阅读说明：本技术 柔性抗磨损的编织套管及其构造方法 (Flexible abrasion resistant braided sleeve and method of construction thereof ) 是由 邱晓丹 高天琪 R·马布巴尼 D·温特斯 E·亚当斯基 于 2020-03-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种编织套管和构造方法。套管(10,10')具有由编织单丝和/或复丝纱线构成的柔性、耐磨的细长壁(12,12')。壁配置为界定沿套管的中心轴线(18)延伸的腔体。壁由大致平行于套管的中心轴线延伸的经纱(23)以及围绕套管周向延伸、大致横向于中心轴线的填充纱(24)编织。经纱集束成单独的、离散的组(22),其中每个组(22)包括彼此为并排关系的多根纱线(23),其中相同离散组(22)内的纱线(23)的每一根交织在公共填充纱(24)的同一侧。(A braided sleeve and method of construction is provided. The sleeve (10,10') has a flexible, wear-resistant, elongate wall (12,12') of braided monofilament and/or multifilament yarns. The wall is configured to define a cavity extending along a central axis (18) of the cannula. The wall is woven with warp yarns (23) extending generally parallel to the central axis of the sleeve and fill yarns (24) extending circumferentially around the sleeve generally transverse to the central axis. The warp yarns are bundled into separate, discrete groups (22), wherein each group (22) includes a plurality of yarns (23) in side-by-side relationship with each other, wherein each of the yarns (23) within the same discrete group (22) is interwoven on the same side of a common fill yarn (24).)

1. A braided textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members, comprising:

an elongated wall configured to define a cavity extending along a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve, the wall being woven from warp yarns extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a fill yarn extending transverse to the warp yarns, the warp yarns being woven into discrete bundles of yarn filaments, wherein each discrete bundle of yarn filaments comprises a plurality of yarn filaments arranged in side-by-side abutting relationship with each other, wherein the yarn filaments in each discrete bundle extend above and below the same fill yarn as each other.

2. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein each said bundle of yarn filaments repeatedly extends over and under a single fill yarn.

3. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein said fill yarns comprise monofilaments and multifilaments alternating with each other along a central longitudinal axis.

4. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein said wall has opposite edges that are overlapped with one another by heat setting some of said fill yarns.

5. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein at least some of said bundles comprise monofilaments.

6. The textile sleeve of claim 5 wherein at least some of said bundles comprise multifilament yarns.

7. The textile sleeve of claim 6 wherein at least some of said bundles comprise only monofilaments and wherein at least some of said bundles comprise only multifilaments.

8. The textile sleeve of claim 6 wherein at least some of said bundles comprise multifilaments and monofilaments.

9. The textile sleeve of claim 8 wherein each of said bundles comprises monofilaments and multifilaments.

10. The textile sleeve of claim 5 wherein each of said bundles comprises only monofilaments.

11. The textile sleeve of claim 5 wherein said monofilaments have a larger diameter relative to the fill yarns.

12. The textile sleeve of claim 5 wherein at least one of said monofilaments within at least one of said discrete bundles has a larger diameter than other said yarns within said at least one of said discrete bundles.

13. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein at least one yarn filament within at least one of said discrete bundles of warp yarns is formed of a different type of material than other said yarn filaments within said at least one of said discrete bundles.

14. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein at least one yarn filament within at least one of said discrete bundles of warp yarns has a different diameter than other said yarn filaments within said at least one of said discrete bundles and is formed of a different type of material.

15. The textile sleeve of claim 1 wherein at least some of said bundles comprise multifilament yarns.

16. The textile sleeve of claim 15 wherein at least some of said bundles comprise only multifilaments.

17. The textile sleeve of claim 16 wherein each of said bundles comprises only multifilament yarns.

18. A braided textile sleeve for routing and protecting an elongate member, comprising:

an elongated wall configured to define a cavity extending along a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve, the wall being woven with warp yarns extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a fill yarn extending transverse to the warp yarns, the warp yarns being woven as discrete bundles of monofilaments, wherein each discrete bundle of monofilaments comprises a plurality of monofilaments arranged in side-by-side abutting relationship with each other, wherein the monofilaments in each discrete bundle extend above and below the fill yarn with each other and the fill yarn is woven as monofilaments and multifilaments;

wherein each said bundle of monofilaments repeatedly extends over and under a single fill yarn;

wherein the fill yarn monofilaments and the fill yarn multifilaments alternate with each other along a longitudinal central axis; and is

Wherein the wall has opposing edges that overlap one another by heat setting at least some of the filled monofilaments.

