CA1172802A - Emergency insulating garment - Google Patents
Emergency insulating garmentInfo
- Publication number
- CA1172802A CA1172802A CA000410082A CA410082A CA1172802A CA 1172802 A CA1172802 A CA 1172802A CA 000410082 A CA000410082 A CA 000410082A CA 410082 A CA410082 A CA 410082A CA 1172802 A CA1172802 A CA 1172802A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- garment
- plastic
- emergency
- plastic film
- film
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An emergency insulating garment is provided which has a first plastic film formed in the shape of the garment, and a metal film disposed adjacent the plastic film, which metal film is of a thickness and smoothness sufficient to reflect both thermal radiation and radar. A second plastic film may be sealingly disposed over the metal film so as to protect the metal film from corrosion, particularly where that metal film is made of aluminum and the garment is to be used in salt water. The garment not only provides a good thermal insulation but enables a wearer to be readily detected by visible light or radar.
An emergency insulating garment is provided which has a first plastic film formed in the shape of the garment, and a metal film disposed adjacent the plastic film, which metal film is of a thickness and smoothness sufficient to reflect both thermal radiation and radar. A second plastic film may be sealingly disposed over the metal film so as to protect the metal film from corrosion, particularly where that metal film is made of aluminum and the garment is to be used in salt water. The garment not only provides a good thermal insulation but enables a wearer to be readily detected by visible light or radar.
Description
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This invention relates to an insulating ga~ment which is useul in emergency situations ko provide insu-lating for a wearer, and in particular will assist in pre-venting hypothermia.
Insulating garments of various types for both emergency and nonemergency use have previously been described. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,132,344 to Langdon discloses a nuclear weapon ~lash protection garment which comprises a thin layer of lustrous metal foil with a papex or other reinforcing backing attached to it~ which metal file is shaped in the form of a bag. The bag is intended to be worn by a user in the event of a nuclear attack. The metal foil serves to reflect thermal radiation. As the garment is merely in the shape of a bag it of course severely inhibits movement o a wearer. ~s well, the metal layer in particular is readily subject to tear or puncture or corrosion, particularly in salt water.
The bag disclosed was not intended Eor, nor would ik be use~ul in, an aqueous environment.
U.S. Patent No. 3,695,507 to Sams di~closes a survival bag made of a plastic film with an aluminum coating applied to one or both sides o~ the plastic film.
This device, like that disclosed in the patent to Langdon, severely inhibits the movements of the wearer which would be particularly important if the wearer was in an aqueous environment. As well, like the device disclosed in Langdon, the aluminized layer is readily subject to corri-sion par-~L7;2~
ticularly in salt water as will be later described. In addition, this device like ~hat disclosed in the patent to Langdon, although it may be radar reflec-tive is not of a shape which might be distinguished on a radar screen from other debris such as pieces of metal from a plane or ship wreck.
Leon discloses an insulating garment comprised of layers of plastic sealed together so as to form a two dimensional array of gas compartments joined by communi-cation passages. The garment described in this patent is particularly flexible due to the arrangement of the array and is intended to provide insulation for a wearer. ~1-though it is indicated that the outer covering can be opacified or coated reflectively to reduce heat conductance through radiationt no indication is given by the Leon patent as to where or what type or thickness of coating should be used. Even if a coating of aluminum is used as is described in Sams, such a coating would suffer from the same corrosion problems mentioned previousl~ and discussed later in this application.
U.S. Patent No. ~,185,327 to Markve discloses a ventilated insulating garment whlch utilizes a plastic type material having a plurality of spherical air pockets formed therein for insulation. The device described in Markve is not intended for use in an aqueous environment nor is it provided with a metal film to reflect radar, thermal radia-tion, and light.
In an emergency situation then, it would be desirable to have a garment which is compact, provides good insulating qualities, and can be readily detected by visible light or by radar, particularly during adverse weather con-ditionsO However, it is desirable that such a device per-mit free movement of the wearer and be useful in salt water while at the same time allowing a person wearing it to be readily spotted by means of visible detection or by means of a radar particularly during adverse weather conditions.
An emergency insulation garment is provided, which comprises a jacket with arms and a front opening extending substantially the entire length of the jacket.
plurality of selectably positionable closures are disposed on the front of the jacket so as to selectably close the front opening at any one of a plurality of selectable posi-tions such that the jacket can snugly fit the body of dif-ferent sized wearer's. The garment has a first transparent, tear resistant, plastic film formed in the shape of the garment and with all the seams heat sealed.
The garment also has a smooth metal film attached to an inner side of the plastic film so as to reflect both light, thermal radiation and radar.
Preferably, the garment additionally comprises a hood heat sealed to the jacket, and comprises a pair of pants.
Advantageously, the metal film is an aluminum film of at least substantially .0002 mils. in thickness.
Usefully, the garment also additionally comprises a second plastic layer sealingly disposed over the metal film.
The garment is usefully provided with a hood por~
tion, and additionally has a second plastic layer sealingly ~7Zt~
attached at a plurality oE points to the ~irst plastic film on the inside of the hood portion of the garment, so as to form a plurality of communicating air spaces in a guilted pattern between the first plastic film and the second plastic layer. Valve means are provided for communicating with the air spaces between the first plastic film and the second plastic layer, for admitting air thereto and retaining air therein.
The emergency insulating garment described may usefully additionally have a third plastic layer attached to the first plastic film at the jacket, the third plastic layer having a plurality of air bubbles encapsulated therein and being of sufficient size so as to increase floatation of the wearer of the garment.
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An embodiment of the invention will now be des-cribed in rnore detail with reference to the drawings, in .;
which:
~; 5 Figure 1 is a front plan view of an emergency insulating garment;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hood portion of the emergency insulating garment of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the first layer of the emergency insulating garment; and Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a third layer of the emergency insulating garment.
One embodiment of the emergency insulating garment of this invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.
The emergency insulating garment comprises a I jacket 2 and pants 4O The jacket 2 has a vest portion 8 which makes up all of the jacket 2 other than the arms and the hood portion 6. An opening 10 tends from the hood portion 6 to the waste 40 of jacket 2. The insulating garment has a first layer 11 shown most clearly in Figure 3.
The first layer 11 has a first plastic film 12 of medium density polyethylene 1 mil in thickness, and an aluminum film 14 substantially .0002 mils in thickness attached on a first side 13 of the first plastic film 12 and thereby disposed adjacent to it. The aluminum film 14 is of a smoothness sufficient so as to reflect visible light, thermal radiation, and radar. A second plastic film 16r ~3~728()~
made of SURLYN (a trade mark oE DuPont Corporation, U.S.A~, for a co-polymer of ethylene with the sodium or zinc salt of methylacrylic acid) substantially 1 mil in thickness, is sealingly disposed over the metal film 14 so as to prevent air, water, or other foreign material from entering between the metal film 14 and the second plastic film 16. This sealing can be accomplished by heat sealing the SURLYN over the metal film 14.
A third plastic film 18 made of a film of SURLYN
substantially 1 mil in thickness is attached to the second side 15 of the first plastic film 12 beneath the entire surface of the first plastic film 12. This attachment is accomplished by means of well known adhesives. The third plastic film 18 although being attached to the entire second surface 15 of the first plastic film 12, can also be said to be attached to the second side 15 of the first plastic film 12 at the seams of the garment. It would be possible of course, to have the third plastic film 18 attached onl~ to the second side 15 of the first plastic film 12 at the ~eam~
of the yarment ~ut for ease of manu~acture it is simpler to make the entire Eirst layer 11 of the four films as is shown in Figure 3. SURLYN is of ¢ourse a readily heat sealable plastic. That is, upon the application of heat it readily bonds to itself thus facilitating the heat forming of seams in the garment during manufacture, Although the heat sealing qualities vary somewhat depending on the density of the polymer, such variations as might be typically encoun-tered are not critical.
The hood portion 6 is defined to include both a rearward portion 26 which extends to cover the neck of a 7 2 ~
wearer, and a forward portion 28 which extends somewhat forward of the ne~k of a wearer. A seaond plastic layer 20 . is sealingly attached at a plurality of points 22 to the : first layer ll on the inside of the hood portion 6 of the garment so as to form a plurality of communicating air spaces 24 in a quilted pattern between the first layer ll and the second layer 20. The spacing o the first layer 11 and the second layer 20:is su~h that the air spaces 24 have :~ an average thickness of about one-half inch. The hose 30 which has a one way check valve disposed in it (not shown) .~ which together forms a valve means, communicates wlth the `; air spaces 24 between the first layer 11 and the second layer 20 for admitting air to the air spaces 24, which air ;` can be supplied from the mouth of a wearer, and retaining air therein by virtue of the one way check valve. The second plastic layer 20 is also made of SURYLN.
. A third plastic layer 32 is attached to the entire portion of the first plastic layer 12 which is on ~he vest portion 8 of the garment. The attachment between the third plastic layer 32 and the ~irst plastic layer ll is establi-. .
shed by means of any well known adhesives disposed between the third pla.stic layer 32 and the third plastic film 18 of ~ the first plastic layer 11. Alternatively, the flat portion -. of the third plastic layer 32 can be heat sealed to the 25 third plastic film 18 of the-first plastic layer 11 by well known heat sealing methods. The third plastic layer 32 has a plural.ity of air bubbles 34 encapsulated in it. These . bubbles 34 are of a sufficient size so as to increase the flotation of a wearer of the garment, this feature being particularly useful if the garment is being employed in '' ;' ~` ~
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water. The third plas~ic layer 32 extends only over the vest portion 8 of the garment so as not to unduly inhibit the movement of a wearer.
The garment is also provided with a number of ; 5 adhesive tapes 36 which are permanently attached to the .:~
garment by one end 38, the other end having an inwardly facing adhesive surface covered by a removable protective StLip (not shown). The adhesive tape 36 is selected from any of well known adhesive tapes which are resistant to salt - 10 water and remain adhesive over t~e temperature ranges likely , to be encourltered by the garment. One such tape has been found to be a tape manufactured by Three M Company under tape number Y9418 which has a non-woven fibre backing and a `~ high sheen synthetic rubber adhesive.
The garment described above can be readily made ;~ from a sufficiently large portion of the material making up the first layer 11. First, the aluminum film 14 is deposi-jA, ted on the first plastic film 12 o~ polyethylene by vacuum deposition which economically produces a film of the requi-red smoothness. rrhe second plastic film 16 and the third plastic film 18, both of SURLYN, can be attached over the metal film 14 and to the second side 15 respectively of the first plastic film 12 of polethylene, by heat sealing. This material can then be cut into the desired shape prior to - 25 forming the garment itself. The second plastic layer 20 which can be made of any of many well known plastics, but is preferably surlyn because of that material's good heat sealing properties, can then be attached to the third plastic film 18 on the inside of the portion of the material for the first plastic layer 11 which will form the hood.
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`'' This attachment can be accomplished by means of heat sealing at the points 22. The third plastic layer 32 can then have ;~ its flat slde attached to the portion o~ the first plas-tic layer 11 which will form the vest 8 of the jacket 2, This attachment can also be accomplished by means o heat sealing although adhesives could also be used, as they could in the attachment of the second plastic la~er 20 to the irst .~ , plastic layer 11, and the attachment of the second and third plastic films 16 and 18 of the first plastic layer 11 to the metal film 14 and the second side 15 of the first plastic film 12 respectively. Any such adhesives though of course should be salt water resistant so that the garment will be useful in salt water as well as in fresh water or on dry land.
After the steps described above, the various portions of the garment may then be heat sealed together at the seams to form the jacket 2 and the pants 4. The first end 38 of the adhesive strips 36 may then be attaahed as shown in Figure 1.
It has been found that the garment described above can be constructed of one siz,e which will fit all adults and another size which will fit all children. When the garment ; for an adult as described above, but without the third .
plastic layer 32 (which can readily be omitted in a situa-tion where additional flotation is not required it has been found that the entire garment, (which includes the jacket 2 with hood 6, and the pants 4) can fit in a package approx-'~- imately 6 and 1/2 inche~ by 9 inches by 3/4 quarter inches.
, The package in which the garment is placed, is opaque to :. _g_ ~7Z~
ultra violet light in oxder to preven-t deterloration of the packaged gaxment over time. When the garment is to be used, it may simply be removed from the package and placed on the wearer in the usual manner. The waste of the pants 4 is tucked underneath the waste 40 of the jacket 2 and the protective backing may then be removed from each of the adhesive strips 36 in turn while any loose material is drawn tightly underneath each particular adhesive strip 35.
The second end of the adhesive strips 3~ after the protec-tive backing is removed, is th~n applied so as to retainany loose material in the garment snugly underneath it, with the adhesive strips acting as selectably positionable closures so as to close the various openings and retain the garment snugly against the wearer's body. Thus, the entire garment will fit the wearer snugly. Such a snug fit is ;l' essential in order to keep out cold (or hot) air. When the garment is used in water though, a water tight it is not accomplished and water will initially enter the entire gar-, :~
ment adjacent the wearer's body. However, only a small amount of water will enter and thi~ will be rapidly warmed by the wearer's body heat ~in the sitaution where the water temperature i9 colder than the wearer's body temperature).
After thi3, there will be relatively little water cir-culating into and out of the garment, the garment then acting in a similar manner as does a wet suit~ The hood 6 can then be inflated from the wearer's rnouth through the valve means 30. The quilted pattern between the Eirst layer 11 and the second layer 20 in the hood 6, allows the -- inflated hood 6 to retain relatively good flexibility thereby not severely hindering the wearer's movements.
