INFLATABLE INSULATING MATERIAL

• US 3,771,170 A
• Filed: 07/17/1972
• Issued: 11/13/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gonzalo S. Leon
• Original Assignee: Gonzalo S. Leon
• Inventors: Leon, Gonzalo S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Guest, Alfred R.
• Application Number:
  US05/272,303
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 2/2,272 36/29,44 161/407,121,122,123
• US Class Current: 2/97
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0155 having inflatable structure, e.g. non automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0156 having projecting patterns
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/14 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/065 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24562 Interlaminar spaces

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a thermal insulating material formed of sheets of non-porous flexible material hermetically sealed together to define an inflatable volume divided into a twodimensional array of compartments joined by gas communication passages. The boundaries between the compartments of the array define a plurality of intersecting lines along which the array can be easily flexed and a valve is provided for inflation of the compartmented volume.

Claims

1. Thermal insulation comprising:

a first sheet of non-porous flexible material;

a second sheet of non-porous flexible material hermetically sealed to said first sheet around a peripheral edge so as to define therebetween and inflatable volume, opposite portions of said peripheral edge being joined by portions of said first sheet having a length in the direction of separation of said opposite portions substantially greater than the maximum normal separation possible between said opposite portions in that direction;

divider means dividing said inflatable volume into a twodimensional array of compartments joined by gas communication passages; and

valve means for introducing gas into said inflatable volume.

2. Thermal insulation according to claim 1 wherein said divider means comprise direct bonds formed between said first and seconD sheets of flexible material.

3. Thermal insulation according to claim 1 wherein the boundaries between said compartments of said two-dimensional array define a plurality of intersecting lines along which said array can be easily flexed.

4. Thermal insulation according to claim 3 wherein the divider means comprise bonds formed between said first and second sheets of flexible material at said intersections of said lines.

5. Thermal insulation according to claim 1 wherein discrete area of said first sheet of flexible sheet material are preformed blisters that define said compartments.

6. Thermal insulation according to claim 5 wherein the boundaries between said compartments of said two-dimensional array define a plurality of intersecting lines along which said array can be easily flexed.

7. Thermal insulation according to claim 6 wherein said divider means comprise bonds formed between said first and second sheets of flexible material at the intersections of said lines.

8. Thermal insulation according to claim 5 including a third sheet of non-porous flexible sheet material providing a hermetically sealed auxiliary volume overlaying and coextensive with said inflatable volume, and auxiliary valve means for introducing gas into said auxiliary volume.

9. Thermal insulation according to claim 8 wherein discrete areas of said third sheet of flexibe material are preformed blisters aligned with said blisters in said first sheet of flexible sheet material.

10. Thermal insulation according to claim 1 wherein said inflatable volume has a configuration corresponding to a portion of the human anatomy.

11. Thermal insulation according to claim 10 including an article of wearing apparel to which said first and second flexible sheets are attached as a lining.

12. Thermal insulation according to claim 11 wherein the boundaries between said compartments of said two-dimensional array define a plurality of intersecting lines along which said array can be easily flexed.

13. Thermal insulation according to claim 12 wherein said divider means comprise bonds formed between said first and second sheets of flexible material at the intersections of said lines.

14. Thermal insulation according to claim 11 wherein discrete areas of said first sheet of flexible sheet material are preformed blisters that define said compartments.

15. Thermal insulation according to claim 14 wherein the boundaries between said compartments of said two-dimensional array define a plurality of intersecting lines along which said array can be easily flexed.

16. Thermal insulation according to claim 11 wherein said compartments have a maximum inflated thickness of less than one inch.

17. Thermal insulation according to claim 16 wherein said compartments have a maximum cross-section of less than one square inch.

18. Thermal insulation according to claim 1 wherein said two-dimensional array is a hexagonal array.

19. Thermal insulation comprising:

a first sheet of non-porous flexible material;

a second sheet of non-porous flexible material hermetically sealed to said first sheet around a peripheral edge so as to define therebetween an inflatable volume;

bonding means directly bonding said first sheet and said second sheet together at spaced points within said peripheral edge so as to divide said inflatable volume into a two-dimensional array of compartments joined by gas communication passages between said compartments and wherein said first and second sheets are of such area as to permit substantial increase in the volume of said compartments in response to inflation thereof without distortion of said peripheral edge; and

valve means for introducing gas into said inflatable volume.

20. Thermal insulation according to claim 19 wherein the boundaries between said compartments of said two-dimensional array define a plurality of intersecting lines along which said array can be easily flexed.

21. Thermal insulation according to claim 19 wherein discrete areaS of said first sheet of flexible sheet material are preformed blisters that define said compartments.

22. Thermal insulation according to claim 19 wherein said two-dimensional array is a hexagonal array.