Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a complex, three-dimensional structure (12), such as a truss, from composite fiber/resin includes pulling a plurality of continuous fibers (50) from a feed source (62) along a processing path (58) about a longitudinal axis (14). At least some of the fibers are wound around the longitudinal axis in opposite directions (70,72) by rotational elements to form helical and reverse helical components (30, 34) that intersect at nodes (26,28). Select nodes are engaged by engagement members (84) and are maintained radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis by a support frame (80) to create sequential discrete segments (22) in the helical and reverse helical components. The select nodes can be engaged and maintained from outside the helical and reverse helical components. Resin can be applied to the fibers by resin applicator (90) and cured.

Abstract: A method of making a lariat includes twisting under tension a plurality of strands of a plastic material such as nylon to form a rope and then securing the ends of the rope to prevent the strands from untwisting. The rope is then dipped into a hot wax mixture, removed from the hot wax and dried and cooled. A powdery material such as talcum powder is then applied to a portion of the rope adjacent one end after loosely tying a hondo knot therein or prior to tying a hondo knot the powdery material is applied and a hondo knot is then tied and the hondo knot is snugged by stretching the rope.

Abstract: A large diameter rope having improved fatigue life on a sheave, pulley, or drum is disclosed. This rope includes a blend of HMPE filaments and liquid crystal polymer filaments selected from the group of lyotropic polymer filaments and thermotropic polymer filaments. The rope may be constructed as a braided rope, a wire-lay rope, or a parallel core rope.

Abstract: A binding cord for a motor for an electric vehicle includes a braided round cord of eight or more strands using a multifilament strand made of synthetic fibers having a melting point or a decomposition temperature at 280° C. or more. The binding cord has oil resistance at high temperatures of 50% or more, the oil resistance at high temperatures being represented by the following formula: oil resistance at high temperatures (%)=(T′/T)×100. Here, T denotes a tensile strength of the binding cord before treatment and T′ denotes a tensile strength of the binding cord after the treatment. The tensile strength is measured in accordance with JIS L1013-8.5.1, and the treatment is carried out in such a manner that the entire binding cord is put into a closed container containing a mixture of 5 weight % of water and 95 weight % of automatic transmission fluid, followed by heating the container so that a temperature of the mixture is maintained at 150° C. for 1,000 hours.

Abstract: A large diameter rope having improved fatigue life on a sheave, pulley, or drum is disclosed. This rope includes a blend of HMPE filaments and liquid crystal polymer filaments selected from the group of lyotropic polymer filaments and thermotropic polymer filaments. The rope may be constructed as a braided rope, a wire-lay rope, or a parallel core rope.

Abstract: A continuous intersecting braided composite preform including a first member with at least one ply of biased fibers and a second member also with at least one ply of biased fibers. The first member intersects with the second member and passes continuously through the second member such that the biased fibers of the first member are interstitially arranged with respect to the biased fibers of the second member at the intersection.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a control cord for use in a covering for architectural openings includes the steps of providing spools of high tensile strength and low abrasion characteristic yarns, tensioning the yarns and winding the yarns under tension on bobbins, placing the bobbins in a braiding apparatus and making an eight-carrier braid from the yarns on the bobbins, and passing the braided cord through a treatment apparatus where a urethane coating is applied to the yarns and heat cured.

Abstract: A novel gift-wrap tissue paper and a method for making thereof are disclosed. The gift-wrap tissue paper has a generally rectangular shape, and is provided with a plurality of continuous, preferably interconnected ornamental figures, such as Christmas trees or the like, imprinted along edges thereof. The gift-wrap tissue paper has a continuous nonlinear outer peripheral edge that substantially coincides with a continuous outer contour line formed by interconnecting outermost edges of the ornamental figures. The method for making the gift-wrap tissue paper includes the steps of imprinting the continuous series of ornamental figures on a plurality of blank sheets forming a decorative border, stacking the imprinted blank sheets, die-cutting the stack of the imprinted blank sheets with a cutting die having a cutting edge complimentary to the continuous outer contour line of the decorative border, and separating the gift-wrap tissue papers.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing novel composite microtubing with variable stiffness over the length of the tubing. By varying the pick count of a braided layer the stiffness of the microtubing may be varied by a factor of 100 from proximal end to distal end. The continuous process allows a predetermined stiffness pattern to be repeated over a measured length for economical manufacture and results, if desired, in tubing of extremely small diameter and extremely thin tube walls.

