Low permeability fabric

Abstract

A tubular stuffer element for a plurality of coiled monofilaments interweaved and interconnected with pintels and having open spaces therebetween to form a fabric which is heat set. Tubular stuffer elements are inserted in the space between the coiled monofilaments. The glass transition temperature T g of the material for the tubular stuffer elements is selected to be at approximately the heat set temperature for the coiled monofilaments so that the stuffer elements are deformed to fill the central portions of the coiled monofilaments.

1 . A fabric comprising:
 a plurality of coiled monofilaments arranged side-by-side in intermeshing relationship;   elongated pintles extending through intermeshed portions of said coil; and   elongated stuffer elements extending through central portions of each of said coils in between adjacent pintles, said stuffer elements being tubular, said monofilaments being heat set to form said fabric, said stuffer elements being formed from a material having a glass transition temperature at around the temperature at which said monofilaments are heat set whereby said stuffer elements deform to fill voids between said coiled monofilaments.   
   
   
       2 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said tubular stuffer elements are formed from a polymer. 
   
   
       3 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said coiled monofilaments are polyester. 
   
   
       4 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said tubular stuffing elements are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, PCTA, polypheylene sulfide, fluorpolymers and nylon. 
   
   
       5 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said tubular stuffer element has a thin wall. 
   
   
       6 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said tubular stuffer element has a circular cross section. 
   
   
       7 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said tubular stuffer element has a non-circular cross-section. 
   
   
       8 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said tubular stuffer element has an oval cross section. 
   
   
       9 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said fabric is in an elongated belt and said tubular stuffer elements extend crosswise relative to said belt. 
   
   
       10 . A method for forming a low permeability fabric comprising the steps of:
 arranging a plurality of coiled monofilaments in side-by-side intermeshing relationships;   extending pintles through intermeshed portions of said coiled monofilaments;   extending tubular stuffer elements through central portions of said coiled monofilaments in between adjacent pintles;   heat setting said monofilaments at an elevated temperature, said tubular stuffer elements being formed from a material having a glass transition temperature at about the elevated temperature for said coiled monofilaments whereby said tubular stuffer elements are deformed to fill the central portions of said coiled monofilaments.   
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said tubular stuffer elements are formed from a polymer. 
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said monofilaments are formed from polyester. 
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said tubular stuffer elements are formed from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, PCTA, polypheylene sulfide, fluorpolymers and nylon. 
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said tubular stuffer elements have a thin wall. 
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said tubular stuffer elements have a circular cross-section. 
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said tubular stuffer elements have a non-circular cross-section. 
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said tubular stuffer elements have an oval cross-section. 
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said monofilaments are arranged to form an elongated belt and said tubular stuffer elements extend crosswise relative to said belt.