Tubular textile sleeve woven with hybrid yarns and method of making same

Abstract

A protective textile sleeve includes a woven tubular wall extending longitudinally along a central longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The wall includes hybrid yarns, wherein each hybrid yarn includes at least one multifilament wrapped around a monofilament such that the monofilament is obscured by the at least one multifilament.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 524,514, filed June 30, 2023, and to U.S. Application Serial No. 18 / 757,030, filed June 27, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to textile sleeves, and more specifically to braided textile sleeves. Background Technology

[0004] As is well known, textile sleeves can be used to protect long components from various environmental conditions and influences, or simply to house long components within textile sleeves for bundling and wiring purposes, such as braided sleeves. For braided sleeves, the braided wall is typically constructed using monofilaments, multifilaments, or a mixture of both, woven independently. A known advantage of closed braided wall structures is that circumferential expansion of the wall can be achieved by manually pushing and physically securing the ends to a compressed state, facilitating the fitting of the wall onto the outside of long components. When the ends are pushed against each other and the wall is manually held in an axially compressed state, the braided wall will exhibit an increased diameter and decreased length. Monofilaments, under axial compression, promote radial expansion of the braided wall during assembly around long components due to their relatively high rigidity (axial stiffness) along their length, while multifilament yarns are more easily bent and compressed axially. When in an increased diameter state, the wall can be easily fitted onto long components (such as wire harnesses). After the sleeve is installed on a long component, the installer can loosen the wall and pull apart both ends to reduce the diameter and increase the length of the wall, thus achieving a tight fit to the long component. While monofilaments are easy to assemble, they typically have a smooth, shiny appearance, which is not ideal in some applications. Furthermore, due to their solid and generally stiff nature, monofilaments are generally inferior to multifilaments in vibration and noise reduction, and their thermal insulation performance is also usually lower. Therefore, known technologies promote vibration and noise reduction by independently weaving multifilaments and monofilaments in a parallel and parallel manner. However, this approach still cannot eliminate the problem of the shiny surface of the monofilaments; simultaneously, because the relatively soft multifilaments occupy the space between the monofilaments, the radial expansion effect required for the wall under axial compression is weakened, thus increasing the difficulty of assembling the sleeve on long components.

[0005] The braided sleeve described in this disclosure at least solves the defects existing in the prior art, as well as other defects in the field of protective textile sleeves that can be recognized by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a protective textile sleeve is provided, comprising a woven tubular wall extending longitudinally between opposite ends along a central longitudinal axis. The wall comprises blended yarns, each blended yarn containing at least one multifilament wound around a monofilament, such that the monofilament is substantially enveloped and shielded by the at least one multifilament.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, the multifilaments are wound around the monofilaments in the same helical direction (S or opposite Z helical direction).

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one multifilament comprises a pair of multifilaments wound on a monofilament in opposite helical directions, thereby forming a force-balanced yarn.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the monofilament is a thermoplastic material.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the monofilament is made of polyester material.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the diameter of the monofilament is about 0.1-0.4 mm.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the monofilament is subjected to heat setting treatment.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the multifilament is a textured filament.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the denier number of the multifilament is between about 200 and 600.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the winding density of the multifilament is approximately 800-1200 turns / meter.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the wall is entirely woven from blended yarns.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, a textile sleeve for protecting an elongated member is provided, comprising: a tubular wall formed by interweaving multiple yarns. The tubular wall encloses a cavity for receiving the elongated member, the cavity extending longitudinally along a central longitudinal axis between opposite ends of the tubular wall. At least a portion of the multiple yarns comprises mixed yarns. Each mixed yarn comprises at least one multifilament wound around a monofilament, wherein the outer surface of the monofilament is substantially covered and shielded by the at least one multifilament.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing a braided sleeve is provided, comprising weaving a plurality of yarns together to form a seamless tubular wall extending longitudinally along a central longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of the yarns are provided as a blended yarn. Furthermore, a blended yarn comprising a monofilament and at least one multifilament is provided, wherein the at least one multifilament is wound around and wrapped around the monofilament to cover it.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include winding at least one multifilament around the monofilament in the same helical direction.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include winding a pair of multifilaments around a monofilament in opposite helical directions.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include winding at least one multifilament onto a monofilament at a winding density of about 800-1200 turns / meter. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood in conjunction with the following detailed description of the present preferred embodiments and best practices, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a tubular braided sleeve constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the sleeve has been fitted onto the outside of the elongated component to be protected.

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the wall of the intermediate sleeve;

[0025] Figure 3A This is a partial perspective view of a mixed yarn used for braiding a sleeve according to one aspect of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A partial side view of the mixed yarn shown; and

[0027] Figure 4 This is a view of a blended yarn used for braiding sleeves according to another aspect of this disclosure, which is in contrast to... Figure 3A similar. Detailed Implementation

[0028] A detailed explanation is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A braided protective textile sleeve (hereinafter referred to as the sleeve) 10 according to one aspect of the present invention is shown. The sleeve 10 has a braided, circumferentially continuous, seamless tubular wall 12 extending longitudinally along a central longitudinal axis 14 between opposite ends 16, 18. The wall 12 comprises blended yarns 20, 20a (see respective...) Figures 3A-3B and Figure 4Wall 12 may be entirely woven from blended yarns 20, 20a, or, if necessary, may include blended yarns 20, 20a with individual multifilaments (also known as single multifilaments). Each blended yarn 20, 20a comprises at least one multifilament 22 and a centrally located single filament 24, wherein at least one multifilament 22 is wound (also known as wrapped or twisted) around the outside of the single filament 24. For those skilled in the art of textiles (POSA), the term "wound" means that one yarn (in this example, the single filament 24) extends substantially in a straight line, while the other yarn (in this example, the multifilament 22) is wound in a spiral around the single filament 24. The single filament 24 is substantially covered (ideally completely) by at least one wound multifilament 22. The term "basically" here means that only a very small portion of the bottom monofilament 24 is visible to the naked eye, but the vast majority of the bottom monofilament 24 (accounting for about 97%-100% of its outer surface area) is covered by the outer multifilament 22.

[0029] Multifilament 22 absorbs light, giving it a substantially non-reflective surface and appearance with a matte finish (no luster, also known as luster). Monofilament 24 provides the necessary axial stiffness to the blended yarns 20, 20a, allowing the sleeve 10 to expand radially when axially compressed along its central longitudinal axis 14. This expands the central cavity 28 defined by the wall 12, for example, but not limited to, facilitating the assembly process of mounting the sleeve 10 onto the elongated member 26 (e.g., a wire harness). As described above, multifilament 22 gives the outer surface 30 of the sleeve 10 a matte appearance, for example, a non-reflective matte texture. Furthermore, multifilament 22, with its relatively soft texture, effectively reduces vibration and noise and enhances thermal insulation, thereby improving the sleeve 10's multiple protective functions for the elongated member 26 housed within the cavity 28. Thus, the blended yarns 20, 20a synergistically enhance the functionality of the wall 12, encompassing both assembly and use processes.

[0030] According to one aspect of this disclosure, at least one multifilament 22 wound around the monofilament 24 can be a single multifilament wound in a single helical direction, for example... Figures 3A-3B The Z-helix direction shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not limited to this. It should be understood that those skilled in the art of textiles (POSA) will know that multifilament 22 can also be wound as a single multifilament in a single S-helix direction, which is opposite to the Z-helix direction.

[0031] According to another aspect of this disclosure, at least one multifilament 22 wound around the monofilament 24 may be composed of multiple multifilaments. Exemplarily, a pair of multifilaments may be used, this example is not intended to be limiting, the two multifilaments being wound together in opposite S-helix and Z-helix directions respectively (e.g., Figure 4(As shown), this example is not intended to be limiting. Multiple multifilaments 22 can be wound around each other simultaneously or wound separately: one multifilament 22 is wound or woven around the bottom monofilament 24 in the S or Z direction, and the next multifilament 22 is wound or woven around the previous multifilament 22 in the opposite S or Z direction.

[0032] The monofilament 24 can be made of thermoplastic materials, such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene, for illustrative purposes only and is not limited to these. The diameter of the monofilament 24 is approximately 0.1-0.4 mm. The monofilament 24 is made of a heat-setting material. After the sleeve 10 is constructed, the monofilament 24 is cured through a heat-setting process, thereby ensuring that the wall 12 maintains its tubular structure.

[0033] The denier number of the multifilament 22 is between approximately 200 and 600. The multifilament 22 is wound around the monofilament 24 at approximately 800-1200 turns / meter, and its raw material can be any multifilament material with a matte finish. According to one aspect of the invention, the multifilament 22 can be made of mineral fibers (also known as mineral yarns), such as basalt, silica, ceramic, or glass fibers (examples only, not limited thereto), or it can be cotton fibers or other multifilament materials with the desired matte appearance, vibration damping, noise reduction, and thermal insulation properties. The multifilament 22 can be textured (roughened) to further enhance the matte finish and vibration damping / damping properties. Regardless of the winding density of the multifilament 22, the wrapping (winding) of the multifilament 22 preferably completely obscures the central bottom monofilament 24, making it invisible to the naked eye. According to one aspect of the invention, the winding density of the multifilament 22 is approximately 800-1200 turns / meter. Textile professionals (POSA) should understand that the required number of wraps per meter depends on the diameter of the monofilament 24 and the denier number of the multifilament 22.

