| abstract |
A breathable non-woven composite fabric having barrier capabilities to biological liquids comprised of at least one non-woven layer bonded to at least one surface of a thermoplastic microporous film, the non-woven composite fabric providing a barrier to passage of biological liquid when the composite fabric is subjected to contact with synthetic blood under the dictates of testing procedure ASTM ES21-92 and ES22-92 while maintaining a moisture of vapor transmission rate of greater than about 450 grams per square meter for 24 hours at about 75 DEG F. and about 65% relative humidity, the non-woven composite fabric having a breaking strength of at least about 14 pounds. A process is provided for forming the non-woven composite fabric which has been adhesively bonded by unwinding and contacting at least one continuous thermoplastic non-woven web to at least one side of a continuous thermoplastic microporous film with spot adhesive or pattern adhesive applications between the film and webs, continuously transporting said contacted webs and film through a bonding and curing zone and bonding the webs and film at multiple spaced-apart locations, said bonding zone having a dwell time sufficient to cure the adhesive bond of the composite while avoiding degradation of the film and webs. |