Cut-resistant protective suit

Abstract

The invention concerns a protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) that is produced with a cut-resistant fabric that is difficult to cut with a normal medical scissors. In some parts of the protective suit, in particular along the legs and sleeves, a seam (18; 118a, 118b; 26) joining two pieces (24a, 24b) of the cut resistant fabric in such a way that said two pieces do not overlap is provided. Thereby, the protective suit is cuttable along said seam. A process for producing the protective suit and a method for cutting it are also described.

Description

[0001] TITLE: CUT-RESISTANT PROTECTIVE SUIT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention belongs to the sector of protective suits, in particular anti -cut ski suits which have been developed to protect the skier against cutting injuries with ski edges. These suits are manufactured with fabrics with cutting resistance characteristics that comply with the respective national and international standards.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In recent years, the issue of safety on the ski slopes has gained the attention and importance it necessarily deserves. Many areas in which there is a need to protect, prevent and manage an accident risk are clearly recognised. Alpine skiing testifies to the fact that many racing tools were bom from a need for protection: helmets, gloves, back protectors or shin protectors are worth mentioning. In this precise context, “cwt protection equipment” falls under “personal impact protection equipment” . In detail, it is well known how modern skiing has been able to point out every aspect linked to performance, coming to treat the edges as real blades with cutting properties comparable to those of work tools dedicated to shearing and mere cutting. Sharpening processes and surface treatment that in the event of a fall once again raise the risk of injury with a dynamic already known and very similar to that of short track, hockey and long rink skating. We are talking about very serious injuries with severe consequences.

[0006] Cutting injuries are being reported on a daily basis, ranging from less serious ones to those in which the risk of permanent damage to the athlete has been touched. It does not exclusively involve the athlete of excellence but is now a situation of real alarm even among the youth categories.

[0007] The textile and sportswear sector has developed and made available a wide range of personal cut protection equipment that meets these needs and at the same time is wearable, necessarily functional and compulsorily effective. Fabrics used for the manufacture of garments dedicated to military and hospital activities, fabrics that give rise to safety covers in construction contexts and still fabrics with many applications in the world of work. This is a sector well protected by international regulations, in which the European reference standards are: EN 13997, EN 1082- 2, EN 388:2016, while the American standards are: ASTM D - 276 / '87, ASTM F 1671, ASTM 1342, ASTM 2878. All the methodologies for testing an anti -cut fabric involve using a blade defined in its geometry, weight, dimensions and sharpness. The two variables that significantly influence the picture of the characteristics of an anti -cut fabric are: the impact pressure between the edge and the fabric and the relative speed between the ski and the athlete.

[0008] The anti-cut materials with which ski suits are made protect them so well from cuts that it is almost impossible to cut them with normal cutting tools, such as emergency medical kit scissors, in order to be able to access the wound area for appropriate treatments or immobilisations. In the event of an accident, it would therefore be necessary to completely remove the garment to treat the injured person, which is not desirable from a medical point of view, especially without administering painkillers or putting the patient's health at risk. As much as an anti-cut ski suit protects and fulfils its purpose, it can become an obstacle in the event of an accident.

[0009] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a protective suit, in particular a ski suit, with anti -cut characteristics that in the event of an accident of the suit wearer can be easily opened or cut with a cutting tool such as a scissors of a medical rescue kit. A further object of the invention is to propose a process for producing the protective suit with the above characteristics. Another object of the invention is to propose a method for cutting a protective suit with cut resistance.

[0011] In a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a protective suit comprising:

[0012] (a) a cut resistant fabric; and further

[0013] (b) at least one seam joining two pieces of the cut resistant fabric in such a way that the two pieces do not overlap.

[0014] The cut resistant fabric is therefore divided into at least two pieces, of which at least two are joined together with a seam according to the invention. Cut resistant fabrics are well known in the textile industry and find application in sportswear and certain work environments. Protective suits are useful to ensure safety for people working with cutting tools, such as forestry workers who use chainsaws. Some sports activities include a possible contact of the athlete with edges, including skiers, ice hockey players, speed skaters or figure skaters. The protective suit can therefore be a ski suit, which is particularly useful for the high risk of serious accidents with cutting wounds, a hockey suit or a skating suit.

[0015] The textile sector has long offered the most varied cut resistant fabrics. Cut strength is conferred by the use of fibres with a particular chemical composition, such as aramid fibres (Kevlar® by DuPont, Twaron® by Akzo-Nobel), high or very high molecular weight poly-ethylene fibres HPPE or UHMWPE (acronyms for High Molecular Weight Poly-Ethylene or Ultra-Heigh- Molecular Weight Poly-Ethylene Dyneema® by DSM, Spectra® by Allied Signal) or liquid crystal polymers (Liquid Crystal Polymer LCP; Vectran® by Hoechst-Celanese), to mention just a few. A cut strength can also be achieved or strengthened by particular weft structures.

[0016] A cut resistant fabric advantageously comprises at least one fibre selected from the group consisting of aramid fibres, high (HPPE) or ultra-high molecular weight (UHMWPE) fibres and liquid crystal polymer fibres. Metal fibres are also conceivable.

[0017] Fabrics with anti-cut properties are described, for example, in the following patent documents: US 2008 / 0092599 Al; WO 2022 / 069773 Al; EP 3 918 122 Al (on behalf of the Applicant); WO 2013 / 124505 Al; US 5,721,179; US 5,210,877; WO 2014 / 134682 Al; WO 2018 / 097737 Al; US 2012 / 278981 Al, and WO 2018 / 104589 Al.

[0018] Cut resistant fabrics cannot be cut with medical scissors. Thanks to the concept of the seam that is at the base of the protective suit according to the invention, that is, thanks to the seam with pieces of non-overlapping fabrics, the protective suit becomes cuttable along this seam, since in the seam area only the thread or the plurality of threads that forms / form the seam must be cut.

[0019] The person skilled in the art easily identifies suitable threads, which are sufficiently stable to ensure during use and cleaning of the suit the union of the pieces of fabric and at the same time the cuttability of the fibres that make up the thread. An example for a suitable thread is a core yarn, i.e. an inner thread covered with another material, such as for example Core Yarn which is composed of 100% polyester with continuous high elasticity filament covered with long fibre polyester. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seam is a flat seam, preferably a four-needle seam. This seam allows a secure union of non-overlapping pieces of fabric. The textile expert with their general knowledge will be able to identify alternative seams.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the protective suit further comprises

[0021] (c) a marking placed near the seam, preferably at one end of the seam.

[0022] In situations of stress and haste that arise in the case of sports or work accidents for the doctor, it is useful to find a marking on the protective suit that avoids any unsuccessful attempt to cut the cut resistant fabric, but that guides the doctor directly to the position where the fabric is cuttable. The marking could, for example, contain the symbol of a scissor, possibly also a medical cross and / or a wording indicating to cut where the cuttable seam is located.

[0023] To guide the doctor's cut also in the correct direction, it is advantageous to provide that the seam has a signal colour, in particular red, that is a colour that differs from the colour of the fabric of the protective suit.

[0024] An embodiment of the invention refers to a protective suit which is a ski suit, in particular a protective suit to be worn under the actual race suit. For aerodynamic reasons, it is preferable for the protective suit to be one-piece, but in the non-competitive field two-piece protective suits, trousers and shirt are also conceivable.

[0025] Preferably, the cut resistant fabric is classified at least with class 3 of the EN 388:2016 standard, therefore, in other words, it corresponds to one of classes 3, 4 or 5 of EN 388:2016.

[0026] Advantageously, alternatively, or in addition, the cut resistant fabric meets the requirements for class E or F of EN ISO 13997.

