Garment for cooling an individual wearing personal protective equipment

Abstract

The present invention refers to a garment (1) for cooling an individual, devised to be worn at a torso (B) of the individual under personal protective equipment so as to be interposed between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention refers to a garment for cooling an individual. More particularly, the garment is devised and configured to cool individual wearing personal protective equipment.

[0002] Further, the invention refers to an assembly comprising both said garment and radioprotective personal protective equipment and a use of said garment for cooling an individual wearing radioprotective personal protective equipment.BACKGROUND

[0003] Personal protective equipment (PPE) capable of being worn by in-charge personnel performing activities with apparatuses emitting ionizing radiations, such as X-rays, are known. PPE are destined to protect the in-charge personnel from X-rays.

[0004] One of the most common disadvantages found by the users of PPE capable of protecting from X-rays, refers to an insufficient thermal comfort. This is mainly due to a shielding lamina of PPE which, even though it shields from X-rays, unfortunately it prevents the human body from normally perspiring, together with the commonly used fabrics having a low perspiration.

[0005] Some manufacturers of radioprotective PPE have implemented more lightweight and perspirating internal fabrics, obtaining in this way only a minimal solution to said inadequate thermal comfort problem, which therefore still remains.

[0006] The Applicant has observed that the thermal comfort of the personnel in charge of activities with apparatuses emitting ionizing radiations, can be solved differently and in a more advantageously way with respect to what has been just described.OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, a main object of the present invention consists of overcoming the inconveniences beforehand described with reference to the prior art.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention consists of improving the thermal comfort of an individual, such as in-charge personnel, wearing radioprotective personal protective equipment; this object is met by the garment according to the invention.

[0009] A further object of the invention consists of providing a garment for cooling an individual, configured to cool an individual wearing radioprotective personal protective equipment in a simple and effective way.

[0010] Moreover, an additional object of the invention consists of providing an assembly improving the thermal comfort of an individual in charge of activities with apparatuses emitting ionizing radiations.

[0011] Moreover, the invention provides a remarkably effective technical solution alternative to the solutions of the prior art.

[0012] These and other objects are met by a garment, an assembly and a use of the garment and / or of the assembly according to the following description, to the attached claims and to the following aspects.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Aspects of the invention, forming an integral part of the technical contents of the present patent text, are herein described. Said aspects can be used for limiting the claims and / or defining further claims during the life of the present patent protection.

[0014] The invention provides a garment for cooling an individual, devised to be worn at the torso of the individual below the personal protective equipment so as to be interposed between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment, wherein the garment comprises:

[0015] a belt-like portion (or, simply, belt) configured to engage and / or maintain the garment engaged to a portion, particularly to a lumbar and / or abdominal portion, of the torso of an individual,

[0016] at least one engagement portion capable of engaging at least at an upper portion of the torso of an individual, particularly at least at at least one shoulder and / or chest and / or back of the individual, the engagement portion being configured to be connected to the belt-like portion,

[0017] an air movement device configured to move air, under operating conditions of the garment, in the direction of the torso of the individual wearing the garment or, as an alternative, towards the outside of the garment (in other words exiting the space / gap G defined by the garment).

[0018] Preferably, the garment comprises a pair of suspenders enabling the garment to be stably positioned with respect to the torso of the individual; therefore, the garment comprises, preferably, a belt provided with suspenders.

[0019] The whole garment is made by a spongy material coated by a suitable perspiring fabric, capable of alleviating the weight of the radioprotective PPE in correspondence of critical points (the base of the neck, armpit area), providing at the same time a thickness suitable to ensure the desired air movement.

[0020] Preferably, for monitoring the body temperature of the individual, the garment provides also a temperature sensor, which can be operatively connected to the air movement device in order to manage cooling of the individual.

[0021] The invention provides also an assembly comprising:

[0022] a radioprotective personal protective equipment wearable at the torso of an individual,

[0023] a garment for cooling an individual (as hereinbefore and hereafter described).

[0024] The invention provides also a use of the garment (as hereinbefore and hereinafter described) or of the assembly (as hereinbefore and hereinafter described) for cooling an individual.

[0025] According to the invention, the garment, the assembly and the use provide that, under operating conditions, the garment forms a gap between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment; the gap is capable of enabling the air to circulate between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment. In the gap, the air emitted / removed from the air movement device can circulate, so as to enable to cool the individual.Conventions and Definitions

[0026] It is observed that in the following detailed description, corresponding parts, components or elements are indicated by same numeral references.

[0027] The figures could illustrate the object of the invention by not-to-scale representations; therefore, parts / components / elements illustrated in the attached figures and regarding the object of the invention, could only refer to schematic representations. The use of “ / ” in the present text means “and / or”, unless otherwise expressly indicated or except for where the context excludes it.

[0028] In the context of the present disclosure, the use of terms such as “on”, “top”, “upper”, “below”, “bottom”, “lower”, “alongside”, “lateral”, “laterally”, “internal”, “internally”, “external”, “externally”, “horizontal”, “horizontally”, “vertical”, “vertically”, “front”, “frontally”, “posterior”, “posteriorly”, “right”, “left”, similar terms and corresponding variants refers, except for specific different indications, to at least one spatial orientation which the object of the invention can take under conditions of use; the terms refer to what is shown in the drawings, illustrating the orientation associated to a normal use of the invention. Such terms are only used for helping the reader and are not limiting.

[0029] Expect for specific different indications, the terms “condition” or “configuration” can be interchangeably used in the context of the present disclosure. The expression “said at least one” can be exchanged with “each”. The expression “each” and similar do not necessarily imply that it is made reference to a plurality of elements; for example, “each element” can refer to just one element or to a plurality of elements, as a function of the context where the expression is used and / or as a function of the embodiment which it refers to.

[0030] In the context of the present disclosure, one or more of the following definitions / conventions can be used, at the occurrence and unless where otherwise indicated and / or unless where the context excludes them:

[0031] “garment for cooling an individual” means a garment or a wearable product configured to reduce the temperature of an individual. With reference to the garment according to the invention, which can be worn by an individual at his or her torso, the wording “garment for cooling an individual” means a garment configured to reduce the temperature of the torso of the individual wearing it.

[0032] “garment devised to be worn under a personal protective equipment so that it is interposed between the torso of the individual and the personal protective equipment” means a garment configured to be worn in such a way and to cooperate with radioprotective personal protective equipment; it is observed that such garment is different from the personal protective equipment itself.

[0033] “Personal protective equipment” or “PPE”, means a personal product or device used and destined to be worn by an individual in order to protect him / her from one or more risks susceptible to impair his or her safety or health.

[0034] “radioprotective” means capable of reducing the exposure of an individual performing activities with apparatuses emitting ionizing radiations, such as X-rays. Therefore, “radioprotective”, with reference to a personal protective equipment, means that the personal protective equipment is destined to reduce the exposure of an individual (operator and / or in-charge personnel) performing activities with apparatuses emitting ionizing radiations, such as X-rays.

[0035] “operating conditions” (or conditions of use) of the garment mean conditions wherein the garment is worn by an individual at his or her torso.

[0036] “individual” means an adult individual, particularly an operator and / or personnel in charge of activities with apparatuses emitting ionizing radiations, such as X-rays. Therefore, the garment according to the invention is configured to be worn at a torso of an adult individual.

[0037] Said conventions and definitions can be used, when required, to interpret the claims. According to the necessities, one or more of said conventions and definitions can be included in one or more of the following claims and / or in one or more of the preceding aspects, particularly when these claims and / or aspects use one or more expressions object of one or more conventions or definitions.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] In order to better comprehend the invention and appreciate the advantages, some embodiments thereof will be described in an exemplifying and non-limiting way in the attached figures.

[0039] A brief description of the attached figures follows:

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a garment for cooling an individual according to an embodiment of the invention, where the individual is schematically shown by a torso (B) which the garment is engaged with;

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a lateral view of the garment of FIG. 1, wherein the posterior portion of the garment is visible;

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a detail of the top posterior part of the garment of FIG. 2, wherein it is shown a posterior part of the engagement portion. Particularly, the suspenders and the posterior connection portion which connect them at the back of the individual are visible;

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a detail of the posterior lower portion of the garment of FIG. 2, where the air movement device engaged at the belt-like portion of the garment is visible.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0044] Garment for cooling an individual wearing a PPE

[0045] A garment according to the invention is generally indicated in the figures by the numeral reference 1. The garment 1 according to the present invention, is devised to be worn at a torso B of the individual.

