EP0566653B1 - Individual decontamination apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR92/00010 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 11, 1993 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 11, 1993 PCT Filed Jan. 7, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO92/11795 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 23, 1992.A decontamination kit for military use has a hermetically sealed package of a material generally impermeable to toxic agents containing an absorbent mitten capable of absorbing toxic agents, a towel, and a device for making an active decontaminant liquid applicable to the towel. Thus the object to be decontaminated is first cleaned with the mitten, then the decontaminant liquid is made up and applied to the towel, and the towel is used in a second stage for a fine cleanup.

Description

The invention relates to an individual decontamination device, in particular for military use.

The decontamination glove of the French Army which is part of the individual equipment of the combatant and whose active element consists of an absorbent powder of the diatomaceous earth type, smetic clay or other fuller's earth, has three major drawbacks :

The first resides in the fact that its use (one proceeds by tapping with the glove on all the contaminated surface of the clothing) necessarily involves the creation around the combatant of a cloud of powder charged with toxic which it absorbed and which is susceptible to be carried by the wind or by a simple draft of air at possibly great distances, thus causing the contamination of clean places.

The second, in the fact that its use to decontaminate the respiratory protection mask as well as possibly the armament of the combatant and in particular the rifle, is not very reliable. Indeed, on the one hand access to certain contaminated surfaces is difficult, even impossible, due to the configuration of the glove (lack of flexibility of the glove because it is too thick) and on the other hand there is not only the possibility of scratching the transparent surfaces (visor or eyepieces) but also the risk of a deposit of soil impregnated with toxic in the screw threads and other cavities where retention is possible.

Finally, and this third disadvantage is not the least, an absorbent powder whatever it is, not only does not destroy the toxic that it has absorbed but can, under certain conditions, desorb it which then presents a certain danger for the environment.

The designation "decontamination" glove for this type of product is therefore an improper designation in that meaning that it designates a function that it does not completely fulfill.

• dans un premier temps, d'absorber sans polluer, la plus grande partie du toxique fixé sur le vêtement, le masque et l'armement, et ceci sans désorption ultérieure,
• et dans un deuxième temps de détruire par voie chimique le toxique non absorbé restant à la fois sur le vêtement, le masque (sans risque de rayer les parties transparentes) ainsi que sur l'armement (sans risque de laisser un dépôt à l'intérieur de volumes où la rétention de toxique est possible).

The present invention which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks, relates to a decontamination device based on a different design, this device making it possible:

• firstly, to absorb without polluting, the greater part of the toxic fixed on the clothing, the mask and the weaponry, and this without subsequent desorption,
• and in a second step to destroy by chemical means the nonabsorbed toxic remaining both on the garment, the mask (without risk of scratching the transparent parts) as well as on the weaponry (without risk of leaving a deposit inside volumes where toxic retention is possible).

To this end, the invention essentially relates to an individual decontamination device which comprises, inside the same packaging and / or case, on the one hand an absorbent glove of the "mitt" type and on the other hand a wiping towel capable of being impregnated with an active decontaminant manufactured in situ at the time of use. Preferably, the apparatus according to the present invention also comprises, in the same packaging and / or case, a device necessary for the in situ preparation of the active decontaminant provided for impregnating the wiping towel.

Advantageously, the individual decontamination device is initially isolated from the ambient atmosphere by a flexible protective packaging, made of synthetic film impermeable to toxic substances. The flexible packaging, provided with provisions facilitating its opening, preferably contains a case of semi-rigid material, of generally parallelepipedal shape, constituted by two hollow half-cases connected by a spring hinge; the case opens like a book, lengthwise, and the spring hinge keeps it open at time of use. A removable strip, arranged on the side opposite to the spring hinge, is usefully provided to keep the two half-cases joined to one another, so that the case remains closed before use of the device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the two half-cases each comprise, on their periphery, a sealing sidewalk intended to receive a "peelable" sealing film ensuring total sealing, vis-à-vis the outside, of interior volumes of the two half-cases. The interior volume of one of the half-cases can contain the absorbent glove and the device necessary for the in situ preparation of the active decontaminant, while the interior volume of the other half-case contains the wiping towel.

The device integrated into the device and necessary for the in situ preparation of the active decontaminant, provided for impregnating the wiping towel, is advantageously produced as a device for storing two constituents separately and bringing them into contact at the time of use, in particular for the manufacture of a decontaminating solution by mixing the two stored constituents, one being solid and the other being liquid. This device can in particular be that described in French patent application No. 90 08870 / 2,664,570 (see also international patent application PCT / FR 91/00577). The solution obtained after mixing the two constituents stored in such a device is spread on the napkin, which is already impregnated with a liquor containing in solution other constituents of the decontaminant. This design makes it possible to generate, at the time of use, a product which, although unstable over time, will have its maximum decontaminating effectiveness.

