U.S. patent application number 12/164914 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-31 for gown with secure fit and comfort feature.
Invention is credited to Ajay Houde, Brian Lin.
Application Number | 20090320177 12/164914 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41445716 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090320177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Brian ; et al. |
December 31, 2009 |
GOWN WITH SECURE FIT AND COMFORT FEATURE
Abstract
A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes a
garment body defining sleeves. A cuff may be secured at respective
ends of the sleeves. A circumferentially extending coating is
disposed on the sleeves beginning at the sleeve or cuff. The
coating has a high friction surface such that an end of a glove
pulled over the coating is inhibited from rolling or sliding back
over the coating and down the sleeve. The coating may be formed of
a low-tack surface modifier and may include a dye or colorant that
may be used to indicate the fluid protection level of, for example,
a surgical gown. Additionally, a second coating of a phase change
and/or shape memory material may be applied to the protective
garment.
Inventors: |
Lin; Brian; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Houde; Ajay; (Duluth, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.;Tara Pohlkotte
401 NORTH LAKE STREET
NEENAH
WI
54956
US
|
Family ID: |
41445716 |
Appl. No.: |
12/164914 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/114 ; 2/123;
2/125; 2/243.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1209 20130101;
C08L 2201/12 20130101; A41D 2400/80 20130101; A41B 7/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/114 ; 2/123;
2/125; 2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/12 20060101
A41D013/12; A41B 7/00 20060101 A41B007/00; A41B 1/08 20060101
A41B001/08; A41D 27/00 20060101 A41D027/00 |
Claims
1. A protective garment, comprising: a garment body, said garment
body defining a main body, a neck portion, and sleeves; a cuff
secured at respective ends of said sleeves; a circumferentially
extending first coating of a first low-tack material on said
sleeves, said first coating comprising a high friction surface such
that an end of a glove pulled over said coating is inhibited from
rolling or sliding back over said coating; wherein said sleeves are
essentially free of a circumferentially extending polymeric band
having a raised profile; and a second coating on at least a portion
of the protective garment, said second coating comprising at least
one shape memory material, phase change material, or combinations
thereof.
2. The protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said garment body
is a surgical gown.
3. The protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said first coating
further comprises a dye or colorant.
4. The protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said first coating
is continuous around said sleeves.
5. The protective garment as in claim 4, wherein said first coating
comprises at least one continuous ring of said low-tack
material.
6. The protective garment as in claim 4, wherein said first coating
comprises a plurality of rings of said low-tack material.
7. The protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said first coating
is discontinuous around said sleeves.
8. The protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said first coating
defines a "Z" shape around said sleeves.
9. The protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said low-tack
material is an adhesive.
10. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein the second coating
is located on a surface of the garment opposite the surface
containing the first coating.
11. The protective garment of claim 10, wherein the second coating
extends circumferentially on the surface of the garment opposite
the surface containing the first coating.
12. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein the second coating
at least partially overlaps the first coating.
13. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein the second coating
is applied to at least a portion of the main body, neck portion,
sleeves, or combinations thereof of the garment body
14. A protective garment, comprising: a garment body, said garment
body defining a main body, a neck portion, and sleeves; a
circumferentially extending first coating on said sleeves from a
distal end of said sleeves, said coating comprising a high friction
surface such that an end of a glove pulled over said first coating
is inhibited from rolling or sliding back over said first coating,
wherein said sleeves are essentially free of a circumferentially
extending polymeric band having a raised profile; and a second
coating on at least a portion of the protective garment, said
second coating comprising at least one shape memory material, phase
change material, or combinations thereof.
15. The protective garment as in claim 14, wherein said first
coating is a surface modifier material applied to a surface of said
sleeves.
16. The protective garment as in claim 14, wherein said first
coating further comprises a dye or colorant.
17. The protective garment as in claim 16, wherein said surface
modifier is an adhesive.
18. The protective garment as in claim 14, wherein said first
coating is continuous around said sleeves.
19. The protective garment as in claim 14, wherein said garment
body is a surgical gown.
20. The protective garment as in claim 14, further comprising a
cuff configured at the distal end of said sleeves, said first
coating disposed proximal to said cuffs.
21. The protective garment of claim 14, wherein the second coating
is located on a surface of the garment opposite the surface
containing the first coating.
22. The protective garment of claim 21, wherein the second coating
extends circumferentially on the surface of the garment opposite
the surface containing the first coating.
23. The protective garment of claim 14, wherein the second coating
at least partially overlaps the first coating.
24. The protective garment of claim 14, wherein the second coating
is applied to at least a portion of the main body, neck portion,
sleeves, or combinations thereof of the garment body.
