Patent ID: 7906197

Claim:
A laminate comprising: a first outside layer having an inner surface; a second outside layer having an inner surface; and an intermediate layer disposed between said first and second outside layers, said intermediate layer having opposed first and second surfaces; wherein said intermediate layer is pervious to gaseous media; wherein said first and second outside layers are impervious to gaseous media; wherein said first and second surfaces of said intermediate layer are connected to said inner surfaces of said first and second outside layers at alternating points to create compartments between said outside layers and said intermediate layer; wherein each compartment is partially or wholly filled with a filling material; wherein each compartment on each side of the intermediate layer has, through a common interface with the intermediate layer, contact with two compartments on the opposing side of the intermediate layer; wherein the compartments are heat sealed; and wherein either one of the first and second outside layers has a valve assembly to allow a vacuum to be set up and maintained in each compartment.