MXPA97004255A - Clothing that has a layer of barrieradherida to e - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective garment, characterized in that it comprises: a cloth substrate, and a barrier film comprising a comfortable, thin polymeric film and a pressure sensitive adhesive, wherein the polymeric film adheres to the fabric substrate by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, wherein the fabric with the barrier film applied to it is resistant to the transmission of aqueous fluids and has a wet steam transmission rate or rate of at least 500 gm- 2 24 hrs-1, and the barrier film is provided as an assembly comprising the thin, polymeric film, the pressure-sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the polymeric film, means for protecting the adhesive beforehand. from the application of the barrier film to a cloth substrate, and means for handling the polymer film coated with adhesive during the application of the film The substrate is made of fabric, wherein the handling means binds to the polymeric film more tenaciously than the protective means bond to the adhesive surface of the barrier film, and wherein the barrier film of the film assembly The barrier is adapted to be applied to the fabric substrate by exposing the adhesive surface of the assembly, placing the exposed barrier film assembly on the fabric substrate thereby adhering the barrier film to the fabric substrate, and removing the film handling means. polymer

Description

CLOTHING THAT HAS A LAYER OF BARRIER ADHERED TO THIS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a garment (eg, a surgical suit) having a thin, comfortable polymer barrier film adhered to it. Particularly, this invention relates to polymeric, comfortable, thin adhesive coated barrier films combined with a barrier system to allow easy application of the adhesive barrier films to a piece of fabric or a finished garment and with the application method to do this.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to protective clothing, for example, a garment worn by a surgeon or other medical practitioner in an operating room or other surgical environment. Typically, garments worn by medical practitioners can be made to be "reusable" or "disposable". Traditionally reusable surgical suits and fabrics have been made from cotton or a cotton / polyester blend that has a REF count of 24815, such as a count of 140 threads per square inch for cotton calico and up to 280 threads per square inch for very tight cotton fabrics. These reusable woven materials are washed, sterilized, usually in a steam autoclave, and wrapped in a sterile package to retain their sterility until use. After being used, the reusable suit is recycled again by washing it, sterilizing it in an autoclave, wrapping it in a sterile wrap, etc. This process requires careful washing and sterilization due to the potential contamination concern of a procedure from one case to the next. Single-use suits, or "disposables", have been particularly well received for medical applications since they avoid the need for this careful washing step. Previous proposals for protective surgical apparel include a three-component sheet as described in US Patent No. 4,433,026 composed of a woven cotton layer and an outer layer of continuous polyester filament with a breathable yet-expanded PTFE film interposed between the two. The PTFE film laminated between the two fibrous layers is said to allow water vapor to pass through the composition.

