Personal containment system with sealed passthrough

#This invention relates to personal containment systems such as protective suits and protective tents adapted to isolate a wearer or user from a contaminated environment. This invention also relates to personal containment systems having a filtered air delivery system.

#Personal containment systems can protect a user from a variety of harmful chemical or biological agents. Many examples of personal containment systems that can surround a user are known, such as protective suits, protective tents, casualty bags for injured persons, and the like. These systems preferably isolate the user's entire body from contaminants. Often, the contaminants include respiratory hazards, and the systems must employ air delivery systems so that the user is able to breathe when isolated from the environment. Respirators are often used in conjunction with personal protection systems to provide the user with purified air. A variety of respirators are known and described below.

#Certain personal containment systems employ a non-powered purifying respirator. Air is drawn into the system through a filter by the user's breathing action. When the user draws a breath, negative pressure is created in the system and air is drawn in through the filter. When the user expels a breath, spent air leaves the system through a valve.

#FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a personal containment system constructed in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2 through FIG. 6 show schematic views of various examples of personal containment systems of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 7 shows a rear view of a chemical suit employing a personal containment system of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an example, or embodiment, of personal containment system 20 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The personal containment system 20 includes a generally fluid-tight barrier 22 having an inner surface 24 and an outer surface 26. The generally fluid tight barrier 22 is adapted to define an inner environment 28 interfacing with inner surface 24, and an outer environment 30 interfacing with outer surface 26. System 20 also includes an air delivery system 32 powered by a blower 34. Blower 34 is generally isolated from outer environment 30 and draws filtered air through filter 36. Filter 36 is exposed to outer environment 30. Filter 36 and blower 34 are in fluid communication through conduit 35. Sealed port 23 provides a generally fluid-tight connection to barrier 22 and blower 34 during removal and replacement of filter 34. Sealed port 23 preferably is sufficiently fixed in position or otherwise located with respect to blower 34 so that the location of the inlet to blower 34 remains accessible during filter removal and replacement despite movement or other disturbance of the containment system 20 while the filter 36 is disconnected.

#The personal containment system 20 can be any of a variety of protection systems that surround or otherwise encase or encapsulate the user and may be suitable for protecting living things from a contaminated or hazardous environment. For example, the personal containment system can be a protective garment such as a chemical suit. Other examples include a tent or a casualty bag. Still other examples, both known and unknown, are intended to fall within the scope of this invention. The personal containment system defines an inner environment 28. Inner environment 28 is intended to be habitable and contaminant-free when worn in a contaminated or hazardous outer environment 30.

#FIG. 2 through FIG. 5 show alternative embodiments of the general personal containment system 20 of FIG. 1, where like parts have like reference numerals. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of personal containment system 20 including an attachment 38. Attachment 38 can be one or more pieces suitably sealably joined to the remainder of personal containment system 20. Accordingly, FIG. 2 can be a schematic representation of a suit with attached gloves, boots and hood, or the like. FIG. 2 also includes a vent 40 to permit gasses to escape. In one embodiment, vent 40 is a one-way valve that opens automatically after the pressure within inner environment 28 has reached a certain threshold. More than one vent 40 can be used. Vent 40 can be attached to barrier 22, attachment 38, or both. In another embodiment, the vent is an exhaust filter.