Textile element

Abstract

Methods of manufacturing a textile element comprising the steps of outputting a thread, heating the thread, and arranging the heated thread in a thread pattern. The methods may further comprise applying pressure to at least a portion of the thread pattern. The present disclosure further relates to an apparatus for manufacturing the textile element according to the methods described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a textile element, the method comprising:
 outputting a thread;   heating the thread; and   arranging the heated thread in a thread pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying pressure to at least a portion of the thread pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying pressure comprises using a first circular object following a path of the thread pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the applying pressure further comprises applying an essentially constant first pressure on at least a first portion of the thread pattern using the first circular object. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising cooling the first circular object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the applying pressure comprises applying pressure using a second circular object following the path of the thread pattern, and wherein the second circular object is arranged before the first circular object along the path. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising heating the second circular object. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the applying pressure further comprises applying an essentially constant second pressure on at least a second portion of the thread pattern using the second circular object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heating further comprises softening or melting at least a portion of the thread. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heating further comprises heating the thread and at least a portion of the thread pattern simultaneously. 
     
     
         11 . The method of one of  claim 1 , wherein the heating further comprises heating the thread prior to arranging the thread. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the arranging comprises overlapping at least a portion of the thread pattern with the heated thread. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the arranging comprises refraining from winding the thread around anchor points. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising arranging at least a first layer of the thread pattern on a substrate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the thread pattern is removably attached to the substrate such that the thread pattern of at least the first layer is maintained. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising removing the thread pattern from the substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outputting comprises outputting the thread prior to heating the thread. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for manufacturing a textile element, the apparatus comprising:
 means for outputting a thread;   means for heating the thread; and   means for arranging the heated thread in a thread pattern.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising means for applying pressure to at least a portion of the thread pattern. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the means for applying pressure comprises a first circular object arranged to follow a path of the thread pattern.