Abstract: Improved feed yarns for air-jet texturing are provided by using high molecular weight polyamide polymer spun through non-round capillaries at high spinning speeds to give filament modification ratios greater than 1.5.

Abstract: Polyamide conjugate filaments are prepared by a spin-stretch process wherein two nylon 66 polymers having different relative viscosities are melt spun at a spinning speed of at least 2286 mpm to form filaments in which the polymers are arranged in a side-by-side configuration along the length of the filaments. The filaments are then stretched in-line at a stretch ratio greater than 1.0 prior to their being collected with said stretch ratio being selected to provide filaments having a high level of high-load crimp and a low level of boiling water shrinkage. The filaments are particularly useful in the construction of stretch garments and, especially, ladies' leg hose and pantyhose.

Abstract: A method of removably covering a smooth, rigid surface such as a floor, with a large section of heavy duty, artificial turf which involves pulling it across the surface while supported on a pneumatic cushion to minimize frictional drag and then relieving the cushion after the section is in place to allow it to settle onto the surface. The installation in use comprises such turf supported within its periphery on the pneumatic cushion in contactless overlying relationship above the rigid surface. The apparatus comprises powered rollers for supporting a roll of the turf, rope-like members for attachment to the roll along its leading margin, winches for pulling such rope-like members and a blower for developing the air cushion between the turf and rigid surface.

Abstract: Cord useful in the reinforcement of pneumatic tires is provided that is less expensive than conventional cord used for that purpose. A typical cord consists of a core composed of two continuous filament nylon yarns having little or no twist, laid side-by-side and held together by another continuous filament nylon yarn wound helically around the two core yarns.

Abstract: Antimicrobial activity is imparted to nylon during its preparation by adding to the nylon-forming monomer(s), a zinc compound (e.g. zinc ammonium carbonate) and a phosphorus compound (e.g. benzene phosphinic acid). The compounds are added in amounts sufficient to form in situ a reaction product containing at least 300 ppm of zinc, based on the weight of nylon prepared. Fibers made from the resulting nylon contain the reaction product uniformly dispersed therein and have antimicrobial activity of a permanent nature.

Abstract: Nylon carpet fibers are provided which resist staining by acid dye colorants at room temperature, yet are dyeable at elevated temperatures with acid dyes without losing their resistance to acid dye colorants at room temperature. The fibers are characterized by having a coating on the surface thereof comprising one or more selected compounds (stain blockers). Carpets comprising the fibers resist staining when exposed for long periods of time to spills containing acid dye colorants. By also including a fluorochemical in the coating, the carpets can resist such staining even after being subjected to heavy human trafficking.

Abstract: Acrylic fibers having good basic dyeability characteristics are provided. The fibers are composed of an acrylic polymer having a sulfonate-containing nonacrylic polymer, such as a partially sulfonated polystyrene, dispersed therein.

Abstract: Carpets having stain resistant pile fibers and a backing that is substantially impervious to water are described. The imperviousness of the backing prevents water from passing through the carpet and into the underpad where its presence causes rotting and mildewing of the underpad and carpet components, and thus, permits the carpet to be washed with generous amounts of water without wetting the underpad. Also, aqueous substances which spill onto the carpet will not penetrate the carpet and wet the underpad.

Abstract: A self-crimping filament is formed in high-speed spinning by joining hot and cool molten substances of a single polymer substantially at or preferably below the face of the spinneret. This increases the bulk of a yarn containing such filaments.

Abstract: Carpets having a primary backing and a pile consisting essentially of polyamide fibers stitched into the primary backing are described. The fibers are characterized in being stain resistant and the backing is characterized in being impervious to water. The carpet is easy to maintain since its fibers are stain resistant and water can be used to clean the carpet without fear of the water penetrating the backing and being absorbed by the padding, a situation which leads to rotting of the carpet and wooden floors.

Abstract: In a warping process, the yarns are overfed into an accumulator comprising an individual tension detector for each yarn. The overfeed reduces the tension and thus the frictional drag as the yarns pass in a partial wrap around their tension detectors, permitting higher warping speeds.

Abstract: A specially designed pigtail balloon guide for use with ring spinning frames is provided. The guide improves the performance of such frames with respect to sliver breaks and/or sliver throughput. The guide has a single-looped coil through which the sliver is threaded. The coil is designed so that during operation of the frame the coil is tilted with respect to the path of the sliver.

Abstract: Polyamide conjugate filaments are prepared by a spinstretch process wherein two polyamides (e.g. two nylon 66 polymers) having different terminal velocity distances are melt spun at a spinning speed of at least 1829 mpm to form filaments in which the polymers are arranged in an eccentric configuration along the length of the filaments. The filaments are then stretched in-line at a stretch ratio greater than 1.0 prior to their being collected with the processing conditions and polyamides being selected to provide filaments having a high level of high-load crimp and a low level of boiling water shrinkage. The filaments are particularly useful in the construction of stretch garments and, especially, ladies' leg hose and pantyhose.

Abstract: Nylon carpets are rendered resistant to staining normally caused by artificial colorants such as Food, Drug and Cosmetic Red Dye No. 40 by immersing the carpets in a boiling aqueous solution of a selected phenol-formaldehyde condensation product at a pH of 4.5 or less. A particularly useful condensation product is that obtained by the condensation of formaldehyde with a mixture of diphenolsulfone and phenolsulfonic acid.

Abstract: Carpets having stain resistant pile fibers and a backing that is substantially impervious to water are described. The impervious backing prevents water from passing through the carpet and into the underpad where its presence causes rotting and mildewing of the underpad and other carpet components. The impervious backing also permits washing of the carpet with generous amounts of water without wetting the underpad.

Abstract: An improvement in the conventional process for converting sliver to carpet yarn on a ring spinning frame is described. The improvement increases the productivity of the frame and at the same time provides bulkier yarn. The improvement is achieved by utilizing a specially designed traveler which permits the frame to be operated at higher throughputs.

Abstract: Polyamide carpet fibers coated with a certain class of fluorine-containing addition polymer are described. The coating is chemically bonded to the fiber surface through amide linkages (--NHCO--) of the polyamide. The coating imparts antisoiling properties of a permanent nature to the fibers. Where applied to carpet yarn, the coating has good retention through carpet dyeing operations and does not significantly interfere with the ability of the carpet to take up dye, even in the case of foam dyeing which is particularly sensitive to fluorocarbon coatings.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in certain processes for continuously dyeing polyamide carpets whereby stain resistance is imparted to the carpets during the dyeing process. The improvement involves adding an alkali metal silicate (e.g. sodium meta silicate) and a sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation product to the dye liquor used in the dyeing process. If either the silicate or condensation product is omitted from the liquor, the improvement is not achieved. The improvement provides a convenient and economical means for providing stain resistant polyamide carpets.

Abstract: In the batch melt polymerization process for preparing 6TA/6IA copolymer having a high 6TA content, i.e., greater than 45%, successive batches of copolymer can be prepared without cleaning out the autoclave between successive batches by conducting the preparation of each batch in the presence of a small amount of a base, for example, sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A blend of crimped trilobal carpet fibers, each having a modification ratio and denier within specified ranges are provided. Carpets made from the fiber blend have an excellent overall balance of firmness, cover and luster.