Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02907298 2015-10-08
LACROSSE MESH AND RELATED OBJECTS AND METHODS
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001] Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority
claim is
identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application
are hereby
incorporated by reference and made a part of the present disclosure.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to sporting equipment, in
particular, lacrosse
equipment. The present disclosure further relates to mesh for creating a
pocket in the head of
a lacrosse stick, as well as heads or sticks incorporating such a pocket.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Lacrosse mesh is an open net structure that is typically an open
warp knit
structure. Currently, used to string a lacrosse pocket is constructed from a
single material.
Often, the material used is nylon, polyester or polypropylene. Many issues
exist with such
conventional mesh, including undesirable stretching (especially when wet) and
breakage.
Thus, a need exists for improved or alternative mesh constructions.
SUMMARY
[0004] The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovative
aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for
their desirable
attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous
features will
now be summarized.
[0005] An aspect of the present disclosure involves using hybrid yarn
strands to
control mechanical properties of lacrosse mesh. Such yarn strands can comprise
multiple
yarns per strand. In some configurations, one yarn type is used as a
reinforcement of another
yarn type. In some configurations, the yam strands are twisted in opposite
directions. In
some configurations, the yarn strands are provided with a high level of twist,
such as above
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100 TPM, 100-600 TPM or any value or sub-range within these values. In some
configurations, the level of twist can be greater than 600 TPM.
[0006] In some configurations, at least two different material types are
used. In
some configurations, one material has a higher modulus than the other
material(s). In some
configurations, one material has better absorption or adhesion properties than
the other
material(s).
[0007] In some configurations, the yarn types used have different levels
of
thermal shrinkage. Such an arrangement allows some yarns or portions of the
mesh (warp or
weft) to be more tightly knitted and other yarns or portions of the mesh to be
more loosely
knitted. In some configurations, the more loosely knitted yarns or portions
have a higher
level of thermal shrinkage and tighten in response to heating of the mesh.
[0008] In some configurations, a lacrosse mesh for stringing to a head
of a
lacrosse stick includes a first outside edge extending between a first end and
a second end of
the lacrosse mesh and a second outside edge opposite the first outside edge.
The second
outside edge also extends between the first end and the second end of the
lacrosse mesh. A
plurality of pillars are positioned between the first outside edge and the
second outside edge
and extend between the first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh. One
or more of
the plurality of pillars comprise connected portions and unconnected portions.
The lacrosse
mesh comprises a plurality of warp strands and a plurality of weft strands,
each of the
plurality of warp strands and the plurality of weft strands comprising one or
more yarns or
filaments. At least a portion of the yarns or filaments of the warp strands or
the weft strands
have an individual twist of greater than or equal to 250 TPM.
[0009] In some configurations, at least a portion of the warp strands or
the weft
strands comprise a plurality of yarns or filaments, wherein the individual
twist of each of the
plurality of filaments is in a first direction, and wherein the plurality of
yarns or filaments are
twisted together to have a combined twist in a second direction opposite the
first direction.
[0010] In some configurations, the combined twist is less than the
individual
twist.
[0011] ln some configurations, the lacrosse mesh has a width of 9/10
diamonds, a
length of at least 10 rows of 9 diamonds and 10 rows of 10 diamonds, wherein
the connected
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portions have four warp loops and the unconnected portions have three warp
loops, wherein a
diamond length is between about 2.80cm-3.10cm, wherein an average warp/weft
denier is
between about 2000-4500, wherein the warp and/or weft yarns contain at least
one of or the
combination of PET and PP in an amount greater than or equal to 50%.
[0012] In some configurations, one or both of the warp strands and the
weft strand
have a first yarn that has a first physical property and at least a second
yarn that has a second
physical property that is different from the first physical property.
[0013] In some configurations, the first physical property and the
second physical
property are selected from the following: material, material grade, modulus,
length, shape,
orientation, ability to coat, heat treatment, elongation, shrinkage, size, and
strength.
[0014] In some configurations, the warp strands have a first yarn that
has a first
physical property and the weft strand have a second yarn that has a second
physical property
that is different from the first physical property.
[0015] In some configurations, the first physical property and the
second physical
property are selected from the following: material, material grade, modulus,
length, shape,
orientation, ability to coat, heat treatment, elongation, shrinkage, size, and
strength.
[0016] In some configurations, a lacrosse mesh for stringing to a head
of a
lacrosse stick includes a first outside edge extending between a first end and
a second end of
the lacrosse mesh and a second outside edge opposite the first outside edge.
The second
outside edge also extends between the first end and the second end of the
lacrosse mesh. A
plurality of pillars are positioned between the first outside edge and the
second outside edge
and extend between the first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh. One
or more of
the plurality of pillars comprise connected portions and unconnected portions.
The lacrosse
mesh comprises a plurality of warp strands and a plurality of weft strands.
The plurality of
warp strands have a first elongation and the plurality of weft strands have a
second elongation
that is different than the first elongation.
[0017] In some configurations, the first elongation is less than the
second
elongation.
[0018] In some configurations, the warp strands are woven tighter than
the weft
strands.
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[0019] In some configurations, the first elongation is greater than the
second
elongation.
[0020] ln some configurations, the weft strands are woven tighter than
the warp
strands.
[0021] In some configurations, the lacrosse mesh has a width of 9/10
diamonds, a
length of at least 10 rows of 9 diamonds and 10 rows of 10 diamonds, wherein
the connected
portions have four warp loops and the unconnected portions have three warp
loops, wherein a
diamond length is between about 2.80cm-3.10cm, wherein an average warp/weft
denier is
between about 2000-4500, wherein the warp and/or weft yarns contain at least
one of or the
combination of PET and PP in an amount greater than or equal to 50%.
[0022] In some configurations, a method of manufacturing a lacrosse mesh
for
stringing to a head of a lacrosse stick includes constructing a lacrosse mesh
comprising a first
outside edge extending between a first end and a second end of the lacrosse
mesh, a second
outside edge opposite the first outside edge, the second outside edge
extending between the
first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh, a plurality of pillars
positioned between the
first outside edge and the second outside edge and extending between the first
end and the
second end of the lacrosse mesh, wherein one or more of the plurality of
pillars comprise
connected portions and unconnected portions, wherein the lacrosse mesh
comprises a
plurality of warp strands and a plurality of weft strands. The method also
includes selecting
the plurality of warp strands to have a first elongation and selecting the
plurality of weft
strands to have a second elongation that is different than the first
elongation. The method
also includes heating the lacrosse mesh such that one or both of the warp
strands and the weft
strands shrink, wherein the one of the warp strands and the weft strands
shrink a greater
amount than the other of the warp strands and the weft strands as a result of
the difference in
the first elongation and the second elongation.
[0023] ln some configurations, the warp strands are knitted tighter than
the weft
strands.
[0024] In some configurations, the first elongation is less than the
second
elongation.
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[0025] In some configurations, a lacrosse mesh for stringing to a head
of a
lacrosse stick includes a first outside edge extending between a first end and
a second end of
the lacrosse mesh and a second outside edge opposite the first outside edge.
The second
outside edge also extends between the first end and the second end of the
lacrosse mesh. A
plurality of pillars are positioned between the first outside edge and the
second outside edge
and extend between the first end and the second end of the lacrosse mesh. One
or more of
the plurality of pillars comprise connected portions and unconnected portions.
The lacrosse
mesh comprises a plurality of warp strands and a plurality of weft strands.
The lacrosse mesh
comprises a hybrid construction having a first material and a different second
material within
one or both of the warp strands and the weft strands.
[0026] In some configurations, the lacrosse mesh has a width of 9/10
diamonds, a
length of at least 10 rows of 9 diamonds and 10 rows of 10 diamonds, wherein
the connected
portions have four warp loops and the unconnected portions have three warp
loops, wherein a
diamond length is between about 2.80cm-3.10cm, wherein an average warp/weft
denier is
between about 2000-4500, wherein the warp and/or weft yarns contain at least
one of or the
combination of PET and PP in an amount greater than or equal to 50%.
[0027] In some configurations, at least a portion of yams or filaments
of the warp
strands or the weft strands have an individual twist of greater than or equal
to 250 TPM.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will
become
more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken
in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings
depict only
several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be
considered limiting
of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and
detail through the
use of the accompanying drawings.
[0029] Figure 1 is a plan view of a lacrosse mesh having certain
features, aspects
and advantages of the present disclosure.
[0030] Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the lacrosse mesh of
Figure 1.
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[0031] Figure 3 is a plan view of several columns of the lacrosse mesh
of Figure
1.
[0032] Figure 4 is a plan view of one side portion of the lacrosse mesh
of Figure 1
illustrating an edge pillar or selvedge of the mesh.
[0033] Figure 5 is a plan view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a mesh
pillar of the
lacrosse mesh.
[0034] Figure 6 is a plan view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a pillar
connection
of the lacrosse mesh.
[0035] Figure 7 is a plan view similar to Figure 4 illustrating an
unconnected
portion of a mesh pillar.
