EP1859837A2 - Protective clothing for ABC-protection with improved air exchange function - Google Patents

Abstract

A multilayered structure (2) has an outer material (3) and an inner material (4) with a protective function against harmful chemical/biological substances. Ventilation apertures (5) are sealed with a filtering material to allow gas, especially air, to pass through and to absorb harmful chemical/biological substances.

Description

The present invention relates to protective clothing, in particular ABC protective clothing, with improved air exchange function.

In particular, the present invention relates to protective clothing with protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants, in particular for civil or military purposes, such as NBC protective clothing or the like, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for improving the air exchange in protective clothing of the aforementioned type having a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants according to the preamble of claim 21.

There are a number of substances that are absorbed by the skin and cause serious physical injury. As examples, for example, chemical or biological pollutants, in particular warfare agents, such. B. the blistering Lost (yellow cross) and the nerve agent sarin, mentioned. People who can come into contact with such toxins must wear a suitable protective suit or be protected by suitable protective materials against these toxins.

There are basically three types of protective suits: the air- and water-vapor-tight protective suits, which are equipped with a rubber or rubber layer that is impermeable to chemical poisons and very quickly lead to heat build-up, furthermore the air and water vapor permeable protective suits, which offer the highest wearing comfort. and finally, protective suits which are provided with a membrane which generally passes water vapor but not the mentioned poisons.

Thus, ABC protective clothing is traditionally made either of completely impermeable systems (eg suits of butyl rubber) or of selectively permeable systems (eg membrane systems) or of permeable, in particular adsorptive filter systems, preferably based on activated carbon (For example, activated carbon powder, activated carbon fibers, activated carbon grains, activated carbon beads, etc.).

Protective suits against chemical warfare agents, which are intended for prolonged use in a wide variety of conditions, must not lead to heat accumulation in the wearer. Therefore, in the civil and military field, especially in operations in disaster or combat areas, mainly air-permeable materials or at best use the selectively permeable membrane systems.

The air-permeable, permeable protective suits generally have an adsorption layer with activated carbon, which binds the chemical poisons very permanently, so that no danger arises even from heavily contaminated suits for the wearer. The great advantage of this system is that the activated carbon is also accessible on the inside of the suit, so that any penetrated from damage or other leaks poisons can be adsorbed very quickly. The adsorption layer in the previously described, air-permeable, permeable protective suits, for example, designed such that z. B. on average up to about 1.0 mm large activated carbon particles are fixed to printed on a support adhesive patches or points, wherein the adsorption layer is generally supplemented by an 'outer material' (ie a cover material) and at the wearer facing the inside through a lightweight textile material in the form of an inner lining is covered, but occasionally there are also composites containing an activated carbon fiber sheet, such as an activated carbon fiber nonwoven.

Furthermore, protective suits are used, which are equipped with a membrane that is designed to increase the wearing comfort while permeable to water vapor, but at the same time acts as a barrier against liquids and gases, especially toxins. Such a material is for example in the EP 0 827 451 A2 described. However, suits with a permeable to water vapor, but for poisons, especially skin poisons, impermeable membrane but have the disadvantage that at leaks penetrated poisons remain inside the suit and be absorbed by the skin of the wearer. Therefore, protective suits have been designed which membrane and adsorption layer combine with each other (see. WO 2005/049147 A1 ).

Due to the intended protective function of the aforementioned type, the air exchange is made difficult even in the permeable systems, in particular due to the generally thick and dense outer fabric, whereas it does not even exist in the impermeable or selectively permeable systems, especially membrane-based. Because, structurally conditioned and also influenced by the design of the textiles, generally finds the exchange of moisture with the environment from a textile through openings such. B. on neck, arms, legs, etc., instead (an example are Unterarmreißverschlüsse in rain jackets, which should lead to an improved removal of sweat, etc.), whereas in protective suits of the aforementioned type with protective function against biological and chemical toxins, the exchange of air with the environment for reasons of protection must be largely prevented, in particular by a sealing connection just the aforementioned openings in the neck, arms, legs, etc. Thus, for example, in protective suits targeted very tight closures on the head, on the arms, on the legs, etc. used ,

As a result, even with the permeable systems is not always optimal air exchange given, while such air exchange in the impermeable systems z. B. with rubber or rubber layer or in the selectively permeable membrane-based systems not even at all, so that not only the comfort is reduced, but for the wearer of such a protective suit, especially in physical exertion (eg Einsatzgebiet or war zone), also an increased physical load results from this, since no sufficient air and moisture exchange and as a result no sufficient heat removal is possible.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a protective clothing of the aforementioned kind, in particular with a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants, preferably for civilian or military purposes, such as NBC protective clothing or the like, in which the above-described disadvantages of the prior art The technique be at least largely avoided or at least mitigated.

In particular, such a protective garment should have an improved air exchange function and moreover also an improved moisture exchange function (eg for removing sweat, etc.).