25. A surgical gown, comprising: a gown body with sleeves; a cuff
secured at respective ends of said sleeves; between about 10 and
about 30 gsm of an amorphous polyalphaolefin polymer coating
extending circumferentially on said sleeves proximal to said cuff
such that an end of a glove pulled over said coating is inhibited
from rolling or sliding back over said coating, wherein said
sleeves are essentially free of a circumferentially extending
polymeric band having a raised profile; and a second coating on at
least a portion of the gown body, said second coating comprising at
least one shape memory material, phase change material, or
combinations thereof.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation in part of
application Ser. No. 11/096,580, filed Apr. 1, 2005, the entirety
of which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Protective garments, such as coveralls and gowns, designed
to provide barrier protection to a wearer are well known in the
art. Such protective garments are used in situations where
isolation of a wearer from a particular environment is desirable,
or it is desirable to inhibit or retard the passage of hazardous
liquids and biological contaminates through the garment to the
wearer.
[0003] In the medical and health-care industry, particularly with
surgical procedures, a primary concern is isolation of the medical
practitioner from patient fluids such as blood, saliva,
perspiration, etc. Protective garments rely on the barrier
properties of the fabrics used in the garments, and on the
construction and design of the garment. Openings or seams in the
garments may be unsatisfactory, especially if the seams or openings
are located in positions where they may be subjected to stress
and/or direct contact with the hazardous substances.
[0004] Gloves are commonly worn in conjunction with protective
garments, particularly in the medical industry. Typically, the
gloves are pulled up over the cuff and sleeve of a gown or garment.
However, the interface between the glove and the protective garment
can be an area of concern. For example, a common issue with
surgical gloves is glove "roll-down" or slippage resulting from a
low frictional interface between the interior side of the glove and
the surgical gown sleeve. When the glove rolls down or slips on the
sleeve, the wearer is at greater risk of exposure to patient fluids
and/or other contaminants.
[0005] An additional problem associated with the use of surgical
gloves is that as a result of the gloves being pulled up over the
cuff and sleeve of the gown, a phenomenon known as "channeling"
occurs. That is, the sleeve of the gown is bunched up under the
glove as a result of pulling and rolling the glove up over the cuff
and sleeve. Channels may develop along the wearer's wrist which may
become accessible to patient fluids running down the outside of the
sleeve of the gown. Such fluids may enter the channels and work
down along the channels between the outer surface of the gown and
inner surface of the surgical glove. The fluids may then
contaminate the gown cuff, which lies directly against the wearer's
wrist or forearm, particularly if the cuff is absorbent or fluid
pervious.
[0006] Surgeons and other medical personnel have attempted to
address concerns with the glove and gown interface in different
ways. For example, it has been a common practice to use adhesive
tape wrapped around the glove portion extending over the gown
sleeve to prevent channels and roll down of the glove on the
sleeve. This approach unfortunately has some drawbacks. Many of the
common adhesives utilized in tapes are subject to attack by water
and body fluids and the seal can be broken during a procedure.
Another approach has been to stretch a rubber coating around the
glove and sleeve. This practice is, however, awkward to implement
and difficult to adjust or to vary the pressure exerted by the
rubber coating other than by using rubber coatings of different
sizes and tensions, which of course necessitates having a variety
of rubber coatings available for use. Yet another approach has been
to incorporate a band of elastomeric polymer on the gown around the
sleeve just above the cuff to provide a surface for the glove to
cling to. This approach has also proved less than completely
satisfactory.
[0007] In addition to the problems encountered through the use of
protective garments and glove together, there may be problems
associated with the use of the protective garment by itself. In
this regard, during medical procedures of extended length, the body
temperatures of medical professionals may rise due to the physical
characteristics of the protective garment and/or because of
extensive and prolonged physical activity. This increase in body
temperature may result in uncomfortable conditions in the surgical
ward due to the production of excessive sweat and/or body odor.
[0008] Therefore, a need exists for an improved device and method
for providing an effective sealing interface between a glove and
sleeve of a protective garment, wherein the device is easily
incorporated with the protective garment and economically cost
effective to implement. Additionally, a need exists for a mechanism
to regulate body temperature to enhance comfort of medical
professionals in the surgical ward.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention provides a protective garment
incorporating an effective and economical mechanism for improving
the interface area between the sleeves of the garment and a glove
pulled over the sleeves. The improvement inhibits the proximal end
of the glove from rolling or sliding back down the garment sleeves
once the wearer has pulled the gloves on. In this way, the garment
according to the invention addresses at least certain of the
disadvantages of conventional garments discussed above.
[0010] It should be appreciated that, although the present
invention has particular usefulness as a surgical gown, the
invention is not limited in scope to surgical gowns or the medical
industry. The protective garment according to the present invention
has wide application and can be used as a protective coverall,
gown, robe, etc. All such uses and garments are contemplated within
the scope of the invention.
[0011] The present invention provides for a protective garment,
desirably a surgical gown. The protective garment includes a
garment body which defines a main body, a neck portion, and
sleeves. The protective garment further includes a cuff secured at
respective ends of the sleeves, and a circumferentially extending
first coating of a first low-tack material on the sleeves. The low
tack materials has a high friction surface and has a substantially
uniform, flat profile. This high friction surface prevents
material, when it is slides over the low tack material, from
rolling back over the first coating. The protective garment also
includes a second coating selected from a shape memory material,
phase change material, or combinations thereof.
[0012] The first coating may be continuous or discontinuous around
the sleeeves and may by one continuous ring, a plurality of rings,
or may exhibit a "Z" shape. The first coating may also further
include a dye or colorant or may be an adhesive.
[0013] The second coating may extend circumferentially and may be
located on the surface of the garment opposite the surface
containing the low-tack high friction coating; the surface
overlapping the surface containing the low-tack high friction
coating; and/or surfaces of the garment corresponding to the arm
pit, neck, chest, and back of the wearer.
[0014] Another aspect of the invention provides for protective
garment. The protective garment includes a garment body which
defines a main body, a neck portion, and sleeves. The protective
garment further includes a circumferentially extending first
coating of a first low-tack material on the sleeves. The low tack
materials has a high friction surface and has a substantially
uniform, flat profile. This high friction surface prevents
material, when it is slides over the low tack material, from
rolling back over the first coating. The protective garment also
includes a second coating selected from a shape memory material,
phase change material, or combinations thereof.
[0015] Yet another aspect of the invention provides for a
protective garment. The protective garment includes a garment body
which defines a main body, a neck portion, and sleeves. The
protective garment further includes a cuff secured at respective
ends of the sleeves, and a circumferentially extending first
coating of between about 10 and about 30 gsm of an
amorphouspolyalphaolefin on the sleeves. The low tack materials has
a high friction surface and has a substantially uniform, flat
profile. This high friction surface prevents material, when it is
slides over the low tack material, from rolling back over the first
coating. The protective garment also includes a second coating
selected from a shape memory material, phase change material, or
combinations thereof.
[0016] Embodiments of the protective garment according to the
invention are described below in greater detail with reference to
the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a partial side view of an embodiment of a
protective garment according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a garment sleeve according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a garment sleeve
having a first coating according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of another garment
sleeve having a first coating deposited in a "Z" shaped
configuration according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of another garment
sleeve having a first coating deposited in a diagonal configuration
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of another garment
sleeve having a first coating deposited in a straight line
configuration according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a protective garment turned
inside out and having a second coating deposited thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to one or more examples
of the invention depicted in the figures. Each example is provided
by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a
limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or
described as part of one embodiment may be used with another
embodiment to yield still a different embodiment. Other
modifications and variations to the described embodiments are also
contemplated within the scope and spirit of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a protective garment 10 according to the
invention. The garment 10 includes a main body portion 12, a neck
portion 14, and sleeves 16 (one sleeve shown). The sleeves 16 may
be made separately and attached at to the main body portion 12 at a
seam 18 or formed as an integral component with the main body
portion 12. Each sleeve 16 may include an upper or proximal end 20,
a lower of distal end 22, and an exterior surface 24.
[0026] The garment 10 is depicted as a surgical gown for
illustrative purposes only. The garment 10 may be any type or style
of protective covering that is generally worn about the body and
includes sleeves.
[0027] The terms "lower" or "distal" are used herein to denote
features that are closer to the hands of the wearer. The terms
"upper" or "proximal" are used to denote features that are closer
to the shoulder of the wearer.
[0028] It should be appreciated that the type of fabric or material
used for garment 10 is not a limiting factor of the invention. The
garment 10 may be made from a multitude of materials, including
nonwoven materials suitable for disposable use. For example, gown
embodiments of the garment 10 may be made of a stretchable nonwoven
material so that the gown is less likely to tear during donning or
wearing of the gown. A material particularly well suited for use
with the present invention is a three-layer nonwoven polypropylene
material known as SMS. "SMS" is an acronym for Spunbond, Meltblown,
Spunbond, the process by which the three layers are constructed and
then laminated together. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,203 to
Brock et al. One particular advantage is that the SMS material
exhibits enhanced fluid barrier characteristics. It should be
noted, however, that other nonwovens as well as other materials
including wovens, films, foam/film laminates, and combinations
thereof may be used to construct the garment of the present
invention. It is also contemplated that the garment may be coated
with a liquid impervious coating to prevent fluid absorption into
the garment material.
[0029] The sleeves 16 may incorporate a cuff 26 attached to the
distal end 22 thereof. The cuff 26 also has a distal end 28 and a
proximal end 30. The configuration and materials used in the cuff
26 may vary widely. For example, short, tight-fitting cuffs made
from a knitted material may be provided. The cuff 26 may be formed
with or without ribs. The cuff may be formed of a liquid repellant
material or a liquid retentive material. Cuffs suitable for use
with garments according to the present invention are described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,594,955 and 5,680,653, both of which are
incorporated herein in their entirety for all purposes.
[0030] As shown for example in FIG. 2, protective garments are
frequently used with gloves, such as a surgical glove 32 that is
pulled over the hand of the wearer and has a sufficient length so
that a proximal portion of the glove 32 overlaps the cuff 26 and a
portion of the sleeve 16. An interface is thus established between
the glove interior surface and the exterior surface 24 of the
sleeve 16 and cuff 26. This interface region preferably inhibits
undesirable fluids or other contaminants from running down the
sleeve 16 to the cuff 26 or hand 34 of the wearer. However, glove
slippage or roll-down occurs if the frictional interface between
the glove interior surface and the sleeve exterior surface is
insufficient to maintain the glove in position above the cuff 26.
When glove roll-down occurs, the wearer is at greater risk of
exposure to contaminants, particularly during a surgical
procedure.
[0031] Many types of protective gloves, particularly elastic
synthetic or natural rubber surgical gloves, have a thickened bead
or region at the open proximal end 36. This thickened portion or
bead is intended to strengthen the glove 32 and provide an area of
increased elastic tension to aid in holding the glove 32 up on the
sleeve 16.
[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the garment 10
includes a circumferentially extending first coating 40 formed on
the sleeves 16 from the proximal end 30 of the cuff 26 (FIGS. 1 and
2). The first coating 40 thus acts as a high friction surface
against which the thickened proximal end 36 of the glove 32
contacts if the glove tends to slip down the exterior surface 24 of
the glove. The first coating 40 inhibits further slippage or
roll-down of the glove 32.
[0033] The first coating 40 may extend up the sleeve 16 a distance
greater than the proximal end 36 of the glove 32 extends when the
glove is normally donned. The dimensions of the coated area may
vary as the size of the gown may also vary. As shown in any of
FIGS. 1-6, the coated area may extend away from the cuff 26 for a
distance of about 3 to 9 inches (7.6 to 22.8 cm), more particularly
between about 4 and 7 inches (10.1 and 17.8 cm) and most
particularly 5 inches (12.7 cm).
[0034] It should be appreciated that the first coating 40 can take
on many different configurations. FIG. 3 shows a flat sleeve piece
before it is formed into a separate sleeve 16. The sleeve 16 may be
formed by bonding, for example ultrasonically, the two edges 50, 52
to each other and thereafter bonding the sleeve 16 to the main body
portion 12 at the sleeve's distal end 20 to form a seam 18.
[0035] If the first coating 40 interferes with the bonding or
seaming process about a half inch (1.25 cm) border 56 along the
edges 50, 52, 54 may be kept uncoated. If the first coating 40 does
not interfere with the bonding process, the half inch border 56
need not be present. The first coating may alternatively be
discontinuous around the sleeve 16, such as a "Z" shape arrangement
(FIG. 4), a plurality of diagonal coating lines 44 (FIG. 5) or
first coating strips 46 extending away from the distal end 22 (FIG.
6). The particular geometric configuration of the first coating 40
may vary widely so long as a generally circumferentially extending
area or region is provided, with the first coating being sufficient
to inhibit glove slippage or roll-down.
[0036] The first coating 40 may be formed on the sleeve in various
known ways and from a variety of materials. For example, a surface
modifier compatible with the sleeve material may be applied
directly to the sleeve in a spraying, printing, slot coating, or
other conventional process.
[0037] The first coating 40 may be formed of an inherently low-tack
material with high frictional characteristics, such as a low-tack
hot melt adhesive. This type of material increases slip resistance
between the glove and sleeve 16 and may be applied directly onto
the exterior surface 24 of the sleeve to form the first coating 40.
In general, the surface modifier could be any polymer that is
sufficiently soft and pliable so as to cling to the inside surface
of the glove 32. At the same time, the polymer should not have too
high a tack level so as to cause the garment sleeve 16 to stick to
the garment body 12 when the garment 10 is folded, hence the term
"low-tack". The term "high frictional characteristics" means that
the coefficient of friction of the coated fabric is higher than the
same, uncoated fabric.
[0038] Polymers such as metallocene based polyolefins are suitable
examples of acceptable first coatings. Other suitable surface
coatings include, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers,
styrene-butadiene, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose,
synthetic rubbers including, for example, Krayton.RTM. block
copolymers, natural rubber, polyethylenes, polyamides, flexible
polyolefins, and amorphous polyalphaolefins (APAO). A suitable
commercial hot melt adhesive for the coating application is
REXtac.RTM. 2115 APAO from Huntsman Polymers Corp. of Odessa, Tex.
Another suitable commercial hot melt adhesive for this application
is REXtac.RTM. 2215 APAO (Amorphous PolyAlpha Olefin) also from
Huntsman Polymers. The polymer may be applied to the sleeve at an
amount between about 5 and 50 gsm, more particularly between 10 and
30 gsm or still more particularly about 20 gsm.