US Patent No. 4,499,139 discloses a one-piece non-woven bacterial barrier material in which a small cell foam is placed within the non-woven substrate to define a barrier against bacteria. Absorbent icrobicidal fabrics are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,408,996; 4,414,268; 4,395,454 and 4,425,372. These patents describe surgical fabrics having an absorbent, highly wettable bioactive surface made of a non-cellulosic substrate with a non-leachable bioactive compound attached to the substrate. Non-woven fabrics treated to repel water, saline, body fluids and solvents are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,411,928 and 4,467,013. The non-woven fabric is provided with a bioactive finish, and the fabrics so produced are described as being useful for the construction of surgeon suits, medical fabrics, insulating suits, instrument wraps and the like. Unfortunately, the above laminated fabrics are very expensive, especially for use as a single-use disposable garment. In addition, garment seams made of such fabrics must be treated to prevent the migration or transport of pathogenic fluids through the needle holes left by the sewing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a garment (e.g., a surgical gown) having a thin, comfortable polymer barrier film adhered to it. The barrier film provides fluid resistance to the garment and allows the garment to "breathe" (i.e., that the barrier films of the present invention possess good wet vapor transmission). This feature allows the garment protected by the barrier film to be worn comfortably for longer periods of time than the more typical occlusive garments. In addition, the preferred barrier films are resistant to the transmission of pathogens. Of particular importance is the use of the barrier film assembly of the present invention in the field of garments wherein comfortable, adhesive-coated polymer barrier films are applied to a garment (the barrier film coated with adhesive can be applied to the inner side and / or the outer side of the garment). Adhesive, thin, comfortable polymer coated barrier films are preferably applied to the garment or expanded fabric without wrinkling of the film or fabric. Therefore, it is important that the barrier film coated with adhesive does not block or otherwise adhere during application to the garment or piece of fabric. The barrier assemblies of the present invention provide this capability. The barrier film of the present invention, before being applied to a cloth substrate, is preferably provided as an assembly in the form of a single sheet, a roll of material, or a pad of stacked sheets. The assembly preferably comprises (1) a relatively thin, comfortable polymeric film, (2) a pressure-sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the film, (3) means to protect the adhesive prior to application of the adhesive. the film to the fabric substrate; and (4) means for handling the film coated with adhesive during the application of the film to the fabric substrate. In one embodiment, the assembly is provided as individual sheets wherein each sheet comprises (1) a relatively thin, comfortable polymeric film, (2) a pressure sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a film surface, ( 3) a release liner bonded to the adhesive coated surface of the film, and (4) a release liner attached to the surface of the film opposite the surface containing the pressure sensitive adhesive, the release liner is bonded to the film more tenaciously than the release liner is attached to the adhesive surface of the film. In another embodiment, the assembly is provided as a roll comprising (1) a relatively thin, comfortable polymeric film, (2) a pressure sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the film, (3) a removable liner attached to the film-coated surface, and (4) a removable carrier layer bonded to the surface of the film opposite the surface containing the pressure-sensitive adhesive, the release liner is bonded to the film more tenaciously than the release liner is bonded to the adhesive surface of the film. In another embodiment, the assembly is provided as a roll comprising (1) a relatively thin, comfortable polymeric film, (2) a pressure-sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the film, and (3) a separating layer attached to the surface of the film opposite the surface containing the pressure-sensitive adhesive, the separating layer has a first peelable surface and a second peelable surface, wherein the peelable surface is bonded to the film more tenaciously than what the release surface is attached to the adhesive surface of the film. In another embodiment, the assembly is provided as a sheet pad, wherein the sheets comprise (1) a relatively thin, comfortable polymeric film, (2) a pressure sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the movie, and (3) a separating layer (alternatively referred to as a "separating sheet") attached to the surface of the film opposite the surface containing the pressure-sensitive adhesive, the separating layer has a first drapable surface and a second removable surface. , wherein the release surface is bonded to the film more tenaciously than the adhesive surface is attached to the releasable surface of an adjacent sheet. The barrier film assemblies herein can be used in a method for applying the relatively thin, comfortable polymeric film to a cloth substrate, comprising the step of: exposing the adhesive surface of a relatively thin, comfortable polymeric film, wherein the film is supported by a removable carrier layer; placing the film on the cloth substrate thereby causing the film to adhere to the substrate; and removing the removable carrier layer from the film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can be more clearly understood by reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an expanded perspective view showing one embodiment of the barrier film assembly of the present invention prior to application of the barrier film on a cloth substrate; Figure 2 is an expanded perspective view of another embodiment of the barrier film assembly of the present invention prior to the application of. the barrier film on a cloth substrate; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a barrier film assembly of Figure 1 shown partially detached; Figure 4 is an expanded perspective view showing one embodiment of the barrier film pad assembly of the present