Abstract: A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes a garment body defining sleeves. A cuff may be secured at respective ends of the sleeves. An elastic fiber layer is disposed on the sleeves beginning at the sleeve or cuff. The elastic fiber layer has a high friction surface such that an end of a glove pulled over the elastic fiber layer is inhibited from rolling or sliding back over the elastic fiber and down the sleeve. The elastic fiber may be formed of a polyolefin or other polymers according to known processes and may include a dye or colorant that may be used to indicate the fluid protection level of, for example, a surgical gown.

Abstract: A material structure is provided with a multilayer material web (1) for forming flexible safety suits, containers, tarpaulins and tents. The material structure and products formed therefrom offers both high mechanical and chemical safety and makes it at the same time possible to greatly simplify both the manufacture of the material structure itself and the manufacture of chemical safety suits or other products with the desired properties and thus to make it less expensive. The multilayer material web (1) includes a fabric layer (2), a PTFE layer (3) applied on one side of the fabric layer (2) and a layer of a flameproof and flame-retardant material (5) applied on the other side of the fabric layer (2).

Abstract: Described herein is protective apparel that improves management. The protective apparel comprises a set of spacers. Each spacer is arranged on an inner portion of the apparel and maintains apparel proximate to the spacer distant from the person, thereby preventing continuous contact between the person and portions of the apparel. Multiple spacers may form one or more air channel between the spacers, the person and inner portions of the apparel. The channels permit low resistance airflow within the apparel and over the person's body. Low resistance airflow within the channels permits air to be easily moved through the apparel to cool the person. The spacers may comprise a compressible material such as foam. When the compressible material has an elastic memory, elastic return of the material causes each spacer to return to its initial shape after a deforming force is removed.

Abstract: Chitosan films that have been treated with a polyhydroxyalkyl compound and washed, and laminates made from the films are provided. This treatment lessens the film shrinkage. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Low-shrinkage chitosan films containing sugars and laminates made from the films are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous adaptive membrane structure that has movable membranes. The structure can be made to change its gas, liquid or particulate permeability in response to surrounding environmental conditions. The application of this invention is includes protective apparel that is comfortable to wear wherein the level of protection provided is based on conditions in the environment. Hence, the protective apparel is highly breathable and comfortable in a non-hazardous environment but impermeable or only semipermeable in a hazardous environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous adaptive membrane structure that has movable membranes. The structure can be made to change its gas, liquid or particulate permeability in response to surrounding environmental conditions. The application of this invention is includes protective apparel that is comfortable to wear wherein the level of protection provided is based on conditions in the environment. Hence, the protective apparel is highly breathable and comfortable in a non-hazardous environment but impermeable or only semipermeable in a hazardous environment.

Abstract: A protective garment for nuclear environments is formed of a tri-laminate 30/30/30 water resistant barrier fabric. The garment can be incinerated so as to provide a disposable, one time use coverall particularly adapted for use in nuclear/radioactive environments. The coverall provides integrated elements for water resistant (i.e., splashproof), breathable, comfortable contamination protection. It is adapted for use with various types of breathing apparatuses, included external air lines, back-mounted self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), and emergency breathing bottles or apparatuses. Air tanks and bottles are covered by the garment and thus do not need to be decontaminated. The garment also includes elements for use with air sampling devices and/or dosimetry equipment that are often worn by such workers.

Abstract: A protective garment (10) which includes a front portion (12), a rear portion (14), arms (13, 15) and a hood (22), the front portion being a continuous panel which is free of openings. The rear portion is secured to our integral with the front portion and generally in two parts to enable the user to don the garment. There is provided fastenings (18) for holding the two parts together and the hood being connected to a neck section of the front and rear portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adsorption filter material (1) that provides protection against chemical toxins, chemical weapons and pollutants, with a preferably multi-layer composite construction (2). The layer construction (2) includes at least one planar support layer (3) with two opposing sides (3?, 3?) and an adsorption layer (4), provided on the support layer (3) made from a material which adsorbs chemical toxins, the surface of at least one of the both sides (3? and/or 3?) of the support layer (3) being modified by plasma treatment. The surface properties, in particular the surface finish and the surface reactivity can be adjusted and optimised to match the application by means of the plasma treatment.

