Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a woven material from tape-like warps and wefts includes a warp supply source for tape-like warps; a shed forming device to form a shed by the warps; a weft insertion device for inserting tape-like weft in the shed formed by the warps; and a take-up device for taking-up the produced woven material. Each of the warps extend in warp paths between the warp supply source and the take-up device. Further, the shed forming device comprises an air pressure system arranged to apply pressure on the face of at least some of the warps in an intermediate position of the warp paths, between the warp supply source and the take-up device, the applied air pressure being sufficient to displace at least some warps in essentially the thickness direction of the tape-like warps.

Abstract: A tape-like dry fibrous reinforcement, the ‘Gapped UD reinforcement tape’, providing channels or flow-paths created by inclusion of a layer of separated fiber tows held by at least one adhesive layer. Hereby, quicker wetting of fibers with matrix is obtained, whereby improved composite materials can be economically produced. A method and apparatus for producing the Gapped UD tapes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel woven fabric is provided wherein preferably two unidirectional mutually offset and at least partly overlapping layers of tape-like warps interlace with tape-like wefts, at least some being fibrous tapes, that are incorporated individually in either non-overlapping manner or in a mutually offset and overlapping manner relative to other weft tapes. Such a woven fabric is without see-through gaps at the areas/sites encircled by intersecting tape-like warps and wefts, and also delamination resistant. It is particularly suitable for composite material, ballistic mitigation, and similar applications.

Abstract: A novel woven fabric is provided wherein preferably two unidirectional mutually offset and at least partly overlapping layers of tape-like warps interlace with tape-like wefts, at least some being fibrous tapes, that are incorporated individually in either non-overlapping manner or in a mutually offset and overlapping manner relative to other weft tapes. Such a woven fabric is without see-through gaps at the areas/sites encircled by intersecting tape-like warps and wefts, and also delamination resistant. It is particularly suitable for composite material, ballistic mitigation, and similar applications.

Abstract: A tape-like dry fibrous reinforcement, the ‘Gapped UD reinforcement tape’, providing channels or flow-paths created by inclusion of a layer of separated fiber tows held by at least one adhesive layer. Hereby, quicker wetting of fibers with matrix is obtained, whereby improved composite materials can be economically produced. A method and apparatus for producing the Gapped UD tapes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method and means for directly producing a variety of textile materials comprising tapes oriented in two opposite oblique orientations relative to the textile's length and width directions, called Oblique Fiber Textile (OFT), are disclosed. The described method and means for producing OFT provide secondary structural integrity/stability to OFTs, in addition to primary structural integrity/stability. The process is especially advantageous for producing OFTs comprising tapes, including Spread Fiber and Highly Drawn Polymeric types. Such OFTs are needed in a number of applications such as ballistic mitigation, composite materials, safety products etc. for their improved performance, functions and aesthetics. Several different types of OFTs are producible by the novel OFT forming process which is technically unlike weaving and braiding processes.

Abstract: A method and means are disclosed for measured control of tape-like warps for shedding and taking-up operations when producing woven materials comprising tape-like warps and wefts. According to this invention, a displaceable contact surface of the warp control device is located between the warp supply source and the shedding device. The warp control device includes a displaceable member for providing contact surface to displace at least some of the tape-like warp for releasing them in a measured way for shed forming and taking-up operations. Further, the contact surfaces are retracted for enabling shed closing and measured taking-up.

Abstract: A novel method and means for directly producing a variety of textile materials comprising tapes oriented in two opposite oblique orientations relative to the textile's length and width directions, called Oblique Fibre Textile (OFT), are disclosed. The described method and means for producing OFT provide secondary structural integrity/stability to OFTs, in addition to primary structural integrity/stability. The process is especially advantageous for producing OFTs comprising tapes, including Spread Fibre and Highly Drawn Polymeric types. Such OFTs are needed in a number of applications such as ballistic mitigation, composite materials, safety products etc. for their improved performance, functions and aesthetics. Several different types of OFTs are producible by the novel OFT forming process which is technically unlike weaving and braiding processes.

Abstract: A method and means are disclosed for measured control of tape-like warps for shedding and taking-up operations when producing woven materials comprising tape-like warps and wefts. According to this invention, a displaceable contact surface of the warp control device is located between the warp supply source and the shedding device. The warp control device comprises a displaceable member for providing contact surface to displace at least some of the tape-like warps for releasing them in a measured way for shed forming and taking-up operations. Further, the contact surfaces are retracted for enabling shed closing and measured taking-up.

Abstract: A variety of textile materials comprising tapes oriented in two oblique orientations relative to the textile's length and width directions, called OFT for Oblique Fibre Textiles, are disclosed. Such OFTs are provided with secondary structural integrity/stability, in addition to primary structural integrity/stability, for improved resistance to formation of openings/gaps. OFTs comprising tapes, particularly Spread Fibre and Highly Drawn Polymeric types, are needed in a number of applications such as ballistic mitigation, composite materials, safety products etc. because they provide improved performance, material properties/functions and aesthetics. Such OFTs can be used either independently or in combination with other textile materials. Different types of OFTs are producible by a novel OFT forming process which is technically unlike weaving and braiding processes.

Abstract: Novel woven materials, producible by a new weaving method, are described that comprise single or doubled warps and wefts in the form of tapes that are preferably partially stabilized type of fibrous tape. These fibres are caused to occur in a non-linear arrangement during the weaving process. The non-linear fibres can be subsequently straightened by pulling the tape longitudinally. The doubled warps and wefts comprise disconnected tapes. Such separateness of constituent tapes of doubled warp and weft tapes enables them to be slid/slipped relative to each other by pulling longitudinally and laterally without causing any alteration in the woven structure. These novel fabrics solve the problem of uneven fibre distribution and orientation arising from crumples/wrinkles due to compression and stretches due to extension, at the inner and outer sides respectively, when tape-woven fabrics are curved into shapes.

Abstract: A method of weaving including warp and weft being supplied in the form of tapes, and not yarns. The method preferably carried out in vertical format and includes feeding positively flat tensionless warp for shedding and taking-up; selecting, feeding positively and inserting weft tapes of different widths and thickness by gripping in its fore end in flat condition; depositing inserted weft at fabric-fell in a flat condition without beating-up; and taking-up the woven material that includes either the same or different widths of flat wefts. The warps and wefts, preferably of partially stabilized type of fibrous tapes, can be overfed in a tensionless, positive and controlled manner when required to make the fibres of constituent fibrous tapes occur non-linearly in the form of wave/texture during weaving. Extra warps and wefts can be also fed in tandem whereby the warps and wefts become composed of two or more unconnected, mutually slipping, flat tapes in a stacked arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention concerns weaving. In particular, it is a woven material produced using tape-like warp and tape-like weft through the employment of a rotary type shedding device which also functions as a direct specific-weave patterning device and a pick guiding device. The material according to the invention has a constructional constitution of at least some of the warp and weft that is non-homogenous. The invention also relates to a weaving device for producing woven material with tape-like warp and weft, comprising a rotary device, which is capable of producing more than one fabric simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention concerns weaving. In particular, it is a woven material produced using tape-like warp and tape-like weft through the employment of a rotary type shedding means which also functions as a direct specific-weave patterning means and a pick guiding means. The material according to the invention has a constructional constitution of at least some of the warp (23) and weft (25) that is non-homogeneous. The invention also relates to a weaving device for producing woven material with tape-like warp and weft, comprising rotary means (1), which is capable of producing more than one fabric simultaneously.