US 8,945,287 B2 · Active particle-enhanced membrane and methods for making and using the same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to active particle-enhanced membrane and methods for making and using the same. In some embodiments, a breathable membrane includes a base material solution and active particles. The active particles incorporated in the membrane may improve or add various desirable properties to the membrane, such as for example, the moisture vapor transport capability, the odor adsorbance, the anti-static properties, or the stealth properties of the membrane. In some embodiments, the base material may exhibit water-proof properties when converted into non-solution state, and thereby result in a water-proof membrane. In some embodiments, the active particles may be protected from losing activity before, during, or after (or any combination thereof) the process of producing the membrane. The membrane may be applied to a substrate, or may be used independent of a substrate.

Claims62

Dependent claims

A water-proof breathable membrane comprising:

a substantially liquid-impermeable cured base material solution comprising a first thickness;
a plurality of active particles in contact with the substantially liquid-impermeable cured base material solution, wherein the plurality of active particles,
are capable of improving the transmission of vapor through the substantially liquid-impermeable cured base material solution, and
comprise a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is at least 2.5 times larger than the second thickness but less than an order of magnitude larger than the second thickness;
at least one removable encapsulant in an amount effective to prevent at least a substantial portion of the plurality of active particles from being deactivated prior to removal of the removable encapsulant;
wherein,
the at least one removable encapsulant is removable to reactivate at least a portion of the plurality of active particles to improve the transmission of vapor through the water-proof breathable membrane, and
the membrane comprises a moisture vapor transmission rate from about 600 g/m2/day to about 11000 g/m2/day.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Active particle-enhanced membrane and methods for making and using the same

Life of this patent

Active particle-enhanced membrane and methods for making and using the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims62