Pad Comprising an Extruded Mesh and Method of Making Thereof
AssigneeAlbany International Corp.
InventorRobert A. Hansen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structure for use in a compressible resilient pad. The structure contains both axially elastomeric strands and relatively inelastic strands co-extruded in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.
Claims40
A pad comprising:
- a bicomponent extruded mesh, the mesh including:
- a first layer of parallel strands running in a longitudinal direction (LD);
- a second layer of parallel strands on one side of the first layer, the second layer's strands running in a transverse direction (TD) and comprising elastomeric strands;
- and a third layer of parallel strands on an opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer;
- and
- one or more layers of a woven fabric, membrane, LD or TD yarn arrays attached to a top and/or bottom surface of the extruded mesh.
A pad comprising:
- a bicomponent extruded mesh, the mesh including:
- a first layer of parallel strands running in a longitudinal direction;
- a second layer of parallel strands on one side of the first layer, the second layer's strands running in a transverse direction, and comprising elastomeric strands;
- and a third layer of parallel strands on the opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer;
- and
- one or more layers of a spunbond nonwoven or batt attached to the extruded mesh.
A method for forming a compressible resilient, the method comprising:
- forming a bicomponent extruded mesh comprising the steps of;
- extruding a first layer of parallel strands in a longitudinal direction (LD);
- co-extruding a second layer of parallel strands on one side of the first layer, the second layer's strands running in a transverse direction (TD) and comprising elastomeric strands;
- and
- co-extruding a third layer of parallel strands on an opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer.
A pad comprising:
- a bicomponent extruded mesh including:
- a first layer of parallel strands running in a longitudinal direction;
- a second layer of an elastic material on one side of the first layer;
- and a third layer of parallel strands on an opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer;
- and
- one or more layers of a nonwoven or batt attached to the extruded mesh.
A pad comprising:
- a bicomponent extruded mesh including:
- a first layer of parallel strands running in a longitudinal direction (LD);
- a second layer of an elastic material on one side of the first layer;
- and a third layer of parallel strands on an opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer;
- and
- one or more layers of a woven fabric, membrane, LD or transverse direction (TD) yarn arrays attached to a top and/or bottom layer of the extruded mesh.
A pad comprising:
- a bicomponent extruded mesh including:
- a first layer of parallel strands running in a longitudinal direction (LD);
- a second layer of parallel strands on one side of the first layer, the second layer's strands running in a transverse direction (TD) and comprising elastomeric strands;
- and a third layer of parallel strands on an opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer;
- and
- wherein the first, second and third layers are extruded together or sequentially.
A method for forming a bicomponent extruded mesh, the method comprising the steps of:
- extruding a first layer of parallel strands in longitudinal direction (LD);
- extruding a second layer of an elastic material on one side of the first layer;
- and extruding a third layer of parallel strands on an opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer.
A pad comprising:
- a bicomponent extruded mesh including:
- a first layer of parallel strands running in a longitudinal direction (LD);
- a second layer of an elastic material on one side of the first layer;
- and a third layer of parallel strands on an opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer, and,
- wherein the first, second and third layers are extruded together or sequentially.
A pad comprising bicomponent extruded mesh including:
- a first layer of parallel strands running in a longitudinal direction;
- a second layer of the parallel strands on one side of the first layer, the second layer's strands running in a transverse direction and comprising elastomeric strands;
- and
- a third layer of parallel strands on an opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers form a structure having a desired thickness,
- wherein under a compressive load the second layer stretches to enable the strands of the first and third layers to nest between each other in substantially the same plane, and
- wherein upon release of the compressive load an elasticity of the second layer is selected to cause the first and third layers to spring back to return the structure to substantially the desired thickness.
A pad comprising bicomponent extruded mesh including,
- a first layer of parallel strands running in a longitudinal direction;
- a second layer of an elastic material on one side of the first layer;
- and
- a third layer of parallel strands on an opposite side of the second layer as the first layer and running in the same direction as those of the first layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers are co-extruded at substantially the same time such that the strands in the first layer are positioned or aligned within the space between strands in the third layer,
- wherein the first, second, and third layers form a structure having a desired thickness,
- wherein under a compressive load the second layer stretches to enable the strands of the first and third layers to nest between each other in substantially the same plane, and
- wherein upon release of the compressive load an elasticity of the second layer is selected to cause the first and third layers to spring back to return the structure to substantially the desired thickness.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.