[0039] Other materials may be added to the first coating to provide
particular characteristics. These optional materials may include,
for example, dyes, pigment or other colorants to give the coated
area a visually perceptible color such as yellow, green, red or
blue (e.g. Sudan Blue 670 from BASF). These colors may be used to
indicate the protection level accorded by the gown according to,
for example, the standards of the Association for the Advancement
of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), e.g., ANSI/AAMI PB70:2003. A
user would thus be able to select a gown for a surgical procedure
where the sleeve color corresponded to or indicated the fluid
protection level of the gown.
[0040] In order to validate the superiority of the inventive
garment sleeve coating in the retention of gloves, testing was
carried out on a variety of coatings and an uncoated "control"
sleeve.
[0041] The control was a sleeve made from 1.7 osy (58 gsm) SMS made
from polypropylene. Two samples of sleeves of the same 1.7 osy SMS
material were coated with REXtac.RTM. 2115 APAO for comparison; one
at an add-on rate of 10 gsm for a distance of 4 inches (10 cm) from
the cuff (sample 1) and one at an add-on rate of 20 gsm for a
distance of 6 inches (15 cm) from the cuff (sample 2). The sleeves
were coated by a spraying process. The three sleeves were tested
using human subjects and an experimental protocol designed to
simulate tasks performed by medical personnel in an operating room.
During and after the protocol, measurements of glove location were
taken for comparison. The subjects' opinions were also solicited
for a qualitative indication of gown preference. A total of 47
subjects tested the three types of gowns.
The protocol was as follows: [0042] 1. Acclimate for 10 minutes.
Review Survey Questions. [0043] 2. Have the subjects wash and dry
their hands using the following procedure:
[0044] 1 pump of triangle lotion soap
[0045] 15 second lather
[0046] 15 second rinse
[0047] dry until there are no visible signs of moisture [0048] 3.
Have the subject don a surgical gown. [0049] 4. Ask the subject to
don gloves. Record the glove size. Remind subjects NOT to adjust
gloves once the exercises have started. [0050] Note: Be sure that
the gloves are completely extended/unrolled at the cuff and snug
around the wrist. Each glove should have the same starting point.
[0051] 5. Mark the surgical glove in a straight line with a black
marker at the bend of the wrist. Record baseline measurement from
the inside of the glove bead to the wrist mark. [0052] 6. Record
the measurement from the inside of the glove bead to the end of the
gown cuff interface (the `white mark`). Note whether the gown cuff
interface is on the hand or the wrist. This is for both the left
and right hand.
[0053] Ask the subject to handle the following items (dry):
[0054] at the wrist, flex hands palm down, up and down 10 times
using both hands
[0055] at the wrist, flex hands palm up, up and down 10 times using
both hands
[0056] rotate wrists to the outside 10 times using both hands
[0057] rotate wrists to the inside 10 times using both hands.
[0058] remove and replace stopper in test tube 5 times using each
hand
[0059] turn stop cock clockwise a full rotation 5 times using each
hand
[0060] wrap gauze 5 wraps around an artificial arm and cut gauze
with scissors--unwrap, then re-wrap gauze and unwrap using other
hand
[0061] twist wrist to remove and replace top on a water bottle 5
times using each hand (exaggerate movements)
[0062] pass a block back and forth from right hand to left hand 5
times
[0063] twist the length of a long threaded rod 2 times using each
hand
[0064] twist the length a rope 2 times using each hand to the knot
[0065] 7. Measure from the wrist mark to inside of the glove cuff
(bead) and record `After Exercise Measurement` in mm. [0066] 8.
Check for flip over. Mark yes or no. If yes, measure from inside of
the bead to the end of the glove fold. [0067] 9. Have the subject
remove and discard gloves and gown. Wait 5 minutes and repeat with
next sample. [0068] 10. After all gowns have been evaluated, have
them complete Preference Survey. [0069] 11. Record on each
subject's preference sheet, the order of the Concept Gown Display.
[0070] 12. Change the order of the Concept Gown Display after each
team has completed their Concept Preference.
[0071] Results of the testing protocol were as follows:
[0072] Average movement (slip-down) measured from the starting
point was, for the control: 42 mm, for sample 1: 17 mm and for
sample 2: 13 mm. This indicates a significant advantage for either
of the coated sleeves over the uncoated sleeve.
[0073] Qualitative survey responses were also gathered. The areas
of inquiry were "cuff stays in place", "acceptability of glove
slip-down", "how well to protect from fluid", "gown acceptability".
The three gown sleeves were preferred by the subjects in the same
order as their finish in the slip-down measurements.
[0074] In addition to the above testing, the control and sample 2
sleeves were tested for breathability using a TEXTEST FX 3300 air
permeability machine from Schmid Corporation of Spartanburg, S.C.,
using a 38 cm.sup.2 head at a test pressure of 125 Pa using 20
samples. According to the testing, the control sleeve fabric had a
breathability of about 21.985 cubic feet per minute (CFM) (0.6225
cubic meter/min) and the sample 2 (coated) sleeve fabric had a
breathability of about 21.020 CFM (0.5952 cubic meter/min). This
indicates that, despite having a relatively heavy polymeric coating
of 20 gsm, the breathability was not reduced by even 10 percent,
and more particularly not even 5 percent. This indicates almost no
change in the degree of comfort felt by a wearer of the coated
sleeve.
[0075] Testing in order to quantify to some degree the coefficient
of friction (COF) of the coated sleeve was also carried out. The
control and sample 2 sleeves were tested using test method ASTM
D1894 using both a glass surface and a steel surface. The data is
given in the following table:
TABLE-US-00001 Glass Steel Peak load Control 92.1 180.5 Sample 2
140.7 214.4 Static COF Control 0.47 0.92 Sample 2 0.72 1.09
[0076] The glass and steel in the previous test were replaced with
a commercial, market leading latex glove (Biogel Surgical glove by
Regent) in order to gain a more realistic picture of the sleeve's
performance. A number of commercially available gowns were used for
comparison testing and their fabric was tested against the inside
surface of the glove. The testing was done according to ASTM D1894
using the outside surface of each gown fabric, with the fabric
oriented in the machine direction, as it would be orientated on a
wearer.
[0077] In the table below, gown A is a commercially available gown
with sleeves made from two 1.0 osy (33.9 gsm) SMS layers glued
together. Gown B has a 0.6 osy (20.3 gsm) spunbond layer over a
film and SMS fabric with the spunbond on the outside. Gown C has a
0.75 mil film on an SMS fabric with the film on the outside. Gown D
has 1.6 osy (54.3 gsm) SMS sleeves. Gown E has 2.1 osy (71.1 gsm)
spunlace sleeves.
[0078] The following table shows the test results.
TABLE-US-00002 COF COF Peak COF COF Avg. Load Static Dynamic Load
Gown A Average 26.846 0.135 0.114 22.61 Std. 11.992 0.06 0.056
11.171 Dev. Gown B Average 44.445 0.223 0.204 40.564 Std. 4.648
0.023 0.016 3.178 Dev. Gown C Average 86.257 0.433 0.404 80.362
Std. 18.303 0.092 0.082 16.318 Dev. Gown D Average 47.166 0.237
0.22 43.842 Std. 4.951 0.025 0.021 4.23 Dev. Gown E Average 75.974
0.382 0.343 68.277 Std. 11.48 0.058 0.054 10.803 Dev. Sample 2
Average 196.658 1.003 0.774 151.655 Std. 39.746 0.203 0.146 28.584
Dev.
[0079] This data shows that the sample 2 fabric had a much higher
coefficient of friction in all areas than any of the competitive,
commercially available gowns. Gowns having the coating according to
the invention thus have a much higher ability to retain gloves and
avoid slip down and roll down, and they do so without sacrificing
comfort and breathability.
[0080] In addition to the low tack, high friction first coating
materials described above, various materials forming a second
coating may be used in conjunction with the first coating on the
protective garment. These materials include phase change materials
and shape memory materials. Similar to the first coating, the
second coating may be present in a variety of geometric
configuations including a single continuous ring, plurality of
rings, discontinuous shapes, and "Z" shapes as discussed
previously.
[0081] Phase change materials may be added to one or more surfaces
of the protective garment to enhance the comfort of the wearer by
regulating the wearer's body temperature at the surface site. As
shown FIG. 7, these surfaces include, but are not limited to, the
surface of the garment opposite the surface containing the low-tack
high friction coating 100; the surface overlapping the surface
containing the low-tack high friction coating 100; and surfaces of
the protective garment corresponding to the arm pit, neck, chest,
and back of the wearer 100.
[0082] Generally speaking, regardless of the location of the phase
change material, the phase change material is a material or
combination of materials capable of providing or absorbing heat at
a given temperature, for example, at ambient temperature or at
normal human body temperature. By absorbing or releasing thermal
energy, the phase change material can temporarily reduce or
eliminate heat transfer at a given temperature or temperature range
and provide a heating or cooling sensation to the gown wearer.
[0083] Thus, a phase change material may be used as thermal
moderator or barrier to heat, because a quantity of thermal energy
must be absorbed by the phase change material until most or all of
the material has undergone solid-to-liquid phase change, before its
temperature can begin to increase. When placed next to the skin of
a wearer, this absorption of heat from the wearer's skin and into
the phase change material provides a cooling effect to the user.
Alternatively, a phase change material may provide a thermal
moderating effect as a barrier to chilling where the phase change
material is substantially in a liquid phase and must release a
quantity of thermal energy or heat to undergo the liquid-to-solid
phase change, and before its temperature can begin to decrease.
[0084] Such phase change material thermal regulating additives may
be incorporated into a thermoplastic melt from which fibers
included in an extensible fibrous layer, such as an extensible
nonwoven layer, are produced. Alternatively, or in addition, such
phase change material thermal regulating additives may be added to
the extensible fibrous layer via topical coating or impregnation of
the extensible fibrous layer with the phase change material thermal
regulating additive in powder form or in liquid forms such as
suspensions or emulsions, etc. As an example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,689,466 to Hartmann describes phase change compositions which, as
described therein, are temperature stabilized and therefore
suitable for, among other things, melt extrusion processes such as
melt spinning of fibrous materials. The phase change material
compositions described therein include phase change materials and a
stabilizing agent such as antioxidants and thermal stabilizers.
[0085] Exemplary phase change materials include, by way of
non-limiting example only are waxes, oils, fatty acids, fatty acid
esters, dibasic acids, dibasic esters, 1-halides, primary alcohols,
anhydrides (e.g., stearic anhydride), ethylene carbonate,
polyhydric alcohols (e.g., 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol,
2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol,
polyethylene gylcol, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythrital,
pentaglycerine, tetramethylol ethane, neopentyl glycol,
tetramethylol propane, monoaminopentaerythritol,
diaminopentaerythritol, and tris(hydroxymethyl)acetic acid),
polyethylene glycol, polypropylene, polypropylene glycol,
polytetramethylene glycol, and copolymers, such as polyacrylate or
polymethacrylate with alkyl hydrocarbon side chain or with
polyethylene glycol side chain and copolymers comprising
polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene, polypropylene
glycol, or polytetramethylene glycol), and mixtures thereof. It
should be noted that although the phrases "phase change" and "phase
transition" are commonly employed, phase change materials may
undergo either a solid/liquid (liquid/solid) phase transition or a
solid/solid transition. In a solid/solid transition, the phase
change material undergoes a phase transition that is between two
solid states, such as a crystalline/mesocrystalline phase
transition.
[0086] As mentioned above, the thermal regulating additive may
desirably be coated onto or impregnated into the extensible fibrous
layer, instead of (or in addition to) being incorporated into the
polymer used in producing the fibers. Such coatings may be applied
as a powder or liquid form. Liquid forms include aqueous or other
liquid dispersions, suspensions and/or emulsions, may be foamed,
and may include components other than the thermal regulating
additive or phase change material in the composition such as, for
example, thickeners, adhesives or binders, including polymeric
binders. Exemplary thermal regulating additive coatings for fabrics
are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,207,738 and
6,514,362 to Zuckerman et al. Such coating compositions may be
applied to the extensible fibrous layer by spraying, brushing,
dipping or immersion, or, more particularly, by slot coating or
applying as a foam and spreading with a knife or doctor blade, or
the like. The coated fabric layer may then be air dried or dried by
heat, heated air, oven drying, or other means. The phase change
material may be included within or applied to the substrate in an
amount between about 0.1 to about 100% of the weight of the final
substrate.
[0087] In addition to the phase change materials described above,
shape memory materials may may be added to one or more surfaces of
the protective garment to enhance barrier protection of the
protective garment wearer. As shown in FIG. 7, these surfaces
include, but are not limited to, the surface of the garment
opposite the surface containing the low-tack high friction coating
100; the surface overlapping the surface containing the low-tack
high friction coating 100; and surfaces of the garment
corresponding to the arm pit, neck, chest, and back of the wearer
100.
[0088] Generally speaking, shape memory materials are polymeric
materials which may be returned from their deformed state to their
original state or permanent configuration via an external stimulus.
This external stimulus is usually temperature, as in the case of
phase change materials, but may also be the application of an
electric or magnetic field, light, or a change in pH.
[0089] In this regard, the application of shape memory materials to
gowns may enhance comfort, fit, barrier, and safety by elimination
of fluid wicking channels at the glove gown interface as discussed
earlier, and maintenance of the gown's original configuation during
use.
[0090] The shape memory materials of the present invention
desirably contain at least one shape deformable matrix material.
These materials include, but are not limited to polymers.
[0091] In an embodiment, the shape deformable matrix material
contains at least one polymer, and more preferably two polymers.
Suitable polymers include, but are not limited to, segmented block
copolymers comprising one or more hard segments and one or more
soft segments; polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethanes;
polyether-based polyurethanes; polyethylene oxide; poly(ether
ester) block copolymers; polyamides; poly(amide esters); poly(ether
amide) copolymers; polyvinyl alcohol; polyvinyl pyrolidone;
polyvinyl pyridine; polyacrylic acid; polymethacrylic acid;
polyaspartic acid; maleic anhydride methylvinyl ether copolymers of
varying degrees of hydrolysis; polyvinyl methyl ether copolymers of
polyacrylic acid and polyacrylic esters; and mixtures thereof.
Desirably, the shape deformable matrix material contains a
segmented block copolymer comprising one or more hard segments and
one or more soft segments, where either the soft segment, the hard
segment, or both contain functional groups or receptor sites that
are responsive to an external stimulus.
