| abstract |
Textile fabrics are formed into containers, envelopes, or bags which are adapted to be partially or completely filled with a fluid, e.g. water or other liquid or to be inflated with air or other gas. A coating of an acrylic addition polymer is provided on one face of the flexible fabric and covered with a layer of fibrous material. The fiber-coated face becomes the interior wall of the container and prevents adhesion of adjacent internal walls when the container is in collapsed condition. This permits storage of the container in collapsed condition over long periods of time and at temperatures ranging from -20* to 200*F. without developing cracks in the coating or adhesion of the internal surfaces and thereby interfering with the inflation of the container. Such containers are useful as air-mattresses, waterfilled mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, lifebelts, lifeboats, air-filled or water-filled chairs, ottomans, etc. They may be stored in automobiles or other vehicles for automatic inflation upon collision impact to protect passengers therein from injury by cushioning effect. |