# US 7,674,512 B2 · Film-based cellular matrix > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,674,512 B2 - Document ID: US7674512B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/150,514 - Filed: 2005-06-09 - Published: 2006-12-14 - Granted: 2010-03-09 - Earliest claimed: 2002-12-09 - Assignees: Cascade Designs, Inc. - Inventors: James Marson; Lee A. Getzewich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7674512B2 ## CPC - B32B 3/12: characterised by a layer of regularly- arranged cells, e.g. a honeycomb structure - A47C 27/084: {self inflating} - A47C 27/087: {with means for connecting opposite sides, e.g. internal ties or strips} - A47C 31/006: {Use of three-dimensional fabrics} - B31D 3/0238: {involving laminating the expanded core} - B32B 3/00: Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 38/1833: {Positioning, e.g. registration or centering} - E04C 2/365: {by honeycomb structures} - B32B 2250/24: All layers being polymeric - B32B 2305/024: Honeycomb - B32B 2307/304: Insulating - Y10T 428/236: Honeycomb type cells extend perpendicularly to nonthickness layer - Y10T 428/24149: Honeycomb-like - Y10T 428/24165: Hexagonally shaped cavities - Y10T 428/24314: Slit or elongated - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - B31D: MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES B31B OR B31C (manufacture by dry processes of articles made from particles or fibres consisting of wood or other lignocellulosic or like organic material B27N; making layered products not composed wholly of paper or cardboard B32B; making articles from cellulosic fibrous suspensions, e.g. wood pulp, D21J) - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention is directed towards a film-based polymeric cellular matrix, methods for making the polymeric cellular matrix, articles of manufacture incorporating the polymeric matrix and methods for making articles of manufacture. The polymeric cellular matrix is characterized as a plurality of generally identical cells (open-ended geometric prisms) arranged to form a repeating geometric form. The matrix is particularly suited for use as a core between two panels. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A collapsible polymeric matrix of single-walled cells comprising: a first row of film-based, open-ended hollow prisms, each prism having a perimeter enclosing wall that includes a plurality of wall segments, the first row having at least a first type of prism alternating with a second type of prism to form a repeating sequence of prisms wherein each prism in the row shares a common enclosing wall segment with a directly adjacent prism; and a second row of film-based, open-ended hollow prisms, each prism having a perimeter enclosing wall that includes a plurality of wall segments, the second row having at least the first type of prism alternating with the second type of prism to form a repeating sequence of prisms, wherein each prism in the row shares a common enclosing wall segment with a directly adjacent prism, wherein each row has a generally constant upper and lower boundary and wherein no row overlaps another row, when the matrix is in an expanded state, wherein each wall segment of each prism defines an orifice to establish fluid communication with an adjacent prism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The matrix of claim 1 wherein the matrix is registered. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The matrix of claim 1 wherein the matrix is non-registered. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The matrix of claim 1 wherein the perimeter enclosing wall of each row of open-ended prisms comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein the matrix further comprises a flexible panel having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface being substantially bonded to the first edges, thereby establishing an additional wall for substantially each prism to which the panel is bonded. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The matrix of claim 4 further comprising a second flexible panel having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface of the second flexible panel being substantially bonded to the second edges, thereby establishing an additional wall for substantially each prism to which the second panel is bonded. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The matrix of claim 5 wherein the first and second flexible panels include perimeter portions and wherein the perimeter portions are sealingly joined to each other in opposition, thereby creating a fluid impervious envelope wholly surrounding the cellular matrix, and further comprising a valve for permitting fluid ingress and egress between the environment and the matrix. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The matrix of claim 6 wherein the resulting article is one of a fluid inflatable mattress, a fluid inflatable vest, a fluid inflatable personal hydration container, or a fluid inflatable seat cushion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The matrix of claim 1 further comprising a biocide integrated there into. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The matrix of claim 1 wherein the perimeter enclosing wall of each row of open-ended prisms comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein each edge further comprises a component having a lower melting point than the portion of the wall between the edges. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The matrix of claim 7 further comprising a biocide integrated into the matrix. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The matrix of claim 7 wherein the perimeter enclosing wall of each row of open-ended prisms comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein each edge further comprises a component having a lower melting point than the portion of the wall between the edges. ### Claim 12 A collapsible polymeric matrix of single-walled cells comprising: a first row of film-based, open-ended hollow prisms, each prism having a perimeter enclosing wall that includes a plurality of wall segments, the first row having at least a first type of prism alternating with a second type of prism to form a repeating sequence of prisms wherein each prism in the row shares a common enclosing wall segment with a directly adjacent prism; and a second row of film-based, open-ended hollow prisms, each prism having a perimeter enclosing wall that includes a plurality of wall segments, the second row having at least the first type of prism alternating with the second type of prism to form a repeating sequence of prisms, wherein each prism in the row shares a common enclosing wall segment with a directly adjacent prism, wherein each row has a generally constant upper and lower boundary, wherein no row overlaps another row, when the matrix is in an expanded state, and wherein at least one wall of each prism defines an orifice to establish fluid communication with an adjacent prism. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The matrix of claim 12 wherein the matrix is registered. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The matrix of claim 12 wherein the matrix is non-registered. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The matrix of claim 12 wherein the perimeter enclosing wall of each row of open-ended prisms comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein the matrix further comprises a flexible panel having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface being substantially bonded to the first edges, thereby establishing an additional wall for substantially each prism to which the panel is bonded. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The matrix of claim 15 further comprising a second flexible panel having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface of the second flexible panel being substantially bonded to the second edges, thereby establishing an additional wall for substantially each prism to which the second panel is bonded. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The matrix of claim 16 wherein the first and second flexible panels include perimeter portions and wherein the perimeter portions are sealingly joined to each other in opposition, thereby creating a fluid impervious envelope wholly surrounding the cellular matrix, and further comprising a valve for permitting fluid ingress and egress between the environment and the matrix. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The matrix of claim 12 wherein the resulting article is one of a fluid inflatable mattress, a fluid inflatable vest, a fluid inflatable personal hydration container, or a fluid inflatable seat cushion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The matrix of claim 18 further comprising a biocide integrated into the matrix. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The matrix of claim 12 wherein the perimeter enclosing wall of each row of open-ended prisms comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein each edge further comprises a component having a lower melting point than the portion of the wall between the edges. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The matrix of claim 18 wherein the perimeter enclosing wall of each row of open-ended prisms comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein each edge further comprises a component having a lower melting point than the portion of the wall between the edges.