EP2823859B1 - Head protective hood - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a head protection hood having an outer face adapted to be in contact with a surrounding medium, an inner face adapted to be in contact with the head of a user, a head passage section and a facial opening at the level of the user's eyes closed by a visor releasably attached to the hood, said hood comprising an outer liner having an inner face and being perforated in front of said face opening, said lining forming with the outer face of the hood a pouch in which is removably slid said visor, said hood further comprising at least one support element interposed between said outer face of the hood and said liner, said support element at least partially along said face opening and said hood forming a textile element.

Such hoods are known from the state of the art (documents US2583304 and US2759187 ) and are particularly used in aseptic and sterile environments where the user must be isolated from the surrounding environment. This is particularly indicated in environments such as clean rooms and laboratories where vaccines and medicines are being prepared. On the one hand, in this type of environment, the user should be better isolated so that he does not contaminate the environment in which he works and, on the other hand, it often involves isolate the user himself from dangerous and / or harmful substances.

When an operator is required to work in a sterile environment, he / she must be especially careful not to contaminate the equipment he or she wears. Thus, the operator must follow strict dressing procedures, which make sense only if the protective equipment he uses is itself completely sterile. For this purpose, suits and hoods are usually provided after sterilization, in sealed packages which easy opening allows seizure of sterile equipment. Furthermore, more particularly with regard to the hoods provided with a visor, it is necessary that the latter is not only sterile but also perfectly clean to ensure proper vision and comfort of work to the user.

The use of such hoods with a visor is known from the state of the art (for example the protective hood E5111101 marketed by Protextyl®).

The hoods currently used are equipped with a fixed visor, attached to the hood, to ensure the isolation and protection of the user but also to minimize the risk of contamination of the surrounding environment (vaccines, drugs, ...) and by the surrounding environment. As a result of their use, these hoods with a fixed visor should be directed to a cleaning and sterilization facility for reuse. However, since these hoods are provided with a fixed visor, which is usually a transparent plastic material, they can not be subjected to conventional sterilization and even less a succession of sterilizations where the conditions are not compatible with the material forming the visor. It would deform and could even lose its transparency, for example under the effect of heat or under the effect of specific radiation used during sterilization.

In addition, even if sterilization by application of specific rays could make it possible to sterilize the hoods provided with a visor, the fact remains that the cleaning of the visor and particularly the cleaning of the face of the visor located at inside the hood would remain problematic. Indeed, in order to clean this face of the visor, it would be necessary to introduce cleaning tools inside the hood or return the latter to expose the inner face of the hood. visor to clean. These operations would be restrictive and require many manipulations, costly in handling and time.

Another known approach of the state of the art is to use hoods in combination with protective glasses of the "ski mask" type (as for example those described in the document EP0195517 ). However, the use of safety glasses is also a recurring issue in industries. Indeed, once used or following a handling error during their placement, the goggles must be, like the hoods, cleaned and sterilized. If the cleaning and sterilization of clothing (suit, balaclava, ...) are often entrusted to external companies who then bring the equipment (suit, hood, ...) packaged sterile, the cleaning of the goggles is commonly taken in charge by the industrialist who must therefore have specific and expensive equipment or use equipment forming part of the production line such as sterilizers, this option inevitably interfering on the output of a production line.

In addition, the protective glasses, for example of the ski mask type, do not cover the entire face and are generally provided with elastic bands necessary for their attachment over the hood. Such glasses are not necessarily intended to withstand the drastic conditions of sterilization and cleaning.

In addition, since eye protection is an individual and additional piece of equipment, the operator must handle it carefully so as not to let it fall, in which case it would be advisable to change the protective glasses since they would have been contaminated. This type of eye protection is therefore restrictive, slows dressing procedures and increases the risk of contamination, partly because of the risk of falling goggles but also because they must be handled, which increases the risk of contaminant transfer from the operator to the safety glasses and then to the surrounding environment.

There is therefore a real need to find an alternative to the use of current hoods with a fixed visor or the use of goggles (ski mask type) so that steps of cleaning and sterilization simpler Less expensive and faster can be achieved but also so that the coating steps of protective equipment are less restrictive, faster and safer to minimize any risk of contamination.

The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a hood to simplify the steps of cleaning and sterilization but also to dispense with the use of protective glasses, so as to make the cleaning and sterilization steps less restrictive, less expensive but also faster and simpler. Furthermore, the invention also aims to provide a hood associated with an eye protection device, which, when placed, minimizes the risk of contamination.

To solve these problems, there is provided according to the invention, a hood as indicated at the beginning, characterized in that said visor is inserted between said inner face of said liner and said support member.

Such a hood is particularly advantageous since it has a visor that can be placed and removed easily. Unlike current hoods provided with a fixed visor, the hood according to the present invention thus provides a removable visor easily and quickly replaceable, a positioning of the visor ensuring further insulation and proper protection of the user with respect to an environment. In addition, the fact of being able to use a detachable, that is to say removable, visor rather than goggles eliminates all the manipulations related to the putting on protective goggles and minimizing the risks of contamination related to their use.

