Protective hood

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective hood (1) for use in a bag, in particular a vacuum bag, the hood comprising: a flexible housing (2) configured to be stored in a folded state and to be placed on the head of a user in an expanded state through an open base (3) of the flexible housing; goggles (7); a hinge device rigidly attached to the open base and configured to be positioned around the neck of the user when the flexible housing is worn on the head of the user, the hinge device comprising at least two rigid components connected by a joint, the two rigid components are allowed to change from a folded position for preventing the head of the user from entering the hood (1) to an unfolded position for allowing the head of the user to enter the hood (1); a handle (10) attached to the flexible housing, the handle being positioned on top of the flexible housing (2) so as to be accessible by a user when the flexible housing is in the folded state.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective hood, and to a method for deploying this protective hood by a user, for example on board an aircraft. BACKGROUND

[0002] Patent application EP 2979561 discloses a hood comprising a sealed flexible shell for being worn on the head of a user, the flexible shell being provided with a transparent window and comprising, at its lower part, a substantially annular rigid base element for being arranged around the neck of the user. The base element comprises a tubular oxygen tank provided with a calibrated outlet orifice emerging into the internal volume of the flexible shell. This type of device is used on board an aircraft when the cabin atmosphere is contaminated (decompression, smoke, chemical agents, etc.). The equipment must in particular allow the crew to fight the damage, rescue the passengers and manage a possible evacuation of the aircraft. SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention is particularly intended to improve the deployment of a safety hood by a user.

[0004] The present invention thus relates to a method for deploying a protective hood by a user, the hood comprising: - a flexible shell configured to be stored in a folded state and placed in an unfolded state on the head of the user by an open base of the flexible shell, - a hinging device attached to the open base and configured to be positioned around the neck of the user when the flexible shell is worn on the head of the user, the hinging device comprising at least two rigid parts connected by a joint allowing the two rigid parts to pass from a folded position preventing the head of the user from entering the hood to an unfolded position allowing the head of the user to enter the hood, - a handle attached to the flexible shell, the handle being positioned on the top of the flexible shell so as to be accessible to the user when the flexible shell is in the folded state, The method comprises the following steps: - using the handle held by the user, in particular in a high position, lifting the hood initially in the folded state so that the flexible shell can unfold under the weight of at least the base of the flexible shell and the hinging device to pass from the folded state to the unfolded state.

[0005] Since the handle according to the application is advantageously positioned on top of the flexible shell, the user, for example the crew on board an aircraft, is able to deploy the flexible shell by exploiting the force of gravity exerted on the different components of the helmet to deploy the flexible shell. These components that participate in the deployment by gravity include the articulation device which, as the helmet is lifted, is located at the bottom of the flexible shell and participates in the deployment movement of the helmet. The protective helmet according to the application can be an operational helmet ready to be used in actual operating conditions on board a vehicle, for example an aircraft, or alternatively a protective helmet for training at a training center. In the case of a protective helmet for training, this protective helmet can be simpler than the protective helmet used in actual use, in the sense that the training protective helmet can have fewer features, for example no oxygen supply or stored in open air, instead of being positioned in a closed bag.

[0006] Thanks to the application, it is possible to deploy the helmet simply by using the handle to keep the helmet vertically without jerking the helmet.

[0007] According to one aspect of the application, the helmet is initially stored in a folded state in a closed bag, in particular a vacuum bag, the method comprising the steps of: the user opening the bag to be able to remove the helmet in a folded state, then deploying the flexible shell by gravity using the handle.

[0008] According to one aspect of the application, the method comprises the steps of: when the flexible shell is in the deployed state, turning the helmet and acting on the articulation device to move the articulation device from the folded position to the deployed position.

[0009] According to one aspect of the application, the deployment method comprises the steps of: spreading apart the two rigid components to move the articulation device to the deployed position, so that the user can put on the helmet.

[0010] According to one aspect of the application, the helmet comprises a timer configured to be triggered when the articulation device moves from the folded position to the deployed position.

[0011] According to one aspect of the application, the helmet is configured to provide the user with at least one item of information about the use of the helmet, based on the data provided by the timer, for example this item of use information is an alert indicating the end of the oxygen supply available in the articulation device when the timer has measured a predetermined duration, for example a duration of 15 minutes.

