Microcreped Laminated Microporous Membranes for Soft Waterproof Textiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microporous membranes used in textile applications lack mechanical strength, stretch, recovery, and softness, making them inadequate for repeated use and wearer comfort, while also being hydrophobic and not breathable for liquid water.
Innovation Solution
A laminated composite microporous membrane is created using microcreping to introduce small, regularly spaced crepes, profiles, or wrinkles, enhancing mechanical strength, elasticity, and softness, and combining two dissimilar porous membrane layers with different friction properties using heat, compression, and adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyolefin microporous membranes are used for waterproofness and breathability, then water vapor permeation is enabled, but mechanical strength and softness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by laminating a polyolefin microporous membrane with a textile substrate (such as nylon or polyester fabric). This combination integrates the waterproofness and breathability of the polyolefin membrane with the mechanical strength and softness of the textile, resolving the contradiction between protection performance and mechanical durability.
2Reliability
If polyolefin microporous membranes are used for waterproofness, then liquid water is repelled, but mechanical strength and elasticity are inadequate for repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polyolefin microporous membrane with textile substrates (nylon, polyester, or blends) to create a composite structure. The textile component provides the necessary mechanical strength and elasticity for repeated use, while the polyolefin layer maintains waterproofness, thus resolving the contradiction between waterproof protection and mechanical durability.
3Reliability
If polyolefin microporous membranes are used for breathability, then water vapor can permeate, but softness and conformability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent laminates polyolefin microporous membrane with soft textile substrates such as nylon or polyester fabric. The textile component imparts softness and conformability to the composite, enabling it to drape well over body contours, while the polyolefin layer preserves breathability through its microporous structure that allows water vapor permeation.
4Reliability
If microporous membrane structure is used for water vapor permeation, then breathability is achieved, but mechanical strength and resiliency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by laminating microporous polyolefin membrane with reinforcing textile layers (nylon, polyester, or blend fabrics). The textile substrate provides the necessary mechanical strength and resiliency, while the microporous polyolefin layer maintains breathability, thus resolving the contradiction between gas permeation capability and mechanical durability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The microcreped membrane achieves increased mechanical strength, improved breathability, and 'next-to-the-skin' softness, allowing for better conformability and comfort, while maintaining waterproofness and air permeability.
Implementation Method 1
Due to their chemical nature, polyolefin microporous membranes are hydrophobic and repel water. While water in the liquid state is repelled by polyolefin porous membranes, water vapor molecules in their gaseous state are able to permeate into the porous structure of the membrane and pass through its pores.
Implementation Method 2
water vapor molecules in their gaseous state are able to permeate into the porous structure of the membrane and pass through its pores
Implementation Method 3
composite microporous membranes which are composed of two or more dissimilar porous membrane or material layers laminated together, for example, using heat, compression and/or adhesives
Implementation Method 4
laminated together, for example, using heat, compression and/or adhesives
Implementation Method 5
laminated together, for example, using heat, compression and/or adhesives
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to novel, improved, modified or treated microporous membranes for use in textile related applications and which are preferably composed of two or more dissimilar porous membrane or material layers laminated together using heat, compression and/or adhesives. The preferred inventive laminated composite microporous membrane is modified using a technique or treatment such as microcreping to introduce permanent small, regularly spaced, crepes, profiles, compactions, pleats, or wrinkles into the laminated composite microporous membrane for the purpose of improving mechanical strength, elasticity and/or resiliency. In addition, the inventive microcreped microporous laminated membrane more preferably has significantly improved ‘hand’ or softness, has ‘next-to-the-skin’ softness, and/or is quiet without crinkling noises during movement, which may be desired performance properties or characteristics of or in textile garments, materials or applications.