| (19) |
 |
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(11) |
EP 0 908 122 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
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16.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/33 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
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14.04.1999 Bulletin 1999/15 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 07.10.1998 |
|
| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A47C 21/06 |
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
|
Designated Extension States: |
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AL LT LV MK RO SI |
| (30) |
Priority: |
08.10.1997 US 61431 P
|
| (71) |
Applicant: PRECISION FABRICS GROUP, INC. |
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Greensboro, North Carolina 27420-1448 (US) |
|
| (72) |
Inventors: |
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- Smith II, John M.
Greensboro, North Carolina 27408 (US)
- Duckett, Charles Woody
Kernersvile, North Carolina 27284 (US)
|
| (74) |
Representative: Grünecker, Kinkeldey, Stockmair & Schwanhäusser Anwaltssozietät |
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Maximilianstrasse 58
80538 München
80538 München (DE) |
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| |
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| (54) |
Durable, comfortable, air-permeable allergen-barrier fabrics |
(57) An allergen-barrier fabric includes a tightly-constructed fabric substrate, woven
from 65 to 100% continuous synthetic filament yarns. The fabric substrate is finished
to produce a fabric with a mean pore size of 4 to 10 microns, an air permeability
of 0.5 - 25 cfm, a mean fabric flexibility of 0.5 to 6.5 grams (bending resistance),
and a moisture vapor permeability in excess of 800 g/m2/24 hours. This fabric provides
a barrier to mite-induced allergen particles. In a preferred embodiment, the fabric
has a maximum pore size of 10 microns. Various additional finishes can be included
on the fabric. For example, an antimicrobial finish may be provided on the fabric
to extend fabric wearlife by providing protection against mold and mildew. As another
alternative, a fluorochemical finish can be provided to extend fabric wearlife by
providing protection against fluid stains.