Contaminated human remains pouch

A contaminated human remains pouch includes a sheet of material that is resistant to chemical and biological agents having a substantially rectangular shape having a first long side, a second long side, a first short side and second short side. Complimentary securing elements are fixed along an edge of the first long side and along an edge of the second long side. A folded portion in each corner of the material forms a first seam between adjacent portions of the first short side and a second seam between adjacent portions of the second short side. The complimentary securing elements on the edge of the first long side and the edge of the second long side define an opening when the folder portion in each corner is folded over, and the complimentary securing elements are configured to be mated together to substantially seal the contaminated human remains pouch from cross-contamination.

FIELD

The aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of human remains recovery and containment systems, and in particular to a contaminated human remains pouch.

BACKGROUND

There are many challenges associated with the collection and transportation of human remains that have been contaminated with one or more of chemical and biological agents, or other toxic materials. It is important to be able to prevent the spread of the agent(s) from the contaminated remains. Most commercial human remains pouches (body bags) are not made of or do not include materials or closure mechanisms that are capable of containing or resisting chemical agent permeation. Also, traditional body bag shapes require the use of darting and other difficult manufacturing techniques that introduce complexity and possible leak paths to and from the body bag or pouch.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a human remains pouch that addresses at least some of the problems identified above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

As described herein, the exemplary embodiments overcome one or more of the above or other disadvantages known in the art.

One aspect of the exemplary embodiments relates to a contaminated human remains pouch. In one embodiment, the contaminated human remains pouch includes a sheet of material that is resistant to chemical and biological agents having a substantially rectangular shape having a first long side, a second long side, a first short side and second short side. Complimentary securing elements are fixed along an edge of the first long side and along an edge of the second long side. A folded portion in each corner of the material forms a first seam between adjacent portions of the first short side and a second seam between adjacent portions of the second short side. The complimentary securing elements on the edge of the first long side and the edge of the second long side define an opening when the folder portion in each corner is folded over, and the complimentary securing elements are configured to be mated together to substantially seal the contaminated human remains pouch from cross-contamination.

Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is directed to a method for forming a contaminated human remains pouch. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a sheet of material that is resistant to chemical and biological agents, the sheet of material being substantially rectangular in shape; heat sealing complimentary halves of a securing element to both long sides of the sheet of material; folding each corner of the sheet of material along a fold line, wherein the fold line in each corner has an origin along a central axis of the sheet of material on a short side of the sheet of material; heat sealing a seam formed by adjacent portions of the short side of the sheet of material; and wherein the complimentary halves of the securing element define an opening.

These and other aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Moreover, the aspects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring toFIG. 1, one embodiment of a contaminated human remains recovery and containment system incorporating aspects of the present disclosure is generally designated by reference numeral100. For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the human remains recovery and containment system will generally be referred to as a body bag or a pouch. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments provide a recovery and containment system for human remains that will protect the recovery, transport and processing personnel from the hazards associated with human remains that are potentially contaminated with agents. Examples of these agents can include, but are not limited to, biological, chemical, radiological, or other toxic materials, or where there is the risk of pathogen infection or dissemination.

The contaminated human remains pouch (“CHRP”)100of the disclosed embodiments can be employed in the battle space environment to protect soldiers and other personnel from the hazards posed by contaminated human remains from the point of recovery, during transport and during temporary storage. Although the aspects of the disclosed embodiments will generally be described herein in conjunction with military environments, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments are not so limited. In alternate embodiments, the CHRP100of the disclosed embodiments can be deployed in any environment where there is a need to protect personnel, such as emergency service personnel, from contamination by remains, such as human or even animal remains, that are contaminated with chemical or biological agents.

Additionally, although the agents described herein will generally be described as chemical or biological agents, in alternate embodiments, that aspects of the present disclosure can be used to prevent the spread of any agent where the particle or molecule size of the agent is greater than that of chemical and biological agent molecules. For example, in one embodiment, the aspects of the present disclosure can be used to prevent the spread of radioactive particles.

FIG. 1illustrates a top plan view of one example of a CHRP100incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments. The CHRP100of the present disclosure is a flexible, three-dimensional, man-made body bag or pouch. In the example ofFIG. 1, the CHRP100has two end portions, generally referred to herein as a head portion102and a foot portion104. The terms head and foot are merely descriptive and not necessarily intended to impart any required body positioning or orientation in or on the CHRP100. The CHRP100will also be described herein as having a right side106and a left side108. An opening110is defined between the head and foot portions102,104and the right and left side106,108. The CHRP100also includes an underside or bottom portion112.

As will be described further herein, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments allow for placing the human remains onto the bottom portion112of the CHRP100within area generally circumscribed by the opening110. The right side106and the left side108are then joined together as will described herein to substantially seal the CHRP100and prevent contaminated particles in the form of chemical and biological agents from escaping the CHRP100.

