Single-use, disposable helmets, hoods, and helmet/hood assemblies, and methods of making and using the same

Abstract

Single-use, disposable helmets, hoods, and helmet/hood assemblies are disclosed. Methods of making and using single-use, disposable helmets, hoods, and helmet/hood assemblies are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A single-use, disposable helmet comprising:
 a main frame comprising a forehead strap and an anterior shield strap with a fan platform positioned between the forehead strap and the anterior shield strap;   a fan positioned within the fan platform;   an air channel that is sized to extend (i) from over the fan platform and the fan to (ii) a position over a user's head; and   one or more UVC lights positioned along an inner surface of the air channel, wherein the one or more UVC lights provide UVC light having a wavelength of from about 230 nanometers (nm) to about 275 nm.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the air channel comprises a collapsible air channel, wherein the collapsible air channel (i) prevents hood material of a hood from coming into contact with the fan, and (ii) is movable from (a) a substantially flat, collapsed state with no air channel therethrough to (b) an operational state with a formed air channel extending therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the helmet is collapsible into a volume having a length of up to about 16.0 inches, a width of up to about 20.0 inches, and a height of up to about 3.5 inches when fully assembled. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the helmet is collapsible into a volume having a length of up to 12.0 inches, a width of up to about 17.0 inches, and a height of up to about 1.5 inches when fully assembled. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the anterior shield strap has an upper front edge, a lower front edge, and a backward slope extending between the upper front edge and the lower front edge, wherein the backward slope comprises a slope angle of greater than 0° up to about 30°. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the collapsible air channel is connectable or connected to the main frame. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the collapsible air channel comprises an upper layer of channel-forming material, a lower layer of channel-forming material, and one or more posts positioned so as to separate the upper layer from the lower layer. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the collapsible air channel further comprises one or more cover materials, said one or more cover materials being sized to extend over at least a portion of (i) the upper channel-forming material, (ii) the lower layer of channel-forming material, and (iii) the one or more posts. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more cover materials comprise one or more fabrics, one or more films, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 9 , wherein the tubular fabric material comprises a nonwoven fabric material. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more UVC lights comprise a linear array of LED lights positioned along (i) the upper channel-forming material, (ii) the lower layer of channel-forming material, or (iii) both the upper channel-forming material the lower layer of channel-forming material. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the fan pulls air (i) from above the fan platform and (ii) from within the formed air channel. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising an overhead strap that is connectable to or connected to the main frame and comprises (i) an overhead strap proximal end for connecting to a first side of the main frame, (ii) an overhead strap distal end for connecting to an opposite side of the main frame, and (iii) an overhead strap connector positioned between the overhead strap proximal end and the overhead strap distal end. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a gear band that is connectable to or connected to the main frame and comprises (i) a first gear strap comprising a first gear strap end for connecting to the main frame and a first gear strap opposite end, (ii) a second gear strap comprising a second gear strap end for connecting to the main frame and a second gear strap opposite end, (iii) a gear box housing that accepts and locks into place the first gear strap opposite end and the second gear strap opposite end, (iv) a gear within the gear box housing, the gear adjusted a position of the first gear strap opposite end and the second gear strap opposite end, and (v) a knob for turning the gear, wherein the forehead strap of the main frame and the gear band form a loop that is adjustably sized to fit onto a user's head by turning the knob. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery housing. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a face shield that is connectable to or connected to the main frame, wherein the face shield is connectable to or connected to a front surface of the anterior shield strap so as to extend below the anterior shield strap and in front of a face of a user. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a hood comprising hood material that is attachable to the main frame so as to extend below the main frame and cover at least a portion of a user's head and/or neck and/or shoulders. 
     
     
         18 . A single-use, disposable helmet comprising:
 a main frame comprising a forehead strap and an anterior shield strap with a fan platform positioned between the forehead strap and the anterior shield strap;   a fan positioned within the fan platform; and   a collapsible air channel that is sized to extend over the fan platform and the fan, the collapsible air channel preventing a hood from coming into contact with the fan, wherein the collapsible air channel is movable from (a) a substantially flat, collapsed state with no air channel therethrough to (b) an operational state with a formed air channel extending therethrough.   
     
     
         19 . The helmet of  claim 18 , further comprising one or more UVC lights positioned along the collapsible air channel, wherein the one or more UVC lights provide UVC light having a wavelength of from about 230 nanometers (nm) to about 275 nm. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using the helmet of  claim 2 , said method comprising the steps of: positioning the helmet on a user's head;
 expanding the helmet from a collapsible state into a “use” or operational state so as to expand the helmet into an in-use helmet having a length of about 11.0 inches, a width of about 11.0 inches, and a height of about 10.0 inches; and   exposing the helmet to one or more of the following environments: a medical setting, an operating room, a trauma center, a chemical spill setting, a laboratory, a sterile environment, a work setting, disaster areas, or any other location that is suspected of having some degree of contamination.