CH714620A2 - System and method for taking off a protective suit. - Google Patents

Abstract

A system is described that includes a protective suit (1) and a protective environment (3). The protective suit (1) comprises a fusible connecting tube (10) which can be connected to a tubular film (8) attached to the protective environment (3) by welding in a connecting area to form a closable access opening in the exit area (2), and the connection hose (10) connected to the tubular film (8) can be severed in the connection region. The protective suit (1) is intended for single use and has a peelable layer on the inside of the connecting tube (10). In the exit area (2) a reservoir (7) for the tubular film (8) of the protective environment (3) is provided to retighten the tubular film (8) after connection to the respective protective suit (1), after welding and after cutting. In addition, a method for removing and disposing of a protective suit is described.

Description

description

Technical Field The invention relates to a system and a method for undressing and a protective suit.

PRIOR ART Fully protective suits are used by workers in contaminated danger areas, such as chemical, biological or radioactive areas. They protect the person by covering the entire body from head to toe, with the suits being completely sealed. Neither moisture nor heat escape through the suit material.

When leaving the danger zone, the aim is to dispose of the contaminated suit as controlled as possible and not to carry the contamination to the outside world, on the principle that no hazardous substances are carried over. Various lock systems and exit methods are known for this.

For example, the exit from the danger zone leads through locks, where the person is exposed to a (water) mist, for example, in order to bind particles. After taking off the suit, the breathing air device is placed in a small lock in the next lock and the underwear is removed. The hygiene shower is in the next lock room.

From DE-C-3013 629 a method for putting on and taking off a protective suit is known, wherein a foldable connecting hose is connected to the protective suit, which serves for the entry of the worker into the protective suit and can be connected to an access opening of a work area. The connecting hose consists of a meltable film material and is connected to the access opening to put on the protective suit. After the worker has got into the protective suit, the connecting hose is closed by melting. The connecting hose is then cut off such that the two ends are closed. To remove the protective suit, the hose section connected to the protective suit is fused to the hose section attached to the access opening, such that after the connection area formed by melting has been cut through, the hose section connected to the protective suit is open and connected to the hose section which is fastened to the access opening. The protective suit should be reused, and the procedure is not suitable for safely disposing of the protective suit after each operation.

Description of the invention The object of the invention is to obtain a system and a method for safely taking off a protective suit, so that a complete separation between the inside and outside of a protective environment is achieved when the protective suit emerges, and thus contamination from one side to the other is avoided.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1 by a system and a method which comprises a protective suit and a protective environment and is provided for taking off a protective suit.

The system includes a protective suit and a protective environment, wherein the protective environment defines an interior, an outer area and an exit area and the protective suit has a fusible connecting tube, which can be connected to a tubular film attached to the protective environment by welding in a connecting area in order to to form a closable access opening in the exit area, and the connecting tube connected to the tubular film can be severed in the connecting area.

The protective suit is intended for single use. A peelable layer is provided on the inside of the connection hose in order to open the connection hose closed in the connection area. A storage container for the tubular film of the protective environment is provided in the exit area in order to retighten the tubular film after connection to the respective protective suit, after welding and after severing.

The protective environment is preferably a treatment tent in medicine or chemistry. The protective environment can also be a mobile laboratory or a shielding area in a hospital or on the go, where a treatment room is shielded from the outside world.

In a further embodiment, the system additionally comprises a device for the separation welding of the connecting hose and the tubular film.

The device for separation welding comprises at least one welding element for sealing meltable film materials, and at least one separating element, preferably a perforating element.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage container in which the tubular film is arranged is annular. The tubular film is preferably folded in a zigzag shape, like an accordion, arranged in the storage container, so that a supply of film material is available.

CH 714 620 A2 The connecting hose preferably consists of a meltable, separable material, preferably a peelable film material, particularly preferably made of polyethylene, even more preferably of LDPE (low density polyethylene). The term peelability is understood to mean the ability to cut a weld seam, also called a sealed seam. B. the one film can be separated from another film without tearing, stringing or pellicle formation. The separation can be done manually or with pressure. According to the present invention, the separation is carried out manually by tearing open.

The tubular film consists of a meltable material which comprises polyethylene or polypropylene. The material of the tubular film itself is preferably not separable.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the exit area comprises an exit tunnel in addition to the tubular film. The exit tunnel is preferably made of a flexible material, preferably a thermoplastic. The exit tunnel is preferably attached to a partition.

The present invention also relates to a method for taking off and disposing of a protective suit, wherein a protective hose is attached to the protective suit, which serves for the entry and exit of a worker in the protective suit and consists of a fusible material, which is closed after entry by welding and is torn open if necessary on a separable layer. Before working in the protective environment, the connecting hose is wrapped in the protective suit and covered. The protective suit is preferably made of a material comprising polypropylene and polypropylene.

To remove the protective suit, the connecting hose is connected to a tubular film of an exit area, which is used to separate a contaminated inner area and a clean outer area, by means of welding. Separation welding is a process in which film material is both welded and cut. The foil material is connected to one another by welding and a welding area is created. A separating seam is additionally provided in this welding area, so that a welding area remains in both sides of the separating seam in which the foils are connected to one another. In a preferred embodiment, the separating seam is a perforated seam on which the film sides can be torn off.

After inserting the connecting hose into the tubular film of the exit area, after connecting the connecting hose to the tubular film in the connecting area by welding and, if necessary, after cutting off a tip of the connecting area, the connecting hose is torn open on the peelable layer, so that an opening is formed through which the worker can exit from the protective suit.

To dispose of the protective suit, the protective suit is pulled inside out through the opening. The clean inside of the protective suit now points to the outside of the protective environment. The tubular film and the protective suit can be closed by means of separation welding and cut off in the welding area. In this way, the inside of the protective environment is never open to the outside and the protective suit can be safely disposed of.

The system and method according to the invention enables advantageous and safe handling of the suit when exiting a danger zone and when disposing of the used protective suit.

Further advantages and features of the invention follow from the following description, in which the invention is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the schematic drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0023] FIG.

1A-D a protective suit in perspective view with and without a device for welding,

2A-D the tip of the tubular film and the connecting tube in vertical cross section,

3 shows a system with protective suit, protective environment, exit area and device for separation welding in vertical cross section,

4A-B a storage container in vertical cross section,

5 shows the exit tunnel in perspective from the side,

6 shows the exit tunnel in a perspective view from above,

7A-B the exit tunnel with the protective suit pulled off in a perspective view from behind,

8A-B the storage container in a perspective view,

9 in a vertical cross section, protective suit pulled outwards and separated on the tubular film,

CH 714 620 A2

10 shows a cross section through the separation welding area of a film,

11 is a perspective view of a device for separation welding.

In the figures, the same reference numerals have been used for the same elements and first-time explanations apply to all figures, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Fig. 1A shows a protective suit 1, which is made of a tear-resistant film, preferably made of a thermoplastic, and which has a connecting tube 10 on the front of the suit. The connecting hose is preferably made of a peelable material. Before starting the work in the protective environment, climb into the protective suit 1 in the usual way according to the operating instructions. The connecting hose 10 has an open side 12.

Fig. 1B shows the protective suit 1, the connecting tube 10 and the device for the separation welding 9. Before the work in the protective environment, the connecting tube 10 is closed at the end 24 by welding.

1C shows the protective suit 1, the connecting hose 10 and the welded connection 24 of the connecting hose 10.

In Fig. 1D, the connecting hose is wrapped in the protective suit 1 and covered. After the work process, the connecting hose 10 is unwound from the protective suit 1 as shown in FIG. 1C and is guided with the welded end 24 into the tubular film 8 of the exit area 2 shown in FIG. 2.

2A to 2D schematically show the process of safely taking off the protective suit. The protective suit is connected via the connecting tube 10 to a tubular film 8 attached to the protective environment by welding in a connecting area 17 in order to form a closable access opening 6 in the exit area, which can be torn open. This creates a tunnel through which the worker can exit and pull the protective suit through.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the connecting tube 10 of the protective suit 1 is inserted into the tubular film 8 of an exit area 2. The connecting hose 10 is welded to the tubular film 8 in the connection area. In the welding area, a separating seam is also made. A separating weld seam 23 is created. The separating weld seam 23 is attached to the separating welding element 11 of the device for separating welding 9.

[0031] There is a depression in the welding area which can be torn open. The separating welding element 11 contains a welding element and a separating element. If necessary, the separating element can be pulled up so that a weld seam is produced without a separating seam being formed at the same time.

2B shows the tip of the connecting tube 10 and the tubular film 8 which is separated in the connecting area 17. The connecting hose 10 and the tubular film 8 are connected to one another by welding. After a tip of the two foils has been cut off at the weld seam, the connecting tube can be torn open on the peelable layer, as shown in FIG. 2C.

2C shows the connection tube 10 torn open in the connection area 17 on the peelable layer 18, the opening 6 and the tube film 8 welded to the connection tube 10. The connection tube 10 and the tube film 8 are still closed to one another and there is no exchange of the contaminated inside area with the clean outside area. The worker can exit through the opening 6 and pull through the protective suit.

In Fig. 2D, the connecting hose 10 is pulled out through the opening 6. 2D also shows the separating weld seam 23 on which the tubular film 8 is welded and cut off. As a result, the separated protective suit is obtained with the inside outwards, as shown in FIG. This can be disposed of safely.

In Fig. 3, the protective suit 1 with the connecting hose 10, the protective environment 3, an exit area 2 and a device for separation welding 9 is shown, the exit area 2 separating the clean outer area 5 from a contaminated inner area 4 of a protective environment 3. The exit area 2 has a movable exit tunnel 13 with a storage container 7, in which a tubular film 8 is placed in a zigzag fashion. The connecting hose 10 can be inserted into the tubular film 8 in such a way that the tubular film 8 encloses the connecting hose 10. The tubular film comprises polyethylene or polypropylene. The tubular film preferably consists of polyethylene.

4A shows a storage container 7 with a tubular film 8 and a storage area 14 for stowing a supply of the tubular film material 8, a fastening element 15 for fastening to the exit tunnel 13 and a handle 16.

FIG. 4B shows a detail from FIG. 3A and shows the corner of a storage container 7 with a tubular film 8 and a storage area 14 for stowing a supply of the tubular film material 8 and a fastening element 15.

CH 714 620 A2 FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the exit tunnel 13, which is fastened to a partition 27, with a tubular film 8 and a storage container 7. The tubular film 8 is welded and closed at the access opening 6.

Fig. 6 shows the torn access opening 6 with the connecting tube 10 on the inside and the tubular film 8 on the outside. A worker can get out through this access opening 6, for example, by pulling the movable exit tunnel 13 over his head. The protective suit 1 can be pulled through the inside opening 6 through this access opening.

7A shows the exit tunnel 13 with the storage container 7 and the tubular film 8, the continuous connecting tube 10 and the continuous protective suit 1 with the inside facing outwards. The dashed line indicates the area where a separating weld seam 23 is made with the device for separating welding 9.

7B shows, in addition to the elements shown in FIG. 7A, the device for separating welding 9 and the dividing wall 27 placed on the outside of the protective environment.

8A and 8B, the annular storage container 7 is shown with an inner ring cylinder 21 and an outer ring cylinder 22 and a handle 16. The storage container 7 has a closed side 28 on the side facing the protective environment and on the side facing the outside Page an open page 29. The tubular film stored in the storage container can be pulled out on the open side if necessary.

Fig. 9 shows the separated protective suit 1 with the inside out for disposal. The connecting hose 10 is closed to the outside area via a welded connection 25 of the tubular film 8.

10 shows the separating weld seam 23 of the welded tubular film 8 with a welding area 19 which consists of a first weld connection 25 and a second weld connection 26 and a separating seam 20. The separating seam 20 is preferably a perforated seam.

11 shows the device for separation welding 9 with a combined welding element and separation element, the separation welding element 11. With this device, film material can be welded and separated at the same time.

Reference symbol list [0046]

protective suit

alighting area

protectionAmbient

interior

Outside

access opening

reservoir

tubular film

Separation welding device

connecting hose

Separation welding element open side of the connecting hose

exit tunnel

storage area

fastener

Handle

Connection area peelable layer

welding area

CH 714 620 A2

Separation seam inner ring cylinder outer ring cylinder

Separating weld

Welded connection of the connecting hose first welded connection of the tubular film second welded connection of the tubular film

Partition closed side of the storage container open side of the storage container

claims

Claims (10)

1. System for taking off a protective suit (1) when leaving a protective environment (3), the system comprising a protective suit (1) and a protective environment (3), the protective environment (3) comprising an inner region (4), an outer region ( 5) and an exit area (2) and the protective suit (1) has a fusible connecting tube (10) which can be connected to a tubular film (8) attached to the protective environment (3) by welding in a connecting area (17) to form a closable access opening (6) in the exit area (2), and the connecting tube (10) connected to the tubular film (8) can be severed in the connecting area, characterized in that the protective suit (1) is intended for single use, and a peelable layer (18) is provided on the inside of the connecting hose (10) in order to open the connecting hose (10) closed in the connecting region (17), and that i In the exit area (2) a storage container (7) for the tubular film (8) of the protective environment (3) is provided in order to retighten the tubular film (8) after connection to the respective protective suit (1), after welding and after severing. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the system additionally comprises a device (9) for welding the connecting hose (10) and the tubular film (8). 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the device (9) for separation welding has at least one separation welding element (11). 4. System according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that the storage container (7) is annular. 5. System according to any one of the preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that the tubular film (8) is arranged in a zigzag folded manner in the storage container (7). 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims 1-5, characterized in that the exit area (2) has an exit tunnel (13) which is arranged around the storage container (7) and which consists of a flexible material. 7.Procedure for safely taking off and disposing of a protective suit when emerging from a protective environment shielded from an outside area, wherein a connecting hose made of a fusible material is attached to the protective suit, which is used for the entry and exit of a worker in the protective suit, and wherein the connecting hose with a Tubular film of an exit area, which serves to separate an outer area from a protective environment, is connected by welding, characterized in that the connecting tube consists of peelable material, the tubular film is welded to the connecting tube, that the connecting tube is torn open, such that an opening in the Connection hose is created, through which the worker gets out of the protective suit and pulls the protective suit inside out through the opening, and that to dispose of the protective suit the tubular film with a device for separating white is closed and the protective suit is separated from the tubular film. 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the method is carried out with a system according to one of claims 1 to 7. 9. The method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the exit area comprises a storage container for the tubular film, which is annular. CH 714 620 A2 10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that the worker pulls the opening in the connecting hose over the head.