WO2017211597A1 - Dispositif de protection personnelle - Google Patents
Dispositif de protection personnelle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2017211597A1 WO2017211597A1 PCT/EP2017/062772 EP2017062772W WO2017211597A1 WO 2017211597 A1 WO2017211597 A1 WO 2017211597A1 EP 2017062772 W EP2017062772 W EP 2017062772W WO 2017211597 A1 WO2017211597 A1 WO 2017211597A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- composite layer
- individual
- layer
- wearer
- blank
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 204
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 103
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 100
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 93
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 50
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 39
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 29
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 210000004705 lumbosacral region Anatomy 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 229920001610 polycaprolactone Polymers 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000004632 polycaprolactone Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000007688 edging Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000003203 everyday effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000914 Metallic fiber Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 108010010803 Gelatin Proteins 0.000 claims description 2
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 150000001336 alkenes Chemical class 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000008273 gelatin Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000159 gelatin Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000019322 gelatine Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000011852 gelatine desserts Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000416 hydrocolloid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000017 hydrogel Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920005573 silicon-containing polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007779 soft material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002397 thermoplastic olefin Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012803 melt mixture Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 abstract description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 29
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 15
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 13
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 10
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 10
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 8
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 8
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 8
- PAPBSGBWRJIAAV-UHFFFAOYSA-N ε-Caprolactone Chemical compound O=C1CCCCCO1 PAPBSGBWRJIAAV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 7
- WYURNTSHIVDZCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tetrahydrofuran Chemical compound C1CCOC1 WYURNTSHIVDZCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 229920002988 biodegradable polymer Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 239000004621 biodegradable polymer Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 6
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910001868 water Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000178 monomer Substances 0.000 description 5
- 210000000707 wrist Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 208000008035 Back Pain Diseases 0.000 description 4
- JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lactic Acid Natural products CC(O)C(O)=O JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 206010028836 Neck pain Diseases 0.000 description 4
- 208000019804 backache Diseases 0.000 description 4
- 229920000229 biodegradable polyester Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000004622 biodegradable polyester Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 4
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 4
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 description 3
- AEMRFAOFKBGASW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycolic acid Polymers OCC(O)=O AEMRFAOFKBGASW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 3
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000002835 absorbance Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000013329 compounding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 210000003414 extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005227 gel permeation chromatography Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000008240 homogeneous mixture Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001519 homopolymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000003698 laser cutting Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000012254 powdered material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 3
- YLQBMQCUIZJEEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N tetrahydrofuran Natural products C=1C=COC=1 YLQBMQCUIZJEEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 235000012766 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000012765 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. spontanea Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chloroform Chemical compound ClC(Cl)Cl HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 208000034656 Contusions Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 240000000491 Corchorus aestuans Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000011777 Corchorus aestuans Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000010862 Corchorus capsularis Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 2
- 229920000271 Kevlar® Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 240000006240 Linum usitatissimum Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000004431 Linum usitatissimum Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000004696 Poly ether ether ketone Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004693 Polybenzimidazole Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004721 Polyphenylene oxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000183024 Populus tremula Species 0.000 description 2
- 241000276425 Xiphophorus maculatus Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005273 aeration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 235000009120 camo Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 235000005607 chanvre indien Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004512 die casting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000011487 hemp Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007794 irritation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011236 particulate material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002480 polybenzimidazole Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006393 polyether sulfone Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002530 polyetherether ketone Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001601 polyetherimide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006380 polyphenylene oxide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002451 polyvinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 235000019422 polyvinyl alcohol Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004634 thermosetting polymer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000005995 Aluminium silicate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 244000275105 Angelica sylvestris Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000014429 Angelica sylvestris Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000017166 Bambusa arundinacea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000017491 Bambusa tulda Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000018185 Betula X alpestris Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000018212 Betula X uliginosa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000219495 Betulaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000002028 Biomass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000010392 Bone Fractures Diseases 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000218645 Cedrus Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920003043 Cellulose fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 244000060011 Cocos nucifera Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000013162 Cocos nucifera Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 206010010904 Convulsion Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241000195955 Equisetum hyemale Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000166124 Eucalyptus globulus Species 0.000 description 1
- 208000035874 Excoriation Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 240000000731 Fagus sylvatica Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000010099 Fagus sylvatica Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000068988 Glycine max Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000010469 Glycine max Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000219146 Gossypium Species 0.000 description 1
- 206010020100 Hip fracture Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 240000005979 Hordeum vulgare Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000007340 Hordeum vulgare Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 208000034693 Laceration Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241000218652 Larix Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000005590 Larix decidua Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241001082241 Lythrum hyssopifolia Species 0.000 description 1
- 240000008790 Musa x paradisiaca Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000018290 Musa x paradisiaca Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 240000007594 Oryza sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000007164 Oryza sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 208000001132 Osteoporosis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000082204 Phyllostachys viridis Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000015334 Phyllostachys viridis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000218657 Picea Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000008331 Pinus X rigitaeda Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000018646 Pinus brutia Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000011613 Pinus brutia Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000209049 Poa pratensis Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000954 Polyglycolide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000265 Polyparaphenylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 241000219000 Populus Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000305267 Quercus macrolepis Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000273618 Sphenoclea zeylanica Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000000692 Student's t-test Methods 0.000 description 1
- UCKMPCXJQFINFW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulphide Chemical compound [S-2] UCKMPCXJQFINFW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 206010048049 Wrist fracture Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 1
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000012211 aluminium silicate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 210000003423 ankle Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000011425 bamboo Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 150000004648 butanoic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000019 calcium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 159000000007 calcium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000748 compression moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009519 contusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009945 crocheting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920006037 cross link polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000593 degrading effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003480 eluent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001747 exhibiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009950 felting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005570 flexible polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 210000001061 forehead Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000010413 gardening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000004247 hand Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000011121 hardwood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009863 impact test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005865 ionizing radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- NLYAJNPCOHFWQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N kaolin Chemical compound O.O.O=[Al]O[Si](=O)O[Si](=O)O[Al]=O NLYAJNPCOHFWQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 210000003127 knee Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000009940 knitting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004310 lactic acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000014655 lactic acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010445 mica Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052618 mica group Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000747 poly(lactic acid) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000058 polyacrylate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000570 polyether Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002959 polymer blend Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920005554 polynitrile Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011496 polyurethane foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000009566 rice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000000276 sedentary effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000741 silica gel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002027 silica gel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010902 straw Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006557 surface reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012353 t test Methods 0.000 description 1
- KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-L terephthalate(2-) Chemical compound [O-]C(=O)C1=CC=C(C([O-])=O)C=C1 KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 125000000383 tetramethylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 1
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- QORWJWZARLRLPR-UHFFFAOYSA-H tricalcium bis(phosphate) Chemical compound [Ca+2].[Ca+2].[Ca+2].[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O.[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O QORWJWZARLRLPR-UHFFFAOYSA-H 0.000 description 1
- 235000015112 vegetable and seed oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008158 vegetable oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009941 weaving Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002759 woven fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000037303 wrinkles Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
- A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
- A41D31/28—Shock absorbing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a protection device for providing protection to an individual's body whilst participating in hazardous occupational activities and/or for providing protection to a vulnerable individual's body whilst participating in everyday activities.
