Decontamination unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable decontamination unit comprising an enclosure ( 1, 2 ) and an effluent holding tank ( 18 ), wherein the effluent holding tank ( 18 ) is provided within the enclosure ( 1, 2 ). The decontamination unit may be modular and so include more than one enclosure ( 1, 2 ) linked together. Such a unit is usefully employed at an emergency scene where individuals have become contaminated with a harmful substance.

1 . A portable decontamination unit comprising an enclosure and an effluent holding tank, wherein the effluent holding tank is provided within the enclosure. 
     
     
         2 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a support surface provided above the base of the enclosure for supporting one or more subjects located within the enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the effluent holding tank is provided below the support surface. 
     
     
         4 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising a first drain means that permits drainage of effluent from the support surface to the effluent holding tank. 
     
     
         5 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the drain means comprises a non-return valve that prevents effluent and gases flowing from the effluent holding tank to the support surface. 
     
     
         6 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the effluent holding tank extends over at least 50% of the surface area of the base of the enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the effluent holding tank extends substantially over the entire base of the enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a shower means for directing the flow of a decontamination liquid onto one or more subjects located within the enclosure, 
     
     
         9 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a decontamination liquid holding tank. 
     
     
         10 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a conduit connected between the shower means and the decontamination fluid holding tank through which decontamination liquid retained in the decontamination liquid holding tank may flow to the shower means. 
     
     
         11 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the decontamination liquid holding tank is located above the shower means. 
     
     
         12 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the decontamination liquid holding tank is provided as a bladder within the effluent holding tank. 
     
     
         13 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the decontamination liquid holding tank is provided below the support surface. 
     
     
         14 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the effluent holding tank is provided as a bladder within the decontamination liquid holding tank. 
     
     
         15 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a pump means for urging the decontamination liquid retained within the decontamination liquid holding tank through the conduit to the shower means. 
     
     
         16 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is of sufficient height to accommodate a standing human adult therein. 
     
     
         17 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising at least one further enclosure, wherein the enclosures are arranged so that a side wall of an enclosure abuts with a side wall of an adjacent enclosure thereby forming a modular portable decontamination unit. 
     
     
         18 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein one or more enclosure is for one or more subject to disrobe within that enclosure. 
     
     
         19 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein one or more enclosure is for one or more subject to wash contaminants from their body within that enclosure. 
     
     
         20 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the washing enclosure comprises a shower means. 
     
     
         21 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein one or more enclosure is for one or more subject to put on clothes within that enclosure. 
     
     
         22 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the enclosures are arranged to abut each other in a row so as to form a linear modular portable decontamination unit. 
     
     
         23 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein at least one enclosure is arranged so that two or more adjacent walls of that enclosure abut with adjacent enclosures so as to form a non-linear modular portable decontamination unit. 
     
     
         24 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein enclosures are arranged to form a combination of a linear and non-linear modular portable decontamination unit. 
     
     
         25 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each of the enclosures are of substantially similar size and shape. 
     
     
         26 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein an opening is provided in one or more abutting side walls for enabling a subject to pass from one enclosure through the opening to the adjacent enclosure. 
     
     
         27 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising releasable connecting means provided on one or both abutting enclosures for securing the abutting enclosures together. 
     
     
         28 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the effluent tanks of two or more enclosures are joined to enable flow of effluent between the tanks, or form a single effluent tank. 
     
     
         29 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising a conduit provided between the joined effluent tanks. 
     
     
         30 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein not all enclosures in the modular decontamination unit comprise an effluent tank. 
     
     
         31 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the releasable connecting means and/or the portion of the conduit provided between the joint effluent tanks that exits the effluent tanks are located at one or more corner of the enclosures. 
     
     
         32 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein when the enclosures have a substantially rectangular base, the releasable connecting means or the portion of the conduit provided between the joint effluent tanks that exits the effluent tanks are located towards each of the corners at the base of the enclosures. 
     
     
         33 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the releasable connecting means and or the portion of the conduit provided between the joint effluent tanks that exits the effluent tanks are located in a recessed blunt corner. 
     
     
         34 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 1 , sized and shaped so as to be accommodated within one or more car parking space. 
     
     
         35 . A portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 1 , sized and shaped so as to substantially fill the area of one or more car parking space. 
     
     
         36 . A rigid modular portable decontamination unit comprising a plurality of enclosures, wherein the enclosures are arranged so that a side wall of an enclosure abuts with a side wall of an adjacent enclosure. 
     
     
         37 . A rigid modular portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein one or more enclosure is for one or more subject to disrobe within that enclosure. 
     
     
         38 . A rigid modular portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein one or more enclosure is for one or more subject to wash contaminants from their body within that enclosure. 
     
     
         39 . A rigid modular portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the washing enclosure comprises a shower means. 
     
     
         40 . A rigid modular portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein one or more enclosure is for one or more subject to put on clothes within that enclosure. 
     
     
         41 . A rigid modular portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the enclosures may be arranged to abut each other in a row so as to form a linear modular portable decontamination unit. 
     
     
         42 . A rigid modular portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein one or more enclosures may be arranged so that two or more adjacent walls of that enclosure abut with adjacent enclosures so as to form a non-linear modular portable decontamination unit. 
     
     
         43 . A rigid modular portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein enclosures may be arranged to form a combination of a linear and non-linear modular portable decontamination unit. 
     
     
         44 . A rigid modular portable decontamination unit as claimed in  claim 36 , that may comprise the enclosures and/or modular portable decontamination unit claimed in any of the preceding claims. 
     
     
         45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . (canceled)