FR3126285A1 - Protective suit including undressing openings - Google Patents

Abstract

The protective suit (100) for a person comprises: - a main part and - a fully removable band (36) having predetermined contours extending from a collar (17) of the suit to the lower extremities of the legs left and right (19) of the combination. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Protective suit including undressing openings

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the protection of operators in a dirty, dangerous, or contaminating or likely to be environment, in particular against radioactive particles, or of any other nature, for example of chemical, biological or pharmacological origin, that these particles are deposited on surfaces or suspended in the surrounding gas, for example in the air.

By “contaminated” or “contaminant” is meant, for example, an environment in which radioactive particles likely to come into contact with personnel operating in the facilities are dispersed. The invention also applies to a dirty environment in which the personnel wish to protect themselves from dirt, or to an environment in which substances presenting a risk to health, such as a virus, are dispersed.

It thus relates to an individual protective suit and a method of protection. In the following, the combination is also called overstressed.

STATE OF THE ART

In nuclear power plants, checks and maintenance of the various equipment are programmed. In some rooms, operators may be subjected to ionizing radiation. These areas are called controlled areas. They are classified according to the nature of their dangerousness and comply with strict rules in order to protect the operator. One of these risks is contamination. This is radioactive material which can be disseminated in the air and on the floor of a room in the event of a circuit opening. All measures are taken to ensure that the operator cannot ingest or inhale these radioactive particles. Depending on the surface activity measured (indicator of the rate of contamination) in each room, the operator must respect the rules for dressing and undressing.

The operator's usual work clothes can be his personal clothes such as work overalls, or an imposed universal outfit, for example a T-shirt, a pair of socks, an overall, a pair of cotton gloves, a cap and a helmet, a pair of shoes.

For interventions in a controlled area including contaminated areas, he must wear over his work clothes a non-woven paper coverall or overgarment such as those of the manufacturer Tyvek. Current oversleeves are used universally on a fleet of power plants for all types of trades and environments. They mainly guarantee imperviousness to contamination during activities in contaminated areas.

In general, when the operator must carry out an intervention in one of the said contaminated zones, he first puts on over his work clothes the overshoes, gloves, and according to the practices of the site either over-boots flexible over work shoes or overshoes mainly covering the feet.

The general practice is to:

- enter a controlled area in universal clothing for surface contamination of less than 4 Bq/cm², and

- enter a controlled area in universal clothing by putting on over the overshoes if the surface contamination is between 4 and 400 Bq/cm².

A particular recent practice, which is increasingly widespread in nuclear power plants, consists of:

- enter a controlled area in work clothes worn outside the controlled area, which implies having set a surface contamination limit, for example less than 0.4 Bq/cm², and

- enter a controlled area, keeping or not the said work clothes worn outside the controlled area, by putting on over the overshoes if the surface contamination is for example between 0.4 and 400 Bq/cm².

Whatever the practice, general or particular, above 400 Bq/cm², the operator must wear a ventilated helmet, for example protection covering the whole of the head down to the base of the neck, or even the above his overshoe a ventilated waterproof outfit, for example protection covering the whole body.

A process is defined for the dressing and undressing phases so that the worker cannot become contaminated during undressing. However, physical and health safety issues associated with the undressing phase have been identified. Indeed, when the worker wants to leave a contaminated area to reach an area that he is not, he must remove the suit, the gloves and the overboots without contaminating his own clothes worn underneath. In doing so, he must consecutively cross a border, materialized for example by an easel, to pass into an uncontaminated zone.

Although it has proven itself in terms of radiation protection, this crossing is not always easy for the operator and can lead to inconvenience. Indeed, this phase of undressing requires him to carry out a series of technical gestures consisting of rolling up the suit on itself in order to contain the contamination then removing each of the trouser legs while remaining alternately on one foot and leaning over. It was observed during the tests carried out at EDF that over an average duration of 55 seconds that the undressing operation lasts, the worker is on one foot 8 times, therefore in an unbalanced posture, and he remains leaning over at 45 for 40 seconds. ° in relation to his legs, which is considered to be a very restrictive posture in terms of arduousness. Even if the workers are trained in the execution of this process, the fact remains that deviations are observed (non-rolling of the suit or cracking of it from the crotch to free the legs) especially when the space where the zone jump is located is cramped. This non-compliance with the process ultimately leads to conventional prevention risks (falls, etc.) but also to risks of contamination transfer (re-suspension of particles contaminated by the cracking of the clothing, soil contamination if the suit is not is not rolled up on itself). In addition, it is important to consider the time pressure relating to the performance of certain operations for which the worker must repeatedly enter and leave the contaminated zone. The undressing time in an optimal security context is also an important element to take into account.

