A volumetric weaving approach employs a vertical aspect of woven warp and weft fibers to generate volumetric structures through formation of tie-downs. Tie downs define warp and weft fibers that take a vertical path or component extending perpendicular to a weave plane. Independently controlled heddles provide selective warp fibers control, and a two-dimensional creel that dispenses the warp fibers at differing feed rates allows manipulation of the fibers into three dimensional structures or portions. As a shuttle draws the weft fiber, different layers are raised and lowered to lend a vertical axis to the resulting volumetric structure. Interconnections between the portions include the use of the tie downs to connect multiple portions to define 3-dimensional panels of a finished article such as a shoe. A single pass defining all the interconnected portions of the shoe generates the fully formed shoe without subsequent cutting and seaming of different textile panels.

This heddle for a harness of a Jacquard weaving loom comprises two strands (32, 34) each equipped at a first end with a member for hooking-up the heddle to an element of the harness, as well as a link (30) with an eyelet (36) for guiding a warp thread, this eyelet (36) being positioned, along a longitudinal axis (X10) of the heddle, between both strands (32, 34). The link (30) is in a synthetic material and comprises two branches (52, 54) positioned on either side of the eyelet (36) along the longitudinal axis (X10). A portion (522, 542) of each branch (52, 54) is over-molded on a second end (324, 344) of a strand (32, 34) opposite to its first end and shifted longitudinally from the eyelet (36). Further, each branch (52, 54) of the link completely surrounds the second end (324, 344) of the corresponding strand (32, 34). The second end of the strand (32, 34) is conformed with a geometry intended to achieve an anchoring which opposes the displacement of the over-molded portion of the branch of the link relatively to the second end of the strand along two opposite longitudinal directions (F1, F2), while the eyelet (36) is formed with the synthetic material which makes up the link (30).

This heddle for a harness of a Jacquard weaving loom comprises two strands (32, 34) each equipped at a first end with a member for hooking-up the heddle to an element of the harness, as well as a link (30) with an eyelet (36) for guiding a warp thread, this eyelet (36) being positioned, along a longitudinal axis (X10) of the heddle, between both strands (32, 34). The link (30) is in a synthetic material and comprises two branches (52, 54) positioned on either side of the eyelet (36) along the longitudinal axis (X10). A portion (522, 542) of each branch (52, 54) is over-molded on a second end (324, 344) of a strand (32, 34) opposite to its first end and shifted longitudinally from the eyelet (36). Further, each branch (52, 54) of the link completely surrounds the second end (324, 344) of the corresponding strand (32, 34). The second end of the strand (32, 34) is conformed with a geometry intended to achieve an anchoring which opposes the displacement of the over-molded portion of the branch of the link relatively to the second end of the strand along two opposite longitudinal directions (F1, F2), while the eyelet (36) is formed with the synthetic material which makes up the link (30).

An apparatus for weaving a multilayer product that has one or more warp columns for placing warp fibers and one or more heddle columns for heddles for lacing the warp fibers. The weaving apparatus has a numerical ratio of warp columns and heddle columns that is a fractional number. And a portion of the warp fibers are laceable through heddles on one or more heddle columns based on the fractional number. A method for weaving a multilayer product where adjacent warp fibers are segmented and laced through heddles on the heddle columns based on the fractional number.

An apparatus for weaving a multilayer product that has one or more warp columns for placing warp fibers and one or more heddle columns for heddles for lacing the warp fibers. The weaving apparatus has a numerical ratio of warp columns and heddle columns that is a fractional number. And a portion of the warp fibers are laceable through heddles on one or more heddle columns based on the fractional number. A method for weaving a multilayer product where adjacent warp fibers are segmented and laced through heddles on the heddle columns based on the fractional number.

A method and apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional fabric involves inserting simultaneously a parallel weft yarns into the sheds between multiple warp yarn layers and selectively inserting at least one group of binder yarns between parallel spaced warp yarns. The group of binder yarns are moved relative to the warp yarns between weft insertions. The yarns may be moved between more than two positions relative to the warp yarns during weaving of the fabric so as to insert binder yarns. In one embodiment the binder yarns are moved such that they extend in a direction that is not orthogonal to the warp yarns.

A method and apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional fabric involves inserting simultaneously a parallel weft yarns into the sheds between multiple warp yarn layers and selectively inserting at least one group of binder yarns between parallel spaced warp yarns. The group of binder yarns are moved relative to the warp yarns between weft insertions. The yarns may be moved between more than two positions relative to the warp yarns during weaving of the fabric so as to insert binder yarns. In one embodiment the binder yarns are moved such that they extend in a direction that is not orthogonal to the warp yarns.

A heddle (10) is provided for weaving strip-shaped warp yarn. Said heddle (10) includes a heddle shaft (12) formed by two shaft parts (13). Said shaft parts (13) are placed on top of each other in a respective end section (15) of the heddle shaft (12) and interconnected. The end eyelets (16) of the heddle (10) are also in said end section (15). To form a yarn eye between both shaft parts (13), two separate warp yarn guiding bodies (20) are placed therebetween. To determine the position of the warp yarn guiding body (20) with respect to the heddle shaft (12), at least one shaft projection (22) is produced by stamping and subsequent bending or embossing each shaft part (13) for each warp yarn guiding body (20). Said shaft projection (22) engages in an associated recess (25) of the warp yarn guiding body (20), and a bonding connection is produced.

A heddle (10) is provided for weaving strip-shaped warp yarn. Said heddle (10) includes a heddle shaft (12) formed by two shaft parts (13). Said shaft parts (13) are placed on top of each other in a respective end section (15) of the heddle shaft (12) and interconnected. The end eyelets (16) of the heddle (10) are also in said end section (15). To form a yarn eye between both shaft parts (13), two separate warp yarn guiding bodies (20) are placed therebetween. To determine the position of the warp yarn guiding body (20) with respect to the heddle shaft (12), at least one shaft projection (22) is produced by stamping and subsequent bending or embossing each shaft part (13) for each warp yarn guiding body (20). Said shaft projection (22) engages in an associated recess (25) of the warp yarn guiding body (20), and a bonding connection is produced.

A Jacquard heddle comprising a link, comprising an upper hole and a lower hole of circular cross-section. A first single-filament wire is engaged in the upper hole forming an upper loop and a second single-filament wire is engaged in the lower hole forming a lower loop. The Jacquard heddle comprises an upper end connector to which two end portions of the first wire are linked and a lower end connector to which two end portions of the second wire are linked. The upper loop defines a free opening extending from the upper hole to the connection of the two end portions of the first wire with the upper end connector. The lower loop defines a free opening extending from the lower hole to the connection of the two end portions of the second wire with the lower end connector.