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US 6,082,025 AGranted
Flexible membranes
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsHenry W. Bonk, David J. Goldwasser, Paul H. Mitchell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described is a membrane comprising a microlayer polymeric composite having at least about 10 microlayers. The microlayers are each individually up to about 100 microns thick and alternate between at least one gas barrier material and at least one elastomeric material. The membrane can be formed into a pressurized bladder or cushioning device for many applications, including footwear and hydropneumatic accumulators.
Claims37
A pressurized bladder, comprising an elastomeric barrier membrane enclosing an inflationary gas, wherein:
- said membrane comprises a microlayer polymeric composite having an average thickness of at least about 50 microns, wherein said microlayer polymeric composite includes at least about 10 microlayers, each microlayer individually up to about 100 microns thick, said microlayers alternating between at least one gas barrier material and at least one elastomeric material;
- and further wherein said membrane has a gas transmission rate toward the inflationary gas of about 10 cc/m.sup.2 .multidot.atm.multidot.day or less.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.