PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9745676-B2
Application Number: US-201615062027-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Woven materials having tapered portions

Abstract:
Woven material having tapered portions and altering the weave pattern and/or material construction in the tapered portion. The woven material includes a first width portion comprising a first weave pattern formed in a plurality of layers of warp threads. The plurality of layers of warp threads include two distinct outer columns of warp threads, and inner columns of warp threads positioned between the two distinct outer columns. The woven material may also include a tapered width portion formed adjacent the uniform portion. The tapered portion includes the first weave pattern formed in the plurality of layers of warp threads of the inner columns of warp threads, and a second weave pattern formed in at least a portion of the plurality of layers of warp threads of the two distinct outer columns of warp threads. The second weave pattern may be distinct from the first weave pattern.

Claims:
We claim: 
     
       1. A woven watch band comprising:
 outer columns of warp threads; 
 inner columns of warp threads positioned between the outer columns of warp threads; 
 a uniform width portion, in which a first weave pattern is formed in a plurality of layers of warp threads of the outer columns and of the inner columns; and 
 a tapered width portion formed adjacent the uniform width portion, in which the first weave pattern is formed in the plurality of layers of warp threads of the inner columns and a second weave pattern is formed in at least a portion of the plurality of layers of warp threads of the outer columns, 
 wherein the second weave pattern is distinct from the first weave pattern. 
 
     
     
       2. The woven watch band of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers of warp threads of the outer columns and of the inner columns comprises:
 a first layer of warp threads forming a top surface; 
 a second layer of warp threads positioned adjacent the first layer; 
 a third layer of warp threads positioned adjacent the second layer; and 
 a fourth layer of warp threads positioned adjacent the third layer, the fourth layer forming a bottom surface; 
 wherein at least one weft thread is positioned between the warp threads over a length of each of the four layers of warp threads. 
 
     
     
       3. The woven watch band of  claim 2 , wherein the first weave pattern further comprises:
 the warp thread alternating between being positioned above and below the at least one weft thread. 
 
     
     
       4. The woven watch band of  claim 2 , wherein the second weave pattern is formed in the four layers of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads. 
     
     
       5. The woven watch band of  claim 2 , wherein the second weave pattern is formed in at least two layers of the four layers of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads. 
     
     
       6. The woven watch band of  claim 5 , wherein the second weave pattern is formed in:
 the second layer of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads; and 
 the third layer of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads. 
 
     
     
       7. The woven watch band of  claim 6 , wherein the first weave pattern is formed in:
 the first layer of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads; and 
 the fourth layer of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads. 
 
     
     
       8. The woven watch band of  claim 5 , wherein the second weave pattern is formed in:
 the first layer of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads; and 
 the fourth layer of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads. 
 
     
     
       9. The woven watch band of  claim 8 , wherein the first weave pattern is formed in:
 the second layer of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads; and 
 the third layer of warp threads in each of the outer columns of warp threads. 
 
     
     
       10. The woven watch band of  claim 2 , wherein the second weave pattern further comprises the warp threads of the outer columns alternating between being positioned:
 in a first position with respect to the at least one weft thread for a first predetermined length; and 
 in a second position with respect to the at least one weft thread for a second predetermined length; the second position distinct from the first position. 
 
     
     
       11. The woven watch band of  claim 10 , wherein the first position with respect to the at least one weft thread comprises one of:
 positioned above the at least one weft thread, or 
 positioned below the at least one weft thread. 
 
     
     
       12. The woven watch band of  claim 10 , wherein the first predetermined length further comprises:
 two distinct passes of the at least one weft thread positioned between the four layers of warp threads. 
 
     
     
