An insulating material and a method using that material for preventing perioperative hypothermia in hospital patients. Hospital blankets, hospital gowns and thermal wraps are made with the insulating material, which comprises in one embodiment an inner layer and an outer layer of a nonwoven material and a middle layer of a polymer laminate material. The nonwoven material is a bicomponent coextruded spunbond nonwoven polypropylene and polyethylene textile and the polymer laminate material comprises polyethylene and metallised polyethylene terephthalate. The nonwoven material is arranged with an elastic such that the insulating material can change between a first configuration wherein the elastic is stretched such that the primary material lies adjacent to it, and a second configuration wherein the elastic is relaxed such that the primary material is bowed with respect to it, forming at least one cavity for entrapping air.

A masterbatch is disclosed, along with associated methods, and biodegradable filaments, fibers, yarns and fabrics. The masterbatch includes 0.2 to 5 mass % CaCO.sub.3, an aliphatic polyester with a repeat unit having from two to six carbons in the chain between ester groups, with the proviso that the 2 to 6 carbons in the chain do not include side chain carbons, and a carrier polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.

This invention describes a 3-layer insulation material (10) comprising a first fabric layer (12), a second fabric layer (14) and a third fluted intermediate fabric layer (16) between the first and the second fabric layers (12, 14), the fluted intermediate fabric layer (16) being attached alternately to the first and the second fabric layer (12, 14) with longitudinal seams (18a-18n) forming longitudinal channels (20a-20n) for the insulation material (22) having individual insulation material (22) bundle in-side each longitudinal channel (20a-20n). Also disclosed are a method and an arrangement for producing the same.

Aspects herein relate to a garment having zoned insulation features. The zoned insulation features comprise projections that extend in the z-direction with respect to the surface of a base material forming the garment such that the projections face toward a body surface of a wearer when the garment is worn. The number and/or size of the projections may vary over the garment depending on the amount of insulation needed in different areas of the garment.

Aspects herein relate to a garment having zoned insulation features. The zoned insulation features comprise projections that extend in the z-direction with respect to the surface of a base material forming the garment such that the projections face toward a body surface of a wearer when the garment is worn. The number and/or size of the projections may vary over the garment depending on the amount of insulation needed in different areas of the garment.

A fabric for a thermal protective application includes: 5-40 weight % PBI-p fiber and the balance being conventional fibers, where the fabric has equal or better flame-resistant and/or heat-resistant properties, and a fabric weight less than an equivalent fabric made with a like amount of PBI-s fiber in place of the PBI-p fibers. The fabric for a thermal protective application includes: 5-40 weight % of a blend of PBI-p fiber and PBI-s fiber, and the balance being conventional fibers, where the fabric has equal or better flame-resistant and/or heat-resistant properties and a fabric weight less than an equivalent fabric made with a like amount of PBI-s fiber in place of the PBI-p fibers.

The disclosure provides blowable insulation or filling material, and apparatus and methods for making same. The blowable insulation or filling material includes a plurality of discrete elongate floccules each formed of a plurality of fibers. The floccules include a relatively open enlarged medial portion. The floccules also include relatively condensed twisted tail portions extending from opposing ends of the medial portion. The floccules can be utilized by existing garment fill blowing machines without clogging thereof, and include a superior soft hand feel, thermal resistance and launderability. The floccules may be formed by forcing staple fibers through apertures of a rotating hollow drum to partially form the floccule structure within the drum. The partially formed floccules may be retained within the rotating drum for a dwell time to finalize the floccule structure.

The disclosure provides blowable insulation or filling material, and apparatus and methods for making same. The blowable insulation or filling material includes a plurality of discrete elongate floccules each formed of a plurality of fibers. The floccules include a relatively open enlarged medial portion. The floccules also include relatively condensed twisted tail portions extending from opposing ends of the medial portion. The floccules can be utilized by existing garment fill blowing machines without clogging thereof, and include a superior soft hand feel, thermal resistance and launderability. The floccules may be formed by forcing staple fibers through apertures of a rotating hollow drum to partially form the floccule structure within the drum. The partially formed floccules may be retained within the rotating drum for a dwell time to finalize the floccule structure.

In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to a fiber construct suitable for use as a fill material for insulation or padding, comprising: a primary fiber structure comprising a predetermined length of fiber; a secondary fiber structure, the secondary fiber structure comprising a plurality of relatively short loops spaced along a length of the primary fiber. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to insulative fiber structures that mimic the structure and scale of natural down and thereby provide similar properties.

A device for providing protection to an individual when non-ambulatory and in inclement weather, the device comprising a garment that the individual can step into and that is nonambulatory, the garment having a hoodie, a cape, sleeves, hand covers, a plate and one or more fasteners about the plate and a portable bin that is attached to the bottom portion of the garment and that receives and houses the garment when the garment is not donned by the individual, the portable bin having one or more fasteners about the top edge of the portable bin that fasten to the fasteners that are about the plate of the garment, thereby permitting the portable bin to house the garment and secure the garment therein so that the garment can be easily transported.