A hood according to the invention also allows, compared to current hoods with a visor, greatly simplify the steps of cleaning and sterilization of protective equipment. Indeed, the fact of being able to quickly and easily remove the removable visor of the hood finally allows to have on the one hand a textile element formed by the hood and, on the other hand, an element in one plastic material (or any other suitable material) constituted by the visor. Therefore, it is possible to direct the mask without its visor to a conventional treatment facility for cleaning and / or sterilization (decontamination) while the visor can be routed, for reuse, to a suitable cleaning system which will not damage it. An alternative is to simply replace the used visor with a new, clean visor on the decontaminated hoods.

The head protection hood according to the invention comprises an outer lining pierced in front of said face opening and forming with the outer face of the hood a pocket in which is slidably removed said visor. The presence of such a pouch forming a "reception area" allows to insert a visor so that the latter is an integral part of the protective hood according to the invention. Surprisingly, in the context of the present invention, it has been determined that, even if the visor is removable, it ensures a correct isolation of the operator from the sterile environment. Indeed, according to the invention, the liner makes it possible to form a space between its inner face and the outer face of the hood, this space being dimensioned so that it matches the edges of the visor so that the latter is " blocked "on its entire periphery and does not move when using the hood, for example when the user tilts his head to the side.

The head protection hood according to the invention further comprises at least one support element interposed between said outer face of the hood and said liner, said support element at least partially along said face opening. The presence of such a support element keeps the visor at a distance from the outer face of the hood by inserting the visor between the inner face of the liner and the support element. This is particularly advantageous since such a shift of the visor allows it to not touch the face of the operator and it does not interfere with the latter. This also allows users wearing corrective glasses to be able to use the hood according to the invention without being bothered by a visor which would be against the frame of the glasses. In addition, such a space which is filled with air minimizes the formation of condensation on the visor.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said support element is a hem formed in the material (textile or other) forming the hood. This hem may include a filler material such as a plastic foam. This support element, besides the fact that it forms a guide element during the insertion of the visor into the pouch formed by the liner, also forms a damping layer against which the operator's forehead rests, which ensures the latter a certain comfort during his work. Furthermore, according to the invention, it is provided that if a support element is placed at the lower part of the facial opening, the filling material is in two parts so as to leave a central space free of filling material, which defines a free space in which the operator can place his nose, each of the parts of the filling material bearing on one of the sides of the nose of the operator.

Preferably, according to the invention, said pouch formed between the outer face of the hood and said liner has at least one closure means. The presence of a means of closure allows, more inserting the visor into said pouch, closing the pouch to temporarily block the visor to stay in place during the use of the hood. This closure avoids, for example, the visor does not shift or slip towards the outside of the pouch, which would compromise the insulation of the user with respect to the environment and the sterility of the latter. According to one embodiment, when the opening of the pouch is located longitudinally at the forehead of the operator, such a closure means is not essential (although it could however be present) as soon as the visor is blocked laterally but also along its lower part.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said at least one closure means is selected from the group consisting of a pull tab, a snap closure, a push-button or a self-gripping means, for example Velcro® type. It is understood that any other suitable closure means can be used in the context of the present invention.

Preferably, according to the invention, said visor is made of a transparent plastic material or any other suitable material, for example Plexiglas®. This material can be for example rigid or flexible, tinted or not, anti-scratch or not, acid resistant or not, depending on the application areas. It is understood that the visor according to the invention may have many other properties.

Preferably, said visor has, at its lower part, a cutout corresponding to the area where the nose of the user will be positioned in order to prevent a plastic edge from resting thereon, which would be particularly uncomfortable.

Advantageously, the head protection hood according to the invention comprises a self-adjusting system of the size of the hood placed at the rear of the hood, for example snaps to adjust the width of the hood and / or the height of the hood. By choosing to fix a snap on an attachment point rather than another, it is possible to define a size of the hood adapted to the morphology of the user so that the hood properly marries the head of the operator and is positioned so as not to interfere with the operator . Other self-adjusting systems such as links or straps can also be used to adjust the hood to the morphology of the operator. Therefore, a hood according to the invention may be suitable for several users who can adapt the size. It is understood that any other suitable means of self-adjustment can be used in the context of the present invention.

Preferably, the head protection hood according to the invention is an integral part of a clean room protective clothing and the like. Indeed, the hood according to the invention can equally well form a single piece or be an integral part of a protective clothing such as a combination of integral protection. It is understood that the hood can be connected by any suitable fastening means to the protective clothing, for example by being sewn or attached to it with a zipper, snaps or using Velcro®.

