Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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PROTECTIVE GARMENT
The invention relates to a protective garment.
One type of protective garment is an immersion suit. An
immersion suit is designed to prevent entry of water into the
suit when the suit is worn by a wearer immersed in water. This
protects the wearer against the effects of being immersed in
water) particularly by providing protection against hypothermia.
Immersion suits may be worn by aviators, sailors, workers on off-
shore oil/gas installations and other persons who are not
regularly immersed in water but who face a risk of accidental
immersion in water.
A known type of immersion suit uses a thermoplastic membrane
attached to a fabric. The membrane is substantially impermeable
to water, that is to say liquid water, but is permeable to water
vapour so as to allow escape of perspiration when the suit is
worn out of water. However, the thermoplastic membrane of such
suits is readily damaged in a flash fire, as can be experienced
in an aircraft, ship or off-shore oil/gas installation, such that
the impermeability to water is lost. Hence, if a wearer of the
suit is first exposed to a flash fire and subsequently enters the
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water) the water can enter the suit and the protection provided
by the suit is diminished. Other known immersion suits are
constructed from a water-vapour-permeable fabric comprising
fibres which, when immersed in water, swell such that the fabric
becomes impermeable to water. Unfortunately, such fabric has low
resistance to flame/fire.
A protective garment having an outer layer of fire-retardant
fabric and an inner layer of microporous material bonded to the
outer layer by a web of low-melt polyamide fibres is disclosed
in GB-A-2199787. Accordingly, there is no substantial area of
the outer and inner layers that are not bonded together.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a protective
garment comprising a plurality of panels, each panel having an
outer layer which is fire or flame-resistant and an inner layer
which provides water vapour permeability and which is
substantially impermeable to water when immersed in water, the
inner and outer layers of each panel being unconnected in a
substantial continuous area of said each panel.
The outer layer protects the inner layer when this suit is
exposed to flame or fire:
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The following is a more detailed description of an embodiment of
the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the
appended, schematic drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an immersion suit according to
the invention being worn by a wearer; and
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a seam between two panels
of the suit of Figure 1.
As shown in Figure 1, the suit 10 has a torso-covering body
portion 11, two sleeves 12 and two legs 13.
The body portion 11, the sleeves 12 and the legs 13 are formed
largely by a plurality of panels.
Each sleeve 12 includes an outer panel 14 that covers the outer
side of a wearer's arm and an inner panel 15 that covers the
inner side of a wearer's arm. As the arrangement of the panels
14, 15 in each sleeve 12 is identical, only one sleeve 12 is
described below.
It will be appreciated from the description given below that, in
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most cases, the edges of the panels described below lie inside
the suit 10 and so the lines leading from the reference numerals
in Figure 1 do not terminate precisely at the corresponding edges
but indicate the general position of the edges.
Bearing this in mind, the outer sleeve panel 14 has two longer
edges 16 connected by an upper edge 17 and a lower edge 18. The
inner sleeve panel 15 also has two longer edges 19 connected by-
an upper edge 20 and a lower edge 21. Respective edge regions
extending adjacent each longer edge 16, 19 of each arm
panel 14, 15 are used to secure the two panels 14, 15 together
at two seams. Hence, one edge region of the outer panel 14 is
secured to one edge region of the inner panel 15 and the other
edge region of the outer panel 14 is secured to the other edge
region of the inner panel 15_ The upper edges 17, 20 are shaped
so that together they form the y~per end of the sleeve 12 (lying
around the upper arm of a wearer) and the lower edges 18, 21 are
shaped so that together they form the lower end of the sleeve 12
(lying around the wrist of a wearer).
An upper part of the body portion 11 includes a single panel 22
which is doubled over to form the chest portion 23, shoulder
portion 24 and back portion 25 of the suit 10_ This upper body
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portion panel 22 also has an aperture 26 which receives the neck
of a wearer.
- The upper body portion panel 22 is generally rectangular with
spaced front and rear waist edges 27, 28 interconnected by two
side edges 29. However, the panel 22 is cut from the junction
of the front waist edge 27 and the side edge 29 across the chest
portion 23 to the right shoulder portion 24 to form two spaced
diagonal edges 30. These edges 27, 28, 29, 30 form the periphery
of the panel 22.
Respective edge regions extending adjacent the two side edges 29
of the upper body portion panel 22 are included in a number of
seams. The edge region extending adjacent the left side edge 29
has two opposed end parts that are secured together at a seam to
connect the chest and back portions 24, 25 of the suit 10 below
the left sleeve 12. The remaining, central part of this edge
region is secured at seams to respective edge regions of the
inner and outer panels 14, 15 of the left sleeve 12 - each sleeve
panel edge region extending adjacent the upper edge 17, 20 of the
corresponding sleeve panel 14, 15. The edge reaion extendinrr
adjacent the right side edge 29 is included in seams in a similar
manner to the left edge region - the central part of the right
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edge region forming seams with the right arm panels 14, 15.
Respective edge regions extending adjacent the two spaced
diagonal edges 30 of the upper body portion panel 22 are each
secured, in a waterproof fashion, to respective sides of.a first
waterproof zipper 31 that, as shown in Figure 1 and described
below, extends below the upper body portion panel 22 to the left
hip of the suit 10.
Each leg 13 includes a single leg panel 32, 33. The two leg
panels 32, 33 also form a lower part of the body portion 11
comprising hip, stomach, groin and buttock portions of the
suit 10.
The leg panels 32, 33 are similar and so only one, the left leg
panel 32, will be described below in detail.
The left leg panel 32 is elongate with opposed waist and ankle
edges 34, 35 that are connected by two side edges (only one of
which is indicated at 36 in Figure 1). Each side edge 36 has an
upper part and a lower part, the upper parts corresponding to a
wider portion of the left leg panel 32, adjacent the waist
edge 34 and the lower parts corresponding to a narrower portion
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of the panel 32, adjacent the ankle edge 35.
The left leg panel 32 is cut from one of the upper parts of the
' side edges 29, that lies at the front of the suit 10, into the
left leg panel 32, to form two parallel, horizontal edges 37 in
the groin region of the suit 10.
The left leg panel 32 is also cut from the waist edge 34, into
the panel 32, to form two parallel edges 38 that extend
diagonally through the left hip region of the suit. Each
diagonal edge 38 is aligned with a respective diagonal edge 30
of the upper body portion panel 30.
The edges 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 form the periphery of the
panel 32.
The right leg panel 33 is the mirrorimage of the left leg
panel 32 exceptthat it does not have the diagonal cut the
at
hip. The names and reference n~~mPra1"~A~ ar~,~o ~"r ..~r~,.~F
~
the left leg panel 32 will be used below for the corresponding
parts of the right leg panel 33.
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For each leg panel 32, 33, a region extending adjacent the lower
part of one side edge 36 is secured at a seam to a region
extending adjacent the lower part of the other side edge 36 so
that the narrower portion of the leg panel 32, 33 forms a leg 13.
Respective regions lying adjacent the two cut top parts of the
side edges 36 of the two panels 32, 33 are secured to each other
at a seam at the front of the suit. The arrangement is such that
each of the horizontal edges 37 of the cuts is aligned with a
respective horizontal edge 37 in the other leg panel 32, 33.
Respective regions lying adjacent the other two top parts of the
side edges 36 (those that are not cut) are secured to each other
at a seam at the rear of the suit 10. Hence, the two wider
portions of the two leg panels 32, 33 form the hip, stomach,
groin and buttock portions of the suit 10.
Respective regions extending adjacent the two waist edges 34 of
the two leg panels 32, 33 are secured, at the front of the
suit 10, to a region extending adjacent the front waist edge 27
of the upper body portion panel 22 at a seam, and at the rear of
the suit, in a waterproof fashion, to one side of a second
waterproof zipper 39. The other side of the second waterproof
zipper is secured to a region lying adjacent the rear waist
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edge 28 of the upper body portion panel 22.
The part of the first waterproof zipper 31 that extends below the
upper body portion panel 22 is secured, in a waterproof fashion,
at one side, to a region lying adjacent one of the diagonal
edges 38 of the left leg panel 32 and, at the other side, to a
region lying adjacent the other diagonal edge 38.
A third waterproof zipper 40 is secured, in a waterproof fashion,
between respective regions adjacent the two horizontal edges 37
of the left leg panel 32 and between respective regions adjacent
the two horizontal edges 37 of the right leg panel 33. This
zipper can be opened for urination.
As shown in Figure 2, each panel of the suit 10 is formed from
a respective outer layer of material 41 and a respective inner
layer of material 42. The inner layer of material 42 (for each
panel) is impermeable to water when the suit 10 is immersed in
water and is permeable to water vapour when not immersed in
water. A known type of material that is suitable is a breathable
fabric made up of fibres that swell on immersion in water so as
to render the material impermeable to water.
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The material of the outer layer 41 (of each panel) has a high
resistance to fire or flame and is preferably permeable to water
vapour. A suitable material for the outer layers 41 is a flame-
retardant, water-vapour-permeable material composed of aramid
fibres, e.g. Nomex (Trade Mark).
For each panel, the inner and outer layers of material 41, 42 are
only connected (as described below) at regions adjacent the edges
of the panel - i.e. the regions by which the panels are secured
to adjacent panels at seams, the regions by which the panels are
secured to zippers or the regions by which the edges are secured
to boots or seals as described below. -
All the seams described above between pairs of adjacent panels
(and between the layers making the panels) are formed in the same
way, as follows.
As shown in Figure 2, the layers 41, 42 making up two adjacent
panels are stitched together at respective edge regions of the
panels by a line of stitching 43 that extends generally parallel
to the edges 44 of the panels. This forms the panels and
connects the panels simultaneously. The respective areas of the
panels lying between the line of stitching 43 and the
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corresponding edges 44 lie together, at the inside of the suit,
such that the respective outer layers 41 contact one another_
These areas are also held together by further stitching 4S
between the line of stitching 43 and the diagonal edges 44. The
two areas are folded over towards one of the panels. In this way
a seam is formed between the two panels. The seam and the
surrounding area is covered, at the inside of the suit, by a
waterproof adhesive 46. The adhesive 46 is, in turn, covered by
a tape 47 which extends along the seam. The arrangement is such
that the seam is waterproof.
The ankle edge end of each leg 13 is attached to a flexible
waterproof boot 48.
The neck aperture 26 of the upper body portion panel 22 is
secured to a resilient, annular, waterproof seal 49 which seals
around the neck of a wearer of the suit 10. The neck seal is
covered, at the outside of the suit, by a collar of fire-
resistant fabric which is arranged so as not to interfere with
the sealing between the neck seal 49 and the wearer's neck.
Each sleeve 12 is provided with a tubular, flexible waterproof
cuff seal 50. Each cuff seal 50 is secured, at one end, in a
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waterproof manner, around the inside of the inner and outer
sleeve panels 14, 15. Hence, an arm of a wearer of the suit 10
extends through the cuff seal 50 which forms a waterproof seal
around the wrist of the arm. As shown in Figure 1, each cuff
seal 50 is secured to the corresponding inner and outer sleeve
panels 14, 15 slightly upwardly of the lower end of the sleeve
so that the sleeve panels 14, l5 protect the cuff seal 50. Each
cuff seal 50 is also provided, on its outside, with a collar of
fire-resistant fabric.
Each leg 13 is provided, externally, with two pockets 51 of
different designs. The left sleeve 12 is also provided,
externally, with a pocket 52. The pockets 51, 52 are secured to
the suit 10 by stitching to the outer layer of material 41 only
of the corresponding panel. As the stitching does not penetrate
the inner layers of material 42 of the panels, there is no need
to seal the inner layers in the vicinity of the pockets 51, 52.
In operation, a wearer dons the suit 10 by opening the first
waterproof zipper 31 and stepping into the legs 13. The wearer
then inserts his right arm into the right sleeve 12 such that his
hand passes through the associated cuff seal 50. The wearer then
inserts his head through the neck seal 49 and his left arm
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through the left sleeve 12 until his left hand passes through the
associated cuff seal 50. The first waterproof zipper 31 can then
be closed to seal the suit 10.
During normal use, when the wearer is not immersed in water,
perspiration in the form of water vapour permeates through the
inner layers of material 42 and subsequently through the outer
layers of material 41 to the outside of the suit 10.
Additionally, water vapour condensing on the outside of the inner
layers of material 42 can wick across the outer layers of
material 41 to the outside of the suit 10.
The fact that the outer and inner layers of material 41) 42 are
unconnected in the central areas of the panels (the areas lying
within the edge regions) results in a high permeability to water
vapour in these areas. As the central areas are relatively large
compared to the edge regions, the overall water vapour
permeability of the suit is high.
If the wearer of the suit 10 becomes immersed in water, the water
can pass through the outer layers of material 41 to the inner
layers of material 42. However, on contacting the inner layers
of material 42 the fibres of the inner layers 42 swell so that
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the inner layers of material 42 become impermeable to water. In
this way, water is prevented from reaching the body of the wearer
within the suit 10. The cuff seals 50 and the neck seal 49
prevent entry of water into the suit 10 between the suit and the
wrists of the wearer and between the suit and the neck of the
wearer. As all the seams of the suit 10 and all connections
between the panels and the waterproof zippers 31, 39, 40, between
the panels and the boots 48 and between the panels and the
seals 49, 50 are waterproof, no water enters the suit 10.
If, before immersion in water, the wearer of the suit 10 is
exposed to a flash fire, the outer layers of material 41 provide
protection to the inner layers of material 42 such that, on
subsequent immersion in water, the inner layers of material 42
prevent entry of water into the suit 10, as described above.
The fact that the outer and inner layers of material 41, 42 are
unconnected in the central areas of the panels (the areas lying
within the edge regions) helps maximise the protection against
fire provided by the outer layers 41 to the inner layers 42 in
these areas. As the layers 41, 42 are not held tightly together
in the central areas, conduction of heat between the layers is
reduced. -
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It will be appreciated that the suit 10 described above may be
modified. In particular, the arrangement of panels described
above may be modified as required for any particular application.
' Also, the positioning of the waterproof zippers 31, 39, 40 and
the pockets 51, 52 can be changed.
Instead of using the material of the inner layers 42 described
above, a water-vapour-permeable material that is permanently-
impermeable to water could be used.
Whereas the inner and outer layers 41, 42 of the panels described
above are unconnected in the central areas of the panels, the
layers of each panel could be stitched together in spaced regions
of the central area - the spaced regions forming a low proportion
of the area of the central area - so that the layers 41, 42 were
largely unconnected in the central area. This might facilitate
donning and doffing of the suit 10 and would require sealing of
the inner layer in the stitched regions.
The use of a plurality of panels, each panel having a fire-
resistant outer layer and a water-impermeable and water-vapour-
permeable inner layer is also appropriate to the manufacture of
other protective garments.
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