Barrier fabric

• US 6,833,335 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sage Automotive Interiors, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Inventors: Kimbrell, William C., Godfrey, Thomas E., DeMott, Roy P., Lynn, Samuel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruddock, Ula
• Application Number:
  US10/305,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20040102113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 442/59, 442/64, 442/65, 442/66, 442/67, 442/79, 442/82, 442/85, 442/86, 442/88, 442/93, 442/94, 442/136, 442/146, 442/149, 442/152, 442/154, 442/164, 442/286, 442/287, 442/394, 442/395, 442/221, 442/370
• US Class Current: 442/94
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/02 on fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/26 Polymeric coating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/3065 Flame resistant or retardant, fire resistant or retardant
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7265 Non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/003 Interior finishings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/58 Seat coverings
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 3/183 the layers are one next to the other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/20 Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2041 Two or more non-extruded coatings or impregnations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2049 Each major face of the fabric has at least one coating or impregnation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2057 At least two coatings or impregnations of different chemical composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2066 Different coatings or impregnations on opposite faces of the fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2164 Coating or impregnation specified as water repellent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2189 Fluorocarbon containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2213 Coating or impregnation is specified as weather proof, water vapor resistant, or moisture resistant
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2221 Coating or impregnation is specified as water proof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2238 Fluorocarbon containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2279 : Coating or impregnation improves soil repellency, soil release, or anti- soil redeposition qualities of fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2287 : Fluorocarbon containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2631 : Coating or impregnation provides heat or fire protection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2713 : Halogen containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2738 : Coating or impregnation intended to function as an adhesive to solid surfaces subsequently associated therewith
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2762 : Coated or impregnated natural fiber fabric [e.g., cotton, wool, silk, linen, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2779 : Coating or impregnation contains an acrylic polymer or copolymer [e.g., polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylic acid, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2861 : Coated or impregnated synthetic organic fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3325 : Including a foamed layer or component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3854 : Woven fabric with a preformed polymeric film or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3862 : Ester condensation polymer sheet or film [e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/647 : Including a foamed layer or component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/674 : Nonwoven fabric with a preformed polymeric film or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/675 : Ester condensation polymer sheet or film [e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, etc.]

Abstract

A fabric having a unique combination of stain resistance, fluid barrier properties, aesthetic characteristics and drape ability is described, and a method of making such fabrics. The fabric includes a fabric substrate that has been treated with a low surface energy stain resist compound on at least one of its surfaces, and one or more layers secured to the other of its surfaces, with the layers providing the fabric with the unique combination of characteristics. In addition, the fabric is desirably provided with flame resisting and ultraviolet resisting characteristics, to enable it to be used as a seating material for transportation vehicles. Methods for making the fabric are also described.

Claims

1. A barrier fabric comprising:

a fabric substrate having a first side and a second side;

a fluorochemical compound disposed on at least the first side of the fabric substrate;

an acrylic latex disposed on the second side of the fabric substrate;

a copolymer adhesive disposed on the acrylic latex;

a polyester polyurethane barrier film disposed on the copolymer adhesive.

2. A barrier fabric comprising:

a fabric substrate having a first side and a second side;

a low surface energy staining resisting compound disposed on at least the first side of the fabric substrate;

a polymer stabilization layer disposed on the second side of the fabric substrate;

an adhesive disposed on the polymer stabilization layer, wherein the adhesive comprises a polymeric material which includes an elastic component; and

, a barrier film disposed on the adhesive.

3. The barrier fabric according to claim 2, wherein the low surface energy stain resisting compound comprises a fluorochemical compound.

4. The barrier fabric according to claim 2, wherein the polymer stabilization layer comprises an acrylic latex.

5. The barrier fabric according to claim 2, wherein the polymer stabilization layer is disposed on the fabric substrate in a discontinuous manner.

6. The barrier fabric according to claim 5, wherein the polymer stabilization layer is disposed on the fabric substrate in a predetermined pattern.

7. The barrier fabric according to claim 2, wherein the barrier film comprises a polyurethane film.

8. The barrier fabric according to claim 7, wherein the barrier film comprises a polyester polyurethane film.

9. The barrier fabric according to claim 7, wherein the barrier film comprises a polyether polyurethane film.

10. The barrier fabric according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive comprises metallocene polyethylene.

11. The barrier fabric according to claim 2, further including a foam bonded to the barrier film.

12. The barrier fabric according to claim 11, wherein the foam comprises a urethane foam.

13. The barrier fabric according to claim 12, wherein the foam is flame laminated to the barrier layer.

14. The barrier fabric according to claim 11, wherein the foam is bonded to the barrier layer by a second adhesive.

15. The barrier fabric according to claim 11, wherein the foam is laminated to the barrier layer.