Abstract: A channeled under floor heating element incorporating channeled areas for accepting heat and sensor wires. The inventive channeled under floor heating element includes an arrangement of seam structures defining channels housing substantially discrete elongate heating and sensing elements arranged in a substantially similar pattern.

Abstract: A warming mattress and mattress pad incorporating an insert layer or sheet with a scrim having one or more pairs of heating and/or sensor wires arranged in a continuous pattern such that pair members are disposed in crossing relation to one another. The pair members may be cut and joined to establish electrical connections at defined crossing points to establish feedback loop circuits with a control element.

Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.

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.

Abstract: A warming mattress and mattress pad incorporating channeled areas for accepting heat and sensor wires. The inventive mattress and mattress pad includes an arrangement of seam structures defining channels housing substantially discrete elongate heating and sensing elements arranged in a substantially similar pattern within the mattress or mattress pad interior.

Abstract: A fabric construction utilizing a tying yarn knitting arrangement wherein a portion of the tying yarns are threaded to engage needles so as to form two stitches with one on either side of the inlay warp yarn at rows of stitch formation. The neighboring stitches resist yarn separation and resultant combing while also blocking the commencement and propagation of de-knitting when a tying yarn is broken thereby enhancing seam strength character.

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 and having at least one hindering group in a secondary position in relation to said amino linking group is provided. Such colorants exhibit excellent amine/base stability and thermal stability, effective colorations, excellent low extraction rates, high lightfastness levels, particularly when incorporated within certain media and/or on the surface of certain polyurethane substrates, and, most importantly excellent stability in the presence of excess of diisocyanates.

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: Fabrics having improved aesthetic characteristics in addition to good FR characteristics and strength are described, as well as a method for making the fabrics. The fabrics are made by subjecting a fabric containing inherently flame resistant fibers to a fluid treatment process such that a fabric with good comfort and aesthetic characteristics is formed. In one form of the invention, the fabric comprises plied yarns, and the fluid treatment process serves to separate the plies from each other. The fabrics have a soft hand, good protective characteristics, good strength and durability, as well as good wicking and soil release characteristics.

Abstract: A software and/or internet based system and method for enabling a buyer or potential buyer of floor coverings to access directly information relating to former, current and proposed future installation projects as well as information on available products. The information available is tailored to the needs of the individual requester. Global data for a customer is broadly accessible through a URL site dedicated to that customer. However, the actual scope of information available to any individual requesting data on behalf of a customer is limited to pre-authorized data elements corresponding to the scope of responsibility held by the requesting individual.

Abstract: An acetal-based composition useful as a nucleating, gelling, thickening or clarifying agent is disclosed. The composition may be synthesized or provided in many different forms, including multicarbon diacetals formed from carbohydrates. Once synthesized, the compound may be employed as an additive in a plastic composition, such as (for example) a polypropylene copolymer. Co-additives may also be employed. Several aryl structures may reside upon the hydrocarbon chain backbone. One structure of such an acetal-based composition which happens to have two aryl-containing groups is shown: wherein: n is 0, 1 or 2; Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted aryl-containing groups; and R is selected from the group consisting of: alkenyls, alkyls, alkoxy, hydroxyl alkyls, and alkyl-halides.

Abstract: A nonwoven having varying densities of the fibers that make up the nonwoven. The nonwoven has a length direction x, a width direction y, and a thickness direction z. The density of the fibers 11 in the nonwoven 10 varies long the width direction y of the nonwoven 10.

Abstract: A heat and fire resistant planar unitary shield formed of heat and flame resistant fibers and voluminous bulking fibers. The shield material has a heat and flame resistant zone with a majority of the heat and flame resistant fibers, and a voluminous bulking zone with a majority of the voluminous bulking fibers. The fibers are distributed through the shield material in an manner that the heat and flame resistant fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield with the heat and flame resistant zone, and the voluminous bulking fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield material with the voluminous bulking zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a washable paint comprising about 2.5 to 10 weight percent of a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight between 2,000 and 20,000, a water swellable clay in the amount of 0.5 to 1.5 weight percent; and a high molecular weight cellulosic thickener in the amount of about 1.0 to 2.5 weight percent, wherein the high molecular weight cellulosic thickener has a viscosity between 500 and 15,000 cps tested as a 2% by weight solution in water at 25° C. using a Brookfield DV-II+ viscometer with a number 21 spindle and a speed of 2 rpm, and wherein the paint has a viscosity of between 5,000 and 50,000 cps tested on a Brookfield DV-II+ viscometer with a number 6 spindle at 10 rpm and 52° C.

Abstract: A textile made at least in part with conductive yarns for the purpose of generating heat from an electrical power source. The textile has conducting yarns, or “heaters”, with conductivity and spacing tailored to the electrical source to be used and the heat to be generated. The heater yarns have a positive temperature coefficient whereby the resistance of the yarn increases with an increase in temperature and decreases with a decrease in temperature. “Leads”, such as conductive yarns, can be used to supply electricity to the heater yarns. A coating to the textile can electrically insulate the textile as well as provide protection to the textile during activities such as laundering or use.

Abstract: A finishing composition containing a nonionic hydrophilic macromolecule can replace wax in sizing while providing lubrication to yarns during weaving. Softer yarns and fabrics are obtained than with conventional sized yarns while also providing improved adhesion and dyeability.

Abstract: The use of organic based nucleating agents to induce certain specific polymer orientations into the molded polypropylene articles such that the resultant part has improved stiffness-impact properties without sacrificing other attributes of the polypropylene is provided. Such results have been obtained through the utilization of low amount of organic nucleating compounds, including, without limitation, specific metal salts of hexahydrophthalic acid (hereinafter HHPA). Furthermore, such nucleating compounds have been found to impart, again in such low added amounts, heretofore unforeseen levels of b-axis crystalline orientation which translates into improved physical properties as well.

Abstract: An inflatable side protection airbag having a first panel and a second panel, in which the first panel and second panel each have an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The first panel may comprise the outboard portion of the inflated structure. The second panel may be formed in separate fabric pieces which are sewn together, reducing the overall amount of fabric required to construct the second panel. A bridging portion may be provided in the second panel. The bridging portion may be provided adjacent a void area which is positioned at least partially between the anterior portion and the posterior portion of the second panel. An anterior portion of the first panel is mated to the anterior portion of the second panel in forming a front pillow. A posterior portion of the first panel is mated to the posterior portion of the second panel to form a back pillow.

Abstract: A hydrolizable polymer-containing textile article and method for producing the same is provided that has been chemically modified by treating the article with certain branched chain amines to reduce the strength of the fibers contained therein, thus rendering the article less prone to the formation of objectionable pill balls, thereby increasing wearer comfort and retaining the desired appearance of the article, and thereby extending the useful life of the article.

Abstract: A flexible body has a conductive resistance pathway which includes conductive resistance flexible strands of material connected in series between two supply bus flexible strands of material, and a temperature dependent variable resistance pathway with temperature dependent variable resistance flexible strands of material electrically connected in series by connection bus flexible strands of material.