Abstract:
The invention provides a process for making a mat particularly a washable dust control mat, having a fabric layer and a rubber backing layer with a border extending beyond the fabric layer using a press which heat-cures the rubber and adheres it to the fabric and employs an inflatable bag to apply pressure by pressing the layers against a heated platen, wherein a frame defining the extent of the border is located between the bag and the platen, and wherein the bag applies pressure to the assembled layers including the border portion of the backing layer. The frame can act as a dam for preventing outward movement of the rubber and provide an integral thickened border; in some cases it also provides a guillotine for trimming the rubber during pressing.
Abstract:
Improvements in preventing heat- and moisture-shrink problems in specific polypropylene tape fibers are provided. Such fibers are basically manufactured through the initial production of polypropylene films or tubes which are then slit into very thin, though flat (and having very high cross sectional aspect ratios) tape fibers thereafter. Such fibers (and thus the initial films and/or tubes) require the presence of certain compounds that quickly and effectively provide rigidity to the target polypropylene tape fiber after heat-setting. Generally, these compounds include any structure that nucleates polymer crystals within the target polypropylene after exposure to sufficient heat to melt the initial pelletized polymer and upon allowing such a melt to cool. The compounds must nucleate polymer crystals at a higher temperature than the target polypropylene without the nucleating agent during cooling. In such a manner, the nullrigidifyingnull nucleator compounds provide nucleation sites for polypropylene crystal growth. Upon slitting of the initial film and/or tube, the fiber is then exposed to sufficient heat to grow the crystalline network, thus holding the fiber in a desired position. The preferred nullrigidifyingnull compounds include dibenzylidene sorbitol based compounds, as well as less preferred compounds, such as sodium benzoate, certain sodium and lithium phosphate salts (such as sodium 2,2null-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate, otherwise known as NA-11). Specific methods of manufacture of such inventive tape fibers, as well as fabric articles made therefrom, are also encompassed within this invention.
Abstract:
Bi-constituent fibers having a cationic dyeable nylon, usually Type 6 nylon adequately sulfonated, as the major component with an intimate melt blend of a minor amount of a polyester are dyed with an anionic dye to improve lightfastness, ozone resistance and to provide resistance to acid-type stains. The fibers may be tufted into carpets that are resistant to acid-type stains. Both components of the bi-constituent fiber may come from recycled sources so that 100% of the fiber, excluding processing additives, is based on post consumer recycled polymer.
Abstract:
An improved cushioned carpet fabric is provided. The cushioned carpet comprises a primary carpet having a primary base and a plurality of pile-forming yarns projecting outwardly from one side. A layer of reinforcement material is bonded to the primary base on the side opposite the pile forming yarns. The reinforcement layer is adjacent to and embedded in, a cushion layer of a polymer such as a polyurethane. There is preferably no additional adhesive between the cushion layer and the layer of reinforcement material. An apparatus and process for forming the cushioned carpet fabric are also provided.
Abstract:
A base textile has a camouflage pattern on the first surface and a coating on the second surface. The coating is a ethylene methyl acrylate thermoplastic with a carbon black pigment. The base textile and coating have a visible light transmission such that shadows of hunters or others inside a blind of the camouflage are not visible on the opposite side of the camouflage.
Abstract:
A pleated nonwoven product and method of constructing such a product which is particularly suitable for various automotive applications. The product is formed from a fibrous mat with the fibers within each pleat extending substantially vertically when the mat is in a horizontal orientation. Various products may be formed from the pleated nonwoven mat including automotive carpets and underpads, trim parts, trunk liners, upholstery, engine compartment liners, and sound insulators. Additional embodiments of the invention utilize a split pleated product presenting a unique automotive textile, carpet or other upholstery product and a unitary carpet and underpad product utilizing the pleated product of the invention.
Abstract:
A synthetic turf having a substrate and a plurality of synthetic polymer turf filaments anchored in the backing and extending therefrom, each said filament having a substantially diamond-shaped cross section.
Abstract:
A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.
Abstract:
A modified secondary backing fabric (20) for carpet (50) comprises a secondary backing scrim fabric (15) and a fiber batt (21) integrated with the secondary backing fabric forming the modified fabric, providing a soft face (51) opposite the face (52) presented by the scrim fabric, uninterrupted by the scrim fabric. A carpet (50) comprises a face yarn (11); a primary backing fabric (12), the face yarn being tufted into the primary backing fabric; a modified secondary backing fabric (20) attached to the primary backing fabric; and an adhesive material (14) binding the face yarn to the primary backing fabric and the primary backing fabric to the secondary backing fabric. The modified secondary backing fabric (20) comprises a secondary backing scrim fabric (15) and a fiber batt (12) integrated as a unitary scrim, providing a soft face (51) forming the underside of the carpet, the soft face forming a barrier uninterrupted by the scrim fabric and blocking exudation of any of the adhesive material from the underside of the carpet. A method for the manufacture of a modified secondary carpet backing (20) comprises selecting a secondary backing scrim fabric (15) and a fiber batt (21); joining the two fabrics to form the modified secondary carpet backing (20), providing a soft face (51) opposite the face (52) presented by the scrim fabric, uninterrupted by the scrim fabric; and subjecting the modified fabric to heat sufficient to remove substantially all loose fibers (45) projecting from the soft surface. The present invention also provides a method for the manufacture of carpet.
Abstract:
A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.