Composite material with failure detection properties

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016178603-A1
Application number	US-201514972994-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 17, 2015
Priority date	Dec 19, 2014
Publication date	Jun 23, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A multiple layer composite material having fluid breach detection features provides indication of a failure in a fluid barrier. The indication of breach of fluid is provided before failure of a final layer of the composite material. The multiple layer composite material includes more than one fluid impermeable layer with an intermediate layer sealed between the fluid impermeable layers. Failure of one of the fluid impermeable layers is detected by fluid contact in the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes a reagent and/or detection device to indicate that the fluid has reached the intermediate layer.

First claim

1 . A multiple layer composite material comprising:
a first fluid impermeable layer; a second fluid impermeable layer; an intermediate layer sealed between said first and second impermeable layers; said intermediate layer having a reagent; and said reagent active with a fluid when the fluid contacts said reagent after passing through said first or second fluid impermeable layer.

2 . The composite material according to claim 1 wherein said first fluid impermeable layer is translucent, and wherein said reagent is visibly detectable when the fluid contacts said reagent.

3 . The composite material according to claim 1 wherein said reagent is a chemical reagent, said chemical reagent having a first color prior to contact with the fluid and a second color different from said first color after contact with the fluid, wherein said second color is visible through said first impermeable layer.

4 . The composite material according to claim 1 wherein said reagent is a chemical reagent, said chemical reagent operable to produce a foam after contact with the fluid.

5 . The composite material according to claim 1 further comprising an electrical circuit in fluid communication with said reagent; and wherein said reagent is a material of variable conductivity operable to induce an electrical current in said circuit after contact with the fluid.

6 . The composite material according to claim 1 wherein said reagent is reactive to a cleaning fluid applied to said first fluid permeable layer, said reagent being reactive with water or a bodily fluid.

7 . The composite material according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate layer is impregnated with a pattern of said reagent, wherein said first fluid impermeable layer is translucent, and wherein said pattern is visible through said first fluid impermeable layer after the fluid passes through the first fluid impermeable layer.

8 . The composite material according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate layer is a fabric reinforced layer.

9 . The composite material according to claim 1 wherein the composite comprises a mattress cover, a protective garment, a glove, a rain coat, a barrier on a handle, a barrier on a seat, or a pad.

10 . A multiple layer material with breach detection properties, the material comprising:
a first fluid impermeable layer; a second fluid impermeable layer; an intermediate layer sealed between said first and second fluid impermeable layers; said intermediate layer having a detector; and said detector indicating a status of the material.

11 . The material according to claim 10 , wherein said detector is a timer measuring a length of time the material has been in use.

12 . The material according to claim 10 wherein said detector is a sensor detecting a threshold level of movement of said material, and wherein said sensor is associated with a counter operable to count a number of threshold level of movements of said material.

13 . The material according to claim 12 wherein said counter is operable to communicate said number of threshold levels of movement to a communications component, and wherein said communications component is operable to relay said number of threshold level of movements to a display device.

14 . The material according to claim 12 wherein said communications component is a radio frequency identification tag.

15 . The material according to claim 10 wherein said status is one of new, active, or change.

16 . A method of detecting a breach in a composite material, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a first fluid impermeable layer; providing a second fluid impermeable layer; providing an intermediate layer; providing a breach detection component in the intermediate layer; sealing the intermediate layer between the first and second fluid impermeable layers; and observing a change in the breach detection component after a fluid passes through the first impermeable layer.

17 . The method according to claim 16 wherein said step of providing the breach detection component includes providing a reagent.

18 . The method according to claim 17 wherein said step of observing a change in the breach detection components includes observing the reagent reacting with a fluid passing through the first fluid impermeable layer.

19 . The method according to claim 17 further comprising the steps of:
providing a wipe;
applying a fluid to the wipe; and
applying the wipe to the first fluid impermeable layer.

20 . The method according to claim 16 wherein said step of providing a breach detection component includes providing a material of variable conductivity.

21 . The method according to claim 20 wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
providing a circuit in fluid communication with the material of variable conductivity; and
inducing an electrical current in the circuit after contact of the material of variable conductivity with a fluid passing through the first fluid impermeable layer.

22 . The method according to claim 16 wherein said step of providing the breach detection component includes providing a fiber having alterable characteristics.

23 . The method according to claim 16 wherein said step of providing a breach detection component includes providing a detector.

Assignees

• Stryker Corp

Inventors

• Patmore Kevin M
• Bentz Andrew M
• Fulton Brett M
• Mynhier Sarah E

Classifications

• G01N27/12

  of a solid body in dependence upon absorption of a fluid; of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid {, for detecting components in the fluid} · CPC title

• G01N2015/086

  of films, membranes or pellicules · CPC title

• G01N33/442 Primary

  Resins; Plastics · CPC title

• G01N15/08

  Investigating permeability, pore-volume, or surface area of porous materials · CPC title

• G01N21/78

  producing a change of colour · CPC title