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EP0327291A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Improvements relating to waterproof seams

Assignee: NO LIMIT SPORTSWEAR Ltd
•
Filing: 1989-01-30
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2009-01-30
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Abstract

Abstract A seam is made by bringing together the edge portions of two sheets (1,2) of flexible waterproof material in a cusped configuration and sandwiching between those portions a bead (7) of sealant and/or adhesive. The seam is then stitched, the stitches (5) passing through the bead. Heat and/or pressure is then applied to ensure that the sealant and/or works into all the interstices within the cusp, and at least partially into the stitch holes.

Inventors

  • 👤 William Edward Evans
  • 👤 Mark John Schofield
  • 👤 Phillip Barton

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 20:35
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/72; A; A41; A41D; A41D27/00; A41D27/24; B29C65/48; B29C65/50; B29C65/5064; B29C65/5071; B29C65/5092; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/43; B29C66/80; B29C66/83; B29C66/834; B29C66/8341; B29C66/83411; B29C66/83413; B29C65/4805; B29C65/481; B29C65/4815; B29C65/56; B29C65/62; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0068; B29K2995/0069

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 62 words
A seam construction joining two sheets (1, 2) of flexible waterproof material together, the edge portions being stitched together face-to-face in a cusped configuration and having a bead (7) of sealant and/or adhesive material within the cusp, characterised in that the bead (7) is interposed between the faces prior to the application of the stitching (5) which thus penetrates said bead (7).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 62 words
A seam construction joining two sheets (1, 2) of flexible waterproof material together, the edge portions being stitched together face-to-face in a cusped configuration and having a bead (7) of sealant and/or adhesive material within the cusp, characterised in that the bead (7) is interposed between the faces prior to the application of the stitching (5) which thus penetrates said bead (7).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
A seam construction as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the stitching (5) is overlock stitching.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 50 words
A seam construction as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the bead (7) is of a material allowing it to be formed into a cohesive band at ambient temperature but which can be made viscous by application of an energy source, such as by heating or vibration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 52 words
A seam construction as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the bead (7) is of a material allowing it to be formed into a cohesive band at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, but which is flowable in a non-recoverable manner when subject to pressure above a predetermined limit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 43 words
A seam construction as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the waterproof material (1, 2) has an elasticity and recovery properties suitable for a stretch garment, and in that the sealant and/or adhesive material (7) has compatible elasticity and recovery properties.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
A flexible fabric article such as a garment, bag or tent incorporating a seam as claimed in any preceding claim.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 69 words
A method of forming a seam joining two sheets (1, 2) of flexible waterproof material together, wherein the edge portions to be joined are stitched together face-­to-face in a cusped configuration, and a bead (7) of sealant and/or adhesive material, is provided within the cusp, characterised in that the bead is interposed between the faces prior to the application of the stitching (5), which thus penetrates said bead (7).
Claim 9
Independent Claim 69 words
A method of forming a seam joining two sheets (1, 2) of flexible waterproof material together, wherein the edge portions to be joined are stitched together face-­to-face in a cusped configuration, and a bead (7) of sealant and/or adhesive material, is provided within the cusp, characterised in that the bead is interposed between the faces prior to the application of the stitching (5), which thus penetrates said bead (7).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that overlock stitching (5) is applied.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 63 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the bead (7) is presented at ambient temperature as a cohesive band between said faces immediately prior to stitching, and the stitched seam is subsequently subjected to energy such as heat or vibration to render the band temporarily viscous and thereby improve its intimacy with the edge portions and stitching (5).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 65 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9 characterised in that the bead (7) is presented as a cohesive band between said faces immediately prior to stitching (4), and the stitched seam is subsequently subjected to pressure (8) above a predetermined limit to cause the band to flow in a non-recoverable manner and thereby improve its intimacy with the edge portions and stitching.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 28 words
A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the band (7) when presented has a cross-section substantially matching the cusped configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 25 words
A seam or flexible fabric article, such as a garment, bag or tent, made by the method of any one of claims 7 to 11.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

DE1106952B Cited
DE1947941A1 Cited
DE2543047A1 Cited
FR2566320A1 Cited

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