Abstract: Hollow polyester fibers having a thickness of 0.11 to 8.89 d tex (0.1 to 8.0 denier), a hollow volume (a cross-sectional area ratio of hollow to fiber) of 40 to 85%, and a crystallization degree of 20% or more and crystal size in (0 1 0) plane of 4 nm or more of polyester, has a high resistance to compression and a high recovery from compression and are useful for producing woven and knitted fabric having a high durability, pile sheet materials having high resistance to and recovery from pile prostration, and nonwoven fabrics and artificial leather materials having a high resistance and recovery from compression.

Abstract: A laminated insole (2) for a footwear has an upper layer (4) of a resilient foam material having an outline (6) shaped for incorporation in the footwear, and a bottom layer of a fibrous mat (10) and having a shape conforming with the outline (6) of the upper layer (4). The fibrous mat (10) includes a multiplicity of fibers (12), a number of which penetrate the foam material of the upper layer (4) for bonding the bottom layer (10) to the upper layer (4), and a stiffening portion (14) for providing stiffness to the insole (2). Preferably, each of the fibers (12) of those penetrating the foam material (4) emerges from the outer surface (16) thereof and thereby provides a pilosity (17) thereon. The laminated product (2) is suitable for use as an insole as well as a slip-in insole in any footwear. It takes advantage of the resilient properties of the foam, the stiffness and thermoformability of the fibrous mat and the comfort provided by the pilosity covering the upper layer of foam.

Abstract: A filter composite comprising a first layer of glass fibers having random orientation, the layer being porous to gas flow therethrough; a porous mat of sufficient stiffness as to support the glass fiber layer during use as a filter, the mat consisting of compacted glass fibers; and an additional porous layer carried by the mat to block escape of glass fibers or particles from the filter composite during gas flow therethrough, the composite formed to have pleated or undulating configuration.

Abstract: The present invention includes a foam flame bonded fabric laminate that is wind-resistant, breathable, and supple along with a low cost process for producing it. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a foam bonding agent layered between fabrics or other materials where the foam possesses wind-resistant and breathable characteristics independent of the other layers. The process of the present invention involves two-step foam flame bonding with each step accomplished in a separate pass through a laminating device. In one embodiment, the first step includes lightly exposing a thin polymer foam (such as polyester polyurethane or polyether polyurethane) to a flame without preheating, then pressing it against the inner face of mesh or tricot. The second step includes more vigorously exposing the foam face of the foam-mesh or foam-tricot laminate to a flame, then pressing it against the inner face of a berber, pile, or fleece fabric.

Abstract: The invention uses a garnish of tufts of filaments or strips attached to camouflage material, particularly camouflage material for use on mobile equipment, vehicles and personnel. The garnish or tuft is formed from a sheet of flexible, low emissivity material that has been cut into filaments or strips adhesively attached along one uncut longitudinal strip edge portion of the sheet. The tuft is formed by rolling the strip edge portion longitudinally around one part of a tuft retaining anchor, to form a rolled, adhesive-bound segment attached to the tuft part. When the rolled strips or filaments are so bound about the tuft retaining anchor part, a tuft is formed therefrom. When all the tuft retaining anchor parts are assembled, the tuft retaining anchor and tuft together constitute the garnish. A plurality of garnishes is attached to a base camouflage material on, e.g., mobile equipment, vehicles and personnel.

Abstract: An entrance matting comprises an upper layer and a lower layer. The upper layer includes a plurality of spaced upstanding strips having slots therebetween. An upper surface of each strip defines transversely extending channels in communication with the slots. Strips of carpet are located in the slots such that the strips collectively define a substantially continuous tread surface. The lower layer defines a plurality of spaced slots intersecting the slots in the upper layer to permit water to drain therethrough.

