SBIR-STTR Award

The CB uniform program requires a state-of-the-art closure system for the next generation of protective clothing. Advances in fabrics, design and technology must integrate with the closures in order to achieve the best possible synthesis and computability. To date, no closure system or fastening products available have been designed with air/water tight CB protection as the priority. Until it is, the scope of the CB uniform program will be limited as existing CB air/water tight fasteners are presently too stiff, hard starting, bulky, difficult to fold, uncomfortable to wear, permeable and/or expensive. Lightweight CB liquid, vapor and aerosol-tight suits that are also flexible, easily packable, launderable, durable, cost efficient and lend themselves to mass production have been created and must be built. Diversified Marketing Group is an agile, free-thinking company and will research the technology, produce prototypes, formulate cost-effective manufacturing bringing the CBD closures up to the state-of-the-art. We are the only company that has already researched this topic extensively, assembled a team of proven experts that can be relied upon to actually deliver an outstanding solution to the military, commercial and civilian market. Phase I requires 6 months and the Phase I Option will require an additional 4 months to complete. In addition to the benefit the results of this SBIR topic will directly serve the CB uniforms, this technology will be applicable and easily adaptable in items such as Sleeping Bags, Personal Shelters, Diving (Wet & Dry) Suits, Waterproof Storage Containers & Underwater Equipment, Toxicological & Chemical Protective Clothing, Boat Covers, Recreational Outdoor Clothing, Hostile Environment CB Protective Gear.

The development of lightweight closures, offering complete protection from direct liquid, vapor and aerosol exposure, is critical to the achievement of lightweight CB protective systems for real time human operations. The objective of this research project is to continue development of new closures using materials which will enhance the lightweight properties of CB protective clothing and equipment applications. Phase I technology, product drawings, data guides and prototypes of novel single pull closures demonstrated that lightweight closures, medium in size range, offering a minimum of 145 lb. crosswise breaking strength, lower slider operating force, seam tape capability at 5 lb. min. peel resistance, are easily interfaced with light weight CB fabrics and are responsive to CB needs. Phase II will demonstrate that the Phase I prototypes and concepts satisfy the performance requirements through application to CB end items. Phase II will pursue advanced developments to offer means to open the closure systems through the addition of a separating mechanism, from either end by way of a second engagement mechanism and multiple sliders to enable two-way closed operation. The closure system technologies and designs will be down selected, fabricated and integrated into a controlled live agent testing and demonstration test bed.The entire military CB protective community has voluminous uses for an effective closure system that increases utility. Protection equipment potentially includes gas masks, covers, gloves, hoods, clothing items, coveralls, Selectively Permeable Membrane suits and the ability to attach CB protective jackets to the trousers using a multiple slider, separating closure. Collective protection equipment potentially includes field medical relief, safe zone shelters and shipboard containment items. There are immediate application possibilities within the military end item community - for these, the state-of-the-art closures. In the private, commercial market sector there are limitless applications for lightweight, flexible, packable, low-cost, water/vapor/chemical resistant closure technology. These new closures will quickly find their way into assorted recreational tents, dry bags, fishing waders, semi-dry suits, waterproof backpacks and duffle bags, suits for cold water canoeing, kayaking and rafting, equipage, tarps, clothing and sleeping bags, outdoor recreational weather resistant gear, underwater items, Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) protective gear, Fire, Police and Emergency Medical Service clothing and equipment. There is no "hostile threat" scenario in the purely recreational world, therefore, the next generation of innovative watertight/airtight closures will integrate into a new generation of civilian and recreational equipment where there is always a strong market seeking out the "new" and looking for effective refinements that will increase the sophistication and usefulness of existing products. In the maritime survival field, emergency dry suits (aka "abandonment suits") and the suits worn by helicopter crews will be greatly enhanced, and lower cost "Passenger Survival Suits" could help assure the safety of many people. Offshore oil rig "Multifab Crew Suits" would be improved, as would the cold weather survival gear that is now a required part of commercial offshore fishing vessels. There has already been a worldwide call from international manufacturers wanting closures for gastight masks and suits for police, fire and civil defense to protect against terrorist incidents that involve poisonous gases. Shared commercial and military market applications include terrorist defense and workers confronted with chemical and biological hazards. Sealed body bags also require improvements in their closures.

Keywords:
cb closure, self-sealing closure, chemical protective closure, watertight closure, waterproof zipper, lightweight cb closure, cb zipper