Textile materials comprising tapes in two oblique orientations and its method and means for production

Abstract

A variety of textile materials comprising tapes oriented in two oblique orientations relative to the textile's length and width directions, called OFT for Oblique Fibre Textiles, are disclosed. Such OFTs are provided with secondary structural integrity/stability, in addition to primary structural integrity/stability, for improved resistance to formation of openings/gaps. OFTs comprising tapes, particularly Spread Fibre and Highly Drawn Polymeric types, are needed in a number of applications such as ballistic mitigation, composite materials, safety products etc. because they provide improved performance, material properties/functions and aesthetics. Such OFTs can be used either independently or in combination with other textile materials. Different types of OFTs are producible by a novel OFT forming process which is technically unlike weaving and braiding processes.

1 . A fabric comprising tapes, wherein a first set and a second set of tapes are arranged in an intersecting and overlapping fashion, the tapes of the first set and the second set being structurally linked with each other, wherein all the tapes are arranged in oblique orientations in relation to the fabric length direction, said fabric further comprising, at least in a middle part of said fabric, a plurality of connection points or connection areas connecting at least some of the overlapping tapes of the first and second set together. 
     
     
         2 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of tapes are arranged substantially parallel to each other in a first oblique orientation in relation to the fabric length direction, and wherein the second set of tapes are arranged substantially parallel to each other in a second oblique orientation in relation to the fabric length direction. 
     
     
         3 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of tapes are, on average, arranged in a first oblique orientation in relation to the fabric length direction, and the second set of tapes are, on average, arranged in a second oblique orientation in relation to the fabric length direction, said first and second oblique orientations being non-perpendicular to each other, thereby forming either an acute or obtuse angle between said first and second orientations. 
     
     
         4 . The fabric of  claim 3 , wherein the tapes of first and second oblique orientations mutually form an angle in the range 20-85 degrees or 95-160 degrees, and preferably in the range 40-80 degrees or 100-140 degrees, and most preferably in the range 60-80 degrees or 100-120 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the connection points or connection areas are provided to overlapping tapes by at least one of: spot needling, spot entangling, spot gluing, adhesion, fusing and spot welding. 
     
     
         6 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the connection points or connection areas are distributed evenly over the fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the connection points or connection areas are provided on all the tapes. 
     
     
         8 . The fabric of  claim 7 , wherein the connection points or connection areas are provided in each overlap between the tapes of the first and second set of tapes. 
     
     
         9 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connection points or connection areas are arranged in one or several straight connections lines, each of said at least one straight connection lines comprising a plurality of connection points or connection areas. 
     
     
         10 . The fabric of  claim 9 , wherein at least one, and preferably several, of the straight connection line(s) extend in the length direction of the fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The fabric of  claim 9 , wherein at least some of the straight connection lines extend in different directions. 
     
     
         12 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the connection lines extend in directions parallel to the tapes of the first and second sets of tapes. 
     
     
         13 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the tapes are either spread fibre tapes or highly drawn polymeric tapes. 
     
     
         14 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least one tape is folded, said folded tape extending in at least two different oblique directions in relation to the length direction of the fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The fabric of  claim 14 , wherein a folding of said at least one folded tape is arranged at one side of the fabric, thereby forming an at least partly closed longitudinal edge. 
     
     
         16 . The fabric of  claim 14 , wherein foldings of at least two folded tapes are arranged at a distance from the sides of the fabric, thereby forming a slit opening in the fabric. 
     
     
         17 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is further provided with a surface coating on at least one side by of at least some of the tapes, said surface coating making the fabric adherent. 
     
     
         18 . The use of a fabric according to  claim 1  for at least one of ballistic mitigation and safety products. 
     
     
         19 . A composite material comprising a fabric according to  claim 1 .