invention prior to the application of the barrier film on a cloth substrate and wherein only a few sheets of the barrier film; Figure 5 is an expanded perspective view showing one embodiment of the barrier film roll assembly of the present invention prior to the application of the barrier film on a cloth substrate; Figure 6 is an expanded perspective view showing another embodiment of the barrier film roll assembly of the present invention prior to the application of the barrier film on a cloth substrate; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a surgical suit of the present invention, wherein a portion of the suit has a barrier film adhered thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is made to Figures 1 to 7 where similar parts have been given similar indication numbers. Through the drawings the different layers of film, adhesive, carrier layer or coating have been exaggerated in thickness for purposes of illustration and clarity. In particular, the adhesive layer is shown with an exaggerated thickness. In addition, the size of the different components can be modified, if desired, to accommodate the particular needs of the barrier film. Referring to the figures in more detail, the Figure 1 describes the assembly of barrier film 1 comprising a thin, comfortable polymeric film 2 coated with pressure sensitive adhesive 3 on the upper surface thereof. Above but usually attached to the upper surface of the film 2 containing adhesive 3 is the release liner 4 containing the portion 5 for covering of adhesive 3 and a tongue 6 which provides means for removing the release liner 4 of the adhesive 3 without touching it and thus contaminating the adhesive 3. Beneath the film 2 is the releasable carrier layer 7 comprising the frame 8 surrounding the opening 9 and containing the tongue portion 10 for the purposes of removing the removable carrier layer 7 from the film 2. The opening 9 provides the frame 8 with flexibility and comfort. The tongue 6 and tongue portion 10 are optimal but are preferred for the reasons mentioned above. The tongue 6 and the tongue portion 10 can be integrated with release liner 4 and frame 8, respectively, or can be joined separately by an adhesive or other well-known means. In addition, the liner 4 can be provided in two or more parts 4a and 4b (not shown), wherein a first part can serve as a tongue (i.e., providing means for removing a first part of the release liner 4a from the 3 adhesive without touching and thus contaminate the adhesive 3). The second part of the liner 4b can then be removed after the film is applied to the fabric substrate. The releasable carrier layer 7 is preferably bonded to the film 2 by means of the mechanical bonding forces that result, for example, when the film 2 is extruded or otherwise formed on the releasable carrier layer 7. Alternatively, the releasable carrier layer 7 can be attached to the film by thermal sealing methods such as those described in Patent Applications Nos. 08 / 034,306 and 08 / 258,783 (Heinecke et al.). Figure 2 describes another preferred embodiment hitherto of the present invention. In this embodiment a comfortable, thin polymeric film 11, of the same type as the film 2 of the above embodiment, which contains pressure sensitive adhesive 12 on a surface thereof, is sandwiched between the release liner 13 (containing the portion 14 for covering the adhesive 12 on the film 11 and the tongue portion 15 which allows removal of the release liner 13 without being required to come in contact with the adhesive 12) and the removable carrier layer 16 (comprising the portion 17) which is attached to the non-adhesive surface of the film 11 and the tongue 18, which allows removal of the releasable carrier layer 16 of the film 11). The releasable carrier layer 16 is attached to the film 11, as described with respect to the embodiment of Figure 1. This embodiment will generally be referred to as 19. Figure 3 describes the assembly of barrier film 1 with the portions thereof shown joined together, specifically the release liner 4 is attached at a portion 5 to the adhesive 3 of the film 2. The tab 6 of the release liner 4 has been pulled so that a portion of the adhesive 3 on the film 2 is exposed. This describes how the release liner 4 is removed from the film 2 containing the adhesive 3, that is, the tongue 6 is held as a tongue 10 of the release layer 7. Since the release liner 4 is more easily removed from the adhesive 3 that the releasable carrier layer 7 of the film 2, the release liner 4 is removed leaving the film 2 containing the adhesive 3 with the releasable carrier layer 7 containing the tongue portion 10 the opening 9 and the frame 8 attached thereto. In Figure 3, a corner 20 of the film 2 was raised to show how the releasable carrier layer 7 is removed from the film 2 and to indicate that there is no adhesive bonding film 2 for the removable carrier layer 7. Also in the Figure 3, the opening 9 is visible because the film 2 and the adhesive 3 can be transparent. Figure 4 describes another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment a barrier film pad assembly 40 is provided comprising alternate layers of spacer sheet 42 and barrier film 48. Barrier film 48 (eg, two such sheets are shown as 48a and 48b) comprise a thin, comfortable polymeric film 50a, of the same type of film 2 of the first embodiment, containing pressure sensitive adhesive 52a on a surface thereof. The barrier film 48a is sandwiched between two spacer sheets 42a and 42b. Against the adhesive surface 52a of the barrier film 48a is the peelable surface 44b of the separator sheet 42b. Again the non-adhesive surface 50a of the barrier film 48a is the peelable surface 46a of the separator sheet 42a. With this construction, an individual barrier film assembly comprising a separator sheet and a barrier film can be easily removed. At the same time that the individual assembly of the pad is removed, an adhesive surface of the assembly is exposed. Notably, the tabs described above may be included along one or more of the edges of the pad to facilitate removal of the individual sheet. Also remarkably, the pad may comprise more than two sheets of barrier film described in Figure 4. The preferred pads of the present invention may comprise 10 or more sheets of barrier film stacked and separated. The most preferred pads of the present invention comprise 50 or more sheets of barrier film stacked and separated.

