Abstract: An apparatus for accurate, precise and successive registration, indexing and printing of individual pre-cut backed carpet tiles. The apparatus comprises a central control and transport mechanism; a plurality of tile processing stations adjacent one another and surrounding the central control and transport mechanism; and a plurality of tile carriers movably and sequentially carried by the central control mechanism for sequentially carrying individual carpet tiles to one or more of the processing stations. The processing stations comprise a tile registration station, a printing station and a tile unloading station. The apparatus also includes a steamer for fixing printed colorant on carpet tiles, a vacuum device for removing excess moisture from carpet tiles and a dryer for drying the carpet tiles.

Abstract: A method of sequentially coloring individual, precut, backed carpet tiles comprising moving an individual, precut, backed carpet tile into overlying spaced relationship with a tuft dye mold of substantially the same size as the carpet tile, with the tuft dye mold having a plurality of dye mold sections therein separated from one another by a vertical divider walls within the tuft dye mold. The tufted side of the carpet tile is brought into engagement with the tuft dye mold which has predetermined amounts of fluid colorant in any one or more desired sections thereon for imparting color to a portion of the carpet tile corresponding to said section or sections. A predetermined amount of pressure is exerted on the carpet tile on the tuft dye mold and on the fluid colorant therein and thereby minimizes the migration of colorant from one portion of the carpet tile to another portion while thoroughly impregnating each of said predetermined portions with said fluid colorants.

Abstract: A shipping pallet is provided formed of a unitary sheet of material and having a generally planar base with a plurality of spaced proturberances extending upwardly from the upper surface of the base. The protuberances are adapted to receive respective items to be shipped thereon and to maintain such items in a predetermined relationship. The pallets further include a plurality of foot means projecting downwardly from the base, with portions of said foot means being proximal to each upwardly projecting protuberance so that said foot means effect enhanced support for items to be positioned on the protuberances and effect enhanced load distribution for the items positioned on the pallet. Additionally, a shipping container formed from two of the shipping pallets is provided for containing and transporting a load of items or packages having tubular carrier cores.

Abstract: A shipping pallet is disclosed which comprises a unitary sheet of material and which is so constructed so as to be usable with another substantially identical pallet to serve as a bottom and top of a shipping container for transporting and storing a product. The pallet comprises a base with a plurality of a foot means projecting from one side thereof, a first sleeve receiving groove extending adjacent the periphery of the pallet on the side opposite the foot means, and a second sleeve receiving groove on the same side of the pallet and positioned so as not to extend beyond the confines of the first groove. The two grooves are constructed and arranged so as to each receive a sleeve therein of different cross-sectional configurations, such as either a square sleeve or an octagonal sleeve, and with the opposite ends of the sleeve being positioned in the corresponding one of the first and second grooves.

Abstract: A shipping container is provided comprising a pallet as the bottom thereof, an inverted identical pallet as the top thereof, and a peripheral sleeve forming load-bearing side walls mating with each pallet via a peripheral sleeve-receiving groove defined by a peripheral rim. The unitary pallet is configured so that a bottom pallet of one container will mate with the inverted top pallet of a lower container, when containers are stacked, in such a way as to prevent shifting between containers. Said pallets are also self-nesting for transport or storage when unloaded. The containers will stack even if vertically adjacent mutually inverse pallets are rotated 180.degree. in a horizontal plane with respect to each other. This ability to tolerate a 180.degree. rotation is provided by depending members and platform members of the pallet feet, oriented so that (i) a 180.degree.

Abstract: A process for erecting the pile and increasing the yarn bulk of dyed or printed carpeting which has been bent, matted and crushed during processing. The carpeting is heated in a steam chamber to a temperature above the highest processing temperature and in the range of 170.degree.-212.degree. F., to override the yarn memory. A beater bar within the steam chamber then beats the carpet to reduce the bending, matting and crushing of the pile.