- the present invention relates to a customizable personal protection device that is moldable to fit a portion of the individual's body to provide shock, impact, friction and puncture protection.
- the present invention also relates to a support device for providing support to an individual's body whilst in a rest position.
- PPE personal protection equipment
- Vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, mobility-impaired and young children are prone to injury arising from trips and falls arising during the course of their normal/everyday activities and/or from fits/seizures arising from medical conditions.
- Elderly individuals are especially prone to bone breakages such as hip fractures arising from falls and such individuals often require extended stays in hospital.
- Many elderly individuals fail to make a full recovery from such injuries.
- PPE such as helmets and hip-guards to help mitigate the effects of such trips and falls.
- Known hip guards are typically formed of padded plastic shields which fit into specially designed underwear.
- Known PPE is generally provided in standard sizes/shapes devised to fit an average individual. Such standard-sized PPE typically provides an imperfect fit for the majority of individuals thus leading to the discomfort experienced by the wearer. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a device for providing protection to an individual's body whilst participating in hazardous occupational activities and/or for providing protection to a vulnerable individual's body whilst participating in everyday activities that is both lightweight and comfortable whilst still affording a high level of shock, impact, friction and puncture resistance. Many individuals will adopt a prone or seated position to rest e.g. on a bed or chair. A seated rest position is also adopted for extended periods of time by individuals engaged in a sedentary occupation such as office work.
- Chairs typically comprise a backrest for supporting the individual's back and arm rests for supporting the individual's arms.
- the back/arms rests are typically provided in a standard shape/size designed to fit an average individual. In fact, this typically provides an imperfect fit for the majority of individuals thus leading to poor support, poor posture and, consequentially, back-ache/neck-ache for the individual.
- such lumbar supports are typically provided in a standard shape/size designed to fit an average individual which provides an imperfect fit for the majority of individuals.
- the present invention provides a personal protection device for protecting a portion of a wearer's body whilst participating in hazardous occupational activities and/or for protecting a portion of a vulnerable wearer's body whilst participating in everyday activities, the personal protection device comprising:
- the composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix
- the lining and composite layers being shaped to substantially match the contour of the portion of the wearer's body.
- the present invention provides a moldable blank for forming a personal protection device for protecting a portion of a wearer's body whilst participating in hazardous occupational activities and/or for protecting a portion of a vulnerable wearer's body whilst participating in everyday activities, the moldable blank comprising:
- the composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix
- the lining and composite layers being moldable to substantially match the contour of the portion of the wearer's body.
- the present inventors have found that a composite layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and wood particles can be used to provide a personal protection device and a moldable blank for forming a personal protection device having a high shock absorbance whilst being lightweight and unbulky.
- the present invention provides a comfortable, customizable, highly effective personal protection device which can be formed from a moldable blank or can be provided pre-formed.
- personal protection device is intended to cover a device worn by an individual to maintain their safety and prevent injury arising from hazardous occupational activities and/or a device worn by a vulnerable individual (e.g. a young child, an elderly individual, a physically- /mobility-impaired individual) to maintain their safety and prevent injury arising from trips and falls occurring during their everyday/normal activities. It is not intended to cover sports protection devices won by an individual to maintain their safety and prevent injury arising from sport/recreation.
- a vulnerable individual e.g. a young child, an elderly individual, a physically- /mobility-impaired individual
- the present invention provides a support device for supporting a portion of an individual's body whilst in a rest position, the support device comprising:
- a composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix, the composite layer being shaped to substantially match the contour of the portion of the individual's body.
- the support device further comprises a lining layer for facing the individual's body with the composite layer superimposed on said lining layer, both layers being shaped to substantially match the contour of the portion of the individual's body.
- the present invention provides a moldable blank for forming a support device for supporting a portion of an individual's body whilst in a rest position, the moldable blank comprising:
- a composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix, the composite layer being moldable to substantially match the contour of the portion of the individual's body.
- the moldable blank further comprises a lining layer for facing the individual's body with the composite layer superimposed on said lining layer, both layers being moldable to substantially match the contour of the portion of the individual's body.
- a composite layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and wood particles can be used to provide a support device and a moldable blank for forming a support device having a moldability to conform with the individual's body portion that providing for optimal support and optimal posture thus reducing incidences of back-/neck- ache.
- the present invention provides a comfortable, customizable, highly effective support device which can be formed from a moldable blank or can be provided pre-formed.
- the support device may be a back rest or an arm rest for a chair. It may be integrated into the structure of the chair or it may be an insert which is positionable against a standard back rest /arm rest of a chair.
- the present invention provides a back support device for supporting an individual's back whilst in a rest position, the support device comprising:
- a composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix, the composite layer being shaped to substantially match the contour of the individual's back.
- the back support device (back rest) further comprises a lining layer for facing the individual's back with the composite layer superimposed on said lining layer, both layers being shaped to substantially match the contour of the individual's back.
- the back support device is a lumbar support device and the composite layer is shaped to substantially match the contour of the individual's lumbar region.
- the present invention provides a moldable blank for forming a back support device for supporting an individual's back whilst in a rest position, the moldable blank comprising:
- a composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix, the composite layer being moldable to substantially match the contour of the individual's back.
- the moldable blank further comprises a lining layer for facing the individual's back with the composite layer superimposed on said lining layer, both layers being moldable to substantially match the contour of the individual's back.
- the back support device is a lumbar support device and the composite layer is moldable to substantially match the contour of the individual's lumbar region.
- the lining layer may be formed of a textile material.
- the textile material may be formed by weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, bonding or felting natural fibres such as cotton, hemp, jute, flax or artificial fibres such as polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, polynitrile, ABS, polyolefin (such as polypropylene) fibres.
- Performance/technical fabrics including such as COOLMAX®, DRYROAD®, DRI-FIT® or CLIMACOOL® i.e. fabrics that wick moisture away from the wearer's skin are particularly preferred.
- the lining layer may be formed of a 3D spacer fabric such as those manufactured by Baltex or Apex Mills which provide effective heat and moisture transfer.
- a 3D spacer fabric typically comprises a three-dimensional knitted/woven fabric comprising two knitted/woven substrates separated by spacer yarns. The spacer yarns allow air and moisture flow through the fabric between the knitted/woven substrates.
- the 3D spacer fabric may be formed of polyester, polyamide of polypropylene for example.
- the lining layer e.g. the 3D spacer may have a thickness of between 1 - 5 mm e.g. around 3 mm for the personal protection device. It may be thicker for the support device.
- the lining layer e.g. the 3D spacer fabric may have a weight of between 200 -500 g/m 2 e.g. around 350 g/m 2 .
- the lining layer may comprise a foam.
- the foam may be provided instead of or as well as the textile material described above.
- the foam may be provided between the textile material and the composite layer.
- the foam may be a shock-absorbing foam such as a polyurethane foam e.g. Poron ® XRD® foam.
- the foam may have a thickness of between 1 -20 mm e.g. between 3-8 mm.
- the lining layer e.g. the 3D spacer fabric and/or the foam may comprise an anti-bacterial and/or anti-odour composition.
- the composition may be coated onto or impregnated into the fabric/foam.
- the lining layer may comprise silver ions e.g. such as those provided in Polygiene® or Microban®.
- thermoplastic polymer in any of the aspects of the present invention is preferably a biodegradable polymer (only) but also non-biodegradable polymers may be utilized.
- polymers examples include polyolefins, e.g. polyethylene (HD or LD), polypropylene, and polyesters, e.g. poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylenes terephthalate), polystyrene homopolymer and copolymers including acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polycarbonates, polyethers, polyetheresters, polyamides e.g.
- nylon lactic or butyric acid derivatives, polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyethersulfones (PES), polyvinyl alcohols (PVA), ethyl vinyl acetates (EVA), polyether ether ketones (PEEK), polyetherimides (PEI), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene sulphide (PPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and acrylic polymers. Copolymers, blends and mixtures of polymers may also be used.
- the thermoplastic polymer may also be any cross-linked polymers manufactured prior to processing or in situ during the compounding process for example by means of ionizing radiation or chemical free-radical generators.
- polymers examples include cross-linked polyesters, such as polycaprolactone (PCL).
- PCL polycaprolactone
- the weight ratio of biodegradable polymer to any non-biodegradable polymer is 100:1 to 1 :100, preferably 50:50 to 100:1 and in particular 75:25 to 100:1 .
- the thermoplastic polymer may comprise a biodegradable polymer i.e. a polymer which can degrade into natural by-products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water, biomass and inorganic salts.
- a biodegradable polymer i.e. a polymer which can degrade into natural by-products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water, biomass and inorganic salts.
- thermoplastic polymer may be a thermoplastic polyester e.g. a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester.
- Suitable examples for the thermoplastic polymer are polylactide, polyglycolide, polycaprolactone (PCL), mixtures/blends thereof and copolymers thereof.
- the thermoplastic polymer may comprise a mixture/blend of 5-99 wt%, in particular 40 to 99 wt%, of a caprolactone homopolymer and 1 -95 wt%, in particular 1 to 60 wt%, of another thermoplastic polymer e.g. another biodegradable or non-biodegradable thermoplastic polymer.
- Copolymers of caprolactone include copolymers formed with caprolactone, lactic acid and/or glycolic acid monomers.
- the copolymer may contain at least 80 % by volume of (epsilon) caprolactone monomer, in particular at least 90 % by volume and in particular about 95 to 100 % epsilon caprolactone monomer.
- the copolymer may contain 5 to 99 wt% and especially 40 to 99 wt% of repeating units derived from (epsilon) caprolactone monomer with 1 to 95 wt% and especially 1 to 60 wt% of repeating units derived from another polymerisable monomer.
- the thermoplastic polymer may have a molecular weight of between 60,000 g/mol and 500,000 g/mol.
- the thermoplastic polymer may have a molecular weight between 65,000 - 300,000 g/mol, preferably above 70,000 g/mol such as between 75,000 g/mol and 100,000 or 200,000 g/mol. This has been found to be advantageous both in terms of resultant properties and cost.
- the thermoplastic polymer is preferably selected such that it softens when it is heated to a temperature of approximately 50 to 70 °C, after which the blank can be molded directly on the wearer to create a form that closely matches the anatomical contours of the portion of the wearer's/individual's body.
- PCL has a unique melting behavior: The polymer crystals only start melting when a temperature of approximately 60 °C is reached yet the polymer crystals start re-forming when temperature is decreased down to 37 °C. This hysteresis property together with insulating wood particles in the composite layer of preferred embodiments enables a molding time for the blank which facilitates use in "field situations" and by users without any special competence working with materials.
- the molding properties of the present invention can be determined by the average molecular weight (Mn) of the polymer, such as epsilon caprolactone homo- or copolymer.
- Mn average molecular weight
- a particularly preferred molecular weight range for the Mn value of PCL is from about 75,000 to about 100,000 g/mol, e.g. around 80,000 g/mol.
- the number average molar mass (Mn) and the weight average molar mass (Mw) as well as the polydispersity (PDI) were measured by gel permeation chromatography. Samples for GPC measurements were taken directly from the polymerization reactor and dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF).
- the GPC was equipped with a Waters column set styragel HR(1 , 2 and 4) and a Waters 2410 Refractive Index Detector. THF was used as eluent with a flow rate of 0,80 ml/min at a column temperature of 35°C. A conventional polystyrene calibration was used. In determination of the water content of the monomer at different temperatures a Metroohm 756 KF Coulo meter was used.
- the properties of moldability of the present composition can also be determined by the viscosity value of the polymer.
- Viscosity value of the polymer For an epsilon caprolactone homopolymer: when the inherent viscosity (IV) -value of PCL is less than 1 dl/g the composite is sticky, flows while formed and forms undesired wrinkles while cooling. When PCL having IV-value closer to 2 dl/g is used the composite maintains its geometry during molding on the wearer and it may be handled without adhesive properties.
- IV values in excess of 1 dl/g are preferred, values in excess to 1.2 dl/g are preferred and values in excess of 1.3 dl/g are particularly suitable.
- the values are in the range of about 1.5 to 2.5 dl/g, for example 1 .6 to 2.1 dl/g.
- Inherent Viscosity values were determined by LAUDA PVS 2.55d rheometer at 25 °C. The samples were prepared by solvating 1 mg of PCL in 1 ml chloroform (CH3CI).
- the viscosity of the thermoplastic polymer may be relatively high, typically at least 1 ,800 Pas at 70 °C, 1/10 s.
- the viscosity can be of the order of 8,000 to 13,000 Pas at 70 °C, 1/10 s (dynamic viscosity, measured from melt phase).
- the modulus (Young's modulus) at ambient temperature of the thermoplastic polymer component may be greater than 300 MPa. By compounding the thermoplastic polymer with the wood particles, the modulus will increase to about 350 to 2000 MPa for the composite material.
- the thermoplastic polymer may have a melt flow index of between 0.3 to 2.3 g/min (at 80°C; 2.16 kg).
- the thermoplastic polymer may be present in the composite layer in an amount of 5 to 99 wt% (based on the amount of thermoplastic polymer and wood particles). It may be present in an amount between 40 to 99 wt%.
- thermoplastic polymer is present in an amount of around 60 wt% i.e. the weight ratio of wood particles to thermoplastic polymer in the composite layer may be 2:3.
- the wood particles have a granular or a generally plate-like structure.
- the wood particles are greater in size than a powder.
- Particulate or powdered material is characterised typically as material of a size in which the naked eye can no longer distinguish unique sides of the particle.
- Plate-like particles are easily recognizable as one dimension is recognizable by the naked eye as being larger than another.
- Granular particles while having substantially equal dimensions, are of such dimension that their unique sides can be determined by the naked eye and oriented.
