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  Disposable clothingUSPTO Application #: 20060096003Title: Disposable clothing Abstract: A disposable clothing is used for protection against liquids or micro-organisms, in particular for medicine, chemistry or biotechnology. The clothing comprises, in particular a front part and sleeves (20) connected thereto. The clothing (10) is provided with an external layer (12) in the form of a non-woven air-permeable material. A barrier layer which is selected such that it is air permeable but liquid-proof, is applied to at least the side of the external layer (12) which is oriented towards a person wearing the clothing (10). The barrier layer is, at least in places, connected to the external layer. The non-woven material of the external layer (12) is a laminated material comprising spundbond and meltblown layers. (end of abstract) Agent: Dreiss, Fuhlendorf, Steimle & Becker - D-70032 Stuttgart, DE Inventors: Eckhard Plaatje, Manfred Hahn, Alexandra Steger USPTO Applicaton #: 20060096003 - Class: 002114000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments, Vests, Bed Garments The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060096003. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The invention concerns a disposable piece of clothing, in particular, for medical, chemical or biochemical use to provide protection against liquids and/or microorganisms, comprising a front part and sleeves which are integrally connected thereto. The piece of clothing may moreover comprise a back part and have, in particular, the shape of a coat. Clothing of this type may be made from an air-permeable non-woven material, wherein reinforcements may be provided in some regions to further improve the barrier that stops penetration of liquids and microorganisms. [0002] EP 0 560 376 B1 describes e.g. a piece of clothing with an outer layer of a densely woven hydrophobic fabric forming a liquid and microorganism barrier and a carrier material with a net-like structure having openings or open meshes, wherein a diaphragm is provided as third layer on this carrier material at critical locations with regard to penetration of liquid or microorganisms. [0003] EP 0 797 505 B1 discloses a piece of clothing with mounted barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer arrangement is thereby applied onto the material substrate as a thin, flexible polymer layer in an additional processing step. The barrier layer sheet is applied from the outer side. [0004] U.S. Pat. No 4,504,977 describes use of hydrophobic and water-impermeable barriers in connection with clothing fabric, in particular, for surgical coats to prevent penetration of water or aqueous solutions. It proposes use of a coat comprising a layer of hydrophobic non-woven fabric with air voids which consists of micro-fine hydrophobic fibers. Clothes of this type which are preferably worn by persons who work in the medical or chemical field, must provide high comfort during wear even over longer periods and also form a safe barrier against substances, e.g. liquids and microorganisms, in particular, bacteria. In critical areas which are subject to great wear and to intensive substance exposure, e.g. which come in contact with the patient's blood, the substances may penetrate through the clothing. For this reason, a water-impermeable sheet is provided in the breast region that is completely impermeable to water vapour. [0005] Further surgical coats with reinforced regions are disclosed e.g. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,868,728 and 5,813,052, the former disclosing a disposable coat and the later a reusable surgical coat. [0006] In view of the above, it is the object of the invention to provide an improved piece of clothing for medical, chemical or biotechnological use which safely prevents penetration of liquid or bacteria for a predetermined time period and at the same time provides good comfort due to its low intrinsic weight and comfortable wearing properties, in particular, during relatively long wear under difficult conditions, e.g. for surgical operating staff. [0007] This object is achieved by a disposable piece of clothing, in particular, for medical, chemical or biotechnological use, as a protection against liquids or microorganisms, comprising a front part and integrally connected sleeves, wherein the piece of clothing comprises an air-permeable outer non-woven layer and wherein at least regions of the side of the outer non-woven material facing the person wearing it, have an air-permeable and liquid-impermeable barrier layer which is connected, at least in sections to the outer layer, and wherein the outer layer is a laminated material consisting of spunbond and meltblown layers. Laminated material thereby means a layered composite material in the broadest sense. It may be formed through connecting two pre-fabricated layers and also e.g. through integral production of the layered composite material e.g. such that one layer is generated directly through disposing previously produced fibers onto the further layer. [0008] The barrier layer provides, in a straightforward fashion, liquid impermeability which cannot be obtained with conventional non-woven materials, while maintaining air permeability. [0009] In this manner, a particularly light material is moreover produced such that an operating coat of this type is especially comfortable to wear. [0010] With particular advantage, the non-woven material is a spunbond/meltblown/spunbond (SMS) or spunbond/meltblown material (SM) or also an SMMS material. Laminated materials of this type, in particular, of polypropylene are advantageous in that they are particularly soft. All three layers of an SMS laminated material preferably consist e.g. substantially of polypropylene. Further auxiliary substances such as e.g. antioxidants may be provided. The layers permit passage of air, water vapour and heat, while obstructing passage of germs and liquids. Other spunbond-meltblown laminated materials than those mentioned above can also be used. [0011] Laminated materials of this type moreover form only small amounts of fluff, despite their soft surface. The meltblown layer of microfibers thereby form a selective barrier. Moreover, laminated materials of this type have good tearing strength. [0012] A non-woven sheet laminated material may be provided for the barrier layer, wherein the sheet may be a polyethylene sheet filled, in particular, with calcium carbonate or other organic and/or inorganic fillers to form micropores and to provide air permeability in sheets which are usually not air-permeable, while maintaining the liquid and contamination barrier. The sheet may additionally be mechanically finished, in particular, be drawn or rolled to generate porosity. [0013] The barrier layer may preferably be connected to the non-woven material, in particular, in a material-bonding manner, i.e. via glue or welding connections, such as thermal welding or ultrasound welding. The connection between the two materials does not thereby impair the density or the wearing comfort, which could be the case with seamed connections via sewing or through use of buckles or eyelets. If non-woven sheet, laminated materials are used as a barrier layer, the barrier layer may be a sheet mounted between the spunbond-meltblown laminated material and the outer non-woven material of the non-woven laminated sheet such that the non-woven material of the barrier layer, having the comfortable tactile properties, faces the person wearing the piece of clothing. [0014] Barrier layer reinforcement may thereby be provided in the region of the sleeves, in particular, of the lower sleeve ends in the region of the hands to beyond the elbows and/or in the region of the breast, wherein the barrier layer may extend in the breast region to beyond the knee of the person wearing the piece of clothing, in particular, if he/she is standing and/or sitting. Contamination in these areas, which are subjected to the highest contamination exposures, is thereby safely prevented, while further increasing the wearing comfort in the other regions. The sleeves generally have knitted bands at the ends facing the hands, which are overlapped by gloves when used as operating coat and also for chemical and biotechnological applications. The bands are designed such that they closely fit the arm to prevent sliding and exposure of the skin located between the gloves and the sleeves. [0015] In addition to the above-described embodiment, according to which the outer layer of the entire coat comprises a non-woven material, in particular, a non-woven laminated material of spunbond and meltblown layers, in an alternative design, regions of the clothing may have a non-woven material of spunbond and meltblown layers as an outer layer and regions, in particular, in the region of the sleeves have an outer layer which is formed e.g. by a non-woven sheet laminated material. In addition to non-woven sheet laminated material, materials other than a non-woven material which consists of spunbond and meltblown layers are also feasible. The outer barrier layer in the region of the non-woven sheet laminated material may then be omitted. [0016] In this case, a non-woven sheet laminated material is provided with particular preference in the region of the sleeves, which has a non-woven material component made from spunbond and meltblown layers. To ensure air permeability, the sheet component of this non-woven sheet laminated material may be a sheet which is filled with organic and/or inorganic fillers, providing it with micropores. This non-woven sheet laminated material comprises with particular preference a spunbond/meltblown/spunbond (SMS) or a spunbond/meltblown (SM) or a spunbond/meltblown/meltblown/spunbond (SMMS) laminated material as the non-woven component. The non-woven sheet laminated material may thereby be used such that the non-woven component is disposed on the side facing away from the person wearing the piece of clothing. [0017] The outer layer in a region of the coat, in particular, in the region of the sleeves may alternatively be a non-woven sheet laminated material which is formed from several non-woven material components and a sheet component. A non-woven sheet laminated material of this type preferably comprises two non-woven components and a sheet. The non-woven components preferably comprise a non-woven material which consists of a laminated material comprising spunbond and meltblown layers. In a particularly preferred manner, this non-woven sheet laminated material comprises a spunbond/meltblown/spunbond (SMS) or a spunbond/meltblown (SM) or a spunbond/meltblown/meltblown/spunbond (SMMS) laminated material as non-woven component. The non-woven sheet laminated material may be formed in particular symmetrically with respect to the central layer. This means, in particular, the sheet may be the central layer, wherein the non-woven component is identically provided mirror-symmetrically on both sides of the sheet. [0018] The use of such non-woven sheet laminated material, in particular, in the region of the sleeves is advantageous since the production of the sleeves is particularly complex, and moreover material is reduced, in particular, in the region of the overlappings between sleeve seams or welding points. At the same time, a certain barrier effect can be obtained. [0019] Moreover, an associated piece of clothing can have a back part and be designed, in particular, as a wrap-around or closed coat. The wrap-around coat overlaps in the back such that the coat does not easily open and at the same time is easy to put on, while maintaining a sterile state. The coat may also be designed as a closed coat which is preferably used for short operations with little amounts of liquid involved and small infection risk. Further disposable operating clothes can also be designed in this manner. The outer non-woven material or another material used in some regions, can be welded to prevent passage of liquid and bacteria through seams. The additional reinforcing material, in particular, in the sleeves may initially be connected to the non-woven material and the sleeve is brought into its final tubular shape through welding. [0020] The seams, in particular, on the sleeves may be folded-over or overlapping seams or combinations thereof to further improve protection against entering liquid. The seams may additionally be closed by an additional sheathing. Seams of this type are disclosed e.g. in EP 560 376 B1. [0021] The piece of clothing may be conventionally folded when not in use to ensure sterile application. [0022] The clothing should have a penetration resistance to water at the reinforced locations of .gtoreq.150 cm (measured according to EN 20 811) and, in particular of .gtoreq.200 cm. [0023] The surface density should preferably be .ltoreq.90 g/m.sup.2 and, in particular .ltoreq.80 g/m.sup.2 in the combined layers. [0024] The water vapor permeability at the reinforced locations should finally be preferably .gtoreq.2000 g/m.sup.2 (measured according to DIN 53 122-1 (climate B)). Penetration of ethanol shall be prevented to at least 80% (corresponding to the test described below) and, in particular, to at least 96%. Continue reading... Full patent description for Disposable clothing Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Disposable clothing patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Disposable clothing or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Versatile head-to-foot wind and raincoat Next Patent Application: Article of headwear with peripheral support Industry Class: Apparel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Disposable clothing patent info. 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