Inflatable panel and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

An inflatable panel including a first layer formed of a material of low gas permeability and a second layer formed of a material of low gas permeability. The first and second layers are intermittently sealed together via a plurality of first elongated seals, thereby defining a plurality of first tubes between adjacent pairs of the first elongated seals. The panel also includes a third layer of material of low gas permeability. The third and second layers are intermittently sealed together via a plurality of second elongated seals, thereby defining a plurality of second tubes between adjacent pairs of the second elongated seals. Also, the first and second tubes are sealed at front and rear ends thereof, and a gas is provided within each of the tubes, whereby the gas within each of the tubes is prevented from flowing between tubes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable panel comprising:
 a first layer of a material of low gas permeability;   a second layer of a material of low gas permeability, wherein said first and second layers are intermittently sealed together via a plurality of first elongated seals, thereby defining a plurality of first tubes between adjacent pairs of said first elongated seals; and   a third layer of material of low gas permeability, wherein said third and second layers are intermittently sealed together via a plurality of second elongated seals, thereby defining a plurality of second tubes between adjacent pairs of said second elongated seals,   wherein said first and second tubes are sealed at front and rear ends thereof, and a gas is provided within each of said first and said second tubes, whereby the gas within each of said tubes is prevented from flowing between said first tubes, between said second tubes, and between said first and said second tubes.