Abstract: A wind tunnel blade (30) connected to a base (32) and held in position by a two-piece cuff (34). The wind tunnel blade (30) is formed in a resin transfer molding process in which central, fore, and aft foam core sections (70, 72, 74) are placed together to form the wind tunnel blade (30). Radius fillers (120) are used to fill the gaps between the outer edge of the foam core sections. The radius fillers (120) used in the wind tunnel blade (30) are formed by a braided sleeve (122) surrounding a number of unidirectional tows (124). A tip (68) is formed separately from the rest of the wind tunnel blade (30) and is glued to the top thereof. Stacked layers of braided fibers (100) are used to reinforce the central core section (70).

Abstract: A wind tunnel blade (30) connected to a base (32) and held in position by a two-piece cuff (34). The wind tunnel blade (30) is formed in a resin transfer molding process in which central, fore, and aft foam core sections (70, 72, 74) are placed together to form the wind tunnel blade (30). Radius fillers (120) are used to fill the gaps between the outer edge of the foam core sections. The radius fillers (120) used in the wind tunnel blade (30) are formed by a braided sleeve (122) surrounding a number of unidirectional tows (124). A tip (68) is formed separately from the rest of the wind tunnel blade (30) and is glued to the top thereof. Stacked layers of braided fibers (100) are used to reinforce the central core section (70).

Abstract: A triaxial braided sleeve in which the axial strands are reinforcing and the bias strands are elastic. Due to the elastic bias strands, the sleeve can be used as the reinforcement in a fiber-reinforced plastic part having a tapered, curved, or other irregular shape.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent for a medical device to be introduced into a cavity of a human body, is disclosed and includes a radially expandable and axially retractable tubular body (1), characterized in that the tubular body comprises first flexible rigid filaments (2, 3) which are arranged side by side in a number at least equal to two, wound along a first helicoid direction around a longitudinal axis (4) of the tubular body, and second flexible rigid filaments (5, 6) which are arranged side by side in a number at least equal to two, wound along a second helicoid direction opposite to the first, each multiple filament wound in one of the said directions crossing multiple filaments wound in the other direction according to a plaited arrangement. Methods for reproducibly forming the stent of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Yarns and fishing lines are made by a process that includes the step of exposing an opaque yarn made from ultrahigh molecular weight, gel spun polyolefin filaments to a temperature within the melting point range of the filaments for a time sufficient to at least partially fuse the contact surfaces of adjacent filaments. For ultrahigh molecular weight, gel spun polyethylene, this temperature is preferably within the range from about 150.degree.-157.degree. C. The surface fusion between and among filaments imparts desirable handling characteristics to the ultrahigh molecular weight, gel spun polyolefin yarns and fishing lines that are similar to those of a conventional monofilaments. Preferably, the temperature, residence time, and stretching ratio at the selected temperature are chosen to provide a fishing line exhibiting a tensile modulus within the range from about 230 g/d to about 780 g/d with a tenacity of at least 15 g/d.

Abstract: A continuous intersecting braided composite preform including a first member with at least one ply of biased fibers and a second member also with at least one ply of biased fiber. The first member intersects with the second member and passes continuously through the second member such that the biased fibers of the first member are interstitially arranged with respect to the biased fibers of the second member at the intersection.

Abstract: A braided structure produced by strands of a braiding material consisting of multiple yarn ends of multifilament fibers oriented side-by-side or in parallel to form a generally single layer band of yarn ends and treated with a suitable forming material in order to set such orientation. The braiding material can then be used to form strands for producing a braided structure. The braided structure resulting from the braiding material of our invention has a high coverage area and a high width to thickness ratio.

