Operative devices installed in yarns

Abstract

An operative device, such as an electronic chip, apiezzo-electric, thermal or optical device, is confined within the filaments of a length of multi-filament yarn. The filaments around the device form a capsule and the filaments can be bonded to each other to reinforce such a capsule. The capsule can also comprise a resin to provide protection for the confined device. An additional layer of filaments can be created around the original filaments. Methods and apparatus for confining the devices within yarns are described.

1 . A length of multi-filament yarn including an operative device within a portion thereof, the device being confined between the filaments of the yarn. 
     
     
         2 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 1  wherein the device comprises at least one of electronic, magnetic, optical and thermal elements, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 1  wherein the fibres and/or the filaments of the yarn form a capsule around the device. 
     
     
         4 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 3  wherein the capsule forms an enclosure sealed around the device and at both ends. 
     
     
         5 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 3  where the capsule comprises the filament and a resin cured therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 5  wherein the resin is cured around the device. 
     
     
         7 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 3  wherein adjacent filaments of the yarn are bonded to each other around the device. 
     
     
         8 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 7  wherein adjacent filaments are thermally bonded. 
     
     
         9 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 7  wherein the device is encased in a resin mass within the capsule. 
     
     
         10 . A length of multi-filament yarn comprising a first layer of filaments confining an operative device and a second layer of filaments extending around the first layer. 
     
     
         11 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 10  including a shock-absorbing layer between the first and second filament layers. 
     
     
         12 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 10  wherein at least one of the yarn filaments is electrically conductive. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 12  wherein said at least one yarn filament is coupled to the device to form an electrical connection thereto. 
     
     
         16 . A length of multi-filament yarn according to  claim 10  wherein the device is a silicon chip, a ferro-magnetic polymeric chip or a phase change chip. 
     
     
         17 . A fabric comprising at least one length of yarn according to  claim 10 . 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . Yarn comprising successive lengths thereof according to  claim 10 . 
     
     
         21 . A method of confining an operative device in a multi-filament yarn, comprising delivering a plurality of filaments centripetally to a central axis and drawing them along the axis; and delivering an operative devices to the conjoining filaments at the axis to install the device between the filaments as the filaments are draw along the axis. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21  including the step of applying resin to the yarn to hold the device between the yarns thereof. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein a capsule comprising the fibres and/or filaments is formed around the device. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein a resin is cast and cured between the fibres and/or filaments to form the capsule. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24  wherein the resin is also cast and cured around the device. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein adjacent filaments around the device are bonded to one another. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein said filaments are thermally bonded. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 26  wherein the device is encased in a resin mass within the capsule. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein the plurality of filaments delivered centripetally and drawn along the axis form a first layer of filaments around the device, the method including the step of delivering a further plurality of filaments towards the axis and drawing them parallel to the axis to form a second layer of filaments around the first layer. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29  including the step of introducing a shock-absorbing layer between the first and second filament layers. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein at least one of the filaments is electrically conductive and coupled to the device to form an electrical connection thereto. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein a plurality of devices are confined in successive lengths of the same yarn. 
     
     
         34 . Apparatus for confining an operative device in a multi-filament yarn, which apparatus comprises supplies of individual filaments disposed around a central aperture to deliver filaments thereto; a mechanism for delivering operative devices to the central aperture; and means for drawing yarn formed from said filaments from the central aperture. 
     
     
         35 . Apparatus according to  claim 34  wherein the supplies of filaments are mounted on a carousel having an axis coincident with the central aperture. 
     
     
         36 . Apparatus according to  claim 34  including means for delivering an encapsulating resin to the central aperture with a said operative device. 
     
     
         37 . Apparatus according to  claim 34  including means for bonding filaments together around an operative device confined thereby. 
     
     
         38 . Apparatus according to  claim 34  including supplies of additional filaments disposed around the path of yarn drawn from the aperture to deliver yarn to the path and create an additional layer of filaments around yarn drawn from the central aperture. 
     
     
         39 . Apparatus according to  claim 38  wherein the supplies of additional filaments are mounted on a carousel having an axis coincident with the path.