Polyester Laminated Composite for Breathable Sterilizable Protective Clothing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laminated composite materials for medical and surgical protective clothing are not adequately breathable, comfortable, and reusable after hot and wet sterilization cycles, and their recycling is limited due to the use of thermolabile non-woven fabrics and fluorinated substances.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer laminated composite material with a polyester-based monolithic membrane sandwiched between two polyester fabric layers, ensuring liquid impermeability, breathability, and mechanical strength, allowing for easy reuse and high-purity recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-woven fabric layers are used in laminated composite materials, then liquid impermeability and barrier protection are improved, but breathability and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a non-woven fabric layer (for liquid barrier) with a porous membrane layer (for breathability). This multi-layer composite material resolves the contradiction by distributing different functions across different layers, allowing both liquid impermeability and water vapor permeability to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different layers: the non-woven fabric layer provides liquid repellency and structural support, while the porous membrane layer provides breathability and flexibility. Each layer has optimized local properties that collectively solve the overall contradiction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-woven fabric is used in protective clothings, then liquid barrier properties are improved, but reusability after hot sterilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermolabile non-woven fabric with thermally stable porous membrane. The stable membrane layer acts as a reinforcement that allows the composite to withstand high-temperature sterilization cycles, enabling reuse while maintaining the barrier properties provided by the non-woven fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a thermally stable porous membrane layer that acts as a protective reinforcement before sterilization occurs. This pre-existing stable structure cushions the thermolabile non-woven fabric against thermal degradation during subsequent sterilization cycles.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fluorinated substances or polyethylene coating is applied to non-woven fabric, then liquid repellency is improved, but recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable non-woven fabric layer that provides fluid repellency through its inherent hydrophobic properties rather than through difficult-to-recycle fluorinated coatings. This approach accepts the disposable nature of the fabric layer while avoiding the recycling problems associated with chemical coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the problematic fluorinated substances and polyethylene coatings from the design, relying instead on the natural hydrophobicity of the non-woven fabric and the functional porous membrane layer to provide liquid repellency without compromising recyclability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different materials are used in protective clothings, then performance requirements are improved, but manufacturing complexity and recycling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a standardized two-layer composite structure (non-woven fabric + porous membrane) that can be consistently manufactured. This regular composite structure simplifies production while meeting various performance requirements through material selection and layer configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal laminated composite material structure that can serve multiple protective clothing applications. The same basic composite structure can be adapted to different performance requirements by selecting appropriate materials for each layer, reducing manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The material provides effective barrier protection, comfort, and durability through repeated washing and sterilization, with enhanced recyclability into high-purity polyester products.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric monolithic membrane, said polymeric monolithic membrane comprising polyester and forming an intermediate layer having a first and a second face; a first outer layer comprising a polyester fabric, said first outer layer having a first inner surface adhering to said first face of said intermediate layer; a second outer layer comprising a polyester fabric, said second outer layer having a second inner surface adhering to said second face of said intermediate layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a laminated composite material and the manufacturing process thereof. The aforesaid laminated composite material comprises: —an intermediate layer comprising a polymeric monolithic membrane comprising a polyester, said intermediate layer having a first and a second face; —a first outer layer comprising a polyester fabric, said first outer layer having a first inner surface adhering to said first face of said intermediate layer; —a second outer layer comprising a polyester fabric, said second outer layer having a second inner surface adhering to said second face of said intermediate layer. The laminated composite material is suitable for manufacturing protective clothings, in particular protective clothings for medical and surgical use.