VENTED PROTECTIVE GARMENT

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a protective garment, and more particularly, to a vented protective garment.

BACKGROUND

Conventional protective garments are designed to shield a wearer from a variety of environmental hazards, and firefighting turnout gear is representative of such garments. The firefighting turnout gear includes coats, pants, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interface components. Typically, the turnout gear comprises an outer shell, a moisture barrier located beneath the outer shell, and a thermal liner located beneath the moisture barrier.

The outer shell typically is constructed of an abrasion-, flame- and heat-resistant material such as a woven aramid material, typically NOMEX® or KEVLAR®, (all are trademarks of E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc.) or a polybenzamidazole such a PBI® (a trademark of Celanese Corp.) fiber material. The moisture barrier typically includes a semipermeable membrane layer which is moisture vapor permeable but impermeable to liquid moisture, such as CROSSTECH® (a trademark of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.) or STEDAIR® 4000 (a trademark of Stedfast Inc.). The membrane layer is bonded to a substrate of flame- and heat-resistant material, such as an aramid or a PBI® material. Further, the thermal liner typically is constructed of a nonwoven fabric, usually spunlace, quilted to a facecloth.

One of the most dangerous threats to wearers of protective garments is heat exhaustion, which could possibly result in death. The primary mechanism of a human body to prevent heat exhaustion and normalize core body temperature is to sweat (i.e. emit liquid moisture). Once the sweat on the skin evaporates into moisture vapor, it is able to carry heat away from the body. During active firefighting, for example, the wearer produces immense amounts of liquid moisture and heat that must be transferred from the body in order to cool the wearer and prevent an overheated state. If the wearer experiences an overheated state and remains therein, the wearer may succumb to heat exhaustion.

Yet, it is paramount that the protective garments provide adequate protection.

Requirements for protective garments that are employed as firefighting turnout gear must meet various standards and requirement set forth by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For example, NFPA 1971 standard requiring a composite Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) of greater than 35 and a Total Heat Loss (THL) of greater than 205 W/m2. TPP is a measure of thermal protection and THL is a measure of heat transfer through structural garments. Typically, improving fire protection characteristics of the protective garments (i.e., increased TPP rating) is achieved by increased insulation, usually by employing heavier material components, resulting in greater heat stress and lower THL of the protective garment. Thus, there is a need for reducing heat stress experienced by a wearer without modifying and/or changing the materials or components that makeup the protective garment, namely the outer shell, the moisture barrier, and the thermal liner.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a protective garment that improves comfort and protection of a wearer.

SUMMARY

In concordance and agreement with the presently described subject matter, a protective garment that improves comfort and protection of a wearer, has been newly developed.

In one embodiment, a protective garment, comprises: a plurality of components configured to provide thermal protection to a wearer of the protective garment, wherein the protective garment is vented.

In another embodiment, a protective garment, comprises: an outer shell; a moisture barrier disposed adjacent the outer shell, wherein the moisture barrier comprises at least one of a substrate layer and a membrane layer; a thermal liner disposed adjacent the moisture barrier, wherein the thermal liner comprises a facecloth layer and at least one insulation layer; and at least one vent formed in at least one of the outer shell, the moisture barrier, and the thermal liner.

In yet another embodiment, a method of producing a protective garment, comprises: providing at least one of an outer shell, a thermal liner, and a moisture barrier; and forming at least one vent in at least one of the outer shell, the thermal liner, and the moisture barrier.

As aspects of some embodiments, one of the components is a thermal liner.

As aspects of some embodiments, one of the components is a moisture barrier.

As aspects of some embodiments, one of the components is an outer shell.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one of the components includes at least one vent formed therein.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one vent is formed in at least one transferal portion of at least one of the components.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one vent is formed in the thermal liner.

As aspects of some embodiments, the thermal liner comprises a facecloth layer and at least one insulation layer, and wherein the at least one vent is an opening formed in at least one of the layers of the thermal liner.

As aspects of some embodiments, an insert is provided in the opening formed in the at least one of the layers of the thermal liner.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one vent is formed in the moisture barrier.

As aspects of some embodiments, the moisture barrier comprises a substrate layer and a membrane layer, and wherein the at least one vent is an opening formed in at least one of the substrate layer and the membrane layer.

As aspects of some embodiments, an insert is provided in the opening formed in at least one of the layers of the moisture barrier.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one vent is an opening formed in the at least one of the components, and wherein an insert is provided in the opening.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least a portion of the insert is produced from at least one substantially water vapor permeable, heat transferable material.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least a portion of the insert is produced from at least one of a flame-resistant woven material, a flame-resistant nonwoven material, a flame-resistant knit material, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) material, and a urethane material.

