Kappler Safety Group

Kappler, Inc.

Other

E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

John D Langley

Todd R Carroll

Barry S Hinkle

Charles T Vencill

Edward A Williams

A flexible, vapor permeable, liquid impermeable composite fabric comprising a ultraviolet light stabilized and thermally stabilized microporous-formable polyolefin barrier layer extrusion laminated to an ultra-violet light stabilized and thermally stabilized polyolefin nonwoven fabric, the composite of which has been incrementally stretched to induce sufficient moisture vapor transmission characteristics while maintaining adequate resistance to water penetration, and methods of making the composite. This composite may be further laminated to one or more layers of either woven or nonwoven materials offering strength and environmental resistance characteristics sufficient for various outdoor applications including covers and building construction products. Embodiments of the above mentioned components have been shown to offer improved liquid resistance, environmental stability, and abrasion resistance as compared to existing commercially available materials.

Vapor permeable, liquid impermeable composite fabric and fabrication process

A unique and novel multi-functional composite fabric and fabrication process for use during chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear countermeasure (CBRNC) events is disclosed. The composite fabric combines the performance characteristics of chemically resistant films and radiation attenuating polymer matrices. The composite fabric offers universal protection against a wide range of military chemical agents, toxic industrial chemicals and materials (TICS and TIMS), biological agents, as well as certain ionizing and non-ionizing forms of radiation. The composite fabric is heat sealable and can be fabricated utilizing hermetically seal seams, and has application in protective clothing and equipment, indoor and outdoor covers, containment systems, bags, drapes, gowns, remains pouches, etc.

Chemically resistant radiation attenuation barrier

A unique and novel durable environmentally stabilized, waterproof, and moisture vapor permeable composite sheet material is described that includes a moisture permeable monolithic film, coating, or film/nonwoven laminate, that is held in close proximity to one or more layers of durable strength enhancing fabrics. The strength enhancing fabrics can include cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blends, acrylic, and other synthetic materials and blends. The breathable monolithic film or coating is preferably polyester or polyurethane based. The breathable and durability enhancing layers are preferably laminated using hot melt adhesives such as polyester-based powder bond adhesives or using solvent-based polyurethane adhesives. The disclosed composite sheet material is uniquely designed for use in tents, tarps, mooring and trailerable boat and personal watercraft (PWC) covers, marine and outdoor furniture upholstery, inflatables, and other outdoor applications requiring waterproofness and breathability during extended outdoor exposure.

Outdoor fabric

A multi-layer composite consisting of a chemical barrier layer of, a flame resistant layer, and a reflective layer. The chemical barrier layer is itself a composite material having multiple substrates selected to minimize permeability.

Vapor protection suit and fabric having flash fire resistance

The present invention provides a readily disposable hazardous chemical and medical waste protection wear suitable for human use through utilization of a breathable, stand alone or combination laminant utilizing polyvinyl alcohol sheet material which is water soluble at various temperatures providing disposal of the stand alone or outer coating of a laminate material if utilized with reusable protection wear. The polyvinyl alcohol stand alone provides the wearer with comfort through having a MVTR rate of at least 450 grams/meter squared per 24 hours. In addition, a combination of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylidene chloride provides a readily disposable splash suit which is most suitable for a variety of chemicals while yet being readily disposable ie. the PVA being readily soluble in warm water and the PVDC being dispensable in water and being biodegradable.

Breathable polyvinyl alcohol protection wear

A breathable non-woven fabric having barrier capabilities to biological liquids comprised of at least one non-woven layer bonded to at least one surface of a thermoplastic microporous film, the non-woven composite fabric providing a barrier to passage: (a) of biological liquid when the composite fabric is subjected to contact with synthetic blood under the dictates of testing procedure ASTM ES21-92; and (b) to viral penetration when the composite fabric is subject to contact with .phi.X174 bacteriophage suspension at a titer of 10.sup.3 PFU/mL for 5 minutes with no applied pressure, 1 minute at 13.8 kPa (2.0 PSIG), and 54 minutes with no applied pressure while maintaining a moisture of vapor transmission rate of greater than about 450 grams per square meter for 24 hours at about 75.degree. F. and about 65% relative humidity, the non-woven composite fabric which has been thermally bonded by unwinding and contacting at least one continuous thermoplastic non-woven web to at least one side of a continuous thermoplastic microporous film, continuously transporting said contacted webs and film through a thermal bonding zone and thermally bonding the webs and film at multiple spaced-apart locations, said bonding having a dwell time sufficient to thermally bond said composite while avoiding burn-through degradation of the film and webs.

