Patent ID: 7993606

Claim:
An article comprising at least one adaptive membrane structure, said adaptive membrane structure comprising first and second membranes, and means to respond to an actuating stimulus, so that said response moves the first membrane into contact with the second membrane, thereby decreasing the permeability of the structure to gas, vapor, liquid and/or particulates, whereby such response provides environmental protection to a human, animal, or object enclosed by or wearing the article, wherein (a) each membrane has an array of holes, and the holes of the first membrane are substantially out of registration, or are out of registration, with the holes of the second membrane; (b) the porosity of the article is at least 0.5%; (c) the actuating stimulus is (i) an electrostatic force, and the means to respond is an electrically conductive material that is incorporated in, on, or adjacent to the adaptive membrane structure or (ii) a magnetic force, and the means to respond is a magnetic material that is incorporated in, on, or adjacent to the adaptive membrane structure, in close enough physical proximity to enable application of the force of the actuating stimulus to move at least one membrane; (d) the article has an exposed area of at least about one square foot and the at least one adaptive membrane structure provides at least 10% coverage of the exposed area; and (e) the article is an enclosure for the occupancy of humans, animals, or objects; or an item of apparel.