Abstract: The present invention is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber with improved handling properties. Unlike previous expanded PTFE fibers, the fiber of the present invention employs a fiber of increased thickness so that the fiber is maintained in an unfolded orientation. The improved processing steps of the present invention create a fiber that has a number of improved properties, including more uniform dimensions along its length, improved compressibility and handling, and when woven into a fabric, the fabric is more easily processed, is of higher quality, and is more uniform.

Abstract: A textile backing with a decorative weft is manufactured by raising at least one bonding needle across the warp yarn lap of the textile backing, the bonding needle being used to form a locking mesh having a number of loops; retracting the needles under the textile backing; inserting a decorative weft at right angles to the warp yarns; simultaneously raising and shifting the needles and shifting the locking mesh yam in a circular arc movement using binding guides in order to twill the path of the bonding needle, thereby forming a locking mesh for retaining the decorative weft; displacing the binding guides in translation at a top dead center position for flattening the decorative weft yam against the needle; lowering the bonding needles, drawing the mesh-forming yarn, and creating a loop of locking mesh yarn which encloses the decorative weft; and re-shifting the guides in translation at bottom dead center position in preparation for a new cycle.

Abstract: A tubular textile insert for strengthening material is made of a stack of successive layers of parallel and interlinked threads. More particularly, there is a first-direction layer defining a cylindrical shape and form by several parallel threads arranged in a spiral relative to the central axis of the cylindrical shape. A second cylindrical layer is also formed in a cylindrical shape by several parallel threads arranged in a spiral, but at a pitch in the opposite direction to the spiral pitch of the first layer. The cylindrical shape defines a plurality of generating lines that are angularly spaced apart from one another and extend generally parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical shape. Several binding threads are arranged parallel to the generating lines and link the threads of the first and second layers together without piercing or crossing those threads of the first and second layers.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally latticed flexible-structure composite, including a three-dimensional lattice formed of longitudinal, lateral and vertical strings and a matrix formed by selectively impregnating the component strings of the aforementioned lattice with a molten plastic, the precursor of the matrix, and allowing the molten plastic adhering to the strings to solidify.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for producing a selvage structure of a knit-woven fabric. The knit-woven fabric is produced in a warp-knit structure from weft thread loops and comprises spaced apart stitch wales with warp thread groups disposed therebetween, the warp threads being interlaced with stitch connecting loops to form a weave. The selvage of such fabric consists of a weft thread and a marginal weft thread, and comprises a marginal wale built by mutually binding stitches from a weft thread, stitches from a marginal weft thread, and stitches from a lock thread.

Abstract: There are disclosed a selvage structure of a knit-woven fabric, and an apparatus for producing it. The knit-woven fabric is produced in a warp-knit structure from weft thread loops and comprises spaced apart stitch wales with warp thread groups disposed therebetween, the warp threads being interlaced with stitch connecting loops to form a weave. The selvage of such fabric consists of a weft thread and a marginal weft thread, and comprises a marginal wale built by mutually binding stitches from a weft thread, stitches from a marginal weft thread, and stitches from a lock thread.

Abstract: A papermaker's belt particularly suited for use as a forming fabric, the fabric being of biplanar construction with sets of upper and lower filling yarns interconnected by warp yarns extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the fabric, the fabric being characterized by diagonally disposed sets of upper and lower filling yarns with the warp yarns extending diagonally between adjacent sets of the filling yarns in one direction and diagonally between the upper and lower yarns of another set of filling yarns in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An improved blood filter media comprising a woven fabric having a pore size distribution rating of 20 microns and being woven with monofilament yarns in a regular, even-sided twill weave.