LIQUID IMPERMEABLE MATERIAL

• US 20110071448A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ezio Margiotta
• Original Assignee: Ezio Margiotta
• Inventors: Margiotta, Ezio
• Application Number:
  US11/917,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071448A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/5
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/102 Waterproof and breathable
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/185 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/00 Footwear characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/006 multilayered
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/026 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel, water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/102 Moisture absorbing socks; Moisture dissipating socks
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/107 waterproof
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/021 Leather
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/022 with waterproof breathable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0225 Composite materials, e.g. material with a matrix
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0235 Different layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0285 filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel or water
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/07 Linings therefor lining laminated with upper A43B23/026
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/025 characterised by an element which improves the contact between the ball and the footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/125 provided with a vapour permeable member, e.g. a membrane A43B23/022 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/146 provided with acupressure points or means for foot massage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00 Bandages or dressings radioactive dressings A61N5/1029; Absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00046 Air-vapor permeability
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01046 Air-vapor permeability
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0226 : characterised by the support layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/023 : wound covering film layers without a fluid retention layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0236 : characterised by the application/handling support layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/041 : Accessories for stiffening bandages, e.g. cast liners, heel-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00119 : elastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00246 : in a special way pervious to air or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00255 : with pores
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00855 : pervious to air or vapours wound bandages in a special way pervious to air or vapour A61F2013/00246
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00863 : with pores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 : Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 : Ball covers; Closures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0207 : Materials belonging to B32B25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0228 : Aromatic vinyl resin, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/025 : Polyolefin vinyl or acrylic copolymers B32B2266/0221, B32B2266/0242
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2270/00 : Resin or rubber layer containing a blend of at least two different polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/724 : Permeability to gases, adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7265 : Non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/728 : Hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/02 : Gloves, shoes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/04 : comprising rubber as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/043; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/044; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/042; next to a metal layer B32B15/06; next to a glass layer B32B17/063; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/043; next to a wood layer B32B21/045; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/046
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/08 : of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/10 : next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/14 : comprising synthetic rubber copolymers B32B25/18 and B32B25/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/16 : comprising polydienes homopolymers or poly-halodienes homopolymers B32B25/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2535/00 : Medical equipment, e.g. bandage, prostheses, catheter medical patches B32B2556/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2555/00 : Personal care
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 : as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 : next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/302 : comprising aromatic vinyl (co)polymers, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 : comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 : characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/18 : characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 9/025 : comprising leather
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 9/043 : of natural rubber or synthetic rubber
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 9/045 : of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24273 : including aperture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31826 : Of natural rubber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31855 : Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31909 : Next to second addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3192 : Next to vinyl or vinylidene chloride polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/10 : Scrim [e.g., open net or mesh, gauze, loose or open weave or knit, etc.]

Abstract

A liquid impermeable material comprising a layer of vapour permeable viscoelastic polymer gel, applications of said material, a composite material comprising said material and a method of producing said material.

Claims

1. A liquid impermeable material comprising a layer of vapour permeable viscoelastic polymer gel.

2. A material according to claim 1 wherein the vapour permeability is provided by mechanically perforating the viscoelastic polymer gel.

3. A material according to claim 1 wherein the mechanical perforation provides microperforations of 10 to 150 μ

m in diameter and from 50 to 400 microperforations per cm² of the viscoelastic polymer gel layer.

4. A material according to claim 1 wherein the vapour permeability is provided by incorporating a foaming or nucleating agent into the viscoelastic polymer gel during formation.

5. A material according to claim 4 wherein the amount of foaming or nucleating agent incorporated into the viscloelastic polymer gel during formation is between 0.5 to 20% wt.

6. A material according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the foaming or nucleating agent is Hydrocerol CF.

7. A material according to claim 1 wherein the vapour permeability is provided by incorporating a molecular sieve into the viscoelastic polymer gel during formation.

8. A material according to claim 7 wherein the molecular sieve is a 3A molecular sieve.

9. A material according to claim 1 wherein the vapour permeability is provided and/or enhanced by one of the following processes, or a combination thereof:

(a) mechanically perforating the viscoelastic polymer gel layer;

(b) incorporating a foaming or nucleating agent into the viscloelastic gel during formation; and

/or,

(c) incorporating a 3A molecular sieve into the viscoelastic polymer gel during formation.

18. A material according to any of the preceding claims wherein the viscoelastic polymer gel layer has a Shore Hardness value in the range of 25 to 75.

19. A material according to any of the preceding claims wherein the viscoelastic polymer gel layer has a tensile strength greater than 60 psi.

20. A material according to any of the preceding claims wherein the viscoelastic polymer gel layer has an ultimate elongation of between 250 and 1700%.

