Laminate Panel with Auxetic Layer

Abstract

An article of apparel includes a first layer and a second layer. An auxetic structure penetrates the first layer. The auxetic structure includes a plurality of interconnected members forming an array of cell units. Each of the plurality of interconnected members form cell walls with interior recesses defined within the cell walls. The second layer is coupled to the first layer via the auxetic structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of apparel comprising:
 an interior layer;   an exterior layer; and   a bonding layer positioned between the interior layer and the exterior layer, the bonding layer forming an auxetic structure defining a repeating pattern of perimeter walls and interior recesses.   
     
     
         2 . The article of apparel of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the interior layer and the exterior layer is a textile layer. 
     
     
         3 . The article of apparel of  claim 2  wherein the textile layer is provided by a four way stretch material. 
     
     
         4 . The article of apparel of  claim 2  wherein the bonding layer is provided by an adhesive material. 
     
     
         5 . The article of apparel of  claim 4  wherein the adhesive material is at least partially embedded in the textile layer. 
     
     
         6 . The article of apparel of  claim 1  wherein the article of apparel is an article of footwear. 
     
     
         7 . The article of apparel of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter walls of the auxetic structure comprise a plurality of interconnected wall segments that form a repeating pattern of reentrant polygonal shapes. 
     
     
         8 . The article of apparel of  claim 1  wherein the auxetic structure has a Poisson's ratio of substantially zero or less than zero. 
     
     
         9 . The article of apparel of  claim 1  wherein the bonding layer is a printed layer. 
     
     
         10 . The article of apparel of  claim 1  wherein the exterior layer is provided by a sheer material and the bonding layer is visible through the sheer material. 
     
     
         11 . An article of apparel comprising:
 a first layer defining a first surface;   an auxetic structure penetrating the first surface of the first layer, the auxetic structure including a plurality of interconnected members forming an array of cell units, each of the plurality of interconnected members forming cell walls with interior recesses defined within the cell walls; and   a second layer coupled to the first layer via the auxetic structure.   
     
     
         12 . The article of apparel of  claim 11  wherein the auxetic structure further penetrates the second layer. 
     
     
         13 . The article of apparel of  claim 11  wherein the auxetic structure is an adhesive material printed on the first layer. 
     
     
         14 . The article of apparel of  claim 11  wherein the first layer is a four-way stretch material and the second layer is a leather material or a synthetic leather material. 
     
     
         15 . The article of apparel of  claim 11  wherein the article of apparel is an article of footwear. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a panel for an article of apparel, the method comprising:
 printing an auxetic structure on a first side of a first layer, the auxetic structure defining a repeating pattern of perimeter walls and interior recesses;   allowing the auxetic structure to penetrate into the first layer;   applying a second layer to the first side of the first layer to form the panel; and   finish treating the panel such that the second layer is secured to the first layer.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising at least partially curing the auxetic structure before applying the second layer to the first side of the first layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising cutting the panel after curing the panel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the auxetic structure is screen printed on the first side of the first layer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the first layer is a textile and the second layer is a synthetic leather material.