Abstract:
A protective garment is disclosed that has a gasket directly molded to fabric that defines an opening in the garment. The opening may receive a wrist, a hand, an ankle, a neck, or face of a wearer. In one embodiment, the fabric is part of a hood and the gasket includes an interface feature for sealingly engaging a breathing or respiratory mask with an airtight seal, vapor-tight seal, moisture tight seal, or combinations thereof.
Abstract:
A coat including a torso portion defining a torso cavity and including pair of portions that are releasably connectable together. The coat further includes a skirt positioned in the torso cavity. The coat is configured such that when the coat is worn by a wearer and the portions are releasably connected together the skirt generally sealingly engages the wearer. The coat is further configured such that the skirt automatically generally sealingly engages the wearer when the coat is worn by the wearer and the portions are releasably connected without requiring any further action by the wearer.
Abstract:
A protective garment (10) including a first portion (16) which is generally impermeable to gases and a second portion (18) which is generally impermeable to gases. The second portion is releasably coupled to the first portion at a joint (56) which is generally impermeable to gases.
Abstract:
A protective sealing system with a barrier seal between two articles of apparel is provided. The system has at least two elastomeric cuffs securable to a sealing support oriented between wearer of garment and both the first cuff and the second elastomeric cuff to expand said cuffs providing a double barrier seal.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus of manufacturing airtight safety garments via ultrasonic welding, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus of manufacturing safety garments by heating and melting synthetic fiber sheets at a melting point or higher via ultrasonic welding and then pressing the fiber sheets against each other to bond them together. The method includes: (a) feeding two fiber sheets; (b) automatically aligning edges of the fiber sheets so that the fiber sheets overlap partially with each other; (c) adjusting a height of a pattern roller according to a thickness of overlaps of the fiber sheets; and (d) transmitting energy to the pattern roller, by an ultrasonic generator, to weld and bond the overlaps of the fiber sheets.
Abstract:
A boot comprising a foot mold and a leg portion extending upwardly therefrom includes an extendable sleeve secured about an exterior of the leg portion at a location spaced below the top end of the leg portion. The sleeve is extendable from a stowed position concealed within a pocket on the exterior side of the leg portion to an extended position in which height of the leg portion is considerably extended along the length of the leg of the user. Securement of the sleeve below the top end of the leg portion permits an upper portion of the boot to remain breathable and unaffected by the waterproof material of the extendable sleeve for maximum comfort when the sleeve is not in use. The sleeve and the portion of the boot therebelow are formed of waterproof or at least water-resistant material to form a continuous barrier between the user and the surrounding environment when the sleeve is extended.
Abstract:
In an ensemble for a firefighter or for an emergency rescue worker, protective trousers and a protective coat are provided with elastomeric gaskets, such as neoprene gaskets, one of which lines an inside surface of a distal margin of each leg of the protective trousers and is adapted to be snugly stretched around a protective boot, another of which lines an inside surface of a distal margin of each arm of the protective coat and is adapted to be snugly stretched around a protective glove, and another of which lines an inside surface of a lower margin of the protective coat and is adapted to be snugly stretched around the protective trousers. Such gaskets extend from and, preferably, are unitary with liners, such as neoprene liners, which provide moisture and/or chemical barriers. When stretched snugly, such gaskets inhibit ingress of potentially harmful materials, whether gaseous, liquid, or particulate.
Abstract:
In a protective ensemble for a firefighter or for an emergency rescue worker, a distal portion of a limb-covering, torso-covering, or head-covering region of a pro ective garment surrounds a portion of a protective item worn with the protective garment. A gasket extending around and inside of the distal portion of the limb-covering, torso-covering, or head-covering region and a gasket extending aro nd and outside the surrounded portion of the protective item worn with the prot dive garment engage each other. A given one of the gaskets is magnetic and the n they one of the gaskets is magnetically attractable. The magnetic gasket comprises a magnetic strip, which is covered by an elastomeric sleeve. The magnetically attractable gasket comprises a magnetically attractable strip, which is cov red by an elastomeric sleeve.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating an articulated joint for a pressure vessel, especially a pressure suit, by separately forming a structural fabric and a gas barrier layer into a series of alternating peaks and valleys. The structural fabric can be formed into the three dimensional shape by patterning or heat shrinkage. The resulting articulated joint, pressure vessels and pressurized suits are also described.
Abstract:
An improved apparatus and method are disclosed for reducing or minimizing the particulates and other contaminants which may be brought into a restricted or clean room area. The apparatus and methods include an improved gown having positioning elements for keeping portions of the gown in place to permit inflation of the gown, for example during an airwash, and the apparatus and methods may also include gown inflation apparatus to remove the particulates and contaminants. Apparatus and methods of the present inventions also inflate the gown not only to eject particulates and contaminants that may be entrained or caught in the gown fabric, but also can be used to inflate the gown while the operator is in an air shower. Methods and apparatus of the present inventions also provide for an improved glove to gown seal, in addition to a reduced possibility of contamination from particulates or moisture from the operator's hands and an enhanced comfort level in the use of latex or rubber gloves with the gown. These and other features and benefits of the inventions disclosed herein will be more fully understood upon consideration of the descriptions.