Abstract: A composite floor covering having an upper layer of a decorative fabric, a dimensionally stabilizing intermediate layer, and an optional lower cushioning layer has at least the upper surface of the decorative fabric coated with a protective polymeric coating in a manner such that the hand of the decorative fabric layer is substantially retained. The materials of the fabric layer, stabilizing layer, and cushioning layer (if provided) as well as the form of attachment therebetween, cooperate to render the floor covering substantially impervious to liquid.

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 since the primary carpet fabric is mated in-situ to the polyurethane-forming composition without preheating the polyurethane-forming composition. An apparatus and process for forming the cushioned carpet fabric of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a textile floor covering for a motor vehicle includes the steps of wiper blade coating a mixture (2) of foam off-cuts and a self-curing binder in a matrix form (1) of a floor panel of a motor vehicle in a desired layer thickness profile; pressing onto the mixture a textile carpet (4) provided with a heavy layer (3) thereby adjusting the desired density of the foam off-cuts; and curing the binder during the pressing to form an absorption foam backing layer and to bond the backing layer to the heavy layer. In an alternative embodiment, the absorption foam backing layer is first formed and then adhesively bonded to the heavy layer. By means of the invention a strong bond between the backing layer and heavy layer, and a uniform density and distribution of the foam off-cuts is obtainable, whereby a high degree of acoustic dampening efficiency is achieved.

Abstract: A method to produce a dust control mat with stronger longitudinal borders by co-calendering the rubber backing thereof with narrow strips of carboxylated nitrile rubber prior to formation of the dust control into a unitary product for use as a dust control mop.

Abstract: A process for the application of tear resistant side and edge strip materials to a rubber base sheet of a launderable dust control mat is provided. The process involves the in-line mating of first and second strips of carboxylated rubber to the longitudinal borders of a rubber sheet and the in-line mating of third and fourth strips of carboxylated rubber to the leading and tailing edges of a rubber sheet, respectively, all by means of a series of pressure rolls. The process permits separate rubber sheet and side strip materials to be joined in a continuous or semicontinuous operation immediately prior to assembly of a mat thereby enhancing material handling efficiencies. Dust mats produced thereby are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved process for recycling waste polymeric material comprising a mixture of waste polymeric material wherein the waste polymeric material includes from about 0 to 40 percent aliphatic polyamide material; granulating and densifying the chopped mixture into fragments at least about 100 times smaller than the size of the waste polymeric material; and extruding the ground mixture at a temperature that does not exceed the temperature at which the largest portion of polymer based material decomposes.

Abstract: A sports towel with diverse abrasive surfaces, multiple means for connection to a target element, interior polishing pockets and exterior accessory pockets. A first embodiment includes a piece of material having a first, pile-like textured surface and a second, felt-like textured surface. A second embodiment provides a second piece of material mounted on the first piece of material along the peripheral edges thereof, defining a pocket. A third embodiment provides a third piece of material mounted on the assembly of the first and second pieces of material, along only a portion of the periphery of the third piece of material, defining a pocket.

Abstract: A method is described for manufacturing an item of terry cloth that incorporates a decorative panel. The item of terry cloth is woven with a panel that is loopless and double-sided. At least one face of the panel is formed of a synthetic fusible fiber. The fusible fiber is at least partially fused by applying heat and pressure to the face of the panel, thereby forming a smooth patterned surface on the face of the panel.

Abstract: A doormat to be formed by accumulating a large number of monofilaments in a random loop form is manufactured in long size continuously to present a mottled pattern or a striped pattern by the combination of colored monofilaments of more than two colors.

Abstract: An arrangement for reducing tire/road noise caused by a moving motor vehicle includes a spray water protective lining 3 in a wheel box 2 and/or a spray protective flap 41 mounted on the wheel box 2. The spray water protective lining 3 includes a composite layer structure which has at least one layer 17 for absorbing sound and at least one layer 11 for reducing spray mist.

Abstract: A process for the application of tear resistant edge strip material to a rubber base sheet of a launderable dust control mat is provided. The process involves the in-line mating of first and second strips of carboxilated rubber to the longitudinal borders of a rubber sheet by means of a series of pressure rolls. The process permits separate rubber sheet and side strip materials to be joined in a continuous or semi-continuous operation immediately prior to assembly of a mat thereby enhancing material handling efficiencies. An apparatus for carrying out the invention is also provided.

Abstract: Producer-colored nylon fibers which are stain-resistant to acid dyes are made by adding pigment to nylon copolymers containing 0.25-4.0 percent by weight of an aromatic sulfonate or an alkali metal salt thereof. In addition process advantages relating to the use of the same copolymers in making pigmented nylon fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyimide gas separation membrane can be used to make protective cloth having good water vapor breathability as well as good resistance to permeation by noxious gases and penetration by liquid water.

Abstract: Pile weatherstripping having rows of pile and longitudinal fins both within and external to the rows of pile. The heights of the fins with respect to the height of the pile may be independently varied and controlled. A travelling endless band receives a pair of first webs providing internal fins on opposite sides of the band. The first webs are indexed to the edges of the band, which defines the heights of the fins. Each web may be independently indexed. Alignment of the webs on the band is provided either by an aligning fixture or by coining the webs to provide lines of indentations which index the webs at the edges of the band. The yarn which forms the pile is wound around the first webs. Second webs providing the external fins are indexed through the yarn and first webs to the edges of the band and are also aligned by a second aligning fixture or by coining. Backing strips are attached, as by ultrasonic welding, along the edges of the band. Then the yarn is slit without cutting into the webs.

Abstract: Floor mat arrangement for floor mats which have a (synthetic) rubber backing and a pile surface whose pile portion is surrounded by a pile-free border. The arrangement comprises at least two mats whose lower side, in or adjacent the corners of the mats, first Velcro strips or the like are attached. The arrangement further comprises second Velcro straps or strips or the like having opposite fastening means, linking together the first Velcro strips or patches of adjoining mats, arranged edge-to-edge. The back of the mats if formed with a patterned depression of a considerable extent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite fiber sheet comprising: forming the first pile layer on the surface of the first fiber sheet by needling; laminating the second fiber sheet on the back-side of the first fiber sheet; and forming the second pile layer on the surface of the first fiber sheet by needling. The composite fiber sheet so obtained has an excellent feeling, an attractive appearance and a variety functionality.

Abstract: A polyamide fiber that includes 0.3 to 2.0 weight percent kaolin clay having an average particle size of 0.1 to 2.0 microns, and less than 0.1 weight percent titanium dioxide, said weight percents being based on the weight of the fiber, and a method for making the same. The polyamide fiber is particularly useful as a carpet fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluid pervious, dispersible, and flushable webs particularly suited for use in a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence pad, or the like. The present invention further relates to such webs which also include an improved, functional textured surface so as to be suitable for use as a topsheet on such a disposable absorbent article.The present invention provides a fluid pervious web which disperses into fragments which are readily flushable in a normal toilet. The web preferably comprises a wetlaid apertured tissue having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The web preferably further includes a plurality of individual fibrils on a body-facing surface thereof, so as to provide a clean and dry tactile impression in use. The fibrils serve to separate the wearer's skin from the underlying tissue substrate in use.

Abstract: A process for resurfacing carpet, as well as the resurfaced carpet made by this process, is provided. The process generally includes coating the pile fiber carpet surface with a polymer compound. In one embodiment, the pile fiber carpet surface of the carpet is coated with a thermoplastic material. The coated carpet is then heated to fuse the thermoplastic material to the pile fiber carpet surface. Finally, the coated carpet is cooled to harden the thermoplastic material and form a hardened surface on top of the pile fiber carpet surface. In another embodiment, the pile fiber carpet surface of the carpet is coated with a thermoset material. For this embodiment, after the thermoset material has cured, a hardened surface is formed on top of the pile fiber carpet surface.

