Waterproof breathable fabric and method of making the same

Abstract

In various embodiments, a waterproof breathable (WPB) fabric and method of producing the same are provided wherein a WPB membrane is laminated to a first side of a fabric, the laminated fabric is then treated with a treatment agent, and the treated fabric is cured. The treatment agent may include at least one of an oleophobic (oil repellent) compound and/or a hydrophobic (water repellent) compound. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic compound may be a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. The treatment agent may provide protection for the fabric by repelling oil-based and/or water-based substances.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a waterproof breathable fabric comprising:
 laminating a waterproof breathable membrane to a fabric to form a laminated fabric;   applying, after laminating the waterproof breathable membrane to the fabric, a treatment agent to the laminated fabric to form a treated fabric, the treatment agent including at least one of a hydrophobic compound or an oleophobic compound; and   curing the treated fabric.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment agent includes a concentration of wetting agent in the range of 10% to 30%. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent includes the hydrophobic compound in a concentration of 5% to 20%. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the treatment agent includes the oleophobic compound in a concentration of 5% to 15%. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment agent includes both the hydrophobic compound and the oleophobic compound. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the treatment agent further includes a wetting agent and a cross linking polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the treatment agent further includes water. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof breathable membrane is applied to a first side of the fabric, and wherein the treatment agent is applied to the waterproof breathable membrane and to a second side of the fabric, opposite the first side. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curing comprises subjecting the treated fabric to a curing temperature for a curing time, the curing temperature being lower than a melting temperature of the waterproof breathable membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the curing temperature is in the range of 100 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius and the curing time is in the range of one to thirty minutes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the curing temperature is in the range of forty degrees Celsius to sixty degrees Celsius and the curing time is in the range of one to three days. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment agent has a pH between 4 and 7. 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a waterproof breathable fabric comprising:
 providing a laminated fabric having a waterproof breathable membrane laminated to a first side of the fabric; and   applying a treatment agent to the laminated fabric, the treatment agent including:
 at least one of a hydrophobic compound or an oleophobic compound; and 
 a wetting agent in a concentration of 10% to 30%. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the treatment agent includes the hydrophobic compound in a concentration of 5% to 20%. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the treatment agent further includes the oleophobic compound in a concentration of 5% to 15%. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the treatment agent further includes water in a concentration of 35% to 75%. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the treatment agent further includes a cross linking polymer in a concentration of 5% or less. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the treatment agent is applied to the waterproof breathable membrane, and to a second side of the fabric, opposite the first side. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the treatment agent has a pH between 4 and 7.