Each of the first plastic layer 11, second plastic layer 20, and third plastic layer 32, will of - course aford a rneasure of insulating for the wearer along with the air - ll~Z~
space 24 in the hood 6. Howe~er, the aluminum film 14 is also important in reflecting the wearers body heat so as to afford a good measure of insulation in the garment. The aluminum film 14 is also important in reflecting visible light and radar so as to allow the wearer of the garment to ~; be readily spotted by a rescue craft. The radar reflec-tivity in particular, enables a wearer to be located very readily in situations of poor visibility, for example during fog. As well, the fact that the aluminum film 14 conforms to the shape of the entire garment allows a wearer to be distinguished very readily from metallic or other debris resulting from a wxeck as the radar image reflected ` would disclose a human form. As well, as the wearer is likely to be in motion under many circumstances, the reflected radar image would be continually changing with that motion.
The third plastic film 16 of the first plastic layer ll is essential to protect the aluminum film 14 on the first plastic layer 11 from corrosion in salt water.
Although aluminum is generally corrosion resistant even in salt water, a ilm of aluminum of the thickness described when attached to the first plastic film 12 i~ the manner described peels off in salt water within a matter of hours.
Although this peeling oEf may not be corrosion in the sense `; ~5 of a chemical change occurring to the aluminum film, it is -`~ corrosion in the sense that the aluminum film is effec-.
tively removed from the garment. As a result, if the second plastic film 16 was not sealingly disposed over the aluminum ... .
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film 14, the garment when used in salt wate~ would soon begin to loose its light, radar, and thermal reElectivity attributes, and after about 24 to 48 hours oE expo6ure to salt water would in fact have lost the greatest portion o each of these properties.
The garment as described above because o its thermal insulating properties and light and radar reflec-;tivity, as well as resistance to salt water i5 particularly useful in emergency ~ituations and could be placed on lC ships, planes, and the like for use in emergency situations where thermal insulation is desired, or it is desired simply to provide a means for readily finding the wearer.
: Various modifications to the above described gar-! ~, ment are of course possible. For example, other plastics could be used to make up the first plastic film 12, second plastic film 16, and third plastic film 18. However, a medium density polyethylene film for the first plastic Eilm 12 is preferred not only in view o its weight and thermal insulating qualities, but also particularly in view of its -20 tear strength. Other plastics, such as mylar, tend to tear very readily and are therefore not as de~ired. The second plastic film 16 and third pla~tic film 18 could be made o~
a material other than SURYLN, although as indicated earlier, SURYLN is preferred due to its good heat bonding characteristics. However, the second plastic film 16 should be relatively transparent to visible light, while the first plastic film ll and the third plastic film 18 should be relatively transparent to thermal radiation If desired only the first plastic film and attached metal film need be used, with attendant economy of construction, although some advantages from the garment described above will be lost.
Obviously, as well, the aluminum fllm could be replaced by other metal films. ~owever, for metal Eilms of .
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.:-the thicknesses described which would be useful in reflec-ting thermal radiation and radar, as well as light, vacuum deposi-tion is generally the most economic way of making such films and aluminum is the most economical metal employed in such a deposition process. Obviously, as well, where it is anticipated that insulation ror the entire body of a wearer will not be required, portions of the garments, such as the :
pants 4, or the hood portion 6 of the jacket 2, could be omitted. However, either the arms of the jacket 2 or the legs of the pants 4 should be presen-t so as to facili-tate identification of a wearer of the device by light reflection or by radar since the limbs of a wearer will often be in motion. As well, a useful variation in the garment of the present invention is to inject fire retardant into all the ` 15 plastic layers.
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This invention relates to an insulating ga~ment which is useul in emergency situations ko provide insu-lating for a wearer, and in particular will assist in pre-venting hypothermia.
Insulating garments of various types for both emergency and nonemergency use have previously been described. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,132,344 to Langdon discloses a nuclear weapon ~lash protection garment which comprises a thin layer of lustrous metal foil with a papex or other reinforcing backing attached to it~ which metal file is shaped in the form of a bag. The bag is intended to be worn by a user in the event of a nuclear attack. The metal foil serves to reflect thermal radiation. As the garment is merely in the shape of a bag it of course severely inhibits movement o a wearer. ~s well, the metal layer in particular is readily subject to tear or puncture or corrosion, particularly in salt water.
The bag disclosed was not intended Eor, nor would ik be use~ul in, an aqueous environment.
U.S. Patent No. 3,695,507 to Sams di~closes a survival bag made of a plastic film with an aluminum coating applied to one or both sides o~ the plastic film.
This device, like that disclosed in the patent to Langdon, severely inhibits the movements of the wearer which would be particularly important if the wearer was in an aqueous environment. As well, like the device disclosed in Langdon, the aluminized layer is readily subject to corri-sion par-~L7;2~
ticularly in salt water as will be later described. In addition, this device like ~hat disclosed in the patent to Langdon, although it may be radar reflec-tive is not of a shape which might be distinguished on a radar screen from other debris such as pieces of metal from a plane or ship wreck.
Leon discloses an insulating garment comprised of layers of plastic sealed together so as to form a two dimensional array of gas compartments joined by communi-cation passages. The garment described in this patent is particularly flexible due to the arrangement of the array and is intended to provide insulation for a wearer. ~1-though it is indicated that the outer covering can be opacified or coated reflectively to reduce heat conductance through radiationt no indication is given by the Leon patent as to where or what type or thickness of coating should be used. Even if a coating of aluminum is used as is described in Sams, such a coating would suffer from the same corrosion problems mentioned previousl~ and discussed later in this application.
U.S. Patent No. ~,185,327 to Markve discloses a ventilated insulating garment whlch utilizes a plastic type material having a plurality of spherical air pockets formed therein for insulation. The device described in Markve is not intended for use in an aqueous environment nor is it provided with a metal film to reflect radar, thermal radia-tion, and light.
In an emergency situation then, it would be desirable to have a garment which is compact, provides good insulating qualities, and can be readily detected by visible light or by radar, particularly during adverse weather con-ditionsO However, it is desirable that such a device per-mit free movement of the wearer and be useful in salt water while at the same time allowing a person wearing it to be readily spotted by means of visible detection or by means of a radar particularly during adverse weather conditions.
An emergency insulation garment is provided, which comprises a jacket with arms and a front opening extending substantially the entire length of the jacket.
plurality of selectably positionable closures are disposed on the front of the jacket so as to selectably close the front opening at any one of a plurality of selectable posi-tions such that the jacket can snugly fit the body of dif-ferent sized wearer's. The garment has a first transparent, tear resistant, plastic film formed in the shape of the garment and with all the seams heat sealed.
The garment also has a smooth metal film attached to an inner side of the plastic film so as to reflect both light, thermal radiation and radar.
Preferably, the garment additionally comprises a hood heat sealed to the jacket, and comprises a pair of pants.
Advantageously, the metal film is an aluminum film of at least substantially .0002 mils. in thickness.
Usefully, the garment also additionally comprises a second plastic layer sealingly disposed over the metal film.
The garment is usefully provided with a hood por~
tion, and additionally has a second plastic layer sealingly ~7Zt~
attached at a plurality oE points to the ~irst plastic film on the inside of the hood portion of the garment, so as to form a plurality of communicating air spaces in a guilted pattern between the first plastic film and the second plastic layer. Valve means are provided for communicating with the air spaces between the first plastic film and the second plastic layer, for admitting air thereto and retaining air therein.
The emergency insulating garment described may usefully additionally have a third plastic layer attached to the first plastic film at the jacket, the third plastic layer having a plurality of air bubbles encapsulated therein and being of sufficient size so as to increase floatation of the wearer of the garment.
Z~3~Z
An embodiment of the invention will now be des-cribed in rnore detail with reference to the drawings, in .;
which:
~; 5 Figure 1 is a front plan view of an emergency insulating garment;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hood portion of the emergency insulating garment of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the first layer of the emergency insulating garment; and Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a third layer of the emergency insulating garment.
One embodiment of the emergency insulating garment of this invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.
The emergency insulating garment comprises a I jacket 2 and pants 4O The jacket 2 has a vest portion 8 which makes up all of the jacket 2 other than the arms and the hood portion 6. An opening 10 tends from the hood portion 6 to the waste 40 of jacket 2. The insulating garment has a first layer 11 shown most clearly in Figure 3.
The first layer 11 has a first plastic film 12 of medium density polyethylene 1 mil in thickness, and an aluminum film 14 substantially .0002 mils in thickness attached on a first side 13 of the first plastic film 12 and thereby disposed adjacent to it. The aluminum film 14 is of a smoothness sufficient so as to reflect visible light, thermal radiation, and radar. A second plastic film 16r ~3~728()~
made of SURLYN (a trade mark oE DuPont Corporation, U.S.A~, for a co-polymer of ethylene with the sodium or zinc salt of methylacrylic acid) substantially 1 mil in thickness, is sealingly disposed over the metal film 14 so as to prevent air, water, or other foreign material from entering between the metal film 14 and the second plastic film 16. This sealing can be accomplished by heat sealing the SURLYN over the metal film 14.
