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US4593418A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and seam construction to significantly reduce seam leakage

Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1984-05-29
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Granted: 1986-06-10
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Expires: 2004-05-29
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Abstract

Abstract Self-sealing seam construction for recreational fabrics and other uses reducing the tendency to permit water penetration and leaking. The seam includes the use of one of a number of overlapping type seams formed with water resistant fabrics. In the overlapped area, between the fabrics, a strip or tape of highly resilient, nontacky, weather resistant elastomeric material is provided. The seam is formed by one or more stitching lines placed so that the sewing needle penetrates not only the overlapped fabrics but the elastomeric strip as well. The highly resilient nature of the elastomeric strip causes it to stretch and eventually aperture under the action of the needle and, when the needle is withdrawn, the elastic strip tends to return to its original position thus closing the aperture tightly around the thread positioned within the aperture by the sewing needle. The result is a tightly formed seal minimizing any open area remaining from the sewing operation. Preferred elastomeric strip materials also include those having a high ultimate elongation, preferably in the range of from about 400 to 750%, high ultimate tensile, preferably in the range of from about 2500 to 4200 psi, in cases where the ultimate elongation is less than about 400%, a high rebound, preferably in the range of from about 33% to 49% and a low permanent set, preferably less than about 35%. In addition, the elastomeric strip preferably is nontacky and thin so as to not unduly exaggerate the overall seam thickness and is wider than the stitching width while narrower than the overall seam width. Specific examples include a neoprene elastomer tape having a thickness of 0.030 in., width of 0.75 in., ultimate elongation of 750%, ultimate tensile strength of 3200 psi, and modulus at 500 percent stretch of 9000 psi used in seaming a combination of polypropylene nonwoven fabrics as recreational fabric material. Other preferred embodiments include seamed constructions wherein the edges are folded over to avoid raw edge exposure for improved appearance.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gene F. Simon

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 04:00
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B1/00; D05B1/26; A; A41; A41D; A41D27/00; A41D27/24

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 127 words
Improved self-sealing seam construction comprising, (a) at least two layers of water-resistant materials, said layers being disposed in overlapping relationship along a seam area, (b) a higly resilient, nontacky elastomeric tape having a quick release percent increase in length of less than 5%, an ultimate tensile strength in the range of from about 2,000 to 5,000 p.s.i., a permanent set less than about 40%, and an ultimate elongation in the range of from about 300% to 1000%, between said layers in the same area, (c) said combination of layers and tape being sewn by thread passing through the combination in the seam area whereby said highly resilient elastomeric tape closes about said thread reducing the tendency of said combination to permit water to penetrate the seam area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 127 words
Improved self-sealing seam construction comprising, (a) at least two layers of water-resistant materials, said layers being disposed in overlapping relationship along a seam area, (b) a higly resilient, nontacky elastomeric tape having a quick release percent increase in length of less than 5%, an ultimate tensile strength in the range of from about 2,000 to 5,000 p.s.i., a permanent set less than about 40%, and an ultimate elongation in the range of from about 300% to 1000%, between said layers in the same area, (c) said combination of layers and tape being sewn by thread passing through the combination in the seam area whereby said highly resilient elastomeric tape closes about said thread reducing the tendency of said combination to permit water to penetrate the seam area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein the ultimate elongation is less than about 400% and the material has a rebound within the range of from about 25% to about 60%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The construction of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric tape is selected from the group consisting of neoprene and natural rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 12 words
The construction of claim 3 wherein said water-resistant materials comprise nonwoven fabrics.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 169 words
A method of forming a self-sealing seam comprising the step of, (a) providing at least two layers of water-resistant materials, (b) disposing said layers in overlapping relationship along a seam area, (c) providing a highly resilient elastomeric tape having a quick release percent increase in length of less than 5%, and ultimate tensile strength of the range of from about 1,000 to 6,000 p.s.i., a modulus at 500% stretch in the range of from about 500 p.s.i. to 4,000 p.s.i., and an ultimate elongation in the range of from about 200% to 1,000%, between said layers in the seam area, (d) penetrating said combination of layers and tape with a thread containing needle causing an aperture to be formed under stressed conditions passing said thread through the combination in the seam area, (e) withdrawing said needle also under stressed conditions, (f) whereby said elastomeric material closes tightly about the thread within said needle aperture sealing said combination to reduce the tendency to permit water to penetrate the seam area.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 169 words
A method of forming a self-sealing seam comprising the step of, (a) providing at least two layers of water-resistant materials, (b) disposing said layers in overlapping relationship along a seam area, (c) providing a highly resilient elastomeric tape having a quick release percent increase in length of less than 5%, and ultimate tensile strength of the range of from about 1,000 to 6,000 p.s.i., a modulus at 500% stretch in the range of from about 500 p.s.i. to 4,000 p.s.i., and an ultimate elongation in the range of from about 200% to 1,000%, between said layers in the seam area, (d) penetrating said combination of layers and tape with a thread containing needle causing an aperture to be formed under stressed conditions passing said thread through the combination in the seam area, (e) withdrawing said needle also under stressed conditions, (f) whereby said elastomeric material closes tightly about the thread within said needle aperture sealing said combination to reduce the tendency to permit water to penetrate the seam area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the ultimate elongation is less than about 400% and the material has a rebound within the range of from about 25% to about 60%.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the elastomeric tape is selected from the group consisting of neoprene and natural rubber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said water-resistant materials comprise nonwoven fabrics.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 13 words
The construction of claim 1 in the form of a lap felled seam.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1706461A Cited
US1725749A Cited
US2115368A Cited
US2372632A Cited
US2624886A Cited
DE843531C Cited
US4152783A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-06-09 1989-12-09 1990-06-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-06-09 1993-12-09 1994-06-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-06-09 1997-12-09 1998-06-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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