       13. The woven watch band of  claim 12 , wherein the second predetermined length further comprises one of:
 a single pass of the at least one weft thread positioned between the four layers of warp threads, or 
 two passes of the at least one weft thread positioned between the four layers of warp threads.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/129,632, filed Mar. 6, 2015 and titled “Woven Materials Having Tapered Portions,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates generally to woven materials, and more particularly to the woven materials having tapering portions and altering the weave pattern and/or material construction in tapered portions of the woven materials to improve physical characteristics and/or visual and/or tactile features. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional woven material or fabric is used in a many applications and industries. For example, woven material is used in clothing and other apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, skirts, etc.), in fashion accessories (e.g., bracelets, watch bands, necklaces, etc.), in electronics (e.g., woven conductive layers, protective sheaths for optical fiber cables and the like), and other various industrial applications (e.g., rope, tape, protective gear, household/kitchenware, etc.). Due to the many uses and applications, conventional woven material is manufactured using specific material and/or manufactured to include specific physical properties. For example, where the woven material is used to form a bracelet or necklace, it may be useful for the woven flexibility, durability, and particular dimensions, structures, and physical features all may be incorporated into different woven materials. 
     As one example, in order to form unique designs or cosmetic embellishments, threads (e.g., warp, weft) of the woven material are often altered or adjusted. For example, in order to form a portion of a woven material that includes a varied dimension, a tapered portion must be formed. The tapered portion may be formed by decreasing the distance between warp threads in the woven material, while continuing to weave the weft material through the warp threads. 
     However, by decreasing the distance between the warp threads of the woven material, physical characteristics and/or visual and/or tactile features may be effected or changed. For example, when the distance between the warp threads is decreased to form the tapered portion, the overall thickness or width of the woven material may increase in the tapered portion. In another example, the “ribs,” or bumps on the edges of the woven material, may increase in size in the tapered portion due to the altered weave pattern. The increase in the size of the ribs of the woven material may undesirably change the visual and/or tactile features of the woven material at the tapered portion. 
     SUMMARY 
     Generally, embodiments discussed herein are related woven materials having tapering portions and altering the weave pattern and/or material construction in tapered portions of the woven materials to improve physical characteristics and/or visual and/or tactile features. The weave pattern of a woven material may be altered to modify the size and/or configuration of the ribs formed on the edge and/or in the tapered portion of the woven material. Specifically, the woven material may include an altered weave pattern in its tapered width portion to reduce the size and/or flatten the ribs formed in the edge of the woven material. This may ultimately make the thickness and/or side profile of the tapered portion uniform with the remaining portion of the woven material. The altering of the weave pattern may be achieved by altering the weave pattern in a portion or all of the layers of the multi-layer woven material. Furthermore, the altering of the weave pattern may only take place in portions of the tapered portion positioned adjacent the edge of the woven material. Additionally, the altering of the weave pattern may be achieved by altering a tension placed on elastic fibers forming a portion or all of the weft threads in at least some of the layers of the multi-layer woven material. The tension on the elastic fibers in the tapered width portion may be greater than the tension on the elastic fibers in the remaining portions of the woven material. 
     One embodiment may take the form of a woven material. The woven material may comprise a first width portion comprising a first weave pattern formed in a plurality of layers of warp threads. The plurality of layers of warp threads may comprise two distinct outer columns of warp threads, and inner columns of warp threads positioned between the two distinct outer columns of warp threads. The woven material may also comprise a tapered width portion formed adjacent the uniform portion. The tapered portion may comprise the first weave pattern formed in the plurality of layers of warp threads of the inner columns of warp threads, and a second weave pattern formed in at least a portion of the plurality of layers of warp threads of the two distinct outer columns of warp threads. The second weave pattern may be distinct from the first weave pattern. 
     A further embodiment may take the form of a woven material. The woven material may comprise a first width portion formed from a plurality of distinct layers of warp threads, and a tapered width portion formed adjacent the first width portion from the plurality of distinct layers of warp threads. At least a portion of the warp threads in at least one of the plurality of distinct layers may be formed from a plurality of elastic fibers. The plurality of elastic fibers formed in at least the portion of the warp threads in at least one layer of the plurality of distinct layers may be under a first tension in the first width portion, and under a second tension in the tapered width portion. The second tension may be greater than the first tension. 
     Another embodiment may take the form of a method of forming a woven material. The method may comprise weaving the woven material using a first weave pattern in a first width portion. The woven material may comprise a plurality of distinct layers of warp threads, at least one weft thread woven through the warp threads for each of the plurality of distinct layers, and a plurality of ribs formed on each edge of the woven material by the woven warps threads and the at least one weft thread. The method may also comprise altering a weave pattern of the woven material in a tapered width portion to a second weave pattern, distinct from the first weave pattern. The tapered width portion may be positioned adjacent the first width portion. The method may further comprise modifying at least one of a size and a configuration of the plurality of ribs formed in the tapered width portion of the woven material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts an illustrative top view of a wearable band formed from a woven material, according to embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an enlarged view of a uniform width portion of the wearable band formed from the woven material of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  depict side cross-section views of the woven material in the uniform width portion of the wearable band, taken along line UP-UP of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side cross-section view of the woven material in the tapered width portion of the wearable band, taken along line TP-TP of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an enlarged view of a tapered width portion of the wearable band formed from the woven material of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments. 
         FIGS. 6A-8C  depict side cross-section views of the woven material in the tapered width portion of the wearable band, taken along line TP-TP of  FIG. 1 , according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an enlarged view of a tapered width portion of the wearable band formed from the woven material of  FIG. 1 , according to additional embodiments. 
         FIGS. 10A-12C  depict side cross-section views of the woven material in the tapered width portion of the wearable band, taken along line TP-TP of  FIG. 1 , according to additional embodiments. 
         FIGS. 13-19  depict cross-section front view of the woven material in the tapered width portion of the wearable band, taken along line  13 - 20  of  FIG. 1 , according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 20  depicts a flow chart of an example process for forming a woven material having a tapered width portion, according to embodiments. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates generally to woven materials, and more particularly to a woven material having tapering portions. Tapered portions or regions may be formed by altering a weave pattern and/or material construction in a particular part of the woven materials. Tapering regions of a woven material may improve physical characteristics, visual features, and/or tactile features. For example, a woven material section maybe tapered uniformly along opposing edges without increasing its thickness. 
     The weave pattern of a woven material may be altered to modify the size and/or configuration of ribs formed on an edge and/or in a tapered portion of the woven material. For example, the woven material may include an altered weave pattern in its tapered width portion to reduce a dimension (while holding another dimension constant) and/or flatten any ribs formed in the edge of the woven material. This may ultimately make the thickness and/or side profile of the tapered portion uniform with the remaining portion of the woven material. 
     The tapered region may be achieved by changing the weave pattern in a some or all of the layers of a multi-layer woven material. Furthermore, the altering of the weave pattern may only take place in parts of the tapered portion positioned adjacent the edge of the woven material. As yet another option, the tapered region may be formed by altering a tension placed on elastic weft threads in at least some of the layers of the multi-layer woven material. In a finished product, the tension on the elastic fibers of the weft threads may be greater in the tapered region than in the remaining portions of the woven material. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-20 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  shows an illustrative front view of wearable band  100  including woven material  106 , according to embodiments. In non-limiting examples, wearable band  100  may be a decorative band (e.g., wristband, armband, headband, necklace, etc.), a watch band, and a wearable band for holding or attaching to a housing of an electronic device including, but not limited to: a smartphone, a gaming device, a display, a digital music player, a wearable computing device or display, a health monitoring device or other suitable electronic device. In a non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 1 , wearable band  100  may form a watch band that may be coupled to a housing of the wearable electronic device (e.g., watch). 
