Automatic lacer for bundles of polymeric fiber

Apparatus for automatic lacing of polymeric fiber bundles, comprising:

• a) a spool, the spool having an interior portion which is hollowed sufficiently to allow a fiber bundle to pass through the spool, the spool being wound with a thread,
• b) means for moving a fiber bundle through the spool,
• wherein the thread is affixed to the fiber bundle, such that the thread is pulled from the spool when the fiber bundle is moved, and such that the thread becomes spirally wound around the fiber bundle as the fiber bundle is moved,
• further comprising a tensioning overwrap disposed on the spool, the overwrap being attached to a weight.

A method of making a rolled fabric mat made of fibers formed of a polymeric membrane capable of allowing different components of a gas to pass through the membrane at different rates, the method comprising:

• a) inserting a bundle of polymeric fibers through a central hollow portion of a spool, the spool being previously wound with a thread,
• b) attaching the thread to the bundle,
• c) pulling the bundle through the spool, wherein the thread is unwound from the spool and becomes automatically wound around the bundle, and
• d) weaving the bundle, on a loom, into a fabric mat.