- particulate or powdered materials are of such a small or fine size that they cannot be easily oriented with respect to their neighbors.
- Granular and plate-like particles are of such a size that their sides are recognizable and can be orientated.
- the wood particles orientate in two dimensions in the thermoplastic polymer matrix and provide a self-reinforcement effect.
- the composite layer of the personal protection device/(back/lumbar) support device provides a good dimensional stability, good shock absorbance and good puncture resistance.
- the wood particles may be present in the composite material forming the composite layer in an amount of 1 to 95 wt% (based on the amount of thermoplastic polymer and wood particles). They may be present in an amount between 1 to 70 wt% or 1 to 60 wt% or 10 to 60 wt% or 20 to 60 wt%. In some preferred embodiments showing particularly good shock absorption, the wood particles may be present in an amount of around 40 wt% i.e. the weight ratio of wood particles to thermoplastic polymer in the composite material forming the composite layer may be 2:3.
- the wood particles may be present in the composite material forming the composite layer in an amount of 15 to 50 % (based on the volume of thermoplastic polymer and wood particles). They may be present in an amount between 25 to 50 %, by volume.
- the wood particles Before the wood particles are mixed with the thermoplastic polymer they can be surface treated, e.g. sized, with agents, which modify their properties of hydrophobicity/- hydrophobicity and surface tension. Such agents may introduce functional groups on the surface of the wood particles to provide for covalent bonding to the matrix.
- the wood particles can also be surface treated with polymer e.g. PCL.
- the wood particles can be also coated or treated with anti-rot compound e.g. vegetable oil to improve its properties against aging and impurities.
- anti-rot compound e.g. vegetable oil to improve its properties against aging and impurities.
- the wood particles can be dehydrated to make them lighter before mixing with thermoplastic polymer.
- the mechanical and chemical properties of the wood particles can be improved with heat treatment, which is known to decrease swelling and shrinkage.
- the size and the shape of the wood particles may be regular or irregular.
- the particles have an average size (of the smallest dimension) in excess of 0.02 mm, advantageously in excess of 0.1 mm, 0.4 mm or 0.5 mm, for example in excess of 0.6 mm or 1 mm, suitably about 0.6 to 40 mm, in particular about 1 .2 to 20 mm, preferably about 1 .5 to 10 mm, for example about 1 to 7 mm.
- the smallest dimension will be the thickness.
- the length of the particles can vary from a value of greater than 0.6 mm (e.g. greater than 0.75 mm or 1 mm or 1 .8 mm or 3mm) to value of up to about 200 mm, for example up to about 50 mm or 21 mm.
- Wood particles considered to be plate-like means that they have generally a plate-shaped character.
- the ratio of the thickness of the plate to the smaller of the width or length of the plate's edges is generally 1 :2 to 1 :500 or 1 :100 or 1 :20 such that the thickness of the plate- like particles is smaller than the width/length.
- the plate-like wood particles may have at least two dimensions greater than 1 mm and one greater than 0.02 mm (e.g. greater than 0.1 mm), the average volume of the wood particles being generally at least 0.02 mm 3 (e.g. at least 0.1 mm 3 or at least 1 mm 3 ).
- Suitable wood particles have typical dimensions of 2mm x 2mm x 1 mm, for example.
- the specific weight of the wood particles may be between 180-200 kg/m 3 .
- “Derived from platy wood particles” designates that the wood particles may have undergone some modification during the processing of the composition. For example, if blending of the thermoplastic polymer and wood particles is carried out with a mechanical melt processor, some of the original plate-like wood particles may be deformed to an extent. Typically more than 70 % and preferably up to 100% of the wood particles are greater in size than powder, which particles may be granular or platy.
- the wood species can be freely selected from deciduous and coniferous wood species alike: beech, birch, alder, aspen, poplar, oak, cedar, Eucalyptus, mixed tropical hardwood, pine, spruce and larch tree for example.
- the wood particles can be derived from wood raw-material typically by cutting or chipping of the raw-material. Wood chips of deciduous or coniferous wood species are preferred.
- the desired composition of the wood particles can be achieved by sifting wood particles through one or more meshes having one or more varying qualities.
- the desired composition can also be accomplished by other well-known techniques in the art for sorting and separating particles in to desired categories.
- the desired composition may be the resultant composition of one sifting or separating process.
- the desired composition may also be a mixture of resultant compositions from several sifting or separation processes.
- a particularly interesting raw-material comprises wood particles, chips or granules, of any of the above mentioned wood species having a screened size of greater than 0.6 mm up to about 3.0 mm, in particular about 1 to 2.5 mm on an average.
- the composite layer can contain reinforcing fibrous material, for example cellulose fibers, such as flax or seed fibers of cotton, wood skin, leaf or bark fibers of jute, hemp, soybean, banana or coconut, stalk fibers (straws) of hey, rice, barley and other crops and plants including plants having hollow stem which belong to main class of Tracheobionta and e.g. the subclass of meadow grasses (bamboo, reed, scouring rush, wild angelica and grass).
- cellulose fibers such as flax or seed fibers of cotton, wood skin, leaf or bark fibers of jute, hemp, soybean, banana or coconut, stalk fibers (straws) of hey, rice, barley and other crops and plants including plants having hollow stem which belong to main class of Tracheobionta and e.g. the subclass of meadow grasses (bamboo, reed, scouring rush, wild angelica and grass).
- the composite layer further comprises an elastic or soft polymer.
- an elastic or soft polymer can be homogenously distributed within the composite layer or can be concentrated within regions of the composite layer.
- the elastic/soft polymer may be provided at a hinge portion of the personal protection device.
- Soft when used in the context of a polymer means that the polymer, either a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, has Shore D hardness 27 or less at ambient temperature.
- Ambient temperature stands for a temperature of about 10 to 30 °C, in particular about 15 to 25 °C.
- “Region” when used in connection of elasticity or softness of the composite layer denotes a portion of the composite layer.
- the region may extend only to a limited depth of the composite layer or it may extend through the composite layer in at least one dimension.
- the region may comprise an elongated, essentially integral area.
- the region may also comprise one or several isolated portions of, for example, material different from the material surrounding the isolated portion(s).
- "Region” may also be a portion evenly distributed throughout the composite layer.
- a soft or elastic polymer can be homogeneously blended or mixed with the thermoplastic polymer to extend the region of elasticity or softness to cover essentially the whole superficial area of the personal protection/ (back/lumbar) support device formed by the composite layer.
- a property of "elasticity” or “softness” can be measured by a ring stiffness test, and such a property will be manifested in a greatly reduced stiffness.
- the stiffness will be at least 20 % lower, preferably at least 30 % lower than for a corresponding material, wherein the same ( ⁇ 10 %) volume as taken up by the soft or flexible polymer is formed by the thermoplastic polymer, for example and typically by the thermoplastic polyester or other polymer having melting point or softening point below 70 °C and higher or equal to about 55 °C.
