Protective Suit Comprising Removal Openings

- Electricite de France

The protective suit (100) for a person comprises:—a main portion; and—a fully removable band (36) having predetermined outlines extending from a neck (17) of the suit to the lower ends of the left and right legs (19) of the suit.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the protection of operators in an environment which is or likely to be dirty, dangerous, or contaminating, in particular against particles which are radioactive, or of any other nature, for example of chemical, biological or pharmacological origin, that these particles are deposited on surfaces or suspended in the ambient gas, for example in the air.

“Contaminated” or “contaminant”, means for example an environment in which radioactive particles likely to come into contact with personnel operating in the installations are dispersed. The invention also applies to a dirty environment in which personnel wish to protect themselves from dirt, or to an environment in which substances having a health risk, such as a virus, are dispersed.

Thus it relates to an individual protective suit and a protection method. In the following, the suit is also called an over-suit.

PRIOR ART

In nuclear power plants, controls and maintenance of various equipment are scheduled. In certain premises, operators may be subjected to ionizing radiation. These areas are called controlled areas. They are classified according to the nature of their dangerousness and meet strict rules in order to protect the operator. One of these risks is contamination. This is radioactive material which can be disseminated in the air and on the floor of a room in the event of a circuit opening. All measures are taken so that the operator cannot ingest or inhale these radioactive particles. Depending on the surface activity measured (contamination rate indicator) in each room, the operator must respect dressing and removal rules.

The operator's usual work clothing may be his personal clothing such as work overalls, or a compulsory universal clothing, for example a t-shirt, a pair of socks, a suit, a pair of cotton gloves, a cap and a helmet, a pair of shoes.

For interventions in a controlled area comprising contaminated areas, he must wear a non-woven paper suit or over-suit such as those from the manufacturer Tyvek over his work clothing. Current over-suits are used universally on a fleet of power plants for all types of professions and environments. They mainly guarantee impermeability to contamination during activities in contaminated areas.

Generally speaking, when the operator must carry out an intervention in one of said contaminated areas, he first puts on over his work clothing the over-suit, gloves, and depending on the site practices either flexible over-boots worn over work shoes or overshoes mainly covering the feet.

The general practice consists in:

    • entering a controlled area in universal clothing for a surface contamination of less than 4 Bq/cm2, and
    • entering a controlled area in universal clothing by putting on the over-suit if the surface contamination is comprised between 4 and 400 Bq/cm2.

A particular, recent practice, which is increasingly widespread in nuclear power plants, consists in:

    • entering a controlled area in work clothing worn outside the controlled area, which requires having set a surface contamination limit, for example less than 0.4 Bq/cm2, and
    • entering the controlled area while retaining or not said work clothing worn outside the controlled area, by putting on the over-suit if the surface contamination is for example comprised between 0.4 and 400 Bq/cm2.

Regardless of the practice, which is general or specific, above 400 Bq/cm2, the operator must wear a ventilated helmet, for example protection covering the entire head up to the base of the neck, or else over his over-suit, a ventilated water-tight clothing, for example a protection covering the entire body.

A process is defined for the dressing and removal phases so that the worker cannot become contaminated during removal. However, physical and health safety issues associated with the removal phase have been identified. Indeed, when the worker wants to leave a contaminated area to reach an area that is not contaminated, he must remove the suit, gloves and over-boots without contaminating his own garment worn underneath. In doing so, he must consecutively cross a border, materialized for example by an easel, to pass into an uncontaminated area.

Although it has proven itself in terms of radiation protection, this crossing is not always easy for the operator and can lead to inconveniences. Indeed, this removal phase requires him to carry out a sequence of technical actions consisting of rolling the suit up on itself in order to contain the contamination then taking each of the pant legs off by alternately remaining on one foot and bending over. It was observed during the tests carried out at EDF that over an average duration of 55 seconds that the removal operation lasts, the worker is 8 times on one foot therefore in an unbalanced posture, and he remains 40 seconds leaning at 45° in relation to his legs, which is considered a very restrictive posture in terms of arduousness. Even if the workers are trained to carry out this process, however, deviations are observed (non-rolling up of the suit or cracking thereof from the crotch to free the legs) especially when the space where the area jump is located is cramped. This non-compliance with the process ultimately leads to conventional prevention risks (fall, etc.) but also to risks of transfer of contamination (resuspension of particles contaminated by the cracking of the outfit, contamination of the floor if the suit is not rolled up on itself). Furthermore, it is important to consider the time pressure relating to the performance of certain operations for which the worker must repeatedly enter and leave the contaminated area. The removal time in an optimal safety context is also an important element to take into account.

