[0001] Rug weaving, an ancient craft, has remained essentially unchanged for millennia. While recent technological advances have been coopted by the industry, most notably in the designing and graphing by computers, the physical methods of execution have remained the same.

[0002] Rugs are often woven on looms strung with yarns (warp lines), with physically tied knots followed by the feeding of one or more weft lines to add stability and integrity. This basic form has been maintained through history for weaving and hand-knotted carpets. The structural integrity of each rug is achieved through two primary forces— pressure from the surrounding knots or wrapping and the friction of the knots yam passing through the yams of the foundation. Rugs having weak structural integrity tend to more easily lose their original shape, deiaminate, and even come apart within a couple of years, depending on wear. Some modern methods, in particular machine manufacturing, of mg production have necessitated the bolstering of these forces with glue or other adhesive agents,

[0003] Attempts to integrate decorative objects, particularly large objects, into woven rugs has proven difficult due to the loss of structural integrity. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel techniques for the insertion of objects into a woven floor covering that maintains the integrity of the woven piece.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides methods and materials for the construction of woven articles having decorative objects embedded within and which maintain their structural integrity.

[0005] Aspects of the present disclosure provide woven articles comprising at least one recess, the recess having a surface with fewer knots, a flatter weave, or combination thereof as compared to a region of the woven article proximate the recess, wherein the woven article has the same or substantially the same structural integrity as without the at least one recess. [0006] Aspects of the present disclosure also provide methods for forming a woven article comprising producing a woven article having at least one recess, the at least one recess created by a method comprising: removing at least a portion of knots after weaving, weaving spaces into the woven article, shaving pile, removing pile by chemical means, or weaving a flat-woven texture surface; and coupling an object with the at least one recess in the woven article.

[0007] In some embodiments, the woven article is a hand knotted or hand woven article.

[0008] In some embodiments, the surface is a flat-woven texture surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, the flat-woven texture surface comprises hemp, jute, sunpat, linen, wool, cotton, or any combination thereof.

[0010] In some embodiments, the fewer knots are obtained during weaving, after weaving, or a combination thereof.

[0011] In some embodiments, the woven article is a floor covering.

[0012] In some embodiments, the woven article further comprises an object coupled with the surface of the at least one recess.

[0013] In some embodiments, the object is reieasably coupled with the surface of the at least one recess.

[0014] In some embodiments, the object is a non-woven object, for example, a metallic object.

[0015] In some embodiments, the at least one recess is created by weaving a flat-woven texture surface. In some embodiments, the flat-woven texture surface is coupled with the surface of the at least one recess by weaving the flat-woven texture surface with the woven article.

[0016] In some embodiments, the object is coupled with the woven article by wire, thread, yarn, or screws.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on illustrating clearly the principles of the present disclosure. Furthermore, components can be shown as transparent in certain views for clarity of illustration only and not to indicate that the illustrated component is necessarily transparent. For ease of reference, throughout this disclosure identical reference numbers may be used to identify identical or at least generally similar, analogous and/or complementary components or features.

[0018] FIG. 1A is a top view a woven article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that was woven using conventional methods and having a recess in the woven article created by removing knots.

[0019] FIG. IB is a bottom view of the woven article in FIG. 1 A showing the edges of the recess secured by stitching. Arrows point to several exposed stitches.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view a woven article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having a plurality of recesses created by maintaining unknotted areas (empty foundation) of the woven article during the weaving process for later insertion of objects. Arrows point to exposed warp and weft yarns.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view a woven article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The article was woven using conventional methods and has a recess created by shaving down pile after completion of weaving process.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view a woven article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The article was woven using conventional methods and has a recess created by removing pile through chemical methods after completion of weaving process.

[0023] FIG. 5A is a top view a woven article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The woven article has a recess of a flat-woven texture surface, for example, soumak, kilim, or other suitable flat-weave, forming the recess during the weaving process. Arrow points to an exposed region of the flat- woven area.

[0024] FIG. SB is a top view a woven article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The article has a recess created by weaving with a flat weave and using the object as a weft line. Arrow points to object.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows Tibetan rug weaving technique on a vertical loom using a metal rod (arrow) over the lines and knotting yarn over the rod. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure an object can replace the metal rod and remain coupled with the woven article after weaving. [0026] FIG. 7 shows a woven article with an object coupled with a recess according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0027] FIG. 8 is a top view a woven article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The woven article has objects coupled with two recesses. The knots have been turned to that the pile blossoms over the object from both sides.

