Protective hood assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective hood arrangement comprising a protective hood (1) made of flexible, compliant material covering the user's head and shoulders and with a viewing window (3) fixed therein, a support structure (6) for the protective hood (1), preferably an active air exchange system with a blower and associated control arrangement, wherein the blower is contained in a housing (5) preferably arranged within the protective hood (1) and preferably separate from the protective hood (1), and wherein the housing (5) is preferably attached to the support structure (6) within the protective hood (1), and preferably a filter for the exhaust air integrated into the protective hood (1). At least one fastening structure made of flexible material is formed on or mounted to the viewing window (3) within the protective hood (1) and preferably in the region of the lateral edges.Complementary fastening structures for detachable connection with the fastening structures of the viewing window (3) are also formed or attached to the lateral edges of the support structure (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective hood arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as a viewing window, a protective hood and a support structure for such an arrangement.

[0002] Employees in aseptic cleanrooms or medical intensive care units must wear suits and caps, cleanroom masks, respirators, and protective goggles—collectively referred to as "personal protective equipment" (PPE) or cleanroom clothing—to prevent contamination. This often presents problems with comfort, cooling, and issues such as fogging of lenses. An additional risk with head protection that is not completely sealed is the potential for infection in both directions. This is particularly important when handling biological hazards, where both the user of the PPE or cleanroom clothing and their surroundings must be protected from potential infection. Conventional protective equipment cannot achieve this, or only with considerable effort, making widespread use of such personal protective equipment difficult due to high costs.

[0003] For example, WO2022248341A1 discloses a protective hood arrangement comprising a protective hood made of flexible, compliant material covering the user's head and shoulders, with a viewing window fixed therein. Also described is a support structure for the protective hood and an active air exchange system with a blower and associated control arrangement, wherein the blower is installed in a housing located within the protective hood. This housing is separate from the protective hood and attached to the support structure within the protective hood. Preferably, a filter for the exhaust air is also integrated into the protective hood.

[0004] The object of the present invention was to improve such an arrangement in such a way as to make it easier for the user to put on the protective hood arrangement, as well as to remove it and safely dispose of the contaminated components. At the same time, a high level of comfort, safety, and as unimpeded a work environment as possible should be ensured when wearing the protective hood arrangement.

[0005] This task is solved by an arrangement and its individual components according to the claims.

[0006] The device according to the invention is characterized in that at least one fastening structure made of flexible material is formed or mounted on the viewing window within the protective hood, and preferably in the area of ​​the lateral edges, and that complementary fastening structures for detachable connection with the fastening structures of the viewing window are formed or attached to the lateral edges of the support structure. This ensures the simple and quick application of the protective hood assembly, while simultaneously guaranteeing optimal fastening of the hood and, above all, the viewing window, which thus follows every head movement and always offers the best possible field of vision.

[0007] A viewing window for such an arrangement is preferably made of a flexible material. According to the invention, this viewing window is characterized in that at least one fastening structure is made of or mounted on a flexible material. This ensures quick and easy attachment of the viewing window or its connection to the protective cover and / or a support structure for it.

[0008] A preferred embodiment provides that the fastening structure is formed by a portion of the viewing window itself, which is provided with a hole. Preferably, this portion is formed by a tab projecting laterally from the viewing window. This allows for quick and easy grasping and handling of the fastening structure, even without direct visibility and, if necessary, even while wearing gloves.

[0009] Advantageously, part of the circumferential edge of the hole in the viewing window is formed by a tongue that is elastically deflectable relative to the adjacent sections of the circumferential edge. This ensures that the area of ​​the mounting structure with the hole can be easily slipped over a complementary mounting structure on the hood and / or support structure for the protective hood, without risk of damaging the mounting structure and with an optimal connection between the viewing window and, in particular, a support structure in the form of a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0010] If, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end of the tongue facing the center of the hole is concave, the end of the tongue fits snugly against its counterpart over a large circumferential area in the best possible way to ensure optimal fixation of the viewing window.

