Abstract: A multilayer papermaking fabric having interwoven machine direction (MD) and cross-machine direction (CMD) yarns, the CMD yarns defining at least upper and lower CMD yarn subsets which are interwoven with the MD yarns in a repeat pattern such that the MD yarns have substantially more interweavings with the upper CMD yarn subset than with the lower CMD yarn subset. The lower subset CMD yarns define machine side floats under at least seven MD yarns and each MD yarn interweaves with only two lower subset CMD yarns in a given repeat.

Abstract: A needle loom having a weft yarn selection mechanism for automatic selection of a desired weft yarn from two or more weft yarns for insertion through a shed includes a needle having a yarn carrying end. A guard is located on the needle, with the guard having a closed front end at a position corresponding to the yarn carrying end of the needle, and extending generally along the length of the needle. A space is provided between the guard and the needle which is adapted to receive the two or more weft yarns. A selection mechanism is associated with at least one of the two or more weft yarns.

Abstract: A fabric which is formed by a weaving system designed to automatically maintain a printed pattern in alignment with a woven pattern as the fabric is being formed. The printed pattern is printed onto the warp yarns. A controller is used to monitor the position of the printed pattern during the weaving process relative to the position of a woven pattern that is being formed into the fabric. Should the printed pattern and woven pattern fall out of alignment, the controller then alters the longitudinal size of the woven pattern, the printed pattern, or both patterns, in order to realign the patterns.

Abstract: A weaving system is provided to automatically maintain a printed pattern in alignment with a woven pattern as a fabric is being formed. The printed pattern is printed onto the warp yarns. A controller is used to monitor the position of the printed pattern during the weaving process relative to the position of a woven pattern that is being formed into the fabric. Should the printed pattern and woven pattern fall out of alignment, the controller then alters the longitudinal size of the woven pattern, the printed pattern, or both patterns, in order to realign the patterns.

Abstract: In a double woven fabric with an upper layer and a lower layer, provision is made that, in the area of a desired predetermined separation line, a thread system with warp threads and weft threads alternates out of the upper layer into the lower layer and a thread system alternates out of the lower into the upper layer. At both sides of the desired predetermined separation line, the threads alternating between the upper layer and the lower layer and vice versa are separated in the lower layer. Created thereby is a flat textile structure with a predetermined separation line invisible from the viewing side of the surface of the double woven fabric.

Abstract: The present webbing has a force-displacement profile characterized by:(a) when the webbing is subjected to a knuckle point force in the range from about 400 pounds (about 1.8 kilonewtons) to about 900 pounds (about 4.0 kilonewtons), the webbing elongates to less than about five percent;(b) upon subjecting the webbing to greater than the knuckle point force and to less or equal to about 1,400 pounds (about 6.2 kilonewtons), the webbing elongates further to at least about ten percent; and(c) upon subjecting the webbing to greater than 1,400 pounds (about 6.2 kilonewtons), the modulus increases sharply and the webbing elongates further until the webbing breaks at a tensile strength of at least about 5,000 pounds (about 22 kilonewtons).

Abstract: A fabric is constructed by weaving on a loom, with a loom setting of between about 78%-88% in the greige, using false twist textured polyester warp yam (about 140-160 denier, preferably about 150 denier with about 55-65 filaments in either single or 2 ply form) and air textured polyester weft yam (2-ply or 3-ply about 140-160 denier, preferably about 150 denier with about 90-110 filaments, preferably about 100 filaments), and finishing the fabric by scouring (on a jet or on a continuous scouring range) and printing or jet dyeing, and then heat setting at temperature of at least about 350.degree. F. The fabric scores between 4.5 and 5.0 on each of random tumble pilling, brush pilling, and Klopman method roughing and pilling, tests. The fabric also has a surface SMD of at least about 4.3, a bending rigidity 2HB of about 0.1 or less, a compressibility EMC% of less than about 28, a shearing stiffness G value of about 2 or less, and an extensibility EMT% of at least about 3.0.

Abstract: A hazardous duty garment includes an outer shell layer of heat-, flame-, and abrasion-resistant aramid material and a pad attached to the outer shell layer, where the pad includes a fabric substrate of heat-, flame-, and abrasion-resistant material bonded to a layer of silicone foam material. Preferably, the fabric substrate is a woven aramid and carbon fiber, face cloth material and is treated with a durable, water-repellant finish. Preferably, the pad is stitched to the outer surface of the outer shell layer and oriented such that the layer of silicone foam material faces the outer shell layer. The pad is used in the knee portion of a pant leg of a firefighter garment, as well as on an elbow or forearm portion of a sleeve of a firefighter garment and on a shoulder portion of a firefighter duty garment.

Abstract: A UV blocking fabric is provided which includes a fabric, UV blocking particles having a property of deflecting, reflecting, absorbing and/or scattering ultraviolet rays; and a binding agent attaching the UV blocking particles to the fabric. An article of manufacture which includes a fabric, optionally shaped to form an article of clothing, an awning, an umbrella, a sunscreen, a tent, a tarp, a canvas and the like, UV blocking particles having a property of deflecting, reflecting, absorbing and/or scattering ultraviolet rays which may be colored to match or contrast with the color of the fabric; and a binding agent attaching the UV blocking particles to the fabric. The UV blocking particles may be applied to the article of manufacture prior to or after manufacturing the article by immersion methods or by spraying methods.

Abstract: A membrane for a seating structure including a plurality of groups of at least two adjacent and parallel strands of multifilament yarn and a plurality of monofilaments arranged in generally perpendicular interlocking relationship with the strands. The monofilaments weave alternatively above and below the adjacent strands in each group. A plurality of pairs of the monofilaments hold the groups of strands in place by having the monofilaments in each pair cross over between each group of strands. In one aspect, the membrane is attached to a frame member such that the plurality of groups of strands are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the frame member and the monofilaments are oriented in the lateral warp direction of the frame member. In another aspect, the seating structure includes the frame member and attached membrane.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide dust proof clothing comprised such that on the inside of the dust proof clothing in contact with the wearer a lot of dust is caught, and on the outside of the dust proof clothing dust does not attach easily, and which has superior strength. Compared to the inside surface of the dust proof clothing the outside surface has fewer dust catching spaces, and compared with the outside surface the inside surface has more dust catching spaces so that on the inside surface more curved fibers are exposed than linear fibers and on the outside surface, more linear fibers are exposed than curved fibers.

Abstract: A multilayer porous fabric which comprises a porous core fabric provided with hook means, and at least one layer of pre-needled nonwoven fibrous batt attached by entanglement onto the hook means by pressing the core fabric and batt together. The entanglement is sufficient to anchor the batt reliably to the core fabric, so that the multilayer fabric is ready for use without further processing. The porous core fabric may be formed by weaving or as an extruded sheet, with a plurality of suitably located hook means structures on at least one of its surfaces. The hook structures engage with and entangle sufficient fibers from the pre-needled nonwoven batt to provide adequate attachment preventing the batt from separating from the core fabric enabling the multilayer fabric to be handled before use, for example for installation in a papermaking machine press section. The batt is pre-needled to a desired density before attachment to the core fabric.

Abstract: A weaving system is designed to automatically maintain a printed pattern in alignment with a woven pattern as a fabric is being formed. The printed pattern is printed onto the warp yarns. A controller is used to monitor the position of the printed pattern during the weaving process relative to the position of a woven pattern that is being formed into the fabric. Should the printed pattern and woven pattern fall out of alignment, the controller then alters the longitudinal size of the woven pattern, the printed pattern, or both patterns, in order to realign the patterns.

Abstract: An improved siding panel for covering an exterior portion of a structure includes a fabric attached to an edge thereof and a siding nail coupling the fabric to the exterior. The fabric is formed of monofilament polyester yarn, with the warp yarn woven into a solid band and the weft yarn woven to form a series of loops beneath the solid band. The weft yarn loops are laminated into the top edge of the siding panel. The siding nail is then securely nailed into the solid band of yarn.

Abstract: A protective fabric of high penetration resistance is formed from a plurality of layered, densely woven base fabrics, each formed by tightly weaving multifilament yarns to obtain a warp yarn "density" or "cover" in excess of 100% at the center of the fill yarn, and a fill yarn density or cover preferably also in excess of 75%. The yarns themselves preferably comprise a high modulus, high breaking strength yarn of materials such as Kevlar, Spectra, or Vectran. The resultant layered fabric offers especially high penetration resistance to weapons such as ice picks and the like. Additional resistance to penetration by sharp knives is provided by interruptedly coating the base fabric with an epoxy in such a manner as to inhibit penetration while providing drapability and breathability.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric primarily for use as a press felt comprises basalt fibers.

Abstract: A repellent cloth in which repellency is added to the cloth by manufacturing cloth with expensive fluoroplastic fibers in amounts sufficient to impart 80% repellency to the cloth.

Abstract: Belt webbing designed for a vehicle occupant restraining system, which is to replace conventional force limiting means leading to added structural complexity and additional costs and which may be possibly incorrectly fitted in place, is characterized in that the warp threads (7) possess lengths differing with each length unit of the belt webbing, that is to say in the form of short warp threads (10) to bear the tensile load acting in the belt webbing (1) up to a first stretch of the belt webbing (1) without loading the longer warp threads and in the form of longer warp threads, which after the first stretch of the belt webbing (1) take part in withstanding the tensile load acting in the belt webbing (1) in a manner dependent on the ratio of the length thereof to the length of the short warp threads (10).

Abstract: Continuously flat-woven implantable tubular prostheses have seamless woven sections which gradually change the number of warp yarns to smoothly transition, i.e., taper, from one diameter to another. Multi-diameter endoluminal grafts having a variety of shapes and configurations are made using a seamless weaving process without unacceptable voids or gaps in the tubular wall.

Abstract: There is described a synthetic yarn fabric for the gas-releasing part of an airbag. The synthetic yarn is a synthetic high-tenacity multifilament yarn having a filament linear density of less than 4 dtex and a yarn count within the range from 250 to 550 dtex. The fabric itself is in a crepe or modified huckaback weave. In contradistinction to the conventional polyamide fabrics, it is uncoated and is preferably woven from unsized yarns. The fabric need not be calendered. It has been found that this fabric of fine-filament, high-tenacity polyester yarn, although uncoated, does meet the airbag fabric requirements such as readily preselectable air permeability, low fabric weight and low fabric thickness and also high fabric strength.

Abstract: A fabric resistant to degradation of strength and elastomeric properties upon exposure to ultraviolet irradiation is provided. The fabric includes an elastomeric fiber component which makes up not less than 40 percent by weight of the fabric. This elastomeric fiber component exhibits a tensile strength of not less than about 8 pounds force and retains at least 80 percent of its tensile strength following accelerated exposure to ultraviolet irradiation.

Abstract: A protective fabric of high penetration resistance is formed from a plurality of layered, densely woven base fabrics, each formed by tightly weaving multifilament yarns to obtain a warp yarn "density" or "cover" in excess of 100% at the center of the fill yarn, and a fill yarn density or cover preferably also in excess of 75%. The yarns themselves preferably comprise a high modulus, high breaking strength yarn of materials such as Kevlar, Spectra, or Vectran. The resultant layered fabric offers especially high penetration resistance to weapons such as ice picks and the like. Additional resistance to penetration by sharp knives is provided by interruptedly coating the base fabric with an epoxy in such a manner as to inhibit penetration while providing drapability and breathability.

Abstract: An embroidery fabric includes a main body consisting of interwoven weft and warp fibers that delimit between themselves respective rows and columns of openings for the passage of embroidery threads through them. At least one of the elongated marginal portions of the main body is substantially straight and is reinforced by one or more elongated reinforcing elements of a plastically deformable material secured to it and extending fully within the confines of, and at least substantially over the entire length of, such one marginal portion. The corresponding other marginal portion may also be reinforced in the same manner, while the intermediate portion situated between the marginal portions and having a width many times in excess of that of the marginal portions is devoid of any such reinforcement. The fabric is advantageously of an elongated, strip-shaped, configuration, and the affected marginal portions are those extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped fabric.

Abstract: A method and machine for rapidly manufacturing transverse diagonal three dimensional fabric in flat panels of variable thicknesses and cross sections, wide widths and continuous length consisting of a yarn guide plate that holds all longitudinal yarns in exact position, two rows of knitting needles, or sewing needles with loopers, that insert rows of transverse yarns at +45.degree. and -45.degree. in the transverse plane, a beat mechanism that moves the yarn guide plate to compact the transverse yarns, and a shift mechanism that moves both rows of needles alternately one row to the right and to the left to bind the right and left side edges of the fabric. A three-dimensional fabric pattern that is produced by this method and machines, which consists of multiple rows of longitudinal yarns held straight in the longitudinal plane, aligned exactly with the longitudinal axis, multiple rows of straight transverse diagonal yarns alternating at +45.degree. and -45.degree.

Abstract: A strip for dental plastic retainers or plastic dental prosthesis consisting of at least 4 and at most 8 interconnected layers of endless threads which possess a yarn count of less than 1 tex; the strip possesses a thickness of maximum 500 .mu.m; the endless fibers of a layer (10) consist preferably of colorless glass fibers in which the cross linkage of the resin which beds-in the fibers is simplified by the effects of light. Preferably, each individual layer consists of a strip whose warp threads (11) and weft yarns (12) are combined to a woven strip in the form of a plain fabric weave bond.

Abstract: A process for producing a safety belt for use in a motor vehicle comprises the insertion of two yarns into a least one shed. Two weft yarns are inserted over the entire width of the fabric, with one inserted on one side of the fabric and the other on the other side of the fabric at the same time. In addition, a third weft yarn binds over a part of the fabric with warp yarns.

Abstract: Papermaking machine fabrics, filters and reinforcing layers for elastomers, comprise monofilaments of copolymers containing 85 to 99 mol % of the structural repeat unit of the formula I ##STR1## 1 to 15 mol % of the structural repeat unit of the formula II--OC--R.sup.2 --CO--O--R.sup.3 --O-- (II),whereR.sup.1 is a radical of a dihydric aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alcohol or is derived from mixtures of such alcohols,R.sup.2 is a radical of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or monocyclic aromatic dicarboxylic acid or is derived from mixtures of such dicarboxylic acids,R.sup.3 assumes one of the definitions for R.sup.1, and the quantitative data are based on the total amount of the polymer.

Abstract: A woven fabric to be used in formation of a composite material includes multifilament warp and weft threads. Each of the warp threads and the weft threads have a total weight less than 80% of the weight of the fabric. The woven warp and weft threads have 0 twist/m and a torsion no greater than an original torsion of the threads before weaving. Each woven warp and weft thread has a width over the entire length thereof that is greater than or equal to an original width before weaving. The fabric is woven to have a given weight per unit area and a fiber volume ratio that is approximately constant throughout the fabric and that is satisfactory for use of the fabric in a composite material. The warp and weft threads of a yarn count that is greater than a yarn count traditionally used to achieve the fiber volume ratio for the given weight per unit area.

Abstract: A weaving method that imparts a correlation of a 1/f fluctuation to the texture pattern of a woven fabric by passing warp yarns through a plural number of healds in a specific numerical sequence. The healds are then manipulated to separate the warp yarns into two sets to form a shed therebetween through which a weft yarn is inserted. For one texture pattern, warp yarns are threaded in groups in numbers corresponding to the values of a numerical sequence with a 1/f fluctuation through one set of healds. For another texture pattern, warp yarns are threaded in groups through another set of healds so as to alternate with the first groups, thereby weaving a plural number of texture patterns into the woven goods, with the overall texture design having a 1/f fluctuation.

Abstract: A wick proof woven chafer fabric for automotive radial tires having a monofilament fill yarn and a large denier textured multifilament warp yarn. The texturing of the warp yarns allows for efficient wickproofing of the fabric and the larger denier, higher tensile strength warp, provides a fabric which enables efficient calendering.

Abstract: A safety belt is made of a fabric of high-tenacity filament yarns made of phosphorus-modified copolyester having a yarn linear density of less than 2000 dtex, having a single-fiber linear density of less than or equal to 25 dtex and having a breaking elongation of less than 30%. The phosphorus-modified copolyester contains a bifunctional phosphorus compound in an amount of 0.1% to 5% by weight, based on the amount of phosphorus, in the polymer chain.

Abstract: Tire fabrics for reinforcing rubber which includes warps having straight portions arranged in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals and wefts woven with the warps. Each weft comprises a pair of parallel portions and a V-shaped connecting portion. The V-shaped connecting portion is provided at the edge portion of the tire fabric.