The problem described above is achieved in the context of the present invention by a protective clothing according to claim 1. Further, advantageous embodiments of the protective clothing according to the invention are the subject of the relevant subclaims.

Another object of the present invention is a method for improving the air exchange in protective clothing of the aforementioned type according to claim 21.

The Applicant has now surprisingly found that the above-described problem can be solved in an efficient manner by providing the protective clothing in question with at least one ventilation opening which itself sorbs with a gas-permeable, especially air-permeable, chemical and / or biological pollutants protective filter material is closed.

The present invention - according to a first aspect of the present invention - is thus a protective clothing with improved air exchange function and with a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants, especially for civilian or military purposes, such as NBC protective clothing or the like, wherein the protective clothing a multilayer Construction (ie a multi-layer textile construction), which comprises an outer material and a protective function with respect to chemical and / or biological interior material, wherein the protective clothing at least one ventilation opening, with a gas-permeable, in particular air-permeable, chemical and / or biological contaminants sorbent protective material is closed, has.

The terms "outer material" on the one hand and "inner material" on the other hand relate to the wearing state of the protective clothing, ie in the wearing state of the protective clothing, the outer material is thus the wearer of the protective clothing facing away and thus the outer environment facing or hereby in contact, while the inner material in the wearing state faces the wearer and is remote from the external environment (ie, is arranged on the body side). For example, the outer material, as described below, be an outer fabric, while the inner material performs the actual protective function against chemical and / or biological toxins, as described in more detail below.

The inventive construction of the protective clothing according to the present invention improves the air exchange when worn in an efficient manner. At the same time the exchange or removal of moisture, especially sweat, is improved. Therefore, the measure according to the invention leads to a significant improvement in wearing comfort and, under real conditions of use, equally to a reduced physical stress on the wearer of such protective clothing, in particular during physical activity.

As described below, the inventive concept is universally applicable, d. H. both for permeable systems of the aforementioned type as well as for impermeable or selectively permeable systems, in particular membrane systems, of the aforementioned type. While it is sufficient for the permeable, air-permeable systems to provide the outer material with one or more such ventilation openings, one becomes impermeable in case Systems with a membrane arranged on the inside must at least provide the inner material or the membrane with such a ventilation opening in order to ensure an improved exchange of air as well as an improved moisture transport. This will be discussed in detail below.

In the context of the present invention, the term chemical and biological pollutants is understood very broadly and includes any kind of chemical toxicants (eg chemical warfare agents, etc.) and of biological toxins (eg biological warfare agents, such as microorganisms, on carrier particles fixed viruses etc.).

As described above, the ventilation opening (s) provided in the protective clothing according to the invention specifically for improving the air exchange function are or are closed with a protective filter material which is gas-permeable, in particular permeable to air, and sorbs chemical and / or biological pollutants in an efficient manner , in particular adsorbed and / or absorbed, preferably adsorbed.

The term sorption in the context of the present invention refers to a collective term for all processes in which a chemical or biological material is taken up by another material in contact with it, in the present case the chemical and / or biological pollutants by the sorbent protective filter material. Examples of sorption processes are adsorption, absorption, chemisorption and physisorption, persorption, absorption, etc. The sorbed substance is referred to as sorbate and the sorbent substance as sorbent, sorbent, sorbent, etc. According to the invention, the sorption preferably takes place by means of adsorption and / or absorption, preferably by means of adsorption. For more details on the term sorption and the adsorption, absorption, etc., for example Römpp Chemielexikon, 10th edition, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart / New York , there the relevant keywords: "sorption", "adsorption", "absorption" etc., and to the literature referenced there are referenced.

As described above, a special feature of the present invention is the fact that the protective clothing is provided with at least one ventilation opening for improving the air exchange and the moisture and heat removal, which in turn with the gas-permeable, especially air-permeable, chemical and / or or biological contaminants sorbing protective filter material is sealed. The closing of the ventilation opening is generally carried out in such a way that at least the ventilation opening is closed or filled even with the protective filter material in question. In general, however, it is provided that the aforementioned sorbent protective filter material not only closes the ventilation opening as such, but also extends beyond the edges of the ventilation opening: For example, in a permeable protective clothing, the ventilation opening in the outer material attached, it is the inside of the outer material with the sorbent protective filter material deposit or, as it were, backfilled (eg., By inside fastening of the protective filter material to the outer material in the ventilation opening and beyond), so that on the one hand the vent itself is closed and on the other the edge areas of the ventilation opening with the protective filter material deposited or ventilated. In this way it is prevented that chemical and / or biological pollutants at the edges of the ventilation opening undesirably diffuse past the sorbent protective filter material or can flow past and thus reach the wearer of the protective clothing.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Schutzbekleidung in Form eines zweiteiligen Schutzanzugs, der im Brustbereich des Oberteils, insbesondere einer Jacke, und im Oberschenkelbereichs des Unterteils, insbesondere einer Hose, mit Belüftungsöffnungen versehen ist, wobei der im Kreis dargestellte Vergrößerungsausschnitt eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch den mehrschichtigen Aufbau bzw. die mehrlagige Konstruktion des erfindungsgemäßen Bekleidungsstücks wiedergibt;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Schutzbekleidung in Form eines Oberteils, insbesondere einer Jacke, die im Bereich des Rückens mit einer erfindungsgemäß vorgesehenen Belüftungsöffnung vorgesehen ist, wobei der im Kreis dargestellte Vergrößerungsausschnitt eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch den mehrschichtigen Aufbau bzw. die mehrlagige Konstruktion des erfindungsgemäßen Bekleidungsstücks wiedergibt;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch eine erfindungemäße Schutzbekleidung im Bereich der Belüftungsöffnung, wobei der im Kreis dargestellte Vergrößerungsausschnitt eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch das die Belüftungsöffnung verschließende Schutzmaterial wiedergibt.

