DUSTPROOF GARMENT WITH AIRBAG

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a dustproof garment to be worn by a person when he/she works in a space (e.g., a clean room) that is required to be free from dust in a process for manufacturing a medical instrument, a pharmaceutical product, food, a semiconductor, an electronic device, or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

In a work space (e.g., a clean room) that is required to be free from dust, dust from the skin and/or garment of a work person may possibly cause damaging or pollution of a subject of work (e.g., a product). In order to deal with this, a person who works in a clean room wears a dustproof garment. Conventionally, such a dustproof garment is made of a material with low breathability and is made with various innovative efforts for increasing a sealing degree at a neckline, a sleeve opening, and a bottom opening via which the inside and outside of the dustproof garment communicate with each other.

This configuration, however, involves the following problem. That is, since the dustproof garment material itself has low breathability as described above, a pressure inside the dustproof garment may be increased by worker's movement during the work and the pumping effect caused thereby may cancel the sealed state in the communicated portions. In such a case, the air is likely to leak out concentrically from the neckline opening, since a tightening force for maintaining the sealed state becomes the lowest there because of the structure. Furthermore, when the air leaks out concentrically from the neckline opening, the intensity of the flow of the leaking air becomes stronger. Consequently, the amount of the dust discharged from the inside of the dustproof garment also increases. Also relating to the height position, the dust is diffused more widely.

In order to solve this problem, there have been proposed the following technologies. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology according to which a belt-like cushioning member is provided at a position on either of the inside or outside of a hood so as to extend in a circumferential direction, the position corresponding to a collar closing portion of a dustproof garment main body. This configuration prevents leakage of the air inside the dustproof garment to the outside (clean room) through the neckline portion.

Patent Literature 2 discloses a technology providing a dustproof garment including: an upper garment and a trouser which are integrated into a pair of overalls; and a discharging portion provided at a bottom portion of the dustproof garment. This configuration prevents leakage (dust emission) of the air inside the dustproof garment to the outside through a neckline portion.

Patent Literature 3 discloses a technology providing a dustproof garment with an aspirator that reduces a pressured inside the dustproof garment so that the pressure inside the dustproof garment is lower than a pressure of the outside. This configuration can suppress dust emission that may otherwise be caused, via a head portion, in a clean room.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1

• Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2008-202177

Patent Literature 2

• Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukaihei, No. H11-189904 (1999)

Patent Literature 3

• Japanese Patent No. 5112894

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1 involves the following disadvantage. That is, when a work person wearing the dustproof garment sits down or bends down for working, the air pressure inside the dustproof garment increases and the pumping effect is caused thereby. Consequently, the effect, given by the cushioning member, of preventing leakage of the air to the outside (clean room) is small.

Meanwhile, the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 2 involves the following disadvantage. That is, the air containing a large amount of dust coming from the inside of the dustproof garment is discharged to the clean room through the discharging portion. This may possibly impair the cleanness of the clean room. Further, when a work person wearing the dustproof garment sits down or bends down for working, the dustproof garment and his/her body come into contact with each other at a waist portion and the air flow is blocked there. Thus, the air inside a portion of the dustproof garment which portion is upper than the waist portion is likely to be discharged to the clean room through the neckline. Thus, although the technologies disclosed in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 are made with efforts for suppressing dust emission from the inside of the dustproof garment, there is still a possibility that the dust may be discharged into the clean room.

Meanwhile, the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 3 involves the following disadvantage. That is, due to the aspirator provided thereto, the dustproof garment is expensive.

The present disclosure was made in consideration of the above circumstances. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dustproof garment that can reduce leakage of dust into a clean room more than the conventional technologies and that is available economically.

Solution to Problem

In order to attain the above-described object, a dustproof garment in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a dustproof garment main body; and an airbag attached to an attachment portion on an outer surface of the dustproof garment main body, a region surrounded by the attachment portion having at least one opening that provides communication between an inside of the dustproof garment main body and an inside of the airbag.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a dustproof garment (i) that can reduce leakage of dust into a clean room more than the conventional technologies even when a work person wearing the dustproof garment sits down or bends down for working and (ii) that is available more economically than a dustproof garment provided with an aspirator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a dustproof garment with an airbag in accordance with a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating a structure of an airbag in accordance with a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial drawing illustrating a sealing that reduces the air discharged to the outside from the inside of a dustproof garment in accordance with a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating a dustproof garment with an airbag and a sealing in accordance with a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating the result of an example conducted to demonstrate the effects of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

The following description will discuss an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical parts are given with identical reference signs. The same is true also of names and functions thereof. Therefore, descriptions of such parts will not be repeated.

