Cleanroom clothing with integrated bag and associated packaging method

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of protective clothing for cleanrooms.

[0002] The term "white rooms" refers to rooms with a controlled, aseptic and sterile atmosphere.

[0003] Cleanrooms are used in many fields, including electronics, micromechanics, optics, nano and biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, sterile pharmacy preparations, medical equipment, and food processing.

[0004] In this type of room, it is necessary to isolate the body of the personnel working inside said rooms in order to minimize the dispersion of microorganisms and the particles they themselves generate, and thus avoid any contamination of the cleanroom.

[0005] It is thus known to equip staff intended to work in cleanrooms with protective clothing, including coveralls.

[0006] Such protective clothing is sterile and supplied in sealed packaging. The user must put on the protective clothing without touching the outer surface intended to come into contact with the sterile environment of the cleanroom.

[0007] Document EP 3 581 045 A1 shows a garment according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] We can refer to document FR2809933 which describes a cleanroom suit designed to be put on by grasping it from the inside, thus avoiding any external contamination of the cleanroom.

[0009] Generally, protective clothing is contained in sterilized and individual but disposable packaging, in other words single-use; which represents a significant source of waste.

[0010] However, such disposable packaging constitutes a significant amount of inorganic waste. The current trend is to reduce single-use packaging and the associated waste.

[0011] We can refer to document WO 2021 / 099631 which proposes protective equipment for cleanrooms packaged in a reusable and sterilizable pouch.

[0012] However, opening such a pouch does not allow the garment to be easily removed or repackaged.

[0013] Thus, there is a need to improve cleanroom protective clothing in order to reduce its environmental and ecological impact, without compromising the sterility of the garment, and while simplifying the extraction and reconditioning of the garment.

[0014] Another objective is to limit the costs associated with the logistics of protective clothing in terms of decontamination, reconditioning and storage.

[0015] The invention relates to a protective garment for a cleanroom intended to be worn by a user and comprising an outer face intended to be in contact with the external environment and an inner face arranged to be in contact with the user wearing said garment.

[0016] The garment includes a reusable and sterilizable garment packaging pouch attached to the inner face of the garment by irreversible fastening means, such as sewing or welding.

[0017] The packaging pouch comprises a single wall connected by its contours to the inner face of the garment and comprising an outer face intended to be in contact with the external environment once the garment is packaged in the pouch and an inner face intended to be in contact with the user wearing said garment, the wall being delimited by four corners and comprising an opening having a rounded shape extending between two diagonally opposite corners.

[0018] The rounded opening makes it easier to remove the garment from the pouch, as well as to repackage it.

[0019] In other words, the pouch is formed from a single wall delimited by four corners forming a contour.

[0020] The said contour is connected to the inner face of the garment and delimits an area of ​​the inner face of the garment opposite the outer face of the wall.

[0021] The combination of said wall and the area of ​​the inner face of the garment opposite the wall forms the pocket in which the garment is stored.

[0022] In the garment packaging position in the pouch, the outer face of the wall and the area of ​​the inner face of the garment are in contact with the external environment.

[0023] The opening preferably forms a semicircle.

[0024] In the configuration for use of the garment by the user, the outer face of the pocket faces the inner face of the garment.

[0025] Thus, in the folded and packaged position, the inner face of the garment is connected to the inner face of the pouch so that only the outer face of the pouch is in contact with the external environment.

[0026] Advantageously, the opening in the wall of the packaging pouch is closed by a zipper.

[0027] For example, the packaging pouch includes a flap intended to cover the opening, including the zipper, in the conditioned position of the garment in the packaging pouch.

[0028] The flap can, for example, be connected to the wall partially along two sides and movable between a free position of the opening (14), in particular of the zipper, to a position covering said opening, in particular of the zipper.

[0029] For example, the flap has an opening at each opposite corner to prevent the accumulation of particles at the zipper.

[0030] The flap is, advantageously, made of textile material.

[0031] The storage pouch is, advantageously, made of textile material.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the protective garment is a combination comprising a first and a second leg section, a first sleeve, a second sleeve and a body part, the first sleeve, the second sleeve, the two leg sections each being connected to the body part to form a combination.

[0033] Advantageously, the wall of the packaging pouch is attached to the inner face of the body part.

[0034] Alternatively, the protective clothing could be trousers, a top, a balaclava, or any other type of protective clothing.

[0035] For example, the body part includes a head passage section and an opening closed by means of closure, for example a zipper.

[0036] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method of packaging a protective garment for a cleanroom in a packaging pouch, said garment being intended to be worn by a user and comprising an outer face intended to be in contact with the external environment and an inner face arranged to be in contact with the user wearing said garment.

[0037] The garment packaging pouch is connected to the inner face of the garment by irreversible means of attachment, such as sewing or welding, and comprises a single wall connected by its contours to the inner face of the garment and comprising an outer face intended to be in contact with the external environment once the garment is packaged in the pouch and an inner face intended to be in contact with the user wearing the garment, the wall being delimited by four corners and comprising an opening having a rounded shape extending between two opposite corners.

[0038] Depending on the packaging process: The garment is folded so that the inner face of the pocket wall is visible; and the garment is grasped from inside the pocket and pulled through the opening until the garment is inside the pocket.

[0039] Advantageously, once the garment is placed inside the packaging pouch, the opening is closed by operating a zipper and then a flap provided on said pouch is folded down until it covers the zipper.

[0040] The present invention will be better understood upon study of the detailed description of embodiments, taken by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] is a front view of the protective garment according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the garment is a coverall; [ Fig 2 ], [ Fig 3 ] are front views of the garment packaging pouch of the figure 1 , in a configuration where the garment is packaged in said pouch; [ Fig 4A ], [ Fig 4B ] are detailed views of the figure 3 ; Fig 5 ] is a front view of the protective garment according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the garment is trousers; and [ Fig 6A ], [ Fig 6B ], [ Fig 6C ], [ Fig 6D ], [ Fig 6E ], [ Fig 6F ] And [ Fig 6G ] illustrate the steps in the process of packaging the protective garment in the packaging pouch of the figure 1 .

[0041] In the following description, the terms "exterior" and "interior" refer to the use of the garment by a user, with an interior surface being closer to the user than an exterior surface under normal garment use conditions.

[0042] A level 1 protective garment for cleanrooms or aseptic environments is illustrated on the figure 1 .

[0043] Protective garment 1 is, here, a suit comprising a first and a second leg section 2, 3.

[0044] Alternatively, the protective clothing could be trousers 20 as illustrated in the figure 5 in which the same elements bear the same references. Protective clothing could also be a top, a balaclava, or any other type of protective clothing.

[0045] Leg sections 2, 3, may, in no way limitingly, be provided with means of closure (not shown).

[0046] Protective garment 1 also includes a first sleeve 4, a second sleeve 5 and a body part 6. The first sleeve 4, the second sleeve 5, the two leg sections 2, 3 are each connected to the body part 6 to form a suit.

[0047] The body part 6 includes a head passage section 7 and an opening 8 closed by means of closure, for example a zipper.

[0048] The suit 1 comprises an outer face 1a intended to be in contact with the external environment and an inner face 1b arranged to be in contact with the user wearing said suit.

[0049] The combination 1 includes a packaging pouch 10 comprising a single wall 11 connected by its contours to the inner face 1b of the combination by irreversible fastening means 12, such as welding or sewing.

[0050] The wall 11 of the packaging pouch 10 includes an outer face 11a visible on the figures 2 et 3 intended to be in contact with the external environment once the garment is packaged in pouch 10.

[0051] The wall 11 of the packaging pouch 10 includes an inner face 11b intended to be in contact with the user wearing said suit.

[0052] In the user's configuration of the suit, the outer face 11b of the pocket 10 faces the inner face 1b of the body part 6 of the suit 1.

[0053] Thus, in the folded and packed position, the inner face 1b of the suit 1 is connected to the inner face of the wall so that only the outer face of the pouch is in contact with the external environment, as illustrated in the figures 2 et 3 .

[0054] The wall 11 of the packaging pouch 10 has, here, a parallelepiped shape comprising four corners 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d.

[0055] The wall 11 of the packaging pouch 10 further includes an opening 14 extending between two diagonally opposite corners 13c, 13b, as visible on the figure 2 .

[0056] Opening 14 has a rounded shape here to facilitate the extraction of the garment from said pouch, as well as its repackaging.

[0057] The opening here forms a semicircle.

[0058] The opening 14 includes a zipper 15 intended to close said opening 14.

[0059] Without limitation, the wall 11 of the packaging pouch 10 also includes a flap 16 intended to cover the zipper 15 in the conditioned position of the garment 1 in the packaging pouch 10.

[0060] Alternatively, the packaging pouch could be without the flap.

[0061] The flap 16 is connected to the wall 11 partially along two sides so that it can pivot from a free position of the zipper 15, visible on the figure 2 , towards a position covered by said zipper 1, visible on the figure 3 .

[0062] The flap 16 is made of textile material.

[0063] The flap 16 reduces the entry of particles through the zipper 15, which is then covered by a protective layer.

[0064] The flap 16 is provided, at each opposite corner, with an opening 16a, 16b in order to prevent the accumulation of particles at the zipper 15.

[0065] The repackaging of garment 1 inside pouch 10 is carried out as follows, with reference to figures 6A à 6G .

