Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A radiation protective article comprising fabric or other pliable material to which a polymeric mixture is adhered, wherein said polymeric mixture includes a polymer and a relatively lightweight radiation protective material. 2. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium, barium compounds, bismuth, bismuth compounds, tungsten and tungsten compounds. claim 1 3. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, barium chloride, tungsten carbide, tungsten oxide, Diatrizoate Meglumine Inj USP, Acetrizoate Sodium, Bunamiodyl Sodium, Diatrizoate Sodium, Ethiodized Oil, Iobenzamic Acid, Iocarmic Acid, Iocetamic Acid, Iodipamide, Iodixanol, Iodized Oil, Iodoalphionic Acid, o-Iodohippurate Sodium, Iodophthalein Sodium, Iodopyracet, Ioglycamic Acid, Iohexol, Iomeglamic Acid, Iopamidol, Iopanoic Acid, Iopentol, Iophendylate, Iophenoxic Acid, Iopromide, Iopronic Acid, Iopydol, Iopydone, Iothalamic Acid, Iotrolan, Ioversol, Ioxaglic Acid, Ioxilan, Ipodate, Meglumine Acetrizoate, Meglumine Ditrizoate Methiodal Sodium, Metrizamide, Metrizoic Acid, Phenobutiodil, Phentetiothalein Sodium, Propryliodone, Sodium Iodomethamate, Sozoiodolic Acid, Thorium Oxide and Trypanoate Sodium. claim 1 4. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein at least some of said fabric or other pliable materials is perforated. claim 1 5. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said radiation protective material comprises at least 50% of said polymeric mixture by weight. claim 1 6. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of radiation protective materials in said polymeric mixture. claim 1 7. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said article is a jumpsuit. claim 1 8. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said article is a liner. claim 1 9. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said article is a surgical mask. claim 1 10. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said article is a pouch or envelope. claim 1 11. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said article is wallpaper. claim 1 12. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said lightweight radiation protective material includes tungsten or a tungsten compound. claim 1 13. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, natural latex, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyester. claim 1 14. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein a layer of said polymeric mixture is interposed between two layers of said fabric or other pliable material in said article. claim 1 15. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  further comprising multiple layers of polymeric mixture having different thicknesses. claim 1 16. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is a non-woven polymeric fabric. claim 1 17. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said fabric is non-woven and selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene and rayon. claim 1 18. The radiation protective article of  claim 1  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is paper or film. claim 1 19. A radiation protective article comprising a woven fabric to which a polymeric mixture is adhered, wherein said nolymeric mixture includes a polymer and a relatively lightweight radiation protective material. 20. The radiation protective article of  claim 19  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium, barium compounds, bismuth, bismuth compounds, tungsten and tungsten compounds. claim 19 21. The radiation protective article of  claim 19  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, barium chloride, tungsten carbide, tungsten oxide, Diatrizoate Meglumine Inj USP, Acetrizoate Sodium, Bunamiodyl Sodium, Diatrizoate Sodium, Ethiodized Oil, Iobenzamic Acid, Iocarmic Acid, Iocetamic Acid, Iodipamide, Iodixanol, Iodized Oil, Iodoalphionic Acid, o-Iodohippurate Sodium, Iodophthalein Sodium, Iodopyracet, Ioglycamic Acid, Iohexol, Iomeglamic Acid, Iopamidol, Iopanoic Acid, Iopentol, Iophendylate, Iophenoxic Acid, Iopromide, Iopronic Acid, Iopydol, Iopydone, Iothalamic Acid, Iotrolan, Ioversol, Ioxaglic Acid, Ioxilan, Ipodate, Meglumine Acetrizoate, Meglumine Ditrizoate Methiodal Sodium, Metrizamide, Metrizoic Acid, Phenobutiodil, Phentetiothalein Sodium, Propryliodone, Sodium Iodomethamate, Sozoiodolic Acid, Thorium Oxide and Trypanoate Sodium. claim 19 22. The radiation protective article of  claim 19  wherein said radiation protective material comprises at least 50% of said polymeric mixture by weight. claim 19 23. The radiation protective article of  claim 19  wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, natural latex, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyester. claim 19 24. The radiation protective article of  claim 19  wherein said article has a plurality of layers of different thicknesses. claim 19 25. A radiation protective article comprising fabric or other pliable material over which a liquid polymeric mixture is coated, wherein said polymeric mixture includes a polymer and a relatively lightweight radiation protective material. 26. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium, barium compounds, bismuth, bismuth compounds, tungsten and tungsten compounds. claim 25 27. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, barium chloride, tungsten carbide, tungsten oxide, Diatrizoate Meglumine Inj USP, Acetrizoate Sodium, Bunamiodyl Sodium, Diatrizoate Sodium, Ethiodized Oil, Iobenzamic Acid, Iocarmic Acid, Iocetamic Acid, Iodipamide, Iodixanol, Iodized Oil, Iodoalphionic Acid, o-Iodohippurate Sodium, Iodophthalein Sodium, Iodopyracet, Ioglycamic Acid, Iohexol, Iomeglamic Acid, Iopamidol, Iopanoic Acid, Iopentol, Iophendylate, Iophenoxic Acid, Iopromide, Iopronic Acid, Iopydol, Iopydone, Iothalaniic Acid, Iotrolan, Ioversol, Ioxaglic Acid, Ioxilan, Ipodate, Meglumine Acetrizoate, Meglumine Ditrizoate Methiodal Sodium, Metrizamide, Metrizoic Acid, Phenobutiodil, Phentetiothalein Sodium, Propryliodone, Sodium Iodomethamate, Sozoiodolic Acid, Thorium Oxide and Trypanoate Sodium. claim 25 28. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  wherein said radiation protective material comprises at least 50% of said polymeric mixture by weight. claim 25 29. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  further comprising a plurality of radiation protective materials in said polymeric mixture. claim 25 30. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  wherein said lightweight radiation protective material includes tungsten or a tungsten compound. claim 25 31. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, natural latex, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyester. claim 25 32. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  wherein a layer of said polymeric mixture is interposed between two layers of said fabric or other pliable material in said article. claim 25 33. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is a woven fabric. claim 25 34. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is non-woven. claim 25 35. The radiation protective article of  claim 25  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is paper or film. claim 25 36. A method for producing a radiation protective article comprising the steps of: mixing a relatively lightweight radiation protective material with a polymer to create a polymeric mixture;  adhering said polymeric mixture to a fabric or other pliable material to make said fabric or other pliable material radiation protective; and,  constructing a functional article from said radiation protective fabric or other pliable material. 37. The method of  claim 36  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium, barium compounds, bismuth, bismuth compounds, tungsten and tungsten compounds. claim 36 38. The method of  claim 36  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, barium chloride, tungsten carbide, tungsten oxide, Diatrizoate Meglumine Inj USP, Acetrizoate Sodium, Bunamiodyl Sodium, Diatrizoate Sodium, Ethiodized Oil, Iobenzamic Acid, Iocarmic Acid, Iocetamic Acid, Iodipamide, Iodixanol, Iodized Oil, Iodoalphionic Acid, o-Iodohippurate Sodium, Iodophthalein Sodium, Iodopyracet, Ioglycamic Acid, Iohexol, Iomeglamic Acid, Iopamidol, Iopanoic Acid, Iopentol, Iophendylate, Iophenoxic Acid, Iopromide, Iopronic Acid, Iopydol, Iopydone, Iothalamic Acid, Iotrolan, Ioversol, Ioxaglic Acid, Ioxilan, Ipodate, Meglumine Acetrizoate, Meglumine Ditrizoate Methiodal Sodium, Metrizamide, Metrizoic Acid, Phenobutiodil, Phentetiothalein Sodium, Propryliodone, Sodium Iodomethamate, Sozoiodolic Acid, Thorium Oxide and Trypanoate Sodium. claim 36 39. The method of  claim 36  wherein at least some of said fabric or other pliable materials is perforated. claim 36 40. The method of  claim 36  wherein said radiation protective material comprises at least 50% of said polymeric mixture by weight. claim 36 41. The method of  claim 36  further comprising a plurality of radiation protective materials in said polymeric mixture. claim 36 42. The method of  claim 36  wherein said polymeric mixture further comprises one or more additives. claim 36 43. The method of  claim 36  wherein said polymeric mixture further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of epoxy soybean oil, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. claim 36 44. The method of  claim 36  wherein said article is a jumpsuit. claim 36 45. The method of  claim 36  wherein said article is a liner. claim 36 