With reference to FIG. 1, the following will describe a dustproof garment with an airbag in accordance with the present embodiment, in comparison with conventional technologies. The airbag in accordance with the present embodiment does not refer to an airbag that is to be mounted in automobiles to absorb a shock, but refers to an airbag that is to be attached to the dustproof garment to temporarily store the air therein. FIG. 1 includes FIGS. 1001 to 1004 in order to clearly indicate (i) a structure of the dustproof garment with the airbag and (ii) differences between the dustproof garment with the airbag and the conventional dustproof garments. FIG. 1001 is an overall view of a conventional dustproof garment A. FIG. 1002 is an overall view of a dustproof garment B with an airbag in accordance with the present embodiment. FIG. 1003 is a view illustrating a structure of the airbag. FIG. 1004 is a view illustrating holes, provided in a dustproof garment main body, for causing the air inside the dustproof garment main body to flow into the airbag.

There are various kinds of conventional dustproof garments. The dustproof garment A shown in FIG. 1001 includes: a hood 102 covering the face and head of a work person; a dustproof garment main body 101 covering a portion of the work person from his/her neck to wrists and ankles; and boots 103 worn by the foots of the work person. The hood 102 has, on its front side, an opening for securing the work person's view. The dustproof garment main body 101 has a fastener on its front side, lateral side(s), back side, and/or the like. The work person puts on the dustproof garment main body 101 by opening and closing the fastener. Then, with a lower portion of the hood 102 housed in a neck portion 108 of the dustproof garment main body 101, the neckline is tightened and fastened with, e.g., a Velcro (registered trademark) fastener or a hook and loop fastener. Further, the work person puts the boots 103 on his/her foots. Thus, the process of wearing of the dustproof garment A is completed.

The dustproof garment A is used to reduce leakage of dust from, e.g., a piece(s) of the human skin and/or fibers of a garment into a clean room and accordingly to reduce occurrence of defects of products. However, it is impossible to completely seal humans. Thus, part of the dust is emitted (leaked) from the dustproof garment A. Portions where the dust emission occurs are a head portion 105 (an opening for securing view), sleeve portions 106, boot upper portions 107, and the neck portion 108. However, since the sleeve portions 106 and the boot upper portions 107 are shielded with rubber, dust emission hardly occurs therefrom. Thus, the dust emission mainly occurs from the head portion 105 and the neck portion 108.

It should be noted that the type of the dustproof garment A is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1001. There are many types of dustproof garments, examples of which include: a dustproof garment in which a dustproof garment main body 101 and a hood 102 are integrated together; a dustproof garment in which a dustproof garment main body 101 is constituted by an upper body portion and a lower body portion that are separated from each other; a dustproof garment not including boots 103; a dustproof garment in which boots 103 and the whole of or a lower body part of a dustproof garment main body 101 are integrated together; and a dustproof garment in which a hood 102, a dustproof garment main body 101, and boots 103 are integrated together. Configurations of the below-described dustproof garments B to B2 in accordance with the present disclosure are applicable to any types of dustproof garments, provided that they are a dustproof garment including at least an upper body portion of the dustproof garment main body 101, i.e., a dustproof garment including a portion lower than the neck and extending to the wrists and waist. Any dustproof garments to which the present disclosure is applied are encompassed in the scope of the present disclosure.