[0028] FIGS. A-B show objects according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 9C shows an object coupled with a recess of a woven article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIGS. lOA-lOC show attachment elements and/or backing elements according to several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIGS. IIA-IIE show objects attached to the woven article by typing according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. Arrows point to yarn tying object to the woven article.

[0032] FIGS. 12A-12L show objects and backing elements according to several embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0033] FIG. 13 is a schematic depicting various methods for creating a recess in a woven article for receiving an object according to several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 14 is a schematic depicting various methods for creating objects for coupling with a woven article according to several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 15 is a schematic depicting various methods for coupling objects with a woven article according to several embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present disclosure relates to woven articles, for example, a floor covering such as a rag, having at least one attached object and methods for making the same.

[0037] After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, all the various embodiments of the present invention will not be described herein. It will be understood that the embodiments presented here are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth below. Specific details of several embodiments of the technology are described below with reference to Figures 1-15. Although many of the embodiments are described below with respect to high-quality, structurally sound woven articles coupled with an object, and methods for generating the same, other applications and other embodiments in addition to those described herein are within the scope of the technology. Additionally, several other embodiments of the woven articles can have different configurations, components, or procedures than those described herein. A person of ordinary skil l in the art, therefore, will accordingly understand that the woven articles can have other embodiments with additional elements, or the woven articles can have other embodiments without several of the features shown and described below with reference to Figures 1-15.

[0038] The detailed description is divided into various sections only for the reader's convenience and disclosure found in any section may be combined with that in another section. Titles or subtitles may be used in the specification for the convenience of a reader, which are not intended to influence the scope of the present disclosure,

[0039] Unless the context indicates otherwise, it is specifically intended that the various features of the invention described herein can be used in any combination. Moreover, the di sclosure also contemplates that in some embodiments any feature or combination of features set forth herein can be excluded or omitted. To illustrate, if the specification states that a complex comprises components A, B and C, it is specifically intended that any of A, B or C, or a combination thereof, can be omitted and disclaimed singularly or in any combination,

[0040] Ail numerical designations (e.g., objects, knots) including ranges, are approximations which are varied (+) or (-) by increments of 1.0 or 0, 1 , as appropriate, or alternatively by a variation of +/- 15 %, or alternatively 10%, or alternatively 5%, or alternatively 2%, It is to be understood, although not always explicitly stated, that all numerical designations are preceded by the term "about." It is to be understood that such range format is used for convenience and brevity and should be understood flexibly to include numerical values explicitly specified as limits of a range, but also to include all individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly specified. For example, a ratio in the range of about I to about 200 should be understood to include the explicitly recited limits of about 1 and about 200, but also to include individual ratios such as about 2, about 3, and about 4, and sub-ranges such as about 10 to about 50, about 20 to about 100, and so forth. It also is to be understood, although not always explicitly stated, that the reagents described herein are merely exemplary and that equivalents of such are known in the art. [0041] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "an object" includes a plurality of objects.

Definitions

[0042] As used herein the following terms have the following meanings:

[0043] The term "about," as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount or concentration and the like, is meant to encompass variations of 20%, 10%, 5%, 1%, 0,5%, or even 0.1% of the specified amount.

[0044] Also as used herein, "and/or" refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative ("or").

[0045] "Comprising" or "comprises" is intended to mean that the compositions and methods include the recited elements, but not excluding others. "Consisting essentially of when used to define compositions and methods, shall mean excluding other elements of any essential significance to the combination for the stated purpose. Thus, a composition consisting essentially of the elements as defined herein would not exclude other materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. "Consisting of shall mean excluding more than trace elements of other ingredients and substantial method steps. Embodiments defined by each of these transition terms are within the scope of this invention.

[0046] The term "integrity" in reference to structural and/or textile integrity is used herein in relation to a woven article maintaining or substantially maintaining its original shape. Integrity refers to the ability of a woven article to hold together under a load, foot traffic, and other forces, including its own forces, and resist losing shape, for example, warping, bending, fraying, tearing, stretching, or other dam age. Normal wear and tear from typical use of the woven article is excluded from integrity.

