A garment or accessory is provided having an elasticized portion, said elasticized portion being free of stitches or holes. The elasticized portion comprises a fabric portion of the accessory or garment to be elasticized; and a length of elastic element. The length of elastic element is applied to the fabric by a means selected from the group consisting of direct welding and indirect welding. A method is provided for elasticizing a fabric, said elasticized fabric being free of stitches or holes. The method involves providing a stack of fabric to be elasticized; stretching and positioning a length of elastic element against a first of the fabric in the stack; applying one or more ends of the elastic element to the fabric by a means selected from directly welding and indirectly welding; moving the first fabric to expose the next fabric in the stack to be elasticized; and repeating the steps for the next fabric.

A personal protective device (PPE) comprising a face cover assembly and a bodysuit configured to be worn by a human user. The device protects users against airborne aerosol particles containing viruses or other infectious agents while enabling improved flexibility relative to prior art designs. The device includes a helmet-like rotating face cover assembly that fits over the user's head and attaches to a collar on the biohazard bodysuit. This rotating face cover assembly has a plurality of different mask sides, each with differing geometries or other properties. The device enables a user to can rotate the cover and select a given mask side that best meets that user's needs. The different mask sides can accommodate different facial geometries, eyewear types, and use cases.

1. Method and device for connecting a protective cover to a safety cover sealed against the environment.

2. The invention relates to a method and an assigned device for connecting a first at least partially flexible protective cover (2) sealed against the environment, which cover forms a barrier between a contaminated (12) and an uncontaminated area, to a second at least partially flexible safety cover (20) including the process stages listed below: Transferring the protective cover (2) out of the contaminated area (12) by inverting the protective cover (2) over an opening such that its inside is turned out and then severing it from the safety cover (20) and closing the opening; or transferring the protective cover (2) from the contaminated area (12) by sheathing the protective cover (2) with the safety cover (20) as it is pulled through a passage and subsequent severing of both covers (2, 20) from the safety cover (20) and closing the sheathing; or pulling the protective cover (2) back into the contaminated area (12) and then sealing the ends shut to sever the safety cover(20) by forming a further sealed joint between adjacent film parts.

A multi-threat base ensemble is provided that can include a shirt and pants. The shirt and pants provide flame and chemical protection to a wearer such as a first responder. The base ensemble also includes a targeted hazard protection system providing protection to the wearer at predetermined areas and a cinching system for selectively adjusting a portion of the shirt or pants allowing the targeted hazard protection system to be selectively drawn into proximity with a body of the wearer. Areas of stretchable ventilation and selectively-actuated ventilation openings, and additional comfort and protection elements are also provided.

A zipper type fastener for protective clothing, such as a firefighter or first responder turnout jacket is disclosed. One or more open ends of the zipper may be connected to the protective clothing by a zipper extender that creates a grip area to allow a user to more easily grasp the zipper end component(s) and fasten the zipper.

The present disclosure describes a garment comprising a mobility-enhancing pleat positioned on the upper-arm portion of a sleeve. The pleat may be configured to move between a closed position, in which an outer layer lies substantially flat against the sleeve, and an open position, in which the outer layer is configured to provide the upper-arm portion of the sleeve with an increased surface area. Due to the increased surface area, the wearer is not restricted when reaching forward or upward and the sleeve is prevented from riding up so as to expose the wrists or lower arms of the wearer. Moreover, when the pleat is in an open position, the interior of the garment is not exposed. Accordingly, the pleat will not compromise a fire-resistant garment.

A protective apparel support system is disclosed comprising a support frame configured to rest on the shoulders of a wearer, the support having a first shoulder member, a second shoulder member and a shield engagement portion. A shield is selectively coupleable to the support and protective apparel is coupled to the shield.

The present invention relates to bodysuits for use as personal protective equipment comprising a torso portion comprising a front side; a back side including a sealable port through which a wearer can enter and exit the bodysuit when donning or doffing the bodysuit, respectively; a waist region; a neck opening; a pair of upper limb openings; and a pair of lower limb openings; two arm portions each extending from one of the upper limb opening; and two leg portions each extending from one of the lower limb opening and methods for the removal of such body suits.

A protection equipment comprising a base member with a deformable membrane which comprises a central orifice with an adaptive size, configured to selectively circumvent in a substantially airtight manner the neck of the user, a hood coupled in a substantially airtight manner the base member, whereby a substantially closed volume is provided, the closed volume being delimited by the deformable membrane, the base member, the neck and the hood, and an aperture control device to change the central orifice of the deformable membrane from a large aperture state to a small aperture state.

A protective apparel support system is disclosed comprising a support frame configured to rest on the shoulders of a wearer, the support having a first shoulder member, a second shoulder member and a shield engagement portion. A shield is selectively coupleable to the support and protective apparel is coupled to the shield.