Wearable Assembly, Shirt, Gas Generator and Methods
The present invention relates to a wearable assembly, such as an article of clothing or a life-jacket, for providing a rescue function, such as buoyancy, the wearable assembly comprising:—a support structure which can be arranged round the body, being wearable as for instance an article of clothing or life-jacket,—a fluid holder such as a buoyancy provider able to at least temporarily hold a fluid, preferably a gas, with a density lower than water,—a gas generator comprising a precursor for generating gas for the purpose of generating a gas substantially at a temperature which does not damage the human body or the human skin, preferably a corresponding ambient temperature.
The present invention relates to a wearable assembly, such as an article of clothing or a life-jacket, for providing a rescue function, such as buoyancy. The present invention also relates to a shirt embodied as such a wearable assembly. The present invention also relates to a gas generator for generating gas for use in a wearable assembly according to the present invention. The present invention further relates to a method for providing a rescue function to a person. The present invention further relates to a method for initiating a gas generator for use for a personal rescue function.
Drowning is a major cause of death and a cause of disability, particularly in children but also in adults. This of course happens when the attention of a person is distracted and the person has no defence when taken by surprise by water. Small children in particular are unaware of the danger and drown without an alarm being raised. A water depth of 5 cm can already have fatal consequences here. A major problem here is that a person is unconscious within two minutes and irreparable damage is caused within four to six minutes.
A life-jacket is of course known per se for preventing death by drowning. A life-jacket is however mainly aimed at use on board vessels where there is a specific risk of falling overboard. A life-jacket is hereby intended specifically for a situation where a person falls overboard and has to survive in a body of water for a possibly longer period of time.
Drowning as referred to above mainly occurs when the danger is less clearly recognized, as in the case of passengers, in the case bodies of water are located in the neighbourhood of the person or when the person is for instance on holiday and is exposed to relatively unknown risks in respect of the presence of water. In such situations wearing a life-jacket is perceived as very unusual or probably not even identified as an option. The reason for this is that a life-jacket has undesirable characteristics compared to regular clothing. A life-jacket is generally unsuitable for heat insulation. In view of the purpose of ensuring survival when falling overboard from a vessel, a life-jacket is also provided with features greatly influencing normal wearer comfort.
In order to provide a solution for the purpose of preventing a person from drowning or becoming disabled the present invention provides a wearable assembly, such as an article of clothing or a life-jacket, for providing a rescue function, such as buoyancy, the wearable assembly comprising:
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- a support structure which can be arranged round the body, being wearable as for instance an article of clothing or life-jacket,
- a fluid holder such as a buoyancy provider able to at least temporarily hold a fluid, preferably a gas, with a density lower than water,
- a gas generator comprising a precursor for generating gas for the purpose of generating a gas substantially at a temperature which does not damage the human body or the human skin, preferably a corresponding ambient temperature.
An advantage of such an assembly is that, by applying this gas generator comprising a precursor for generating gas, an assembly can be provided wherein the gas generator can be given a relatively very compact form compared to buoyancy-generating means of for instance a life vest.
Use is preferably made here of a cool gas generator. Such a cool gas generator is able to provide a very high gas volume relative to the size, weight and/or volume of the gas generator.
A further advantage of such a gas generator is that it can be stored for a long period, up to 10 years or longer, after which period it still functions and can be activated in the usual manner. This is advantageous since it enhances convenience of use, compared for instance to systems with CO2 cartridges based on expansion. Such old-fashioned systems require a one, two or three yearly check or replacement of working parts.
The operational principle of generating gas from a precursor is in principle known for the purpose of providing a propelling action, such as for rocket engines or in the aerospace industry.
The application of a gas generator in an assembly according to the present invention provides the particular advantage that a high wearer comfort can be achieved in that the gas generator makes only a small addition to the size or the weight of the assembly. The assembly can hereby be embodied in a manner which resembles a regular article of clothing, such as a shirt or vest. While such a shirt or vest is made somewhat heavier by/for the purpose of the gas generator and the fluid holder, it can nevertheless be worn almost as a regular shirt, and provides a much greater wearer comfort than a per se known life-jacket.
This is of great importance in acceptance of having to wear such an assembly. It is on the one hand important that parents have available an article of clothing which is easy to handle, while it is on the other hand important that the wearer comfort is such that small children have no objection to wearing this article of clothing for a significant part of the day.
It hereby becomes possible to allow children to be present in the vicinity of water bodies with relatively little supervision, for instance under the supervision of other children. Even if a child were accidentally overlooked, it is possible to anticipate with confidence that the child will be found again without the necessity for too much concern.