Woven Articles

[0047] Aspects of the present disclosure provide woven articles comprising at least one recess. Weaving is a method of textile production that uses two sets of yarn, warp and weft, which are interlaced to form a foundation. The woven articles can be any type of woven article known to one of skill in the art. One preferred woven article is a floor covering, for example, a carpet or a rug. Woven articles are created on a loom and include loop pile, cut pile rugs, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the woven articles are machine made, in whole or in part, for example on an automated weaving loom. In other embodiments, the woven articles are handmade or hand tufted. In a preferred embodiment, the woven articles are hand knotted. As used herein, the term hand knotted refers to the process of tying (i.e., knotting) a fiber by hand around the waip yarns of the woven article. Typically, after a row of knots is created the knots and the weft strands are beaten with a comb to secure the knots in place. Weavers use different types of knots, for example, the Senneh knot or Persian Knot, the Ghiordes or Turkish Knot, the Tibetan Knot, and the Jufti Knot. Importantly, hand knotted rugs are considered to be significantly different than machine made rags and of a higher quality. In particular, they have more structural integrity which is achieved, at least in part, to the pressure from the surrounding knots or wrapping and the friction of the knots yarn passing through the yarns of the foundation. In a preferred embodiment the majority of the woven article is created by hand, for example, at least 51%, 55%, 60%*, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%*, 90%, 95%, or 100%.

[0048] The woven articles can be made using and suitable material known to one of skill in the art. Non-limiting examples of suitable material include wool, cotton, silk, hemp, linen, alpaca, mohair, yak, cashmere, camel, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene (olefin), nylon, or any combination thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the knot yarn is wool, alpaca, mohair, silk, camel, or any combination thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the knot yarn is wool, cotton, or any combination thereof. The warp and weft foundation can be of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the warp yams, the weft yarns, or both are cotton. In other embodiments, the warp yarns, weft yarns, or both are wool,

[0049] In some embodiments, no additional warp yarns are required for producing the woven articles of the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the woven articles of the present disclosure comprise no additional weft strands. In some embodiments, no additional warp and weft strands are required to produce the woven articles of the present disclosure. [0050] The woven articles of the present disclosure a created to have recesses (i.e., spaces) to insert objects (e.g., decorative or functional objects) while maintaining the forces required to ensure textile integrity.

[0051] In some aspects, provided herein are woven articles comprising at least one recess, the recess wherein the woven article has the same or substantially the same structural integrity as a reference woven article without the at least one recess.

[0052] Also provided herein are methods for making a woven article comprising: (a) producing a woven article comprising at least one recess, the at least one recess created by a method selected from the group consisting of: removing at least a portion of knots after weaving, weaving spaces into the woven article, shaving pile, removing pile by chemical means, and weaving a flat weave design into pile; and (b) coupling an object with the at least one recess in the woven article.

[0053] The recess has a surface with fewer knots, a flatter weave, or any combination thereof, as compared to a region of the woven article. The recess can be created during weaving or by removing material after weaving. The fewer knots are obtained during weaving, after weaving, or a combination thereof. When the knots are removed the woven article can be on or off the loom and either before or after finishing. Any suitable method for removing material can be used including, for example, removing individual or a plurality of individual knots (e.g., by plucking) (FIG. 1A), shaving pile (FIG. 3), removing pile through chemical methods (e.g., oxidation) (FIG. 4), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, after removing material to create the recess, the edges of the recess are secured to maintain pressure on the knots for textile integrity (FIG. IB).

[0054] In some embodiments, the woven article has a recess having a surface that is made up of the exposed, or substantially exposed, warp and weft yarns (i.e., an empty foundation) (FIG. 1 A and FIG. 2), The exposed warp and weft yarns can be formed during weaving or after removing knots after weaving. In some embodiments, methods to create woven article having exposed warp and weft yarns are expressly excluded. While having exposed warp and weft yarns creates a suitable surface for the object in the woven article and is a reasonably flat base, with the knots removed the tension that holds the woven article together is released and the woven article can begin to unravel. In addition, for certain woven articles the warp and weft yam foundation is not durable on its own to maintain integrity over long periods of wear. For certain woven articles, even securing the edges of the recess is not sufficiently durable. [0055] In some embodiments, the recess is created by shaving or cutting the pile (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, methods that use shaving or cutting of pile to create a recess in a woven articles are expressly excluded. While shaving pile creates a surface for an object in the woven article, if the surface has a surface with an amount of unevenness the surface could be unsuitable and/or unstable for use as a surface to couple with the object (FIG. 13). An uneven surface may be unsuitable for certain woven articles, in particular, a rug. In some embodiments, a suitable material to add stability can be added, for example, silicone, rubber, plastic, or other non-tacky or tacky material. In certain, but less preferred embodiments, when the pile is shaved or cut away an adhesive (e.g., latex glue) may be used to couple the object with the surface of the recess created by shaving or cutting the pile.