19. A method of constructing a textile sleeve, comprising:

weaving an elongated wall configured to define a central cavity extending parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve, wherein the wall has warp yarns extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transverse to the warp yarns;

weaving the warp yarns into discrete bundles of yarns, each of the bundles having a plurality of yarn filaments arranged in side-by-side abutting relationship with one another, wherein the yarn filaments in each discrete bundle extend above and below the same fill yarn as one another; and

the fill yarn is woven to include monofilaments and multifilaments.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising braiding each bundle comprising monofilaments.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing at least one monofilament in each of the discrete bundles with a larger diameter than other yarns in the discrete bundles.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising braiding each bundle comprising a multifilament yarn.

23. The method of claim 23 further including weaving each of the monofilaments in the bundle in side-by-side relationship with one of the multifilaments in the bundle.

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to textile sleeves for protecting elongate members, and more particularly to braided sleeves.

2. Correlation technique

It is known to include and protect elongate members (e.g., wires and wire bundles) in a braided protective sleeve in, for example, an automobile, aircraft or aerospace vehicle to provide protection of the wires from abrasion, fluids and heat. In order to achieve a variety of types of desired protection and to ensure optimal protection of the elongated member from wear, the protective sleeve may have a plurality of layers, wherein some of the layers are specifically provided for different types of protection. For example, one layer may be provided for optical coverage to prevent transmission through the sleeve (e.g., a sheet of plastic material), while another layer may be provided for abrasion resistance, and yet another layer may be provided for protection from thermal conditions. While the above-described multilayer sleeves may provide adequate protection against various environmental conditions, unfortunately, they are often bulky, requiring increased spatial volume, and, in addition, tend to be relatively heavy and exhibit low flexibility. Furthermore, providing adequate wear protection remains a challenge. The necessity to include multiple layers has proven problematic in certain applications, particularly applications requiring routing of cables or hoses through tightly wrapped areas, as well as applications with weight limitations (e.g., aircraft and aerospace applications).

Background

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present invention provides a woven fabric sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members, the sleeve comprising an elongate wall configured to define a cavity extending a longitudinal central axis of the sleeve. The wall is woven from warp yarns extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transverse to the warp yarns. The warp yarns are woven into discrete bundles of yarn. Each of the discrete bundles of yarn filaments includes a plurality of yarn filaments arranged in side-by-side abutting relationship with one another. The yarn filaments in each discrete bundle extend above and below the same fill yarn as each other.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of constructing a textile sleeve, comprising: weaving an elongated wall configured to define a central cavity extending parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve, wherein the wall has warp yarns extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transverse to the warp yarns. Further, the warp yarns are woven into discrete bundles of yarns, wherein each of the bundles has a plurality of filaments arranged in side-by-side abutting relationship with each other, wherein the filaments in each discrete bundle extend above and below the same fill yarn as each other. Further, the filling yarn including the monofilament and the multifilament is knitted.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a braided sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members from exposure to wear and other environmental conditions (e.g., contamination). The sleeve has a flexible wear resistant wall comprised of braided monofilament and multifilament yarns. The wall is configured to define a cavity extending along a central axis of the cannula between the opposing open ends. The wall is woven from warp yarns extending generally parallel to the central axis of the sleeve and fill yarns (also referred to as weft yarns) extending circumferentially about the central axis of the sleeve generally transverse to the central axis. The warp yarns are bundled into individual discrete groups, where each group includes a plurality of monofilaments in direct, side-by-side, abutting relationship with each other, where each of the monofilaments within the same discrete group are interwoven to extend over and under the same side of the same (common) fill yarn. The bundled warp yarn sets provide enhanced abrasion resistance to abrasive forces along the length of the sleeve while also providing the sleeve with a relatively reduced weight compared to similar plain weave (plain weave does not include discrete side sets) sleeves of the same size, while the synergy provided by the warp yarns and fill yarns further provides the sleeve with enhanced optical coverage, smooth bending capability without kinking in tortuous paths and corners, while also being economical to manufacture and use.

According to another aspect of the invention, the wall of the sleeve may be configured as a circumferentially continuous, seamless tubular wall.

According to another aspect of the invention, the wall of the sleeve may be formed as a wrappable wall having opposite edges extending generally parallel to the central axis, wherein the opposite edges are configured to overlap one another to define a cavity configured for receiving the elongate member to be protected.

According to another aspect of the invention, the discrete bundles of warp filaments may extend in a repeating manner over and under a single fill yarn.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the discrete bundles of warp filaments may extend in a repeating manner over and under the plurality of fill yarns.

According to another aspect of the invention, each of the discrete bundles of monofilaments may be provided having three (3) or more monofilaments to provide enhanced abrasion resistance.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the fill yarns may be provided as multifilaments and monofilaments wherein the multifilaments provide enhanced optical coverage and the monofilaments are heat-set to bias the opposite edges of the wall into overlapping relation with one another.

According to another aspect of the invention, the fill yarns may be arranged to include multifilaments and monofilaments in alternating relation to each other along the length of the sleeve such that immediately adjacent fill yarns extend above and below the same warp yarns, respectively, thereby providing the sleeve with an optimal self-wrapping configuration and optimal optical coverage.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the fill yarn may be provided to include multifilaments and monofilaments in bundled, side-by-side relation to one another such that each channel (fill yarn) of the fill yarn includes multifilaments and monofilaments either drawn parallel to one another or twisted about one another or acting upon one another such that the bundled multifilaments and monofilament fill yarn extend above and below the same warp yarns in side-by-side relation to one another to provide an optimal self-wrapping configuration and optimal optical coverage for the sleeve.

According to another aspect of the invention, the warp monofilaments may be provided with a larger diameter relative to the fill yarns to enhance wear protection of the fill yarns.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one warp monofilament within one or more of the discrete bundles of warp monofilaments may have a different diameter than other warp monofilaments within the discrete bundles, wherein warp monofilaments having a larger diameter provide protection for warp monofilaments having a smaller diameter.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one warp filament within one or more of the discrete bundles of warp filaments may be a different type of material than other warp filaments within the discrete bundles.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one warp filament within one or more of the discrete bundles of warp filaments may have a different diameter and be formed of a different type of material than other warp filaments within the discrete bundles.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one warp monofilament within one or more of the discrete bundles of warp monofilaments may have a larger diameter (e.g., about 0.25mm) than other warp monofilaments formed of, for example, PET, having, for example, a diameter of about 0.22mm within, for example, a discrete bundle, and be formed of a different type of material (e.g., nylon). The larger diameter monofilaments are provided to enhance the abrasion resistance of the best abrasion resistant material to provide protection for the smaller, less expensive monofilaments, which also provide enhanced abrasion resistance in a synergistic manner with the larger diameter monofilaments.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of constructing a textile sleeve is provided. The method includes weaving an elongated wall configured to define a cavity extending along a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve, wherein the wall has warp yarns extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis and fill yarns extending transverse to the warp yarns. Further, the method includes weaving the warp yarns into discrete bundles of yarns, wherein each of the bundles has a plurality of monofilament yarns arranged in side-by-side abutting relationship with one another, wherein the warp yarns in each discrete bundle extend above and below the same fill yarns as one another.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include weaving the wall with opposing edges extending generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and wrapping the opposing edges in overlapping relation with one another to circumferentially define the cavity.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise weaving the wall as a circumferentially continuous seamless tubular wall.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise weaving the bundles above and below the single fill yarn in a repeating manner.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include heat-setting at least some of the fill yarns to bias the opposite edges into overlapping relation with one another.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise providing the filler yarn as monofilament and multifilament yarns.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include weaving the fill yarns as monofilament and multifilament yarns in alternating relation to one another along the length of the sleeve.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further include weaving the warp yarns and the fill yarns in a warp rib weave pattern.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise braiding at least one warp monofilament in one or more of the discrete bundles of warp monofilaments having a different diameter than other warp monofilaments within the discrete bundles to further enhance the wear resistance of the wall and reduce costs associated with manufacturing the wall.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise braiding at least one warp monofilament in one or more of the discrete bundles of warp monofilaments of a different type of material than other warp monofilaments within the discrete bundles to further increase the wear resistance of the wall and reduce costs associated with manufacturing the wall.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise braiding at least one warp monofilament in one or more of the discrete bundles of warp monofilaments having a different diameter than other warp monofilaments within the discrete bundles and formed of a different type of material to further increase the wear resistance of the wall and reduce costs associated with manufacturing the wall.

According to another aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise braiding at least one warp monofilament in one or more of the discrete bundles of warp monofilaments having a larger diameter (e.g., about 0.25mm) and formed of a different type of material (e.g., nylon) than other warp monofilaments formed of, for example, PET having a diameter of, for example, about 0.22mm within the discrete bundles, such that the larger diameter monofilaments provide enhanced abrasion resistance by the best abrasion resistant material, thereby providing abrasion resistant protection for the smaller, less expensive monofilaments, which also provide enhanced abrasion resistance in a coordinated manner with the larger diameter monofilaments.

Drawings

These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a braided, wrappable sleeve constructed according to one aspect of the invention, with the sleeve shown carrying and protecting an elongate member therein;

FIG. 1A is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a braided, circumferentially continuous sleeve constructed in accordance with another aspect of the invention, with the sleeve shown carrying and protecting an elongate member therein;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic plan view of a portion of the wall of the bushing of FIGS. 1 and 1A constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a portion of the wall of the cannula of FIGS. 1 and 1A constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a portion of the wall of the cannula of FIGS. 1 and 1A constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2C is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a portion of the wall of the cannula of FIGS. 1 and 1A constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2D is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a portion of the wall of the cannula of FIGS. 1 and 1A constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2E is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a portion of the wall of the cannula of FIGS. 1 and 1A constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2F is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a portion of the wall of the bushing of FIGS. 1 and 1A constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2G is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a portion of the wall of the cannula of FIGS. 1 and 1A constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and

fig. 3 is a plan view of the wall of the cannula of fig. 1 prior to being wrapped into a tubular configuration constructed in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a braided, wrappable textile sleeve (hereinafter sleeve 10) constructed in accordance with one aspect of the invention, while FIG. 1A shows a similar view of a circumferentially continuous sleeve 10' constructed in accordance with another aspect of the invention. The sleeve 10 has wrappable elongated walls 12, while the sleeve 10 'has circumferentially continuous seamless walls 12', each for routing and protecting the elongated member (e.g., wire or harness 14) from exposure to abrasion and the intrusion of contaminants, debris and the like. The sleeves 10,10' and associated yarns (for construction of the sleeve) discussed below are similar, except that the wall 12 is wrappable and the wall 12' is circumferentially continuous and seamless, so that the following discussion is directed to the sleeve 10 for simplicity only, it being recognized that the same discussion applies equally to the sleeve 10' unless specifically stated otherwise. Unlike the wall 12', the elongated wall 12 has opposite edges 16, 17 extending generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 18, wherein the edges 16, 17 are preferably biased into overlapping relation with one another in a "cigarette-like" fashion to completely enclose the elongated member 14 within the central cavity 20 of the sleeve 10. Unlike cavity 20' (fig. 1A), cavity 20 is readily accessible along the entire length of wall 12 by separation of opposing edges 16, 17, such that elongate member 14 may be readily radially disposed relative to axis 18 into cavity 20 and, conversely, removed from cavity 20 (e.g., during use). To provide the desired protection of the elongate member 14 from wear, and to optimize the structural integrity of the walls 12,12 'against wear, the walls 12,12' are woven from individual, discrete warp yarn bundles 22 extending generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 18, with each bundle 22 being comprised of a plurality of warp yarns 23 arranged in side-by-side abutting relationship with one another. The bundles 22 having a plurality of warp yarns 23 in side-by-side abutting relationship minimize yarn movement within the walls 12,12' such that the individual warp yarns 23 within each bundle 22 do not move significantly relative to one another, thereby reducing internal friction within the walls 12,12', which in turn reduces wear between the warp yarns 23, even when the walls 12,12' are moving against some external vehicle component, such as an engine component or a frame component (by way of example and not limitation). In addition, the bundles 22 provide the outer surface of the wall 12,12 'with an increased surface area of warp yarn 23 material, wherein the increased surface area of yarn material serves to evenly and widely distribute the load exerted on the outer surface over and outside the impact area of the wall 12,12', thereby serving to reduce high point loads and, therefore, wear. The walls 12,12' are further woven with weft yarns (also commonly referred to as fill yarns 24) that extend generally circumferentially around the wrap wall 12 in generally transverse relation to the warp yarns 23. If desired, the fill yarn 24 may be provided at least partially as a heat-settable yarn such that upon heat-setting the fill yarn 24 while in a rolled or wrapped configuration, the wall 12 is biased to self-curl the opposed edges 16, 17 into overlapping relation with one another. The bias is imparted by heat-setting the fill yarn 24 (e.g., heat-settable monofilament yarn) into a curled configuration about the central longitudinal axis 18, causing the wall 12 to self-curl (also referred to as self-wrap). It should be appreciated that by reducing the relative movement between the warp yarns 23, the reduced relative movement and friction between the warp yarns 23 and the fill yarns 24 is also correspondingly reduced, thereby further reducing the internal friction and wear within the walls 12, 12'.

The walls 12,12' may be configured to have any suitable dimensions (including length and diameter) depending on the application needs. When the wall 12 is in its self-wrapping tubular configuration (generally unaffected by any externally applied forces), the edges 16, 17 preferably at least slightly overlap one another in a self-biasing manner to completely surround the cavity 20 and thus provide enhanced protection to the wires 14 contained within the cavity 20. The edges 16, 17 can be readily extended away from each other under an externally applied force sufficient to overcome the shape memory bias imparted by the fill yarn 24 to at least partially open and expose the cavity 20. Thus, the electrical wires 14 may be easily disposed into the cavity 20 during assembly or removed from the cavity 20 during use. Upon release of the externally applied force, the edges 16, 17 automatically return to their shape memory, overlapping, self-wrapped position under the bias imparted by the heat-set filled monofilament yarns 24.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the discrete warp yarn bundles 22 may be formed from any suitable monofilament yarn 23. The monofilament warp yarns 23, in addition to providing enhanced wear resistance due to the side-by-side, abutting or substantially abutting relationship with one another, also provide enhanced, optimal surface area coverage of the wall 12 to inhibit contaminants, debris and the like from entering the cavity 20, thereby providing enhanced protection for the elongate member 14 contained within the cavity 20. In one exemplary sleeve embodiment (fig. 2), the bundle 22 is formed from four (4) monofilament warp yarns 23, and in another exemplary embodiment (fig. 2A), the walls 112, 112' of the sleeves 110, 110' may include at least one warp monofilament 23' within a discrete bundle 22 of warp monofilaments 23, the warp monofilaments 23 having a different (larger) diameter than the other warp monofilaments 23 within the discrete bundle 22, thereby providing enhanced wear protection for the smaller diameter warp monofilaments 23. In the non-limiting embodiment of fig. 2A (only the areas identified in fig. 2 are shown, with the remainder of the walls 112, 112' being repeated as shown in fig. 2), the bundle 22 is formed from three (3) monofilament warp yarns 23, although two (2) or more warp yarns 23 may be used; however, it has been found that having at least three (3) warp yarns 23 provides greatly improved abrasion protection. The discrete bundles 22 are shown in fig. 2 and 2A by way of example and without limitation as being woven in a ribbed weave pattern, with each discrete bundle 22 extending in a repeating manner over a common single fill yarn 24 and then under a common single fill yarn 24, although other ribbed weaves are possible.