As compared to the above-described conventional dustproof garment A, the dustproof garment B with the airbag in accordance with the present embodiment (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “dustproof garment B”) includes a dustproof garment main body 101 and an airbag 104 attached to an attachment portion 110 on an outer surface of the dustproof garment main body 101, as shown in FIGS. 1002, 1003, and 1004. The “outer surface of the dustproof garment main body 101” means a surface of the dustproof garment main body 101 which surface is opposite to a surface facing the work person's body. That is, the airbag 104 is provided on an outer side of the dustproof garment main body 101. In the present embodiment, the airbag 104 is attached to a chest portion of the dustproof garment main body 101. The attachment portion 110 is a hatched region sandwiched by the two broken lines in FIG. 1004. In FIG. 1003, a portion concealed by the airbag 104 is also indicated with hatched lines, for ease of understanding. The attachment portion 110 is a region where the airbag 104 is attached to the dustproof garment main body 101. The attachment portion 110 has a certain degree of width so as to allow the airbag 104 to be attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1003, the airbag 104 has any shape, provided that the airbag 104 has a bag-like shape. The airbag 104 functions to temporarily store therein the air coming from the inside (inner side) of the dustproof garment B. The airbag 104 is attached to the attachment portion 110, indicated by the hatched lines (see FIG. 1004) in an opening end 104a of the bag-shaped airbag 104, by a method such as sewing, bonding, welding, and/or the like. Alternatively, the airbag 104 may be attached by, e.g., an adhesive or a hook and loop fastener that allows attachment and detachment repeatedly. It should be noted that a position where the airbag 104 is attached is not limited to the chest portion, as will be described later. The airbag 104 may be attached to any position, provided that it does not interfere with the work.

The airbag 104 is made of a material that is the same as or different from a material of the dustproof garment B. It is preferable that the airbag 104 have a similar degree of air tightness to that of the dustproof garment B. This increases the effect of reducing dust emission from the dustproof garment B. Further, since the airbag 104 has a simpler configuration than the aspirator employed in the conventional technology, the airbag 104 can be manufactured more economically than the configuration with the aspirator. Moreover, making the airbag 104 of the same material as that of the dustproof garment B is more economical than making it of an expensive material.

A region surrounded by the attachment portion 110 (i.e., a region inward of the inner broken line in FIG. 1004) has at least one main body hole (opening) 109 that provides communication between the inside of the dustproof garment main body 101 and the inside of the airbag 104. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1004, the chest portion of the dustproof garment main body 101 has four main body holes 109 through which the air inside the dustproof garment B is caused to flow into the airbag 104. A resistance of the air that flows into the airbag 104 from the inside of the dustproof garment main body through the main body holes 109 is smaller than a resistance of the air that flows to the outside from the inside of the dustproof garment B through a gap in the head portion 105 or the neck portion 108. Thus, before dust emission occurs from the head portion 105 and the neck portion 108, the air inside the dustproof garment B flows into the airbag 104. This can reduce dust emission toward the outside (clean room).

A capacity of the airbag 104 is preferably 0.5 L to 3.0 L. In a case where the capacity of the airbag 104 is less than 0.5 L, the air inside the dustproof garment B is likely to be discharged to the outside (clean room) without being captured. Meanwhile, in a case where the capacity of the airbag 104 is more than 3.0 L, the airbag 104 may become a hindrance to interfere with efficient work.

A total area of the main body holes 109 is preferably 10% to 60% with respect to an area of the region surrounded by the attachment portion 110 where the airbag 104 and the dustproof garment main body 101 are in contact with each other. In a case where the total area of the main body holes 109 is less than 10%, the air flows into the airbag 104 at a lower rate. This may increase the possibility of dust emission from the head portion 105 and the neck portion 108. Meanwhile, in a case where the total area of the main body holes 109 is more than 60%, the strength of the region surrounded by the attachment portion 110 decreases. This may increase the possibility of breakage of the dustproof garment main body 101. In the present embodiment, a percentage of the total area of the main body holes 109 with respect to the area of the region surrounded by the attachment portion 110 is approximately 35%. Further, the main body holes 109 are provided with a mesh so as to increase the strength. Thus, in order to increase the strength of the dustproof garment main body 101, a mesh-like reinforcing member may be provided to the main body holes 109 in such a manner as not to interfere with the flow of the air, for example.

Embodiment 2

The following will describe, with reference to FIG. 2, an airbag 104 with a fastener 201 in accordance with the present embodiment. FIG. 2001 is a view schematically illustrating the airbag 104 with the fastener 201. FIG. 2002 is a side view schematically illustrating the airbag 104 with the fastener 201, viewed while a work person is in a standing state. FIG. 2003 is a side view schematically illustrating the airbag 104 with the fastener 201, viewed while the work person is in a motion for sitting down.

The airbag 104 in accordance with the present embodiment is provided with the fastener 201, as shown in FIG. 2. This makes it possible to remove dust accumulated in the airbag 104, which has a complicated structure, by washing the airbag 104 in an ordinary manner with the fastener 201 opened. If the fastener 201 is not provided, the dust remains in the airbag 104 even after washing. Using the airbag 104 in such a state again may lead to a situation in which the airbag 104 causes dust emission. However, providing the fastener 201 to the airbag 104 can prevent such a situation.

The fastener 201 may be provided in a lower portion of the airbag 104. There is no particular limitation on the position of the fastener 201. However, with the configuration in which the fastener 201 is provided in the lower portion of the airbag 104, the airbag 104 shrinks due to the weight of the fastener 201 while the work person is in a standing position (see FIG. 2002). Therefore, when the work person moves (e.g., sits down), the airbag 104 expands, which allows a sufficient amount of the air to flow into the airbag 104 (see FIG. 2003). Furthermore, when the work person sits down, i.e., leans forward, the airbag 104 is likely to expand due to the weight of the fastener 201. This makes it possible to smoothly flow the air into the airbag 104.

Embodiment 3

The following will describe, with reference to FIG. 3, a dustproof garment B1 with an airbag, obtained by providing a sealing 301 to a dustproof garment main body 101 in accordance with the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the dustproof garment B1, the sealing 301 is provided to a neck portion 108 of the dustproof garment main body 101 so as to extend along a neckline. The neckline refers to a region of the dustproof garment main body 101 which region surrounds the neck of the work person. The sealing 301 functions to reduce a gap between the work person's neck and the neck portion 108 of the dustproof garment main body 101 to reduce an amount of the air leaking from the inside of the dustproof garment main body 101 to the outside. As described above, since the air that did not flow into the airbag 104 is blocked by the sealing 301, it is possible to reduce leakage of dust into the clean room. The sealing 301 may be made of a material that is the same as or different from a material of the dustproof garment main body 101. There is no particular limitation on a thickness (width) of the sealing 301. The thickness (width) of the sealing 301 may be approximately 0.5 cm to approximately 3 cm, for example. The sealing 301 may have a cushioning property so as not to give an uncomfortable feeling to the work person and so as to improve the sealing performance. In order to achieve the cushioning property, the sealing 301 may contain, in its inside, a cushioning member such as an expandable resin or fibers (e.g., as cotton or synthetic fibers).

Embodiment 4

The following will describe, with reference to FIG. 4, a dustproof garment B2 with a sealing and an airbag in accordance with the present embodiment. FIG. 4 includes FIGS. 4001 and 4002 in order to explain a structure of the dustproof garment B2. FIG. 4001 is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of the dustproof garment B2 with the sealing and the airbag. FIG. 4002 is a view schematically illustrating a structure of an A-A′ cross section of the dustproof garment B2 with the sealing and the airbag. As shown in FIG. 4002, the dustproof garment main body 101 is configured so as to cover a lower portion 102a of a hood 102. Thus, there is a possibility that the air inside the dustproof garment main body 101 may leak to the outside through a gap between the dustproof garment main body 101 and the lower portion 102a of the hood 102. The dustproof garment B2 in accordance with the present embodiment can reduce leakage of the air through this gap.

As shown in FIG. 4001, the dustproof garment B2 with the sealing and the airbag in accordance with the present embodiment is configured such that an airbag 401 is attached so as to surround a neck portion 108 of the dustproof garment main body 101. The sealing 301 is provided above the airbag 401 so as to extend along a neckline. With this, the airbag 401 can sufficiently capture the air flowing upward from a lower position when a work person moves (e.g., sits down). Furthermore, the sealing 301 can shield the air that could not be captured in the airbag 401.

In the present embodiment, the airbag 401 is attached only in a region surrounding the neck portion 108 of the dustproof garment main body 101. In addition, an additional airbag 401 may be attached to a chest portion. Further, these airbags 401 may or may not be provided with a fastener 201. As described above, the above-described constituent elements may be selectively added as appropriate according to the condition.

Aspects of the present invention can also be expressed as follows:

Each of dustproof garments B to B2 in accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a dustproof garment main body 101; and an airbag 104, 401 attached to an attachment portion 110 on an outer surface of the dustproof garment main body 101, a region surrounded by the attachment portion 110 having at least one opening (main body hole 109) that provides communication between an inside of the dustproof garment main body 101 and an inside of the airbag 104, 401.

With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a dustproof garment that can reduce leakage of dust into a clean room more than the conventional technologies and that is available more economically than a dustproof garment with an aspirator.

A dustproof garment in accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that: in the first aspect, the airbag is attached to a chest portion of the dustproof garment main body.

With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce leakage of the air from an upper body portion in which a large pumping effect is caused by movement of the work person.

A dustproof garment in accordance with a third aspect may of the present disclosure be configured such that: in the first or second aspect, the airbag is attached so as to surround a neck portion of the dustproof garment main body.

With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce an amount of air leaking from a neckline of the work person.

A dustproof garment in accordance with a fourth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that: in any one of the first to third aspects, the airbag is provided with a fastener.

With the above configuration, it is possible to remove dust accumulated in the airbag by washing the airbag with the fastener opened.

A dustproof garment in accordance with a fifth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that: in the fourth aspect, the fastener is provided in a lower portion of the airbag.

With the above configuration, the airbag is likely to shrink while the work person is in a standing state, and the airbag is likely to expand when the work person bends down or sits down.

A dustproof garment in accordance with a sixth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that: in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the airbag has a capacity of 0.5 L to 3.0 L.

With the above configuration, the capacity of the airbag is set to correspond to an amount of air leakage caused by the pumping effect. This makes it possible to appropriately reduce the leakage of the air.

A dustproof garment in accordance with a seventh aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that: in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a total area of the at least one opening is 10% to 60% with respect to an area of the region surrounded by the attachment portion.

The above configuration can allow the air to flow into the airbag more easily and can maintain the strength of the dustproof garment main body.

A dustproof garment in accordance with an eighth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that: in any one of the first to seventh aspects, a sealing is provided to a neck portion of the dustproof garment main body so as to extend along a neckline of the dustproof garment main body.

The above configuration can reduce an amount of air leaking from the neck portion of the dustproof garment main body.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments, but can be altered by a skilled person in the art within the scope of the claims. The present disclosure also encompasses, in its technical scope, any embodiment derived by combining technical means disclosed in differing embodiments. Furthermore, the technical means disclosed in the embodiments can be combined to form a new technical feature.

EXAMPLES

The following will describe an example of the present disclosure. The inventors of the present disclosure conducted a particle measurement. The result thereof demonstrates that a dustproof garment with an airbag of the present disclosure has quite high dustproof performance, as compared to the conventional dustproof garments. The following will explain the result of the particle measurement with reference to FIG. 5.

The measurement was carried out with respect to: a conventional dustproof garment (conventional technology); a dustproof garment with an airbag, wherein the airbag is attached to a chest portion of the dustproof garment (corresponding to First Embodiment); a dustproof garment with an airbag attached to a chest portion and a sealing attached to a neck portion (corresponding to First Embodiment and Third Embodiment); and a dustproof garment with an airbag and a sealing attached to a neck portion (corresponding to Fourth Embodiment). In a clean room of class 100, the number of particles contained in one square feet (approximately 30 centimeters square) of air around the head of a work person was measured. The measurement was carried out five times for a static state (standing state) and five times for a sitting state. The number of particles was measured, by a particle counter, with respect to particles of not less than 0.5 μm. As shown in FIG. 5, it was demonstrated that the dustproof garments of all the examples had quite high dustproof performance as compared to the conventional dustproof garment.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 101: dustproof garment main body
  • 102: hood
  • 103: boots
  • 104: airbag in accordance with first embodiment
  • 105: head portion
  • 106: sleeve portion
  • 107: boot upper portion
  • 108: neck portion
  • 109: main body hole (opening)
  • 110: attachment portion (region via which airbag and dustproof garment main body are in contact with each other)
  • 201: fastener
  • 301: sealing
  • 401: airbag in accordance with fourth embodiment