Abstract: A process for making a nonwoven fabric barrier layer that comprises simultaneously ring-rolling to a desired basis weight at least two adjacent plies of hydrophobic microfine fiber webs. The adjacent plies prior to ring-rolling have a cumulative basis weight of from about 1.1 to about 4 times the desired basis weight.

Abstract: A surgical gown comprises a body covering portion and sleeves, the body covering portion having a front portion and side portions. The front portion has a central operative region having a water impermeable material layer covering the central operative region. Each of the sleeves has a zone comprising a layer of a base sleeve material and a layer of a water-repellant, air-porous nonwoven fabric web. The web provides enhanced water repellency to the sleeve zones compared to that provided by the base sleeve material alone.

Abstract: A gown sleeve has a zone which extends from a lower end proximate the wrist end of the sleeve to an upper end above the elbow area of the sleeve. The zone comprises an outer layer of base sleeve material, an inner layer of sleeve lining material, and a mid layer of barrier material. The barrier material is a water-repellent, air-porous nonwoven fabric web which is encased between the outer and inner layers. The sleeve zone further comprises a first bond around the sleeve at the lower end of the zone and a second bond around the sleeve at the upper end of the zone. These bonds bond the outer and inner layers to one another while the mid layer is excluded from the bonds.