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: The present disclosure relates to compositions useful for maintaining the clean impression of a carpet (that is, its scent and appearance) over an extended time despite occurrences that might damage the carpet surface. The composition, which includes an antimicrobial agent, an enzyme inhibitor, and an odor-reacting compound, can be used by a consumer to remove contaminants from the carpet and to prevent the odor associated with the decomposition of future contamination. Specifically, the composition has been shown effective in neutralizing odors associated with the decomposition of organic materials (such as urine or food spills) by absorbing and/or removing the odor-generating source. A manufacturing treatment composition and methods for using are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improvements in the high-temperature wash durability and discoloration levels for fabrics having topically applied silver-ion treatments (such as ion-exchange compounds, like zirconium phosphates, glasses and/or zeolites) are provided. Such solid compounds are generally susceptible to discoloration and, due to the solid nature thereof, are typically easy to remove from topical surface applications, particularly when laundered at elevated temperatures. The inventive treatment requires the presence of a specific cross-linked binder, either as a silver-ion overcoat or as a padded-on component of a cross-linked binder admixed with the silver-ion antimicrobial compound. In addition, specific metal halide additives (preferably substantially free from sodium ions) may be utilized to combat the discolorations typical of such silver-ion formulations.

Abstract: A process for forming a spaced dyed yarn, where a yarn is conveyed to a dye application station where a coordinated stream of dye is projected in a normal stream path adjacent to a first side of the yarn. The dye is applied to the yarn when a gas nozzle projects a stream of gas such that it impinges the stream of dye and diverts the stream of dye across said yarn to an alternative deflected path adjacent to the opposite side of said yarn, causing the dye to sweep over the yarn and impact and color the yarn. Upon deactivation of said gas nozzle, the stream of dye passes back across said yarn to the first side of the yarn, impacting and coloring the yarn for a second time.

Abstract: An adhesive coating composition for fabric substrates, such as automotive airbags. The coating is formed from a blend including a silicone polymer and a second polymer which is thermodynamically compatible with silicone. In particular, the second polymer has a cohesion parameter (?/MPa1/2) that is similar to that of silicone so that any thermodynamic barrier to the second polymer dissolving in silicone is removed.

Abstract: A process for forming a continuous filament yarn having the surface tactile character of a spun yarn. The process includes passing the cohesive yarn structure through the interior of a rotating sleeve member disposed in surrounding relation to the cohesive yarn structure. The rotating sleeve member includes an abrasive inner surface of diameter greater than the cohesive yarn structure and is adapted to contact the exterior surface of the cohesive yarn structure such that at least a portion of the elongate filaments disposed at the exterior of the cohesive yarn structure are broken. Terminal ends of the broken filaments define an arrangement of outwardly projecting hairs at discrete locations disposed substantially around the circumference of the cohesive yarn structure. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: Specific methods of inducing high nucleation rates in thermoplastics, such as polyolefins, and particularly, though not necessarily, polypropylenes, through the introduction of two different compounds that are substantially soluble within the target molten thermoplastic resin (such as, as one non-limiting example, an added compound including at least one acid group and an added organic salt) are provided. Such introduced components react to form a nucleating agent in situ within such a target molten thermoplastic resin which is then allowed to cool. Preferably, one compound is an acid, preferably bicyclic (i.e., two cyclic systems sharing at least three carbon atoms) or monocycloaliphatic (i.e., a single, saturated ring system) in nature, such as, without limitation, bicyclo[2.2.

Abstract: A multi-component floor mat that, in one embodiment, is comprised of a first base or frame portion, intended to be positioned on the floor, that is dimensioned to accommodate a second flexible textile mat or rug portion that is releasably held in place on or in said base or frame portion by a plurality of magnets associated with one or both portions, thereby allowing for the easy removal or replacement of the textile portion of the mat and the economical laundering of same.

Abstract: Polymeric structures produced with a controlled number and distribution of small, closed cells. The polymeric structures are characterized by an opaque, whitening appearance attributed, at least in part, to the distribution of closed cells and thus, at least in part, to light scattering resulting from the distribution of small, closed cells or voids. The light scattering thus provides an enhanced whitening effect. The whitening effect may be uniform or non-uniform along the length and width of the structure.

