Claims
- 1. A flexible, microporous, hydrophobic and oleophobic film-like composite structure comprising:
- (1) from about 25 to about 75 parts by weight of inorganic, reinforcing microfibers,
- (2) from about 75 to about 25 parts by weight of a polymeric binding agent in the form of a continuous matrix, said binding agent being derived from an emulsion or latex of particles of said binding agent having a size of less than about 1 micrometer in a liquid, said binding agent and said microfibers being present in the composite structure in a total amount of 100 parts by weight, based on the weight of said binding agent and said microfibers, and
- (3) a treating agent present in an amount sufficient to render the composite structure both hydrophobic and oleophobic.
- 2. The composite structure of claim 1 having a porosity of about 0.01 to about 100 cubic feet of air per square foot of surface area per minute at a pressure of 0.5 inches WC and a temperature of 20.degree. C.
- 3. The composite structure of claim 2 wherein said inorganic, reinforcing microfibers comprise glass microfibers.
- 4. The composite structure of claim 2 wherein said inorganic, reinforcing microfibers comprise a mixture of potassium titanate and glass microfibers.
- 5. The composite structure of claim 2 wherein said polymeric binding agent is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate.
- 6. The composite structure of claim 2 wherein said polymeric binding agent is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate and wherein said copolymer has chlorinated side chains.
- 7. The composite structure of claim 2 wherein said polymeric binding agent comprises from about 70 to about 30 parts by weight of said composite structure.
- 8. The composite structure of claim 2 wherein said treating agent comprises a fluorinated hydrocarbon.
- 9. The composite structure of claim 2 wherein said porosity is in the range of from about 0.1 to about 20.
- 10. The composite structure of claim 2 wherein said inorganic reinforcing microfibers are glass and have diameters within the range of from about 0.5 to about 2.0 micrometers and aspect ratios of from about 20:1 to about 1,000:1.
- 11. A water and oil resistant structure comprising: the microporous, hydrophobic, oleophobic film-like composite structure of claim 2 having secured to at least one surface thereof a substrate fabric.
- 12. The structure of claim 11 wherein said substrate fabric is a polyester, a polyamide, cotton or rayon.
- 13. The structure of claim 11 wherein said film-like composite structure is integral with said substrate fabric.
- 14. The structure of claim 13 wherein said substrate fabric is a polyester, a polyamide, cotton or rayon.
- 15. The structure of claim 11 additionally including a layer of a carbon-containing material with gas adsorption characteristics.
- 16. The structure of claim 11 additionally including a layer of woven polypropylene laminated to the film-like composite structure.
- 17. An article of footwear comprising the water and oil resistant structure of claim 16.
- 18. The structure of claim 16 wherein the polymeric binding agent is fire resistant.
- 19. An upholstery fabric comprising the water and oil resistant structure of claim 18.
- 20. A mattress cover comprising the water and oil resistant structure of claim 18.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 542,026 filed Oct. 14, 1983 now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (17)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
"Vinyl Acetate/Ethylene Emulsion Copolymers", from Paint Manufacture, Sep. 1968. |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
542026 |
Oct 1983 |
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