Stitchless Seam System For Joining Laminates
AssigneeW.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorGregory E. Hannon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stitchless seam between a first panel having a functional layer and a second panel having a functional layer is provided. The seam system is formed via a discontinuous fused stitchless seam which connects a first panel to a second panel. A reinforcement may be used to strengthen the discontinuous fused stitchless seam connecting the first panel to the second panel, allowing formation of a liquid-impervious stitchless seam system. A method for forming the system is also provided.
Claims11
The method of forming a fused liquid-proof stitchless seam joining together pieces of liquid-proof laminate, said method comprising:
- a. placing at least two pieces of a liquid-proof laminate each having at least a textile layer and a liquid proof functional layer in stacked relation with textile regions in contact with one another along a strip defining a stitchless seam line;
- and
- b. applying heat and pressure to the stacked laminates along said strip, the heat being applied continuously and the pressure being applied at a constant interval most proximal to the edge of the stitchless seam line forming a continuous stitchless seam and at spaced-apart intervals juxtaposed to the continuous stitchless seam to form a discontinuous stitchless seam thereby forming multiple seams along the strip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.