The fill yarns 24 may be provided as any suitable monofilament and/or multifilament material, including heat-settable monofilament and/or multifilament polymeric materials. In the exemplary sleeve embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 2A, the fill yarns 24 are provided as heat-settable monofilaments 24 '(although non-heat-settable monofilaments, particularly with the wall 12' may be used) and as high coverage multifilaments 24 spaced from one another such that immediately adjacent yarns 24, 24 'extend above and below the same warp yarns 23, respectively (the fill yarns 24 extend above the first warp yarns 23 and the immediately adjacent fill yarns 24' extend below the first warp yarns 23). To provide increased self-wrapping capability and increased optical coverage of the wall 12 to prevent the cavity 20 from being seen through the wall 12, thereby enhancing protection against the ingress of contaminants, the fill yarns 24 monofilaments and multifilaments are woven in an alternating fashion with one another along the length of the sleeve 10. As shown in fig. 2A, the fill yarns 24, 24 'may be provided with a reduced cross-sectional area (reduced diameter) relative to at least some of the warp yarns 23, which helps provide the sleeve 10 with an increased degree of flexibility while also inhibiting wear of the fill yarns 24, 24' (given that more and closely packed warp monofilaments 23 tend to slow wear down). Thus, as shown, at least some or all of the warp filaments 23' may be provided with a larger diameter relative to the fill yarns 24, 24' to enhance wear protection of the fill yarns 24, 24 '. However, if the fill yarns 24, 24' wear, it has been found that the closely packed, abutting warp yarns 23, 23' of the bundles 22 are able to maintain the structural integrity of the walls 12,12', and thus the protection of the elongated member 14. In addition, the fill yarns 24 may be provided with a relatively low pick density (picks per inch), which ultimately increases the production run speed (the speed of weaving of the walls 12,12'), thereby reducing manufacturing costs while also reducing the overall material content and thus further reducing costs associated with producing the sleeve 10.

Yarns 23, 24' may be provided from any desired thermoplastic material, such as, by way of example and not limitation, one or more of polyester, PPS, Nomex, and may also include inorganic materials, such as, by way of example and not limitation, one or more of fiberglass and basalt.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one warp monofilament 23' within one or more of the discrete bundles 22 of warp monofilaments 23 may be a different type of material than the other warp monofilaments 23 within the discrete bundles 22.

According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in fig. 2A, at least one warp monofilament 23' within one or more of the discrete bundles 22 may have a different diameter and be formed of a different type of material than other warp monofilaments 23 within the discrete bundles 22. Thus, the synergy can be optimized by providing warp filaments 23, 23' of different diameters and/or different materials within the common bundle 22 to enhance wear resistance while increasing manufacturing economy and reducing costs. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, at least one warp monofilament 23' within one or more of the discrete bundles 22 of warp monofilaments 23 may have a larger diameter (e.g., about 0.25mm) and be formed of a different type of material (e.g., nylon) than other warp monofilaments 23 within the discrete bundles 22 having, for example, a diameter of about 0.22mm and formed of, for example, PET. The larger diameter monofilaments 23 'are provided to enhance the abrasion resistance from the best abrasion resistant material (e.g., nylon) to provide protection for the smaller, less expensive monofilaments 23, which also provide enhanced abrasion resistance in a synergistic manner with the larger diameter monofilaments 23'. It should be appreciated that the diameter and material for the warp filaments 23, 23' may be selected as desired for the intended application.

According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in fig. 2B (only the areas identified in fig. 2 are shown, with the remainder of the walls 212, 212' being repeated as shown in fig. 2), the walls 212, 212' of the sleeves 210, 210' may include a fill yarn disposed to include the multifilaments 24 and monofilaments 24' in bundled, side-by-side relation to one another such that each pass of the fill yarn (woven as a single weft yarn) includes the multifilaments 24 and monofilaments 24', either drawn parallel to one another, twisted with one another (both spiral wrapped together), or acting upon one another (one spiral wrapped around the other) such that the bundled multifilaments and monofilament fill yarns 24, 24' extend above and below the same warp yarns 23, 23' in side-by-side relation to one another to provide improved self-wrapping configuration and optimal optical coverage of the sleeve.

According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in fig. 2C (only the regions identified in fig. 2 are shown, with the remainder of the walls 312, 312 'being repeated as shown in fig. 2), the walls 312, 312' of the sleeves 310, 310 'may be constructed in a similar manner as discussed above for the walls 212, 212'; however, the fill yarn may be provided as comprising only multifilaments 24 woven with the warp 23 and optional bundles 22 of warp 23'.