Figures 5 and 6 describe two alternative barrier film roll assemblies. When unrolled, the barrier film roll assembly 5 comprises three separable layers (namely, the peel backing layer 62, release liner 64 and barrier film 68 comprising a thin, comfortable polymeric film 69 and adhesives 72 coated on this) . The barrier film 69, which comprises the same type of film of the film 2 of the above embodiment, which contains pressure sensitive adhesive 72 on a surface thereof, is sandwiched between the release liner 62 and the removable carrier layer. 62. The detachable carrier layer 62 and release liner 64 are bonded to the barrier film 68, as described with respect to the embodiment of Figure 5. This embodiment will generally be referred to as 60. When unwinding, the assembly of The barrier film roll of Figure 6 comprises two separable layers (namely, the separating sheet 71 having the peelable surface 73 and the peelable surface 78; in the barrier film 74 comprising the comfortable, thin, polymeric film 74; adhesive 76 coated on this). When wound on a roll, the separator layer 71 thus serves both the function of the releasable carrier layer and the release liner as described with respect to the embodiment of Figure 5. When the sheet is unwound, the adhesive surface of the barrier film is exposed. Figure 7 illustrates a surgical suit 100 of the present invention, wherein portions of the suit body 106 and sleeves 108 are covered with barrier film of the present invention. Preferably, at least the front portion of the garment (for example from the neckline down to half the height) is covered with the barrier film of the present invention, since this is the portion that more frequently it comes in contact with fluid spills and pollution. If desired, a region of fluid absorbent material or a fluid collection bag may be provided, as described in US Patent Application No. 08 / 273,598, (for example, along the bottom of the garment of clothing) to absorb or collect fluids that are repelled by the barrier film. If desired, the entire garment can be covered with the barrier film. The application of the film to the fabric substrate can be carried out before sewing the garment or after completing the garment. If necessary, the exposed seams can be covered with a narrow strip of adhesive barrier film to cover any needle holes that may provide a pathway for the transmission of contaminants.

