Neck dam collar for use with chemical-biological protective masks and hoods

An article of protective clothing having a neck dam collar, to be worn by a wearer when also wearing a chemical-biological protective mask or protective hood having a neck dam, the neck dam collar comprising:

• a tubular-shaped structure forming a cylindrical passage with two opposite open ends, the neck dam extends outwardly and is positioned generally about a central region of the tubular shaped structure and wherein,
• said collar comprises a vapor-proof material;
• said material is adapted to have at least a portion of the material engage the wearer's neck without substantial constriction;
• said material is sufficiently compressible to cushion the wearer's neck against an opposing portion of said neck dam in the event the neck dam biases against the neck so that the neck dam does not unduly constrict the wearer's neck;
• and
• said material having a thickness sufficient to permit the wearer selectively to position the material between the wearer's neck and the neck dam to fill in any gap that may form between the neck and the neck dam so that an airtight seal is maintained between the neck dam and the wearer's neck.

A chemically or biologically protective suit, said suit for use with a chemical-biological protective mask or protective hood having a neck dam, said suit comprising:

• a neck dam the neck dam extends outwardly and is positioned generally about a central region of a tubular shaped structure collar configured to engage said neck dam, and wherein said collar comprises a vapor proof material wherein the material is adapted to have at least a portion of the material engage a wearer's neck without substantial constriction;
• the material is sufficiently compressible to cushion the wearer's neck against an opposing portion of a neck dam in the event the neck dam biases against the neck so that the neck dam does not unduly constrict the wearer's neck;
• and
• the material has a thickness sufficient to permit the wearer selectively to position the material between the wearer's neck and the neck dam to fill in any gap that may form while wearing the neck dam between the neck and the neck dam so that an airtight seal is maintained between the neck dam and the wearer's neck.