Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or... – Composite having voids in a component
Patent
1996-12-02
1998-05-19
Bell, James J.
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or...
Composite having voids in a component
36 43, 36 44, 428148, 428155, 428158, 428168, 428173, 4283128, 4283139, 4283179, 4283227, A43B 1338, B32B 326, B32B 330
Patent
active
057533571
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a moisture absorbent material and articles incorporating the material, particularly articles of clothing and footwear and components thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The absorption of moisture from the environment or the reduction of moisture or humidity in a restricted space is desirable in various fields, for example in containers or the like. To this end a wide variety of moisture absorbent materials has been developed over the years.
SU-A-1452566 discloses a water absorbent material consisting of a porous granular material formed by moulding and heat treating a plastic homogenized paste containing active aluminium oxide in the form of 40 .mu.m particles (30-55% by weight), clay (3-22% by weight), active carbon (4-10% by weight) and lithium bromide (36-45% by weight). This material is used to dry currents of air and other gases, its principal use being in breathing apparatus filters for protection against carbon monoxide. However, it is unsuitable for direct contact with human skin because it contains toxic lithium bromide, and in any case its moisture absorbency is inadequate for many purposes since it absorbs moisture at a maximum rate of 20 g per hour and per liter of this material. Moreover its moisture absorbency at a temperature of 27.degree.-33.degree. C. and 80% humidity is a mere 0.2 g/ml of this material. The reason for the inadequate water absorbency is thought to be that the components of the material are present in dense fine particulate form which means that only the surfaces of the particles are active, that is to say absorb and adsorb moisture.
SU-A-406552 discloses a moisture absorbent material which contains active carbon in granular form with a grain size of 1.00-2.75 mm, which is saturated with a mixture of lithium chloride and calcium chloride. The constituents are present in the following proportions by weight: active carbon (68-72%), calcium chloride (18-20%), lithium chloride (10-12%).
This material is used successfully in breathing apparatus for protection against carbon monoxide. However, the high content of deliquescent substances (LiCl and CaCl.sub.2) means that a salt solution is formed by the adsorption of water which tends to escape from the pores of the active carbon matrix under high humidity conditions. In any event the toxicity of lithium chloride precludes direct contact with human skin. Moreover the low mechanical strength of active carbon results in the destruction of the material when under stress.
SU-A-1729427 discloses a shoe insole which includes a component made of hydrophobic material with depressions on its upper surface in which hydrophilic material is received and wrapped in perforated hydrophobic material. The lower layer of this component is made of metallized foil to reflect radiated energy back into the foot.
However, this proposal has several significant drawbacks. The inefficient use of the entire surface of the insole (effective coefficient 0.5) makes it impossible to achieve the required moisture-absorbent rate; whatever material is used for the insoles, it adsorbs only moisture in the form of vapor when in motion, and, the non-uniform moisture absorption through the perforations in the hydrophobic wrapper causes a significant reduction in the moisture-absorbent capacity of the insole, since heat is not transferred lengthwise (the depressions are separated by a hydrophobic medium). Moreover the regeneration of the moisture absorbent properties, after use, is complex. The heat protection and moisture absorbent properties of the insole cannot be fully restored.
The advantages of using moisture-absorbent materials in the clothing field is well known, particularly in the field of footwear. All the physiological functions of the human body are interdependent. As a homoisothermal system the body strives to maintain its temperature at a constant level of 37.degree..+-.0.8.degree. C.
Many researchers consider that the temperature of the foot should be between 27.degree.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1740351 (1929-12-01), Isobe
patent: 3852897 (1974-12-01), Bridge et al.
patent: 4517308 (1985-05-01), Ehlenz et al.
patent: 5465508 (1995-11-01), Bourdeau
Fedotov Albert Wassiljewitsch
Filipitsch Claus
Talalaytschenko Oleg Ivanovitsch
Bell James J.
C. Filipitsch & Co. KEG
Copenheaver Blaine R.
LandOfFree
Moisture absorbent material and articles incorporating such mate does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Moisture absorbent material and articles incorporating such mate, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Moisture absorbent material and articles incorporating such mate will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1851147