Patents Assigned to W.L. Gore & Associates GmbH
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Patent number: 10085500Abstract: The present invention relates to an envelope (20) for a laminar structure (100) providing adaptive thermal insulation, the envelope (20) enclosing at least one cavity (16) having included therein a gas generating agent (18) having an unactivated configuration and an activated configuration, the gas generating agent (18) being adapted to change from the unactivated configuration to the activated configuration, such as to increase a gas pressure inside the cavity (16), in response to an increase in temperature in the cavity (16), the envelope (20) having, in the unactivated configuration of the gas generating agent (18), a flat shape with a thickness (d) of the envelope (20) being smaller than a lateral extension (A) of the envelope (20), the envelope (20) being configured such that the thickness (d) of the envelope (20) increases in response to the increase in gas pressure inside the cavity (16), the cavity including at least a first sub-cavity (16a) and a second sub-cavity (16b) at least partially stacked aboType: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH, W. L. Gore & Associates, SARLInventors: Guenter Kiederle, Helga Baumgaertler, Christophe Didelot
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Patent number: 10005258Abstract: 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° C., a shear modulus of not more than 3×105 Pa 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Alexander Zaggl, Helmut Klug, Holger Zoudlik
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Patent number: 9988506Abstract: A tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymer film having a first endotherm between about 50° C. and about 300° C., a second endotherm between about 320° C. and about 350° C., and a third endotherm between about 350° C. and about 400° C. is provided. In exemplary embodiments, the third endotherm is approximately 380° C. In some embodiments, the second endotherm is between about 320° C. and about 330° C. or between about 330° C. and about 350° C. TFE copolymer films have a methane permeability less than about 20 ?g*micron/cm2/min. In addition, the dense articles have a void volume of less than about 20%. Methods for dense articles from core shell tetrafluoroethylene copolymers are also provided. The dense articles exhibit improved physical and mechanical properties such as adhesion and barrier properties.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Lawrence A. Ford, Michael E. Kennedy, Shaofeng Ran, Todd S. Sayler, Gregory J. Shafer
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Patent number: 9968808Abstract: The invention relates to a laminar structure (10) providing adaptive thermal insulation, comprising a first layer (22), a second layer (24), at least one cavity (16) provided in between the first layer (22) and the second layer (24), a gas generating agent (18) having an unactivated configuration and an activated configuration, the gas generating agent (18) being adapted to change from the unactivated configuration to the activated configuration, such as to increase a gas pressure inside the cavity (16), in response to an increase in temperature in the cavity (16), the first layer (22), the second layer (24) and the cavity (16) being arranged such that a distance (D) between the first layer (22) and the second layer (24) increases in response to the increase in gas pressure inside the cavity (16).Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Guenter Kiederle, Stefan Hauer, Helga Baumgaertler, Reiner Kasemann, Johann Seibert, Janine T. Bohlmann
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Patent number: 9927061Abstract: The present invention relates to an envelope (20) for a laminar structure providing adaptive thermal insulation, the envelope (20) enclosing at least one cavity (16) having included therein a gas generating agent (18) having an unactivated configuration and an activated configuration, the gas generating agent (18) being adapted to change from the unactivated configuration to the activated configuration, such as to increase a gas pressure inside the cavity (16), in response to an increase in temperature in the cavity (16), the envelope (20) being configured such that a volume of the envelope (20) increases in response to the increase in gas pressure inside the cavity (16), wherein the envelope (20) is made of a polymer composite material (8), the polymer composite material (8) including a fluid tight layer which is covered by a reinforcing layer comprising a polymer material, the rein-forcing layer being configured to limit formation of wrinkles in the fluid tight layer (8b) when subjecting the envelope (20) tType: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Anatolio Pigliucci, Stefan Hauer
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Patent number: 9854867Abstract: A shoe according to the invention comprises an upper assembly comprising an upper portion (10) having an outer material (11) for surrounding a foot and a lower portion (20) having at least a breathable layer (21). The shoe also comprises a sole comprising a ventilating container element (113) having a bottom part (103) and a side wall (102) surrounding said bottom part (103) so as to form an inner space of the ventilating container element (113), the ventilating container element being arranged below and attached to the upper assembly, and a filler structure or material (61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 112) allowing for air flow through it placed in the inner space of the ventilating container element (113).Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH, W. L. Gore & Associates Scandinavia AB, ECCO Sko A/SInventors: Christian Bier, Stane Nabernik, Thorger Hübner, Tore Strömfors, Frank Jensen, Jakob Møller Hansen
