US 12,404,930 B2
Selectively densified membrane sealant and process for making same
John C. Gardner, Flagstaff, AZ (US)
Assigned to W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
Filed by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, DE (US)
Filed on Apr. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/659,831.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/177,590, filed on Apr. 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0341495 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. F16J 15/10 (2006.01); F16J 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16J 15/104 (2013.01) [F16J 15/022 (2013.01); F16J 15/102 (2013.01); F16J 15/108 (2013.01)] 34 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A selectively densified composite sealant, comprising:
a porous layer having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, the porous layer comprising a porous membrane and having alternating densified portions and undensified portions, the densified and undensified portions forming respective valleys and peaks in at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the porous layer;
at least one elastomeric layer disposed on one or both of the first and second major surfaces, the at least one elastomeric layer comprising an elastomeric material that fills the valleys in the first and/or second major surfaces of the porous layer, wherein the undensified portions are disconnected from each other and separated by the densified portions; and
wherein the valleys formed above the densified regions are filled with the elastomeric layer covering the non-densified regions more narrowly to form smooth top and bottom surfaces of the composite.