# US 5,705,251 A · Garment with liquid intrusion protection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,705,251 A - Document ID: US5705251A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/580,411 - Filed: 1995-12-28 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1995-06-27 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Tod Morman; Laureen Cecilia Clark; Lynn Preston - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5705251A ## CPC - A41D 31/04: characterised by special function or use (protective clothing affording protection against heat or harmful chemical agents or for use at high altitudes A62B17/00; composition of materials for coverings or clothing affording protection against harmful chemical agents A62D5/00) - A41D 13/1209: {Surgeons' gowns or dresses} - B32B 3/18: characterised by an internal layer formed of separate pieces of material {which are juxtaposed side-by-side (B32B5/02 takes precedence)} - B32B 3/28: characterised by a layer comprising a deformed thin sheet {, i.e. the layer having its entire thickness deformed out of the plane}, e.g. corrugated, crumpled (B32B29/08 takes precedence) - B32B 3/30: characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. {hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs (apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26)} - B32B 5/022: {Non-woven fabric} - B32B 5/24: one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer - B32B 2305/026: Porous - B32B 2307/73: Hydrophobic - B32B 2437/00: Clothing - B32B 2571/02: defensive, e.g. armour plates or anti-ballistic clothing - Y10S 2/901: Antibacterial, antitoxin, or clean room - Y10T 428/24132: including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in different layers or components parallel - Y10T 428/24802: Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.] - Y10T 428/249924: Noninterengaged fiber-containing paper-free web or sheet which is not of specified porosity - Y10T 442/66: Additional nonwoven fabric is a spun-bonded fabric - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A multi-layered structure having improved liquid barrier properties is provided. The multi-layered structure includes a porous hydrophobic layer and a spacing layer adjacent to and in juxtaposition with the porous hydrophobic layer. The function of the spacing layer is to provide sufficient channels for a liquid while supporting all or substantially all of a compressive pressure exerted against the spacing layer. As such, when the spacing layer is contacted with a liquid, such as water, saline or a bodily fluid such as blood, and subjected to a compressive pressure, of at least 2 psi, applied generally perpendicularly to the spacing layer, the channels are available within the bulk of the spacing layer for such liquid to flow therein or therebetween, while all or substantially all of the compressive pressure is supported by the spacing layer. In this way, the liquid in contact with the spacing layer flows into these channels without passing through the porous hydrophobic layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-layered structure comprising: a fibrous porous hydrophobic layer; a spacing layer in adjacent juxtaposition to the porous hydrophobic layer; a liquid collection area in liquid communication with the spacing layer; and wherein, upon the spacing layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 2 pounds per square inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the spacing layer, none of the water passes through the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-layered structure of claim 1, wherein the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer is formed from a nonwoven web. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multi-layered structure of claim 1 wherein the spacing layer is formed by a member selected from a group which includes glass fibers, thermoplastic fibers, cellulose fibers, a plurality of spaced apart support members or any combination thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The multi-layered structure of claim 3 wherein at least one of the support members is corrugated. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The multi-layered structure of claim 3 wherein the area between at least two support members defines a channel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The multi-layered structure of claim 3 wherein the support members are further defined as a plurality of spaced apart elastic strips. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multi-layered structure of claim 1 wherein, upon the spacing layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 5 pounds per square inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the spacing layer, none of the water passes through the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multi-layered structure of claim 1 wherein, upon the spacing layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 10 pounds per square inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the spacing layer, none of the water passes through the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A surgical gown formed from the multi-layered structure of claim 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A surgical drape formed from multi-layered structure of claim 1. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A coverall formed from the multi-layered structure of claim 1. ### Claim 12 A nonwoven multi-layered web comprising: a hydrophobic nonwoven web layer spaced a distance apart from a nonwoven web layer by a spacing layer; a liquid collection area in liquid communication with the spacing layer; and wherein upon the nonwoven web layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 2 psi, none of the water passes through the hydrophobic nonwoven web layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The nonwoven multi-layered web of claim 12 wherein the spacing layer is formed by a member selected from a group which includes glass fibers, thermoplastic fibers, cellulose fibers, a plurality of spaced apart support members or any combination thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The nonwoven multi-layered web of claim 13 wherein the area between the plurality of spaced apart support members defines a plurality of channels and wherein the collection area is formed from an absorbent material positioned within a portion of the channels. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The nonwoven multi-layered web of claim 13 wherein a surface of at least one of the support members is corrugated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The nonwoven multi-layered web of claim 13 wherein the area between at least two support members defines a channel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The nonwoven multi-layered web of claim 13 wherein the support members are further defined as a plurality of spaced apart elastic strips. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The nonwoven multi-layered web of claim 12 wherein the nonwoven web layer is further characterized as another hydrophobic nonwoven web layer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The nonwoven multi-layered web of claim 12 wherein the hydrophobic nonwoven web layer may be formed from a plurality of layers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The nonwoven multi-layered web of claim 12 wherein the nonwoven web layer may be formed from a plurality of layers. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The nonwoven multi-layered web of claim 13 wherein at least two of the support members intersect. ### Claim 22 A multi-layered structure comprising: a fibrous porous hydrophobic layer; a spacing layer in adjacent juxtaposition to the porous hydrophobic layer; and wherein, upon the spacing layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 2 pounds per square inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the spacing layer, none of the water passes through the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The multi-layered structure of claim 22 wherein the porous hydrophobic layer is formed from a fibrous nonwoven web. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The multi-layered structure of claim 22 wherein the spacing layer is formed by a member selected from a group which includes glass fibers, thermoplastic fibers, cellulose fibers, a plurality of spaced apart support members or any combination thereof. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The multi-layered structure of claim 24 wherein at least one of the support members is corrugated. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The multi-layered structure of claim 24 wherein the area between at least two support members defines a channel. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The multi-layered structure of claim 24 wherein the support members are further defined as a plurality of spaced apart elastic strips. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The multi-layered structure of claim 22 wherein, upon the spacing layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 5 pounds per square inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the spacing layer, none of the water passes through the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The multi-layered structure of claim 22 wherein, upon the spacing layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 10 pounds per square inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the spacing layer, none of the water passes through the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) A surgical gown formed from the multi-layered structure of claim 22. ### Claim 31 (depends on 22) A surgical drape formed from the multi-layered structure of claim 22. ### Claim 32 (depends on 22) A coverall formed from the multi-layered structure of claim 22. ### Claim 33 A multi-layered structure comprising: a fibrous porous hydrophobic layer; a spacing layer in adjacent juxtaposition to the porous hydrophobic layer; and a fibrous porous layer in adjacent juxtaposition to the spacing layer; and wherein, upon the spacing layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 2 pounds per square inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the spacing layer, none of the water passes through the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The multi-layered structure of claim 33 wherein the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer is formed from a nonwoven web. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The multi-layered structure of claim 33 wherein the fibrous porous layer is formed from a nonwoven web. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) The multi-layered structure of claim 33 wherein the spacing layer is formed by a member selected from a group which includes glass fibers, thermoplastic fibers, cellulose fibers, a plurality of spaced apart support members or any combination thereof. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The multi-layered structure of claim 36 wherein at least one of the support members is corrugated. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The multi-layered structure of claim 36 wherein the area between at least two support members defines a channel. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) The multi-layered structure of claim 36 wherein the support members are further defined as a plurality of spaced apart elastic strips. ### Claim 40 (depends on 33) The multi-layered structure of claim 33 wherein, upon the spacing layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 5 pounds per square inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the spacing layer, none of the water passes through the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer. ### Claim 41 (depends on 33) The multi-layered structure of claim 33 wherein, upon the spacing layer being contacted with water and subjected to a compressive pressure of at least 10 pounds per square inch in a direction generally perpendicular to the spacing layer, none of the water passes through the fibrous porous hydrophobic layer. ### Claim 42 (depends on 33) A surgical gown formed from the multi-layered structure of claim 33. ### Claim 43 (depends on 33) A surgical drape formed from the multi-layered structure of claim 33. ### Claim 44 (depends on 33) A coverall formed from the multi-layered structure of claim 33.