US 2007/0181241 A1Published application

Adhesively bonded seams and methods of forming seams

AssigneeMountain Hardwear, Inc.

InventorsPaul Kramer, Gaston MacMillan

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Abstract

A method of forming a stitchless, adhesively bonded seam involves placing a first strip of adhesive (9) between the outside surface of first and second sheets of material (1, 2) along an edge (8) of the second sheet. At least a portion of a second strip of adhesive (13) is positioned against a first portion (17) of the inside surface (7) of the second sheet along the edge thereof. The second sheet of material is folded such that a second portion (18) of the inside surface overlies the second strip of adhesive. In some embodiments the first and second strips of adhesive are replaced by a single longitudinally folded strip of adhesive. Energy may be applied, via an ultrasonic seam bonding machine or other means, to activate the adhesive. Seams made according to the disclosed methods may be used for garments, sports articles, and other items made of fabric or other sheet material.

Claims54

Dependent claims

A method of forming a stitchless seam, comprising:

providing a first sheet of material having inside and outside surfaces and an edge;
providing a second sheet of material having inside and outside surfaces and an edge;
positioning the outside surface of the first sheet of material proximal the outside surface and edge of the second sheet of material, respectively;
providing an elongate first strip of adhesive having opposing first and second sides;
placing the first strip of adhesive between the first and second sheets of material such that the first side of the first strip of adhesive is adjacent the outside surface of the first sheet of material and at least a portion of the second side of the first strip of adhesive is adjacent the outside surface of the second sheet of material along the edge of the second sheet of material;
providing an elongate second strip of adhesive having opposing first and second sides;
placing at least a portion of the first side of the second strip of adhesive against a first portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material extending along the edge of the second sheet of material;
folding the second sheet of material such that a second portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material overlies the second side of the second strip of adhesive;
and
applying energy to the first and second strips of adhesive to activate the first and second strips of adhesive, whereby the first strip of adhesive joins the outside surface of the first sheet of material to the outside surface of the second sheet of material and the second strip of adhesive joins the first portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material to the second portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material, thereby forming a stitchless seam.

7 more elements

A method of forming a stitchless seam, comprising:

providing a first sheet of material having inside and outside surfaces and an edge;
providing a second sheet of material having inside and outside surfaces and an edge;
folding the second sheet of material such that a first portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material is opposite from a second portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material;
providing an elongate strip of adhesive having opposing first and second longitudinal edges;
folding the strip of adhesive lengthwise to define elongate first and second portions thereof;
positioning the strip of adhesive such that its second longitudinal edge is between the first and second portions of the second sheet of material, and its first longitudinal edge is adjacent the outside surface of the second sheet of material;
placing the outside surface of the first sheet of material against the strip of adhesive opposite the second sheet of material;
and
applying energy to the strip of adhesive to activate the adhesive, whereby the first portion of the strip of adhesive joins the outside surface of the first sheet of material to the outside surface of the second sheet of material and the second portion of the strip of adhesive joins the first portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material to the second portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material.

6 more elements

A stitchless seam for a garment or sports article, comprising:

a first sheet of material having inside and outside surfaces and an edge;
a second sheet of material having inside and outside surfaces and an edge, the outside surface and edge of the second sheet of material being positioned proximal the outside surface of the first sheet of material, the inside surface of the second sheet of material including a first portion extending along the edge of the second sheet of material, and the second sheet of material being folded so the first portion is opposite a second portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material;
an elongate first strip of adhesive having opposing first and second sides, the first strip of adhesive positioned between the first and second sheets of material such that the first side of the first strip of adhesive is adjacent the outside surface of the first sheet of material and at least a portion of the second side of the first strip of adhesive is adjacent the outside surface of the second sheet of material along the edge of the second sheet of material;
an elongate second strip of adhesive having opposing first and second sides, at least a portion of the first side of the second strip of adhesive being positioned against the first portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material and the second side of the second strip of adhesive being positioned against the second portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material;
and
the first strip of adhesive joining the outside surface of the first sheet of material to the outside surface of the second sheet of material and the second strip of adhesive joining the first portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material to the second portion of the inside surface of the second sheet of material, to thereby form a stitchless seam.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/569,494Filed 23 May 2005
Priority: 21 May 2003
Published: 9 Aug 2007
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification35 codes

A41D 27/245
Hems; Seams: made by welding or gluing
B29C 65/08
By heating, with or without pressure: using ultrasonic vibrations
B29C 65/5042
Using adhesive tape , e.g. thermoplastic tape; using threads or the like: covering both elements to be joined
B29C 65/5057
Using adhesive tape , e.g. thermoplastic tape; using threads or the like: positioned between the surfaces to be joined

Family

Application60/472,159Us provisional application · filed 21 May 2003
Application10/851,409Continuation in part · filed 21 May 2004
Application11/569,494Continuation in part · filed 21 Nov 2006
US 2005/0230026 A1Published application
US 7,005,021 B2Related patent
US 7,455,743 B2Related patent
US 2007/0181241 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.