There are suit opening solutions like the one mentioned above (clothing called “paper” clothing such as Tyvek) implemented on nuclear installations. It consists of having only one zipper that starts at the top of the neck and ends at the crotch. This zipper is used both for opening and closing the suit. It is made up of two bands each comprising a series of teeth, each of the teeth collaborating with a space between the teeth of the opposite band, the collaboration being caused by the action of a cursor which interweaves the teeth by forcing.

The disadvantages of such a suit mainly focus on the removal phase. Due to its design, it requires multiple technical procedures to avoid contamination. However, it induces very restrictive postures combined with a relatively long removal time which leads to risks in the field of conventional safety (fall following an imbalance during removal, restrictive posture with regard to arduousness, etc.). In fact, even if the process implemented aims not to become contaminated, it is in particular because of the conventional safety risk induced that it is potentially possible to become contaminated.

A purpose of the invention is therefore to avoid restrictive positions which induce both conventional risks (falls, etc.) and risks of contamination, and to reduce the removal time while maintaining optimal protection against conventional and radiological risks.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, according to the invention, a protective suit is provided for a person,

    • the suit comprising:
    • a main portion and
    • a fully removable band having predetermined outlines extending from a neck of the suit to the lower ends of the left and right legs of the suit;
      The suit being arranged so that the band detaches from the main portion under the effect of pulling on the band from the neck continuing to the lower ends of the legs and creating an opening in the main portion.

Thus, to take off the suit, the band is completely detached from the main portion, then the rest of the suit is taken off from the person through the large opening left free by the band. These operations can be easily carried out by the worker himself. The invention allows him to remain on both legs during the entire removal phase, thus avoiding restrictive postures (being on one foot and remaining bent over for approximately three quarters of the removal time). The invention also allows the removal in a very short time. The removal time can thus be reduced to 10 seconds on average, which is much shorter than the 55 seconds currently observed for this on nuclear installations. The invention is particularly effective in avoiding contamination of the worker by himself and contamination of third party operators and premises during removal.

Thus, removal is particularly simple to be carried out and the gesture for this purpose is natural and spontaneous.

Advantageously, the suit further comprises at least one tab fixed to the band and arranged so that pulling on the tab generates pulling on the band.

Thus, the tab can be grasped by the worker blindly and without touching the top of the neck, thus avoiding any potential contamination.

The band can be provided with an edge extending from the lower end of the left leg to the lower end of the right leg, the edge being arranged to open from a crotch of the suit under the effect of pulling the band from the neck.

In one embodiment, the edge is fixed to the rest of the suit by a fixing device having a breaking point at the crotch.

For example, the fixing device comprises successions of teeth and is devoid of a tooth in at least one of the successions of teeth.

It can be provided that the suit comprises fixing devices delimiting the band.

In one embodiment, at least one of the fixing devices, preferably each of the fixing devices, comprises teeth disposed in succession along the device.

In another embodiment, at least one of the fixing devices, preferably each of the fixing devices, comprises reliefs profiled in a longitudinal direction of the device.

It can be provided that at least one of the fixing devices does not have a slider.

Advantageously, the suit comprises, for at least one edge of the band, preferably for each edge of the band, a flap covering the edge over a greater length of the edge.

Indeed, in the absence of such a flap, contamination particles can be deposited in the fixing device then be resuspended by mechanical effect during removal and contaminate the work garment. Thanks to the flap, no particles can be deposited in the fixing device.

Preferably, the flap is fixed to the band.

Thus, it is removed at the same time as this one. If it contains contaminated particles, it is thus removed and eliminated as a priority with the tape.

It can be considered that the suit comprises, at least at one end area of at least one edge of the band, preferably at each end area of each edge, a frangible element for blocking an opening of the edge.

Thus, this element allows to avoid the accidental opening of the fixing device during the intervention. However, it is easily broken by the worker when he detaches the band.

In one embodiment, the suit comprises on each leg:

    • a terminal frangible element at a lower end area of one of the edges,
    • a terminal frangible element at a lower end area of the other edge, and
    • an intermediate frangible element at a lower end area of one of the edges,
      the two terminal elements extending at the same distance from one end of the leg and being interposed between the intermediate element and the end.

Thus, when the fixing devices are separated, the intermediate element breaks first, then the other two break, thus avoiding any potential resuspension of contamination. On the contrary, in the absence of the intermediate element, there would be a risk that the two terminal elements would break at the same time, which would encourage the projection of particles into the environment.

In one embodiment, the band is delimited by:

    • a first edge extending from the neck to a lower end of the left leg,
    • a second edge extending from the neck to a lower end of the right leg, and
    • a third edge extending from the lower end of the left leg to the lower end of the right leg.

The suit can be provided with a dressing opening arranged to allow a person to put on the suit through the dressing opening without at least partially detaching the band from the main portion.

It is therefore a question of allowing to put on the suit without having to detach the band, not even partially. It is thus possible to configure the band on the one hand and the dressing opening on the other hand so that they best fulfill their respective functions.

For example, the dressing opening extends entirely into the band.

According to the invention, provision is also made of a method for taking off a protective suit worn by a person, in which:

    • a band of the suit is completely detached from a neck to the lower ends of the left and right legs of the suit,
    • then a main portion of the suit is taken off from the person.

For example, the band is detached simply by exerting one or more pulls on the band.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Several embodiments of the invention will now be presented by way of non-limiting examples in support of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a suit according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a zipper of the type used in the suit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the upper portion of the suit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of a middle portion of the fixing device of the third opening of the suit;

FIG. 5 is a view of the rear portion of the device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of an upper portion of the fixing device of the first opening of the suit;

FIG. 7 is a view of a lower portion of one of the legs of the suit;

FIG. 8 is a view of the band of the suit, once separated from the latter;

FIG. 9 is a view of the suit without the band;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views showing the successive steps of undressing an operator wearing the suit;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are views of one of the fixing devices in another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a detailed view of the suit in another embodiment.

Different embodiments of a single-use individual protective suit or over-suit will be presented in support of the figures. This is, for example, a protective suit against radioactive particles.

First Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, the suit 100 mainly includes a trunk portion 2 secured in the lower portion to a trouser portion 3 which extends it. Left and right sleeves 4 for the user's arms are provided at the top of the trunk portion 2 and fixed thereto. At the top of the trunk portion 2 there is a neck 17, which can be extended at the rear by a hood, not shown.

The trunk portion 2, the pants 3 and the sleeves 4 form the main portion 6 and each include one or more woven or non-woven material parts which will be called walls in the following text. These flexible walls are configured to prevent radioactive particles from passing through the suit from the outside to the inside. Generally speaking, the tightness indicated for the different portions of the suit 1, in particular of the wall, is dust-tightness and can also be water-tightness from the outside to the inside and/or or water vapor tightness from the outside to the inside. Moreover, one or more portions of the suit 100, in particular the wall, can be breathable, that is to say allow water vapor to pass from the inside to the outside. The wall can for example be continuous from the trunk portion 2 to the pants 3. This flexible wall can be made of a non-woven material, such as for example polyester.

The suit and/or the wall may have, for example, one or more of the following properties (the standards indicated being those in force on Dec. 22, 2015):

    • Surface mass according to standard NF EN ISO 3801 comprised between 40 and 70 g/m2.
    • Abrasion Resistance according to standard NF EN 13034, standard NF EN 1073-2 (test according to standard NF EN 530) and standard NF EN ISO 13982-1: Class 2/6 (>100 abrasive cycles).
    • Crack resistance by bending according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test according to method B of NF EN ISO 7854): Class 6/6 (>100,000 cycles).
    • Resistance to perforation according to standard NF EN 1073-2 (test according to standard EN863): Class 2/4 (>10 N).
    • Resistance to perforation according to standard NF EN 13034 and standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test according to standard EN 863): Class 2/6 (>10 N).
    • Trapezoidal tear strength according to standard NF EN 13034 and standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test method: standard EN ISO 9073-4): class 2/6 (>20 N).
    • Tear strength according to standard NF EN 1073-2 (test method according to standard EN ISO 9073-4): class 3/6 (>20 N).
    • Seam strength, junctions and assemblies according to standard NF EN 13034 and standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test method according to standard EN ISO 13935-2): Class 3/6 (>75 N).
    • Seam strength according to NF EN 1073-2 (test method according to standard EN ISO 13935-2): Class 3/5 (>75 N).
    • Tensile strength according to standard NF EN 13034 (test method according to standard EN ISO 13934-1 or standard EN 29073-3): Class 2/6 (>60 N).
    • Property against the penetration of liquid chemical products: compliance with type 6 classification according to standard NF EN 13034. The specifications of the suit for protection against liquid radioactive contamination by (light and not prolonged) contacts or by light splashes are assimilated to those of type 6 garments. Consequently, the requirements of standard NF EN 13034 (type 6) and the associated test methods apply to this product. However, it maintains pleasant comfort when worn. Level of repulsion of liquids: Class 3/3 (Repulsion index>95% at least for standardized products such as H2SO4, NaOH, o-Xylene and Butane-1-ol). Level of protection against the penetration of chemical products: Class 3/3 (penetration index<1% at least for standardized products such as H2SO4, NaOH, o-Xylene and Butane-1-ol). Level of protection against the penetration of liquids in the form of a light spray (mist test): compliance with the requirements of standard NF EN 13034.
    • Property against particle penetration: the garment complies with type 5 classification according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 and complies with standard NF EN 1073-2. Inward leaks according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-2): compliance with the minimum requirement, that is to say IL82/90≤30% and TILS8/10≤15%. Total inward leakage according to standard NF EN 1073-2 (test according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-2): Class 1/3.
    • Antistatic property: surface resistivity is evaluated according to the test method described in standard NF EN 1149-1. The homogeneous material must have a surface resistivity less than or equal to 5×1010 ohms.
    • Protection against flames: the constituent material (including the optional hood and translucent windows) is classified level 1 according to standard NF EN ISO 14116, to the extent that this equipment is intended to be worn over a basic clothing with a higher level of protection.
    • The product is free of toxic chemicals (Pb, B, Ni, Cr, As, Sb, Se, Cd, Hg, Be, CN, asbestos).

The suit 100 has in its front wall, in the trunk portion 2, a dressing opening 12 allowing an operator to put on the suit without using the other openings which will be presented.

This opening 12 extends from an upper area of the trunk portion to a crotch 21 of the suit where the lower end of this opening is located. In the present example, this opening 12 therefore forms a straight vertical line dividing the front face of the trunk portion into two symmetrical portions from the neck to the crotch. However, other locations and other configurations of the dressing opening are possible.

The opening 12 is in this case equipped with a slide fastener 13, of the type of that in FIG. 2, comprising two series of teeth 15 disposed in succession along two opposite edges of the opening and arranged so as to be mutually engaged under the effect of the passage of a slider 14 when it travels the teeth in a first direction. When the cursor travels across them in opposite directions, it separates the teeth from each other to free the opening. The teeth 15 may have a profiled shape in a direction perpendicular to the wall of the suit.

The slide fastener 13 has an upper end located at a distance from an upper edge of the neck 17 as illustrated in FIG. 11 in particular. It is preferable indeed that the slider 14 of the device stops at the base of the neck and not at the top thereof.

The suit also has three removal openings 16a, 16b and 16c allowing, alone, the operator to take off the suit without opening the dressing opening 12 or tearing the suit.

