Waterproof, water-vapor-permeable fabric construction

• US 4,895,751 A
• Filed: 10/06/1987
• Issued: 01/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex Inc (W.L. Gore and Associates)
• Original Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex Inc (W.L. Gore and Associates)
• Inventors: Imai, Takashi, Kato, Tatsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell, James J.
• Application Number:
  US07/105,093
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 428/245, 428/287, 428/421, 428/422, 428/913, 428/308.4, 428/315.5, 2/167, 418/265, 418/267
• US Class Current: 442/289
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/102 Waterproof and breathable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0261 Polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0276 Polyester fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/025 Polyolefin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0257 Polyamide
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/724 Permeability to gases, adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7265 Non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/02 Gloves, shoes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/04 Caps, helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/18 characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/245 another layer next to it being a foam layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/02 Physical, chemical or physicochemical properties
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/913 Material designed to be responsive to temperature, light, moisture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3154 Of fluorinated addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31544 Addition polymer is perhalogenated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3878 Fluorinated olefin polymer or copolymer sheet or film [e.g., Teflon@, etc.]

Abstract

A waterproof, water-vapor-permeable fabric construction is provided comprising a laminate of a water-permeable material such as a polyester fabric bonded to a waterproof, water-vapor-permeable film such as a film of expanded, porous polytetrafluoroethylene, wherein at least a part of the laminate is molded so that it has a permanent curved shape. This fabric construction is useful in various articles of clothing such as hats.

Claims

1. A waterproof, water-vapor-permeable fabric construction comprising a three-dimensional laminate of a water-permeable material bonded to a waterproof, water-vapor-permeable film, at least a part of said laminate being molded so that it has a permanent three-dimensional curved shape.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein said waterproof, water-vapor-permeable film if a film of expanded, porous polytetrafluoroethylene.

3. The construction of claim 1 wherein said water-permeable material is a fabric of polyester.

4. The construction of claim 1 wherein said water-permeable material is a fabric of nylon.

5. The construction of claim 1 in the shape of a hat.

6. The construction of claim 1 in the shape of a sock.

7. The construction of claim 1 in the shape of a cap.

8. The construction of claim 1 in the shape of a girdle.

9. The construction of claim 1 in the shape of a glove.