Dow Corning Corporation

Dover Corporation

Standard Textile Co., Inc.

Roy Luckenbach

Jeffrey L Taylor

Michael Coco

Carl Twickler

A liquid impermeable barrier fabric which resists penetration of liquids under finite hydraulic heads and maintains that capable after upwards of 75 institutional washing/sterilization cycles. The barrier fabric is structurally characterized by a silicone membrane attached to a fabric substrate. The substrate is a tightly woven fabric which is constructed of polyester yarns. Attachment of the membrane to the fabric substrate by a bonding mechanism in which the silicone material is in intimate contact with a substantial portion of the looped portions of the yarn, which define the surface of the fabric. This bonding mechanism also includes hydrophilicity of the yarn surfaces with which the silicone is in intimate contact. The fabric is treated with a hydrophilic finish to provide this aspect of the bonding mechanism. This barrier fabric is provided through the use of coating/calendaring apparatus. A film of highly viscous, uncured silicone is formed with a Mooney viscosity of 45 and then pressed between rollers, into a fabric web, to attain the referenced intimate contact. The silicone is then cured.

Barrier fabrics and methods of making same

A liquid impermeable barrier fabric which resists penetration of liquids under finite hydraulic heads and maintains that capable after upwards of 75 institutional washing/sterilization cycles. The barrier fabric istructurally characterized by a silicone membrane attached to a fabric substrate. The substrate is a tightly woven fabric which is constructed of polyester yarns. Attachment of the membrane to the fabric substrate by a bonding mechanism in which the silicone material is in intimate contact with a substantial portion of the looped portions of the yarn, which define the surface of the fabric. This bonding mechanism also includes hydrophilicity of the yarn surfaces with which the silicone is in intimate contact. The fabric is treated with a hydrophilic finish to provide this aspect of the bonding mechanism. This barrier fabric is provided through the use of coating/calendaring apparatus. A film of highly viscous, uncured silicone is formed with a Mooney viscosity of 45 and then pressed between rollers, into a fabric web, to attain the referenced intimate contact. The silicone is then cured.

Barrier fabrics

The instant invention deals with the alteration of solid synthetic polymers to improve the overall functional performance of the polymers. The invention also deals with a fast, clean, efficient, inexpensive method of altering the surface of textiles. The method comprises contacting a textile with a swelling agent and a base and heating to alter the textile, and then acidifying the treating bath and contacting the textile with an active substance, such as a hydrophilic polymer, to further alter the textile.

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Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Roy Luckenbach