[0046] The garment 1 according to the present invention is devised to cool the individual wearing radioprotective personal protective equipment (in the following, also simply referred to as “PPE”).

[0047] For this purpose, the garment 1 according to the present invention, is destined to be used under the radioprotective personal protective equipment so as to be interposed between the torso of an individual and the personal protective equipment itself, that is also worn by the individual. As the garment 1 is interposed in this way, it forms a gap G between the torso of an individual and the personal protective equipment, enabling and promoting the cooling of the body of the individual wearing the PPE because air can circulate in this gap G.

[0048] The garment 1 comprises:

[0049] a belt-like portion 2 (or, simply, belt) configured to engage and / or maintain the garment 1 engaged with a portion, particularly a lumbar and / or abdominal portion, of the torso of an individual,

[0050] at least one engagement portion 3 capable of engaging at least at an upper portion of the torso of an individual, particularly at at least one shoulder and / or chest and / or back of the individual,

[0051] an air movement device 4 configured to move air, under operating conditions of the garment 1, in the direction of the torso B of the individual wearing the garment (movement of air approaching the torso of the individual) or, alternatively, to move air so that it exits the zone of the torso B towards the bottom, for example in the direction of the floor (movement of air away from the torso of the individual).

[0052] The air movement device 4 allows the air to circulate in said gap G formed between the garment 1 and the personal protective equipment, by entering the gap G or by exiting it, in order to promote the thermal comfort of the individual.

[0053] The engagement portion 3 is connected to or configured to be connected to the belt-like portion 2 and is configured to engage, under operating conditions, the lumbar and / or abdominal portion of the individual wearing the garment 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the engagement portion 3 is capable of engaging, under operating conditions, at the shoulders and chest and back of the individual.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the garment 1 comprises at least one temperature sensor 5 configured to measure and / or monitor, under operating conditions when the garment 1 is worn by the individual at his or her torso, a body temperature of the individual's torso.

[0055] The temperature sensor 5 is located at the belt-like portion 2 and / or at the engagement portion 3; possible positions of the temperature sensor in the engagement portion 3 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and particularly in FIG. 3. It is noted that the garment according to the invention, can comprise only one temperature sensor 5 or a plurality of temperature sensors 5.

[0056] More particularly and according to the attached figures, the engagement portion 3 comprises a first suspender 6 and a second suspender 7, each of them is capable of engaging, under operating conditions of the garment, at least at one respective shoulder of the individual wearing the garment 1. The suspenders 6, 7 are elongated support elements, such as bands or strips, configured to create an air passage gap G between each other, substantially creating an “air funnel” type effect (see FIG. 2). Preferably, the suspenders are vertically developing elongated elements. Preferably, each suspender 6, 7 is made of foam rubber, in order to increase the comfort of the individual wearing the garment 1, simultaneously supporting the weight of the PPE.

[0057] Preferably, each suspender 6, 7 is connected or configured to be connected to the belt-like portion 2 and is transverse to it. Each suspender 6, 7, as shown in the attached figures, is in the shape of a band or strip developing from a front portion or surface of the belt-like portion 2 (in other words a surface or portion of the belt-like portion 2 frontally facing, under conditions of use of the garment 1) to a posterior portion or surface of the belt-like portion 2 (in other words a surface or portion of the belt-like portion 2 posteriorly facing under conditions of use of the garment 1).

[0058] Particularly, each suspender 6, 7 comprises two opposite ends, one of them is engaged to the front surface of the belt-like portion 2 and the other one is engaged to the posterior surface of the belt-like portion 2; therefore, each suspender 6, 7 being substantially in the shape of an “inverted U”. In addition to what has is hereinbefore indicated, it is noted that the suspenders 6, 7 are also configured to support the belt-like portion 2.