Suitable barrier films of the present invention include comfortable, thin polymeric films. Preferably, the films are from 6 to 50 microns thick, more preferably from 12 to 25 microns. The comfort depends somewhat on the thickness, in this way the thicker the film, the more comfortable the film. Reference has been made here to the films used in the device of the present invention that are comfortable for clothing. This means that when a film of the present invention is applied to the surface of a garment it makes the surface comfortable even when the surface moves. The most preferred films are comfortable for a sleeve or leg of the garment. When the sleeve or leg of the garment is flexed and then returned to its non-flexed position, the film is stretched to accommodate the flex of the garment, but is sufficiently elastic to continue to conform to the garment when the garment of dressing return to your condition not bent. A measure of comfort is the Fio module of the film which is the force in grams that it takes to stretch ten percent of the material from its original length. The films of the present invention preferably have a Fio module no greater than about 180 grams per cm in width and pederably less than about 140 grams per cm in width. Suitable garments of the present invention can be made with films having F10 modules greater than 450 grams per cm width, however, as the Fio module increases, comfort decreases. The Fio module, as it is called here, is determined using an Instron Model 1102 Unit from Instron Corp., Canton, Massachusetts. The head speed of the Instron is 25.4 cm per minute, the length of the garment is 5 cm, and the cut of the test sample for the test is 2.54 cm wide. Suitable barrier films (with the adhesive applied thereto) are permeable to moist vapor, thereby allowing the protected garment to breathe. Preferred barrier films (with adhesive applied to them) have a wet vapor transmission rate of at least 500 gm "2 24 hrs" 1. The most preferred barrier films (with adhesive applied thereto) have a wet vapor transmission rate of at least 1,000 g "2 24 hrs" 1. The most preferred barrier films (with adhesive applied thereto) have a wet vapor transmission rate of at least 1,500 gm "2 24 hrs" 1. Suitable fabrics with barrier film adhesively applied thereto are permeable to moist vapor, thereby allowing the protected garment to breathe. Preferred fabrics with barrier film adhesively applied to these have a wet vapor transmission rate of at least 500 gm "2 24 hrs" 1. The most preferred fabrics with barrier film adhesively applied thereto have a low conversion rate. wet steam transmission of at least 800 gm "2 24 hrs" 1. Suitable fabrics with barrier film adhesively applied to this resist the penetration of water, thus protecting the wearer from getting wet or coming in contact with pathogens. Preferred fabrics with barrier film adhesively applied to them have a moisture resistance of at least 30 cm when tested as described in Example 4. The most preferred fabrics with barrier film adhesively applied to these have a resistance to moisture of at least 50 cm when tested as described in Example 4. The most preferred fabrics with barrier films applied adhesively to these t They have a moisture resistance of at least 70 cm when tested as described in Example 4. Examples of films that are useful in the applicant's invention include polyurethane, elastomeric polyester, such as the polyester elastomer "Hytrel" from DuPont (Wilmington, Delaware), polyurethane and polyester blends and styrene / butadiene block copolymers, such as the "Kraton" thermoplastic rubber (Shell Chemical Company, Houston, Texas). Particularly preferred films for use in the present invention are polyurethane and elastomeric polyester films. Pressure sensitive adhesives suitable for use in the present invention include those pressure sensitive adhesives which are capable of providing the necessary amount of peel strength and / or shear strength to function in the required manner (eg, sufficient strength to securely bond the film to the surface of the fabric without unintentional detachment). Preferred adhesives are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and are also more preferably environmentally safe. Suitable adhesives that can be used on the film of the present invention include those described in U.S. Patent No. 24,906 to Ulrich, particularly a copolymer of 97% isooctyl acrylate units and 3% acrylamide units and a 94% copolymer of isooctyl acrylate units and 6% acrylic acid units. Other pressure sensitive acrylate adhesives suitable for use in the present invention include polymers that are the product of the polymerization reaction of at least one "A" monomer and at least one "B" monomer to produce a copolymer which has an inherent viscosity of about 1.0 dl / g to about 2.0 dl / g. Monomer A is a polymerizable monomer comprising an acrylate or methacrylate ester of a non-tertiary alcohol or a mixture of non-tertiary alcohols with alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and desirably averaging 4 to 12 atoms of carbon. Monomer B is an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and may desirably be acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, or combinations thereof. Monomer A is polymerizable and contributes to the viscoelastic properties of the copolymer of the pressure sensitive adhesive. Non-limiting examples of such monomers A include esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with a non-tertiary alkyl alcohol, such as 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol , 1-methyl-1-butanol, 1-methyl-1-pentanol, 2-methyl-1-pentanol, 3-methyl-1-pentanol, 2-ethyl-1-butanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 3 , 5, 5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 3-heptanol, 2-octanol, 1-decanol, 1-dodecanol, and the like. Such monomeric acrylic or methacrylic esters are known in the art, and may be commercially available. Monomer B is an ethylenically unsaturated compound copolymerized with monomer A to affect the physical properties of the resultant pressure sensitive adhesive copolymer. In general, the presence of monomer B will reduce the flexibility of the resultant pressure sensitive adhesive copolymer. Thus, the percentages by weight of monomer A and monomer B should be balanced to provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive copolymer having an inherent viscosity, preferably from about 1.0 dl / g to about 2.0 dl / g. The weight percent ratio of monomer A: monomer B was from about 85:15 to about 98: 2 and desirably from about 90:10 to about 97: 3. Other useful adhesives are those described in U.S. Patent No. 3,389,827 which comprises block copolymers having three or more polymeric block structures having a general configuration --A - B - A -, where each A is a block - of thermoplastic polymer with a vitreous transition temperature higher than room temperature (for example, higher than 20 ° C) having an average molecular weight of between about 5,000 and 125,000 and B is a polymeric block of a conjugated diene having a average molecular weight between approximately 15,000 and 250,000. Additional examples of useful adhesives are the isooctyl acrylate / n-vinyl pyrrolidone copolymer adhesives and crosslinked acrylate adhesives such as for example those described in US Patent No. 4,112,213. The pressure sensitive adhesive must be adherent at room temperature. Also, since the protected fabric can be worn close to the wearer's body and perhaps against his skin, the adhesive should preferably be hypoallergenic, i.e., even after continuous contact with the skin, there is no significant skin sensitization or irritation. . The pressure sensitive adhesive may have an adhesive attached to the formulation to improve the adhesiveness. Commercially available tackifiers include rosin resins of the "Foral" brand, such as "Foral AX" and "Foral 85" resins, commercially available from Hercules Corporation, partially hydrogenated methylstyrene hydrocarbon resins, such as "Piccolastic" resin. A25", also commercially available from Hercules Corporation. Such tackifiers may be added during the preparation of the pressure sensitive adhesive in an amount of about 35-40 weight percent of the copolymer solids. The alternative pressure sensitive adhesives useful in the present invention are pressure-sensitive adhesives based on hypoallergenic Kraton rubber produced using styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene copolymers commercially available as copolymers of the Krato brand. of the Shell Oil Company of Houston, Texas. In general, this type of adhesive may exhibit a low MVTR or may render the sheet undesirably low MVTR. In order to increase the MVTR of the sheets comprising this type of adhesive, it may be desirable to coat the adhesive securing the polymer film to the fabric in a pattern. In US Patents Nos. 5, 019,071 (Bany et al.) And 5,158,557 (Noreen et al.). A variety of pressure sensitive adhesives based on Kraton are described. Preferred as pressure sensitive adhesives based on Kraton rubber are the copolymers of the Kraton 1107, Kraton 1111, Kraton 1101, and Kraton D brands, adhered with compatible adherents such as the Escorez ™ 1310LC brand adherent commercially available from Exxon Chemicals, a solid Cs adherent resin, commercially available as an adherent brand Wingtack * "Plus from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio and naphthyl oils having 10% aromatics, available as Shellflex ™ 371 from Shell Oil Company. about 45 to about 70 weight percent of the pressure sensitive adhesive, while the Kraton copolymer may comprise about 30 to 55 weight percent.

The pressure sensitive adhesive copolymers can be copolymerized using the known polymerization techniques such as emulsion polymerization and solution polymerization. The polymerization preparation sources and techniques include Organic Polymer Chemistry, Saunders et al. (Halsted Publishing Company, New York 1973); Applied Polymer Science, Tess et al (American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1981); Principies of Polymerization, Odien (John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1981); and the Handbook of Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Technology, Second Edition, Staas, Ed., (Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, 1989). Specifically, pressure sensitive adhesive copolymers can be prepared according to US Patent No. 2,884,126 / RE 24,906 (Ulrich). The hitherto preferred acrylate copolymer pressure sensitive adhesives can be prepared by emulsion polymerization according to Example 5 of US Patent No. 2,884,126 / RE 24,906, except that the tackifier is added to the emulsion in an amount of about 35. -40% solids weight of the copolymer, and that the adherent copolymer is dissolved in a solution of heptane-isopropanol (70:30). The preferred Kraton copolymer pressure sensitive adhesive hitherto can be prepared in the manner as described in Examples 1-13 of US Patent No. 5,019,071.

The release liner (or separator sheet having a release surface) which is bonded to the adhesive on the film is a liner which peels off with less force than that required for the release liner (or separator sheet having a peelable surface). ) to be removed from the movie. Generally the adhesion to the coating (determined according to ASTM D3330-76) is between about 1 and 8 grams per 1 cm in width while the adhesion of the film to the releasable carrier layer is greater than that of the coating and fluctuates around 30 grams per 1 cm wide. Examples of release coatings include coatings made of or coated with polyethylene, polypropylene and fluorocarbons and release papers coated with silicone or polyester films. Examples of silicone coated release papers are Polyslik S-8004, bleached silicone release paper of 130 g / m2 distributed by H. P. Smith Co., Chicago, Illinois; 126 g / m2 bleached silicone coated paper on both sides distributed by Daubert Chemical Co., Dixon, Illinois; and coated bleached Kraft-Glassine paper with silicone. The releasable carrier layers may comprise materials generally of the type described with respect to the release liner although, as noted above, more adherent varieties or surfaces of the above materials will be used as carrier layers. The releasable carrier layers bind the film with less tenacity than the film adhesive binds to the fabric substrate. The barrier film adheres to a cloth substrate thereby providing the user with a fluid-resistant, yet comfortable, garment. The barrier film can be applied to the inner surface of the garment and / or the external surface of the garment. The garment may comprise conventional reusable fabrics (eg, cotton or a cotton / polyester blend) or disposable fabrics (ie, single-use or limited use) as non-woven fabrics. The barrier films of the invention are manufactured using conventional film forming techniques, for example extrusion, molding or calendering as well as conventional adhesive and cutting techniques. In one embodiment, the releasable carrier layer is preferably coated with the polymeric film by extruding the polymeric substance through a die or matrix onto the releasable carrier layer. Alternatively, the releasable carrier layer can be thermally sealed (or "thermally bonded") to the barrier film (eg, after the film has been coated with the adhesive and placed on a coating). The adhesive is then applied to the film using direct coating techniques or, more preferably, by transfer. The release liner is then placed over the adhesive of the film and the combination is cut with a die appropriately, either through die cutting at controlled depth with respect to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 or with respect to the embodiment. , to cut the entire device to provide the final product. Notably, the size and shape of the cut sheet can be designed to fit a particular fabric panel. For example, a piece in the form of a "bib" can be cut with a matrix to cover the chest and the tight portion of the surgical suit. Similarly, the sheets can be custom-sized to wrap a sleeve or leg of the garment. The barrier film assembly of the present invention can be produced in the form of individual units having the configuration shown in, for example, Figures 1 and 2. Alternatively, the barrier film assembly is packaged in a continuous roll of film adhesive coated with a releasable carrier layer bonded to the non-adhesive surface of the film shown in, for example, Figure 5 and 6. When in roll form, a surface of the releasable carrier layer may be bonded to the non-adhesive surface. adhesive of the film and the adhesive layer of the film comes into contact with the opposite surface of the releasable carrier layer. In this configuration, the releasable carrier layer and the release liner are one and the same (i.e., a "separator sheet"). However, the reusable surface of the separating sheet binds more tenaciously to the film than the adhesive adheres to the release surface. Alternatively, a release liner and detachable carrier layer separated with the roll form of the device could be used. Also, alternatively, the barrier film assembly may be provided in the form of a pad, as shown in, for example, Figure 4. The following examples are offered to assist in understanding the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of it. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages are by weight.

EXAMPLES Example 1 A 22 micron film of polyurethane resin "Estane 58309NAT022" (BF Goodrich, Cleveland, OH) was extruded using a 6.4 cm HPM Torque Master 3 screw extruder (from HPM Corporation, Mount Gielead, OH) using a melting temperature of 200 ° C. The film was extruded on the side of kraft paper from a paper of 127 grams per meter (Paper No. 78-05-04-000, Boise Cascade Corporation, International Falls, MN) which was coated with clay on one side by coating with roller and was provided with a silicone coating on the other side. Immediately after the die or die of the extruder, the film / carrier system was passed through a pressure roller at a pressure of 6680 g / m 2 where the roller nip comprises a chrome roller at 118 °. C and a rubber roller at 68 ° C and the release layer of the carrier system was again the chromium roller. The extrusion of the film and the carrier system are described in Example 1 of the Patent North American No. 4,499,896. Twenty point five were applied (20.5) grams per meter2 of an adhesive prepared in accordance with US Patent No. RE24,906, comprising 97: 3 units of isooctyl acrylate: acrylamide copolymer to peelable coating of 98 grams per bleached meter2, paper coated with silicone two sides (commercially available as "2-60BKG-157 &99A" from Daubert Coated Products, Westchester, IL) using a standard pressure feed die. The film side of the film / carrier system was laminated to the adhesive surface of the adhesive / coating system, thereby providing a barrier film.

Example 2 A polyurethane barrier film coated with carrier system adhesive and a release liner prepared as described in Example 1 was cut to size (front area 40.64 cm by 86.36 cm, sleeves 30.48 cm by 58.42 cm) and the release liner was cut. Removed from the adhesive surface. The adhesive side was laminated to the outer surfaces (front area of the sleeves) of two surgical suits. A surgical suit is commercially available as "No. 0551" from Johnson & Johnson Medical Inc., Arlington, TX and the other surgical suit is commercially available as "No. 90112" from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, WI. The carrier system supported the thin polyurethane barrier film and made it possible to handle the barrier film without wrinkling or distortion during lamination. The carrier system was then removed, leaving the thin polyurethane barrier film laminated to the outer surface of the surgical suits. The resulting surgical suit had an aesthetically pleasing appearance and feel, and was comfortable to wear without the usual heat and wet build-up associated with rubber-coated surgical suits.

