Abstract: A footwear construction that includes an improved footwear upper liner is provided. The liquid impermeable footwear upper liner is constructed of air permeable, waterproof and moisture vapor transmissive materials as well as air impermeable, waterproof and moisture vapor impermeable materials. A process for constructing a footwear component utilizing the improved footwear upper liner is also provided. The process comprises providing a sole; providing an upper that together with the sole define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements and securing the improved liquid impermeable footwear upper liner within the footwear so that the footwear upper liner is located underneath the upper. In an alternative embodiment, the improved footwear upper liner is attached to a sole to form a bootie for use in footwear construction.

Abstract: A vacuum bag media and associated method of production, which includes a first layer that includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and at least one second layer that includes a first component having a first melting point and a second component having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point, wherein the first layer is attached to the at least one second layer. The second layer can include cellulose material, spunbond, nonwoven fabric, and a thermal bond, nonwoven fabric. Attachment of the first layer of material to the at least one second layer of material can occur through thermobonding, e.g., heated gas, infrared heat and heated calender rolls. The application of adhesives and the use of ultrasonic energy can also bond the layers together. Approximately five percent (5%) to fifty percent (50%) of the first component can be selectively melted for superior airflow.

Abstract: A method of treating a membrane comprises the steps of providing a membrane with surfaces that define a plurality of pores extending through the membrane. Providing a dispersion of oleophobic fluoropolymer solids. Stabilizing the dispersion with a stabilizing agent. Diluting the dispersion with a wetting agent. Wetting surfaces which define the pores in the membrane with the diluted and stabilized dispersion. Removing the wetting agent and the stabilizing agent from the membrane. Coalescing the oleophobic fluoropolymer solids of the dispersion on surfaces that define pores in the membrane. A composite membrane comprises a porous membrane having a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the membrane and made from a material which tends to absorb oils and certain contaminating surfactants. A coating is disposed on surfaces of the nodes and fibrils defining the interconnecting passages in the membrane.

Abstract: A shoe construction that includes a sole and an upper, wherein the sole and the upper together define a volume for receiving and protecting a wearer's foot against external elements. There is a liquid impermeable bootie that includes an inner, upper liner that is attached to a sole liner. The inner, upper liner is preferably air permeable, moisture vapor transmissive, oleophobic and liquid impermeable and is located inside the upper. The sole liner is air impermeable, moisture vapor impermeable and liquid impermeable and is located above the sole. The sole liner is preferably, but not necessarily, inelastic. Materials that may be utilized for the inner, upper liner can include treated membranes. Some of the types of materials that may be used for the sole liner can include inelastic, thermoplastic materials, fiber reinforced polymeric materials and nonthermoplastic materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for modifying at least one property of a porous membrane. The method comprises the steps of providing a porous membrane. The method also includes exposing the membrane to a fluid at supercritical conditions. At least one property of the membrane is modified while the membrane is exposed to the fluid at supercritical conditions. The condition of the fluid is changed in such a manner that the porous membrane retains the modified property. The present invention is also sheet material that is water-resistant, moisture vapor transmissive and air permeable. The sheet material comprises a membrane having an open pore structure including surfaces defining a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the membrane and between major sides of said membrane in which the pores have an average pore size. The membrane is made from a material tending to absorb oils and contaminating agents.

Abstract: A method of treating a membrane comprises the steps of providing a membrane with surfaces that define a plurality of pores extending through the membrane. Providing a dispersion of oleophobic fluoropolymer solids. Stabilizing the dispersion with a stabilizing agent. Diluting the dispersion with a wetting agent. Wetting surfaces which define the pores in the membrane with the diluted and stabilized dispersion. Removing the wetting agent and the stabilizing agent from the membrane. Coalescing the oleophobic fluoropolymer solids of the dispersion on surfaces that define pores in the membrane. A composite membrane comprises a porous membrane having a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the membrane and made from a material which tends to absorb oils and certain contaminating surfactants. A coating is disposed on surfaces of the nodes and fibrils defining the interconnecting passages in the membrane.

Abstract: A method of treating a membrane comprises the steps of providing a membrane with surfaces that define a plurality of pores extending through the membrane. Providing a dispersion of oleophobic fluoropolymer solids. Stabilizing the dispersion with a stabilizing agent. Diluting the dispersion with a wetting agent. Wetting surfaces which define the pores in the membrane with the diluted and stabilized dispersion. Removing the wetting agent and the stabilizing agent from the membrane. Coalescing the oleophobic fluoropolymer solids of the dispersion on surfaces that define pores in the membrane.