[0059] Under operating conditions, each suspender 6, 7 is in contact with, and is engaged at, a respective shoulder of the individual; for this purpose, each suspender 6, 7 has a respective shoulder pad 8, 9. The shoulder pads 8, 9 are configured to help the individual to relieve him / her from the weight of the radioprotective personal protective equipment worn above the garment 1 (it is noted that the PPE can weigh up to about 4 kgs) and in order to form said space or gap G for the air circulation between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment. Substantially, the shoulder pads 8, 9 act as a spacer which separates, by forming the gap G, the individual's torso from the PPE. It is noted that the space or gap G is formed not only by the shoulder pads 8, 9 but also by the remaining portions of the suspenders 6, 7. In fact, with reference to the gap G, see FIG. 2 where it is indicated as the height of the shoulder pad 8 and as the central space defined between a posterior lower portion of the shoulder pads 8, 9 and FIG. 3 where the gap G is indicated as the central space defined between a posterior upper portion of the shoulder pads 8, 9. The space or gap G is also clearly visible in FIG. 4, where the distance defined by the suspender 7 with respect to the torso B is shown. In order to increase the individual comfort, the shoulder pads 8, 9 can be padded and / or made of sponge, particularly padded by soft sponge.

[0060] The engagement portion comprises also the connection and / or reinforcement portions 6′, 6″ and 7′, 7″ located in proximity of the shoulder pads 8, 9, particularly below the shoulder pads 8, 9; such portions 6′, 6″ and 7′, 7″ can be assist to connect the shoulder pads 8, 9 to the remaining portion of the respective suspender 6, 7 and / or to reinforce the respective suspender 6, 7. More particularly, the first suspender 6 can provide a connection and / or reinforcement front portion 6′ and a connection and / or reinforcement posterior portion 6″ and the second suspender 7 can provide a front connection and / or reinforcement front portion 7′ and a posterior connection and / or reinforcement portion 7″.

[0061] Preferably, the engagement portion 3 comprises also at least one connection portion 10, 11 configured to connect to each other the first suspender 6 and second suspender 7 and configured to be located, under operating conditions of the garment 1, at the upper portion of the torso of an individual.

[0062] More particularly, the engagement portion 3 comprises:

[0063] at least one front connection portion 10 configured to frontally connect to each other the first suspender 6 and second suspender 7 and configured to be located, under operating conditions of the garment 1, at the chest of the individual wearing the garment 1 (see FIG. 1),

[0064] at least one posterior connection portion 11 configured to posteriorly connect to each other the first suspender 6 and second suspender 7 and configured to be located, under operating conditions of the garment 1, at the back of the individual wearing the garment 1 (see FIG. 2).

[0065] It is noted that the terms: front, frontally, posterior, posteriorly are given with reference to the position, under operating conditions of the garment, with respect to the individual's torso. As illustrated in the attached figures, each connection portion 10, 11 is transverse to the first and second suspenders 6, 7. Preferably, each connection portion 10, 11 is at least partially or substantially parallel to the belt-like portion 2, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Substantially, the engagement portion 3 frontally presents a substantially “H” shape (see FIG. 1) and also posteriorly a substantially “H” shape (see FIG. 2); the continuity between these substantially “H” shapes is provided by the suspenders 6, 7 and the horizontal segment of such substantially “H” shapes is formed by the connection portion 10 with reference to the front part of the garment 1 and by the connection portion 11 with reference to the posterior part of the garment 1.

[0066] In some embodiments, one or more portions 2, 6, 7, 6′, 6″, 7′, 7″, 8, 9, 10, 11 can be engaged with each other by suitable fastening systems, for example a tear open engagement (optionally using Velcro) or by other reversible engagement means (such as buttons or analogous means), or can be fixed, in other words stably engaged with each other without any possibility of reversibly disengaging from each other.

[0067] Preferably, the at least one temperature sensor 5 is only located at the engagement portion 3, particularly at at least one connection portion 10, 11. In other embodiments, the temperature sensor 5 can be only located at the belt-like portion 2 or both at the engagement portion 3 and at the belt-like portion 2.

[0068] It is observed that at least one temperature sensor 5 can be located at the front connection portion 10 and / or at the posterior connection portion 11.

[0069] Preferably, at least one temperature sensor 5 is located only at just one connection portion 10, 11. FIG. 1 shows a temperature sensor 5 located at the front connection portion 10 and FIG. 2 shows a temperature sensor 5 located at the posterior connection portion 11; they can be alternative to each other or can be both provided. Therefore, the garment 1 can provide just only one temperature sensor 5 or two temperature sensors 5; providing two temperature sensors 5 is advantageous because it allows to better control the body temperature attained by the individual wearing the garment 1.