Abstract: Wound care devices having a topically applied silver-based antimicrobial finish are provided. The finish comprises at least one silver ion-containing compound and at least one binder compound. The finish may be applied to a target substrate, such as a fiber, fabric, film, foam, hydrogel, or hydrocolloid to provide a single layer antimicrobial wound care device. Alternatively, a silver-containing layer may be combined with one or more additional layers of target substrate to provide a composite antimicrobial wound care device. The device may also contain an odor-absorbing component capable of reducing or eliminating odors that are inherently associated with infectious wounds. Also provided is a method for making the wound care device and a composition of matter comprising the silver-based antimicrobial finish.

Abstract: Novel thermoplastic articles that contain novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are extremely low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat any discoloring within clear, colorless applications), are substantially non-migratory from target resins, and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided. In effect, the inventive thermoplastic articles, provide excellent protection for certain vitamins, flavorings, and colorants, for example, from ultraviolet degradation, particularly above the 370 nm wavelength that is typically the high end of protection for clear thermoplastics having low migratory, colorless UV absorbers therein.

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”) derived structure having improved stability to alkaline conditions. Thus, the colorant compositions resist decolorization, even at relatively high pH levels. The colorant compositions of the invention are useful as applied in polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, as examples. These colorant compositions also may be employed in thermoplastics, such as PET, for example.

Abstract: Cushion backed carpet tiles and carpet tile installations which can be installed without adhesives are described. The carpet tiles are manufactured according to rigid specifications in order that no corner of any of the individual tiles is 1/16? or greater off the floor due to curl, and no corner on the tile has cup of greater than 3/16?. In this way, a substantially to entirely adhesive-free carpet tile installation can be achieved, with the installation being capable of withstanding the rigors of a variety of typical types of wear, such as rolling traffic, etc., without shifting or snowplowing over adjacent tiles.

Abstract: Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat such discoloring), and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well.

Abstract: Surprisingly effective additive formulations for the reduction of highly undesirable yellowing or other discoloration of white, uncolored, polyurethane foam articles are provided. White polyurethane foam exhibits a susceptibility to yellowing and discoloration to a great extent, particularly in relatively short periods of time, than other types of polymeric articles. The inventive additives impart excellent low-discoloration properties over appreciable amounts of time of regular exposure to harmful elements, thereby according the pertinent industry a manner of providing white polyurethane foams for longer periods of time. Methods of producing such reliably white-colored polyurethane foams are also provided.

Abstract: Bicyclic nucleator compounds that provide highly versatile nucleation benefits for different polyolefins are provided. Such nucleator compounds provide very high peak crystallization temperatures and significantly reduced crystallization cycle time for certain thermoplastic formulations with or without the presence of other calcium stearate and/or peroxide components within the same type of formulation. Furthermore, such inventive nucleator compounds exhibits very little if any fugitivity from such thermoplastic formulations thereby providing excellent processing characteristics as well as excellent nucleation capabilities for a variety of different thermoplastic resins, independent of the presence of different, potentially necessary, additives (such as calcium stearate). Thermoplastic compositions as well as thermoplastic additive packages comprising such inventive nucleator compounds are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: A flexible fire resistant 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, fire resistance, elongation, coefficient of friction, crimp resistance and compression recovery.

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: Concentrates (also known as masterbatches) of certain bicyclic dicarboxylate salt thermoplastic nucleating additives in order to facilitate use thereof in typical thermoplastic manufacturing procedures are provided. Such nucleating additives have been found to impart high peak crystallization temperatures to thermoplastics (such as polypropylene, as one example); however, when combined in masterbatch form in the past such a nucleation property was sacrificed due to unforeseen problems associated with polymer-containing concentrates (i.e., pellets, for example) of such additives. Thus, improvements in masterbatching of these bicyclic dicarboxylate salt thermoplastic nucleators has been accomplished to the level necessary to allow for concentrate use with concomitant effective nucleation effects at the same level (if not in excess thereof) of the utilization of such a nucleator added in powder form.

Abstract: Novel optical disc storage units comprising transparent polypropylene are provided. Such storage units exhibit sufficient impact resistance to protect the target disc and sufficient clarity that any informational literature may be placed entirely within the storage unit and easily viewed and read through the walls thereof without impediment. Furthermore, the target storage unit must also include a spine section of sufficient width to permit a section of the informational literature to be placed internally thereon and viewed and easily read (such as, for example, the title and accompanying language describing the target disc placed therein) substantially without impediment as well. Specific novel storage units, in addition to these necessarily transparent walls and spine portions, are also possible to maximize the benefits of the transparent properties thereof.