PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

- Toray Industries, Inc.

Provided is a protective clothing comprising a pair of sleeve parts and a body part, wherein one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of a wearer's right arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, wherein the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, wherein the body part comprises a part C covering the wearer's greater pectoral muscle at the time of wearing the protective clothing, wherein the protective clothing has a first fabric having an air permeability of 30 cm3/cm2/sec or more and a second fabric having a bending resistance of 80 mm or less, wherein the first fabric is arranged on the part C and has a laminated structure of a first spunbonded non-woven fabric and a first melt-blown non-woven fabric, and wherein the second fabric is arranged on the part A and the part B and has a laminated structure of a second spunbonded non-woven fabric and a second melt-blown non-woven fabric.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the U.S. National Phase application of PCT/JP2020/016425, filed Apr. 14, 2020, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-110102, filed Jun. 13, 2019, the disclosures of each of these applications being incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, in a work of removing dust and chemical substances and a work of handling dust and chemical substances, a worker may wear a protective clothing, rubber gloves, rubber boots and a dust resistance mask on clothes. Moreover, in recent years, extremely hot days may continue in the summer, and therefore there has been a demand for a protective clothing that allows for a wearer to work coolly and comfortably. Then, as the above-described protective clothing, a protective clothing made from fabric having a high air permeability and an excellent dust resistance is known. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses fabric for protective clothing and a protective clothing made from the above-described fabric. The fabric described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a spunbonded non-woven fabric, a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric, and a spunbonded non-woven fabric are laminated in this order.

PATENT DOCUMENT

  • Patent Document 1: WO2014/208605

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in the fabric for protective clothing disclosed in Patent Document 1, the spunbonded non-woven fabric and the charged melt-blown non-woven fabric are adhered to each other by applying a hot melt adhesive or heat embossing. Accordingly, the above-described fabric for protective clothing has a high bending resistance. Furthermore, in the protective clothing using the above-described fabric, the above-described fabric is arranged on a part covering a wearer's elbow when worn. In addition, at the time of wearing the protective clothing, a movement of the wearer's elbow easily becomes large. From above, the wearer wearing the above-described protective clothing easily feels resistance when moving the elbow and is difficult to move it. As a result, the above-described protective clothing easily reduces workability of the wearer and is inferior in comfortability.

In view of the circumstances described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective clothing having excellent dust resistance, comfortability, and workability.

The protective clothing of the present invention that solves the above-described problems is a protective clothing comprising a pair of sleeve parts and a body part, wherein one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of a wearer's right arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, wherein the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, wherein the body part comprises a part C covering the wearer's greater pectoral muscle at the time of wearing the protective clothing, wherein the protective clothing has a first fabric having an air permeability of 30 cm3/cm2/sec or more and a second fabric having a bending resistance of 80 mm or less, wherein the first fabric is arranged on the part C and has a laminated structure of a first spunbonded non-woven fabric and a first melt-blown non-woven fabric, and wherein the second fabric is arranged on the part A and the part B and has a laminated structure of a second spunbonded non-woven fabric and a second melt-blown non-woven fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an SEM image field of view of a cross section of fabric.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing in Example 1 which is one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing in Example 1 which is one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing in Example 7 which is another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing in Example 7 which is another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing in Example 8 which is another embodiment of the protective clothing of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing in Example 8 which is another embodiment of the protective clothing of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing in Comparative example 3 which is one embodiment of the conventional protective clothing.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing in Comparative example 3 which is one embodiment of the conventional protective clothing.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing in Comparative example 4 which is another embodiment of the conventional protective clothing.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing in Comparative example 4 which is another embodiment of the conventional protective clothing.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing in Example 10 which is one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing in Example 10 which is one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing in Example 11 which is one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing in Example 11 which is one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The protective clothing according to one embodiment of the present invention is a protective clothing comprising a pair of sleeve parts and a body part. One of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of a wearer's right arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, and the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing. The body part comprises a part C covering the wearer's greater pectoral muscle at the time of wearing the protective clothing. The protective clothing has a first fabric having an air permeability of 30 cm3/cm2/sec or more and a second fabric having a bending resistance of 80 mm or less. The first fabric is arranged on the part C and has a laminated structure of a first spunbonded non-woven fabric and a first melt-blown non-woven fabric. The second fabric is arranged on the part A and the part B and has a laminated structure of a second spunbonded non-woven fabric and a second melt-blown non-woven fabric. Besides, in the present embodiment, a “body” means a part above a waist of a wearer when a protective clothing is worn by the wearer.

Here, in the present embodiment, a body size of a wearer is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, for the purpose of clarity of description, a wearer having the following body sizes is illustrated. That is, the wearer has a height of 171 cm, an upper arm length of 32 cm, a cervical/acromial straight line distance of 15 cm, a fossa jugularis height of 140 cm, a sternum midpoint height of 128 cm, an anterior axilla width of 34 cm, a straight line distance between angulus inferior scapulae of 20 cm, a thigh length of 44 cm, and a tibia superior margin height of 43 cm.

The part C provided in the body part of the protective clothing is a part of the protective clothing covering a wearer's greater pectoral muscle when worn. In a human body, there are many important organs for the human body such as a heart and lungs near the greater pectoral muscle. Accordingly, the wearer easily feels heat more sensitively in the greater pectoral muscle and parts around the greater pectoral muscle compared with parts other than these parts. In the protective clothing of the present embodiment, fabric having a high air permeability, which is a first fabric, is used for the part C. This approximates a temperature and a humidity in the vicinity of the wearer's greater pectoral muscle to a temperature and a humidity of an outside air. As a result, the protective clothing of the present embodiment is excellent in comfortability.

The part A and the part B of the protective clothing are parts of the protective clothing covering the wearer's elbow joint when worn. Accordingly, the part A and the part B are parts where, when the wearer bends and stretches the elbow, the fabric of the protective clothing bends according to the movement of bending and stretching of the wearer's elbow. Therefore, for the part A and the part B, a second fabric having an excellent flexibility is used. As a result, the protective clothing of the present embodiment improves in workability of the wearer when worn.

In the protective clothing of the present embodiment, fabric having a high air permeability is arranged on a part of the protective clothing covering a part where the wearer easily feels heat more sensitively (for example, a greater pectoral muscle and parts around the greater pectoral muscle), and fabric having a high flexibility is arranged on a part of the protective clothing covering a part where the wearer moves frequently (for example, an elbow joint). Therefore, the protective clothing of the present embodiment adopting such a configuration can achieve both comfortability and workability when worn at a high level.

Furthermore, the body part of the protective clothing appropriately comprises a part D covering a wearer's subscapular muscle when worn. In this case, it is preferable that a first fabric is arranged on the part D. In a human body, there are many important organs for the human body such as a heart and lungs near a subscapular muscle. Accordingly, the wearer easily feels heat more sensitively in the subscapular muscle and parts around the subscapular muscle compared with parts other than these parts. Therefore, by using fabric having a high air permeability, which is a first fabric, for the part D, a temperature and a humidity in the vicinity of the wearer's subscapular muscle are easily approximated to a temperature and a humidity of an outside air. As a result, the protective clothing of the present embodiment is more excellent in comfortability.

Moreover, in the protective clothing of the present embodiment, it is preferable that a first fabric having a high air permeability is arranged on both the part C and the part D. The protective clothing in such form obtains the following effects. When a wearer walks, the front body of the protective clothing of the present embodiment receives wind. Due to the wind received by the front body, air outside the garment of the protective clothing can easily enter the garment of the protective clothing from the part C, and then air inside the protective clothing can easily exit from the part D to the outside the garment of the protective clothing. Therefore, the air inside the garment of the protective clothing is easy to be positively replaced with the air outside the garment of the protective clothing, and a temperature and a humidity inside the garment of the protective clothing can be approximated to a temperature and a humidity of the outside air. This allows for the wearer to feel even more comfortable when wearing the protective clothing.

It is preferable that the protective clothing of the present embodiment further comprises a hood. The hood provided in the protective clothing is a part of the protective clothing covering a wearer's head at the time of wearing the protective clothing. There is a brain on the wearer's head. Therefore, the wearer's head easily feels heat more sensitively compared with parts other than the wearer's head. More preferably, by using fabric having a high air permeability, which is a first fabric, for at least a part of the hood, the protective clothing can approximate a temperature and a humidity inside the protective clothing to a temperature and a humidity of the outside air. This allows for the wearer to feel more comfortable when wearing the protective clothing.

It is preferable that the protective clothing of the present embodiment further comprises a lower garment. The lower garment comprises a part E and a part F. The part E is a part of the protective clothing covering a knee joint of a wearer's right leg when worn. The part F is a part of the protective clothing covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg when worn. The part E and the part F are parts where the fabric of the protective clothing bends when the wearer bends and stretches the knee. Therefore, by using a flexible fabric, which is a second fabric, for the part E and the part F, the wearer can further improve workability when wearing the protective clothing.

In the protective clothing of the present embodiment, a total area of the first fabric is preferably 15% or more, more preferably 20% or more, further preferably 30% or more, based on a total area of the protective clothing. On the other hand, in the protective clothing, the total area of the first fabric is preferably 70% or less, more preferably 60% or less, further preferably 40% or less, based on the total area of the protective clothing. When the total area of the first fabric is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, the wearer more easily feels comfortable when wearing the protective clothing. Moreover, when the total area of the first fabric is not more than the above-described upper limit value, the wearer more easily improves workability when wearing the protective clothing.

In the protective clothing of the present embodiment, a total area of the second fabric is preferably 30% or more, more preferably 40% or more, further preferably 60% or more, based on the total area of the protective clothing. On the other hand, in the protective clothing, the total area of the second fabric is preferably 85% or less, more preferably 80% or less, further preferably 70% or less, based on the total area of the protective clothing. When the total area of the second fabric is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, the wearer more easily improves workability when wearing the protective clothing. Moreover, when the total area of the second fabric is not more than the above-described upper limit value, the wearer more easily feels comfortable when wearing the protective clothing.