A third plastic film 18 made of a film of SURLYN
substantially 1 mil in thickness is attached to the second side 15 of the first plastic film 12 beneath the entire surface of the first plastic film 12. This attachment is accomplished by means of well known adhesives. The third plastic film 18 although being attached to the entire second surface 15 of the first plastic film 12, can also be said to be attached to the second side 15 of the first plastic film 12 at the seams of the garment. It would be possible of course, to have the third plastic film 18 attached onl~ to the second side 15 of the first plastic film 12 at the ~eam~
of the yarment ~ut for ease of manu~acture it is simpler to make the entire Eirst layer 11 of the four films as is shown in Figure 3. SURLYN is of ¢ourse a readily heat sealable plastic. That is, upon the application of heat it readily bonds to itself thus facilitating the heat forming of seams in the garment during manufacture, Although the heat sealing qualities vary somewhat depending on the density of the polymer, such variations as might be typically encoun-tered are not critical.
The hood portion 6 is defined to include both a rearward portion 26 which extends to cover the neck of a 7 2 ~
wearer, and a forward portion 28 which extends somewhat forward of the ne~k of a wearer. A seaond plastic layer 20 . is sealingly attached at a plurality of points 22 to the : first layer ll on the inside of the hood portion 6 of the garment so as to form a plurality of communicating air spaces 24 in a quilted pattern between the first layer ll and the second layer 20. The spacing o the first layer 11 and the second layer 20:is su~h that the air spaces 24 have :~ an average thickness of about one-half inch. The hose 30 which has a one way check valve disposed in it (not shown) .~ which together forms a valve means, communicates wlth the `; air spaces 24 between the first layer 11 and the second layer 20 for admitting air to the air spaces 24, which air ;` can be supplied from the mouth of a wearer, and retaining air therein by virtue of the one way check valve. The second plastic layer 20 is also made of SURYLN.
. A third plastic layer 32 is attached to the entire portion of the first plastic layer 12 which is on ~he vest portion 8 of the garment. The attachment between the third plastic layer 32 and the ~irst plastic layer ll is establi-. .
shed by means of any well known adhesives disposed between the third pla.stic layer 32 and the third plastic film 18 of ~ the first plastic layer 11. Alternatively, the flat portion -. of the third plastic layer 32 can be heat sealed to the 25 third plastic film 18 of the-first plastic layer 11 by well known heat sealing methods. The third plastic layer 32 has a plural.ity of air bubbles 34 encapsulated in it. These . bubbles 34 are of a sufficient size so as to increase the flotation of a wearer of the garment, this feature being particularly useful if the garment is being employed in '' ;' ~` ~
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~
water. The third plas~ic layer 32 extends only over the vest portion 8 of the garment so as not to unduly inhibit the movement of a wearer.
The garment is also provided with a number of ; 5 adhesive tapes 36 which are permanently attached to the .:~
garment by one end 38, the other end having an inwardly facing adhesive surface covered by a removable protective StLip (not shown). The adhesive tape 36 is selected from any of well known adhesive tapes which are resistant to salt - 10 water and remain adhesive over t~e temperature ranges likely , to be encourltered by the garment. One such tape has been found to be a tape manufactured by Three M Company under tape number Y9418 which has a non-woven fibre backing and a `~ high sheen synthetic rubber adhesive.
The garment described above can be readily made ;~ from a sufficiently large portion of the material making up the first layer 11. First, the aluminum film 14 is deposi-jA, ted on the first plastic film 12 o~ polyethylene by vacuum deposition which economically produces a film of the requi-red smoothness. rrhe second plastic film 16 and the third plastic film 18, both of SURLYN, can be attached over the metal film 14 and to the second side 15 respectively of the first plastic film 12 of polethylene, by heat sealing. This material can then be cut into the desired shape prior to - 25 forming the garment itself. The second plastic layer 20 which can be made of any of many well known plastics, but is preferably surlyn because of that material's good heat sealing properties, can then be attached to the third plastic film 18 on the inside of the portion of the material for the first plastic layer 11 which will form the hood.
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`'' This attachment can be accomplished by means of heat sealing at the points 22. The third plastic layer 32 can then have ;~ its flat slde attached to the portion o~ the first plas-tic layer 11 which will form the vest 8 of the jacket 2, This attachment can also be accomplished by means o heat sealing although adhesives could also be used, as they could in the attachment of the second plastic la~er 20 to the irst .~ , plastic layer 11, and the attachment of the second and third plastic films 16 and 18 of the first plastic layer 11 to the metal film 14 and the second side 15 of the first plastic film 12 respectively. Any such adhesives though of course should be salt water resistant so that the garment will be useful in salt water as well as in fresh water or on dry land.
After the steps described above, the various portions of the garment may then be heat sealed together at the seams to form the jacket 2 and the pants 4. The first end 38 of the adhesive strips 36 may then be attaahed as shown in Figure 1.
It has been found that the garment described above can be constructed of one siz,e which will fit all adults and another size which will fit all children. When the garment ; for an adult as described above, but without the third .
plastic layer 32 (which can readily be omitted in a situa-tion where additional flotation is not required it has been found that the entire garment, (which includes the jacket 2 with hood 6, and the pants 4) can fit in a package approx-'~- imately 6 and 1/2 inche~ by 9 inches by 3/4 quarter inches.
, The package in which the garment is placed, is opaque to :. _g_ ~7Z~
ultra violet light in oxder to preven-t deterloration of the packaged gaxment over time. When the garment is to be used, it may simply be removed from the package and placed on the wearer in the usual manner. The waste of the pants 4 is tucked underneath the waste 40 of the jacket 2 and the protective backing may then be removed from each of the adhesive strips 36 in turn while any loose material is drawn tightly underneath each particular adhesive strip 35.
The second end of the adhesive strips 3~ after the protec-tive backing is removed, is th~n applied so as to retainany loose material in the garment snugly underneath it, with the adhesive strips acting as selectably positionable closures so as to close the various openings and retain the garment snugly against the wearer's body. Thus, the entire garment will fit the wearer snugly. Such a snug fit is ;l' essential in order to keep out cold (or hot) air. When the garment is used in water though, a water tight it is not accomplished and water will initially enter the entire gar-, :~
ment adjacent the wearer's body. However, only a small amount of water will enter and thi~ will be rapidly warmed by the wearer's body heat ~in the sitaution where the water temperature i9 colder than the wearer's body temperature).
After thi3, there will be relatively little water cir-culating into and out of the garment, the garment then acting in a similar manner as does a wet suit~ The hood 6 can then be inflated from the wearer's rnouth through the valve means 30. The quilted pattern between the Eirst layer 11 and the second layer 20 in the hood 6, allows the -- inflated hood 6 to retain relatively good flexibility thereby not severely hindering the wearer's movements.
Each of the first plastic layer 11, second plastic layer 20, and third plastic layer 32, will of - course aford a rneasure of insulating for the wearer along with the air - ll~Z~
space 24 in the hood 6. Howe~er, the aluminum film 14 is also important in reflecting the wearers body heat so as to afford a good measure of insulation in the garment. The aluminum film 14 is also important in reflecting visible light and radar so as to allow the wearer of the garment to ~; be readily spotted by a rescue craft. The radar reflec-tivity in particular, enables a wearer to be located very readily in situations of poor visibility, for example during fog. As well, the fact that the aluminum film 14 conforms to the shape of the entire garment allows a wearer to be distinguished very readily from metallic or other debris resulting from a wxeck as the radar image reflected ` would disclose a human form. As well, as the wearer is likely to be in motion under many circumstances, the reflected radar image would be continually changing with that motion.
The third plastic film 16 of the first plastic layer ll is essential to protect the aluminum film 14 on the first plastic layer 11 from corrosion in salt water.
Although aluminum is generally corrosion resistant even in salt water, a ilm of aluminum of the thickness described when attached to the first plastic film 12 i~ the manner described peels off in salt water within a matter of hours.
Although this peeling oEf may not be corrosion in the sense `; ~5 of a chemical change occurring to the aluminum film, it is -`~ corrosion in the sense that the aluminum film is effec-.
tively removed from the garment. As a result, if the second plastic film 16 was not sealingly disposed over the aluminum ... .
. ~ .
.
film 14, the garment when used in salt wate~ would soon begin to loose its light, radar, and thermal reElectivity attributes, and after about 24 to 48 hours oE expo6ure to salt water would in fact have lost the greatest portion o each of these properties.
The garment as described above because o its thermal insulating properties and light and radar reflec-;tivity, as well as resistance to salt water i5 particularly useful in emergency ~ituations and could be placed on lC ships, planes, and the like for use in emergency situations where thermal insulation is desired, or it is desired simply to provide a means for readily finding the wearer.
: Various modifications to the above described gar-! ~, ment are of course possible. For example, other plastics could be used to make up the first plastic film 12, second plastic film 16, and third plastic film 18. However, a medium density polyethylene film for the first plastic Eilm 12 is preferred not only in view o its weight and thermal insulating qualities, but also particularly in view of its -20 tear strength. Other plastics, such as mylar, tend to tear very readily and are therefore not as de~ired. The second plastic film 16 and third pla~tic film 18 could be made o~
a material other than SURYLN, although as indicated earlier, SURYLN is preferred due to its good heat bonding characteristics. However, the second plastic film 16 should be relatively transparent to visible light, while the first plastic film ll and the third plastic film 18 should be relatively transparent to thermal radiation If desired only the first plastic film and attached metal film need be used, with attendant economy of construction, although some advantages from the garment described above will be lost.
Obviously, as well, the aluminum fllm could be replaced by other metal films. ~owever, for metal Eilms of .
1~l7~
.:-the thicknesses described which would be useful in reflec-ting thermal radiation and radar, as well as light, vacuum deposi-tion is generally the most economic way of making such films and aluminum is the most economical metal employed in such a deposition process. Obviously, as well, where it is anticipated that insulation ror the entire body of a wearer will not be required, portions of the garments, such as the :
pants 4, or the hood portion 6 of the jacket 2, could be omitted. However, either the arms of the jacket 2 or the legs of the pants 4 should be presen-t so as to facili-tate identification of a wearer of the device by light reflection or by radar since the limbs of a wearer will often be in motion. As well, a useful variation in the garment of the present invention is to inject fire retardant into all the ` 15 plastic layers.
~' ' .
.
....
~,~
' ~ -13-. .
'~
Claims (6)
1. An emergency insulating garment, comprising:
(a) a jacket with arms and a front opening extending the entire length of said jacket;
(b) a plurality of selectably positionable clo-sures disposed on the front of the jacket so as to close the front opening at any one of a plurality of selectably positions such that said jacket can snugly fit the body of different sized wearer's;
said garment having a first, transparent, tear resistant plastic film formed in the shape thereof and with all seams heat sealed, and having a smooth metal film attached to an inner side of the first plastic film so as to inwardly reflect thermal radiation and outwardly reflect light and radar.
(a) a jacket with arms and a front opening extending the entire length of said jacket;
(b) a plurality of selectably positionable clo-sures disposed on the front of the jacket so as to close the front opening at any one of a plurality of selectably positions such that said jacket can snugly fit the body of different sized wearer's;
said garment having a first, transparent, tear resistant plastic film formed in the shape thereof and with all seams heat sealed, and having a smooth metal film attached to an inner side of the first plastic film so as to inwardly reflect thermal radiation and outwardly reflect light and radar.
2. An emergency insulating garment as described in claim 1 additionally comprising a hood heat sealed to said jacket, and a pair of pants.
3. An emergency insulating garment as described in claim 2 wherein the metal film is an aluminum film of at least substantially .0002 mils. in thickness.
4. An emergency insulating garment as described in claim 3 additionally having a second plastic layer sealingly disposed over the metal film.
5. An emergency insulating garment as described in claim 1, wherein the garment has a hood portion and additionally has:
(a) a second plastic layer sealingly attached at a plurality of points to said first plastic film on the inside of the hood portion of the garment so as to form a plurality of communicating air spaces in a quilted pat-tern between said first plastic film and said second layer;
(b) valve means for communicating with the air spaces between said first plastic film and said second plastic layer for admitting air thereto and retaining air therein.
(a) a second plastic layer sealingly attached at a plurality of points to said first plastic film on the inside of the hood portion of the garment so as to form a plurality of communicating air spaces in a quilted pat-tern between said first plastic film and said second layer;
(b) valve means for communicating with the air spaces between said first plastic film and said second plastic layer for admitting air thereto and retaining air therein.
6. An emergency insulating garment as described in claim 2, additionally having a third plastic layer attached to the first plastic film at said jacket, the third plastic layer having a plurality of air bubbles encapsulated therein and being of sufficient size so as to increase floatation of the wearer of the garment.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US29936881A | 1981-09-04 | 1981-09-04 | |
| US299,368 | 1989-01-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1172802A true CA1172802A (en) | 1984-08-21 |
Family
ID=23154478
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000410082A Expired CA1172802A (en) | 1981-09-04 | 1982-08-25 | Emergency insulating garment |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5878673A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1172802A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015083723A1 (en) | 2013-12-03 | 2015-06-11 | 帝人株式会社 | Stretched laminated film for use in piezoelectric polymer material, and manufacturing method thereof |
| WO2018056106A1 (en) * | 2016-09-26 | 2018-03-29 | パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 | Resin composition for millimeter wave reflection, resin sheet using same, fiber and article for millimeter wave reflection |
-
1982
- 1982-08-25 CA CA000410082A patent/CA1172802A/en not_active Expired
- 1982-09-03 JP JP15285382A patent/JPS5878673A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS5878673A (en) | 1983-05-12 |
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