METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN INFLATABLE PRODUCT
First Claim
1. A method for producing an inflatable product comprising the steps ofproviding a first sheet made of weldable plastic,providing a second sheet made of weldable plastic,providing a plurality of weld strips made of weldable plastic,providing a plurality of tensioning structures, each tensioning structure includingat least one tensile sheet having a first side, a second side, and plurality of holes extending through the tensile sheet from the first side to the second side anda plurality of weld strips includinga first weld strip positioned on one of the first and second sides of the tensile sheet, anda second strip positioned on one of the first and second sides of the tensile sheet,welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the first sheet by welding the first weld strip to the first sheet,welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the second sheet by welding the second weld sheet to the second sheet,creating an inflatable chamber defined between the first and second sheets by the step of coupling the first sheet to the second sheet, andproviding a valve in communication with the inflatable chamber to facilitate inflation and deflation of the inflatable product.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for producing an inflatable product comprising the steps of
providing a first sheet made of weldable plastic, providing a second sheet made of weldable plastic, providing a plurality of weld strips made of weldable plastic, providing a plurality of tensioning structures, each tensioning structure including at least one tensile sheet having a first side, a second side, and plurality of holes extending through the tensile sheet from the first side to the second side and a plurality of weld strips including a first weld strip positioned on one of the first and second sides of the tensile sheet, and a second strip positioned on one of the first and second sides of the tensile sheet, welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the first sheet by welding the first weld strip to the first sheet, welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the second sheet by welding the second weld sheet to the second sheet, creating an inflatable chamber defined between the first and second sheets by the step of coupling the first sheet to the second sheet, and providing a valve in communication with the inflatable chamber to facilitate inflation and deflation of the inflatable product.
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12. A method for producing an inflatable product comprising the steps of
providing a first sheet made of weldable plastic, providing a second sheet made of weldable plastic, providing a plurality of weld strips made of weldable plastic, providing a non-woven sheet material having a first side and a second side, assembling a plurality of tensioning structures by the steps of positioning a first of the plurality of weld strips on at least one of the first and second sides of the non-woven sheet material, and positioning a second of the plurality of weld strips on at least one of the first and second sides of the non-woven sheet material, welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the first sheet by welding at least one of the first and second weld strips to the first sheet, welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the second sheet by welding at least one of the first and second weld strips to the second sheet, creating an inflatable chamber defined between the first and second sheets by the step of coupling the first sheet to the second sheet, and providing a valve in communication with the inflatable chamber to facilitate inflation and deflation of the inflatable product.
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21. A method for producing an inflatable product comprising the steps of
providing a first sheet made of weldable plastic, providing a second sheet made of weldable plastic, providing a plurality of weld strips made of weldable plastic, providing at least one tensile sheet, assembling a plurality of tensioning structures after providing the at least one tensile sheet, the assembly step including the steps of positioning a first of the plurality of weld strips on at least one of the first and second sides of the tensile sheet, and positioning a second of the plurality of weld strips on at least one of the first and second sides of the tensile sheet, welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the first sheet by welding at least one of the first and second weld strips to the first sheet, welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the second sheet by welding at least one of the first and second weld strips to the second sheet, creating an inflatable chamber between the first and second sheets by the step of coupling the first and second sheets together, and providing a valve in communication with the inflatable chamber to facilitate inflation and deflation of the inflatable product.
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24. A method for producing an inflatable product comprising the steps of
providing a first sheet made of weldable plastic, providing a second sheet made of weldable plastic, providing a plurality of weld strip materials made of weldable plastic, providing a tensile sheet material having a first side, a second side, and plurality of holes extending through the tensile sheet material from the first side to the second side, assembling a plurality of tensioning structures by the steps of positioning a first of the plurality of weld strip materials on at least one of the first and second sides of the tensile sheet material, positioning a second of the plurality of weld strip materials on at least one of the first and second sides of the tensile sheet material, welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the first sheet by welding at least one of the first and second weld strip materials to the first sheet, welding the plurality of tensioning structures to the second sheet by welding at least one of the first and second weld strip materials to the second sheet, creating an inflatable chamber between the first and second sheets the step of coupling the first sheet to the second sheet, and providing a valve in communication with the inflatable chamber to facilitate inflation and deflation of the air mattress.
Specification