[0056] In some embodiments, the recess is created by removing pile through chemical methods (FIG. 4). In some embodiments, methods that use chemical agents to create a recess in a woven article are expressly excluded, including, for example, chemical shrinking agents, oxidizing agents, and acidic agents. Suitable acidic agents include acrylic acid, formic acid, monochloracetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, alpha-chloropropinoic acid, bromoacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, o- chlorobenzoic acid, 3,5,-dinitrobenzoic acid, sulfonic acids, such as p-toluene-sulfonic acid, benzenesuifonic acid, phenols (e.g., m-crestol, p-cholorphenol), hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, a salt, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, ammonia, strong organic bases (e.g., benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide), and orgranic amines (e.g., ethylarnine, tri ethyl amine, dibutyi amine).

[0057] In some embodiments, the woven articles of the present disclosure are made using one or more weave modifications. Non-limiting examples of suitable modifications include ply density, knot density, and pile height.

[0058] The woven articles of the present disclosure can comprise any number of recesses. In some embodiments, the woven articles comprise one recess. In other embodiments, the woven articles comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, about 20, about 30, about 40, about 50, about 60, about 70, about 80, about 90, about 100, or more recesses.

[0059] The recess or plurality of recesses can be located at any suitable position on the woven article. For example, a recess can be located at or substantially at a corner and/or edge of the woven article, at or substantially at the center of the woven article, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the plurality of recesses can be spread uniformly or substantially uniformly throughout the woven article. In other embodiments, the plurality of recesses can be clustered in one or more regions of the woven article.

[0060] In some embodiments, the woven articles further comprise a flat-woven texture surface configured to couple with the surface of the at least one recess (FIG. 5 A). The fiat-woven texture surface can be of any material of suitable rigidity. Non-limiting examples of suitable flat-woven texture surface material include hemp, jute, sunpat, linen, wool, cotton, or any combination thereof. The flat-woven texture surface can be coupled with the surface of the recess using any method known to one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the flat-woven texture surface is coupled with the surface of the recess during the weaving process. In other embodiments, the flat-woven texture surface is coupled with the surface of the recess after at least a portion of the weaving process is complete. In preferred embodiments, a strong and/or flat weave, such as soumak or kilim, is used (FIG. 13).

[0061] In some aspects the present disclosure further provides woven articles comprising as least one recess and an object coupled with the surface of the at least one recess. In other embodiments, the present disclosure provides woven articles comprising as least one recess and an object coupled with the surface of the at least one recess, and further comprising a flat-woven texture surface coupled with the surface of the at least one recess, wherein the flat-woven texture surface is positioned between the surface of the recess and the object.

Objects

[0062] In some embodiments, the woven articles of the present disclosure comprise an object coupled with the surface of the at least one recess (FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). In some embodiments, the object is directly coupled with the surface of the at least one recess. In other embodiments, the object is directly coupled with a flat- woven texture surface within the at least one recess. In some embodiments, the flat-woven texture surface is positioned between the surface of the recess and the object. When the object is coupled with the woven article the flat-woven texture surface is partially, completely, or substantially covered by the object. In some embodiments, less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, or less than 1% of the flat-woven texture surface is visible to a user when the object is coupled with the woven article. [0063] The objects of the present disclosure can be configured for aesthetic value, practical value, or functional value. The objects can be of any suitable material, size and shape. Suitable materials include glass, clay, ceramic, slate, marble, travertine, cement, plastic, rubber, wood, stone, plastic, porcelain, and metal. In some embodiments the object is a metallic object, for example, a brass, steel, tin, aluminum, lead, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, gold, or platinum metallic object (FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the object is a non-woven object. For example, the object is not a decorative fabric. In some embodiments, the object comprises a light source, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), fluorescent, optical fibers, and the like. In some embodiments, the object is magnetic.

[0064] In some embodiments, the object is a gemstone, precious stone, or semi-precious stone. Suitable gemstones, precious stones, or semi-precious stones include diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, turquoise, hematite, chrysocolla, tigers-eye, quartz, tourmaline, pyrite, sufilite, malachite, rose quartz, obsidian, moss agate, jasper, amethyst, lace agate, lapis lazuli. The gemstone, precious stone, and/or semi-precious stones can be natural, synthetic, or imitation. Natural gems that are available as synthetic include moissanite, diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire, cubic zirconia, and alexandrite.

[0065] In some embodiments, surface designs are created by inlaying other decorative objects into a primary object. For example, copper features can be inlaid into lead to create a mixed metal object. In another example, glass can be inlaid into a primary wood object.

[0066] The objects can be shaped through various methods including, for example, casting fabricating, and carving. Texture can be created on one or more of the surfaces of the object by carving, grinding, sanding, etching, or any other suitable method known to one of skill in the art. In other embodiments, the object has a finish on at least one surface (FIG. 9C). Suitable finishes include protective coating (e.g., epoxy, urethane), rust protector, metal finishes (e.g., metal plating, baished metal, buff polishing, metal grinding, and sand blasting), stains, patinas, electroplating, and the like,

[0067] The objects can be properly configured (i.e., sized) by any suitable means. Objects can be sized and finished for the safety of the user, to prevent damage (e.g., wear and tear) to the woven article, or both. For example, edges and/or corners of the object can be rounded, object height can be adjusted to ensure the object lays above, at, or below the pile height. In some embodiments, the object has or is configured to have a height equal or substantially equal to the pile height of the woven article. In other embodiments, the object has or is configured to have a height that is different (e.g., taller or shorter) than the pile height of the woven article. In some embodiments, an object having a different height, taller or shorter, than the pile height of the woven article is expressly excluded. For certain woven articles (e.g., a rug) it may be desirable to have an object of the same, substantially the same, or shorter height than the recess it is coupled with (FIG. 14).

[0068] In some embodiments, the object has or is configured to have at least one rounded or substantially rounded edge.

[0069] In some embodiments, the object further comprises an attachment element configured to couple the object to the woven article. Non-limiting examples of suitable attachment elements include threaded screw holes, threaded screws, non-threaded holds (e.g., for rod insertion), snaps, channel, hole, scored bottom surface of object, and the like. In some embodiments, a channel is cut to accept a fastening component, for example, a wire, thread, yarn, and the like (FIGS. 11A-E). In one embodiment, the fastening component (i.e., a wire) is soldered on the back of the woven article. In other embodiments, a channel is cut to accept a wire, thread, yarn, or other fastening items for objects to be used as weft line, as in Tibetan waving or flat weaves. Scoring the bottom of the object can add strength in chemical bonding of the object.

[0070] In some embodiments, backing plates are used to securably couple the object to the woven article (FIGS. 10A-D and FIGS. 12A-L). The backing plates can be cut and/or finished for the safety of the user, to prevent damage (e.g., wear and tear) to the woven article, or both. For example, edges and/or corners of the backing plate can be rounded. The backing plates can further comprise an attachment element configured to couple the object to the woven article. Non-limiting examples of suitable attachment elements include slits, spaces, notches or holes to accept a wire, thread, yam or other fastening item. In one embodiment, the backing plate is coupled with the woven article with small pins, tacks, or the like. In addition, the backing plates can be configured to accept threaded and/or non-threaded attachment elements of the object. In one embodiment, the backing plate is metal, wood, or a combination thereof In one embodiment, the backing plate is metal. In preferred embodiments, the backing plates are configured to prevent or minimize damage to a surface (e.g., a floor that the woven article is located). The backing plate can be of any suitable size. In one embodiment, at least one dimension of the backing plate (e.g., length) is larger than at least one dimension of the object (e.g., width).

[0071] In some embodiments, the object is solid or substantially solid. In other embodiments, the object is hollow or substantially hollow. [0072] The objects can be coupled with the woven article by any method known to one of skill in the art. In one embodiment the object is coupled with the woven article with wire, thread, yarn, screws, clips, snaps, and the like. In one embodiment an adhesive (i.e., chemical bond, such as glue) is used to couple the object to the woven article. Non-limiting examples of adhesives, which are expressly excluded in some embodiments, include polyvinyl acetate ("PVA"), aliphatic glue (e.g., carpenters glue, wood glue), cyanoacrylate (e.g, CA glue, super glue), latex glue, animal glue, epoxy, polyurethane, contact glue, tape, and the like. In another embodiment, the object is tied to the woven article using a channel. In a preferred embodiment, no or substantially no adhesive is used to couple the object with the woven article.