Further advantageous properties, aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment shown in FIGS. It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a protective clothing according to the invention in the form of a two-piece protective suit, which is provided in the chest area of the upper part, in particular a jacket, and in the thigh area of the lower part, in particular a pair of pants, with ventilation openings, wherein the magnification shown in the circle is a schematic sectional view through the multilayer structure or reproduces the multi-layer construction of the garment according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a protective clothing according to the invention in the form of an upper part, in particular a jacket, which is provided in the region of the back with a ventilation opening provided according to the invention, wherein the enlargement section shown in the circle represents a schematic sectional view through the multilayer structure or the multi-layer construction of the garment according to the invention ;

Fig. 3

a schematic sectional view through a protective clothing according to the invention in the region of the ventilation opening, wherein the enlargement section shown in the circle represents a schematic sectional view through the protective material occluding the ventilation opening.

Fig. 1 and 2 show schematically a protective clothing 1 according to the invention with improved air exchange function and moisture exchange function, wherein the protective clothing 1 is equipped or equipped with a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants. These are in particular protective clothing for civil or military purposes, such as NBC protective clothing or the like. The protective clothing 1 has a multi-layered structure 2, the multi-layered structure 2 comprising an outer material 3 and an inner material 4 equipped with a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants. As described below, the inner material 4 equipped with a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants may either be a permeable (ie air-permeable) system, in particular based on an adsorption filter material (eg activated carbon, in particulate form and fixed) an air permeable textile backing), or alternatively an air impermeable system, i. H. that is, either an impermeable (i.e., air, water, and water vapor impermeable) system, particularly rubber or rubber based, or a selectively permeable (i.e., air and water impermeable, but water vapor permeable) system, particularly membrane based.

As can be seen from the figure representations (FIGS. 1 to 3), the protective clothing 1 has at least one ventilation opening 5, wherein the ventilation opening 5 is closed with a protective gas-permeable, in particular air-permeable, chemical and / or biological pollutants sorbing protective filter material 6. In this regard, reference may be made to the above statements.

As far as the outer material 3 is concerned, it is generally gas-permeable, in particular air-permeable. In general, the outer material 3 is a textile sheet material, in particular a woven, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, scrim, a textile composite, a nonwoven or a non-woven fabric. Preferably, the outer material 3 is a flexible textile fabric, in particular in the form of an outer fabric. To improve the protective function, in particular to prevent the penetration of larger droplets of chemical and / or biological pollutants, It can also be provided to provide the outer material 3 with an impregnation, in particular the outer material 3 to oleo- and / or hydrophobic.

In order to ensure a significantly improved air exchange function in the protective clothing 1 according to the invention, it is preferred according to the invention if the gas permeability, in particular the air permeability of the protective filter material 6 at least 1.5 times, in particular at least twice, preferably at least 3 times, more preferably at least 5 times which corresponds to gas permeability, in particular air permeability, of the outer material 3.

To ensure a good air exchange function, it is advantageous if the protective filter material 6, for example, at a flow resistance of 127 Pascal an air permeability of at least 10 l · m ^-2 · s ^-1 , in particular at least 30 l · m ^-2 · s ^-1 , preferably at least 50 l · m ^-2 · s ^-1 , particularly preferably at least 100 l · m ^-2 · s ^-1 , very particularly preferably at least 400 l · m ^-2 · s ^-1 .