[0011] Preferably, an additional fastening structure is provided in the middle area at the upper edge and inside the protective hood to further improve the connection between the viewing window and the protective hood or the supporting structure.

[0012] To solve the problem posed at the outset, a protective hood is also provided for an arrangement as described above, which is designed with a layered disc fixed within it, as explained in the paragraphs above. Furthermore, according to the invention, the fastening structures of the viewing disc are located on the inside of the protective hood, unconnected to its material. This ensures that the fastening structures can be easily grasped, even while wearing gloves, and that the protective hood arrangement can be quickly attached.

[0013] A support structure for a protective hood, preferably as described in the previous paragraph, for a protective hood arrangement as explained at the outset, is characterized according to the invention in that at least one fastening structure for a viewing window is provided on each of its lateral edge pieces, which is preferably designed according to one of the preceding paragraphs. With a simple design of the support structure, this allows for quick connection with the protective hood and the viewing window held therein, even without direct visibility of the fastening structures and even while wearing gloves. Preferably, the housing for the blower of an active air exchange system is also integrated into the support structure, so that after putting on the protective hood arrangement, the most essential components of personal protective equipment are already present on the person.

[0014] In a simple, reliably functional design and quickly perceptible manner, the attachment of the protective hood and / or viewing window thereof to the support structure can be ensured if, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment structure is formed by a pin projecting substantially radially outwards, preferably with a round cross-section.

[0015] The process of slipping the complementary fastening structure over the pin is made significantly easier, faster, and safer against damage if the pin has a preferably rounded head with a larger cross-section.

[0016] To further improve the connection of the protective hood and / or viewing window with the support structure and to fix it as securely as possible even during any head movements of the person, an embodiment according to the invention is advantageous in which a further fastening structure, preferably in the form of a pin or hook, is provided on the front face in the middle area.

[0017] A particularly preferred embodiment of a support structure according to the invention provides, in the area of ​​the front face and at a height above the upper edge of a viewing window attached to the support structure, a device for preventing turbulent flow that extends over at least a large part of the width of the viewing window. This allows for a substantially laminar flow of the blown and filtered breathing air downwards from the forehead area between the person's face and the viewing window. This ensures optimal removal of the carbon dioxide exhaled by the person and thus guarantees breathing air with the best possible composition at all times. As a result, it is also possible to manage with lower air recirculation volumes than with conventional protective equipment, even during strenuous activity with high oxygen demand.

[0018] Preferably, the device for preventing turbulent flow is formed by a layer of porous material, preferably by a layer of foam.

[0019] To better understand the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0020] They each show, in a highly simplified, schematic representation: Fig. 1 a protective hood arrangement from the front; Fig. 2 a side view of a viewing window and a support structure according to the invention for a protective hood arrangement; Fig. 3 a perspective view from an oblique angle above of the viewing window and support structure of the Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4 an enlarged detail view of the connection area of ​​the viewing window and the support structure of the arrangement of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3before the connection of these elements; Fig. 5 a greatly enlarged detail view of a preferred embodiment for fastening structures of the viewing window and support structure; Fig. 6 an enlarged detail view of the connection area of ​​the viewing window and the support structure of the arrangement of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 after connecting these elements; Fig. 7 a perspective greatly enlarged view of a preferred embodiment for complementary fastening structures of viewing window and support structure; Fig. 8 a schematic representation of the protective hood arrangement according to the invention during application by a person.

[0021] It should be noted at the outset that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations must be applied analogously to the new position if the position changes.

[0022] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiment variants, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in this technical field due to the teaching on technical action by the present invention.