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Patent number: 9849629Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Zaggl, Bernadette Heller, Andre Hartmann
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Patent number: 9756898Abstract: Item of footwear (100) having an upper arrangement (112) and a sole (114), wherein the upper arrangement (112) has a top material (116) and on air-permeable layer (140) arranged in a base of the upper, the air-permeable layer (140) is arranged above the sole (114), in a sole-side, bottom region of the upper arrangement (112), the air-permeable layer (140) has a three-dimensional structure allowing the through-passage of air in at least the horizontal direction, and a sole-side, bottom peripheral region of the top material (116) of the upper is replaced, over at least part of its peripheral extent, by at least one connecting material (210) which, beginning at least above an underside of the air-permeable layer (140) and running outside the air-permeable layer (140), is arranged on the base of the upper and is air-permeable at least in a sub-region located at least in part at the same level as the air-permeable layer (140), and thus connects the air-permeable layer (140) to the exterior surroundings such that aType: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH, W. L. Gore & Associati, S.r.l.Inventors: Marc Peikert, Ambrosius Bauer, Christian Bier, Andrea Giupponi
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Patent number: 9750301Abstract: Item of footwear having an upper arrangement and a sole, wherein the upper arrangement has a top material and an air-permeable layer arranged in a base of the upper, the air-permeable layer is arranged above the sole, in a sole-side, bottom region of the upper arrangement, the air-permeable layer has a three-dimensional structure allowing the through-passage of air in at least the horizontal direction, and a sole-side, bottom peripheral region of the top material of the upper is replaced, over at least part of its peripheral extent, by at least one connecting material which, beginning at least above an underside of the air-permeable layer and running outside the air-permeable layer, is arranged on the base of the upper and is air-permeable at least in a sub-region located at least in part at the same level as the air-permeable layer and thus connects the air-permeable layer to the exterior surroundings such that air can be exchanged between the exterior surroundings and the air-permeable layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Christian Bier, Marc Peikert, Ambrosius Bauer
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Patent number: 9717301Abstract: A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Marc Peikert, Stane Nabernik
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Patent number: 9687040Abstract: A footwear (10) comprises an upper arrangement (20) and a sole (30), in which the upper arrangement (20) comprises an upper material (12) comprising in a lower peripheral area at least one air permeable portion (14), an air-permeable layer (16) arranged in a lower area of the upper arrangement (20) on the sole side above the sole (30), wherein the air-permeable layer (16) is water vapor permeable and has a three-dimensional structure that permits passage of air at least in the horizontal direction; and at least one water vapor permeable functional layer (18) arranged on an inner side of the upper material (12) and above the air-permeable layer (16).Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH, W. L. Gore & Associati, S.r.l.Inventors: Marc Peikert, Russell Brill, Andrea Giupponi
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Patent number: 9687041Abstract: A water-vapor permeable shoe-sole combination (15) with an upper side (5) having at least on through hole (31) extending through the thickness of the shoe-sole combination, a barrier unit (35) with an upper side forming at least part of the upper side (50) of the shoe-sole combination, made of a water-vapor permeable barrier material (33) that forms a barrier against penetration of foreign bodies, by means of which the at least one through hole (31) is closed in a water-vapor permeable manner, a reinforcement device (25) formed for mechanical reinforcement of the shoe-sole combination (105), constructed with at least one reinforcement web (37) arranged on at least one surface of the barrier material (33) and at least partially crossing the at least one through hole (31), and at least one walking-sole part (117) arranged beneath the barrier unit (35).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Marc Peikert, Stane Nabernik
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Patent number: 9662516Abstract: The invention relates to a laminar structure (10) providing adaptive thermal insulation, comprising a first layer (12), a second layer (14), at least one cavity (16) provided in between the first layer (12) and the second layer (14), the cavity (16) being enclosed by a water vapor permeable and at least temporarily gas impermeable envelope (20); a gas generating agent (18) having an unactivated configuration and an activated configuration, the gas generating agent (18) being adapted to change from the unactivated configuration to the activated configuration, such as to increase a gas pressure inside the cavity (16), in response to an increase in temperature in the cavity (16), the first layer (12), the second layer (14) and the cavity (16) being arranged such that a distance (d) between the first layer (12) and the second layer (14) increases in response to the increase in gas pressure inside the cavity (16).Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Guenter Kiederle, Stefan Hauer, Helga Baumgaertler, Reiner Kasemann