There are coverall opening solutions like the one mentioned above (so-called "paper" clothing of the Tyvek type) implemented in nuclear facilities. It consists of having only one zipper that starts at the top of the collar and ends at the crotch. This closure is used both for opening and closing the suit. It consists of two bands each comprising a series of teeth, each of the teeth collaborating with a space between the teeth of the facing band, the collaboration being caused by the action of a slider which intertwines the teeth by forcing.

The disadvantages of such a combination mainly focus on the undressing phase. Due to its design, it requires multiple technical gestures in order to avoid contamination. However, it induces very restrictive postures combined with a relatively long duration of undressing which leads to risks in the field of conventional safety (fall following an imbalance at the time of undressing, restrictive posture vis-à-vis the strain, etc.) . In fact, even if the process implemented has the objective of not contaminating oneself, it is in particular because of the conventional security risk induced that it is potentially possible to contaminate oneself.

An object of the invention is therefore to avoid awkward positions which induce both conventional risks (falls, etc.) and risks of contamination, and to reduce the duration of undressing while maintaining optimal protection against classical and radiological risks.

To this end, provision is made according to the invention for a protective suit for one person,

the combination comprising:

- a main part and

- a fully removable band having predetermined contours extending from a collar of the suit to the lower ends of the left and right legs of the suit.

Thus, to remove the suit, the band is fully detached from the main part, then the rest of the suit is removed from the person through the large opening left free by the band. These operations can easily be carried out by the operator himself. The invention allows him to stay on his two legs throughout the undressing phase, thus avoiding awkward postures (being on one foot and remaining bent over approximately three quarters of the time of undressing). The invention also makes it possible to carry out the undressing in a very short time. The undressing time can thus be reduced to 10 seconds on average, which is much less than the 55 seconds currently observed for this in nuclear installations. The invention is particularly effective in avoiding contamination of the worker by himself and contamination of third-party operators and premises during undressing.

Provision can be made for the suit to be arranged so that the band detaches from the rest of the suit under the effect of pulling on the band, in particular from the collar, in particular of pulling on the band from the collar continuing to the lower extremities of the legs.

Thus undressing is particularly simple to perform and the gesture to this end is natural and spontaneous.

Advantageously, the combination further comprises at least one tab attached to the band and arranged so that traction on the tab generates traction on the band.

Thus, the tab can be grasped by the operator blindly and without touching the top of the cervix, thus avoiding any potential contamination.

Provision may be made for the band to have an edge extending from the lower end of the left leg to the lower end of the right leg, the edge being arranged to open from a crotch of the suit under the effect of the traction of the band from the collar.

In one embodiment, the brim is secured to the rest of the suit by a securing device having a breaking point at the crotch.

For example, the fixing device comprises successions of teeth and lacks a tooth in at least one of the successions of teeth.

Provision may be made for the combination to include fastening devices defining the band.

In one embodiment, at least one of the fasteners, preferably each of the fasteners, includes teeth arranged in succession along the length of the device.

In another embodiment, at least one of the fixing devices, preferably each of the fixing devices, comprises profiled reliefs in a longitudinal direction of the device.

Provision can be made for at least one of the fastening devices to have no slider.

Advantageously, the combination comprises, for at least one edge of the strip, preferably for each edge of the strip, a flap covering the edge over a greater length of the edge.

Indeed, in the absence of such a shutter, particles of contamination can settle in the fastening device then be resuspended by mechanical effect during undressing and come to contaminate the work clothes. Thanks to the flap, no particles can settle in the fixing device.

Preferably, the flap is attached to the strip.

Thus, it is removed at the same time as this one. If it carries contaminated particles, it is thus removed and disposed of first with the tape.