Breathable non-woven composite viral penetration barrier fabric and

A breathable non-woven composite fabric having barrier capabilities to biological liquids comprised of at least one non-woven layer bonded to at least one surface of a thermoplastic microporous film, the non-woven composite fabric providing a barrier to passage of biological liquid when the composite fabric is subjected to contact with synthetic blood under the dictates of testing procedure ASTM ES21-92 and ES22-92 while maintaining a moisture of vapor transmission rate of greater than about 450 grams per square meter for 24 hours at about 75.degree. F. and about 65% relative humidity, the non-woven composite fabric having a breaking strength of at least about 14 pounds. A process is provided for forming the non-woven composite fabric which has been adhesively bonded by unwinding and contacting at least one continuous thermoplastic non-woven web to at least one side of a continuous thermoplastic microporous film with spot adhesive or pattern adhesive applications between the film and webs, continuously transporting said contacted webs and film through a bonding and curing zone and bonding the webs and film at multiple spaced-apart locations, said bonding zone having a dwell time sufficient to cure the adhesive bond of the composite while avoiding degradation of the film and webs.

Breathable non-woven composite barrier fabric and fabrication process

A breathable non-woven composite fabric having barrier capabilities to biological liquids comprised of at least one non-woven layer bonded to at least one surface of a thermoplastic microporous film, the non-woven composite fabric providing a barrier to passage of biological liquid when the composite fabric is subjected to contact with synthetic blood under the dictates of testing procedure ASTM ES 21 92 while maintaining a moisture of vapor transmission rate of greater than about 450 grams per square meter for 24 hours at about 75.degree. F. and about 65% relative humidity, the non-woven composite fabric having a breaking strength of at least about 14 pounds. A process is provided for forming the non-woven composite fabric which has been thermally bonded by unwinding and contacting at least one continuous thermoplastic non-woven web to at least one side of a continuous thermoplastic microporous film, continuously transporting said contacted webs and film through a thermal bonding zone and thermally bonding the webs and film at multiple spaced-apart locations, said bonding having a dwell time sufficient to thermally bond said composite while avoiding bum-through degradation of the film and webs.

Seaming tape made up of a composite multilayer material of specified composition is used to form bonded seams between pieces of composite chemical barrier fabrics. The tape includes a base multilayer material made up of a stacked, laminated array including an outside layer of ethylene vinyl acetate and successive layers of polyvinylidene chloride, ethylene vinyl acetate, and chlorinated polyethylene. Tape of this composition may be bonded to a variety of polymeric materials and provides an effective seam for some applications. A second multilayer film sheet bonded to the base sheet provides a more effective seam for forming a barrier to a wide spectrum of chemicals. The second film sheet includes an interior layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol sandwiched between layers of nylon or polyethylene. To form a bonded seam, the tape is placed over an interface between pieces of fabric and is bonded by application of heat and pressure, with the barrier fabric first being stitched together if desired to provide a more durable seam. The seaming tape and method are particularly useful for seaming of composite multilayer chemical barrier fabrics. A highly effective and durable seam is obtained by use of the invention.

Seaming tape for composite chemical barrier fabrics and method of

Bonded seams for joining nonwoven, spunbonded polyolefin fabric to itself are prepared by overlapping of edge regions of the fabric with linen sides of the fabric in contact with one another and first applying heat and pressure along a seam line by means of ultrasonic energy and an embossed wheel, giving a lightly bonded strip. The strip is then folded against an adjacent surface, and heat and pressure are applied from the opposite side of the fabric and over the underlying folded-over strip. This procedure in effect merges the bond produced by the second application of heat and pressure with the first bond, giving a strong bond. Cleanroom and protective garments may be fabricated to include such seams, with the side of the seamed fabric that has a remaining cut edge at the seam being disposed on the inside of the garment. Such garments avoid release of microscopic particles such as occurs for stitched seams.

Method of forming bonded seams of spunbonded polyolefin fabric and

A multilayer chemical barrier fabric is made up of a base sheet of nonwoven polypropylene laminated to a multilayer film sheet having a film of ethylene vinyl alcohol sandwiched between films of nylon with a surface film of linear low-density polyethylene. Fabrics having this structure show resistance to breakthrough within 8 hours for 13 of 15 chemicals listed on the ASTM F1001 chemical test battery and shorter breakthrough times for the other two.

Composite chemical barrier fabric

A multilayer chemical barrier fabric is made up of a base sheet of nonwoven polypropylene laminated on one side to a multilayer film sheet having a film of ethylene vinyl alcohol sandwiched between films of nylon with a surface film if linear low-density polyethylene bonded to the outer film of nylon and laminated on the other side to a multilayer film sheet having a central film of polyvinylidine chloride, an inner film of ethylene vinyl acetate, and an outer film of low-density polyethylene. Fabrics having this structure show resistance to breakthrough within eight hours for all fifteen chemicals listed on the ASTM F1001 chemical test battery. A composite fabric having the above structure, but omitting the multilayer film that contains polyvinylidine chloride, is also disclosed.

A protective garment of layered material in which an inner layer is spun bonded olefin and an outer layer is of a bondable film. Seams are constructed by overlapping regions of material with an outside and inside surface adjacent, and by bonding via the continuous application of ultrasonic heating and spaced application of pressure.

Protective garment

A method for bonding seams in protective garments without use of any stitching, by applying high-frequency ultrasonic waves of pressure to overlapping edges of fabric of non-woven spunbonded olefin or polyolefin having laminated to one side thereof a polyethylene or polyvinylidine chloride film.

Growing community of inventors

Guntersville, AL, United States of America

John D Langley