Composite structure for protective garment

Abstract

A composite structure for a protective garment, such as a pair of bunker pants for a firefighter, a bunker coat for a firefighter, or a glove for a firefighter, has a moisture absorber, a moisture barrier covering the moisture absorber, and an outer shell covering the moisture barrier. The moisture absorber has a fibrous matrix incorporating a superabsorbent polymer, as particles or as fibers, and is disposed between an inner cover pervious to moisture and an outer cover. The inner and outer covers may be quilted so as to segregate discrete regions of the fibrous matrix. In one contemplated embodiment, the moisture barrier is affixed to the outer shell so as to have surface-to-surface adhesion between an outer surface of the moisture barrier and an inner surface of the outer shell. In another contemplated embodiment, the the moisture barrier is affixed to the outer cover of the moisture absorber so as to have surface-to-surface adhesion between an inner surface of the moisture barrier and an outer surface of the outer cover of the moisture absorber.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.