US4344999A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breathable laminate
Assignee: W.L. Gore and Associates Inc
•
Filing: 1980-04-22
•
Granted: 1982-08-17
•
Expires: 2000-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A flexible, breathable laminate is provided for use in, for example, hospital gowns and the like, or tents. The article prevents liquids such as blood, alcohol and water from penetrating through internally while at the same time permits water vapor such as perspiration to pass out externally. The article comprises an inner layer of hydrophobic material and an outer attached layer of hydrophilic material containing a solid particulate or a liquid additive. For its intended uses, the article is fabricated possessing the following favorable combination of properties when compared to prior art materials: water vapor permeability, non-glare outer surface, bacteria barrier, comfort and/or drape, non-linting, liquid resistance, sterilizability and antistatic characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J. Gohlke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 15:51
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41D; A41D31/00; A41D31/04; A41D31/10; A41D31/102; A61; A61B; A61B46/00; A61B46/40; B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/065; B32B27/08; B32B27/12; B32B27/18; B32B5/00; B32B5/18; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/26; C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/28; D; D06; D06N; D06N3/00; D06N3/0056; D06N3/0059; D06N3/04; D06N3/045; D06N3/047; D06N3/18; D06N3/183; E; E04; E04D; E04D5/00; E04D5/10; B32B2266/00; B32B2266/02; B32B2266/0214; B32B2266/025; B32B2305/00; B32B2305/02; B32B2305/026; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/20; B32B2307/21; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/728; B32B2307/73; B32B2535/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249981
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A flexible layered article suitable for use in hospital gowns and the like, or tents, which permits transfer of water vapor preventing build-up of internal moisture comprising: (a) a flexible inner layer of hydrophobic material having a moisture vapor transmission rate exceeding 1000 gms./m 2 . day and an advancing water contact angle exceeding 90 degrees; and (b) a continuous outer hydrophilic layer attached to the outer face of said inner hydrophobic layer, said hydrophilic layer having a moisture vapor transmission rate exceeding 1000 gms./m 2 . day, said outer hydrophilic layer containing a particulate solid pigment and a liquid antistatic agent dispersed throughout said hydrophilic layer to impart color and antistatic properties to said layered article but not impair its moisture vapor transmission property.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A flexible layered article suitable for use in hospital gowns and the like, or tents, which permits transfer of water vapor preventing build-up of internal moisture comprising: (a) a flexible inner layer of hydrophobic material having a moisture vapor transmission rate exceeding 1000 gms./m 2 . day and an advancing water contact angle exceeding 90 degrees; and (b) a continuous outer hydrophilic layer attached to the outer face of said inner hydrophobic layer, said hydrophilic layer having a moisture vapor transmission rate exceeding 1000 gms./m 2 . day, said outer hydrophilic layer containing a particulate solid pigment and a liquid antistatic agent dispersed throughout said hydrophilic layer to impart color and antistatic properties to said layered article but not impair its moisture vapor transmission property.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The layered article of claim 1 in which a textile layer is attached to the inner face of said hydrophobic layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The layered article of claim 1 which has a bacterial penetration time above 1000 minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The layered article of claim 3 which has a bacterial penetration time above 5000 minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The layered article of claim 1 which has a water entry pressure above 20 psig.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The layered article of claim 1 which has a moisture vapor transmission rate above 2000 gm./m 2 . day.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The layered article of claim 6 which has a moisture vapor transmission rate above 4000 gm./m 2 . day.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The layered article of claim 1 in which said hydrophobic layer is expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene that has been heated above its crystalline melt point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The layered article of claim 1 in which said hydrophobic layer is porous polypropylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The layered article of claim 1 in which said hydrophilic layer is a polyether-polyurethane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The layered article of claim 1 in which said hydrophilic layer is a perfluorosulphonic acid membrane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3011172A
Cited
US3218649A
Cited
US3431911A
Cited
US3410266A
Cited
US3535197A
Cited
US3349285A
Cited
US3527654A
Cited
US3595235A
Cited
US3953566A
Cited
US4187390A
Cited
US3816233A
Cited
US3648692A
Cited
US3771525A
Cited
US3849238A
Cited
US3842832A
Cited
US3881489A
Cited
US3974308A
Cited
US4196245A
Cited
US4194041A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-16 | 1986-02-15 | 1986-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-16 | 1990-02-15 | 1990-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-16 | 1994-02-15 | 1994-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |