Thin film parachute with continuous lateral reinforcing fibers

摘要

A thin film polymeric membrane is made from a plurality of adjacent sections that are bonded together along longitudinal seams taken with reference to an axis of symmetry. The membrane is reinforced laterally by a continuous helical reinforcing fiber pattern that passes the reinforcing fiber(s) a plurality of times over each of the longitudinal seams. The membrane desirably is in the shape of a parachute or balloon envelope.