EP1308186B1 - Protective clothing against chemical and biological substances that are detrimental to health - Google Patents

Abstract

The clothing is made as an overall providing complete covering. A barrier layer membrane is incorporated in the lining. This is covered with protective layers, one on each side.

Description

The invention relates to a protective suit for protection against harmful chemical and biological substances according to the closer defined in the preamble of claim 1.

Protective suits for persons working in the field in case of accidents involving hazardous substances and who are therefore exposed to these substances must wear protective suits which prevent the harmful substances from reaching the body or the underwear of the persons.

The same applies in the military field when chemical or biological agents are used. For this purpose, known from practice two-part protective suits, consisting of jacket and pants, each with a top fabric and a feed commodity, in which a layer is introduced on coal base. Due to the adsorption of the coal surface, the substances are deposited on the coal surface. The disadvantage here, however, is that the coal absorbs a variety of chemicals, including chemicals that are relatively harmless, such as. Exhaust gases, deodorants, insect repellent and the like and therefore saturated after a certain time and thus becomes permeable. Another problem is the protective effect against chemicals in the liquid state.

In order to achieve a protective effect, a corresponding layer thickness of the coal is required, which on the one hand causes a negative heat effect with a heat accumulation for the carrier and on the other hand makes the protective suit relatively unwieldy and difficult. In addition, the tightening of the two-piece protective suit and its sealing takes several minutes, which also means a considerable disadvantage in the event of danger.

In EP-A-0 233 995 a protective suit of a composite material is described, which is permeable to water vapor and breathable and which is particularly intended for work in a clean room. For this purpose, the composite material has a carrier fabric made of polyamide with an antistatic soul and a film or membrane of polyester. US-A-5 743 775 discloses a laminate for the retention of organic vapors, aerosols and biologically active substances intended to provide protection against harmful chemicals and biological substances. US-A-3 516 404 discloses a protective suit in the form of an overalls with a zipper and with a hood and with socks that are integral with the overall.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a protective suit, which is easier to use and safer in use.

According to the invention this object is achieved by the features mentioned in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Instead of a voluminous barrier layer of activated carbon, a membrane is now used as a barrier layer, which is surrounded on both sides by a protective layer. The protective layer on the outside serves as a mechanical protection for the membrane and the inner protective layer at the same time also to increase the wearing comfort. For this example, the outer protective layer may be formed of breathable polyester. The inner protective layer may consist of polyamide, which may be hydrophilic and thus absorbs sweat easily and transported to the outside. The membrane is formed breathable in an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

Due to the training as overalls, the tightening is facilitated and considerably accelerated, since significantly fewer points must be sealed. As a result of the membrane, substances which are hazardous to health may be prevented from passing through in comparison to an activated carbon layer, while otherwise the membrane may be permeable.

A cellulosic membrane blocks a variety of health-endangering chemicals. In addition, no saturation occurs and at the same time there is also protection against chemicals in the liquid state or else as an aerosol and not only a protection against gas.

Due to the pressure difference on both sides of the membrane, the moisture can be transported away from the body so that there is no heat build-up for the person wearing the protective suit. In addition, the occurring evaporation processes give a cooling effect.

Due to the design of the suit as a coverall you get a closed suit, and it is only then necessary to produce connectors to a protective mask and gloves.

Due to the fact that the overall is also provided with a hood integrated into the overalls or with socks, the dressing time for the protective suit is shortened even more compared to known protective suits. In addition, by integrating the hood and socks in the overalls and danger spots are avoided with respect to the tightness.

(continue on page 5 of the original description)

Another very advantageous embodiment of the invention may consist in that at least one zipper is provided, which extends over the hood so that the hood is formed in two parts and thus can be stored in the open state on the back and on the chest , It is only necessary to ensure that a zipper is used, which is sealed against the hazardous substances and which is also correspondingly tightly connected to the overall. One possibility for such a zipper is e.g. described in German Utility Model DE 201 10 132.7.

Advantageous developments and refinements of the protective suit according to the invention will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the exemplary embodiment described in principle below with reference to the drawing.

Fig.1

eine Prinzipdarstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzanzuges;

Fig.2

eine Ausschnittsvergrößerung gemäß x in der Fig. 1 mit der erfindungsgemäßen Oberware und der Futterware;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht des Kopfbereiches des Schutzanzuges nach der Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

einen stark vergrößerten Schnitt durch das Endteil eines Armes des Schutzanzuges;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch den Kopfbereich des Schutzanzuges im Bereich der Gesichtsöffnung in vergrößerter Darstellung;

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch einen Bereich mit einem elastischen Band in vergrößerter Darstellung; und

Fig.7

eine vergrößerte Darstellung gemäß y in der Figur 5 mit einem Nahtabdichtungsband.

It shows:

Fig.1

a schematic diagram of the protective suit of the invention;

Fig.2

an enlarged detail according to x in Figure 1 with the top product according to the invention and the feedstock.

Fig. 3

a side view of the head portion of the protective suit of FIG. 1;

Fig. 4

a greatly enlarged section through the end of an arm of the suit;

Fig. 5

a section through the head portion of the protective suit in the area of the face opening in an enlarged view;

Fig. 6

a section through an area with an elastic band in an enlarged view; and

Figure 7

an enlarged view according to y in the figure 5 with a seam sealing tape.

The protective suit consists of a coverall 1 with leg parts 2 and 3, with arms 4 and 5, with an integrated hood 6 and also with integrated socks 7.

As can be seen in the enlarged illustration in FIG. 2, the protective suit has an upper fabric 8 on the outer side. As a top fabric 8, a variety of materials may be used, such as polyamide, polyester, polyester / cotton blends and the like. When using the protective suit in the military area, the upperware 8 can also with be provided a camouflage layer or consist of non-combustible material.

On the body-facing side of the upper fabric 8 is below this a feedstock, which is formed as a 3-layer laminate, with a membrane 9 as a barrier layer, an outer protective layer 10 and an inner protective layer 11. The outer protective layer 10 may be made of breathable Polyester is and provides a mechanical protection for the membrane 9. The inner protective layer 11 can be made of polyamide and increases the wearing comfort accordingly, if it is hydrophilic. For this purpose, e.g. Velor polyamide very suitable because it has a corresponding suction effect for the removal of sweat.

For the membrane 9, a cellulose-based material is used. Advantageously, it is pretreated by various washing operations, so that it does not run in excessively later and thus destroys the laminate structure.

Instead of cellulose for the membrane as a barrier layer may also be provided for this purpose polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester or polyurethane, on the outside of a protective layer was applied against chemical and biological warfare agents. Again, inside a protective layer against abrasion and be provided to increase the wearing comfort. If necessary, this can also be omitted.

The feed with the membrane 9 and the two protective layers 10 and 11 is loosely inserted into the upper fabric 8 and sewn only in sections with the upper 8. The sectional connection may be e.g. in the area of the socks 7, the sleeve ends and in the area of the face opening field on the hood 6. From Fig. 2, for example, the suturing in these areas can be seen. A sewing seam 12 connects the 3-layer construction, while another sewing seam 13 establishes the connection between the upper fabric 8 and the feed material. Since the two seams 12 and 13 affect the tightness, they must be sealed by seam sealing tapes 14, which seam sealing tapes 14 must also be formed so that they are sealed to the substances. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the sewing seam 13 on the inside of the protective layer 11 is covered by a seam sealing tape 14. The sewing seam 12 is covered on the outside of the protective layer 10 by a seam sealing tape 14. However, it is also possible to apply the seam sealing tape 14 on the inside of the protective layer 11.

Fig. 4 shows a greatly enlarged section through the lower end of an arm 4 or 5 with an elastic end portion 15. The end portion 15 is made of butyl rubber and is sewn via a stitching seam 16 with the upper fabric 8 and via a sewing seam 17 with the lining material, consisting of membrane 9 and the two protective layers 10 and 11. In order to again achieve a tightness, again a seam sealing tape 14 is provided on the inside of the protective layer 11, and another seam sealing tape 14 is provided between the end part 15 and the outer protective layer 10.

Instead of integrating the socks 7 in the Overal 1, the connection of the leg parts 2 and 3 with the socks 7 in the same manner as the connection of the ends of the arms 4 and 5 by elastic end portions 15 (not shown).

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the area of the hood 6 with an open field of view 18. In the same manner as at the end of the two arms 4 and 5 is provided here as an elastic closing part 19 butyl rubber, which also with a sewing seam 16 with the top fabric 8 of the hood 6 and a sewing seam 17 is connected to the lining material of the hood 6. Again take seam sealing tapes 14 which disturbed by the seams 16 and 17 seal.

From Fig. 5 it is also seen that a protective mask 20 shown only in principle cooperates with the elastic closure member 19, wherein the defined by the closure part 19 face area opening is slightly smaller than the protective mask 20 and thus ensures a tightness in the face area 18. In the same way, the elastic end portion 15 at the end of the two arms 4 and 5, a tightness to a glove 22, which is also against the health-endangered substances tight.

From Fig. 7 is a greatly enlarged view according to circle y in FIG. 5 can be seen, from which the structure of a seam sealing tape 14 can be seen.

The seam seal in the form of a band is also constructed as a 3-ply laminate, with a membrane 9 and an inner and outer protective layer 10 and 11. In addition, however, at least one of the two protective layers 10 or 11, an adhesive layer 23 is applied over the in each case the connection is made with the layer to which the seam sealing tape 14 is to be attached. In this way, a seal is achieved in the area of sewing seams.

