Article with moisture resistance properties

Abstract

An article having resistance to moisture includes a base layer, a screening layer, and an outer layer. The screening layer is resistant to penetration by moisture in the liquid phase and may be permeable to moisture in the vapor phase. In one embodiment the screening layer has a moisture vapor transmission rate in the range of 0 to 0.5 g per mil/100 in 2 per day as determined according to ASTM D-96 at 90% relative humidity and 100° F. The screening layer may comprise one or more layers. Optionally, a screening layer may be resistant to penetration both by moisture in the liquid and in the vapor phase.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composite material having resistance to water comprising: 
 a first layer of leather; and    a screening layer substantially coextensive with and joined to a side of the first layer, the screening layer being resistant to penetration by moisture in the liquid phase.    
     
     
         2 . The material of  claim 1  further comprising a second layer of leather substantially coextensive with and joined to a free side of the screening layer.  
     
     
         3 . The material of  claim 1  further comprising a second layer of leather substantially coextensive with and joined to a free side of the screening layer wherein the first layer, screening layer and second layer are bonded to form a laminate.  
     
     
         4 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the screening layer additionally has a moisture vapor transmission rate in the range of about 0 to 0.5 grams per mil/100 inches 2  per day when tested according to ASTM D-96 at 90 percent relative humidity and 100° F.  
     
     
         5 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the screening layer additionally has a moisture vapor transmission rate in the range of about 0.0001 to 0.3 grams per mil/100 inches 2  per day when tested according to ASTM D-96 at 90 percent relative humidity and 100° F.  
     
     
         6 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the screening layer additionally has a moisture vapor transmission rate in the range of about 0.01 to 0.2 grams per mil/100 inches 2  per day when tested according to ASTM D-96 at 90 percent relative humidity and 100° F.  
     
     
         7 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the screening layer comprises discontinuities.  
     
     
         8 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the screening layer comprises more than one layer.  
     
     
         9 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the screening layer comprises a preformed layer.  
     
     
         10 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the screening layer comprises a coating over the side of the first layer.  
     
     
         11 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the screening layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, halogenated polyolefin, polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polybutadiene terephthalate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, rubber, epoxy, polytetrafluoroethylene and metal.  
     
     
         12 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the screening layer comprises at least one coating material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyidiene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, rubber, epoxy, polytetrafluoroethylene and metal.  
     
     
         13 . An article comprising an outer layer of leather; and a screening layer substantially coextensive with and joined to the outer layer, the screening layer being resistant to penetration by moisture in the liquid phase.  
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein said article is selected from the group consisting of a glove, a fielders glove, a shoe and a game ball.  
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 13  further comprising an underlying layer of leather substantially coextensive with a free side of the screening layer and adhesive disposed between the adjacent layers wherein the outer layer, screening layer and underlying layer are bonded to form a laminate.  
     
     
         16 . A game ball comprising an outer layer overlying a reinforcing lining and a screening layer substantially coextensive with the outer layer and disposed between the outer layer and the reinforcing lining, wherein the screening layer is resistant to penetration by liquid water.  
     
     
         17 . The game ball of  claim 16 , wherein the outer layer consists essentially of natural leather or synthetic leather.  
     
     
         18 . The game ball of  claim 16 , wherein the screening layer is laminated to an inner surface of the outer layer.  
     
     
         20 . A game ball having resistance to water comprising an outer layer and a screening layer substantially coextensive with and joined to an inner side of the outer layer, the screening layer being resistant to penetration by moisture in the liquid phase.