According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in fig. 2D (showing a view similar to fig. 2), the walls 412, 412 'of the sleeves 410, 410' may be configured in a manner similar to that discussed above for any of the walls 12,12', 112', 212', 312'; however, at least one, and not shown as all, of the warp yarns within each of the bundles 22 may be provided as multifilaments 23 ". Thus, the coverage and flexibility of the walls 412, 412' to prevent the ingress of contaminants is greatly increased.

According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in fig. 2E (showing a view similar to fig. 2), the walls 512, 512 'of the sleeves 510, 510' may be configured in a manner similar to that discussed above for any of the walls 12,12', 112', 212', 312'; however, at least one of the bundles 22 (and shown as alternating bundles 22) may be provided as a multifilament 23 ". Thus, the alternating bundles 22 comprise only multifilaments 23 "and the alternating bundles 22 comprise only monofilaments 23. Thus, the multifilaments 23 "greatly increase the coverage and flexibility of the walls 512, 512' against the ingress of contaminants, and the monofilaments 23 increase the abrasion resistance.

According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in fig. 2F (showing a view similar to fig. 2), the walls 612, 612 'of the sleeves 610, 610' may be configured in a manner similar to that discussed above for any of the walls 12,12', 112', 212', 312'; however, each of the bundles 22 may be provided to include multifilaments 23 "and monofilaments 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the bundles 22 comprising monofilaments 23 and multifilaments 23 "alternate with each other such that the increased surface friction of the multifilaments 23" serves to secure and lock the adjoining monofilaments 23 in place. Thus, the multifilaments 23 "greatly increase the coverage and flexibility of the walls 612, 612' against the ingress of contaminants, and the monofilaments 23 increase the abrasion resistance.

According to another aspect of the invention, as shown in fig. 2G (showing a view similar to fig. 2), the walls 712, 712 'of the sleeves 710, 710' may be configured in a manner similar to that discussed above for any of the walls 12,12', 112', 212', 312'; however, each of the bundles 22 may be provided to include multifilaments 23 "and monofilaments 23 (such as discussed with respect to walls 612, 612'); however, the multifilaments 23 "and the monofilaments 23 are arranged differently. In the illustrated embodiment, the multifilaments 23 "of each of the bundles 22 are in side-by-side, abutting relationship with one another. In the exemplary embodiment, a pair of multifilaments 23 are disposed in side-by-side, abutting relationship with one another, and a single monofilament 23 is disposed along each side of the pair of multifilaments 23 "adjacent thereto. Thus, the increased surface friction of the multifilament 23 "serves to secure and lock the adjoining monofilaments 23 in place. Thus, the multifilament 23 "greatly increases the coverage and flexibility of the walls 712, 712' against the ingress of contaminants, and the monofilament 23 increases the abrasion resistance.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, as shown in fig. 3, the wall 812 of the sleeve 810 may be configured in a manner similar to that discussed above with respect to any of the walls 12, 112, 212, 312, wherein the wall 812 has opposed edges 816, 817 that extend generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 18, wherein the edges 816, 817 are preferably biased into an overlapping relationship with one another. At least one or both edges 816, 817 may include edge regions 816', 817' that span multiple warp yarns 23 along the entire length of the sleeve 810, such as between about 4-10 warp yarns 23 (by way of example and not limitation), wherein the edge regions 816', 817' are woven in a plain weave pattern. Accordingly, the fill yarns 24, 24' in the edge areas 816', 817' weave with the warp yarns 23 in a plain weave pattern. As described above, the intermediate body regions 30 between one edge region 816 'and extending from one edge region 816' to the opposite edge region 817 'are woven with the warp rib weave pattern of fill yarns 24, 24' and warp yarns 23. Because the opposing edge regions 816', 817' have a plain weave pattern, it has been found that upon bending the sleeve 810 around a sharp corner, the opposing edges 816, 817 remain in overlapping relation with one another and avoid separating from one another or otherwise opening one another. Thus, the opening between the opposing edges 816, 817 is inhibited, thereby providing optimal coverage of the elongate member 14 contained within the cannula 810.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is contemplated that all features of all claims and all embodiments may be combined with each other as long as such combinations are not mutually inconsistent. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.