Abstract: Three dimensional molded articles suitable for use as fibrous surfaced panels for automobile trunk compartments and the like are produced by molding a heated non-woven web formed of a blend of relatively high melting fibers and relatively low melting thermoplastic fibers. The low melting fibers form a multiplicity of bonds which impart shape retentive rigidity to the nonplanar three dimensional web. A characteristic feature of the molded article is that the low melting fibers present at one surface of the web have a fibrous form, while the low melting fibers present at the opposite surface of the web have portions which exhibit a nonfibrous fused form and form said bonds.

Abstract: A molded foam-backed carpet assembly is provided which is suitable for use in automobiles and which includes a carpet layer, a moldable thermoplastic polymer layer and one or more foam pads fusibly bonded to the thermoplastic polymer layer and extending over less than the entire surface of the thermoplastic polymer layer to provide desired cushioning and sound and thermal insulation only in preselected areas of the carpet where needed.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a synthetic sewing thread of multifilament construction characterized by its ability to lessen the buildup of heat at the needle of a high speed sewing machine during the operation thereof, even during the sewing of relatively heavy weight fabrics, so as to allow the thread to be utilized as a substitute for the sewing threads conventionally required in high temperature sewing applications, such as cotton spun yarns or cotton sheathed core yarns. The thread is of substantially uniform cross section throughout, devoid of alternating thick and thin areas to provide a smooth more uniform sewing thread. The thread comprises a plurality of texturized continuous synthetic filaments, the filaments having a nonlinear crimped configuration providing bulk to the thread and being entangled with one another along the length of the thread by being directed through a fluid jet under a relatively high pressure of at least 80 p.s.i. and being further bound together by twist.

Abstract: Fabrics formed at least partially of highly shrinkable fibers, such as polyester fibers, are dyed in a process which provides a number of significant economic and processing advantages over conventionally used dyeing processes, such as jet dyeing, producing a product with enhanced physical properties. The process involves first subjecting the fabric to a preparatory heat treatment step under conditions in which the fabric is allowed substantially complete freedom to relax and shrink, after which the fabric is wound onto a dye beam and beam-dyed. Following dyeing the fabric may be subjected to finishing operations, such as napping, and then to a tentering operation in which the fabric is stretched widthwise to restore a predetermined width, while being heated to a temperature greater than that used in the preparatory heat treatment step.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a synthetic sewing thread of multifilament construction characterized by its ability to lessen the buildup of heat at the needle of a high speed sewing machine during the operation thereof, even during the sewing of relatively heavy weight fabrics, so as to allow the thread to be utilized as a substitute for the sewing threads conventionally required in high temperature sewing applications, such as cotton spun yarns or cotton sheathed core yarns. The thread comprises a plurality of texturized continuous synthetic filaments, the filaments having a nonlinear crimped configuration providing bulk to the thread and being entangled with one another along the length of the thread and being further bound together by twist. The thread has a heat protective lubricant coating applied thereto and penetrating the filament bundle.

Abstract: A paint roller particularly suited for texture painting and comprising a cylindrical core and a pile fabric covering secured to the cylindrical core, said pile fabric covering comprising a backing fabric and pile yarns interengaged with said backing fabric and extending from one face thereof to form a pile comprised of a multiplicity of upright pile loops, the density of the pile loops and the size of the pile yarns forming the loops being such as to render substantially the totality of each loop readily visible and to provide substantial void volume within the pile of the fabric for receiving and holding paint therein, said pile yarns each comprising a multifilament core and a polymeric coating forming a continuous sheath about the core and presenting the appearance of a monofilament pile yarn, said multifilament cores and sheath coatings cooperating to provide such flexural properties to the pile loops that the loops normally extend in a self-supporting, upright orientation from the backing fabric and are r

Abstract: This invention relates to a loop pile fabric comprising a backing fabric and resilient pile yarns interengaged with said backing fabric at spaced intervals and extending from one face thereof to form a pile comprised of a multiplicity of pile loops. The fabric is characterized by the pile loops extending substantially upright from the backing fabric and being randomly oriented relative to one another to provide a random appearance and a substantially non-directional grain to the pile. The fabric is further characterized by the density of the pile loops and the size of the pile yarns forming the pile loops being such that each pile loop has the major portion thereof out of contact with the adjacent surrounding pile loops and substantially the totality of each pile loop is readily visible to provide substantial void volume within the pile of the fabric.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the transfer printing of textile materials. In the process of this invention a heat sublimable dyestuff is printed onto a carrier sheet. The carrier sheet is then brought in contact with the textile material to be printed. Sufficient heat and pressure is applied for a suitable dwell time causing sublimation of at least a substantial portion of the dyestuff from the carrier sheet. The volatilized dyestuff is then transferred and deposited on the surface of the textile material to be printed. The carrier sheet is then separated from the textile material. The printed surface of the textile material is then heated to at least the sublimation temperature of the dyestuff in substantial absence of a convective gas flow, other than the volatilized dyestuff and maintained at this temperature until a given desired degree of resublimation and deposition of the dyestuff from the surface of the textile material to the interior of the textile material is obtained.