     Wearable band  100  may include connection device  108  positioned at a first end  110  of wearable band  100 . Connection device  108  may be formed within wearable band  100  to couple ends  110 ,  112  and/or secure wearable band  100  to a user. Connection device  108  may be any suitable coupling mechanism or embodiment capable of releasably coupling ends  110 ,  112  of wearable band  100 . In a non-limiting example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , connection device  108  may include a buckle  118 . First end  110  of wearable band  100  may include buckle  118  having a tongue  120  coupled to buckle  118 . Buckle  118  may receive a portion of second end  112  of wearable band  100 , and tongue  120  may be positioned within one of a plurality of holes  122  formed adjacent second end  112  to secure wearable band  100  to a user. The plurality of holes  122  formed through wearable band  100  may be formed using any suitable process including, but not limited to laser cutting, shearing or punching. Additionally, and as discussed herein, connection device  108  (e.g., buckle  118 , tongue  120 ) may be coupled to woven material  106  forming wearable band  100  using a pin (not shown) positioned through a portion of woven material  106 . 
     Second end  112  may be further secured to wearable band  100  using retention loop  124 . Retention loop  120  is positioned substantially around wearable band  100  and may be affixed thereto. Retention loop  124  may form an opening to receive second end  112  and/or position second end  112  against a portion of wearable band  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , woven material  106  may also have tapered width portions  126   a ,  126   b . Tapered width portions  126   a ,  126   b  may be positioned on opposite ends  110 ,  112  of wearable band  100  and may be separated by uniform width portions  128  of wearable band  100 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 1 , uniform width portions  128  include a uniform width in wearable band  100  and tapered width portion  126   a ,  126   b  may include a varying, converging and/or narrowing width in wearable band  100  that may be smaller than uniform width portion  128 . As discussed herein, woven material  106  may form tapered portion  126   a ,  126   b  in wearable band  100 . Tapered portion  126   a ,  126   b  may be formed within wearable band  100  based on, at least in part, the function and/or intended use of wearable band  100 . In a non-limiting example where wearable band  100  includes a watch band, tapered portion  126   a  having a smaller width than uniform width portion  128  and the opening formed in retention loop  124 , may be formed in wearable band  100  to aid the user in inserting end  112  into retention loop  124  for coupling and/or positioning end  112  on the remaining portion of wearable band  100 . In another non-limiting example where wearable band  100  includes a watch band, tapered portion  126   b  may be formed at end  110  in wearable band  100  to aid and/or to ensure that connection device  108  is coupled to the entire portion of woven material  106  at end  110 . 
     Although shown at ends  110 ,  112  of wearable band  100 , it is understood that tapered portion  126  may be formed in distinct portions of wearable band  100 . In a non-limiting example, tapered portions  126  may be formed at inner tips  130  of wearable band  100 . A coupling mechanism  132  may be coupled to inner tips  130 , and similar to end  110  and connection device  108 , tapered width portion  126  formed on inner tips  130  may aid in the coupling or securing of coupling mechanism  132  to woven material  106 . In the non-limiting example, coupling mechanism  132  may be utilized to couple wearable band  100  to an additional component (e.g., electronic device, watch housing, and so on). 
     Additionally, tapered portion  126  may include a diverging or widening taper. In a non-limiting example, and distinct from  FIG. 1 , tapered portion  126  may include a portion of woven material  106  that may diverge and/or may have a width greater than the width of the uniform width portions  128  of wearable band  100 . 
     Woven material  106  forming wearable band  100  may be formed form a large piece of woven material  106  that may be substantially cut or shaped to a desired size. In a non-limiting example, woven material  106  may be cut from a larger piece of woven material  106  to form wearable band  100  using a laser cutting process. The laser used in the laser cutting process may substantially cut the woven material  106  to a desired dimension of wearable band  100  from the larger piece of woven material. Additionally, the laser in the laser cutting process may simultaneously cauterize and/or round the edges of woven material  106  forming wearable band  100  to prevent fraying of woven material  106 . Although discussed herein as being laser cut, it is understood that woven material  106  may undergo any suitable cutting or shearing process to form wearable band  100 . 
     Additionally, the laser cutting process may also form woven material  106  to include second end  112  that may be secured to the remaining portion of wearable band  100  without altering the cosmetic appearance and/or geometry of woven material  106  and/or wearable band  100 . That is second end  112  may be cut to include a specific geometry during the laser cutting process, such that when coupled or secured to wearable band  100  and/or retention loop  124 , second end  112  is cosmetically and/or geometrically similar to the remaining portion of woven material  106 . As discussed herein, the weave pattern, and ultimately the dimensions, of woven material  106  may be altered in areas of woven material  106  that may be cut when forming wearable band  100 . 
     Although shown as two distinct portions, it is understood that wearable band  100  may be formed from a single piece of woven material  106 . In one non-limiting example, the single piece of woven material  106  forming wearable band  100  may have elastic properties, such that the wearable band  100  may be a single, continuous loop of woven material  106  and may stretch around a user&#39;s wrist. In another non-limiting example, the single piece of woven material  106  forming wearable band  100  may have a loop component positioned on end  110  that may receive end  112 , and end  112  may be subsequently folded back onto and coupled to portions of wearable band  100  to secure wearable band  100  to a user&#39;s wrist. In this non-limiting example, end  112  and/or at least a portion of wearable band  100  contacting end  112  may include any suitable coupling component or feature that may couple end  112  to wearable band  100  including, but not limited to, Velcro, magnets, clips and so on. 
     Additionally, although discussed herein as being formed from a large piece of woven material  106 , it is understood that wearable band  100  may be formed by weaving threads to size. That is, and in a non-limiting example, wearable band  100  may not be cut from a larger piece of woven material  106 , but rather woven material  106  may be woven to a desired size of wearable band  100 , and may not undergo a cutting process, as discussed herein. However, in the non-limiting example where wearable band  100  is formed from woven material  106  woven to size, the ends of woven material  106  may undergo additional processes, for example melting and/or pinching, to improve physical characteristics, and/or visual and/or tactile features. 
       FIG. 2  shows an enlarged view of a portion of uniform width portion  128  of wearable band  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , and discussed in detail herein, woven material  106  forming wearable band  100  (see,  FIG. 1 ) may be formed from a plurality of warp threads  134 , and at least one weft thread  136  coupled to the warp threads  134 . The plurality of warp threads  134  may be positioned or extend along a length of wearable band  100  (e.g., between first end  110  and second end  112 ), and at least one weft thread  136  positioned perpendicular to, and coupled to, woven or interlaced between the plurality of warp threads  134 . As discussed in detail herein, woven material  106  may be formed from a plurality of distinct layers of warp threads  134  (see,  FIGS. 3A-3C ), where weft thread  136  is coupled to, woven or interlaced between each of the distinct layers of the plurality of warp threads  134 . 
     In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 2 , the plurality of warp threads  134  may continuously alternate position, and/or may alternate between being positioned above and below weft thread  136 . Weft thread  136  may be coupled to, woven or interlaced between the plurality of warp threads  134 . This weave pattern shown in  FIG. 2 , and discussed herein with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C , may be considered a first weave pattern for woven material  106 . Woven material  106 , as discussed herein, may be formed using any suitable weaving technique and/or weaving machinery. In a non-limiting example, woven material  106  may be formed using a dobby loom. 
     Warp threads  134  and the weft thread  136  may be formed from any suitable material capable of being coupled, woven or interlaced with each other to form woven material  106 . In a non-limiting example, warp threads  134  and weft thread  136  of woven material  106  may be formed from or include a polyamide (e.g., nylon) material, a polyester material, thermoplastic polyethylene (e.g., Dyneema) or a polypropylene material. Warp threads  134  and weft thread  136  of woven material  106  may also be formed from any other suitable polymer material that may include similar physical characteristics as polyester and/or polypropylene. Warp threads  134  and weft thread  136  may be formed from the same material or may be formed from distinct materials when forming woven material  106 . 
     It is understood that the number of threads shown in  FIG. 2  to form woven material  106  may be merely exemplary, and may not represent the actual number of warp threads and/or weft threads used to form woven material  106 . In a non-limiting example, woven material  106  may be formed from more than 200 warp threads and a single weft thread coupled to, woven or interlaced between the plurality of warp threads. In another non-limiting example, the at least one weft thread  136  may be formed from a single thread that may be continuously woven between warp threads  134 , or may be formed from a plurality of threads that may be woven between warp threads  134 . In conjunction, the spacing between the warp threads and/or weft threads as shown in  FIG. 2  may also be merely exemplary for the purpose of clearly and completely describing woven material  106 . It is understood that the space between the threads of woven material  106  may only be large enough to couple and/or weave at least one weft thread through the plurality of warp threads (e.g., 200 warp threads) to form woven material  106 . Additionally, the spacing between the threads of woven material  106  may be substantially minimal such that a user may not be able to see through woven material  106 . 