Provision can be made for the combination to comprise, at at least one end zone of at least one edge of the strip, preferably at each end zone of each edge, a breakable element for blocking an opening of the edge.

Thus, this element makes it possible to avoid untimely opening of the fixation device during the intervention. However, it is easily broken by the worker when he detaches the tape.

In one embodiment, the suit comprises on each leg:

- a terminal frangible element at a lower end zone of one of the edges,

- a terminal frangible element at a lower end zone of the other edge, and

- a frangible element intermediate to a lower end zone of one of the edges,

the two end elements extending at the same distance from one end of the leg and being interposed between the intermediate element and the end.

Thus, during the separation of the fastening devices, the intermediate element breaks first and then comes the breakage of the two others, thus avoiding any potential resuspension of contamination. On the contrary, in the absence of the intermediate element, there would be a risk that the two terminal elements would break at the same time, which would favor the projection of particles into the environment.

In one embodiment, the band is delimited by:

- a first edge extending from the collar to a lower end of the left leg,

- a second edge extending from the collar to a lower end of the right leg, and

- a third edge extending from the lower end of the left leg to the lower end of the right leg.

Provision can be made for the suit to include a dressing opening arranged to allow a person to put on the suit through the dressing opening without at least partially detaching the band from the main part.

It is therefore a question of allowing the suit to be put on without having to detach the band, not even in part. It is thus possible to configure the band on the one hand and the covering opening on the other hand so that they best fulfill their respective functions.

For example, the trim opening extends entirely into the band.

There is also provided according to the invention a method for removing a protective suit worn by a person, in which:

- a strip of the suit is fully detached from a collar to the lower ends of the left and right legs of the suit,

- then a main part of the suit is removed from the person.

For example, the strip is detached by the mere fact of exerting one or more tractions on the strip.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

We will now present several embodiments of the invention by way of non-limiting examples in support of the drawings in which:

there is a front view of a combination according to a first embodiment of the invention;

there is a view of a zipper of the type used in the combination of the ;

there is a view of the upper part of the suit from the ;

there is a view of a middle part of the fastening device of the third opening of the combination;

there is a view of the rear part of the device from the ;

there is a view of an upper part of the fastening device of the first opening of the suit;

there is a view of a lower part of one of the legs of the suit;

there is a view of the band of the suit, once separated from the latter;

there is a view of the suit without the band;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views showing the successive stages of the undressing of an operator wearing the suit;

there is a view analogous to showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are views of one of the fixing devices in another embodiment of the invention; And

there is a detail view of the combination in another embodiment.

We will present, in support of the figures, different embodiments of a single-use personal protective suit or outerwear. It is for example a protective suit against radioactive particles.

First embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 to 11, the combination 100 mainly comprises a trunk part 2 secured in the lower part to a trouser part 3 which extends it. Left and right sleeves 4 for the arms of the user are provided at the top of the trunk part 2 and fixed thereto. At the top of the trunk part 2 is a collar 17, which can be extended at the back by a hood, not shown.

The trunk part 2, the pants 3 and the sleeves 4 form the main part 6 and each comprise one or more pieces of material, woven or not, which will be called walls in the following text. These flexible walls are configured to prevent radioactive particles from crossing the suit from the outside to the inside. In general, the sealing indicated for the various parts of the suit 1, in particular of the wall, is a sealing against dust and can also be a sealing against water from the outside towards the inside and/or or water vapor tightness from the outside to the inside. Furthermore, one or more parts of the 100 suit, in particular the wall, can be breathable, i.e. allow water vapor to pass from the inside to the outside. The wall can for example be continuous from the trunk part 2 to the pants 3. This flexible wall can be made of a non-woven material, such as polyester for example.

The suit and/or the wall may have, for example, one or more of the following properties (the standards indicated being those in force on December 22, 2015):

• Surface mass according to standard NF EN ISO 3801 between 40 and 70 g/m2.

• Resistance to abrasion according to standard NF EN 13034, standard NF EN 1073-2 (test according to standard NF EN 530) and standard NF EN ISO 13982-1: Class 2/6 (> 100 abrasive cycles).

• Resistance to bending cracking according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test according to method B of NF EN ISO 7854): Class 6/6 (> 100,000 cycles).

