INFLATABLE LIFE JACKET

Abstract

There is described an inflatable life jacket (1), comprising at least a first inflatable chamber (2) and a second chamber adjacent to said first chamber (2), characterized in that said second chamber (3) comprises in its inside at least one acid resin and at least one metal having an electrical potential lower than the hydrogen standard reduction potential, said second chamber (3) being provided with unidirectional means (5) able to allow the entry of water inside it.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. An inflatable life jacket, comprising: a first inflatable chamber and a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber; wherein the second chamber comprises therein at least an acid resin and at least one metal having an electrical potential lower than a hydrogen standard reduction potential; the second chamber being configured to allow unidirectional entry of water therein.

19. The life jacket of claim 18, wherein the second chamber is further configured to allow discharge of hydrogen therefrom.

20. The life jacket of claim 18, wherein the at least one acid resin is selected from the group consisting of: sulphonic resin, phosphonic resin and carboxylic resin.

21. The life jacket of claim 20, wherein the resin is a strong acid sulphonic resin.

22. The life jacket of claim 18, wherein the at least one metal is selected from the group consisting of: aluminium, lithium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, barium, chromium, iron, lead, tin, nickel, cobalt, titanium, selenium, cadmium, manganese, vanadium, strontium, zirconium, calcium, rubidium, niobium, indium, germanium and molybdenum.

23. The life jacket of claim 22, wherein the at least one metal is aluminium, magnesium or calcium.

24. The life jacket of claim 18, wherein the second chamber also comprises therein a water soluble salt.

25. The life jacket of claim 24, wherein the salt comprises a metal cation and an anion selected from the group consisting of: chloride anion, fluoride anion, bromide anion, iodide anion, sulphate anion, carbonate anion, nitrate anion, phosphonate anion, phosphate anion, acetate anion.

26. The life jacket of claim 25, wherein the salt is chloride.

27. The life jacket of claim 26, wherein the salt is sodium or calcium chloride.

28. The life jacket of claim 18, wherein the second chamber is configured to allow unidirectional entry of water therein via a semipermeable membrane.

29. The life jacket of claim 18, further comprising a third inflatable chamber adjacent to the second chamber and opposite to the first inflatable chamber.

30. The life jacket of claim 18, wherein one or more of the first chamber and the third chamber is equipped with at least one inflation system with carbon dioxide.

31. The life jacket of claim 18, wherein: one or more of the first chamber and the third chamber is provided with at least one tube configured to connect an inside of one or more of the first chamber and the third chamber with an external environment; and the tube is provided with a valve configured to allow entry of air inside the one or more of the first chamber and the third chamber, but to prevent discharging of the air there from.

32. The life jacket of claim 18, wherein the second chamber is positioned during use to be in contact with a user and the first chamber is positioned during use to be in contact with an external environment.

33. The life jacket of claim 18, further comprising a container containing a water and glucose solution.

34. The life jacket of claim 18, further comprising one or more inflatable aids connectable to the second chamber.

Description

[0040] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred, but non exclusive, embodiments of a life jacket according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front perspective view of a first embodiment of life jacket according to the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the same life jacket as FIG. 1, worn by a user;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a partially transparent schematic side view of FIG. 2;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view in longitudinal section of a portion of the life jacket of FIG. 3;

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a partially sectional schematic view of a life jacket according to a second embodiment of the invention, during use;

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view in longitudinal section of a portion of life jacket according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0047] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view in longitudinal section of a portion of life jacket according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 7; and

[0049] FIG. 9 shows a partially sectional schematic view of a life jacket according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, during use.

[0050] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, a life jacket according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with the reference number 1.

[0051] The life jacket 1 comprises at least a first inflatable chamber 2 and a second chamber 3 adjacent to said first chamber 2. The first chamber 2 is intended to be inflated during use in order to ensure that a user 4 floats, while the second chamber 3 is intended to heat the user 4 during use, to prevent hypothermia.

[0052] To this end, said second chamber 3 comprises in its inside at least one acid resin and at least one metal having an electrical potential lower than the hydrogen standard reduction potential, so as to oxidize in contact with the hydrogen ions released by the acid resin in contact with water. The redox that takes place in the second chamber 3 produces thermal energy utilized to heat the user 4.

[0053] The second chamber 3 is for this reason provided with unidirectional means 5 able to allow the entry of water inside it, but prevent its discharging. Therefore, the direction of the water is the one indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4. These unidirectional means 5 preferably comprise a semipermeable membrane that prevents the discharge of water but not of gas. In this way, the hydrogen produced by the redox reaction in question is able to discharge from the second chamber 3 allowing the entry of a larger amount of water.

[0054] Preferably, the second chamber 3 is also provided with means for the discharging of hydrogen from it. It facilitates more rapid discharge of hydrogen, preventing the pressure inside the second chamber 3 from being too high and facilitating the entry of larger amounts of water and hence a greater energy reserve.