[0036] Figure 8 is a plan view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a warp
strand of the
lacrosse mesh.
[0037] Figure 9 is a plan view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a weft
strand of the
lacrosse mesh.
[0038] Figure 10 is a plan view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a warp
loop and a
weft loop of the lacrosse mesh.
[0039] Figure 11 is a plan view of an alternative knitting pattern of a
lacrosse
mesh in which the warp strands are asymmetrical.
[0040] Figure 12 is a plan view of another alternative knitting pattern
of a lacrosse
mesh in which the warp strands are oriented in the opposite direction compared
to Figures 1-
10.
[0041] Figure 13 is a view of individual twisted yams and combinations
or
strands of the twisted yarns that are also twisted, one in the same direction
as the individual
twist and one in the opposite direction of the individual twist.
[0042] Figure 14 is a sectional view of a hybrid strand or yarn.
[0043] Figures 15A-15C are side views of the hybrid strand or yarn of
Figure 14
in three different stretch positions.
[0044] Figure 16 is a block diagram of a process for creating a lacrosse
mesh.
[0045] Figure 17 is block diagram of another process for creating a
lacrosse mesh.
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[0046] Figure 18 is a partial plan view of an alternative lacrosse mesh
having
multiple weft strands in each mesh pillar and a different number of connected
loops and
unconnected loops in comparison to the mesh of Figures 1-10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] Embodiments of systems, components and methods of assembly and
manufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures,
wherein like
numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout. Although several
embodiments,
examples and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those
of ordinary
skill in the art that the inventions described herein extends beyond the
specifically disclosed
embodiments, examples and illustrations, and can include other uses of the
inventions and
obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. The terminology used in the
description
presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or
restrictive manner simply
because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain
specific
embodiments of the inventions. In addition, embodiments of the inventions can
comprise
several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its
desirable attributes or
is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.
[0048] Certain terminology may be used in the following description for
the
purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For
example, terms such
as "above" and "below" refer to directions in the drawings to which reference
is made.
Terms such as "front," "back," "left," "right," "rear," and "side" describe
the orientation
and/or location of portions of the components or elements within a consistent
but arbitrary
frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the
associated drawings
describing the components or elements under discussion. Moreover, terms such
as "first,"
"second," "third," and so on may be used to describe separate components. Such
terminology
may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and
words of
similar import.
[0049] Typically, lacrosse mesh is an open net structure that is often
an open warp
knit structure. While most of the examples in the present application refer to
mesh made out
of warp knit fabric, it is contemplated that the features, aspects and
advantages of the present
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disclosure can be applied to any open structured lacrosse mesh. Other methods
for creating
open structured lacrosse mesh include but are not limited to fabrics made from
weft knitting,
weaving, braiding, etc.
[0050] To facilitate the description of certain features, aspects and
advantages of
the lacrosse mesh disclosed herein, certain terms used to describe lacrosse
mesh are identified
below. These terms are to be interpreted in accordance with their ordinary
meaning, which
can include the definitions provided below.
[0051] Mesh Pillars ¨ a mesh pillar generally is an elongate structure
that extends
in a lengthwise (or a widthwise) direction of the lacrosse mesh. Typically,
the lacrosse mesh
contains multiple mesh pillars oriented in columns (or rows). The individual
mesh pillars can
extend in a nonlinear path, such as a wave-like or oscillating path, such that
adjacent pillars
move toward and away from one another along their length. The nonlinear
orientation of the
mesh pillars creates an open mesh construction in which the mesh defines a
plurality of open
spaces between adjacent mesh pillars. One of the mesh pillars of the lacrosse
mesh is
highlighted in Figure 5. The mesh pillars are constructed at least in part
from the warp yarns.
The warp yarns make a series of knitted loops that create a foundation of the
mesh pillars. In
the illustrated arrangement, the mesh pillars travel or extend in the vertical
direction between
first and second ends of the lacrosse mesh. However, in other arrangements,
the mesh pillars
can travel in the horizontal direction of the lacrosse mesh. The mesh pillars
can also include
weft yarns. For example, weft yarns can connect two or more mesh pillars and
can also
extend in a lengthwise (or widthwise) direction along one or more mesh
pillars. A single
weft yarn can form a portion of one or more mesh pillars, as described in
greater detail
hereinafter.
[0052] Pillar Connections or Connected Portions ¨ a pillar connection or
a
connected portion of a pillar can be any place that, or portion along which,
two or more mesh
pillars are connected to each other. In some configurations, the pillar
connections are created
or defined by one or more of the weft yarns, which can connect a portion of
two (or more)
mesh pillars. A pillar connection is highlighted in Figure 6.
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[0053] Pillar Unconnected Portions ¨ a pillar unconnected portion is a
portion or
section of a mesh pillar that is located between pillar connections or that is
not connected to
another mesh pillar. A pillar unconnected portion is highlighted in Figure 7.
[0054] Warp Strand ¨ a warp strand is an elongate structure that extends
in a
longitudinal or lengthwise (or widthwise direction) of the lacrosse mesh and
creates a portion
of a mesh pillar. In some configurations, the warp strand is a knitted
structure comprising a
plurality of interconnected loops. However, the warp strands can have other
constructions or
construction methods, such as woven or braided constructions. The warp strands
can be
constructed of one or more constituent parts (e.g., yarns or filaments). A
warp strand is
highlighted in Figure 8.
[0055] Weft Strand ¨ a weft strand is an elongate structure that extends
in a
longitudinal or lengthwise (or widthwise) direction of the lacrosse mesh and
connects two or
more warp strands to define a connected portion of a mesh pillar. The weft
strand can also
extend along the warp strands in an unconnected portion of one or more mesh
pillars. In
some configurations, the weft strand travels back and forth through the mesh
pillars (e.g.,
through the warp strands). In some configurations, the weft strand travels
from one mesh
pillar to another mesh pillar. The weft strands can be constructed of one or
more constituent
parts (e.g., yarns or filaments). A weft strand is highlighted in Figure 9. In
some
configurations, there can be multiple weft strands within the same mesh pillar
¨ even within
the unconnected portion of the pillar. Each weft strand can have a unique
knitting pattern
within its mesh pillar.
[0056] Warp Yarn ¨ a warp yarn or filament is an elongate yarn or
filament that is
oriented in a longitudinal or lengthwise direction (or widthwise direction) of
the lacrosse
mesh and makes up at least a portion of a warp strand. As described above, the
warp strand
can include one or more constituent yarns or filaments. As used herein, yarns
are typically
made up of multiple interlocked fibers, which can be interlocked by spinning
or twisting, for
example. A filament can be constructed of one or more long, continuous fibers.
Some yarns
are multiple fiber yarns, in which the fibers can be twisted or grouped
together. Other yarns
are single fiber or monofilament yarns, which can be constructed by, for
example, an
extrusion process. As used herein, the term yarn can refer to spun yarn,
filament yarn,
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monofilament yarn or any other suitable structure that can create a
constituent part of a
strand.
[0057] Weft Yarn ¨ a weft yarn is an elongate yarn or filament that is
oriented in a
longitudinal or lengthwise direction (or widthwise direction) of the lacrosse
mesh and makes
up at least a portion of a weft strand. As described above, the weft strand
can include one or
more constituent yarns or filaments. As used herein, yarns are typically made
up of multiple
interlocked fibers, which can be interlocked by spinning or twisting, for
example. A filament
can be constructed of one or more long, continuous fibers. Some yarns are
multiple fiber
yarns, in which the fibers can be twisted or grouped together. Other yarns are
single fiber or
monofilament yarns, which can be constructed by, for example, an extrusion
process. As
used herein, the term yarn can refer to spun yarn, filament yarn, monofilament
yarn or any
other suitable structure that can create a constituent part of a strand,
unless otherwise
indicated.
[0058] Warp Loop ¨ a warp loop is a single loop of a warp strand. A warp
loop is
highlighted in Figure 8. The warp loops create the warp strands, which, in
turn, create at
least a portion of the mesh pillars. The warp yarns in the warp knitted
lacrosse mesh
construct the warp loops. However, as described above, one could construct the
lacrosse
mesh with weft knitting techniques.
[0059] Weft Loop ¨ a weft loop is a single pass or loop of a weft
strand. ln some
configurations, the weft strand passes back and forth through the warp loops
one or more
warp strands in a non-overlapping fashion. Thus, a weft loop can refer to a
portion of a weft
strand that passes across a single warp strand (e.g., in an unconnected
portion of a mesh
pillar) or across a combination of warp strands (e.g., in a connected portion
of a mesh pillar)
from one side of the warp strand(s) toward or to the other side of the warp
strand(s). Thus, a
new weft loop can begin and end each time the weft strand changes direction.
Alternatively,
a weft loop can refer to a portion of a weft strand that passes twice (back
and forth) across a
single warp strand or a combination of warp strands. Thus, a new weft loop can
begin and
end each time the weft strand begins a new back-and-forth cycle.
[0060] Connected Loop ¨ a connected loop can be defined as a loop that
is
located within a pillar connection or a connected portion of a mesh pillar.
Thus, a connected
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loop can comprise a warp loop that is connected by one or more weft strands
and/or a weft
loop that connects the warp strands. Accordingly, the individual loops located
in the
connected portion of the mesh pillars in Figure 6 can be referred to as
connected loops.
Typically, the mesh pillars are connected together by the weft strands.
However, the mesh
pillars can be connected together by warp strands. This can happen, for
example, when warp
loops from one mesh pillar cross over into and/or interlock with warp loops of
another mesh
pillar. In such arrangements, connected warp loops from different mesh pillars
can also be
considered connected loops.
[0061]
Unconnected Loop ¨ an unconnected loop can be defined as a loop that is
not directly or indirectly connected to another mesh pillar. Thus, unconnected
loops can be
warp loops or weft loops. Accordingly, the individual loops located in the
unconnected
portion of the mesh pillars in Figure 7 can be referred to as unconnected
loops.
[0062] Mesh
Selvedge ¨ the mesh selvedge is a mesh pillar that lies on the very
outside of the lacrosse mesh. In some configurations, the mesh selvedge is an
extra,
outermost mesh pillar that is fully connected to the directly adjacent mesh
pillar on an inward
side of the selvedge. However, in other configurations, the mesh selvedge may
be defined by
the outermost mesh pillar, and the lacrosse mesh may not include a specific or
an additional
mesh pillar that defines the selvedge. Thus, the mesh selvedge can refer to an
edge pillar or
other outer edge structure of the lacrosse mesh.
[0063] Loop
Length ¨ the loop length can be defined as a length of one loop,
which can be a warp loop or a weft loop. The loop length can be a length of a
loop in a
longitudinal or lengthwise direction of the lacrosse mesh or can be a length
of the loop as
measured in the direction of the relevant loop (e.g., the direction of the
portion of the mesh
pillar containing the relevant loop). As used herein, loop length can refer to
either
measurement unless otherwise indicated, either explicitly or by context.
[0064] Mesh
Diamond Length ¨ the mesh diamond length can be defined as a
distance of a single cycle of a mesh pillar in a lengthwise direction of the
lacrosse mesh. As
described above, in many configurations, the mesh pillars are arranged in a
wave-like or
oscillating shape. In some
configurations, adjacent mesh pillars create open spaces
therebetween, which can be somewhat diamond-like in shape and are often
referred to as
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diamonds. The mesh diamond length can be measured between any two points that
define a
full cycle of the mesh pillar shape, such as between centers of adjacent
connected portions of
a mesh pillar. Similar to the loop length, the mesh diamond length can be
measured in a
lengthwise direction of the lacrosse mesh or can be an actual length of the
mesh pillar
between the two points, including the curvature of the mesh pillar. As used
herein, mesh
diamond length can refer to either measurement unless otherwise indicated,
either explicitly
or by context.
[0065] Moreover, lacrosse mesh is often manufactured with a width that
is less
than a width in use. The lacrosse mesh is often stretched in a widthwise
direction to increase
the width prior to use or during the process of stringing the mesh to the head
of a lacrosse
stick. Thus, as manufactured, the lacrosse mesh can define longer and narrower
mesh
diamonds compared to lacrosse mesh in use or lacrosse mesh that has been
stretched for use.
Accordingly, loop length or mesh diamond length can be measured in a non-
stretched or
manufactured condition of the lacrosse mesh or can be measured in a stretch,
ready-for-use or
use condition of the lacrosse mesh. Loop length or mesh diamond length can
refer to the
measurement in any condition of the lacrosse mesh unless otherwise indicated,
either
explicitly or by context.
Mesh Structure
[0066] One example of a lacrosse mesh 100 is illustrated in Figures 1-
10. The
lacrosse mesh 100 defines a length or lengthwise direction 102 and a width or
widthwise
direction 104. The lacrosse mesh 100 has a first edge 106 that extends in the
lengthwise
direction 102 and a second edge 108 on an opposite side of the lacrosse mesh
100 that also
extends in the lengthwise direction 102. The lacrosse mesh 100 has a first end
110 extending
between the edges 106, 108 and a second end 112 extending between the edges
106, 108 at
an opposite end of the lacrosse mesh 100 from the first end 110.
[0067] Between the edges 106, 108 and extending in the lengthwise
direction 102
between the ends 110, 112, the lacrosse mesh 100 comprises a plurality of
columnar
structures, which in some configurations can be mesh pillars 114. However, as
described
above, in other configurations, the pillars or similar structures can extend
in the widthwise
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direction 104 and could form or be referred to as rows. The illustrated mesh
pillars 114
extend in a nonlinear path, which can define a repetitive pattern, such as a
generally
oscillating or wave-like path. In some configurations, the frequency or cycle-
length (wave-
length) of some or all of the mesh pillars 114 can be consistent within or
between pillars 114.
In other configurations, the frequency or cycle-length (wave-length) of some
or all of the
mesh pillars 114 can vary within or between pillars 114.
[0068] In the illustrated arrangement, the mesh pillars 114 cooperate to
form a
plurality of open spaces 116. The open spaces 116 and/or the portions of the
one or more
mesh pillars 114 that define the open spaces 116 are often referred to and can
be referred to
herein as diamonds. The open spaces 116 and/or portions of the mesh pillar(s)
114 that
define the open spaces 116 can be diamond-shaped or generally diamond-shaped,
but can
have other shapes, as well. For example, the open spaces 116 and/or portions
of the mesh
pillar(s) 114 that define the open spaces 116 can be generally polygonal with
any number of
sides (e.g., octagonal) or generally circular.
[0069] The open spaces 116 can be organized into rows and/or columns.
The
open spaces 116 of adjacent rows and/or columns can be offset from one
another. For
example, one row and/or column can be defined entirely by whole open spaces
116, while the
adjacent row(s) and/or column(s) can include divided or partial open spaces
116. In the
illustrated arrangement, every other row and/or every other column includes a
partial (e.g.,
half or more) open space 116 on each end in contrast to the whole open spaces
116 between
the ends. In the illustrated arrangement, every other row includes nine (9)
complete open
spaces 116 or diamonds and the intervening rows include ten (10) complete or
partial open
spaces 116 or diamonds. In particular, the rows of ten (10) open spaces
comprise eight (8)
complete open spaces 116 or diamonds and two (2) partial open spaces 116 or
diamonds (one
partial space 116 or partial diamond on each end). However, in other
configurations, each
row can include some partial diamonds or each row can include only full
diamonds.
[0070] The lacrosse mesh 100 can be characterized by the number of open
spaces
116 or diamonds present in the rows. For example, the illustrated lacrosse
mesh 100 can be
referred to as a 9/10 diamond lacrosse mesh 100 as a result of the alternating
nine (9) and ten
(10) diamond or open space 116 rows. In the portion shown in Figure 1, the
mesh 100 has
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eight (8) rows of ten (10) open diamonds and nine (9) rows of nine (9) open
diamonds.
Typically, however, the lacrosse mesh 100 will have more rows. For example,
the lacrosse
mesh 100 can have 14 rows of 10 open diamonds and 14 rows of 9 open diamonds.
Typical
player mesh that has a width of 10/9 diamonds will have at least 11 rows of 10
open
diamonds and 11 rows of 9 open diamonds. In addition, in some cases, the mesh
100 can
have more than 14 rows of 10 open diamonds and/or 14 rows of 9 open diamonds.
[0071] The number of open spaces 116 per row and/or column can vary and
the
lacrosse mesh 100 can be identified by the number of diamonds or open spaces
116 in
adjacent rows. For example, an 8/9 lacrosse mesh 100 has alternating rows of
eight (8) and
nine (9) diamonds and a 7/8 lacrosse mesh 100 has alternating rows of seven
(7) and eight (8)
diamonds. In general, lacrosse mesh 100 intended for use by field players
includes between
about 5-12 or 6-10 diamonds or open spaces 116 per row. In general, lacrosse
mesh 100
intended for use by goalies includes between about 10-22 diamonds or opens
spaces 116 per
row. However, other numbers of diamonds per row can be used, if desired.
Although a 9/10
diamond lacrosse mesh 100 is illustrated herein, the aspects, features and
advantages of the
present disclosure can be applied to lacrosse mesh arrangements having other
numbers of
diamonds per row.
[0072] With particular reference to Figures 2 and 4, in some
configurations, the
first edge 106 and/or the second edge 108 can be defined by a selvedge 120.
The selvedge
120 is a mesh pillar 114 that lies on the very outside of the lacrosse mesh
100. In the
illustrated configuration, the selvedge 120 is an extra, outermost mesh pillar
114 that is fully
connected to the directly adjacent mesh pillar 114 on an inward side of the
selvedge.