• Resistance to perforation according to standard NF EN 1073-2 (test according to standard EN863): Class 2/4 (> 10 N).

• Resistance to perforation according to standard NF EN 13034 and standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test according to standard EN 863): Class 2/6 (> 10 N).

• Resistance to trapezoidal tearing according to standard NF EN 13034 and standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test method: standard EN ISO 9073-4): class 2/6 (> 20 N).

• Tear resistance according to standard NF EN 1073-2 (test method according to standard EN ISO 9073-4): class 3/6 (> 20 N).

• Strength of seams, junctions and assemblies according to standard NF EN 13034 and standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test method according to standard EN ISO 13935-2): Class 3/6 (> 75 N).

• Seam resistance according to NF EN 1073-2 (test method according to EN ISO 13935-2 standard): Class 3/5 (> 75 N).

• Tensile strength according to standard NF EN 13034 (test method according to standard EN ISO 13934-1 or standard EN 29073-3): Class 2/6 (> 60 N).

• Property against penetration of liquid chemical products: conformity with classification type 6 according to standard NF EN 13034. The specifications of the suit for protection against liquid radioactive contamination by contact (light and not prolonged) or by light splashes are assimilated to those of type 6 clothing. Consequently, the requirements of standard NF EN 13034 (type 6) and the associated test methods apply to this product. However, it retains a pleasant wearing comfort. Liquid repellency level: Class 3/3 (repellency index > 95% minimum for standardized products such as H ₂ S0 ₄ , NaOH, o-Xylene and Butane-1-ol). Level of protection against penetration of chemical products: Class 3/3 (penetration index <1% minimum for standardized products such as H ₂ S0 ₄ , NaOH, o-Xylene and Butane-1-ol). Level of protection against liquid penetration in the form of a light spray (mist test): compliance with the requirements of standard NF EN 13034.

• Property against particle penetration: the garment conforms to type 5 classification according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 and conforms to standard NF EN 1073-2. Inward leakage according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-1 (test according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-2): compliance with the minimum requirement of IL82/90 ≤ 30% and TILS8/10 ≤ 15%. Total inward leakage according to standard NF EN 1073-2 (test according to standard NF EN ISO 13982-2): Class 1/3.

• Antistatic property: the surface resistivity is evaluated according to the test method described in standard NF EN 1149-1. The homogeneous material must have a surface resistivity less than or equal to 5 x 1010 ohms.

• Protection against flames: the constituent material (including any hood and translucent windows) is classified as level 1 according to standard NF EN ISO 14116, insofar as this equipment is intended to be worn above basic clothing with a higher level of protection.

• The product is free of toxic chemicals (Pb, B, Ni, Cr, As, Sb, Se, Cd, Hg, Be, CN, asbestos).

The combination 100 has in its front wall, in the trunk part 2, a covering opening 12 alone allowing an operator to put on the combination without using the other openings which will be presented.

This opening 12 extends from an upper zone of the trunk part to a crotch 21 of the suit where the lower end of this opening is located. In the present example, this opening 12 therefore forms a vertical straight line dividing the front face of the trunk part into two symmetrical parts from the neck to the crotch. However, other locations and other configurations of the trim opening are possible.

The opening 12 is in this case equipped with a sliding fastening device 13, of the type of that of the , comprising two series of teeth 15 arranged in succession along two opposite edges of the opening and arranged so as to come into mutual engagement under the effect of the passage of a slider 14 when it traverses the teeth in a first direction . When the slider runs through them in the opposite direction, it separates the teeth from each other to free the opening. The teeth 15 may have a profiled shape in a direction perpendicular to the wall of the combination.

The zipper device 13 has an upper end located at a distance from an upper edge of the neck 17 as illustrated in notably. It is in fact preferable for the slider 14 of the device to stop at the base of the neck and not at the top thereof.

The suit also has three undressing openings 16a, 16b and 16c allowing the operator alone to remove the suit without opening the dressing opening 12 or tearing the suit.