As aspects of some embodiments, at least one of the outer shell, the moisture barrier, and the thermal liner includes at least one transferal portion configured to facilitate heat transfer therefrom.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one vent is formed in the at least one transferal portion.

As aspects of some embodiments, the at least one transferal portion has a Resistance to Evaporation of a Textile (Ret) of less than 20 m2 Pa/W.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present disclosure, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a protective garment comprising an outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal liner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the protective garment is a turnout coat having a plurality of transferal portions;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the protective garment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a protective garment comprising an outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal liner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the protective garment is a turnout pant having a plurality of transferal portions;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the protective garment of FIG. 3, partially showing one of the transferal portions;

FIG. 5 is fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the protective garment of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the thermal liner of the protective garment of FIGS. 1-2, wherein the thermal liner includes one or more vents formed therein;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the thermal liner of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the moisture barrier of the protective garment of FIGS. 1-2, wherein the moisture barrier includes one or more vents formed therein;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the moisture barrier of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a vent formed in the thermal liner of the protective garments shown in FIGS. 1-3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the vent is an opening formed in the thermal liner;

FIG. 10B is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a vent formed in the thermal liner of the protective garments shown in FIGS. 1-3 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein an insert is provided in the vent of the thermal liner;

FIG. 11A is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a vent formed in the moisture barrier of the protective garments shown in FIGS. 1-3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the vent is an opening formed in the moisture barrier;

FIG. 11B is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a vent formed in the moisture barrier of the protective garments shown in FIGS. 1-3 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein an insert is provided in the vent of the moisture barrier;

FIG. 12A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the insert shown in FIGS. 11B and 12B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the insert shown in FIGS. 11B and 12B according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a line graph illustrating a core body temperature of a wearer of various protective garments Samples 1-5 over a period of time, wherein Sample 5 is the protective garment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a line graph illustrating a heart rate of a wearer of various protective garments Samples 1-5 over a period of time, wherein Sample 5 is the protective garment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a line graph illustrating respirations of a wearer of various protective garments Samples 1-5 over a period of time, wherein Sample 5 is the protective garment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 16 a graphical representation of thermal imaging showing heat emitted from the protective garments of FIGS. 1-4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more present disclosures, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific present disclosure claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

All documents, including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature cited in this detailed description are incorporated herein by reference, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Where any conflict or ambiguity may exist between a document incorporated by reference and this detailed description, the present detailed description controls.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate exemplary protective garments 10, 12 according to the present disclosure. As discussed herein, the protective garments 10, 12 may be firefighting turnout gear. Firefighting turnout gear must comply with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and requirements. For example, current NFPA 1971 standards require a composite Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) of greater than 35 and a Total Heat Loss (THL) of greater than 205 W/m2. As described hereinabove, TPP is a measure of thermal protection and THL is a measure of heat transfer through structural garments. In other words, THL is a measure of an amount of heat that can escape from the wearer into a surrounding environment under specified temperature and humidity conditions, both wet and dry. A higher THL rating of the protective garments 10, 12 correlates to less heat stress of the wearer. In the next standards of NFPA 1971, the Resistance to Evaporation of a Textile/Resistance to Evaporative Heat Transfer (Ret) test (ISO 11092) will become a requirement. The Ret test is a means to evaluate a resistance of a material or material set to evaporative heat transfer. Ret is conducted per ISO 11092, 1993 edition, and is expressed in m2 Pa/W. Higher Ret values indicate lower moisture vapor permeability and higher resistance to evaporative heat transfer, and thus, more heat trapped within a protective garment and subjected to the wearer. One such Ret test measures the resistance to evaporative heat transfer through a three-layer composite using a sweating guarded hot plate at 35 degrees Celsius and 40% relative humidity.

Relatively low Ret is particularly beneficial in the protective garments 10, 12 that the wearer experiences high amounts of heat and moisture. This is because relatively low Ret indicates that the protective garments 10, 12 efficiently move moisture vapor and heat; thus cooling down the wearer and avoiding heat exhaustion. Improving the Ret of the protective garments 10, 12 will keep the wearer much cooler versus conventional garments that have a higher Ret, which increases a risk of heat exhaustion of the wearer.

