Abstract: The invention relates to foam structures with enhanced physical properties which can be used in the areas of packaging, athletics, water sports, and construction. In general, the structures are laminated polymer foams that include a core of a low density foam and one or more skins of relatively high density foam covering the core. The skins provide improved physical properties to the foam structures by improving the flexural strength, resistance to bending, and resulting damage from bending in the laminated foam structure while modestly increasing the weight of the laminated structure, for example. Uses of the foam structures include, but are not limited to, packaging materials, gym mats, body boards, or eaves fillers.

Abstract: A cushioned bag has two adjacent multilayered sections comprising an outer layer of flexible thermoplastic material, a middle layer (or partial middle layer) of polyolefin film, and an inner layer of cushioning material. The sections are fused together along at least one edge of the bag to form a seamed edge comprising a fused bead. Apparatus for making a bag having a beaded edge includes cooperating heated jaws between which the bead is formed. A method of using the apparatus to make the bag includes rotating take-up rolls faster than feed rolls to pull the bag cleanly away from the jaws along the bead forming the seamed edge.