Protective equipment in the form of a shell-shaped protective or clothing element

Abstract

Protective equipment in the form of a shell-shaped protective or clothing element (1) comprising at least one elongated and / or planar section (10, 11) formed from a foldable and / or stretchable protective material, which is designed to at least partially enclose a body area, such as an arm, leg, foot, torso, head or a combination thereof, and which includes at least one entry opening (12), characterized in that the protective or clothing element (1) has at least one elongated adaptation zone (13) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the protective or clothing element (1) and, when worn, oriented essentially along the longitudinal axis of the body, which forms a functional section that is elastically stretchable along its longitudinal extension, enabling controlled contraction and / or stretching of the protective material in the longitudinal direction of the protective or clothing element (1).so that different body sizes and shapes can be compensated for and the putting on and taking off of the protective or clothing element (1) is made easier, especially in contaminated areas.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to protective equipment in the form of a shell-shaped protective or clothing element, particularly for use in the medical field, in contamination control, when handling infectious or toxic substances, and in industrial environments where a particle or liquid barrier is required. The invention relates in particular to Category III protective suits in accordance with applicable PPE regulations and relevant standards (e.g., EN 13982-1, EN 13034, EN 14126, EN 1073-2). State of the art

[0002] Various protective suits, typically offered in three to five standardized sizes and made of multi-layered, particle-tight or liquid-impermeable composite materials, are known from the state of the art. Such suits often feature elasticated cuffs and ankles, and depending on the design, may include hoods, boot covers, or breathable inserts. They usually have a front entry opening. However, practical use under realistic conditions reveals significant limitations. Standardized sizes allow only an imprecise fit to different body proportions, resulting in unfavorable material tension for users with varying body lengths or shapes. This tension restricts freedom of movement and increases the risk of seam bursts or tears.Donning the protective suit, particularly during twisting, bending, or hyperextension movements, creates peak loads that can compromise the structural integrity of the protective material. Removing such a suit in a contaminated environment is even more problematic. The combination of the tight fit of the material, elastic leg straps, and the lack of relief zones often forces users to exert considerable force to remove the suit, increasing the risk of spreading contaminated particles, losing balance, and consequently, potentially leading to safety-critical incidents. Description of the invention

[0003] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide protective equipment in the form of a shell-shaped protective or clothing element that adapts better to different body sizes and shapes, significantly reduces material stresses during use, and, in particular, simplifies and makes donning and doffing in contaminated environments safer. At the same time, the protective equipment should be more resistant to cracking and seam stress and exhibit overall improved functional and safety performance.

[0004] According to the invention, the aforementioned problem is solved according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the protective equipment according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] To solve this problem, the invention provides protective equipment in the form of a shell-shaped protective or clothing element, comprising at least one elongated and / or planar section formed from a foldable and / or stretchable protective material, which is designed to at least partially enclose a body area, such as an arm, leg, foot, torso, head, or a combination thereof, and includes at least one entry opening, wherein the protective or clothing element has at least one elongated adaptation zone extending in the longitudinal direction of the protective or clothing element and, when worn, oriented essentially along the longitudinal axis of the body, which forms a functional section that is elastically stretchable along its longitudinal extent, enabling controlled contraction and / or stretching of the protective material in the longitudinal direction of the protective or clothing element.This allows for adjustments to different body sizes and shapes, making it easier to put on and take off the protective or clothing element, especially in contaminated areas. This elasticity allows the protective or clothing element to better accommodate different body lengths, circumferences, and movements, thereby reducing material stress and allowing the protective or clothing element to adapt to different users. At the same time, the transversely elastic structure of the adaptation zone significantly reduces the material's adhesion to the body surface during removal, allowing the protective or clothing element to slide off more easily and making removal in contaminated areas safer and requiring less effort.

[0006] The protective material preferably has a compression reserve or material reserve, at least in the area of ​​the elongated adaptation zone, which is compressed in the initial state and unfolds when the area is stretched.

[0007] The protective or clothing element is particularly preferably designed as a protective suit comprising a first section designed as an upper part with sleeves and an optional hood, and a second section designed as a lower part with two leg sections. The protective suit according to the invention preferably also includes a hood.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the protective or clothing element can be designed as a boot, partial suit, overshoe or shoe-like protective element and / or the second section can comprise a boot, overshoe or shoe-like protective element.

[0009] The protective or clothing element preferably consists of a multi-layered protective material with particle-tight or liquid-repellent properties. An opening with a suitable closure, such as a zipper, allows the protective or clothing element to be put on and taken off. The adaptation zone can be located in the torso area, the leg area, or both simultaneously. It can be an integral part of the protective material and can be formed without additional seams, thus reducing potential weak points. Due to its elastic recovery force, the adaptation zone absorbs stress peaks in the material and causes the material to detach from the body contour during the removal process without requiring any external force peaks. Brief description of the drawings

[0010] Further objectives, features, advantages and application possibilities of the protective equipment according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing.