     The weave pattern for forming woven material  106  may result in ribs  138  formed on the exterior of woven material  106 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 2 , ribs  138  may be represented by the “bump,” or protrusion formed by the weft thread  136 , and/or the surface-level change between warp thread  134  and weft thread  136 . Ribs  138  may be formed on the edge of the entire woven material  106  forming wearable band  100 , including both uniform width portion  128 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , and in tapered width portion  126 , discussed herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , woven material  106 , formed from warp threads  134  and weft thread(s)  136 , may be further identified by distinct portions or columns of warp threads  134 . In a non-limiting example, the plurality of warp threads  134  of woven material  106  may include two distinct groups of outer columns  140  (one shown) of warp threads  134 , and a group of inner columns  142  of warp threads  134  positioned between the two distinct groups of outer columns  140  of warp threads  134 . Inner columns  142  of warp threads  134  may make up the majority of the body portion or center of woven material  106 , and outer columns  140  may form the edge portion of woven material  106 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 2 , outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  may be formed from four distinct columns (C 1 -C 4 ) of warp threads  134 . The first column (C 1 ) and third column (C 3 ) of warp threads  134  may have a similar weave pattern for warp threads  134  and weft thread  136 . Additionally, the second column (C 2 ) and fourth column (C 4 ) of warp threads  134  may have a similar weave pattern for warp threads  134  and weft thread  136 . The weave pattern for warp threads  134  of the first column (C 1 ) and third column (C 3 ), may be distinct and/or opposite the weave pattern for warp threads  134  of the second column (C 2 ) and fourth column (C 4 ). 
     It is understood that the number of columns of warp threads  134  included in the outer columns  140  and/or the inner columns  142  of warp threads  134 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , may be merely exemplary, and may not represent the actual number of columns of warp threads  134  included in each portion of woven material  106 . In a non-limiting example, outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  may include only two distinct columns of warp threads  134 , or may include more than four distinct columns of warp threads  134 . Additionally, as the number of columns of warp threads  134  included in outer columns  140  increases, the number of inner columns  142  of warp threads  134  may decrease, and vice versa. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  show side cross-section views of the portion of uniform width portion  128  of wearable band  100 , taken along line UP-UP of  FIG. 1 . In a non-limiting example,  FIG. 3A  shows a side cross-section view of warp threads  134  of first column (C 1 ) of outer columns  140  formed in woven material  106 . In an additional non-limiting example,  FIG. 3B  shows a side cross-section view of warp threads  134  of second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  140  formed in woven material  106 .  FIG. 3C  depicts both warp threads  134  of first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  140  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . It is understood that similarly numbered and/or named components may function in a substantially similar fashion. Redundant explanation of these components has been omitted for clarity. 
     Woven material  106  may include a plurality of distinct layers of warp threads  134 . In the non-limiting examples shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , woven material  106  may be formed from four distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of a plurality of warp threads  134 . The first layer (L 1 ) of warp threads  134  may form a top surface of woven material  106 . The second layer (L 2 ) of warp threads  134  may be positioned adjacent the first layer (L 1 ) of warp threads  134 , and the third layer (L 3 ) of warp threads  134  may be positioned adjacent the second layer (L 2 ). The second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of warp threads  134  may collectively form the inner or interior layers of woven material  106 . Additionally, the warp threads  134  of the second layer (L 2 ) and the third layer (L 3 ) may not be visible to a user of wearable band  100  (see,  FIG. 1 ) formed from woven material  106 . The fourth layer (L 4 ) of warp threads  134  may be positioned adjacent the third layer (L 3 ) of warp threads  134 . The fourth layer (L 4 ) may form a bottom surface of woven material  106 , opposite the top surface formed by the first layer (L 1 ). 
     In a first weave pattern  144  for woven material  106 , at least one weft thread  136  may be positioned between the plurality of warp threads  134  in the first layer (L 1 ), the second layer (L 2 ), the third layer (L 3 ) and the fourth layer (L 4 ). In the non-limiting example shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , weft thread  136  may be woven through and/or interlaced between all four layers of warp threads  134 , over or across the entire length of woven material  106 . Although single weft thread  136  is discussed, it is understood that a plurality of weft threads may be used when forming woven material  106 . That is, in a non-limiting example, each layer (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  134  may include an individual or distinct weft thread  136 . 
     Additionally in first weave pattern  144 , warp threads  134  may continuously alternate position, and/or may alternate between being positioned above and below weft thread  136 . The position of each warp thread  134  with respect to weft thread  136  in woven material  106  may be distinct from the warp thread  134  positioned in an adjacent column. In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 3A , the warp thread  134  in first column (C 1 ) may initially be positioned above weft thread  136  and may alternate between being positioned above and below weft thread  136  over the length of woven material  106 . Distinct from  FIG. 3A , warp thread  134  in second column (C 2 ), as shown in  FIG. 3B , may initially be positioned below weft thread  136  and may alternate between being positioned above and below weft thread  136  over the length of woven material  106 ; opposite to warp thread  134  of first column (C 1 ). When viewed together, as shown in  FIG. 3C , two columns of warp threads  134  (e.g., first column (C 1 ), second column (C 2 )) of a portion of woven material  106  may initially have one warp thread  134  positioned above the weft thread  136  (e.g., first column (C 1 )) and one warp thread  134  positioned below the weft thread  136  (e.g., second column (C 2 )). Additionally as shown in  FIG. 3C , the warp threads  134  in each column (e.g., first column (C 1 ), second column (C 2 )) may continuously alternate positions with respect to weft thread  136  over the length of woven material  106 . 
     It is understood that the entire woven material  106  in uniform width portion  128  of wearable band  100  may be woven using first weave pattern  144 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C . That is, inner columns  142  of warp threads  134  may be formed using first weave pattern  144 , as depicted and discussed with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C . Further, and as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , in uniform width portion  128 , all four of the distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) may be woven using first weave pattern  144 . As discussed herein, third column (C 3 ) of warp threads  134  may be substantially similar to and/or may be formed using a similar weave pattern (e.g., first weave pattern  144 ) as the first column (C 1 ) in uniform width portion  128 . Furthermore, fourth column (C 4 ) of warp threads  134  may be substantially similar to and/or may be formed using a similar weave pattern (e.g., first weave pattern  144 ) as the second column (C 2 ). 
       FIG. 4  shows a side cross-section view of the portion of tapered width portion  126   a  of wearable band  100 , taken along line TP-TP of  FIG. 1 . In the non-limiting example,  FIG. 4  shows first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  in tapered width portion  126   a  woven in first weave pattern  144 . As similarly discussed herein, warp threads  134  of each respective column (e.g., first column (C 1 ), second column (C 2 )) may alternate between being positioned above and below weft thread  136 , and each warp thread  134  may be positioned in the opposite position of the warp thread  134  in the adjacent column. 
     In order to form tapered width portion  126   a  in woven material  106 , the spacing between the warp threads  134  and/or weft threads  136  may be substantially reduced. In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 4 , and with comparison to  FIG. 3C , first weave pattern  144  may be formed in tapered width portion  126   a , however the weave pattern may be formed more tightly and the spacing between warp threads  134  and/or weft threads  136  may be reduced, creating a tighter weave pattern. The thickness and/or height of woven material  106  in tapered width portion  126   a  may not substantially increase or be larger than the thickness of woven material  106  in uniform width portion  128  (see,  FIG. 3C ). 
     However, the ribs  138  (e.g., protrusion formed by the weft threads  136 , and/or the surface-level change between warp thread  134  and weft thread  136 ) formed in tapered portion  126   a  of woven material  106  may vary substantially more than ribs  138  formed in uniform width portion  128  (see,  FIG. 3C ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , and with comparison to  FIG. 3C , ribs  138  formed in woven material  106  in tapered width portion  126   a  may include a larger height and/or distance between the peak of the rib  138  formed by warp thread  134  and the portion of woven material  106  where warp threads  134  of distinct columns pass one another between weft thread  136 . 
     The weave pattern of woven material  106  may be altered in tapered width portion  126  (see,  FIG. 1 ) to modify the physical characteristics, and/or visual and/or tactile features of ribs  138  formed on the edge of woven material  106 .  FIG. 5  shows an enlarged view of a portion of tapered width portion  126   a  of wearable band  100  of  FIG. 1 . With comparison to  FIG. 2 , inner columns  142  of warp threads  134  may be formed using first weave pattern  144  in tapered width portion  126   a  shown in  FIG. 5 . First weave pattern  144  for inner columns  142  of warp threads  134  may be similar to the weave pattern of warp threads  134  discussed herein with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C . Redundant explanation of first weave pattern  144  used to form inner columns  142  of warp threads  134  of woven material  106  is omitted for clarity. 
