Moisture Absorbing Material for a Hazardous Material Level A Suit

Abstract

The Level A hazardous material suit is designed to provide the maximum amount of protection to the individual from any substances that may irritate the skin, eyes, or respiratory systems. The Level A suit completely encapsulates the individual and provides a self-contained breathing apparatus to prevent respiratory irritants. As the person breathes and perspires within the suit, moisture accumulates within the suit and obscures the vision of the individual using the suit. This moisture will obscure the vision of the person and force the individual to leave the area. This application uses a moisture absorbing material such as silica gel to absorb this moisture to allow a more efficient use of the suit.

Claims

1. A moisture absorbing device to be used in a Level A hazardous material suit which is comprised of: a Level A hazardous material suit; wherein the Level A hazardous material suit fully encapsulates the individual; wherein the Level A hazardous material suit provides a self-contained breathing apparatus; a face shield; wherein the face shield is part of the Level A hazardous material suit; wherein the face shield is a predetermined size; wherein the face shield is transparent; a plurality of openings; wherein the plurality of openings are a predetermined shape; a moisture absorbing material; wherein the moisture absorbing material is placed within the plurality of openings.

2. The moisture absorbing device as described in claim 1 wherein the moisture absorbing material is silica gel.

3. The moisture absorbing device as described in claim 1 wherein the plurality of openings are integral to the Level A hazardous material suit.

4. The moisture absorbing device as described in claim 1 wherein the plurality of openings are attached separately to the interior of the Level A hazardous material suit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a front view of the Level A hazardous material suit.

[0023] FIG. 2 is an interior view of the Level A hazardous material suit depicting the placement of the moisture absorbing material.

NUMBERING REFERENCE

[0024] 1 Device [0025] 5 Face Shield [0026] 10 Pockets [0027] 15 Moisture Absorbing Material

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The Level A hazardous material suit is designed to fully encapsulate the individual and protect the entire individual from all noxious or irritating substances that may harm the eyes, skin, or respiratory system.

[0029] The individual that is using the Level A suit is equipped with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) within the suit itself to ensure that the person does not breathe any respiratory irritants. A face mask is provided that is connected to the self-contained breathing apparatus and is designed to fit snugly over the person's face including the eyes to prevent contact between any skin or eye irritant from contacting the person's skin or eyes. This device is not intended for use inside the SCBA mask that fits over the person's face.

[0030] The SCBA will have a separate air cylinder (not depicted) and will also have a respiratory system that fully protects the mouth and nose of an individual so that the individual does not inadvertently inhale harmful respiratory toxins.

[0031] In a Level A hazardous material suit, the individual looks through a face shield 5. The face shield 5 is transparent and permits unimpaired vision for the individual who is contained within the Level A hazardous material suit.

[0032] The face shield 5 should be made of durable material and is expected to withstand extremes of temperature as well as the extremes of the environment without failing.

[0033] On the interior surface of the hazardous material suit, will be a series of mesh enclosures or mesh pockets 10 into which absorbable material packets 15 are placed. Alternatively, the pockets or enclosures may be made as part of the Level A hazardous material suit. Flaps or other securing options to close the enclosures or pockets may also be provided to ensure that the moisture absorbing material remains in the enclosure or pockets during normal use. Although there are many types of moisture absorbing materials, it is contemplated that packets of silica gel that will be self-contained in packets will be used. Other types of moisture absorbing materials may also be used. Regardless of the type of moisture absorbing material that will be used, it should be designed to fit within the enclosures or pockets.

[0034] These moisture absorbent packets are designed to be portable and to be discarded after one use.

[0035] The amount of moisture absorbing material packets will vary depending on the particular application of the individual as well as the body type of the individual, the perspiration of the individual, and the frequency of the breath of the individual, but it is contemplated to use 8 fifty gram packets of silica gel for most operations. The pockets that house the moisture absorbing material may be made into the suit or may be contained in separate pockets for that purpose. Regardless of the type of pocket that is used, it is contemplated that it should be easy to remove the moisture absorbing material from the pocket after a single use.