As far as the gas-permeable, in particular air-permeable, chemical and / or biological pollutants sorbing protective filter material 6 is concerned, this generally comprises a sorbent material 7 sorbing, in particular adsorbing and / or absorbing, preferably adsorbing chemical and / or biological pollutants (cf. 3). In particular, the sorbent material 7 may be selected from the group of activated carbon; zeolites; inorganic oxides, especially silicas, silica gels and aluminas; Molecular sieves; mineral granules; clathrates; as well as their mixtures. Activated carbon is particularly preferred according to the invention. Preferably, the sorption material 7 is particulate, in particular granular, preferably at least substantially spherical, or fiber-shaped. In the case of a fibrous formation of the sorbent material 7, it is preferred that the sorbent material fibers (eg, activated carbon fibers) form a sheet.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the protective filter material 6 sorbing as chemical and / or biological pollutants, in particular adsorbing and / or absorbing, preferably adsorbing, sorbent material 7 activated carbon, preferably in the form of Aktivkohlekömem, preferably activated carbon spheres. Preferred average particle diameters of the activated carbon grains, preferably activated carbon spheres, are in the range of 0.01 to 2.0 mm, in particular 0.05 to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mm.

According to the invention, it is preferred if the activated carbon used as the preferred sorbent 7 (irrespective of whether the activated carbon is used as particles, such as, for example, activated carbon grains or activated carbon spheres, or as fibers, for example activated carbon fiber sheets) has a specific surface area ( BET surface area) of at least 500 g / m ² , in particular at least 750 g / m ² , preferably at least 1,000 g / m ² , more preferably at least 1,200 g / m ² , preferably in the range of 500 to 2,500 g / m ² , in particular 750 to 2,250 g / m ² , preferably 900 to 2,000 g / m ² , particularly preferably 1,000 to 1,750 g / m ² .

If activated carbon in the form of activated carbon grains, in particular activated carbon beads, is used as sorption material 7, these advantageously have a bursting pressure of at least 5 Newton, in particular at least 10 Newton, preferably in the range from 5 Newton to 20 Newton, per particle a high mechanical strength, in particular a high abrasion resistance, the activated carbon grains or beads is given.

Irrespective of whether it is used in granular or spherical form or else in fiber form, the activated carbon used according to the invention as a preferred sorption material advantageously has a total _{adsorption volume} V _ads of at least 200 cm ³ / g, in particular at least 300 cm ³ / g, preferably at least 350 cm ³ / g, more preferably at least 400 cm ³ / g, which is in particular in the range of 250 to 1000 cm ³ / g, preferably 300 to 900 cm ³ / g, preferably 350 to 750 cm ³ / g. Particularly preferred is an activated carbon having a high specific micropore surface area, in particular having a high micropore surface area, preferably at least 70%, in particular at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, based on pore diameters ≤ 25 Å, based on the total specific surface area (BET ) of the activated carbon.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention - as shown in Fig. 3 (see magnification section) - is the sorbent material 7 sorbing the chemical and / or biological pollutants, in particular adsorbing and / or absorbing, preferably adsorbing, on a support 8, in particular on a flat carrier material or, preferably, on a three-dimensional carrier structure. This can be done for example by gluing. For this purpose, either an adhesive is used or a possible self-tackiness of the carrier 8 (for example heat-stickiness of, for example, PU foams) is used. In the case of fixation care should be taken that the sorbent material 7 is not completely covered by adhesive so that it is freely accessible to the pollutants to be sorbed. At least 60%, preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 80%, very particularly preferably at least 90%, of the available surface of the sorption material 7 for the pollutants to be adsorbed is advantageously accessible or not covered by adhesive during fixing.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the protective filter material 6 comprises a carrier 8, in particular a three-dimensional support structure, in the form of a foam structure, in particular foam structure, to which the sorption material 7 is fixed or fixed. This embodiment is shown in the enlargement section of FIG. 3. The carrier 8, in particular the three-dimensional support structure, can be designed in particular as a preferably open-pore and / or open-cell foam, in particular foam. A suitable support 8, in particular a suitable three-dimensional support structure, is, for example, a preferably open-pore and / or open-cell foam based on at least one organic polymer, in particular based on polyurethanes, polyolefins, polystyrenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyisocyanurates and formaldehyde resins, particularly preferably a polyurethane foam. Particularly preferred according to the invention is an open-pored and / or open-cell foam based on polyurethane ("PU foam") to which the particulate sorption material 7 is fixed.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the protective filter material 6 used is a material which has an open-pored and / or open-celled Foam, in particular polyurethane foam, as a support 8, on which the sorption material 7 in the form of activated carbon particles, in particular activated carbon grains, preferably activated carbon beads, is fixed, preferably by means of gluing. In particular, the activated carbon with the aforementioned properties is used. The loading amount of the foam or foam with activated carbon particles is advantageously in the range of 0.001 to 10 g / cm ³ , in particular 0.01 to 5 g / cm ³ , preferably 0.1 to 1 g / cm ³ . Such a foam material loaded with activated carbon particles and its production are, for example, from the German patent application DE 28 04 154 B1 The entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

A material suitable for protection according to the invention 6 suitable material based on a foam loaded with activated carbon particles can be prepared, for example, that first the foam is impregnated with a preferably thermosetting adhesive, then excess adhesive is squeezed off and then the support structure are sprinkled with activated carbon grains, which then in The open pores or open cells of the foam trickle and are fixed there by the adhesive, followed by a subsequent heat treatment to cure the adhesive. This is known from the prior art as such to the person skilled in the art.

