Abstract: The present invention relates to membranes including an urethane including a polyester polyol, wherein the membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas wherein the membrane has an average thickness of approximately 20.0 mils. Under certain embodiments, the membranes include blends of one or more polyester polyol based thermoplastic urethanes and one or more barrier materials. The membranes can be employed in a variety of applications and can be used as either monolayers or multi-layered laminates.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2001
Date of Patent:
February 17, 2004
Assignees:
Nike, Inc., Tetra Plastics, Inc., Nike International Ltd.
Abstract: The present invention relates to membranes including an urethane including a polyester polyol, wherein the membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas wherein the membrane has an average thickness of approximately 20.0 mils. Under certain embodiments, the membranes include blends of one or more polyester polyol based thermoplastic urethanes and one or more barrier materials. The membranes can be employed in a variety of applications and can be used as either monolayers or multi-layered laminates.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2001
Date of Patent:
November 25, 2003
Assignees:
Nike, Inc., Tetra Plastics, Inc., Nike International Ltd.
Abstract: The present invention relates to laminated membranes formed by multi-layer processing techniques including alternating layers of thermoplastic urethane and a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol. The membranes are characterized in that hydrogen bonds are formed between the layers of thermoplastic urethane and the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol. The membranes are characterized in that hydrogen bonds are formed between the layers of thermoplastic urethane and the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 19, 1996
Date of Patent:
September 16, 2003
Assignees:
Nike, Inc., Tetra Plastics
Inventors:
Erwin C. Shepard, DeWayne R. Hartlerood, Paul H. Mitchell
Abstract: Products in the form of cushioning devices made from flexible membranes employing at least one layer including thermoplastic urethane and at least one layer of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol are inflatable to a relatively high pressure. The cushioning devices maintain the internal inflatant pressure for extended periods of time by employing a phenomenon referred to in the industry as diffusion pumping. Ideally, the cushioning devices of the present invention can be permanently inflated with gases such as nitrogen or air.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 1995
Date of Patent:
February 3, 1998
Assignees:
Nike, Inc., Tetra Plastics, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul H. Mitchell, James C. Sell, Jr., Henry W. Bonk
Abstract: A plastic tube and tube end cap for installation in a metal tube or the like when the metal tube is positioned extending through a passage in a tube sheet, such that the plastic tube and end cap cooperate to accurately position an explosive charge which, when detonated, causes the plastic tube to expand outwardly against the metallic tube with such force that the metal tube makes intimate contact with the respective passage through which it extends in the tube sheet, without contaminating or damaging the metal tube in the process. The subject plastic tube and tube end cap have portions which cooperate to hold them together and further cooperate so that when the plastic tube is inserted into the metal tube the explosive charge will be accurately positioned.