It is preferable that the protective clothing of the present embodiment comprises a hood, and it is more preferable that a body part and a hood are integrated in the protective clothing. A protective clothing, in which a body part and a hood are separated, easily forms a gap between the body part and the hood when an upper garment having a body part and a hood are worn. In this case, in order to prevent the gap, it is necessary to provide a large number of parts overlapping with each other on each of the body part and the hood when wearing the protective clothing. On such parts where the body part and the hood overlap with each other, air permeability and flexibility easily decrease. On the other hand, in the protective clothing in which the body part and the hood are integrated, there is no gap between the body part and the hood, and there is no part where the body part and the hood overlap with each other. Therefore, the protective clothing can be excellent in both comfortability and workability at the time of wearing the protective clothing.

It is preferable that the protective clothing of the present embodiment further comprises a lower garment and that the upper garment and the lower garment are integrated in the protective clothing. A protective clothing, in which the upper garment and the lower garment are separated, easily forms a gap between the upper garment and the lower garment when the upper garment and the lower garment are worn. In this case, in order to prevent the gap, it is necessary to provide a large number of parts overlapping with each other on each of the upper garment and the lower garment when wearing the protective clothing. On such parts where the upper garment and the lower garment overlap with each other, air permeability and flexibility easily decrease. On the other hand, in the protective clothing in which the upper garment and the lower garment are integrated, there is no gap between the upper garment and the lower garment, and there is no part where the upper garment and the lower garment overlap with each other. Therefore, the protective clothing can be excellent in both comfortability and workability at the time of wearing the protective clothing.

In the protective clothing of the present embodiment, it is preferable that one of the pair of sleeve parts has a first sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn, and the other one of the pair of sleeve parts has a second sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn. In this case, it is more preferable that the first sewn part is formed between an elbow joint of a wearer's right arm and a base part of the wearer's right arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, and that the second sewn part is formed between an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm and a base part of the wearer's left arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing. In this way, the first sewn part and the second sewn part are formed between the elbow joint and the base part of the arm, respectively, so that the first fabric is arranged on the wearer's armpit part. As a result, air permeability easily improves in areas where sweat easily occur, such as armpit parts and a periphery part of armpits. As a result, the protective clothing is more excellent in comfortability at the time of wearing the protective clothing.

In the protective clothing of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the body part has a part G covering a wearer's waist at the time of wearing the protective clothing and a third sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn. In this case, it is preferable that the second fabric is arranged on the part G, the part G having a gather part tightening the wearer's waist, and that the third sewn part is provided on the wearer's head side rather than the gather part. In this way, the gather part tightens the wearer's waist, thereby restricting a movement of air inside the garments above and below the gather part in the protective clothing. As a result, for example, a hot air generated in the lower body part is unlikely to flow into the upper body part. Moreover, the third sewn part is provided on the wearer's head side rather than the gather part. That is, with the third sewn part being as a boundary, a second fabric is provided on the leg side part rather than the third sewn part, and a first fabric having a good air permeability is provided on the head side part rather than the third sewn part. As a result, a volume in the garment between the protective clothing and the wearer's body increases and decreases as the wearer moves. By repeating such increase and decrease in volume, air inside the garment is easily discharged to the outside the garment from the part C consisting of the first fabric on the head side rather than the third sewn part with the gather part being as a starting point, and air outside the garment is easily taken in from the part C. Therefore, in the protective clothing, the air inside and outside the protective clothing are easily replaced. This allows for the wearer to feel even more comfortable.

[First Fabric]

The first fabric of the protective clothing of the present embodiment may have an air permeability of 30 cm3/cm2/sec or more, preferably 60 cm3/cm2/sec or more, more preferably 80 cm3/cm2/sec or more. On the other hand, the air permeability of the first fabric is preferably 150 cm3/cm2/sec or less, more preferably 130 cm3/cm2/sec or less, further preferably 110 cm3/cm2/sec or less. When the air permeability is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, in the protective clothing, the environment inside the garment in working with the protective clothing worn can be approximated to the environment outside the garment. As a result, the protective clothing is excellent in comfortability. Moreover, when the air permeability is not more than the above-described upper limit value, the protective clothing easily improves in dust resistance against dust and chemical substances.

The first fabric has a laminated structure of a first spunbonded non-woven fabric and a first melt-blown non-woven fabric.

First Melt-Blown Non-Woven Fabric

In order to make both dust resistance and comfortability of the protective clothing excellent, a bulk density of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 0.05 g/cm3 or more, more preferably 0.08 g/cm3 or more, further preferably 0.10 g/cm3 or more. On the other hand, in order to make both dust resistance and comfortability of the protective clothing excellent, the bulk density of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 0.18 g/cm3 or less, more preferably 0.16 g/cm3 or less, further preferably 0.15 g/cm3 or less.

In order to make both dust resistance and comfortability of the protective clothing excellent, a thickness of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 200 μm or less, more preferably 160 μm or less, further preferably 140 μm or less. On the other hand, in order to make both dust resistance and comfortability of the protective clothing excellent, the thickness of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 70 μm or more, more preferably 80 μm or more, further preferably 90 μm or more.

An average fiber diameter of fibers constituting the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 3 μm or more, more preferably 4 μm or more, further preferably 6 μm or more. Moreover, the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 15 μm or less, more preferably 10 μm or less, further preferably 8 μm or less. When the average fiber diameter is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is more excellent in strength. Moreover, the first melt-blown non-woven fabric has a large opening size. As a result, the protective clothing further improves in air permeability in a part where the first fabric is used. Furthermore, when the average fiber diameter is not more than the above-described upper limit value, the opening size of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric becomes small. As a result, the protective clothing is more excellent in dust resistance in a part where the first fabric is used.

Materials of the fibers constituting the first melt-blown non-woven fabric are not particularly limited. By way of an example, the materials of the fibers are polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyphenylene sulfide, fluorine-based resins, and a mixture thereof, etc. Among them, the materials of the fibers preferably include a polyolefin-based resin as a main component from the viewpoint that productivity of the fabric and the texture become excellent. Moreover, the polyolefin-based resin is preferably polypropylene from the viewpoint that dust resistance is easily improved by electret processing. In the present embodiment, the fact that the first melt-blown non-woven fabric comprises a polyolefin-based resin as a main component implies that the first melt-blown non-woven fabric comprises 80% by mass or more of a polyolefin-based resin based on the total amount of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric. The first melt-blown non-woven fabric preferably comprises 90% by mass or more of a polyolefin-based resin based on the total amount of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric, and more preferably consists only of a polyolefin-based resin. Besides, when a melt-blown non-woven fabric layer consists only of a polyolefin-based resin, the melt-blown non-woven fabric may contain an additive such as hindered amine as long as effects of the present embodiment are not impaired.

The first melt-blown non-woven fabric can be obtained by a melt-blown method. The melt-blown method is generally a method in which a thermoplastic polymer extruded from a spinneret is finely made into fibers by a hot air injection, and utilizing self-welding characteristics of the fibers, a web is formed. Spinning conditions in the melt-blown method include a polymer discharge rate, a nozzle temperature, an air pressure, and the like. By optimizing these spinning conditions, a non-woven fabric having a desired fiber diameter can be obtained. Specifically, when producing fibers used for the first melt-blown non-woven fabric, the fibers are easily made finer by reducing an amount of resin discharged, increasing a discharge speed, and increasing a degree of fiber stretching.

The first melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric. When the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric, it becomes possible to achieve both a high air permeability and a high dust resistance of the first fabric.

It is preferable that the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric and an average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 3 μm or more and 15 μm or less. The first fabric comprising such a first melt-blown non-woven fabric is extremely excellent in dust resistance and also extremely excellent in air permeability.

First Spunbonded Non-Woven Fabric

Materials of fibers constituting the first spunbonded non-woven fabric are not particularly limited. By way of an example, the materials of the fibers are polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyphenylene sulfide, fluorine-based resins, and a mixture thereof, etc. Among them, the materials of the fibers preferably include a polyolefin from the viewpoint that productivity of the fabric and the texture become excellent.

An average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the first spunbonded non-woven fabric is preferably 18 μm or more, more preferably 19 μm or more, further preferably 20 μm or more. Moreover, the average fiber diameter of the fibers is preferably 30 μm or less, more preferably 28 μm or less, further preferably 26 μm or less. When the average fiber diameter is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, a sheet strength of the first spunbonded non-woven fabric can be increased, and the opening size becomes large. Therefore, the protective clothing further improves in air permeability in a part where the first fabric is used. Moreover, when the average fiber diameter is not more than the above-described upper limit value, the opening size of the first spunbonded non-woven fabric becomes small. Therefore, the protective clothing further improves in dust resistance.

The first spunbonded non-woven fabric may be provided with functions as long as the effects of the present embodiment are not impaired. The first spunbonded non-woven fabric may be provided with functions such as, for example, water repellency, oil repellency, antistatic, flame retardant, antibacterial, and antifungal.

Returning back to the description of the first fabric as a whole, in the step of producing a first fabric, a method of laminating the first spunbonded non-woven fabric and the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is not particularly limited.

Here, as described above, the first fabric preferably comprises a charged first melt-blown non-woven fabric. In such an appropriate method for producing a first fabric, it is necessary to separately and independently produce a charged first melt-blown non-woven fabric and a first spunbonded non-woven fabric. The charged first melt-blown non-woven fabric and the first spunbonded non-woven fabric produced separately and independently need to be attached together using an adhesive (a first adhesive) or by embossing.

Provided is a first fabric comprising a charged first melt-blown non-woven fabric, wherein, when the charged first melt-blown non-woven fabric and a first spunbonded non-woven fabric are attached together by an adhesive (a first adhesive), a content of the adhesive contained between layers of the charged first melt-blown non-woven fabric and the first spunbonded non-woven fabric is preferably 0.5 g/m2 or more, more preferably 1.0 g/m2 or more. Moreover, the content of the adhesive is preferably 5.0 g/m2 or less, more preferably 2.0 g/m2 or less. When the content of the adhesive is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, an adhesive force between the layers of the first spunbonded non-woven fabric and the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is more excellent. As a result, the protective clothing is less likely to be peeled off between the layers when a wearer wears the protective clothing and performs work. On the other hand, when the content of the adhesive is not more than the above-described upper limit value, air permeability of the first fabric becomes high. As a result, the first fabric has a low bending resistance and an excellent flexibility.