[0011] The drawing shows Fig. 1 The protective equipment according to the invention in an advantageous embodiment in a rear view. Implementation of the invention

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the vertical adaptation zone 13 is designed to allow controlled contraction and expansion of the protective material by a predetermined or structurally defined elongation path. Zone 13 possesses a specifically defined elongation capacity that is independent of the rest of the material structure and acts specifically in the longitudinal direction. This minimum elongation distance ensures that both large and small body lengths and different chest, abdominal, or hip circumferences can be reliably compensated for without generating critical material stresses. The advantage of this design lies particularly in the fact that the protective or clothing element 1 retains its protective effect while simultaneously significantly reducing the risk of cracking.In addition, the stretch reserve improves wearing comfort and facilitates the entire putting on and taking off process, as zone 13 flexibly accommodates the user's movements.

[0013] In another embodiment, the vertical adaptation zone 13 consists of a multilayered, elastically laminated composite material possessing a defined restoring force. This material combination can be produced by lamination, coextrusion, or by the targeted introduction of elastic functional layers. The restoring force ensures that the material returns to its original shape after stretching without being overstretched or structurally weakened. The advantage of such a composite material lies in its high functionality: It combines the protective and barrier properties of the outer layers with the elastic, energy-absorbing effect of the intermediate layers. This creates a durable, robust, and simultaneously flexible functional zone that operates reliably even under intensive use and prevents material fatigue.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the vertical adaptation zone 13 is located in the torso area of ​​the protective equipment. This area is typically subject to particularly large variations in circumference and movement when worn, for example, during twisting movements, bending, or overhead work. Positioning zone 13 in the torso therefore enables particularly effective stress relief. The key advantage of this design is that the main axes of movement of the body are supported by the elastic structure, which means that the protective or clothing element 1 is less restrictive even during extended periods of wear and damage to seams or material transitions is avoided.

[0015] In another embodiment, the vertical adaptation zone 13 is located in the leg area of ​​the protective or clothing element 1. The leg area is subjected to high tensile stresses when walking, kneeling, or stepping over obstacles. The elastic adaptation zone in the leg area allows the protective or clothing element 1 to compensate for these movements much more effectively. This results in a noticeable reduction in the effort required to put on and, in particular, to take off the protective or clothing element over footwear. Furthermore, the stretch reserve in the leg area minimizes the risk of the material getting caught or damaged when being pulled over safety shoes.

[0016] In a particularly ergonomic design, at least one additional transverse flex zone 14 is provided, which further improves the fit in terms of circumference. This flex zone 14 acts complementarily to the vertical adaptation zone 13 and enables three-dimensional dynamic adaptation of the protective or clothing element 1 to the user's body shape. The advantage lies in even greater freedom of movement and reduced material stress in areas with typically high changes in circumference, such as the chest, lower abdomen, or thighs. This further increases the durability of the protective material and reduces the risk of material damage.

[0017] In a particularly comfort-oriented embodiment, the protective or clothing element 1 includes a breathable ventilation area protected by a special splash-proof cover. The ventilation area can be made of a microporous functional material that transports moisture and heat to the outside, while the overlying cover forms a barrier against spray and liquids. This combination enables a significant reduction in heat build-up within the protective or clothing element 1 without compromising its protective effect against liquids or particles. The advantage lies in considerably improved thermal comfort and an extended usable wearing time before overheating or perspiration build-up occurs.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, size-adapting removal aids 15 are provided in the foot or ankle area, which facilitate the removal of the protective or clothing element 1 over footwear. The removal aids 15 can be designed as stretchable inserts, tab-like reinforcements, or as slip-resistant inner coatings. This structure makes it possible to pull the protective or clothing element 1 over safety shoes in a controlled manner without excessive tensile forces acting on the material and to fix it securely (without a fixing elastic band). The advantage lies in a significant reduction of the risk when removing the protective or clothing element in contaminated areas, as well as in improved usability even with protective or disposable gloves.

[0019] In another embodiment, the protective or clothing element 1 has elastic fastening areas in the foot or calf region. These areas ensure a secure seal between the protective or clothing element 1 and the footwear or skin, preventing the penetration of particles. At the same time, they allow for a flexible transition between the wearer's leg and the rest of the protective material. The advantage is that a tight seal is ensured without restricting freedom of movement, and that the fastening releases in a controlled manner when the protective element is removed.

[0020] In another advantageous embodiment, the protective or clothing element 1 comprises an extended entry opening 12, which extends from the upper part 10, preferably starting at the hood, to the lower half or preferably to the lower third of the lower part 11. Such an extension of the opening area significantly facilitates entry and allows for a large opening width when removing the protective or clothing element 1, making it considerably easier to detach it from the body. This is particularly relevant to safety in contaminated areas, as it reduces unnecessary contact points between the outer material and the body.

[0021] In another embodiment, the entry opening 12 has a locking aid that allows for low-contamination operation. The locking aid can be designed as a reinforced pull tab, an extended handle, or a textured surface that can be gripped securely even with gloves. This reduces the risk of the user unintentionally touching contaminated areas during opening. The advantage of this design lies in increased process reliability during undressing and in an overall more hygienic handling of the protective or clothing element 1.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment, the vertical adaptation zone 13 is incorporated as an integral material structure into the protective or cladding element 1, thus eliminating the need for a separate seam. This integral design can be achieved, for example, through material-homogeneous lamination or seamless manufacturing. This avoids potential weak points that could occur in sewn structures. The advantage lies in higher barrier integrity, as no additional punctures or transition zones are created that could be penetrated by liquids or particles.

[0023] In another embodiment, the adaptation zone 13 has a defined restoring force that reduces the material's adhesion to the body surface when being removed. Although the restoring force naturally causes the material to contract, the resulting relief effect reduces the contact area between the protective material and the skin. This facilitates the controlled sliding of the protective or clothing element 1 off the body without requiring high external pulling forces. The advantage lies in a particularly safe and effortless removal process that minimizes the risk of contamination transfer.

[0024] In another embodiment, the protective or clothing element 1 is designed to be certifiable as disposable PPE according to standards such as EN 13982-1, EN 13034, EN 14126, or comparable standards. This includes both the protective effect of the materials and their resistance to particles, liquids, and biological hazards. The advantage of this design is that the protective or clothing element 1 is suitable for a wide range of professional applications and meets one or more tested safety classes.

[0025] In a particularly safety-relevant embodiment, the adaptation zone 13 is designed to counteract material stresses, seam bursting, or cracking during bending, twisting, or hyperextension. The elastic elongation of zone 13 enables it to absorb local load peaks and distribute them evenly across the material composite. This increases the service life of the protective or cladding element 1 and significantly reduces the risk of spontaneous material damage during use. The advantage lies in a significant increase in the reliability and functional safety of the protective or cladding element 1.

Claims

[1] Protective equipment in the form of a shell-shaped protective or clothing element (1) comprising at least one elongated and / or planar section (10, 11) formed from a foldable and / or stretchable protective material, designed to at least partially enclose a body area, such as an arm, leg, foot, torso, head or a combination thereof, and comprising at least one entry opening (12), characterized by, that the protective or clothing element (1) has at least one elongated adaptation zone (13) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the protective or clothing element (1) and, when worn, oriented essentially along the longitudinal axis of the body, which forms a functional section that is elastically stretchable along its longitudinal extension, enabling controlled contraction and / or stretching of the protective material in the longitudinal direction of the protective or clothing element (1), so that different body sizes and shapes can be compensated for and the putting on and taking off of the protective or clothing element (1) is facilitated, particularly in contaminated areas. [2] Protective or clothing element (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the protective material has at least in area (B) of the adaptation zone (13) a compression reserve and / or material reserve (16) which is compressed in the initial state and unfolds when area (B) is stretched. [3] Protective or clothing element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the at least one vertical adaptation zone (13) is designed in such a way that controlled contraction and elongation of the protective material is enabled by a predetermined or structurally defined elongation path. [4] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one vertical adaptation zone (13) consists of a multilayer, elastically laminated composite material with a defined restoring force. [5] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one vertical adaptation zone (13) is located in the trunk area. [6] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one vertical adaptation zone (13) is located in the leg area. [7] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one transverse flex zone (14) is provided for circumference and fit adjustment. [8] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it includes a covered breathable ventilation area, the cover of which is splash-proof. [9] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the entry opening (12) includes a closure aid for low-contamination operation. [10] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the adaptation zone (13) has a restoring force so that the protective or clothing element (1) moves away from the body when exiting. [11] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it (1) is certifiable as disposable PPE according to EN 13982-1, EN 13034, EN 14126 or comparable standards. [12] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one adaptation zone (13) is designed to counteract material stresses, seam bursting or cracking during bending, twisting or hyperextension. [13] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the protective or clothing element (1) is designed as a protective suit comprising a first section (10) designed as an upper part with sleeves and optional hood, and a second section (11) designed as a lower part with two leg sections. [14] Protective or clothing element (1) according to claim 14, characterized by , that size-adapting exit aids (15) are provided in the foot or ankle area, which simplify the removal of the protective suit over footwear. [15] Protective or clothing element (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized by , that it includes an extended entry opening (12) which extends from the first section (10), preferably from the hood, to the lower half or preferably to the lower third of the second section (11). [16] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the protective or clothing element (1) is designed as a boot, partial suit, overshoe or shoe-like protective element and / or the second section (11) comprises a boot, overshoe or shoe-like protective element. [17] Protective or cladding element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the protective or clothing element (1) is designed as an arm cuff, arm sleeve or protective sleeve-like arm attachment.

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