Reusable, launderable water-soluble coveralls

• US 6,854,135 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microtek Medical Holdings Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Microtek Medical Holdings Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Steward, John B., Jones, Joan Adell
• Primary Examiner(s): Calvert, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Muromoto, Jr., Robert H.
• Application Number:
  US10/369,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20040107473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 245/6, 245/7, 245/8, 2 4/6, 2 6/9, 2 7/9, 2 8/1, 222/7, 224/7
• US Class Current: 2/456
• 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

The present invention is directed to reusable, launderable water-soluble coveralls.

Claims

1. A reusable, launderable coverall comprising substantially water-soluble nonwoven fabric material, wherein the coverall is capable of being washed in an aqueous bath without negatively impacting the structural integrity of the coverall.

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 nonwoven fabric material comprises polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

5. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble nonwoven fabric material consists essentially of polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

6. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble nonwoven fabric material consists of polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

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 1, wherein the coverall comprises two or more spunlaced polyvinyl alcohol fabric sheets joined to one another with one or more sheet fastening devices.

10. The coverall of claim 9, wherein the one or more sheet fastening devices comprise thread, adhesives, hoop and loop materials, or a combination thereof.

11. The coverall of claim 9, wherein the one or more sheet fastening devices comprises water-soluble material, water-dispersible material, or a combination thereof.

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

13. 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.

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

15. The coverall of claim 14, wherein the coverall comprises up to 15 pockets.

16. The coverall of claim 14, wherein the coverall comprises 11 pockets for dosimetry use.

17. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall comprises pre-shrunk water-soluble nonwoven fabrics having a fabric shrinkage of less than about 10% when exposed to a washing cycle.

18. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven fabric material is substantially free of lint and static.

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

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

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

22. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble nonwoven fabric comprises spunlaced polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

23. The coverall of claim 1, further comprising radioactive material on or in the coverall.

24. The coverall of claim 1, 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 5,000 disintegrations per minute as measured by the same automatic laundry monitor.

35. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall is washed.

38. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall is soluble in water having a water temperature of greater than 37°

C.

39. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall is soluble in water having a water temperature of greater than 50°

C.

40. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall is soluble in water having a water temperature of greater than 75°

C.

41. The coverall of claim 1, wherein the coverall is soluble in water having a water temperature of greater than 90°

C.

25. A reusable, launderable coverall comprising substantially water-soluble nonwoven fabric material, said nonwoven fabric material comprising water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol fibers, wherein the coverall is capable of being washed in an aqueous bath without negatively impacting the structural integrity of the coverall.

26. The coverall of claim 25, 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.

27. The coverall of claim 26, wherein the water-soluble nonwoven fabric material comprises spunlaced fabrics of polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

28. The coverall of claim 27, 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 5,000 disintegrations per minute as measured by the same automatic laundry monitor.

29. The coverall of claim 25, further comprising radioactive material on or in the coverall.

30. The coverall of claim 25, wherein the water-soluble nonwoven fabric material comprises spunlaced fabrics of polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

36. The coverall of claim 25, wherein the coverall is washed.

31. A reusable, launderable coverall comprising substantially water-soluble nonwoven fabric material, and radioactive material on or in the coverall, wherein the coverall is capable of being washed in an aqueous bath without negatively impacting the structural integrity of the coverall.

32. The coverall of claim 31, 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.

33. The coverall of claim 31, 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 5,000 disintegrations per minute as measured by the same automatic laundry monitor.

34. The coverall of claim 31, wherein the water-soluble nonwoven fabric material comprises spunlaced fabrics of polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

37. The coverall of claim 31, wherein the coverall is washed.