Self-curling sleeve

Abstract

A substrate including a plurality of monofilaments, or a combination of monofilaments and multi-filament yarns oriented in perpendicular directions, has a tendency to curl around a central space. When all monofilaments are used, the monofilaments along one direction may have a larger diameter than the monofilaments along the other direction. The monofilaments are woven such that the larger diameter monofilaments form floats predominantly on one side of the substrate. For the monofilament-multifilament combination the monofilaments form floats predominantly on one side of the substrate. The substrate curls about an axis parallel to the monofilaments forming the floats. The side having the floats faces outwardly away form the central space. Preferably, the monofilaments are orientated in the warp direction along the substrate. The filaments may be woven in a herringbone twill weave, a double cloth herringbone twill weave or a satin weave to provide the floats.

1 . A self-curling sleeve for protecting elongate members received in a central space of said sleeve, said sleeve comprising:
 a substrate fabricated of a plurality of interlocked yarns and having a pair of free edges extending along a length of said sleeve, said interlocked yarns including at least one monofilament exerting a bias force causing said substrate to self-curl about said central space.