WO2022009228A1

WO2022009228A1 - A comfortable personal protective equipment (ppe) suit having suction device.

Info

Publication number: WO2022009228A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050662
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nihaal Singh ADARSH
Original assignee: Somaiya Vidyavihar
Priority date: 2020-07-07
Filing date: 2021-07-07
Publication date: 2022-01-13

Abstract

A PPE suit (1) adapted for protection against personal hazards and according to personal comforts of a user, with optimum air circulation inside the PPE suit, is disclosed herein. The PPE suit (1) comprises an air tight protective surface (20) adapted to fit upon a body of the user, wherein said protective surface is provided with plurality of predefined spaces (fl); and an air circulation apparatus (10) within the protective surface (20). The air circulation apparatus (10) is adapted to circulate the air between the user's body and said protective surface (20) by drawing the external air inside said suit (1), and allowing the air to escape through said pre¬ defined spaces (fl), thereby providing the user an appropriate comfort through optimum air circulation. The invention further discloses an apparatus (10) incorporated within the PPE suit (1) for optimum air circulation inside the PPE suit

Description

A COMFORTABLE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) SUIT HAVING

SUCTION DEVICE.

FIELD OF INVENTION:

5 The present invention relates to a comfortable, user friendly Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) suit. More particularly, the present invention relates to for a PPE suit with a device providing an optimum air circulation facility for providing comfort to the user wearing the PPE suit.

10 BACKGROUND & PRIOR ART:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is type of medical garments provided to protect a user from an infection or injury. The PPE includes garments protecting the body, legs, arms, the gloves and the helmet. It offers protection against wide range of hazards. One of the example is protection against skin hazards due to infection, burn 15 (from fire or chemicals). The PPE were widely used during Ebola breakout in Africa, as a protection against the virus.

Currently, PPE suits are in demand due to COVID-19 pandemic. World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended use of PPE kit as a safety measure for the 20 healthcare professionals. The medical professionals have been using PPE suits as a standard safety garments while treating and looking after the COVID-19 patients and is widely considered as best protective medical suit so far. The PPE suits are, for obvious reason, completely closed and do not expose any part of the body to the outer environment. However, due to the closed nature of the PPE suits, the user reportedly 25 feels uncomfortable. Adding misery to this discomfort, the hospitals admitting COVID-19 patients are often advised to switch off the air-conditioning system, owing to fears that the infection may spread faster in the closed rooms. Due to combination of these aspects, the PPE suit users have reportedly suffered skin irritation, or in some cases skin infection. To this date, there is no provision of ventilation facility in the PPE suit. A breathable fabric exists in the market, and continuous improvements have been attempted in the said field. The breathable fabric allows the sweat to be transmitted through the material. But such a fabric will be harmful if used as a material of construction for PPE suit, particularly in the times of the current pandemic, since the probability of being infected rises significantly.

In view of this, the inventor has proposed a comfortable, user friendly PPE suit. Most importantly the said PPE suit is provided with an air circulation mechanism. Additionally, the said PPE suit still provides a solid protection against the microparticles, thereby securing a complete protection for the user.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION:

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a personal protective equipment (PPE) adapted for protection against personal hazards and according to personal comforts of a user, with optimum air circulation inside the PPE suit.

The PPE suit comprises an air tight protective surface adapted to fit upon a body of the user, wherein the protective surface is defined by plurality of predefined spaces coinciding at joint portions and neck portion of the user. The PPE suit further comprises an air circulation apparatus located within the protective surface, wherein the air circulation apparatus is adapted to circulate the air between the user’s body and the suit by drawing the external air inside the suit, and allowing the air to escape through said pre-defined spaces, thereby providing the user an appropriate comfort through optimum air circulation.

In an embodiment, the air circulation apparatus is provided with an air filter for blocking the entry of the micro-particles, which may possibly be drawn from the outside air, into the PPE suit. In an embodiment, the air circulation apparatus comprises a pivotable suction device to be adjusted at user’s waist, at least one means of attachment provided to the suction device for the said adjustment, and a controller enclosure attached to the means of attachment.

Further, the pivotable suction device comprises a plurality of variable speed propellers powered by at least one motor, at least one hub joining the propellers with the motor, and a power input connector. In an embodiment, the controller enclosure includes at least one power output connector to connect a power supply unit to the pivotable suction device, a power switch to switch ON/OFF the power, an adjustable knob to vary the speed of the propellers, and a charging port. In an embodiment, the air-circulation apparatus is a battery powered. In an embodiment, the battery is a rechargeable battery. In another embodiment, air- circulation device is powered on renewable energy, such as solar energy.

The PPE suit of the instant invention is adapted to circulate the air inside the suit by drawing the external air inside the suit, and allowing the air to escape through said pre-defined spaces. Therefore, the wearing the PPE suit of the present invention thereby provides the user an appropriate comfort through optimum air circulation.

The present invention further provides an apparatus, incorporated within the PPE suit, which provides optimum air circulation inside the PPE suit, making the user comfortable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

Figure 1(a) illustrates a pictorial representation of a front view of the PPE suit worn by the user, wherein an openings (fl) near the neck region of the user.