Abstract: A facing fabric (10) for a reusable incontinent product (40) having a pair of multi-filament ground yarn sets (14, 16) interknitted together with a warp knit third set of yarns (18) which define loops (22) on one face of the fabric (10) in a warp knit three bar construction. The loop-facing yarns (18) are unnapped, multi-filament polyester with a denier of about 150 to 300 denier in a range of about 1 to 5 denier per filament, and advantageously about 48 filaments when the denier is about 150 and about 132 filaments when the denier is about 300. A barrier layer (46) may be added to the fabric (10) to create the reusable incontinent product (40).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recycling waste polymeric material comprising a mixture of waste polymeric material wherein the waste polymeric material includes from about 15 to 50 percent aliphatic polyamide material; granulating the chopped mixture into fragments at least about 100 times smaller than the size of the waste polymeric material; and extruding the ground mixture at a temperature of less than about the T.sub.g of the lowest melting waste aliphatic polyamide polymeric material.

Abstract: A dust-control mat having excellent dimensional stability during the processing, good pile-erecting property and excellent pattern expression, and a method of producing the same. The dust-control mat having excellent dimensional stability comprises a base in which a base fabric is composed of a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric and a floss-like nonwoven fiber layer coupled to the base, wherein the floss-like nonwoven fiber layer contains low-melting fibers and is thermally fixed after pile yarns are implanted thereon. The invention further provides a method of producing the dust-control mat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of installing wall to wall carpeting of a selected width over an underpad of a selected thickness by attaching hooked tapes of a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the underpad along the perimeter of the area to be covered by the carpeting. The underside of the carpeting, which is substantially covered with loops, is then attached to the upper surface of the tapes through hook and loop technology. The hooked tape and the underpad are of substantially equal thickness so that the loops on the underside of the carpet will attach to the hooks on the upper surface of the tape. In a further aspect, the underpad has loops substantially covering its lower surface so that the underpad is attached to the floor by a second hooked tape of lower profile than the carpet tape which is used to attach the underpad to the floor.

Abstract: A pile composition containing: from 20 to 60% by weight of synthetic fibers containing a polyester copolymer containing sulfonic groups, which can be dyed with a cationic dye, and from 40 to 80% by weight of synthetic fibers containing at least one of acrylic fibers and modacrylic fibers.

Abstract: Claimed are a method of making a direction indicating carpet, useful in temporarily unlighted building hallways and rooms. Symbols are tufted into the carpet using zinc sulfide copper activated pigments in concentration of 2% in the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved loop portion of a hook and loop fastening system. The loop portion is a two-layer composite including a compressively resilient backing material and a layer of fibrous loop material. The loop material is placed adjacent the bottom surface of the backing material and then a plurality of the loop fibers are needled or stitched through the backing material to form a plurality of loops which project above the top surface of the backing material. Due to the resilient nature of the backing material, when a hook member is brought into engagement with the loop material, the backing material compresses thereby exposing a greater portion of the individual loops for engagement with the hooks. Once the hooks have been engaged, the backing material expands back to make the exposed portion of the loops smaller.

Abstract: A protective covering for a swim platform located on a boat is provided. The protective covering may be detachably attached over the top of a swim platform, such as those platforms which are located about the rear of boats or other marine craft. Use of the protective covering will prevent waterfowl or other animals from defecating, loitering or nesting on the swim platform. The covering includes a generally rectangular portion located intermediate a right wing portion and a left wing portion. A plurality of apertures designed to secure the covering to the swim platform are provided on the rectangular portion, right wing portion and left wing portion. Both the right wing and the left wing fold forming a right sidewall and a left sidewall. The sidewalls and rectangular portion form a hollow, generally triangular structure which is placed atop and resides in the area immediately atop the swim platform. The covering is securely attached to the swim platform by any of a variety of attachment means.