Abstract: A braided packing has a number of longitudinal strands around which a braid strand is wound in a lattice pattern to form a substantially square braid. The longitudinal strands include at least two lubricant sink strands, the lubricant sink strands having a material composition and configuration to give the lubricant sink strands a higher lubricant absorbency than the other longitudinal strands and the braid strand. The packing is immersed in a lubricating fluid which is absorbed and retained in higher amounts by the lubricant sink strands, thereby providing a long-lasting source of lubricant for the overall packing during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rope for the taking along and transferring of paper webs in the manufacture on paper machines of paper and cardboard made from round-braided textile fiber material. In accordance with the invention, raised positions are distributed over the circumference of the rope at regular or irregular distances. The raised positions are generated by design measures such as the selection of a different multiple thread count in the different running directions and/or the use of twisted and laid fiber elements, and/or by the use of fibers with profiled fiber cross-sections and/or textured or crimped fiber yarns and or by the use of fibers with profiled fiber crosssections and/or textured or crimped fiber yarns.

Abstract: A method for forming a ready-to-hang lace curtain and a lace curtain comprising stiffen vertical panel of woven fabric. Each panel being joined to an adjacent panel by an integrally woven vertical zone of open mesh. The open mesh zones formed from a plurality of threads twisted into a single vertical strand. The strand being joined to adjacent vertical panels at evenly spaced intervals by a single loop of thread draw from the vertical strand and extending generally horizontally. The loops being interwoven at spaced locations into the edge of the adjacent vertical panel. Forming an accordion-folding of the plurality of the vertical panels along the mesh zones into aligned and compact stacked assembly and simultaneously die-cutting an opening through the assembled panels while they are in the stacked aligned configuration. The opening configured to receive means for hanging the curtain.

Abstract: A composite yarn is for making braided packing for sealing pump or rotating valve shafts. The packing comprises an external layer and a core. Preferably, the external layer is made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) impregnated with graphite, and the core is an aramide filament. The graphite impregnated, expanded PTFE gives the composite yarn good thermal conductivity, high capacity of friction reduction and good resistance to chemical attacks. The aramide filament has high mechanical strength. The composite yarn can be braided to form a packing where only the PTFE contacts the shaft, thus protecting it against uneven wear.

Abstract: A braided packing has a number of longitudinal strands around which a braid strand is wound in a lattice pattern to form a substantially square braid. The longitudinal strands include at least two lubricant sink strands, the lubricant sink strands having a material composition and configuration to give the lubricant sink strands a higher lubricant absorbency than the other longitudinal strands and the braid strand. The packing is immersed in a lubricating fluid which is absorbed and retained in higher amounts by the lubricant sink strands, thereby providing a long-lasting source of lubricant for the overall packing during use.

Abstract: A filament rope may be produced continuously by the method and apparatus of this invention. In an upper portion of a frame of the apparatus is a unit having strand carrying spools that move about to braid the strands into a core of the rope. During braiding the strands overlap to form sets of pairs of transversely aligned openings which decrease in size as the rope core is drawn away from the braiding unit by a tension wheel assembly. While the openings are still large, a filament length carried by a first cylinder passes through one pair of strand openings. The cylinder then is withdrawn and the filament length severed leaving a filament segment in that pair of openings. Next, a second filament segment is placed in the other strand opening pair by a second cylinder. After filament segment insertion a tamping tool engages the strands and inserted filament segments to promote opening size reduction and improve formation of a compressive fit by the strands on the filament segments.

Abstract: A turbomachine blade, particularly a fan blade for an aircraft jet engine, is made of a composite material comprising reinforcing fibres embedded in a thermosetting resin matrix, wherein the reinforcing fibres form a multilayer woven fabric in which the warp fibres of each layer are interwoven not only with the weft fibres of the layer but also with the weft fibres of at least the layers immediately above and below it so that the layers are all interconnected. Also, each layer only partly covers the layer below it so that the ends of the warp and weft fibres of a layer extend to near the surface of the blade, and the thickness of the blade at any point is determined by the number of layers present at that point.

Abstract: A rope including a heat sensitive component which is subject to a visible change in appearance, such as a color change, when exposed to a selected elevated temperature resulting from a strain-related heat release from the rope. The heat sensitive coating may be contained in a coating over a fiber of the rope or a rope strand, or may be incorporated in sheath located over the load-bearing core of the rope.

