Abstract: A surgical drive comprises a main panel and a "critical zone" panel secured thereto. A fenestration is formed by cutting through the "critical zone" panel. The main panel is a light weight fabric having a relatively high coefficient of friction. The "critical zone" panel comprises a barrier panel lying against the main panel and an outwardly facing absorbent panel, having an irregular surface. The critical "critical zone" panel is folded to form troughs for capturing liquid incident to a surgical procedure. Corner constructions close the ends of the troughs.

Abstract: A fenestrated surgical drape includes a "critical zone" panel surrounding the fenestration. The "critical zone" panel comprises an upper absorbent panel and underlying, upper and lower barrier panels. The absorbent layer and upper barrier panel are joined as a first sub-assembly. The lower barrier panel and the main panel of the drape are joined as a second sub-assembly. The sub-assemblies are joined by stitching marginally of the fenestration. The first sub-assembly is then joined to the lower barrier panel by stitching marginally of its outer periphery. The marginal edge portions of the "critical zone" panel are folded inwardly to form liquid receiving troughs along the side and end edges of the "critical zone" panel. These troughs intersect at the corners of the "critical zone" panel. Further folded portions of the "critical zone" panel close the intersecting ends of the troughs. Snap fastener elements hold the marginal portions of the "critical zone" in these folded relations.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A surgical drape comprises a main panel and a "critical zone" panel secured thereto. A fenestration is formed by cutting through the "critical zone" panel. The main panel is a light weight fabric having a relatively high coefficient of friction. The "critical zone" panel comprises a barrier panel lying against the main panel and an outwardly facing absorbent panel, having an irregular surface. In an another embodiment, the critical "critical zone" panel is folded to form troughs for capturing liquid incident to a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A launderable cloth-like product for surgical use and method of making same are provided wherein such product has a plurality of layers comprising at least a portion thereof with the plurality of layers comprising a bottom layer and a top layer each made of woven material and the layers are suitably fastened together. The top layer is made with warps and wefts in a plain weave with each of the warps and wefts being made of a blend of natural material and synthetic material and a coating on the top layer defines the outside surface thereof. The coating has hydrophobic properties such that the top layer when new and with the coating thereon is substantially impermeable to water flow therethrough prior to laundering thereof and when subjecting the outside surface to a hydrostatic water pressure generally of the order of 50 pounds per square inch gauge.

Abstract: A hospital-type gown and method of making same are provided wherein such gown has a main body and sleeves each terminating in a cuff at the terminal outer end thereof, a fabric shield is provided disposed inside each cuff which serves as a barrier for any fluids which pass through the cuff.

Abstract: A pack of laundered, folded and sterilized articles and method of packaging same are provided wherein such articles have at least one band disposed in encircling relation around the pack and holding same in a compact manner wherein the band has overlapping fused end portions and such band is made of a material which does not contaminate the pack.

Abstract: A hospital-type gown, such as a surgical gown, and method of making same are provided wherein such gown has a main body comprised of a front panel with a pair of side panels on opposite sides of the front panel and a pair of sleeves fastened to the panels and each terminating in a cuff at the terminal outer end with the front panel and each of the sleeves comprising a plurality of plies and the plurality of plies serving as an improved barrier against liquids passing therethrough yet being breathable.

Abstract: A liquid-absorbing pad assembly and method of making same are provided wherein such assembly comprises a top layer, a bottom waterproof layer, an absorbent layer between the top and bottom layers, and a multiple-purpose structure disposed between the absorbent layer and the top layer, such structure providing cushioning, means enabling immediate passage therethrough of liquid from the top layer, means substantially preventing reverse wicking of liquid that has passed through the structure, and a suspension which allows air to freely associate with the underside of said top layer for drying purposes.

Abstract: A bag for containing articles and method of making same are provided wherein such bag comprises a body portion having an access of a particular peripheral outline and a device for closing and opening the access, and the device comprises a hook and loop fastener for closing the entire extent of the peripheral outline with the fastener being adapted to be closed solely by urging a pair of cooperating portions thereof in pressure contact and being adapted to be opened by pulling the cooperating portions out of contact.

Abstract: A terry-type cloth product and method of making same are provided wherein such product comprises ground fill and ground warp interlaced to define ground of the product, with the ground having a top surface and a bottom surface and pile warp extending from the ground and with the pile warp comprising a plurality of sets of pile yarns with each set of pile yarns having a plurality of pile yarns wherein the pile yarns of each set extend in a plurality of adjacent loops above the top surface and then pass through the ground and extend in a plurality of adjacent loops beneath the bottom surface and wherein the pile yarns of each set again pass through the ground and repeat in adjacent loops above the top surface and beneath the bottom surface across a dimension of the product, with each immediately adjacent pair of sets of yarns being staggered so as to provide a checkered pattern defined by sets of pile yarns and ground on each of the top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A woven sheeting material and method of making same are provided wherein such sheeting material has warps and wefts and each of the warps is made of a blend of a natural material and a synthetic material and each of the wefts is made substantially entirely of the natural material.

Abstract: A woven sheeting material and method of making same are provided wherein such sheeting material has warps and wefts and each of the warps is made of a blend of a natural material and a synthetic material and each of the wefts is made substantially entirely of the natural material.

Abstract: A woven sheeting material and method of making same are provided wherein such sheeting material has warps and wefts and each of the warps is made of a blend of a natural material and a synthetic material and each of the wefts is made substantially entirely of the natural material.

Abstract: A cloth-like material for forming a surgical gown and/or a surgical drape, the material comprising a three-layer flexible laminate having a middle layer of plastic film material and two outer layers of plastic fabric material secured to opposed sides of the middle layer. The middle layer is substantially water proof and air breathable. One of the outer layers is substantially dimensionally stable. The other of the outer layers is substantially dimensionally unstable so as to generally conform to the stable outer layer.