Abstract: A mat (10) comprises a pile surface fabric (40) and a rubber or rubber-like backing layer (20). The pile surface fabric (40) is connected to and extends to the edges of the backing layer (20). The pile surface fabric (40) is provided with a border portion (22) having on its upper surface (26) a contrasting color and/or texture to the remainder (24) of the pile surface fabric and extending along at least a portion of the edge of said pile surface fabric. The mat (10) can be formed in a single cutting operation by cutting the mat from a roll of mat material (30) comprising a pile surface fabric having elongate areas (32, 34) of contrasting surface color and/or texture bonded to a rubber backing layer. The cuts (36, 38) are made along the elongate areas (32, 34). Since the border (22) is formed in the pile, colors and shapes can be selected to suit customer requirements, while the mat (10) serves to clean footwear over its entire area.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric comprised of conjugate yarns to an acidic treatment, which degrades a portion of one component of the conjugate yarns and to dyeing. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component results in a fabric has enhanced dyed appearance, especially when dyed a dark shade. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric may also be treated with a basic solution to improve its moisture transport properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a continuous process for making floor mats having a textile upper surface and a rubber or rubber-like backing. In the one embodiment of the present process, a continuous roll of unvulcanized rubber is joined to a continuous roll of textile material during vulcanization. In an alternate embodiment, textile panels are positioned onto a continuous roll of unvulcanized rubber, later being joined during vulcanization. After vulcanization of either a textile roll or textile panels to a rubber backing, the resultant mat composite is cut into individual mat units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air bag tethers formed from multiple bias-cut tether segments. Groups of tether segments are attached to the front and rear air bag panels and are then connected to one another to form a functional tether system. This multiple-segment construction, with its bias-cut segments, decreases the amount of fabric that is used in the manufacture of the air bag and tethers, while providing sufficient elongation for the tether system to be functional.

Abstract: The present invention relates to specific methods of producing cleated rubber-backed floor mats (such as dust control or rubber mats) through the utilization of the combination of a perforated coated woven fabric article and a cushioned platen liner between the article and the metal platen of an in-line dust control mat manufacturing machine. Such a procedure permits a more efficient manner of producing cleated anti-creep dust control mats than previously followed. In particular, the fabric article is in the form of a conveyor belt and is preferably constructed from Teflon®-coated woven fiberglass which will not adhere to the tacky rubber component of the target mat and can withstand the extremely high vulcanization temperatures and pressures required during the production of a dust control mat.

Abstract: A textile substrate is provided which is coated with a film comprising iron (III) oxide hydroxide and aluminum oxide hydroxide. This film or coating is formed by contacting the textile substrate with an aqueous solution comprising ferrous or ferric salts and aluminum salts. The iron (II), iron (III), and aluminum ions are hydrolyzed and the iron (II) ions are also oxidized under controlled conditions. These hydrolyzed species then, it is believed, coprecipitate or copolymerized to on the textile surface to form a smooth, coherent, substantially amorphous iron (III) oxide/aluminum oxide hydroxide film or coating on the surface of the substrate without forming an insoluble iron (III) or aluminum hydroxide precipitate in the solution. This is accomplished by controlling the reaction conditions such that the rates of adsorption onto the substrate surface of both iron (III) and aluminum oxide hydroxides are greater than the rates of formation of said same oxide hydroxide particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air bag tethers and to a pattern-wise arrangement of such tethers in relation to air bag panels on a fabric blank. In one embodiment, the front tether panel is comprised of two or more tether segments that cut in alignment with the warp and the fill of the fabric blank, while the rear tether panel is comprised of two or more tether segments that are cut on the bias with respect to the warp and the fill of the fabric blank. The front and rear tether panels are then connected to one another to form a functional tether system. This multiple-segment construction, with its bias-cut segments, decreases the amount of fabric that is used in the manufacture of the air bag and tethers, while providing sufficient elongation for the tether system to be functional.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-segment air bag tether panels and to a pattern-wise arrangement of such tether segments in relation to air bag panels on a fabric blank. In one embodiment, the tether panel is comprised of two or more tether segments that are cut in substantial alignment with the warp or the fill of the fabric blank. The tether panels are then connected to one another along their tether-attachment ends to form a functional tether system. This multiple-segment construction decreases the amount of fabric that is used in the manufacture of the air bag and tethers, while providing sufficient elongation for the tether system to be functional.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric comprised of conjugate yarns to an acidic treatment, which degrades a portion of one component of the conjugate yarns and to dyeing. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component results in a fabric has enhanced dyed appearance, especially when dyed a dark shade. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric may also be treated with a basic solution to improve its moisture transport properties.

Abstract: A dust control mat having a pile surface and a backing layer disposed beneath the pile surface. The pile surface includes segmented portions of pile-forming material salvaged from previously used mat structures and adhered to the backing layer in a predefined arrangement to define a contact surface of recycled material for use in removing dirt from the shoes of a user.

Abstract: A twelve-sided polygon-shaped air bag comprised of fabric for use in vehicle restraint systems and method of manufacture is disclosed. The air bag is constructed from fabric panels in the shape of congruent, twelve-sided polygons, which may be regular dodecagons or dodecagons having alternating short and long sides. The individual panels may be in the form of a single dodecagon, or in the form of two abutting dodecagons. The use of dodecagon-shaped panels allows for economical fabric utilization and increased fabrication efficiency, compared with panels having a circular shape.

Abstract: The present, invention relates to a process for producing a fabric-elastomer composite that, when transfer or film coated, is preferable for use as an artificial leather substrate. The inventive procedure involves (a) producing an elastomer composition of at least four ingredients (an anionically-stabilized waterborne polymer dispersion, an acid-generating chemical, a cloud-point surfactant, and a foam-stabilizing surfactant); (b) incorporating sufficient gas into the liquid mixture to generate a spreadable foam; (c) applying the foam onto a porous textile substrate; (d) heating said foamed fabric until the elastomer coagulates over the fabric substrate; and (e) drying the resultant composite without destroying the coagulated structure. The resultant composite obtains a suppleness that is similar to that of leather and a surface that is suitable for transfer coating to produce artificial leather. The composite may be utilized as upholstery fabric in furniture or in automobiles, apparel, and the like.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular mat comprises an upper layer of fabric (31) bonded to a lower backing layer of natural or synthetic rubber (32). The lower backing layer (32) extends beyond the upper fabric layer to form a border strip (33) at first and second opposite edges (43,44) of the mat. The lower backing layer (32) ends flush with the upper fabric layer at third and fourth opposite edges (41,42) of the mat. Each of the third and fourth edges is provided with a moulded strip (15) of synthetic or natural rubber attached to the lower backing layer (32) to form a border strip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a knitted textile material that, when transfer or film-coated, is suitable for use as an artificial leather substrate. The inventive procedure involves (a) producing an elastomer composition of at least four ingredients (an anionically-stabilized waterborne polymer dispersion, an acid-generating chemical, a cloud-point surfactant, and a foam-stabilizing surfactant); (b) incorporating sufficient gas into the liquid mixture to generate a spreadable foam; (c) applying the foam onto a porous knitted textile substrate; (d) heating said foamed fabric until the elastomer coagulates over the fabric substrate; and (e) drying the resultant composite without destroying the coagulated structure. The resultant composite obtains a pliability, compressibility, and drape that is similar to that of leather and a surface that is suitable for transfer or film-coating to produce artificial leather.

Abstract: The present invention is a floor mat made from a rubber composite, the composite having a foam rubber core positioned between dense rubber layers. Protrusions or cleats, which are produced during the vulcanization process, extend outwardly from the lower surface of the mat. The present mat offers mat users desirable anti-fatigue characteristics that are achieved by (a) a combination of dense rubber and foam rubber layers and (b) the spaced positioning of a plurality of cleats over one surface of the mat. Such a mat is anticipated to be useful in service environments, such as hair styling salons, retail outlets, or restaurant kitchens, for example.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anti-fatigue flooring article having inherent properties of electrostatic dissipation. Further, this disclosure relates to flooring article having at least two layers, wherein a first layer (comprised of dense rubber) is calendered to a second layer (comprised of foam rubber). Each layer has a different electrical conductivity, thereby creating a mat having an appropriate range of conductivity when combined. The present flooring article may also include a layer of static dissipating scrim, a grounding means, and/or a colored marking.

Abstract: The present invention is a durable composite consisting of a polyester knitted fabric and an extruded film that are heat laminated together without the use of additional adhesive. The open-mesh structure of the fabric, when combined with the film, results in improved sound dissipation for the composite as compared with conventional textile headliners. Because both the fabric and the film components have flame retardant constituents, the resulting composite is capable of meeting even the most stringent of flammability requirements. An optional backing layer may be added to the film layer to create a three-layer composite, which may be suited for certain applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sculptured pile fabric having both a printed pattern and a sculpted surface of various pile heights. The fabric of the present invention has improved aesthetic qualities as compared with sculptured products of the prior art. This improved sculptured fabric is the result of a chemical sculpting method, in which the height of the pile surface is selectively reduced in a pattern configuration, and that is followed by an overall “dilute” dyeing process. This “dilute” dyeing process is similar to that used to “tea stain” textile products, wherein an overall hue is imparted to a textile by the use of a relatively dilute (low concentration) dyestuff. The resulting sculptured product has an appearance that emphasizes the sculptured areas, making the sculptured areas appear to have greater depth, especially when viewed at a distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process-for producing a fabric-elastomer composite that, when transfer or film coated, is preferable for use as an artificial leather substrate. The inventive procedure involves (a) producing an elastomer composition of at least four ingredients (an anionically-stabilized waterborne polymer dispersion, an acid-generating chemical, a cloud-point surfactant, and a foam-stabilizing surfactant); (b) incorporating sufficient gas into the liquid mixture to generate a spreadable foam; (c) applying the foam onto a porous textile substrate; (d) heating said foamed fabric until the elastomer coagulates over the fabric substrate; and (e) drying the resultant composite without destroying the coagulated structure. The resultant composite obtains a suppleness that is similar to that of leather and a surface that is suitable for transfer coating to produce artificial leather. The composite may be utilized as upholstery fabric in furniture or in automobiles, apparel, and the like.

Abstract: There is provided a mat having multiple sets of pins, each set of pins being located within surrounding, characterized in that the pins do not extend significantly beyond the highest point of the surrounding. Thus the pins are protected by the surrounding and are less likely to break after extended use. The mat may be provided with areas adapted for the receipt of strips of textile materials, eg carpeting which advantageously has a hard-backing and is able to snap into the areas provided. The inclusion of the textile material combines a scraping function together with the visual appearance of a carpet. The strips of textile material will be separated by sets of pins as described above. A set of such mats is also described.