A method of spreading fiber tows includes applying a coupling medium to a surface of a fibrous structure, positioning an ultrasonic probe adjacent to the surface of a fibrous structure, such that a tip of the ultrasonic probe is in contact with the coupling medium, moving at least one of the ultrasonic probe and the fabric structure relative to the other of the ultrasonic probe and the fibrous structure according to a first pattern, and imparting ultrasonic vibration with the ultrasonic probe to the surface of the fibrous structure while moving the ultrasonic probe along the surface of the fibrous structure. Imparting ultrasonic vibration to the surface of the fibrous structure spreads tows of the fibrous structure.

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of woven filtration fabrics that include core-sheath spun yarns in either or both of the warp and weft directions.

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly air-permeable woven fabric whose air permeability does not easily deteriorate even after repetitive washing and which has a good fabric quality. The woven fabric of the present invention comprises warp threads constituted by substantially quadrilateral shaped filaments and weft threads constituted by substantially quadrilateral shaped filaments. The warp threads and the weft threads overlap each other in an alternating manner forming crossover points comprising front threads and back threads, such that the warp threads and the weft threads alternate constituting the front threads. The crossover points comprise first crossover points and second crossover points. The first crossover points are the crossover points where the substantially quadrilateral shaped filaments constituting the front threads are aligned in a line. The second crossover points are the crossover points where at least 60% of the substantially quadrilateral shaped filaments constituting the front threads are aligned in a line. The rest of the substantially quadrilateral shaped filaments constituting the front threads overlap above and below in a thickness direction of the woven fabric, wherein, in a structure constituting five warp threads, six weft threads, and 30 crossover points, the total number of the first crossover points among thirty crossover points is not less than 10% and not more than 90%.

Provided is a glass cloth obtained by weaving a glass thread, which is made from a plurality of glass filaments, as a warp and weft. The average filament diameter of the glass filaments is 3.0-4.5 μm. The respective weaving densities of the warp and the weft constituting the glass cloth are, independently, 70-130 threads/25 mm. The standard deviation of weft width of the glass cloth is not more than 30 μm. The weft covering ratio R, which is represented by the expression R=Y/(25400/D) (where R is the weft covering ratio, Y is the average weft width, and D is the well weaving density) satisfies the relational expression 0.50≤R≤0.83.

Textile balloon catheters, textile sleeves useful in balloon catheters, and methods of making balloon catheters are described. An example catheter includes an elongate shaft and a balloon movable between uninflated and inflated configurations, and a textile sleeve secured to the balloon. The textile sleeve has a plurality of warp threads and at least one weft thread extending circumferentially around the balloon. Circumferential loops in the portion of the textile sleeve that is secured to the body of the balloon are larger in diameter than circumferential loops in the portion of the textile sleeve that is secured to one or more of the proximal neck, distal neck, proximal cone and distal cone portions of the balloon.

Textile balloon catheters, textile sleeves useful in balloon catheters, and methods of making balloon catheters are described. An example catheter includes an elongate shaft and a balloon movable between uninflated and inflated configurations, and a textile sleeve secured to the balloon. The textile sleeve has a plurality of warp threads and at least one weft thread extending circumferentially around the balloon. Circumferential loops in the portion of the textile sleeve that is secured to the body of the balloon are larger in diameter than circumferential loops in the portion of the textile sleeve that is secured to one or more of the proximal neck, distal neck, proximal cone and distal cone portions of the balloon.

A seat-belt strap for a seat-belt system in a motor vehicle has a woven fabric consisting of warp threads and weft threads. The seat-belt strap is woven alternately with a 1/2 twill weave and a 2/1 twill weave across at least part of its width.

An artificial blood vessel and a method for preparing the same are disclosed. The method includes: weaving warp yarns and weft yarns to form interlaced first and second weaves, both weaves extend along a weft direction and alternate to obtain a composite fabric; and successively corrugating and thermal-setting the composite fabric to obtain the artificial blood vessel. In the composite structure of the artificial blood vessel with the alternating the first and second weaves formed by the warp and weft yarns, a softness degree of the first weave is lower than that of the second weave. As a result, combining stiffness of the first weave with softness of the second weave, this composite structure ensures both low permeability and increased softness of the fabric. Therefore, it is improved to a certain extent over the conventional woven artificial blood vessels and is easier to handle and suture.

The invention addresses the problem of providing a water-repellent cloth that is excellent in water repellency as well as stretchability and also a textile product using the water-repellent cloth. A means for resolution is a water-repellent cloth given water repellent processing, and the cloth is configured to include a composite yarn containing a stretch fiber and an ultrafine fiber having a single fiber fineness of 1 dtex or less.

Curable prepregs possessing enhanced ability for the removal of gases from within prepregs and between prepreg plies in a prepreg layup prior to and/or during consolidation and curing. Each curable prepreg is a resin-impregnated, woven fabric that has been subjected to a treatment to create an array of openings in at least one major surface. Furthermore, the location of the openings is specific to the weave pattern of the fabric.