Example 3 Surgical suits with barrier films adhered to some of the surfaces as described in Example 2 were tested to determine the Wet Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) using a standard method based on the ASTM E96-80 Water Method. A 100 ml container with a 3.81 cm diameter perforation centered on a screw cap was filled with 50 ml of water. 35 mm diameter samples were cut from the laminated area of the surgical suits. Each sample was centered on the adhesive side of a perforation with an area of 5.07 cm2 and an adhesive ring of metallized paper. The sample and the annular perforation of metallized paper were coated with a second metallized paper ring with a perforation of an area of 5.07 cm2 forming a metallized paper / sample / metalized paper assembly that was flat, wrinkle free and had no areas empty in the sample area. A 4,445 cm diameter rubber washing device was placed on the lid of the container. The metallized paper / sample / metallized paper assembly was placed on the rubber washing device with the film side of the sample facing up. The screw on the lid was placed loosely on the container. The complete containers with the assemblies were placed in a chamber at constant temperature and relative humidity for four hours at 38 ° C ± 0.6 ° C and one percent relative humidity of 10 ± 2. The screw on the lid was tightened so that the sample material was level with the lid and the rubber washing device settled. The containers were removed from the chamber four hours later and dried to an accuracy of 0.01 grams (Wx = initial weight). The containers were returned to the chamber for at least 18 hours. After at least 18 hours the containers were removed from the chamber and weighed again (W2 = final weight). The wet steam transmission rate in grams / meters2 was calculated in 24 hours for each sample using the following: MVTR = (W: - W2) 4.74 X 104 T (hours) The three readings of each suit were averaged and reported in the order of grams. The results are shown in Table 1.

The larger MVTR of surgical suits with barrier films laminated on the surface helps to explain user comfort.

Example 4 Surgical suit fabrics and surgical gown fabrics with barrier films adhered to their surface were tested for water resistance using Test Method AATCC 127-1989. A polyurethane barrier film coated with carrier system adhesive and a release liner prepared as described in Example 1 was cut to size and the release liner was removed from the adhesive surface. The adhesive side was laminated to the surface of two surgical suit fabrics. A surgical gown fabric was found commercially available as "Fabric 450" from Johnson & Johnson Medical Inc., Arlington, TX and the other surgical gown fabric was commercially available as "Evolution ™ Fabric 3" from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, WI. The carrier system supported the thin polyurethane barrier film and made it possible to handle the barrier film without wrinkling or distortion during lamination. The carrier system was then removed, leaving the thin polyurethane barrier film laminated to the outer surface of the surgical suit fabric. Surgical suit fabrics (measuring approximately 20 X 20 cm) with and without laminated barrier film were tested as follows. Test Method AATCC 127-1989 measures the resistance of fabrics to the penetration of water under static pressure (column of water measured in cm). The test specimens, mounted under the hole of a conical well, were subjected to an increasing water pressure at a constant speed (1 cm / second) until leakage occurs at three points through the fabric. The apparatus consists essentially of an inverted conical well equipped with a coaxial annular clamp for holding the fabric specimen under the bottom of the well. The apparatus introduces water from the top of the specimen over a circular area of 11.4 cm in diameter and the speed of 1.00 cm of hydrostatic head per second. A mirror was fixed under the specimen to allow the operator to determine the penetration of the specimen by water droplets. The hydrostatic test apparatus of the type described in this method is manufactured by the Alfred Suter Co., Orangeburg, NY 10962. Nine readings of each cloth or sheet were averaged and reported with an accuracy of cm. The face of the fabric or the surface of the barrier film was tested. The results are shown in Table 4.

The above data illustrates that prior fabrics having a barrier layer adhered to these provide excellent fluid resistance. The various modifications and alterations of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (20)

1. A protective garment, characterized in that it comprises: a cloth substrate; and a barrier film comprising a comfortable, thin polymeric film, and a pressure sensitive adhesive, wherein the polymeric film is adhered to the fabric substrate by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive, wherein the fabric with the film Barrier applied to it is resistant to the transmission of aqueous fluids and has a rate or wet steam transmission rate of at least 500 gm "2 24 hrs" 1.

2. The protective garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the barrier film is provided as a barrier film assembly comprising the thin, polymeric film, the pressure sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the polymeric film, means for protecting the adhesive prior to the application of the barrier film to a fabric substrate, and means for handling the polymeric film coated with adhesive during the application of the barrier film to the fabric substrate, wherein the handling means binds to the polymeric film more tenaciously than the protective means bond to the adhesive surface of the barrier film, and wherein the barrier film of the barrier film assembly is adapted to be applied to the substrate of the barrier film. fabric exposing the adhesive surface of the assembly, placing the exposed barrier film assembly on the substrate fabric adhering therefore the barrier film to the fabric substrate, and removing the reusable barrier layer from the polymeric film.