The three-dimensional support structure 8, in particular the foam or foam, is in this embodiment of the protective filter material 6 in particular designed to be flexible and / or compressible. Preferably, a three-dimensional support structure 8 is an elastic, in particular elastically deformable, foam or foam, preferably PU foam. As a result, a certain flexibility in wearing or under load is achieved.

For further details on the concept of the foam and the foam, for example, reference may be made to Römpp Chemielexikon, 10th edition, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart / New York , Keywords: "foams", "soft foams", "integral skin foams" and "foam", as well as on the literature referenced there.

According to an alternative embodiment, instead of a three-dimensional support structure, a planar support material, in particular a textile surface material (eg a woven, knitted, knitted, laid, nonwoven or non-woven fabric) may be used for the protective filter material 6 which then - preferably by means of gluing - activated carbon particles of the aforementioned type are fixed. However, this alternative embodiment is less preferred according to the invention. In this embodiment, the adsorption capacity and thus the protective function of the protective filter material 6 can be increased by folding the flat, preferably strip-shaped carrier material applied to the sorption material 7 (eg activated carbon), in particular folded several times (ie to two or more more superimposed or superimposed layers of the support material is folded), preferably in the form of a zigzag-shaped fold; As a result of the folding, there are superposed, as it were, a plurality of layers of the sheet-like carrier material applied to the sorption material 7, which must all be flowed through before the air penetrates into the interior of the protective clothing 1. Such folded filter structures are known to the person skilled in the art as such from the prior art (cf. DE 197 01 658 A1 or DE 195 05 174 B4 ). Alternatively, several unconnected layers of the sheet carrier material acted upon by the sorption material 7 can be superimposed in the same way, but this is less preferred according to the invention.

To improve the protective function against pollutant particles or pollutant aerosols, it may also be provided to equip the protective filter material 6, preferably in the wearing state on the outside, with a particle and / or aerosol filter layer, preferably a particle and aerosol filter layer, preferably in the form of a textile fabric (in US Pat Figures not shown). Particle and / or aerosol filter layers are generally known to the person skilled in the art, so that it is not necessary to discuss further details in this regard. According to the invention, it is preferred if the optionally used particle and / or aerosol filter layer has an average efficiency E _m according to DIN EN 779 (July 1993) of at least 40%, in particular at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, particularly preferably at least 90%, completely more preferably at least 95% or more. In particular, the optionally available particle and / or aerosol filter layer at an inflow rate of 0.1 m / s, an average deposition rate with respect to particles and / or aerosols with diameters in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 μm of at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, preferably at least 95% , exhibit. It is preferred if the optionally present particle and / or aerosol filter layer at an inflow velocity of 0.1 m / s has an average deposition rate of at least 95% relative to particles and / or aerosols with diameters ≥ 2 μm, in particular ≥ 1.5 μm. , in particular at least 98%, preferably at least 99%.

Furthermore, provision may be made to provide the protective filter material 6, in particular on the inside and / or outside, with a preferably grid-like, air-permeable cover (not equally shown in the figures). The preferably grid-like, air-permeable cover can on the one hand serve to reinforce the protective filter material 6. On the other hand, it can protect the protective filter material 6 from coarse contamination and thus from unwanted clogging.

According to the invention, it is preferred if the ventilation opening 5 is slit-like, in particular in the form of a slot running horizontally in the wearing state. Depending on the number of ventilation openings 5, the width of the slot can vary within wide ranges: In general, such ventilation slots 5 have a slot width of 1 to 30 cm, preferably 2 to 20 cm, in particular 3 to 10 cm.

The course of the ventilation opening 5, in particular in the case of a slit-like design, may in principle be horizontal or vertical in the wearing state of the protective clothing 1; However, a horizontal course of the ventilation opening 5 is preferred, since in this case there is a reduced mechanical load, in particular a reduced tensile stress, in the worn state.

In order to increase the resistance of the protective clothing 1 according to the invention, provision may be made for the ventilation opening 5 to be reinforced with respect to mechanical stress, in particular with regard to tensile stress. This can be done, for example, by stabilizing or reinforcing the edge of the ventilation opening 5 (eg by sewing over, applying a additional, in particular reinforcing material to the edge of the opening, etc.). In the case of slit-like ventilation openings 5, a reinforcement can be provided, for example, at least in the region of the corners of the slot, because there the greatest mechanical stress, in particular the greatest tensile stress, is present in the wearing state.

In general, the ventilation opening 5 is formed such that the main air inlet direction or the main Luftanströmrichtung with respect to the ventilation opening 5 in the wearing state of the protective clothing 1 at least substantially parallel to the outer material 3 and / or at least substantially vertically.