Two of the two undressing openings 16a, 16b extend from the collar 17 to a lower end of the two respective legs 19 of the trousers. More specifically, the left undressing opening 16a starts from the collar and runs along the left side of the trunk part to descend, here substantially in a straight line, to the lower end of the left leg. The left and right positions are here defined by reference to the and not by reference to the operator or outfit. Likewise, the right undressing opening 16b starts from the collar and passes over the right side of the trunk part 2 to descend in a straight line to the lower end of the right leg. The covering opening 12 extends between the two undressing openings 16a, 16b. Collar 17 here is of the officer type and covers the entire neck well. The end of each of the first and second openings begins at the base of the collar in order to facilitate the opening of the suit and makes it possible to avoid any potential contamination at this level.

The third undressing opening 16c extends from the lower end of one of the legs 3 along the leg to the crotch 21 then goes down again along the other leg to the lower end of the latter. It is located, like the other two undressing openings, on the front side of the suit but set back from them.

The four dressing and undressing openings are separate, non-contiguous and independent of each other. All are waterproof.

The combination includes a strip 36 bounded by the first, second and third openings 16a-c. These openings constitute edges of the strip.

Each of the undressing openings 16a, 16b, 16c is equipped with a fixing device 25 formed here by a zipper of the same type as that of the covering opening 12. But these closures do not have a slider this time.

The combination comprises for each of the first and second openings 16a, 16b a flap 24 covering the corresponding fastening device 25 over a greater length of the fastening device. In this case, the flap 24 is fixed only to the strip 36. This is a strip of fabric sewn in such a way as to cover the teeth of the fastening device 25 on the outside, as illustrated in . Indeed, in the absence of a flap, particles of contamination could become lodged on and between the teeth 15, then by mechanical effect be resuspended during undressing and come to contaminate the work clothes. In this way, no particles can settle on and between the teeth 15.

The combination 100 is arranged so that a pull on the strip 36 causes the opening of the three fastening devices 25. The combination comprises in this case for this purpose two tabs or pull tabs 26 sewn to the strip at a distance from the collar 17 as shown in and arranged so that a pull on the forward and/or downward tab of the wearer of the suit generates a similar pull on the band 36. Here, each tab 26 is close to the respective upper ends of the first and second openings 16a, 16b. They make it possible to initiate the separation of the teeth 15 from the fixing devices at the level of the neck 17. The legs are oriented towards the shoulders and their dimensions make them prehensible by the blind worker and without touching the top of the neck, thus any potential contamination.

The fastening device 25 of the third opening 16c has a breaking point at the crotch 21 of the suit. For this, as illustrated in , it is devoid of a tooth in at least a succession of teeth 15. This breaking point facilitates the separation of the teeth during the detachment of the strip 36 from top to bottom. In order to guarantee the tightness of the suit and its solidity (to preserve the attachment of the teeth), a screen or a tab 28 forming an under-bridge is fixed inside the suit at the level of the crotch where the breaking point, as shown in . It covers the entire area of the missing tooth. It is sewn by means of the seam 30 on one side only of the fastening device 25 and the sub-bridge 28 so as not to prevent the detachment of the strip 36.

Furthermore, at each end zone of each opening 16a-c, the combination comprises a frangible element 32, in this case external, for locking the fastening device 25 in the closed position.

Such an element 32 is provided at the upper end of each of the first and second undressing openings 16a-b, as illustrated in . This example is an easily tearable tab sewn to the suit on both sides of the opening 16a-b to span the opening. The leg 32 makes it possible not to have untimely opening of each opening during the intervention. However, it is easily broken by tearing by the worker during the detachment movement of the strip.

With reference to the , the 100 wetsuit includes on each leg:

- a terminal frangible element 32b2 at a lower end zone of the first opening or of the second opening,

- a terminal frangible element 32b1 at a lower end zone of the third opening 16c, and

- an intermediate frangible element 32a at a lower end zone of one of the openings.

The two end elements 32b1 and 2 extend at the same distance from an end edge 34 of the leg and are interposed between the intermediate element 32a and the edge 34.

Indeed, at the bottom of the pants, two opening ends are juxtaposed on one leg and two on the other leg. In order to facilitate the dissociation of the fixing devices 13 without risk of potential resuspension of the contamination, these three tearable elements are sewn.

For example on the left leg, the first tearable element 32a is set back about 1.5 cm for the first opening 16a with respect to the bottom of the pants ( ). The two tearable elements 32b1 and 2 form a single piece and cover the first and third openings 16a, 16c at the lower edge 34 of the pants.

