Decontamination Ring

Abstract

An improved decontamination structure may feature at least two parallel rings with pillar supports therebetween and a plurality of containment bags draped thereon. Various clipping and support mechanisms may be utilized.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of the handling of hazardous materials and more particularly relates to a reusable structure for the doffing of protective gear and outfits in a decontamination setting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

We live in a world with a constant threat of hazardous materials. Exposure of hazardous materials may be accidental or intentional and may involve any number of agents which may be useful in their proper context, but dangerous if left unchecked in the environment. First responders usually receive specialized training to handle such events and specialized equipment is used to protect them from exposure. Gear is often categorized as “personal protective equipment” (PPE) and may include an impermeable outer covering, boots, air supply, etc. when leaving a decontamination area, PPE must be doffed in a manner to contain any harbored contaminants in the decontamination area. To this end, many devices have been developed, each with its own balance of protection and ease of use. However, containment does not necessarily have to be an extensive operation; and more complex structures take time to set up, take down, and possibly even require some level of decontamination or disposal. A simple containment unit may be utilized to set up quickly, efficiently allow a crew of individuals to doff their PPE in a contained area and keep the PPE contained, and deconstruct quickly with minimal need for disposal or further decontamination.

The present invention is a ring framework which is easily collapsed and contains a plurality of individual layered containment bags. Each responder doffs his or her PPE while standing in the ring, on a bag, and leaves the PPE therein. The bag is then sealed and removed, leaving the next bag for the next individual.

The present invention represents a departure from the prior art in that the decontamination ring of the present invention allows for efficient set-up, use, containment of contaminated materials, and break-down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of decontamination structures, an improved decontamination ring. may provide a structure that sets up with as little effort as possible, contain containment bags in a manner that facilitates rapid cycling of individuals through the area, and provides an efficient break-down of the system with minimal loss of necessary components. As such, a new and improved decontamination ring may comprise at least two parallel rings set apart by support pillars and a plurality of containment bags draped thereover in order to accomplish these objectives.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an assembled decontamination ring, without the containment bags.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the assembled decontamination ring of FIG. 1A with at least one containment bag installed thereon.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the decontamination ring of FIG. 1A, taken in box II.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a pillar used in the decontamination ring of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the pillar of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an alternate pillar for use in a smaller, boot sized, decontamination ring.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the alternate pillar of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the support ring used in the decontamination ring of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a close-up view of the support ring of FIG. 7, taken in circle VIII.

FIG. 9 is a close-up view of the support ring of FIG. 7, disassembled.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the disassembled support ring of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the disassembled support ring of FIG. 10, coiled for stowage.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the decontamination ring of FIG. 1B, in use.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a smaller, boot-sized, decontamination ring, utilizing the pillars of FIGS. 5 and 6 and a smaller support ring.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the decontamination ring of FIG. 11, after use.

FIG. 15 is a close-up view of the decontamination ring of FIG. 13, taken in circle XV.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the decontamination ring is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that while the term “ring” is used, it should not be limited to a round or elliptical shape, but any shape, including polygons, may be considered a “ring” if it has enough internal area for an individual to stand within it.

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 2, the base decontamination ring scaffold 10 features two support rings 12 and a plurality of removable pillars 14 positioned therebetween, joining them together and supporting one support ring 12 above the other. It is best if the rings are generally parallel to each other, but this is not critical to proper functioning and different length pillars 14 could be used to create the scaffold 10. Demarcations 18 on the rings 12 may be utilized to indicate the number of pillars 14 and where they may be positioned for optimum support. Tape may be used to form the demarcations 18, and in so doing provide a more fractioned surface on which the pillars 14 may grasp. It is preferred that the decontamination ring scaffold be of sufficient size to encompass a person. Therefore, a circumference of 126″ (320 cm) and height of 13″ (33 cm) are preferred by the inventor, though any measurements may suffice. Use of smaller pillars 34 (FIGS. 5 and 6) may be conducive to the construction of smaller decontamination rings, such as forming a separate ring for the doffing of boots. A circumference of 108″ (275 cm) and height of 11″ (28 cm) would be adequate for a smaller boot ring 30 (FIG. 12).