- the elastic/soft polymer is a different polymer than the thermoplastic polymer.
- the elastic/soft polymer can be thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer.
- the elastic/soft polymer can be used to partly replace the thermoplastic polymer to maintain the total volume of polymer in the composite layer at least essentially unaltered.
- the soft (or elastic) polymer rich regions are generally unidirectional either along the longitudinal or lateral axis.
- the soft (or elastic) polymer rich regions can also be in form of a grid, mesh or web.
- the soft/elastic polymer is a polymer having a Shore D hardness of 27 or less, in particular 25 or less, at ambient temperature or a thermoplastic elastomer.
- Other examples of soft polymers include polymers exhibiting Shore A of 0 to 70 and Shore OO of 0 to 90.
- the soft/elastic polymer can be formed by a polymer selected from the group of thermoplastic polyolefin blends; polyurethanes; co-polyesters; polyamides; unsaturated or saturated rubbers, including natural rubber, silicone, and copolymers of olefins; and natural or synthetic soft material, including soft gelatin, hydrogels, hydrocolloids and modified cellulose.
- the elastic or soft polymer does not need to have melting range in same range as the thermoplastic polymer.
- the soft/elastic polymer has a melting range outside that of the thermoplastic polymer, in particular the melting point of the soft/elastic polymer is higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer.
- the soft/elastic polymer is miscible with thermoplastic polymer forming a homogenous matrix when processed at elevated temperatures.
- the soft/elastic polymer is immiscible with the thermoplastic polymer forming phase-separated zones or regions within the thermoplastic polymer.
- the composite material comprises:
- thermoplastic polymer e.g. a biodegradable polyester
- the soft or elastic polymer together with the thermoplastic polymer make up a majority of the composite layer (i.e. more than 50 % by weight of the total weight of the composite layer).
- the soft or elastic polymer together with the thermoplastic polymer make up at least 53 % and up to 70 %, for example 55 to 70 %, by weight of the total weight of the composite layer.
- the soft or elastic polymer generally forms 5 to 50 %, in particular 10 to 40 %, for example 15 to 30 %, by weight of the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer (e.g. biodegradable polyester) together with the soft or elastic polymer.
- the composition comprises 3 to 30 parts by weight, of a further polymer comprising a thermoplastic polymer different from that of the first and the soft/elastic polymer.
- a further polymer comprising a thermoplastic polymer different from that of the first and the soft/elastic polymer.
- Such a component can be used for achieving improved mechanical properties of the composite layer.
- a fourth polymer to modify the surface properties (for example properties of adhesion) of the composition.
- Suitable polymers for the soft/elastic polymer and the further polymer are as described in WO2015/059354.
- reinforcing fibres either within the composite layer or superimposed onto the composite layer e.g. between the composite layer and lining layer.
- reinforcing metallic fibres or reinforcing synthetic fibres such as aramid fibres (e.g. Kevlar®) fibres may be used.
- the reinforcing fibres may be substantially aligned with one another e.g. in devices having a longitudinal and lateral axis, reinforcing fibres may be unidirectional either along the longitudinal or lateral axis.
- the reinforcing fibres may also be in form of a grid, mesh or web.
- the composite and lining layers be affixed directly to one another with no interposing layer (other than the optional reinforcing fibres described above if desired).
- the lining layer may be pre-impregnated with adhesive prior to affixing to the composite layer.
- the lining layer may be affixed to the composite layer by heat bonding i.e. by pressing the lining layer onto the composite layer when the composite layer is tacky due to heating e.g. during extrusion of the composite layer.
- the lining layer may be affixed to the composite layer by stitching or mechanical locking.
- the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device or blank may further comprise an edging layer which may extend at least partly (and preferably entirely) around the peripheral edges of at least the composite layer and preferably both the lining/composite layers.
- the edging layer may provide a smooth edge to the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device or blank to prevent irritation of the portion of the wearer's/individual's body against which the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device fits/rests.
- the edging layer may be formed of a textile material or textile string e.g. a fleece material.
- the textile material may have a width of between 2-6 mm e.g. around 3 mm. It may have a thickness of between 0.5-3 mm, e.g. around 1.5mm.
- the edging layer may be joined around the peripheral edges of the composite layer or lining/composite layers using adhesive e.g. adhesive that is pre-impregnated into the edging layer.
- the edging layer may be stitched around the peripheral edges of the composite layer or lining/composite layers.
- the composite layer may a thickness of about 1 to 50 mm, in particular about 1 .5 to 30 mm, for example 1 .5 to 20 mm.
- the composite layer may have a thickness greater than 1 .5 mm.
- a typical thickness for the personal protection device is about 2 to 6 mm, for example between 2 and 4 mm. It may be thicker for the support device.
- the typical thickness of the personal protection device is around 3- 9 mm making the personal protection device considerably less bulky than the known PPE.
- the thickness of the composite layer may vary over the personal protection/ (back/lumbar) support device/blank.
- the composite layer may be increase in thickness from its periphery to its centre.
- the composite layer may have a thickness of between 4-6 mm e.g. around 4 mm at its centre decreasing to between 2-4 mm e.g. around 2 mm at its peripheral edges.
- the length and the width of the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device and the blank for forming the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device can vary in the range of about 1 to 150 cm (length) and 1 to 50 cm (width). The length and width will vary depending on the body portion requiring protection/support.
- the blank may have a substantially planar profile i.e. it may be in the form of a plate or sheet.
- the plate or sheet may have, for example, a rectangular, square, triangular, H-shaped or I- shaped profile. Any apices may be rounded.
- the blank and/or the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device may have at least a portion having a substantially curved profile.
- the blank or personal protection/support device is for protecting/supporting the wearer's/individuals arms
- the blank and/or personal protection/support device may have a substantially U-shaped curved profile.
- the curvature may be constant or may vary along its length. For example, the curvature may decrease along its length.
- the composite layer may comprise at least one region of non-rigidity to provide for flexibility and/or aeration in the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device.
- the composite layer may comprise a region of non-rigidity at a hinge portion.
- the or each region of non-rigidity may be formed by perforations in the composite layer for example in the form of incisions, in particular unidirectional incisions.
- perforations in the composite layer for example in the form of incisions, in particular unidirectional incisions.
- aeration and flexibility can be achieved by merely widening the composite layer in widthwise direction e.g. during the formation of the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device from the blank.
- the incisions are located such that they are kept “closed” in the areas of the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device requiring maximum strength so as not to impair mechanical strength.
- the incisions are longitudinally directed, and they will therefore not be opened by the action of such longitudinal force.
- the incisions will remain closed under the influence of longitudinal forces, and the material will exhibit mechanical strength and rigidity directly derivable from the structure of the composite layer.
- Wearer comfort is improved by providing some flexibility of the material, to allow for some movement, and the composite layer can yield to forces perpendicular to the general orientation of the incisions by opening the closed incisions.
- the pattern and the shape of the incisions in the composite material have been studied in particular for planar composite materials having a thickness in the range of 2 to 4 mm.