[0023] The in Fig. 1An embodiment of a protective hood arrangement according to the invention, shown in a front oblique view, comprises a protective hood 1 covering the user's head and shoulders. The barrier of the protective hood 1 is preferably made of a material that is impermeable to solid or liquid aerosols with negligible volatility and decomposition, as well as to germs and viruses, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of high-density polyethylene (PE-D). For use in cleanrooms, a cleanroom fabric with defined filter properties and air permeabilities approved for cleanrooms according to DIN EN ISO 14644-1 can also be used as the material for the protective hood 1. The protective hood 1 preferably has a shoulder piece 2 adjoining the headpiece, which can preferably be sealed against the headpiece in the neck area, and a preferably curved, transparent viewing window 3 at the front.A highly transparent polyester film is preferably used for the viewing window 3. In . Fig. 1 Also visible is the breathing air filter 4, preferably positioned in the crown area. The breathing air filter 4 is typically a commercially available, preferably screw-in P3 filter (according to EN 12941 with very high filtration efficiency) for protection against solid or liquid aerosols with negligible volatility and decomposition, as well as against germs and viruses. The use of an FFP2 filter as the breathing air filter 4 is also possible. The protective hood 1 preferably also has a filter for the exhaled air, preferably a large-area filter, which is preferably integrated into the rear part of the protective hood 1. Alternatively, a check valve for the exhaled air could be provided. All other embodiments described below are functionally identical, with minor design differences.

[0024] The breathing air filter 4 is part of a preferably active air exchange system and is connected to a housing 5 for a preferably controllable or adjustable blower, the housing 5 having a connection for the breathing air filter 4. The drive for the blower is advantageously integrated into the housing 5, and may be provided as an encapsulated unit. If no external contamination is to be expected, such as in cleanrooms, the air supply to the blower can be provided through at least one opening in the protective hood 1. The blower or its housing 5 can be attached directly to the opening or connected to it via at least one air duct. Advantageously, this or each opening in the protective hood 1 can be covered by a filter fleece, preferably permanently attached and made of a material of protection class FFP2.

[0025] Preferably, the housing 5 is attached to a rigid or flexible support structure 6, such as a strap or frame running around the person's head and preferably elastic or adjustable, with or without a crown piece, optionally pivotally attached or firmly integrated therein. This is very well illustrated in the side view of the Fig. 2 and the perspective view of the Fig. 3 to recognize.

[0026] A self-closing dust cap (not shown, conventional embodiment) prevents contamination of the blower when the filter 4 is removed. With the protective hood in its ready-to-use configuration, the connection of the housing 5, with its annular end furthest from the housing, seals around the opening of a passage through the protective hood 1 from its inside to its outside. The breathing air filter 4 can be screwed into the connection through this passage, or the annular end of the breathing air filter 4 can be sealed onto the outside of the protective hood 1 in another way.

[0027] For the power supply of the blower and also a control and / or regulation arrangement, a power supply unit 7 can be connected to the housing 5 and / or the support structure 6, for example a battery pack, preferably via a commercially available Li-ion battery pack.

[0028] As in Fig. 1and also in the side view of the Fig. 2 As can be seen, the breathing air filter 4 is located in the area between the forehead and the crown of the protective hood 1 in order to optimize the weight distribution with the other components of the arrangement and thus achieve a more comfortable wearing experience.

[0029] The support structure 6 preferably has an arc-shaped front part 8 that rests on or against the forehead of the person, to which the viewing lens 3 can be detachably attached. For this purpose, fastening structures, which are described in more detail below, are arranged on or in the viewing lens 3 and, correspondingly, at a corresponding position and complementarily in shape on the support structure 6, preferably on the sides of the front part 8, approximately in the area of ​​the person's temples.

[0030] A preferred embodiment of a viewing lens 3 can be provided with at least one fastening structure made of flexible material at each of its lateral edge regions, which, when the protective hood assembly is worn, come to rest in the temple area. The fastening structure is preferably formed by a region of the viewing lens 3 itself, more preferably by a tab 9 projecting from it or extending the lateral edge, which is provided with a hole 10. The tab 9, or any other fastening structure of the viewing lens 3, remains unconnected to the protective hood 1 and its material on the inside. This allows it to be easily grasped by the person when putting on the protective hood 1 and slipped over it via a complementary fastening structure on the support structure 6, preferably in the form of a laterally projecting pin 11, and hooked onto it. The pin 11 is preferably provided with a widened head 12, i.e.,that the outer end of the pin 11 formed by the head 12 has a larger cross-section in its longitudinal direction than the section of the pin 11 running between the head 12 and the transition to the front part 8 of the support structure 6.

