Appeal No. 2005-0117 Page 5
Application No. 09/860,423
Andrieu's invention relates to wraparound fabric sleeves of interlaced fibrous
materials, the sleeves being preferably formed by a weaving process. More particularly,
Andrieu's invention relates to wraparound sleeves having a closure device and even
more specifically to wraparound sleeves for the protection of elongated articles, such as
cables wherein the sleeves are intended to provide protection from the effects of
abrasion or heat as well as to maintain the elongated articles in a neatly bundled
arrangement so that they are not damaged by moving machinery parts or the like.
Andrieu teaches (column 1, lines 48-61) that (1) a need exists for a simple and
reliable, relatively low cost system, for closure of a sleeve which will accommodate
variations in the diameter of a bundle of elongated articles, such as cables having
connectors intermediate their length, while allowing for cable breakouts at points where
a cable is required to be connected to a particular instrument or item of equipment; and
(2) in accordance with the invention, a ribbon or web of sleeving material is provided,
2(...continued)
formed from long chain polyethylene fibers (known as SPECTRA®), aramids such as
KEVLAR® (Dupont), liquid crystal polymers such as VECTRAN® (Hoechst Celanese), or
combinations thereof. The preferred yarn for the fabric is available from suppliers, such
as Allied Signal, under the tradename SPECTRA®. Fabrics woven or knitted from
selected one of these yarns have a high level of tear-resistance, abrasion-resistance,
cut-and-stab resistance, ultraviolet radiation resistance, and resistance to chemicals
and low temperatures. These characteristics improve both the strength and durability of
the fabric. ln addition, fabric so formed is only about one-third the weight of
conventional fabrics like vinyl-coated nylons and polyesters.
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