Abstract: A water and acoustic barrier positionable between a vehicle trim piece and a vehicle body member includes a sheet having a first layer formed of an interpolymer material and a second sheet layer formed of a polyethylene material. A raised rib is formed about at least a portion of a sheet perimeter. The raised rib having an adhesive bead forms a seal between the sheet and the vehicle body member. A raised form positioned adjacent the raised rib but oppositely oriented from the raised rib acts to substantially equalize a sealing pressure along the length of the raised rib. A plurality of apertures define fastener attachment points to connect the barrier to the vehicle trim piece.

Abstract: A multilayered, breathable, waterproof fabric and a process for manufacturing this fabric have been disclosed. The invention consists of a fabric substrate first coated with an adhesive foam formed from a fully reacted polymer such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, acrylic, polystyrene or mixtures thereof. A microporous membrane structure is formed upon the adhesive foam from thermoplastic polymers. The microporous membrane provides the coated fabric with the properties of waterproofness and breathability. A continuous film formed from acrylic, polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane latexes, is coated on the surface of the microporous layer. The function of this continuous film is to protect the delicate microporous membrane. The process of manufacturing the waterproof and breathable fabric utilizes economical coating technology rather than costly laminating techniques used in the prior art of manufacture of breathable fabrics.