[0034] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method of manufacturing the braided sleeve 10 includes: weaving multiple yarns together to form a seamless tubular wall 12 extending longitudinally along a central longitudinal axis 14, wherein at least a portion of the yarns are blended yarns 20, 20a. The blended yarns 20, 20a comprise monofilaments 24 and at least one multifilament 22. The at least one multifilament 22 is wound around (wrapped around) the monofilament 24 and substantially or preferably completely encloses and obscures the monofilament 24, making it impossible for an observer (e.g., at close range, such as within 1-3 feet) to directly view the blended yarns 20, 20a.

[0035] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the method may further include winding each of at least one multifilament 22 onto a monofilament 24 in the same helical direction.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include winding a pair of multifilaments 22 around a single filament 24 in opposite helical directions.

[0037] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the method may further include winding at least one multifilament 22 onto a monofilament 24 at a density of about 800-1200 turns / meter.

[0038] Based on the above teachings, various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Furthermore, it should be understood that the braided tubular walls constructed according to various aspects of the present invention can have a variety of uses, including but not limited to being used as protective components, binding components, and even as decorative articles. Therefore, it should be understood that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific description herein, and the scope of the invention is defined by any of the claims ultimately granted.

Claims

1. A protective textile sleeve, comprising: A tubular wall made of interwoven yarns, the tubular wall extending longitudinally between opposite ends along a central longitudinal axis; as well as At least a portion of the yarn comprises a blended yarn, each of the blended yarns comprising at least one multifilament wound around a monofilament, wherein the monofilament is wrapped and concealed by the at least one multifilament. The diameter of the monofilament is 0.1-0.4 mm.

2. The protective textile sleeve as described in claim 1, wherein, The at least one multifilament is wound around the monofilament in a single helical direction.

3. The protective textile sleeve as described in claim 1, wherein, The monofilament is a thermoplastic material.

4. The protective textile sleeve as described in claim 3, wherein, The monofilament is made of polyester.

5. The protective textile sleeve as described in claim 1, wherein, The multifilament is a textured yarn.

6. The protective textile sleeve as described in claim 1, wherein, The tubular wall is entirely woven from blended yarns.

7. A protective textile sleeve, comprising: A tubular wall made of interwoven yarns, the tubular wall extending longitudinally between opposite ends along a central longitudinal axis; as well as At least a portion of the yarn comprises a blended yarn, each of the blended yarns comprising at least one multifilament wound around a monofilament, wherein the monofilament is wrapped and concealed by the at least one multifilament. The at least one multifilament comprises a pair of multifilaments wound on a monofilament in opposite helical directions.

8. A protective textile sleeve, comprising: A tubular wall made of interwoven yarns, the tubular wall extending longitudinally between opposite ends along a central longitudinal axis; as well as At least a portion of the yarn comprises a blended yarn, each of the blended yarns comprising at least one multifilament wound around a monofilament, wherein the monofilament is wrapped and concealed by the at least one multifilament. The monofilament undergoes heat setting treatment.

9. A protective textile sleeve, comprising: A tubular wall made of interwoven yarns, the tubular wall extending longitudinally between opposite ends along a central longitudinal axis; as well as At least a portion of the yarn comprises a blended yarn, each of the blended yarns comprising at least one multifilament wound around a monofilament, wherein the monofilament is wrapped and concealed by the at least one multifilament. The denier number of the multifilament is between 200 and 600.

10. A protective textile sleeve, comprising: A tubular wall made of interwoven yarns, the tubular wall extending longitudinally between opposite ends along a central longitudinal axis; as well as At least a portion of the yarn comprises a blended yarn, each of the blended yarns comprising at least one multifilament wound around a monofilament, wherein the monofilament is wrapped and concealed by the at least one multifilament. The winding density of the multifilament is 800-1200 turns / meter.

11. A textile sleeve for protecting long structural members, comprising the following parts: A tubular wall formed by interweaving multiple yarns encloses a cavity for accommodating the elongated member, the cavity extending longitudinally between opposite ends of the tubular wall along a central longitudinal axis. as well as At least a portion of the plurality of yarns comprise blended yarns, each of the blended yarns comprising at least one multifilament wound around a monofilament, wherein the outer surface of the monofilament is covered and shielded by the at least one multifilament; The multiple yarns include the blended yarn and individual multifilaments.

12. The textile sleeve as claimed in claim 11, wherein, The blended yarn comprises multiple multifilaments wound around the monofilament.

13. The textile sleeve as claimed in claim 11, wherein, The blended yarn comprises a single multifilament wound around the monofilament.

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