GB2270829A - Thermoinsulative protective clothing system - Google Patents

Thermoinsulative protective clothing system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2270829A
GB2270829A GB9219094A GB9219094A GB2270829A GB 2270829 A GB2270829 A GB 2270829A GB 9219094 A GB9219094 A GB 9219094A GB 9219094 A GB9219094 A GB 9219094A GB 2270829 A GB2270829 A GB 2270829A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vapour
fabric
suit
domes
thermal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9219094A
Other versions
GB2270829B (en
GB9219094D0 (en
Inventor
Nigel John Middleton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9219094A priority Critical patent/GB2270829B/en
Publication of GB9219094D0 publication Critical patent/GB9219094D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB1994/000323 priority patent/WO1995022262A1/en
Priority to AU60095/94A priority patent/AU6009594A/en
Priority claimed from PCT/GB1994/000323 external-priority patent/WO1995022262A1/en
Publication of GB2270829A publication Critical patent/GB2270829A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2270829B publication Critical patent/GB2270829B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D27/00—Details of garments or of their making
    • A41D27/28—Means for ventilation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
    • A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
    • A41D31/06—Thermally protective, e.g. insulating
    • A41D31/065—Thermally protective, e.g. insulating using layered materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/04—Resilient suits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C9/00—Life-saving in water
    • B63C9/08—Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like
    • B63C9/087—Body suits, i.e. substantially covering the user's body ; Immersion suits, i.e. substantially completely covering the user
    • B63C9/105—Body suits, i.e. substantially covering the user's body ; Immersion suits, i.e. substantially completely covering the user having gas-filled compartments

Abstract

The clothing system, Fig. 3, comprises an inner layer of thermal insulative material, such as neoprene, and an outer layer which may, inter alia, be waterproof and vapour permeable. The inner layer is provided with dome-shaped, vented air pockets and with an inner lining. When the system is applied to a protective suit, the outer layer provides protection, e.g. against rain, wind, fire, chemicals and radiation, whereas the inner layer functions to allow vapour transfer from the wearer, through the domes and into the air space between the two layers, wherefrom the vapour can then leave via the permeable outer layer. However, upon immersion in cold water, the water pressure closes the vents in the domes, Fig. 5, to maintain the thermal integrity of the insulation. Ideally, the suit will cover the whole body except the face. The domes need not be vented in some instances. The system provides some degree of buoyancy and can be used in jackets, trousers, gloves, shoes and balaclava. <IMAGE>

Description

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO THERMOINULATIVE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING SYSTEM: Thermoinsulative, protective clothing systems are well known and examples are wetsuits and survival suits, intended to protect the user from the detrimental effects of cold water immersion.
These systems are effective by providing a means of reducing the loss of body heat by conductive convection and radiation, through the insulative properties of materials of low thermal conductivity.
According to the present invention there is Drovided a thermally insulative fabric layer, applied directly-to the skin surface, and intended to be close fitting.
The thermal insulator of this component layer is ideally closed cell neoprene but could be constructed from any suitable closed cell elastomeric foam.
The internal fabric lining can be constructed from any suitable cloth which provides comfort durability and stretch.
This is permanently bonded to the neoprene component.
The external fabric component can be constructed from any suitable cloth which would provide the required properties of: (i) durability, (ii) waterproof, (iii) fireproof, (iv) chemical proof, (v) vapour permiable (vi) Launderable, (vii) Machinability.
Vapour permability would ideally be provided by the use of a hydrophilic polymer coating such as polyurathane, ( however any suitable waterproof/vapour permiable system may be employed).
The external fabric is not attached to the neoprene component and there is an air space between the two components under normal circumstances.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1: shows thermally efficient insulative fabric as utilised in the construction of conventional wet and dry suit systems.
Fig 2: shows details of a thermally efficient insulative fabric with active components of the invention which allows the fabric to 'breath' during dry conditions.
Fig 3: Shows the fabric/insulative component of the invention and its relationship with the external fabric component of the system which provides the outer garment.
Fig 4: show details of the external fabric component with its waterproof and vapour permiable coating.
Fig 5: shows cut away detail of the suit construction, in dicating all the components and their relationship in the overal assembly.
Fig 6: shows details of cuff seals, and relationship of the two components of the clothing system.
Referring to the drawing Fig 2 this component comprises an internal fabric lining bonded to the thermal insulative elastomer by a suitable adhesive system.
Within the body of the elastomer has been formed the active component of the system, consisting of a chamber, a dome and a communicating pore.
The elastomeric sheet 'A' is of a thickness of 0.5mm to lOmm but ideally of 5.0mm.
The external height of the dome 'B' is between 0.5mm and 5mm ideally 2.5mm.
The external diameter of the dome 'E' is between 3.Omm and 20.Omm and ideally 15.0mm.
The internal diameter of the chamber 'D' is between l.Omm and 18.Omm and ideally 12.0mm The internal height of the chamber 'C' is between lmm and lO;Omm and ideally 6.Omm The diameter of the communicating pore is between O.Olmm and 5.Omm and ideally 1.00mm The density of distribution of chambers/dome elements 2 with a sheet of the composite laminate is between 500 per m to 5,000 per m and ideally 2,500 per m The forming of the chamber/dome/pore component is carried out by the pressing of the closed cell elastomer at suitable temperature and pressure.
The pressure being between 501b sq.inch. and 150lb.sq.inch.
and ideally lOOlb sq.inch.
The temperature being between 100"C and2000C and ideally at 1500C.
Referring to Fig 3: this shows the neoprene component previously described in Fig 2: and its relationship with the external fabric component.
There is also shown an air space between the two components and the only place where joining occurs is at the cuff seals at ankle, wrist and neck.
The external fabric component comprises the construction element of the outer suit.
It is constructed of any suitable fabric ideally with the following properties.
(i) durability (ii) heatproof (iii) fireproof (iv) chemical proof, (biological, radiation) (v) vapour permiable (vi) laundrable (vii) machineable (viii) waterproof.
Referring to Fig 4: this shows the external fabric element and its hydrophilic polymer coating to provide waterproof/ vapour permiable properties. However, any such suitable system may be employed.
All other properties are achieved by appropriate treatments which are well documented.
Referring to Fig 5: this shows the closure of the communicating pores during immersion in water.
Referring to Fig 6: this shows a cut away domonstrating the relationship of the various components within the overal system at the point where internal and external components join at a cuff seal.
The construction of the suit involves the use of the fabric components previously described.
The suit is intended as whole body coverage and gloves, shoes, and balaclaver can be incorporated as required.
In the case of exclusion of gloves, shoes and balaclaver a rubber cuff seal is utilised at wrist, ankles and neck in a similar manner to that utilised in conventional dry suit system.
The suit is opened by suitably placed waterproof zip fastners. The internal (neoprene) suit is intended to be worn close to the body but allowance must be made for the use of undergarments.
The external suit (fabric) is intended to be loose fitting as in a coveral or boiler suit type garment. It can be designed to contain details which would benefit the user, i.e. pockets etc The two components of the system are joined at the cuff seals, and at all other points there is free movement and an air space between the two layers.
All seams are constructed in a manner as to render them as impermiable to liquid water.
There now follows a description of the function of the system as a means of protection from unfavourable enviromental conditions.
The system is intended to provide user comfort and protection in a wide variation of enviromental conditions.
Under conditions of dry useage the neoprene provides protection from variance in enviromental temperature by virtue of its poor thermal conductivity.
At the same time the external fabric component provides durability and protection against rain, wind, fire, chemicals, radiation etc....
The chambers and pores of the neoprene provide a means of allowing vapour transfer from the user into the air space between the two components. This maintains a relaatively dry and comfortable enviroment at skin surface for the user.
The exhausted water vapour can then leave the system by passing through the vapour permeable coating of the external fabric.
During cold water immersion the pressure of the water compresses the domes and causes the closure of the communicating pores.
With the closure of the communicating pores, the thermal integrity of the insulative elastomeric foam component is reestablished.
The system is waterproof by virtue of the hydrophilic polymer coating and therefore no water can enter the space between the two components of the system. If accidental water entry occurs the neoprene will act as a semi dry suit and therefore its thermal efficiency will not be compromised.
The suit is intended. for use in dry conditions for extended periods of time, having the ability to transform into a semi dry suit upon immersion in water.
Ideally this system is intended to cover the whole surface of the body except the face, with a single integral suit.
However the system can be utilised in the construction of particular items of clothing, i.e. jacket, trousers, gloves, shoes, balaclava.
In some instances the chambers may be constructed without the communicating pores. This allows for an enclosed cell of warm air to accumulate, thus increasing the thermal insulative properties of the fabric.

Claims (1)

  1. CLAIMS:
    (1) A thermal insulative fabric system, principarly comprising of two component parts.
    Part 1: A thermal insulative layer constructed from an efficient thermal insulator such as closed cell neoprene.
    Part 2: An outer garment, constructed from suitable fabric as to confer suitable properties according to intended end use.
    (2) The system is intended to allow the user to gain protect ion from hostile enviromental circumstances, in comfort, for extended periods of time.
    (3) The system has the unique ability to transform its struct ure and hence alter its inherant properties with changes in enviromental conditions.
    (4) The system has inherant buoyancy characteristics.
    (5) The system does not rely upon the total exclusion of water to ensure its continued value as a thermally insulative clothing system.
GB9219094A 1992-09-09 1992-09-09 Thermoinsulative protective clothing system Expired - Fee Related GB2270829B (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9219094A GB2270829B (en) 1992-09-09 1992-09-09 Thermoinsulative protective clothing system
PCT/GB1994/000323 WO1995022262A1 (en) 1992-09-09 1994-02-17 Thermoinsulative protective garments
AU60095/94A AU6009594A (en) 1992-09-09 1994-02-17 Thermoinsulative protective garments

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9219094A GB2270829B (en) 1992-09-09 1992-09-09 Thermoinsulative protective clothing system
PCT/GB1994/000323 WO1995022262A1 (en) 1992-09-09 1994-02-17 Thermoinsulative protective garments

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9219094D0 GB9219094D0 (en) 1992-10-21
GB2270829A true GB2270829A (en) 1994-03-30
GB2270829B GB2270829B (en) 1996-07-17

Family

ID=10721649

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9219094A Expired - Fee Related GB2270829B (en) 1992-09-09 1992-09-09 Thermoinsulative protective clothing system

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6009594A (en)
GB (1) GB2270829B (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995022262A1 (en) * 1992-09-09 1995-08-24 Micro Thermal Systems Limited Thermoinsulative protective garments
WO1997043917A1 (en) * 1996-05-21 1997-11-27 Lion Apparel, Inc. Garment thermal liner having insulating beads
WO2001001803A1 (en) * 1999-07-06 2001-01-11 Nottington Holding B.V. Breathable garment to be worn to improve the comfort of the human body
GB2383300A (en) * 2001-12-21 2003-06-25 Sundridge Tackle Ltd Buoyant foam material
ES2214982A1 (en) * 2004-03-25 2004-09-16 Articulos Nauticos Cappymar, S.L. Life jacket, has two separate layers made of resilient material and welded at peripheral edges of inflatable bodies, where two walls of inflatable bodies are connected with multiple lifeguard units
WO2006078280A2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2006-07-27 E.I. Dupont De Nemours And Company Adaptive membrane structure
EP1776883A2 (en) * 2005-10-21 2007-04-25 E.I.Du pont de nemours and company Adaptive membrane structure
WO2007068769A1 (en) * 2005-12-12 2007-06-21 Jimenez Gonzalez Christian Insulated, ventilated neoprene chamber for channelling and removing sweat
EP1974619A1 (en) * 2005-08-30 2008-10-01 Tomizo Yamamoto Material for underwater suit and underwater suit making use of the same
EP1812814B1 (en) * 2004-11-16 2012-03-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Retroreflective article having at least one valve and method of making same

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1132535A (en) * 1965-05-11 1968-11-06 Glanzstoff Ag Improvements relating to protective suits
US3771170A (en) * 1972-07-17 1973-11-13 G Leon Inflatable insulating material
GB2025316A (en) * 1978-07-05 1980-01-23 Blucher H Von Compound Material for Protective Clothing
US4185327A (en) * 1978-07-17 1980-01-29 Markve Howard J Ventilating and insulating garment
EP0153082A2 (en) * 1984-02-10 1985-08-28 Christopher Martin Valentine Godfrey Garment
EP0251640A2 (en) * 1986-06-26 1988-01-07 Burlington Industries, Inc. Cold weather garments

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9004428D0 (en) * 1990-02-28 1990-04-25 Middleton Nigel John Fabric

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1132535A (en) * 1965-05-11 1968-11-06 Glanzstoff Ag Improvements relating to protective suits
US3771170A (en) * 1972-07-17 1973-11-13 G Leon Inflatable insulating material
GB2025316A (en) * 1978-07-05 1980-01-23 Blucher H Von Compound Material for Protective Clothing
US4185327A (en) * 1978-07-17 1980-01-29 Markve Howard J Ventilating and insulating garment
EP0153082A2 (en) * 1984-02-10 1985-08-28 Christopher Martin Valentine Godfrey Garment
EP0251640A2 (en) * 1986-06-26 1988-01-07 Burlington Industries, Inc. Cold weather garments

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995022262A1 (en) * 1992-09-09 1995-08-24 Micro Thermal Systems Limited Thermoinsulative protective garments
WO1997043917A1 (en) * 1996-05-21 1997-11-27 Lion Apparel, Inc. Garment thermal liner having insulating beads
US5860163A (en) * 1996-05-21 1999-01-19 Lion Apparel, Inc. Garment thermal liner having insulating beads
WO2001001803A1 (en) * 1999-07-06 2001-01-11 Nottington Holding B.V. Breathable garment to be worn to improve the comfort of the human body
GB2383300A (en) * 2001-12-21 2003-06-25 Sundridge Tackle Ltd Buoyant foam material
GB2383300B (en) * 2001-12-21 2005-02-16 Sundridge Tackle Ltd Improvements in or relating to buoyancy foam material
ES2214982A1 (en) * 2004-03-25 2004-09-16 Articulos Nauticos Cappymar, S.L. Life jacket, has two separate layers made of resilient material and welded at peripheral edges of inflatable bodies, where two walls of inflatable bodies are connected with multiple lifeguard units
WO2006078280A3 (en) * 2004-04-30 2006-12-21 Du Pont Adaptive membrane structure
WO2006078280A2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2006-07-27 E.I. Dupont De Nemours And Company Adaptive membrane structure
EP1812814B1 (en) * 2004-11-16 2012-03-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Retroreflective article having at least one valve and method of making same
EP1974619A1 (en) * 2005-08-30 2008-10-01 Tomizo Yamamoto Material for underwater suit and underwater suit making use of the same
EP1974619A4 (en) * 2005-08-30 2011-12-21 Tomizo Yamamoto Material for underwater suit and underwater suit making use of the same
EP1776883A2 (en) * 2005-10-21 2007-04-25 E.I.Du pont de nemours and company Adaptive membrane structure
EP1776883A3 (en) * 2005-10-21 2009-12-30 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Adaptive membrane structure
WO2007068769A1 (en) * 2005-12-12 2007-06-21 Jimenez Gonzalez Christian Insulated, ventilated neoprene chamber for channelling and removing sweat
ES2310950A1 (en) * 2005-12-12 2009-01-16 Christian Jimenez Gonzalez Insulated, ventilated neoprene chamber for channelling and removing sweat

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2270829B (en) 1996-07-17
AU6009594A (en) 1995-09-04
GB9219094D0 (en) 1992-10-21

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20020909

728V Application for restoration filed (sect. 28/1977)
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
728Y Application for restoration allowed (sect. 28/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050909