[0031] In order to easily and without risk of damage connect the viewing window 3 to the support structure 6 in a detachable manner, it is advantageous, as shown in the Figs. 4 to 7 As can be seen more precisely, part of the circumferential edge of the hole 10 in the viewing window is formed by a tongue 13, as shown in Fig. 5 It is clearly visible that the tab 9 of the viewing window 3 is designed to be elastically deflectable relative to the adjacent sections of the circumferential edge of the hole 10. When the tab 9 is slipped over the head 12 of the pin 11 from a position as shown in Fig. 5As shown, this penetrates the hole 10, causing the tongue 13 to deflect elastically. When the tab 9 is pressed further against the front part 8 of the support structure 6, the tongue 13, after passing the head 12, can snap back elastically towards the plane of the tab 9 until the preferably concave distal end of the tongue 13, facing the center of the hole 10, rests against the pin below the head 12, thus locking the tab 9 to the support structure. This locked end position of the fastening structures on the viewing window 3 and the support structure 6 is shown on a further enlarged scale in Fig. 7 depicted.

[0032] Due to the material and shape-related flexibility and / or fragility of the tab 9 and / or the tongue 13, the viewing window 3 can be detached again with greater force than when connecting it, for example, when the protective cover 1 is to be removed from the support structure 6 for disposal. Any damage to the fastening structures thus also serves to ensure that a used protective cover 1 intended for disposal cannot be mistakenly reused.

[0033] In the Figs. 2 to 4A further advantageous embodiment of the connection between the viewing window 3 and the support structure 6 is shown. This involves an additional arrangement of fastening structures that further improves the fixation of the viewing window 3 to the support structure 6. Preferably, in the central region of the front part 8 of the support structure, i.e., at the upper edge of the viewing window 3, again on the inside of the protective cover 1, another hole 14 is provided in the edge region of the viewing window 3 located above the connection area between the protective cover 1 and the viewing window 3. Also preferably, a hook 15 or a similarly functioning element is formed inside the protective cover 1 on the front part 8 of the support structure 6, to which the viewing window 3 can be attached at another point on the support structure 6 by means of the hole 14.

[0034] Advantageously – and this applies to all embodiments of the protective hood arrangement – ​​at least one discharge opening for fresh air is arranged on the housing 5 of the blower, directed into the interior of the protective hood 1. This is preferably oriented towards the viewing window and is intended, on the one hand, to prevent the viewing window 3 from fogging up and, on the other hand, to direct the exhaled carbon dioxide away from the person, thus achieving a CO2 content in the inhaled air of less than 1% by volume. Optionally, one or more silencers or similar elements may be provided.

[0035] Between the fastening structures arranged laterally on the support structure 6 and the viewing window 3, and also within the area between the viewing window 3 and the person's forehead, a device 16 extending at least over a large part of the width of the viewing window 3 is provided in the support structure 6 to prevent turbulent flow, as shown in the Figs. 2 to 4The device 16, which prevents turbulent flow, preferably comprises a layer of porous material, preferably a layer of foam, arranged in the flow channel between the blower and one or more discharge openings of the air exchange system of the protective hood arrangement. Alternatively, other laminarization devices or arrangements may be provided, for example, louvers aligned parallel to the viewing window 3, flow-through bores, or the like.

[0036] If no contamination is expected from the outside of the protective hood assembly, as in cleanrooms, an air filter (breathing air filter 4) can be omitted, and air can be supplied to the head section of the protective hood 1 through at least one opening in the hood 1. For safety reasons, this opening could preferably be covered by a filter fleece, preferably made of a material of protection class FFP2, which may be permanently attached.

[0037] Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a view of a protective hood arrangement according to the invention in a phase of putting on but also of taking off the protective hood.

[0038] The protective hood 1 is removed from its protective packaging, for example, in a folded state with the inside facing out, and can be grasped by the fastening structures when pulling it over the wearer's face. The viewing window 3 is then attached to the support structure 6 using these fastening structures, with the protective hood 1 still in a folded state in front of the wearer's face. Fig. 8 This phase is shown. After the fastening structures have clicked into place, the person can release the viewing window 3 and completely place the protective hood 1 over the support structure 6 and their head, and carry out all further dressing steps.