Abstract: The present invention describes chemical protective enclosure comprising a waterproof outer surface comprising an impermeable portion and an air diffusive portion, and further comprising a chemically adsorptive material substantially adjacent the air diffusive portion, wherein there is sufficient diffusion of breathable air into the chemical protective enclosure to sustain life.

Abstract: The present invention describes chemical protective enclosure comprising a waterproof outer surface comprising an impermeable portion and an air diffusive portion, and further comprising a chemically adsorptive material substantially adjacent the air diffusive portion, wherein there is sufficient diffusion of breathable air into the chemical protective enclosure to sustain life.

Abstract: A nonwoven disposable safety garment made by cutting at least one sheet of nonwoven material into a safety garment pattern, stitching the at least one sheet to define a garment, and hemming the garment. Cut edges are twice folded and hemmed under to prevent exposure of any cut edges. Stitching is characterized by a stitch density in the range of 10 to 12 stitches per inch. Attachment features, such as pockets, sleeves, and loops, are provided for dosimeters and other monitoring equipment. Some attachment features may be used by the wearer to remove the garment, either in a pull-off or tear-off fashion.

Abstract: Applicant has disclosed a “Launderable Tritium Hood” with a removable visor assembly that allows the visor (i.e., view plate) and the remainder of the hood to be cleaned separately, and by different methods, for their reuse. In the preferred embodiment, Applicant's invention comprises: a launderable tritium suit hood; a removable visor assembly with a visor removably attached to a channel assembly; and, a bead assembly attached to the hood's fabric by stitching, wherein the channel assembly, with its attached visor, can be press-fit onto the bead assembly and subsequently peeled off when desired. Applicant's invention can also be thought of as a method comprising: press fitting a removable visor assembly onto a bead affixed to a tritium suit hood to create a gas-tight seal between the visor assembly and hood; and lifting and peeling the visor assembly off the bead to remove the visor assembly from the hood.

Abstract: A protective undergarment for use under casual clothing is described. The undergarment is constructed of a first impermeable barrier material and a second selectively permeable barrier material.

Abstract: N-alkylchitosan films, composite films, and, laminates, made from the films are provided. The films and laminates can be used to make a variety of finished articles that can be used to provide protection from hazardous chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: A polymeric body covering article that generates and releases gas upon activation by electromagnetic energy and/or moisture. The gas provides antimicrobial and/or antiodor protection to objects in contact or in proximity to the interior surface of the article and/or to objects in contact or in proximity to the exterior surface of the article.

Abstract: A safety suit material can be connected to a plurality of gloves or boots to provide a gas- or liquid-proof connection. A support ring (3) is provided, which is in contact with the inner side of a boot-leg (2) and has a cuff (4) that can be folded over to the outside.

Abstract: A disposable clothing is used for protection against liquids or microorganisms, in particular for medicine, chemistry or biotechnology. The clothing comprises, in particular a front part and sleeves (20) connected thereto. The clothing (10) is provided with an external layer (12) in the form of a non-woven air-permeable material. A barrier layer which is selected such that it is air permeable but liquid-proof, is applied to at least the side of the external layer (12) which is oriented towards a person wearing the clothing (10). The barrier layer is, at least in places, connected to the external layer. The non-woven material of the external layer (12) is a laminated material comprising spunbond and meltblown layers.

