A NON-SLIP, WATERPROOF, WATER VAPOR PERMEABLE FABRIC

摘要

A non-slip, waterproof, water vapor permeable fabric and method of making are described. The fabric is made by obtaining a waterproof, water vapor permeable film and adhering one side of the film to a layer of fabric which may be a stretch fabric. The other side of the film is provided with a discontinuous coating of an elastomer which has an elastic modulus of less than 5.5N/mm2. The discontinuous coating may take various forms including a pattern of dots or a grid of intersecting lines. The discontinuous coating may optionally project above the surface of the film. The presence of the discontinuous coating of elastomer results in a fabric with a static coefficient of friction of greater than about 1.0 on the discontinuously coated side of the fabric. The film is preferably a porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene film provided with a hydrophilic coating on one surface; the hydrophilic coating may serve as an adhesive for joining the one surface of the film to the layer of fabric. The inventive fabric is useful for various applications such as articles of medical protective clothing including surgical drapes and liners for orthotic braces, which applications may benefit from the non-slip character of the fabric.