- the incisions studied are formed by straight (linear) incisions or cuts.
- lines formed with a plurality of incisions Preferably there is a plurality of such lines, which preferably are parallel.
- the incisions in adjacent lines are off-set such that no two adjacent incisions are located along the same transversal line.
- suitable perforations are shown in WO2015/059355.
- the incisions When subjected to the stretching laterally, the incisions will form apertures.
- the perforated composite layer will allow stretching at least 5 %, typically up to 75 %, in particular about 10 to 50 %.
- the non-rigid region of the composite layer will have pore area which is 2x to lOOx, typically 2.5x to 15x greater that than pore area of the corresponding non-stretched, non- incised composite layer.
- the pore area can be about 2.5 to 30 % of the total area of the non-rigid region, for example about 3 to 20 %, for example about 5 to 15 %.
- incisions having a length of generally more 20 mm may cause tearing of the material when exposed to strong twisting and strain.
- incisions which are less than 5 mm in length do not sufficiently open during molding the material around a human limb to allow for proper aerating.
- each incision in longitudinal direction must exceed 5 mm to avoid tearing of the material and be less than 20 mm to achieve sufficient level of aerating.
- the space between each incision line transversally to the linear incision must exceed 10 mm to avoid tearing and be less than 25 mm to achieve sufficient level of aerating.
- the incisions may be manufactured into the composite profile with an incision device, examples of suitable equipment include a rolling cylinder or a press equipped with blades, water jet, and laser cutting.
- the incisions have a width of 0.1 to 1 mm, preferably 0.3 to 0.8 mm, and a length of 4 to 20 mm.
- the incisions can be made with a blade, the surface area of which incisions being on the blade ingoing side about 1 to 10 mm 2 , preferably 2.5 to 8 mm 2 .
- the number of incisions per 10 cm 2 may be generally 20 to 100, preferably 30 to 70.
- the particular advantage of incorporating incisions into the composite layer is that upon forming the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device e.g. by molding the blank, the incisions will yield openings which give the composite layer properties of breathability and flexibility in the non-rigid region(s) e.g. at a hinge portion.
- the shape of the openings or apertures formed by stretching of the incisions can be, for example, round, rectangular, square, diamond, hexagonal, oval, slot or ornamental perforation.
- the surface area of one hole should be generally about 3 to 30 mm 2 and the number of the holes is kept between 20 holes / 10 cm 2 and 100 holes / 10 cm 2 .
- the total open area is less than 10 percentage of the whole surface area.
- the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a personal protection device for protecting a portion of a wearer's body whilst participating in hazardous occupational activities and/or for protecting a portion of a vulnerable wearer's body whilst participating in everyday activities, the method comprising:
- the composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix
- the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a moldable blank for forming a personal protection device for protecting a portion of a wearer's body whilst participating in hazardous occupational activities and/or for protecting a portion of a vulnerable wearer's body whilst participating in everyday activities, the method comprising:
- the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a support device for supporting a portion of an individual's body whilst in a rest position, the method comprising: providing a composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix,
- the method further comprises providing a lining layer for facing the individual's body, superimposing the composite layer on said lining layer, and shaping both layers to substantially match the contour of the portion of the individual's body.
- the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a moldable blank for forming a support device for supporting a portion of an individual's body whilst in a rest position, the method comprising:
- the method further comprises providing a lining layer for facing the individual's body, superimposing the composite layer on said lining layer, both layers being moldable to substantially match the contour of the portion of the individual's body.
- the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a back support device for supporting an individual's back whilst in a rest position, the method comprising:
- the method further comprises providing a lining layer for facing the individual's back, superimposing the composite layer on said lining layer, shaping both layers to substantially match the contour of the individual's back.
- the back support device is a lumbar support device and the composite layer is shaped to substantially match the contour of the individual's lumbar region.
- the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a moldable blank for forming a back support device for supporting an individual's back whilst in a rest position, the method comprising:
- a composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix, the composite layer being moldable to substantially match the contour of the individual's back.
- the method further comprises providing a lining layer for facing the individual's back, superimposing the composite layer on said lining layer, both layers being moldable to substantially match the contour of the individual's back.
- the back support device is a lumbar support device and the composite layer is shaped to substantially match the contour of the individual's lumbar region.
- the lining layer and composite layer may be as described above for the previous aspects.
- the composite layer can be manufactured by mixing the thermoplastic polymer with the wood particles.
- the thermoplastic polymer may be provided in the form of pellets.
- the method may comprise the steps of mixing together 10 to 100 parts, preferably 50 to 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic polymer and 1 to 100 parts, preferably 10 to 50 parts, by weight of wood particles.
- the method comprises mixing together the thermoplastic polymer and wood particles in a ratio of 3:2 (by weight).
- the thermoplastic polymer (pellets) and wood particles may be mixed using melt mixing/processing e.g. in a heatable vessel having a mechanical stirrer.
- the mixing can be melt mixing carried out at a temperature sufficient for melting the thermoplastic polymer, e.g. at about 50 to 150 °C.
- the temperature can be in the range of about 80 to 190 °C, preferably about 100 to 150 °C.
- the uniformity of the composite layer can be increased by using an extruder, kneader or any device suitable for mixing thermoplastic polymers.
- two hoppers each containing one of the two components of the composite layer, can deposit the desired amount of each component (thermoplastic polymer and wood particles) in to the mixing chamber of the apparatus.
- the wood chips and polymer granules may mixed to form a uniform blend before pouring into the feed hopper of an extruder. Then, by way of the stirrer/agitator in the mixing apparatus, there is formed a homogeneous mixture of the thermoplastic and wood particles prior to the formation of the composite layer.
- the composite layer can be formed, for example, by extruding the mixture of thermoplastic polymer and wood particles using an appropriate nozzle e.g. to form a sheet or plate.
- the extruder may be a single screw extruder.
- the nozzle is selected to give the desired thickness and profile of the composite layer including a composite layer of varying thickness as described above.
- the profile of the extruder screw is preferably such that its dimensions will allow relatively large wood chips to move along the screw without crushing them.
- the channel width and flight depth are selected so that the formation of excessive local pressure increases, potentially causing crushing of the wood particles, are avoided.
- the temperature of the cylinder and the screw rotation speed are also selected such as to avoid decomposition of wood chip structure by excessively high pressure during extrusion.
- a suitable barrel temperature can be in the range of about 1 10 to 150 °C from hopper to die, while the screw rotation speed may be between 25-50 rpm.
- the molten thermoplastic polymer containing the wood particles can be subjected to tensile forces to achieve a desired orientation of the thermoplastic polymer and, in particular, the wood particles.
- the desired 2D profile for the composite layer for the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device/blank can be obtained from the extruded sheet or plate with e.g. laser cutting, water jet cutting, eccentric pressing or with any tool capable for producing regular shape profiles.
- the composite layer with the appropriate 2D profile can also be formed by compression molding, injection molding, die-casting, pressure die-casting or manual shaping.