Particularly, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a firefighting turnout coat representative of the protective garment 10 and FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrates a firefighter turnout pant representative of the protective garment 12, both of which can be donned by firefighter personnel when exposed to flames and extreme heat. It is noted that, although a firefighting turnout coat and pant are shown in FIGS. 1-4 and described herein, the present disclosure pertains to protective garments 10, generally. Accordingly, the identification of firefighting turnout gear is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The protective garments 10, 12 may be other types or components of protective garments which include, but are not limited to, firefighting turnout pants and coveralls, suits for industrial workers (including, for example, arc flash apparel), wildland's firefighters, race car drivers, airplane pilots, military personnel, and the like.

A construction of the protective garment 10 is substantially the same or similar to a construction of the protective garment 12. For simplicity, only the construction of the protective garment 10 is described hereinafter.

As more clearly depicted in FIG. 5, the protective garment 10 may comprises a thermal liner 110 (depicted in FIGS. 6-7) that forms an interior surface (i.e., a surface that contacts the wearer) of the protective garments 10, a moisture barrier 112 (depicted in FIGS. 8-9) that forms an intermediate layer of the protective garment 10, and an outer shell 114 (depicted in FIGS. 1-2) that forms an exterior surface of the protective garment 10. When integrated the thermal liner 110, the moisture barrier 112, and the outer shell 114 may together be characterized as having a TPP rating of at least 35.

The thermal liner 110 shown may, optionally, include a facecloth layer 120, a first insulation layer 122, and a second insulation layer 124, which may be quilted together. In alternative embodiments, however, the thermal liner 110 may only include one of the insulation layers 122, 124 used with or without the facecloth layer 120. When it is used, the facecloth layer 120 may be constructed of at least one material comprising flame resistant and/or moisture-wicking fibers or filaments made of, for example, at least one of an aramid (meta-aramid or para-aramid), polybenzimidazole, polybenzoxazole, melamine, cellulosics, flame resistant (FR) cellulosics, modacrylic, carbon, or the like, and blends thereof. In one embodiment, the facecloth layer 120 may be produced from at least one of a spunlace, a woven material, a nonwoven material, a stretch woven material, a knit material, a fleece material, and a laminate material, for example. The facecloth layer 120 may be, optionally, finished with a hydrophilic finish that draws perspiration off of the wearer, if desired.

Each of the insulation layer 122, 124 may comprise a material that includes one or more flame resistant fibers. The insulation layers 122, 124 may each comprise a single layer of nonwoven material, or two layers of nonwoven material, or multiple layers of nonwoven material. In one embodiment, at least one of the insulation layers 122, 124 may be produced from at least one of a spunlace, a woven material, a nonwoven material, a stretch woven material, a knit material, a fleece material, and a laminate material, for example. In other embodiments, the first insulation layer 122 may be produced from a blend of meta-aramid (e.g., NOMEX®) and/or para-aramid (e.g., KEVLAR®) spunlace and/or the second insulation layer 124 may be a fleece material produced from a blend of meta-aramid (e.g., NOMEX®), para-aramid (e.g., KEVLAR®), and/or anti-static fibers. It is understood that the facecloth layer 120 and/or the insulation layers 122, 124, collectively the thermal liner 110, may have any suitable thickness as desired.

In some embodiments, the moisture barrier 112, shown in FIGS. 5, may be constructed of a membrane layer 130 bonded to a substrate layer 132. The membrane layer 130 may be a semipermeable film, which is moisture vapor permeable, but impermeable to liquid moisture. The film may be produced from at least one of a moisture vapor permeable material such as an expanded polyetrafluroethylene (ePTFE) and a liquid moisture impermeable material such as, polyurethane (PU), urethane, and the like, or any combination thereof. The substrate layer 132 may be produced from a nonwoven or woven or knit flame-resistant fabric comprising fibers made of, for example, aramid (meta- and/or para-), polybenzimidazole, polybenzoxazole, melamine, or the like, and blends thereof. It is understood that the moisture barrier 112 may comprise more or less layers and may have any suitable thickness as desired.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the outer shell 114 may be constructed of a heat and flame resistant material 140 that comprises flame resistant fibers made of, for example, at least one of aramid (meta- and/or para-aramid), polybenzamidazole, polybenzoxazole, oxidized polyacrylonitrile (OPAN), or the like, and/or blends thereof. The outer shell 114 may be treated with a water-resistant finish to prevent or reduce water absorption from the outside environment. In that the outer shell 114 forms an exterior surface of the protective garment 10, the outer shell 114 preferably is constructed so as to be flame resistant to protect the wearer against being burned in certain applications. In addition, the outer shell 114 preferably is strong so as to be resistant to tearing and abrasion during use in extreme environments.

In some embodiments, the protective garments 10, 12 may further include one or more transferal portions 150 for evaporative heat transfer. The Ret of the protective garments 10, 12 may be lessened by providing the transferal portions 150. When the transferal portions 150 are integrated into the protective garments 10, 12, the protective garments 10, 12 of the present disclosure may achieve a TPP rating of greater than 35, a THL rating of greater than 205, and a Ret of less than 20 m2 Pa/W. As shown, the transferal portions 150 may be discretely-positioned and used in predetermined areas (e.g. armpit, underarm gusset, and side-panel areas of the protective garment 10 and/or the waist, knee, and groin areas of the protective garment 12). In certain embodiments, the transferal portions 150 are positioned in the protective garments 10, 12 at locations adjacent parts of the wearer that are likely to produce large amounts of heat and/or liquid moisture (i.e., sweat). Therefore, the protective garments 10, 12 may be significantly improved without sacrificing pliability, processibility, and the like. By using the transferal portions 150, it is possible to produce the protective garments 10, 12 that optimize heat transfer to reduce heat stress of the wearer, while maximizing thermal protection. It is understood that the transferal portions 150 may have a multi-layer construction and/or may be incorporated into one or more of the components (i.e., the thermal liner 110, the moisture barrier 112, the outer shell 114) of the protective garments 10, 12.

In certain embodiments, the transferal portions 150 of the protective garments 10, 12 may comprise the thermal liner 110 having a facecloth layer produced from a meta-aramid fiber material and an insulation layer produced from aramid (meta- or para-) spunlace; the moisture barrier 112 including the flame-resistant substrate layer 132 and the membrane layer 130 produced from at least a CROSSTECH® material and/or a STEDAIR® material; and the outer shell 114 produced from a blend of aramid and oxidized polyacrylonitrile (OPAN) fiber materials Such embodiments of the protective garments 10, 12 have a relatively low Ret of about 15-19 m2 Pa/W or less.

In some embodiments, the transferal portions 150 of the outer shell 114 of the protective garments 10, 12 may be a woven and/or a stretch woven material comprising a blend of at least one aramid material and an oxidized polyacrylonitrile (OPAN) material. More preferably, the transferal portions 150 of the outer shell 114 of the protective garment 10 may be produced from a blend of meta-aramid fibers (e.g., NOMEX™), para-aramid fibers (e.g., KEVLAR™), and oxidized polyacrylonitrile (OPAN). In a non-limiting example, the transferal portions 150 of the outer shell 114 of the protective garment 10 may be produced from about 22% meta-aramid fibers (e.g., NOMEX™), about 60% para-aramid fibers (e.g., KEVLAR™), and about 18% oxidized polyacrylonitrile (OPAN).

Low Ret is particularly beneficial in areas of the protective garments 10, 12 that experience high amounts of heat and moisture. This is because the low Ret areas, provided by the transferal portions 150, efficiently move moisture vapor and heat; thus cooling down the firefighter and avoiding heat exhaustion. Incorporating low Ret transferal portions 150 into the protective garments 10, 12 will keep the wearer much cooler versus conventional garments that have a higher Ret, which increases a risk of heat exhaustion of the wearer.

As best seen in FIGS. 6-9, at least one component of the protective garments 10, 12 may be vented to enhance heat transfer therefrom. In some embodiments, each of the protective garments 10, 12 may include one or move vents 200 formed therein to permit airflow between components of the protective garments 10, 12 and/or efficiently move moisture vapor and heat from the wearer to the surrounding environment. The vents 200 may be formed in at least one of the thermal liner 110, the moisture barrier 112, and the outer shell 114 of the protective garments 10, 12. In one exemplary embodiment, the vents 200 are only formed in the thermal liner 110. In another exemplary embodiment, the vents 200 are only formed in the moisture barrier 112. In another exemplary embodiment, the vents 200 are formed in both the thermal liner 110 and the moisture barrier 112. In yet another exemplary embodiments, the vents 200 are formed in all three components of the protective garments 10, 12. It is understood that the vents 200 formed in one of the components (e.g., the thermal liner 110) may be positioned to correspond and/or be substantially aligned with the vents 200 formed in another one of the components (e.g., the moisture barrier 112). In some instances, the vents 200 may be formed in the transferal portions 150 of the protective garments 10, 12, if present, to further enhance heat transfer in the predetermined areas (e.g. the armpit, underarm gusset, and side-panel areas of the protective garment 10 and/or the waist, knee, and groin areas of the protective garment 12) adjacent parts of the wearer that are likely to produce the liquid moisture (i.e., sweat).

As depicted in FIGS. 11A-12B, each of the vents 200 may comprise an opening 202 configured to permit a flow of air and/or moisture vapor from the wearer through the protective garments 10, 12 to the surrounding environment and a venting of heat therefrom. A moveable flap 204 may extend over the opening 202 to provide thermal protection to the wearer at a location of the vents 200, while allowing the flow of air and heat through the opening 202. The flap 204 may be produced by the same or substantially similar material as a remainder of the component in which the vents 200 are formed. It should be appreciated that the vents 200 may be configured to produce a bellows effect within the protective garments 10, 12, essentially a forced convection caused by movement of the wearer. The movement of the wearer changes a volume of air within the protective garments 10, 12. As such, a pressure within the protective garments 10, 12 also changes which causes convection airflow currents to be formed. Warm air, moisture vapor, and/or heat is then forced out through the vents 200 to the surrounding environment by the convection airflow currents and is replaced with cooler air.

In certain embodiments of the protective garments 10, 12 having the vents 200 formed in the thermal liner 110 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the opening 202 may be formed through all of the layers 120, 122, 124 of the thermal liner 110 to maximize the flow of air and/or moisture vapor from the wearer through the thermal liner 110 to the surrounding environment and the venting of heat therefrom. In another embodiment, the opening 202 may be formed in less of the layers 120, 122, 124 than shown having one or more of the layers 120, 122, 123 remaining to provide thermal protection yet still permit the flow of air and/or moisture vapor from the wearer through the thermal liner 110 to the surrounding environment and the venting of heat therefrom. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 10B, an insert 210 may be provided in the opening 202 formed through all of the layers 120, 122, 124 to provide the thermal protection yet still permit the flow of air and/or moisture vapor from the wearer through the thermal liner 110 to the surrounding environment and the venting of heat therefrom. At least a portion of the insert 210 may be produced from at least one substantially heat transferable material such as an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), for example. In other embodiments, however, that the insert 210 may be heat transferable, not by a type of the at least one material, but due to a thickness of the at least one material. For example, the insert 210 may be formed from an ePTFE-free material and/or a urethane material having a relatively minimal thickness to achieve a desired heat transfer from the wearer to the surrounding environment.

In some embodiments of the protective garments 10, 12 having the vents 200 formed in the moisture barrier 112 as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the opening 202 may be formed through all of the layers 130, 132 of the moisture barrier 112 to maximize the flow of air and/or moisture vapor from the wearer through the moisture barrier 112 to the surrounding environment and the venting of heat therefrom. In another embodiment, the opening 202 may be formed in less of the layers 130, 132 than shown having one of the layers 130, 132 remaining to provide liquid moisture protection yet still permit the flow of air and/or moisture vapor from the wearer through the moisture barrier 112 to the surrounding environment and the venting of heat therefrom. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 11B, the insert 210 may be provided in the opening 202 formed through all of the layers 130, 132 to provide the liquid moisture protection yet still permit the flow of air and/or moisture vapor from the wearer through the moisture barrier 112 to the surrounding environment and the venting of moisture vapor and/or heat therefrom.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate various embodiments of the insert 210. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 12A, the insert 210 comprises a first layer 210a and a second layer 210b laminated to the first layer 210a. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the insert 210 comprises the first layer 210a, the second layer 210b, and an additional third layer 210c laminated to the second layer 210b. The first layer 210a and/or the third layer 210c may be produced from a flame-resistant woven, nonwoven, or knit material and the second layer 210b may be produced from an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). One or more of the layers 210a, 210b, 210c of the insert 210 may be produced from at least one substantially liquid-impermeable, heat transferable material such as a urethane material having a relatively minimal thickness to achieve desired liquid moisture impermeability as well as heat transferability from the wearer to the surrounding environment.

It is understood that the insert 210 may be of such size, shape, and configuration to extend past an edge of the opening 202 to permit the insert 210 to be coupled to one of the adjacent layers 120, 122, 124, 130, 132 of the respective thermal liner 110 and moisture barrier 112. Various methods may be employed to couple and/or affix the insert 210 to at least one of the components of the protective garments 10, 12. For example, the insert 210 may be sewn to the at least one component of the protective garments 10, 12 and then seam-sealed to militate against moisture leakage around the edge and/or through the seam thereof.

As described hereinabove, the heat transfer of the protective garments 10, 12 will be significantly increased by using the vents 200. By employing the vents 200, it is possible to produce protective garments 10, 12 that have increased breathability and/or heat transferability resulting in improved heat flow from the wearer to the surrounding environment which reduces heat stress of the wearer caused by heat buildup within the protective garments 10, 12, while maximizing thermal protection. Therefore, the protective garments 10, 12 may be significantly improved without sacrificing pliability, processibility, and the like.

FIGS. 13-15 are line graphs illustrating results of tests conducted on a test subject wearing Samples 1-5 of protective garments while being stressed by walking on a treadmill. Each of the Samples 1-5 comprised an outer shell, a vapor barrier, and a thermal barrier. In particular, Samples 1-4 are the test results of the test subject wearing conventional protective garments and Sample 5 is the test results of the test subject wearing the protective garments 10, 12 of the present disclosure. All of the tests were conducted on the same test subject to achieve maximum consistency during the tests. The treadmill was set at 10% grade at a speed of 3 miles per hour. The test subject was wearing firefighting equipment including base layers, the protective garments, a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), a helmet, a mask, a hood, and boots. The SCBA supplied air to the test subject during the test. Each test comprised a first 30-minute treadmill period, followed by a first 15-minute rehab period, then a second 30-minute treadmill period, and then followed by a second 15-minute rehab period. Parameters of the wearer that were measured were a core body temperature (° F.) (depicted in FIG. 13), a heart rate (depicted in in FIG. 14), and respirations (depicted in FIG. 15). Readings were taken every three minutes until an end of the second 15-minute rehab period. During the rehab periods the test subject was permitted to remove all of the firefighting equipment except the base layers, pants of the protective garments, and the boots, and drink water.

FIG. 13 illustrates a comparison of the core body temperature (° F.) of Samples 1-5. Notably, a starting core body temperature of the Samples 1-5 varied greatly. The core body temperatures trended to a normalized range in the second 30-minute treadmill period. Sample 3 had the greatest amount of time above a 100.6° F. stress metric and Sample 5 has the least amount of time above the 100.6° F. stress metric. Samples 2-4 were essentially statistically equal. Accordingly, Sample 5 performed the best at keeping the core body temperature below the 100.6° F. stress metric.

FIG. 14 illustrates a comparison of the heart rate of Samples 1-5. Even though the test were conducted on the same test subject, a starting heart rate of the Samples 1-5 varied considerably from 70 beats per minute (bpm) to 95 bpm. Despite varied starting heart rates, a normal range of heart beats was reached relatively quickly in the Samples 1-5. Sample 1 performed the worst having a greatest rate of rise and amount of time above a 140 bpm stress metric. Samples 2-4 had about the same amount of time above the 140 bpm stress metric and, therefore, were essentially statistically equal. Sample 5 performed the best and never exceeded the 140 bpm stress metric and the heart rate decreased relatively quickly during the rehab periods.

FIG. 15 illustrates a comparison of respirations of Samples 1-5. Respiration rates varied during the tests and, as depicted, trended upward. Sample 1 performed the worst having a greatest rate of rise and amount of time above a 45 respirations per minute (rpm) stress metric. Samples 2-4 had substantially similar amounts of time above the 45 rpm stress metric and, therefore, were essentially statistically equal. Sample 5 performed the best and the respirations decreased relatively quickly during the rehab periods.

FIG. 16 is a graphical representation of thermal imaging showing heat emitted from the protective garments 10, 12. It should be appreciated that a lighter a color (i.e. closer to white) indicates more heat being released from the protective garments 10, 12. Accordingly, it is apparent that more heat is being released from the protective garments 10, 12 in a location of the vents 200 (i.e., the armpit areas of the protective garment 10 and the groin area of the protective garment 12).

Advantageously, the protective garments 10, 12 are also desirably compliant with any associated NFPA standards, including but not limited to NFPA 1971 Standard 2018 edition, and with EN 469 Standard 2020 edition. By incorporating the vents 200, the protective garments 10, 12 of the present disclosure are able to force wet, dangerously hot air away from the wearer by convention via a bellows effect, while maintaining desired insulative properties found in a dry condition, even when challenged by hazardous thermal exposures.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this present disclosure and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the present disclosure to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

VENTED PROTECTIVE GARMENT

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