Abstract: Clarified polyolefins such as polypropylene are used widely to make polymer articles, containers, and the like. Such articles may be manufactured by the injection of molten polymer into a mold or forming device in manufacturing processes at high rates. A clarified composition is provided to achieve optimized clarity and organoleptic performance at lower processing temperatures and/or within a polypropylene resin having a higher melt flow rate.

Abstract: A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and bulking fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone with an exterior skin, and a bulking zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The bulking zone includes a greater concentration of bulking fibers and second binder fibers. The first effect fibers can be fire retardant fibers.

Abstract: Colorant compositions are useful for a wide variety of product applications. For example, colorants are used in tinting of polymers, providing colors to aqueous solution(s), and affording color to solid or semi-solid products such as detergents. Disclosed herein are colorant compositions having a triphenylmethane (“TPM”) structure having improved stability to alkaline conditions. Thus, the colorant compositions resist decolorization, even at relatively high pH levels.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions comprising specific metal salts of hexahydrophthalic acid (HHPA) in order to provide highly desirable properties within thermoplastic articles are provided. The inventive HHPA derivatives are useful as nucleating and/or clarifying agents for such thermoplastics, are practical and easy to handle. Such compounds provide excellent crystallization temperatures, stiffness, and acid scavenger compatibility within target polyolefins. Also, such compounds exhibit very low hygroscopicity and therefore excellent shelf stability as powdered or granular formulations. Thermoplastic additive compositions and methods of producing polymers with such compounds are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a printed loop fabric with improved graphic visibility and clarity which may be used as the female portion of a mechanical closure system. The loop fabric is generally comprised of a knit fabric, and more specifically, of a warp knit, weft inserted fabric. One method of creating the printed loop fabric includes coating the backside of the loop fabric with a thermoplastic material and then printing the face side of the coated fabric. Alternatively, the printed loop fabric may be achieved by applying a thermoplastic material to the backside of the loop fabric and printing on the thermoplastic material. The printed loop fabric may also be produced by applying a thermoplastic material to the backside of a low loop fabric and laminating a pre-printed film to the thermoplastic material. The fabric can be made without sacrificing the fabric's hook to loop engagement strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a static dissipative textile having an electrically conductive surface achieved by coating the textile with an electrically conductive coating in a variety of patterns. The electrically conductive coating is comprised of a conducting agent and a binding agent, and optionally a dispersing agent and/or a thickening agent. The static dissipative textile generally comprises a fabric which may be screen printed or otherwise coated with a conductive coating on the backside of the fabric so that the conductive coating does not interfere with the appearance of the face of the fabric. The economically produced fabric exhibits relatively permanent static dissipation properties and conducts electric charge at virtually any humidity, while the conductive coating does not detrimentally affect the overall appearance or tactile properties of the fabric.

Abstract: A flexible innerduct structure is configured to contain a cable within a conduit. The innerduct structure includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers of flexible material that are joined along their longitudinal edges to define a channel through which the cable can extend longitudinally through the innerduct structure between the layers. The adjacent layers have differing widths between their longitudinal edges, whereby the wider layer bulges away from the narrower layer to impart an open configuration to the channel. Other features of the innerduct structure relate to the material of which it is formed. Such features includes the structure of the material, such as a woven structure, and further include properties such as melting point, tensile strength, elongation, coefficient of friction, crimp resistance and compression recovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag cushion which exhibits a low amount of seam usage (in order to attach at least two fabric panels or portions of a panel together) in correlation to an overall high amount of available inflation airspace within the cushion itself. These correlated elements are now combined for the first time in what is defined as an effective seam usage index (being the quotient of the length of overall seams on the cushions and the available inflation airspace volume). The inventive cushion must have at least one substantially straight seam and must possess an effective seam usage factor of less than about 0.11. A cushion exhibiting such a low seam usage factor and also comprising an integrated looped pocket for the disposition of an inflator can is also provided as well as an overall vehicle restraint system comprising the inventive airbag cushion.

Abstract: An inventive blue colorant comprising a chromophore having at least one hydroxy group-terminated polyester chain attached, through a suitable alkylamino linking group (or groups), to the 1-position, the 4-position, or both, of an anthraquinone backbone is provided. Such colorants exhibit excellent amine/base stability and thermal stability, effective colorations, excellent low extraction rates, and high lightfastness levels, particularly when incorporated within certain media and/or on the surface of certain polyurethane substrates. The polyester chain or chains can be conveniently tailored to increase the solubility or compatibility in different types of polyurethane resin precursors thereby permitting the introduction of such excellent coloring chromophores within diverse polyurethane media and/or or diverse polyurethane substrates as well as provides a liquid colorant which facilitates handling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible, resilient capacitive sensor suitable for large-scale manufacturing. The sensor comprises a dielectric, an electrically conductive detector and trace layer on the first side of the dielectric layer comprising a detector and trace, an electrically conductive reference layer on a second side of the dielectric layer, and a capacitance meter electrically connected to the trace and to the conductive reference layer to detect changes in capacitance upon interaction with detector. The sensor is shielded to reduce the effects of outside interference.

Abstract: A composite construction incorporating one or more mat layers of interwoven axially drawn heat fusible tape fiber elements. The axially drawn tape fiber elements incorporate a central or base layer of a strain oriented polymer with a covering layer of a heat fusible polymer. The covering layer of the tape fiber elements is characterized by a softening point below that of the base layer to permit bonding fusion upon application of heat. An arrangement of embedded non-olefin fiber elements extends in anchored relation at least partially across the thickness dimension of the mat structure. The composite is adapted for bonding to a substrate layer. An optional covering layer may be utilized.

Abstract: A textile coated with a coating having a multiphase fluorochemical, a cationic material, and a sorbant polymer. A printed image is subsequently placed on the coated textile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment apparatus and process for increasing the air permeability of a textile web, and the airbag fabrics made by such process.

Abstract: An adjustable mattress foundation comprises a lower frame, an upper frame, and a plurality of movable supports attached to the lower frame or the upper frame. The movable supports are adapted to maintain the upper and lower frames in spaced apart relation and are further adapted to permit vertical movement of the upper frame into a plurality of spaced apart relations relative to the lower frame.

Abstract: A composite construction incorporating one or more mat layers of interwoven axially drawn heat fusible tape fiber elements. The axially drawn tape fiber elements incorporate a central or base layer of a strain oriented polymer with a covering layer of a heat fusible polymer. The covering layer of the tape fiber elements is characterized by a softening point below that of the base layer to permit bonding fusion upon application of heat. An arrangement of embedded non-olefin fiber elements extends in anchored relation at least partially across the thickness dimension of the mat structure. The composite is adapted for bonding to a substrate layer. An optional covering layer may be utilized.

Abstract: A composite construction comprising a mat structure comprising a plurality of layers, each layer comprising plurality of fibers arranged substantially parallel to one another along a common fiber direction, a multiplicity of embedded fiber elements extending in anchored relation at least partially across the thickness dimension of the mat structure such that at least a portion of the embedded fiber elements project outwardly from the mat structure and the projecting portions define at least a partial surface covering across a first side of the mat structure, and a substrate layer disposed in layered relation to the mat structure in contacting, bonding relation with said first side of the mat structure such that at least a percentage of said portion of embedded fiber elements projecting outwardly from the mat structure is at least partially bonded or embedded into a surface portion of the substrate layer. The composite is adapted for bonding to a substrate layer.

Abstract: The flexible, reusable packaging container of the present invention is comprised of a packaging material. The packaging material is comprised of one or more layers of coating disposed on one or more layers of textile substrate. The coating layer may be comprised of a stiffening agent for providing support to the packaging container. The stiffening agent may provide a gas and/or liquid impermeable barrier between the contents of the container and the textile substrate. The stiffening agent may also include chemicals which impart antifungal or antibacterial properties to container. The textile substrate typically provides an aesthetically pleasing feel and appearance to the outside of the packaging container, as well as providing functional attributes such as water repellence, stain resistance, and/or anti-static resistance. The resulting packaging container possesses increased strength, puncture resistance, and resistance to de-lamination over the current paper or plastic packaging containers.

Abstract: Durable non-electrically conductive metal treatments (such as coatings or finishes) for yarns and textile fabrics. Such treatments preferably comprise silver and/or silver ions; however, other metals, such as zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, gold, manganese, magnesium, and the like, may also be present or alternatively utilized. Such a treatment provides, as one example, an antimicrobial fiber and/or textile fabric which remains on the surface and does not permit electrical conductivity over the surface. The treatment is extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity (or other property).

Abstract: An airbag cushion having a novel seam structure including either a tri-stitch fold-over seam structure or a double-stitch fold-over seam structure. The novel seam structure allows airbag cushions to be manufactured by using low tenacity yarns, preferably in the range of between about 40 cN/tex and about 65 cN/tex.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tape that comprises a weft-inserted warp knit fabric, which utilizes a combination stitch to secure the wales of the fabric. The combination stitch comprises a majority of successive chain stitches that are used with a minority of subsequent successive tricot stitches, such that the stitch follows the expression x+y, where x is the number of successive chain stitches and y is the number of subsequent successive tricot stitches. Contemplated x values are in the range of 5 to 15, and contemplated y values are in the range of 1 to 4. Multiple stitch formations can also be used (e.g., following an x+y/m+n/etc. configuration). The resulting weft-inserted warp knit fabric possesses superior dimensional stability and internal geometry, while maintaining the tearability requisite for a hand-tearable tape product.