A medical balloon with a variable diameter that is reinforced with continuous fibers woven to form a fabric with a varying number of layers and fiber densities. Portions of the balloon having a relatively smaller diameter are reinforced with a fabric having a reduced fiber density and an increased number of layers to facilitate the placement of the layers. The fabric also includes a braiding pattern that facilitates the transition from a single layer fabric to a multiple layer fabric. Also described is a manufacturing method for the braiding and layering.

A medical balloon with a variable diameter that is reinforced with continuous fibers woven to form a fabric with a varying number of layers and fiber densities. Portions of the balloon having a relatively smaller diameter are reinforced with a fabric having a reduced fiber density and an increased number of layers to facilitate the placement of the layers. The fabric also includes a braiding pattern that facilitates the transition from a single layer fabric to a multiple layer fabric. Also described is a manufacturing method for the braiding and layering.

A machine for fabricating three-dimensional interlaced composite components including a frame, a deposition surface, a first set of two or more warp heads, a second set of two or more of warp heads, and a weft inserter. An interlaced composite component including a first set of two or more warp filaments parallel to each other and a first set of two or more weft filaments parallel to each other. Warp filaments are interlaced with, and bonded to, weft filaments. Warp filaments and weft filaments are interlaced in at least two different weave patterns. Warp filaments and weft filaments are continuous, and the weave patterns transition from one pattern to another.

A machine for fabricating three-dimensional interlaced composite components including a frame, a deposition surface, a first set of two or more warp heads, a second set of two or more of warp heads, and a weft inserter. An interlaced composite component including a first set of two or more warp filaments parallel to each other and a first set of two or more weft filaments parallel to each other. Warp filaments are interlaced with, and bonded to, weft filaments. Warp filaments and weft filaments are interlaced in at least two different weave patterns. Warp filaments and weft filaments are continuous, and the weave patterns transition from one pattern to another.

A weaving loom for weaving a multilayer fabric and comprising weft insertion means (90) and main heddles moved by a Jacquard main shedding mechanism for guiding main warp yarns (12) and defining a main harness width (W11). According to the invention, the weaving loom comprises auxiliary heddles (21) moved by an auxiliary shedding mechanism, for guiding auxiliary warp yarns (22) and defining a clamping area (W21) arranged within the main harness width (W11). At a first pick, the auxiliary heddles are configured for closing the auxiliary shed of auxiliary warp yarns for clamping an inserted weft (100) while the main shed is still open.

Fabric may be woven using a needle weaving machine. The needle weaving machine may have three weft fiber needles and two hooks for holding weft fibers from the weft fiber needles. One of the weft fiber needles may provide weft fibers to multiple hooks when weaving fabric with warp fibers held in a V-shaped profile. An electronic device may have a rectangular footprint with four curved corners. A length of fabric may be woven to form a case having four curved corners that match the four curved corners of the electronic device. The case may have a C-shaped profile with parallel upper and lower fabric portions coupled by a sidewall. Short rows of weft fiber may be used around the corners of the case to ensure that the upper and lower portions of the fabric lie flush with planar front and rear surfaces of the electronic device.

Fabric may be woven using a needle weaving machine. The needle weaving machine may have three weft fiber needles and two hooks for holding weft fibers from the weft fiber needles. One of the weft fiber needles may provide weft fibers to multiple hooks when weaving fabric with warp fibers held in a V-shaped profile. An electronic device may have a rectangular footprint with four curved corners. A length of fabric may be woven to form a case having four curved corners that match the four curved corners of the electronic device. The case may have a C-shaped profile with parallel upper and lower fabric portions coupled by a sidewall. Short rows of weft fiber may be used around the corners of the case to ensure that the upper and lower portions of the fabric lie flush with planar front and rear surfaces of the electronic device.

ABSTRACT This weaving machine (2) includes a structure (4) able to support a plurality of warp threads (16) extending in a first direction, a heddles mechanism (18) capable of selectively moving at least some of the plurality of warp threads (16) to form first and second sheets (28, 30) of warp threads, and at least one weft-thread feed spool (38). The weaving machine (2) also includes at least one support shuttle (44) for the feed spool and an actuating device (32) able to control a movement of the shuttle (44) between the first and second sheets (28, 30) of warp threads in at least one second direction transverse to the first direction, in both senses relative to the second direction, to continuously lay the weft thread (43) coming from the feed spool (38) between the sheets (28, 30) and in the second direction.

ABSTRACT This weaving machine (2) includes a structure (4) able to support a plurality of warp threads (16) extending in a first direction, a heddles mechanism (18) capable of selectively moving at least some of the plurality of warp threads (16) to form first and second sheets (28, 30) of warp threads, and at least one weft-thread feed spool (38). The weaving machine (2) also includes at least one support shuttle (44) for the feed spool and an actuating device (32) able to control a movement of the shuttle (44) between the first and second sheets (28, 30) of warp threads in at least one second direction transverse to the first direction, in both senses relative to the second direction, to continuously lay the weft thread (43) coming from the feed spool (38) between the sheets (28, 30) and in the second direction.

Disclosed is a weaving method including placing a first section of a fill fiber between warp fibers, forming a pick, moving a base to reposition the warp fibers, and placing a second section of the fill fiber between the warp fibers to form a woven structure, wherein at least a portion of the warp fibers are introduced to the woven structure using a weave control grid. Also disclosed is a weaving assembly including a base, a base positional controller, a weave control grid, warp fiber arms, a warp fiber arm positional controller and a fill fiber wand.