According to a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the protective clothing 1 is provided with a plurality of ventilation openings 5, in particular with at least two ventilation openings 5.

In the event that the protective clothing 1 is an upper part, in particular a jacket, or a one-piece suit, in particular in the form of an overalls, is used, the ventilation openings 5 are or are in the worn state in the chest and / or or back area, preferably at least in the chest area, arranged (see Fig. 1 and 2). In the event that it is in the protective clothing 1 according to the invention to a lower part, especially a pair of pants, or a whole-piece suit, especially in the form of an overalls, also one or more ventilation openings 5 may be arranged in the thigh area in the worn state.

As described above, the inventive concept can be applied to both permeable and impermeable or selectively permeable (i.e., air-permeable and air-impermeable) garments.

In the case of a permeable, ie air-permeable protective clothing 1, the inner material 4 is permeable to air and comprises in particular a gas-permeable, in particular air-permeable, adsorbent adsorbent material adsorbing chemical and / or biological pollutants, the adsorptive filter material comprising, for example, an adsorbent adsorbing chemical and / or biological pollutants, in particular activated carbon, prefers fixed to a particular textile sheet material comprises. In this case, the activated carbon in the form of activated carbon fibers, in particular in the form of an activated carbon fiber sheet, or more preferably in the form of activated carbon grains, preferably activated carbon beads present. In this case, preferably the same activated carbon as used for the protective filter material 6, so that in this regard can be made to the above statements. Such permeable or air-permeable protective clothing is known from the prior art (cf. DE 33 04 349 A1 and the initially described prior art).

In the case of a permeable or air-permeable protective clothing 1 of the aforementioned type, it is sufficient to provide the outer material 3 with one or more ventilation openings 5. This embodiment is shown in FIG. In this case, the ventilation openings 5 can be formed or arranged in particular in an overlapping area of the outer material 3, as shown in FIG. In general, the preferably slit-like ventilation openings 5 are or are covered in the wearing state on the outside by an overlapping material piece of the outer material 3, d. H. the overlap is such that a louver remains between the overlapping pieces of material of the outer material 3, which then allows the passage of air. In this embodiment, the protective filter material 6 is preferably connected to the outer material 3, in particular on its inner side, or fixed therewith (eg by gluing, stitching, stapling etc.), as shown in FIG.

In the event that an airtight protective clothing 1 of the type described (ie either an impermeable, so an air, water and wasserdampfundurchlässiges system, especially on rubber or rubber base, or a selectively permeable, so an air and water impermeable but permeable to water vapor), in particular an air-impermeable, selectively permeable system, in particular membrane-based, the inner material 4 has a chemical and / or biological pollutants at least substantially impermeable and at least substantially water and air impermeable layer, which in the case of membrane systems advantageously is formed water vapor permeable and in the case of completely impermeable system z. On rubber or rubber base is also water vapor impermeable. Such protective clothing constructions are also known to those skilled in the art as such. In this embodiment, at least the inner material 4 is provided with one or more ventilation openings 5 (not shown in the figures). In this case, the ventilation openings 5 are advantageously formed or arranged in an overlapping region of the inner material 4, ie the ventilation openings 5 are covered in this embodiment in the wearing state on the outside by an overlapping piece of material of the inner material 4, wherein the overlap is such that a louver between the overlapping pieces of material remains, which allows the passage of air. In this embodiment, the protective filter material 6 is preferably connected to the inner material 4, in particular on its inner side (eg by gluing, sewing, stapling etc.). In this embodiment, in addition, the outer material 3 may be provided with one or more ventilation openings 5, in particular in overlapping areas of the outer material 3 (ie the ventilation openings 5 are then covered on the outside by an overlapping piece of material of the outer material 3, as described above for the permeable systems).

As a result, the inventive concept due to the increased air exchange and consequently the increased heat dissipation and additionally the improved moisture exchange or transport to a significantly increased comfort - and this without reducing the protection performance - the concept of the invention universally on both permeable (ie air-permeable) or selectively permeable (ie, air impermeable, but water vapor permeable), such as impermeable (ie, air and water vapor impermeable) systems.

In permeable protective clothing systems can be promoted without reducing the protection performance, an exchange of air and thus a release of sweat to the environment by, for example, in the chest area and / or in the back preferably horizontal or horizontal, preferably with textile overlapping vents z. B. be incorporated in the form of slots, which are filled to obtain the protective effect, for example, with an activated charcoal-laden foam, so that the air exchange takes place exclusively on this foam, wherein the Increased protection against biological toxins, especially particles and aerosols, the activated charcoal-laden foam can be additionally covered on the inside and / or outside with a particle filtration fleece. Purely permeable, biological and / or chemical protective suits conventionally consist of two layers, an outer fabric and an activated charcoal filter material connected only at the seams to the outer fabric as lining material; the described construction can be installed in both layers of the protective suit. But since the filter material is generally very permeable to air, it is sufficient for wearing comfort reasons, incorporate the slot-like ventilation holes exclusively in the outer fabric and lined with the activated carbon-laden fabric.