21. A composite material which includes:

(a) a first layer; and

,

(b) a second layer consisting of a liquid impermeable vapour permeable material according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A composite material according to claim 21 wherein the second layer is bonded to the first layer.

23. A composite material according to claim 21 or 22 wherein the first layer is composed of any natural or man made material that is used in the textile industries, such as for example, plastics, leather, vinyl, cotton, synthetic microfibres, rubber and wool.

24. A composite material according to any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the first layer is composed of a material that is vapour permeable.

25. A composite material according to any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the first layer is composed of leather.

26. A composite material according to any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein the first layer is a premium leather such as for example kangaroo leather.

27. An article of footwear including an upper portion composed of a composite material according to any one of claims 21 to 26.

28. An article of footwear according to claim 27 wherein the article is designed as a football boot for use in relation to soccer, rugby union, Australian rules football, rugby league, American football and the like, or any type of football which involves a high level of impact loads and shear stresses being applied to the foot surrounded by the upper portion of the article of footwear.

29. An article of footwear according to claim 27 or claim 28 wherein the composite material is used in relation to any portion of the article that is in contact with the foot of a wearer.

30. An article of footwear according to claim 29 wherein insole of the article in contact with the bottom of the wearer'"'"'s foot is composed of the material according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

31. An article of footwear according to claim 30 wherein the material includes a textured pattern thereon.

32. A ball for use in playing sport including an outer surface portion composed of a composite material according to any one of claims 21 to 26.

33. A bandage for use in medical, therapeutic and/or household applications composed of the material according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

34. A lining for a bandage and/or a cast composed of the material according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

35. Use of the material according to any one of claims 1 to 20 in medical and/or therapeutic applications requiring a vapour permeable and liquid impermeable material that is hypoallergenic.

36. An article of swimwear composed of the material according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

37. A glove composed of the material according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

38. A composite material including the material of any one of claims 1 to 20 bonded to a film or scrim of hydrophilic nature.

39. A composite material according to claim 38 wherein the film or scrim is composed of polyester, polyethylene and/or polyurethane.

10. A material according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein the composition of the viscoelastic polymer gel includes:

(a) 45% to 100% wt major polymer component A, and

(b) optionally 5% to 45% wt minor polymer component B,

wherein major polymer component A is chosen from any vinyl or polyolefin polymer, or combination thereof, that forms a viscloelastic polymer gel, and component B is chosen from any diene polymer or polyvinyl alcohol.

11. A material according to claim 10 wherein major polymer component A is chosen from any linear or branched polyolefin group, such as for example ethylene, styrene or propylene, or a combination thereof.

12. A material according to claim 11 wherein the major polymer component A consists of up to 80% ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers and mineral or carrier oils ionically polymerised.

13. A material according to claim 10 wherein the minor polymer component B is chosen from polyisoprene.

14. A material according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the ratio of major polymer component A to minor polymer component B is 80:

20.

15. A material according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the composition further includes 0.5% to 10% wt lanolin.

16. A material according to any one of the proceeding claims wherein the thickness of the viscoelastic polymer gel layer is from 0.25 mm to 10 mm.

17. A material according to claim 16 wherein the thickness of the viscoelastic polymer gel layer is from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

40. A method of producing a liquid impermeable vapour permeable material composed of a viscoelastic polymer gel layer including the following steps:

heating a major polymer component A to the molten state;

optionally adding anhydrous lanolin;

optionally adding a foaming or nucleating agent;

optionally adding a minor polymer component B and mixing the resultant mixture;

optionally adding a 3A molecular sieve;

extruding the resulting mixture into a flat sheet of material of desired thickness and allowing to cool and form a viscoelastic polymer gel; and

,

optionally mechanically perforating the sheet.

41. A method according to claim 40 that includes a further heating step after the sheet of material has been allowed to cool, wherein the further heating step provides a second gas yield/nucleating effect within the material to occur.

42. A method according to claim 41 wherein a molecular sieve can be additionally layered/spread or dusted over the material before the further heating step.

43. A method according to any one of claims 40 to 42 wherein the major polymer component A is chosen from any linear or branched polyolefin group, such as for example ethylene, styrene or propylene, or a combination thereof.

44. A method according to any one of claims 40 to 43 wherein the major polymer component A consists of up to 80% ethylene propylene styrene block copolymers and mineral or carrier oils ionically polymerised.

45. A method according to any one of claims 40 to 44 wherein the minor polymer component B is chosen from polyisoprene.

46. A method according to any one of claims 40 to 45 wherein the ratio of major polymer component A to minor polymer component B is 80:

20.