Abstract: There is provided a fabric for use in a wearable article, the fabric having a first side directed to an inner side of the article as worn and a second side directed to an outer side of the article as worn and a second side directed to an outer article as worn, the fabric comprising a sheet formed of a substantially impermeable elastomeric material having perforations provided therethrough, the first and second sides being in airflow communication with each other through the perforations, each perforation having at least one relatively wide region along its length and at least one relatively narrow region along its length whereby the perforation defines an internal chamber at the relatively wide region, the internal chamber open to the first side of the fabric.

Abstract: A breathable insulating fabric is described, from which wearable articles such as garments or medical support fabrics or dressings can be made, in which an elastomeric insualating sheet (1) has perforations (4) which have relatively wide (5) and narrow (6) regions along their lengths to define an internal chamber (7) open to the inner side of the sheet as worn and sufficiently closed to the outer side of the sheet to permit air passing from the inner to the outer side of the sheet to accumulate in the chamber under increased pressure prior to passing to the outer side. The breathability of the fabric is adaptable to changes in the external conditions and the biological functions of the wearer.

Abstract: There is provided a laminated fabric comprising a sheet portion of a material compatible with human skin, the being adhered to a second sheet formed of a substantially impermeable material having perforations provided therethrough, each perforation having at least one relatively wide region and at least one relatively narrow region along its length to define an internal chamber open to a first ("inner") side of the sheet and sufficiently closed to the other ("outer") side of the sheet to permit air passing from the first to the other side of sheet to accumulate in the chamber under increased pressure prior to passing out to the other side of the sheet.