[0073] In some embodiments, the object is releasably coupled with the woven article. When releasably coupled a user can detach the object from recess of the woven article. The user can, for example, leave the recess exposed (i.e., without an object) or the user can replace the first object with a second object.

[0074] The object(s) of the present disclosure can also be configured to have a functional purpose. For example, in some embodiments, the object can act as an attachment element for secondary object. Examples of suitable secondary objects include, a second woven article, a piece of furniture (e.g., a desk, a chair, an armoire, a credenza), a statue, a mirror, a planter, and the like.

[0075] Aspects of the disclosure also provide methods for forming a woven article comprising: (a) producing a woven article comprising at least one recess, the at least one recess created by a method selected from the group consisting of: removing at least a portion of knots after weaving, weaving spaces into the woven article, shaving pile, removing pile by chemical means, and weaving a flat weave design into pile; and (b) coupling an object with the at least one recess in the woven article.

[0076] Aspects of the disclosure also provide methods for forming a woven article coupled with an object comprising: coupling an object with at least one recess in a woven article, the at least one recess was created by a method selected from the group consisting of: removing at least a portion of knots after weaving, weaving spaces into the woven article, shaving pile, removing pile by chemical means, and weaving a flat weave design into pile.

[0077] In some embodiments, the methods comprise coupling a flat-woven texture surface with a surface of at least one recess. In some embodiments, the flat-woven texture surface is coupled with the surface of the at least one recess by weaving the flat-woven texture surface with the woven article. The flat-woven texture surface can be a separate surface coupled with the at least one recess or it can be formed in the woven article during the weaving process. The flat-woven texture surface can be any suitable material including hemp, jute, sunpat, linen, wool, cotton and any combination thereof.

[0078] In some embodiments, the object is coupled with the woven article by wire, thread, yarn, or screws.

EXAMPLES

[0079] Example 1 : A woven article comprising at least one recess, the recess having a surface with fewer knots, a flatter weave, or combination thereof as compared to a region of the woven article proximate the recess, wherein the woven article has the same or substantially the same structural integrity as without the at least one recess.

[0080] Example 2: The woven article of Example 1 , wherein the woven article is a hand knotted or hand woven article.

[0081] Example 3 : The woven article of Example 1 or Example 2, further comprising a flat- woven texture surface configured to couple with the surface of the at least one recess.

[0082] Example 4: The woven article of Example 3, wherein the flat-woven texture surface comprises hemp, jute, sunpat, linen, wool, cotton, or any combination thereof.

[0083] Example 5: The woven article of any preceding Example, wherein the fewer knots are obtained during weaving, after weaving, or a combination thereof.

[0084] Example 6: The woven article of any preceding Example, wherein the woven article is a floor covering.

[0085] Example 7: The woven article of any preceding Example further comprising an object coupled with the surface of the at least one recess.

[0086] Example 8: The woven article of Example 7, wherein the object is releasably coupled with the surface of the at least one recess.

[0087] Example 9: The woven article of Example 7 or Example 8, wherein the object is a non-woven object. [0088] Example 10: The woven article of any one of Examples 7-9, wherein the object is a metallic object.

[0089] Example 1 1 : A method for forming a woven article comprising: producing a woven article having at least one recess, the at least one recess created by a method comprising: removing at least a portion of knots after weaving, weaving spaces into the woven article, shaving pile, removing pile by chemical means, or weaving a flat-woven texture surface; and coupling an object with the at least one recess in the woven article.

[0090] Example 12: The method of Example 11, further comprising coupling a flat-woven texture surface with a surface of the at least one recess.

[0091] Example 13 : The method of Example 12, wherein the flat-woven texture surface is coupled with the surface of the at least one recess by weaving the flat- woven texture surface with the woven article.

[0092] Example 14: The method of Example 12 or Example 13, wherein the flat- woven texture surface comprises hemp, jute, sunpat, linen, wool, cotton, and any combination thereof.

[0093] Example 15: The method of any one of Examples 1 1 -1.4, wherein the object is coupled with the woven article by wire, thread, yarn, or screws.