Protective Apparel with Porous Material Layer
A microporous fire resistant film may be coated or laminated to form a composite textile may be used as a component for various types of apparel. The film may form a vapor permeable barrier that has a hydrostatic head and may repel liquid. The film may form a highly tortuous mechanical barrier to allergens, pathogens, particles, or biological organisms. The film may also serve as a high capacity reservoir for active materials such as antimicrobial materials, UV absorbers, scent dispersers, organism terminating or repelling materials, or other active or passive agents.
1 . An article of clothing comprising:
a microporous film manufactured from a method comprising:
forming a solution with a dissolved polymer in a first liquid and a second liquid;
applying said solution to a carrier;
removing enough of said first liquid to begin gelling said polymer;
after said gelling has begun, removing said second liquid;
a second sheet material laminated to said microporous film.
2 . The article of clothing of claim 1 , said second sheet material being a decorative outer layer.
3 . The article of clothing of claim 2 , said lamination being performed by forming said microporous polymer film onto said second sheet material, said second sheet material being said carrier.
4 . The article of clothing of claim 3 , said lamination occurring on less than 10% of a surface area of said microporous polymer film.
5 . The article of clothing of claim 1 , said microporous polymer film being joined to a decorative outer layer by a quilted construction.
6 . The article of clothing of claim 1 , said microporous film comprising an additive.
7 . The article of clothing of claim 6 , said additive being added after said gelling.
8 . The article of clothing of claim 6 , said additive being added to said solution prior to said gelling.
9 . The article of clothing of claim 8 , said additive being dissolved in said solution.
10 . The article of clothing of claim 8 , said additive being suspended in said solution.
11 . The article of clothing of claim 6 , said additive being an antimicrobial agent.
12 . The article of clothing of claim 11 , said antimicrobial agent being one of a group comprising:
iodine;
silver metal;
silver salt;
silver ion;
a divalent ion;
microban;
triclosan;
a hypchlorite; and
charamine B.
13 . The article of clothing of claim 1 being a disposable article of clothing.
14 . The article of clothing of claim 1 being an outer garment.
15 . The article of clothing of claim 14 being a surgical gown.
16 . The article of clothing of claim 14 being a fireman's turnout coat.
17 . The article of clothing of claim 1 being an inner garment.
18 . A method comprising:
manufacturing a reinforced microporous film using a first method comprising:
forming a solution with a dissolved polymer in a first liquid and a second liquid;
applying said solution to a carrier;
removing enough of said first liquid to begin gelling said polymer;
after said gelling has begun, removing said second liquid; and
laminating said microporous film to a reinforcement material;
constructing an article of clothing from said reinforced microporous film.
19 . The method of claim 18 , said reinforcing material being used as an outer layer of said article of clothing.
20 . The method of claim 18 , said reinforcing material being used as an inner layer of said article of clothing.