[0012] The fact that the triggering occurs when the articulation device is transitioning from the folded position to the unfolded position allows this triggering to occur simultaneously with the unfolding of the hood. The presence of the handle and the timer according to the invention thus ensures, in a coordinated manner, the rapid and effective unfolding of the hood to place the latter in an optimal operating state.

[0013] The application also relates to a method for packaging a protective hood in a bag, in particular a vacuum bag, the hood comprising: a flexible shell configured to be stored in a folded state and to be placed on the head of a user in an unfolded state through an open base of the flexible shell, a visor attached to the flexible shell in a removable or non-removable manner and configured to allow the user to see through the hood when the hood is placed on the user's head, an articulation device attached to the open base and configured to be positioned around the neck of the user when the flexible shell is worn on the head of the user, the articulation device comprising at least two rigid parts connected by a joint allowing these two rigid parts to pass from a folded position preventing the head of the user from entering the hood to an unfolded position allowing the head of the user to enter the hood, a handle attached to the flexible shell, the handle being positioned on the top of the flexible shell so as to be accessible to the user when the flexible shell is in the folded state, The packaging method comprises the following steps: folding the hood so that the handle is visible and accessible when the hood is in the folded state, positioning the hood thus folded in the bag, closing the bag, which then in particular adopts a disc shape or any other shape.

[0014] According to one aspect of the application, when folded, the visor is positioned on the folded flexible shell so that the folding of the flexible shell is behind the visor.

[0015] Preferably, the visor is positioned as flat as possible, or simultaneously maintains its initial curvature against the articulation device, to prevent cracks from appearing in the material when the visor remains constrained by the folding during a long storage period, which can be between 10 and 15 years. Indeed, the hood can be stored in the bag for a storage period of up to 10 to 15 years, which corresponds to the maximum allowed duration before the expiration of the assembly.

[0016] The application also relates to a protective hood, in particular for the unfolding method described above, comprising: a flexible shell configured to be stored in a folded state and to be placed on the head of a user in an unfolded state through an open base of the flexible shell, a hinge device attached to the open base and configured to be positioned around the user's neck when the flexible enclosure is worn on the user's head, the hinge device comprising at least two rigid parts connected by a joint, allowing the two rigid parts to pass from a folded position preventing the user's head from entering the hood to an unfolded position allowing the user's head to enter the hood, a handle attached to the flexible enclosure, the handle being positioned on the top of the flexible enclosure, in particular so that the handle is accessible to the user when the flexible enclosure is in the folded state.

[0017] According to an aspect of the application, the handle is in the form of a flexible strip, in particular a substantially rectangular shape.

[0018] Other strip shapes can be provided, for example a trapezoidal shape or a shape with rounded edges.

[0019] According to an aspect of the application, the strip-shaped handle is solid, i.e. without any aperture.

[0020] According to an aspect of the application, the handle is free of loops.

[0021] These different strip shapes of the handle, other than loops, make it possible to avoid the risk of the handle getting stuck on a part of the hood or bag or on the environment in which the hood is handled, for example high elements in an aircraft cabin, the risk of possibly hindering the removal of the folded hood from the bag or the unfolding of the hood or when the user moves with the hood. In addition, the flat shape of the strip makes it possible to optimize the volume occupied by the handle in the folded position during storage.

[0022] According to an aspect of the application, the strip-shaped handle is fastened to the flexible enclosure by the edges of the strip on the outer surface of the flexible enclosure. The fastening is achieved by gluing, welding or any other means. For example, the handle is heat-welded to the flexible enclosure.

[0023] According to an aspect of the application, the handle is made of a self-extinguishing material, i.e. a material that is able to burn in a flame but extinguishes itself once removed therefrom.

[0024] According to an aspect of the application, the handle has a color different from that of the flexible enclosure.

[0025] According to an aspect of the application, the color of the handle is yellow or another distinctive color different from gray, in particular with a fluorescent effect.

[0026] Thus, the handle can be easily and quickly identified by the user when the folded hood is taken out of the bag. The equipment setup time can have to be less than 15 seconds.

[0027] According to one aspect of the application, the articulation device has a mass of at least 50% of the total mass of the headgear, in particular at least 60% or 70%.

