Abstract: A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes a garment body defining sleeves. A cuff may be secured at respective ends of the sleeves. A circumferentially extending coating is disposed on the sleeves beginning at the sleeve or cuff. The coating has a high friction surface such that an end of a glove pulled over the coating is inhibited from rolling or sliding back over the coating and down the sleeve. The coating may be formed of a low-tack surface modifier and may include a dye or colorant that may be used to indicate the fluid protection level of, for example, a surgical gown.

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes a garment body defining sleeves. A cuff may be secured at respective ends of the sleeves. An elastic fiber layer is disposed on the sleeves beginning at the sleeve or cuff. The elastic fiber layer has a high friction surface such that an end of a glove pulled over the elastic fiber layer is inhibited from rolling or sliding back over the elastic fiber and down the sleeve. The elastic fiber may be formed of a polyolefin or other polymers according to known processes and may include a dye or colorant that may be used to indicate the fluid protection level of, for example, a surgical gown.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of treating a folded garment to achieve good alcohol repellency on the innermost layers of the folded garment.

Abstract: A face mask for reducing the amount of microbes to which a wearer is exposed is provided. The face mask includes a body portion that has an outer layer that has been treated with a germicidal agent in an effective amount. The layer may be a nonwoven fabric like a spunbond, meltblown or coform layer and may be a laminate of such layers. The face mask having such a germicidal treatment can result in a reduction in microbial activity as compared to another face mask, identical but for the germicidal agent.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an elastic woven cuff having an alcohol repellency rating of 10, the cuff having fluoro-chemical monomer deposited onto the surface of the cuff

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes a garment body defining sleeves. A cuff may be secured at respective ends of the sleeves. An elastic fiber layer is disposed on the sleeves beginning at the sleeve or cuff. The elastic fiber layer has a high friction surface such that an end of a glove pulled over the elastic fiber layer is inhibited from rolling or sliding back over the elastic fiber and down the sleeve. The elastic fiber may be formed of a polyolefin or other polymers according to known processes and may include a dye or colorant that may be used to indicate the fluid protection level of, for example, a surgical gown.

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes a garment body defining sleeves. A cuff may be secured at respective ends of the sleeves. An elastic fiber layer is disposed on the sleeves beginning at the sleeve or cuff. The elastic fiber layer has a high friction surface such that an end of a glove pulled over the elastic fiber layer is inhibited from rolling or sliding back over the elastic fiber and down the sleeve. The elastic fiber may be formed of a polyolefin or other polymers according to known processes and may include a dye or colorant that may be used to indicate the fluid protection level of, for example, a surgical gown.

Abstract: A three-piece surgical drape with fluid diverting channel or sleeve therein and method of making or assembling the same. The drape generally including a first liquid impermeable section attached at either end thereof to second and third sections of the drape, respectively. At least a portion of one end of the first section of the drape folded back upon itself and intermittently tacked or bonded to the first section to create a channel or sleeve adapted to divert fluids. The channel or sleeve may also have a tube or hose placed therein to facilitate or enhance fluid diversion through the channel or fluid removal therefrom.

Abstract: Thermal impulse heat welding, or “bar sealing”, is used to bond thermally sensitive laminate barrier materials such that they will pass AAMI level 4 testing (ASTM 1670 and 1671-b). In bar sealing, overlapping layers of thermally sensitive laminate barrier materials are melted and fused together to create a substantially solid bond at and/or adjacent the surface. No substantially un-melted areas remain within the fused bond area on the surface.

Abstract: A breathable barrier material having a first nonwoven layer and a first microporous film bonded together to form a composite laminate. A second microporous film and a second nonwoven layer are bonded to the composite laminate and second film to form the barrier material such that the films are disposed between the nonwoven layers. The composite laminate is bonded to the second film and second nonwoven layer thereby creating bond points in the material and void spaces between the first and second films. The void spaces between films may enhance liquid and viral barrier properties in the barrier material by creating a boundary that minimizes passage of liquids and/or viral components through the barrier material.

Abstract: A breathable barrier film laminate having a microporous multilayer film formed by extruding a polymer loaded with a filler having a particle size suitable for pore formation, hot blowing the extruded film, forming a hot blown film bubble, collapsing the hot blown film bubble, forming a multilayer film and stretching the multilayer film, forming a plurality of micropores, and a nonwoven web material layer bonded to at least one surface of the microporous multilayer film. The breathable barrier film laminate is particularly suitable for use in protective apparel such as surgical gowns, surgical drapes, and coveralls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel absorbent surgical drapes containing at least one hydrophilic meltspun fabric layer and a liquid impervious film layer. The meltspun fabric layer may include at least one spunbonded fabric, meltblown fabric or other nonwoven fabric that is made hydrophilic. The filaments or microfibers of the spunbonded or meltblown fabrics may contain a hydrophilic additive in or on the filaments or microfibers. In one embodiment, the film of the surgical drape is breathable. In another embodiment, the film of the surgical drape has anti-slip properties, due to the inherent properties of the film or to a pattern coating of latex or hot melt adhesive on an exposed surface of the film.

Abstract: A conformable face mask for health care workers is provided. The use of elastomeric materials applied under tension helps define a plurality of gathers which facilitate the donning and positioning of the mask. An elastomeric headband maintains a comfortable and efficient seal while a similar elastomeric chin strap helps provides a pouch-like enclosure for the wearer's chin. The substantially rectangular face mask includes a plurality of horizontal stays which are individually adjustable to create a three dimensional shaped mask which defines a spaced breathing area around the wearer's nose and mouth. Additional rigidity is provided by the selected melting of horizontal bands of the filter portion of the mask.

Abstract: Improved treatment, composition and method of obtaining a naturally hydrophobic nonwoven web with desired conductivity and/or water repellency, and alcohol repellency. To obtain conductivity, the web is contacted with a composition containing an oxygen or nitrogen rich compound such as ethers, acids or alcohols and especially polymers thereof such as polyethers, and polyacids having an affinity for the substrate. In a further preferred embodiment alcohol repellency is obtained by subsequent or simultaneous contact of the treated web under appropriate pH conditions with a fluorocarbon-containing composition. The result is a conductive material satisfying anti-static requirements for surgical room use and still maintaining desirable water and alcohol repellent properties. Preferred embodiments include treatment with compounds having both moieties as part of the molecule producing a combination of both desired effects.

Abstract: Improved method of forming bonded web laminates by application of a liquid spray between the component layers prior to application of high frequency vibrational energy commonly referred to as "ultrasonic energy". The liquid is preferably water and added in a minor amount, preferably less than about 25% by weight of the combined webs. The water may be added by spraying or misting and, after bonding and drying, provides improved uniformity and web bonding while allowing increased bonding rates. The method of the invention is particularly useful with heavier basis weight thermoplastic polymeric nonwoven fiber webs to be combined for durable applications such as recreational fabrics for tents and the like.