Abstract: Knit fabrics and military apparel such as T-shirts made therefrom are disclosed. The fabrics are constructed from blended yarns made from an intimate combination of nylon and cotton staple fibers. Such fabrics comprise a weight ratio of cotton to nylon which ranges from about 55:45 to about 85:15, and these fabrics also have a weight ranging from about 3 to about 8 oz/yd2. Knit fabrics of this type possess a desirable combination of good thermal protective properties, provided the specified high level of staple fiber blend uniformity is achieved, along with very useful abrasion resistance, bursting strength and drying time characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dyeing inherently flame resistant fibers, and particularly aramid fibers, without the use of accelerants or carriers. Fabrics made from aramid fibers or blends thereof are immersed in an aqueous dye bath that includes at least one dye and at least one acid component. The temperature of the dye bath is increased from room temperature to a suitable temperature (e.g., between approximately 285° F. to 400° F.) capable of rendering the aramid fibers less crystalline so that the fibers can accept the dye. In this way, suitable color yields may be obtained without the use of accelerants or carriers as have been required in the past.

Abstract: A safety garment (10) operable to be worn by a wearer for cooling and protection. The safety garment (10) generally includes a protective outer layer (12), a first generally impermeable middle layer (14) coupled with the outer layer (12), an inner layer (16) coupled with the first middle layer (14) and operable to be worn against the wearer, a plurality of apertures (18) formed through the first middle layer (14) and inner layer (16), and an inlet (20) coupled with the outer layer (12). The inlet (12) is operable to receive cooling air and direct the cooling air between the outer layer (12) and first middle layer (14) to enable the cooling air to pass through at least one of the apertures (18) to cool the wearer.

Abstract: A protective garment including a body portion having a front and a back, and a sleeve. The sleeve is coupled to the front of the body portion by a raglan seam and coupled to the back of the body portion by an inset seam.

Abstract: A protective material comprising a flexible substrate including a top surface and a plurality of discrete guard plates affixed to the top surface in a spaced relationship to each other. The guard plates comprise a material which significantly expands upon the addition of sufficient heat forming a thermally insulating, flame retardant layer.

Abstract: A flameproof, heat resistant, lightweight, one-piece escape suit which includes attached integral mitts or gloves, covered footing, and a hood. The fire and heat resistant one piece suit is designed to be worn over a commercial smoke hood, is formed from a metalized fabric, and meets the requirements of ASTM standard D6413. The suit is designed to be easily slipped onto a wearer's body over typical street clothing, and allows a wearer to wear his or her accustomed footwear for improved safety and comfort. The durable fabric provides protection to a wearer when crawling low to the ground on his or her knees and elbows as is often recommended as a preferred escape posture. The fire and heat resistant one piece suit may be provided in multiple sizes to fit adults and children.

Abstract: A protective garment comprising an outer shell having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The protective garment further comprising a moisture barrier layer, a thermal insulating layer and a mesh liner layer. The thermal insulating layer comprises at least one of a facecloth material, a batting material, a spunlace material and a felt material, and the mesh liner layer is unattached to the thermal insulating layer.

Abstract: In a protective garment comprising an outer shell, an intermediate liner, and an inner liner, a visual indication whether each liner is being worn, is provided to a person observing the outer shell, while the protective garment is being worn, via a tab extending from such liner and being manipulatable to an indicating position, in which the tab extending from such liner can be detachably attached to another part of the protective garment. In its indicating position, the tab extending from the intermediate liner can be detachably attached to the outer shell. In its indicating position, the tab extending from the inner liner can be detachably attached to the outer shell, in one contemplated embodiment, or to the tab extending from the intermediate liner, in an alternative embodiment.

Abstract: A garment outer shell and liner system including a garment outer shell and a first liner having first protective properties and having a protruding portion. The system further includes a second liner having second protective properties differing from the first protective properties and having a protruding portion. Each liner is adapted to fit within, and is removably securable to, the outer shell. Each protruding portion is arranged to protrude from the outer shell when the respective liner is secured within the outer shell. At least a portion of the protruding portion of the first liner is a first color so as to indicate the first protective properties, and at least a portion of the protruding portion of the second liner is a second color so as to indicate the second protective properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of garment, particularly for use in sports activities such as jogging, skating, skiing, or similar. Air-conditioning areas (11, 12, 13, and 14) are provided in the region most affected by perspiration.

Abstract: The disclosure describes vapor permeable retroreflective material for use on protective garments. The material may be formed in a non-continuous pattern that provides a high-level of retroreflective brightness, yet also provides adequate permeability to prevent exposure to trapped thermal energy and heated moisture. The non-continuous retroreflective pattern may include retroreflective regions and non-retroreflective regions arranged such that thermal decay through the protective garment is not substantially decreased in the regions corresponding to the retroreflective material. Rather, vapor permeation and thermal decay through the garment may be substantially the same as if the retroreflective material was not present.

Abstract: A jacket of the type used by firefighters as protective garment. A collar of the jacket comprises a lower edge connected to a shoulder/torso portion of the jacket in a straight seam. An upper exposed edge is spaced apart from the lower edge. A given shape is provided to the upper exposed edge such that a variable height is defined between the lower edge and the upper exposed edge along the upper exposed edge.

Abstract: The clothing is designed to prevent medical workers after using needles on patients who may be suffering from infective pathologies transmissible via blood. A protective element comprises, at the time of production and shipping, a first portion and a second portion reciprocally constrained by a connecting element moulded contemporaneously with the two portions. A pan is created inside the first portion and first ridges and second ridges have been created in the lower part of the second portion.

Abstract: Chemical and biological protective firefighter turnout gear garments are provided. The protective fabric includes at least one sorptive, reactive, or combined sorptive/reactive material capable of providing protection from at least one chemical or biological agent. The sorptive, reactive or sorptive/reactive material preferably can be recharged, regenerated or removed and replaced to allow for increased garment life. Embodiments of the fabric, garment, and methods for making the fabric and/or garment can provide in a protective garment a unique combination of sorptive/reactive capability, flame resistance, water vapor permeability, liquid impermeability, comfort and durability.

Abstract: A non-woven, flame resistant fabric and a disposable coverall made from the fabric. The non-woven, flame resistant fabric is made of a plurality of Nomex fibers, a plurality of Kevlar fibers, and a plurality of electrostatic dissipative fibers. The coverall has an upper section for covering the shoulder, chest, back and abdominal regions of a wearer. The upper section has long sleeves to cover the arms of the wearer and a collar to cover the neck region of wearer. The coverall also has a waist section contiguous with the upper section for covering the waist region of a wearer, and a pair of leg sections for covering the legs of the wearer. Each leg section has an upper portion contiguous with the waist section. The coverall also has a seat section contiguous with the waist section and the upper portions of the leg sections. The coverall has a two-way zipper extending from the collar section to the waist section.

Abstract: In a protective garment comprising an outer shell and a lining system, the outer shell has a front closure, which is openable and closeable, and the lining system has a front closure, which is openable and closeable. Each front closure extends along a generally vertical path when said front closure is closed while the protective garment is being worn by a wearer standing vertically. The front closures are staggered so as not to overlie one another when the front closures are. closed while the protective garment is being worn. In one embodiment, the front closure of the outer shell is arranged so as to be approximately centered between two arm-covering portions of the protective garment, when the front closures are closed while the protective garment is being worn.

Abstract: A flame resistant garment, in certain embodiments, may include multiple garment portions to provide different degrees of protection for welding or another application. In one embodiment, the flame-resistant garment may include a base garment and one or more supplemental protective layers or garments. For example, the base garment may include a jacket, a vest, a coverall, a jumpsuit, an overall, pants, trousers, a smock, a hat, a hood, or a combination thereof. The protective layer may include a bib or any other suitable attachment to add further flame resistance. Further, the multiple garment portions may be coupled together via a snap fastener system, a hook-and-loop system, a button system, a zipper system, a buckle system, or a clip system, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A protective garment conforming to NFPA standards is combined with a measuring scale, which is displayed along a portion of the protective garment, such a sleeve, body, or leg, so as to facilitate taking a measurement, while the protective garment is being worn by a person. In a preferred mode for carrying out this invention, the measuring scale facilitates taking a measurement, while the garment of the combination is being worn by each person in a series of persons, to facilitate tailoring a similar garment for each person in the series of persons. In an alternative mode for carrying out this invention, the measuring scale facilitates taking a measurement, while the garment of the combination is being worn by just one person, to facilitate tailoring the garment of the combination to fit such one person.

Abstract: A protective garment for a firefighter or for an emergency rescue worker is equipped with a drag harness and with a litter, which, when not deployed, is stored within a pocket of the garment and wherein the drag harness and the litter, when deployed, facilitate carrying a wearer. A back-covering portion of the protective garment has the pocket, which is located where the back-covering portion covers a lower region of the back of a wearer. The drag harness has two arm loops and a drag grip, which is attached to the arm loops and which extends outwardly through apertures in an upper region of the back-covering portion. The litter has two, flexible, longitudinal members, each of which is attached to one of the arm loops of the drag harness, and multiple, flexible, transverse members, which extend between the longitudinal members, outside the pocket, when the litter is deployed.

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

Abstract: An energy weapon protection device to be worn by a live potential target includes a generally flexible main panel having three main elements, a generally flexible, generally planar electrically non-conductive outer insulator panel, an electrically conductive inner conductive panel and an electrically non-conductive insulating backing panel. The inner conductive panel is mounted on the insulating back panel in generally parallel alignment and the outer insulator panel is mounted on the inner conductive panel in generally parallel alignment thereby forming the main panel, and the main panel is operative to receive an electrical pulse from an energy weapon through the outer insulator panel into the inner conductive panel which completes the electric circuit for the energy weapon and the insulating backing panel generally preventing electric current from passing therethrough from the inner conductive panel such that the live potential target is protected from the electrical pulse generated by the energy weapon.

Abstract: In a protective garment comprising an outer shell, wherein a reflective, fluorescent, or vision-enhancing strip is sewn to the outer shell on a generally tubular portion of the protective garment so that one end of the reflective, fluorescent, or vision-enhancing strip overlaps and is sewn to an opposite end of the reflective, fluorescent, or vision-enhancing strip, a protective strip, which covers the seam of the reflective, fluorescent, or vision-enhancing strip and which covers the end that overlaps and is sewn to the opposite end of the reflective, fluorescent, or vision-enhancing strip, is sewn to the outer shell and to the reflective, fluorescent, or vision-enhancing strip. The protective strip-is-made from a wear-resistant fabric.

Abstract: A coat for use by emergency responders, such as firefighters, is described. Certain aspects of the coat include a barrier resistant liner for protection against chemical and biological agents, a compression zone that can improve safety when working in hazardous areas, and a flame resistant shell including zippered sleeves that can facilitate the donning of protective gloves.

Abstract: Protective garments such as firefighters' coats and pants are described. The garments have an outer shell material made from substantially non-overlapping panels stitched together. Some panels are specially designed and reserved for carrying an enhanced visibility material on a majority of their exposed surface area. The enhanced visibility material can be a retroreflective material such as an exposed lens beaded construction, a fluorescent material, or a phosphorescent material. The enhanced visibility panel(s) are stitched to non-enhanced visibility panels so that if damaged, the stitch can be removed and the enhanced visibility panel replaced to repair the garment.

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

Abstract: For a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, a protective garment has an outer shell, an inner liner providing thermal insulation, and a moisture barrier between the outer shell and the inner liner. The outer shell has a surface of high visibility and a surface of low visibility and is reversible. The outer shell has reflective trim on the surface of high visibility but not on the surface of low visibility. The inner liner and the moisture barrier are attachable detachably to the outer shell so as to be wearable within whichever surface becomes an inner surface of the outer shell. The protective garment with the surface of high visibility facing outwardly and with the inner liner and the moisture barrier worn within the outer shell conforms to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1971 standard for “Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighting.

Abstract: A cooling suit comprises: a cloth part; at least one spacer provided at a predetermined position of a reverse side of the cloth part, so as to ensure an airflow passage between the cloth part and a wearer's body; an air inlet provided at the cloth part so as to introduce air from the exterior into the airflow passage; an air outlet provided at the cloth part so as to take out the air within the airflow passage; a fan for forcibly causing an airflow within the airflow passage; and a battery for supplying an electric power to the fan.

Abstract: A garment has indentations forming air channels next to the body of the wearer, and includes: a first yarn preferably being a single monofilament of polyester; a second yarn preferably formed from staple or filament yarn, whether manmade or of natural fiber, such as polyester, cotton, rayon, nylon, acrylic; and a third yarn being an elastomeric yarn that provides proper stretch and recovery to enable a proper fit of the garment next to the body of the wearer. The first yarn preferably is a single monofilament of polyester. The second yarn preferably provides softness for comfort. The third yarn preferably is spandex. For certain applications of the garment, the second yarn is formed from staples of synthetic materials such as Kevlar, Nomex, or Spectra in order to provide fire retardence, cut resistance, and/or impact/ballistic protection. The indentations may be formed only in selected areas of the garment in accordance therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermal liners for protective garments and protective garments that comprise thermal liners. In one embodiment, a thermal liner comprises an insulation layer comprising a batt of entangled flame resistant fibers, the insulation layer having a three-dimensional pattern that defines a plurality of closed-cell air pockets that are configured to trap air to insulate a wearer of the thermal liner, the insulation layer being shaped and configured for inclusion in the protective garment and for donning by the wearer.

Abstract: A liner system for a flame resistant coat includes a thermal barrier and a moisture barrier, the upper portion of the thermal barrier being detachably connected to the inner part of the collar of the coat, while the upper portion of the moisture barrier is detachably connected to the outer part of the collar. The upper portions of the thermal barrier and moisture barrier are free of one another; and the upper portion of the moisture barrier extends into the collar a substantial distance above the upper edge portion of the thermal barrier when the collar is in vertical position.

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a coat, trousers, overalls, or coveralls, for a firefighter or an emergency worker, has a front portion and a back portion. The back portion is breathable to allow air to pass through the back portion, whereas substantially the entire front portion includes a continuous, fluid-impervious, heat-reflective layer, such as an aluminized, polyester film.

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a firefighter's coat, comprises an outer shell, an inner liner, a closure zipper for opening and closing the outer shell, and two liner zippers, each on one side of the closure zipper, for attaching and detaching the inner liner. Each zipper has two rows of interengageable teeth. Each row of interengageable teeth of the closure zipper and one of the rows of interengageable teeth of one of the liner zippers are provided along opposite edges of a common, fabric tape, which is sewn to and within the outer shell. The other row of interengageable teeth of each of the liner zippers is attached to one edge of a separate, fabric tape, which is sewn to the inner liner.

Abstract: A protective garment for a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker has an outer shell, which has two expansive surfaces comprised of a surface of high visibility and a surface of low visibility. The outer shell is reversible so that, when the protective garment is worn, one such surface becomes an outer surface of the outer shell and the other surface becomes an inner surface of the outer shell. The outer shell having portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both on the surface of high visibility but not on the surface of low visibility. The protective garment has an inner liner, which is attachable detachably to the outer shell so as to be wearable within whichever of the expansive surfaces becomes the inner surface of the outer shell.

Abstract: A protective garment of the type typically worn by fire fighters with improved water resistance is disclosed. In particular, the present invention is directed to an outer shell material for protective garments that is made from a fire resistant material coated with a durable water resistant coating. The durable water resistant coating is applied to the outer shell in a manner so that the coating will not degrade when exposed to normal wear and tear and even after the garment has been laundered repeatedly. Protective garments constructed in the past typically lost most of their water repellency after being laundered as little as five cycles. It has been discovered that water resistant coatings applied according to the process of the present invention, on the other hand, can survive at least 30 laundry cycles, and in many applications at least 50 laundry cycles without significantly degrading.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to patterned, flame resistant fabrics and methods of making them. Generally speaking, the fabrics comprise a plurality of high tenacity, flame resistant fibers, and a plurality of cellulosic fibers containing a flame retardant compound, and at least one color which is printed on the fabric to form the pattern. In a preferred embodiment, the flame resistant fibers are para-aramid fibers and the cellulosic fibers are rayon fibers to yield a strong, flame resistant fabric.

Abstract: A high visibility safety garment for wearing by an individual exposed to a higher than normal risk of injury from vehicular traffic. The safety garment complies with the visibility requirements of a published standard such as the American National Standards Institute for High Visibility Safety Apparel. The safety garment has one or more high visibility safety stripes that encircle the torso. The safety stripe is formed of a plurality of separate but closely spaced stripe segments in a generally repetitive pattern that is substantially continuous for the length of the stripe. The stripe segments are formed of a retroreflective material. The stripe segments occupy a portion of the total area of the stripe sufficient to impart to the stripe a coefficient of retroreflectivity that meets or exceeds that required by the standard being addressed for the safety garment.

Abstract: A device for adsorbing water vapor from a gas stream. The device can be incorporated with an enclosure or garment in such a manner so as to enable water vapor to be adsorbed, thereby decreasing the relative humidity in the micrlimate surrounding the user. The water adsorption device is light-weight, has a high mass and volumetric energy capacity. A desiccant material is included within the water adsorption device to adsorb water vapor and a phase-change material is located in thermal communication with the desiccant to increase the loading capacity of the desiccant and maintain a cool gas stream by extracting the heat of adsorption from the desiccant.

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

Abstract: A protective garment including a generally continuous outer shell and a moisture barrier located generally inside of the outer shell such that when the garment is worn, the moisture barrier is located generally between the outer shell and a wearer of the garment. The moisture barrier includes at least one vent such that at least part of the air located inside the moisture barrier can be vented outside of the moisture barrier.

Abstract: The protective coveralls for electrical utility workers are designed to protect the wearer from fire and other thermal hazards, and particularly designed to insulate the rear half of the body of the wearer from direct contact with an electrical source up to 600 volts. The protective coverall has a front half is constructed from dual layers of fire-retardant fabric, and a rear half which includes electrical insulation provided by a rubber lining disposed between the outer and inner layer of fire-retardant fabric. The stitching on the rear half in the elbow and knee regions is done in concentric circles to increase flexibility.