     However, distinct from  FIGS. 2-4 ,  FIG. 5  shows outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  formed using a distinct, second weave pattern  146 . In the non-limiting example, the four columns (C 1 -C 4 ) forming outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  may be formed and/or woven using second weave pattern  146 , which may be distinct from first weave pattern  144  used to form outer columns  140  and inner columns  142  in uniform width portion  128 , and inner columns  142  in tapered width portion  126   a , as discussed herein with respect to  FIGS. 2-4 . As discussed in detail herein, second weave pattern  146  may be formed in at least a portion of the plurality of layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  134  forming outer columns  140  of woven material  106 . 
     Similar to  FIGS. 3A-3C ,  FIGS. 6A-6C  show side cross-section views of the portion of tapered width portion  126   a  of wearable band  100 , taken along line TP-TP of  FIG. 1 . In a non-limiting example,  FIG. 6A  shows a side cross-section view of warp threads  134  of first column (C 1 ) of outer columns  140  in tapered width portion  126   a . Warp threads  134  may be woven about weft thread  136  using second weave pattern  146 . In an additional non-limiting example,  FIG. 6B  shows a side cross-section view of warp threads  134  of second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  140  in tapered width portion  126   a . Warp threads  134  in  FIG. 6B  may also be woven about weft thread  136  using second weave pattern  146 .  FIG. 6C  depicts both warp threads  134  of first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  140  as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     Second weave pattern  146  formed in outer columns  140  of woven material  106  in tapered width portion  126   a  may be distinct from first weave pattern  144  (see.  FIGS. 3A-3C ). When woven using second weave pattern  146 , warp threads  134  in outer columns  140  may alternate between being positioned in a first position (e.g., above, below) with respect to weft thread  136  for a first predetermined length, and a second position (e.g., above, below) with respect to weft thread  136 , opposite the first position, for a second predetermined length. As discussed herein, the first and second predetermined length may or may not be the same distance. In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 6A , and with comparison to  FIG. 3A , warp thread  134  of first column (C 1 ) woven using second weave pattern  146  may be positioned above weft thread  136  and may pass over two distinct weaves of weft thread  136  (e.g., first predetermined length) over the length of woven material  106 . Additionally in second weave pattern  146 , warp thread  134  may be positioned below weft thread  136  and may pass under two distinct weaves of weft thread  136  (e.g., second predetermined length) over the length of woven material  106 . As discussed herein, second weave pattern  146  may substantially change the pitch of warp threads  134  of woven material  106 , which may in turn, effect (e.g., reduce) the size of ribs  138  formed in tapered width portion  126   a  of woven material  106 . 
     Warp thread  134  of second column (C 2 ), as shown in  FIG. 6B , may include a similar, but opposite, weave pattern as warp thread  134  of first column (C 1 ) (see,  FIG. 6A ). In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 6B , warp thread  134  of second column (C 2 ) formed using second weave pattern  146  may initially be positioned below weft thread  136  and may pass under two distinct weaves of weft thread  136  (e.g., first predetermined length) over the length of woven material  106 . Subsequently, warp thread  134  of second column (C 2 ) may be positioned above weft thread  136  and may pass above two distinct weavings of weft thread  136  (e.g., second predetermined length) over the length of woven material  106 . 
       FIG. 6C  shows the combination of warp threads  134  of first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) in tapered width portion  126  formed using second weave pattern  146 . Second weave pattern  146  formed in outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  in tapered width portion  126  may form substantially smoother, flatter and/or elongated ribs  138  that may not protrude as much as the ribs  138  formed when tapered portion  126   a  of woven material  106  is formed using first weave pattern  144  (see,  FIGS. 3A-4 ). In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 6C , and with comparison to  FIG. 4 , second weave pattern  146  used to weave outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  may substantially flatten and/or reduce the size of ribs  138  formed in tapered width portion  126   a  when compared to warp threads of tapered width portion  126   a  woven using first weave pattern  144  (see,  FIG. 4 ). As a result of smoothing, flattening and/or elongating ribs  138  formed in outer columns  140  of warp threads  134 , outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  may maintain a substantially even thickness with outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  in uniform width portion  128 , and inner columns  142  of warp threads in uniform width portion  128  and tapered width portion  126   a . This may ultimately allow for wearable band  100  (see,  FIG. 1 ) formed from woven material  106  to have a substantially even or uniform thickness, appearance, and/or tactile feature throughout wearable band  100 . 
     It is understood, and as previously discussed herein, third column (C 3 ) of warp threads  134  may be substantially similar to and/or may be formed using a similar weave pattern (e.g., second weave pattern  146 ) as the first column (C 1 ) in uniform width portion  128 . Furthermore, fourth column (C 4 ) of warp threads  134  may be substantially similar to and/or may be formed using a similar weave pattern (e.g., second weave pattern  146 ) as the second column (C 2 ). 
     As discussed herein, second weave pattern  146  used in tapered width portion  126   a  of woven material  106  may be formed in at least a portion of the four distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  134  forming woven material  106 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , all four layers (L 4 ) of warp threads  134  in outer columns  140  may be woven using second weave pattern  146  to modify the size and/or configuration of ribs  138  formed in woven material  106  in tapered width portion  126 . 
     In further non-limiting examples, only a portion (e.g., two layers) of the four distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  134  may be formed using second weave pattern  146 .  FIGS. 7A-8C  show additional non-limiting examples where only a portion of the distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  134  forming woven material  106  may be formed using second weave pattern  146 . It is understood that similarly numbered and/or named components may function in a substantially similar fashion. Redundant explanation of these components has been omitted for clarity. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of warp threads  134  in outer columns  140  of woven material  106  may be woven using second weave pattern  146 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 7A , warp thread  134  of first column (C 1 ) forming second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  106  may be formed using second weave pattern  146 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 6A . Additionally in the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 7B , warp thread  134  of second column (C 2 ) forming second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  106  may be formed using second weave pattern  146 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 6B . 
     The adjacent layers of warp threads  134  in first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  may be woven using first weave pattern  144 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 7A , warp thread  134  of first column (C 1 ) forming first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  106  may be formed using first weave pattern  144 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 3A . Additionally in the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 7B , warp thread  134  of second column (C 2 ) forming first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  106  may be formed using first weave pattern  144 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 3B . 
       FIGS. 8A-8C  show another, non-limiting example of a weave pattern form outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  in tapered width portion  126   a  of woven material  106 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 8A-8C , warp threads  134  of first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  140  may be formed using second weave pattern  146  in distinct layers. As shown in  FIG. 8A , and distinct from  FIG. 7A , warp thread  134  of first column (C 1 ) forming first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  106  may be formed using second weave pattern  146 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 6A . Additionally in the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 8B , warp thread  134  of second column (C 2 ) forming first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  106  may be formed using second weave pattern  146 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 6B . 
     The adjacent layers of warp threads  134  in first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  140  of warp threads  134  may be woven using first weave pattern  144 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 8A , warp thread  134  of first column (C 1 ) forming second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  106  may be formed using first weave pattern  144 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 3A . Additionally in the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 8B , warp thread  134  of second column (C 2 ) forming second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  106  may be formed using first weave pattern  144 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 3B . 
