Composite elastomeric yarns and fabric
AssigneeThe Quantum Group, Inc.
InventorJeffrey Bruner
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Abstract
The present invention relates to composite elastomeric yarns and fabrics, to methods of making same, and to articles in which such yarns and fabrics are used. The composite yarns of the present invention comprise a elastomeric core, an elastomeric thermoplastic sheath disposed about the core and, preferably, fibers mechanically anchored in the sheath. The composite fabrics of the present invention comprise the composite yarns of the present invention and conventional fibers arranged to form a fabric.
Claims17
A composite fabric, comprising an arrangement of fibers and composite yarns wherein the composite yarns each comprise an elastomeric core and an elastomeric thermoplastic sheath disposed about the core wherein the melting point temperature of the sheath is at least about 10° C. lower than the melting point temperature of the core, and wherein the fibers are anchored in the sheath of the composite yarns.
A composite pile fabric, comprising an arrangement of composite yarns as ground warp yarns and filling yarns and conventional yarns as pile wherein the composite yarns each comprise an elastomeric core and an elastomeric thermoplastic sheath disposed about the core wherein the melting point temperature of the sheath is at least about 50° C. to about 75° C. lower than the melting point temperature of the core, and wherein the conventional yarns are anchored in the sheath of the composite yarns.
A method of making a composite fabric comprising the steps of:
- forming an arrangement of fibers and composite yarns wherein the composite yarns comprise an elastomeric core and an elastomeric thermoplastic sheath disposed about the core wherein the melting point temperature of the sheath is at least about 10° C. lower than the melting point temperature of the core;
- heating the arrangement of fibers and composite yarns to a temperature above that of the melting point temperature of the sheath of the composite yarns but below that of the melting point temperature of the core of the composite yarns;
- and
- cooling the composite fabric.
A method of making a composite pile fabric comprising the steps of:
- forming an arrangement of composite yarns as ground warp yarns and filling yarns and conventional yarns as pile wherein the composite yarns each comprise an elastomeric core and an elastomeric thermoplastic sheath disposed about the core wherein the melting point temperature of the sheath is at least about 50° C. to about 75° C. lower than the melting point temperature of the core;
- heating the arrangement of fibers and composite yarns to a temperature above that of the melting point temperature of the sheath of the composite yarns but below that of the melting point temperature of the core of the composite yarns;
- and
- cooling the composite fabric.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.