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US 6,071,834 AGranted
Dimensionally stabilized breathable membrane
OwnerJoel D. Martzinventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerJoel D. Martzinventor
Estimating the term…
A breathable membrane and a method of constructing a fabric having the membrane, wherein the membrane is resistive to transport of liquid water, has a layer of breathable material and is stabilized dimensionally against distension by a force field, such as forces which may be applied to the membrane or resulting from a hydrostatic pressure, by a reinforcing matrix of nonwoven filaments extending in plural directions along the layer of breathable material to inhibit the distension. In the matrix, the filaments are arranged in a first plurality of the filaments which intersect a second plurality of the filaments to form cells. A minimum diameter of an individual one of the cells is greater by at least approximately an order of magnitude than a diameter of one of the filaments to provide open areas of the layer of breathable material which are free from obstruction by the filaments. The membrane is suitable for construction of a surgical gown or drape preventing transmission of pathogens, a covering for a wall of a house, as well as a covering of a container for industrial processes. The matrix filaments may be constructed in elastic form, but wherein the elasticity of each filament is limited for a maximum amount of extension so as to avoid any rupture of the breathable film. The extension limits may be the same or may differ among the various filaments.
A breathable membrane, resistive to transport of liquid water, and having limited distension in response to a force, the membrane comprising:
A textile fabric comprising:
A garment comprising a breathable membrane which is resistive to transport of liquid water and having limited distension in response to a force, the membrane comprising a layer of breathable material resistive to transport of liquid water and a reinforcing nonwoven matrix of filaments extending in plural directions along said layer of breathable material to inhibit said distension;
A garment having a body portion for enclosing the torso of a wearer of the garment, the body portion comprising a breathable membrane which is resistive to transport of liquid water and having limited distension in response to forces, the membrane comprising a layer of breathable material resistive to transport of liquid water and a reinforcing matrix of filaments extending in plural directions along said layer of breathable material to inhibit a distension of said layer of breathable material in any of said plural directions by said forces;
A garment having a limb portion for enclosing a limb of a wearer of the garment, the limb portion comprising a breathable membrane which is resistive to transport of liquid water and having limited distension in response to forces, the membrane comprising a layer of breathable material resistive to transport of liquid water and a reinforcing nonwoven matrix of filaments extending in plural directions along said layer of breathable material to inhibit a distension of said layer of breathable material in any of said plural directions by said forces;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.