[0039] When removing the cover, the rear part of the protective hood 1 is folded forward over the head and then lies again as in Fig. 8The device is shown in front of the person's face, with the inside turned outwards. The viewing window 3, along with the protective hood 1, can be easily detached from the support structure using the fastening structures. Because the contaminated outer side of the protective hood 1 has been turned inwards by folding it, the hood 1 can be safely handled for packaging and / or disposal by the uncontaminated inner side, which is now facing outwards. The protective hood assembly 1 can therefore be put on and / or taken off in the shortest possible time and is easy and quick to handle. It also allows for simple and contamination-free removal of the protective hood without the need for additional assistance. Reference numeral list

[0040] 1Protective hood 2Shoulder piece 3Viewing panel 4Breathing air filter 5Housing 6Supporting structure 7Power supply unit 8Front part of the supporting structure 9Tab 10Hole 11Pin 12Head 13Tongue 14Hole 15Hook 16Laminarization device

Claims

1. A protective hood assembly comprising a protective hood (1) made of flexible, yielding material and covering the head and shoulders of the user and having a viewing window (3) fixed therein, a support structure (6) for the protective hood (1), preferably an active air exchange system with a fan with associated control arrangement, wherein the fan is contained in a housing (5) preferably arranged within the protective hood (1) and preferably separate from the protective hood (1), and wherein the housing (5) is preferably fastened to the support structure (6) within the protective hood (1), and preferably a filter for the used air integrated into the protective hood (1), characterized in thatat least one fastening structure made of flexible material is formed or mounted on the viewing window (3) within the protective hood (1) and preferably in the region of the lateral edges, and that complementary fastening structures for detachable connection to the fastening structures of the viewing window (3) are formed or mounted on the lateral edges of the support structure (6).

2. Viewing window (3) for an arrangement according to claim 1, preferably made of flexible material, characterized in that Preferably, at least one fastening structure made of flexible material is formed or mounted on the side edges.

3. Viewing window according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening structure is formed by a region of the viewing window (3) itself having a hole (10), said region preferably forming a tab (9) projecting laterally from the viewing window (3).

4. Viewing window according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a part of the peripheral edge of the hole (10) in the viewing window (3) is formed by a tongue (13) which is designed to be elastically deflectable relative to the adjacent sections of the peripheral edge.

5. Viewing window according to claim 4, characterized in that the end of the tongue (13) facing the center of the hole (10) is concave.

6. Viewing panel according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that in the central region at the upper edge and within the protective hood (1) a further fastening structure, preferably in the form of a hole (14), is provided.

7. Protective hood (1) for an arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by a layered disc (3) fixed therein according to one of claims 2 to 6, and as a result of that the fastening structures of the viewing window (3) are located on the inside of the protective hood (1) without being connected to its material.

8. Support structure (6) for a protective hood, preferably according to claim 7, of an arrangement according to claim 1, preferably with an integrated housing (5) for a fan of an active air exchange system, characterized in that on the lateral edge pieces of which at least one fastening structure for a viewing window (3) according to one of claims 2 to 6 is provided.

9. Support structure according to claim 8, characterized in that the fastening structure is formed by a substantially radially outwardly projecting pin (11) with a preferably round cross-section.

10. Support structure according to claim 9, characterized in that a preferably rounded head (12) with a larger cross-section is formed on the pin (11).

11. Support structure according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that a further fastening structure, preferably in the form of a pin or hook (15), is provided on the front side in the central region.

12. Support structure according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that in the region of the front side and at a height above the upper edge of a viewing window (3) fastened to the support structure (6), a device (16) for preventing turbulent flow is arranged, extending at least over a large part of the width of the viewing window (3).

13. Support structure according to claim 12, characterized in that the device (16) for preventing turbulent flow includes a layer of porous material, preferably a layer of foam.

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