 3 and the outer chemical barrier material 4. Specifically, the flanged portions 2a are welded together around their circumference so as to fully seal the O-ring in its tubular portion, as shown by reference numeral 6. This is ultrasonic welded at 7 to the outer chemical barrier layer 4. The flanged portions and the layer 4, and the inner neoprene layer are then sewn together using elasticated thread 8. Finally, a sealing tape 9 is applied over the stitching 8 in order to seal of the holes created by the sewn threads.
[0030] With further reference to Figure 2, each of the outer chemical barrier material and the inner neoprene layer are high frequency (HF) welded and ultrasonic welded respectively at regions 10 and 11 respectively to the main body 5 of the hood shroud, which is made of the protective chemical barrier material The assembly sequence of the hood shroud is: neoprene piece 3 is HF welded to the protective layer of the main body 5 of the hood shroud (joint 10), outer protective layer 4 is ultrasonic welded to tubular portion 2 (with the O-ring and the fabric shroud already made) at (joint 7), protective layer 4 is welded to tubular portion 2 which is stitched to neoprene piece 3 by use of elastic thread 8, 4 is ultrasonic welded to 5 (joint 11), and sealing tape 9 and 12 are then applied.
[0031] Advantageously, the hood shroud is arranged to be used with different face masks, such as those provided different manufacturers. Further advantageously, the head shroud does not interfere with the seal of the mask to the wearer's face, fitting over the face mask once a person's respiratory system has been protected.
[0032] Reference is made to Figure 6 which shows the head shroud 100 applied to a wearer wearing a face mask 50. As can be seen, the mouth 1 seals around the external or outer surface of the mask, and thereby create a chemically and fluid protective seal therewith. The jointed regions 13, 14, 15 and 16 provide three-dimensional structural integrity, allowing the shroud to better accommodate the mask. It will be appreciated that in the view shown in Figure 5, neither of the adhesive tabs 17 is visible. The resilient characteristic of the mouth 1 causes it to apply a restoring force to the face marks, which achieves the seal between the face mask and the hood.
1. A protective suit comprising a hood shroud arranged to accommodate a wearer's head
therein, and the hood shroud comprising an opening arranged to receive therethrough
a portion of a facemask worn by the user, the opening defined by a mouth, and the
mouth comprising an expansible resilient ring, to allow expansion of the opening and
to allow engagement of the shroud hood against that portion of the head mask which
protrudes through the opening to thereby form a barrier with the portion of the mask,
and the hood shroud comprising a portion surrounding the mouth which portion comprises
an external protective barrier material and an internal resilient material, wherein
the portion surrounding the mouth is such as to allow movement of the inner resilient
material relative to the outer protective barrier material, and the external protective
barrier material is substantially inextensible.
2. A protective suit as claimed in claim 1 in which the mouth of the opening is arranged
to seal with the facemask.
3. A protective suit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 the resilient ring comprises an
O-ring.
4. A protective suit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the resilient ring is
contained within a portion or formation of the protective barrier material.
5. A protective suit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the protective barrier
material comprises a fluid impervious material.
6. A protective suit as claimed in which the inner resilient material is arranged to
be extensible.
7. A protective suit as claimed in claim 1, in which a major area extent of said portion
is such that the inner resilient material is unattached to the outer protective barrier
material.
8. A protective suit as claimed in any preceding claim in which a portion of the outermost
material comprises seam or joint, formed by the bringing together of two opposed edges,
the edges inclined to one another, when viewed in plan in an unconnected condition.
9. A protective suit as claimed in claim 8 in which at least one such joint are provided
at each of a side region of the surrounding portion, one at a lower region of the
surrounding portion, and one at an uppermost portion.
10. A protective suit as claimed in claim 9 in which the jointed edges form a three-dimensional
formation, as part of the hood shroud.
11. A protective suit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the opening, in an unextended
condition, comprises an upper, a lower and a side margin portion.
12. A protective suit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the hood shroud comprises
a tab or extension portion provided at each side of the opening.
13. A protective suit as claimed in claim 12, in which the tabs each comprise a portion
which extends from the mouth of the opening.
14. A protective suit as claimed in claim 13 in which the tabs each comprise an adhesive
to attach the tab to the face mask.
15. A protective suit as claimed in any preceding claim which is chemically protective
suit.