[0028] Thus, the relatively heavy articulation device, compared to the rest of the headgear, reliably acts to deploy the headgear by gravity.

[0029] According to one aspect of the application, the two parts of the articulation device are formed by two tubular portions, in particular curved or straight portions connected by a joint, the two parts forming an open ring in the deployed position.

[0030] It will be understood that the term "ring-shaped" refers to a shape that partially surrounds the user's neck, without necessarily being the shape of a perfect ring.

[0031] According to one aspect of the application, the flexible shell is sealed and the articulation device is configured to provide a self-contained breathing function to the user wearing the headgear. This applies to the headgear for actual use, as opposed to a headgear that can be simpler for training.

[0032] According to one aspect of the application, the articulation device comprises an oxygen tank, in particular a tubular oxygen tank, provided with an oxygen outlet that emerges into the internal volume of the flexible shell, and a cartridge for capturing C02, for example lime, configured to adsorb the C02 resulting from the user's breathing. For example, the tubular portion comprising the oxygen tank is curved, while the tubular portion comprising the C02 capture cartridge is straight. The material configured to adsorb C02 can be porous.

[0033] In one variant, the flexible shell is breathable, so that the user wearing the headgear can breathe without respiratory assistance.

[0034] In this case, the headgear is for example a training headgear, which does not need to have the functional equipment necessary to equip a protective headgear for actual use. For example, a training headgear can be equipped with an articulation device that does not have a breathing function, while still allowing the user to practice deploying the headgear.

[0035] According to one aspect of the application, the headgear comprises an acoustic membrane.

[0036] According to one aspect of the application, the flexible shell mainly comprises Nomex® fabric, a flexible neck collar, in particular made of Neoprene®, semi-rigid goggles, in particular made of transparent polymer, and optionally an acoustic membrane made of rigid polymer material.

[0037] The application also relates to a protective headgear, in particular for the deployment method described above, comprising: a flexible shell configured to be stored in a folded state and to be placed on the user's head in an unfolded state through an open base of the flexible shell, a hinging device attached to the open base and configured to be positioned around the user's neck when the flexible shell is worn on the user's head, the hinging device comprising at least two rigid parts connected by a joint, allowing the two rigid parts to pass from a folded position preventing the user's head from entering the hood to an unfolded position allowing the user's head to enter the hood, a timer configured to be triggered when the hinging device passes from the folded position to the unfolded position.

[0038] According to one aspect of the application, the two parts of the hinging device are formed by two tubular portions, in particular curved or straight portions connected by a joint, and the timer is equipped with a trigger member configured to trigger the timer, the trigger member being coupled to the timer on the one hand and to at least one of the parts of the hinging device on the other hand, so that the spacing between the two parts of the hinging device acts on the trigger member to trigger the timer.

[0039] According to one aspect of the application, the trigger member is connected to the timer in a removable manner, so that the spacing of the two parts of the hinging device from their folded position to their unfolded position causes the trigger member to be extracted from the timer, this extraction causing the triggering of the timer.

[0040] According to one aspect of the application, the trigger member comprises a trigger tab configured to be inserted into a slot of the timer.

[0041] According to one aspect of the application, the timer is configured to be in a deactivated mode when the tab is held in place.

[0042] According to one aspect of the application, the trigger tab is configured to act on a switch of the timer.

[0043] For example, the extraction of the tab allows the timer to be connected to a power source, for example a battery.

[0044] According to one aspect of the application, the trigger tab is made of an electrically insulating material and is configured to keep the power supply circuit of the timer open.

[0045] According to one aspect of the application, the extraction of the trigger tab causes the closure of the power supply circuit of the timer and the start of the timer.

[0046] For example, the trigger tab is configured to be inserted between the electrical terminals of the timer and the battery, and the removal of the trigger tab allows the battery to come into contact with the terminals, thereby closing the power supply circuit.

[0047] According to one aspect of the application, the timer is part of an electronic card.

[0048] According to one aspect of the application, the electronic card is mounted on one of the two parts of the hinging device, in particular on the free end of the part formed by the CO2 capture cylinder, in particular the lime cylinder.

[0049] According to one aspect of the application, the timer or the electronic card defining the timer is mounted on the cover of the CO2 capture cylinder.

[0050] This allows to reduce the number of parts by eliminating the need for a specific support for the timer.

[0051] Advantageously, the timer is positioned away from the oxygen container (on the other rigid part of the hinging device), which can comprise metal parts for which there is a risk of electric arc.

[0052] According to one aspect of the application, the trigger member comprises at least one connecting element, in particular a wire, which connects the removable trigger tab and the opposite part of the hinging device.

[0053] According to one aspect of the application, the connecting element, in particular the wire, is configured so that when the hinging device is transformed from its folded position to its unfolded position, it is tensioned and pulls on the removable tab to extract it from the timer.

[0054] According to one aspect of the application, the removable trigger tab comprises a double ring for the passage of the wire.

[0055] This double ring makes it possible to provide the maximum amount of material along the extraction axis of the tab.

[0056] According to one aspect of the application, each of the tabs with a double ring of a material flexible enough has a notched entry so that it is easy to position the wire (or band) in its notch. The assembly can be done with one hand without exerting a force in the extraction direction of the tab. The elasticity of the plastic material is used to pass the band without permanently deforming the tab.

[0057] According to one aspect of the application, a reverse notch is provided to prevent the band from moving out of the double ring.

[0058] According to one aspect of the application, the wire or band has a sufficient length so that it is slack when the headgear is in the folded state. Thus, no tension is exerted by the wire on the trigger tab.

[0059] According to one aspect of the application, the removable trigger tab comprises a non-return member configured to prevent the tab from being pulled out of the slot of the timer with a predetermined force.

[0060] According to one aspect of the application, the non-return member makes it possible to eliminate the risk of applying a force to the tab during the assembly operations (folding and introduction into the bag and vacuuming) which could unintentionally trigger the timer. The non-return member increases the force required to remove the tab, thus preventing unintentional triggering.

[0061] According to one aspect of the application, the non-return member comprises a protrusion.

[0062] According to one aspect of the application, the removable trigger tab is made of a plate, for example a plate made of plastic material, in particular cut with a water jet.

[0063] According to one aspect of the application, the head cover is configured to provide the user with at least one information on the use of the head cover based on the data provided by the timer, for example this use information is an alarm indicating the end of the oxygen supply available in the articulation device when the timer has measured a predetermined duration, for example a duration of 15 minutes.

[0064] According to one aspect of the application, the head cover comprises a light and / or sound alarm device, for example an alarm light, for example formed by one or several LEDs, configured to provide the user with information on the use of the head cover.

[0065] According to one aspect of the application, the alarm light is controlled by the electronic card forming the timer, in particular the emission of light according to different patterns.

[0066] According to one aspect of the application, the electronic card is configured to make the warning light blink for a first period of time (PI), for example one minute, then to keep the light permanently on for a second period of time (P2). The end of the first period of time (PI) corresponds in particular to the arrival of the prescribed use time (Tcr) of the head cover, for example 15 minutes. This prescribed use time is determined by the manufacturer based on the availability of oxygen in the supply.

[0067] According to one aspect of the application, the electronic card is configured to turn off the warning light at the end of the second period (P2). The user must be able to remove the head cover before the end of this period P2.

[0068] The application thus provides the user with an effective alarm, making it possible for the user to manage the intervention time and to remove the head cover in time when the oxygen supply of the head cover is exhausted.

[0069] Other alarm sequences can of course be considered, for example using another light sequence and / or a sound sequence.

[0070] According to one aspect of the application, the timer is configured to be triggered independently of the triggering of the oxygen supply.

[0071] The application also relates to a method for deploying a protective head cover by a user, the head cover comprising: a flexible shell configured to be stored in a folded state and to be placed on the head of the user in a deployed state through an open base of the flexible shell, a hinging device attached to the open base and configured to be positioned around the neck of the user when the flexible shell is worn on the head of the user, the hinging device comprising at least two rigid parts connected by a joint, allowing the two rigid parts to transition from a folded position preventing the head of the user from entering the head cover to a deployed position allowing the head of the user to enter the head cover, a timer configured to be triggered when the hinging device transitions from the folded position to the deployed position, The method comprises the steps of: spacing apart the hinging device so that the hinging device transitions from the folded position to the deployed position, thereby causing the timer to be triggered. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0072] Other features, details and advantages of the application will become more clearly apparent on reading the description that follows, given by way of example and with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a head cover in a folded state according to an exemplary embodiment of the application; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the head cover of Figure 1 in a deployed state; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the hinging device of the head cover of Figure 1 with the user spacing apart the hinging device in order to place the head cover; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the hinging device of the head cover of Figure 1 separately; Figure 5 is a schematic view of the head cover of Figure 1 worn on the head of the user; Figure 6 is a schematic view of the trigger member of the timer of the head cover of Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a schematic view of the head cover of Figure 1 stored in a bag; Figure 8 represents a sequence of alarms associated with the timer of the hood of Figure 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] The features, variants and different embodiments of the application can be combined with each other in various combinations, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the application can be envisaged which only comprise a selection of the features described below, separate from other said features, if the selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to distinguish the application from the prior art.

[0074] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A protective hood 1 is shown, comprising: a flexible shell 2 configured to be stored in a folded state (shown in Figure 1 ) and to be worn on the head of a user U in an unfolded state (shown in Figure 2 ) through an open base 3 of the flexible shell 2, hinging means 5 (shown separately in Figure 4 ) attached to the open base 3 and configured to be positioned around the neck of the user U when the flexible shell 2 is worn on the head of the user.

[0075] In the example described, the airtight flexible shell 2 mainly comprises Nomex® fabric and a flexible neck ring 6 (in particular made of Neoprene®), thus forming the base 3.

[0076] The hood 1 also comprises semi-rigid visors 7, in particular made of transparent polymer, and possibly comprising acoustic membranes (not shown).

[0077] The hood 1 also comprises a handle 10 attached to the flexible shell 2, the handle 10 being located at the top 11 of the flexible shell 2 so that it is accessible to the user when the flexible shell 2 is in the folded state, as shown in Figure 1 .

[0078] In the embodiment described, the handle 10 is in the form of a substantially rectangular flexible strip 12.

[0079] Other strip shapes can be provided, for example trapezoidal shapes or shapes with rounded edges.

[0080] The strip-shaped handle 10 is solid, i.e. without any apertures. The handle 10 does not have a loop.

[0081] The strip-shaped handle 10 is fastened to the flexible shell 2 by the edge of the strip on the outer surface 14 of the flexible shell 2. For example, the handle 10 is heat welded to the flexible shell 2.

[0082] The handle 10 is made of self-extinguishing material, i.e. a material that can burn in a flame but extinguishes as soon as it is removed therefrom.

[0083] The handle 10 can be made of the same material as the flexible shell, or not. If desired, the handle 10 can be integral with the flexible shell 2, for example as an extension of the flexible shell material.

[0084] Advantageously, the handle 10 has a colour that is different from the colour of the flexible shell 2, here fluorescent yellow.

[0085] Thus, when the user takes the folded hood 1 from the bag, the user can easily and very quickly identify the handle 10. The device set-up time can have to be less than 15 seconds.

[0086] As Figure 4 clearly shown in the figures, the articulation device 5 comprises two rigid parts 20 and 21 connected by a joint 22, allowing these two rigid parts 20 and 21 to pass from a folded position (state shown in Figure 4 ) preventing the user's head from entering the hood 1, to an unfolded position (state shown in Figure 5 ) allowing the user's head to enter the hood 1.

[0087] The mass of the articulation device 5 is at least 50%, in particular at least 60% or 70% of the total mass of the hood 1.

[0088] Thus, the relatively heavy articulation device 5 compared to the rest of the hood allows a reliable action to unfold the hood 1 by gravity.

[0089] The two parts 20 and 21 of the articulation device are formed by two tubular parts connected by the joint 22 to form an open ring in the unfolded position.

[0090] The articulation device 5 is configured to provide independent breathing functionality for the user wearing the hood 1. This is the case for a hood for actual use, not for a hood for training (such a hood can be simpler).

[0091] Thus, the articulation device 5 comprises an oxygen tank 24 formed in the tubular part 21 and provided with an oxygen outlet orifice that emerges into the internal volume of the flexible shell 2.

[0092] The tubular part 20 comprises a cartridge 25 for capturing CO2, for example lime, configured to absorb the CO2 resulting from the user's breathing.

[0093] In the example described, the tubular part 21 comprising the oxygen tank 24 is curved, while the tubular part 20 comprising the CO2 capture cartridge 25 is straight.

[0094] Without the need for a training hood having a functional equipment that must be equipped with a protective hood for actual use, it can be equipped with a hinging device that does not have a breathing function, still allowing the user to practice deploying the hood.

[0095] The tubular portion 20 of the hinging device 5 comprises, at its end 29 opposite the joint 22, a chronograph 30 configured to be triggered when the hinging device 5 is transformed from the folded position Figure 4 ) to the deployed position Figure 5 ).

[0096] The chronograph 30 is equipped with a trigger member 31 configured to trigger the chronograph 30, the trigger member 31 being coupled to the chronograph 30 on the one hand and to the tubular part 21 of the hinging device 5 on the other hand, so that the spacing between the two parts 20 and 21 of the hinging device 5 acts on the trigger member 31 in order to trigger the chronograph 30.

[0097] The trigger member 31 is connected to the chronograph 30 in a removable manner, so that the spacing of the two parts 20 and 21 of the hinging device 5 from their folded position to their deployed position causes the trigger member 31 to be extracted from the chronograph 30, which extraction causes the triggering of the chronograph, which starts the countdown.

[0098] As is clearly shown in Figure 4 and 6 , the trigger member 31 comprises a trigger tab 33 configured to be inserted into a slot 34 of the chronograph 30.

[0099] The chronograph 30 is configured to be in a deactivated mode as long as the tab 33 is held in place.

[0100] For example, the extraction of the tab 33 makes it possible to connect the chronograph 30 to a power source, for example a battery.

[0101] Alternatively, the trigger tab 33 is made of an electrically insulating material and is configured to keep the power circuit of the chronograph 30 open.

[0102] The extraction of this trigger tab 33 causes the power circuit of the chronograph to close and the chronograph to start.

[0103] The chronograph 30 is part of an electronic card 35.

[0104] For example, the chronograph 30 or the electronic card 35 defining the chronograph is mounted on a cover 36 of the CO2 capture cartridge 25.

[0105] Advantageously, the chronograph 30 is positioned away from the oxygen container 24 (on the other rigid part of the hinging device), which can comprise metal parts for which there is a risk of electrical arc.

[0106] The trigger member 31 comprises at least one wire 37 connecting the removable trigger tab 33 and the opposite portion 21 of the hinging device 5.

[0107] The wire 37 is configured so that when the hinging device 5 is spaced apart from its folded position to its unfolded position, it is tensioned and pulls the removable tab 33 to extract it from the slot 34 of the timer.

[0108] The removable trigger tab 33 comprises a double ring 38 for the passage of the wire 37.

[0109] This double ring 38 makes it possible to provide the maximum amount of material along the extraction axis of the tab 33.

[0110] The tab 33 of the double ring 38, made of a sufficiently flexible material, has notched entries 39, making it easy to position the wire 37 in the notches 40.

[0111] Notches 40 and counter notches 41 are provided to prevent the lanyard from coming out of the double ring 38.

[0112] The wire 37 has sufficient length so that it is slack when the hood 1 is in the folded state (as shown in Figure 4 Thus, no tension is exerted by the wire 37 on the trigger tab.

[0113] The removable trigger tab 33 comprises a check member 42 configured to prevent the tab 33 from being extracted from the slot 34 of the timer with a predetermined force.

[0114] The check member 42 in the form of a resilient leg makes it possible to eliminate the risk of unintentionally triggering the timer 30 during assembly operations (for example folding and introduction into the bag and vacuum extraction) by applying a force to the tab 33. The check member 42 increases the force required to remove the tab 33, thus preventing unintentional triggering.

[0115] The check member comprises a protrusion 43 housed in the slot 34.

[0116] In the example described, the removable trigger tab 33 is made of a plate, for example a plate made of plastic material, in particular cut with a water jet.

[0117] The hood 1 is configured to provide the user with at least one information on the use of the head guard based on the data provided by the timer 30, this use information being an alarm indicating the end of the oxygen supply available in the hinging device 5 when the timer has measured a predetermined duration, for example a duration of 15 minutes.

[0118] The hood 1 comprises a warning light 45 formed by one or more LEDs, configured to provide information to the user about the use of the hood. This light 45 is located on the electronic card 35.

