Importance

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Abstract

Perforated core honeycomb panel and pump system including a panel comprised of a core of perforated, thermoplastic elastomeric honeycomb bonded to and disposed between upper and lower sheets of thermoplastic elastomeric facing material. The core is made from a plurality of advanced grade, thermoplastic elastomeric strips that have been perforated, such that there is a matrix of small holes formed in the core walls. The strips are intermittently fusion welded or bonded to form a stack which can be expanded to form a honeycomb-like network of cells. The upper and lower facing sheets are bonded to the core and extend outwardly beyond the core, and are sealed around their perimeters so as to form a closed chamber which is hermetically sealed and adapted to contain a suitable gas. In one embodiment, the chamber is communicatively coupled, via a conduit, to an exhaust valve and a bulb pump in order to permit the gas contained within the chamber to be selectively increased or decreased in pressure or volume. The material from which the core and/or facing sheets are made may be plain or reinforced with suitable materials such as fabrics or fibers. In an alternative embodiment, the bulb pump may be replaced by another panel such that gas may be exchanged between panels.

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First Claim