Abstract: A bag or similar portable container having a wall or walls surrounding an internal space accessible through an opening (4) in the bag, the wall or walls incorporating or being lined with one or more layers (6) of high tensile strength and high stretch resistance material such as to be capable of resisting penetration by a bullet. Preferably, a single multi-layer sheet (6) is used to form the wall or walls (9) by folding the sheet at the corners (32), thereby avoiding joins that would be vulnerable to penetration. Preferably, the penetration resistant material (6) is backed up by one or more layers (11) of an impact absorbing material, such as polycarbonate sheet material and foamed plastics material. The layers of penetration resistance material (6) and impact absorbing material (11) may be separately formed as removable inserts that are used to line the bag.

Abstract: A garment having an outer cover (1) to receive an insert (2), the outer cover (1) having a window (7) formed therein, and either the insert (2) having a label (9) that is visible through the window when the insert is inserted, thereby to indicate that the insert has been inserted and preferably to identify its protective properties, and/or the outer cover (1) having a label (11) on its inner surface opposite the window (7) so as to be visible therethrough when the insert is not inserted, thereby to indicate that the insert has not been inserted. Where the insert (2) may be inserted either way round in a correct or incorrect orientation, a label (9, 10) may be provided on either or both sides of the insert so as to indicate that the insert is correctly or incorrectly inserted in the cover when visible in the window (7).

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a bullet-proof vest, has multiple layers of penetration-resisting aramid fabric within an outer cover. A trauma pack is mounted on the garment to reinforce the protective action of the aramid fabric layers. The trauma pack is detachably mounted so that the garment can be used with or without the pack in position. Within the trauma pack there is a sheet of impact-absorbing plastics material, particularly a polycarbonate sheet, and this may be backed with a foamed plastics layer.

Abstract: A protective shield such as a personal, bullet-proof garment, formed by a separable front panel and back panel, fastened together into a vest by detachable tabs, is conformable to torso movement with comfort. The outer, penetration--resisting, layer of the shield comprises at least eight and preferably twentyeight, individual superposed plies of close woven fabric of aramid fibres, the intermediate, impact-spreading layer of the shield, comprises at least one ply of thin, flexible, impervious plastic sheeting such as polycarbonate and the inner, impact-cushioning, layer of the shield is formed of soft, relatively thick, foam plastic, to absorb impact and bullet bulge of the polycarbonate sheeting.