From Fig. 1, a zipper 24 is visible, which begins laterally of the step on the right leg part 2 and laterally along the upper body via the hood 6 and ends at the end of the neck on the left side. The zipper 24 can be opened and closed in an advantageous manner from both ends. In order to achieve a corresponding tightness against the harmful substances, For this purpose, a zipper with a corresponding tightness to choose and also to ensure a tight connection to the upper 8 and the feed.

From Fig. 3 it can be seen how the zipper 24 extends through or over the hood 6. This means that in the open state of the zipper 24, the two hood parts can be placed in half on the back and on the chest. As fasteners 3, for example, a Velcro tape 25 is indicated in FIG., Which is located in the interior of the suit and when opened, the rolled-up hood 6 can be attached by a loop 20 on the outside of the suit. The same construction is conceivable on the back.

In the lower part of the coverall 1 can be provided on the stockings 7 with cuffs 27, which optionally zips 28 have. By the cuffs 27 is e.g. Ingress of water into the shoes of the person wearing coverall 1 avoided.

In order to achieve a better adaptation of the coverall 1 to the person to be worn, one or more elastic bands 29 may be provided (see FIG. 1 and enlarged view in FIG. 6). Thus, for example, an elastic band 29 can extend over the back region of the overalls and optionally also to the front. In a known manner, one or more elastic bands 29 are attached to the top fabric 8 in drawstrings. Elastic bands are also applied to the lining fabric and sealed in the stretched state with a seam sealing tape. In a relaxed state, all layers (lining, elastic band, seam sealing tape) bulge undulating, which then can be adapted to the circumference of the person wearing coverall 1 with appropriate stretching of the coverall 1 (see FIG. 6).

The connection of the coverall 1 shown in the embodiment over the elastic end portions 19 and 15 of butyl rubber in the region of the hood 6 and in the region of the arm ends 4 and 5 is only to be considered as an example. Of course, other end parts or transitions are possible here. It is only essential that a correspondingly tight connection to gloves 22 and a protective mask 20 is created on these end parts.

Instead of a simple seam 16 of the hood 6 with the end portion 19, of course, double seams or other connections can be provided to achieve a corresponding tightness in the facial area between the hood 6 and a gas mask 20.

Claims (9)

1. A protective suit for protecting against harmful chemical and biological substances, having outer fabric and lining fabric arranged therebelow, which lining fabric is provided with a barrier layer against the substances,
   characterised in that
   it is designed as an overall (1), wherein a membrane (9) is incorporated into the lining fabric as a barrier layer, which is surrounded on both sides in each case by a protective layer (10, 11), wherein the overall (1) is provided with a hood (6), which is in one piece with the overall (1), and with socks (7), which are in one piece with the overall (1), wherein the lining fabric consisting of the membrane (9) and the protective layers (10, 11) is located loosely on the side of the outer fabric (8) facing the body and is joined only in places to the outer fabric (8), wherein the lining fabric (9, 10, 11) is stitched to the outer fabric (9) in places, and wherein the seams (12, 13, 16, 17) are sealed by seam sealing tapes (14), which are impervious to passage of the substances.
2. A protective suit according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the membrane (9) is constructed, with the two barrier layers (10, 11), as a three-ply laminate.
3. A protective suit according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the membrane (9) comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, polyester or polyurethane, onto the outside of which a protective layer has been applied to protect against chemical and biological warfare agents.
4. A protective suit according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the overall (1) is provided with at least one zip fastener (24) which is resistant and impervious to the substances and which extends in particular as far as over the hood (6), dividing the hood (6) into a back part and a front part when the zip fastener (24) is open.
5. A protective suit according to claim 4,
   characterised in that the hood (6), divided into two parts by the zip fastener (24), may be folded down when open onto the back of the overall (1) and the chest of the overall (1) and fixed on the back and chest by fastening means (25, 26), such as loops (26) and/or hook and loop tape (25).
6. A protective suit according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the hood (6) is closed on the front side, provided with an opening for the face (18), by an elastic closing part (19), which is impervious to passage of the substances and is joined to the outer fabric (8) and/or the lining fabric (9, 10, 11).
7. A protective suit according to claim 6,
   characterised in that rubber or a rubber-like material, in particular butyl rubber, is provided as the elastic material for the closing part (19).
8. A protective suit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the ends of the arms (4, 5) and/or the leg parts (2, 3) of the overall (1) are provided with elastic end parts (15), which consist of a material which is impervious to passage of the substances.
9. A protective suit according to claim 8,
   characterised in that rubber or a rubber-like material, in particular butyl rubber, is provided for the end parts (15).

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