United States Patent [w]
Hurley et al.
US006054005A [ii] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:
[54] POLYMER STRUCTURES WITH ENHANCED PROPERTIES
[75] Inventors: Robert F. Hurley, Centerville;
Matthew L. Kozma, Osterville; John
D. Bambara, Osterville; Scott C.
Smith, Osterville, all of Mass.; Richard
Bambara, Cooperstown, N.Y.
[73] Assignee: Sentinel Products Corp., Hyannis,
Mass.
[21] Appl. No.: 09/302,057 [22] Filed: Apr. 30, 1999
Related U.S. Application Data
[62] Division of application No. 08/699,000, Aug. 16, 1996, Pat. No. 5,938,878.
[51] Int. CI.7 B32B 5/20
[52] U.S. CI 156/219; 156/209; 156/272.2;
428/316.6; 428/309.9; 428/218; 428/159; 428/36.5; 428/304.4; 36/86; 36/115; 36/116
[58] Field of Search 156/219, 209,
156/272.2; 428/316.6, 309.9, 218, 159, 36.5, 304.4; 36/86, 115, 116
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Primary Examiner—Donald E. Adams
Assistant Examiner—T. D. Wessendorf
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fish & Richardson PC.
[57] ABSTRACT
Polymer structures having a laminated surface and enhanced physical properties that can be used for packaging, athletic gear (e.g., padding, water sport equipment), gaskets, and protective garments are described. The structures include a core of a relatively high density material and one or more layers laminated to the surfaces of the core material of relatively low density polymer foam. The structures can be stiff or flexible. The foam layers improve the softness of the surfaces of the core material.
29 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
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