In the case of impermeable systems (i.e., in the case of airtight protective clothing), semipermeable membranes (eg, air and water impermeable, but water vapor permeable membranes) or impermeable films are laminated to the outer fabric and optionally provided with another activated carbon layer as the filter material. Even with the use of these impermeable materials, it is possible to maintain the protective effect of a protective suit against biological and / or chemical pollutants, if in the membrane or sheet material slit-like ventilation holes are incorporated, which overlap and filled with an activated charcoal-loaded foam so that the Air exchange can only be done by the activated carbon loaded foam material.

As a result, in the context of the present invention, it is possible to achieve increased wearing comfort by increasing the air exchange function and the moisture removal function, whereby the physical stress on the wearer, in particular during strenuous physical activities, is likewise reduced in the wearing state.

Another object of the present invention - according to a second aspect of the present invention - is a method for improving the air exchange in protective clothing 1 with protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants, in particular for civilian or military purposes, such as NBC protective clothing or the like the protective clothing 1 has a multi-layered structure 2, which is a Outer material 3 and equipped with a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants interior material 4 comprises. The inventive method is characterized in that the protective clothing 1 is provided with at least one ventilation opening 5 for improving the air exchange and / or improving the moisture removal, wherein the ventilation opening 5 with a gas-permeable, in particular air-permeable, chemical and / or biological contaminants sorbent protective filter material is closed. For further details of the method according to the invention can - to avoid unnecessary repetition - refer to the above statements on the protective clothing according to the invention, which apply mutatis mutandis with respect to the method according to the present invention.

Further embodiments, embodiments, modifications, modifications and / or variations of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present description without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

