Non-stitch structure and method of manufacture for one-sided laminated wetsuits

Abstract

A wetsuit comprised of one-side laminated or the so-called skin panels of rubber sponges, sealed with a new sealant instead of normal stitching. The sealant can be solid or liquid depending on the material that will be sealed such as two cut panels sealed completely and without stitching. The new sealant structure, on opposing faces, enhances seam strength of the one-sided laminated wetsuit and can obviate blind-stitch and flat-stitch (or cover-stitch) on all seams assembled whether it's a one-sided or two-sided stitch. The normal blind-stitch or flat-stitch generates the needle holes that make the wetsuit end-users cold when the wetsuit is wet. The sewing thread also reduces both the flexibility and stretch of the wetsuit. The removal of stitches and the new sealant application make the wetsuit more watertight and flexible and improve aesthetics. The new sealant can be used on laminated rubber sponge wetsuit materials as well.

1 . A wetsuit comprising a plurality of abutting skin panels, sealingly joined edge-to-edge with a sealant instead of stitching.  
     
     
         2 . The wetsuit recited in  claim 1  wherein the sealant is solid or liquid depending on the panel material.  
     
     
         3 . The wetsuit recited in  claim 1  wherein the sealant is applied on both sides of the panels where they abut.  
     
     
         4 . The wetsuit recited in  claim 1  wherein the sealant is made of the base materials polyurethane or chloroprene, and bind with the skin panel to form the necessary strength of connection.  
     
     
         5 . The wetsuit recited in  claim 1  wherein the sealant obviates punctures caused by stitching.  
     
     
         6 . The wetsuit recited in  claim 1  wherein the sealant seals the wetsuit seams completely without stitching.  
     
     
         7 . The wetsuit recited in  claim 1  wherein the sealant is applied as a bead having a width of 5˜15 mm, and a thickness of 0.4˜1.5 mm.  
     
     
         8 . A method of sealing abutting wetsuit panels together without applying stitching which would otherwise reduce the water-tight integrity and flexibility of the wetsuit; the method comprising the steps of: 
 adjoining a plurality of wetsuit panels at least one of which is a skin panel so that the panels lay in a common plane and in abutting relation along a common seam;    gluing the abutting panels to one another along said common seam; and    applying a bead of sealant to said abutting panels on opposing surfaces along said common seam and allowing said sealant to cure.    
     
     
         9 . The method of sealing recited in  claim 8  wherein said bead of sealant is applied to have a width in the range of about 5 to 15 mm and a depth in the range of about 0.4 to 1.5 mm.  
     
     
         10 . The method of sealing recited in  claim 8  wherein said bead of sealant is applied as a liquid by an applicator connected by a hose to a source of liquid sealant.  
     
     
         11 . The method of sealing recited in  claim 8  wherein said bead of sealant is applied as a solid configured on a roll of tape and which is heated upon application to the common seam of said panels.