METHOD FOR SEAMING CLOTHS OF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

This application claims the benefit of Taiwan Patent Application Serial No. 109127880, filed Aug. 17, 2020, and Taiwan Patent Application Serial No. 109133898, filed Sep. 29, 2020, the subject matters of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method, and more particularly to the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

Manufacturing standard specifications for medical gowns and coverall protective clothing belong to the category of personal protective equipment. Specifically, ANSI/AAMI PB70 is one of the standards for this category. The ANSI/AAMI PB70 standard includes four levels. Each level of the protective clothing is corresponding to specific use occasions. The higher the level, the better the protection of the clothing, by which better protection can be provided to users for avoiding blood and virus infections. For example, to be within a test standard of Level 2, the result value of an AATCC 127 Hydrostatic Pressure Test shall be larger than or equal to 20 cmH2O, and the other test result of an AATCC 42 Penetration Test shall be less than or equal to 1 g.

Nevertheless, in the art, if either the water-resistant treatment or the splash water treatment upon seams of the protective clothing such as the medical gown and the coverall protective clothing is not properly handled, then the user wearing the protective clothing would be vulnerable unexpectedly to contamination of bio-liquid such as blood, saliva or sewage, such that the probability of virus or bacteria invading the protective clothing can be uplifted to, thus, increase user's risk of infection.

In addition, a DuPont disclosure reveals that the hydrostatic-pressure test result of a typical stitched seam prior to washing might be only 6 cmH2O, yet the other hydrostatic-pressure test result of a typical bound seam prior to washing could be right up to 20 cmH₂O. This DuPont disclosure is summarized in Table 1 as follows. It is noted that, if the test result greater than 20 cmH₂O is wanted, additional water-resistant tapes are needed. Definitely, as such, result-in manufacturing cost of the already-expensive protective clothing would be further increased, and also the corresponding manufacturing difficulty would be increased as well. Generally speaking, after washing, water-resistant performance of the protective clothing would be downgraded. Theoretically, the hydrostatic-pressure test result would be lower than the aforesaid test result prior to washing. Thus, according to the DuPont disclosure, it can be reasonably concluded that, without additional water-resistant tapes, a sewed protective clothing reaching the test standard of Level 2 is almost unfeasible.

TABLE 1

With additional

AATCC 127
Stitched seam
Bound seam
water-resistant tapes

Prior to washing
6 cmH₂O
20 cmH₂O
>20 cmH₂O

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view that seams of the conventional protective clothing may face inevitable consequences of possible ill water-resistant or splash water treatment, accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for seaming cloths of protective clothing that can resolve at least one of the aforesaid shortcomings described above.

In one embodiment of this invention, a method for seaming cloths of protective clothing includes the steps of: preparing a plurality of cloths for being sewed to form protective clothing; forming two connecting areas at one or neighboring two of the plurality of cloths, and then adhering the two connecting areas together by fixedly overlapping to form a joint band; utilizing a first auxiliary fixture to fold the joint band into a folded state so as to form a folded joint band; utilizing a second auxiliary fixture to fold two lateral sides of a water-resistant cloth into two folded edge areas, and having the two folded edge areas to be adhered respectively onto the folded joint band, such that the water-resistant cloth wraps the folded joint band; and, applying a sewing machine needle to have a water-repellent thread to penetrate repeatedly the two folded edge areas and the folded joint band along a sewing path, so that the water-resistant cloth is sewed fixedly to the folded joint band.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing, further includes a step of utilizing a second channel of the second auxiliary fixture to form two neighboring folding areas to the water-resistant cloth, and a step of, while the water-resistant cloth is leaving the second channel, utilizing the second auxiliary fixture to fold the two folding areas oppositely to form the two folded edge areas.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the plurality of cloths include at least one of a front-portion cloth, two sleeve-portion cloths and two rear-portion cloths.

In one embodiment of this present invention, each of the plurality of cloths has a hydrostatic-pressure test result larger than or equal to 20 cmH₂O.

In one embodiment of this present invention, each of the plurality of cloths has the hydrostatic-pressure test result value to be larger than or equal to 60 cmH₂O.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the water-resistant cloth has a hydrostatic-pressure test result larger than or equal to 20 cmH₂O.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the water-resistant cloth has the hydrostatic-pressure test result to be larger than or equal to 60 cmH₂O.

In one embodiment of this present invention, each of the plurality of cloths has a penetration test result less than or equal to 1 g.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the water-resistant cloth has a penetration test result less than or equal to 1 g.

In another embodiment of this invention, a method for seaming cloths of protective clothing includes: a step (a) preparing a plurality of cloths for being sewed to form protective clothing; a step (b) of forming two connecting areas at one or neighboring two of the plurality of cloths, and then adhering the two connecting areas together by fixedly overlapping to form a joint band; a step (c) of utilizing an auxiliary bending fixture to bend oppositely two lateral sides of a water-resist cloth to form two bending areas, then adhering the two bending areas onto the joint band, and wrapping the joint band by the water-resist cloth; and, a step (d) of applying a sewing machine needle to have a water-repellent thread to penetrate repeatedly the two bending areas and the joint band along a sewing path, so that the water-resistant cloth is sewed fixedly to the joint band.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the step (c) of the method further includes the steps of: utilizing a channel of the auxiliary bending fixture to form two neighboring temporary bending areas to the water-resist cloth; and, while the water-resist cloth is leaving the channel, utilizing the auxiliary bending fixture to fold oppositely the two temporary bending areas to form the two bending areas.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the plurality of cloths include at least one of a front-portion cloth, two sleeve-portion cloths and two rear-portion cloths.

In one embodiment of this present invention, each of the plurality of cloths has a hydrostatic-pressure test result larger than or equal to 20 cmH₂O.

In one embodiment of this present invention, each of the plurality of cloths has the hydrostatic-pressure test result value to be larger than or equal to 60 cmH₂O.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the water-resistant cloth has a hydrostatic-pressure test result larger than or equal to 20 cmH₂O.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the water-resistant cloth has the hydrostatic-pressure test result to be larger than or equal to 60 cmH₂O.

In one embodiment of this present invention, each of the plurality of cloths has a penetration test result less than or equal to 1 g.

In one embodiment of this present invention, the water-resistant cloth has a penetration test result less than or equal to 1 g.

As stated, the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention utilizes the first auxiliary fixture, the second auxiliary fixture, the sewing machine needle and the water-repellent thread to form the folded joint band by folding the joint band of the cloth, then to form the folded edge area at the water-resistant cloth, and to wrap and fix by sewing the folded joint band by the folded edge area. Alternatively, the method utilizes the auxiliary bending fixture, the sewing machine needle and the water-repellent thread to form the joint band from the cloths, and then to add the bending area of the water-resist cloth area to wrap and sew fixedly with the joint band. In comparison with the prior art, the manufacturing process of this invention is much simpler, and needs only the sewing to make the water-resistant quality comply with related laws and regulations (without any demand in water-resistant tape). In addition, after several washing, the water-resistant quality of the protective clothing of this invention can still satisfy the related laws and regulations, especially the water-resistant quality in the shoulder seam, the sleeve seam and the joint seam. Thereupon, the possibility of water or liquid invading the protective clothing can be significantly lowered, and so the risk of infection for the user can be substantially reduced.

All these objects are achieved by the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be specified with reference to its preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a first auxiliary fixture and a second auxiliary fixture for the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 demonstrates schematically that cloths enter the first auxiliary fixture of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cloths of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 demonstrates schematically that a water-resistant cloth enters the second auxiliary fixture of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 demonstrates schematically that the water-resistant cloth leaves the second auxiliary fixture of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 demonstrates schematically that the cloths are wrapped by the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth wrapping the cloths of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the protective clothing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 demonstrates schematically that a water-resistant cloth enters an auxiliary bending fixture of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cloths of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 demonstrates schematically that the water-resistant cloth leaves the auxiliary bending fixture of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 demonstrates schematically that the cloths are wrapped by the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth wrapping the cloths of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention disclosed herein is directed to a method for seaming cloths of protective clothing. In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. In other instance, well-known components are not described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Refer to FIG. 1 through FIG. 11 together; where FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a first auxiliary fixture and a second auxiliary fixture for the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 3 demonstrates schematically that cloths enter the first auxiliary fixture of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cloths of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 demonstrates schematically that a water-resistant cloth enters the second auxiliary fixture of FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 demonstrates schematically that the water-resistant cloth leaves the second auxiliary fixture of FIG. 2, FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 demonstrates schematically that the cloths are wrapped by the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth wrapping the cloths of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the protective clothing in accordance with the present invention.

As shown, the first method for seaming cloths of protective clothing includes Steps S101 to S106 as follows.

