END FRAY SOLUTION FOR TEXTILE STRUCTURE

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a textile extending a length between a first end and a second end. The textile also extends a dimension transverse to the length. The dimension can be a width or a circumference. The apparatus also includes a first bonded portion adjacent to the first end to limit fraying at the first end. The apparatus also includes a second bonded portion spaced from the first bonded portion along the length to limit fraying at the first end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tubular textile structure according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing first and second bonded portions being formed in a tubular textile according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a top view of a flat textile according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a textile extending a length between a first end and a second end and also extending a dimension transverse to said length being one of a width and a circumference and having a first bonded portion disposed adjacent to said first end to limit fraying at said first end and also having a second bonded portion spaced from said first bonded portion along said length to limit fraying at said first end.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first bonded portion and said second bonded portion are further defined as spaced from one another along said dimension.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said textile is further defined as a sleeve surrounding and axis and said dimension is further defined as a circumference and said first bonded portion and said second bonded portion are further defined as spaced from one another circumferentially about said axis.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said textile is further defined as flat and axis and said dimension is further defined as a width and said first bonded portion and said second bonded portion are further defined as spaced from one another along said width.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first bonded portion and said second bonded portion extend transverse to said length a distance less than said dimension.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein both of said first bonded portion and said second bonded portion extend transverse to said length a distance less than said dimension.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first bonded portion is further defined as a first plurality of discrete sub-portions spaced from one another along said dimension.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second bonded portion is further defined as a second plurality of discrete sub-portions spaced from one another along said dimension.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first plurality of discrete sub-portions are offset from said second plurality of discrete sub-portions along said dimension.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first bonded portion and said second bonded portion are melted portions of said textile.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein both of said first bonded portion and said second bonded portion are melted portions of said textile.

12. A method comprising the steps of: extending a textile a length between a first end and a second end and also extending the textile dimension transverse to the length being one of a width and a circumference;disposing a first bonded portion adjacent to the first end to limit fraying at the first end; anddisposing a second bonded portion spaced from the first bonded portion along the length to limit fraying at the first end.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said extending step includes the step of: selecting one of braiding, weaving and knitting to form the textile.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said disposing the first bonded portion step includes the step of: melting the textile to form the first bonded portion.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said disposing the second bonded portion step includes the step of: melting the textile to form the second bonded portion.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said melting step includes the step of: positioning the textile between a heated collar and a mandrill.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said melting step includes the step of: subjecting the textile to ultrasonic waves to from the first bonded portion.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of: selecting two different materials to form the textile based on the properties of an alloy formed from a blend of the two different materials melted together.

19. The method of claim of claim 18 further comprising the step of: selecting predetermined quantities of the two different materials to form the textile based on the properties of an alloy formed from a blend of the two different materials melted together.

20. An apparatus comprising: a textile formed from two different materials extending a length between a first end and a second end and also extending a dimension transverse to said length being one of a width and a circumference and having a first bonded portion disposed adjacent to said first end to limit fraying at said first end and also having a second bonded portion spaced from said first bonded portion along said length to limit fraying at said first end wherein the bonded portions define an alloy formed from a blend of the two different materials melted together.