Knitted textile fabric with integrated fluid-containing or -conveying tubular segments
First Claim
1. A knitted textile fabric comprising yarn formed into interlooped stitches defining a fabric structure having a longitudinal extent and a transverse extent wherein the stitches are aligned longitudinally in a plurality of essentially parallel wales and transversely in a plurality of essentially parallel courses perpendicular to the wales, and a plurality of elongate hollow tubular segments integrated with the yarn into the fabric structure in spaced essentially parallel relation to one another, each tubular segment defining a fluid passage therein and having a rigidity sufficient to maintain a substantially constant cross-sectional dimension thereof resisting deformation such that constriction of the fluid passage is avoided.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A knitted textile fabric containing integrated fluid-carrying tubes is fabricated of yarn formed into interlooped stitches arranged in longitudinal wales and transverse courses throughout the fabric structure, with plural elongate hollow tubular segments integrated with the yarn into the fabric structure and spaced essentially in parallel relation to one another. The fabric structure is preferably warp knitted, one embodiment of which has the tubular segments extending longitudinally in selected spaced wales and another embodiment of which has the tubular segments extending coursewise in selected spaced courses.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A knitted textile fabric comprising yarn formed into interlooped stitches defining a fabric structure having a longitudinal extent and a transverse extent wherein the stitches are aligned longitudinally in a plurality of essentially parallel wales and transversely in a plurality of essentially parallel courses perpendicular to the wales, and a plurality of elongate hollow tubular segments integrated with the yarn into the fabric structure in spaced essentially parallel relation to one another, each tubular segment defining a fluid passage therein and having a rigidity sufficient to maintain a substantially constant cross-sectional dimension thereof resisting deformation such that constriction of the fluid passage is avoided.
Specification