Abstract: As worn by a firefighter or by an emergency rescue worker, a protective garment having a lower torso-covering portion and two leg-covering portions is equipped with a drag harness or drag harnesses. Each drag harness is accessible through an aperture or apertures somewhere in the lower torso-covering and leg-covering portions. In the illustrated and described embodiments, the protective garment is equipped with two knee pads. Each knee pad is manipulatable between a position wherein such knee pad covers the aperture or apertures in a given one of the leg-covering portions and positions wherein such knee pad does not cover the aperture or apertures in the given one of the leg-covering portions. Each knee pad may serve as a flap or may be completely detachable.

Abstract: A disposable protective apparel garment having an angled elastomeric panel present on the back side of the garment is described. The garment, such as protective coveralls, includes an elastomeric panel in a V-shaped configuration that extends from the lower back upwardly toward the underarms and along the sleeves. Such an elastomeric panel allows the wearer a greater degree of movement when wearing such a garment.

Abstract: A chemically protective article comprising an outer shell and a separable adsorptive liner is provided. When the adsorption sites of the liner become saturated, the liner alone may be replaced without discarding the entire article. The liner also provides additional protection from harmful species should the outer shell be breached. Such chemically protective articles include garments, shelters, and coverings.

Abstract: In a pair of protective trousers having a fly, in which a flap extending from a first edge of a torso-covering portion covers a second edge thereof in a closed condition of the fly but not in an opened condition of the fly and in which the first and second edges are secured releasably to each other, as by a hook-and-loop fastener, in the closed condition, a gusset extends along and between the first and second edges, in the opened and closed conditions.

Abstract: Water-soluble articles and methods of making, using and disposing of the water-soluble articles are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to overalls, manufactured by polypropylene and polyethylene, usable as protective clothing, in particular suitable as barrier against biological agents. The overalls provide a very high level of protection against the penetration of liquids and microorganisms, excellent mechanical properties, including tear and abrasion resistance, outstanding softness, drapeability and comfort.

Abstract: Water-soluble products and methods of making and using water-soluble products are disclosed.

Abstract: Closed air space devices and methods of use for full body bio hazard type suits that eliminates condensation and fogging from forming on the face masks and the window visors of the suit. The devices and methods have a sealed closed air space that can be formed from flexible see-through plastic in a cone shape that can be sealed between the mask and the visor. The closed air space can be pre-sealed to the visor/outer wall of the suit and have a second end fitted with an elastic type band that allows the wearer to attach and detach the closed space by wrapping the band about their face mask. Other embodiments use flat see-through plastic sheets, and sheets that attach about the neck of the user to form the closed air spaces between the face mask and the window visor of the suit.

Abstract: Safety apparel and/or non-apparel items that filter from the air one or more airborne particles and/or undesired gasses to provide safety to a human and/or non-human from potentially unhealthy airborne particles. The apparel and/or non-apparel item at least partially includes a filter material. The filter material on the apparel and/or non-apparel item has a sufficient size to enable the human and/or non-human to cover the nose, eyes, and/or mouth of the human and/or non-human. The filter material filters at least one airborne particle and/or undesired gas by a mechanical mechanism, an electrical mechanism, and/or a chemical mechanism. The apparel and/or non-apparel item can include at least one visual and/or textural indicator on the apparel and/or non-apparel item to at least partially indicate the location of the filter material on the apparel and/or non-apparel item.

Abstract: Disposable chemical and biological protective garments have an internal film or coating of conductive and water absorbing inorganic salts which are antistatic agents activated by the internal humidity generated by the wearer.

Abstract: A protection suit, particularly a spacesuit, has an opening in a back portion of the spacesuit for entering and exiting the suit. The spacesuit is suspended on one side of a bulkhead (5?) so that a hole in the bulkhead is aligned with the opening in the back portion of the suit. The opening is closeable by a backpack (3) which fits through the hole in the bulkhead into a decontamination chamber (7) on the opposite side of the bulkhead. Two sealing and interlocking systems are used. Each system has two subsystems to provide a total of four sealing and interlocking subsystems. A first subsystem (4) connects the spacesuit to the bulkhead that separates a living and working space from an airlock. A second subsystem (6) connects a backpack to the spacesuit (1). A third subsystem (9) connects the spacesuit, preferably through the backpack (3), to a decontamination chamber (7). A fourth subsystem (12) connects the decontamination chamber to the bulkhead (5?).

Abstract: A fluid-impervious sheet has two expansive surfaces, to one of which an elastomeric grommet adheres. The elastomeric grommet, which is annular when unstressed, outlines a region on the fluid-impervious sheet. The elastic grommet is adapted to provide a fluid-impervious seal around an object penetrating the region outlined by the elastomeric grommet and fitting tightly through the elastomeric grommet. A protective garment for a hazardous environment is made from the fluid-impervious sheet and has a breathing apparatus, which comprises elements inside the protective garment, elements outside the protective garment, and a tube connecting the inside and outside elements. The tube penetrates the region outlined by the elastomeric grommet and fits tightly through the elastomeric grommet, which provides a fluid-impervious seal around the tube.

Abstract: A chemical/biological hazard protection suit has two pants legs which extend to a midsection below waist level. An opening in the midsection defines an outlet from the suit interior. A waste collector has an upper segment which is fixed to the midsection and which adjoins an intermediate segment which is in turn connected to a waste receptacle. A first seal is between the upper segment and the intermediate segment, and a second seal is between the intermediate segment and the waste receptacle. A region of weakened material encircles the intermediate segment between the seals. A wearer discharges waste through the outlet and past the two open seals into the receptacle, whereupon both seals are closed, and the receptacle is detached from the upper segment, leaving both the receptacle and the suit sealed. Prior to use, the waste receptacle may be retained within a pocket on one of the pants legs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reusable, launderable water-soluble coveralls.

Abstract: My inventions aspire to improve the protection for human beings, against extreme conditions, where conventional safety and protective equipment are not practical for use in mass protection and mass continuation of human beings. My invention is designed to improve the chances of survival, because of the ability to collect, and recirculate the air through air-filters, for human consumption and for heating and cooling of the body. All of these is done by the air supplied by the air-compressors integrated to the protective suit, and with a minimal of stress to the lungs, because the person does not have to suck air through APR respirators once the air-tanks are filled with air. Also, improve the chances of survival in extreme conditions because of the diversity of tools and the toughness of the materials used. All done without the aid of electric motors or fans.

Abstract: A fluid-impervious sheet has two expansive surfaces, to one of which an elastomeric grommet adheres. The elastomeric grommet, which is annular when unstressed, outlines a region on the fluid-impervious sheet. The elastic grommet is adapted to provide a fluid-impervious seal around an object penetrating the region outlined by the elastomeric grommet and fitting tightly through the elastomeric grommet. A protective garment for a hazardous environment is made from the fluid-impervious sheet and has a breathing apparatus, which comprises elements inside the protective garment, elements outside the protective garment, and a tube connecting the inside and outside elements. The tube penetrates the region outlined by the elastomeric grommet and fits tightly through the elastomeric grommet, which provides a fluid-impervious seal around the tube.

Abstract: A protective suit for protection against harmful chemical and biological substances, comprising an outer and a liner which is disposed underneath the outer and is provided with a barrier layer against chemical and biological substances. The protective suit is configured as an coverall, the barrier layer which has been incorporated into the liner being a membrane which is surrounded on both sides by a protective layer each.

Abstract: A method and combination creates an air tight CBR impervious barrier for combatants. Protective garments including a protective overgarment, gloves, and over-boots are donned. The protective garments have an annular drawstring interface between a hooded-coat and trousers of the protective overgarment, an annular interface between each sleeve of the hooded-coat and each glove, and an annular interface between each leg portion of the trousers and each over-boot. Dilating elastomeric sheaths to an extended or stretched disposition and placing each elastomeric sheath over a separate one of the interfaces allow constricting of each elastomeric sheath over a separate one of the interfaces and compressedly engaging of the interfaces and the wearer's body by the constricting elastomeric sheaths to create an air-tight CBR impervious barrier at the interfaces. Elastomer, adhesive, or other coatings can be on inside surfaces of elastomeric sheaths to create better friction surfaces.

Abstract: A personal protection system is provided, the system including a backpack configured to couple to a user, the backpack including a system garment fixedly coupled to the backpack. The system garment of the personal protection system includes at least one system unit operable to at least partially aid the user in at least one of a biological hazard, a nuclear hazard, a chemical hazard, and a radiological hazard.

Abstract: For a firefighter, rescue worker, or chemical worker or another wearer needing head protection, a protective hood, a fitment, a face mask, and a head harness are combined. The head harness is attached to the face mask, at an upper portion of the face mask, so as to secure the face mask to the wearer's head, when the face mask and the head harness are worn. The protective hood is attached detachably to the face mask, at a lower portion of the face mask, but is not attached elsewhere. The protective hood is adapted to cover the wearer's head and to cover the head harness, except for a frontal region of the wearer's head, when the protective hood, the face mask, and the head harness are worn. The fitment is attachable to the face mask.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably sealing the opening between a glove and the sleeve cuff to prevent ingress of water therebetween. The apparatus includes a pair of rings, one of which is attached to the wrist portion of a glove while the other is attached to the cuff portion of a sleeve. The rings are releasably engageable with one another in the sealed fashion under normal working conditions. The rings are capable of self-disengaging angularly and/or axially when subjected to an angular force or moment of predetermined magnitude and duration applied to the connection so as to permit detachment of the glove. The apparatus is particularly useful in wet mining applications not only to prevent water from entering the opening between the glove and cuff but also to disengage safely and assuredly should a glove get caught in any equipment.

Abstract: A hazard protection suit has a pants section which extends to waist level. A torso section extends upwardly to an upper margin below the wearer's arm pits, and a stowage flap extends outwardly therefrom, to hang down over the torso section and to enclose, by a resilient cord, the upper section of the suit including the sleeves, a hood, and a face mask. The upper body section is retained in a folded compact condition against the wearer's torso in ordinary wear. When needed, the retention member is released and the wearer's hands are extended through looped sleeve cuffs, and zippers are operated to secure the upper body section around the wearer, making a sealed interior space. The wearer's utility belt and gear pouches may remain in place as they are undisturbed by the donning of the upper body section. The face mask is secured along a face encircling zipper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protective fabric that protects first-response personnel, like firefighters, who rush into disaster areas immediately after such events occur. In particular, this invention relates to garments such as hoods (like a balaclava-shaped hood) made from a multi-layer protective fabric that includes at least two active layers, that may provide biological, chemical and fire protection to first-response personnel. The balaclava-shaped hood may be integrated with a protective mask to create fully-encapsulated protection. This protective fabric may include an inner layer, an active middle layer and an active outer layer. The inner layer may be comprised of a stretchable fabric. The middle layer may provide an adsorptive barrier to chemicals, such as terror agent, Mustard gas or other such agents. The outer layer may be comprised of a flame-resistant fiber-product.

Abstract: A garment for protection against chemical and/or biological substances is provided with a shell and a lining, arranged under said shell, and with at least one zip fastener, which has two zip fastener halves which engage in one another during closing. Each zip fastener half is provided with at least two stringers, an outer stringer being joined to the shell and the other, inner stringer being joined to the lining. At least one of the two stringers is provided with a protective layer which is impermeable to chemical and/or biological substances. The shell and/or the lining is likewise impermeable to chemical and/or biological substances.

Abstract: A garment system for healthcare providers including pants, a shirt, and a hood that provides a protective barrier against fluid or airborne contaminates. The pants have drawstrings and loops at the waist and have at least one bellows pocket with cover flap and at least one utility loop for holding various items. The shirt has a one pocket adapted to hold a writing utensil and incorporates a security badge attachment loop. Another pocket has a pull tab on the flap for easy access when the user is gloved. Removable insignia enable the user to remove personal identification information prior to laundering. The hood removably fastens to the shirt collar and has a clear or translucent face shield to permit viewing but be a fluid barrier, and, side openings to permit sound and air to pass into the hood. The shirt can be long or short sleeve, or convertible.