[0055] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the unidirectional means 5 for the entry of water inside the second chamber 3 comprise a semipermeable membrane that prevents the discharge of fluids, whether liquids or gases. In this case, the presence of the means for the discharging of hydrogen is essential for removal of the hydrogen that has formed.

[0056] This hydrogen discharged from the second chamber 3 can be exploited to inflate auxiliary rescue means, thanks to its very low density. Therefore, the life jacket 1 can comprise one or more inflatable aids connectable to said second chamber 3. In particular, they can comprise a signalling buoy 6 and/or a raft 7 (see FIG. 6). To give an idea of the amount of gas produced by the reaction, one can consider that, at the end of the complete reaction, 100 grams of aluminium release over 100 litres of gas in ordinary conditions. This high amount could be exploited to inflate the first chamber 2, if regulations were to permit this in the future.

[0057] In FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8 the water is illustrated by means of wavy horizontal or vertical lines, while the gas used to inflate the inflatable chambers (first chamber 2 and optional third chamber 8), typically carbon dioxide, is illustrated by means of squiggles that are similar to the number 6. In FIG. 5, the water inside the second chamber 3 is represented by small squares. In FIG. 6, the gas produced by the redox reaction that takes place inside the second chamber 3, i.e., hydrogen, is illustrated by means of circular bubbles.

[0058] Preferably, said at least one acid resin is selected from the group consisting of: sulphonic resin, phosphonic resin and carboxylic resin. More preferably, it is a strong acid sulphonic resin. These resins have the feature of being in the form of polymer particles consisting of polystyrene variously cross-linked with divinylbenzene, functionalized with sulphonic groups.

[0059] They are solid and easily handled without problems of danger.

[0060] In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, said at least one metal is selected in the group consisting of: aluminium, lithium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, barium, chromium, iron, lead, tin, nickel, cobalt, titanium, selenium, cadmium, manganese, vanadium, strontium, zirconium, calcium, rubidium, niobium, indium, germanium and molybdenum.

[0061] Preferably, this metal is lithium, potassium, barium, strontium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, aluminium, zirconium or manganese.

[0062] Even more preferably, the metal is selected from aluminium, magnesium or calcium.

[0063] Preferably, the metal grains have a size ranging from a few nanometres up to chips in the order of centimetres and larger. Even more preferably, the metal grains have a size ranging from one micron up to tens of millimetres.

[0064] Preferably, the grain size distribution can be very wide to allow different reaction speeds (and hence heat release), increasing the possibility of simple modulation of the heat release time.

[0065] Even more preferably, grains of different size can be mixed for even more accurate control of the heat release speed.

[0066] To increase the shelf-life of the life jacket, the resin and the metal grains are in solid form in dry condition. Preferably, resin and metal grains are loaded in distinct positions inside the chamber 3 so that they are not in contact. Even more preferably, the two solids are protected separately by a water-soluble polymer film, for example based on: polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, modified cellulose, starch, modified starch, etc.

[0067] In accordance with some embodiments, the second chamber 3 comprises in its inside also a salt soluble in water. As mentioned, this salt allows removal of the metal oxide from its surface, in non-saline environments (such as in lake or river waters), so that the reaction is not extinguished. This salt is preferably a chloride; even more preferably, sodium or calcium chloride. However, it can also consist of a metal and non-metal cation (such as a quaternary ammonium salt), and of an anion selected from the group consisting of: chloride anion, fluoride anion, bromide anion, iodide anion, sulphate anion, carbonate anion, nitrate anion, phosphonate anion, phosphate anion, acetate anion. Even more preferably, this salt soluble in water can be protected by a water-soluble polymer film for example based on: polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, modified cellulose, starch, modified starch, etc . . . .

[0068] The life jacket 1 preferably has the form of a vest, as visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, so as to be save space when not in use, but to heat the vital organs. However, alternative embodiments with sleeves could be provided. These sleeves could be made of thermal material or be provided with circuits for circulation of hot water and/or gas.

[0069] The life jacket 1 comprises two portions: one front and one rear, which are connected and preferably symmetrical with respect to the body of the user 4. In this case, also the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 are provided with a front portion and a rear portion which are pneumatically/hydraulically connected, as can be seen in the figures. In other words, the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3, when not utilized, define two superimposed layers defining a hole for the head of the user 4 to pass through.

[0070] Advantageously, the second chamber 3 is positioned internally, i.e., so as to be in contact with the user 4 and the first chamber 2 is positioned externally, i.e., so as to be in contact with the external environment during use, as visible in FIG. 5. In this way the heat produced is optimized as the heating chamber, i.e., the second chamber 3, is in direct contact with the user 4 and is insulated from the external environment by the first chamber 2.