Two of the two removal openings 16a, 16b extend from the neck 17 to a lower end of the two respective legs 19 of the pants. More precisely, the left removal opening 16a starts from the neck and runs along the left side of the trunk portion to go down, here substantially in a straight line, to the lower end of the left leg. The left and right positions are defined here with reference to FIG. 1 and not with reference to the operator or the clothing. Likewise, the right removal opening 16b starts from the neck and passes on the right side of the trunk portion 2 to go down in a straight line to the lower end of the right leg. The dressing opening 12 extends between the two removal openings 16a, 16b. The neck 17 here is of the officer type and covers the entire neck well. The end of each of the first and second openings begins at the base of the neck in order to facilitate the opening of the suit and helps avoid any potential contamination at this level.

The third removal opening 16c extends from the lower end of one of the legs 3 along the leg to the crotch 21 then goes down again along the other leg to the lower end of the latter. It is located, like the two other removal openings, on the front side of the suit but set back therefrom.

The four dressing and removal openings are distinct, not contiguous and independent of each other. All are water-tight.

The suit comprises a band 36 delimited by the first, second and third openings 16a-c. These openings constitute edges of the band.

Each of the removal openings 16a, 16b, 16c is equipped with a fastening device 25 formed here by a zipper fastener of the same type as that of the dressing opening 12. But these zippers this time do not have a slider.

The suit comprises for each of the first and second openings 16a, 16b a flap 24 covering the corresponding fastening device 25 over a greater length of the fixing device. In this case, the flap 24 is fixed only to the band 36. This is here a band made of fabric sewn so as to externally cover the teeth of the fastening device 25 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Indeed, in the absence of a flap, contamination particles could lodge on and between the teeth 15, then by mechanical effect be resuspended during removal and contaminate the work garment. In this way, no particles can be deposited on and between the teeth 15.

The suit 100 is arranged so that pulling on the band 36 causes the three fastening devices 25 to open. The suit comprises in this case for this purpose two tabs or pull tabs 26 sewn to the band at a distance from the neck 17 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and arranged so that pulling on the tab forward and/or downward of the wearer of the suit generates a similar pulling on the band 36. Here, each tab 26 is located nearby respective upper ends of the first and second openings 16a, 16b. They allow to initiate the separation of the teeth 15 from the fixing devices at the neck 17. The tabs are oriented towards the shoulders and their dimensions make them prehensible by the worker blindly and without touching the top of the neck, avoiding thus any potential contamination.

The fastening device 25 of the third opening 16c has a breaking point at the crotch 21 of the suit. For this purpose, as illustrated in FIG. 4, it is devoid of a tooth in at least one succession of teeth 15. This breaking point facilitates the separation of the teeth when detaching the band 36 from top to bottom. In order to guarantee the tightness of the suit and its solidity (maintain the connection of the teeth), a screen or a tab 28 forming a underbridge is fixed inside the suit at the crotch where the breaking point is located, as shown in FIG. 5. It covers the entire area of the missing tooth. It is sewn by means of the seam 30 on only one side of the fixing device 25 and the underbridge 28 so as not to prevent the band 36 from detaching.

Moreover, at each end area of each opening 16a-c, the suit comprises a frangible element 32, which is in this case external, for blocking the fastening device 25 in the closed position.

Such an element 32 is provided at the upper end of each of the first and second removal openings 16a-b, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this example, it is an easily tearable tab sewn to the suit on the two sides of the opening 16a-b to span the opening. The tab 32 ensures that each opening is not accidentally opened during the intervention. However, it is easily broken by tearing by the worker during the movement of detaching the band.

With reference to FIG. 7, the suit 100 comprises on each leg:

    • a terminal frangible element 32b2 at a lower end area of the first opening or the second opening,
    • a terminal frangible element 32b1 at a lower end area of the third opening 16c, and
    • an intermediate frangible element 32a at a lower end area of one of the openings.

The two terminal elements 32b1 and 2 extend at the same distance from an end edge 34 of the leg and are interposed between the intermediate element 32a and the edge 34.

Indeed, at the bottom of the pants, two opening ends are juxtaposed on one leg and two on the other leg. In order to facilitate the dissociation of the slide fastener 13 without risk of potential resuspension of the contamination, these three tearable elements are sewn.