3. The protective garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the polymeric film has a thickness between 6 and 50 mm.

4. The protective garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the polymeric film has a Fio module of less than 180 g / cm in width.

5. The protective garment according to claim 2, characterized in that the barrier film assembly is in the form of a single sheet comprising the comfortable, thin polymeric film, the pressure sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the polymeric film, a release liner attached to the adhesive coated surface of the polymeric film, and a releasable carrier layer bonded to the surface of the film opposite the surface containing the pressure sensitive adhesive, the removable carrier layer it is bonded to the polymer film more tenaciously than the release liner is bonded to the adhesive surface of the polymer film.

6. The protective garment according to claim 2, characterized in that the barrier film assembly is in the form of a roll comprising the thin, comfortable polymeric film, the pressure sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the polymeric film, a release liner attached to the adhesive coated surface of the polymeric film, and a releasable carrier layer bonded to the surface of the film opposite the surface containing the pressure sensitive adhesive, the removable carrier layer it is bonded to the polymeric film more tenaciously than the release liner is bonded to the adhesive surface of the polymeric film.

7. The protective garment according to claim 2, characterized in that the barrier film assembly is in the form of a roll comprising the thin, comfortable polymeric film, the pressure sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the polymeric film, and a separating layer attached to the surface of the polymeric film opposite the surface containing the pressure-sensitive adhesive, the separating layer has a first peelable surface and a second peelable surface, wherein the peelable surface it is bonded to the polymer film more tenaciously than the release surface is bonded to the adhesive surface of the polymer film.

8. The protective garment according to claim 2, characterized in that the barrier film assembly is in the form of a pad or sheets, wherein the pad comprises a plurality of sheets of thin polymeric film having adhesive sensitive to the pressure attached thereto, and a plurality of separator sheets having a first peelable surface and a second peelable surface, wherein the peelable surface is bonded to the polymeric film more tenaciously than the adhesive surface is bonded to the peelable surface of a peel. Adjacent separating sheet.

9. The protective garment according to claim 3, characterized in that the polymeric film is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, elastomeric polyester, polyurethane and polyester blends, and styrene / butadiene block copolymers.

10. The protective garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure sensitive adhesive is dispersible in water.

11. The protective garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the garment is a surgical garment, and wherein at least the chest portion of the surgical garment is covered with the barrier film.

12. A method for applying a thin, comfortable polymeric film to a fabric substrate, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing a barrier film assembly comprising a thin polymeric film, a pressure sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the film, and means for protecting the adhesive prior to application of the film to a fabric substrate, and means for handling the coated film with adhesive during the application of the film to the fabric substrate, wherein of handling are attached to the film more tenaciously than the protective means are attached to the adhesive surface of the film, and wherein the film and the adhesive have a speed or wet steam transmission rate of at least 500 gm "2 24 hrs "1; expose the adhesive surface of the assembly; placing the exposed adhesive surface of the barrier film assembly on the cloth substrate thereby causing the film to adhere to the cloth substrate; and removing the removable carrier layer from the film.

13. The method in accordance with the claim 12, characterized in that the polymer film has thicknesses between 12 and 25 mm and FJ0 modules less than 140 gm / cm in width.

14. The method in accordance with the claim 12, characterized in that the barrier film assembly is selected from the group consisting of individual sheets, a roll of material and a pad of stacked sheets.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the polymer film is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, elastomeric polyester, blends of polyurethane and polyester and block copolymers of styrene / butadiene.

16. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the fabric substrate comprises a surgical suit, wherein at least the chest portion of the surgical suit is covered with the barrier film.

17. A barrier film pad assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a thin, comfortable polymeric film; a pressure sensitive adhesive attached to at least a portion of a surface of the film, and a separator sheet attached to the surface of the film opposite the surface containing the pressure sensitive adhesive, the separating sheet has a first surface removable and a second release surface, wherein the release surface is bonded to the film more tenaciously than the adhesive surface is attached to the release surface of an adjacent separator sheet.

18. The barrier film pad assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that the polymer film has a thickness of between 6 and 50 mm and a Fio module of less than 180 gm / cm in width, and wherein the barrier film of the barrier film assembly is adapted to be applied to a substrate of fabric exposing the adhesive surface of the assembly, placing the exposed adhesive surface of the barrier film assembly on the fabric substrate thereby adhering the barrier film to the fabric substrate, and removing the removable carrier layer from the polymeric film.

19. The barrier film pad assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that the polymeric film is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, elastomeric polyester, polyurethane and polyester blends and styrene / butadiene block copolymers, and wherein the Pressure sensitive adhesive is dispersible in water.

20. The barrier film pad assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that the pad is sized and shaped to provide sheets of barrier film covering one or more portions of a surgical suit.