Patent ID: 7147904

Claim:
An expandable tubular fabric comprising: a plurality of longitudinally extending thermoplastic filaments which are drawn and heat set to have first elongation capabilities and are arranged along an ellipsoid path in juxtaposed positions forming an elongated tube; at least one elastic thermoplastic filament having second elongation capabilities greater than said first elongation capabilities which are helically wrapped about and bonded to said longitudinally extending drawn and heat set thermoplastic filaments forming helical wraps, said helically disposed elastic thermoplastic filament bonding with said longitudinally extending drawn and heat set thermoplastic filaments maintaining each said longitudinally extending drawn and heat set thermoplastic filament in fixed position relative to the adjacent said longitudinally extending drawn and heat set thermoplastic filaments wherein; said longitudinally extending drawn and heat set thermoplastic filaments maintain their relative positions in said tubular fabric during use.