SYSTEM AND GARMENT FOR MINIMIZING CLEAN ENVIRONMENT CONTAMINATION

• US 20170367420A1
• Filed: 06/24/2016
• Published: 12/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MicronShield LLC
• Original Assignee: MicronShield LLC
• Inventors: Franzen, JR., William L., Newsham, Don
• Application Number:
  US15/192,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20170367420A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0025 by means of forced air circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/02 Overalls , e.g. bodysuits or bib overalls sweating suits A61H36/00
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/04 characterised by special function or use protective clothing affording protection against heat or harmful chemical agents or for use at high altitudes A62B17/00; composition of materials for coverings or clothing affording protection against harmful chemical agents A62D5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2275/206 Special forms, e.g. adapted to a certain housing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/65 for the sterilisation of air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0036 by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0041 for feeding

Abstract

Garments and corresponding systems for preventing contamination of a clean environment are provided. The garment is formed, at least in part, of a filter medium such that air within the garment is permitted to pass from within the garment, through the filter medium, and into the surrounding environment while contaminants are retained by the filter medium. The garment may be substantially formed of the filter medium or may include one or more filter panels arranged around a substantially impermeable portion of the garment. The garment may further include a forced air inlet for coupling the garment to a forced air supply such as a powered respirator or an air handler. Forced air may then be supplied into the garment to further facilitate air circulation and filtration.

Claims

1. A garment for preventing contamination of a clean environment by a wearer of the garment, the garment comprising:

a garment body defining an internal volume and configured to at least partially encapsulate the wearer, the garment body formed, at least in part, of a filter medium, wherein the filter medium is configured to permit air to pass from the internal volume into the clean environment while substantially retaining one or more contaminants, wherein the filter medium comprises one of a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter medium and an ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) filter medium.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment body is substantially formed of the filter medium.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment body comprises:

a first garment portion formed of a first material, wherein the first material is substantially impermeable to air and the one or more contaminants, and

a second garment portion formed of the filter medium.

5. The garment of claim 1 further comprising:

a forced air inlet disposed on the garment body, the forced air inlet configured to be coupled to an external forced air supply and to permit fluid communication between the internal volume and the external forced air supply.

6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the external forced air supply is one of a positive air pressure respirator and a central air supply.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment body is configured to encapsulate a substantial majority of the wearer.

4. The garment of claim 4, wherein the second garment portion is a filter panel configured to be selectively attached to the garment body.

8. A garment for preventing contamination of a clean environment by a wearer of the garment, the garment comprising:

a garment body defining an internal volume and configured to substantially encapsulate the wearer, the garment body formed, at least in part, of a filter medium, wherein the filter medium is configured to permit air to pass from the internal volume into the clean environment while substantially retaining one or more contaminants; and

a forced air inlet disposed on the garment body, the forced air inlet configured to be coupled to an external forced air supply and to permit fluid communication between the internal volume and the external forced air supply.

9. The garment of claim 8, wherein the garment body is substantially formed of the filter medium.

10. The garment of claim 8, wherein the garment body comprises:

a first garment portion formed of a first material, wherein the first material is substantially impermeable to air and the one or more contaminants, and a second garment portion formed of the filter medium.

11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the second garment portion is a filter panel configured to be selectively attached to the garment body.

12. The garment of claim 8, wherein the external forced air supply is one of a positive air pressure respirator and a central air supply.

13. The garment of claim 8, wherein the garment body is configured to encapsulate a substantial majority of the wearer.

14. A system for preventing contamination of clean environments by one or more workers, the system comprising

a forced air supply;

one or more garments, each garment comprising;

a garment body defining an internal volume and configured to encapsulate at least a portion of a wearer of the garment, the garment body formed, at least in part, of a filter medium, wherein the filter medium is configured to permit air to pass from the internal volume into the clean environment while substantially retaining one or more contaminants; and

a forced air inlet disposed on the garment body, the forced air inlet configured to be coupled to the forced air supply and to permit fluid communication between the internal volume and the forced air supply; and

a conduit coupling the forced air supply to the forced air inlet.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the filter medium is one of a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter material and an ultra-low particular air (ULPA) filter material.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the garment body is substantially formed of the filter medium.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the garment body comprises

a first garment portion formed of a first material, wherein the first material is substantially impermeable to air and the one or more contaminants, and

a second garment portion formed of the filter medium.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the second garment portion is a filter panel configured to be selectively attached to the garment body.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the forced air supply further comprises an intake filter comprising a sorbent material.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the garment body is configured to encapsulate a substantial majority of the wearer.