Abstract: A contamination avoidance garment for emergency egress during nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) events is described. The garment is comprised of a single item, or of multiple garment pieces, and is configured so as to afford the wearer a high degree of barrier to a toxic environment while evacuating to a toxic free area. The garment is designed for easy donning and doffing, and combines the performance characteristics of both continuous film-based barrier composites and toxic vapor adsorbing fabrics. The garment is configured to reduce the influx of toxic chemicals by preferentially controlling pressure differentials within the garment by filtering the air entering various garment openings such as sleeve-ends, neck openings, front openings, leg-openings, and/or specifically designed environmental filtration panels.

Abstract: For a person, such as a firefighter, a rescue worker, or a chemical or laboratory worker, who is preparing to work in a hazardous environment, a pack is prepared by providing a pouch, which is sealable so as to be fluid-tight, by packing a protective garment in the pouch, by sealing the pouch so as to be fluid-tight after the protective garment has been packed in the pouch so as to protect the protective garment against contamination before the pouch is opened, and by drawing a partial vacuum in the pouch so as to collapse the pouch against what has been packed in the pouch, when the pouch is sealed, thus not only to reduce overall bulkiness of the pack but also to provide evidence, if there is a perceptible loss of the partial vacuum, that the pouch has been tampered with or that the pouch has been opened. Other gear of diverse types may be packed with the protective garment.

Abstract: A fluid-impervious sheet has two expansive surfaces, to one of which an elastomeric grommet adheres. The elastomeric grommet, which is annular when unstressed, outlines a region on the fluid-impervious sheet. The elastic grommet is adapted to provide a fluid-impervious seal around an object penetrating the region outlined by the elastomeric grommet and fitting tightly through the elastomeric grommet. A protective garment for a hazardous environment is made from the fluid-impervious sheet and has a breathing apparatus, which comprises elements inside the protective garment, elements outside the protective garment, and a tube connecting the inside and outside elements. The tube penetrates the region outlined by the elastomeric grommet and fits tightly through the elastomeric grommet, which provides a fluid-impervious seal around the tube.

Abstract: An article of clothing with embedded optical fibers is provided, such as one that includes a display formed by the light emitting ends of the optical fibers. A strobing unit connected to the display provides strobed light to the display through the optical fibers, so that emergency workers can be readily identified by an observer even in darkness, rain, smoke, fog, or other conditions where visibility is limited.

Abstract: A protective garment includes a gown adapted to be worn on the torso of a person and a head cover sealingly attached to the gown. The head cover is defined by a film formed of an elastic, air impermeable, optically clear material that is configured to inflate when the airspace within the head cover is above atmospheric pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the head cover inflates to a substantially spherical shape around the head of the wearer. The inflated head cover provides an airspace sufficiently large to accommodate any air-moving system associated with the protective garment. The head cover can include a filter mounted within an opening in the film, and can be provided with features for attaching the filter to a fan assembly of a helmet-mounted ventilation system.

Abstract: For a person, such as a firefighter, a rescue worker, or a chemical or laboratory worker, who is preparing to work in a hazardous environment, a pack is prepared by providing a pouch, which is sealable so as to be fluid-tight, by packing a protective garment in the pouch, by sealing the pouch so as to be fluid-tight after the protective garment has been packed in the pouch so as to protect the protective garment against contamination before the pouch is opened, and by drawing a partial vacuum in the pouch so as to collapse the pouch against what has been packed in the pouch, when the pouch is sealed, thus not only to reduce overall bulkiness of the pack but also to provide evidence, if there is a perceptible loss of the partial vacuum, that the pouch has been tampered with or that the pouch has been opened. Other gear of diverse types may be packed with the protective garment.