     Although only two layers of the four distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  134  forming woven material  106  may be woven using second weave pattern  146 , ribs  138  may be substantially effected in a similar manner as discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 6C . That is, in the non-limiting examples shown in  FIGS. 7C and 8C , warp threads  134  in outer columns  140  formed using second weave pattern  146  may be substantially smooth, flatten and/or may elongate ribs  138  formed in the two layers of the four distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ). This may result in a reduced overall thickness in woven material  106  because the two layers of warp threads  134  formed using second weave pattern  146  may have a reduced thickness. Similar to  FIG. 6C , the reduction in thickness in the two layers of warp threads  134  formed using second weave pattern  146 , and ultimately the overall thickness of woven material  106 , may result in a substantially even or uniform thickness, appearance, and/or tactile feature throughout wearable band  100  formed from woven material  106 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an enlarged view of a portion of tapered width portion  126   a  of wearable band  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a further, non-limiting example. Similar to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , inner columns  242  of warp threads  234  may be formed using first weave pattern  244  in tapered width portion  126   a  shown in  FIG. 9 . However, distinct from  FIGS. 2 and 5 ,  FIG. 9  shows outer columns  240  of warp threads  234  formed using a distinct, second weave pattern  246 . In the non-limiting example, the four columns (C 1 -C 4 ) forming outer columns  240  of warp threads  234  may be formed and/or woven using second weave pattern  246 , which may be distinct from first weave pattern  244  used to form outer columns  240  and inner columns  242  in uniform width portion  228 , and inner columns  242  in tapered width portion  126   a , as discussed herein (see,  FIGS. 2-4 ). Additionally, second weave pattern  246  shown in  FIG. 9  may be distinct from second weave pattern  146  discussed herein with respect to  FIGS. 5-8C . Second weave pattern  246  may be formed in at least a portion of the plurality of layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  234  forming outer columns  240  of woven material  206 . 
     Similar to  FIGS. 6A-8C ,  FIGS. 10A-10C  show side cross-section views of the portion of tapered width portion  126   a  of wearable band  100 , taken along line TP-TP of  FIG. 1 . In a non-limiting example,  FIG. 10A  shows a side cross-section view of warp thread  234  of first column (C 1 ) of outer columns  240  in tapered width portion  126   a . Warp thread  234  may be woven about weft thread  236  using second weave pattern  246 . In an additional non-limiting example,  FIG. 10B  shows a side cross-section view of warp thread  234  of second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  240  in tapered width portion  126   a . Warp thread  234  in  FIG. 10B  may also be woven about weft thread  236  using second weave pattern  246 .  FIG. 10C  depicts both warp threads  234  of first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  240  as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . 
     Second weave pattern  246  formed in outer columns  240  of woven material  206  in tapered width portion  126   a  may be distinct from first weave pattern  144  (see.  FIGS. 3A-3C ) and second weave pattern  146  (see,  FIGS. 6A-8C ). When woven using second weave pattern  246 , warp threads  234  in outer columns  240  may alternate between being positioned in a first position (e.g., above, below) with respect to weft thread  236  for a first predetermined length, and a second position (e.g., above, below) with respect to weft thread  236 , opposite the first position, for a second predetermined length. In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 10A , and with comparison to  FIG. 6A , warp thread  234  of first column (C 1 ) woven using second weave pattern  246  may be positioned above weft thread  236  and may pass over two distinct weaves of weft thread  236  (e.g., first predetermined length) over the length of woven material  206 . In second weave pattern  246 , warp thread  234  may be positioned below weft thread  236  and may pass under a single weave of weft thread  236  (e.g., second predetermined length) over the length of woven material  206 . As discussed herein, second weave pattern  246  may substantially change the pitch of warp threads  234  of woven material  206 , which may in turn, effect (e.g., reduce) the size of ribs  238  formed in tapered width portion  126   a  of woven material  206 . 
     Warp thread  234  of second column (C 2 ), as shown in  FIG. 10B , may include a similar, but opposite, weave pattern as warp thread  234  of first column (C 1 ) (see,  FIG. 10A ). In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 10B , warp thread  234  of second column (C 2 ) formed using second weave pattern  246  may initially be positioned below weft thread  236  and may pass over two distinct weaves of weft thread  236  (e.g., first predetermined length) over the length of woven material  206 . Subsequently, warp thread  234  of second column (C 2 ) may be positioned above weft thread  236  and may pass over a single weave of weft thread  236  (e.g., second predetermined length) over the length of woven material  206 . 
     In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 10C , and as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 6C , second weave pattern  246  used to weave outer columns  240  of warp threads  234  may substantially flatten and/or reduce the size of ribs  238  formed in tapered width portion  126   a . As a result of smoothing, flattening and/or elongating ribs  238  formed in outer columns  240  of warp threads  234 , outer columns  240  of warp threads  234  may maintain a substantially even thickness with outer columns  240  of warp threads  234  in uniform width portion  128 , and inner columns  242  of warp threads  234  in uniform width portion  128  and tapered width portion  126   a  (see,  FIGS. 3A-3C ). This may ultimately allow for wearable band  100  (see,  FIG. 1 ) formed from woven material  206  to have a substantially even or uniform thickness, appearance, and/or tactile feature throughout wearable band  100 . 
     In further non-limiting examples, and similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIGS. 7A-8C , only a portion (e.g., two layers) of the four distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  234  forming woven material  206  may be formed using second weave pattern  246 .  FIGS. 11A-12C  show additional non-limiting examples where only a portion of the distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  234  forming woven material  206  may be formed using second weave pattern  246 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C , second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of warp threads  234  in outer columns  240  may be woven using second weave pattern  246 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 11A , warp thread  234  of first column (C 1 ) forming second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  206  may be formed using second weave pattern  246 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 10A . Additionally in the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 11B , warp thread  234  of second column (C 2 ) forming second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  206  may be formed using second weave pattern  246 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 10B . 
     The adjacent or distinct layers of warp threads  234  in first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  240  may be woven using first weave pattern  244 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 11A , warp thread  234  of first column (C 1 ) forming first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  206  may be formed using first weave pattern  244 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 3A . Additionally in the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 11B , warp thread  234  of second column (C 2 ) forming first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  206  may be formed using first weave pattern  244 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 3B . 
       FIGS. 12A-12C  show another, non-limiting example of a weave pattern for outer columns  240  of warp threads  234  in tapered width portion  126   a  of woven material  206 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 12A-12C , warp threads  234  of first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  240  may be formed using second weave pattern  246  in distinct layers. As shown in  FIG. 12A , and distinct from  FIG. 11A , warp thread  234  of first column (C 1 ) forming first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  206  may be formed using second weave pattern  246 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 10A . Additionally in the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 12B , warp thread  234  of second column (C 2 ) forming first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  206  may be formed using second weave pattern  246 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 10B . 
     The adjacent or distinct layers of warp threads  234  in first column (C 1 ) and second column (C 2 ) of outer columns  240  may be woven using first weave pattern  244 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 12A , warp thread  234  of first column (C 1 ) forming second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  206  may be formed using first weave pattern  244 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 3A . Additionally in the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 12B , warp thread  234  of second column (C 2 ) forming second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  206  may be formed using first weave pattern  244 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 3B . 
     Ribs formed in woven material may also be smoothed, flattened and/or elongated to ultimately reduce the size and/or thickness of the ribs and/or woven material, without modifying the weave pattern of the woven material. Rather the woven material forming the wearable band may include distinct fibers or material for forming at least a portion of the warp threads of the woven material to improve physical characteristics and/or visual and/or tactile features in the tapered width portions of the woven material and/or the wearable band. 
       FIG. 13  shows a cross-section front view of the portion of tapered width portion  126   b  of wearable band  100 , taken along line  13 - 20  of  FIG. 1 . Woven material  306  shown in  FIG. 13  may be formed from the four distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  334 , as discussed herein with respect to  FIGS. 2-12C . Weft thread  336 , that may be coupled to, woven or interlaced between the plurality of warp threads  334  in each of the four distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ), may be omitted for clarity. However it is understood, and as discussed herein, that weft thread would be positioned between the two distinct, stacked groups of warp threads  334  forming each layer (L 1 -L 4 ) of woven material  306 . Each layer (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  334  may be woven using the first weave pattern  144 , as discussed herein with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C . Additionally, the separation between each layer (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  334  forming woven material  306 , as depicted in  FIG. 13 , may be merely illustrative for descriptive purposes, and may not necessarily represent the spacing between each layer (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  334 . As similarly discussed and shown herein with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C , each layer (L 1 -L 4 ) of warp threads  334  in woven material  306  may be positioned directly adjacent and/or substantially contacting one another when forming woven material  306 . 
     Woven material  306  may also be formed using a plurality of elastic fibers  348 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 13 , at least a portion of warp threads  334  in at least one of the plurality of layers (L 1 -L 4 ) forming woven material  306  may be formed from elastic fibers  348 . Elastic fibers  348  may be formed in woven material  306  over the entire length of woven material  306  forming wearable band  100  (see,  FIG. 1 ) and/or may replace at least a portion of warp threads  334  in at least one layer (L 1 -L 4 ) of woven material  306 . In the non-limiting example, elastic fibers  348  may be formed in a portion of and/or may replace a portion of warp threads  334  of second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , elastic fibers  348  formed in second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) may be formed in a centralized portion of woven material  306 , and may be positioned between warp threads  334  formed on an outer portion of second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ). As a result, elastic fibers  348  may not be visible to a user of wearable band  100  (see,  FIG. 1 ) that is formed from woven material  306 . Elastic fibers  348  may be woven in a substantially similar manner as warp threads  334  (e.g., first weave pattern  144  of  FIGS. 3A-3C ) throughout wearable band  100  (e.g., uniform width portion  128 , tapered width portion  126   b ). 
     Elastic fibers  348  may be formed from any suitable material that may include substantially elastic, flexible, and/or pliable characteristics. Sample materials include nylon, elastomeric fibers or threads, polyesters, spandex, olefin-based materials, wool and cotton materials (including blends thereof), and other stretch wovens. 
     Elastic fibers  348  formed throughout woven material  306  may be under distinct tensions in separate portions of wearable band  100  (see,  FIG. 1 ). In a non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 13 , the portion of elastic fibers  348  of woven material  306  positioned in tapered width portion  126   b  may be under a localized tension  350  that may be greater than the tension of the remaining portion of elastic fibers  348  in uniform width portion  128  (see,  FIG. 1 ). That is, elastic fibers  348  formed in uniform width portion  128  may be under a first tension, substantially similar to the tension of warp threads  334  in woven material  306 , and elastic fibers  348  formed in tapered width portion  126   a , as shown in  FIG. 13 , may be under a second, localized tension  350  that may be greater than the first tension of elastic fibers  348  and/or warp threads  334 . 
     By locally increasing the tension of elastic fibers  348  in tapered width portion  126   b , elastic fibers  348  may substantially change shape, size, dimension and/or position within woven material  306  to aid in reducing the size and/or flatten ribs  338  of woven material  306  formed in tapered portion  126   b . In a non-limiting example, because of the elastic properties and characteristics of elastic fibers  348 , the increased localized tension  350  placed on elastic fibers  348  may substantially stretch and/or reduce the circumference or thickness of elastic fibers  348 , which may in turn, increase the distance between elastic fibers  348  within woven material  106 . The changes to the physical characteristics (e.g., size/circumference reduction, separation, and so on) may allow for a reduced thickness and/or flattening of the peak of ribs  338  in the portion of second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306  formed with elastic fibers  348 . That is, and as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIGS. 7A-7C and 11A-11C , the physical changes experienced by elastic fibers  348  as a result of localized tension  350  may reduce the thickness and/or flatten ribs  338  formed in second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306 , which may ultimately allow for the adjacent layers (e.g., first layers (L 1 ), fourth layer (L 4 )) to have reduced thickness and/or flattened ribs  338  as well. This may ultimately allow for wearable band  100  (see,  FIG. 1 ) formed from woven material  306  having elastic fiber  348  to have a substantially even or uniform thickness, appearance, and/or tactile feature throughout wearable band  100 . 
       FIGS. 14-17  show additional, non-limiting examples of woven material  306 . The additional, non-limiting examples of woven material  306  shown in  FIGS. 14-17  may include some similar components and/or features of woven material  306  shown in  FIG. 13 , and some distinct features. The distinct features, discussed in detail below, may similarly achieve a reduced thickness and/or flattening of ribs  338  in tapered width portion  126   b  of woven material  306 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 13 . The reduced thickness and/or flattening of ribs  338  may allow for a substantially even or uniform thickness, appearance, and/or tactile feature throughout wearable band  100  formed from woven material  306  having elastic fibers  348 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , and generally similar to  FIG. 13 , elastic fibers  348  may be formed in second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306 . However, distinct from  FIG. 13 , the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 14  may have elastic fibers  348  forming the entire second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306 . In the non-limiting example, elastic fibers  348  may completely replace warp threads  334  in second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306 . As a result of elastic fibers  348  forming the entire second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306 , elastic fibers  348  may be visible on the side of woven material  306 . That is, a user of wearable band  100  (see,  FIG. 1 ) formed from woven material  306  of  FIG. 14  may be able to see elastic fibers  348  when looking at the side of tapered width portion  126   b . Elastic fibers  348  may not be seen through first layer (L 1 ) and/or fourth layer (L 4 ) of warp threads  334  of woven material  306 . 
     In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 15 , and similar to  FIG. 13 , elastic fibers  348  may be formed in a centralized portion of second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306 . In the non-limiting example, elastic fibers  348  may also be formed in a centralized portion of fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  306 . Similar to  FIG. 13 , elastic fibers  348  formed in the centralized portion of second layer (L 2 ), third layer (L 3 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  306  may be surrounded and/or positioned between warp threads  334 , and consequently may not be visible on the side of woven material  306 . However, because elastic fibers  348  are formed in a portion of fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  306 , elastic fibers  348  formed in fourth layer (L 4 ) may be visible when looking at the bottom surface of woven material  306  formed by fourth layer (L 4 ) of warp threads  334 . In a non-limiting example where wearable band  100  is a watch band formed from woven material  306 , the bottom surface/fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  306  may be the layer that contacts a user&#39;s wrist. As such, in the non-limiting example, elastic fiber  348  formed in fourth layer (L 4 ) may not be visible when the user is wearing wearable band  100  formed from woven material  306 . 
     In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 16 , and similar to  FIG. 15 , elastic fibers  348  may be formed in a centralized portion of second layer (L 2 ), third layer (L 3 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  306 . Elastic fibers  348  may also be formed in a centralized portion of first layer (L 1 ) of woven material  306 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 16 , elastic fibers  348  may be formed in the centralized portion of all four distinct layers (L 1 -L 4 ) of woven material  306 , and elastic fibers  348  may be surrounded and/or positioned between warp threads  334 . Consequently elastic fibers  348  may not be visible from the side of woven material  306 . However, because elastic fibers  348  are formed in a portion of first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  306 , elastic fibers  348  may be visible when looking at the top surface formed by first layer (L 1 ) and/or the bottom surface formed by fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  306 . 
       FIG. 17  shows elastic fibers  348  formed in a centralized portion of first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ) of woven material  306 . In the non-limiting example, elastic fibers  348  may be surrounded and/or positioned between warp threads  334 , and may not be visible from the side of woven material  306 . Similar to  FIG. 16 , elastic fibers  348  formed in a portion of first layer (L 1 ) and fourth layer (L 4 ), as shown in  FIG. 17 , may be visible when looking at the top surface (e.g., first layer (L 1 )) and bottom surface (e.g., fourth layer (L 4 )) of woven material  306   
     Although shown herein as various non-limiting examples, it is understood that woven material  306  may be formed using any combination of configurations shown and discussed with respect to  FIGS. 13-17 . That is, the non-limiting examples shown in  FIGS. 13-17  may not include every example or configuration for incorporating elastic fibers  348  in woven material  306 . For example, in an additional non-limiting example not shown, woven material  306  may include elastic fibers  348  positioned entirely in second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ), as shown in  FIG. 14 , and elastic fibers  348  positioned in a centralized portion of fourth layer (L 4 ), as shown in  FIGS. 15-17 . 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  show a cross-section front view of the portion of tapered width portion  126   b  of wearable band  100 , taken along line  13 - 20  of  FIG. 1 . Woven material  406  shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , may be substantially similar to woven material  306  shown in  FIGS. 13-17 , and may include some similar components and/or features of woven material  306 . Woven material  406  shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19  may also include distinct features from woven material  306 . The distinct features, discussed in detail below, may similarly achieve a reduced thickness and/or flattening of ribs  438  in tapered width portion  126   b  of woven material  406 , as similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIGS. 13-17 . The reduced thickness and/or flattening of ribs  438  may allow for a substantially even or uniform thickness, appearance, and/or tactile feature throughout wearable band  100  formed from woven material  406  having elastic fibers  448 . 
     Woven material  406  may include elastic fiber  448  formed in at least a portion of at least one layer of the plurality of layers (L 1 -L 4 ) forming woven material  406 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , and similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 13 , elastic fibers  448  may be formed in a centralized portion of second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  406 , and may be substantially surrounded by warp threads  434 . However, distinct from  FIG. 13 , woven material  408  may include two distinct groups  452 ,  454  of elastic fibers  448 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 18 , a first group  452  of elastic fibers  448  may be formed in second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306 . First group  452  of elastic fibers  448  may be formed in the centralized portion of woven material  406 . 
     Woven material  406  may also include a second group  454  of elastic fibers  448  formed in second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  306 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 18 , second group  454  of elastic fibers  448  may be formed as two distinct second groups  454  of elastic fibers  448  that may be positioned on opposite sides of and/or substantially surround first group  452  of elastic fibers  448 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , warp threads  434  in second layer (L 2 ) and third layer (L 3 ) of woven material  406  may be positioned directly adjacent second group  454  of elastic fibers  448  and/or may substantially surround first group  452  and second group  454  of elastic fibers  448 , respectively. 
     First group  452  and second group  454  of elastic fibers  448  formed in woven material  306  may be under distinct tensions in tapered width portion  126   b  of wearable band  100 . In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 18 , first group  452  of elastic fibers  448  may be under a localized tension  450  in tapered width portion  126   b  that may be greater than the tension of elastic fibers  348  in uniform width portion  128  (see,  FIG. 1 ) and/or the tension of warp threads  334  throughout woven material  406 . Additionally in the non-limiting example, second group  454  of elastic fibers  448  may be under a distinct, localized tension  456  in tapered width portion  126   b  that may be greater than the tension of elastic fibers  348  in uniform width portion  128  (see,  FIG. 1 ) and/or the tension of warp threads  334  throughout woven material  406 , but less than the localized tension  450  of first group  452  of elastic fibers  448 . That is, first group  452  of elastic fiber  448  may be under localized tension  450  in tapered width portion  126   b  that may be greater than the distinct, localized tension  456  of second group  454  of elastic fibers  448 . 
       FIG. 19  shows an additional non-limiting example of woven material  406 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , and compared with  FIG. 18 , the localized tension (e.g., tension  450 ,  456 ) of the two group  452 ,  454  of elastic fibers  448  may reversed. That is, in  FIG. 19 , first group  452  of elastic fibers  448  may be under localized tension  456 , and second group  454  of elastic fibers  448  may be under localized tension  450 , where localized tension  450  of second group  454  of elastic fibers  448  is greater than localized tension  456  of first group of  452  of elastic fibers  448 . As similarly discussed herein with respect to  FIG. 18 , localized tensions  450 ,  456  of elastic fibers  448  (e.g., first group  452 , second group  454 ) may be greater than the tension of elastic fibers  348  in uniform width portion  128  (see,  FIG. 1 ) and/or the tension of warp threads  334  throughout woven material  406 . 
     Although discussed herein as forming two distinct tensions  450 ,  456  on elastic fibers  448  in woven material  406 , it is understood that first group  452  and second group  454  of elastic fibers  448  may be formed from distinct elastic materials, having distinct elastic properties and/or characteristics. That is, in place of forming two tensions  450 ,  456  on elastic fibers  448  or in conjunction with the two tensions  450 ,  456  placed on elastic fibers  448 , first group  452  and second group  454  of elastic fibers  448  may be formed from distinct elastic materials to aid in reducing thickness and/or flattening of ribs  438  of woven material  406 , as discussed herein. 
       FIG. 20  depicts an example process for forming a woven material. Specifically,  FIG. 20  is a flowchart depicting one example process  500  for forming a woven material that may be utilized in forming a wearable band. In some cases, the process may be used to form the wearable band from woven material, as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1-19 . 
     In operation  502 , a woven material may be woven using a first weave pattern in a first width portion. The woven material may include a plurality (e.g., four) of distinct layers of a plurality of warp threads, where at least a portion of at least one distinct layer of warp threads may be formed from elastic fibers. The woven material also includes at least one weft thread that may be coupled to, woven or interlaced between the plurality of warp threads in each of the four distinct layers. The woven material may also include a plurality of ribs formed on each edge and/or surface of the woven material. The woven material may further include inner columns of warp threads for each of the plurality of layers of warp threads, and two distinct groups of outer columns of warp threads for each of the plurality of layers of warp threads. The two distinct groups of outer columns of warp threads may be positioned on opposite sides of the inner columns of warp threads. In a non-limiting example, the first weave pattern may include each of the plurality of warp threads alternating between being positioned above and below the weft thread, where at least one of the plurality of warp threads is positioned on an opposite side of the weft thread than a distinct and/or adjacent warp thread. 
     In operation  504 , the weave pattern of the woven material may be altered to a second weave pattern in a tapered width portion. The tapered width portion may be formed directly adjacent the first width portion. The second weave pattern may be distinct from the first weave pattern for the woven material. The altering of the weave pattern of the woven material to the second weave pattern may include altering the weave pattern to the second weave pattern in at least a portion of at least two layers of the plurality of layers of warp threads forming the woven material. In a non-limiting example, the altering of the weave pattern of the woven material to the second weave pattern may further include weaving the two distinct groups of outer columns of warp threads using the second weave pattern in the tapered width portion, and weaving the inner columns of warp threads using the first weave pattern in the tapered width portion. In another non-limiting example, the altering of the weave pattern of the woven material to the second weave pattern in tapered width portion may further include increasing the tension of the elastic fibers forming at least a portion of the warp threads in at least one layer of the plurality of distinct layers of warp threads. The increased tension on the plurality of elastic fibers in the tapered width portion may be greater than the tension of the plurality of elastic fibers positioned in the first width portion. 
     In operation  506 , a size and/or a configuration of the plurality of ribs formed in the tapered width portion of the woven material may be modified. The modification of the size and/or configuration of the ribs of the woven material may be a result of the altering of the weave pattern of the woven material to the second weave pattern in the tapered width portion in operation  504 . The modifying of the size and/or configuration of the plurality of ribs may further include smoothing, flattening and/or elongating the ribs of the woven material in the tapered width portion of the woven material. Additionally, modifying the size and/or configuration of the plurality of ribs may also include reducing the thickness of the tapered width portion of the woven material forming a substantially even or uniform thickness, appearance, and/or tactile feature throughout (e.g., first width portion, tapered width portion) the woven material. 
     The weave pattern of a woven material may be altered to modify the size and/or configuration of ribs formed on an edge and/or in a tapered portion of the woven material. Specifically, the woven material may include an altered weave pattern in its tapered width portion to reduce the size and/or flatten the ribs formed in the edge of the woven material. This may ultimately make the thickness and/or side profile of the tapered portion uniform with the remaining portion of the woven material. The altering of the weave pattern may be achieved by altering the weave pattern in a portion or all of the layers of the multi-layer woven material. Furthermore, the altering of the weave pattern may only take place in portions of the tapered portion positioned adjacent the edge of the woven material. Additionally, the altering of the weave pattern may be achieved by altering a tension placed on elastic fibers forming a portion or all of the weft threads in at least some of the layers of the multi-layer woven material. The tension on the elastic fibers in the tapered width portion may be greater than the tension on the elastic fibers in the remaining portions of the woven material. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160304
Publication Date: 20170829
Grant Date: 20170829
Priority Date: 20150306
Inventors: HATANAKA MOTOHIDE
Su ying-liang
HAMADA YOJI
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "D03D15/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D3/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D11/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D13/004", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D13/004", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D3/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D3/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D15/56", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D15/56", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D13/004", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D11/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "D03D11/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 56850198