- a particular advantage of the present invention is that the composite layer and lining layer forming the blank can be cut to its 2D profile using scissors i.e. without any specialist cutting tools.
- At least one region of non-rigidity can be provided e.g. at a hinge portion of the personal protection device by forming incisions or by using polymer mixtures with more elasticity as described above.
- the incisions can be formed into the composite layer during or subsequent to extrusion of the composite layer e.g. using a rolling cylinder or a press equipped with blades, water jet or laser cutting.
- the composite and lining layers be affixed directly to one another with no interposing layer. They may be affixed before or after the formation of the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device/blank into the desired 2D profile.
- the method comprises including reinforcing fibres either within the composite layer or superimposing reinforcing fibres onto the composite layer e.g. between the composite layer and lining layer.
- reinforcing metallic fibres or reinforcing synthetic fibres such as aramid fibres (e.g. Kevlar®) fibres may be used.
- the reinforcing fibres may be substantially aligned with one another e.g. in devices having a longitudinal and lateral axis, reinforcing fibres may be unidirectional either along the longitudinal or lateral axis.
- the reinforcing fibres may also be in form of a grid, mesh or web.
- the layers may be affixed directly to one another by bonding e.g. bonding using an adhesive.
- the lining layer may be pre-impregnated with adhesive prior to affixing to the composite layer.
- the lining layer may be affixed to the composite layer by heat bonding i.e. by pressing the lining layer onto the composite layer when the composite layer is tacky due to heating e.g. during extrusion of the composite layer.
- the lining layer may be affixed to the composite layer by stitching or mechanical locking.
- the method may further comprise affixing an edging layer which may extend at least partly (and preferably entirely) around the peripheral edges of at least the composite layer and preferably both layers.
- the edging layer may provide a smooth edge to the composite layer to prevent irritation of the portion of the wearer's/individual's body against which the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device fits/rests.
- the edging layer may be affixed using adhesive and/or stitching, for example.
- the composite/lining layers are heated to the desired operating temperature by a heating device.
- the layers can be formed into the desired profile.
- the blank can be placed on the wearer/individual in the desired location to form the personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device.
- the advantage of the present material is that it can be handled by hand without any protective requirement such as gloves. Equally important is that the material can be formed directly against the wearer's skin.
- the wood particles form insulating regions within the thermoplastic polymer (which is moldable at low temperature) such that the composite layer is comfortable to touch with bare hands. With the composite material still pliable and moldable, it can be contoured to fit the wearer's/individual's body part (e.g. hip, arm/wrist or back) nearly or exactly.
- the blank can be moved while still moldable to a more desirable location. If the composite layer has lost its desired moldability, then it can be reheated and likewise moved to the new location.
- a blank formed of PCL and wood particles typically remains moldable for up to 5 minutes.
- the blank When the blank is located properly and molded to the desired form, then it can be allowed to cool to a temperature where it can be removed but maintain its shape.
- the cooling may be accomplished by allowing the ambient conditions to reduce the temperature of the material or the cooling may be aided by spraying the material with water or another chemical to speed up the cooling. Additionally, solid cooling means can be used to cool the material such as a cold pack or ice place directly against the composite material.
- the personal protection/support device may be contoured or the blank may be moldable to fit against the wearer's limb.
- the personal protection device may comprise or the blank may be moldable to form a hip guard, a shin pad, an elbow pad, a knee pad, an ankle guard, a shoulder pad/guard or a wrist guard.
- the personal protection device may be contoured/dimensioned to only partly encircle the wearer's limb so that weight of the device is minimised and ease of fitting is optimised.
- an arm guard may have a substantially U-shaped profile.
- a blank for an arm guard may have a substantially rectangular shape that is moldable into a U-shaped profile.
- the curvature of the U-shaped profile may be constant or may vary along its length. For example, the curvature may decrease along its length.
- the blank may have a cut-out portion at one end - this cut-out portion may provide for flexing of the wearer's wrist once the blank has been moulded into the arm guard.
- a blank for a wrist or an arm guard e.g.
- the arm guard may be a half arm guard/wrist guard e.g. having a length of around 20-30 cm (e.g. 25 cm) and a width (of the blank) of between 10-20 cm e.g. between 10-15 cm.
- the arm guard may be a full arm guard e.g. having a length of around 45-55 cm (e.g. around 50 cm) and a width (of the blank) of between 10-20 cm e.g. between 10-15 cm.
- the personal protection device may be contoured or the blank may be moldable to fit against the wearer's face/head (e.g. nose/forehead).
- the personal protection device may be a helmet for protecting the wearer's head from occupational risks or from trip/falls by vulnerable wearer's e.g. the elderly, young and infirm.
- the support device may be contoured or the blank may be moldable to fit against the individual's back or lumbar region.
- the support device/blank may have an H-shaped profile and the support device may be positionable on a chair with the central bar of the H-shaped profile transverse to or aligned with the individual's spine.
- the support device/blank may have a rectangular profile and the support device may be positionable on a chair with the longer axis of the central bar of the rectangular-shaped profile transverse to or aligned with the individual's spine.
- the maximum width of the support device/blank may be between 30-50 cm, e.g. around 40 cm.
- the height of the support device e.g. the back/lumbar support device
- the depth of the support device may be around 5-10 cm, e.g. around 8 cm.
- the personal protection device may comprise at least one fastener for affixing the personal protection device to the portion of the wearer's body.
- the at least one fastener may comprise a strap e.g. a strap that is securable to a further strap or to the personal protection device using a hook/loop connection (e.g. VelcroTM).
- the personal protection device may not include any fastener.
- the composite layer has been found to have a sufficiently rough surface (owing to the presence of wood particles) that it can frictionally engage with the wearer's clothing e.g. underwear, to maintain its position against the portion of the wearer's body e.g. hip. This provides for secure affixing of the personal protection device without the need for fasteners (which complicate the manufacturing process).
- the support device may comprise at least one fastener for affixing the support device to a chair.
- the back/lumbar support may comprise at least one fastener for affixing the back/lumbar support device to the backrest of a chair.
- the at least one fastener may be adapted to encircle the backrest of a chair.
- the at least one fastener may comprise a strap e.g. a strap that is securable to a further strap or to the support device using a hook/loop connection (e.g. VelcroTM).
- the present invention provides a hip pad for protecting a wearer's hip, the hip pad comprising:
- the composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix
- the present invention provides a moldable blank for forming a hip pad for protecting a wearer's hip, the moldable blank comprising:
- the composite layer comprising wood particles within a thermoplastic polymer matrix
- the lining and composite layers being moldable to substantially match the contour of the wearer's hip.
- the lining layer and composite layers may be as described above and may be joined as described above.
- the hip pad/blank may further comprise the edging layer as described above.
- the hip pad/blank may be manufactured as described above. With a typical thickness of the composite layer being 2-4 mm and a typical thickness of the lining layer being 1-5 mm, the typical thickness of the hip pad is around 3-9 mm making it considerably less bulky than the known hip pads.
- a typical length for a hip pad will be around 15-50 cm, e.g. around 30 cm in length.
- a typical width for a hip pad will be around 15 to 40 cm e.g. around 25 cm.
- the blank and/or the hip pad may have at least a portion having a substantially curved profile.
- the curvature may be constant or may vary along its length. For example, the curvature may decrease along its length (e.g. towards a lower end).
- the blank may have a substantially planar e.g. planar rectangular shape for molding into the curved profile.
- the hip pad may not include any fastener.
- the composite layer has been found to have a sufficiently rough surface (owing to the presence of wood particles) that it can frictionally engage with the wearer's clothing e.g. underwear, to maintain its position against the wearer's hip. This provides for secure affixing of the hip pad without the need for fasteners (which complicate the manufacturing process).
- Test specimens with dimensions of 50 mm x 50 mm were cut from the plastic shell of three commercially available shin guards (after separation of the shell from the associated foam/textile layers). Additionally three sets of 50 mm x 50 mm test samples were cut from a composite layer having a thickness of 4 mm and a composite layer having a thickness of 2 mm. The composite layer was formed from a 3:2 ratio of PCL and wood particles. The wood particles were aspen wood particles having an average size of 2 x 2 x 1 mm. The PCL had an Mn of 80,000g/mol.
- the composite layers were heated and formed to have identical shape as the comparative shin guard specimens to exclude the effect of shape in results.
- the thickness of each test specimen was measured with calliper at both ends of the specimen, to calculate average thickness.
- a blunt impact test set up was used to assess the impact absorbing properties of the test specimens and composite layer samples by dropping a 2.5 kg mass from 47 mm distance, positioned vertically over the top of the test specimen/samples.
- the amount of force that was transmitted through the guard onto the fiat anvil was measured (Kistler9065) and recorded. The lower the transmitted force the better the shock absorption property of the sample.
- the transmitted force values (averages from three measurements) are shown in Table 1 .
- the 4 mm composite layer clearly provides the best shock absorption amongst the specimens/samples tested.
- the composite layer can be used to provide a personal protection/(back/lumbar) support device having high shock absorbance but with a narrow profile, reduced buikiness and lower weight compared to known products.
- the lining layer provides comfort for the wearer/individual.
- the 3D moldability of the composite layer in the blanks further improves comfort and shock absorbency.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
La présente invention concerne un dispositif de protection personnelle (par exemple, un protège-bras ou un protège-hanche) pour protéger une partie du corps d'un utilisateur (par exemple, son bras ou sa hanche) contre des blessures provenant d'emplois dangereux, ou pour empêcher des personnes âgées ou infirmes de trébucher ou de tomber. Le dispositif de protection personnelle comprend une couche de doublure destinée à faire face au corps de l'utilisateur et une couche composite opposée superposée à ladite couche de doublure. La couche composite comprend des particules de bois à l'intérieur d'une matrice polymère thermoplastique. La doublure et les couches composites sont façonnées pour correspondre sensiblement au contour de la partie du corps de l'utilisateur (tibia). L'invention concerne également une ébauche moulable destinée à former un dispositif de protection pour le sport. L'invention concerne également un dispositif de support (par exemple, un dossier/support lombaire) comprenant une couche composite formée de particules de bois à l'intérieur d'une matrice polymère thermoplastique.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1610139.6A GB2551329A (en) | 2016-06-10 | 2016-06-10 | Personal protection device |
GB1610139.6 | 2016-06-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2017211597A1 true WO2017211597A1 (fr) | 2017-12-14 |
Family
ID=56894741
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2017/062772 WO2017211597A1 (fr) | 2016-06-10 | 2017-05-26 | Dispositif de protection personnelle |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2551329A (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2017211597A1 (fr) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19527619A1 (de) * | 1994-07-29 | 1996-02-01 | Bridgestone Corp | Fußbekleidungselement |
WO2006027763A2 (fr) * | 2004-09-09 | 2006-03-16 | Fastform Research Limited | Dispositif d'attelle et/ou de protection a ouverture geometrique renfermant une matiere thermoplastique remoulable |
WO2008041215A1 (fr) * | 2006-10-03 | 2008-04-10 | Fastform Research Limited | Dispositif orthopédique |
WO2012032226A2 (fr) * | 2010-09-11 | 2012-03-15 | Onbone Oy | Matériau de pansement |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FI125448B (fi) * | 2009-03-11 | 2015-10-15 | Onbone Oy | Uudet materiaalit |
FI126725B (en) * | 2013-10-21 | 2017-04-28 | Onbone Oy | Breathable materials |
-
2016
- 2016-06-10 GB GB1610139.6A patent/GB2551329A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2017
- 2017-05-26 WO PCT/EP2017/062772 patent/WO2017211597A1/fr active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19527619A1 (de) * | 1994-07-29 | 1996-02-01 | Bridgestone Corp | Fußbekleidungselement |
WO2006027763A2 (fr) * | 2004-09-09 | 2006-03-16 | Fastform Research Limited | Dispositif d'attelle et/ou de protection a ouverture geometrique renfermant une matiere thermoplastique remoulable |
WO2008041215A1 (fr) * | 2006-10-03 | 2008-04-10 | Fastform Research Limited | Dispositif orthopédique |
WO2012032226A2 (fr) * | 2010-09-11 | 2012-03-15 | Onbone Oy | Matériau de pansement |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2551329A (en) | 2017-12-20 |
GB201610139D0 (en) | 2016-07-27 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
ES2835653T3 (es) | Materiales compuestos novedosos que comprenden un polímero de matriz termoplástica y partículas de madera | |
US8956715B2 (en) | Resilient pad composite having floating reinforcing structure | |
EP2956027B1 (fr) | Articles d'habillement comprenant des composants vestimentaires et des composants de rembourrage | |
WO2012171911A1 (fr) | Matériau de pression | |
US20110159226A1 (en) | Protective materials and methods for producing protective materials | |
US9226846B2 (en) | Bandaging material | |
WO2010072812A1 (fr) | Composition élastomère pour matériau absorbant les chocs | |
US20170354861A1 (en) | Sports protection device | |
US20160242965A1 (en) | Aerated materials | |
CN110831675B (zh) | 防护物品及其方法 | |
US9867407B1 (en) | Impact-resistant padding | |
WO2019076647A1 (fr) | Plâtre | |
DE202013100788U1 (de) | Protektor | |
WO2017211597A1 (fr) | Dispositif de protection personnelle | |
EP2843094B1 (fr) | Pantalon de protection contre les coupes d'une scie à chaîne | |
US20160250063A1 (en) | Novel materials | |
KR101598966B1 (ko) | 절단강도 및 내열성이 우수한 코팅장갑 | |
CN104013261B (zh) | 冰丝复合席的制作方法 | |
JP2008546876A (ja) | 液不透過性材料 | |
CN113975779B (zh) | 一种柔性自适应护具 | |
CA2773212A1 (fr) | Casque protecteur |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 17725957 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 17725957 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |