CA2472683A1 - Protective device against biting of arthropods - Google Patents
Protective device against biting of arthropods Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2472683A1 CA2472683A1 CA002472683A CA2472683A CA2472683A1 CA 2472683 A1 CA2472683 A1 CA 2472683A1 CA 002472683 A CA002472683 A CA 002472683A CA 2472683 A CA2472683 A CA 2472683A CA 2472683 A1 CA2472683 A1 CA 2472683A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- clothing
- article
- arthropods
- reticulated
- foam
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 241000238421 Arthropoda Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 title abstract description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 229920001247 Reticulated foam Polymers 0.000 claims description 27
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000011496 polyurethane foam Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 241000255925 Diptera Species 0.000 abstract description 20
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 15
- 201000010099 disease Diseases 0.000 description 10
- 208000037265 diseases, disorders, signs and symptoms Diseases 0.000 description 10
- 201000004792 malaria Diseases 0.000 description 9
- MMOXZBCLCQITDF-UHFFFAOYSA-N N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide Chemical compound CCN(CC)C(=O)C1=CC=CC(C)=C1 MMOXZBCLCQITDF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 5
- 241000238876 Acari Species 0.000 description 4
- 229960001673 diethyltoluamide Drugs 0.000 description 4
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000005871 repellent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002940 repellent Effects 0.000 description 3
- 206010003399 Arthropod bite Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 208000001490 Dengue Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 206010012310 Dengue fever Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 241000282412 Homo Species 0.000 description 2
- 208000008454 Hyperhidrosis Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 208000011312 Vector Borne disease Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 208000003152 Yellow Fever Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 208000025729 dengue disease Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002917 insecticide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 2
- 208000000230 African Trypanosomiasis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241000134426 Ceratopogonidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 208000035473 Communicable disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241000256113 Culicidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 201000006353 Filariasis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241000238631 Hexapoda Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920004142 LEXAN™ Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 208000004554 Leishmaniasis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000004418 Lexan Substances 0.000 description 1
- 206010035148 Plague Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241000224016 Plasmodium Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000256103 Simuliidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 206010040880 Skin irritation Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241000700605 Viruses Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000244005 Wuchereria bancrofti Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004480 active ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002671 adjuvant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000004556 brain Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 201000006824 bubonic plague Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000003251 chemically resistant material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003632 chemoprophylactic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004040 coloring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012790 confirmation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013601 eggs Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 208000006036 elephantiasis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010014599 encephalitis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000028104 epidemic louse-borne typhus Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000008029 eradication Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000029080 human African trypanosomiasis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 206010025482 malaise Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 244000045947 parasite Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000052769 pathogen Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 210000003429 pore cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003449 preventive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001850 reproductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000036556 skin irritation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000475 skin irritation Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 201000002612 sleeping sickness Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035900 sweating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000013460 sweaty Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000009182 swimming Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 206010061393 typhus Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229960005486 vaccine Drugs 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 201000009482 yaws Diseases 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
- A41D13/1107—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres characterised by their shape
- A41D13/1153—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres characterised by their shape with a hood
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K55/00—Bee-smokers; Bee-keepers' accessories, e.g. veils
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Bedding Items (AREA)
Abstract
A new protective device for use against biting of mosquitoes and other arthropods and in particular, a material which can be used in the manufacture of regular clothing or specialty clothing to protect an individual from bites from mosquitoes and other arthropods.
Description
PROTECTIVE DEVICE AGAINST BITING OF ARTHROPODS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new protective device for use against biting of mosquitoes and other arthropods and in particular, a material which can be used in the manufacture of regular clothing or specialty clothing to protect an individual from bites from mosquitoes and other arthropods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the most serious concerns of today's society is the transfer of disease from mosquitoes and other arthropods to humans. For example, every twelve seconds a child dies from malaria. Almost half a billion people contract the disease annually.
One of the most common ways of contracting the disease is when a human is bitten by a mosquito which carries the tiny blood-dwelling parasites that cause :malaria.
Many efforts have been made to reduce the spread of malaria. For example, mosquito larvae thrive in stagnant swamp water so draining of swamps deprives malaria-carrying mosquitoes of their reproductive environment. While drainage schemes have led to the eradication of malaria from most of Western Europe and the United States, the disease remains a serious concern in parts of the Far and Middle East and in South America and Africa where ninety percent of the world's cases are found.
Malaria is such a large concern that it contributes significantly to economic malaise. The disease is transmitted by the bite of hungry i:emale mosquitoes looking for blood to nourish their eggs.
A second disease which is carried by mosquitoes is the "West Nile" virus which inflames the brain. This disease has affected North America to a very large extent in the past few years and efforts have been taken to spray insecticides over large areas to try to reduce the mosquito population.
Lately, various products have been designed and are on sale to protect humans from the bite of arthropods such as mosquitoes to prevent the transmission of disease.
Various articles of clothing have been designed which are manufactured of mesh material which keeps out the small bugs including no-see-ums, black flies, mosquitoes and ticks.
One such product is available from Wisemen Trading and Supply of Athens, Alabama under the trade mark BUG OUT and is manufactured of a one hundred percent polyester chemically resistant material. Other protective clothing is made of tightly woven cloth material which is too dense for mosquitoes to bite through. The major drawback of this method is that it becomes hot and sweaty in hot weather and is therefore uncomfortable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new protective device for use against biting of mosquitoes and other arthropods and in particular, a material which can be used in the manufacture of regular clothing or specialty clothing to protect an individual from bites from mosquitoes and other arthropods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the most serious concerns of today's society is the transfer of disease from mosquitoes and other arthropods to humans. For example, every twelve seconds a child dies from malaria. Almost half a billion people contract the disease annually.
One of the most common ways of contracting the disease is when a human is bitten by a mosquito which carries the tiny blood-dwelling parasites that cause :malaria.
Many efforts have been made to reduce the spread of malaria. For example, mosquito larvae thrive in stagnant swamp water so draining of swamps deprives malaria-carrying mosquitoes of their reproductive environment. While drainage schemes have led to the eradication of malaria from most of Western Europe and the United States, the disease remains a serious concern in parts of the Far and Middle East and in South America and Africa where ninety percent of the world's cases are found.
Malaria is such a large concern that it contributes significantly to economic malaise. The disease is transmitted by the bite of hungry i:emale mosquitoes looking for blood to nourish their eggs.
A second disease which is carried by mosquitoes is the "West Nile" virus which inflames the brain. This disease has affected North America to a very large extent in the past few years and efforts have been taken to spray insecticides over large areas to try to reduce the mosquito population.
Lately, various products have been designed and are on sale to protect humans from the bite of arthropods such as mosquitoes to prevent the transmission of disease.
Various articles of clothing have been designed which are manufactured of mesh material which keeps out the small bugs including no-see-ums, black flies, mosquitoes and ticks.
One such product is available from Wisemen Trading and Supply of Athens, Alabama under the trade mark BUG OUT and is manufactured of a one hundred percent polyester chemically resistant material. Other protective clothing is made of tightly woven cloth material which is too dense for mosquitoes to bite through. The major drawback of this method is that it becomes hot and sweaty in hot weather and is therefore uncomfortable.
Various other attempts have been made to protect lhumans. Although vaccines or chemoprophylactic drugs are available against vector-borne diseases such as yellow fever and malaria, suggestions have been made for general protf;ctive measures against biting arthropods. While chemoprophylaxis is available for malwia, there are no similar preventive measures for such other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue.
Suggestions have been made to modify patterns of activity or behaviou~~r to avoid certain times of the day such as the twilight periods at dawn and dusk or in thf; evening when vector mosquitoes are most active. It is also suggested that long sleeved shirts, long pants and hats be worn to minimize areas of exposed skin.
Various repellents are also available such as perme;thrin-based products which enhance protection. These insecticides may be applied to clothing, shoes, beds, camping gear and the like.
A popular chemical found in many repellents contain N,N-diethylmetatoluamide (DEET) as the active ingredient. It has been found that DIEET repels mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods when applied to the skin or clothing, Various formulations are presently available on the market.
One concern is the safety of the use of DEET for children. The concentrations must be reduced when applying DEET formulations to children which provide only short term protection. Also, DEET is toxic when ingested and may cause skin irritation in persons.
Other chemical products are being tested and evaluated as adjuvants against several species of malaria causing plasmodium.
Significant disadvantages arise as a result of the us;e of chemical products, including, the fact that the chemicals must be repeatedly applied as a result of "wearing off ' over time and as a result of human activity such as sweating, showering or swimming. Frequent application of chemical repellents is also expensive and may harm the environment.
It has been estimated that at least eighty percent of human infectious diseases are arthropod-borne and are transmitted by insects, mites or ticks. They have caused the death of hundreds of millions of people by infecting them with pathogens that cause typhus, bubonic plague, yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, sleeping sickness, encephalitis, elephantiasis, Leishmaniasis and yaws. Of these, mosquitoes have been the worst of all the disease earners. More than three thousandl species of mosquitoes have been described in scientific journals and mosquitoes have 'been found in every country of the world.
Suggestions have been made to modify patterns of activity or behaviou~~r to avoid certain times of the day such as the twilight periods at dawn and dusk or in thf; evening when vector mosquitoes are most active. It is also suggested that long sleeved shirts, long pants and hats be worn to minimize areas of exposed skin.
Various repellents are also available such as perme;thrin-based products which enhance protection. These insecticides may be applied to clothing, shoes, beds, camping gear and the like.
A popular chemical found in many repellents contain N,N-diethylmetatoluamide (DEET) as the active ingredient. It has been found that DIEET repels mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods when applied to the skin or clothing, Various formulations are presently available on the market.
One concern is the safety of the use of DEET for children. The concentrations must be reduced when applying DEET formulations to children which provide only short term protection. Also, DEET is toxic when ingested and may cause skin irritation in persons.
Other chemical products are being tested and evaluated as adjuvants against several species of malaria causing plasmodium.
Significant disadvantages arise as a result of the us;e of chemical products, including, the fact that the chemicals must be repeatedly applied as a result of "wearing off ' over time and as a result of human activity such as sweating, showering or swimming. Frequent application of chemical repellents is also expensive and may harm the environment.
It has been estimated that at least eighty percent of human infectious diseases are arthropod-borne and are transmitted by insects, mites or ticks. They have caused the death of hundreds of millions of people by infecting them with pathogens that cause typhus, bubonic plague, yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever, sleeping sickness, encephalitis, elephantiasis, Leishmaniasis and yaws. Of these, mosquitoes have been the worst of all the disease earners. More than three thousandl species of mosquitoes have been described in scientific journals and mosquitoes have 'been found in every country of the world.
From the viewpoint of the military, recent studies have shown that arthropods can obstruct movement and field positions, prevent concealment and cover and disrupt manoeuvres and cause panic. There is clearly a lost work time, treatment and hospitalisation costs are increasing substantially.
One of the problems encountered with respect to the netting which is currently available is that the netting all use a mesh which touches 'the skin of the individual. The problem is that when the arthropod lands on the mesh, it can bite through the mesh itself thereby transmitting the disease to the human notwithstanding that netting is applied to the body. Attempts to try to keep a safe distance between the netting and the skin by wide brimmed hats or hoops are impractical and often inei:fective. There is also clearly a problem in retaining visibility through the netting. The alternative to netting is the use of tightly woven material which does not allow the skin to breathe or to dissipate perspiration and is therefore very uncomfortable to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention provides a novel protective device for use to assist in the prevention of the biting of arthropods.
It is another object of the present invention to :provide a material from which articles of clothing may be made to assist in the prevention of biting of arthropods.
To this end, in one of its aspects, the invention prcmides a reticulated foam for use as a component of an article of clothing.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a reticulated foam for use a component of an article of clothing to prevent an arthropod from biting through the article of clothing.
In yet another of its aspects, the invention provides a reticulated foam having a density of holes from about ten per linear inch to about one hundred per linear inch for use as a component as an article of clothing.
In a still further aspect of this invention, it provides a reticulated, flexible polyurethane foam characterized by a three dimensional skeletal structure of strands for use as a component of an article of clothing.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a material for use in the manufacture of clothing for the prevention of bites from arthropods which comprises a reticulated foam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a head covering made of the reticulated foam of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a head covering incorporating the reticulated foam of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a front view of a pattern suitable for use in the manufacture of a head covering of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows the use of a head covering of the present invention on the head of a person.
Figure 5 shows the use of a head covering of the present invention on the head of a person in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The protective device of the present application is made of a reticulated foam having a density of holes from about ten per linear inch to about one hundred per linear inch with the preferred range being from about ten per linear inch to thirty per linear inch.
The foam is preferably a reticulated, flexible polyurethane foam which is characterized by a three-dimensional skeletal structure of strands which provide a ninety-seven percent void space. As indicated before, the controlled pore sizes run from a density of about ten per linear inch to about one hundred per linear inch which therefore guarantees uniformity and predictability. This material can be shaped and coloured to meet a broad range of requirements and generally flexible, resilient and lightweight.
These materials exhibit controlled permeability .and predictable surface area of the skeletal structure which is a direct function of the totally open pore cell size.
Confirmation to contact surface and shape retention is due to the resilient nature of the polyurethane foam which exhibits excellent holding capacity and low flow resistance as a result of the foam's high void volume.
The material is quite breathable and wicks perspiration away very quickly.
There is no odour and the material exhibits low resistance to airflow. It is totally washable and susceptible to additional materials such as carbon to improve heat conductability of the material itself.
The particular advantage of using the reticulated foam is that it provides a spacing between the arthropod which many land on the device and the skin of the human.
The arthropod when landing on the device cannot penetrate to the skin of the wearer of the device and thus the wearer is protected from bites from the arthropod.
,.,~x.,.<,_., >" ~ a.<.. < :...nz~:r w.;a~~z2~-~~s....~..~;~,.~..aa... .e .._..,.--...._ ..........,........,.~ _,.,."o,.",~,.,""".~~....__.
______._..__..__. __.r _.
The reticulated foam may be incorporated into .any type of article of clothing.
These may include head coverings, jackets, pants, socks, ~~nitts, overalls and the like. The present invention relates to the use of the reticulated foamy as a component of an article of clothing which can be used to cover all or a part of the body.
Referring to figure 1, there is representation of a lhead covering incorporating the invention of the present application. The head covering generally indicated as 2 is made of reticulated foam material and is shaped to fit over the head of the user.
The head covering is placed over the head and the head is pushedl through opening 4 so that the eyes of the user fit within the opening 6. A transparent shield 8 covers the eyes of the user.
An alternative version is shown in figure 2 wherein a flap 10 is moveable to close the opening 6 if desired.
Clothing may be manufactured of the reticulated foam itself. Alternatively, the reticulated foam can be worn on top of the clothing or under the clothing if desired.
The foam has good flexibility and can therefore 1>e compressed into a pouch for easy carrying. Accordingly, it finds particular application for the armed forces and also for sports events, cyclists, hikers, cottagers and the like. The material is breathable thus preventing heat buildup. It also wicks perspiration away very quickly. The material has little or no odour and has a low resistance to airflow and is totally washable.
If desired, additional material may be incorporated into the reticulated foam.
For example, carbon may be incorporated into the reticulated foam to improve the heat conductability. Colouring may also be used for aesthetic 1?urposes.
Refernng to figure 3, a pattern 22 was first made ~of a simple sheet of one-quarter inch thick reticulated foam having thirty holes per inch. A clear view visor 24 made of thin Lexan (trade mark) was attached to the foam using a silicone glue to cover the opening 26. The helmet was then sewn along a single seam 28 to produce the helmet as shown in figures 4 and 5.
Figure 4 shows the helmet 30 with flaps 32, 34 outside of the shirt of the wearer 36. Figure 5 shows the helmet 30 with flaps 32, 34 tucked inside the shirt of the wearer 36. The wearer 36 then places the helmet 30 over his head and tucks the flaps 32, 34 inside of his shirt as shown in figure 5. After a recent: rainstorm, the wearer walked through a mosquito infested forest for two hours. Following the two hour walk, the wearer removed the helmet 30 for inspection and then inspected his body for mosquito bites.
It was found that the wearer suffered numerous mosquito bites to all areas of his body which were covered with normal clothing but not a single bite was located on the head or on the face of the wearer.
The wearer also reported no problem with respect to ease of breathing, comfort, hearing or visibility. The experiment was repeated with the wearer wearing eyeglasses and there was no discomfort felt by the wearer when the wearer wore eyeglasses.
Although it is acknowledged that this field test was arbitrary, it was clear that the results showed that the mosquitoes could not bite through the helmet made of the reticulated foam of the present invention and this helmet allowed the wearer to walk through mosquito-infested areas without being bitten.
While the invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments, many modifications and variations will novv occur to persons skilled in the art. F'or a definition of the invention, reference is made to the appended claims.
