GB2327858A

GB2327858A - Ventilated protective suit

Info

Publication number: GB2327858A
Application number: GB9716715A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Richards
Original assignee: North & Sons Ltd James
Current assignee: North & Sons Ltd James
Priority date: 1997-08-08
Filing date: 1997-08-08
Publication date: 1999-02-10
Also published as: GB9716715D0

Abstract

A protective suit comprising a non-breathable fabric garment provided with a vent (13a), where this vent is covered with a flap (16) of non-breathable fabric. The flap (16) is secured over the vent (13a) so as to leave at least one ventilation port (20) through which air may flow between the interior and the exterior of the suit.

Description

BOILER surr The present invention relates to a chemical resistant boiler suit.

Boiler suits are well known. They generally consist of a one-piece outer garment combining shirt and trousers. They are worn primarily as protective clothing.

Chemical resistant boiler suits for use in chemically hazardous areas are generally made from PVC (polyvinylchloride) material. Such boiler suits are not "breathable" and consequently there is substantially no movement of the air captured in the confines of the suit. This air is heated by the body, soon providing a very uncomfortable working environment. The consequence of this is that workers tend not to correctly fasten up the buttons of the boiler suit or, even worse, refrain from wearing such suits. In such circumstances the worker is clearly not protected from the chemicals in the work environment.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a boiler suit comprising a non-breathable fabric, wherein a vent is provided in the boiler suit, a flap of nonbreathable fabric being provided over the vent such that all of the vent is covered by the flap, said flap being secured to the boiler suit in such a manner as to leave at least one ventilation port through which air may flow between the exterior of the boiler suit and the interior of the boiler suit via the said vent.

The term "non-breathable fabric" used herein relates to a fabric through which substantially no air can pass.

The arrangement of the present invention provides a cost effective manner of venting a chemically resistant boiler suit so as to reduce heat stress for the user, without compromising the protection afforded by the boiler suit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention an air-porous fabric is provided over the vent, the air porous fabric being secured to the regions of the boiler suit surrounding the vent or thereabouts, this arrangement providing support for the part of the suit below the vent. A mesh fabric is particularly suitable. It is noted that this porous fabric is located underneath the flap.

The flap is ideally secured to the boiler suit by heat-sealing or with adhesive. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the flap is secured to the boiler suit substantially in the regions of the boiler suit which define both the sides and the top of the vent. A portion of the flap preferably extends below the vent; preferably at least 10 cm, more preferably at least 15 cm and ideally substantially 18 cm below the vent.

Again the side edges of this portion of the flap are ideally secured to the boiler suit using an adhesive or heat-seal method. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the majority of the base of the flap is not secured to the boiler suit, the non-secured region or regions provides the ventilation port or ports at the base of the flap. Ideally the ends of the base of the flap are secured to the boiler suit, as is at least one further region such as the centre, thus providing at least three anchorage points. The central region is ideally secured to the boiler suit so as to minimise the possibility of the nonsealed flap opening being caught on something in the workplace. This reduces the likelihood of a potential accident occurring. Two or more ventilation ports are ideally provided.

The suit and flap are ideally made from plastics material or plastics coated material. PVC is the preferred plastics.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a first rear elevation of a boiler suit in accordance with the present invention; Fig.2 is a second rear elevation of the boiler suit of fig. 1, the suit being illustrated in a different position; and Fig.3 is a front elevation of the boiler suit of figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings a PVC boiler suit 10 has largely a conventional boiler suit shape and configuration consisting of a hood and trouser, body and arm portions.

A zip 11 is provided at the front of the boiler suit 10 for entry into the boiler suit. A zip covering 12 is provided for fastening over the zip 11 in conventional fashion.

A vent 13 is provided in the top of the rear of the body part of the boiler suit to which part of the boiler suit arms are usually connected. Thus the vent 13 is of a truncated triangular shape. A similarly shaped piece of mesh fabric 14 is secured over the vent 13 by stitching.

Elasticated cuffs 15 are provided in the sleeves and leg portions of the boiler suit. Weld lines 21 are further visible in the sleeves and leg portions ofthe boiler suit.

A PVC flap 16 is provided over the vent 13. This is heat sealed to the boiler suit 10 around the top and sides of the vent 13. A portion 19 of the flap depends below the base 13a ofthe vent 13 so as to provide an area of double PVC fabric thickness, from the flap 16 and the boiler suit 10. The side boundaries 17 of this flap portion 19 are also heat sealed to the boiler suit 10. A central area 18 of the base of the flap is also heat sealed to the boiler suit. Thus two ventilation ports 20 are defined by the base of the flap, each port being approximately 25 cm long, the central heat sealed region being approximately 10 cm long.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiment is by way of illustration only. Many modifications and variations are possible.

Claims

1. A boiler suit comprising a non-breathable fabric wherein a vent is provided in the boiler suit, a flap of non-breathable fabric being provided over the vent such that all of the vent is covered by the flap, said flap being secured to the boiler suit in such a manner as to leave at least one ventilation port through which air may flow between the exterior ofthe boiler suit and the interior ofthe boiler suit via the said vent.

2. A boiler suit as claimed in claim 1, wherein an air-porous fabric is provided over the vent.

3. A boiler suit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the air-porous fabric comprises a mesh fabric.

4. A boiler suit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flap is secured to the boiler suit by heat-sealing or with adhesive.

5. A boiler suit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flap is secured to the boiler suit substantially in the regions of the boiler suit which define both the sides and the top of the vent.

6. A boiler suit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the flap extends below the vent.

7. A boiler suit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the side edges of the said portion of the flap are secured to the boiler suit.

8. A boiler suit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a ventilation port is provided at the base of the flap.

9. A boiler suit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the boiler suit comprises at least two ventilation ports.

10. A boiler suit substantially as defined herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.