US4725481A — Vapor-permeable, waterproof bicomponent structure

Claim 1

Independent Claim 419 words

A bicomponent film of a hydrophobic layer and a hydrophilic layer of copolyetherester elastomers bonded together which permits differential transfer of water vapor to prevent buildup of moisture comprising: (A) a continuous layer of a hydrophobic elastomer 0.05-0.8 mil thick and having a water vapor transmission rate of 400-2500 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs. according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophobic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer or a mixture of two or more copolyetherester elastomers having a multiplicity of recurring long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages, said long-chain ester units being represented by the formula ##STR5## and said short-chain ester units being represented by the formula: ##STR6## where G is a divalent radical remaining after the removal of terminal hydroxyl groups from a poly(alkylene oxide)glycol having an average molecular weight of about 400-3500, and further, the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is not greater than about 20 weight percent based upon the total weight of the copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters; R is a divalent radical remaining after removal of carboxyl groups from a dicarboxylic acid having a molecular weight less than 300; D is a divalent radical remaining after removal of hydroxyl groups from a diol having a molecular weight less than about 250; and said hydrophobic copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters has from about 25-80 weight percent short-chain ester units; (B) a continuous layer of a hydrophilic elastomer 0.3-6 mil thick and having a water vapor transmission rate of at least 3500 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs. according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophilic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer or a mixture of two or more copolyetherester elastomers having a multiplicity of long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages represented by formulae (I) and (II) above and having the values given above with the proviso that the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is from about 25-68 weight percent based on the total weight of the copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters, and the hydrophilic copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters contain about 25-80 weight percent short-chain ester units; and said bicomponent film of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers has a separation ratio for water vapor of at least 1.2 as determined by ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW).

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 419 words

A bicomponent film of a hydrophobic layer and a hydrophilic layer of copolyetherester elastomers bonded together which permits differential transfer of water vapor to prevent buildup of moisture comprising: (A) a continuous layer of a hydrophobic elastomer 0.05-0.8 mil thick and having a water vapor transmission rate of 400-2500 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs. according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophobic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer or a mixture of two or more copolyetherester elastomers having a multiplicity of recurring long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages, said long-chain ester units being represented by the formula ##STR5## and said short-chain ester units being represented by the formula: ##STR6## where G is a divalent radical remaining after the removal of terminal hydroxyl groups from a poly(alkylene oxide)glycol having an average molecular weight of about 400-3500, and further, the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is not greater than about 20 weight percent based upon the total weight of the copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters; R is a divalent radical remaining after removal of carboxyl groups from a dicarboxylic acid having a molecular weight less than 300; D is a divalent radical remaining after removal of hydroxyl groups from a diol having a molecular weight less than about 250; and said hydrophobic copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters has from about 25-80 weight percent short-chain ester units; (B) a continuous layer of a hydrophilic elastomer 0.3-6 mil thick and having a water vapor transmission rate of at least 3500 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs. according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophilic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer or a mixture of two or more copolyetherester elastomers having a multiplicity of long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages represented by formulae (I) and (II) above and having the values given above with the proviso that the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is from about 25-68 weight percent based on the total weight of the copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters, and the hydrophilic copolyetherester or mixture of two or more copolyetheresters contain about 25-80 weight percent short-chain ester units; and said bicomponent film of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers has a separation ratio for water vapor of at least 1.2 as determined by ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW).

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 19 words

A bicomponent film of claim 1 wherein the continuous layer of the hydrophilic elastomer comprises a mixture of copolyetheresters.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

A bicomponent film of claim 1 wherein the continuous layer of the hydrophilic elastomer contains an inorganic filler.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 359 words

