Fabric backing for orthopedic support materials
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsMatthew T. Scholz, Miroslav Tochacek, Jason L. Edgar
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Abstract
The present invention provides a unique knit construction having a nonfiberglass microdenier yarn in the fabric of the backing. Preferably, the nonfiberglass microdenier yarn is used in combination with a heat shrinkable yarn or a stretch yarn, and alternatively a nonfiberglass yarn for controlling stiffness, i.e., a stiffness-controlling yarn. More preferably, the nonfiberglass microdenier yarn is in combination with a stretch yarn and a nonfiberglass stiffness-controlling yarn. Most preferably, the nonfiberglass microdenier yarn is in combination with a heat shrinkable, elastically extensible yarn, and a nonfiberglass stiffness-controlling yarn.
Claims30
A resin-coated sheet material comprising:
- (a) a knit fabric comprising a nonfiberglass microdenier yarn of no greater than about 1.5 denier;
- and
- (b) a curable resin coated on the fabric.
A warp knit fabric comprising:
- (a) a chain stitch of a stretch yarn;
- (b) a weft in-lay of a nonfiberglass microdenier yarn of no greater than about 1.5 denier;
- (c) a weft insertion of a nonfiberglass stiffness-controlling yarn having a modulus of greater than about 5 grams per denier.
A method of preparing an orthopedic support material comprising impregnating a water-curable resin in a flexible substrate comprising a knit fabric incorporating a stretch yarn, a nonfiberglass microdenier yarn of no greater than about 1.5 denier, and a stiffness-controlling yarn.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.