However, there may remain an opening at the junction between the frangible elements 32a and 32b2 covering the first opening 16a. This is why an internal tab 38 forming an under-bridge is sewn on the inside of the suit in order to prevent any penetration of contamination inside the suit. The tab, here triangular, is sewn to the suit on only one side of one of the openings so as not to obstruct the openings.

Thus, during the separation of the fastening devices, the intermediate element 32a breaks first then the following two 32b1 and 2 break, thus avoiding any potential resuspension of contamination.

Referring to Figures 12 to 13, the combination is used in the following way to protect the operator in an environment likely to be contaminating.

Initially, all stripping openings 16a, 16b, 16c are in the closed state. It is assumed here that the covering opening 12 is closed.

The operator opens the dressing opening 12 and it alone.

He puts on the suit 100 through the dressing opening 12 over his usual work clothes. In particular, he passes his arms through the 4 sleeves and his legs through the pants. Once his whole body is in the suit so that only the head, hands and feet emerge, he closes the dressing opening 12 by pulling up the slider 14 of the zipper from the crotch to at the collar.

The operator then goes to the environment where he must intervene. Once he has completed his intervention, he leaves this environment.

To remove the suit, 100, he completely detaches the strip 36 from the rest of the suit starting from the collar 17 by exerting, by means of the tabs 26, a traction on the strip 36 forwards and downwards.

More specifically, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, the speaker grasps the respective tabs 26 and simultaneously pulls them in a forward motion. Thus the frangible fabric elements 32 tear easily and the teeth 15 of the fixing devices 25 of the openings 16a and 16b come apart. The speaker only has to take hold of the central strip 36 and pull it up to the waist. It therefore gradually separates from the rest of the suit from the top to the crotch 21. From this point, the separation continues, furthermore also causing the opening of the third opening 16c because of the point of breakup. The operator continues his traction to release the crotch and the legs to the bottom of the suit. This totally releases the tape as shown in . The trunk part and the two legs are therefore open. Band 36 is completely detached from the rest of the suit. Figures 8 and 9 thus respectively show the band 36 and the main part 6 of the suit once the band has been removed. The main part 6 is in one piece.

The worker evacuates the tape 36 in a waste bin provided for this purpose.

The gap left by the band at the front of the suit finally allows the operator to remove the rest of it. He can then easily remove the shoulders and then the rest of the suit. He then rolls it on the outside, identifying himself for example with colored interior seams, for example green, so as not to contaminate himself. He finally throws it in the garbage bin.

It is observed that the dressing takes place exclusively thanks to the dressing opening 12 and its zipper which is open only from the crotch to the collar. And the undressing is done exclusively by means of the undressing openings 16a, 16b, 16c, the dressing opening 12 having remained closed and the combination not having been torn.

This system prevents operators from tearing their coveralls from the crotch to the bottom of the pants, which potentially causes contamination to be resuspended. It makes it possible to accompany the gesture of opening the suit without sudden movement of the bottom of the pants.

Other embodiments

We present below other embodiments which are identical to the preceding one except for the following characteristics.

In one embodiment illustrated in , the third undressing opening 16c is also equipped with a protective flap 24. Indeed, the greatest traction exerted at the level of the teeth of the fastening devices during the undressing phase mainly concerns those of the first and second openings 16a and b. This is the reason why a protective flap 24 is affixed to each of them in order to ultimately prevent contamination of the work clothes located underneath the suit. The results of the tests carried out with a powder simulating the contamination confirm this. However, to guarantee maximum protection vis-à-vis contamination, such a flap or protective flap can be affixed to the fixing device 25 of the third undressing opening 16c identical to the other two. The flap is here also sewn on the band 36 which separates from the rest of the suit.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, at least one of the fastening devices 25, preferably each of them, comprises not teeth but reliefs 20 shaped in a longitudinal direction of the opening of the so as to maintain the undressing opening closed by complementarity of form. These reliefs have for example the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 respectively in the open and closed positions.

The reliefs 20 form, for example, a "3 lying" or "w" section profile. This section comprises three lips 22, two of which have their free ends curved so as to cooperate with the lips of the other profile and to keep the two profiles in mutual engagement to ensure closure of the opening. Two cavities are arranged between the three lips. Two of the lips of one of the profiles fit into the cavities of the other. However, other shapes could be given to the section of the profile.

These fastening devices are also open under the effect of traction on the band 36 from the neck. It is also possible in this case to create a breaking point in the crotch in the third opening 16c. All you have to do is split one of the sections at this point.

Of course, many modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof.

In particular, the shape, the number and the arrangement of the covering opening or openings and the undressing openings may be modified.

The invention is not limited to use in an environment associated with a risk of contamination with radioactive material. Indeed, this type of combination can be used for other sectors of activity (in terms of environmental sampling, in construction, chemical, biological, pharmacological laboratories, etc.). It could interest these sectors for its gain in terms of arduousness during undressing.

Provision could be made for the strip 36 to be delimited by pre-cuts rather than by fastening devices 25. When separating the strip from the rest of the suit, the cut occurs along the pre-cuts.

Claims (21)

Protective suit (100) for one person,
the combination comprising:
- a main part (6) and
- a fully removable band (36) having predetermined contours extending from a collar (17) of the suit to the lower ends of the left and right legs (19) of the suit. Combination according to the preceding claim, arranged so that the strip (36) detaches from the main part under the effect of traction on the strip. Combination according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged so that the strip (36) detaches from the main part under the effect of traction on the strip from the collar (17). Combination according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged so that the band (36) detaches from the main part under the effect of a traction on the band from the collar (17) continuing to the lower ends legs (19). A combination according to any preceding claim further comprising at least one tab (26) attached to the band (36) and arranged such that a pull on the tab generates the pull on the band. A suit according to any preceding claim in which the band (36) has an edge (16c) extending from the lower end of the left leg to the lower end of the right leg, the edge being arranged to open from a crotch (21) of the combination under the effect of the traction of the band from the collar (17). Suit according to the preceding claim, in which the edge (16c) is fixed to the rest of the suit by a fastening device (25) having a breaking point at the crotch (21). Combination according to the preceding claim, in which the fixing device (25) comprises successions of teeth (15) and lacks a tooth in at least one of the successions of teeth. A combination according to any preceding claim which includes securing devices (25) bounding the band (36). Combination according to the preceding claim, in which at least one of the fixing devices (25), preferably each of the fixing devices, comprises teeth (15) arranged in succession along the device. Combination according to any one of Claims 9 or 10, in which at least one of the fixing devices (25), preferably each of the fixing devices, comprises reliefs (20) profiled in a longitudinal direction of the device. Combination according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, in which at least one of the fastening devices (25) is devoid of a slider. Combination according to any one of the preceding claims comprising, for at least one edge (16a-c) of the strip (36), preferably for each edge of the strip, a flap (24) covering the edge over a greater length from the edge. Combination according to the preceding claim in which the flap (24) is fixed to the strip (36). Combination according to any one of the preceding claims comprising, at at least one end zone of at least one edge of the strip (36), preferably at each end zone of each edge, a frangible element (32, 32a, 32b1, 32b2) blocking an opening (16a-c) of the edge. Combination according to the preceding claim which comprises on each leg:
- a terminal frangible element (32b1) at a lower end zone of one of the edges,
- a terminal frangible element (32b2) at a lower end zone of the other edge, and
- an intermediate frangible element (32a) at a lower end zone of one of the edges,
the two end elements extending at the same distance from one end of the leg and being interposed between the intermediate element (32a) and the end. Combination according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the band (36) is delimited by:
- a first edge (16a) extending from the collar (17) to a lower end of the left leg,
- a second edge (16b) extending from the collar to a lower end of the right leg, and
- a third edge (16c) extending from the lower end of the left leg to the lower end of the right leg. Suit according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a dressing opening (12) arranged to allow a person to put on the suit through the dressing opening without at least partially detaching the band (36) from the main part . Combination according to the preceding claim, in which the covering opening (12) extends entirely into the band (36). A method of removing a protective suit (100) worn by a person, wherein:
- a strip (36) of the suit is completely detached from a collar (17) to the lower ends of the left and right legs (19) of the suit,
- then a main part (6) of the suit is removed from the person. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the strip (36) is detached by the sole fact of exerting one or more tractions on the strip.