An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic strips sheets via spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength between the two opposed plastic strips. At the same time, the plastic strips facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.

An internal tensioning structure for use in an inflatable product fulfills the basic function of maintaining two adjacent inflatable surfaces in a desired geometric arrangement when the inflatable product is pressurized. The tensioning structure is formed by connecting a pair of plastic sheets to spaced-apart strands, such as strings or wires. When pulled taut, the strands provide a high tensile strength. At the same time, the plastic sheets facilitate a strong, long-lasting weld between the tensioning structure and the inflatable product.

A welding process of an inflatable product is provided that includes using isolating members between first and second portions of weldable tensioning members to resist the first and second portions of the weldable tensioning structures being welded together during welding of the first portions to a first sheet of weldable material and welding of the second portions to a second sheet of weldable material.

A material joint connecting an internal spar or baffle to panel walls of inflatable structures. The material joint is formed by a folded center strip and a pair of side strips. The side edges of the center strip are folded to form an initial T-shaped cross-section having a middle section, two side sections formed by a first bend, and two overlapping end sections formed by a second bend. The middle section is fused directly to the facing surface of the panel wall and the overlapping end sections are fused together to extend perpendicularly from the middle section. The end strips overlap the center strip with part of the end strips fused to the side sections of the center strip and part fused directly to the panel wall. The spar or baffle is connected to the fused overlapping end sections of the center strip. Under the internal air pressure of the inflated structure, the side sections bow and arc under tension from the connected spar or baffle and the middle section acts as a bridge to lift and flatten the exterior surface of the panel wall across its width.

A method includes applying a transferrable material to an outer surface of a casting plate to form a pattern on the outer surface of the casting plate. After applying of the transferrable material, a composite material is applied to the outer surface of the casting plate to form an inflatable membrane. The composite material covers at least a portion of the pattern and includes a florescent material and a pigment material. The inflatable membrane is cured to allow removal of the inflatable membrane from the casting plate. The inflatable membrane has an inner surface having the pattern detectable upon receiving of light causing the fluorescing material to emit florescent light.

A garment for the practice of water sports includes lumens for containing air. The garment is made of two superimposed neoprene sheets forming one or more lumens limited on their periphery by winding or angled welding lines.

A sealing device generally includes a rotatable support cylinder having an outer, circumferential surface and a heating element disposed about such surface and secured thereto such that the heating element rotates therewith. The heating element is coiled about the outer surface of the cylinder in the form of an overlapping helical pattern. Juxtaposed film plies may be sealed together by bringing the sealing device into rotational contact with the juxtaposed film plies and heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to cause the film plies to seal together.

A bleach compatible mattress cover made of a non-woven polyolefin material and defining an interior cavity. The interior cavity configured to receive a mattress structure which may include a first and second support structure disposed in the interior cavity. In certain embodiments, the mattress cover has a Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate of greater than or equal 400 to less than 10,000, 7500 or more particularly less than 5000 grams per square meter per day and a hydrostatic head of 100 cm or greater and passes ASTM 1670 and

An automated system and method are disclosed for producing an inflatable product having a first sheet, a second sheet, and a plurality of tensioning structures between the first and second sheets. The system includes an upstream tensioning structure production subsystem that produces the tensioning structures and a downstream preassembly production subsystem that couples the tensioning structures to the first and second sheets. The subsystems may operate simultaneously to produce the inflatable product in an automated, efficient, and repeatable manner.

Ice may form along the leading edge of an aircraft wing or horizontal and vertical stabilizers. A pneumatic deicer system may be configured to inflate and dislodge ice along the leading edge of lift and control surfaces. The pneumatic deicer system may comprise a laser welded deicing boot attached to the leading edge. The compressed air can be directed to the deicing boot, inflating the deicing boot along inflatable tubes formed by laser welds, which can crack and dislodge the ice. A method of manufacturing a laser welded pneumatic deicer boot is also disclosed.