Abstract: A method of treating a membrane (16) comprises the steps of providing a membrane (16) with a structure of node (22) and fibrils (24). Surfaces of the nodes (22) and fibrils (24) define a plurality of pores (26) extending through the membrane (16). The membrane (16) is made from an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material. A water-based dispersion of oleophobic fluoropolymer solids in a water-soluble solvent is provided. The dispersion has surface tension and relative contact angle properties such that the diluted dispersion is incapable of wetting the polytetrafluoroethylene material of the membrane (16). The dispersion is diluted with a liquid wetting agent so the diluted dispersion can wet the membrane (16). Surfaces of the nodes (22) and fibrils (24) are coated with the solids in the diluted dispersion. The wetting agent material and other fugitive material are removed.

Abstract: A filter element comprises a substrate constructed from at least two different materials. A first one of the materials has a first temperature at which the first material activates. A second one of the materials is at least a partially crystalline structure and has a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature at which the second material activates. A porous membrane is supported by the substrate. An attachment is between the substrate and the membrane. The attachment results from the second material of the substrate activated at a temperature less than the first temperature to engage portions of the membrane at spaced apart locations and fix together the membrane and the substrate upon the second material cooled to a temperature less than the second temperature.

Abstract: A pleatable and cleanable filter media (22) that has a HEPA filtration rating. The filter media (22) includes a porous primary filtration layer (22). The primary filtration layer tending to be less than HEPA rated upon being damaged. A first substrate layer (64) attached to said primary filtration layer (62) for maintaining the shape of the filter media (22). The first substrate layer (64) includes a non-woven filtration media and being less than HEPA rated. A second substrate layer (82) attached to the first substrate layer (64) functioning as a secondary filter in the event of damage to the primary filtration layer (62). The second substrate layer (82) includes a non-woven filtration media and being less than HEPA rated.

Abstract: A method of treating a membrane comprises the steps of providing a membrane with surfaces that define a plurality of pores extending through the membrane. Providing a dispersion of oleophobic fluoropolymer solids. Stabilizing the dispersion with a stabilizing agent. Diluting the dispersion with a wetting agent. Wetting surfaces which define the pores in the membrane with the diluted and stabilized dispersion. Removing the wetting agent and the stabilizing agent from the membrane. Coalescing the oleophobic fluoropolymer solids of the dispersion on surfaces that define pores in the membrane.

Abstract: A composite membrane (12) comprising a membrane (16) with a structure of nodes (22) connected by fibrils (24). Surfaces of the nodes (22) and fibrils (24) define a plurality of interconnecting pores (26) that extend through the membrane (16) and between major sides (18, 20) of the membrane. The membrane (16) is made from an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material which tends to tends to absorb oils and certain contaminating agents. The membrane (16) is moisture vapor transmissive, gas permeable and wind and liquid penetration resistant. A coating (28) is disposed on surfaces of the membrane (16) that define the pores (26). The coating (28) is made from an acrylic-based polymer with fluorocarbon side chains. The coating (28) is coalesced on surfaces of the nodes (22) and fibrils (24) to provide oil and certain contaminating agent resistance to the composite membrane (12) without completely blocking the pores (26) in the membrane (16).

Abstract: A filter element is adapted to be located in a gas stream. The filter element comprises a substrate having a structure selected from the group consisting of scrimed needled felt, scrimless needled felt, woven fabric and mesh. The substrate comprises at least two different materials. A first one of the materials has a first melting temperature. A second one of the materials has a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature. An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene filtering membrane is adapted to be located upstream relative to the substrate in the gas stream and supported by the substrate. The substrate is attached to the filtering membrane by the second material of the substrate melted to engage the membrane and fix the membrane to the substrate.

Abstract: A garment (20) for inhibiting relatively moving air from contacting a portion of a person wearing the garment. The garment (20) comprises a first panel (22) for inhibiting relative air movement contact against a portion of the body of the person. The first panel (22) includes a first fabric layer (62), a second fabric layer (64) and a first membrane (66) located between the first and second the first fabric layers. The first membrane (66) is water-resistant. The first panel (22) has an air permeability of not more than 3 CFM/ft.sup.2 and a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 800 gm/m.sup.2 .multidot.day. The garment (20) also comprises a second panel (24) connectable with the first panel (22). The second panel (24) includes a third fabric layer (62a), a fourth fabric layer (64a) and a second membrane (66a) located between the third and fourth fabric layers. The second membrane (66a) is water-resistant. The second panel (24) has an air permeability of at least 6 CFM/f.sup.