However, in other arrangements, the extra, outermost mesh pillar 114 can be
omitted and the
first edge 106 and/or the second edge 108 can be defined by the next inward
mesh pillar 114,
which is a linear pillar 114 in the illustrated arrangement. However, one or
both of the first
edge 106 and the second edge 108 can be defined by a nonlinear mesh pillar
114. While a
selvedge 120 is often defined by an extra mesh pillar 114, unless otherwise
indicated, the
outermost mesh pillar 114 one either side of the lacrosse mesh 100 that
defines one of the
first edge 106 and the second edge 108 can be referred to as a selvedge.
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
[0073] In the
illustrated arrangement, each mesh pillar 114, including the pillars
114 that define the selvedges 120, comprises a warp strand 122. The warp
strand 122 is an
elongate structure that is knitted into a plurality of interconnected loops
124 (Figure 10).
However, the warp strand 122 can be constructed from other methods or can be
of other
suitable constructions. As described herein, the warp strand 122 can be
constructed from one
or more constituent parts, which can be yarns, for example.
[0074] ln the
illustrated arrangement, each mesh pillar 114 also comprises a weft
strand 126. The weft strands 126 extend in a back-and-forth fashion through
the loops 124 of
the warp strands 122, while also extending in the lengthwise direction 102 of
the lacrosse
mesh 100. The weft strands 126 can define weft loops 128, which can refer to a
single pass
of a weft strand 126 in one direction (e.g., the width direction 104). Thus, a
single weft loop
128 can begin and end at each change in direction of the weft strand 126.
Alternatively, a
weft loop can refer to a portion of a weft strand 126 that passes twice (back
and forth) across
a single warp strand 122 or a combination of warp strands 122.
[0075] In some
configurations, the weft strands 126 connect two or more mesh
pillars 114 to one another. The weft strands 126 can connect mesh pillars 114
at several
discrete locations, which can create the open mesh structure of the lacrosse
mesh 100.
Portions of a mesh pillar 114 connected to another mesh pillar 114 or to
another structure by
a weft strand 126 can be referred to as a connected portion or a pillar
connection 130 (Figure
6). Portions of a mesh pillar 114 that is not connected to another mesh pillar
114 or another
structure can be referred to as an unconnected portion 132 (Figure 7). In
other
configurations, the connected portions can be defined or created by other
arrangements. For
example, a warp strand 122 can interlock with another warp strand 122 to
create a connection
portion. In such an arrangement, the connected portion can be created solely
by the
interlocking of the warp strands 122 or by the interlocking of the warp
strands 122 in
combination with connection by one or more weft strands 126.
[0076] The weft
strands 126 can travel along a single warp strand 122 or can
move between warp strands 122 or mesh pillars 114 along the length of the
lacrosse mesh
100. In the illustrated arrangement, each weft strand 126 travels along a
single warp strand
122 or mesh pillar 114 in the length direction 102 of the lacrosse mesh 100.
At the connected
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
portions 130, the weft strand 126 of a first warp strand 122 or mesh pillar
114 extends into an
adjacent warp strand 122 or mesh pillar 114 and connects the two warp strands
122 or mesh
pillars 114 to create the connected portion 130. Similarly, the weft strand
126 of the adjacent
warp strand 122 or mesh pillar 114 extends into the first warp strand 122 or
mesh pillar 114
with the connected portion 130. Thus, in the illustrated arrangement, each
connected portion
130 includes two separate weft strands 126. Each unconnected portion 132
includes only the
single weft strand 126 associated with that particular warp strand 122 or mesh
pillar 114.
However, in other configurations, this arrangement could differ. For example,
multiple weft
strands 126a, 126b can be associated with a single warp strand 122 or mesh
pillar 114. An
example of such an arrangement is shown in Figure 18. Alternatively or in
addition, as
described above, the weft strands 126 can move from one particular warp strand
122 or mesh
pillar 114 to another warp strand 122 or mesh pillar 114, such as at the
connected portions
130, for example. ln such an arrangement, a particular weft strand 126 can be
associated
with a first warp strand 122 or mesh pillar 114 prior to a particular
connected portion 130 and
can be associated with a different warp strand 122 or mesh pillar 114 after
the particular
connected portion 130.
[0077] The
connected portions 130 and unconnected portions 132 can be
characterized by the number of warp loops 124 or weft loops 128 present within
the portion
130, 132. For example, in the illustrated arrangement of Figures 1-10, the
connected portions
130 include four (4) warp loops 124 and four (4) weft loops 128. The
unconnected portions
132 include three (3) warp loops 124 and three (3) weft loops 128. However,
these numbers
can vary, which can vary the shape of the mesh pillars 114 and/or the open
spaces 116. In
some configurations, the connected portions 130 can include 2-6 or 2-4 warp
loops 124
and/or weft loops 128. In some configurations, the unconnected portions 132
can include 2-
10, 2-6 or 3-5 warp loops 124 and/or weft loops 128. However, in other
configurations, these
numbers can vary depending on relevant factors, such as the desired shape of
the mesh pillars
114 and open spaces 116 of the lacrosse mesh 100. For example, in Figure 18,
the connected
portions 130 include three (3) warp loops 124 and three (3) weft loops 128.
The unconnected
portions 132 include six (6) warp loops 124 and three (3) weft loops 128.
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[0078] The lacrosse mesh 100 can also be characterized by measurements
of
certain features or between certain features or landmarks of the mesh 100. For
example, the
lacrosse mesh 100 can be characterized by a length of the warp loops 124
and/or weft loops
128, which can be consistent throughout the length of the mesh 100 or can vary
throughout
the length. The loop length can be a distance along the length direction 102
between a first
end and a second end of a loop 124 or 128 (or between two corresponding points
on adjacent
loops). The loop length can alternatively be measured as the actual length of
the particular
loop 124 or 128 taking into account the direction of the particular loop 124
or 128. Knowing
the loop length in combination with the number of loops within any portion of
the mesh 100,
such as the connected portions 130 and the unconnected portion 132, can permit
the
calculation of the actual length of that portion of the mesh 100 such that
comparisons can be
made between different lacrosse mesh 100 arrangements.
[0079] Similarly, with reference to Figure 2, the lacrosse mesh 100 can
be
characterized by mesh diamond length 140. The mesh diamond length 140 can be
measured
between a first end and a second end of a portion of the mesh pillar(s) 114
that define an open
space 116 or diamond, or between any two corresponding points on two adjacent
diamonds.
In Figure 2, the mesh diamond length 140 is measured between the centers of
two adjacent
connected portions 130 of a mesh pillar 114 or the adjacent mesh pillars 114
that define the
open space 116 or diamond. The mesh diamond length 140 can be measured as a
linear
distance along the length direction 102 of the lacrosse mesh 100. This can be
referred to as a
linear mesh diamond length 140. As described above, however, the mesh 100 can
be
manufactured with a certain width and length and can be stretched to a
different width and/or
length prior to or during use. Thus, the mesh diamond length 140 can vary
depending on
whether and how much the mesh 100 has been stretched prior to measurement. The
mesh
diamond length 140 can be useful when measuring lacrosse mesh 100 in its
manufactured
state before stretching and/or when stretched toward or to a use position.
[0080] In other cases, it can be helpful to have alternative
measurements of the
mesh diamond length. For example, in Figure 2 a point-to-point mesh diamond
length 142 is
illustrated. The point-to-point mesh diamond length 142 can be determined by
measuring the
two straight lines connecting center points 144 of three consecutive connected
portions 130.
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Still another way to determine mesh diamond length 146 is to measure the
actual curve of the
portion of the mesh pillar 114 that defines a row of the lacrosse mesh 100,
such as between
first end and a second end of a portion of the mesh pillar(s) 114 that define
an open space 116
or diamond, or between any two corresponding points on two adjacent diamonds.
These two
methods can provide more precise results in the measurement of the mesh
diamond length
despite the stretch condition of the mesh 100. The use of mesh diamond length
herein can
refer to any suitable measurement of the mesh diamond length of a lacrosse
mesh 100,
including those described above, unless indicated otherwise either explicitly
or by context.
Mesh diamond length can also be calculated by adding all the loop lengths
within that
diamond of the mesh pillar. For example, the mesh 100 in Figure 1 has 6
unconnected loops
and 8 connected loops for a total of 14 loops per diamond of mesh 100. Thus,
the diamond
length can be referred to in number of loops or the number of loops can be
multiplied by the
loop length to arrive at a diamond length.
[0081] Each of the warp strands 122 and the weft strands 126 can be
constructed
from one or more constituent parts. Each constituent part can be referred to
herein as a yarn.
The yarn can be any suitable type of yarn made from any suitable material. The
yarn itself
can be constructed of multiple fibers or it can be a single fiber or filament
(monofilament). If
multiple yarns (a ply) are provided for any of the warp strands 122 or the
weft strands 126,
the multiple yarns can be arranged in any suitable manner. For example, the
yarns can simply
be grouped together or alongside one another and follow substantially the same
path. In other
arrangements, the yarns can be twisted, braided or otherwise engaged or
connected with one
another. Each individual warp strand 122 or the weft strand 126 can contain
any desired
number of yarns, and the number of yarns can be the same or can vary between
the warp
strands 122 and the weft strands 126 within a particular lacrosse mesh 100.
[0082] The warp strands 122 and/or the weft strands 126 can have any
desired
construction. In the arrangements of Figures 1-10, for example, the warp
strands 122 in
adjacent mesh pillars l 14 are symmetrical about a line that extends in the
lengthwise
direction 102 between the mesh pillars 114. However, other suitable
arrangements are
possible. For example, Figure 11 illustrates an arrangement in which adjacent
warp strands
122 are asymmetrical. In the illustrated arrangement, the warp strands 122 are
constructed
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
the same in each mesh pillar 114. In the arrangement of Figure 12, the
direction of the warp
strands 122 is opposite the direction shown in Figures 1-10. These and other
suitable
arrangements can be used with any of the concepts, arrangements or methods
disclosed
herein.
Mesh Materials and Construction
[0083] Currently, lacrosse mesh is typically constructed of a single
material,
which can be nylon, polyester, or polypropylene. However, the Applicant of the
present
application utilizes more advanced materials to lacrosse mesh. These new
materials include,
for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), high-modulus
polypropylenes, high-modulus polyesters and nylons typically used for race car
tires, aramids,
carbon fibers, and even materials such as a thermoset liquid crystalline
polyoxazole (PBO),
which is sold under the trademark ZYLON. These more advanced high strength and
high
modulus yarns are very advantageous to use because they can increase the
durability of the
mesh. Also, by utilizing these materials we are able to reduce the weight of
the mesh. This is
very desirable because lacrosse players are able to shoot harder with lighter
equipment.
[0084] However, there are also some challenges presented by the use of
these HS-
HM (High Strength and High Modulus) materials. For example, the HM material
can reduce
the stretch of at least portions of the mesh too much. Some stretch in the
mesh is desirable
because it makes catching easier for players and reduces rebounds for goalies.
This attribute
is often referred to as "give." In order to increase this give, it is
desirable to use materials
with a lower modulus. However, use of lower modulus materials can be
problematic because
often times the lower modulus materials will have lower breaking strength and
lower
breaking energy. This means that the resulting mesh will be less durable than
mesh made
from higher modulus materials.
[0085] Another challenge presented by the use of some of the HS-HM
materials,
such as UHMWPE, is that resins, rubbers, or waxes do not adhere well to the HS-
HM
materials. Often, it is desirable to coat or impregnate the lacrosse mesh with
resins, rubbers,
or waxes in order to fine tune the final attributes of the mesh. Some reasons
to coat or
impregnate the mesh with resins, rubbers, or waxes include, but are not
limited to, it
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
increases the hardness of mesh, increases grip between the mesh and the ball,
reduces
rebounds and increases catching ability, improves a players "feel" for the
ball.
[0086] Currently, lacrosse mesh is constructed of the same one material
used
throughout the entire piece of netting. As discussed above, typically, warp
knit lacrosse mesh
consists of warp strands and weft strands. Each strand can consist of one or
multiple yarns.
Currently, lacrosse mesh is constructed with only one material in each strand.
Also, current
lacrosse mesh is made with that same one material in all of the warp strands
and all of the
weft strands.
[0087] There are an unlimited number of pockets that one can create for
the
lacrosse stick. There are many different types of mesh pockets for which
different types of
meshes may be desirable. For example, some types of pockets may have a very
tight channel.
It may be desirable for the meshes in these pockets to have more elasticity.
With such an
arrangement, when the ball travels through the tight channel, the ball will
actually stretch the
channel and allow the ball to travel through relatively freely or with reduced
resistance
through the channel in comparison to a mesh having less elasticity. Another
challenge of the
HS-HM yarns is that they generally have low elasticity. This means that these
yarns may not
be good for the tight channel pocket described above.
[0088] One of the issues with some current lacrosse mesh discovered by
the
present inventors is that lacrosse mesh can become too flimsy when made with
thinner and/or
lighter materials. It can be desirable to make lacrosse meshes that are
thinner and lighter. A
thinner mesh will have less air resistance than a thicker mesh when throwing
and shooting.
This means that lacrosse players should be able to shoot faster with the
thinner meshes. Also,
with lighter mesh, lacrosse players will typically shoot faster and generally
be able to move
his or her stick faster. By moving the stick faster, the lacrosse player will
be better able to
throw stick checks or move the stick away from incoming stick checks.
[0089] An issue with making meshes thinner and lighter is that, as the
meshes get
thinner and lighter, the mesh tends to get flimsier and weaker. The mesh
becoming weaker is
not a serious problem to overcome, as there are many high strength materials
that can make a
very thin and very durable mesh. This can typically be done with materials
with a tenacity of
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
20 grams/denier or higher. The more difficult problem to overcome is that the
mesh gets
flimsier when it is made from a thinner material.
[0090] Accordingly, when using a single material for each warp and/or
weft
strand is that the designer might have to make a choice between two options:
1) that the
mesh has some stretch (has some "give"), but lacks durability and/or is too
heavy, or 2) that
the mesh is light and/or durable, but doesn't have stretch or "give." In
addition, when using a
single material for each warp and/or weft strand is that the designer might
have to make a
choice between two options: 1) using UHMWPE or other HS-HM yarns, but not
being able
to have a resin, rubber, or wax attach to the mesh, or 2) facilitating the
attachment of resin,
rubber, or wax to the mesh, but not utilizing the benefits of UHMWPE or other
HS-HM yarns
high strength to weight ratio. Another issue with using a single material for
each warp and/or
weft strand is that the designer might have to make a choice between
durability, strength,
stretch, etc., but the mesh is too hard or too soft.
[0091] In some configurations, the lacrosse mesh of the present
disclosure utilizes
hybrid arrangements of two or more materials or the same material with
different
arrangements or characteristics (e.g., twisted and non-twisted, as described
below), which
allows precise control of desirable attributes of the mesh. In addition, or in
the alternative,
the high strength or high modulus (HS-HM) yarns can be modified to increase
give, stretch,
durability, or other characteristics. In some configurations, crimps or
texture are added to the
HS-HM yarns.
[0092] In some configurations, a high level of twist is added to the
yarns. A high
level of twist can refer to a twist equal to or above 100 twists per meter
(TPM). The yarn or
yarns that make up the strand can be individually twisted or can be twisted
together.
Alternatively, the yarn or yarns can be individually twisted and then some or
all twisted
together. One reason to twist the yarns that go into a strand of the mesh is
to increase the
rigidity of the mesh. In many cases, it is preferable to have a lightweight
mesh that is thin.
However, as described above, when the mesh gets lighter and thinner, the mesh
tends to get
flimsier and doesn't hold its shape well. This can cause inconsistent
performance of the
mesh. There is a desirable level of stiffness to any mesh. A mesh can be made
thin and
lightweight with acceptable durability, but it is more difficult to have a
thin and light weight
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
mesh that has the desired level of stiffness. By twisting the yarns at high
levels, some rigidity
and stiffness can be added to the yarns. The rigidity and stiffness of the
yarns makes the
mesh more rigid and stiff, which can be desirable. In addition, when combining
and twisting
two or more yarns together, the resulting mesh can be have a relatively rough
texture, which
can also add some grip to the ball.
[0093] One potential issue with adding high twist to yarns is that it
can add a
skew to the final knitted mesh. ln order to address this issue, with reference
to Figure 13, the
yarns 150 can first be twisted individually in a first direction (e.g., either
the left-handed or
"S" direction or the right-handed or "Z" direction). Two or more of the
individually twisted
yarns can then be combined or plied and twisted together in the opposite
direction to create a
yarn ply 152. For example, if all of the individual yarns are twisted in the
"S" direction, then
the collection of two or more yarns are twisted together in the "Z" direction.
Such an
arrangement can reduce torque on the resulting combined yarns. In other
configurations, the
yarns 150 can be individually twisted in a first direction and two or more
individually twisted
yarns can be combined (plied) and twisted in the same first direction to
create a yarn ply 154.
This arrangement can create a more lively yarn. The resulting mesh can also be
livelier.
[0094] The twisting of a combination of individually twisted yarns can
result in a
change in the twist of the individual yarns. For example, if two or more
individual yarns are
twisted in a first direction to a first level of twist (in TPM) and then
combined and twisted
together in a second direction opposite the first direction, the twist of the
individual yarns can
be reduced to a second level of twist (in TPM) that is less than the first
level of twist prior to
the combining and twisting in the second direction. Similarly, if two or more
individual
yarns are twisted in a first direction to a first level of twist (in TPM) and
then combined and
twisted together in the first direction, the twist of the individual yarns can
be increased to a
second level of twist (in TPM) that is greater than the first level of twist.
The initial twist of
a yarn prior to being combined and twisted with other yarn(s) can be referred
to herein as the
individual twist. The twist of a combination of two or more yarns can be
referred to herein as
combined twist. The twist of the individual yarns that results from the
twisting of a
combination of two or more individually twisted yarns can be referred to
herein as the
effective twist. That is, the effective twist takes into account the decrease
or increase in the
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
individual twist that results from untwisting or additional twisting of the
individual yarns that
may occur as a result of the twisting of the combination of yarns.
[0095] In some configurations, the individual twist of constituent yams
can be
equal to or greater than 100 TPM or 200 TPM. In some configurations, the
individual twist
of constituent yarns is greater 250 TPM, greater than 500 TPM, greater than
600 TPM or
greater than 700 TPM. In some configurations, the individual twist of
constituent yarns is
between 100-700 TPM, between 100-600 TPM or between 250-500 TPM. In addition,
the
individual twist can be any value or subrange within the above-recited ranges.
[0096] The combined twist of two or more (twisted or untwisted)
constituent
yarns can be greater than 100 TPM. In some configurations, the combined twist
of
constituent yarns is greater 250 TPM, greater than 500 TPM, greater than 600
TPM or greater
than 700 TPM. In some configurations, the combined twist of constituent yarns
is between
100-700 TPM, between 100-600 TPM or between 250-500 TPM. In addition, the
combined
twist can be any value or subrange within the above-recited ranges. In some
configurations,
such as those in which the constituent yarns are twisted, the combined twist
can be less than
the individual twist of at least one of the constituent yarns, such as the
constituent yarn with
the lowest individual twist. Accordingly, substantially complete or complete
untwisting of
the constituent yarns can be reduced or avoided. In some configurations, the
combined twist
is between about 20-80% of the individual twist. In some configurations, the
combined twist
is between about 40-60% or is about 50% of the individual twist. The combined
twist can be
any value or subrange within the above-recited ranges. For example, if the
constituent yarns
are twisted to 500 TPM in a first direction, the combined constituent yarns
can be twisted to
250-300 TPM in a second direction opposite the first direction.
[0097] In at least some configurations, twisting of individual yarns and
then
plying and twisting the multiple yarns can increase the abrasion resistance of
the resulting
mesh. Adding the high levels of twist can also add more texture to the strands
to increase the
grip the mesh has on the lacrosse ball. Such an arrangement is especially
advantageous when
using UHMWPE or other HS-HM yarns because UHMWPE and certain other HS-HM yarns
can be slippery.
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
[0098] It has been discovered by the present inventors that a benefit of
twisting
the yarns as disclosed herein is that it adds rigidity to the yarns and, thus,
adds rigidity to the
resulting mesh structure. Typically, it is desirable to make the mesh thinner,
but, as described
above, when you make the mesh thinner it gets more flimsy. When the mesh is
flimsy it can
be more difficult to shoot and throw accurately. Thus, the increased rigidity
allows for a
thinner and more consistent performing mesh. Twisted yarns 150, 152, 154 can
be utilized in
any portion or portions of the lacrosse mesh, including some or all of the
warp strands and/or
the weft strands.
[0099] In other configurations, the (twisted or untwisted) constituent
yarns can be
braided, twisted, woven, or knitted together to create a strand. The specific
modulus of the
braided, twisted, woven, or knit structure will be lower than that of the
specific modulus of
the yarns by themselves. The benefits of using these structures for the strand
of mesh
include, but not limited to decreased modulus for more give and feel for the
ball, decreased
modulus and potential higher breaking strength, which increases the breaking
energy
(durability), increased abrasion resistance of mesh, and/or added texture to
the strands to
increase the grip the mesh has on the lacrosse ball.
[0100] There are generally two types of meshes ¨ player meshes and
goalie
meshes. Goalie meshes are designed for the goalie player who has a larger
stick. Player
meshes are designed for all of the lacrosse players that are not the goalie.
For the player
position, it is typically desirable to have a thin and lightweight mesh that
also has a good
rigidity. As described above, the present inventors have discovered that, in
general, as you
decrease the thickness and/or weight of the mesh you also decrease the
rigidity of the mesh.
ln fact, the present inventors have found that, in at least some
configurations, the thickness
and/or the weight of the mesh is directly related to the rigidity of the mesh.
By twisting the
yarns, the rigidity of the yarns and thus the rigidity of the mesh can be
increased in
comparison to untwisted yarns of the same material. It is thus advantageous to
use highly
twisted yarns when making thinner and lighter mesh.
[0101] In some configurations, the player mesh utilizes a construction
of 7
diamonds to 12 diamonds per row. In some configurations, the warp loop denier
can be
between about 1200-5500, 2200-4200 or 2500-3900 denier or any value or
subrange within
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
these ranges. As described above, in some configurations, the mesh will have
two weft
strands or yarns associated with a single mesh pillar, wherein the weft
strands or yarns travel
in opposite directions. "Combined Weft Yarns per Mesh Pillar" as used herein
means the
total of all weft strands or yarns within the unconnected region of a mesh
pillar or piece of
mesh. In some configurations, the combined weft strands or yarns per mesh
pillar denier can
be between about 1200-5500, 2200-4200 or 2500-3900 denier, or can be of any
value or
subrange within these ranges. The denier can be measured before or after any
coating or
resin is applied to the mesh. Another way to describe the warp and weft
deniers in a more
specific way is in accordance with the definition of the "Average Warp/Weft
Denier" or
"AWWD." Typically, the warp strands or yarns make up about 75% of the mesh
while the
weft strands or yarns make up about 25% of the mesh. So, the "AWWD" is equal
to 75% *
Warp Denier + 25% * Weft Denier. In some configurations, the preferred "AWWD"
of a
mesh or portion thereof is between about 2000-4500, 2500-4000 or 2800-3600
denier.
[0102] It can be difficult to determine the best arrangements of mesh
based on
denier alone. This is because denier is the linear density of a yarn and does
not take into
account the volumetric density of a yarn. The present inventors have
discovered that, to
achieve a desirable level of rigidity of player mesh, the thickness of a piece
or portion of the
mesh (e.g., yarn, strand, pillar or pillar connection) can be an important
characteristic.
However, it can be difficult to accurately measure the thickness or diameter
of a piece of
mesh. This is because the mesh typically is not a perfect tube or cylinder or
other simple
geometric shape. The mesh often has many different bumps and ridges, which
makes
measuring the thickness or diameter difficult.
[0103] The present inventors have developed a "Theoretical Diameter" for
a piece
of mesh (e.g., a single mesh pillar) that can be utilized to achieve a desired
level of the
rigidity of the mesh. The "Theoretical Diameter" can be defined as:
Theoretical Diameter = 2 * (ML (rr*pi, * LL))^.5
Where: LL ¨ Loop length (cm)
ML = Loop mass (grams)
PL = Loop density (g/cm^3)
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
[0104] The theoretical diameter is not necessarily the true diameter of
the mesh
even if the mesh were a perfect cylinder. The above equation does not take
into account
things like yarn packing density, etc. The present inventors have discovered
that for player
meshes the ratio of the theoretical diameter to loop length (L ¨ Figure 10)
can be selected to
achieve a desired level of the final rigidity of the mesh. This ratio can be
referred to as
"TD/LL." Assuming the theoretical diameter and loop length ratio are both in
the same units,
in some configurations it is preferred that the TD/LL is between about 0.3618-
0.9223,
0.4670-0.8738, 0.5526-0.8089, 0.6090-0.7531 or 0.6438-0.7235. The TD/LL can be
any
value or subrange within the above-recited ranges. A thickness or diameter of
the mesh (e.g.,
of a single mesh pillar) can be measured by other methods, as well, such as by
the thickness
or diameter of the outermost edges or maximum "diameter" or cross-sectional
dimension of
the portion of mesh or by the minimum "diameter" or cross-sectional dimension
of the
portion of mesh.
[0105] As described above, in some configurations, a strand (e.g., warp
strand
122 or weft strand 126) of the mesh can be a hybrid strand. That is, the
strand can comprise
two or more different materials or two or more materials having different
relevant properties.
In some configurations, relatively high modulus (HM) yarns can be combined
with relatively
low modulus (LM) yarns to control the final strand modulus, stretch,
durability, feel, etc. In
other configurations, a yarn to which resins, rubbers, waxes or other typical
coatings adhere
can be combined with another yarn that has other desirable properties. For
example,
UHMWPE yarn can be combined with PET yarn. The UHMWPE has many desirable
properties for lacrosse mesh, such as high tensile strength. However, resins,
rubbers, waxes
and other coatings don't adhere to it well. Resins, rubbers, waxes and other
typical coatings
do adhere well to PET. As a result, the UHMWPE material can provide desirable
physical
(e.g., strength) properties and the PET material can allow the mesh to be
coated.
[0106] The different yarns of the hybrid strand can be combined in any
suitable
manner. In some configurations, the individual yarns are plied together.
Figures 14 and 15
illustrate a strand 160 (which can be any strand, such as a warp strand or a
weft strand or
could be a constituent part of a strand) having individual yarns plied
together. The illustrated
yarns comprise at least a first yarn 162 having a first physical property and
at least a second
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yarn 164 having a second physical property that is different from the first
physical property.
The physical property can be any property that contributes to the performance
of the yarn or
strand 160 or a mesh made therefrom. For example, the physical property can be
material,
material grade, modulus, length, shape or orientation (e.g., linear/non-
linear,
twisted/untwisted), ability to coat, heat treated or not, elongation,
shrinkage, size (e.g.,
diameter or cross-sectional dimension), strength (e.g., tensile strength),
among others, many
of which are discussed below.
[0107] Figures 15A, 15B and 15C illustrate the strand 160 at three
different
lengths. For example, Figure 15A can be an unstretched or relaxed length of
the strand 160.
Figure 15B can be a stretched position of the strand 160, in which the strand
160 is elongated
to a greater length than the position of Figure 15A. Figure 15C can be a
further stretched
position of the strand 160 relative to 15B. Figure 15C can be a maximum
elastic stretch
length of the strand 160, which can be determined by the elastic stretch
properties of one or
more of the yarns 162, 164 (which can be the yarn 162, 164 with the lowest
elastic stretch,
for example). Due to a difference in physical properties, as described above,
the different
yarns 162, 164 can have different resistances to stretching, as described
below.
[0108] The yarns can be plied together at the about the same length or
can be
plied together at different lengths. For example, a relatively lower modulus
yarn ("LM" yarn)
can have a shorter length and a relatively higher modulus yarn ("HM" yarn) can
have a longer
length. With such an arrangement, upon elongation, the low modulus takes some
of the
initial force and allows the initial give. After the low modulus stretches a
certain amount, the
high modulus will take on some of the force and limit the total stretch. High
modulus yarn
can be made longer than the relatively lower modulus yarn in a number of
different ways.
For example, the high modulus yarn can we crimped, textured or twisted. It is
also possible
to just ply the LM yarn and HM yarn together at different lengths. In some
configurations,
the LM yarn can be selected to have a higher thermal shrinkage than the HM
yarn. After
knitting, the mesh can be heat treated so that the LM yarn shrinks more than
the HM yarn.
Alternatively, the different yarns can be twisted together or the different
yarns can be twisted
individually and then twisted together, as described above.
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[0109] In other arrangements, the HM yarn can be wrapped around the LM
yarn.
For example, the HM yarn can be twisted around the LM yarn. With such an
arrangement,
the total length of the HM yarn is longer than the total length of the LM
yarn. In one
embodiment, an HM yarn (e.g., UHMWPE yarn) is twisted around a LM yarn (e.g.,
polypropylene "PP" yarn). Both yarns may or may not be individually twisted
before being
combined together. In addition, the yarns may or may not be twisted together.
[0110] In some configurations, yarns of a strand (which can be the same or
different, e.g., a hybrid strand) can be braided, knitted or woven together to
create the strand.
With these structures and twisted structures, not only can the fibers stretch
and compress, but
the structures themselves can stretch and compress. This means that the entire
structure can
stretch more than the yarns would by themselves.
[0111] ln some configurations of a hybrid strand, PP material can be used
in our
hybrid strands. PP can be combined with other materials, such as a higher
strength material
with a tensile strength equal to equal to or above about 15 g/denier. ln some
such
configurations, the amount of PP can be between about 30%-90%, 40%-85%, or 50%-
80%.
[0112] PP can also be used as a filler to give the mesh added rigidity,
bulk, and/or
elongation. If PP is mixed with PET or another material with a strength equal
to or below
about 15 g/denier, then in some arrangements the amount of PP can be between
about 10%-
70%, 150/0-6,0z/0,
J or 20%-60%.
[0113] In some configurations, a hybrid lacrosse mesh can have different
yarns in
the warp 122 strands relative to the yarns in the weft strands 126. For
example, in some
configurations, a first yarn or material can have a relatively low thermal
shrinkage and can be
used in one of the warp and the weft and a second yarn or material can have a
relatively high
thermal shrinkage and can be used in the other of the warp and the weft. As
described above,
it can be desirable to use high strength yarns to make lacrosse mesh. One
problem with many
high strength yarns such as carbon fibers, aramids (e.g., aramids sold under
the trademark
TECHNORA), high strength PET's, PBO (e.g., PBO sold under the trademark
ZYLON),
para-aramids (e.g., para-aramids sold under the trademark TWARON), etc. is
that these fibers
or yarns often have very low thermal shrinkage. A sufficient level of thermal
shrinkage can
be useful for creating tightly constructed mesh. Tightly constructed mesh is
typically more
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dimensionally stable than loosely constructed mesh. If lacrosse mesh is made
out of fibers or
yarns with sufficient thermal shrinkage, the mesh can be heated to relatively
high
temperatures, which will shrink the fibers within the mesh and increase the
tightness of the
mesh. This process does not work for yarns that have too little or
substantially no thermal
shrinkage.
[0114] Using typical construction methods, lacrosse mesh cannot be knit
tight
enough to not require thermal treatment at least in order to provide a
desirable level of
performance. However, it is possible to knit one of the warp strands and the
weft strands
sufficiently tight enough in order to not need the thermal treatment for that
strand; however,
it is typically necessary to knit the other strand somewhat loosely. For
example, as illustrated
in block 170 of Figure 16, it is possible to tightly knit the weft strand(s),
but the warp
strand(s) will need to be a little loose in order for the knitting machine to
operate. Or, it is
possible to tightly knit the warp strand(s), but in return the weft strand(s)
will need to be a
little loose in order for the knitting machine to operate.
[0115] Accordingly, a relatively low shrinkage yarn can be used for the
warp
strand(s) and a relatively high shrinkage yarn can be used for the weft
strand(s). With such
an arrangement, the warp strand(s) can be tightly knitted. The mesh can be
thermally treated
(heated), which will result in shrinkage of the relatively high shrinkage yarn
used in the weft
strand(s) as illustrated in block 172 of Figure 16. As a result, the mesh can
have a
sufficiently tight knit in both the warp strands (due to the tight knitting)
and the weft strands
(due to the shrinkage of the weft yarns). Alternatively, a relatively low
shrinkage yarn can be
used in the weft strands and a relatively high shrinkage yarn can be used in
the warp strands.
The weft strands can be tightly knit and the warp strands can be more loosely
knit. The mesh
can be thermally treated (heated) to shrink the warp yarn to achieve a
desirable or acceptable
level of tightness of both the warp strands and the weft strands.
[0116] By using materials that can be heat set and then heat setting
them, the
mesh construction can be made tighter and more stable. This will create a more
consistent
pocket shape. In other words, it will increase the dimensional stability of
the meshes. There
are many materials that are advantageous to use, but that are relatively
unaffected by heat
treatment. These materials can be referred to herein as "NOHS materials."
Examples of
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these materials include aramids and Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP), such as
those sold under
the trademark VECTRAN. A mesh that utilizes these materials may not be very
dimensionally stable because these materials are relatively unaffected by heat
treatment and,
thus, are not very amenable to tightening as a result of shrinkage during heat
treatment.
[0117] To address this situation, in some configurations, NOHS materials
are
combined with materials that can be effectively heat set. These materials can
be combined in
a number of ways. One approach is to just lay the yarns next to each other
when knitting.
Another approach is to ply these yarns together before knitting and warping.
In one preferred
arrangement, these materials are combined by twisting them together. This can
be done by
first twisting the individual yarns in the "S" or "Z" direction and then
combining the
individual yarns together and then twisting the combined ply yarn in the
opposite direction, as
described above. This can be done with two or more individual yarns. Other
suitable ways
to combine the NOHS materials with the heat settable materials can also be
used. For
example, another method is to braid or weave these materials together.
[0118] In some configurations, the meshes can be stretched after
knitting. This
can be done in a continuous fashion by putting the mesh strips through
spinning rollers that
stretch the mesh to different levels. Stretching can also be accomplished by
putting a pipe or
other support through two opposite ends of a strip of mesh and then applying a
force tending
to move the pipes apart. In some configurations, the meshes are stretched and
heated at the
same time. Even the NOHS materials may experience relatively small levels of
shrinkage or
heat setting so adding heat can tighten the construction to some extent. Also,
pulling the
mesh apart tightens the construction and gives the final product increased
dimensional
stability.
[0119] Other methods of heat setting while stretching the mesh can also
be used,
which can increase one or more of the strength, durability, rigidity and
dimensional stability
of the mesh. High strength yarns are typically manufactured to have the
majority of the
strength in the length direction of the yarn. In woven and braided fabrics,
this is
advantageous because the strength of the yarn will be generally parallel to
the directions that
the woven fabric or braided rope is being pulled. Warp knit fabrics have
complex internal
geometries. The yarns within the material lie in different directions. For
example, lacrosse
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mesh, which can be a warp knit product, is generally stretched along the
length of the pillars
and horizontally against the weft yarns. When the mesh is subjected to forces
along the
length of the pillars, the yarns will typically break near one of the curved
loop sections of the
mesh. The type of strength required to break curved yarns is generally called
"loop strength"
or, similarly, there is also "knot strength" that is often discussed in
connection with ropes.
Knots weaken the rope in which they are made. When a knotted rope is strained
to its
breaking point, it tends to fail at or near the knot. The bending, crushing,
and chafing forces
that hold a knot in place also unevenly stress rope fibers and ultimately lead
to a reduction in
strength. Relative knot strength (also called knot efficiency) is the breaking
strength of a
knotted rope in proportion to the breaking strength of the rope without the
knot. Determining
a precise value for a particular knot is difficult because many factors can
affect a knot
efficiency test, such as the type of fiber, the style of rope, the size of
rope, whether it is wet or
dry, how the knot is dressed before loading, how rapidly it is loaded, whether
the knot is
repeatedly loaded, and so on. The efficiency of common knots can range between
40-80%
of the rope's original strength.
[0120] To improve or achieve a desirable level of durability of lacrosse
mesh
(which will allow the mesh to be made thinner and lighter), it is advantageous
to have high
tenacity, high knot strength and high loop strength. Typically, materials have
tradeoffs. For
example, one material may have high tenacity but lower knot and loop strength.
In some
configurations, the disclosed method increases some or all of these strengths
in the areas of
the mesh in which they are desirable or required. In some configurations, the
disclosed
method is done in a static condition, but it could also be done with a
continuous tenter
system.
[0121] The method can include taking a relatively long piece of the
netting, which
can be typically about 2-3 meters in length. A pole or other support is passed
through the
diamonds on one end and another pole or support is passed through the diamonds
on the
opposite end. Other suitable methods for holding the mesh in place could also
be used. With
the mesh held on both ends, the mesh is put into an oven and heated until the
oven or mesh is
somewhere between the lower glass transition temperature of one or more (e.g.,
all) of the
materials in the mesh, but under the melting temperature of one or more (e.g.,
all) of the
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material in the mesh, as illustrated in block 180 of Figure 17. It is
preferable that the
temperature is controlled precisely between these two points. The relatively
high temperature
allows the polymers within the mesh to recrystallize and form a new structure.
The high
temperature can also be used to aid in tightening the construction of the mesh
by shrinking
the fibers.
[0122] In some configurations, the mesh can also be stretched, as
illustrated in
block 182 of Figure 17. In some cases, the amount the mesh is stretched is
between about
1%-30% from the original mesh size before stretching and/or heating. The
stretching of the
mesh can be done before, during or after the heat treatment. It is presently
preferred to
stretch the mesh before or during the heat treatment. Thus, in some
arrangements, the mesh is
both stretched and heated at the same time. However, in other arrangements,
the meshes are
first stretched and then heating after stretching. In other arrangements, the
meshes are first
heated and subsequently are stretched while cooling. While all of these
methods work, it is
presently preferred to both heat and stretch the mesh at the same time.
[0123] After heating, with at least some materials, it is desirable to
let the mesh
cool quickly while with others it is desirable to let the mesh cool over a
longer period of time.
The present inventors have discovered that, for some materials, controlling
this cooling
temperature can be significant. For example, it may be preferable to quickly
quench
UHMWPE after heat setting. Block 184 of Figure 17 illustrates an optional
quenching step.
When taking UHMWPE meshes out of the oven, the meshes quickly start to sag
while
cooling. However, if the meshes are quenched with water or another cool
liquid, the mesh
sag can be reduced or at least substantially eliminated. In some cases, the
meshes are quickly
quenched after the heat treatment by submerging or spraying the meshes with a
cold liquid
directly after the heat treatment. By doing this, it has been discovered by
the present
inventors that significant increases in the elongation properties of the mesh
can be achieved
in the length direction, the width direction, or both. It has been
specifically discovered that
this process appears to work unexpectedly well for meshes that include PET
and/or PP.
[0124] It is believed that this process increases the strength of the
yarns in the
directions in which the most stress/strain is happening to the yarns during
the stretching and
heat setting. In other words, the mesh yarns are being recrystallized while in
a state of stress
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that the mesh will typically experience during use or play. The present
inventors have also
discovered that this method can be used to make the meshes more dimensionally
stable.
Stretching the meshes increases the length of the meshes. As the mesh length
increases, the
spaces and gaps between fibers in the meshes close. Thus, the construction of
the meshes
gets tighter.
[0125] In some configurations, a HM material is used in one of the warp
strands
and the weft strands and a LM material is used in the other of the warp
strands and the weft
strands. As described above, it can be desirable for the mesh to have some
"give" or stretch.
This can be accomplished by using a HM material in the warp or weft and a LM
material in
the opposite. In particular, it has been discovered by the present inventors
that a substantial
portion or the majority of the stretch in the mesh comes from the weft
strands. The warp
strands tend to have less effect on the stretch of the mesh. Thus, the
material or a
combination of materials of the weft strands can be selected to provide the
weft strands with
a desirable amount of give or stretch when considered in combination of the
material or
materials of the warp strands. Other arrangements of a mesh in which the
modulus of
elasticity varies between the warp strands or yarns and weft strands or yarns
can also be used.
[0126] Similarly, other hybrid combination of materials between the warp
and the
weft can be used. For example, a material or materials having desirable resin
adhesion
properties can be used in the warp or weft and a material or materials having
other desirable
properties, such as high strength or high breaking energy, can be used in the
opposite. A
material or materials having desirable stiffness properties (e.g., high
bending stiffness) can be
used in the warp or weft and a material or materials having different
stiffness properties (e.g,
a relatively flexible material) can be used in the opposite. A cheap material
or materials can
be used in the warp or weft and a more expensive material or materials (e.g.,
a high strength
and/or durability material) can be used in the opposite. A material or
materials that are not
very stiff (e.g., soft, low bending stiffness materials) can be used in the
warp or weft and a
material or materials having other desirable properties (e.g., high strength
or high breaking
energy) can be used in the opposite.
[0127] The above examples and others can be achieved by using totally
different
materials in the warp and the weft. Alternatively, this can be done by using
different
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variations of the same base material in the warp and the weft. For example, a
twisted
material can be used in the warp, and an untwisted or different level of twist
in the weft. Or,
a high filament count material or strand can be used in the warp or weft and a
low filament
count material or strand can be used in the other. Other suitable
combinations, including
other possible combinations of any of the above examples, can also be used.
[0128] In one arrangement, a player mesh 100 has a width of 9/10
diamonds. The
mesh 100 also has a length of at least 10 rows of 9 diamonds and 10 rows of 10
diamonds.
The connected portions 130 include four (4) warp loops 124 and the unconnected
portions
132 include three (3) warp loops 124. The diamond length is between about
2.80cm-3.10cm,
2.86cm-3.04cm, or 2.88cm-3.02cm. The AWWD is between about 2000-4500, 2500-
4000,
2800-3600 denier. The warp and/or weft yarns contain at least one of or the
combination of
PET and PP in the following amounts: greater than or equal to 50%, greater
than or equal to
60%, or greater than or equal to 70%.
Conclusion
[0129] It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications
may be
made to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be
understood as
being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations
are intended
to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the
following
claims. Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performed
simultaneously or in
an order different from the steps as ordered herein. Moreover, as should be
apparent, the
features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be
combined in
different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the
scope of the
present disclosure.
[0130] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can,"
"could,"
"might," "may," "e.g.," and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or
otherwise
understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that
certain
embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features,
elements
and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to
imply that
features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more
embodiments or that
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one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or
without author input
or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or
are to be
performed in any particular embodiment.
[0131]
Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. The
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the
context clearly dictates
otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one
or more items.
The term "ones" refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to the
selection of some or
all of a quantity. The term "plurality" refers to two or more of an item. The
term "about" or
"approximately" means that quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations,
parameters, shapes
and other characteristics need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or
larger or smaller,
as desired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding
off, measurement
error and the like and other factors known to those of skill in the art. The
term
"substantially" means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value
need not be achieved
exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances,
measurement
error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of
skill in the art,
may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was
intended to
provide.
[0132]
Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It
is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience
and brevity and
thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values
explicitly recited
as the limits of the range, but also interpreted to include all of the
individual numerical values
or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-
range is
explicitly recited. As an
illustration, a numerical range of "about 1 to 5" should be
interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to
about 5, but should
also be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-ranges within
the indicated
range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2,
3 and 4 and
sub-ranges such as "about 1 to about 3," "about 2 to about 4" and "about 3 to
about 5," "1 to
3," "2 to 4," "3 to 5," etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting
only one numerical
value (e.g., "greater than about 1") and should apply regardless of the
breadth of the range or
the characteristics being described. A plurality of items may be presented in
a common list
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CA 02907298 2015-10-08
for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each
member of the list
is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no
individual member of
such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of
the same list
solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to
the contrary.
Furthermore, where the terms "and" and "or" are used in conjunction with a
list of items, they
are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may
be used alone or
in combination with other listed items. The term "alternatively" refers to
selection of one of
two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to only
those listed
alternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the
context clearly
indicates otherwise.
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