HOOD ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A PROTECTIVE SUIT
First Claim
1. A hood assembly for a protective suit, comprising a hood and a seal, the seal extending about the rim of the hood and comprising a sheet composed partly or entirely of resilient material,the sheet being provided with a pocket,the pocket having an inner layer for contacting a contoured surface and an outer layer,the inner and outer layers being separated by a filler medium that is configured to transmit force from the outer layer to the inner layer,the pocket being configured such that:
- (i) the outer layer is curved about the filler medium when no stretching force is applied to the sheet, and(ii) as the sheet is subjected to a stretching force;
a first component of the stretching force is transmitted along the outer layer, the first component of the stretching force being greater than any component of the stretching force that is simultaneously transmitted along the inner layer, andthe curvature of the outer layer is reduced, so that a pressing force is transmitted from the outer layer, through the filler medium, onto the inner layer, the pressing force pressing the inner layer against the contoured surface, so as to reduce fluid flow between the inner layer and the contoured surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hood assembly for a protective suit has a hood (41) and a seal (10). The seal extends about the rim of the hood and comprises a sheet composed partly or entirely of resilient material. The sheet is provided with a pocket (14). The pocket (14) has an inner layer (16) for contacting a contoured surface and an outer layer (18), separated by a filler medium (22). The outer layer is curved about the filler medium when no stretching force (26) is applied to the sheet, and as the sheet is subjected to a stretching force a first component of the stretching force is transmitted along the outer layer. As the sheet is subjected to a stretching force the curvature of the outer layer is reduced, so that a pressing force (28) is transmitted from the outer layer, through the filler medium, onto the inner layer. The pressing force presses the inner layer against the contoured surface, so as to reduce fluid flow between the inner layer and the contoured surface.
3 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A hood assembly for a protective suit, comprising a hood and a seal, the seal extending about the rim of the hood and comprising a sheet composed partly or entirely of resilient material,
the sheet being provided with a pocket, the pocket having an inner layer for contacting a contoured surface and an outer layer, the inner and outer layers being separated by a filler medium that is configured to transmit force from the outer layer to the inner layer, the pocket being configured such that: -
(i) the outer layer is curved about the filler medium when no stretching force is applied to the sheet, and (ii) as the sheet is subjected to a stretching force; a first component of the stretching force is transmitted along the outer layer, the first component of the stretching force being greater than any component of the stretching force that is simultaneously transmitted along the inner layer, and the curvature of the outer layer is reduced, so that a pressing force is transmitted from the outer layer, through the filler medium, onto the inner layer, the pressing force pressing the inner layer against the contoured surface, so as to reduce fluid flow between the inner layer and the contoured surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)
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13. A kit of parts comprising a hood for a protective suit and a seal for fitting about the rim of the hood, wherein the seal comprises a sheet composed partly or entirely of resilient material,
the sheet being provided with a pocket, the pocket having a first layer, a second layer, and a filler medium disposed between the first and second layers, the filler medium being configured to transmit force from the first layer to the second layer, the pocket being configured such that: -
(i) the first layer is curved about the filler medium when no stretching force is applied to the sheet, and (ii) as the sheet is subjected to a stretching force; a first component of the stretching force is transmitted along the first layer, the first component of the stretching force being greater than any component of the stretching force that is simultaneously transmitted along the second layer, and the curvature of the first layer is reduced, so that a pressing force is transmitted from the first layer, through the filler medium, onto the second layer.
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Specification