[0027] Preferably, alternatively, or in addition, the cut resistant fabric, is classified with at least one star of the FIS CRG 2021 test of the International Federation of Skiing and Snowboarding FIS. This is a test developed by the FIS working group together with the DITF (Deutsche Institute fur Textil+Faserforschung) to test anti-cut suits. Relative to EN ISO 13997, a razor blade with a blade angle of 22° striking the specimen on a steel support under an angle of 45° is not used as a cutting tool, but a ski edge with a blade angle of 87.5° striking the specimen always under an angle of 45° is used as a cutting tool, but on a steel support coated with a rubber-silicone layer with a thickness of 10 mm. The supports are cylindrical in shape with an outer radius of the rubber-silicone layer mimicking an arm or leg diameter, in particular 38 mm for an arm and 75 mm for a leg. In the case of EN ISO 13997 at a distance of 20 mm, cuts with a different load of the cutting tool are evaluated. Classes E and F withstand loads of 22 N and 30 N, respectively. The FIS test provides for a distance of 200 mm one star for load resistances > 200 N and < 300 N, two stars for load resistances > 300 N and < 400 N, three stars for load resistances > 400 N and < 500 N and four stars for load resistances > 500 N.

[0028] Yanru Zhai et al. describe (in “ Research Progress of Cut-Resistant Textile Materials", frontiers in Chemistry, vol. 9, article 745467, 29 September 2021, doi: 10.3389 / fchem.2021.745467) what is understood in the sector as cut resistant fabric and what standard methods are envisaged to verify anti-cut characteristics in a fabric.

[0029] Advantageously, said at least one seam is provided along a leg and / or along a sleeve and preferably also across the chest of the protective suit. These positions correspond to the areas where a doctor usually cuts to free the leg or arm without having to remove the entire suit. Obviously, other seam positions can be provided.

[0030] An advantageous embodiment of the protective suit according to the invention provides that the distance between the two pieces of fabric joined by the seam is less than 0.25 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, even more preferably the two pieces of fabric are at least partially in contact along the seam. Preferably, a seam in the sense of the invention does not comprise, with respect to its length, more than 10% of sections in which the pieces of fabric overlap. A not perfect production of the seam could include as defects sections with partial overlaps of the pieces of fabric that however, being short, can be opened with the scissor or by pulling the seam.

[0031] A second aspect of the invention concerns a process for producing a protective suit comprising the following steps:

[0032] (I) provision of at least two pieces of a cut resistant fabric to make up said protective suit;

[0033] (II) putting said at least two pieces of fabric together without overlapping them;

[0034] (III) applying a seam along said at least two pieces of fabric so as to join them.

[0035] This process allows the manufacture of a protective suit according to the invention. Advantageously the cut resistant fabric comprises one of the fibres set out above. Preferably, the cut resistant fabric has one of the classifications mentioned above. In one embodiment of the invention, the seam is made with a thread having a signal colour, such as for example red or a colour distinguishable from the colour of the anti-cut fabric itself. In a preferred embodiment, the above process further comprises a step (IV) wherein a marking which may have one of the features described above is applied near the seam. Advantageously, this is a flat seam, particularly a four-needle seam. In exemplary cases, the seam is provided along one leg and / or along one sleeve of the protective suit.

[0036] By the expression “along one leg or along one sleeve” is preferably meant an extension of at least 50%, more preferably an extension of at least 75%, even more preferably an extension of at least 90% of the length of the leg and / or sleeve of the protective suit.

[0037] An advantageous embodiment of the process according to the invention provides that after step (III) the distance between the two pieces of fabric joined is less than 0.25 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, even more preferably the two fabric pieces are at least partially in contact along the seam.

[0038] Preferably, step (III) is performed with a sewing machine without binder. The absence of the binder prevents double fold and therefore the overlap of the two pieces of fabric. An overlap of the pieces of fabric would create an even less cuttable seam than the fabric itself. Preferably, two spacers are provided on the feed dogs of the sewing machine which are adapted to keep the edges of two pieces of fabric to be joined together and supported.

[0039] A final aspect of the invention concerns a method for cutting a protective suit comprising the following steps:

[0040] (i) provision of a protective suit according to the invention;

[0041] (ii) cutting the protective suit along said at least one seam, preferably starting from said marking, if present.

[0042] The process according to the invention, made possible by the protective suit that can be cut in certain areas, allows the doctor to fully open the suit or the part that needs to be opened, without interfering with the injured person by not making them make abnormal movements or bend the limbs, accessing the injured areas, in particular the leg or arm, without having to remove the entire suit.

[0043] The features and advantages described for one aspect of the invention can be transferred, mutatis mutandis, to the other aspect of the invention.

[0044] The industrial applicability is obvious from the moment in which it was possible to provide a protective suit, whether it is a sports or work suit, which has anti -cut characteristics, but which at the same time can be cut in the most appropriate places in order to access wounds and / or traumas present on the body of the person wearing the suit.

[0045] The purposes and advantages will be further highlighted in the disclosure of preferred examples of embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting example only

[0046] Variant and further features of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. The description of the preferred examples of execution of the protective suit, whether sports or work suit, in particular of a ski suit, of the process for its production and of the method for its cutting according to the invention is given by way of example and not limitation with reference to the attached drawings. In particular, unless otherwise specified, the number, shape, size and materials of the protective suit and of the individual components may vary, and equivalent elements may be applied without deviating from the inventive concept.

[0047] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES

[0048] Fig. 1 illustrates in a front view a ski protective suit.

[0049] Fig. 2 illustrates in a rear view the protective suit of Fig. 1.

[0050] Fig. 3 illustrates in a front view and in a rear view protective ski trousers.

[0051] Fig. 4 illustrates in a front view and a rear view a protective ski shirt.

[0052] Fig. 5A illustrates the two pieces of fabric being put together for joining them with no overlap.

[0053] Fig. 5B illustrates the two pieces of fabric of Fig. 5 A joined by a seam.

[0054] Fig. 6A schematically illustrates a sewing machine for flat sewing without overlap of fabrics.

[0055] Fig. 6B schematically illustrates the introduction of two pieces of fabric into the sewing machine of Fig. 6A.

[0056] Fig. 1 illustrates in a front view a protective ski suit 10. The openings of the lower legs are equipped with cuffs 12 in a soft non-cut-resistant material. A zipper 14 is provided to allow the skier to wear the protective suit 10. The protective suit 10 has classic seams 16 with overlap of the fabric flaps where a medical intervention usually does not require cutting the protective suit 10. At the upper part of the chest and along the entire length of the sleeve up to the wrist 11 (visible in Fig. 2) and along the legs, on the other hand, there are cuttable seams 18, in which the two pieces of fabric joined together do not overlap. Finally, in the lower part of the legs and sleeves (visible in Fig. 2) there is provided a marking 20 indicating to the doctor where the seam 18 cuttable with a standard piece of scissors is located. The markings can be of various forms, for example a symbol of a scissors, a medical cross and a phrase reading “ / / / case of medical intervention cut here” can be provided.

[0057] Fig. 2 illustrates in a rear view the protective suit 10 of Fig. 1. The same numerical references refer to the same elements of Fig. 1. The marking 20 for medical intervention can also be found on the cuffs 11 of the sleeves. A cuttable seam 18 is provided on the elbow side of the sleeves. In addition, for greater comfort when wearing the garment, an elastic insert 22 is provided on the back. The cuttable seams 18, preferably, are made in a colour with a signal effect, in particular in red.

[0058] Fig. 3 illustrates in a front view (on the left) and in a rear view (on the right) the protective ski trousers 110a. The openings of the lower legs include bands 112a in soft fabric and the waistband part an elastic band 113a with a height of 60 mm. Here too, classic seams 116a are provided with overlap of fabrics and of cuttable seams 118a that extend in the lower part of the leg sideways so as not to cause discomfort when wearing ski boots. In the lower part of the leg, the marking 120a is applied, which indicates to the doctor the starting point for cutting.

[0059] Fig. 4 illustrates in a front view (on the left) and in a rear view (on the right) a protective ski shirt 110b. Also in the protective shirt 110b a band 112b in soft, elastic and non-slip fabric can be noted in the lower front part, while an elastic fabric insert 122b is provided on the back. Classic 116b seams are provided with overlap of the pieces of fabric and, in the “strategic places” for medical intervention of the cuttable seams 118b. On the cuffs 111b of the sleeves, there is the marking 120b for medical intervention.

[0060] Fig. 5Aillustrates the two pieces of fabric 24a, 24b being put together for joining them without overlap. The pieces of fabric 24a, 24b are brought closer together to reduce the gap 25 as much as possible without overlapping the two pieces 24a, 24b.

[0061] Fig. 5B illustrates the two pieces of fabric 24a, 24b of Fig. 5Ajoined by a seam 26. The thread or the plurality of threads that forms / form the seam 26 hold the two pieces of fabric 24a, 24b together without overlapping them. Covered by the seam 26 there remains a very small gap 25 between the two flaps 24a, 24b which is ideally less than a tenth of a millimetre, it is also conceivable that the gap 25 practically does not exist and that ideally the two pieces 24a, 24b are in contact along their edges.

[0062] Fig. 6A schematically illustrates a sewing machine 28 for flat sewing without overlap of fabrics (not depicted). A support plate 36 with feed dogs 37 can be noted on which the fabrics to be sewn together are rested. During operation of the sewing machine 28, the pieces of fabric are pressed by the foot (not depicted) on the plate 36, while the feed dogs 37 carry and advance the pieces of fabric. In addition, four needles 30 and a thread bobbin 32 with a fitted thread 34 can be noted. This is a four-needle sewing machine 28 for a flat seam. The thread 34 can be, for example, a polyester thread. Reference number 38 refers to two spacers, one right and one left, which serve to keep the two edges of two pieces of fabric to be joined close together and preferably resting between them. Such sewing machines are well known in the state of the art and should not be described in more detail. Compared to a classic sewing machine, there is no binder to linearize a double fold. The spacers 38 are arranged next to each other on the plate 36. Fig. 6B schematically illustrates the introduction of two pieces of fabric 24a, 24b into the sewing machine 28 of Fig. 6A. The two pieces 24a, 24b enter approached one another under the needles 30, but thanks to the absence of the binder without overlapping to apply a flat seam that joins the two pieces 24a, 24b avoiding as much as possible a gap between the fabric flaps 24a, 24b. Preferably, the two pieces of fabric 24a, 24b are introduced manually.

[0063] In both figures 6A and 6B, the needles 30 are arranged essentially perpendicular to the plate 36.

Claims

CLAIMS1) A protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) comprising:(a) a cut resistant fabric; characterized by further comprising(b) at least one seam (18; 118a, 118b; 26) joining two pieces (24a, 24b) of the cut resistant fabric in such a way that said two pieces (24a, 24b) do not overlap, wherein preferably the distance between the two pieces joined by said seam is less than 0.25 mm, more preferably less than 0.1 mm.2) The protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) according to claim 1, characterized in that said seam (18; 118a, 118b; 26) is a flat seam, preferably a four-needle seam.3) The protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises(c) a marking (20; 120) placed near said seam (18; 118a, 118b; 26), preferably at one end of said seam (18; 118a, 118b; 26).4) The protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seam (18; 118a, 118b; 26) has a signal colour, in particular red.5) The protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) is a ski suit.6) The protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cut resistant fabric is classified with number 3, 4 or 5 of standard EN 388:2016 and / or with class E or F of standard EN ISO 13997.7) The protective suit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one seam (18; 118a, 118b; 26) is provided along a leg and / or along a sleeve and preferably the chest of said protective suit (10; 110a, 110b).8) A process for producing a protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) comprising the following steps:(I) provision of at least two pieces of a cut resistant fabric to make up said protective suit (10; 110a, 110b); (II) putting said at least two pieces of fabric (24a, 24b) together without overlapping them;(III) applying a seam along said pieces of fabric (24a, 24b) so as to join them.9) The process according to claim 8, characterized in that after step (III) the distance between the two pieces of fabric (24a, 24b) joined is less than 0.25 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm, even more preferably the two pieces of fabric (24a, 24b) are at least partially in contact along the seam (18; 118a, 118b; 26) and that, preferably, step (III) is performed with a sewing machine (28) without an binder. 10) Method for cutting a protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) comprising the following steps:(i) provision of a protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) according to any one of claims 1 to 7;(ii) cutting the protective suit (10; 110a, 110b) along said at least one seam (18; 118a, 118b; 26), preferably starting from said marking (20; 120), if any.

Images