Patent Publication Number: US-8966727-B1

Title: Contaminated human remains pouch

Description:
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the U.S. Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. 
    
    
     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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top plan of one embodiment of a contaminated human remains pouch incorporating aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a detail view of one embodiment of a closure mechanism for the contaminated human remains pouch shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a detail view of one embodiment of an end stop for the closure mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a contaminated human remains pouch incorporating aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view of a bottom side of one embodiment of a contaminated human remains pouch incorporating aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of contaminated human remains pouch incorporating aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7-8  illustrate a plan view of a sheet of material for the formation of a contaminated human remains pouch incorporating aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a contaminated human remains recovery and containment system incorporating aspects of the present disclosure is generally designated by reference numeral  100 . 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”)  100  of 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 CHRP  100  of 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. 1  illustrates a top plan view of one example of a CHRP  100  incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments. The CHRP  100  of the present disclosure is a flexible, three-dimensional, man-made body bag or pouch. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the CHRP  100  has two end portions, generally referred to herein as a head portion  102  and a foot portion  104 . The terms head and foot are merely descriptive and not necessarily intended to impart any required body positioning or orientation in or on the CHRP  100 . The CHRP  100  will also be described herein as having a right side  106  and a left side  108 . An opening  110  is defined between the head and foot portions  102 ,  104  and the right and left side  106 ,  108 . The CHRP  100  also includes an underside or bottom portion  112 . 
     As will be described further herein, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments allow for placing the human remains onto the bottom portion  112  of the CHRP  100  within area generally circumscribed by the opening  110 . The right side  106  and the left side  108  are then joined together as will described herein to substantially seal the CHRP  100  and prevent contaminated particles in the form of chemical and biological agents from escaping the CHRP  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the CHRP  100  is formed of a sheet  130  of material  140 . The material  140  of the CHRP  100  provides 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 material  140  is 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 sheet  130  of material  140  is formed by heat welding two or more pieces of material  140  together to reach the desired size. For example, two pieces of material  140  can be heat welded together to form a single sheet  130  of material  140 . In a typical configuration, the material  140  is 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 sheet  130  of material  140  can in part, depend upon the type of material used. When the material  140  comprises Saranex, an exemplary thickness of the sheet  130  can be approximately 2 millimeters (0.08 inches). In alternate embodiment, the thickness of the sheet  130  can be any suitable thickness that provides the chemical and biological resistance performance that is generally described herein. In one embodiment, the thickness of the sheet  130  is 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 CHRP  100  of the disclosed embodiments provides a lightweight and disposable body bag that is less expensive and relatively easy to fabricate and manufacture. The CHRP  100  is 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 CHRP  100  of the disclosed embodiments. 
     As shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the CHRP  100  is configured to be substantially sealed with no leak points. The opening  110  is configured to be sealed by complimentary mating elements on the right side  106  and the left side  108  of the CHRP  100 . Once the opening  110  is closed, the CHRP  100  is substantially sealed or leak-proof. The terms “sealed” and “leak-proof” are generally used herein to describe the ability of the CHRP  100  to contain physical particles in the air within the CHRP  100 , 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 to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one embodiment, a securing element or closure device  200  is used to join the right side  106  and the left side  108  together. For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the closure device  200  will be described as a “zipper” or having a zipper-like function. In one embodiment, the closure device  200  is an ULTRASEAL™ or ZIPLOC™ type of closure device, providing a sealing function as is generally known. A more detailed view of the closure device  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  (Detail A of  FIG. 1 ) and  FIG. 3  (Detail B of  FIG. 1 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  in one embodiment, the closure device  200  includes a zipper glide portion  202  and a track portion  204 . The zipper glide portion  202  is generally configured to travel or be moved along the track portion  204  in one or more of the directions indicated by arrows Z O  and Z C  of  FIG. 1 . For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the track portion  204  will be described as having complimentary halves or mating elements  206 ,  208 . For the purposes of the disclosure herein, the exemplary mating elements  206 ,  208  will be referred to as a right track or glide portion  206  and a left track or glide portion  208 . 
     In one embodiment, the track portion  204  of the closure device  200  is formed from a plastic material that is configured to be heat welded to the sheet  130  of material  140  of the CHRP  100 . In alternate embodiments, the track portion  204  of the closure device  200  can be attached to the material  140  in any suitable manner including sealing or sonic welding, for example. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments allow for the track portion  204  of the closure device  200  to be mated with the material  140  without 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 of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the track portion  204  extends substantially from one end of the CHRP  100  to the other end, or from the head portion  102  to the foot portion  104 . As the zipper glide  202  is moved in the direction indicated by arrow Z C , the complimentary halves or glide portions  206 ,  208  are drawn together to form a seal  210 . The seal  210  is configured to be substantially resistant to the passage of chemical and biological agents as is described herein. Although the zipper glide  202  is described as being used to draw the glide portions  206 ,  208  together to form the seal  210 , in one embodiment, the glide portions  206 ,  208  can be mated together in any suitable fashion, such as by pressing the two portions  206 ,  208  together. 
     In one embodiment, referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the head portion  102  and the foot portion  104  of the CHRP  100  includes an end stop  212 ,  214 , respectively. The end stops  212  and  214  will be generally understood to include features commonly associated with a glide zipper. Although the closure device  200  is generally described herein as an ULTRASEAL™ or ZIPLOC™ type device, in alternate embodiments, any suitable device can be used that will allow the CHRP  100  to 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 stops  212 ,  214  are glued or otherwise secured in place. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the CHRP  100  of the disclosed embodiments can include one or more belt or strap members  120 , also referred to herein as a tightening strap. In the example of  FIG. 1 , a portion  122  of the strap member  120  extends from the head portion  102 , while a portion  124  of the strap member  120  extends from the foot portion  104 . The strap member  120  is generally used to secure the CHRP  100  and can also be used for transport, as is shown for example in  FIG. 4 . Although the strap member  120  is generally described herein as a single piece member, such as shown in  FIG. 5 , in alternate embodiments, the strap member  120  can be comprised of two or more members, such as one for the head portion  102  and another for the foot portion  104 . 
     In one embodiment, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the strap member  120  can include a buckle or other securing device  126  that allows for the two ends of the strap member  120  to be joined together. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the securing device  126  is a D-ring, as is generally known. In alternate embodiments, and suitable strap or belt securing device can be used to secure the portions  122  and  124  of the strap member  120  together. 
     The CHRP  100  can also include one more loop members  128 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the loop members  128  are used to retain or secure the strap member  120 , and in particular one or more of the portions  122 ,  124 , in place. In one embodiment, the loop member  128  is a piece of webbing type material that includes a snap or other closure device. The loop member  128  can be opened and closed. 
     In operation, referring to  FIG. 6 , the CHRP  100  is generally configured to hold human remains, and in particular, contaminated human remains. The CHRP  100  is positioned adjacent the contaminated human remains (CHR)  602 . In this example, the head portion  102  of the CHRP  100  is aligned with the head of the CHR  602 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the zipper glide  202  is moved to open the closure device  200  of the CHRP  100  and provide the opening  110 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , in an open state, the CHRP  100  generally provides an opening  110 , 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 opening  110  is shown in  FIG. 1 , the opening  110  can be any suitable shaped, other than including a box. 
     The CHR  602  can then be rolled or otherwise positioned within the opening  110 . Each side  106 ,  108  of the CHRP  100  is then pulled upwards along either side of the CHR  602 . The zipper style closure device  200  is then closed to seal the CHRP  100 . The head and foot portions  122 ,  124  of the strap  120  are joined together and tightened. This pulls the head portion  102  and the foot portion  104  of the CHRP  100  towards a middle of the CHRP  100 . In one embodiment, the head portion  102  and the foot portion  104  are folder over each end of the CHRP  100 . Alternatively, the head and foot portions  102 ,  104  can be tucked in, and otherwise secured using for example, any one or more of the strap and loop members  120  and  128 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate one embodiment of the formation of a CHRP  100 . In this embodiment, a squared off piece  700  of material  140  that will be used to form the CHRP  100  is prepared. The shape of the piece  700  of the material  140  is substantially rectangular and will include an opposing pair of long sides  706 ,  708  and an opposing pair of short sides  702 ,  704 . An exemplary set of dimensions for the piece  700  of the material  140  shown in  FIG. 7  is approximately 120 inches (3048 millimeters)×78 inches (1981.2 millimeters). In alternate embodiments, the dimensions of the piece  700  of the material  140  can be any suitable size. For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the length L1 is approximately 120 inches (3048 millimeters), and the width W1 is approximately 70 inches (1778 millimeters). The height H1 shown in  FIG. 8  is 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 piece  700  of material  140  is squared off, the right and left tracks  206 ,  208  of the closure device  200  are attached or otherwise sealed to the corresponding long sides  706 ,  708  of the piece  700 . As shown in this example, right track  206  is attached to the right long side  706 , while the left track  208  is attached to the left long side  708 . 
     Once the right and left tracks  206 ,  208  of the closure device  200  are attached to the long sides  706 ,  708  of the piece  700 , the short sides  702 ,  704  of the piece  700  need to be sealed together. In the example of  FIG. 7 , fold lines  710 - 716  are formed. As shown in  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, the respective fold line  710 - 716  has an origin on the short side of the sheet  700 , generally at a point corresponding to a central axis of the sheet. The fold lines  710 - 716  extend at an angle θ 1  of approximately 45 degrees, until they intersect with a corresponding long side  706 ,  708 . The portions  720 - 726  are each folded over the corresponding fold line  710 - 716 . In one embodiment, at the ends  730 ,  732 , a cut is made approximately ⅞ inches in from the end. The joined edges  734 ,  736  and  738 ,  740 , form seams  802 ,  804  shown in  FIG. 8 , which, along with the bottom ends  730 ,  732  are then sealed. In one embodiment, the seams  802 ,  804  and ends  730 ,  732  are heat sealed or welded.  FIG. 8  illustrates one embodiment of the assembly of  FIG. 7  in a sealed and folded state. The opening  810  in 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. 
     Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out, fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of devices and methods illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps, which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results, are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.