A bicomponent film of a hydrophobic layer and a hydrophilic layer of copolyetherester elastomers bonded together which permits differential transfer of water vapor to prevent buildup of moisture comprising: (A) a continuous layer of a hydrophobic elastomer 0.05-0.8 mil thick and having a water vapor transmission rate of 400-2500 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs. according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophobic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer having a multiplicity of recurring long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages, said long-chain ester units being represented by the formula ##STR7## and said short-chain ester units being represented by the formula: ##STR8## where G is a divalent radical remaining after the removal of terminal hydroxyl groups from a poly(alkylene oxide)glycol having an average molecular weight of about 400-3500, and further, the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is not greater than about 20 weight percent based upon the total weight of the elastomer; R is a divalent radical remaining after removal of carboxyl groups from a dicarboxylic acid having a molecular weight less than 300; D is a divalent radical remaining after removal of hydroxyl groups from a diol having a molecular weight less than about 250; and said hydrophobic copolyetherester has from about 25-80 weight percent short-chain ester units; (B) a continuous layer of a hydrophilic elastomer 0.3-6 mil thick and having a water vapor transmission rate of at least 3500 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs. according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophilic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer having a multiplicity of long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages represented by formulae (I) and (II) above and having the values given above with the proviso that the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is from about 25-68 weight percent based on the total weight of the copolyetherester, and the hydrophilic copolyetherester contains about 25-80 weight percent short-chain ester units; and said bicomponent film of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers has a separation ratio for water vapor of at least 1.4 as determined by ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 359 words

A bicomponent film of a hydrophobic layer and a hydrophilic layer of copolyetherester elastomers bonded together which permits differential transfer of water vapor to prevent buildup of moisture comprising: (A) a continuous layer of a hydrophobic elastomer 0.05-0.8 mil thick and having a water vapor transmission rate of 400-2500 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs. according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophobic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer having a multiplicity of recurring long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages, said long-chain ester units being represented by the formula ##STR7## and said short-chain ester units being represented by the formula: ##STR8## where G is a divalent radical remaining after the removal of terminal hydroxyl groups from a poly(alkylene oxide)glycol having an average molecular weight of about 400-3500, and further, the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is not greater than about 20 weight percent based upon the total weight of the elastomer; R is a divalent radical remaining after removal of carboxyl groups from a dicarboxylic acid having a molecular weight less than 300; D is a divalent radical remaining after removal of hydroxyl groups from a diol having a molecular weight less than about 250; and said hydrophobic copolyetherester has from about 25-80 weight percent short-chain ester units; (B) a continuous layer of a hydrophilic elastomer 0.3-6 mil thick and having a water vapor transmission rate of at least 3500 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs. according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophilic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer having a multiplicity of long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages represented by formulae (I) and (II) above and having the values given above with the proviso that the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is from about 25-68 weight percent based on the total weight of the copolyetherester, and the hydrophilic copolyetherester contains about 25-80 weight percent short-chain ester units; and said bicomponent film of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers has a separation ratio for water vapor of at least 1.4 as determined by ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

A bicomponent film of claim 4 wherein the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol for the hydrophobic elastomer is poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 20 words

A bicomponent film of claim 4 wherein the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol for the hydrophobic elastomer is ethylene-oxide capped polypropylene oxide glycol.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 17 words

A bicomponent film of claim 4 wherein the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol for the hydrophilic elastomer is poly(ethylene oxide)glycol.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 74 words

A bicomponent film of claim 4 where at least about 70 percent of the groups represented by R in Formulae (I) and (II) above are 1,4-phenylene radicals and at least about 70 percent of the groups represented by D in Formula (II) above are 1,4-butylene radicals and the sum of the percentages of R groups which are not 1,4-phenylene radicals and the D groups which are not 1,4-butylene radicals does not exceed 30 percent.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

A bicomponent film of claim 4 wherein the copolyetherester of the hydrophilic elastomer contains 40-60 weight percent short-chain ester units.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

A bicomponent film of claim 4 wherein the copolyetherester of the hydrophobic elastomer contains 30-60 weight percent short-chain ester units.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 28 words

A bicomponent film of claim 4 wherein the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol of the hydrophobic elastomer is poly(tetramethylene ether)glycol and the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol of the hydrophilic elastomer is poly(ethylene oxide)glycol.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 14 words

A bicomponent film of claim 4 wherein the hydrophilic layer contains an inorganic filler.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 2 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 3 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 4 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 5 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 6 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 7 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 8 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 9 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 10 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 11 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 16 words

A bicomponent film of claim 12 wherein the hydrophobic elastomer is covered with a textile material.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 378 words

