Abstract: A seaming process for a PMC fabric includes the steps of: providing a PMC fabric including a plurality of monofilament yarns, at least some of the monofilament yarns having a composition including between approximately 100 to 10,000 parts per million (ppm) of an additive to improve yarn visibility for the fringed ends of an illuminated PMC fabric.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing weft threads from an edge of a fabric is described and which includes a bed for supporting a fabric which is manufactured from both warp and weft threads, and which has a forward edge, and an opposite lateral edge; a selectively rotatable draw-off device mounted adjacent to one of the lateral edges and which forcibly engages a first end of a weft thread which is to be removed; and a plurality of wedge assemblies are mounted on the bed, and which are selectively moveable to the forward edge of the fabric, and which facilitate the separation of the weft thread which has been engaged from the forward edge of the fabric.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically unravelling a fringe area in a fabric is provided. The apparatus uses a reciprocating, hooked needle and a reciprocating blade to pull weft threads from the plane of a fabric and cut them off. The needle and hook are advanced in the direction of the warp threads, unravelling the weft threads until a fringe area of a certain width has been formed. The apparatus is then displaced along the edge of the fabric and the unravelling cycle is repeated. The apparatus continues to be moved along the edge of the fabric until the fringe area extends the length of the edge.

Abstract: A low permeability dryer fabric woven from monofilament plastic polymeric warp strands and weft strands in which at least some of the weft strands exhibit preferential softening under the influence of heat, said strands adapting to conform to mesh interstices and thereby restrict the passage of air through the fabric.