Abstract: The present invention provides a coated fabric, including a lightly fused coating of thermoplastic powder material dispersed across at least a portion of a fabric substrate to a degree at which the air permeability is reduced to a level not greater than 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot of fabric at 0.5 inches of water while a high degree of flexibility is maintained.

Abstract: A fabric possessing both cleanability and fluid resistant properties is provided which can, if desired, be transfer printed. The fabric includes a textile substrate treated with a fluorochemical stain resist agent. The treated textile substrate is covered substantially on the back with a layer of extrusion coated thermoplastic polymer which is pressed at least partially into the fabric substrate. A process for forming the fluid shield fabric according to the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: A coated base fabric for use in an automotive airbag is provided. The coated base fabric includes a substrate of woven nylon or polyester which is overcoated with a porosity blocking layer of polyamide material. The porosity blocking layer of polyamide material is present at a level of about 0.6 ounces per square yard or less. A method for producing the coated fabric of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: A low permeability fabric and airbag formed therefrom suitable for use in protection of a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision are provided. In particular, the present invention provides an uncoated fabric preferably formed from a substantially symmetrical weave construction of nonsized nylon yarn at a fabric cover factor of not greater than 0.85. The fabric is characterized by an air permeability of not greater than 0.8 cubic feet of air per minute per square foot of fabric at a pressure drop of 125 Pa (0.5 inches of water) across the fabric. a method for formation of the fabric is also provided.

Abstract: A composite textile structure is provided. the composite structure includes a woven base fabric of elastomeric yarns wherein the yarns running in one direction are bicomponent sheath/core elastomeric monofilament yarns wherein the sheath has a melting point below that of the core. The bicomponent yarns are melt bonded to yarns running in a perpendicular direction by melting of the sheath. The woven base fabric is joined to a knit cover fabric by an elastomeric bond preferably formed through the lamination of an elastomeric adhesive web between the cover fabric and the base fabric.

Abstract: This Invention is a method and apparatus for spraying water on the underside of a series of colorant applicators in order to rinse excess colorant from the machine parts. There is a water manifold having a first end portion connected to an upper trolley by a pivoting joint and a second end portion attached to a lower trolley by both a pivoting joint and a sliding joint. Both the upper and lower trollies are constrained in the horizontal, vertical, and rotational direction by a series of cam followers. The extra degrees of freedom provided by the two pivoting joints and the sliding joint insure that no binding occurs. An optional feedback control system can be added utilizing a rotational position transducer to sense the angle of the water manifold so that the motion of the trolleys can be retarded or advanced accordingly.

Abstract: A fabric resistant to degradation of strength and elastomeric properties upon exposure to ultraviolet irradiation is provided. The fabric includes an elastomeric fiber component which makes up not less than 40 percent by weight of the fabric. This elastomeric fiber component exhibits a tensile strength of not less than about 8 pounds force and retains at least 80 percent of its tensile strength following accelerated exposure to ultraviolet irradiation.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint cushion for use in transportation passive restraint systems is provided. The inflatable restraint cushion according to the invention is of a foldable construction having two panels with generally straight line geometric profiles. The first panel is of generally a pyramidal configuration while the second panel is of an elongated rectangular configuration joined to and extending from the apex of the first panel. Mouth forming slits are cut into the base of the first panel, thereby dividing the base into right and left segments. The right and left segments of the base are folded towards one another and are seamed together. The second panel is thereafter folded in loop fashion towards the first panel and a single seam is used to join the mating edges of the first and second panels.

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: A reinforced knitted fabric structure useful as a support member in a seating structure is provided. The reinforced knitted fabric structure has a base matrix of warp knitted yarns with elastomeric yarns running at least in the direction of the warp knitted yarns. Weft insertion yarns run through the base matrix in a direction transverse to the warp knitted yarns. The elastomeric yarns have an elongation at break of not less than about 70 percent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knit fabric and outdoor sporting apparel formed therefrom. The fabric includes a base structure of polyester yarn and a multiplicity of nylon pile yarns knitted into and extending from the base structure. The fabric exhibits excellent resistance to abrasion, snagging and burr accumulation while muffling scratching noise emissions as it is conveyed through a natural growth environment.

Abstract: A fabric for use in the formation of a containment structure is provided. The fabric is formed by an arrangement of high tenacity polymer fibers. The fibers are at least partially coated with a powder which exhibits dilatant properties when hit by a moving article. Such powder is preferably nonlaminar in particle geometry and is more preferably characterized by fractal dimensionality. Among the contemplated uses for such fabric are automotive airbags and turbine engine safety wrappings.

Abstract: In a process that is particularly suitable for producing pipes or hoses, the reinforcing material and the matrix material are no longer produced separately but together in a woven, knitted, braided or non-woven fabric. The matrix material is selected so that its melting temperature is lower than the melting or decomposition temperature of the reinforcing material. The end product is obtained by pultruding the fabricated material, generally designated as textile fabrics, at a temperature above the melting temperature of the matrix material and below the melting or decomposition temperature of the reinforcing material. The product is then cooled to stabilise its final shape.

Abstract: The woven structure for an air bag is designed to have an air permeability which does not increase by more than about fifty percent when the fabric is subjected to substantially equivalent tension forces in both the warp and fill. This is accomplished by a multiple warp harness arrangement using combinations of twill and basket weave pattern components. This weave construction does not only avoid substantial increases in permeability over a range of biaxial tensions but also may result in a permeability decrease when subjected to tensions which approximate those applicable during actual air bag deployment.

Abstract: A seating structure including fabric support webs is provided. The seating structure includes a webbed support surface formed from a warp knit fabric with weft insertion of an elastomeric yarn. The stretch in the warp is substantially linear over a full range of applied stress from zero pounds to failure. The stretch in the weft has two substantially linear components wherein the first linear component operates over the range of zero to about 10 pounds applied force and the second linear component operates over the range of 10 pounds applied force to failure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knitted furniture support fabric having multi-directional stretch characteristics and possessing sufficient strength and durability to function as a support in a seating or bed structure. The furniture support fabric of the present invention is a four bar knit structure including two yarns of textured polyester and two yarns of elastomeric monofilament knit together such that the fabric has an elongation at break of at least 17 percent in both the warp and fill directions.

Abstract: A process for forming a bonded pile fabric of enhanced stability using low levels of adhesive is provided. In the process pile forming yarn is tacked by heat fusion an open weave base layer prior to the application of adhesive. The adhesive which is preferably a low viscosity latex is applied through an open weave base layer to further bond the pile. An apparatus for making the bonded pile fabric is also provided.

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 cushioned carpet tile is provided. The cushioned carpet tile includes a primary carpet fabric having a plurality of pile-forming yarns projecting from one side thereof. A mass of polymer cushioning is dispersed on the side of the primary carpet fabric from which the pile-forming yarns do not extend. A heat-fused nonwoven backing of polyester and polypropylene is disposed on the bottom of the polymer cushioning. The ratio of polyester to polypropylene in the nonwoven backing is between about 0.43 and about 2.3.

Abstract: A seating structure including fabric support webs is provided. The seating structure includes a webbed support surface formed from a warp knit fabric with weft insertion of an elastomeric yarn. The stretch in the warp is substantially linear over a full range of applied stress from zero pounds to failure. The stretch in the weft has two substantially linear components wherein the first linear component operates over the range of zero to about 10 pounds applied force and the second linear component operates over the range of 10 pounds applied force to failure.