# US 5,352,513 A · Oil, water and sweat repellent microporous membrane materials

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- Number: US 5,352,513 A
- Document ID: US5352513A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/099,177
- Filed: 1993-07-29
- Granted: 1994-10-04
- Earliest claimed: 1991-10-18
- Assignees: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
- Inventors: James S. Mrozinski; Harold J. Seppala
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5352513A

## CPC

- B32B 27/06: as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08)}
- A61L 15/425: {Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges}
- B01D 67/0027: {by stretching}
- B01D 71/261: {Polyethylene}
- B01D 71/262: {Polypropylene}
- B01D 71/76: Macromolecular material not specifically provided for in a single one of groups B01D71/08 - B01D71/74 (rubbers in general B01D71/24)
- B29C 55/005: {characterised by the choice of materials}
- A41D 31/102: Waterproof and breathable
- B01D 2323/12: Specific ratios of components used
- B01D 2325/38: Hydrophobic membranes
- B29K 2023/00: Use of polyalkenes {or derivatives thereof} as moulding material
- B29K 2105/0088: {Blends of polymers}
- B29K 2105/04: cellular or porous
- B32B 2307/514: Oriented
- B32B 2307/724: Permeability to gases, adsorption
- B32B 2307/726: Permeability to liquids, absorption
- B32B 2323/04: Polyethylene
- B32B 2323/10: Polypropylene
- Y10T 428/249978: Voids specified as micro
- Y10T 428/31544: Addition polymer is perhalogenated
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The invention discloses an oleophobic, hydrophobic, water repellent, moisture vapor and air permeable, heat sealable, microporous membrane material suitable for garment applications. The membrane material comprises a polyolefin polymer, a processing compound which is miscible with the polymer at its melt temperature but phase separates when the polymer is cooled to or below its melt temperature, and a fluorochemical composition. The membrane material is oriented in at least one direction. The membrane materials retain their repellency and moisture vapor permeable properties for extended periods of time in garment applications which expose the membrane materials to perspiration residues which are known to generally contaminate and ultimately destroy the repellency properties of conventional liquid repellent, moisture vapor permeable treatments.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A layered structure comprising a microporous membrane material which comprises a crystallizable olefin polymer, a processing compound which is miscible with the olefin polymer at the polymer's melting point but phase separates on cooling to or below the olefin crystallization temperature of the polymer, the blending ratio of polyolefin to processing compound being in the range of about 40:60 to 80:20, and a fluorochemical oxazolidinone compound, said material being oriented in at least one direction and at least one other porous material which does not substantially affect the porosity of the microporous material.

### Claim 2

A laminated structure comprising a microporous membrane material which comprises a crystallizable olefin polymer, a processing compound which is miscible with the olefin polymer at the polymer's melting point but phase separates on cooling to or below the olefin crystallization temperature of the polymer, the blending ratio of polyolefin to processing compound being in the range of about 40:60 to 80:20, and a fluorochemical oxazolidinone compound, said material being oriented in at least one direction and at least one other porous material which does not substantially affect the porosity of the microporous material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The layered structure of claim 1 wherein said olefin polymer is polypropylene, block copolymer or copolymers of ethylene and propylene, or other copolymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutylene copolymers which can be used singularly or in a mixture.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The layered structure of claim 1 wherein said processing compound is a hydrocarbon liquid.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The layered structure of claim 1 wherein said processing compound is mineral oil or a mixture of mineral oil and mineral spirits.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The layered structure of claim 1 wherein said fluorochemical oxazolidinone is a normally solid, water-insoluble, fluoroaliphatic radical-containing 2-oxazolidinone compound which has one or more 2-oxazolidinone moieties, at least one of which has a monovalent fluoroaliphatic radical containing at least 3 fully fluorinated terminal carbon atoms bonded to the 5-position carbon atom thereof by an organic linking group.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The layered structure of claim 1 wherein the fluorochemical oxazolidinone is blended with the polyolefin and processing compound at extrusion and comprises about 0.3 to 7 weight percent of the material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The layered structure of claim 1 wherein the fluorochemical oxazolidinone is blended with the polyolefin and processing compound at extrusion and comprises about 1 to 2 weight percent of the material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The layered structure of the claim 6 wherein said fluorochemical oxazolidinone can be represented by the formula ##STR3##

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The layered structure of claim 1 wherein the fluorochemical oxazolidinone is topically applied to liquid repellent, moisture vapor permeable, microporous membrane material at a rate of at least 5 percent by weight based on the weight of the material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The layered structure of claim 1 wherein said moisture vapor transmission rate is at least 700 g/m.sub.2 /24 hours.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The layered structure of claim 1 wherein said material can be heat sealed to form a bond strength of at least 0.1 kg/cm width.

### Claim 13 (depends on 2)

The laminated structure of claim 2 wherein said olefin polymer is polypropylene, block copolymers or copolymers of ethylene and propylene, or other copolymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutylene copolymers which can be used singularly or in a mixture.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The laminated structure of claim 2 wherein said processing compound is a hydrocarbon liquid.

### Claim 15 (depends on 2)

The laminated structure of claim 2 wherein said processing compound is mineral oil or a mixture of mineral oil and mineral spirits.

### Claim 16 (depends on 2)

The laminated structure of claim 2 wherein said fluorochemical oxazolidinone is a normally solid, water-insoluble, fluoroaliphatic radical-containing 2-oxazolidinone compound which has one or more 2-oxazolidinone moieties, at least one of which has a monovalent fluoroaliphatic radical containing at least 3 fully fluorinated terminal carbon atoms bonded to the 5-position carbon atom thereof by an organic linking group.

### Claim 17 (depends on 2)

The laminated structure of claim 2 wherein the fluorochemical oxazolidinone is blended with the polyolefin and processing compound at extrusion and comprises about 0.3 to 7 weight percent of the material.

### Claim 18 (depends on 2)

The laminated structure of claim 2 wherein the fluorochemical oxazolidinone is blended with the polyolefin and processing compound at extrusion and comprises about 1 to 2 weight of the material.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The laminated structure of claim 16 wherein said fluorochemical oxazolidinone can be represented by the formula ##STR4##

### Claim 20 (depends on 2)

The laminated structure of claim 2 wherein the fluorochemical oxazolidinone is topically applied to liquid repellent, moisture vapor permeable, microporous membrane material at a rate of at least 5 percent by weight based on the weight of the material.

### Claim 21 (depends on 2)

The laminated structure of claim 2 wherein said moisture vapor transmission rate is at least 700 g/m.sub.2 /24 hours.

### Claim 22 (depends on 2)

The laminated structure of claim 2 wherein said material can be heat sealed to form a bond strength of at least 0.1 kg/cm width.