Inflatable fabrics comprising peel seams which become shear seams upon inflation

• US 6,489,006 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2000
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Original Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Inventors: Keshavaraj, Ramesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Cole, Elizabeth M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pierce, Jeremy R
• Application Number:
  US09/643,489
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 428/125, 428/34, 428/35.2, 428/35.5, 428/36.1, 428/43, 428/57, 428/59, 428/66.3, 428/69, 428/76, 428/102, 428/119, 428/121, 428/123, 428/124, 428/129, 442/76, 442/181, 442/239, 280/728.1, 280/729, 280/743.1, 139/384, 139/389
• US Class Current: 428/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43 Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles B29C66/45 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/439 Joining sheets for making inflated articles without using a mould
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/729 Textile or other fibrous material made from plastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 22/02 Inflatable articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2313/00 Use of textile products or fabrics as reinforcement B29K2105/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0067 non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2022/02 Inflatable articles balls B29L2031/54 ; inner tyres B29L2023/245
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/04 Interconnection of layers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23382 Internal tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2359 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/0082 Bladder restrictors, i.e. mechanical means, other than peripheral or circumferential means, for restricting expansion in inflated state of inflatable bladders or chambers, e.g. welded spots or lines, or internal braces for limiting thickness
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/1255 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/155 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/02 : Inflatable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1334 : Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1345 : Single layer [continuous layer]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1362 : Textile, fabric, cloth, or pile containing [e.g., web, net, woven, knitted, mesh, nonwoven, matted, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/15 : Sheet, web, or layer weakened to permit separation through thickness
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/19 : Sheets or webs edge spliced or joined
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/193 : Double faced corrugated sheets or webs connected
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/214 : End closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/231 : Filled with gas other than air; or under vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/239 : Complete cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24033 : including stitching and discrete fastener[s], coating or bond
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24174 : including sheet or component perpendicular to plane of web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2419 : Fold at edge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24207 : with strand[s] or strand-portion[s] between layers [e.g., upholstery trim, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24215 : Acute or reverse fold of exterior component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24223 : Embedded in body of web
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24256 : Abutted or lapped seam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2139 : Coating or impregnation specified as porous or permeable to a specific substance [e.g., water vapor, air, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/30 : Woven fabric [i.e., woven strand or strip material]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3472 : Woven fabric including an additional woven fabric layer

Abstract

The invention relates to inflatable fabrics which comprise two separated and distinct fabric layers in discrete areas of such fabrics as well as connecting seam-producing materials to which such fabric layers are simultaneously attached. The resultant inflatable fabric composite thus includes inflatable areas separated, at least partially, by seamed barrier areas. This configuration will form “pillowed” structures within the target fabric upon inflation. Such connecting seam-producing materials are incorporated within the two-layer structure as peel seams in relation with the individual fabric layers. Upon inflation, the seams then act as shear seams which greatly increases the overall strength of the two-layer inflatable fabric. These shear seams thus provide a relatively effective manner of reducing air permeability within the entire fabric article. Such a fabric may be utilized in numerous and various applications wherein fabric inflation is desired or necessary. In particular, the inventive fabric may be incorporated within an airbag cushion.

Claims

1. An inflatable fabric comprising at least two layers of fabric in certain discrete areas of the fabric and at least one connecting material attached to both of said at least two layers of fabric wherein said connecting material;

wherein said at least one connecting material exhibits a shape, when attached to both of said at least two layers of fabric and upon inflation, selected from the group consisting of Y, X, H, U, Z, and W.

2. The fabric of claim 1 wherein said connecting material is attached to said two layers of fabric by welded polymeric beads.

3. The fabric of claim 1 wherein at least two separate connecting materials are present, interposed between said two layers of fabric, and simultaneously attached to said two layers of fabric.

4. The fabric of claim 1 wherein said at least two layers of fabric and said at least one connecting material are comprised of the same type of fabric.

5. The fabric of claim 2 wherein said at least two layers of fabric and said at least one connecting material are comprised of the same type of fabric.

6. The fabric of claim 3 wherein said at least two layers of fabric and said at least one connecting material are comprised of the same type of fabric.

7. The fabric of claim 4 wherein said at least two layers of fabric and said at least two connecting materials are comprised of the same type of fabric.