Abstract: An expandable braided sleeve having an acrylic resin coating on its individual filaments. The braided sleeve can be expanded by pushing its ends inwardly toward each other. The resin coating on the filaments of the braided sleeve creates friction that causes the expanded braided sleeve to retain its expanded shape even when the ends of the sleeve are released. This makes it easier to install the braided sleeve onto a wire bundle. Once the expanded braided sleeve is in place over the wire bundle, the ends of the sleeve are pulled apart to return the sleeve to its narrow or unexpanded shape. The increased friction provided by the resin coating has the further effect of avoiding fraying at the ends of the braided sleeve.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced ceramic composite material exhibiting high tensile strength, high fracture toughness and high-temperature oxidation resistance is produced by simultaneously depositing a thin coating layer of refractory metal carbide with fugitive carbon onto the fiber reinforcement prior to the subsequent densification with the ceramic matrix. The energy behind propagating matrix cracks in the resulting composite material are effectively dissipated by crack deflection/branching, fiber debonding and frictional slip through the relatively weak and compliant fiber coating layer. These energy release and arrest mechanisms sufficiently impede the driving force behind unstable crack propagation and render the cracks non-critical, thereby serving to blunt and/or divert propagating matrix cracks at or around the reinforcing fiber.

Abstract: A braid structure body constituted from a tubular portion composed of side walls surrounding a hollow or a combination of such tubular portions. Intermediate walls are disposed in the tubular portion composed of side walls to maintain the three-dimentional shape of the braid structure body and to increase the rigidity and the strength.

Abstract: A reinforcement system for mastic intumescent fire protection coatings. Free floating hybrid mesh embedded in the coating is used to reinforce the coating. The hybrid mesh is made from a combination of high temperature and low temperature yarns.

Abstract: Braided constructions provide reinforcement fibers in the production of various articles, particularly composites, in which the braided fibers are entrained in a resin matrix. The mechanical properties of such braided, reinforcement fibers are further enhanced by use of an "asymmetric braiding" technique in which the cross-sectional areas of the fibers employed to form the diagonally crossing braids are substantially different, materially decreasing undulations in the braids at their crossings.

Abstract: A packing material having improved chemical resistance formed of poly(phenylene) sulfide yarn and polytetrafluoroethylene yarn is provided. Each of the yarns may be treated with PTFE dispersion and, optionally, with graphite. The two yarns may be twisted together or laid-up side-by-side and braided together and the structure may be impregnated with a polytetrafluoroethylene based binder and lubricant. The resulting packing material has improved temperature characteristics, heat transfer characteristics, wear resistance, provides a dense impervious packing and is dimensionally stable in addition to the improved chemical resistance. A packing material prepared from yarns treated only with a PTFE dispersion is especially useful in the paper making industry and for other applications wherein dark colored yarns are not permissible.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a tubular braid machine, a mandrel having branched portions, a holding body for the mandrel capable of effecting upward movement, downward movement, horizontal movement about a braiding point or rotation within a vertical surface, an annular guide detachably mounted at a braiding position to a mandrel main portion, an annular guide detachably mounted at a braiding position to a mandrel branch portion, and a closeable annular guide detachably mounted therebelow.

Abstract: A solid braid structure comprising a plurality of interlocked layers is created by causing a plurality of package carriers of yarn to move along a plurality of defined serpentine paths by track modules. The track modules extend in a first direction to define a longitudinally extending path corresponding to a first layer of the braid structure and in a second direction to provide at least one crossover path between adjacent serpentine paths. The package carriers which move in the first direction create a first layer of braid and, at a crossover path, move between adjacent serpentine paths to cause the yarn forming the first layer of braid to interlock with the braid of an adjacent layer.

Abstract: A high temperature, high pressure resistant packing (e.g., for the packing gland of a valve stem) has a core of density 1.3-1.6 gm/cc that includes a plurality of strands, each strand including a flexible graphite tape, longitudinally corrugated and folded into at least two longitudinally extending partially superimposed layers. Preferable, each strand is overknitted with a reinforcing wire, the strands in the core are braided, and a jacket, which includes a carbide fiber, an inorganic fiber, and a phenolic fiber, is disposed about the core.