For example, on the left leg, the first tearable element 32a is set back approximately 1.5 cm for the first opening 16a relative to the bottom of the pants (FIG. 7). The two tearable elements 32b1 and 2 form a single part and cover the first and third openings 16a, 16c at the lower edge 34 of the pants.

However, an opening may remain at the junction between the frangible elements 32a and 32b2 covering the first opening 16a. This is why an internal tab 38 forming an underbridge is sewn into the interior portion of the suit in order to prevent any penetration of contamination inside the suit. The tab, which is here triangular, is sewn to the suit on only one side of one of the openings so as not to obstruct the openings.

Thus, when the fixing devices are separated, the intermediate element 32a breaks first then the two following ones 32b1 and 2 break, thus avoiding any potential resuspension of contamination.

With reference to FIGS. 12 to 13, the suit is used as follows to protect the operator in an environment likely to be contaminating.

Initially, all removal openings 16a, 16b, 16c are in the closed state. It is assumed here that the dressing opening 12 is closed.

The operator opens the dressing opening 12, and only it.

He puts on the suit 100 through the dressing opening 12 over his usual work outfit. In particular, he puts his arms in the sleeves 4 and his legs in the pants. Once his entire body is in the suit so that only the head, hands and feet emerge, he closes the dressing opening 12 by lifting the slider 14 of the zipper from the crotch up to the neck.

The operator then goes to the environment where he must intervene. Once he has completed his intervention, he leaves this environment.

To take off the suit, 100, he completely detaches the band 36 from the rest of the suit from the neck 17 by exerting, by means of the tabs 26, a traction on the band 36 forwards and downwards.

More precisely, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the operator grasps the respective tabs 26 and pulls at the same time thereon in a forward movement. Thus the frangible fabric elements 32 are easily torn and the teeth 15 of the fixing devices 25 of the openings 16a and 16b become separated. The worker only has to take hold of the central band 36 and pull it up to the waist. It therefore gradually separates from the rest of the suit from the top to the crotch 21. From this location, the separation continues by also causing the third opening 16c to open because of the breaking point. The operator continues to pull to release the crotch and legs up to the bottom of the suit. This completely releases the band as illustrated in FIG. 9. The trunk portion and the two legs are therefore open. The band 36 is completely detached from the rest of the suit. FIGS. 8 and 9 thus respectively show the band 36 and the main portion 6 of the suit once the band has been removed. The main portion 6 is made in one piece.

The worker evacuates the band 36 into a waste bin provided for this purpose.

The gap left by the band at the front of the suit finally allows the operator to take off the rest of it. He can then easily withdraw the shoulders and then the rest of the suit. Then he rolls it on the outside, looking for colored interior seams, for example green, so as not to become contaminated. He finally throws it in the garbage bin.

It is seen that dressing takes place exclusively thanks to the dressing opening 12 and its zipper which is open only from the crotch to the neck. And removal is done exclusively by means of the removal openings 16a, 16b, 16c, the dressing opening 12 having remained closed and the suit not having been torn.

This system prevents operators from tearing their suit from the crotch to the bottom of the pants, which potentially causes the contamination to be resuspended. It allows to accompany the action of opening the suit without sudden movement of the pants.

Other Embodiments

Other embodiments which are identical to the one above will be presented below except for the following characteristics.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the third removal opening 16c is also equipped with a protective flap 24. Indeed, the greatest pulling exerted at the teeth of the fixing devices during the removal phase mainly concerns those of the first and second openings 16a and b. This is the reason why a protective flap 24 is affixed to each of them in order to ultimately avoid contamination of the work garment located underneath the suit. The results of tests carried out with a powder simulating contamination confirm this. However, to guarantee maximum protection against contamination, such a protective flap or fold can be affixed to the fastening device 25 of the third removal opening 16c identical to the other two. The flap is also sewn here on the band 36 which separates from the rest of the suit.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, at least one of the fastening devices 25, preferably each of them, comprises not teeth but reliefs 20 profiled in a longitudinal direction of the opening so as to keep the removal opening closed by shape complementarity. These reliefs have for example the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 respectively in open and closed positions.

The reliefs 20 form, for example, a “lying 3” or “w” section profile. This section comprises three lips 22, two of which have their free ends curved so as to cooperate with the lips of the other profile and to maintain the two profiles in mutual engagement to ensure closure of the opening. Two cavities are provided between the three lips. Two of the lips of one of the profiles fit into the cavities of the other. However, other shapes could be given to the profile section.

These fixing devices are also opened under the effect of pulling on the band 36 from the neck. In this case, it is also possible to create a breaking point at the crotch in the third opening 16c. For this purpose, it is sufficient to simply split one of the profiles at this location.

Of course, many modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its scope.

In particular, it is possible to modify the shape, number and arrangement of the dressing opening(s) and the removal openings.

The invention is not limited to use in an environment associated with a risk of contamination with radioactive material. Indeed, this type of suit can be used for other sectors of activity (in terms of environmental sampling, in construction, chemical, biological, pharmacological laboratories, etc.). It could be of interest to these sectors for its gain in terms of difficulty during removal.

It could be considered that the band 36 is delimited by pre-cuts rather than by fastening devices 25. When separating the band from the rest of the suit, the cutting occurs following the pre-cuts.

Claims

1. A protective suit for a person,

the protective suit comprising:
a main portion; and
a fully removable band having predetermined outlines extending from a neck of the protective suit to the lower ends of the left and right legs of the protective suit;
the protective suit being arranged so that the fully removable band detaches from the main portion under the effect of pulling on the fully removable band from the neck continuing to the lower ends of the legs.

2. The protective suit according to claim 1, further comprising at least one tab fixed to the fully removable band and arranged so that pulling on the tab generates pulling on the fully removable band.

3. The protective suit according to claim 1, wherein the fully removable band has an edge extending from the lower end of the left leg to the lower end of the right leg, the edge being arranged to open from a crotch of the protective suit under the effect of pulling the fully removable band from the neck.

4. The protective suit according to claim 1, wherein the edge is fixed to the rest of the suit by a fastening device having a breaking point at the crotch.

5. The protective suit according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises successions of teeth and is devoid of a tooth in at least one of the successions of teeth.

6. The protective suit according to claim 1, which comprises fastening devices delimiting the fully removable band.

7. The protective suit according to claim 1, wherein each of the fastening devices, comprises teeth disposed in succession along the fastening device.

8. The protective suit according to claim 6, wherein each of the fastening devices, comprises reliefs profiled in a longitudinal direction of the fastening device.

9. The protective suit according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the fastening devices does not have a slider.

10. The protective suit according to claim 1, comprising, for each edge of the fully removable band, a flap covering the edge over a greater length of the edge.

11. The protective suit according to claim 1, wherein the flap is fixed to the fully removable band.

12. The protective suit according to claim 1, comprising, at each end area of each edge, a frangible element for blocking an opening of the edge.

13. The protective suit according to claim 1, which comprises on each leg:

a terminal frangible element at a lower end area of one of the edges,
a terminal frangible element at a lower end area of the other edge, and
an intermediate frangible element at a lower end area of one of the edges,
the two terminal elements extending at the same distance from one end of the leg and being interposed between the intermediate element and the end.

14. The protective suit according to claim 1, wherein the fully removable band is delimited by:

a first edge extending from the neck to a lower end of the left leg,
a second edge extending from the neck to a lower end of the right leg, and
a third edge extending from the lower end of the left leg to the lower end of the right leg.

15. The protective suit according to claim 1, comprising a dressing opening arranged to allow a person to put on the suit through the dressing opening without at least partially detaching the fully removable band from the main portion.

16. The protective suit according to claim 1, wherein the dressing opening extends entirely into the fully removable band.

17. A method for taking off a protective suit worn by a person, in which:

a fully removable band of the suit is completely detached from a neck to the lower ends of the left and right legs of the suit,
then a main portion of the suit is taken off from the person.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the fully removable band is detached simply by exerting one or more pulls on the fully removable band.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240349825
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 16, 2022
Publication Date: Oct 24, 2024
Applicant: Electricite de France (Paris)
Inventors: Catherine Monier (Paris), Victor Spazzola (Saint André-de-la-Marche)
Application Number: 18/686,267
Classifications
International Classification: A41D 13/02 (20060101);