Patent Application
20130051712
Not applicable.
The present invention relates to woven textile accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to a woven bag such as a woven duffel-type bag.
Traditionally, apparel and accessories such as bags, shoes, and jackets have been constructed by stitching or affixing together different panels of textile materials. With heavy or repetitive use, the textile panels can rip or separate along the affixed seams which limit the lifespan of these structures. As well, this mode of construction is typically labor-intensive because the different panels of textile materials need to be cut and sewn together.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present invention is defined by the claims.
At a high level, the present invention is directed toward constructing a variety of textile structures from a multi-layer woven fabric using dual-loom technology. The dual-loom technology is used to weave filaments in such a way as to create a first set of different discrete layers of the same fabric in some regions of a textile and a second set of different discrete layers of the same fabric at other regions of the same textile. The different layers may be used to construct various textile structures, such as a woven bag. Because the layers that define the different textile structures are continuously woven from the same filaments, there is minimal need to sew different pieces of material together to create the structure. The result is a durable woven textile structure that resists heavy, repetitive use better than standard stitched structures. This mode of manufacturing can also significantly reduce manufacturing costs because it is less labor intensive.
Examples are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.
At a high level, the present invention is directed towards constructing a variety of textile garments and/or accessories from a multi-layer woven fabric using dual-loom technology. The dual-loom technology is used to weave filaments in such a way as to create a first set of different discrete layers of the same fabric in some regions of a textile and a second set of different discrete layers of the same fabric at other regions of the same textile. The different layers may be used to construct various textile structures, such as a woven bag. Because the layers that define the different textile structures are continuously woven from the same filaments, there is minimal need to sew different pieces of material together to create the structure. The result is a durable woven textile structure that resists heavy, repetitive use better than standard stitched structures. This mode of manufacturing can also significantly reduce manufacturing costs because it is less labor intensive.
Air-jet looms and/or water-jet looms may be used to construct bags or other types of apparel and/or accessories in accordance with the present invention, some examples of which are described herein. One example of suitable air-jet looms for use in practicing methods in accordance with the present invention and in constructing woven textile items in accordance with the present invention is air-jet looms available from Dornier Machinery Corporation of Charlotte, N.C.
The regions 114 contiguously extend from the regions 116. In one aspect, the regions 114 comprise two panels that partially define a cavity, channel, or pocket. The two panels each comprise a single fabric of up to four layers of thickness. The two panels are integrally woven from the regions 116 using the same plurality of filaments that make up the regions 116. The two panels of the regions 114 may have different structural properties and/or may comprise different materials as compared to one another. For instance, the exterior facing panel may be formed using heavy duty ballistic-type materials to impart resistance to wear-and tear, and the interior facing panel may be formed using lightweight-type materials. In another aspect, the exterior facing panel may be woven to create a mesh-like or web-like arrangement; this may be advantageous in constructing a pocket that is substantially see-through from an exterior aspect.
In some aspects, the regions 114 may comprise more than two panels. For instance, the exterior facing panel may be further woven to create two additional panels of up to two layers of thickness. This may be beneficial in creating “a pocket on a pocket.” Likewise, the interior facing panel may be further woven to create two additional panels of up to two layers of thickness. Thus, some areas of the regions 114 may comprise up to four panels with each panel comprising up to two layers of thickness. Any and all such aspects are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention.
The regions 114 and 116 may be interchangeable. In other words, the regions 114 may comprise a single panel of fabric of up to eight layers of thickness, and the regions 116 may comprise two panels with each panel comprising a single fabric of up to four layers of thickness.
The regions 114 and 116 may be configured or positioned in a variety of ways to create different structural and functional properties. For instance, the single panel areas may be located to provide reinforcement in portions of the bag subject to wear-and-tear (e.g., along the perimeter of the bag, adjacent to a handle, and/or the bottom of the bag. The multi-panel areas may be located to provide pockets, cavities, or channels.
The panel 100 further includes area 118. In one aspect, the area 118 may comprise an open area that is constructed by altering the weaving pattern of the surrounding regions to create the open area. The area 118 may also comprise an open area formed by die cutting or incising the panel 100. In either case, the open area may be reinforced by, for example, stitching. In another aspect, the area 118 may comprise a reinforcement area comprising a single fabric of up to eight layers of thickness, which may be further reinforced by, for example, stitching. Any and all such aspects are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention.
The panel 110 depicts the panel 100 at a slightly later stage in construction. The discussion set forth previously with respect to the panel 100 is equally applicable to the panel 110. Besides the regions 114 and 116 depicted in the panel 100, the panel 110 further comprises the areas 120 and 122. The areas 120 and 122 may comprise open areas constructed by altering the weaving patterns of the surrounding areas. As well, the areas 120 and 122 may comprise open areas that have been constructed by die cutting the panel 110. In either case, the open areas may be reinforced by, for example, stitching. The areas 120 and 122 may also comprise reinforcement areas having a single layer of fabric of up to eight layers of thickness. In yet another aspect, the areas 120 and 122 may comprise handles that have been affixed to the woven panel 110. Any and all such aspects are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention.
The panel 112 depicts the panel 100 at a still later stage of construction. The panel 112 comprises a handle 124. The handle 124, in one aspect, may be affixed to the panel 112 using affixing technologies such as stitching, adhesives, heat press, ultrasonic welding, and the like. In another aspect, the handle 124 may be woven using dual-loom technology as discussed above. In this case, the handle 124 is integrally woven from the surrounding areas and may contiguously extend from the edge of the panel 112 at, for example, the tope side 101 and the bottom side 102. Different areas of the handle 124 may be reinforced by, for example, stitching and/or altering the weaving pattern (e.g., area 126). Any and all such aspects are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention.
The panels 100, 110, and 112 may be woven so that a graphic design is incorporated in to the weave. The graphic design may be of the same color as the rest of the panels 100, 110, and 112, or, alternatively, the graphic design may be woven using one or more different filament colors. In one aspect, the graphic design may comprise a logo.
Turning now to
The woven panel 200 further comprises areas 218. In one aspect, the areas 218 may comprise reinforcement regions constructed by altering the weaving pattern as compared to the surrounding regions (e.g., region 210). In another aspect, the areas 218 may comprise a single layer area that is reinforced by, for example, stitching. The woven panel 200 additionally comprises areas 212. The areas 212 may comprise single-layer reinforcement strips created by altering the weaving pattern as compared to surrounding regions. A handle, such as the handle 124 of
The present invention has been described in relation to particular examples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.
This application, having attorney docket number NIKE.174097, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/529,049, filed Aug. 30, 2011, entitled “Woven Textile Apparel and Accessories;” and is related by subject matter to the following concurrently filed U.S. patent applications: U.S. patent application No. ______, having attorney docket number NIKE.174096, entitled “Woven Textile Shoes;” U.S. patent application No. ______ having attorney docket number NIKE.174098, entitled “Woven Textile Accessories” and U.S. patent application No. ______, having attorney docket number NIKE.174095, entitled “Woven Textile Organizer For Bags.” The entirety of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61529049 | Aug 2011 | US |