The first fabric may further comprise a third spunbonded non-woven fabric. In this case, it is preferable that the first spunbonded non-woven fabric, the first melt-blown non-woven fabric, and the third spunbonded non-woven fabric are laminated in this order in the first fabric. When a protective clothing is prepared such that the third spunbonded non-woven fabric is arranged on a wearer side using such a first fabric, in the protective clothing, the first spunbonded non-woven fabric is arranged further outside the first melt-blown non-woven fabric. As a result, the protective clothing easily protects the first melt-blown non-woven fabric from an external stress by the first spunbonded non-woven fabric. Accordingly, the protective clothing is less likely to deteriorate in performance such as dust resistance of the protective clothing due to scratches on the first melt-blown non-woven fabric. Furthermore, such protective clothing has an excellent abrasion resistance. Besides, the similar third spunbonded non-woven fabric as that described above as the first spunbonded non-woven fabric can be used.

A QF value of the first fabric is preferably 0.30 or more, more preferably 0.90 or more, further preferably 1.20 or more. The QF value is calculated from a filtration efficiency and a pressure loss. Specifically, the QF value can be calculated by an equation of −Ln (T)/ΔP. Here, T is a filtration efficiency, and ΔP is a difference in static pressure between upstream and downstream of a sample when the filtration efficiency T is measured. When a QF value is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, the first fabric has a high air permeability and further improves in dust resistance. Therefore, the protective clothing using the first fabric can make the atmosphere inside the clothing comfortable when worn, and is also excellent in dust resistance against dust and chemical substances.

The QF value of the first fabric is preferably higher than a QF value of the second fabric. When fabrics with different QF values are combined, in the protective clothing, under the work environment, dust in the air, etc. can selectively enter the clothing through a part using a first fabric with a high air permeability and a low pressure loss. Therefore, by increasing a QF value of the first fabric more than that of the second fabric, the protective clothing as a whole can be further enhanced in dust resistance beyond an expected dust resistance based on a simple fabric ratio.

The filtration efficiency of the first fabric is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 80% or more, further preferably 90% or more. Because the first fabric is arranged near a wearer's important organ (a part C covering a greater pectoral muscle), it becomes possible to further enhance the wearer's safety by making the fabric have a high filtration efficiency.

[Second Fabric]

A second fabric of the protective clothing of the present embodiment may have a bending resistance of 80 mm or less, preferably 75 mm or less, more preferably 70 mm or less. On the other hand, the bending resistance of the second fabric is preferably 30 mm or more, more preferably 40 mm or more, further preferably 50 mm or more. When a bending resistance is not more than the above-described upper limit value, the protective clothing becomes easy to follow a wearer's body to make the wearer move easily in working with the protective clothing worn, which improves workability. Moreover, when a bending resistance is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, in the protective clothing, when a wearer sweats while working, the second fabric clings to the human body, which easily suppresses a decrease in workability of the wearer.

The second fabric has a laminated structure of a second spunbonded non-woven fabric and a second melt-blown non-woven fabric.

Second Melt-Blown Non-Woven Fabric

A bulk density of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 0.20 g/cm3 or more, more preferably 0.23 g/cm3 or more, further preferably 0.26 g/cm3 or more, in order for the protective clothing to exhibit a more excellent dust resistance. On the other hand, the bulk density of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 0.53 g/cm3 or less, more preferably 0.40 g/cm3 or less, further preferably 0.30 g/cm3 or less, in order to reduce a value of bending resistance of the second fabric.

A thickness of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 120 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, further preferably 90 μm or less, in order to reduce a value of bending resistance of the second fabric. On the other hand, the thickness of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 30 μm or more, more preferably 40 μm or more, further preferably 50 μm or more, in order to make dust resistance of the protective clothing excellent.

An average fiber diameter of fibers constituting the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 0.5 μm or more, more preferably 1 μm or more, further preferably 2 μm or more. Moreover, the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 8 μm or less, more preferably 4 μm or less, further preferably 3 μm or less. When the average fiber diameter is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, the second fabric is enhanced in strength against tension and tearing. As a result, a durable protective clothing can be obtained. Moreover, when an average fiber diameter is not more than the above-described upper limit value, the opening size of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric becomes small. Therefore, the protective clothing can be made excellent in dust resistance in a part using the second fabric and can be made more excellent in flexibility in a part using the second fabric.

Materials of the fibers constituting the second melt-blown non-woven fabric are not particularly limited. By way of an example, the materials of the fibers are polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyphenylene sulfide, fluorine-based resins, and a mixture thereof, etc. Among them, the materials of the fibers preferably include a polyolefin-based resin as a main component from the viewpoint that productivity of the fabric and the texture become excellent. Moreover, the polyolefin-based resin is preferably polypropylene from the viewpoint that bending resistance is easily improved. In the present embodiment, the fact that the second melt-blown non-woven fabric comprises a polyolefin-based resin as a main component implies that the second melt-blown non-woven fabric comprises 80% by mass or more of a polyolefin-based resin based on the total amount of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric. The second melt-blown non-woven fabric preferably comprises 90% by mass or more of a polyolefin-based resin based on the total amount of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric, and more preferably consists only of a polyolefin-based resin.

The second melt-blown non-woven fabric can be obtained by the similar method as in the case of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric.

Second Spunbonded Non-Woven Fabric

A bulk density of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric is preferably 0.10 g/cm3 or more, more preferably 0.11 g/cm3 or more, further preferably 0.12 g/cm3 or more, in order for the protective clothing to exhibit a more excellent dust resistance. On the other hand, the bulk density of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric is preferably 0.15 g/cm3 or less, preferably 0.14 g/cm3 or less, further preferably 0.13 g/cm3 or less, in order to reduce a value of bending resistance of the second fabric.

A thickness of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric is preferably 200 μm or less, more preferably 190 μm or less, further preferably 180 μm or less, in order to reduce a value of bending resistance of the second fabric. On the other hand, the thickness of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is preferably 120 μm or more, more preferably 140 μm or more, further preferably 150 μm or more, in order to make dust resistance of the protective clothing more excellent.

Materials of fibers constituting the second spunbonded non-woven fabric are not particularly limited. By way of an example, the materials of the fibers are polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyphenylene sulfide, fluorine-based resins, and a mixture thereof, etc. Among them, the materials of the fibers preferably include a polyolefin from the viewpoint that productivity of the fabric and the texture become excellent.

An average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the second spunbonded non-woven fabric is preferably 14 μm or more, more preferably 16 μm or more, further preferably 18 μm or more. Moreover, the average fiber diameter of the fibers is preferably 24 μm or less, more preferably 22 μm or less, further preferably 20 μm or less. When the average fiber diameter is equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, the second spunbonded non-woven fabric can be enhanced in strength against tension and tearing of the fabric. Therefore, a more durable protective clothing can be obtained. Moreover, when the average fiber diameter is not more than the above-described upper limit value, the opening size of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric becomes small. Therefore, the protective clothing has a more excellent dust resistance of the second fabric and further improves in flexibility in a part where the second fabric is used.

The second spunbonded non-woven fabric may be provided with functions as long as the effects of the present embodiment are not impaired. The second spunbonded non-woven fabric may be provided with functions such as, for example, water repellency, oil repellency, antistatic, flame retardant, antibacterial and antifungal.

Returning back to the description of the second fabric as a whole, the second spunbonded non-woven fabric and the second melt-blown non-woven fabric may be directly laminated or may be adhered by an adhesive (a second adhesive).

When the second spunbonded non-woven fabric and the second melt-blown non-woven fabric are adhered by an adhesive (a second adhesive), a content of the adhesive contained between the layers of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric and the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is more than 0 g/m2, preferably 0.4 g/m2 or less. When the content of the adhesive is not more than the above-described upper limit value, the second fabric has an extremely low bending resistance and an extremely excellent flexibility. For the similar reason, the content of the adhesive is more preferably 0.2 g/m2 or less, and particularly preferably no adhesive is used. Here, as described above, the second fabric is arranged on the part A and the part B of the protective clothing and is required to have a high flexibility. On the other hand, comfortability of the protective clothing is achieved by the first fabric arranged on the part C. Therefore, the second fabric is not required to have a high air permeability as compared with the first fabric. As the first fabric, it is preferable to use a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric as a first melt-blown non-woven fabric in order to make air permeability of the fabric excellent. Therefore, the charged melt-blown non-woven fabric and the spunbonded non-woven fabric need to be produced separately and independently and to be attached together by an adhesive. However, the second fabric is not required to have a high air permeability as long as it has a high flexibility and a high dust resistance. Accordingly, the second fabric is not required to use a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric. As a result, in the step of producing a second fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric may be directly formed on one surface of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric. That is, in the step of producing a second fabric, an adhesive (a second adhesive) is optional when a laminated body of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric and the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is obtained. As a result, in the second fabric, a content of the adhesive contained between the layers of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric and the second melt-blown non-woven fabric can be set to 0 g/m2, and flexibility can be further enhanced.

As described above, in the method of producing a second fabric, it is preferable not to use an adhesive (a second adhesive) in order to obtain a laminated body of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric and the second melt-blown non-woven fabric. However, the method of laminating the second spunbonded non-woven fabric and the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is not particularly limited as long as the effects of the present embodiment are not impaired.

The second fabric may further comprise a fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric. As the second fabric, it is preferable that the second spunbonded non-woven fabric, the second melt-blown non-woven fabric, and the fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric are laminated in this order. In this way, in the protective clothing in which the fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric is arranged on a wearer side, the second spunbonded non-woven fabric is arranged further outside the second melt-blown non-woven fabric. Therefore, the fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric allows for protection of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric from an external stress. As a result, in the protective clothing, deterioration in performance such as dust resistance of the protective clothing due to scratches on the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is easily suppressed, and the protective clothing has an excellent abrasion resistance. The similar fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric as that described above as the second spunbonded non-woven fabric can be used.

