Abstract: Embodiments disclosed are directed to a woven fabric band that is capable of being secured to another object using threads or the band itself. The woven fabric band may include an inner layer having a first temperature melting point and an outer layer having a second temperature melting point that is higher than the first temperature melting point. When heat having the first temperature is applied to the woven fabric band, the inner layer of the woven fabric band melts while the outer layer remains in its original state. When the inner layer melts, the inner layer conforms to a first shape. As a result of the inner layer conforming to the first shape, the outer layer also conforms to the same shape.

Abstract: An item may be formed from layers of material such as leatherboard layers. A leatherboard layer may include fibrous natural material such as leather or paper embedded in polymer. Portions of the leatherboard layer can be locally modified by incorporation of filler material with desired properties. The filler material may include magnetic particles, conductive particles, or other material. By incorporating the filler material in localized portions of the leatherboard layer, integral electrodes or magnets may be formed. The leatherboard layer may also include embedded circuitry. Items such as enclosures and other items may be formed from the leatherboard layer. The leatherboard layer in an item may include locally modified regions such as magnet regions that are configured to form a closure or other structures that interact with each other.

Abstract: A woven material including a four layer construction formed by distinct groups of warp threads, and a method of forming the woven material. The woven material may include a first group of warp threads, and an interior weft thread portion coupled to the first group of warp threads. The woven material may also include a second group of warp threads substantially surrounding the first group of warp threads and the interior weft thread portion, and an exterior weft thread portion coupled to the second group of warp threads.

Abstract: An item such as a leather-based item may have a layer of leather with one or more transparent portions that are illuminated by a light source. The transparent portions of the leather may be formed by a single continuous opening in the leather or may be formed by an array of smaller openings. A flexible light guide may be attached to a lower surface of the leather. The light guide may be used to add structure and heft to a thinned portion of the leather while still allowing the leather to remain flexible and soft. The light guide may be attached to a lower surface of the leather and may diffuse and guide light from a light source towards the leather. The light guide may be formed from one or more waveguide “pipes” or may be formed form a plate-light light guide layer that extends continuously under the leather.

Abstract: A woven material (100) including bonding fibers (108) and a method of reinforcing woven material using bonding fibers is disclosed. The woven material (100) includes a plurality of warp threads (102), and at least one weft thread (104) coupled to the warp threads (102). The woven material (100) also includes a plurality of bonding fibers (108). The bonding fibers (108) are positioned in parallel with the warp threads (102), and/or in parallel with the weft thread(s) (104). Additionally, the bonding fibers (108) are formed from a material having a melting temperature that is lower than a melting temperature of the material(s) used to form the warp threads (102) and the weft thread(s) (104) of the woven material.

Abstract: A woven material (100) including bonding fibers (108) and a method of reinforcing woven material using bonding fibers is disclosed. The woven material (100) includes a plurality of warp threads (102), and at least one weft thread (104) coupled to the warp threads (102). The woven material (100) also includes a plurality of bonding fibers (108). The bonding fibers (108) are positioned in parallel with the warp threads (102), and/or in parallel with the weft thread(s) (104). Additionally, the bonding fibers (108) are formed from a material having a melting temperature that is lower than a melting temperature of the material(s) used to form the warp threads (102) and the weft thread(s) (104) of the woven material.

Abstract: A woven material including a four layer construction formed by distinct groups of warp threads, and a method of forming the woven material. The woven material may include a first group of warp threads, and an interior weft thread portion coupled to the first group of warp threads. The woven material may also include a second group of warp threads substantially surrounding the first group of warp threads and the interior weft thread portion, and an exterior weft thread portion coupled to the second group of warp threads.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed are directed to a woven fabric band that is capable of being secured to another object using threads or the band itself. The woven fabric band may include an inner layer having a first temperature melting point and an outer layer having a second temperature melting point that is higher than the first temperature melting point. When heat having the first temperature is applied to the woven fabric band, the inner layer of the woven fabric band melts while the outer layer remains in its original state. When the inner layer melts, the inner layer conforms to a first shape. As a result of the inner layer conforming to the first shape, the outer layer also conforms to the same shape.