W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Alexander Zaggl

Edward H Cully

John E Bacino

Stane Nabernik

Lawrence A Ford

Orlando Collazo

Michael Rittmann

Holger Zoudlik

Michael Wendlandt

Klaus Seibert

Andrea Doernhoefer

Helmut Klug

Bernadette Heller

Andre Hartmann

Michael Adam Hall

Norman E Clough

Heike Wolfrum

Franz J Shelley

André Hartmann

A method for manufacturing a water vapor permeable glove or a glove lining. The method includes steps: (A) preparing a functional layer assembly in the shape of a hand having a hand insertion opening and having a flat configuration, the flat functional layer assembly being stretchable in at least one direction, (B) subjecting the flat functional layer assembly to a stretching force and thereby transforming the flat configuration into a three-dimensional structure under the influence of the stretching force, (C) applying heat to the functional layer assembly while the functional layer assembly is subject to the stretching force, thereby relaxing the functional layer assembly and transforming the three-dimensional structure of the functional layer assembly into a stable three-dimensional structure, and (D) removing the stretching force from the functional layer assembly.

Method for manufacturing a water vapor permeable or breathable three-dimensional glove or glove lining

An additive manufacturing process is provided to produce integral 3-dimensional (3D) articles by laminating together a plurality of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes. The process includes repetitive cycles of ePTFE membrane lamination paired with laser cutting/bonding to produce a desired geometry based on a predefined pattern. The process may be practiced manually or may be configured to work with commercially available LOM machines/systems developed for use with other roll-to-roll processible materials, such as paper.

Process for forming porous three dimensional expanded polytetrafluoroethylene articles

The present disclosure is directed to dielectric elastomeric composites that include a retainable processing membrane, an elastomer material, and an electrically conductive material. The elastomer layer may be partially imbibed into the retainable processing membrane. The retainable processing membrane may be porous. The retainable processing membrane is compacted in the transverse direction, machine direction, or in both directions prior to the application of an elastomer material and an electrically conductive material. The compaction of the retainable processing membrane may form structured folds or folded fibrils in the membrane, giving the retainable processing membrane a low modulus and flexibility. In some embodiments, the dielectric composites are positioned in a stacked configuration. Alternatively, the dielectric elastomeric composites may have a wound configuration. The dielectric composites have a total thickness less than about 170 &#x3bc;m. The dielectric elastomeric composites may be used, for example, in dielectric elastomer actuators, sensors, and in energy harvesting.

Dielectric composite with reinforced elastomer and integrated electrode

A process for the formation of an assembly comprising a structured or compacted porous film (c) comprising a) application of a porous film (d) onto an elastic substrate (a) in a stretched state such that a reversible adhesion of the film on the stretched substrate (a) occurs, and b) relaxing the substrate (a) with the applied film thereon to obtain a structured or compacted porous film (c), c) applying a support material (e) to a part of the structured or compacted film (c) so that the structured or compacted film to which no support material (e) is attached is releasable.

Process for the formation of a porous film assembly

A check valve () for a through hole in a compartment wall () comprises an elastic membrane () covering an open end () of a flow passage (), a base () to which the elastic membrane () is fixed, and a protector () covering at least a portion of the elastic membrane (), wherein the elastic membrane is fixed to the base in a state where it is elastically stretched over and forced against a sealing surface () surrounding the open end () so as to seal the flow passage (). The elastic membrane lifts from the sealing surface when the pressure in the flow passage is high. The elastic membrane may be air- or gas-permeable and, preferably, waterproof so as to impart a low pressure venting functionality to the check valve.

Check valve

The present disclosure relates to a process for the production of a thermally conductive article that includes (1) pleating a thermally anisotropic sheet having a thermal conductivity in a first plane that is higher than the thermal conductivity in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane and (2) compacting the pleated structure. An article obtained by the process, the use of the thermally conductive article for production of a device, and the device are also disclosed.

Process for the production of a thermally conductive article

A layered structure that includes at least a first layer and a second layer is provided. The second layer includes at least one barrier layer. A bonding substance is partially disposed between the barrier layer and the first layer to create a bond between the barrier layer and the first layer. The bonding substance contains a first component that has, at 25&#xb0; C., a shear modulus of not more than 3&#xd7;10Pa in accordance with the Dahlquist criterion. The bonding substance may also contain a second component having adhesive characteristics. The first component also has a low viscosity such that a force (F) between the first and second layers which acts on at least one of the layers in a force action area is distributed by a plastic flow onto an area which is larger than the force action area.

Layered structure with barrier layer, apparel piece with such a layered structure and production of such a layered structure

The present invention relates to a process for the formation of a structured film, a structured film as such, an article comprising the structured film, a device for the continuous formation of such a structured film and a composite comprising the structured film.

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Feldkirchen-Westerham, Germany

Alexander Zaggl