WO2015003916A1

WO2015003916A1 - Balaclava for head protection

Info

Publication number: WO2015003916A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/063502
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Vanneste
Original assignee: Scaldis St-Martin
Priority date: 2013-07-08
Filing date: 2014-06-26
Publication date: 2015-01-15
Also published as: EP2823859B1; AU2014289543A1; SG11201600075QA; DK2823859T3; ES2592310T3; US20160120240A1; CA2917360A1; EP2823859A1; CN105407977A; HRP20161143T1; PT2823859T; HUE030716T2; TW201517955A; CY1117993T1; LT2823859T; PL2823859T3; SI2823859T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a balaclava (1) for head protection having an outer surface (2) provided such as to be in contact with a surrounding environment, an inner surface (3) provided such as to be in contact with the head of a user, a section for the head (4) to pass and a face opening (5) at the eye level of user, which is closed by a visor (6) detachably attached to the balaclava (1) and inserted between the inner surface of a lining (7) and a bearing element (11).

Description

Head protection hood

The present invention relates to a head protection hood having an outer face adapted to be in contact with a surrounding medium, an inner face adapted to be in contact with the head of a user, a head passage section and a facial opening at the level of the user's eyes closed by a visor releasably attached to the hood, said hood comprising an outer liner having an inner face and being perforated in front of said face opening, said lining forming with the outer face of the hood a pouch in which is removably slid said visor, said hood further comprising at least one support element interposed between said outer face of the hood and said liner, said support element at least partially along said face opening .

Such hoods are known in the state of the art and are particularly used in aseptic and sterile environments where the user must be isolated from the surrounding environment. This is particularly indicated in environments such as clean rooms and laboratories where vaccines and medicines are being prepared. On the one hand, in this type of environment, the user should be better isolated so that he does not contaminate the environment in which he works and, on the other hand, it often involves isolate the user himself from dangerous and / or harmful substances.

When an operator is required to work in a sterile environment, he / she must be especially careful not to contaminate the equipment he or she wears. Thus, the operator must follow strict dressing procedures, which make sense only if the protective equipment he uses is itself completely sterile. For this purpose, the overalls and hoods are usually supplied after sterilization, in waterproof packaging with easy opening allows the entry of sterile equipment. Furthermore, more particularly with regard to the hoods provided with a visor, it is necessary that the latter is not only sterile but also perfectly clean to ensure proper vision and comfort of work to the user.

More particularly, US2583304 discloses a head protection hood as indicated at the beginning and which is provided so that a removable visor is slid and positioned between a frame forming a support element (or support) for the visor and the outer face of the hood. When the visor is placed, the latter is interposed between the support element and the outer face of the hood.

Unfortunately, such an arrangement of the different elements of such a hood does not make its use comfortable for the user and does not ensure a correct and permanent vision through the visor when the latter is directly in contact with the outer face of the hood and therefore very close to the face of the operator (that is to say generally at a distance of only a few millimeters), which causes in particular the formation of condensation or condensation on the visor and not not allow the wearing of corrective glasses. A correct vision is crucial, however, when the operator has to handle dangerous substances, which is often the case when it comes to working in laboratories or clean rooms. Indeed, as mentioned above, such a hood known from the state of the art is subject to the formation of condensation on his visor and is easily portable without gene by an operator provided with corrective glasses.

There are also hoods provided with a fixed visor, such as the protective hood E51 1 1 101 marketed by Protextyl. Such a hood is provided with a fixed visor attached thereto to ensure the insulation and protection of the user but also to minimize the risk of contamination of the surrounding environment (vaccines, medicines, ...) and by the surrounding environment. As a result of their use, these hoods with a fixed visor should be directed to a cleaning and sterilization facility for reuse. However, since these hoods are provided with a fixed visor, which is usually a transparent plastic material, they can not be subjected to conventional sterilization and even less a succession of sterilizations where the conditions are not compatible with the material forming the visor. This would deform and could even lose its transparency, for example under the effect of heat or under the effect of specific radiation used during sterilization.

Moreover, even if sterilization by application of specific rays could make it possible to sterilize the hoods provided with a visor, the fact remains that the cleaning of the visor and particularly the cleaning of the face of its visor located at inside the hood would remain problematic. Indeed, in order to clean this face of the visor, it would be necessary to introduce cleaning instruments inside the hood or return the latter to expose the inner face of the visor to be cleaned. These operations would be restrictive and require many manipulations, costly in handling and time.

Yet another known approach of the state of the art is to use hoods in combination with protective glasses type "ski mask" (such as those described in EP0195517). However, the use of safety glasses is also a recurring issue in industries. Indeed, once used or following a handling error during their placement, the goggles must be, like the hoods, cleaned and sterilized. If the cleaning and sterilization of clothing (suit, balaclava, ...) are often entrusted to external companies who then bring the equipment (suit, hood, ...) packaged sterile, the cleaning of the goggles is commonly taken in charge by the manufacturer who must therefore have a specific equipment and expensive or use equipment in the production line such as sterilizers, this option inevitably interfering on the output of a production line.

In addition, the protective glasses, for example of the ski mask type, do not cover the entire face and are generally provided with elastic bands necessary for their attachment over the hood. Such glasses are not necessarily intended to withstand the drastic conditions of sterilization and cleaning.

In addition, since eye protection is an individual and additional piece of equipment, the operator must handle it carefully so as not to let it fall, in which case it would be advisable to change the protective glasses since they would have been contaminated. This type of eye protection is therefore restrictive, slows dressing procedures and increases the risk of contamination, on the one hand because of the risk of falling goggles but also because they must be handled, which increases the risk of contaminant transfer from the operator to the safety glasses and then to the surrounding environment.

There is therefore a real need to find an alternative to the use of hoods provided with a fixed visor, the use of protective glasses (ski mask type) or the use of a hood such as that described in US2583304 so that simpler, less expensive and faster cleaning and sterilization steps can be performed, so that the coating steps of protective equipment are less restrictive, faster and safer to minimize any risk of contamination but also to prevent any hindrance to a correct vision through the visor (for example because of the presence of condensation) and remove any gene to the operator who wears the hood (for example when the latter wears corrective glasses). The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a hood to simplify the cleaning and sterilization steps to dispense with the use of safety glasses and to avoid any hindrance to a correct vision through the visor while ensuring the comfort of the user even if the latter wears corrective glasses. This aims to make the cleaning and sterilization steps less restrictive, less expensive, faster and simpler but also to ensure the user comfort of work by allowing him to always see properly through the visor without be embarrassed by it. Furthermore, the invention also aims to provide a hood associated with an eye protection device which, when placed, minimizes the risk of contamination.

To solve these problems, there is provided according to the invention, a hood as indicated at the beginning, characterized in that said visor is inserted between said inner face of said liner and said support member.

Such a hood according to the invention is particularly advantageous since it has a visor which can be placed and removed easily. In addition, unlike the hoods known from the state of the art already providing a removable visor, since the latter is inserted between the inner face of the liner and the support element according to the invention, it is maintained at a certain distance from the outer face of the hood and therefore the face of the operator, a seal with respect to the surrounding external environment being provided by the pocket. This is particularly advantageous since such a shift and positioning of the visor according to the invention allows it to not touch the face of the operator and it does not interfere with the latter. This also allows users wearing corrective glasses to be able to use the hood according to the invention without being bothered by a visor which would be against the frame of the glasses. In addition, such a space that is naturally filled with air minimizes the formation of condensation on the visor, which ensures the operator always have a correct vision.

Unlike current hoods provided with a fixed visor, the hood according to the present invention therefore provides a removable visor easily and quickly replaceable, a visor implementation ensuring further insulation and protection of the correct user with respect to an environment. In addition, the fact of being able to use a detachable, that is to say removable, visor rather than goggles eliminates all the handling related to the introduction of protective glasses and minimizes the risk of contamination. related to their use.

A hood according to the invention also makes it possible, in relation to the current hoods with a visor, to greatly simplify the cleaning and sterilization steps of the protective equipment, since it is possible to remove, in a simple and rapid manner, the removable visor of the hood makes it possible in the end to have on the one hand a textile element formed by the hood and, on the other hand, an element made of a plastic material (or any other suitable material) constituted by the visor Therefore, it is possible to direct the visor without its visor to a conventional cleaning and / or sterilization (decontamination) treatment facility while the visor can be routed for reuse to a cleaning system. The alternative is to simply replace the used visor with a new clean visor on the decontaminated hoods.

The head protection hood according to the invention comprises an outer lining pierced in front of said face opening and forming with the outer face of the hood a pocket in which is slidably removed said visor. The presence of such a pouch forming a "reception area" makes it possible to insert a visor so that the latter is an integral part of the protective hood according to the invention. Surprisingly, in the context of the present invention, it has been determined that, even if the visor is removable, it ensures a correct isolation of the operator from the sterile environment. Indeed, the liner makes it possible to form a space between its inner face and the outer face of the hood, this space being dimensioned so that it marries the edges of the visor so that the latter is "locked" on the visor. all of its periphery and does not move when using the hood, for example when the user tilts his head to the side.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said support element is a hem formed in the material (textile or other) forming the hood. This hem may include a filler material such as a plastic foam. This support element, besides the fact that it forms a guide element during the insertion of the visor into the pouch formed by the liner, also forms a damping layer against which the operator's forehead rests, which ensures the latter a certain comfort during his work. Furthermore, according to the invention, it is provided that if a support element is placed at the lower part of the facial opening, the filling material is in two parts so as to leave a central space free of filling material, which defines a free space in which the operator can place his nose, each of the parts of the filling material bearing on one of the sides of the nose of the operator.

Preferably, according to the invention, said pouch formed between the outer face of the hood and said liner has at least one closure means. The presence of a closing means makes it possible, after inserting the visor into said pouch, to close this pouch so as to temporarily block the visor so that it remains in place during the use of the hood. This closure prevents, for example, the visor from shifting or sliding towards the outside of the pouch, which would compromise the user's isolation from the environment and the sterility of the environment. According to one embodiment, when the opening of the pouch is located longitudinally at the operator's forehead, such a closure means is not essential (even if it could nevertheless be present) since the visor is blocked laterally but also along its lower part.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said at least one closure means is chosen from the group consisting of a pull-tab, a push-button closure, a push-button or a self-gripping means, for example Velcro® type. It is understood that any other suitable closure means can be used in the context of the present invention.

Preferably, according to the invention, said visor is made of a transparent plastic material or any other suitable material, for example Plexiglas®. This material can be for example rigid or flexible, tinted or not, anti-scratch or not, acid resistant or not, depending on the application areas. It is understood that the visor according to the invention may have many other properties.

Preferably, said visor has, at its lower part, a cutout corresponding to the area where the nose of the user will be positioned in order to prevent a plastic edge from resting thereon, which would be particularly uncomfortable.

Advantageously, the head protection hood according to the invention comprises a self-adjusting system of the size of the hood placed at the rear of the hood, for example snaps to adjust the width of the hood and / or the height of the hood. By choosing to fix a snap on one attachment point rather than another, it is possible to define a size of the hood adapted to its morphology of the user so that the hood correctly marries! operator and is positioned so as not to disturb the operator. Other self-adjusting systems, such as example ties or straps can also allow to adjust the hood to the morphology of the operator. Therefore, a hood according to the invention may be suitable for several users who can adapt its size, it is understood that any other suitable self-adjusting means can be used in the context of the present invention.

Preferably, the head protection hood according to the invention is an integral part of a clean room protective clothing and the like. Indeed, the hood according to the invention can equally well form a single piece or be an integral part of a protective clothing such as a combination of integral protection, a coat or a jacket. It is understood that the hood can be connected by any suitable fastening means to the protective clothing, for example by being sewn or attached to it with a zipper, snaps or using Velcro®.

Preferably, the hood according to the invention is an integral part of a protective clothing which is a combination as disclosed in EP2303044, this combination comprising an outer face intended to be in contact with a surrounding medium and an inner face arranged to be in contact with a manipulator, a first and a second leg section connected to each other by an opening in a crotch zone, a first and a second leg, and a body portion to which are connected the first and second sleeves by a bonded end and the first and second leg sections also by a bonded end, said body portion including a head passage section, said combination further comprising at least one gripping zone in contact with the face inside the body part.

Said at least one gripping zone of such a combination may for example be a lichette, an elastic, a lug, a cord or may be formed by an area of the fabric (which need not be formally delimited) of the combination, this area being arranged to be gripped and gripped.

Advantageously, the head protection hood according to the invention forms an integral part of a protective clothing being a combination whose opening is located in the body part, for example in the center of the thorax or from the shoulder to the hip of an operator.

Other embodiments of the hood according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given below, without limitation and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of a head protection hood according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view and detail along the axis II of a head protection hood according to the invention.

Figure 3 is another sectional view and detail along the axis ill of a head protection hood according to the invention.

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate a hood according to the invention which is connected and forms an integral part of a protective clothing.

In the figures, identical or similar elements bear the same references.

FIG. 1 illustrates a hood 1 according to the invention which has an outer face 2 intended to be in contact with the surrounding environment, an inner face 3 intended to be in contact with the head of a user, a head passage section. 4 and a facial opening 5 at the level of the eyes of the user. The facial opening 5 is closed by a visor 6 detachably attached to the hood 1.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the hood 1 is provided with a perforated outer lining 7 whose window 7 '(opening) is located in front of the facial opening 5 at the level of the eyes of the user. This lining 7 forms, with the outer face 2 of the hood 1, a pocket 8 in which the visor 6 can be removably slid. The pouch 8 furthermore has a lateral opening 9 provided with closure means 10, for example a closure in the form of a zipper. These closure means 10 allow the retention of the visor 6 in the pocket 8 when the user is working and necessarily performs movements of the head.

As illustrated, the cover 8 frames the removable visor 6 over its entire periphery, which allows to block and maintain the latter in the space delimited by its pocket 8. Such a frame of the visor 6, on the all of its periphery, allows to isolate the operator of the surrounding environment to avoid any contamination of the latter.

Optionally, the hood 1 may have one or more zones formed in a different material than that of the outer face of the hood 1, for example made of a permeable material. Such areas may be located below and / or above the facial opening 5 to allow the operator to breathe easily but also to ventilate the inside of the hood 1.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the axis II and illustrates an embodiment according to the invention. Support elements 11 are present and are interposed between the outer face 2 of the hood 1 and the perforated outer lining 7 whose window 7 '(opening) is located in front of the facial opening 5 at the eye of the eye. 'user. These additional support elements January 1 along the facial opening 5 and are placed such that they are for example in contact with the front and / or with the nose of the operator. Preferably, these support elements 1 1 are made of a soft material, for example a plastic foam to ensure the comfort of the user. According to a preferred embodiment, the support elements 13 are hems formed in the material constituting the hood 1, said hems being filled by the soft material.

Preferably, the visor 6 is slid between said support elements 11 and the inner wall of the liner 7, which keeps the visor 6 at a distance from the face of the operator. This is particularly indicated when the user is wearing corrective glasses.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the axis III and illustrates the pocket 8 which is provided with a side opening 9 by which a visor 6 can be slid so that it is "locked" in said pocket 8. The pouch 8 provided with a lateral opening 9 allows installation then, after use of the hood, easy and quick removal of the visor 6. This finally allows to have two separate elements, firstly the visor 6 and, on the other hand, of the hood 1, which elements can then each be directed separately to a cleaning station and / or appropriate sterilization.

FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate a hood 1 which is connected and forms an integral part of a protective garment 12, in this case, for example, a combination for clean rooms (FIGS. 4a and 4b) and analogous (gown or gown in Figure 4c). It is understood that the hood 1 can be connected by any suitable fastening means to the protective garment 12, for example by being sewn or attached to it by means of a zipper, snap buttons or even using Velcro®. According to the invention, it is also provided that the head passage section 4 is at least partially covered by the protective clothing so as to be inserted at least partly in the protective clothing. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 a to c, the combinations to which a hood can be connected according to the invention may comprise a closure system, for example a zipper, at the of the foot-leg, on the zone of the thorax or starting from the shoulder and joining the hip of the combination.

It is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and that many modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Head protection hood (1) having an outer face (2) intended to be in contact with a surrounding medium, an inner face (3) adapted to be in contact with a user's head, a head passage section (4) and a face opening (5) at the user's eyes, closed by a visor (6) detachably attached to the hood (1), said hood (1) comprising an outer liner (7) having an inner face and being perforated in front of said face opening (5), said lining (7) forming with the outer face (2) of the hood (1) a pocket (8) in which said visor is removably slid ( 6), said hood (1) further comprising at least one support element (11) interposed between said outer face (2) of the hood (1) and said lining (7), said support element (11) at least partially along said facial opening (5), characterized in that said v isière (6) is inserted between said inner face of said liner (7) and said support member (1 1).

2. head protection hood (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said support member (1 1) is a hem including a filling material such as a plastic foam.

3. head protection hood (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said pocket (8) formed between the outer face (2) of the hood (1) and said liner (7) has at least one closure means (10).

4. head protection hood (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one closing means (10) is selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a snap closure, a push-button or self-gripping means.

5. Head protection hood (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said visor (6) is made of a transparent plastic material.

6. Head protection hood (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said visor (6) has, at its lower part, a cutout corresponding to the area where the nose of the nose will be positioned. 'user.

7. hood (1) for head protection according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a self-adjusting system of the size of the hood placed at the rear of the hood.

8. head protection hood (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is an integral part of a clean room protective clothing and the like.

Head protection hood (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that it forms an integral part of a protective clothing being a combination comprising an outer face intended to be in contact with a surrounding medium and an inner face. arranged to be in contact with a manipulator, a first and a second leg section connected to each other by an opening in a crotch zone, a first and a second leg and a body portion to which are connected the first and second sleeves by a bonded end and the first and second leg sections also by a bonded end, said body portion including a head passage section, said combination further comprising at least one gripping zone in contact with the inner face in the body part.

Head protection hood (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it forms an integral part of a protective clothing being a combination whose opening is located in the part of the body, for example in the center of the thorax or from the shoulder to the hip of an operator.