Abstract: Covers comprising a nonwoven fabric including a plurality of recycled polyester fibers, such as a plurality of staple fibers, is provided. The plurality of recycled polyester fibers may be formed from a post-consumer polyester, a post-industrial waste polyester, or a combination thereof. The covers provide desirable vapor transmission while also providing an improved hydrostatic head. The covers may be provided in a variety of configurations. Methods of forming such covers are also provided.

Abstract: Shelters for enhancing the growth of trees by protecting tree trunks from damaging sunlight. The shelters include a longitudinal tubular structure having a top edge and a bottom edge. The shelters includes a conduit extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the shelter. The longitudinal tubular structure may be formed from a polymeric material including a pigment selected to block at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation. The polymeric material including the pigment blocks at least about 30% of electromagnetic radiation at any wavelength from about 200 nm to about 2500 nm.

Abstract: Shelters for enhancing the growth of trees by protecting tree trunks from damaging sunlight. The shelters include a longitudinal tubular structure having a top edge and a bottom edge. The shelters includes a conduit extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the shelter. The longitudinal tubular structure may be formed from a polymeric material including a pigment selected to block at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation. The polymeric material including the pigment blocks at least about 30% of electromagnetic radiation at any wavelength from about 200 nm to about 2500 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous carpet-coating compositions suitable for use as binders or adhesives in carpet products. Such compositions, prior to being applied to carpet substrates and cured, comprise: A) a selected type of vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) copolymer dispersion which has been stabilized with emulsifiers and a cellulose ether-based protective colloid, and B) at least one carbon black based filler in the form of a dispersion/slurry with a solids content between 20 and 70%. These coating compositions exhibit especially desirable initial viscosity and viscosity stability characteristics. Carpet products which utilize such coating compositions to provide binder and/or adhesive layer within the carpet are also disclosed. Such carpet products can have desirable odor-controlling and odor-absorbing properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are carpet products comprising at least one flexible substrate and at least one coating and/or adhesive layer associated with the at least one flexible substrate. The coating and/or adhesive layer is formed from an aqueous composition comprising: A) an emulsifier-stabilized vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) emulsion copolymer dispersion and B) at least one particulate filler material selected from particulate inorganic compounds and particulate plastic material. The vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer in the copolymer dispersion has a selected ethylene content or glass transition temperature. It is also preferably substantially free of cross-linkable co-monomer moieties which generate formaldehyde upon curing and preferably has a particle size, dw, ranging from about 50 to about 500 nm. The carpet product is substantially free of polyvinyl chloride and bitumen and exhibits a Class B1 flame-retardancy in accordance with DIN 4102-14, corresponding to a critical heat flux of ?about 4.5 kW/m2.

Abstract: Shelters for protecting and enhancing the growth of plants reinforced by receiving a retaining structure are provided. The shelters include an outer longitudinal tubular structure having a first-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end and a second-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end diametrically opposed to the first-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end; an inner longitudinal tubular structure positioned within the outer longitudinal tubular structure and having an inner wall, a first-inner-longitudinal-tubular-structure end, and a second-inner-longitudinal-tubular-structure end diametrically opposed to the first-inner-longitudinal-tubular-structure end; and a segmented annular portion positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall. The segmented annular portion may comprise a plurality of segmented annular divider walls defining a plurality of through channels extending from the first-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end to the second-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end.

Abstract: Collapsible shelters for trees, shrubs and vines are provided. The collapsible shelters may be configured to be collapsible in the axial or the longitudinal direction. The collapsible shelters can be transported to a site of use in a collapsed configuration and expanded into an uncollapsed configuration at the site of use.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous carpet-coating compositions suitable for use as binders or adhesives in carpet products. Such compositions, prior to being applied to carpet substrates and cured, comprise: A) a selected type of vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) copolymer dispersion which has been stabilized with emulsifiers and a cellulose ether-based protective colloid, and B) at least one carbon black based filler in the form of a dispersion/slurry with a solids content between 20 and 70%. These coating compositions exhibit especially desirable initial viscosity and viscosity stability characteristics. Carpet products which utilize such coating compositions to provide binder and/or adhesive layer within the carpet are also disclosed. Such carpet products can have desirable odor-controlling and odor-absorbing properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer dispersions suitable for treating textle web materials, and to textile web material treated therewith, being suitable in particular as floor coverings or as belts. The vinyl acetate-ethylene-copolymer dispersions are characterized by a low ethylene unit content, relatively high glass transition temperatures, and a small particle size.