Other embodiments of the hood according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

• La figure 1 est une vue de face d'une cagoule de protection de tête selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe et de détail selon l'axe Il d'une cagoule de protection de tête selon l'invention.
• La figure 3 est une autre vue en coupe et de détail selon l'axe III d'une cagoule de protection de tête selon l'invention.
• La figure 4 illustre une cagoule suivant l'invention qui est reliée et fait partie intégrante d'un vêtement de protection.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given below, without limitation and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• The figure 1 is a front view of a head protection hood according to the invention.
• The figure 2 is a sectional view and detail along the axis II of a head protection hood according to the invention.
• The figure 3 is another sectional view and detail along the axis III of a head protection hood according to the invention.
• The figure 4 illustrates a hood according to the invention which is connected and forms an integral part of a protective clothing.

In the figures, identical or similar elements bear the same references.

The figure 1 illustrates a hood 1 according to the invention which has an outer face 2 intended to be in contact with the surrounding medium, an inner face 3 intended to be in contact with the head of a user, a head passage section 4 and a facial opening 5 at the level of the eyes of the user. The facial opening 5 is closed by a visor 6 detachably attached to the hood 1.

The hood 1 is provided with a perforated outer lining 7 whose window 7 '(opening) is located opposite the facial opening 5 at the level of the eyes of the user. This lining 7 forms, with the outer face 2 of the hood 1, a pocket 8 in which the visor 6 can be removably slid. The pouch 8 furthermore has a lateral opening 9 provided with closure means 10, for example a closure in the form of a zipper. These closure means 10 allow the retention of the visor 6 in the pocket 8 when the user is working and necessarily performs movements of the head.

As illustrated, the cover 8 frames the removable visor 6 over its entire periphery, which allows to block and maintain the latter in the space defined by the pocket 8. Such a frame of the visor 6, on the all of its periphery, allows to isolate the operator of the surrounding environment to avoid any contamination of the latter.

Optionally, the hood 1 may have one or more zones formed in a different material than that of the outer face of the hood 1, for example made of a permeable material. Such areas may be located below and / or above the facial opening 5 to allow the operator to breathe easily but also to ventilate the inside of the hood 1.

The figure 2 is a sectional view along the axis II and illustrates an embodiment according to the invention. Support elements 11 are present and are interposed between the outer face 2 of the hood 1 and the perforated outer lining 7 whose window 7 '(opening) is located in front of the facial opening 5 at the eye of the eye. 'user. These additional support elements 11 along the facial opening 5 and are placed so that they are for example in contact with the front and / or with the nose of the operator. Preferably these support elements 11 are made of a soft material, for example a plastic foam to ensure the comfort of the user.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support elements 13 are hems formed in the material constituting the hood 1, said hems being filled by the soft material.

The visor 6 is slid between said support elements 11 and the inner wall of the liner 7, which keeps the visor 6 at a distance from the face of the operator. This is particularly indicated when the user is wearing corrective glasses.

The figure 3 is a sectional view along the axis III and illustrates the pocket 8 which is provided with a lateral opening 9 by which a visor 6 can be slid so that it is "locked" in said pouch 8. The pouch 8 provided with a lateral opening 9 allows installation then, after use of the hood, easy and quick removal of the visor 6. This finally allows to have two separate elements, firstly the visor 6 and, d on the other hand, of the hood 1, which elements can each then be directed separately to a cleaning station and / or appropriate sterilization.

The figure 4 illustrates a hood 1 which is connected and forms an integral part of a protective clothing 12, in this case, for the example, a combination for clean rooms and the like. It is understood that the hood 1 can be connected by any suitable fastening means to the protective garment 12, for example by being sewn or attached to it by means of a zipper, snap buttons or even using Velcro®. According to the invention, it is also provided that the head section 4 is at least partially covered by the protective clothing so as to be inserted at least partly in the protective clothing.

It is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and that many modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. A head protection hood (1) having an outer face (2) provided to be in contact with a surrounding medium, an inner face (3) provided in contact with a user's head, a head passage section (4) and a facial opening (5) at the user's eye level closed by a visor (6) detachably fastened to the hood (1), said hood (1) comprising an outer lining (7) having an inner face and being open-worked across from said facial opening (5), said lining (7) forming, with the outer face (2) of the hood (1), a pocket (8) in which said visor (6) is removably slid, said hood (1) further comprising at least one bearing element (11) inserted between said outer face (2) of the hood (1) and said lining (7), said bearing element (11) at least partially running alongside said facial opening (5), said head protection hood (1) forming a textile element, characterized in that said visor (6) is inserted between said inner face of said lining (7) and said bearing element (11).
2. The head protection hood (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said bearing element (11) is a seam including a filler material such as a plastic foam.
3. The head protection hood (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said pocket (8) formed between the outer face (2) of the hood (1) and said lining (7) has at least one closing means (10).
4. The head protection hood (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one closing means (10) is chosen from the group consisting of a pull tab, a snap fastener closure, a pushbutton closure, or self-gripping means.
5. The head protection hood (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said visor (6) is made from a transparent plastic material.
6. The head protection hood (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said visor (6) has, at its lower part, a cutout corresponding to the area where the user's nose will be positioned.
7. The head protection hood (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a self-adjusting system for the size of the hood placed at the back of the hood.
8. The head protection hood (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is an integral part of protective clothing for a clean room and similar facilities.

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