As shown inFIG. 1, in one embodiment, the CHRP100is formed of a sheet130of material140. The material140of the CHRP100provides protection from chemical, biological and, in some cases radiological particulate (CBR), cross-contamination from the human remains to personnel and other assets. In the examples provided herein, the material140is configured to be resistant to chemical and biological agents. Examples of such materials can include, but are not limited to, Saranex polyethylene and KEVLAR™ covered in TEFLON™. (“X-22 Fabric”). In alternate embodiments, any suitable material can be used that is resistant to chemical, biological and radiological agents, as is generally described herein.

In one embodiment, the sheet130of material140is formed by heat welding two or more pieces of material140together to reach the desired size. For example, two pieces of material140can be heat welded together to form a single sheet130of material140. In a typical configuration, the material140is manufactured in a roller form. A width of the roll can be approximately 59 inches (1498 mm). Pieces from the roll can be heat sealed together and then cut to a desired dimension.

A thickness of the sheet130of material140can in part, depend upon the type of material used. When the material140comprises Saranex, an exemplary thickness of the sheet130can be approximately 2 millimeters (0.08 inches). In alternate embodiment, the thickness of the sheet130can be any suitable thickness that provides the chemical and biological resistance performance that is generally described herein. In one embodiment, the thickness of the sheet130is in the range of approximately 1.5 millimeters (0.06 inches) to and including approximately 4.5 millimeters (0.18 inches).

Contrary to more complex and sophisticated designs of the prior art, the CHRP100of the disclosed embodiments provides a lightweight and disposable body bag that is less expensive and relatively easy to fabricate and manufacture. The CHRP100is generally portable and disposable, and is typically configured to retain the human remains for a period of about two to three days. Although the aspects of the present disclosure will be generally described herein with respect to human remains, it will be understood that any suitable sized and type of remains can be accommodated in the CHRP100of the disclosed embodiments.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the CHRP100is configured to be substantially sealed with no leak points. The opening110is configured to be sealed by complimentary mating elements on the right side106and the left side108of the CHRP100. Once the opening110is closed, the CHRP100is substantially sealed or leak-proof. The terms “sealed” and “leak-proof” are generally used herein to describe the ability of the CHRP100to contain physical particles in the air within the CHRP100, where the physical particles are those associated with chemical and biological agents. As noted above, in some cases the particles can include radioactive particles.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, a securing element or closure device200is used to join the right side106and the left side108together. For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the closure device200will be described as a “zipper” or having a zipper-like function. In one embodiment, the closure device200is an ULTRASEAL™ or ZIPLOC™ type of closure device, providing a sealing function as is generally known. A more detailed view of the closure device200is illustrated inFIG. 2(Detail A ofFIG. 1) andFIG. 3(Detail B ofFIG. 1).

As shown inFIG. 2in one embodiment, the closure device200includes a zipper glide portion202and a track portion204. The zipper glide portion202is generally configured to travel or be moved along the track portion204in one or more of the directions indicated by arrows ZOand ZCofFIG. 1. For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the track portion204will be described as having complimentary halves or mating elements206,208. For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the exemplary mating elements206,208will be referred to as a right track or glide portion206and a left track or glide portion208.

In one embodiment, the track portion204of the closure device200is formed from a plastic material that is configured to be heat welded to the sheet130of material140of the CHRP100. In alternate embodiments, the track portion204of the closure device200can be attached to the material140in any suitable manner including sealing or sonic welding, for example. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments allow for the track portion204of the closure device200to be mated with the material140without stitching, which could otherwise result in potential holes or leak points from which cross-contamination of chemical, biological and radiological particulate from human remains to personnel and other assets might be realized.

In the example ofFIGS. 1 and 2, the track portion204extends substantially from one end of the CHRP100to the other end, or from the head portion102to the foot portion104. As the zipper glide202is moved in the direction indicated by arrow ZC, the complimentary halves or glide portions206,208are drawn together to form a seal210. The seal210is configured to be substantially resistant to the passage of chemical and biological agents as is described herein. Although the zipper glide202is described as being used to draw the glide portions206,208together to form the seal210, in one embodiment, the glide portions206,208can be mated together in any suitable fashion, such as by pressing the two portions206,208together.

In one embodiment, referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the head portion102and the foot portion104of the CHRP100includes an end stop212,214, respectively. The end stops212and214will be generally understood to include features commonly associated with a glide zipper. Although the closure device200is generally described herein as an ULTRASEAL™ or ZIPLOC™ type device, in alternate embodiments, any suitable device can be used that will allow the CHRP100to be closed and seal in a manner that prevents any chemical, biological or radiological particles or agents from escaping through the seal. In one embodiment, end stops212,214are glued or otherwise secured in place.

