AU731478B2 - Improved nonwoven barrier - Google Patents
Improved nonwoven barrier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU731478B2 AU731478B2 AU35738/97A AU3573897A AU731478B2 AU 731478 B2 AU731478 B2 AU 731478B2 AU 35738/97 A AU35738/97 A AU 35738/97A AU 3573897 A AU3573897 A AU 3573897A AU 731478 B2 AU731478 B2 AU 731478B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- web
- nonwoven
- fabric
- sterilized
- nelson
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
- B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/26—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
- A61L2/04—Heat
- A61L2/06—Hot gas
- A61L2/07—Steam
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
- A61L2/14—Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
- A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
- A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
- A61L2/202—Ozone
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
- A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
- A61L2/206—Ethylene oxide
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
- B29C71/0081—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor using an electric field, e.g. for electrostatic charging
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/022—Non-woven fabric
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
- D04H1/4282—Addition polymers
- D04H1/4291—Olefin series
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/54—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
- D04H1/559—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving the fibres being within layered webs
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/54—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
- D04H1/56—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving in association with fibre formation, e.g. immediately following extrusion of staple fibres
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H3/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
- D04H3/08—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating
- D04H3/14—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with bonds between thermoplastic yarns or filaments produced by welding
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M10/00—Physical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. ultrasonic, corona discharge, irradiation, electric currents, or magnetic fields; Physical treatment combined with treatment with chemical compounds or elements
- D06M10/008—Treatment with radioactive elements or with neutrons, alpha, beta or gamma rays
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M10/00—Physical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. ultrasonic, corona discharge, irradiation, electric currents, or magnetic fields; Physical treatment combined with treatment with chemical compounds or elements
- D06M10/02—Physical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. ultrasonic, corona discharge, irradiation, electric currents, or magnetic fields; Physical treatment combined with treatment with chemical compounds or elements ultrasonic or sonic; Corona discharge
- D06M10/025—Corona discharge or low temperature plasma
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M10/00—Physical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. ultrasonic, corona discharge, irradiation, electric currents, or magnetic fields; Physical treatment combined with treatment with chemical compounds or elements
- D06M10/04—Physical treatment combined with treatment with chemical compounds or elements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B46/00—Surgical drapes
- A61B46/40—Drape material, e.g. laminates; Manufacture thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
- B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
- B29K2105/08—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns
- B29K2105/0854—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns in the form of a non-woven mat
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
- B32B2250/03—3 layers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/20—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular electrical or magnetic properties, e.g. piezoelectric
- B32B2307/21—Anti-static
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
- D06M2101/02—Natural fibres, other than mineral fibres
- D06M2101/04—Vegetal fibres
- D06M2101/06—Vegetal fibres cellulosic
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
- D06M2101/02—Natural fibres, other than mineral fibres
- D06M2101/10—Animal fibres
- D06M2101/12—Keratin fibres or silk
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
- D06M2101/02—Natural fibres, other than mineral fibres
- D06M2101/10—Animal fibres
- D06M2101/14—Collagen fibres
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
- D06M2101/16—Synthetic fibres, other than mineral fibres
- D06M2101/18—Synthetic fibres consisting of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10S428/903—Microfiber, less than 100 micron diameter
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S55/00—Gas separation
- Y10S55/39—Electrets separator
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
- Y10T442/608—Including strand or fiber material which is of specific structural definition
- Y10T442/614—Strand or fiber material specified as having microdimensions [i.e., microfiber]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
- Y10T442/659—Including an additional nonwoven fabric
- Y10T442/66—Additional nonwoven fabric is a spun-bonded fabric
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
- Y10T442/68—Melt-blown nonwoven fabric
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
- Y10T442/681—Spun-bonded nonwoven fabric
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
- Y10T442/696—Including strand or fiber material which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous compositions, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]
Description
WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 IMPROVED NONWOVEN BARRIER Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to bacterial barrier fabrics. More particularly, the present invention is directed to nonwoven microbial barrier fabrics for use as sterilization wrap, surgical draping, surgical gowns, cover garments, such as over-suits, and the like.
Background of the Invention As is generally known, surgical gowns, surgical drapes, surgical face masks and sterile wrap (hereinafter collectively "surgical articles") have been designed to greatly reduce, if not prevent, the transmission through the surgical article of liquids and/or airborne contaminates. In surgical procedure environments, such liquids sources include the gown wearers perspiration, patient liquids, such as blood and life support liquids such as plasma and saline. Examples of airborne contaminates include, but are not limited to, biological contaminates, such as bacteria, viruses and fungal spores.
Such contaminates may also include particulate material such as, but not limited to, lint, mineral fines, dust, skin squames and respiratory droplets. A measure of a fabrics ability to prevent the passage of such airborne materials is sometimes expressed in terms of "filtration efficiency".
Many of these surgical articles were originally made of cotton or linen and were sterilized prior to their use in the operating room. Such surgical articles fashioned from these materials, however, permitted transmission or "strike-through" of various liquids encountered in surgical procedures. In these instances, a path was established for transmission of biological contaminates, either present in the liquid or subsequently contacting the liquid, through the surgical article. Additionally, in many instances surgical articles fashioned from cotton or linen provide insufficient barrier protection from the transmission therethrough of airborne contaminates. Furthermore, these articles were costly, and of course laundering and sterilization procedures were required before reuse.
Disposable surgical articles have largely replaced linen surgical articles.
Advances in such disposable surgical articles include the formation of such articles from totally liquid repellent fabrics which prevent strike-through. In this way, biological contaminates carried by liquids are prevented from passing through such fabrics.
However, in some instances, surgical articles formed from nonporous films, while being liquid and airborne contaminate impervious, are, or become over a period of time, uncomfortable to wear.
In some instances, surgical articles fashioned from liquid repellent fabrics, such as fabrics formed from nonwoven polymers, sufficiently repel liquids and SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 are more breathable and thus more comfortable to the wearer than nonporous materials. However, these improvements in comfort and breathable provide by such nonwoven fabrics have generally occurred at the expense of barrier properties or filtration efficiency.
While the focus thus far has been directed to surgical articles, there are many other garment or over-garment applications, such as personal protective equipment applications, whose designers require both fabric comfort and filtration efficiency. Other personal protective equipment applications include, but are not limited to, laboratory applications, clean room applications, such as semi-conductor manufacture, agriculture applications, mining applications, and environmental applications.
Therefore, there is a need for garment materials and methods for making the same which provide improved breathability and comfort as well as improved filtration efficiency. Such improved materials and methods are provided by the present invention and will become more apparent upon further review of the following specification and claims.
Summary of the Invention In response to the above problems encountered by those of skill in the art, the present invention provides a steam sterilizable nonwoven material, such as nonwoven fabrics, formed from polymer fibers. The nonwoven materials of the present invention are formed by subjecting at least a portion of the nonwoven material to electreting and then sterilizing the nonwoven material. The nonwoven material may be subjected to electreting followed by sterilization or sterilization followed by electreting.
The sterilization procedure may be any method of sterilizing a solid material including, but not limited to, steam sterilization, ethylene oxide sterilization, plasma sterilization or ozone sterilization. The nonwoven material may also be treated with an antistatic material before or after subjecting the nonwoven material to electreting.
These methods further include positioning another nonwoven material in a juxtaposed relationship with the first nonwoven material. Portions of the other, or second, nonwoven material may be subjected to electreting before or after sterilization.
The second nonwoven material may also be treated with an antistatic material before or after being subjected to electreting.
The nonwoven materials includes a sterilized web formed from fibers of a polymer wherein a portion of these fibers have been subjected to electreting. The sterilized nonwoven composition may also include an antistatic material present about portions thereof. The above nonwoven composition may further include a second web 2 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCTIUS97/10716 in a juxtaposed relationship to the first web. The second web may be formed from polymer fibers wherein a portion of these fibers may be subjected to electreting. An antistatic treatment may also be present about portions of the second web.
The composition of the present invention further includes a nonwoven material including a first web formed from fibers of a polymer, wherein at least a portion of these fibers have been subject to electreting and wherein an antistatic material is present about portions of the first web. This composition may further include a second web formed from fibers of a polymer, wherein the polymer is positioned in a juxtaposed relationship with the first web. The second web may also be subjected to electreting.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.
Detailed Description Disclosed herein are compositions, and methods of making the same, which improved both the airborne contaminate barrier and filtration efficiency of a web formed from polymer fibers. Among the applications for such compositions and methods are included, but not limited to, applications requiring sterilizable, breathable materials having high airborne contaminate barrier properties. Such materials have application in surgical articles, such as gowns, drapes, sterile wrap and face mask, as well as other non-surgical applications such as agriculture, mining, clean room and environmental applications.
As used herein, the term "dielectric" means a material, such as a polymer, which is an electrical insulator or in which an electric field can be sustained with a minimum dissipation of power. A solid material is a dielectric if its valence band is full and is separated from the conduction band by at least 3 eV. This definition is adopted from the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science Technology, 7th Edition, Copyright 1992.
As used herein, the term "nonwoven fabric" refers to a fabric that has a structure of individual fibers or filaments which are interlaid, but not in an identifiable repeating manner.
As used herein the term "spunbond fibers" refers to fibers which are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine, usually circular capillaries of a spinnerette with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced as by, for example, in U.S. Patent no. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., and U.S. Patent no. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Patent no. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Patent nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Patent nos.
3 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 ,502,763 and 3,909,009 to Levy, and U.S. Patent no. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al which are all herein incorporated by reference.
As used herein the term "meltblown fibers" means fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into a high velocity, usually heated gas (e.g.
air) stream which attenuates the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a fabric of randomly disbursed meltblown fibers. Meltblowing is described, for Example, in U.S. Patent no. 3,849,241 to Buntin, U.S. Patent no. 4,307,143 to Meitner et al., and U.S. Patent 4,663,220 to Wisneski et al which are all herein incorporated by reference.
Polymers are well suited for the formation of nonwoven materials which are useful in the practice of the present invention. Nonwoven materials can be made from a variety of processes including, but not limited to, air laying processes, wet laid processes, hydroentangling processes, spunbonding, meltblowing, staple fiber carding and bonding, and solution spinning. The fibers themselves can be made from a variety of dielectric materials including, but not limited to, polyesters, polyolefins, nylon and copolymer of these materials. The fibers may be relatively short, staple length fibers, typically less than 3 inches, or longer more continuous fibers such as are produced by a spunbonding process.
It has been found that nonwovens formed from polyolefin-based fibers are particularly well-suited for the above applications. Examples of such nonwovens are the polypropylene nonwovens produced by the Assignee of record, Kimberly-Clark Corporation. And more particularly, the spunbond, meltblown, spunbond material produced by Kimberly-Clark Corporation.
This spunbond, meltblown, spunbond material may be made from three separate layers which are laminated to one another. Such a method of making this laminated material is described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent NO. 4,041,203 to Brock et al. which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Alternatively, the spunbond, meltblown, spunbond material may be made by first forming a spunbond, meltblown laminate. The spunbond, meltblown laminate is formed by applying a layer of meltblown on to a layer of spunbond. The second layer of spunbond is then applied to the meltblown side of the previously formed spunbond, meltblown laminate. Generally, the two outer layers provide the nonwoven fabric with strength while the inner layer provides barrier properties.
The nonwoven web of the present invention may be formed from a single layer or multiple layers. In the case of multiple layers, the layers are generally positions in a juxtaposed or surface-to-surface relationship and all or a portion of the 4 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 layers may be bound to adjacent layers. The nonwoven web may also be formed from a plurality of separate nonwoven webs wherein the separate nonwoven webs may be formed from single or multiple layers. In those instances where the nonwoven web includes multiple layers, the entire thickness of the nonwoven web may be subjected to electreting or individual layers may be separately subjected to electreting and then combined with other layers in a juxtaposed relationship to form the finished nonwoven web.
The terms "electret" or "electreting" means a treatment that imparts charges to a dielectric material such as polyolefins. The charge includes layers of positive or negative charges trapped at or near the surface of of the polymer, or charge clouds stored in the bulk of the polymer. The charge also includes polarization charges which are frozen in alignment of the dipoles of the molecules. Methods of subjecting a material to electreting are well known by those skilled in the art. These methods include, for example, thermal, liquid-contact, electron beam and corona discharge methods. One particular technique of subjecting a material to electrostatic electreting is the technique disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,401,466, and is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference. This technique involves subjecting a material to a pair of electrical fields wherein the electrical fields have opposite polarities.
Sterilization of the nonwoven web may be accomplished by several techniques which including, but not limited to, ethylene oxide sterilization, steam sterilization, plasma sterilization, or ozone sterilization techniques. Ozone sterilization is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,266,275; 5,344,622; 5,333,355; 5,280876; 5145350;.
Plasma sterilization is described for example in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,084,239. In those instances when the nonwoven web is used to wrap surgical instruments, steam sterilization techniques are commonly used although other sterilization techniques can be used. In such instances, the unsterile instruments are first wrapped in the nonwoven web. The wrapped instruments are then sterilized. The instruments, still wrapped, are then removed from the sterilizing equipment and are stored in the wrapping material until needed. When needed, the wrapping web is removed making the instruments available for handling.
For steam sterilization, the steam sterilization cycle may vary dependent upon type of sterilizer and the size/quantity of the items being sterilized. For example, the time and temperature parameters for gravity-displacement cycles may range from to 15 minute exposure time at 270 OF to 275 OF to 15 to 30 minute exposure time at 250 OF to 254 OF. For prevacuum cycles, the time and temperature parameters may be 3 to 4 minutes at 270 °F to 275 And for steam-flush pressure-pulse cycles, the time and temperature parameters may range from 3 to 4 minutes at 270 "F to 275 "F to minutes at 250 "F to 254 "F.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 Sterilization of the web may also be accomplished by ethylene oxide sterilization. In those instances when it is desired to sterilize surgical instruments by ethylene oxide, the surgical instruments may be wrapped in a nonwoven web. The entire package may then be subjected to an ethylene oxide sterilization cycle. When the ethylene oxide sterilization cycle is completed, the instruments, still wrapped, are then removed from the ethylene oxide sterilizing equipment and are stored in the wrapping material until needed. When needed, the wrapping web is removed making the instruments available for handling.
When ethylene oxide is used to sterilize, ethylene oxide sterilization cycle may vary dependent upon type of sterilizer and the size/quantity of the items being sterilized. In the examples described below, ethylene oxide sterilization was accomplished by using either a RSSA Chamber J88-39 or J88-59, made by Vacu Dyne, IL. Generally, the ethylene oxide sterilization cycle includes a preconditioning phase, a sterilization phase and a de-gassing phase. The process parameters for each of these phases are provided below..
A. Preconditioning Process Parameters Temperature Relative Humidity Holding time Set Point 115F 63% 18 hours B. Sterilization Process Parameters Chamber Temperature during exposure Chamber Temperature at all other times Initial Evacuation Leak Test Leak Test Dwell Nitrogen Dilution Evacuation Humidity Injection Pressure Increase to Humidification Dwell Time ETC Injection Pressure Time to inject gas Cycle Exposure Exposure Pressure Exposure Temperature Set Point 130.0 F 130.0 F 1.2" Absolute 1.2" Absolute 5 minutes 3.2" Absolute 1.2" Absolute 2.9" Absolute 30 minutes 15" Absolute
NA
2 hours 15" Absolute 130.0 F SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 B. Sterilization (continued) Process Parameters Set Point 1st Re-evacuation 6.0" Absolute 1st Nitrogen Inbleed 50.0" Absolute 2nd Re-evacuation 1.6" Absolute 2nd Nitrogen Inbleed 50.0" Absolute 3rd Re-evacuation 1.6" Absolute C. Degassing Parameters Process Parameters Set Point Degassing Time 24.0 hours Degassing Temperature 1300 F Plasma sterilization of the nonwoven fabric may be accomplished by subjecting the nonwoven fabric to hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid plasma at a sufficient pressure for a sufficient time. In those instances when the nonwoven fabric is used to wrap surgical instruments or other unsterile supplies, such items are placed in an instrument tray. The instrument tray is then generally wrapped with two juxtaposed sheets of material commonly referred to as sterilization wrap. Sterilization wrap is usually a woven or nonwoven material which, when wrapped around the tray or package contents in a certain prescribed manner, will permit the entry of sterilizing vapor/gas or other medium to sterilize the contents of the tray while denying the ingress of contaminants such as bacteria and other infection causing materials after sterilization. Once sterilization is complete, the instruments and other supplies, still wrapped, are then removed from the plasma sterilizing equipment and are stored in the wrapping material until needed. When needed, the wrapping material is removed making the instruments available for handling. The plasma sterilization cycle may vary dependent upon the type of sterilizer, the size/quantity of. the items being sterilized and the composition of the chemical precursor of the active species of the plasma.
In those instances where the web is used in or around flammable materials or static charge build-up and/or discharge is a concern, the web may be treated with any number of antistatic materials. In these instances, the antistatic material may be applied to the web by any number of well known techniques including, but not limited to dipping the web into a solution containing the antistatic material or by spraying the web with a solution containing the antistatic material. In some instances the antistatic material may be applied to both the external surfaces of the web and the bulk of the web. In other 7 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 instances, the antistatic material may be applied to portions of the web, such as a selected surface or surfaces thereof.
Of particular usefulness is the antistatic material known as ZELEC an alcohol phosphate salt product of the DuPont Corporation. The nonwoven web may be treated with the antistatic material either before or after subjecting the web to electreting. Furthermore, some or all of the material layers may be treated with the antistatic material. In those instances where only some of the material layers are treated with antistatic material, the non-treated layer or layers may be subjected to electreting prior to or after combining with the antistatic treated layer or layers.
In the electreted webs according to the present invention, bacterial filtration efficiencies are greater than approximately 90% with a desirable bacterial filtration efficiency of greater than approximately 92% with a most desirable bacterial filtration efficiency of greater than approximately 94%. Maximum bacterial efficiency is 100%. Bacterial filtration efficiency analysis is measured by Nelson Laboratories of Salt Lake City, UT. The procedure used to determine these BFEs is described in Nelson Laboratories Protocol No. ARO/007B in accordance with MIL Spec 36954C, 4.4.1.1.1 and 4.4.1.2.
This invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appended claims.
Example 1 Kimberly-Clark manufactures a series of single sheet laminate nonwoven web materials made from spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) layers. These materials are available in a variety of basis weights. The nonwoven web materials used in the Examples were such single sheet laminate materials sold by Kimberly-Clark under the trademark KIMGUARD Heavy Duty Sterile Wrap. The basis weight of this material is 2.2 oz/sq yd. Both spunbond layers have a basis weight of 0.85 oz/sq yd and the meltblown layer has a basis weight of 0.50 oz/sq yd.
The method used to subject the samples reported in Tables 1-4 to electrostatic electreting is described in the above referenced U.S. Patent No.
5,401,466.
Referring now to Table I, a summary of bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) test results and standard deviation (SD) are reported for three categories investigated for Heavy Duty KIMGUARD Sterile Wrap. The first category, 8 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCTfUS97/10716 "Unelectreted" reports the average BFE for eleven samples of ZELEC treated and eleven samples of nonZELEC treated KIMGUARD material. These samples were not subjected to electreting or steam sterilization.
The second category, "Electreted", reports the average BFE for eleven samples of ZELEC treated and eleven samples of non-ZELEC treated KIMGUARD® material which were subject to electreting but not steam sterilization.
The third category, "Electreted/Sterilized" reports the average BFE for eleven samples of ZELEC® treated and eleven samples of non-ZELEC® treated KIMGUARD material which were first electreted then steam sterilized. Sterilization of these samples was accomplished in an Amsco 2021 Gravity Sterilizer, a product of American Sterilizer Co. of Erie, PA. Samples were sealed in a Baxter DUAL PEEL
T
Self Seal Pouch. The sealed pouches were exposed to 250 OF at 15 psi steam for minutes with a dry time of 5 minutes. After sterilizing, the above samples were analyzed by Nelson Laboratories for Bacterial Filtration Efficiency testing.
Table 1 Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (KIMGUARD® Heavy Duty Sterile Wrap) Description Unelectreted Electreted Electreted /Sterilized ZELEC® 85.55+/-2.38 93.85+/-3.67 95.87+/-0.99 Non-ZELEC® 82.18+/-1.66 96.36+/-1.72 93.64+/-2.72 As previously stated, Nelson Laboratories of Salt Lake City, UT preformed the above BFE analysis. The procedure used to determine these BFEs is described in Nelson Laboratories Protocol No. ARO/007B in accordance with MIL Spec 36954C, 4.4.1.1.1 and 4.4.1.2.
Example 2 Further analysis of the Heavy Duty KIMGUARD Sterile Wrap (2.2 oz) were conducted to determine BFE and the charge on the samples for both pre- and poststeam sterilizing. Steam sterilization of the samples reported in Example 2 was accomplished using the steam sterilization procedure reported in Example 1. The BFE results reported in Table 2 were the product of Nelson Laboratories using the protocol described in Example 1. These BFE results represent the average of eleven non-antistatic treated samples.
9 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 Table 2 Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (KIMGUARD Heavy Duty Sterile Wrap) Description BFE SD% Electret Pre Electret Post Unelectreted 90.6 2.3 Electreted 98.8 0.31 800-1000 v/cm 2 Electreted 94.4 2.0 100-180 v/cm 2 Sterilized After electreting but before steam sterilizing, a voltage of between 800 to 2 1,000 volts/cm 2 positive on one side of the material and negative on the other side of the material, was recorded. After steam sterilizing, a voltage of between 100 to 180 volts/sq cm, positive on one side and negative on the other side, was recorded. In both instances, voltage was measured using an Electrostatic Voltmeter (Trek Model 344, Trek, Inc. Median, NY) by taking ten readings on each side of the samples.
Example 3 Further barrier properties for SMS fabric samples were investigated Table 3 reports the barrier property results for KIMGUARD Heavy-Duty Sterile Wrap (KIM) and SPUNGUARD Regular Sterilization Wrap (SPU). SPUNGUARD Regular Sterilization Wrap is also a spunbond, meltblown, spunbond material having a basis weight of 1.05 oz/sq yd (0.35/0.35/0.35). These categories included ZELEC treated and non-ZELEC treated materials, electreted and non-electreted, sterilized and non-sterilized material.
The electreted and sterilized samples were prepared according to the electreting and sterilizing procedures described in Example 1 except that all sterilized sample pouches were conditioned at laboratory ambient environment for at least 4 hours prior to testing. For samples 1 and 2, the barrier properties were measured using the Nelson procedures described in Example 1. For samples 3 13, the barrier properties were measured using a microbial challenge procedure described below.
In runs 3 13, a six port exposure chamber was used. Five of the ports accommodated five separate samples. The challenge control filter material was positioned in the sixth port. Three conditions were maintained in the microbial challenge test. These were: first, a 2.8 LPM (Liters Per Minute) flowrate through each of the ports; second, an exposure time of fifteen minutes followed by a chamber exhaust of fifteen minutes, and; third, a microbial challenge that results in 1 x 106 CFU's (Colony Forming SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCTIUS97/10716 Units) per port. Bacillus subtilis ss globigil spores, purchased from Amsco (Part No.
NA-026, P-764271-022) was used to make the working spore suspension of 1 x 10 6 CFUs per port recovery.
TABLE 3 Sample Product ZELEC® Electreted Sterilized_ Avg%Red SD n 1 SPU No No Yes 71.5 9.1 12 2 SPU No Yes Yes 87.2 3.1 12S 3 KIM Yes No Yes 69.4 5.7 1 4 KIM Yes Yes Yes 80.8 9.1 1 KIM Yes Yes No 97.2 1.1 1 6 KIM Yes No Yes 80.1 9.2 7 KIM Yes Yes Yes 88.9 5.7 8 KIM Yes Yes No 94.6 2.7 1 9 KIM Yes No Yes 73.9 7.6 1 KIM Yes Yes Yes 86.2 4.1 1 11 KIM No No Yes 66.8 11. 1 9 12 KIM No Yes Yes 94.5 2.8 13 KIM No Yes No 98.2 0.7 1 n Number of fabric samples.
11 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 The average percent reduction (Avg%Red) is a measurement of filtration efficiency. The Avg%Red is an expression of the reduction of number of colony forming units (CFUs) or bacteria passing through a sample compared to the number CFUs in the challenge control filter material. The Avg%Red was calculated by subtracting the number of CFUs passing through a sample from the number of CFUs passing through the challenge control filter material and dividing this number by the number of CFUs for the challenge filter material. The result was then multiplied by 100 to convert to percent.
Table 3 demonstrates that filtration properties of the steam sterilized nonwoven samples are improved by the electreting the fabric samples (Samples 2, 4, 7, 10, and 12) as compared to samples which have not been subjected to electreting (Samples 1, 3, 6, 9, and 11).
Example 4 Table 4 reports charge data for the top and bottom surfaces of 2.2 oz.
KIMGUARD fabric samples subjected to various conditions. As noted in Table 4, one of the KIMGUARD samples was treated with ZELEC and the other was not. Except as otherwise indicated, the measurements were made on separate samples. Each sample had a general dimension of about 10" X 10". The area of each sample measured had a general dimension of about 6" X Measurements were taken each 1/2" in a 12 X 12 matrix. The charge number reported is an averaged number. The equipment used to measure charge was the same as described in Example 2.
Table 4 AVERAGE SURFACE VOLTAGE OF SAMPLES OF 2.2 OZ KIMGUARD STERILE WRAP Sample 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sterilizer Sterilizer Sample Sample #3 min. 60 min. #3 No No Pouch Material Side As Charge in in Pouch Sterilizer Received Duel Duel Sterilizer min.
Peel Peel 20 min.
Pouch Pouch KIMGUARD A -2.8 -125 -51 -100 30 -43 (Zelec®) B 1.6 -15 -48 -169 72 66 KIMGUARD A -61 272 239 -353 -146 -354 (NonZelec@ B 87 -432 -265 -243 -232 -223 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 Notes: Sample #5 rerun of #3 without pouch Sample #6 rerun of #4 without pouch Example Kimberly-Clark manufactures a series of single sheet laminate nonwoven web materials made from three layers of fibrous material, i.e., spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) layers. These materials are available in a variety of basis weights. The two nonwoven webs used in these Examples were such single sheet laminate materials sold by Kimberly-Clark. Each of the nonwoven webs had a basis weight of 2.2 osy (ounces per square yard). Both spunbond layers had a basis weight of 0.85 osy and the meltblown layer had a basis weight of 0.50 osy. One of the nonwoven webs was a ZELEC treated laminate and is sold by Kimberly-Clark the under the mark KIMGUARD Heavy Duty Sterile Wrap and is designated in Table 5 as "KIMGUARD The other nonwoven web, designated in Table 5 as "RSR" also had a basis weight of 2.2 osy but was not treated with an antistatic material. RSR fabric is the same as KIMGURARD® fabric except it is not treated with the antistatic agent ZELEC Both spunbond layers had a basis weight of 0.85 osy and the meltblown layer had a basis weight of 0.50 osy. The method used to subject these webs to electret treating is described in the above referenced U.S. Patent No. 5,401,466.
Table After EO Treatment Material Side Received Electreted Sample Sample Sample 1 2 3 KIMGUARD® A -2.8 -125 -4.2 27.2 (ZELEC®) +1.6 -15 24.1 -5.4 RSR A -61 +272 -89 -130 -138 (Non-ZELEC)_ B -87 -432 -90 -46 54 The surface charge for both KIMGUARD and RSR fabrics were analyzed and the data reported in Table 5. The charge data for each side of these fabrics was recorded for both before ("AS RECEIVED") and after electreting ("ELECTRETED"). Charge data were also recorded for ethylene oxide sterilized fabric samples which were first electreted and then ethylene oxide sterilized ("AFTER EO TREATMENT"). As noted in this example, the KIMGUARD samples were treated with 13 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 ZELEC and the RSR samples were not. Charge measurements were taken at 36 separate surface locations on each sample. For the categories, "AS RECEIVED" and "ELECTRETED", the KIMGUARD and RSR samples were each single large sheets of material. Each such sheets were then portioned into eleven smaller samples.
Sterilization and filtration data reported in Example 6 were derived from these smaller samples.
Charge measurements reported are averaged values of positive or 2 negative volts per cm The equipment used to measure charge was an Electrostatic Voltmeter (Trek Model 344, Trek, Inc. Median, NY).
As illustrated by the above data, the ethylene oxide sterilization process generally diminished the overall surface charge for both the electret treated KIMGUARD and the RSR material. It should be noted that the reduction of the overall surface charge does not effect the bacterial filtration efficiency of the treated fabric as illustrated in Example 6..
Example 6 A summary of the average bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) test results and standard deviation (SD) are reported for the two categories investigated for KIMGUARD in Table 6. The first category, reported in Table 6 is the "Nelson BFE".
"Nelson BFE" stands for Nelson Laboratory's (Salt Lake City, UT.) bacterial filtration efficiency test. The procedure used to determine these BFEs is described in Nelson Laboratories' Protocol No. ARO/007B in accordance with MIL Spec 36954C, 4.4.1.1.1 and 4.4.1.2. This category includes the average BFE for 11 KIMGUARD fabric samples which were electret-treated then ethylene oxide-sterilized ("KIMGUARD @/Electret/EO") and 11 non-electret-treated KIMGUARD® fabric samples which were ethylene oxidesterilized ("KIMGUARD The second category reported in Table 6 is "Microbial Challenge BFE".
This category includes the average BFEs for the KIMGUARD samples.
The Microbial Challenge BFE procedure utilized a six port exposure chamber. Five of the ports accommodated five separate samples. The challenge control filter material was positioned in the sixth port. Three conditions were maintained in the microbial challenge test. These were: first, a 2.8 LPM (Liters Per Minute) flow rate through each of the ports; second, an exposure time of fifteen minutes followed by a chamber exhaust of fifteen minutes, and; third, a microbial challenge that results in 1 x CFU's (Colony Forming Units) per port. Bacillus subtilis ss globigii spores, purchased from Amsco (Part No. NA-026, P764271-022) were used to make the working spore suspension of 1 x 106 CFUs per port recovery.
14 ,SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 The value reported is an expression of the reduction of number of colony forming units (CFUs) or bacteria passing through a sample compared to the number CFUs passing through the challenge control filter material. This value was derived by subtracting the number of CFUs passing through a sample from the number of CFUs passing through the challenge control filter material. The difference in the number of CFUs passing through these materials is then divided by the number of CFUs passing through the challenge filter material and then multiplied by 100 to convert to percent.
Table 6 Sample Nelson BFE Microbial Challenge
BFE
KIMGUARD@/Electret/EO 97.51+/-0.39 96.44+/-4.51 KIMGUARD@/EO 89.96+/-1.04 79.04+/-6.50 Example 7 summarizes the average Nelson BFE and the Microbial Challenge BFE categories for the RSR nonwoven materials. The procedures for both the Nelson BFE and Microbial Challenge BFE for the RSR materials were identical to the Nelson BFE and Microbial Challenge BFE procedures describe above.
"RSR/Electret/EO" stands for RSR electret-treated then ethylene oxide-treated samples. "RSR/Electret" stands for RSR electret-treated samples. "RSR/EO" stands for RSR ethylene oxide-sterilized samples. Eleven samples of each class of RSR material described above were analyzed and the results averaged.
TABLE 7 Sample Nelson BFE Microbial Challenge
BFE
RSR/ElectretEO 96.92+/-0.91 97.56+/-0.83 RSR/Electret 95.75+/-0.60 98.91+/-0.64 RSR/EO 79.73+/-3.20 79.82+/-5.96 Example 7 demonstrates that barrier properties of an ethylene oxide sterilizable material are improved when such material is first subjected to electreting, in particular electrostatic electreting, and then ethylene oxide sterilized as compared to the same material which is not subjected to electreting prior to ethylene oxide sterilization. It will be further observed that the decrease in the surface charge which occurred after SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 ethylene oxide sterilization (Table 5) did not significantly affect the barrier properties of these materials.
Example 7 Sample 1 consisted of six sheets of the above described 2.2 osy KIMGUARD Heavy Duty Sterile Wrap containing about 0.03 percent by weight of ZELEC, the antistatic treatment previously described, which was topically applied.
The dimension of each sheet was 27"x34".
Sample 2 consisted of two sheets of the above described 2.2 osy KIMGUARD® Heavy Duty Sterile Wrap but without any ZELEC®. Both Sample 1 and 2 were subjected to electrostatic electreting as described above.
Three, 10" x 10"x 3 1/2" plastic surgical trays were each wrapped with two sheets of Sample 1 material. One, 10" x 10"x 3 1/2" plastic surgical tray was wrapped with the two sheets of Sample 2 material. The sheet contacting the instrument tray is referred to as the "Bottom Layer" and the sheet overlying the Bottom layer is referred to as the 'Top Layer".
The four double wrapped surgical trays were sterilized in a STERRAD
T
plasma sterilizer model no. 100 (Advanced Strerilization Products Johnson Johnson Medical Inc.). After plasma sterilization, the bacterial filtration efficiencies for the plasma sterilized Top and Bottom Layers of Sample 1 and 2 were analyzed by Nelson Laboratories. Table 8 reports the data for the plasma sterilized Sample 1, Top and Bottom Layers and Table 9 reports the data for the plasma sterilized Sample 2, Top and Bottom Layers. The data reported in Tables 8 and 9 are the average of eleven measurements taken from different locations on each layer of material.
Table 8 2.2 osy KIMGUARD BFE% Electreted With ZELEC® Top Layer Bottom Layer 95.2 0.93 97.8 0.53 94.8 0.76 98.7 0.41 95.6 0.84 98.7 0.22 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716 Table 9 2.2 osy KIMGUARD® BFE% Electreted Without ZELEC® Top Layer Bottom Layer 94.3 1.98 98.2 0.66 Example 8 Sample 3 consisted of six sheets of the above described 2.2 osy KIMGUARD Heavy Duty Sterile Wrap containing about 0.03 percent by weight of ZELEC the antistatic treatment previously described, which was topically applied.
The dimension of each sheet was 27"x36".
Sample 4 consisted of two sheet of the above described 2.2 osy KIMGUARD Heavy Duty Sterile Wrap but without any ZELEC Samples 3 and 4 were not subjected to electrostatic electreting.
Three, 10 inch by 10 inch by 3 1/2 inch plastic surgical trays were each wrapped with two sheets of Sample 3 material. One, 10 inch x 10 inch x3 1/2 inch plastic surgical tray was wrapped with the two sheets of Sample 4 material. The sheet contacting the instrument tray is referred to as the "Bottom Layer" and the sheet overlying the Bottom layer is referred to as the "Top Layer".
The four double wrapped surgical trays were sterilized in the
STERRAD
T plasma sterilizer. After plasma sterilization, the bacterial filtration efficiencies for the plasma sterilized Top and Bottom Sample Layers were analyzed by Nelson Laboratories. Table 10 reports the data for the plasma sterilized Sample 3, Top and Bottom Layers and Table 11 reports the data for the plasma sterilized Sample 4, Top and Bottom Layers. The data reported in Tables 10 and 11 are the average of eleven measurements taken from different locations on each layer of material.
Table 2.2 osy KIMGUARD® BFE% With ZELEC® Top Layer Bottom Layer 90.7 1.42 93.1 1.48 91.5 1.56 92.0 1.53 92.4 1.56 92.5 0.67 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCTIUS97/10716 Table 11 2.2 osy KIMGUARD® BFE% Without ZELEC® Top Layer Bottom Layer 88.0 2.92 89.6 1.75 As demonstrated by the above Examples, the barrier properties of plasma sterilized non-woven materials are improved when these materials are subjected to electreting. It will be further observed that the barrier properties of a plasma sterilized antistatic treated non-woven materials are improved when these materials are subjected to electreting, for example electrostatic electreting.
While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.
18 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
Claims (25)
1. A sterilized, electreted web having a Nelson bacterial filtration efficiency of at least
2. The web of Claim 1, wherein the Nelson bacterial filtration efficiency is at least approximately 92%.
3. The web of Claim 1, wherein the Nelson bacterial filtration efficiency is at least approximately 94%.
4. The web of Claim 1, wherein the electreted web is a nonwoven web. The web of Claim 4, wherein the nonwoven web comprises two outer layers separated by an intermediate layer wherein the two outer layers are spunbond nonwoven layers and the intermediate layer is a meltblown layer.
6. The web of Claim 1, further comprising an antistatic material.
7. The web of Claim 1, wherein the web is sterilized by steam, ozone, plasma, or ethylene oxide.
8. A sterilized nonwoven web laminate comprising: two outer layers separated by an intermediate layer, wherein the two outer layers are spunbond nonwoven layers and the intermediate layer is a meltblown layer; and at least one of the layers is electreted.
9. The nonwoven web of Claim 8, wherein all three layers are electreted. The nonwoven web of Claim 8, wherein at least one of the layers is treated with an antistatic material.
11. The nonwoven web of Claim 8, wherein the web is sterilized by steam, ozone, plasma, or ethylene oxide. 19 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO 98/04767 PCT/US97/10716
12. The nonwoven web of Claim 8, wherein the web has a Nelson bacterial filtration efficiency of at least
13. The nonwoven web of Claim 8, wherein the Nelson bacterial filtration efficiency is at least approximately 92%.
14. The nonwoven web of Claim 8, wherein the Nelson bacterial filtration efficiency is at least approximately 94%. A method of manufacturing a fabric comprising sterilizing an electreted fabric.
16. The method of Claim 15, wherein the fabric is sterilized prior to being subjected to electreting.
17. The method of Claim 15, wherein the fabric is subjected to electreting prior to being sterilized.
18. The method of Claim 15, wherein the fabric is a nonwoven fabric.
19. The method of Claim 18, wherein the nonwoven fabric comprises a first and a second nonwoven fabrics positioned in juxtaposed relationship. The method of Claim 19, wherein the first and second nonwoven fabrics are positioned in juxtaposed relationship after the electreting step.
21. The method of Claim 19, wherein the first nonwoven fabric is subjected to electreting and the second nonwoven fabric is not subjected to electreting.
22. The method of Claim 15, wherein the fabric is treated with an antistatic material.
23. The method of Claim 19, wherein the first nonwoven fabric is treated with an antistatic material.
24. The method of Claim 19, wherein the second nonwoven fabric is treated with an antistatic material. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) F[ The method of Claim ozone, plasma, or ethylene oxide.
26. The method of Claim filtration efficiency of at least
27. The method of Claim filtration efficiency of at least 92%. o 28. The method of Claim filtration efficiency of at least 94%. 15, wherein the fabric is sterilized by steam, 15, wherein the fabric has a Nelson bacterial 15, wherein the fabric has a Nelson bacterial 15, wherein the fabric has a Nelson bacterial S* 0 55 S S 0
29. A sterilized electreted web substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples but excluding the comparative examples.
30. A sterilized non-woven web substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples but excluding the comparative examples.
31. A method of manufacturing a fabric, the method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples but excluding the comparative examples. *00 20 5 5 OS 5 500 [N:\LIBLL]02441:MPP:DMB
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU35738/97A AU731478C (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1997-06-19 | Improved nonwoven barrier |
Applications Claiming Priority (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US198928 | 1994-02-22 | ||
US266293 | 1994-06-27 | ||
AU19239/95A AU686769B2 (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1995-02-17 | Improved nonwoven barrier and method of making the same |
AU29042/95A AU693215B2 (en) | 1994-06-27 | 1995-06-26 | Improved nonwoven barrier and method of making the same |
US08/690587 | 1996-07-31 | ||
US08/690,587 US5834386A (en) | 1994-06-27 | 1996-07-31 | Nonwoven barrier |
PCT/US1997/010716 WO1998004767A1 (en) | 1996-07-31 | 1997-06-19 | Improved nonwoven barrier |
AU35738/97A AU731478C (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1997-06-19 | Improved nonwoven barrier |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU19239/95A Division AU686769B2 (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1995-02-17 | Improved nonwoven barrier and method of making the same |
AU29042/95A Division AU693215B2 (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1995-06-26 | Improved nonwoven barrier and method of making the same |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU3573897A AU3573897A (en) | 1998-02-20 |
AU731478B2 true AU731478B2 (en) | 2001-03-29 |
AU731478C AU731478C (en) | 2002-03-21 |
Family
ID=27152499
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU35738/97A Ceased AU731478C (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1997-06-19 | Improved nonwoven barrier |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU731478C (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0754796A1 (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1997-01-22 | Fiberweb North America, Inc. | Nonwoven laminate fabrics and processes of making same |
US5620785A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1997-04-15 | Fiberweb North America, Inc. | Meltblown barrier webs and processes of making same |
-
1997
- 1997-06-19 AU AU35738/97A patent/AU731478C/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0754796A1 (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1997-01-22 | Fiberweb North America, Inc. | Nonwoven laminate fabrics and processes of making same |
US5620785A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1997-04-15 | Fiberweb North America, Inc. | Meltblown barrier webs and processes of making same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU731478C (en) | 2002-03-21 |
AU3573897A (en) | 1998-02-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5814570A (en) | Nonwoven barrier and method of making the same | |
US5830810A (en) | Nonwoven barrier and method of making the same | |
US5834386A (en) | Nonwoven barrier | |
US5998308A (en) | Nonwoven barrier and method of making the same | |
US5958337A (en) | Single step sterilization wrap system | |
TW400227B (en) | Sterilization wrap and procedures | |
AU708641B2 (en) | Nonwoven web dielectric electrects with surface treatments | |
AU690837B2 (en) | Nonwoven laminate barrier material | |
Alt et al. | Development and validation of technologies suitable for the decontamination and re-use of contaminated N95 filtering facepiece respirators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic | |
AU731478B2 (en) | Improved nonwoven barrier | |
AU2010212476B2 (en) | Single step sterilization wrap system | |
MXPA00004659A (en) | Sterilization wrap and procedures |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) | ||
DA2 | Applications for amendment section 104 |
Free format text: THE NATURE OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS AS SHOWN IN THE STATEMENT(S) FILED 20010808 |
|
DA3 | Amendments made section 104 |
Free format text: THE NATURE OF THE AMENDMENT IS AS WAS NOTIFIED IN THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL DATED 20010830 |