Examples of the laminated structure of the second fabric include (A) a laminated structure configured so that a second spunbonded non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, and a fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric are laminated in this order, (B) a laminated structure configured so that a second spunbonded non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, and a fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric are laminated in this order, (C) a laminated structure configured so that a second spunbonded non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, and a fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric are laminated in this order, and (D) a laminated structure configured so that a second spunbonded non-woven fabric, a second spunbonded non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, and a fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric are laminated in this order, etc. Among these laminated structures, the second fabric preferably has (D) a laminated structure configured so that a second spunbonded non-woven fabric, a second spunbonded non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, a second melt-blown non-woven fabric, and a fourth spunbonded non-woven fabric are laminated in this order, from the viewpoint of achieving both an excellent dust resistance and an excellent bending resistance.

A QF value of the second fabric is preferably 0.20 or less, more preferably 0.10 or less, further preferably 0.05 or less. On the other hand, the QF value of the second fabric is preferably 0.01 or more, more preferably 0.02 or more, further preferably 0.03 or more. The QF value is calculated from a filtration efficiency and a pressure loss. Specifically, the QF value can be calculated by an equation of −Ln (T)/AP. Here, T is a filtration efficiency, and ΔP is a difference in static pressure between upstream and downstream of a sample when the filtration efficiency T is measured. In order for the QF value to be not more than the above-described upper limit value, it is necessary to make the fabric have a lower density and a smaller thickness. Therefore, a flexible fabric can be obtained. Moreover, by setting the QF value to be equal to or greater than the above-described lower limit value, a part using the second fabric is improved in dust resistance. Therefore, the protective clothing is flexible when worn, is easy for a wearer to work on, and has an excellent dust resistance against dust and chemical substances.

One embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The present invention is not particularly limited to the above-described embodiment. Besides, the above-described embodiment mainly describes an invention having the following configurations.

(1) A protective clothing comprising a pair of sleeve parts and a body part, wherein one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of a wearer's right arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, wherein the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, wherein the body part comprises a part C covering the wearer's greater pectoral muscle at the time of wearing the protective clothing, wherein the protective clothing has a first fabric having an air permeability of 30 cm3/cm2/sec or more and a second fabric having a bending resistance of 80 mm or less, wherein the first fabric is arranged on the part C and has a laminated structure of a first spunbonded non-woven fabric and a first melt-blown non-woven fabric, and wherein the second fabric is arranged on the part A and the part B and has a laminated structure of a second spunbonded non-woven fabric and a second melt-blown non-woven fabric.

(2) The protective clothing of (1), wherein a bulk density of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is 0.05 g/cm3 or more and 0.18 g/cm3 or less, wherein a thickness of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is 70 μm or more and 200 μm or less, wherein the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric, wherein the first spunbonded non-woven fabric and the first melt-blown non-woven fabric are adhered by a first adhesive, and a content of the first adhesive is 0.5 g/m2 or more and 5.0 g/m2 or less, wherein a bulk density of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is 0.20 g/cm3 or more and 0.53 g/cm3 or less, wherein a thickness of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is 30 μm or more and 120 μm or less, wherein a bulk density of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric is 0.10 g/cm3 or more and 0.15 g/cm3 or less, wherein a thickness of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric is 120 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and wherein the second spunbonded non-woven fabric and the second melt-blown non-woven fabric are directly laminated or adhered by a second adhesive, and when the second adhesive is used, a content of the second adhesive is more than 0 g/m2 and 0.4 g/m2 or less.

(3) The protective clothing of (1) or (2), wherein an average fiber diameter of fibers constituting the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is 3 μm or more and 15 μm or less.

(4) The protective clothing of any one of (1) to (3), wherein a QF value of the first fabric is 0.30 or more, and wherein a QF value of the second fabric is 0.20 or less.

(5) The protective clothing of any one of (1) to (4), wherein a total area of the first fabric is 15% or more and 70% or less based on a total area of the protective clothing, and wherein a total area of the second fabric is 30% or more and 85% or less based on the total area of the protective clothing.

(6) The protective clothing of any one of (1) to (5), further comprising a hood, wherein the body part and the hood are integrated.

(7) The protective clothing of any one of (1) to (6), further comprising a lower garment, wherein the body part and the lower garment are integrated.

(8) The protective clothing of any one of (1) to (7), wherein the body part further comprises a part D covering a wearer's subscapular muscle at the time of wearing the protective clothing, and wherein the first fabric is arranged on the part D.

(9) The protective clothing of (6), wherein at least a part of the hood is made of the first fabric.

(10) The protective clothing of (7), wherein the lower garment comprises a part E covering a knee joint of a wearer's right leg at the time of wearing the protective clothing and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg at the time of wearing the protective clothing, and wherein the second fabric is arranged on the part E and the part F.

(11) The protective clothing of any one of (1) to (10), wherein one of the pair of sleeve parts has a first sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn, wherein the other one of the pair of sleeve parts has a second sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn, wherein the first sewn part is formed between an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm and a base part of the wearer's right arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, and wherein the second sewn part is formed between an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm and a base part of the wearer's left arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing.

(12) The protective clothing of any one of (1) to (11), wherein the body part has a part G covering the wearer's waist at the time of wearing the protective clothing and a third sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn, wherein the second fabric is arranged on the part G, the part G having a gather part tightening the wearer's waist, and wherein the third sewn part is provided on the wearer's head side rather than the gather part.

EXAMPLE

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples. The present invention is not limited to these Examples. First, various measuring methods, comfortability test methods, and workability test methods used in Examples and Comparative examples will be described.

[Measuring Method] (1) Thickness

Fabric was cut on a plane perpendicular to a plane of the fabric using a microtome. The cut surface of the fabric was photographed at a magnification of 150 using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) S-800 manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. At this time, a longitudinal direction of an image obtained by photographing was configured to be substantially perpendicular to a thickness direction of the fabric reflected in the image. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an SEM image field of view of a cross section of fabric. With reference to FIG. 1, a method of measuring a thickness of each layer constituting the fabric will be described. The conceptual diagram of the SEM image field of view in FIG. 1 reflects a cut surface and a background 3 of fabric composed of a spunbonded non-woven fabric layer and a melt-blown non-woven fabric layer. First, five dividing lines 4 that are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the SEM image and that evenly divide the width of the SEM image in the longitudinal direction into six parts were written on the SEM image. A length of each dividing line that overlaps with a spunbonded non-woven fabric layer (one example of the dividing line that overlaps with the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer is indicated by reference numeral 5 in FIG. 1) was measured. In addition, a length of each dividing line that overlaps with a melt-blown non-woven fabric layer (one example of the dividing line that overlaps with the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer is indicated by reference numeral 6 in FIG. 1) was also measured. At this time, the lengths of the dividing lines were defined as values obtained by reading them up to the first decimal place when units of the lengths of the dividing lines were defined as μm and rounding off the first decimal place. The above-described measurement was performed for 10 SEM images obtained by photographing different parts of the cross section of the fabric, and an average value of 50 measured values of the lengths of the dividing lines that overlap with the obtained spunbonded non-woven fabric layer was defined as a thickness of the spunbonded non-woven fabric. In addition, an average value of 50 measured values of the lengths of the dividing lines that overlap with the obtained melt-blown non-woven fabric layer was defined as a thickness of the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer. Here, a cavity-like part 7 (that is, a part where fibers are not reflected) was observed at a boundary between the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer and the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer in the SEM image, and when this cavity-like part and the dividing lines overlap with each other, with this cavity-like part being as a part of the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer, a length of the dividing line that overlaps the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer and a length of the dividing line that overlaps the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer were measured. That is, in one example shown in FIG. 1, what is indicated by reference numeral 9 is a length of a dividing line 4 that overlaps with the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer, and what is indicated by reference numeral 8 is a length of a dividing line 4 that overlaps with the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer. Besides, when the fabric further comprises a spunbonded non-woven fabric layer, a thickness of the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer was measured by the similar measuring method as the above-described measuring method of the thickness of the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer.

(2) Average Fiber Diameter

Regarding fabric, a cut surface of fabric obtained in the similar manner as the above-described method for (1) Thickness was photographed at a magnification of 300× and 2000× using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) S-800 manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. These images were imported into an image analysis software attached to this device. At that time, the fiber diameter was measured using the SEM image measured at a magnification of 300× for fiber having a fiber diameter of 10 μm or more, and the fiber diameter was measured using the SEM image measured at a magnification of 2000× for fiber having a fiber diameter of less than 10 μm. Specifically, from a spunbonded non-woven fabric layer reflected in the SEM image, 15 fibers constituting the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer were randomly selected to measure fiber diameters of these fibers. Then, an average of the obtained 15 measured values was taken as an average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer. In addition, from a melt-blown non-woven fabric layer reflected in the SEM image, 15 fibers constituting the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer were randomly selected to measure fiber diameters of these fibers. Then, an average of the obtained 15 measured values was taken as an average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer. Besides, the fiber diameters of the fibers were defined as values obtained by reading them up to the first decimal place when units of the fiber diameters were defined as μm and rounding off the first decimal place.

Besides, when the fabric further comprises a spunbonded non-woven fabric layer, an average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer was measured by the similar measuring method as the above-described measuring method of the fibers constituting the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer.

(3) Bulk Density

A bulk density was measured with “GeoPyc1360” manufactured by Micromeritics Instrument Corporation. Layers other than the specific layer (i.e., the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer or the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer) which is subjected to measurement for bulk density were removed from the fabric for protective clothing using a sandpaper No. 1000. Next, the specific layer which is subjected to measurement was cut out into a size of 2 mm×2 mm and used as a measurement sample. 10 measurement samples were prepared, which were alternately laminated with measurement beads in a sample chamber having an inner diameter of 12.7 mm, and the beads were filled to a position at 2 cm from the bottom surface of the sample chamber for measurement. The third decimal place of the bulk density result obtained from the measurement was rounded off to be defined as a bulk density of the measurement sample. Then, the above-described bulk density of the measurement sample was measured three times, and an average value of the obtained three values was defined as a bulk density of the specific layer. Besides, the bulk density was measured for each of the spunbonded non-woven fabric layer and the melt-blown non-woven fabric layer.

(4) Air Permeability

An air permeability of fabric was measured based on a Frazir type method according to JIS L1913-2010 and defined as an amount of air passing through a test piece having a size of 15 cm×15 cm. An average value of the obtained three measurements of the amount of passing air was defined as an air permeability.

(5) Filtration Efficiency

A filtration efficiency was measured for fabric with a collection performance measuring device. In this collection performance measuring device, a dust storage box is coupled to an upstream side of a sample holder for setting a measurement sample, and a flow meter, a flow rate adjusting valve, and a blower are coupled to a downstream side.

Moreover, the number of dusts on the upstream side and the number of dusts on the downstream side of the measurement sample can be measured, respectively, via a switching cock using a particle counter for the sample holder. Furthermore, the sample holder is equipped with a pressure gauge and can read a difference in static pressure ΔP upstream and downstream of the sample. In measuring a collection performance, a polystyrene standard latex powder with a diameter of 0.3 μm (in which a 10% by mass of 0.309 U polystyrene solution manufactured by Nacalai Tesque Inc. was diluted 200 times with a distilled water) was filled in a dust storage box, a sample was set in a holder, an air volume was adjusted with a flow rate adjusting valve so that a filter passing speed became 1 m/min, a dust concentration was stabilized in a range of 10,000 to 40,000 particles/2.83×10−4 m3 (0.01 ft3), and the number of dusts D upstream and the number of dusts d downstream of the sample 30 seconds after the stabilization were measured with a particle counter (KC-01E, manufactured by RION, Co., Ltd.) three times per sample, to calculate a collection performance (%) from an average value of the obtained three measurements of the number of dusts D upstream (particle size: 0.5-1.0 μm) and the number of dusts d downstream (particle size: 0.5-1.0 μm) by the following equation. This operation was performed in the similar manner for 10 samples to calculate an average value of the filtration efficiency of 10 samples. A case where the obtained filtration efficiency was 20% or more was regarded as successful.


Filtration efficiency T (%)=[1−(d/D)]×100

(6) QF Value

A QF value was calculated from the difference ΔP in static pressure upstream and downstream of the sample when the filtration efficiency T was measured in (5) by the following equation.


QF value=−Ln(T)/ΔP

(7) Bending Resistance

A bending resistance was measured based on A method (a 45° cantilever method) defined by JIS L1096 (1999), and an average value in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction was used as a value to express the unit in mm.

(8) Adhesive Content

5 test pieces of fabric with 100 mm square were prepared and allowed to stand for 24 hours in an atmosphere of a temperature at 20° C. and a humidity of 65% RH, and then an initial mass (g) of each of 5 test pieces was measured. Next, 5 test pieces were impregnated for 6 hours in 200 ml of a solvent (xylene) set at a temperature of 50° C. which was filled in a container having a capacity of 300 ml. Then, again, 5 test pieces were immersed for 6 hours in 200 ml of the solvent (xylene) set at the temperature of 50° C. which was filled in the container having a capacity of 300 ml. Subsequently, 5 test pieces were allowed to stand for 2 hours in an atmosphere at a temperature of 140° C. Subsequently, 5 test pieces were allowed to stand for 24 hours in an atmosphere at a temperature of 20° C. and a humidity of 65% RH, and then a mass (g) of each of 5 five test pieces was measured to calculate an adhesive content (g/m2) of each test piece by the following equation, and an average value of 5 test pieces was defined as an adhesive content.


Adhesive content (g/m2)=(initial mass (g)−mass with adhesive removed (g))/0.01

(9) Comfortability Test Method

A monitor wore a protective clothing (medium size), and then the monitor evaluated temperature and humidity, and comfortability (for sultriness) in the clothing after step aerobics. The above-described comfortability test was performed by three monitors for the same protective clothing, and the most common test result among the evaluations by the three monitors was adopted as a final test result. Three monitors who participated in the comfortability test were male with 58-64 kg weight and 168-174 cm tall.

<Test Method>

Each monitor was subjected to a comfortability test in the following order of S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5.

S1: Wear pants (88% polyester, 12% polyurethane) and cotton ankle socks only.

S2: Attach a temperature/humidity sensor to the back of the neck, wear protective clothing, and wear sneakers.

(Temperature/humidity sensor: SHA-3151 manufactured by T&D Corporation, data logger: Ondotori TR-72wf manufactured by T&D Corporation)

S3: Sit for 30 minutes in a room under an atmosphere at 20° C. and 50% RH and stand still.

S4: Move to a room in an atmosphere at 30° C. and 50% RH and perform step aerobics for 20 minutes in the same atmosphere.

(Interval of step aerobics: 15 steps/10 seconds, step height: 20 cm)

S5: Measure temperature and humidity inside the clothing after 20 minutes to evaluate comfortability.

<Evaluation Criteria>

Each monitor evaluated comfortability according to the following criteria:

A: There was no stuffiness with a much excellent comfortability.

B: There was little stuffiness with an excellent comfortability.

C: There was much stuffiness with an inferior comfortability.

(10) Workability Test Method

A monitor evaluated workability (easiness of walking) when performing step aerobics and workability (easiness of evaluation) when evaluating bending resistance after wearing a protective clothing (medium size). The above-described workability tests were performed by three monitors for the same protective clothing, and the most common test result among the evaluations by the three monitors was adopted as a final test result. Three monitors who participated in the comfortability test were male with 58-64 kg weight and 168-174 cm tall.

<Test Method>

Each monitor was subjected to the following workability tests of M1 and M2.

M1: Evaluate workability (easiness of walking) when performing step aerobics in (9) Comfortability test method.

M2: Evaluate a sample cut in (7) Bending resistance, and workability (easiness of evaluation) at the time of evaluation.

<Evaluation Criteria>

Each monitor evaluated workability according to the following criteria:

A: Easy to walk and easy to evaluate with a much excellent workability.

B: A little easier to walk and a little easier to evaluate with an excellent comfortability.

C: Difficult to walk and difficult to evaluate with an inferior comfortability.

(11) Body Size of Wearer

As body sizes, the following items were measured using a tape measure.

Height: Vertical distance from a floor surface to a head top point

Upper arm length: Straight line distance from an acromial point to a radial point Cervical/acromial straight line distance: Straight line distance from a cervical point to an acromial point

Fossa jugularis height: Vertical distance from the floor surface to a fossa jugularis point

Sternum midpoint height: Vertical distance from the floor surface to a sternum midpoint

Anterior axilla width: Straight line distance between left and right anterior axilla points

Straight line distance between angulus inferior scapulae: Straight line distance between left and right angulus inferior scapulae points

Thigh length: Vertical distance from a trochanteric point to a tibial point

Tibia superior margin height: Vertical distance from the floor surface to a tibial point

Example 1

Two spunbonded non-woven fabrics made from polypropylene (20 g/m2 of basis weight) and one charged melt-blown non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (15 g/m2 of basis weight, 0.14 g/cm3 of bulk density, 109 μm of thickness, 6 μm of fiber diameter) were prepared. Next, a first fabric was prepared in which a spunbonded non-woven fabric, a melt-blown non-woven fabric, and a spunbonded non-woven fabric were laminated in this order and the respective layers were bonded to each other. Here, the bonding between the respective layers of the first fabric was performed by arranging a hot melt adhesive comprising polyethylene as a main component between the respective layers using a spray. A content of the hot melt adhesive between the respective layers of the first fabric was 2.0 g/m2 per between the respective layers.

Characteristics of the first fabric are as shown in Table 1. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the first fabric are as shown in Table 2. Structures of two spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the first fabric are as shown in Table 3.

Next, a melt-blown non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (10 g/m2 of basis weight) was directly formed on one surface of a spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (20 g/m2 of basis weight) to obtain a laminated body. Next, a spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (20 g/m2 of basis weight) was directly formed on a surface of a melt-blown non-woven fabric made from polypropylene of this laminated body to obtain a second fabric. A content of the hot melt adhesive between the respective layers of the second fabric was 0 g/m2 per between the respective layers.

Characteristics of the second fabric are as shown in Table 4. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 5. Structures of two spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 6.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of areas constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, these parts were sewn together with a sewing machine in order to form an overall type protective clothing with a hood. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Example 1.

A conceptual diagram of the obtained protective clothing is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing 17 in Example 1 which is one embodiment of the protective clothing of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing 17 in Example 1 which is one embodiment of the present invention. The protective clothing 17 comprises a pair of sleeve parts, a body part, a lower garment, and a hood 15. In addition, the body part (a front body part) comprises a part C covering a wearer's greater pectoral muscle and a part D covering the wearer's subscapular muscle. Besides, the above-described part C is indicated by reference numeral 12, and the above-described part D is indicated by reference numeral 16. Moreover, one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm. Furthermore, the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm. Besides, the above-described part A is indicated by reference numeral 10, and the above-described part B is indicated by reference numeral 11. Moreover, the lower garment comprises a part E covering a knee joint of the wearer's right leg and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg. Besides, the above-described part E is indicated by reference numeral 13, and the above-described part F is indicated by reference numeral 14. Here, the hood, the part C, and the part D are composed of a first fabric, and the part A, the part B, the part E, and the part F are composed of a second fabric. Moreover, other parts of the protective clothing except the hood and the parts A to F are made of a second fabric. That is, parts of the protective clothing corresponding to areas indicated by white blanks in the figures are composed of a first fabric, and parts of the protective clothing corresponding to areas indicated by dots in the figures are composed of a second fabric.

In the protective clothing 17 of Example 1, one of the pair of sleeve parts has a first sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn, and the other one of the pair of sleeve parts has a second sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn. Specifically, on the left and right side of the pair of sleeve parts, sewn parts (a first sewn part S1 and a second sewn part S2), in which the part C and the part D are sewn, are formed, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first sewn part S1 is formed between an elbow joint of a wearer's right arm and a base part of the wearer's right arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing 17, and the second sewn part is formed between an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm and a base part of the wearer's left arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing 17.

A total area of the first fabric to a total area of the protective clothing was 38%, and a total area of the second fabric to the total area of the protective clothing was 62%.

Next, using the protective clothing in Example 1, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Tables 7 and 8.

Example 2

A first fabric was prepared in the similar manner as in Example 1 except that the charged melt-blown non-woven fabric made from polypropylene provided in the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was replaced with a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (15 g/m2 of basis weight, 0.15 g/cm3 of bulk density, 100 μm of thickness, 4 μm of fiber diameter). Characteristics of the first fabric are as shown in Table 1. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the first fabric are as shown in Table 2. Structures of two spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the first fabric are as shown in Table 3.

Next, fabric similar to the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a second fabric.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, the plurality of parts were sewn with a sewing machine in order to obtain a protective clothing having a configuration similar to that of the protective clothing in Example 1. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Example 2.

Next, using the protective clothing in Example 2, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 7.

Example 3

A first fabric was prepared in the similar manner as in Example 1 except that the charged melt-blown non-woven fabric made from polypropylene provided in the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was replaced with a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (15 g/m2 of basis weight, 0.16 g/cm3 of bulk density, 96 μm of thickness, 3 μm of fiber diameter).

Characteristics of the first fabric are as shown in Table 1. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the first fabric are as shown in Table 2. Structures of two spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the first fabric are as shown in Table 3.

Next, fabric similar to the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a second fabric.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, the plurality of parts were sewn with a sewing machine in order to obtain a protective clothing having a configuration similar to that of the protective clothing in Example 1. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Example 3.

Next, using the protective clothing in Example 3, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 7.

Example 4

Fabric similar to the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a first fabric. Next, a second fabric was prepared in the similar manner as in Example 1 except that the spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene provided in the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was replaced with a spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (20 g/m2 of basis weight, 0.14 g/cm3 of bulk density, 141 μm of thickness, 18 μm of fiber diameter).

Characteristics of the second fabric are as shown in Table 4. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 5. Structures of the spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 6.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, the plurality of parts were sewn with a sewing machine in order to obtain a protective clothing having a configuration similar to that of the protective clothing in Example 1. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Example 4.

Next, using the protective clothing in Example 4, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 8. Moreover, types of fabric used for each part and evaluation results were as shown in Table 9.

Example 5

Fabric similar to the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a first fabric. Next, a second fabric was prepared in the similar manner as in Example 1 except that the spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene provided in the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was replaced with a spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (20 g/m2 of basis weight, 0.13 g/cm3 of bulk density, 149 μm of thickness, 19 μm of fiber diameter).

Characteristics of the second fabric are as shown in Table 4. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 5. Structures of the spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 6.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, the plurality of parts were sewn with a sewing machine in order to obtain a protective clothing having a configuration similar to that of the protective clothing in Example 1. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Example 5.

Next, using the protective clothing in Example 5, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 8.

Example 6

Fabric similar to the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a first fabric. Next, a second fabric was prepared in the similar manner as in Example 1 except that the spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene provided in the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was replaced with a spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (20 g/m2 of basis weight, 0.11 g/cm3 of bulk density, 190 μm of thickness, 22 μm of fiber diameter).

Characteristics of the second fabric are as shown in Table 4. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 5. Structures of the spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 6.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, the plurality of parts were sewn with a sewing machine in order to obtain a protective clothing having a configuration similar to that of the protective clothing in Example 1. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Example 6.

Next, using the protective clothing in Example 6, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 8.

Example 7

Fabric similar to the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a first fabric. Next, fabric similar to the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a second fabric.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, these parts were sewn together with a sewing machine in order to form an overall type protective clothing with a hood. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Example 7.

A conceptual diagram of the obtained protective clothing is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. That is, FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing 18 in Example 7 which is one embodiment of the protective clothing of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing 18 in Example 7 which is one embodiment of the present invention. The protective clothing 18 comprises a pair of sleeve parts, a body part, a lower garment, and a hood 15. In addition, the front body part comprises a part C covering a wearer's greater pectoral muscle and a part D covering the wearer's subscapular muscle. Besides, the above-described part C is indicated by reference numeral 12, and the above-described part D is indicated by reference numeral 16. Moreover, one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm. Furthermore, the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm. Besides, the above-described part A is indicated by reference numeral 10, and the above-described part B is indicated by reference numeral 11. Moreover, the lower garment comprises a part E covering a knee joint of the wearer's right leg and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg. Besides, the above-described part E is indicated by reference numeral 13, and the above-described part F is indicated by reference numeral 14. Here, the hood, the part C, the part D, the part E, and the part F are composed of a first fabric, and the part A and the part B are composed of a second fabric. Moreover, other parts of the protective clothing except the hood and the parts A to F are made of a second fabric. That is, parts of the protective clothing corresponding to areas indicated by white blanks in the figures are composed of a first fabric, and parts of the protective clothing corresponding to areas indicated by dots in the figures are composed of a second fabric.

A total area of the first fabric to a total area of the protective clothing was 64%, and a total area of the second fabric to the total area of the protective clothing was 36%.

Next, using the protective clothing in Example 7, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Types of fabric used for each part and evaluation results were as shown in Table 9.

Example 8

Fabric similar to the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a first fabric. Next, fabric similar to the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a second fabric.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, these parts were sewn together with a sewing machine in order to form an overall type protective clothing with a hood. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Example 8.

A conceptual diagram of the obtained protective clothing is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. That is, FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing 19 in Example 8 which is one embodiment of the protective clothing of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing 19 in Example 8 which is one embodiment of the present invention. The protective clothing 19 comprises a pair of sleeve parts, a body part, a lower garment, and a hood 15. In addition, the front body part comprises a part C covering a wearer's greater pectoral muscle and a part D covering the wearer's subscapular muscle. Besides, the above-described part C is indicated by reference numeral 12, and the above-described part D is indicated by reference numeral 16. Moreover, one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm. Furthermore, the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm. Besides, the above-described part A is indicated by reference numeral 10, and the above-described part B is indicated by reference numeral 11. Moreover, the lower garment comprises a part E covering a knee joint of the wearer's right leg and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg. Besides, the above-described part E is indicated by reference numeral 13, and the above-described part F is indicated by reference numeral 14. Here, the part C is composed of a first fabric, and the hood, the part A, the part B, the part D, the part E, and the part F are composed of a second fabric. Moreover, other parts of the protective clothing except the hood and the parts A to F are made of a second fabric. That is, parts of the protective clothing corresponding to areas indicated by white blanks in the figures are composed of a first fabric, and parts of the protective clothing corresponding to areas indicated by dots in the figures are composed of a second fabric.

A total area of the first fabric to a total area of the protective clothing was 23%, and a total area of the second fabric to the total area of the protective clothing was 77%.

Next, using the protective clothing in Example 8, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Types of fabric used for each part and evaluation results were as shown in Table 9.

Example 9

Fabric similar to the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a first fabric. Next, a second fabric was prepared in the similar manner as in Example 1 except that the spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene provided in the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was replaced with a spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (20 g/m2 of basis weight, 0.18 g/cm3 of bulk density, 113 μm of thickness, 14 μm of fiber diameter).

Characteristics of the second fabric are as shown in Table 4. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 5. Structures of the spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 6.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, the plurality of parts were sewn with a sewing machine in order to obtain a protective clothing having a configuration similar to that of the protective clothing in Example 1. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Example 9.

Next, using the protective clothing in Example 9, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 8.

Comparative Example 1

A first fabric was prepared in the similar manner as in Example 1 except that the charged melt-blown non-woven fabric made from polypropylene provided in the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was replaced with a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (15 g/m2 of basis weight, 0.18 g/cm3 of bulk density, 85 μm of thickness, 3 μm of fiber diameter).

Characteristics of the first fabric are as shown in Table 1. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the first fabric are as shown in Table 2. Structures of two spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the first fabric are as shown in Table 3.

Next, fabric similar to the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a second fabric. Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, the plurality of parts were sewn with a sewing machine in order to obtain a protective clothing having a configuration similar to that of the protective clothing in Example 1. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Comparative example 1.

Next, using the protective clothing in Comparative example 1, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 7.

Comparative Example 2

Fabric similar to the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a first fabric. Next, a second fabric was prepared in the similar manner as in Example 1 except that the spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene provided in the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was replaced with a spunbonded non-woven fabric made from polypropylene (20 g/m2 of basis weight, 0.09 g/cm3 of bulk density, 227 μm of thickness, 25 μm of fiber diameter).

Characteristics of the second fabric are as shown in Table 4. In addition, structures of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 5. Structures of the spunbonded non-woven fabrics provided in the second fabric are as shown in Table 6.

Then, from the obtained first fabric and the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, the plurality of parts were sewn with a sewing machine in order to obtain a protective clothing having a configuration similar to that of the protective clothing in Example 1. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Comparative example 2.

Next, using the protective clothing in Comparative example 2, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 8.

Comparative Example 3

Fabric similar to the first fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a first fabric. Then, from the obtained first fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, these parts were sewn together with a sewing machine in order to form an overall type protective clothing with a hood. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Comparative example 3.

A conceptual diagram of the obtained protective clothing is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. That is, FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing 20 in Comparative example 3 which is one embodiment of the protective clothing of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing 20 in Comparative example 3 which is one embodiment of the present invention. The protective clothing 20 comprises a pair of sleeve parts, a body part, a lower garment, and a hood 15. In addition, the front body part comprises a part C covering a wearer's greater pectoral muscle and a part D covering the wearer's subscapular muscle. Besides, the above-described part C is indicated by reference numeral 12, and the above-described part D is indicated by reference numeral 16. Moreover, one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm. Furthermore, the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm. Besides, the above-described part A is indicated by reference numeral 10, and the above-described part B is indicated by reference numeral 11. Moreover, the lower garment comprises a part E covering a knee joint of the wearer's right leg and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg. Besides, the above-described part E is indicated by reference numeral 13, and the above-described part F is indicated by reference numeral 14. Here, the hood, the part A, the part B, the part C, the part D, the part E, and the part F are composed of a first fabric. Moreover, other parts of the protective clothing except the hood and the parts A to F are made of a first fabric. That is, the protective clothing in Comparative example 3 is composed of a first fabric only.

A total area of the first fabric to a total area of the protective clothing was 100%. Next, using the protective clothing in Comparative example 3, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Types of fabric used for each part and evaluation results were as shown in Table 9.

Comparative Example 4

Fabric similar to the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 1 was prepared as a second fabric. Then, from the obtained second fabric, a plurality of parts corresponding to a plurality of regions constituting the protective clothing were cut out. Next, these parts were sewn together with a sewing machine in order to form an overall type protective clothing with a hood. The obtained protective clothing was used as a protective clothing in Comparative example 4.

A conceptual diagram of the obtained protective clothing is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. That is, FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a front surface of the protective clothing 21 in Comparative example 4 which is one embodiment of the protective clothing of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of a back surface of the protective clothing 21 in Comparative example 4 which is one embodiment of the present invention. The protective clothing 21 comprises a pair of sleeve parts, a body part, a lower garment, and a hood 15. In addition, the front body part comprises a part C covering a wearer's greater pectoral muscle and a part D covering the wearer's subscapular muscle. Besides, the above-described part C is indicated by reference numeral 12, and the above-described part D is indicated by reference numeral 16. Moreover, one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm. Furthermore, the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm. Besides, the above-described part A is indicated by reference numeral 10, and the above-described part B is indicated by reference numeral 11. Moreover, the lower garment comprises a part E covering a knee joint of the wearer's right leg and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg. Besides, the above-described part E is indicated by reference numeral 13, and the above-described part F is indicated by reference numeral 14. Here, the hood, the part A, the part B, the part C, the part D, the part E, and the part F are composed of a second fabric. Moreover, other parts of the protective clothing except the hood and the parts A to F are made of a second fabric. That is, the protective clothing in Comparative example 4 is composed of a second fabric only.

A total area of the second fabric to a total area of the protective clothing was 100%.

Next, using the protective clothing in Comparative example 4, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Types of fabric used for each part and evaluation results were as shown in Table 9.

Example 10

A protective clothing 22 was produced by the similar method as in Example 4 except that the positions of the first sewn part S1 and the second sewn part S2 were changed to positions of a base part of a wearer's right arm and a base part of the wearer's left arm, respectively, in the protective clothing of Example 4 (protective clothing 17, see FIGS. 2 to 3). A conceptual diagram of the obtained protective clothing is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

A total area of the first fabric to a total area of the protective clothing was 33%, and a total area of the second fabric to the total area of the protective clothing was 67%.

Next, using the protective clothing 22 in Example 10, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 9.

Example 11

The protective clothing 23 in Example 11 further has a part G covering a wearer's waist at the time of wearing the protective clothing and a sewn part (a third sewn part S3) in which a first fabric and a second fabric are sewn, in the protective clothing of Example 4 (protective clothing 17, see FIGS. 2 to 3). A conceptual diagram of the protective clothing 23 is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The above-described part G is indicated by reference numeral 24. In this case, the second fabric is arranged on the part G. Moreover, a gather part G1 tightening a wearer's waist is formed on the part G. The third sewn part S3 is provided on the wearer's head side rather than the gather part G1.

A total area of the first fabric to a total area of the protective clothing was 38%, and a total area of the second fabric to the total area of the protective clothing was 62%.

Next, using the protective clothing 23 in Example 11, three monitors performed a comfortability test and a workability test. Characteristics of the first fabric used, characteristics of the second fabric used, and evaluation results were as shown in Table 9.

TABLE 1 Comparative Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 example 1 First Air permeability cm3/cm2/sec 94 60 32 23 fabric Bending resistance mm 85 85 86 87 Filtration efficiency % 84 89 95 98 Static pressure difference Pa 1.5 1.9 3.1 4.2 QF value 1.22 1.16 0.97 0.93

TABLE 2 Comparative Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 example 1 Melt-blown non-woven Bulk density g/cm3 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.18 fabric of first fabric Basis weight g/m2 15 15 15 15 Thickness μm 109 100 96 85 Fiber diameter μm 6 4 3 3

TABLE 3 Example 1 Spunbonded non-woven Bulk density g/cm3  0.19 fabric of first fabric Basis weight g/m2 20   Thickness μm 105    Fiber diameter μm 22  

TABLE 4 Comparative Example 1 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 9 example 2 Second fabric Air cm3/cm2/ 20 23 21 18 15 34 permeability sec Bending mm 71 32 54 80 12 98 resistance Filtration % 48 28 35 50 15 52 efficiency Static pressure Pa 6.9 6.7 6.8 6.9 7.1 5.8 difference QF value 0.09 0.05 0.06 0.10 0.02 0.13

TABLE 5 Example 1 Melt-blown non-woven Bulk density g/cm3  0.20 fabric of second fabric Basis weight g/m2 10   Thickness μm 50   Fiber diameter μm 3  

TABLE 6 Comparative Example 1 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 9 example 2 Spunbonded Bulk density g/cm3 0.13 0.14 0.13 0.11 0.09 0.16 non-woven Basis weight g/m2 20 20 20 20 10 30 fabric of Thickness μm 155 141 149 190 113 192 second fabric Fiber diameter μm 20 18 19 22 14 25

TABLE 7 Comparative Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 example 1 Fabric First fabric Air permeability cm3/cm2/ 94 60 32 22 sec Filtration efficiency % 84 65 52 48 Second fabric Bending resistance mm 71 71 71 71 Filtration efficiency % 48 48 48 48 Protective clothing Temperature in clothing ° C. 33 33 33 34 Relative temperature in clothing % RH 70 74 78 83 Evaluation on Monitor No.1 A A B B comfortability Monitor No.2 A B B C Monitor No.3 A B B C Most common A B B C evaluation Evaluation on Monitor No.1 A A A A workability Monitor No.2 B B B B Monitor No.3 B B B B Most common B B B B evaluation

Table 7 summarizes a protective clothing made from a first fabric having a different air permeability and a second fabric having a bending resistance of 71 mm. Specifically, in Examples 1 to 3, a bulk density of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the first fabric is 0.14 g/cm3 or more, so that an air permeability of the first fabric became 32 cm3/cm2/sec or more. As a result, in the protective clothing using the first fabric and the second fabric, a temperature inside the closing when worn became 33° C., and a relative humidity became 78% or less. Therefore, even in a wearer's comfortability test, the evaluation was judged as A or B. In addition, also in a wearer's workability test, the evaluation was judged as B. As described above, it can be said that the protective clothings in Examples 1 to 3 were able to achieve both comfortability and workability at a higher level.

On the other hand, in Comparative example 1, an air permeability of the first fabric of the protective clothing was 22 cm3/cm2/sec, and a bending resistance of the second fabric of the protective clothing was 71 mm. A bulk density of the melt-blown non-woven fabric provided in the first fabric of the protective clothing in Comparative example 1 was as high as 0.18 g/cm3. Therefore, the air permeability of the first fabric was low. In addition, a relative humidity inside the protective clothing at the time of wearing the protective clothing in Comparative example 1 using the above-described first fabric and the above-described second fabric was 83%, which was higher than a relative humidity outside the protective clothing. Therefore, the protective clothing was judged as C also in a wearer's comfortability test, in which comfortability was inferior.

TABLE 8 Comparative Example 1 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 9 example 2 Fabric First fabric Air permeability cm3/cm2/ 94 94 94 94 94 94 sec Filtration efficiency % 84 84 84 84 84 84 Second fabric Bending resistance mm 71 32 54 80 12 98 Filtration efficiency % 48 28 35 50 15 52 Protective clothing Temperature in clothing ° C. 33 33 33 33 33 33 Relative temperature in clothing % RH 70 70 70 70 70 70 Evaluation Monitor No.1 A A A A A A on Monitor No.2 A A A A A A comfortability Monitor No.3 A A A A A A Most common A A A A A A evaluation Evaluation Monitor No.1 A A A B A C on Monitor No.2 B A A B A C workability Monitor No.3 B B B B A C Most common B A A B A C evaluation

Table 8 summarizes a protective clothing made from a first fabric having an air permeability of 94 cm3/cm2/sec and a second fabric having a different bending resistance. Specifically, in Examples 1, 4 to 6, a bulk density of the spunbonded non-woven fabric provided in the second fabric was 0.14 g/cm3 or less, and a fiber diameter was 22 μm or less, so that a bending resistance became 80 mm or less. As a result, in the protective clothing using the first fabric and the second fabric, a temperature inside the closing when worn became 33° C., and a relative humidity became 70%. Therefore, the protective clothing was judged as A in a wearer's comfortability test. In addition, the protective clothing was judged as A or B also in a wearer's workability test. As described above, it can be said that the protective clothings in Examples 1, 4 to 6 were able to achieve both comfortability and workability at a higher level.

Moreover, in Example 9, an air permeability of the first fabric of the protective clothing was 94 cm3/cm2/sec, and a bending resistance of the second fabric of the protective clothing was 12 mm. A bulk density of the spunbonded non-woven fabric provided in the second fabric of the protective clothing in Example 9 was 0.09 g/cm3, and a fiber diameter was 14 μm. Therefore, the bending resistance of the second fabric was low. Moreover, the protective clothing was judged as A also in a workability test at the time of wearing the protective clothing in Example 9 using the above-described first fabric and the above-described second fabric and was excellent in workability. Furthermore, the protective clothing in Example 9 was judged as A also in a result of a comfortability evaluation and was excellent in comfortability.

Moreover, in Comparative example 2, an air permeability of the first fabric of the protective clothing was 94 cm3/cm2/sec, and a bending resistance of the second fabric of the protective clothing was 98 mm. A bulk density of the spunbonded non-woven fabric provided in the second fabric of the protective clothing in Comparative example 2 was 0.16 g/cm3, and a fiber diameter was 25 μm, so that bending resistance of the second fabric was high. Therefore, the protective clothing in Comparative example 2 using the above-described first fabric and the above-described second fabric was judged as C in a workability test at the time of wearing and was inferior in workability.