[0071] The first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 can have the same shape and be positioned so as to be parallel and superimposed, as in the case illustrated in FIG. 3. However, to minimize heat loss, the first chamber 2 has a concave shape so as to partially accommodate therein the second chamber 3, as visible in FIG. 5. In fact, in this way the second chamber 3 is insulated with respect to the environment not only externally, but also from above and below.

[0072] In accordance with preferred embodiments, shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7, the life jacket 1 also comprises a third inflatable chamber 8 adjacent to said second chamber 3 and opposite to said first inflatable chamber 2. In these cases, it is positioned internally, i.e., so as to be in contact with the user 4 during use so as to further insulate the second heating chamber 3.

[0073] The life jacket 1 illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, although not provided with a third chamber 8, has a first chamber 2 having a shape such as to completely contain the second chamber 3 inside it. Therefore, it is equivalent to the embodiment of FIG. 3 (provided with three chambers), with the advantage of completely insulating the second chamber 3, i.e., from above, from below, from the front and from the back.

[0074] In accordance with preferred embodiments, the first chamber 2 and/or the third chamber 8 are provided with at least one inflation system with carbon dioxide. It is preferably of automatic type, but can also be manual, or have both activation mechanisms. Activation consists, in both cases, in the perforation of a high pressure bottle containing CO2 (carbon dioxide) and in the passage of the gas inside the first inflatable chamber 2 and optionally the third chamber 8. In the case of automatic activation, there is provided an element that in contact with water triggers the inflation action of the chamber or chambers. The most widely used and economical type of element consists of a salt tablet, which dissolving (a few seconds after immersion in water) releases a spring operated striker that perforates the bottle and injects the carbon dioxide inside the first chamber 2 and/or the third chamber 8. In case of manual activation, perforation of the bottle takes place by pulling a cord that releases the striker. As these are known inflation systems, they will not be described in greater detail.

[0075] Preferably, the first chamber 2 and/or the third chamber 8 is provided with at least one tube 9 able to connect the inside of said first chamber 2 and/or said third chamber 8 with the external environment, as visible in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. The tube 9 is provided with a valve 10 (visible in FIG. 8), which is suitable to allow the entry of air inside said first chamber 2 and/or said third chamber 8 but to prevent its discharging. The purpose of this tube 9 is to inflate the life jacket 1, if the aforesaid inflation system with carbon dioxide were to be damaged or missing.

[0076] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the life jacket 1 also comprises a container 11 containing a water and glucose solution. This solution is represented by small diamonds in these figures. The container 11 is preferably positioned between the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3, so as to further limit heat loss and at the same time guarantee heating of the sugar solution. Alternatively, the container 11 is positioned in the third chamber 8, when present, or in the first chamber 2. This solution is accessible to the user 4 by means of a suction tube, such as a drinking straw. Preferably, this suction tube is the same tube 9 for inflation of the first chamber 2 and/or third chamber 8. It is advantageously arranged so as to allow discharge of the sugar solution when the user 4 creates a negative pressure through suction, and passage of air in the opposite direction when the user 4 creates pressure through blowing, as can be seen in FIG. 8. In this figure, the arrows with a continuous line indicate the direction of the sugar solution, while the arrow with a dashed line indicates the direction of the gas blown by the user 4.

[0077] As mentioned previously, the sugar solution serves to further increase the thermal energy available for the user 4 so as to increase their chance of survival in the water. In fact, the ingestion of 100 grams of sugar releases 400 kcal (amount of energy comparable to the amount released by the chemical reaction of the device of the invention) into the human body. The container 11 is preferably suitable to contain around 200 ml of sugar solution. In fact, this amount is suitable to dissolve 100 g of glucose.

[0078] Following a shipwreck, the user 4 may have lost their sense of direction and be in a state of confusion, and therefore it is preferable to position the tube 9 in a position such that it is close to the mouth of the user 4 during use, so as to allow natural suction, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The use of a sugar solution at 50% makes it possible to obtain a viscous solution capable of limiting any long term losses of this solution, during the life of the device. Moreover, a solution of this kind allows, through substrate inhibition of the sugar, the prevention of any contamination by bacteria, yeasts, fungi and/or moulds, ensuring a very long shelf life of the life jacket 1.

[0079] The life jacket 1 is preferably made of mouldable plastic materials such as polyolefins, PP and/or PE, so as to obtain a low cost of the finished product and very easy composition of the device, but they can also be made of polymer plastic materials utilized for wetsuits, such as neoprene.

[0080] The life jacket 1 is also provided with closing means 12, able to secure the life jacket 1 to the body of the user 4 and to block it in position, in a known manner.

[0081] For the purpose of providing further clarifying information, the description of a possible operating mode of the life jacket 1 is set forth below.

