US4925732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breathable flexible laminates adhered by a breathable adhesive
Assignee: W.L. Gore and Associates Inc
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Filing: 1988-07-27
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Granted: 1990-05-15
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Expires: 2008-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A laminate is provided that comprises flexible moisture permeable adherends and a moisture permeable adhesive. The laminate has good moisture transmitting characteristics with good bond strength. The laminate finds utility in functional applications such as shoes. A particular group of laminates are provided that provide for both waterproof characteristics and breathability.
Inventors
- 👤 Kathleen R. Driskill
- 👤 Robert L. Henn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:33
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B7/00; B32B7/04; B32B7/12; A; A43; A43B; A43B23/00; A43B23/02; A43B23/0205; A43B23/0215; A43B23/022; A43B7/00; A43B7/12; A43B7/125; B32B9/00; B32B9/02; B32B9/025; B32B9/04; B32B9/046; B32B2266/00; B32B2266/02; B32B2266/0214; B32B2266/025; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/724; B32B2307/726; B32B2307/7265; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/263; Y10T428/264; Y10T428/265; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/3154; Y10T428/31544; Y10T428/31551; Y10T428/31558; Y10T428/31573; Y10T428/3158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A laminate comprising: (i) flexible adherends having a combined moisture permeability of at least 140 g/m 2 ×24 hr., and adhered by (ii) an adhesive having a moisture permeability of at least 1000 g/m 2 ×24 hr. in a continuous film of at least 25 micron thickness; said adhesive being a one-component, hydrophilic, block polyurethane consisting of both hard and soft segments; the soft segment being a polyol containing oxyethy units, the hard segment being the reaction product of polyisocyanate and chain extender; said polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 600 to about 3500 and having a functionality of at least 2; said isocyanate having a functionality of at least 2; and said chain extender having a molecular weight in a range lower than about 500 and having a functionality of at least 2; wherein the reactants are employed in such proportions so as to satisfy the following equations: ##EQU2## wherein EqNCO is the equivalent of the isocyanate species employed, and EqOH and EqCE denote the respective molar equivalents of the polyol and chain extended employed, the soft segments being provided by the polyol of primarily oxyethylene units, and the suitable hard segments being provided by the reaction product of the isocyanate and chain extender and which induce phase-separation of the hard and soft segments; and wherein the laminate has a moisture permeability of at least 120 g/m 2 ×24 hr., and a wet bond strength of at least 0.3kgf/cm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A laminate comprising: (i) flexible adherends having a combined moisture permeability of at least 140 g/m 2 ×24 hr., and adhered by (ii) an adhesive having a moisture permeability of at least 1000 g/m 2 ×24 hr. in a continuous film of at least 25 micron thickness; said adhesive being a one-component, hydrophilic, block polyurethane consisting of both hard and soft segments; the soft segment being a polyol containing oxyethy units, the hard segment being the reaction product of polyisocyanate and chain extender; said polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 600 to about 3500 and having a functionality of at least 2; said isocyanate having a functionality of at least 2; and said chain extender having a molecular weight in a range lower than about 500 and having a functionality of at least 2; wherein the reactants are employed in such proportions so as to satisfy the following equations: ##EQU2## wherein EqNCO is the equivalent of the isocyanate species employed, and EqOH and EqCE denote the respective molar equivalents of the polyol and chain extended employed, the soft segments being provided by the polyol of primarily oxyethylene units, and the suitable hard segments being provided by the reaction product of the isocyanate and chain extender and which induce phase-separation of the hard and soft segments; and wherein the laminate has a moisture permeability of at least 120 g/m 2 ×24 hr., and a wet bond strength of at least 0.3kgf/cm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein at least one adherend contains flexible expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein the adherend exhibits a wet bond strength at least as great as the cohesive failure of the adherends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein the adhesive has a moisture permeability of at least 5,000 g/m 2 ×24 hr. in a continuous film of at least 25 micron thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein the laminate has a moisture permeability of at least 250 g/m 2 ×24 hr..
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein the laminate has a moisture permeability of at least 600 g/m 2 ×24 hr..
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein: (a) the flexible adherends have a combined moisture permeability of at least 300 g/m 2 ×24 hr., and (b) the adhesive has a moisture permeability of at least 1000 g/m 2 ×24 hr. in a continuous film of at least 25 micron thickness, and (c) the laminate has a moisture permeability of at least 250 g/m 2 ×24 hr..
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein: (a) the flexible adherends have a combined moisture permeability of at least 650 g/m 2 ×24 hr., and (b) the adhesive has a moisture permeability of at least 5000 g/m 2 ×24 hr. in a continuous film of at least 25 micron thickness, and (c) the laminate has a moisture permeability of at least 600 g/m 2 ×24 hr..
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein at least one adherend is waterproof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein one adherend contains flexible expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and another adherent is leather.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is a polyurethane that is the reaction product of (i) a poly(oxyalkylene)glycol (A) of primarily oxyethylene units, having a number average molecular weight of from about 600 to about 3500; (ii) a polyisocyanate (B); (iii) a low molecular weight bifunctional chain extender (C) having a molecular weight in a range lower than 500; and optionally (iv) a chain terminator (D).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
9 words
The laminate of claim 1 used in a shoe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
9 words
The laminate of claim 1 used in a glove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
9 words
The laminate of claim 1 used in a garment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
9 words
The laminate of claim 1 used in clothing inserts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
9 words
The laminate of claim 1 used in vehicle covers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The laminate of claim 1 used in a mattress cover.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laminate of claim 1 wherein the functional waterproofness is provided by the adhesive layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3398042A
Cited
US4367327A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-14 | 1993-11-13 | 1994-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-14 | 1997-11-13 | 1998-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-14 | 2001-11-13 | 2002-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |