Multi-layer bladder construct

A multi-layer bladder construct, comprising:

• a non-stretchable outer covering having an inner surface, the outer covering is comprised of a woven polymer fabric having a warp direction and a weft direction;
• a stretchable inner bladder having an outer surface, the inner bladder being comprised of a bi-axially oriented polymer film having opposed sides, the polymer film having a film machine direction and a film transverse direction orthogonal to the film machine direction, the polymer film having an elastic expansion range within which the inner bladder expands outwardly and then returns to it's uninflated size after inflation;
• a sealing layer bonded to at least one of the opposed sides of the polymer film forming the inner bladder, thereby making the inner bladder heat sealable to itself to make it air-tight;
• wherein one of the film machine direction or the film transverse direction of the polymer film forming the inner bladder is aligned with one of the warp direction or the weft direction of the woven polymer fabric forming the outer covering;
• wherein a surface area of the outer surface of the inner bladder is smaller than a surface area of the inner surface of the outer covering, such that, upon inflation, the inner bladder stretches and expands outwardly within the elastic expansion range until the outer surface of the inner bladder engages the inner surface of the outer covering, whereby a portion of tensile force loading on the outer covering is shared with the inner bladder;
• and
• wherein a stretchable flexible film is incorporated into the inner bladder in at least one selected location, the stretchable flexible film having an elastic expansion range which is greater that the elastic expansion range of the remainder of the inner bladder.