[0066] During the first step of the garment reconditioning process, the user folds the suit 1 so as to leave the inner face 11b of the pocket 10 visible, as illustrated in the figure 6A .

[0067] Once the suit is folded, the user grasps the suit 1, specifically its inner surface 1b, from inside the pocket 10, as shown in the figure 6B and pulls combination 1 through opening 14 until combination 1 is inside pocket 1 as shown on the figures 6C et 6D .

[0068] Once combination 1 is placed inside pouch 10, as seen on the figure 6E The user closes the opening 14 by operating the zipper 15, as shown in the figure 6F .

[0069] The user then folds down flap 16, specifically until it covers zipper 15, as shown in the figure 6G .

[0070] The combination 1 thus packaged in pouch 10 can be sterilized, for example, in an autoclave.

[0071] When the user puts on the suit 1, he will open the closure means 15 of the opening 14 of the pouch 1, remove the suit 1 from the pouch by pulling it from its inner face 1b.

[0072] Thanks to the invention, we obtain a protective garment for cleanrooms that is easy to pack and unfold, while reducing the environmental and ecological impact, without compromising the sterility of the garment.

Claims

1. Cleanroom protective garment (1, 20) intended to be worn by a user and comprising an outer face (1a) designed to be in contact with the external environment and an inner face (1b) arranged to be in contact with the user wearing said garment (1, 20), the garment (1, 20) comprising a pouch (10) for packaging the garment and connected to the inner face (1b) of the garment by irreversible fastening means (12), characterised in that the packaging pouch (10) comprises a single wall (11) delimited by four corners (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) forming a contour connected to the inner face (1b) of the garment (1, 20) and comprising an outer face (11a) facing the inner face (1b) of the garment and designed to be in contact with the external environment once the garment is packaged in the pouch (10) and an inner face (11b) designed to be in contact with the user wearing said garment, the wall (11) comprising an opening (14) having a rounded shape extending between two diagonally opposite corners (13c, 13b).

2. Garment (1, 20) according to claim 1, wherein the opening (14) of the wall (11) of the packaging pouch (10) is closed by a zip (15).

3. Garment (1, 20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the packaging pouch (10) comprises a flap (16) intended to cover the opening (14) in the packaged position of the garment (1, 20) in the packaging pouch (10).

4. Garment (1, 20) according to claim 3, wherein the flap (16) is connected to the wall (11) partially along two sides and movable between a free position of the opening (14), in particular of the zip, to a position covering said opening (14), in particular of the zip.

5. Garment (1) according to claim 4, wherein the flap (16) is provided, at each opposite corner, with an opening (16a, 16b).

6. Garment (1, 20) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the flap (16) is made of a textile material.

7. Garment (1, 20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall of the storage pouch (10) is made of a textile material.

8. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective garment (1) is an overall comprising first and second leg sections (2, 3), a first sleeve (4), a second sleeve (5) and a body part (6), the first sleeve (4), the second sleeve (5) and the two leg sections (2, 3) each being connected to the body portion (6) to form an overall.

9. Garment (1) according to claim 8, wherein the wall (11) of the packaging pouch (10) is secured to the inner face of the body part (6).

10. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contour of the wall (11) connected to the inner face (1b) of the garment and delimits an area of the inner face (1b) of said garment facing the outer face (11a) of the wall (11), and wherein, in the position of packaging the garment in the pouch (10), the outer face (11a) of the wall (11) and the area of the inner face (1b) of the garment are in contact with the external environment.

11. Method for packaging a cleanroom protective garment (1, 20) in a packaging pouch (10), said garment being intended to be worn by a user and comprising an outer face (1a) designed to be in contact with the external environment and an inner face (1b) arranged to be in contact with the user wearing said garment (1, 20), said pouch (10) for packaging the garment comprising a single wall (11) delimited by four corners (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) forming a contour connected to the inner face (1b) of the garment (1, 20) by irreversible fastening means (12), said wall (11) comprising an outer face (11a) facing the inner face (1b) of the garment and designed to be in contact with the external environment once the garment is packaged in the pouch (10) and an inner face (11b) designed to be in contact with the user wearing said garment, the wall (11) comprising an opening (14) having a rounded shape extending between two diagonally opposite corners (13c, 13b), according to the packaging method: - the garment (1, 20) is folded so as to leave the inner face (11b) of the wall (11) of the pouch (10) visible; and - the garment (1, 20) is grasped by the inside of the pouch (10) and the garment (1, 20) is pulled on through the opening (14) until the garment (1, 20) is inside said pouch (10).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein, once the garment (1, 20) has been placed inside the packaging pouch (10), the opening (14) is closed by actuating a zip (15) and then a flap (16) provided on said pouch (10) is folded down until it covers the zip (15).