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Patent number: 9650479Abstract: A tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymer film having a first endotherm between about 50° C. and about 300° C., a second endotherm between about 320° C. and about 350° C., and a third endotherm between about 350° C. and about 400° C. is provided. In exemplary embodiments, the third endotherm is approximately 380° C. In some embodiments, the second endotherm is between about 320° C. and about 330° C. or between about 330° C. and about 350° C. TFE copolymer films have a methane permeability less than about 20 ?g*micron/cm2/min. In addition, the dense articles have a void volume of less than about 20%. Methods for dense articles from core shell tetrafluoroethylene copolymers are also provided. The dense articles exhibit improved physical and mechanical properties such as adhesion and barrier properties.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Lawrence A. Ford, Michael E. Kennedy, Shaofeng Ran, Todd S. Sayler, Gregory J. Shafer
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Patent number: 9644054Abstract: A dense article that includes a dense TFE copolymer film is provided. The dense TFE copolymer film includes a first endotherm between about 50° C. and about 300° C., a second endotherm between about 320° C. and about 350° C., and a third endotherm between about 350° C. and about 400° C. To form the dense article, a core shell TFE copolymer is formed into a pellet, ram extruded into a tape, dried into a dried preform, and then stretched into a dense TFE copolymer film that exhibits improved physical and mechanical properties. The dense TFE copolymer film is produced directly from the dried preform at a deformation temperature less than about 335° C. and without increasing the porosity of the dried preform, as would conventionally be done in expansion processes. The dense TFE copolymer films have a methane permeability less than about 20 ?g*micron/cm2/min. The dense articles have a void volume less than about 20%.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Lawrence A. Ford, Michael E. Kennedy, Shaofeng Ran, Todd S. Sayler, Gregory J. Shafer
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Patent number: 9585435Abstract: A Waterproof, breathable shoe according to the present invention comprises an upper assembly (8) with an upper portion (10) including a breathable outer material (11) and with a bottom portion (20), said upper assembly (8) comprising a waterproof, breathable functional layer arrangement (18; 13, 21) extending over said upper portion (10) and said bottom portion (20). The shoe further comprises a ventilating sole element having a structure or material allowing for air flow through it, said ventilating sole element being attached to said upper assembly (8), wherein at least one lateral passage (50) extends from said structure or material through a side wall (702) of said ventilating sole element, said lateral passage (50) allowing for communication of air between said structure or material of said ventilating sole element and an outside of said ventilating sole element.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH, W. L. Gore & Associates Scandinavia AB, ECCO Sko A/SInventors: Christian Bier, Stane Nabernik, Thorger Hübner, Tore Strömfors, Frank Jensen, Jakob Møller Hansen
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Patent number: 9534159Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an ionic fluoropolymer in its H-form for the formation of an antistatic coating on a non-conductive substrate, and to a cable comprising an outermost non-conductive layer with a coating thereon which comprises an ionic fluoropolymer in its H-form.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Bürger
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Patent number: 9510640Abstract: A ventilating sole element (173) for a shoe according to the present invention comprises a side wall (608). A channel structure (178) is formed in the ventilating sole element (173) that comprises a plurality of channels (181, 183, 184). At least some of the lateral ends of said channels (181, 183, 184) are formed as air and moisture discharging ports (182), and at least one of the channels (181, 183, 184) is a peripheral channel (183) that intersects with a plurality of channels (181, 184). The channels (181, 183, 184) and the side wall (608) form functional pillars (400, 401); and said ventilating sole element (173) has a ratio of top surface area (Ap) of the functional pillars (400, 401) to top surface area (Ac) of the channels (181, 183, 184) between 0.5 and 5.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH, W. L. Gore & Associates Scandinavia AB, ECCO Sko A/SInventors: Christian Bier, Stane Nabernik, Thorger Hübner, Tore Strömfors, Frank Jensen, Jakob Møller Hansen
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Patent number: 9457205Abstract: The invention relates to a laminate, comprising at least one first textile layer and a second textile layer, wherein the first textile layer or the second textile layer comprises at least one thermally resistant fiber, also comprising at least one barrier layer which is arranged between the first textile layer and the second textile layer and is connected to the respective first textile layer and the respective second textile layer. The first textile layer is designed in the form of a single-bed knitted fabric or double-bed knitted fabric having tuck loops and the second textile layer is designed in the form of a double-bed knitted fabric having no tuck loops. The invention also relates to protective clothing comprising such a laminate.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbHInventors: Ruediger John, Bernd Zischka
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Patent number: D763083Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, GmbHInventors: Mike Seybel, Joona Riihimäki, Rainer Enggruber