[0092] More desirably, the segmented block copolymer is an
elastomer. Suitable shape deformable elastomers for use in the
present invention include, but are not limited to, polyurethane
elastomers, polyether elastomers, poly(ether amide) elastomers,
polyether polyester elastomers, polyamide-based elastomers,
thermoplastic polyurethanes, poly(ether-amide) block copolymers,
thermoplastic rubbers such as uncrosslinked polyolefins,
styrene-butadiene copolymers, silicon rubbers, synthetic rubbers
such as nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate
copolymer, styrene isoprene copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene
copolymers and mixtures of thereof. Some non-elastomeric polymers
may be used. These polymers can provide some degree of recovery
when exposed to an external stimulus. Examples of non-elastomeric
polymers useful in the present invention include, but are not
limited to, polyethylene oxide, copolymers of polylactic acid,
blends and mixtures thereof.
[0093] In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape
deformable matrix material contains a polyurethane. Suitable
polyurethanes for use in the present invention include, but are not
limited to, polyester-based aromatic polyurethanes, polyester-based
aliphatic polyurethanes, polyether-based aliphatic and aromatic
polyurethanes, and blends and mixtures of these polyurethanes. Such
polyurethanes may be obtained, for example, from Huntsman
Polyurethanes (Chicago, Ill.). Examples of specific polyurethanes,
which can be used in the present invention include, but are not
limited to, MORTHANE.RTM. PS370-200, MORTHANE.RTM. PS79-200,
MORTHANE.RTM. PN3429, and MORTHANE.RTM. PE90-100. Other
thermoplastic polyurethanes applicable for the present invention
can be obtained from BF Goodrich Performance Materials under the
trade name ESTANE.RTM. polyurethanes.
[0094] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the shape
deformable matrix material includes a poly(ether amide) elastomer.
Poly(ether amide) elastomers, which may be used in the present
invention, may be obtained, for example, from Arkema, Inc.
(Philadelphia, Pa.). Examples of such poly(ether amide) elastomers
include PEBAX.RTM. series elastomers which may include, but are not
limited to, PEBAX.RTM. 2533, PEBAX.RTM. 3533, and PEBAX.RTM.
4033.
[0095] Polyurethane elastomers and poly(ether amide) elastomers are
particularly useful as the shape deformable matrix material in the
present invention because they structurally consist of soft and
hard segments, which contain groups having high dipole moments
(i.e., isocyanate, amide, and ester groups) which are sensitive to
external stimuli. The hard segments in these elastomers typically
act as physical cross-linking points for the soft segments,
enabling an elastomeric performance. Both hard and soft segments
may contribute to the shape deformation during a number of
pre-activation treatments described below, such as stretching,
which provides "locked-in" shape deformation, which may be
recoverable by exposure to an external stimulus.
[0096] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
shape deformable matrix material includes a blend of an elastomeric
polymer and a non-elastomeric polymer. These blends may either be
co-extruded together, or may be formed into multi- or micro-layer
structures. Alternatively, the multi-layer or micro-layer structure
may be formed from separate layers of the elastomeric polymer and
non-elastomeric polymer. These layers may or may not be alternating
layers. Blends are advantageous since blending or
multi-layering/micro-layering of a shape deformation elastomer with
another non-elastomeric shape deformation polymer can improve
latent deformation properties, especially at lower stretching
temperatures, and can significantly increase recoverable
deformation as a result of activation by an external stimulus.
[0097] The shape memory materials of the present invention may
possess a variety of shapes and sizes. The shape memory materials
of the present invention may be in the form of blends, films,
multi-layered or micro-layered films, laminates, filaments,
fabrics, foams, nonwovens or any other three-dimensional form. In
some embodiments, a desirable substrate is nonwoven material.
[0098] Similar to the phase change materials, and as discussed
above, the shape memory materials may be formed by any method known
to those of ordinary skill in the art including, but not limited
to, extrusion, coating, foaming, etc. When used as a coating, the
coatings may be applied as a powder or liquid form. Liquid forms
include aqueous or other liquid dispersions, suspensions and/or
emulsions, may be foamed, and may include components other than the
shape memory materials in the composition such as, for example,
thickeners, adhesives or binders, including polymeric binders. Such
coating compositions may be applied to the substrate by spraying,
brushing, dipping or immersion, or, more particularly, by slot
coating or applying as a foam and spreading with a knife or doctor
blade, or the like. The coated fabric layer may then be air dried
or dried by heat, heated air, oven drying, or other means. The
shape memory material may be included within or applied to the
substrate in an amount between about 0.1 to about 100% of the
weight of the final substrate.
[0099] Regardless of the size and shape of the shape memory
material, the shape memory material of the present invention
exhibits a change in at least one spatial dimension when subjected
to an external stimulus. Typically, the shape memory material of
the present invention exhibits a change in one, two, or three
dimensions. For example, when the shape memory material is in the
form of a fiber, the shape deformation material exhibits a change
in the fiber length and/or fiber diameter. When the shape memory
material is in the form of a film, the shape deformation material
exhibits a change in the film length and/or film width and film
thickness.
[0100] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments
of the present invention described and illustrated herein without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The invention
includes such modifications and variations coming within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the appended claims.
* * * * *