Lightweight composite material for protective pads, cushions, supports or the like and method
AssigneeI-Tek, Inc.
InventorsTheodore B. Brother, Edward J. Ellis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved material for use in resilient conforming pads, cushions, impact resistance padding and the like is described. The material comprises hollow coated micro particles cohered to a mass by a combination of a carboxylic acid bonding agent and a hydrophobic fluid. The material is useful for providing low weight contour conforming resilient padding for garments, athletic equipment, prosthetic devices, surgical or vehicular cushions, positioning devices, mattresses impact protective padding and the like.
Claims6
A composite material suitable for use in cushioning and padding applications comprising:
- a. a hydrophobic, non water soluble, fluid as the vehicle;
- b. a calcium carbonate coated, hollow, plastic microsphere;
- c. a mono- or di-carboxylic acid, either saturated or unsaturated, bonding agent conforming to the formulae selected from the group consisting of:
- CH3(CH2)n—COOH saturated mono-acid
- where n=6 to 30;
- CH3(CH2)x—CH═CH—(CH2)y—COOH unsaturated mono-acid
- where x and y are independent and x=2 to 15 and y=2 to 15;
- HOOC—(CH2)n—COOH saturated di-acid
- where n=6 to 30;
- and
- HOOC—(CH2)x—CH═CH—(CH2)y—COOH unsaturated di-acid
- where x and y are independent and x=2 to 15 and y=2 to 15.
A method of forming a composite material, comprising:
- mixing a vehicle comprising a hydrophobic, non-water soluble fluid, with a carboxylic acid-containing bonding agent until a uniform solution is obtained;
- introducing calcium carbonate coated microspheres to said solution and mixing until said microspheres are uniformly dispersed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.