46. The method of  claim 36  wherein said article is a surgical mask. claim 36 47. The method of  claim 36  wherein said article is a pouch or envelope. claim 36 48. The method of  claim 36  wherein said article is wallpaper. claim 36 49. The method of  claim 36  wherein said lightweight radiation protective material includes tungsten or a tungsten compound. claim 36 50. The method of  claim 36  wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, natural latex, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyester. claim 36 51. The method of  claim 36  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is a non-woven polymeric fabric. claim 36 52. The method of  claim 51  wherein said non-woven polymeric fabric is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester and rayon. claim 51 53. The method of  claim 36  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is paper or film. claim 36 54. A method for producing a radiation protective article comprising the steps of: mixing a relatively lightweight radiation protective material with a polymer to create a polymeric mixture;  heating said polymeric mixture until it assumes a liquid form;  applying said liquid polymeric mixture to a first sheet of fabric or other pliable material;  pressing a second sheet of fabric of other pliable material together with said first sheet of fabric or other pliable material so that a layer with said polymeric mixture is interposed between said first and second sheets of fabric or other pliable material; and,  constructing an article from said radiation protective fabric or other pliable material composite. 55. The method of  claim 54  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium, barium compounds, bismuth, bismuth compounds, tungsten and tungsten compounds. claim 54 56. The method of  claim 54  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective chemical is selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, barium chloride, tungsten carbide, tungsten oxide, Diatrizoate Meglumine Inj USP, Acetrizoate Sodium, Bunamiodyl Sodium, Diatrizoate Sodium, Ethiodized Oil, Iobenzamic Acid, Iocarmic Acid, Iocetamic Acid, Iodipamide, Iodixanol, Iodized Oil, Iodoalphionic Acid, o-Iodohippurate Sodium, Iodophthalein Sodium, Iodopyracet, Ioglycamic Acid, Iohexol, Iomeglamic Acid, Iopamidol, Iopanoic Acid, Iopentol, Iophendylate, Iophenoxic Acid, Iopromide, Iopronic Acid, Iopydol, Iopydone, Iothalamic Acid, Iotrolan, Ioversol, Ioxaglic Acid, Ioxilan, Ipodate, Meglumine Acetrizoate, Meglumine Ditrizoate Methiodal Sodium, Metrizamide, Metrizoic Acid, Phenobutiodil, Phentetiothalein Sodium, Propryliodone, Sodium Iodomethamate, Sozoiodolic Acid, Thorium Oxide and Trypanoate Sodium. claim 54 57. The method of  claim 54  wherein said polymeric mixture is mixed and heated in one or more extruders and applied simultaneously from one of said extruders to said first and second sheets of fabric or other pliable material. claim 54 58. The method of  claim 54  wherein said radiation protective material comprises at least 50% of said polymeric mixture by weight. claim 54 59. The method of  claim 54  further comprising a plurality of radiation protective materials in said polymeric mixture. claim 54 60. The method of  claim 54  wherein said polymeric mixture further comprises an additive. claim 54 61. The method of  claim 54  wherein said polymer is selected from the group of polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, natural latex, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyester. claim 54 62. The method of  claim 54  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is a non-woven polymeric fabric or film. claim 54 63. The method of  claim 54  wherein said fabric is non-woven and selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene and rayon. claim 54 64. The method of  claim 54  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is paper. claim 54 65. An article constructed by the process of  claim 36 . claim 36 66. An article constructed by the process of  claim 54 . claim 54 67. A method for producing a radiation protective film comprising the steps of: mixing a relatively lightweight radiation protective material with a polymer to create a polymeric mixture;  heating said polymeric mixture in an extruder until it assumes a pliable form; and,  forming said pliable polymeric mixture into a film by depositing it on an endless conveyor. 