Abstract: Firefighter's turn-out garment (19) has an outer layer of stretchable flame resistant fabric (10) formed from a series of flame resistant warp yarns (11) interwoven with a series of filling yarns (12). The filling yarns (12) comprise core yarns (15) formed from an elastic material, wrapped with a series of wrap yarns (16) formed from a flame resistant material. The stretchable flame resistant fabric (10) thus provides a desired degree of flame resistance protection, while at the same time is stretchable in one direction to provide the fabric with greater flexibility without sacrificing flame resistance protection.

Abstract: A woven fabric of warp yarn and fill yarn uses a strand of individual filaments for the fill yarn, where the strand has a primary cross-sectional shape and periodic flat spots with a flat cross-sectional shape which is more elongated than the primary cross-sectional shape, where the effect of the flat spots is differentiated fill yarn in the woven fabric.

Abstract: The present invention provides a relatively non-porous, hydrophobic woven fabric comprising interwoven strands of open celled, plastic mesh netting.

Abstract: Described is a stocking having a comfort foot area. The comfort area encompasses the toe, sole and heel areas of the foot. A pad is sized to cover and be secured to the comfort area or integrally woven into the comfort area to act as a liner to protect and comfort the foot of the wearer of the stocking. The pad is made out of a thicker, absorbent fiber material to absorb wetness and allow the foot to breathe.

Abstract: Streakless appearing woven rugs incorporating large uninterrupted areas of a single color are formed by at least two ends of yarn of the same color alternating in the face of the rug along each of the longitudinal rows in the uninterrupted area. The two ends of yarn may alternate in an ordered or random pattern, and suitably may alternate at least every twelve inches.

Abstract: A polyester monofilament is formed from a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolyric stabilizing agent, and exhibits increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation. The high temperature polyester resin can be blended with from 0 to about 5 percent by weight of a thermal stabilizing agent. In addition, a masterbatch including the PET resin and hydrolytic stabilizing agent may be compounded prior to blending with the high temperature polyester resin. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation and includes a plurality of woven polyester monofilaments, comprising a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper making machines.

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 protective fabric of high penetration resistance is formed from a plurality of layered, densely woven base fabrics, each formed by tightly weaving multifilament yarns to obtain a warp yarn "density" or "cover" in excess of 100% at the center of the fill yarn, and a fill yarn density or cover preferably also in excess of 75%. The yarns themselves preferably comprise a high modulus, high breaking strength yarn of materials such as Kevlar.RTM., Spectran.RTM., or Vectran.RTM.. The resultant layered fabric offers especially high penetration resistance to weapons such as ice picks and the like. Additional resistance to penetration by sharp knives is provided by interruptedly coating the base fabric with an epoxy in such a manner as to inhibit penetration while providing drapability and breathability.

Abstract: This invention aims at providing a woven fabric having a structure suitable for bonding, so as to bond a so-called "tarpaulin sheet", which is bonded by sewing means and is obtained by coating a synthetic resin to a fiber base fabric, to a woven fabric such as a tape or a belt. The present invention further aims at providing a woven fabric having a structural portion enabling a woven fabric to be bonded to another woven fabric. A woven fabric 100 is divided in a longitudinal direction or in a transverse direction, or in both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, and either one, or both, of warps and wefts are woven more coarsely in at least one of the divided zones 22, 32 than the rest so as to form a mesh portion 2.

Abstract: A fabric having two images on a front surface thereof. The images are defined by a plurality of parallels, alternating, upper pairs and lower pairs of weft yarns. The upper pairs forming ridges defining the images and the lower pairs forming valleys between each adjacent pair of ridges. A first of the two images being visible when viewing the front surface at an angle from a first direction and substantially invisible when viewing the front surface at angle from a second direction. A second of the two images being visible when viewing the front surface from the second direction and substantially invisible from the first direction. The invention also provides a process for producing the fabric.

Abstract: A fabric foundation for an ink ribbon comprising a woven fabric comprising warp yarns and weft yarns, and the woven fabric satisfying the following equation:K=1.5 to 6wherein K is the ratio of C.sub.1 /C.sub.2 ; C.sub.1 is a warp crimp rate; and C.sub.2 is a weft crimp rate. The ink ribbon fabric foundation is hardly damaged under severe printing conditions such as high speed and strong striking force, offering an extended life.

Abstract: A woven structure is described in which optical fibers are positioned and held in the structure in a manner to maximize their optical efficiency. The structure consists of non-optical fibers extending in both the warp and woof direction, the optical fibers are positioned in channels between supporting fibers in the warp direction. Selected ones of the non-optical fibers in the warp direction may be electrical conductors. The structure is manufactured using conventional weaving equipment by positioning both the optical fibers and the non-optical warp fibers, and then weaving the woof fibers into place without causing micro-bends or discontinuities in the optical fibers. The structure is woven with the optical fibers positioned in zero warp. The woven grid-like mat can be coated with a protective material that either enables it to form a flexible sheet or a rigid, hard, grid-like mat which has aligned zero warp optical fibers embedded therein.

Abstract: A press fabric for use on the press section of a paper machine has a multilayer structure, and is woven according to techniques normally applied in the weaving of forming fabrics. The press fabric is woven from at least one system of warp yarns and two or more layers of weft yarns, with the yarn sizes and weave patterns chosen with a view toward providing the resulting press fabric with a fine paper-contacting surface, and ample void volume. One of the two or more layers of weft yarns includes, or is entirely composed of, multicomponent yarns having a plurality of load-bearing members. The multicomponent yarns may be multifilament or multistrand yarns composed of fine filaments, or may be polyurethane-coated monofilament yarns, and provide the press fabrics with a compressible and resilient structure. The multifilament or multistrand yarns may also be polyurethane-coated.

Abstract: A fabric having both a high degree of user comfort and a high degree of Ultraviolet Radiation protection is provided. The preferred yarn is at least 40 Denier by 40 Denier, preferably 70 Denier by 2 70 Denier Nylon Yarn. The yarn is woven into a fabric with a yarn count of at least 80 by 50, preferably about 118 by 68 yarns per inch. The fabric is sanded, preferably moderate to heavy, on one side. The fabric is jet treated, preferably air jet laundered. The fabric provides an Ultraviolet sun protection factor of at least about 30, preferably about 70 or more.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module comprising (a) hollow fibers, (b) a fastening member for fixing the ends of the hollow fibers while leaving them open, and (c) a structural member for enclosing and supporting the fastening member, the hollow fiber membrane module being useful in the filtration of water by suction from the surface to the inside of the hollow fibers with intermittent or continuous cleaning of the membrane surfaces of the hollow fibers, characterized in that the hollow fibers comprise a textile fabric containing hollow fibers as the weft and the cross-section of the fastening member perpendicular to the hollow fibers is shaped like an elongated rectangle. In this module, the hollow fibers rarely cohere together into a mass, and the membrane surfaces of the hollow fibers can be efficiently cleaned concurrently with the filtration, so that the loss of the filtering function is minimized.

Abstract: A woven fabric filter medium having particular use in a pressure filter apparatus. The fabric is useful in separating liquids from solids in a slurry fed into the pressure filter apparatus. The fabric is woven in a pattern and of materials that provide desired permeability while being capable of capture of the solids in the slurry and permitting the fluids to flow through. The materials used in the fabric are selected for their ability to resist deterioration from the chemical, heat or abrasive characteristics of the slurry while being capable of being cleaned for reuse in a filter apparatus.

Abstract: In a woven cloth type screen printing plate for screen process printing, the screen printing plate has a first area through which a smaller amount of ink is passed and a second area other than the first area wherein each of component yarns A disposed in the first area is composed of an n (n.gtoreq.2) number of monofilaments, each having a diameter of d and the monofilaments being arranged in parallel without any gap, and each of component yarns B disposed in the second area is composed of a monofilament, having a diameter larger than d, arranged in the same direction as the component yarns A.

Abstract: A woven material is described in which optical fibers are positioned and held in the material in a manner to maximize their optical efficiency. The material consists of fibers extending in both the warp and woof direction, the optical fibers are positioned in channels between the supporting fibers in the warp direction. The material is manufactured using conventional weaving equipment by positioning both the optical fibers and the warp fibers, and then weaving the woof fibers into place without bending the optical fibers. The fibers are thusly woven so that the optical fibers have zero warp. The woven grid-like mat can be coated with a protective material that either enables it to form a flexible sheet of ribbon or a rigid, hard, grid-like mat which has aligned zero warp optical fibers embedded therein. The material shown can be used to provide sensing, imaging or communications. It can be utilized for optical backplanes for optoelectronic systems or a housing for optoelectronic components.