[0082] The particles of acid resin and the metal powders selected are inserted into the second chamber 3 of the life jacket 1 in dry conditions, i.e., in the absence of water. Preferably, acid resin and metal grains are loaded into distinct positions inside the chamber 3 so that they are not in contact. Even more preferably, the two solids are protected separately by a water soluble polymer film, for example based on: polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, modified cellulose, starch, modified starch, etc.

[0083] In emergency conditions, when a user 4 provided with life jacket 1 accidentally ends up in the sea, the unidirectional means 5 allow the passage of water from the outside toward the inside of the second chamber 3. The entry of water in this chamber triggers the hydration reaction of the H+ ions, which reacting with the metal, release heat and gas. This exothermic reaction continues until the reagents are exhausted. The heat produced is used to heat the body of the user 4, while the gas is emitted into the atmosphere or exploited to inflate a signalling buoy 6 or other auxiliary devices. Simultaneously, the inflation system causes the automatic entry of carbon dioxide into the first chamber 2 and optionally into the third chamber 8. Pneumatic filling of these chambers causes insulation of the second chamber 3, which is the chamber in which the reaction takes place and consequently the chamber in which heat develops.

[0084] In this way, the user 4, whether conscious or unconscious, floats and their vital organs are heated, so as to prevent death by drowning and/or by hypothermia, while waiting to be rescued. If the life jacket 1 were also provided with the container 11 for the sugar solution, the resistance of the user 4 in the water would be further increased by means of its suction by the user 4.

[0085] Some examples of tests carried out by the Applicant aimed at optimizing the exothermic reaction that takes place in the second chamber 3 of the life jacket 1 of the present invention shall now be described.

EXAMPLE 1

[0086] The first series of experiments were carried out by reacting 15 grams of sulphonic resin Dowex (www.hytekintl.com) with 10 grams of aluminium purchased from Merck (11009 Aldrich Aluminum), size 10-200 micron, in a 1 litre beaker. After a short period of time (around 4 minutes) of hydrogen development a progressive decrease in the production of gas was observed, followed by complete quenching of the reaction, after around 5 minutes, with evident amounts of unreacted metal. The experiment proves the problem inherent to the production of aluminium salts that, depositing on the surface of the metal, block its reactivity.

EXAMPLE 2

[0087] A solution of synthetic sea water was prepared by dissolving 30 grams of sodium chloride for each litre of distilled water. The same experiment indicated above was carried out utilizing synthetic sea water. In this case, the corrosion reactions of the metal remained active developing hydrogen for over 7 minutes and leading to the complete consumption of the metal utilized. The increase in the temperature of the water (in the experiment the losses were not minimized) made it possible to estimate an energy release of around 45 kcals per 10 grams of aluminium utilized.

EXAMPLE 3

[0088] The same reaction set forth in experiment 2 was carried out, modifying the size of the metal grains. In particular, aluminium grains with a larger diameter with respect to the previous experiment were used, i.e., diameter below one millimetre (518573 Aldrich Aluminium, size 100-1000 micron). The larger size led to complete consumption of the metal in 17 minutes, confirming the possibility of controlling energy release over time.

RESULTS

[0089] Examples 1 and 2 set forth above show how in the presence of sea water, it is not necessary to provide a water soluble salt, while if the life jackets 1 are utilized in fresh waters it is preferable also to use a water soluble salt, with the aim of maximizing exploitation of the reagents.

[0090] Example 3 shows how it is possible to control and modulate energy release by the life jacket 1. This result, predictable with the shrinking core model and confirmed by the experiment, makes it possible to provide a mixture of metal particles to be inserted into the life jacket 1 such as to be able to define in advance the heat release profile by the second chamber 3. In fact, insertion of extremely fine particles allows a rapid release of heat in an amount proportional to the mass of said particles. Instead, larger particles require longer release times, obtaining controlled release of heat for a longer time (controlled temperature maintenance).

[0091] As can be seen from the description provided, the technical solutions adopted for the life jacket 1 according to the present invention allow the aims and objects set to be fully achieved. In fact, the life jacket 1 according to the invention allows the user 4 to float and be heated, preventing their death by hypothermia and simultaneously being effective, innocuous and resistant to corrosion.

[0092] The life jacket 1 according to the invention also makes it possible to control of the amount of heat released over time by the chemical reaction activated automatically by contact with water. The life jacket 1 thus conceived is susceptible to numerous possible variants, all falling within the scope of the present invention. For example, the life jacket 1 could be integrated inside an immersion suit utilized for water sports. The life jackets 1 could also have an asymmetrical configuration, i.e., the life jackets 1 could be provided with a second chamber 3 positioned only at the front of or only at the rear of the body of the user 4.

[0093] The materials employed and the sizes and contingent shapes may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.