GB2383300A

GB2383300A - Buoyant foam material

Info

Publication number: GB2383300A
Application number: GB0130579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Carroll
Original assignee: Sundridge Tackle Ltd
Current assignee: Sundridge Tackle Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-21
Filing date: 2001-12-21
Publication date: 2003-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-21
Also published as: GB0130579D0; GB2383300B

Abstract

A buoyancy foam plastic material incorporates vapour filled bubbles and has cuts provided in the foam to allow the passage of water vapour therethrough. The cuts can be a variety of lengths and configurations and may be 2 cm long and X-shaped. The vapour in the bubbles may be air. The foam may be used to form floatation suits or buoyancy aids, the cuts opening as the wearer moves to allow perspiration in the form of water vapour to escape.

Description

"Improvements in or relating to buoyancy foam material" The present invention concerns a material for use in a flotation suit/buoyancy aid.

Such suits are generally reproduced using waterproof outer shell material which can be coated on the inside with a breathable polyurethane film which allows air to pass through, but not water, thus forming a waterproof breathable outer shell. This means that any water vapour caused through perspiration by the user can be dispersed through the outer shell to the outside keeping the user dry and comfortable.

Such suits function by having a layer of plastic buoyancy foam stitched to the inside of the outer shell material. The plastic foam is comprised of closed cells such as air filled bubbles which provide buoyancy should the user fall into the water.

The problem with existing buoyancy foam is that it is not breathable-air cannot pass through it although it does keep out water. The wearer of such a garment can, therefore, become uncomfortable through perspiration being unable to be dispersed to the outside of the garment.

In order to permit water vapour to pass through the flotation foam it is necessary to create apertures using either holes which can be cut or pierced through the foam or, alternatively, a series of cuts which allow water vapour to pass through. The use of holes is not ideal because the method needed to make holes in

flotation foam requires pressure and also, possibly, heat. The application of this can damage the structure of the foam so that it is unable to pass the necessary CE safety tests.

According to the present invention a buoyancy foam plastics material comprises vapour filled bubbles having cuts in the foam which can be made in a variety of lengths and configurations. A preferred configuration is to have'X' shaped cuts, called crosscut, which allows water vapour to pass through, particularly when the suit is being used by somebody who is moving. The movement causes flexing of the foam which opens the cuts allowing water vapour to pass through. One example comprises cuts which are each about 2cms long and spaced at differing intervals depending upon the degree of breathability required. In very cold country conditions less breathability may be needed.

Whilst at present'X'shaped cuts have been considered, it is envisaged that other shaped cuts could be made in the foam.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A buoyancy foam plastic material comprising vapour filled bubbles having cuts in the foam which can be made in a variety of lengths and configurations.

2. A buoyancy foam plastics material as claimed in claim 1, in which the cuts are X shaped called cross cut.

3. A buoyancy foam plastic material as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each cut efft is about 2cm long and are spaced at different intervals as required for the degree of breathability required.

4. A buoyancy foam plastic material as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the vapour is air.

5. A buoyancy foam plastics material constructed and arranged substantially as herein described.

<Desc/Clms Page number 4>

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A buoyancy foam plastic material having vapour or air filled bubbles and cuts in the foam, which cuts can be made in a variety of lengths and configurations.
2. A buoyancy foam plastic material as claimed in claim 1, in which the cuts are each X shaped or so called cross-cut.
3. A buoyancy foam plastic material as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each cut is about 2cm long and the cuts are spaced at different intervals as required for a degree of breathability required.
4. A buoyancy foam plastic material as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, in which the vapour is air.
5. A buoyancy foam plastic material constructed and arranged substantially as herein described.
6. A buoyancy or floatation foamed plastics material including vapour/gas or air filled bubbles as closed cells and having apertures in the form of cuts or piercings through the foam material such as open on flexing of the foam material to enable water-vapour to pass through.
7. A material as claimed in claim 6, in which the cuts are X shaped or so called cross-cuts.
8. A material as claimed in claim 6 or 7, in which each cut is about 2cm long and such cuts are spaced at different intervals as required for the degree of breathability required.
9. A material constructed and arranged substantially as herein described.

<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
10. A flexible buoyant foamed plastics material having vapour/gas or air filled bubbles as closed cells and having cuts or piercings through the foam material which in the unflexed condition of the foam material are substantially closed but which open on flexing of the foam material such as to allow water vapour to pass through.
11. A material as claimed in claim 10, in which the cuts are X-shaped cuts or so called cross-cuts or slits or other shape or configuration.
12. A material as claimed in claim 10 or 11, in which the cuts or piercings are spaced apart and/or configured or shaped and/or sized (e. g. 2cm long) such as to achieve the required breathability or passage of water vapour.
13. A garment or buoyancy aid whenever including a buoyant foam material as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12.
14. A garment as claimed in claim 13 having a outer material or "outer- shell".
15. A garment as claimed in claim 14, in which the outer material has a coating on its normally inner side which allows the passage of air and water vapour but not water.
16. A garment as claimed in claim 15, in which the coating is a breathable polyurethane film.
17. A garment as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, in which the foam material is provided inwardly of the outer material.
18. A garment as claimed in claim 17, in which the foam material is stitched to the outer material.