Abstract: A firefighting hood for protecting an individual from elements associated with a firefighting site. The firefighting hood includes a head portion, an inner bib portion, and an outer bib portion. The head portion is shaped to cover the individual's head, the inner bib portion extends downwardly from the head portion and is shaped to cover the individual's neck and a portion of the individual's torso, and the outer bib portion extends downwardly from the head portion and overlaps the inner bib portion such that the inner bib portion is positionable on an interior side of a protective garment while the outer bib portion is positionable over an exterior side of the protective garment to prevent objects from entering the protective garment.

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a coat, trousers, overalls, or coveralls, for a firefighter or an emergency worker, has a front portion and a back portion. The back portion is breathable to allow air to pass through the back portion, whereas substantially the entire front portion includes a continuous, fluid-impervious, heat-reflective layer, such as an aluminized, polyester film.

Abstract: In a method for protecting a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker, several strips of reflective trim of high visibility are attached detachably to an outer shell of low visibility, as by hook-and-loop fasteners or snap fasteners, so that the trim can be readily detached from the outer shell without causing damage to the outer shell or to the trim.

Abstract: A protective garment for a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker has an outer shell, which has two expansive surfaces comprised of a surface of high visibility and a surface of low visibility. The outer shell is reversible so that, when the protective garment is worn, one such surface becomes an outer surface of the outer shell and the other surface becomes an inner surface of the outer shell. The outer shell having portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both on the surface of high visibility but not on the surface of low visibility. The protective garment has an inner liner, which is attachable detachably to the outer shell so as to be wearable within whichever of the expansive surfaces becomes the inner surface of the outer shell.

Abstract: Protective garments such as firefighters' coats and pants are described. The garments have an outer shell material made from substantially non-overlapping panels stitched together. Some panels are specially designed and reserved for carrying an enhanced visibility material on a majority of their exposed surface area. The enhanced visibility material can be a retroreflective material such as an exposed lens beaded construction, a fluorescent material, or a phosphorescent material. The enhanced visibility panel(s) are stitched to non-enhanced visibility panels so that if damaged, the stitch can be removed and the enhanced visibility panel replaced to repair the garment.

Abstract: A fireproof thermally insulating barrier for a safety garment, the barrier having a front face for facing an external source of heat or radiation, and a rear face opposite from its front face. The barrier includes a plurality of perforations, each opening out to the front face and to the rear face of the barrier. A method of manufacturing such a barrier and a fireproof safety garment comprising at least one such barrier as internal thermal insulation are also provided.

Abstract: A retroreflective garment constructed of flame resistant fabric. The garment is light-weight and can be single or double layered. Garments that can be constructed of flame resistant fabric with retroreflective elements applied thereon include garments such as, for example, shirts, pants, coveralls, jumpsuits, jackets, gloves, hats, etc. The flame resistant fabric has a coefficient of retroreflection of about 10 to about 500 candelas per lux per square meter. In addition, the retroreflective elements cover at least about 5 percent of the outer surface of the flame resistant fabric.

Abstract: A protective garment for a military or paramilitary firefighter or emergency worker has an outer shell, which has two expansive surfaces comprised of a surface of high visibility and a surface of low visibility. The outer shell is reversible so that, when the protective garment is worn, one such surface becomes an outer surface of the outer shell and the other surface becomes an inner surface of the outer shell. The outer shell having portions that are reflective, fluorescent, or both on the surface of high visibility but not on the surface of low visibility. The protective garment has an inner liner, which is attachable detachably to the outer shell so as to be wearable within whichever of the expansive surfaces becomes the inner surface of the outer shell.

Abstract: This invention is an article of protective apparel having pliable, insulative panels integral to a sleeve or sleeves, with the protective panels so positioned to cover the postern of the forearm, elbow and segment of the upper arm vulnerable to conductive heat during welding operations or the like. As such the apparel provides protection from being in close proximity to heated surfaces, while providing improved movement and maintaining an appearance of a typical work shirt.

Abstract: A protective garment comprises an outer shell, which provides abrasion resistance and puncture resistance, a thermal liner, and a liner including a moisture barrier. Each liner being adapted to be separately and detachably attached to and within the outer shell. The garment is adapted to be selectively configured with neither said liner so attached or with the thermal liner so attached, for a firefighter fighting a wildland fire, with both said liners so attached, for a firefighter fighting a structural fire, or with the liner including the moisture barrier so attached, for a firefighter engaging in a technical rescue.