Abstract: An entrance grating for office buildings is comprised of a series of closely spaced tread rail elements, forming the upper surface of the grating, and a plurality of support elements underneath the tread rail elements and tightly secured thereto at right angles. The tread rails are of extruded construction and include a hollow, tubular spine section for high strength and rigidity per unit of weight. The underlying support elements, also of extruded construction, are in the form of downwardly opening channel-shaped elements. High strength, expandable wall, blind fasteners are employed to secure the support elements to the tread rail elements at each of the crossing points to provide a strong, rigid assembly. The open bottoms of the channel-shaped supports may be closed by plastic pad strips providing resilient support and noise reduction.

Abstract: A cellular panel defines a plurality of adjoining longitudinally extending cells and is formed of sheets of textile material adhesively secured together along spaced adhesive lines. The textile material is coated with a fabric treatment composition coating on discrete areas. The textile material has a stiffness in its lengthwise direction significantly greater than its stiffness in its widthwise direction.

Abstract: A shoe wiping mat with color pattern for rent, having a novel taffeted texture and vivid color pattern, excellent softness, dust-adsorbing property and dust-holding property, preventing undulation phenomenon on the mat surface even after repetitive use, and having excellent fitness to floor surfaces, resulting from the tilt of the stitches, zig-zag shape stitches and boundary lines, pitch of the stitches and position thereof.

Abstract: A fin pile-type weatherstrip having a propylene polymer barrier fin is made resistant to mold, mildew and fungi by the incorporation of about 2-3% by weight of zinc pyrithione, or another suitable microbiocide which is environmentally acceptable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a film of at least two layers having at least one side softening at a lower temperature and at least one side softening at a higher temperature, wherein the higher-softening side substantially consists of a thermoplastic polyurethane which softens at above 100.degree. C. on a Kofler hot bench and the median of the softening range is at least 15.degree. C. above that of the lower-softening layer and the matrix component of the lower-softening side consists of at least one hot-bonding thermoplastic material from the group comprising polyamides, polyesters and polyurethanes having a median of the softening range on a Kofler hot bench of below 100.degree. C. and at least one additive component from the group comprisinga) additive masterbatches containing inorganic particles,b) additive masterbatches containing organic particleswith thermoplastic matrix resins is added to the lower-softening layer.

Abstract: A carpet runner for positioning upon a floor and for permitting rolled storage of the carpet during periods of non-use thereof. The inventive device includes a housing having a slot extending through a front wall thereof. An elongated length of carpet extends through the slot and can be stored upon a spool rotatably mounted within the housing. A crank mounted within a recess in the side wall of the housing permits for manual rolling of the carpet into the housing and onto the spool for storage. Removable indicia plates can be mounted to the length of carpet for permitting customizing of the invention to a particular occasion.

Abstract: A tufted carpet is described in which the tufting yarns (2) are tufted into a tufting backing (1) and firmly joined to it. The back side (1a) of the tufted carpet (1) has a layer (5) comprising pieces of thermoplastic plastic sheet material joined together under the influence of pressure and temperature. Back ends (2a) of the tufting yarns (2) are firmly bound into the layer (5).

Abstract: A spun-bonded nonwoven composite web has randomly laid continuous matrix filaments (average linear density per filament less than 25 denier) and one or more continuous reinforcement filament (average linear density per filament which exceeds 20 denier and exceeds the average linear density per filament of said matrix filaments by at least 10 denier). The continuous matrix filaments are at least partially bonded together to form the web. The one or more continuous reinforcement filament is enmeshed in the web without substantially bonding to other filaments in the web, so as to exhibit pulled fiber behavior when the web is born.

Abstract: The present invention relates to slip-resistant machine washable floor mats particularly suitable for use in motor vehicles. The floor mats have an upper carpet fabric layer attached with adhesive or by flame lamination to a lower layer of coarse-celled reticulated polyurethane foam having pore sizes within the range of 3 to 80 pores per linear inch (about 0.19 to about 0.02 inch cell diameter). The floor mat has an air permeability greater than about 5 (ft.sup.3 /min.)/ft.sup.2 at 0.5 inch of water pressure drop, which enhances the washing and drying ability of the entire mat.

Abstract: A suede-like woven fabric exhibiting a superior resilient elasticity and superior bulkiness may be obtained by a method in which an ultrafine filament yarn, which contains sea and island components having considerably different solubilities to alkali, is mixed with a hollow, high-shrinkable yarn having a greater fineness than the ultrafine filament yarn. The mixed yarn is used as warp and/or weft, thereby obtaining a gray which is then treated to eliminate easy-soluble components. After completing such a micronization, the gray is subjected to a continuous process including a sanding treatment and a dyeing treatment.

Abstract: A building panel and method of forming it are disclosed in which the panel includes inner and outer polymer facing sheets and a rigid foam core with the facing sheets joined securely to the core by glass fibers embedded in the facing sheets and projecting from them into the core.

Abstract: A filter composite comprising a first layer of glass fibers having random orientation, the layer being porous to gas flow therethrough; a porous mat of sufficient stiffness as to support the glass fiber layer during use as a filter, the mat consisting of compacted glass fibers, and; an additional porous layer carried by the mat to block escape of glass fibers or particles from the filter composite during gas flow therethrough. The first layer fibers have diameters between about 0.000035 and 0.00015 inch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tufted fabric and a method of manufacturing the same. The tufted fabric generally comprises a primary backing and tufts mounted in the primary backing to form a fabric with a faceside having piles and a backside having loops. A thermoplastic polymer adhesive, which bonds the tufts to the primary backing, is formed by applying a reactive mixture comprising a polymerizable monomer to the backside of the tufted fabric and in-situ polymerizing the monomers to form the thermoplastic polymer adhesive. The process is particularly advantageous for the manufacture of recyclable tufted fabrics in which the adhesive polymer and tufts are formed from substantially the same polymer. The tufted fabric can be used in articles, such as, for example carpets, rugs and upholstery.

Abstract: Claimed are a method of making a direction indicating carpet, useful in temporarily unlighted building hallways and rooms. Symbols are tufted into the carpet using zinc sulfide copper activated pigments in concentration of 2% in the fiber.

Abstract: A geosynthetic barrier adapted to deny wildlife access to contaminated seents (CS), includes a geocomposite (10) formed of a top layer (14) juxtaposed on a bottom layer (12) which is adapted to be placed on the sediments. The top layer includes a geosynthetic drainage matrix having a plurality of openings, and the bottom layer includes a geotextile having a plurality of openings (12H) formed so as to allow gases to escape from the contaminated sediments on which said geocomposite is placed. The openings in the bottom layer of the geosynthetic barrier have a size in the range up to 200 cm and are spaced apart on centers having a range of between 6 cm to 600 cm, for example. The geosynthetic drainage matrix may be a geonet, a geogrid or a geomesh, fabricated from polyethylene, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polystyrene, or high impact polystyrene.

Abstract: An artificial turf of the invention is disclosed in which tufts of artificial grass filaments are implanted on a backing structure to form a pile surface, and tufts of assist filaments, which are shorter than the artificial grass filaments, are implanted between the tufts of the artificial grass filaments. This construction prevents the artificial grass filaments from folding for a long period of time since the assist filaments support the artificial grass filaments, so that a soft and resilient feel resembling natural turf can be obtained. When using longer lengths of artificial grass filaments, it is possible to obtain an appearance similar to natural turf and to enhance sliding characteristics on a turf surface, whereby sliding actions in a soccer game or the like can be performed readily.

Abstract: An elongated pile article having a support strand for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles, the yarn bundles including a dense portion with the filaments bonded to each other and bonded to the support strand, pile surface structure comprised of a plurality of elongated pile articles placed one next to the other, and a method and apparatus for making the elongated pile article.