68. The method of  claim 67  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium, barium compounds, bismuth, bismuth compounds, tungsten and tungsten compounds. claim 67 69. The method of  claim 67  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective chemical is selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, barium chloride, tungsten, tungsten oxide, tungsten carbide, Diatrizoate Meglumine Inj USP, Acetrizoate Sodium, Bunamiodyl Sodium, Diatrizoate Sodium, Ethiodized Oil, Iobenzamic Acid, Iocarmic Acid, Iocetamic Acid, Iodipamide, Iodixanol, Iodized Oil, Iodoalphionic Acid, o-Iodohippurate Sodium, Iodophthalein Sodium, Iodopyracet, Ioglycamic Acid, Iohexol, Iomeglamic Acid, Iopamidol, Iopanoic Acid, Iopentol, Iophendylate, Iophenoxic Acid, Iopromide, Iopronic Acid, Iopydol, Iopydone, Iothalamic Acid, Iotrolan, Ioversol, Ioxaglic Acid, Ioxilan, Ipodate, Meglumine Acetrizoate, Meglumine Ditrizoate Methiodal Sodium, Metrizamide, Metrizoic Acid, Phenobutiodil, Phentetiothalein Sodium, Propryliodone, Sodium Iodomethamate, Sozoiodolic Acid, Thorium Oxide and Trypanoate Sodium. claim 67 70. The method of  claim 67  further comprising the step of pressing said pliable polymeric mixture between calender rollers. claim 67 71. The method of  claim 67  wherein said radiation protective material comprises at least 50% of said polymeric mixture by weight. claim 67 72. The method of  claim 67  further comprising a plurality of radiation protective materials in said polymeric mixture. claim 67 73. The method of  claim 67  wherein said polymeric mixture further comprises an additive. claim 67 74. The method of  claim 67  wherein said polymer is selected from the group of polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, natural latex, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyester. claim 67 75. The method of  claim 36  wherein said polymeric mixture is a liquid suspension, emulsion or solution. claim 36 76. A method for producing a radiation protective article comprising the steps of: mixing a relatively lightweight radiation protective material with a polymer to create a polymeric mixture;  heating said polymeric mixture until it liquefies;  coating said liquefied polymeric mixture onto a fabric or other pliable material to make said fabric or other pliable material radiation protective; and,  constructing a functional article from said radiation protective fabric or other pliable material. 77. The method of  claim 76  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium, barium compounds, bismuth, bismuth compounds, tungsten and tungsten compounds. claim 76 78. The method of  claim 76  wherein said relatively lightweight radiation protective material is selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, barium chloride, tungsten carbide, tungsten oxide, Diatrizoate Meglumine Inj USP, Acetrizoate Sodium, Bunamiodyl Sodium, Diatrizoate Sodium, Ethiodized Oil, Iobenzamic Acid, Iocarmic Acid, Iocetamic Acid, Iodipamide, Iodixanol, Iodized Oil, Iodoalphionic Acid, o-Iodohippurate Sodium, Iodophthalein Sodium, Iodopyracet, Ioglycamic Acid, Iohexol, Iomeglamic Acid, Iopamidol, Iopanoic Acid, Iopentol, Iophendylate, Iophenoxic Acid, Iopromide, Iopronic Acid, Iopydol, Iopydone, Iothalamic Acid, Iotrolan, Ioversol, Ioxaglic Acid, Ioxilan, Ipodate, Meglumine Acetrizoate, Meglumine Ditrizoate Methiodal Sodium, Metrizamide, Metrizoic Acid, Phenobutiodil, Phentetiothalein Sodium, Propryliodone, Sodium Iodomethamate, Sozoiodolic Acid, Thorium Oxide and Trypanoate Sodium. claim 76 79. The method of  claim 76  wherein said radiation protective material comprises at least 50% of said polymeric mixture by weight. claim 76 80. The method of  claim 76  comprising a plurality of radiation protective materials in said polymeric mixture. claim 76 81. The method of  claim 76  wherein said polymeric mixture further comprises one or more additives. claim 76 82. The method of  claim 76  wherein said lightweight radiation protective material includes tungsten or a tungsten compound. claim 76 83. The method of  claim 76  wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, natural latex, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate and polyester. claim 76 84. The method of  claim 76  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is a woven fabric. claim 76 85. The method of  claim 76  where in said fabric or other pliable material is a non-woven polymeric fabric. claim 76 86. The method of  claim 76  wherein said fabric or other pliable material is paper or film. claim 76 87. A method for producing a radiation protective article comprising the steps of: dissolving polymer in a liquid solution, emulsion or suspension of solvent or water;  mixing a relatively lightweight radiation protective material into said liquid solution, emulsion or suspension to create a radiation protective polymeric mixture;  coating said liquid polymeric mixture onto a fabric or other pliable material to make said fabric or other pliable material radiation protective; and,  constructing a functional article from said radiation protective fabric or other pliable material.