Each pillar features a clip 16 on either end (FIGS. 3 and 4), each of which will grasp one of the support rings 12. The main pillar bodies 14 are sufficiently rigid to support the support rings 12. In practice, the preferred material is rigid and durable PVC pipe at a 0.75″ (2 cm) diameter. End caps 15 may then be placed on either open end of the main pillar bodies 14 and a clip 16 mounted thereon. The assembly may be secured by use of any appropriate physical or chemical bonding. Similarly, the construction of the shorter, boot-ring, pillars 34 is functionally identical with end caps 35 covering the open ends of the pillars 34 and providing support for clips 36 (FIGS. 5 and 6).

Support rings 12 (FIGS. 7 and 8) may be manufactured of 0.75″ (2 cm) HDPE polymer tubing. The tubing is joined at a joint 15 to form the support ring 12. Use of a tubing connector 17 (FIGS. 9 and 10) of appropriate size then keeps the tubing ends together by a friction fit. The use of HDPE is preferred as the support ring 12 may be more easily stowed by breaking the joint 15 and coiling the tubing over itself. Given this preference, it should be understood that any other material may be used to varying degrees of success. What is of utmost importance in these considerations is the ability of the support rings to withstand the weight of the containment bag layer 20 and any accidental forces which may occur (such as by a person slipping and falling onto the decontamination ring 10). If desired, the tubing connector 17 may be secured in one end of the support ring's tubing by any means know or later discovered in the art. The use of snap-button connectors may also be utilized with the interface of the open end and the tubing connector 17.

Containment bags 20 (FIG. 2A) may then be draped over scaffold 10 in a layered fashion so that an individual may doff PPE while standing in the interior of the decontamination ring within the scaffold 10 and on the bag 20 (FIG. 11). At this time, the preferred bag is a large polyethylene bag, which may be purchased or provided as a stack of bags 20 which may be layered all together over the scaffold 10. A similar use of bags is shown for the boot ring 30 in FIG. 12. When finished, the top bag 22 may then be sealed, leaving the next bag on the bag stack 20 for use by the next individual (FIGS. 13 and 14). Bags 20 may be clipped in place on the rings 12 or stowed elsewhere.

Polymers are preferred as they are relatively inexpensive, easy to manipulate into the desired forms and may be made of many different colors. The use of bright, attention-getting, and possibly fluorescent colors is preferred as this makes the decontamination ring 10 easier to see. Polymers may also be secured together by either mechanical or chemical means. It is also preferred that, for most uses, there be three to four pillars 14 to support the support rings 12. Of course, more may be used for larger circumference scaffolds.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

1. A decontamination ring comprising: a support scaffold defining an interior area; anda plurality of containment bags grouped together and draped over the scaffold such that at least a portion of the containment bags settle within the interior area of the support scaffold;

2. The decontamination ring of claim 1, the support scaffold thereof further comprising a plurality of support pillars and two support rings, said support pillars maintaining the support rings in a generally parallel relationship to each other.

3. The decontamination ring of claim 2, the support rings and support pillars being mutually removable from each other.

4. The decontamination ring of claim 3, the support pillars further comprising a plurality of clip with which to interface with the support rings.

5. The decontamination ring of claim 3, the support rings being breakable and being able to be coiled in a manner to reduce stowage space.

6. A method of personnel decontamination, the method comprising: standing within a decontamination ring as described in claim 1;doffing personal protective equipment within a top containment bag;sealing the top containment bag and using it to individually contain the doffed personal protective equipment.

7. A method of personnel decontamination, the method comprising: standing within a decontamination ring as described in claim 1;doffing personal protective equipment within a top containment bag;sealing the top containment bag and using it to individually contain the doffed personal protective equipment.