Water-soluble products and methods of making and using the same

• US 20040107473A1
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microtek Medical Holdings Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Microtek Medical Holdings Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Steward, John B., Jones, Joan Adell
• Granted Patent: US 6,854,135 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/69
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/02 Overalls , e.g. bodysuits or bib overalls sweating suits A61H36/00
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1263 Suits
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2500/30 Non-woven
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/04 characterised by special function or use protective clothing affording protection against heat or harmful chemical agents or for use at high altitudes A62B17/00; composition of materials for coverings or clothing affording protection against harmful chemical agents A62D5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 17/006 against contamination from chemicals, toxic or hostile environments; ABC suits

Abstract

Water-soluble products and methods of making and using water-soluble products are disclosed.

Claims

1. A multiple-use, launderable coverall comprising water-soluble material.

2. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall is pre-washed.

3. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall is capable of being washed in an aqueous bath up to about 20 times without negatively impacting structural integrity of the coverall.

4. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble material comprises polyvinyl alcohol with or without acetyl groups, cross-linked or uncross-linked.

5. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall consists essentially of water-soluble material.

6. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall consists of water-soluble material.

7. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall comprises a closure system.

8. The coverall of claim 7, wherein the closure system comprises one or more zippers, drawstrings, snaps, buttons, adhesives, hoop and loop materials, or a combination thereof.

9. The coverall of claim 7, wherein the closure system comprises water-soluble material, water-dispersible material, or a combination thereof.

10. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall comprises two or more fabric sheets joined to one another with one or more sheet fastening devices.

11. The coverall of claim 10, wherein the one or more sheet fastening devices comprise thread, adhesives, hoop and loop materials, or a combination thereof.

12. The coverall of claim 10, wherein the one or more sheet fastening devices comprises water-soluble material, water-dispersible material, or a combination thereof.

13. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall comprises at least one single ply fabric, double ply fabric, fabric/film laminate, or combination thereof.

14. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall is pre-treated with a chemical treatment to enhance one or more properties selected from impermeability, permeability, flame resistance, moisture vapor permeability, tear strength, and stain resistance.

15. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall comprises one or more pockets.

16. The coverall of claim 15, wherein the coverall comprises up to 15 pockets.

17. The coverall of claim 15, wherein the coverall comprises 11 pockets for dosimetry use.

18. The coverall of claim 17, wherein the pockets are located along the coverall as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

19. The coverall of claim 15, wherein at least one of the one or more pockets has a flap closure.

20. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall comprises pre-shrunk fabrics having a fabric shrinkage of less than about 5% when exposed to a washing cycle.

21. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall comprises nonwoven fabric substantially free of lint and static.

22. The coverall of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the coverall is dyed or printed.

23. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall further comprises at least one of an integral hood, integral booties, or a combination thereof.

24. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall further comprises a wash counter integrally connected to the coverall.

25. The coverall of claim 24, wherein the wash counter comprises water-soluble material, water-dispersible material, or a combination thereof.

26. The coverall of claim 24, wherein the wash counter comprises a detachable strip of coverall material.

27. A method of reducing an amount of radioactive waste generated by at least one contaminated product, wherein the method comprises:

(a) washing the at least one contaminated product in an aqueous bath under washing condition such that the at least one product does not become soluble, producing a washed product; and

(b) disposing of the washed product by placing the washed product in an aqueous bath under condition such that at least a portion of the product becomes soluble.

28. A dosimetry coverall having eleven pockets as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B.

29. The dosimetry coverall of claim 28, wherein the coverall is a single-use coverall.

30. The single-use dosimetry coverall of claim 29, wherein the coverall comprises at least 50 parts by weight (pbw) of water-soluble materials, based on a total weight of the single-use coverall.

31. The single-use dosimetry coverall of claim 29, wherein the coverall consists essentially of water-soluble materials.

32. The single-use dosimetry coverall of claim 29, wherein the coverall consists of water-soluble materials.

33. A reusable coverall for use in the nuclear industry, wherein after the coverall is (i) exposed to one or more radioactive materials at an exposure level of at least 1,000,000 disintegrations per minute as measured by an automatic laundry monitor and (ii) subsequently washed, the washed reusable coverall has a contamination level of less than 25,000 disintegrations per minute as measured by the same automatic laundry monitor.

34. The reusable coverall of claim 33, wherein the washed reusable coverall has a contamination level of less than 5,000 disintegrations per minute as measured by the same automatic laundry monitor.