Figure 1(b) illustrates a pictorial representation of the position of the air circulation apparatus inside the PPE suit.

Figure 1(c) illustrates a pictorial representation of the speed adjustment.

Figure 2(a) illustrates a front view of the air-circulation apparatus (10) which a part of the novel PPE suit.

Figure 2(b) illustrate a side view of the air-circulation apparatus (10).

Figure 2(c) illustrates another view of the air circulation apparatus (10).

Figure 3 illustrate the controller enclosure (400) of the air circulation apparatus (10) provided in the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates an air filter (il) provided to the air circulation apparatus (10).

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a PPE suit adapted for protection against personal hazards and according to personal comforts of a user, with optimum air circulation inside the PPE suit.

The present invention further discloses an apparatus incorporated with the PPE suit, for optimum air circulation inside the PPE suit as per user’s requirement. Certain terms and expressions have usual meaning associated with them. Nevertheless, the terms and expressions are elaborated for the sake of clarity and to avoid any ambiguity that may arise while reading the specification. For the sake of generality, the term “PPE kit” or “PPE suit” are synonyms in the context of the present invention. The term “user” indicates any user wearing PPE kit/suit, which will incorporate the device described in the present specification. Such users may include medical professionals, or any other professionals which require wearing of PPE suit. The present invention may be comprehended by referring to figures appended at the end of the specification. The figures illustrate the preferred embodiment and various parts therein. It may be noted that figures are not intended to restrict the scope of the invention. Any variation in the embodiment will be envisaged as falling within the scope of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b), which are pictorial representations, the personal protective equipment suit (1), adapted for protection against personal hazards and according to personal comforts of a user, comprises an air tight protective surface (20) adapted to fit upon a body of the user, and an air circulation apparatus (10).

The protective surface (20) is provided with a plurality of predefined spaces (fl) coinciding at joint portions and neck portion of the user. The air circulation apparatus (10) is adapted to circulate the air between the user’s body and the suit by drawing the external air inside the suit, and allowing the air to escape through said pre-defined spaces (fl), thereby providing the user an appropriate comfort through optimum air circulation. In a preferred embodiment, the protective surface (20) is prepared from a material which is most effective in medical usage to protect the wearer from harmful viruses, bacteria etc. In another embodiment, the protective surface (20) is prepared from any material that protects the user from any hazardous situation, such fire or chemical hazard.

Figure 1(c) pictorially illustrates an adjustable rotating knob for the purpose of adjusting the air suction pressure by the air circulation apparatus (10). The user wearing the PPE suit (1) adjusts the suction pressure according to his/her comfirt level and requirement.

Figure 2(a), Figure 2(b) and Figure 2(c) illustrate the air circulation apparatus (10), which is an important part in the construction of the present PPE suit (1). The air circulation apparatus (10) comprises a pivotable suction device (100) adapted to draw and circulate the external air inside the PPE suit, and is adjusted at user’s waist by at least one attachment means (e2). The air circulation apparatus further comprises of a controller enclosure (400) attached to at least one attachment means (e2). The controller enclosure (400) is operatively coupled to the air circulation apparatus (10). The pivotable suction device (100) includes a plurality of variable speed propellers (al) powered by at least one motor (c3), at least one hub (a2) joining said propellers with said motor (c3), and a power input connector (a4).

In a preferred embodiment, the motor (c3) is a DC motor. The DC motor may preferably be a brushless DC motor. The motor (c3) is controlled by an Electronic Speed Control (ESC) unit, wherein the ESC unit receives a pulse width modulated signal when the knob is adjusted. However in other embodiments, the motor (c3) may be any industrially available motor which is effective to control speed and torque of the propellers (al). It is well known fact that the PPE suits are meant to protect the person wearing the suit from the infection present in the atmosphere in which he/she is working. In the case of the present invention, the external air is drawn in by the air circulation apparatus (10), because of which the unwanted microparticles, such as dust, bacteria, viruses, may possibly get sucked in. This will defeat the very basic purpose of the PPE suit. Further, in the current times of COVID pandemic, it is equally important to provide appropriate protection while drawing outside air into the PPE suits. Hence, an air filter (il) fitted in a cap (a3) is installed at the outer face of the plurality of the propellers (al). The cap (a3) is fastened to the propellers (al) by means of at least one fastning knob (a5) and at least one fastner (a6).

It may be noted that the air filter (il) is a suitable filter that blocks air contaminants as well as the microbes from entering into the PPE suit. Further, the filter may be active or passive, and can filter the contaminants of upto 50 nm. In case of passive filters, the material of construction may be selected from multilayer cloth filters, membrane fdters or multilayer polymer filters that can effectively blocks the entry of the particles of upto 50nms. The filters are replaceable with fresh ones.

In another embodiment, the air filter (il) may be any filter which blocks the entry of any hazardous particles from the outside environment. The hazardous particles may belong to any situation such as fire or chemical hazards, or such.

Figure 2(b) illustrates fixing mechanism of the various components of the air circulation apparatus (10). The pivotable suction device (100) is placed on a bracket bottom (b5) applied with a flexible insulating material (b6) to provide the pivotability to the suction device (100). In a preferred embodiment, the flexible insulating material (b6) is rubber. Figure 2(c) illustrates a mounting arrangement of the motor (c3). The motor (c3) is placed on a mounting bracket (cl), which in turn is mounted on the flexible insulating material (b6). The mounting bracket (cl) is mounted on a motor mount (c2) to provide stability to the motor (c3).

Figure 3 illustrates various components of the controller enclosure (400). The controller enclosure includes at least one power output connector (dl) to connect a power supply unit (d2) to said pivotable suction device (al), a power switch (d3) to switch ON/OFF the power, an adjustable knob (d4) to vary the speed of said propellers (al) through the motor(c3), and a charging port (d6).

In a preferred embodiment, the PPE suit of the present invention is powered by a DC source, preferably a rechargeable battery, for the purpose. In another embodiment, the PPE suit may also be powered on renewable energy, such as solar energy.

The invention further describes an apparatus (10) incorporated within the PPE suit (1) for optimum air circulation inside the PPE suit (1). The apparatus (10) comprises a pivotable suction device (100) adapted to draw and circulate the external air inside the PPE suit, and is adjusted at user’s waist by at least one attachment means (e2). The apparatus (10) further comprises of a controller enclosure (400) attached to at least one attachment means (e2). The controller enclosure (400) is operatively coupled to the air circulation apparatus (10). The pivotable suction device (100) includes a plurality of variable speed propellers (al) powered by at least one motor (c3), at least one hub (a2) joining said propellers with said motor (c3), and a power input connector (a4).

The PPE suit, as described above, is a universal, user-friendly device that is application for safety hazards and personal protection. The PPE suit described above also provides optimized air circulation, thereby proving to be extremely comfortable for long hours usage of PPE suits.

The above description is intended to describe the invention fully and particularly. However, scope of the invention is not strictly limited by the above description. It may be noted that the description embodies various alternate embodiments, which are not described here.

Claims

We claim,

1. A personal protective equipment suit (1) adapted for protection against personal hazards and according to personal comforts of a user comprises: an air tight protective surface (20) adapted to fit upon a body of the user, wherein said protective surface is provided with plurality of predefined spaces (fl) coinciding at joint portions and neck portion of the user; and an air circulation apparatus (10) within the protective surface (20); wherein said air circulation apparatus (10) is adapted to circulate the air between the user’s body and said protective surface (20) by drawing the external air inside said suit (1), and allowing the air to escape through said pre-defined spaces (fl), thereby providing the user an appropriate comfort through optimum air circulation.

2. The suit (1) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the air circulation apparatus (10) comprises a pivotable suction device (100) to be adjusted at user’s body, at least one means of attachment (e2) provided to said suction device (100), at least one adjustable roatating knob (d4) and said controller enclosure (400) attached to said means of attachment (e2).

3. The suit (1) as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said pivotable suction device (100) comprises a plurality of variable speed propellers (al) powered by at least one motor (c3), at least one hub (a2) joining said propellers (al) with said motor (c3), and a power input connector (a4).

4. The suit (1) as claimed in Claim 3, wherein an air filter (il) is included in a cap (a3) situated at a mouth of said propellers (al). 5. The suit (1) as claimed in Claim 4, wherein at least one fastening knob (a5) and at least one fastener (a6) are provided to fasten the cap (a3) to said propellers (al). 6. The suit (1) as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said pivotable suction device

(100) is placed on a bracket bottom (b5) applied with a flexible insulating material (b6) to provide the pivotability to said suction device (100).

7. The suit (1) as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said controller enclosure (400) includes at least one power output connector (dl) to connect a power supply unit (d2) to said pivotable suction device (al), a power switch (d3) to switch ON/OFF the power, an adjustable knob (d4) to vary the speed of said propellers (al), and a charging port (d6).

8. The suit (1) as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said power supply unit (d2) is a DC power source.

9. The suit (1) as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said DC power source is a rechargeable battery.

10. The apparatus (10) incorporated within a PPE suit (1) for optimum air circulation within the PPE suit (1) comprises: a pivotable suction device (100) to be adjusted at user’s body, wherein said suction device (100) comprises of a plurality of variable speed propellers (al) powered by at least one motor (c3), at least one hub (a2) joining said propellers

(al) with said motor (c3), and a power input connector (a4). at least one means of attachment (e2) provided to said suction device (100) to be attached to the user’s body, at least one adjustable roatating knob (d4) to vary the speed of said propellers (al); at least one filter (il) situated at a mouth of said propellers (al); and at least one controller enclosure (400) attached to said means of attachment (e2), wherein said controller enclosure (400) includes at least one power output connector (dl) to connect a power supply unit (d2) to said pivotable suction device (al), a power switch (d3) to switch ON/OFF the power, , and a charging port (d6).