The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 28, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 19, 1996
Shigeru Yoshida, Kyoto, JP;
Unitika Glass Fiber Co., Ltd., Kyoto, JP;
Abstract
A three-dimensional woven fabric structure is integrally woven by a multi-ply weave having three or more plies, and includes a form defining a plurality of bag portions extending parallel with one another, and arranged in a plurality of rows. The bag portions in each row are defined by two woven fabric plies, the intersection of which along a crossing locus creates a bound portion between adjacent bag portions. Cylindrical bag portions in adjacent rows have a woven fabric ply in common and are interconnected at staggered positions. The fabric structure is creased at midpoints between bound portions whereby the bag portions are set to retain a hollow three-dimensional form, but may be folded flat into a juxtaposed state by application of pressure. A method is described for manufacturing the fabric structure wherein, during a weaving operation, the bag portions are interconnected in rows, and auxiliary yarns are inserted at opposite ends in a woven width direction and/or at required intervals therealong, without being woven into the fabric plies. The bag portions May ,then be set into juxtaposed position by a tightening of the auxiliary yarns, wherein a creasing treatment or heat setting is performed.