Abstract: A horizontally moving belt has a waffle grid surface into the compartments of which dyes are injected in accordance with a desired color pattern to be printed. Carpeting is moved adjacent the waffle grid surface with the pile facing down toward the grid. A counter roller supports the waffle grid at the printing station, and an oppositely disposed protuberance-bearing pressure roller pushes the backing of the carpet so that the pile enters the compartments of the waffle grid and is immersed in the dye pattern. The protuberances ensure adequate immersion of the pile while permitting escape of air and avoiding squeezing of the dye from the pile, which would otherwise occur by engagement of the pressure roller with the grid walls in the absence of the protuberances. The angle of approach of the carpet to the printing station is slightly inclined from the horizontal to ensure a gradual depression of the pile and to avoid rolling the dye out away from the nip region of the printing station.

Abstract: A method for adhesively attaching carpet sections to one or more sheets of flexible permanently magnetized material which are in turn magnetically adherent to underlying metal plates, so as to make it possible to remove the carpet and underlying plate with ease and without distortion or damage to the carpet, while maintaining the pleasing texture and visual effect of the carpet.

Abstract: An improved process for dyeing carpet by intermittently moving the carpet along a path having horizontal and vertical portions. The horizontal portion of the path is immersed in a print form having compartments separated by thin walls and filled with liquid dyes of varying colors, to impart a desired pattern to the fabric. After the horizontal portion of the fabric is withdrawn from the print form, the fabric is moved along its path so that the immersed portion is moved along the vertical portion of the path. A vacuum slot along the vertical portion of the path adjacent the horizontal portion is activated only while the carpet is in motion, and serves to draw the dye toward the backing of the carpet while removing excess dye therefrom. Thereafter the carpet is steamed to set the dyes.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for coloring a pile fabric, liquid coloring material is introduced into compartments, and the pile fabric is pressed face downwardly into the compartments. In order to provide regions wherein different colors are distinct from one another, a resilient barrier is provided between compartments to which different colored liquid coloring material is introduced and in order to provide areas of the pile fabric wherein the colors are blended, liquid coloring material of different colors is introduced into the compartments in regions not separated by a resilient barrier.

Abstract: Blade support unit, for receiving a replaceable blade, includes a blade receiving slot defined by a rigid base member and a second flexible member, the members having blade engaging surfaces and being maintained with fixed separation equal to the blade thickness along a first edge of the slot. A clamping member passes through extensions of the members beyond the slot boundaries, and an elongated tightening lever engages the clamping member so that force applied to the lever is transferred through the clamping member to clamp the blade between the two members.

Abstract: A method is provided for imparting a sculptured design effect to the pile surface of a polyamide fabric by applying to selected areas of the surface of said fabric a printing composition containing about 15 to 40% by weight of resorcinol, about 10 to 15% by weight of sulfuric acid or about 2 to 8% by weight of phenol.

Abstract: A continuous yarn structure comprising at least one yarn element formed from a plurality of continuous filaments or a plurality of staple fiber lengths, the yarn structure comprising periodically repeating lengths of high bulk, substantially unentangled continuous filaments or staple fiber lengths alternating with lengths of compacted continuous filaments of staple fiber lengths in which substantially all filaments or fiber lengths are mutually entangled throughout the volume of the compacted lengths.Also disclosed is a method for producing such yarn. The method comprises the steps of feeding at least one multiple filament yarn element or multiple staple fiber element under tension to a first treatment zone having a predetermined cross-sectional area; continuously directing a fluid at the yarn element in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel of the element, the fluid being applied at a pressure of at least about 100 p.s.i.

Abstract: A shipping container is provided comprising a pallet as the bottom thereof, an inverted identical pallet as the top thereof, and a peripheral sleeve forming load-bearing side walls mating with each pallet via a peripheral sleeve-receiving groove defined by a peripheral rim. The unitary pallet is configured so that a bottom pallet of one container will mate with the inverted top pallet of a lower container, when containers are stacked, in such a way as to prevent shifting between containers. Said pallets are also self-nesting for transport or storage when unloaded. The containers will stack even if vertically adjacent mutually inverse pallets are rotated 180.degree. in a horizontal plane with respect to each other. This ability to tolerate a 180.degree. rotation is provided by depending members and platform members of the pallet feet, oriented so that (i) a 180.degree.