The glove eliminates most of the toxic by absorption, this glove being made of a material which does not desorb the toxic after absorption, and does not spread any dust into the surrounding atmosphere, even by tapping the garment strongly. The towel eliminates the rest of the toxic by destroying the molecules. Thus, the combination of physical and chemical effects, thanks to the combined action of the glove and the towel, leads to an effective elimination of the toxic agent, the device for in situ preparation of the active decontaminant making it possible to benefit from its maximum effectiveness.

The individual decontamination device according to the invention can be implemented quickly, in about three minutes, the actual decontamination operation being able to be carried out very carefully in about fifteen minutes, and it is intended to be destroyed after use. Of compact design, this device can be easily accommodated, for example, in one of the side pockets of a bag containing the mask of respiratory protection of a combatant.

• Figure 1 représente en perspective l'appareil dans son emballage imperméable aux toxiques ;
• Figure 2 montre l'appareil, toujours vu en perspective mais hors de son emballage ;
• Figure 3 illustre l'appareil avec son étui ouvert, vu en plan par dessus ;
• Figures 4 et 5 sont des vues en coupe de l'appareil, respectivement à l'état ouvert et à l'état fermé ;
• Figure 6 montre le gant absorbant, vu de face et en coupe ;
• Figures 7 et 8 représentent, dans deux positions, le dispositif pour stocker séparément deux constituants et les mettre en présence au moment de l'emploi.

The invention will be better understood, and other characteristics will be highlighted, with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting example, an embodiment of this individual decontamination device:

• Figure 1 shows in perspective the device in its toxic impermeable packaging;
• Figure 2 shows the device, still seen in perspective but out of its packaging;
• Figure 3 illustrates the device with its open case, seen in plan from above;
• Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views of the device, respectively in the open state and in the closed state;
• Figure 6 shows the absorbent glove, seen from the front and in section;
• Figures 7 and 8 show, in two positions, the device for separately storing two components and bringing them into contact at the time of use.

• Un emballage souple (1) en film synthétique imperméable aux toxiques. A titre d'exemple non limitatif le film constitutif est un polyester saturé avec une face contrecollée de polyéthylène transparent spécial. Cet emballage réalisé suivant la technique dite "flow-pack" présente la particularité d'avoir l'une de ses deux extrémités soudée sur une longueur telle (quatre à cinq centimètres) qu'elle constitue une languette (2) que le combattant utilise en tant que poignée de préhension pour extraire commodément l'appareil de la poche latérale d'un sac qui peut aussi renfermer un masque de protection respiratoire. La languette (2) porte une amorce de déchirure (3) destinée à permettre d'ouvrir facilement l'emballage (1) et d'en extraire l'étui (4).
• Un étui (4) qui se présente sous la forme d'un volume de forme parallélépipèdique. A titre d'exemple non limitatif il est réalisé en matériau semi-rigide : PVC de 80 centièmes de mm d'épaisseur, contre-collé de polyéthylène sur la face intérieure. Il est constitué par deux demi-étuis d'inégales profondeurs qui s'articulent autour d'une charnière à ressort (5) sur un angle de 180°. Une baguette de fermeture (6) disposée sur le côté opposé à la charnière (5), à cheval sur des trottoirs de scellement (7), maintient les deux demi-étuis face à face, accolés l'un à l'autre lorsque l'étui (4) est fermé en situation de stockage, avant utilisation. Lorsque la baguette de fermeture (6) est retirée, l'étui (4) s'ouvre seul, grâce à la charnière à ressort (5) ; les deux demi-étuis formant alors un angle d'environ 180°.

Referring to the drawing and first of all to FIGS. 1 and 2, the structure of the individual decontamination apparatus comprises, according to a particular embodiment:

• Flexible packaging (1) made of toxic-impermeable synthetic film. By way of nonlimiting example, the constituent film is a saturated polyester with a laminated face of special transparent polyethylene. This packaging produced according to the so-called "flow-pack" technique has the particularity of having one of its two ends welded over a length such (four to five centimeters) that it constitutes a tongue (2) that the combatant uses in as a grip handle for conveniently extracting the device from the side pocket of a bag which can also contain a respiratory protection mask. The tongue (2) carries a tear primer (3) intended to allow the packaging (1) to be easily opened and the case (4) to be extracted therefrom.
• A case (4) which is in the form of a volume of parallelepiped shape. By way of non-limiting example, it is made of semi-rigid material: PVC 80 hundredths of a mm thick, laminated with polyethylene on the inside. It consists of two half-cases of unequal depth which revolve around a spring hinge (5) at an angle of 180 °. A closing strip (6) disposed on the side opposite the hinge (5), straddling sealing sidewalks (7), keeps the two half-cases facing each other, placed side by side when the 'case (4) is closed in storage, before use. When the closure strip (6) is removed, the case (4) opens alone, thanks to the spring hinge (5); the two half-cases then forming an angle of approximately 180 °.

Figure 3 shows the top and plan view of the open case (4). We observe the presence of a transparent film (8) called "peelable" which initially closes the two half-cases in a completely sealed manner. This seal is obtained by a heat seal of about five mm in width of the film (8) on the sealing sidewalk (7). The lateral strips of the film (8), of widths equal to approximately four to five centimeters, and which are kept folded inside when the case (4) is closed, allow easy gripping of the film (8) during uncapping. .

A first half-case contains on the one hand a glove (9) and on the other hand a device for separately storing two constituents and bringing them into contact at the time of use (10). The glove (9), of the "mitt" type, is shown in plan and in section in FIG. 6. This glove (9) essentially consists of a fabric based on carbon foam (11), used for the manufacture of clothing for "NBC" protection. The outer layers (nylon and cotton) are however adapted so as to satisfy the inherent technological constraints, in particular, the mechanical stresses to which it is subjected during the decontamination operation (resistance to tearing as well as to friction).

Hand protection (gloved or not) is provided internally by a so-called "barrier" material (12) consisting of a synthetic film impermeable to toxic substances, such as an unsaturated polyamide / polyester complex.

In a particular embodiment, an absorbent layer of polypropylene (13), made of non-woven MELTBLOWN type, is interposed between the carbon foam fabric (11) and the barrier material (12).

The different thicknesses of materials (carbon foam fabric, MELTBLOWN absorbent layer, barrier material) are linked together by stitching with the machine on the sides (C1, C2 and C3). The open side (01) through which the hand is introduced into the glove (9) carries a hem on the two thicknesses.

Two closing points with hook-and-loop strips (14) ensure that the glove (9) is fixed to the glove on the hand of use.

The device for separately storing two components and bringing them into contact at the time of use (10) is one of the essential components of the device. It allows the manufacture of a decontaminating solution which degrades quickly over time, in other words which very quickly loses its specific activity, hence the absolute need to use it as soon as it has been prepared . This is a well known first name that is encountered in the implementation of hypochlorites for example.

The device (10) comprises two reservoir tubes, each of them closed at one end; the first male reservoir tube containing one of the constituents enters the second female reservoir containing the other constituent. A very thin cover placed perpendicular to the axis of the female tube ensures perfect sealing at the separation of the two constituents.

The activation, that is to say the placing in communication of the two reservoirs and consequently, the bringing together of the two constituents, is carried out by bringing the male and female tubes together. The end of the male tube, being bevelled according to a particular mode, perforates the cover and maintains it in a position such that the intercommunication between the two reservoirs is complete. During this operation, the balancing of the external and internal pressures is ensured by an orifice of very small diameter in the wall of the male part. The male part, which acts plug for the female tube, is then separated from the latter to recover the solution by flow.

FIG. 7 shows in a particular embodiment the device in section before activation (therefore in storage situation), and FIG. 8 shows the same device after activation.

• Un tube femelle de section circulaire (15) fermé à une extrémité, laquelle est percée d'un orifice (16) équipé d'un moyen amovible de fermeture (17). Un opercule (18) de très faible épaisseur (de l'ordre de deux dixièmes de millimètre), notamment dans le cas où le dispositif est réalisé en matière plastique, est disposé à une distance prédéterminée de l'orifice du tube (15).
• Un tube mâle (19) qui pénètre dans le tube femelle (15), son extrémité ouverte (20) jouxtant l'opercule (18). Cette extrémité est taillée en biseau selon une coupe particulière, laquelle présente un cran (21) en marche d'escalier. L'extrémité fermée du tube mâle (19) porte un épaulement (22) qui sert de butée au tube femelle (15) lorsque l'on rapproche les deux tubes. Un orifice de mise en équipression (23) d'un dixième de millimètre de diamètre est percé perpendiculairement à l'axe à une distance de l'épaulement (22) déterminée en fonction des caractéristiques dimensionnelles de l'ensemble.

With reference to these figures, the device comprises:

• A female tube of circular section (15) closed at one end, which is pierced with an orifice (16) equipped with a removable closure means (17). A cover (18) of very small thickness (of the order of two tenths of a millimeter), in particular in the case where the device is made of plastic, is disposed at a predetermined distance from the orifice of the tube (15).
• A male tube (19) which enters the female tube (15), its open end (20) adjoining the cover (18). This end is cut in a bevel according to a particular cut, which has a notch (21) in staircase step. The closed end of the male tube (19) carries a shoulder (22) which serves as a stop for the female tube (15) when the two tubes are brought together. A fitting port (23) of a tenth of a millimeter in diameter is drilled perpendicular to the axis at a distance from the shoulder (22) determined according to the dimensional characteristics of the assembly.

The reservoir (A) of the male tube (19) is filled by the orifice of this tube which is kept in the vertical position; that of the reservoir (B) of the female tube (15), also maintained in the vertical position, is effected by the orifice (16) then closed by the closing means (17). We then proceed to the interpenetration of the two tubes (15,19), the cover (18) serving as a stop, in the rest position, at the beveled end of the male tube (19).

By way of nonlimiting example, the dimensions of the device (10), in the rest position, are 20 cm for the total length and 2 cm for the outside diameter, the volumes of the tanks (A and B) then being respectively of 7 and 25 cubic centimeters.

By way of nonlimiting example, in this device, the two constituents stored separately in the respective tanks (A and B) and brought into contact at the time of use are respectively water and sodium dichloroisocyanurate. The in situ mixing of the aqueous solution of sodium dichloroisocyanurate and the alkaline solution of sodium borate (impregnating the decontamination towel) constitutes an active decontaminant capable of breaking down the molecules of most toxic chemicals.

The second half-case of the device contains a decontamination towel (24), visible in FIGS. 3 to 5. By way of nonlimiting example, the towel (24), of rectangular shape, measured in the unfolded state 39 cm by 72 cm; its thickness is 50 hundredths of a mm and it is folded over sixteen thicknesses. In a particular and non-limiting embodiment, it has the particularity of being constituted by a non-woven polypropylene material, made very highly hydrophilic by an adequate treatment. It is impregnated with a solution of sodium borate in a strongly basic medium, then it is folded and placed in its half-case. The sealing of the latter is carried out simultaneously with that containing the glove (9) and the device (10) for separately storing two components and bringing them into contact at the time of use.

• déchirer l'emballage (1) à l'endroit où est indiquée, par un marquage par exemple de couleur rouge, l'amorce de déchirure (3) ;
• enlever la baguette de fermeture (6) de l'étui (4), lequel s'ouvre alors comme un livre grâce à l'élasticité de la charnière (5), donnant ainsi accès aux deux demi-étuis operculés par le même film plastique (8) ;
• désoperculer les deux demi-étuis en tirant sur les bandes latérales - destinées à cet effet - du film (8) dit "pelable" qui isole le contenu de l'atmosphère extérieure ;
• retirer le dispositif de forme cylindrique (10) destiné à stocker et à mettre en présence deux constituants ;
• activer ce dispositif (10) en le maintenant d'une main en position verticale, et en tapant fermement avec l'autre main sur son sommet, ce qui provoque l'enfoncement du tube (19) dans le tube (15) et la perforation de l'opercule (18). Il suffit alors de secouer le dispositif (10) pendant deux minutes environ de manière à solubiliser le constituant solide, de retirer le tube mâle (19) (le dispositif étant remis en position verticale) et de verser le contenu sur la serviette (24) placée dans son demi-étui, en s'efforçant toutefois de répartir le liquide d'une manière uniforme sur toute la surface de la serviette et non pas sur une seule partie de celle-ci.

The implementation of the device, for its use, is extremely simple. Just do the following:

• tear the packaging (1) in the place where is indicated, for example by a red marking, the tear primer (3);
• remove the closing strip (6) from the case (4), which then opens like a book thanks to the elasticity of the hinge (5), thus giving access to the two half-cases sealed with the same plastic film (8);
• uncapping the two half-cases by pulling on the side bands - intended for this purpose - of the film (8) called "peelable" which isolates the content of the external atmosphere;
• removing the cylindrical device (10) for storing and bringing together two components;
• activate this device (10) by holding it with one hand in an upright position, and tapping firmly with the other hand on its top, which causes the tube (19) to sink into the tube (15) and puncture of the cover (18). It then suffices to shake the device (10) for about two minutes so as to dissolve the solid component, to remove the male tube (19) (the device being returned to the vertical position) and to pour the contents onto the towel (24) placed in its half-case, trying however to distribute the liquid uniformly over the entire surface of the towel and not on a single part thereof.

• Première phase : avec sa main chaussée du gant (9) contenu dans le premier demi-étui, l'utilisateur exerce d'abord des pressions répétées sur toute la surface du vêtement à décontaminer avant de procéder par essuyage de ladite surface (on peut faire pivoter le gant (9) de 180° autour de la main pour utiliser successivement ses deux faces). Le même processus est répété pour le masque et l'armement.
• Deuxième phase : le combattant se débarrasse alors du gant (9) imprégné du décontaminant chimique, et il prend dans l'autre demi-étui la serviette (24) imprégnée du décontaminant actif et la déplie. Il procède alors d'abord à un essuyage lent mais très soigné de toute la surface de son masque et de son armement en s'efforçant, grâce à la souplesse et à la résistance mécanique du matériau constitutif de la serviette (24), d'atteindre les endroits où le gant (9) n'avait pu pénètrer, et procède ensuite à un essuyage rapide de toute la surface de son vêtement.

The device is then ready to be used by the combatant who proceeds in two successive phases.

• First phase: with his hand wearing the glove (9) contained in the first half-case, the user first exerts repeated pressures on the entire surface of the garment to be decontaminated before proceeding by wiping said surface (it is possible to do rotate the glove (9) 180 ° around the hand to successively use its two sides). The same process is repeated for the mask and the arming.
• Second phase: the combatant then gets rid of the glove (9) impregnated with the chemical decontaminant, and he takes in the other half-case the towel (24) impregnated with the active decontaminant and unfolds it. He then first proceeds to a slow but very careful wiping of the entire surface of his mask and of his armament while striving, thanks to the flexibility and the mechanical resistance of the material constituting the towel (24), to reach the places where the glove (9) could not penetrate, and then proceed to a rapid wiping of the entire surface of his garment.

The glove (9), the towel (24), the case (4) as well as the device (10) for storing and mixing the two constituents are finally placed in a container (flexible bag or other) in order to be recovered and destroyed.

The duration of an individual decontamination operation, as described above, can vary, depending on the operator, from 10 to 20 minutes. The applications of this decontamination device are mainly military, and they can concern the army, the air force and the navy.

Claims (13)

1. An individual decontamination apparatus characterized in that it comprises, inside a common package and/or case (1, 4) both an absorbent mitten-type glove (9) and a separate wiping towel (24) that can be impregnated with an active decontaminant made in situ when needed.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises in the same package and/or case (1, 4) a device (10) serving for the preparation in situ of the active decontaminant provided for impregnating the wiping towel (24).
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is isolated from the ambient atmosphere by a flexible protective package (1) formed of a synthetic-resin film that is impermeable to toxic agents.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that its flexible package (1) has at one end a tongue (2) usable as a gripping handle for extracting the apparatus from a pocket in which it is placed.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the tongue (2) of its flexible package (1) has a tear notch (3) facilitating opening of the package (1).
6. The apparatus according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the flexible package (1) contains a case (4) of semirigid material and parallepipedal shape formed by two hollow case parts interconnected by a spring hinge (5).
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the case (4) comprises along an edge opposite the spring hinge (5) a closing bar (6) straddling seal strips (7) and provided for holding the two case parts snugly against each other prior to use.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the two hollow case parts each have around their edges a seal strip (7) intended to receive a peelable cover film (8) ensuring perfect sealing with respect to the exterior of the internal spaces of the two case parts.
9. The apparatus according to claim 2 and one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that one of the two case parts holds the absorbent glove (9) and the device (10) serving for the in situ preparation of the active decontaminant while the other case part contains the wiping towel (24).
10. The apparatus according to one of claim 1 to 9, characterized in that the absorbent glove (9) is essentially formed by a fabric (11) of carbonized foam and a synthetic-resin film (12) impermeable to the toxic agents and even has an absorbent layer (13) between the carbonized-foam fabric (11) and the impermeable film (12).
11. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the wiping towel (24) is formed of a hydrophilic polypropylene and is impregnated with a heavily basic solution of sodium borate.
12. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the device serving for the in situ preparation of the active decontaminant provided for impregnating the wiping towel (24) is constituted as a device (10) for separately holding two components and combining them when used, mainly for making a decontaminant solution by mixing the two stored components.
13. The apparatus according to both of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the two components sorted separately in separate reservoirs (A, B) of the device (10) are water and sodium dichloroisocyanurate, the in situ mixture of the aqueous solution of sodium dichloroisocyanurate and of the basic sodium-borate solution impregnating the towel (24) constituting the active decontaminant.

Images