[0070] From the point of view of the materials, it is observed that the garment 1 can be at least partially made of a perspiring material, or anyway is made of a material / s which help to meet the object of ensuring the thermal comfort for an individual wearing a radioprotective PPE and / or of a spongy material in order to increase the comfort when wearing the garment 1.

[0071] Now, the structure and functionalities of the air movement device 4, which is the part of the garment 1 in charge of cooling the individual, are more particularly described.

[0072] The air movement device 4 comprises a box body 12 provided with openings 13, 14 configured to enable a suitable air circulation. Preferably, the box body 12 comprises:

[0073] air inlet openings 13 configured to enable air to enter the box body 12,

[0074] air distribution openings 14 configured to enable air to exit the box body 12 in the direction of the torso of the individual wearing the garment.

[0075] The air movement device 14 comprises at least one motor member 15, for example one or more fans, housed inside the box body 12 and configured to enable air to move from the air inlet openings 13 to the air distribution openings 14.

[0076] In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the air inlet openings 13 and air distribution openings 14 are opposite to each other; more particularly, the air inlet openings 13 can be located at a lower portion of the box body 12, and the air distribution openings 14 can be located at an upper portion of the bod body 12 (see FIG. 4), or viceversa. It is noted that it is not excluded a different positioning of the air inlet openings 13 and of the air distribution openings 14 in other embodiments of the garment 1; for example, one or more openings 13, 14 can be located on one or both the lateral walls or sides of the box body 12. For example, the same upper or lower or lateral portion of the box body 12 can provide both one or more air inlet openings 13 and one or more air distribution openings 14, according to the operating requirements and / or design choices.

[0077] Preferably, the air movement device 4 is integral with the belt-like portion under operating conditions of the garment; see FIG. 2.

[0078] Preferably, the air movement device 4 is engaged to the belt-like portion 2, particularly at a posterior surface of the belt-like portion 2, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0079] In order to enable the operativity of the air movement device 4, the garment 1 can provide a source of electrical energy 16, particularly a portable source of electrical energy, for example one or more electric batteries and / or one battery. The presence of a source of electrical energy 16 allows the garment 1 to be independent under operating conditions, without requiring to be connected to an electrical supply. The air movement device 4 can comprise a housing, made inside the box body for housing the source of electrical energy 16 or the battery. Preferably, the battery is rechargeable. In some embodiments, the battery can be integrated in the box body 12. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the air movement device 5 can comprise a charge level indicator 17 configured to indicate the charge level of the one or more electric batteries and / or of the battery.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the air movement device 5 can comprise a switch 18 configured to turn on or off the air movement device 5. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor / s 5 can be configured to cause the air movement device 5 to turn on by itself.

[0081] The air movement device 5 has a limited weight and therefore is not uncomfortable to an individual.

[0082] In order to suitably increase the comfort of wearing the garment 1, preferably, it is noted that the garment 1 according to the invention does not provide ducts to distribute / remove air different from the ducts possibly present inside the box body 12 of the air movement device 4; substantially, air exiting the air distribution openings 14, is not conveyed by ducts, on the contrary it is distributed towards the individual's torso without using ducts directly from the air distribution openings 14.

[0083] Preferably, the air movement device 4 comprises a control unit 19 housed inside the box body 12 and configured to command the air movement device 4, for managing and actuating the movement of air, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor / s 5 exceeds a determined threshold.Assembly

[0084] Moreover, the invention refers to an assembly comprising:

[0085] radioprotective personal protective equipment wearable at an individual's torso B, and

[0086] a garment 1 for cooling an individual of the beforehand described type.

[0087] The garment 1 is configured to be worn by an individual under the personal protective equipment so that it is interposed between the torso of the individual and the personal protective equipment and to form the beforehand described gap G in order to improve the thermal comfort of the individual.Use

[0088] Moreover, the invention refers to the use of the garment 1 of the beforehand described type for cooling an individual wearing a personal protective equipment.

[0089] In use, the garment 1 is placed under the PPE in order to be interposed between the individual's torso and the PPE; a gap G is formed by means of the garment 1 between the individual's torso and the PPE, in order to enable the air to circulate, particularly air moved by the air movement device, between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment.Method of Wearing a Garment for Cooling an Individual

[0090] Moreover, the invention provides a method of wearing the beforehand described garment 1. The method provides to wear the garment 1, by an individual at his or her torso B, so as:

[0091] the belt-like portion 2 is positioned at a lumbar and / or abdominal part of the individual,

[0092] the suspenders 6, 7 develop astride the shoulders of the individual, in other words both frontally and posteriorly with respect to the torso B and they develop above the shoulders of the individual,

[0093] the shoulder pads 8, 9 are engaged at the shoulders of the individual.