Protective clothing (1) having a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants, in particular for civil or military purposes, such as NBC protective clothing or the like, wherein the protective clothing (1) has a multilayer structure (2), the multilayer structure (2) Outer material (3) and an inner material (4) equipped with a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants,
characterized,
in that the protective clothing (1) has at least one ventilation opening (5), wherein the ventilation opening (5) is closed with a gas-permeable, in particular air-permeable, protective chemical filter material (6) sorbing chemical and / or biological pollutants. Protective clothing according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer material (3) is permeable to gas, in particular permeable to air, and / or that the outer material (3) is a textile sheet material, in particular a woven, knitted, knitted, laid, nonwoven or nonwoven fabric. Woven, is and / or that the outer material (3) is a flexible textile fabric, in particular in the form of an outer fabric, and / or that the outer material (3) is equipped with an impregnation and / or that the outer material (3) oleo- and / or hydrophobicized. Protective clothing according to claim 1 and / or 2, characterized in that the gas permeability, in particular air permeability, of the protective filter material (6) at least 1.5 times, in particular at least twice, preferably at least 3 times, more preferably at least 5 times, the gas permeability, especially air permeability, of the outer material (3) corresponds. Protective clothing according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective filter material (6) comprises a sorbent material (7) that absorbs chemical and / or biological contaminants, in particular adsorbing and / or absorbing, preferably adsorbing material, in particular wherein the sorption material (7) is selected from the group of activated carbon; zeolites; inorganic oxides, especially silicas, silica gels and aluminas; Molecular sieves; mineral granules; clathrates; and their mixtures and particularly preferably activated carbon and / or in particular wherein the sorption material (7) is particulate, in particular granular, preferably at least substantially spherical, or else fiber-shaped. Protective clothing according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective filter material (6) comprises a sorption material (7) sorbing, in particular adsorbing and / or absorbing, preferably adsorbing chemical and / or biological pollutants, the sorption material (7) being activated carbon , in particular in the form of activated carbon grains, preferably activated carbon spheres, in particular wherein the mean particle diameter of the activated carbon grains, preferably activated carbon spheres, in the range of 0.01 to 2.0 mm, in particular 0.05 to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mm. Protective clothing according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective filter material (6) comprises a sorption material (7) sorbing, in particular adsorbing and / or absorbing, preferably adsorbing chemical and / or biological pollutants, the sorption material (7) a carrier (8), in particular on a flat carrier material or preferably on a three-dimensional support structure, is fixed, preferably by means of gluing. Protective clothing according to claim 6, characterized in that the support (8), in particular the three-dimensional support structure, is a foam structure and / or that the support (8), in particular the three-dimensional support structure, a particularly open-pore and / or open-cell foam, in particular foam, is and / or that the carrier (8), in particular the three-dimensional support structure, a particular open-cell and / or open-cell foam based on at least one organic polymer, in particular based on polyurethanes, polyolefins, polystyrenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyisocyanurates and formaldehyde resins, particularly preferably a Polyurethane foam, and most preferably a particular open-cell and / or open-cell foam based on polyurethane (PU foam) is. Protective clothing according to Claim 6 and / or 7, characterized in that the protective filter material (6) is a sorbent material (7) sorbing, in particular adsorbing and / or absorbing, preferably adsorbing, chemical and / or biological pollutants in the form of activated carbon particles, in particular activated carbon grains, preferably Activated carbon beads, wherein the activated carbon particles are fixed to an open-cell and / or open-cell foam, in particular polyurethane foam, as a carrier (8), preferably by means of gluing, in particular wherein the loading amount of the foam with activated carbon 0.001 to 10 g / cm ³ , in particular 0, 01 to 5 g / cm ³ , preferably 0.1 to 1 g / cm ³ , and / or that the three-dimensional support structure, in particular the foam, preferably the foam, is flexible and / or compressible and / or that the foam , preferably foam, elastic, in particular elastically deformable, is. Protective clothing according to claim 6, characterized in that the carrier (8), in particular the flat carrier material, is a textile sheet material, in particular a woven, knitted, knitted, laid, nonwoven or non-woven fabric, and / or that the backing ( 8), in particular the flat carrier material, folded, in particular folded several times, preferably in the form of a zigzag folding. Protective clothing according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective filter material (6), preferably on the outside, is provided with a particle and / or aerosol filter layer, in particular in the form of a textile fabric, and / or in that the protective filter material (6), in particular inside and / or outside, is provided with a preferably grid-like, air-permeable cover. Protective clothing according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation opening (5) is slit-like, in particular in the form of a slit running horizontally in the wearing state, and / or that the course of the ventilation opening (5) in the wearing state of the protective clothing (1) horizontally or vertically, preferably horizontally, is formed and / or that the ventilation opening (5) against mechanical stress, in particular against tensile stress, is reinforced. Protective clothing according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air inlet direction and / or Luftanströmrichtung with respect to the ventilation opening (5) in the wearing state at least substantially parallel to the outer material (3) and / or in the worn state is at least substantially vertical. Protective clothing according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective clothing (1) has a plurality of ventilation openings (5), in particular at least two ventilation openings (5), and / or in that the ventilation opening (s) (5) in the worn state Chest and / or back, preferably at least in the chest area, is arranged and / or that and the ventilation opening (s) (5) is arranged in the thigh area in the worn state or are. Protective clothing according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the inner material (4) is a gas-permeable, in particular air-permeable, adsorbent adsorbent material that absorbs chemical and / or biological pollutants. Protective clothing according to claim 14, characterized in that the adsorption filter material comprises a chemical and / or biological pollutants adsorbing adsorbent, in particular activated carbon, preferably fixed to a particular textile sheet material, in particular wherein the activated carbon in the form of activated carbon fibers, in particular in the form of an activated carbon fiber sheet, or particularly preferably in the form of activated carbon grains, preferably activated carbon beads. Protective clothing according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the outer material (3) is provided with one or more ventilation openings (5), in particular wherein the ventilation opening (s) (5) is formed or arranged in an overlapping area of the outer material (3) and / or in particular wherein the ventilation opening (s) (5) is covered on the outside by an overlapping material piece of the outer material (3) and / or in particular wherein the protective filter material (6) is connected to the outer material (3), preferably on the inside. Protective clothing according to one or more of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the inner material (4) has a layer which is at least substantially impermeable to chemical and / or biological pollutants and at least essentially water and air impermeable, in particular the membrane Layer, preferably membrane, water vapor permeable is formed. Protective clothing according to claim 17, characterized in that at least the inner material (4) is provided with one or more ventilation openings (5), in particular wherein the ventilation opening (s) (5) are formed in an overlapping region of the inner material (4) or is and / or in particular the ventilation opening (s) (5) is covered on the outside by an overlapping piece of material of the inner material (4) and / or in particular wherein the protective filter material (6) is covered by the inner material (4) is connected, preferably on the inside. Protective clothing according to claim 17 and / or 18, characterized in that additionally the outer material (3) is provided with one or more ventilation openings (5), in particular wherein the ventilation opening (s) (5) are formed in an overlapping area of the outer material (3) or is and / or in particular the ventilation opening (s) (5) is covered on the outside by an overlapping piece of material of the outer material (3) and / or in particular wherein the protective filter material (6) is connected to the outer material (3) is connected, preferably on the inside. Method for improving the air exchange in protective clothing (1) with a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants, in particular for civil or military purposes, such as NBC protective clothing or the like, wherein the protective clothing (1) has a multilayer structure (2), wherein the multilayer structure (2) comprises an outer material (3) and an inner material (4) equipped with a protective function against chemical and / or biological pollutants,
characterized,
in that the protective clothing (1) is provided with at least one ventilation opening (5), wherein the ventilation opening (5) is closed with a gas-permeable, in particular air-permeable, protective chemical filter material (6) sorbing chemical and / or biological pollutants.

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