According to a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the support structure in the wearable assembly has a wearer comfort similar to the wearer comfort of a vest or shirt, such as a T-shirt, blouse, sports shirt and the like.
In a further preferred embodiment the gas generator is of a cool gas generator type. Such a gas generator is for instance known from the international patent application WO 03/009899. In this patent application the generation of gas is aimed at providing oxygen to for instance divers or for the purpose of driving rocket engines.
In a further preferred embodiment substantially a low reactive or inert gas is generated under operating conditions, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, or wherein moderately reactive gases are generated, such as oxygen or hydrogen. It is even possible to generate a gas such as hydrogen, depending on the choice of precursor, although the choice is mainly determined by a maximum gas yield per weight of the gas generator and the safety of the use in providing the rescue function.
Examples of precursors used comprise alkali metal chlorates and alkali metal perchlorates, in particular lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), lithium chlorate (LiClO3), sodium perchlorate (NaClO4), sodium chlorate (NaClO3), potassium perchlorate (KClO4) or potassium chlorate (KClO3), peroxides, in particular sodium peroxide (Na2O2) and potassium peroxide (K2O2), superoxides, in particular potassium superoxide (KO2) and sodium superoxide (NaO2), although many further examples are possible within the understanding of the skilled person. The choice of precursor depends of course on the choice of the final gas.
The fluid holder in the wearable assembly more preferably comprises a bladder or balloon preferably arranged for holding above water a head of a wearer who has fallen into water. A plurality of forms of the fluid holder can hereby be obtained in both the empty and full state. This is important on the one hand for holding at least the mouth and the nose of the user as well as possible above the water surface. On the other hand it is important that a bladder can be manufactured from a plurality of materials, so that choices of material can be made which contribute toward greater wearer comfort. This also makes it possible to provide an article of clothing having a normal wearer comfort which can in principle be worn in the same way as an article of clothing not having a rescue function.
In a further preferred embodiment the fluid holder comprises a textile which, during or after wetting with a liquid such as water, has gas-tight properties. Such a particular preferred embodiment can provide the advantage of imparting a still further improved wearer comfort. Such a textile can for instance have a breathing action during normal use. By means of the present embodiment the fluid holder can be embodied as part of the article of clothing. When the article of clothing becomes wet, the fluid holder will become gas-tight, whereby an inflatable fluid holder is provided in effective manner which can provide the rescue function.
The fluid holder more preferably comprises at least one material layer which forms a material layer of the assembly, such as an article of clothing. Two layers are hereby in principle sufficient to form the fluid holder and the article of clothing. This further enhances the wearer comfort compared to embodiments wherein a material layer is necessary for the article of clothing and two layers for the fluid holder.
In a further preferred embodiment the gas generator is suitable here for producing CO2 gas while applying substances comprising a bicarbonate, such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate or ammonium bicarbonate, for instance while applying an acid. When this reaction takes place in a bladder with a wall which becomes gas-tight through contact with water, a filled bladder results which can hold the head above water for the purpose of the rescue function.
In order to improve the gas-tight properties of the wall, the fluid holder preferably comprises a nanofibre, such as for instance of the nylon 6.6 type. At least one layer of the fluid holder more preferably comprises a breathing material. This increases wearer comfort. This increases wearer comfort. A fully sealing membrane for forming of the fluid holder can cause perspiration to accumulate between the skin and the fluid holder. The breathing action can prevent this because it can (help to) discharge the moisture.
The assembly more preferably comprises an actuator for the gas generator, the actuator preferably being a mechanical actuator, more preferably comprising an energy source for mechanical energy, such as a spring, preferably dimensioned in the order of magnitude of the gas generator. It hereby becomes possible to have actuation take place automatically in a manner suitable for specific use. Alternatively, a manual actuation is possible.
The wearable assembly is preferably suitable for providing a rescue function for children with a clothing size fitting children of age 0-1, 1-8, more preferably 1-6, more preferably 1-5, more preferably 1-4, more preferably 1-2, more preferably 2-3, more preferably 3-4, more preferably with fitting length sizes, more preferably with rescue function suitable for the weight.
In a further preferred embodiment the wearable assembly is provided with properties such as protection against cold and heat, preferably breathing, preferably washable in normal domestic manner. Substantially the same advantages are provided here as in the case of a normal shirt. Maintenance is easy since a wearable assembly can be easily washed, wherein, depending on the embodiment, no parts need be removed, and for instance in an embodiment where the actuation follows automatically upon contact with water, the gas generator and/or an actuation member need be only temporarily removed.
The bladder is more preferably arranged and formed such that particularly the front side of the head is held above water when a person falls into water, preferably by providing buoyancy at the position of the neck and throat below the ears. This insight makes it possible to optimize the wearer comfort in respect of the minimal size of the bladder. The bladder is preferably arranged here particularly close to the shoulders and the throat of the person.
In a further preferred embodiment the gas generator comprises gas-forming substances which can preferably be actuated by means of mechanical energy, can more preferably be actuated by means of contact with water, wherein the gas generator can preferably be arranged under one or both of the armpits. An automatic actuation of the process of forming a gas can hereby be started.
This is particularly advantageous in the case of an unconscious person or a person unaware of the danger of drowning, such as a small child. Examples of the gas-forming substances comprise sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate and/or ammonium bicarbonate. The assembly more preferably comprises a reaction accelerator such as an acid. Depending on for instance the temperature, the reaction speed of the precursor may in itself be relatively low in relation to the required time. A reaction accelerator can provide a life-saving advantage here.
In an alternative preferred embodiment the support structure comprises a harness, preferably an adjustable harness which can be modified to multiple body sizes. Particularly in the case of small children a passage of time of several months can already result in such growth that another size is required. An adjustable harness can enable the assembly to be worn for a longer period of time.
In alternative manner the support structure of the assembly is suitable for wearing over clothing, such as a jacket, raincoat, sailing jacket or the like. The function of the wearable assembly over another article of clothing can for instance hereby be provided without a modified article of clothing being required. It is also possible for the assembly to be worn under another article of clothing. Care is preferably taken here that the other article of clothing has sufficient internal space to enable a possible increase in volume.
A further aspect according to the present invention relates to a shirt comprising a wearable assembly according to the present invention.
A further aspect according to the present invention relates to a gas generator for generating a gas substantially at a temperature which does not damage the human body or the human skin, preferably the corresponding ambient temperature, wherein the gas generator comprises:
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- a charge assembly comprising a precursor for generating gas;
- an initiation assembly comprising means for initiating the precursor so as to generate gas;
- wherein the gas generator comprises the quantity of precursor for generating a quantity of gas sufficient to impart a rescue function for a wearable assembly according to the present invention.
Using such a gas generator according to this aspect advantages are achieved as described in the foregoing in respect of the previous aspect.
The gas generator more preferably comprises a quantity of precursor for generating a maximum of 20 l of gas, preferably a maximum of 15 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 12 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 10 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 8 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 6 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 4 l of gas.
In a further preferred embodiment the initiation assembly in the gas generator comprises biasing means, such as a spring, and/or biasing means release means, such as a soluble tablet. The automatic actuation of the gas generator is hereby realized in a manner easily understandable to the user.
A further aspect according to the present invention relates to a method for providing a rescue function to a person, preferably a child, comprising steps for:
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- providing a wearable assembly according to the present invention;
- preferably providing a gas generator according to the present invention applied in the wearable assembly.
Advantages as described in the foregoing with reference to previous aspects are achieved by means of such a method according to this aspect of the present invention.
According to a preferred embodiment the method comprises of initiating a gas generator for use for a personal rescue function, comprising steps for:
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- providing a gas generator according to one or more of the foregoing claims;
- initiating generation of the gas on the basis of the precursor while applying the initiation assembly for the purpose of providing the personal rescue function.
An actuation can hereby be realized in automatic manner, whereby the rescue function of the assembly is provided to the user.
Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be described in greater detail hereinbelow on the basis of one or more preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying figures. Similar, though not necessarily identical components of different preferred embodiments are designated with the same reference numerals.
Provided in the variant 31 of
Gas generator 17 comprises a gas-generating part 61 and an activating part 62. The gas-generating part 61 comprises a casing 71, preferably embodied as a cylinder. Other forms are however possible within the scope of the present invention. Situated inside cylinder 71 is a charge assembly 63 comprising precursors for the gas to be formed. Situated on the underside (according to the view of
Further variants are shown in
The bladder itself comprises a fibre material 112 which is initially water-permeable but which, after contact with water, becomes fluid-tight owing to a reaction of the fibres of the material to the water. It hereby becomes possible for water to be initially admitted into the bladder in sufficient measure to allow the reaction of all bicarbonate to form gas. While this reaction is taking place the textile becomes closed to the fluid, whereby the created gas is enclosed in the bladder. This effectively creates a gas-fill bladder which imparts buoyancy.
Tests performed herewith have demonstrated that, depending on the gas-forming reaction mixture (such as for instance the bicarbonate) and the fibre chosen for the bladder, a bladder with buoyancy results within a sufficiently short time which only loses buoyancy under considerable squeezing force. In order to replace the bag 110 with bicarbonate the bladder is provided with a fluid-tight closure, such as an airtight zip or foldable edge closed for instance by means of press studs.
It is an insight of the present inventor that, while buoyancy has to be provided, this can be limited to a specific time period, such as several minutes to several hours. An embodiment which is particularly recommended is an embodiment with a T-shirt with a single textile layer having arranged therein a single textile layer for the purpose of forming the bladder, wherein both textile layers together form the bladder. A light article of clothing is hereby possible comprising only two textile layers which form both the article of clothing and the bladder and the means for generating gas, such as the bag with bicarbonate or the cool gas generator.
The present invention has been described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are deemed described in combination with each other, wherein all combinations which can be deemed by a skilled person in the field as falling within the scope of the invention on the basis of reading of this document are included. These preferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this document. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A wearable assembly, such as an article of clothing or a life-jacket, for providing a rescue function, such as buoyancy, the wearable assembly comprising:
- a support structure which can be arranged round the body, being wearable as for instance an article of clothing or life-jacket,
- a fluid holder such as a buoyancy provider able to at least temporarily hold a fluid, preferably a gas, with a density lower than water, and
- a gas generator comprising a precursor for generating gas for the purpose of generating a gas substantially at a temperature which does not damage the human body or the human skin, preferably a corresponding ambient temperature.
2. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure has a wearer comfort similar to the wearer comfort of a vest or shirt, such as a T-shirt, blouse, sports shirt and the like.
3. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas generator is of a cool gas generator type.
4. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein substantially a low reactive or inert gas is generated under operating conditions, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, or wherein moderately reactive gases are generated, such as oxygen or hydrogen.
5. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid holder comprises a bladder or balloon preferably arranged for holding above water a head of a wearer who has fallen into water.
6. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid holder comprises a textile which, during or after wetting with a liquid such as water, has gas-tight properties.
7. Wearable The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid holder comprises at least one material layer which forms a material layer of the assembly, such as an article of clothing.
8. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas generator is suitable for producing CO2 gas while applying substances comprising bicarbonate.
9. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid holder comprises a nanofibre, such as for instance of the nylon 6.6 type.
10. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one layer of the fluid holder comprises a breathing material.
11. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuator for the gas generator, the actuator preferably being a mechanical actuator, more preferably comprising an energy source for mechanical energy, such as a spring, preferably dimensioned in the order of magnitude of the gas generator.
12. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, suitable for providing a rescue function for children with a clothing size fitting children of age 0-8, more preferably 0-6, more preferably 1-5, more preferably 1-4, more preferably 1-2, more preferably 2-3, more preferably 3-4, more preferably with fitting length sizes, more preferably with rescue function suitable for the weight.
13. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, provided with properties such as protection against cold and heat, preferably breathing, preferably washable in normal domestic manner.
14. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid holder is arranged and formed such that particularly the front side of the head is held above water when a person falls into water, preferably by providing buoyancy at the position of the neck and throat below the ears.
15. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas generator comprises gas-forming substances which can preferably be actuated by means of mechanical energy, can more preferably be actuated by means of contact with water, wherein the gas generator can preferably be arranged under one or both of the armpits.
16. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas-forming substances comprise: sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate and/or ammonium bicarbonate.
17. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a reaction accelerator such as an acid.
18. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a harness, preferably an adjustable harness, which can be modified to multiple body sizes.
19. The wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure is suitable for wearing over clothing, such as a jacket, raincoat, sailing jacket or the like.
20. (canceled)
21. A gas generator for generating a gas substantially at a temperature which does not damage the human body or the human skin, preferably the corresponding ambient temperature, wherein the gas generator comprises:
- a charge assembly comprising a precursor for generating gas; and
- an initiation assembly comprising means for initiating the precursor so as to generate gas;
- wherein the gas generator comprises the quantity of precursor for generating a quantity of gas sufficient to impart a rescue function for a wearable assembly as claimed in claim 1.
22. The gas generator as claimed in claim 21, comprising a quantity of precursor for generating a maximum of 20 l of gas, preferably a maximum of 15 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 12 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 10 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 8 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 6 l of gas, more preferably a maximum of 4 l of gas.
23. The gas generator as claimed in claim 21, wherein the initiation assembly comprises biasing means, such as a spring, and/or biasing means release means, such as a soluble tablet.
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 19, 2012
Publication Date: Mar 13, 2014
Applicant: RESQME B.V. (Burgh-Haamstede)
Inventor: Roeland Titus Bernard Jansen (Burgh-Haamstede)
Application Number: 14/006,226
International Classification: B63C 9/125 (20060101);