[0094] In essence, the method can provide that the garment 1 can be worn substantially “as a T shirt”, it being understood that the positions of the portions, 6, 7, 8, 9 of the garment 1 are the same as hereinbefore described.

[0095] In the embodiments wherein one or more portions 2, 6, 7, 6′, 6″, 7′, 7″, 8, 9, 10, 11 are engaged with each other by suitable fastening systems, such as a tear open engagement or other reversible engagement means, the method can provide, in order to wear the garment 1, to engage with each other such portions 2, 6, 7, 6′, 6″, 7′, 7″, 8, 9, 10, 11 by using said fastening systems.Further Advantages and Final Observations

[0096] As hereinbefore demonstrated, the invention further allows to advantageously improve the thermal comfort of an individual wearing a PPE at the torso.

[0097] The garment 1 is characterized by a limited weight and therefore is not uncomfortable to be worn by the individual; on the contrary, it helps the individual to alleviate the weight of the radioprotective PPE.

[0098] The protection provided by the claims extends to each element, component and / or step of the invention equivalent to the claimed one / s.

[0099] It is understood that each element, component and / or step of the product / method according to the invention can be substituted with an equivalent, component and / or step (in the following equivalent / s); such equivalent / s can be already existent at the filing or priority date of the present patent text or can be devised or developed in the future.

Claims

1. A garment for cooling an individual, designed to be worn at an individual's torso below the individual's personal protective equipment so as to be interposed between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment, the garment comprising:a belt-like portion configured to engage and / or maintain the garment engaged to a portion, in particular to a lumbar and / or abdominal portion, of the torso of the individual,at least one engagement portion capable of engaging at least at an upper torso portion of an individual, in particular at least at, at least one shoulder and / or chest and / or back of the individual, wherein the at least one engagement portion comprises a first elongated suspender and a second elongated suspender each of which is capable of engaging, under operating conditions of the garment, at least at a respective shoulder of the individual wearing the garment, the first suspender and the second suspender forming a space between them, the first and second elongated suspenders being connected or configured to be connected to the belt-like portion,an air movement device configured to move air, under operating conditions of the garment, in the direction of the torso of the individual wearing the garment and / or away from the torso of the individual wearing the garment, the air movement device having air inlet openings and air distribution openings, the air distribution openings being oriented to distribute air directly in a direction parallel with a longitudinal axis of the first and second suspenders so that air is distributed in the space between the first and second suspenders, between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment, when the personal protective equipment is worn by the individual.

2. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature sensor configured to measure and / or monitor, under operating conditions of the garment in which the garment is worn by the individual at his or her torso, a body temperature of the individual's torso,wherein the first and second suspenders are capable of engaging, under operating conditions, at, at least one shoulder and / or chest and / or back of the individual,wherein said at least one temperature sensor is located at the belt-like portion and / or the first and second suspenders.

3. The garment according to claim 2, further comprising:at least one connection portion configured to connect the first suspender and the second suspender to each other and configured to be arranged, under operating conditions of the garment, at the upper torso portion of an individual.

4. The garment according to claim 2, wherein each of the first suspender and the second suspender is connected or configured to be connected to the belt-like portion and / or is in the form of a strip extending from a front portion of the belt-like portion to a rear portion of the belt-like portion.

5. The garment according to claim 2, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is located exclusively at, at least one of the first and second suspenders.

6. The garment according to claim 2, further comprising:at least one front connection portion configured to frontally connect the first suspender and the second suspender to each other, and configured to be arranged, under operating conditions of the garment, at the chest of the individual wearing the garment,at least one rear connection portion configured to posteriorly connect the first suspender and the second suspender to each other and configured to be arranged, under operating conditions of the garment, at the back of the individual wearing the garment,wherein the terms front, frontally, rear, posteriorly refer to the positioning, under operating conditions, of the garment in relation to the torso of the individual,wherein the at least one temperature sensor is located at the front connection portion and / or the rear connection portion.

7. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the first suspender and the second suspender are transverse to the belt-like portion.

8. The garment according to claim 1, wherein each connection portion is transverse to the first and second suspenders.

9. The garment according to claim 1, wherein each connection portion is at least partially parallel to the belt-like portion.

10. (canceled)11. (canceled)12. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the air movement device comprises a box body having openings configured to allow air circulation.

13. The garment according to claim 12, the box body comprising:air inlet openings configured to allow air to enter the box body,air distribution openings configured to allow air, under operating conditions of the garment, to exit the box body away from a rear, or back, portion of the torso of the individual and / or towards the torso of the individual wearing the garment,wherein the air movement device is engaged at a rear portion of the belt-like portion.

14. The garment according to claim 12, wherein the air movement device is integral with the belt-like portion at least under operating conditions of the garment.

15. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the air movement device comprises a control unit housed within the box body and configured to manage movement of the air.

16. The garment according to claim 15, wherein the control unit is configured to activate movement of the air when a temperature measured by the at least one temperature sensor exceeds a certain threshold.

17. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the air movement device comprises one or more electric batteries and / or a rechargeable and / or integrated battery.

18. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment has no ducts for distributing air that are external to the air movement device.

19. An assembly comprising:a radioprotective personal protective equipment wearable at an individual's torso, anda garment for cooling the individual, the garment comprising:a belt-like portion configured to engage and / or maintain the garment engaged to a portion, in particular to a lumbar and / or abdominal portion, of the torso of the individual,at least one engagement portion capable of engaging at least at an upper torso portion of the individual, in particular at least at, at least one shoulder and / or chest and / or back of the individual, wherein the at least one engagement portion comprises a first elongated suspender and a second elongated suspender each of which is capable of engaging, under operating conditions of the garment, at least at a respective shoulder of the individual wearing the garment, the first suspender and the second suspender forming a space between them, the first and second elongated suspenders being connected or configured to be connected to the belt-like portion,an air movement device configured to move air, under operating conditions of the garment, in the direction of the torso of the individual wearing the garment and / or away from the torso of the individual wearing the garment, the air movement device having air inlet openings and air distribution openings, the air distribution openings being oriented to distribute air directly in a direction parallel with a longitudinal axis of the first and second suspenders so that air is distributed in the space between the first and second suspenders, between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment, when the personal protective equipment is worn by the individual.

20. A method for cooling an individual comprising the steps of:providing a garment comprising:a belt-like portion configured to engage and / or maintain the garment engaged to a portion, in particular to a lumbar and / or abdominal portion, of the torso of the individual,at least one engagement portion capable of engaging at least at an upper torso portion of the individual, in particular at least at, at least one shoulder and / or chest and / or back of the individual, wherein the at least one engagement portion comprise a first elongated suspender and a second elongated suspender each of which is capable of engaging, under operating conditions of the garment, at least at a respective shoulder of the individual wearing the garment, the first suspender and the second suspender forming a space between them, the first and second elongated suspenders being connected or configured to be connected to the belt-like portion,an air movement device configured to move air, under operating conditions of the garment, in the direction of the torso of the individual wearing the garment and / or away from the torso of the individual wearing the garment, the air movement device having air inlet openings and air distribution openings, the air distribution openings being oriented to distribute air directly in a direction parallel with a longitudinal axis of the first and second suspenders,wearing the garment by the individual below a personal protective equipment also worn by the individual so as to be interposed between the torso of the individual and the personal protective equipment,ensuring that air is distributed in the space between the first and second suspenders, between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment.

21. The garment according to claim 1, wherein first and second suspenders comprises a respective first and a second shoulder pad, each shoulder pad being configured to engage at a shoulder of the individual, the first and second shoulder pads being configured to form a gap separating the individual's torso from the personal protective equipment when carried by the individual, the gap configured to permit air, moved by the air movement device, to circulate between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment.

22. The garment according to claim 19, wherein first and second suspenders comprises a respective first and a second shoulder pad, each shoulder pad being configured to engage at a shoulder of the individual, the first and second shoulder pads being configured to form a gap separating the individual's torso from the personal protective equipment when carried by the individual, the gap configured to permit air, moved by the air movement device, to circulate between the individual's torso and the personal protective equipment.

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