Referring again toFIG. 1, the CHRP100of the disclosed embodiments can include one or more belt or strap members120, also referred to herein as a tightening strap. In the example ofFIG. 1, a portion122of the strap member120extends from the head portion102, while a portion124of the strap member120extends from the foot portion104. The strap member120is generally used to secure the CHRP100and can also be used for transport, as is shown for example inFIG. 4. Although the strap member120is generally described herein as a single piece member, such as shown inFIG. 5, in alternate embodiments, the strap member120can be comprised of two or more members, such as one for the head portion102and another for the foot portion104.

In one embodiment, referring toFIGS. 1 and 4, the strap member120can include a buckle or other securing device126that allows for the two ends of the strap member120to be joined together. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the securing device126is a D-ring, as is generally known. In alternate embodiments, and suitable strap or belt securing device can be used to secure the portions122and124of the strap member120together.

The CHRP100can also include one more loop members128. In the example ofFIG. 1, the loop members128are used to retain or secure the strap member120, and in particular one or more of the portions122,124, in place. In one embodiment, the loop member128is a piece of webbing type material that includes a snap or other closure device. The loop member128can be opened and closed.

In operation, referring toFIG. 6, the CHRP100is generally configured to hold human remains, and in particular, contaminated human remains. The CHRP100is positioned adjacent the contaminated human remains (CHR)602. In this example, the head portion102of the CHRP100is aligned with the head of the CHR602. As shown inFIG. 6, the zipper glide202is moved to open the closure device200of the CHRP100and provide the opening110.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 6, in an open state, the CHRP100generally provides an opening110, generally described herein as a substantially box-shaped opening. The term “box-shaped” is generally intended to mean having a squarish or rectangular geometric configuration. Although a box-shaped opening110is shown inFIG. 1, the opening110can be any suitable shaped, other than including a box.

The CHR602can then be rolled or otherwise positioned within the opening110. Each side106,108of the CHRP100is then pulled upwards along either side of the CHR602. The zipper style closure device200is then closed to seal the CHRP100. The head and foot portions122,124of the strap120are joined together and tightened. This pulls the head portion102and the foot portion104of the CHRP100towards a middle of the CHRP100. In one embodiment, the head portion102and the foot portion104are folder over each end of the CHRP100. Alternatively, the head and foot portions102,104can be tucked in, and otherwise secured using for example, any one or more of the strap and loop members120and128.

FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate one embodiment of the formation of a CHRP100. In this embodiment, a squared off piece700of material140that will be used to form the CHRP100is prepared. The shape of the piece700of the material140is substantially rectangular and will include an opposing pair of long sides706,708and an opposing pair of short sides702,704. An exemplary set of dimensions for the piece700of the material140shown inFIG. 7is approximately 120 inches (3048 millimeters)×78 inches (1981.2 millimeters). In alternate embodiments, the dimensions of the piece700of the material140can be any suitable size. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG. 8, the length L1 is approximately 120 inches (3048 millimeters), and the width W1 is approximately 70 inches (1778 millimeters). The height H1 shown inFIG. 8is approximately 33.75 inches (857.25 millimeters). In alternate embodiments, the width W1 can be in the range of approximately 70 inches (1778 millimeters) to and including approximately 86 inches (2184.4 millimeters).

Once the piece700of material140is squared off, the right and left tracks206,208of the closure device200are attached or otherwise sealed to the corresponding long sides706,708of the piece700. As shown in this example, right track206is attached to the right long side706, while the left track208is attached to the left long side708.

Once the right and left tracks206,208of the closure device200are attached to the long sides706,708of the piece700, the short sides702,704of the piece700need to be sealed together. In the example ofFIG. 7, fold lines710-716are formed. As shown inFIG. 7, in one embodiment, the respective fold line710-716has an origin on the short side of the sheet700, generally at a point corresponding to a central axis of the sheet. The fold lines710-716extend at an angle θ1of approximately 45 degrees, until they intersect with a corresponding long side706,708. The portions720-726are each folded over the corresponding fold line710-716. In one embodiment, at the ends730,732, a cut is made approximately ⅞ inches in from the end. The joined edges734,736and738,740, form seams802,804shown inFIG. 8, which, along with the bottom ends730,732are then sealed. In one embodiment, the seams802,804and ends730,732are heat sealed or welded.FIG. 8illustrates one embodiment of the assembly ofFIG. 7in a sealed and folded state. The opening810in this example, is not closed.

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments provide a system in the form of a contaminated human remains pouch to contain human remains that have been contaminated with traditional chemical and biological warfare agents. The contaminated human remains pouch of the disclosed embodiments requires only straightforward seams to ease in manufacturing and reduce the probability of leak paths. The larger opening created from the design of the contaminated human remains pouch allows for ease of use when placing fully-clothed remains with protective military gear in the pouch with minimal personnel. This reduces risk of injury to personnel who are retrieving the contaminated remains.