Step S101: Prepare a plurality of cloths for sewing to form protective clothing.

Step S102: Have one or two neighboring cloths to form two connecting areas, and further adhere the two connecting areas together by fixedly overlapping to form a joint band.

Step S103: Apply a first auxiliary fixture to fold the joint band into a folded state so as to form a folded joint band.

Step S104: Have a water-resistant cloth to form two neighboring folding areas by utilizing a second channel of a second auxiliary fixture.

Step S105: Utilize the second auxiliary fixture to have the water-resistant cloth just leaving a second channel of the second auxiliary fixture to form two folded edge areas by folding oppositely the two folding areas, respectively.

Step S106: Utilize a sewing machine needle to have a water-repellent thread to pass repeatedly the two folded edge areas and the folded joint band along a sewing path, such that the water-resistant cloth can be sewed and fixed to the folded joint band.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing is to utilize the first auxiliary fixture 1 and the second auxiliary fixture 2, as shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, the first auxiliary fixture 1 is furnished with a first channel H1 formed roughly in a spiral shape. Preferably, the first auxiliary fixture 1 has a first end portion S1 and a second end portion S2, in which the first channel H1 is wider at the first end portion S1 than at the second end portion S2. The second auxiliary fixture 2 is furnished with a second channel H2 formed roughly in a lying M shape. Preferably, the second auxiliary fixture 2 has a third end portion S3 and a fourth end portion S4, in which the second channel H2 is wider at the third end portion S3 than at the fourth end portion S4.

In Step S101, at least a cloth C1 and another cloth C2 are prepared for being sewed into forming a protective clothing 100. The cloth C1 has a connecting area A1, and the cloth C2 has another connecting area A2.

In Step S102, the connecting area A1 of the cloth C1 would be adhered onto the connecting area A2 of the cloth C2 by fixed overlapping so as to form a joint band.

In Step S103, the first channel H1 of the first auxiliary fixture 1 is utilized to fold and pattern the joint band there-along into a folded state, so that a folded joint band M1 can be formed, as shown in FIG. 4.

Further, in detail, the joint tap formed by adhering the cloth C1 onto the cloth C2 would enter the first channel H1 via the first end portion S1, and then move forward in a first direction D1. After entering the first channel H1 of the first auxiliary fixture 1, the joint band would be gradually folded into a folded joint band Ml, as shown schematically in FIG. 4, while the joint band travels along the first channel H1. Since the cloth C1 and the cloth C2 are both soft cloths unable to fill the entire first channel H1, thus, in a practical cross-sectional view, some twinkles or uneven surfaces may be encountered. However, the feasible cross section of the folded joint band M1 is roughly conformed to the first channel H1. Preferably, since the first channel H1 is wider at the first end portion S1 than at the second end portion S2, thus the joint band can be progressed easily after entering the first channel H1.

In Step S104, the second auxiliary fixture 2 would be introduced with a water-resistant cloth C3, and the second channel H2 thereof would conform the water-resistant cloth C3 to form two neighboring folding areas A3, A4, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. As described above, since the water-resistant cloth C3 is simply another soft cloth, thus, in a practical cross-sectional view, some twinkles or uneven surfaces may exist and show differences in comparison to FIG. 6. However, the real cross section of the water-resistant cloth C3 would be substantially conformed to the second channel H2. In addition, since the second channel H2 is wider at the third end portion S3 than at the fourth end portion S4, thus the water-resistant cloth C3 can be much more easily to enter and travel along the second channel H2 in a second direction D2. Practically, the second direction D2 is substantially perpendicular to, but not limited thereto, the first direction D1.

In Step S105, as soon as the water-resistant cloth C3 leaves the second channel H2 via the fourth end portion S4, it would be subjected to follow the first direction D1. The second auxiliary fixture 2 is furnished with two limit parts 21, and thus, while the water-resistant cloth C3 is moved in the first direction D1, the limit parts 21 thereof would act as two lateral constraints for the water-resistant cloth C3, as shown in FIG. 7. At this timing that the water-resistant cloth C3 leaves the second channel H2, the two folding areas A3, A4 are formed. With the help of the two limit parts 21, the water-resistant cloth C3 leaving the second channel H2 would be laterally folded to form two folded edge areas A5, A6. As shown, the folding area A3 would be conformed into the folded edge area A5, and the folding area A4 would be conformed into the folded edge area A6.

Further, in detail, after the two opposing lateral sides of the water-resistant cloth C3 are folded to form the respective folded edge areas A5, A6, the junction of the two folding areas A3, A4 of the water-resistant cloth C3 (i.e., the central top portion of FIG. 6) would be conformed to be the right-hand-side vertical connecting portion thereof shown in FIG. 8.

Then, after the water-resistant cloth C3 leaves the second channel H2 to follow the first direction D1, the two folded edge areas A5, A6 of the water-resistant cloth C3 would wrap the folded joint band M1 formed by the cloth C1 and the cloth C2, as shown in FIG. 9.

In Step S106, after the folded edge areas A5, A6 wrap the folded joint band M1, a sewing machine needle 3 would be applied to sew together the folded edge areas A5, A6 and the folded joint band M1 via having a water-repellent thread L to penetrate repeatedly along a sewing path, such that the water-resistant cloth C3 can be sewed fixedly to the folded joint band M1, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

With the folded edge areas A5, A6 to be sewed fixedly with the folded joint band M1 according to the aforesaid pattern, the water-resistant performance of the protective clothing would be significantly improved. In addition, for the first embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention utilizes the first auxiliary fixture 1 and the second auxiliary fixture 2, thus the entire manipulation of the method would be much easy and rapid.

In the present invention, the cloths C1, C2 can be part of a front-portion cloth 101 of the protective clothing 100, two different sleeve-portion cloths 102a, 102b, or two different rear-portion cloths 103a, 103b. In addition, in the drawings, though two different cloths C1, C2 are integrated by overlapping to form the joint band, yet, in some other embodiments of this invention, the two cloths C1, C2 can be two lateral sides of the same cloth (for example, the cloth C1) to be adhered together by folding for forming a joint band.

Generally speaking, two shoulder seams SE1a, SE1b, two sleeve seams SE2a, SE2b, and two joint seams SE3a, SE3b are critical seams for for producing the protective clothing 100.

In the art, due to ill production stability of water-resistant quality at the shoulder seams SE1a, SE1b, the sleeve seams SE2a, SE2b, and the joint seams SE3a, SE3b, from which standards in laws and regulations are hard to fulfill, thus seams at the shoulder (SE1a, SE1b), the sleeves (SE2a, SE2b) and the joints (SE3a, SE3b) become manufacturing thresholds of the protective clothing 100. At these seams, liquids or bacteria are easy to invade the protective clothing 100, such that the risk of infection to the users would be hiked. In addition, after several washing, the water resistance of the protective clothing 100 would be substantially reduced. Generally, more washing, more significant reduction in water resistance can be expected.

With the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention, the aforesaid problems in critical seams of the protective clothing can be remarkably improved by sewing the folded edge areas A5, A6 of the water-resistant cloth C3 to the folded joint band M1.

Further, in detail, with the folded joint band M1 formed by the first auxiliary fixture 1, unexpected fluid invasion by water or any liquid can be totally inhibited. Since the folded joint band M1 is wrapped by the folded edge areas A5, A6 of the water-resistant cloth C3, thus the folded state of the folded joint band M1 can be permanently withheld, and also the concern upon the water or liquid invasion at the folded joint band M1 can be completely waived.

With the water-repellent thread L to penetrate repeatedly through the folded edge areas A5, A6 and the folded joint band M1, the water-resistant cloth C3 can be sewed fixedly to the folded joint band M1, so the folded state of the folded joint band M1 can be permanently kept, and also the folded edge areas A5, A6 of the water-resistant cloth C3 can be always there for water resistance. Since the water-repellent thread L is a material of water resistance, thus needle holes at the folded edge areas A5, A6 and the folded joint band M1 made by the sewing machine needle 3 can reject water or liquid due to the insertion of the water-repellent thread L. Thus, in comparison with related conventional designs, the protective clothing 100 provided in this invention can withstand water or liquid invasion through the needle holes.

It is noted that no testing standard is legally made for antiquating the water resistance of the water-repellent thread L. However, a water-resistant test upon the water-repellent thread L of the invention is carried out anyway for assuring the water resistance. This water-resistant test includes the following steps. Firstly, the water-repellent thread L of this invention and an ordinary sewing thread are partly dipped into the same color solution in a vertical overhead suspension manner. Then, after a period of time, it is found that, though the color of the solution will climb up 1-2 cm above the solution at the ordinary sewing thread, no color is advanced upward along the water-repellent thread. Accordingly, it can be confirmed empirically that the water-repellent thread L of this invention does provide better water resistance.

In this embodiment, the sewing machine needle 3 is a needle with a needle size from 60 to 90 (compared to Asia needle size 8 to 14), and the thread size of water-repellent thread L is Tex 24-60, or any thread size of 50/2, 60/3, 40/2, 50/3, 30/2, 40/3, 30/3 and 20/2. The hydrostatic-pressure test results at the cloths C1, C2 or the water-resistant cloth C3 are all larger than or at least equal to 20 cmH₂O; preferably, larger than or equal to 60 cmH₂O. Also, the penetration test results at the cloths C1, C2 or the water-resistant cloth C3 are all less than or equal to 1 g.

The aforesaid test results at the hydrostatic pressure test or the penetration test meet the test standard of Level 2 according to ANSI/AAMI PB70 having four levels, in which the hydrostatic pressure test is the test AATCC 127—Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test, and the penetration test is the test AATCC 42—Water Resistance: Impact Penetration Test. To meet the test standard of Level 2, the hydrostatic-pressure test result shall be larger than or equal to 20 cmH₂O, and the penetration test result shall be less than or equal to 1 g.

After the protective clothing 100 is sewed according to the first embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention, test results of AATCC 127 and AATCC 42 are listed as follows in Table 2.

TABLE 2

AATCC

Average

127
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
value

Prior to
42
42
53
43
56
50
42
42
42
55
47 cm

washing

H₂0

After 30
31
33
28
37
32
57
38
50
56
53
41 cm

washing

H₂0

AATCC
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Average

42

value

Prior to
<0.1 g
<0.1 g

washing

After 30
<0.1 g
<0.1 g

washing

From 10 tests of AATCC 127, it is found obviously that the protective clothing 100 made by the first embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing of this invention performs excellently in either the hydrostatic pressure test or the penetration test, and in either the state prior to washing or the state after 30 washing. As listed, the average hydrostatic-pressure test result prior to washing (47 cmH₂O) is far better than the test standard (20 cmH₂O) of Level 2, and, even after 30 washing, the average hydrostatic-pressure test result (41 cmH₂O) is still superior to the test standard of Level 2.

On the other hand, in the listed 10 AATCC 42 tests, in either the state prior to washing or another state after 30 washing, all the penetration test results fulfill the test standard of Level 2 (less than or equal to 1 g).

For a comparison purpose, in the aforesaid DuPont disclosure, the test result for a stitched seam was fairly 6 cmH₂O, and the test result for a bound seam was just up to 20 cmH₂O. It is noted that these results were all taken from a state prior to washing, and additional water-resistant tapes were proposed for demanding test results over 20 cmH₂O.

Thus, after the protective clothing 100 is produced according to the first embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention, the water resistance can be significantly improved. In addition, it is confirmed by experimental results that the water resistance can fulfill the required standard even after several washing. In other words, the first embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing in accordance with the present invention can be applied to any medical clothing of Level 2, and, with simply sewing, no additional water-resistant tape is required.

Then, refer together to FIG. 11 through FIG. 18; where FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 13 demonstrates schematically that a water-resistant cloth enters an auxiliary bending fixture of FIG. 12, FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cloths of FIG. 13, FIG. 15 demonstrates schematically that the water-resistant cloth leaves the auxiliary bending fixture of FIG. 13, FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 15, FIG. 17 demonstrates schematically that the cloths are wrapped by the water-resistant cloth of FIG. 16, and FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water-resistant cloth wrapping the cloths of FIG. 17.

As shown, the second method for seaming cloths of protective clothing includes Steps S201 to S205 as follows.

Step S201: Prepare a plurality of cloths for sewing to form protective clothing.

Step S202: Have one or two neighboring cloths to form two connecting areas, and further adhere the two connecting areas together by fixedly overlapping to form a joint band.

Step S203: Apply a channel of an auxiliary bending fixture upon a water-resistant cloth to form two neighboring temporary bending areas.

Step S204: After the water-resistant cloth leaves the channel of the auxiliary bending fixture, the two neighboring temporary bending areas are formed as two bending areas folded oppositely to each other.

Step S205: Utilize a sewing machine needle to have a water-repellent thread to pass repeatedly the two bending areas and the joint band along a sewing path, such that the water-resistant cloth can be sewed and fixed to the joint band.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing is to utilize the auxiliary bending fixture 1a, as shown in FIG. 13.

In FIG. 13, the auxiliary bending fixture 1a is furnished with a channel H1a formed roughly in a lying-M shape. Preferably, the auxiliary bending fixture 1a has a first end portion S1a and a second end portion S2a, in which the this channel H1a is wider at the first end portion S1a than at the second end portion S2a. In this second embodiment, the auxiliary bending fixture 1a is structurally resembled to the second auxiliary fixture s of the first embodiment, the first end portion S1a is the third end portion S3 of the first embodiment, and the second end portion S2a is the fourth end portion S4 of the first embodiment.

In Step S201, at least a cloth C1a and another cloth C2a are prepared for being sewed into forming a protective clothing 100. The cloth C1a has a connecting area A1a, and the cloth C2a has another connecting area A2a.

In Step S202, the connecting area A1a of the cloth C1a would be adhered onto the connecting area A2a of the cloth C2a by overlapping so as to form a joint band M1a. In addition, after the connecting area A1a of the cloth C1a is adhered onto the connecting area A2a of the cloth C2a, the joint band M1a is extended in a first direction D1.

It shall be explained that, in this second embodiment, the cloths C1a, C2a and those C1, C2 of the aforesaid first embodiment are substantially the same. The only difference between these two embodiments is that the joint band M1a of the second embodiment don't undergo a folding process to become the folded joint band M1 of the first embodiment.

In Step S203, the auxiliary bending fixture 1a would receive a water-resist cloth C3a, and the channel H1a of the auxiliary bending fixture 1a would be applied upon the water-resist cloth C3a so as to form two neighboring temporary bending areas A3a, A4a. It shall be explained that, in this second embodiment, the water-resist cloth C3a and that C3 of the aforesaid first embodiment are substantially the same. The only difference between these two embodiments is that the water-resist cloth C3a of this second embodiment does not stuff the entire channel H1a, but only the middle portion of the channel H1a is stuffed of the water-resist cloth C3a; i.e., having a cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 14. Since the water-resist cloth C3a is not a rigid material, thus a practical cross-sectional view might present sightly differences an angles or shapes to FIG. 14. However, it would be true that the water-resist cloth C3a would occupy the entire middle portion of the channel H1a. In addition, the first end portion S1a of the channel H1a is larger in dimension than the second end portion S2a thereof, such that the water-resist cloth C3a can be easily pulled into the channel H1a and to displace smoothly inside the channel H1a in a second direction D2. Practically, the second direction D2 is substantially perpendicular to, but not limited to, the first direction D1.

In Step S204, when the water-resist cloth C3a leaves the second end portion S2a of the channel H1a, it would be manipulated to displace in the first direction D1. The auxiliary bending fixture 1a has two limit parts 11a. Thus, when the water-resist cloth C3a is displaced in the first direction D1, the movement thereof would be confined by the limit parts 11a (referring to FIG. 15 and FIG. 18). Then, two temporary bending areas A3a, A4a would be formed after the water-resist cloth C3a passing the channel H1a, Upon when the water-resist cloth C3a leaves the channel H1a after being confined by the limit parts 11a, opposite two bending areas A5a, A6a oppositely folded to each other are formed. As shown, the temporary bending area A3a would become the bending area A5a, while the temporary bending area A4a becomes the bending area A6a.

Further, in detail, after the two opposing lateral sides of the water-resistant cloth C3a are oppositely folded, the junction of the temporary bending area A3a and the temporary bending area A4a (i.e., the top arc portion at the middle-right side of FIG. 14) would be conformed to the junction of the bending area A5a and the bending area A6 (i.e., the vertical portion at the middle-right side of FIG. 16).

Then, after the water-resistant cloth C3a leaves the channel Hla to follow the first direction D1, the two bending areas A5a, A6a of the water-resistant cloth C3a would wrap the joint band M1a formed by the cloth C1a and the cloth C2a, as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18.

In Step S205, after the bending areas A5a, A6a wrap the joint band M1a, a sewing machine needle 2a would be applied to sew together the two bending areas A5a, A6a and the joint band M1a via having a water-repellent thread La to penetrate repeatedly along a sewing path, such that the water-resistant cloth C3a can be sewed fixedly to the joint band M1a, as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. It shall be explained that the sewing machine needle 2a and the water-repellent thread La of this second embodiment are substantially the same as those 3, L of the previous first embodiment. Thus, details thereabout would be omitted herein.

With the bending areas A5a, A6a to be sewed fixedly with the joint band M1a according to the aforesaid pattern, the water-resistant performance of the protective clothing would be significantly improved. In addition, for the second embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention utilizes the auxiliary bending fixture 1a, thus the entire manipulation of the method would be much easy and rapid.

In this embodiment, the cloths C1a, C2a can be part of a front-portion cloth 101 of the protective clothing 100, two different sleeve-portion cloths 102a, 102b, or two different rear-portion cloths 103a, 103b. In addition, in the drawings, though two different cloths C1a, C2a are integrated by adhering to form the joint band M1a, yet, in some other embodiments of this invention, the two cloths C1a, C2a can be two lateral sides of the same cloth (for example, the cloth C1a) to be adhered together by overlapping for forming the joint band M1a.

As crucial concerns, weakness and risks of the protective clothing 100 have already been described above, with the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this embodiment to sew the bending areas A5a, A6a of the water-resistant cloth C3a onto the joint band M1a, the aforesaid problems can be remarkably improved.

Further, in detail, with the joint band M1a, unexpected fluid invasion by pressurized water or any liquid can be withstood. Since the joint band M1a is wrapped by the bending areas A5a, A6a of the water-resistant cloth C3a, thus water or liquid invasion via the joint band M1a can be completely waived.

With the water-repellent thread La to penetrate repeatedly through the bending areas A5a, A6a and the joint band M1a, the water-resistant cloth C3a can be sewed fixedly to the joint band M1a. Since the water-repellent thread La is a material of water resistance, thus needle holes at the bending areas A5a, A6a and the joint band M1a made by the sewing machine needle 2a can reject water or liquid due to the insertion of the water-repellent thread La. Thus, in comparison with related conventional designs, the protective clothing 100 provided in this invention can withstand water or liquid invasion through the needle holes.

After the protective clothing 100 is sewed according to the second embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention, test results of AATCC 127 and AATCC 42 are listed as follows in Table 3.

TABLE 3

AATCC

Average

127
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
value

Prior to
44
46
48
50
44
50
42
48
48
40
46 cm

washing

H₂0

After 30
44
41
50
45
35
46
43
43
48
49
44 cm

washing

H₂0

AATCC
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Average

42

value

Prior to
<0.1 g
<0.1 g

washing

After 30
<0.1 g
<0.1 g

washing

From 10 tests of AATCC 127, it is found obviously that, for the protective clothing 100 made by the second embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing of this invention, the average hydrostatic-pressure test result prior to washing (46 cmH₂O) is far better than the test standard (20 cmH₂O) of Level 2, and, even after 30 washing, the average hydrostatic-pressure test result (44 cmH₂O) is still superior to the test standard of Level 2.

In the listed 10 AATCC 42 tests, in either the state prior to washing or another state after 30 washing, all the penetration test results fulfill the test standard of Level 2 (less than or equal to 1 g).

Thus, after the protective clothing 100 is produced according to the second embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention, the water resistance can be significantly improved. In addition, it is confirmed by experimental results that the water resistance can fulfill the required standard even after several washing. In other words, the second embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing in accordance with the present invention can be applied to any medical clothing of Level 2, and, with simply sewing, no additional water-resistant tape is required.

In summary, the first embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention adopts the first auxiliary fixture, the second auxiliary fixture, the sewing machine needle and the water-repellent thread to form the folded joint band by folding the joint band of the cloth, and to form the folded edge areas at the water-resistant cloth so as further to wrap and sew fixedly together with the folded joint band. Alternatively, the second embodiment of the method for seaming cloths of protective clothing provided by this invention adopts the auxiliary bending fixture, the sewing machine needle and the water-repellent thread to form the joint band by confining the cloths and to form the bending areas of the water-resist cloth for wrapping the joint band. In comparison with the prior art, the method of this invention is much simpler, and, with pure sewing by waiving additional water-resistant tapes, the resulted water resistance can successfully meet the laws and regulations. In addition, even after several times of washing, the protective clothing produced by the method of this invention can still satisfy the water-resistant requirements, especially to the seams at the shoulder, the sleeves and the joints. Thereupon, unexpected water or liquid invasion to the protective clothing can be avoided, and thus possible risk of infection can be substantially lowered.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
109127880	Aug 2020	TW	national
109133898	Sep 2020	TW	national

METHOD FOR SEAMING CLOTHS OF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

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CPC

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Priority Claims (2)