Abstract: A braided in-situ consolidated structure of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin strands is formed by braiding the strands on a mandrel and then advancing the mandrel and the braided structure as it is formed continuously through a heating zone to heat the resin to a flowable condition then cooling the structure as it leaves the zone. Pressure may be applied or developed against the braided structure during its formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a packing used in sealing two members. As the packing material, by using a material having the surface of a flexible graphite sheet cut to a width of less than 5 mm with fibers, or a material prepared by laminating a flexible graphite sheet cut to a width of less than 5 mm with at least one of reinforcing fiber or foil material, and covering its surface with fibers, or a material prepared by impregnating a principal component composed of flexible graphite particles with at least one of short fiber, rubber, resin or lubricant to form a bar-like structure and covering its surface with fibers, a packing material which can be either twisted or braided is obtained. By fabricating a packing by using any one of such packing materials, a cord-like packing is obtained without having to produce many packings matched to with the dimensions of the members.

Abstract: A high temperature, high pressure resistant packing (e.g., for the packing gland of a valve stem) has a core of density 1.3-1.6 gm/cc that includes a plurality of strands, each strand including a flexible graphite tape, longitudinally corrugated and folded into at least two longitudinally extending partially superimposed layers. Preferable, each strand is overknitted with a reinforcing wire, the strands in the core are braided, and a jacket, which includes a carbide fiber, an inorganic fiber, and a phenolic fiber, is disposed about the core.

Abstract: A braided insitu consolidated structure of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin strands is formed by braiding the strands on a mandrel and then advancing the mandrel and the braided structure as it is formed continuously through a heating zone to heat the resin to a flowable condition then cooling the structure as it leaves the zone. Pressure may be applied or developed against the braided structure during its formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a packing used in sealing two members. As the packing material, by using a material having the surface of a flexible graphite sheet cut to a width of less than 5 mm with fibers, or a material prepared by laminating a flexible graphite sheet cut to a width of less than 5 mm with at least one of reinforcing fiber of foil material, and covering its surface with fibers, or a material prepared by impregnating a principal component composed of flexible graphite particles with at least one of short fiber, rubber, resin or lubricant to form a bar-like structure and covering its surface with fibers, a packing material which can be either twisted or braided is obtained. By fabricating a packing by using any one of such packing materials, a cord-like packing is obtained without having to produce many packings matched to the dimensions of the members.

Abstract: An article adapted to be used as a liquid transfer wick and method for making same. The core is comprised of a heat fusible, nonwoven textile sheet material that is chemically inert to many solvents and oils. A binder is applied to the core in an open mesh braid to maintain the core in a predetermined compact condition. The outer portions of the core are heat fused to the binder forming a unitary fray resistant structure by the application of a flow of heated air which melts outer portions of the core exposed within the binder. The flow of heated air may be increased to create cavities in the outer portions of the core, thereby forming a wick that is absorbent along the outer longitudinal surface, as well as at the wick ends.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piston for transferring an output force to a member in responsive to pressurized fluid being communicated to a bore in a housing. The piston has a cylinder body made of a plurality of triaxial braided layers of carbon fibers which are placed on a mandrel with spacers located between the layers to form an annular projection of a first end and a taper of a second end. The carbon fibers are inpregnated with a thermoset resin and cured to define a unitary solid structure. Thereafter a cone and collar, throughwhich an output force is suppled to member, is attached to the second en dand the unitary structure inserted in the bore.

Abstract: A composite gas turbine engine blade is made by braiding a plurality of fibers to form a preform having an airfoil precursor portion and an integral root precursor portion. A plurality of fiber shaping inserts are positioned in the root precursor portion, either by braiding the root precursor portion around the inserts or inserting the fiber shaping inserts into the root precursor portion after braiding, to impart an enlarged, divergent shape (e.g., dovetail precursor shape) to the braided root precursor portion. The braided preform with the enlarged, shaped root precursor portion is infiltrated with matrix material and shaped to near net shape to provide the composite blade with a dovetail shaped root.

Abstract: A composite gas turbine engine blade is made by braiding a plurality of fibers to form a preform having an airfoil precursor portion and an integral root precursor portion. A plurality of fiber shaping inserts are positioned in the root precursor portion, either by braiding the root precursor portion around the inserts or inserting the fiber shaping inserts into the root precursor portion after braiding, to impart an enlarged, divergent shape (e.g., dovetail precursor shape) to the braided root precursor portion. The braided preform with the enlarged, shaped root precursor portion is infiltrated with matrix material and shaped to near net shape to provide the composite blade with a dovetail shaped root.

Abstract: Preforms and composite articles from carbon fiber reinforced matrix resins braided to shape on a mandrel and then converting to a final composite article by fully or partially curing in a mold followed by post curing if required.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced plastic tubing is formed by an innermost layer of braided strands that include longitudinal stud fill strands within the braid, a second layer of longitudinal strands, and a third layer of braided strands, all thoroughly encased in a monolithic mass of plastic matrix material that is not, itself, divided into layers. The tube is fabricated on a continuous basis by winding two sets of strands in opposite directions on a mandrel and braiding the two sets with each other and with stud fill strands that prevent that first layer of braid from stretching longitudinally and thereby tightening immovably on the mandrel. The strands are braided dry but are wetted with liquid plastic matrix material as the braid is compacted on the mandrel.

Abstract: The method involves braiding a plurality of fiber bundles, each comprising a reinforcing fiber overwrapped by a plurality of glass or metal matrix-forming fibers, to form a 3D braided preform having stuffer fiber bundles extending longitudinally therethrough and heating the preform at a temperature and applying pressure to form the matrix-forming fibers into a bonded matrix in which the reinforcing fibers are disposed in a 3D braided pattern and in a longitudinal (stuffer) pattern.

Abstract: A method of producing a low cost impregnated and coated fiber useful in forming pump, valve, expansion joint, hydraulic cylinder and similar packings capable of resisting high caustic concentrations is provided. In accordance with this method a relatively low cost yarn, such as rayon, is simultaneously subjected to a spreading operation and passed through a highly alkaline colloidal tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) solution. As the yarn fibers are spread from a fiber bundle to a flat ribbon-like array of spaced parallel fibers, the fibers swell or "balloon," thus allowing the TFE to completely penetrate the interior of each fiber. A subsequent coating step insures that the exterior of each fiber is completely coated with the TFE solution. Fibers produced according to the present process are characterized by substantially lower cost than available materials, are completely caustic resistant at a pH approaching or exceeding 14, and have a long, useful service life in a variety of different environments.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced plastic article having first, second, and third cylindrical portions is disclosed. A helical braid is applied along a first cylindrical portion as a first cylindrical sleeve which conforms to and encases the outside surface of said first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion is passed through the filaments forming the braid and the braid is collapsed into a first, substantially flat, double-ply braided ribbon which is then wrapped about the outer surface of the second intersection portion. The helical braid is again applied along the first cylindrical portion and a second braided ribbon is then wrapped about the outer surface of the third cylindrical portion. The fibers are impregnated with a thermosetting resin which is cured to produce the article.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a plurality of fiber strand carrier members that are movable on a carrier surface defined by multiple, movable, side-by-side support members and a plurality of fiber guides affixed on the support members for dispensing axial stuffer fiber strands as the carrier members move along predetermined paths to intertwine the fiber strands from the fiber guides. The carrier members are disposed on the support members for movement therewith and for movement from one support member to abother. The fiber guides are affixed on the support members for movement only with the respective support member. The stuffer fiber strand for each fiber guide is dispensed from a spool that is carried on a respective support member or is mounted on a stationary base.

Abstract: A flanged bearing includes a layer of woven braid which is continuous throughout a sleeve and a flange portions thereof, with at least one braid strand substantially parallel to a bearing axis. The sleeve may be cylindrical in shape and the flange portion washer shaped, and the braid may include carbon fiber strands impregnated with a polyimide resin so that the bushing is lightweight and self-lubricating at high temperatures.

Abstract: Edge-reinforced packing is provided for steam service, with wire-reinforced secondary yarns on carriers driven along one or more diagonal tracks of a braiding machine to provide edge-reinforcing which reduces valve stem abrasion while providing sufficient resistance to high pressure, high temperature steam leakage. Wire-reinforcing only the edges of the packing minimizes the amount of reinforcing wire necessary to counteract high pressure steam and thus minimizes valve stem wear. An offset, alternating braid embodiment further reduces wire usage at the packing edges, while at the same time providing complete circumferential reinforced sealing around the valve stem. In cases where the offset braiding results in voids in the steam barrier produced by the reinforced braid, keystone-resisting technology corrects this problem. In one embodiment, the packing is a non-asbestos packing which eliminates both hardening and packing disintegration normally associated with so called "plastic-core" packings.