TABLE 9 Comparative Comparative Example Example Example Example Example example example 4 7 8 10 11 3 4 Protective clothing Site A: Elbow joint Second Second Second Second Second First fabric Second of right arm fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric B: Elbow joint Second Second Second Second Second First fabric Second of left arm fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric C: Greater First First First First First First fabric Second pectoral muscle fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric D: Subscapular First First Second First First First fabric Second muscle fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric E: Knee joint of Second First Second Second Second First fabric Second right leg fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric F: Knee joint of Second First Second Second Second First fabric Second left leg fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric Hood First First Second First First First fabric Second fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric fabric Presence of G: Waist No No No No Yes No No gather Area ratio First fabric % 38 64 23 33 38 100 0 Second fabric % 62 36 77 67 62 0 100 Temperature in clothing ° C. 33 33 33 33 33 33 34 Relative temperature in clothing % RH 74 70 78 76 70 72 83 Evaluation on Monitor No.1 A A A A A A C comfortability Monitor No.2 A A B B A A C Monitor No.3 B A B B A A C Most common A A B B A A C evaluation Evaluation on Monitor No.1 A A A A A C A workability Monitor No.2 A B A A A C A Monitor No.3 B B A B B C A Most common A B A A A C A evaluation

Table 9 summarizes an arrangement in a protective clothing with a first fabric having an air permeability of 94 cm3/cm2/sec and a protective clothing having a different arrangement in the protective clothing with a second fabric having a bending resistance of 71 mm. Specifically, in Example 4, first fabrics were arranged on a part C covering a wearer's greater pectoral muscle, a part D covering the wearer's subscapular muscle, and a hood. Moreover, second fabrics were arranged on a part A covering an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm, a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm, a part E covering a knee joint of the wearer's right leg, and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg.

In Example 7, first fabrics were arranged on a part C covering a wearer's greater pectoral muscle, a part D covering the wearer's subscapular muscle, a hood, a part E covering a knee joint of the wearer's right leg, and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg. Moreover, second fabrics were arranged on a part A covering an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm and a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm.

In Example 8, a first fabric was arranged on a part C covering a wearer's greater pectoral muscle. Moreover, second fabrics were arranged on a part D covering the wearer's subscapular muscle, a hood, a part A covering an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm, a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm, a part E covering a knee joint of the wearer's right leg, and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg.

The similar arrangement as in Example 4 was applied to Example 10 except that the positions of the first sewn part S1 and the second sewn part S2 were changed to positions of a base part of a wearer's right arm and a base part of the wearer's left arm, respectively, in the protective clothing of Example 4 (protective clothing 17, see FIGS. 2 to 3).

The protective clothing in Example 11 further has a part G covering a wearer's waist at the time of wearing the protective clothing and a sewn part (a third sewn part S3) in which a first fabric and a second fabric are sewn, wherein a gather part G1 tightening the wearer's waist is formed on the part G, in the protective clothing of Example 4 (protective clothing 17, see FIGS. 2 to 3).

Additionally, in Examples 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11, a total area of a first fabric to a total area of a protective clothing was 23 to 64%, and a total area of a second fabric to the total area of the protective clothing was 77 to 36%.

As a result, a temperature inside the clothing at the time of wearing the protective clothing became 33° C., and a relative humidity became 78% or less. Therefore, these protective clothings were judged as A or B in wearer's comfortability tests. In addition, these protective clothings were judged as B in wearer's workability tests. As described above, it can be said that the protective clothings in Examples 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11 were able to achieve both comfortability and workability at a higher level. In particular, in the protective clothing 17 of Example 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the first sewn part S1 and the second sewn part S2 are formed between the elbow joint and the base part of each arm. In this way, the first fabric is arranged on the wearer's armpit part.

As a result, air permeability easily improves in areas where sweat easily occur, such as armpit parts and a periphery part of armpits. Therefore, the wearer who wore the protective clothing 17 of Example 4 was particularly comfortable.

Additionally, in the protective clothing 22 of Example 10 (see FIGS. 12 and 13), the first sewn part S1 and the second sewn part S2 are formed at the base of each arm. Therefore, the second fabric is arranged on the wearer's armpit part. As a result, air permeability in areas where sweat easily occur, such as armpit parts and a periphery part of armpits, was somewhat inferior to that of the protective clothing 17 of Example 4. However, this protective clothing 22 was excellent in workability because it made movements of arms and shoulders at base parts of the arms and shoulder parts much easier than the protective clothing 17 of Example 4.

Furthermore, in the protective clothing 23 of Example 11 (see FIGS. 14 and 15), the third sewn part S3 is provided on the wearer's head side rather than the gather part G1. Therefore, a volume in the garment between the protective clothing 23 and the wearer's body was able to be increased or decreased in accordance with the wearer's movement (for example, movements of step aerobics in the workability evaluation). As a result, air inside the garment of the protective clothing 23 was discharged to the outside the garment from the part C consisting of the first fabric on the head side rather than the third sewn part S3 with the gather part G1 being as a starting point, and air outside the garment was taken in from the part C. Accordingly, the protective clothing 23 was able to replace the air inside and outside the protective clothing 23. This allowed for the wearer to feel even more comfortable.

On the other hand, in Comparative example 3, the protective clothing was made from a first fabric only. Therefore, in the workability test at the time of wearing, the protective clothing was judged as C and was inferior in workability. Moreover, in Comparative example 4, the protective clothing was made from a second fabric only. As a result, the protective clothing made of a second fabric only had a temperature at 34° C. and a relative humidity of 83% inside the clothing when worn. Accordingly, the protective clothing was judged as C in the wearer's comfortability test and was inferior in comfortability.

EXPLANATION OF NUMERALS

  • 1. Span-bonded non-woven fabric layer
  • 2. Melt-blown non-woven fabric layer
  • 3. Background
  • 4. Dividing line
  • 5. Length of dividing line overlapping with spunbonded non-woven fabric layer
  • 6. Length of dividing line overlapping with melt-blown non-woven fabric layer
  • 7. Cavity-like part
  • 8. Length of dividing line overlapping with spunbonded non-woven fabric layer
  • 9. Length of dividing line overlapping with melt-blown non-woven fabric layer
  • 10. Part A covering elbow joint of wearer's right arm
  • 11. Part B covering elbow joint of wearer's left arm
  • 12. Part C covering wearer's greater pectoral muscle
  • 13. Part E covering knee joint of wearer's right leg
  • 14. Part F covering knee joint of wearer's left leg
  • 15. hood
  • 16. Part D covering wearer's subscapular muscle
  • 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. Protective clothing
  • 24. Part G covering wearer's waist
  • G1. Gather part
  • S1. First sewn part
  • S2. Second sewn part
  • S3. Third sewn part

Claims

1. A protective clothing comprising a pair of sleeves and a body part,

wherein one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part A covering an elbow joint of a wearer's right arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing,
wherein the other one of the pair of sleeve parts comprises a part B covering an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing,
wherein the body part comprises a part C covering the wearer's greater pectoral muscle at the time of wearing the protective clothing,
wherein the protective clothing has a first fabric having an air permeability of 30 cm3/cm2/sec or more and a second fabric having a bending resistance of 80 mm or less, wherein the first fabric is arranged on the part C and has a laminated structure of a first spunbonded non-woven fabric and a first melt-blown non-woven fabric, and wherein the second fabric is arranged on the part A and the part B and has a laminated structure of a second spunbonded non-woven fabric and a second melt-blown non-woven fabric.

2. The protective clothing of claim 1,

wherein a bulk density of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is 0.05 g/cm3 or more and 0.18 g/cm3 or less,
wherein a thickness of the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is 70 μm or more and 200 μm or less,
wherein the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is a charged melt-blown non-woven fabric,
wherein the first spunbonded non-woven fabric and the first melt-blown non-woven fabric are adhered by a first adhesive, and a content of the first adhesive is 0.5 g/m2 or more and 5.0 g/m2 or less,
wherein a bulk density of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is 0.20 g/cm3 or more and 0.53 g/cm3 or less,
wherein a thickness of the second melt-blown non-woven fabric is 30 μm or more and 120 μm or less,
wherein a bulk density of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric is 0.10 g/cm3 or more and 0.15 g/cm3 or less,
wherein a thickness of the second spunbonded non-woven fabric is 120 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and
wherein the second spunbonded non-woven fabric and the second melt-blown non-woven fabric are directly laminated or adhered by a second adhesive, and when the second adhesive is used, a content of the second adhesive is more than 0 g/m2 and 0.4 g/m2 or less.

3. The protective clothing of claim 2,

wherein an average fiber diameter of fibers constituting the first melt-blown non-woven fabric is 3 μm or more and 15 μm or less.

4. The protective clothing of claim 1,

wherein a QF value of the first fabric is 0.30 or more, and
wherein a QF value of the second fabric is 0.20 or less.

5. The protective clothing of claim 1,

wherein a total area of the first fabric is 15% or more and 70% or less based on a total area of the protective clothing, and
wherein a total area of the second fabric is 30% or more and 85% or less based on the total area of the protective clothing.

6. The protective clothing of claim 1, further comprising

a hood,
wherein the body part and the hood are integrated.

7. The protective clothing of claim 1, further comprising

a lower garment,
wherein the body part and the lower garment are integrated.

8. The protective clothing of claim 1,

wherein the body part further comprises a part D covering a wearer's subscapular muscle at the time of wearing the protective clothing, and
wherein the first fabric is arranged on the part D.

9. The protective clothing of claim 6,

wherein at least a part of the hood is made of the first fabric.

10. The protective clothing of claim 7,

wherein the lower garment comprises a part E covering a knee joint of a wearer's right leg at the time of wearing the protective clothing and a part F covering a knee joint of the wearer's left leg at the time of wearing the protective clothing, and
wherein the second fabric is arranged on the part E and the part F.

11. The protective clothing of claim 1,

wherein one of the pair of sleeve parts has a first sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn,
wherein the other one of the pair of sleeve parts has a second sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn,
wherein the first sewn part is formed between an elbow joint of the wearer's right arm and a base part of the wearer's right arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing, and
wherein the second sewn part is formed between an elbow joint of the wearer's left arm and a base part of the wearer's left arm at the time of wearing the protective clothing.

12. The protective clothing of claim 10,

wherein the body part has a part G covering the wearer's waist at the time of wearing the protective clothing and a third sewn part in which the first fabric and the second fabric are sewn,
wherein the second fabric is arranged on the part G,
wherein the part G has a gather part tightening the wearer's waist, and
wherein the third sewn part is provided on the wearer's head side rather than the gather part.
Patent History
Publication number: 20220167688
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 14, 2020
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2022
Applicant: Toray Industries, Inc. (Tokyo)
Inventors: Hiroki Takeda (Otsu-shi, Shiga), Yuichiro Hayashi (Otsu-shi, Shiga), Yu Shibata (Otsu-shi, Shiga)
Application Number: 17/617,123
Classifications
International Classification: A41D 13/002 (20060101); A41D 13/08 (20060101); A41D 31/14 (20060101);