[0119] The warning light 45 is controlled by the electronic card 35 to control the emission of light according to different modes.

[0120] For example, as shown in Figure 8 Fig. 2, after the timer 30 is triggered at time To and after a period of time PS, for example 14 minutes, the electronic card 35 is configured to make the warning light 45 blink for a first period of time PI, for example for one minute. The end of the first period of time PI corresponds to the time Tcr, for example 15 minutes, at which the prescribed use time of the hood is reached. This prescribed use time is determined by the manufacturer based on the availability of oxygen in the supply.

[0121] Then, the light 45 remains on continuously for a second period of time P2, for example 3 minutes, then the electronic card 35 is configured to turn off the warning light 45 at the end of the second period of time P2. The user must be able to remove the hood before the end of this period P2.

[0122] The present invention thus provides the user with an effective alert, so that the user can manage the time of intervention and remove the hood in time when the supply of oxygen of the hood 1 is exhausted.

[0123] Other alert sequences can of course be considered, for example using another sequence of light and / or sound.

[0124] The timer 30 is configured to be triggered independently of the triggering of the supply of oxygen.

[0125] The steps of a method for packaging the protective hood 1 as described above in a vacuum bag 50 will now be described, this packaging method comprising the following steps: folding the hood 1 so as to make the handle 10 visible and accessible when the hood 1 is in the folded state, positioning the thus folded protective hood 1 in the bag 50, when folded, the visor 7 is positioned on the folded flexible shell 2 (see Figure 1 ), so that the fold of the flexible shell is located behind the visor 7.

[0126] Preferably, the visor 7 is positioned as flat as possible, or at the same time maintains its initial curvature against the articulation means, to prevent cracks in the material when it remains constrained by the fold during long storage, which can be between 10 and 15 years.

[0127] The steps of a method for unfolding the protective hood 1 as described above initially stored in the bag 50 in the folded state will now be described, this method comprising the following steps: The user U opens the bag 50 in order to be able to remove the head cover 1 in the folded state (see Figure 7 ), The head cover 1 initially in the folded state is lifted using the handle 10 held by the user (in the high position) so that the flexible shell 2 can unfold under the weight of the base of the flexible shell 2 and the hinge device 5 to change from the folded state to the unfolded state (see Figure 2 ), When the flexible shell 2 is in the unfolded state, the head cover 1 is turned and the two rigid parts 20 and 21 are separated from each other to change the hinge device 5 to the unfolded position so that the user can put it on the head cover 1.

[0128] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to unfold the head cover simply by using the handle 10 to keep the head cover 1 vertically without having to shake it suddenly.

[0129] During unfolding, the timer 30 is triggered when the hinge device 5 changes from the folded position to the unfolded position.

Claims

1. A method for deploying a protective hood (1) by a user, the hood (1) comprising: - a flexible shell (2) configured to be stored in a folded state and to be placed in an unfolded state on the head of a user through an open base (3) of the flexible shell (2), - a hinging device (5) attached to the open base (3) and configured to be positioned around the neck of the user (U) when the flexible shell (2) is worn on the head of the user, the hinging device (5) comprising at least two rigid parts (20, 21) connected by a joint (22), allowing these two rigid parts to pass from a folded position preventing the head of the user from entering the hood to an unfolded position allowing the head of the user to enter the hood, - a handle (10) attached to the flexible shell, the handle being positioned on the top (11) of the flexible shell (2) so as to be accessible to the user when the flexible shell is in the folded state, the method comprising the following steps: - using the handle (10) held by the user to lift the hood (1) initially in the folded state, the user being in particular in a high position, so that the flexible shell can unfold under the weight of at least the base of the flexible shell (2) and the hinging device (5) to pass from the folded state to the unfolded state.

2. A deployment method according to the preceding claim, the hood (1) being initially stored in a folded state in a closed bag (50), in particular a vacuum bag, the method comprising the following steps: - the user opening the bag (50) to be able to remove the hood in the folded state, - then unfolding the flexible shell (2) by gravity using the handle (10).

3. A deployment method according to the preceding claim, comprising the following steps: - when the flexible shell (2) is in the unfolded state, turning the hood (1) and acting on the hinging device (5) to pass it from the folded position to the unfolded position.

4. The method of deploying according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, - the hood (1) comprising a timer (30) configured to be triggered when the hinging device (5) passes from the folded position to the unfolded position.

5. A method for packaging a protective hood (1) in a bag, in particular a vacuum bag, the hood comprising: - a flexible shell (2) configured to be stored in a folded state and to be placed in an unfolded state on the head of a user through an open base (3) of the flexible shell, - goggles (7) connected to the flexible shell (2) in a removable or non-removable manner and configured to allow the user to see through the hood when the hood is worn on the head of the user, - a hinging device (5) attached to the open base (3) and configured to be positioned around the neck of the user (U) when the flexible shell (2) is worn on the head of the user, the hinging device (5) comprising at least two rigid parts (20, 21) connected by a joint (22), allowing these two rigid parts to pass from a folded position preventing the head of the user from entering the hood to an unfolded position allowing the head of the user to enter the hood, - a handle (10) attached to the flexible shell, the handle being positioned on the top (11) of the flexible shell (2) so as to be accessible to the user when the flexible shell is in the folded state, the method comprising the following steps: - using the handle (10) held by the user to lift the hood (1) initially in the folded state, the user being in particular in a high position, so that the flexible shell can unfold under the weight of at least the base of the flexible shell (2) and the hinging device (5) to pass from the folded state to the unfolded state. - a hinging device (5) attached to the open base and configured to be positioned around the user's neck when the flexible shell is worn on the user's head, the hinging device comprising at least two rigid parts (20, 21) connected by a joint (22) allowing the two rigid parts to pass from a folded position preventing the user's head from entering the hood (1) to an unfolded position allowing the user's head to enter the hood, - a handle (10) attached to the flexible shell, the handle being positioned on the top of the flexible shell (2) so as to be accessible by the user when the flexible shell is in the folded state, the packaging method comprising the following steps: - folding the hood (1) so that the handle (10) is visible and accessible when the hood is in the folded state, - positioning the hood (1) thus folded in a bag, - closing the bag (50), the bag then taking in particular a disc shape or any other shape.

6. The packaging method according to the preceding claim, wherein, During the folding, the goggles are positioned on the folded flexible shell (2) so that the folding of the flexible shell is located behind the goggles (7).

7. A protective hood (1), in particular for the unfolding method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 and / or the packaging method according to any one of Claims 5 and 6, comprising: - a flexible shell (2) configured to be stored in a folded state and placed on the user's head in an unfolded state through an open base of the flexible shell, - a hinging device (5) attached to the open base and configured to be positioned around the user's neck when the flexible shell is worn on the user's head, the hinging device comprising at least two rigid parts (20, 21) connected by a joint (25) allowing the two rigid parts to pass from a folded position preventing the user's head from entering the hood to an unfolded position allowing the user's head to enter the hood, - a handle (10) attached to the flexible shell, the handle being positioned on the top (11) of the flexible shell, in particular so that the handle is accessible by the user when the flexible shell is in the folded state.

8. The protective hood according to the preceding claim, in which the handle (10) is in the form of a flexible strip, in particular of a substantially rectangular shape, and in particular has a colour different from that of the flexible shell, for example yellow.

9. A protective hood (1), in particular for the unfolding method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 and / or the packaging method according to any one of Claims 5 to 6, comprising: - a flexible shell (2) configured to be stored in a folded state and placed on the user's head in an unfolded state through an open base of the flexible shell, - a hinging device (5) attached to the open base and configured to be positioned around the user's neck when the flexible shell is worn on the user's head, the hinging device comprising at least two rigid parts (20, 21) connected by a joint (22) allowing the two rigid parts to pass from a folded position preventing the user's head from entering the hood to an unfolded position allowing the user's head to enter the hood, - a timer (30) configured to be triggered when the hinging device passes from the folded position to the unfolded position.

10. The protective hood according to the preceding claim, wherein the two parts (20, 21) of the hinging device are formed by two tubular portions connected by the joint, in particular by curved or straight portions, and the timer (30) is equipped with a trigger member (31) configured to trigger the timer, the trigger member (30) being connected to the timer on the one hand and to at least one of the parts of the hinging device on the other hand, so that the spacing between the two parts of the hinging device acts on the trigger member to trigger the timer.

Images