A flexible layered product comprising: (1) a textile material, (2) a bicomponent film of a hydrophobic layer and a hydrophilic layer of copolyetherester elastomers bonded together which permits differential transfer of water vapor to prevent buildup of moisture which comprises, (A) a continuous layer of a hydrophobic elastomer 0.05-0.3 mil thick adhered to the textile material and having a water vapor transmission rate of about 800-1200 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs., according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophobic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer having a multiplicity of recurring long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages, said long-chain ester units being represented by the formula ##STR9## and said short-chain ester units being represented by the formula: ##STR10## where G is a divalent radical remaining after the removal of terminal hydroxyl groups from a poly(alkylene oxide)glycol having a molecular weight of about 400-3500, and further, the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is not greater than about 20 weight percent based upon the total weight of the elastomer; R is a divalent radical remaining after removal of carboxyl groups from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid having a molecular weight less than 300; and D is a divalent radical remaining after removal of hydroxyl groups from a diol having a molecular weight less than about 250; said hydrophobic elastomer has about 30-60 weight percent short-chain ester units; (B) a continuous layer of hydrophilic elastomer 0.3-6 mils thick adhered to the hydrophobic layer and having a water vapor transmission rate of about 3500-20,000 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs., according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophilic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer having a multiplicity of long-chain and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages represented by formulae (I) and (II) above and having the values given above with the proviso that the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester elastomer by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is from about 25-68 weight percent based on the total weight of the elastomer, and the copolyetherester elastomer contains about 40-60 weight percent short-chain ester units; and said bicomponent film of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers has a separation ratio for water vapor of at least about 1.6 as determined by ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW).

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 378 words

A flexible layered product comprising: (1) a textile material, (2) a bicomponent film of a hydrophobic layer and a hydrophilic layer of copolyetherester elastomers bonded together which permits differential transfer of water vapor to prevent buildup of moisture which comprises, (A) a continuous layer of a hydrophobic elastomer 0.05-0.3 mil thick adhered to the textile material and having a water vapor transmission rate of about 800-1200 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs., according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophobic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer having a multiplicity of recurring long-chain ester units and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages, said long-chain ester units being represented by the formula ##STR9## and said short-chain ester units being represented by the formula: ##STR10## where G is a divalent radical remaining after the removal of terminal hydroxyl groups from a poly(alkylene oxide)glycol having a molecular weight of about 400-3500, and further, the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is not greater than about 20 weight percent based upon the total weight of the elastomer; R is a divalent radical remaining after removal of carboxyl groups from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid having a molecular weight less than 300; and D is a divalent radical remaining after removal of hydroxyl groups from a diol having a molecular weight less than about 250; said hydrophobic elastomer has about 30-60 weight percent short-chain ester units; (B) a continuous layer of hydrophilic elastomer 0.3-6 mils thick adhered to the hydrophobic layer and having a water vapor transmission rate of about 3500-20,000 gm.mil/m 2 /24 hrs., according to ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW), said hydrophilic elastomer is a copolyetherester elastomer having a multiplicity of long-chain and short-chain ester units joined head-to-tail through ester linkages represented by formulae (I) and (II) above and having the values given above with the proviso that the amount of ethylene oxide groups incorporated in the copolyetherester elastomer by the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol is from about 25-68 weight percent based on the total weight of the elastomer, and the copolyetherester elastomer contains about 40-60 weight percent short-chain ester units; and said bicomponent film of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers has a separation ratio for water vapor of at least about 1.6 as determined by ASTM E96-66 (Procedure BW).

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 18 words

A flexible layered product of claim 25 wherein the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol of the hydrophilic elastomer is poly(ethylene oxide)glycol.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 29 words

A flexible layered product of claim 25 wherein the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol of the hydrophobic elastomer is poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol and the poly(alkylene oxide)glycol of the hydrophilic elastomer is poly(ethylene oxide)glycol.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 75 words

A flexible layered product of claim 25 wherein at least about 70 percent of the groups represented by R in Formulae (I) and (II) above are 1,4-phenylene radicals and at least about 70 percent of the groups represented by D in Formula (II) above are 1,4-butylene radicals and the sum of the percentages of the R groups which are not 1,4-phenylene radicals and the D groups which are not 1,4-butylene radicals does not exceed 30%.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 15 words

A flexible layered product of claim 25 wherein the hydrophilic elastomer contains an inorganic filler.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-02-15	1991-08-17	1992-02-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-02-15	1995-08-17	1996-02-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-02-15	1999-08-17	2000-02-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Vapor-permeable, waterproof bicomponent structure

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