W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Other

Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

Jean Norvell

John E Bacino

Norman Ernest Clough

Franz Shelley

Orlando Collazo

Robert L Henn

Kathleen R Driskill

Craig Lack

Waterproof, breathable garments and methods of making are provided. The garments may include a laminate of a seamless ePTFE membrane and at least one textile. The garment is conformable over a range of sizes, and may be shaped to fit numerous sizes and shapes of forming molds. The ePTFE membrane may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, a mold having a desired size to form a garment. Such a conformable ePTFE membrane may allow for forming multiple sizes of garments with various sizes and shapes of molds. In embodiments where the ePTFE membrane is seamless and continuous, the garment eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make garments waterproof.

Conformable seamless three dimensional articles and methods therefor

A waterproof cast liner is formed by inverting a waterproof cast sleeve over a padding material and sealing the inner and outer layers together to produce a waterproof cast. The padding material is retained within the waterproof enclosure formed by the inverted and seal liner and a rigid material is configure around the outer layer of the inverted sleeve and the limb to form a waterproof cast. A waterproof cast sleeve may have an appendage conduit that branches from the sleeve conduit to enable an appendage such as a thumb or finger to extend out from the waterproof cast. The inner and outer layer of the inverted sleeve or waterproof liner are sealed together to produce a waterproof enclosure for the padding material. The seal may include a thermal seal or adhesive and the rigid material of the cast may form an adhesive for the seal.

Waterproof cast liner system and method of use

An improved insulation package is provided that is particularly suitable for use on vehicles, such as aircraft. The insulation package includes a liquid impenetrable cover over thermal or acoustical insulation material. In order to facilitate mounting of the insulation package, the cover includes at least one sealed region that can be penetrated with a hole without compromising the waterproofness of the package. The sealed region can be provided along the edge of the insulation material, such as by way of a tab, or can be provided anywhere on the face of the insulation by forming suitable holes in the insulation. Elongated sealed regions can also be provided so as to allow for bending or slitting of the packaged insulation.

Packaged insulation and method of making same

An improved liner and method is taught for use in protecting a wearer's skin from moisture retention when worn with prosthetic devices and other substantially non-breathable shells. The liner is form fitted to attach to a wearer without bunching or other pressure points which can cause skin irritation. Preferably, the liner comprises a membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene coated on its interior surface with a polyurethane material to aid in moisture isolation and to protect the liner from compromise due to oils and other contaminants found in perspiration. The liner is effective at shielding a wearer's skin from moisture even when worn with no separate absorbent layer.

Lining material for use with prosthetics and similar devices and method

Lining material for use with prosthetic devices

An improved insulation package for insulating objects and method of making the same are disclosed. The insulation package comprises one or more layers of insulation material closed within a loose fitting cover. The cover is easily fitted around the pieces of insulation material. The insulation package saves time and labor compared to the previous method of prefabricating individual covers for each shape of insulation material. In a preferred embodiment, the cover can be formed of any of the following: water proof materials, water resistant materials, air permeable materials and combinations thereof.

Cover for insulation and method of manufacture

An improved insulation system for vehicles and method of making and using the same are disclosed. The insulation system comprises one or more layers of insulative material sealed within a case which is impermeable to liquids while being at least in part moisture vapor permeable. When installed within a sealed vehicle where moisture vapor build-up is a problem, the insulation of the present invention serves to isolate condensed moisture from causing damage to the vehicle's contents or its shell. When moisture levels decrease within the vehicle, moisture is free to evaporate from the insulation and dissipate from the vehicle, thus reducing the vehicle's weight and the costs inherent in excessive moisture retention within a vehicle.

Vehicle insulation

An improved container for transporting food and similar products is provided. The container employs one or more layers of a breathable material which is permeable to water vapor but repellent to liquid. By enclosing hot food in this container, moisture vapor from the food dissipates away from the food and avoids the soggy texture which often accompanies transported food. The container of the present invention has a wide range of possible applications, including everything from delivery of individual pizzas to large scale relocation of food for institutional purposes.

Insulative food container employing breathable polymer laminate

A water-resistant closure possessing a layer of waterproof material having an opening is disclosed. Attached within the opening is a slide fastening assembly comprising a pair of stringer tapes of a waterproof fabric. At least one stringer tape is longitudinally folded so as to form an internal flap positioned behind the inside surface of the other stringer tape. The internal flap blocks the entry of water which has passed through gaps present in the slide fastener device. An attaching structure secures the slide fastening assembly in the opening and a sealing tape covers the attaching structure and seals the stringer tape to the waterproof material forming the water-resistant garment closure. An article containing the water-resistant garment closure is also disclosed.

Water-resistant closure

An improved water resistant slide fastener and method of producing a water resistant zippered seam is disclosed. A thin and flexible water resistant coating is employed on the inside and outside surfaces of the stringer tapes of the slide fastener to eliminate water penetration therethrough. Once the slide fastener is attached to a garment or other article, a water resistant seam sealing tape employing a compatible adhesive is then installed over the attachment means of the stringer tape to protect further against water penetration. The zipper of the present invention is flexible and comfortable to wear, while being fully effective at preventing unwanted water penetration without the need for costly and cumbersome additional barrier layers.

Water resistant closure and method for applying same

An article of waterproof footwear and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The article of waterproof footwear has an upper containing a water-impermeable layer. The distal edge of the upper has a polymeric binding covering the distal edge and the inside and outside surfaces of the upper adjacent to the distal edge. The polymeric binding seals to a waterproof insole thereby effectively waterproofing the upper of the footwear. An outer sole is attached to the upper thereby forming the waterproof footwear. The method of manufacture allows production of a waterproof upper and the attachment to the upper of an outer sole, thereby forming the waterproof footwear of the invention.

Waterproof footwear

A stretchable water penetration resistant moisture-vapor permeable undergarment that protects the body from accidental contact with blood and other body fluids. The underwear provides protection to medical personnel working in non-standard environments such as emergency rooms, accident and natural disaster sites, rescure operations and the like.

Growing community of inventors

Newark, DE, United States of America

Jean Norvell