One of the problems encountered with respect to the netting which is currently available is that the netting all use a mesh which touches 'the skin of the individual. The problem is that when the arthropod lands on the mesh, it can bite through the mesh itself thereby transmitting the disease to the human notwithstanding that netting is applied to the body. Attempts to try to keep a safe distance between the netting and the skin by wide brimmed hats or hoops are impractical and often inei:fective. There is also clearly a problem in retaining visibility through the netting. The alternative to netting is the use of tightly woven material which does not allow the skin to breathe or to dissipate perspiration and is therefore very uncomfortable to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention provides a novel protective device for use to assist in the prevention of the biting of arthropods.
It is another object of the present invention to :provide a material from which articles of clothing may be made to assist in the prevention of biting of arthropods.
To this end, in one of its aspects, the invention prcmides a reticulated foam for use as a component of an article of clothing.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a reticulated foam for use a component of an article of clothing to prevent an arthropod from biting through the article of clothing.
In yet another of its aspects, the invention provides a reticulated foam having a density of holes from about ten per linear inch to about one hundred per linear inch for use as a component as an article of clothing.
In a still further aspect of this invention, it provides a reticulated, flexible polyurethane foam characterized by a three dimensional skeletal structure of strands for use as a component of an article of clothing.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a material for use in the manufacture of clothing for the prevention of bites from arthropods which comprises a reticulated foam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a head covering made of the reticulated foam of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a head covering incorporating the reticulated foam of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a front view of a pattern suitable for use in the manufacture of a head covering of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows the use of a head covering of the present invention on the head of a person.
Figure 5 shows the use of a head covering of the present invention on the head of a person in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The protective device of the present application is made of a reticulated foam having a density of holes from about ten per linear inch to about one hundred per linear inch with the preferred range being from about ten per linear inch to thirty per linear inch.
The foam is preferably a reticulated, flexible polyurethane foam which is characterized by a three-dimensional skeletal structure of strands which provide a ninety-seven percent void space. As indicated before, the controlled pore sizes run from a density of about ten per linear inch to about one hundred per linear inch which therefore guarantees uniformity and predictability. This material can be shaped and coloured to meet a broad range of requirements and generally flexible, resilient and lightweight.
These materials exhibit controlled permeability .and predictable surface area of the skeletal structure which is a direct function of the totally open pore cell size.
Confirmation to contact surface and shape retention is due to the resilient nature of the polyurethane foam which exhibits excellent holding capacity and low flow resistance as a result of the foam's high void volume.
The material is quite breathable and wicks perspiration away very quickly.
There is no odour and the material exhibits low resistance to airflow. It is totally washable and susceptible to additional materials such as carbon to improve heat conductability of the material itself.
The particular advantage of using the reticulated foam is that it provides a spacing between the arthropod which many land on the device and the skin of the human.
The arthropod when landing on the device cannot penetrate to the skin of the wearer of the device and thus the wearer is protected from bites from the arthropod.
,.,~x.,.<,_., >" ~ a.<.. < :...nz~:r w.;a~~z2~-~~s....~..~;~,.~..aa... .e .._..,.--...._ ..........,........,.~ _,.,."o,.",~,.,""".~~....__.
______._..__..__. __.r _.
The reticulated foam may be incorporated into .any type of article of clothing.
These may include head coverings, jackets, pants, socks, ~~nitts, overalls and the like. The present invention relates to the use of the reticulated foamy as a component of an article of clothing which can be used to cover all or a part of the body.
Referring to figure 1, there is representation of a lhead covering incorporating the invention of the present application. The head covering generally indicated as 2 is made of reticulated foam material and is shaped to fit over the head of the user.
The head covering is placed over the head and the head is pushedl through opening 4 so that the eyes of the user fit within the opening 6. A transparent shield 8 covers the eyes of the user.
An alternative version is shown in figure 2 wherein a flap 10 is moveable to close the opening 6 if desired.
Clothing may be manufactured of the reticulated foam itself. Alternatively, the reticulated foam can be worn on top of the clothing or under the clothing if desired.
The foam has good flexibility and can therefore 1>e compressed into a pouch for easy carrying. Accordingly, it finds particular application for the armed forces and also for sports events, cyclists, hikers, cottagers and the like. The material is breathable thus preventing heat buildup. It also wicks perspiration away very quickly. The material has little or no odour and has a low resistance to airflow and is totally washable.
If desired, additional material may be incorporated into the reticulated foam.
For example, carbon may be incorporated into the reticulated foam to improve the heat conductability. Colouring may also be used for aesthetic 1?urposes.
Refernng to figure 3, a pattern 22 was first made ~of a simple sheet of one-quarter inch thick reticulated foam having thirty holes per inch. A clear view visor 24 made of thin Lexan (trade mark) was attached to the foam using a silicone glue to cover the opening 26. The helmet was then sewn along a single seam 28 to produce the helmet as shown in figures 4 and 5.
Figure 4 shows the helmet 30 with flaps 32, 34 outside of the shirt of the wearer 36. Figure 5 shows the helmet 30 with flaps 32, 34 tucked inside the shirt of the wearer 36. The wearer 36 then places the helmet 30 over his head and tucks the flaps 32, 34 inside of his shirt as shown in figure 5. After a recent: rainstorm, the wearer walked through a mosquito infested forest for two hours. Following the two hour walk, the wearer removed the helmet 30 for inspection and then inspected his body for mosquito bites.
It was found that the wearer suffered numerous mosquito bites to all areas of his body which were covered with normal clothing but not a single bite was located on the head or on the face of the wearer.
The wearer also reported no problem with respect to ease of breathing, comfort, hearing or visibility. The experiment was repeated with the wearer wearing eyeglasses and there was no discomfort felt by the wearer when the wearer wore eyeglasses.
Although it is acknowledged that this field test was arbitrary, it was clear that the results showed that the mosquitoes could not bite through the helmet made of the reticulated foam of the present invention and this helmet allowed the wearer to walk through mosquito-infested areas without being bitten.
While the invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments, many modifications and variations will novv occur to persons skilled in the art. F'or a definition of the invention, reference is made to the appended claims.
Claims (15)
1. A reticulated foam for use as a component of an article of clothing.
2. A reticulated foam as claimed in claim 1 for use a component of an article of clothing to prevent an arthropod from biting through the article of clothing.
3. A reticulated foam as claimed in claim 2 having a density of holes from about ten per linear inch to about one hundred per linear inch for use as a component as an article of clothing.
4. A reticulated foam as claimed in claim 3 having a density of holes from about ten per linear inch to thirty per linear inch as a component of an article of clothing.
5. A reticulated, flexible polyurethane foam characterized by a three dimensional skeletal structure of strands for use as a component of an article of clothing.
6. A reticulated, flexible polyurethane foam as claimed in claim 5 characterized by a three dimensional skeletal structure of strands which provide a ninety-seven percent void space for use as a component of an article of clothing.
7. A reticulated foam as claimed in claim 1 comprising a flexible, polyurethane foam and carbon incorporated therein.
8. A head covering comprising a reticulated foam as claimed in claim 3.
9. A jacket comprising a reticulated foam as claimed in claim 3.
10. A material for use in the manufacture of clothing for the prevention of bites from arthropods which comprises a reticulated foam.
11. A material for use in the manufacture of clothing as claimed in claim 10 for the prevention of bites from arthropods which comprises a reticulated foam having a density of holes from about ten per linear inch to about one hundred per linear inch for use as a component as an article of clothing.
12. A material for use in the manufacture of clothing as claimed in claim 10 for the prevention of bites from arthropods which comprises a reticulated foam having a density of holes from about ten per linear inch to thirty per linear inch as a component of an article of clothing.
13. A material for use in the manufacture of clothing as claimed in claim 10 for the prevention of bites from arthropods comprising a reticulated, flexible polyurethane foam characterized by a three dimensional skeletal structure of strands for use as a component of an article of clothing.
14. A material for use in the manufacture of clothing as claimed in claim 10 for the prevention of bites from arthropods comprising a reticulated, flexible polyurethane foam characterized by a three dimensional skeletal structure of strands which provide a ninety-seven percent void space for use as a component of an article of clothing.
15. A lightweight, flexible and resilient material for use in the manufacture of clothing for the prevention of bites from arthropods which comprises a reticulated foam.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002472683A CA2472683A1 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2004-06-29 | Protective device against biting of arthropods |
US11/070,671 US20060010589A1 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2005-03-03 | Protective device against biting of arthropods |
US12/457,460 US20090282597A1 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2009-06-11 | Protective device against biting of arthropods |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002472683A CA2472683A1 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2004-06-29 | Protective device against biting of arthropods |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2472683A1 true CA2472683A1 (en) | 2005-12-29 |
Family
ID=35589001
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA002472683A Abandoned CA2472683A1 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2004-06-29 | Protective device against biting of arthropods |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060010589A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2472683A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20210093024A1 (en) * | 2019-09-30 | 2021-04-01 | Christian P. Christensen | Surgical garment and methods of use |
Family Cites Families (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2028060A (en) * | 1935-09-07 | 1936-01-14 | Gilbert Eskell | Protector |
US3424151A (en) * | 1966-01-03 | 1969-01-28 | Kendall & Co | Inflatable splint |
US3820179A (en) * | 1972-05-19 | 1974-06-28 | K Maertin | Flotation sleeves |
US4157713A (en) * | 1977-05-11 | 1979-06-12 | Clarey Michael T | Air-pressure splint |
US4263363A (en) * | 1979-12-20 | 1981-04-21 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Emulsion-containing absorbent article having improved water holding capacity |
US4619948A (en) * | 1985-01-07 | 1986-10-28 | Twin Rivers Engineering | Composite active filter material |
US4705085A (en) * | 1985-12-09 | 1987-11-10 | Brown Dwight C | Inflatable beverage insulator |
US5034422A (en) * | 1990-12-19 | 1991-07-23 | Foamex Lp | Low density, high temperature resistant polymeric bodies |
US5570544A (en) * | 1994-11-10 | 1996-11-05 | Hale; Gary A. | Inflatable structure |
FR2761707B1 (en) * | 1997-04-02 | 1999-06-04 | Scebep Spironef | INFLATABLE, DEPLOYABLE AND RETRACTABLE |
US6263617B1 (en) * | 1998-05-15 | 2001-07-24 | Jean-Marc Daniel Turcot | Inflatable self-erecting tent |
US6260306B1 (en) * | 1999-05-07 | 2001-07-17 | Johnson Outdoors Inc. | Inflatable shelter |
US6617014B1 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2003-09-09 | Hydrophilix, Llc | Foam composite |
US6318390B1 (en) * | 2000-06-16 | 2001-11-20 | Erik V. Innis | Inflatable umbrella |
US6681765B2 (en) * | 2001-12-18 | 2004-01-27 | Sheree H. Wen | Antiviral and antibacterial respirator mask |
-
2004
- 2004-06-29 CA CA002472683A patent/CA2472683A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2005
- 2005-03-03 US US11/070,671 patent/US20060010589A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20060010589A1 (en) | 2006-01-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5357635A (en) | Ventilated beekeeper's suit | |
US5249307A (en) | Ventilated beekeeper's suit | |
US5539930A (en) | System and method for odor absorption | |
US5214797A (en) | Method and apparatus for protection of skin against mosquitos and other insects | |
US7243375B2 (en) | Protection gear against harmful insects | |
US20090282597A1 (en) | Protective device against biting of arthropods | |
KR20000070050A (en) | Insect Repellent Substrate for Headwear | |
US20170347722A1 (en) | Mosquito-repelling wearables | |
US20140352043A1 (en) | Bed bug protective garment | |
US20020069449A1 (en) | Hood including three-dimensional covering | |
EP3379926B1 (en) | Parasitic acari barrier | |
KR101415117B1 (en) | A protecter clothes for cut-off of vermin | |
US20090205095A1 (en) | Insect capturing cap | |
US20060010589A1 (en) | Protective device against biting of arthropods | |
KR100507538B1 (en) | A protected clothes for cut-off of vermin | |
RU2625432C1 (en) | Clothes for protecting person from blood-sucking tickers and flying blood-sucking insects | |
KR20090042357A (en) | Insect protection cloth and the clothes using it | |
KR200170091Y1 (en) | Moth proof fittings made of dual net shape for putting on the part of human body | |
WO2017066524A1 (en) | Insect barrier fabric | |
KR200264328Y1 (en) | Security clothes of harmful insects preventable | |
KR19980033545A (en) | Insect Prevention Clothing | |
CN205522731U (en) | Protection against insects cloth and protection against insects clothes | |
JPH1096108A (en) | Insect-proof suit | |
CA3117146A1 (en) | Protective device against the biting of insects | |
KR19990033201U (en) | Material and clothes for the protection of a noxious insect |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
EEER | Examination request | ||
FZDE | Dead |