Title: Breathable articles and fabrics
Application Number: 99814237 Application Date: 1999.12.10
Publication Number: 1329633 Publication Date: 2002.01.02
Approval Pub. Date: 2004.03.03 Granted Pub. Date: 2004.03.03
International Classifi-cation: A41D13/00;B32B3/10;B32B3/24;C08J5/18
Applicant(s) Name: Nigel John Middleton Address:
Inventor(s) Name: Nigel John Middleton
Attorney & Agent: sun zheng
Abstract:
    A breathable article, such as for example a medical dressing or a facing, cushioning or lining article for wearing or locating between a person and a surface of (i) apparel or clothing, (ii) a chair, (iii) a wheelchair, (iv) headwear, (v) footwear, (vi) body protectors, armour and shields, (vii) bedding, (viii) upholstery coverings, or (ix) orthopaedic articles, is formed from an elastomeric (e.g. foamed neoprene) fabric sheet (1). The fabric sheet has first (2) and second major faces and small pin-prick sized perforations (6) provided therethrough in the centres of surface depressions or chambers (7) of the first major face (2) and corresponding dome projections (8) of the second major face. The fabric sheet as illustrated will typically be cut to the desired shape to form the finished breathable article. Between the perforations (6) is provided a plurality of spacer members in the form of a network of continuous ribs (9) which project from the second major face and serve in use to space the fabric sheet (1) from the surface to maintain breathability via the venting of air through the depressions/chambers (7) and the perforations (6). The ribs (9) can have an air-permeable sheet cover member (not shown) secured thereto extending between adjacent ribs to enclose an air space between the ribs. The invention also provides the corresponding breathable fabric from which the above breathable articles (and others) can be produced.
Time: 12