Barrier fabric

Abstract

A barrier fabric with a nano-fibrous layer for mechanical retention of organic substances, wherein it is formed by a sandwich structure containing a basic material from unwoven fabric of “spunbond” type with areal weight of 15 to 50 g/m² to which at least one nano-fibrous layer is arranged, selected from the group comprising a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, or in the case of double-layer arrangement, a combination of the hydrophilic polymer in one layer and the hydrophobic polymer in the other layer, and where the nano-fibrous layer is equipped with a protective covering layer, and where the individual layers of the sandwich are connected to each other, and where the nano-fibrous layer used as a barrier against penetration of allergens produced by the dust mites through the upholstery material of mattresses, pillows, bedclothes or soft furnishings, is created by an organic polymer material with areal weight of 0.05 to 0.3 g/m² and thickness from 90 to 150 nm, whereas the covering layer is selected from the group involving an unwoven fabric of “spunbond” type, “meltblown” type, cotton textile and/or a mixture of cotton and polyester.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention refers to barrier textile fabrics containing at least one nano-fibrous layer which is used as a barrier preventing the penetration of microorganisms, allergens and dust particles, or also liquids, as the case may be.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART[0002]The use of various textile materials as a barrier preventing the penetrating of bacteria, dust particles and allergens, or liquids, respectively, is common. These are mostly textiles or unwoven fabrics of “meltblown” or “spunbond” type.[0003]The U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,770 and EP patent 1190652 describe the use of a micro-fibrous fabric which, thanks to its density, retains allergens in bedclothes and stops them from getting into the living space. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,861 describes a micro-porous material intended for the production of bedclothes, which is used as an upholstery cloth. The unwoven fabrics for production of bedclothes and furniture upholstery are also described in the document EP 06...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The advantage of use of the nano-fibrous layer or layers according to this invention is namely the lower demand for materials; the barrier is formed by a nano-fibrous layer or layers with very low overall areal weight. Nevertheless, the layer allows retention of 99.9% of microorganisms and allergens, and is capable of capturing liquids as well.

Problems solved by technology

The drawback of those materials is that either they are not able to ensure maximum possible protection, or they can provide the protection but with high material costs or with impairment of the comfort of the users.

Woven materials can retain approximately 95% of allergens; however, their manufacture is exacting, as regards the materials and technology, which affects the resulting price of the material or the final products.

Such upholstery, however, is air-tight, and therefore it cannot provide sufficient comfort for the user, for example in a situation when a patient is dependent on round-the-clock confinement to bed.

The air-tightness, in combination with poor positioning, may cause grazes and bed sores on the patient's body.

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