Abstract: An airbag comprises a pair of fabric layers and a thermoplastic covering on the fabric layers applied by extruding the covering onto a surface of each of the fabric layers. The covering is configured to seal the airbag when heated such that no stitched seam is used to seal the airbag. A primer may be applied between a fabric layer surface and covering to aid in adhesion of the covering to the fabric layer. The airbag can also include internal seams formed by the heat sealed, thermoplastic covering composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a shifted angle fabric and the product produced thereby. The apparatus includes a supply of fabric and a differential tenter frame. The differential tenter frame includes a frame, a pair of opposed, constant path rails and a differential drive. The differential tenter frame is located downstream from the supply of fabric for receiving the opposing edges of the fabric and advancing the opposing edges at different speeds to shift the weft angle of the fabric as the fabric travels the length of the differential tenter frame. A high velocity, low heat drying range adjacent to the differential tenter frame simultaneously dries the fabric as the fabric travels the length of the differential tenter frame. A take-up roll downstream from the differential tenter frame then takes up the dried fabric.

Abstract: An airbag is disclosed that comprises a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an adhesive. The first and second fabric layers are coated with silicone elastomer coatings. The adhesive is a heat-cured silicone adhesive, and forms a seam-bond between the first and second layers such that a bag-like structure is created.

Abstract: An airbag. The airbag includes a heat shield made of a thermal resistant material that prevents a pyrotechnic inflator's clinkers and hot gas from damaging the airbag or injuring the vehicle occupant. The thermal resistant material is a base fabric web with an elastomeric coating that includes a high aspect ratio additive such as vitreous fibers of alumina silicates. The resulting thermal resistant material exhibits exceptionally good thermal resistance times while, at the same time, uses relatively low coating weights.

Abstract: A printing substrate is formed in a single operation by a method of forming and finishing a fabric web. The forming step creates a continuous fabric web. That fabric is sent to an accumulator, then downstream for finishing. The finishing step includes applying a printable coating via a knurled applicator, controlling the level of liquid in the applicator and compensating for knurled roller deflection. The finishing step further includes curing the coated fabric and selectively employing VOC hoods where needed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an unbalanced, circular knit fabric for coating in a subsequent operation, the apparatus comprising: a circular knitting station; and a thermal relaxation station downstream from the circular knitting station for relaxing the fabric in all directions. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a slitting station downstream from the circular knitting station. Also in the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a thermal finishing station downstream from the thermal relaxation station for setting the desired width of the fabric thereby also setting the desired stretch of the fabric in its length direction. A coated fabric, the coated fabric comprising a circular knitted, single knit fabric substrate, wherein the stretch of the fabric in the wale direction is greater than the stretch of the fabric in the course direction. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the coated fabric further includes an outer coating.

Abstract: A fabric having balanced stress-strain characteristics in the warp and weft directions. A method of processing the fabric includes overfeeding a woven fabric web along a first direction at one or more steps of a treatment process to facilitate crimping of the woven fabric web in the first direction. The overfeeding is indicative of a predetermined differential between a feed rate and a process rate at the one or more steps. The differential is adapted to cause the crimping in the first direction to substantially match a the level of crimping in a second direction.

Abstract: An airbag fabric which has been coated with a polyamide coating, comprising a thermoplastic silicone vulcanizate. The coating may be adhered to the airbag fabric without the use of a primer and may be cured at room temperature. The coated airbag fabric may be reheated during fabrication and heat welded at the fabric boundary.

Abstract: A laminated material including a decorative or functional cover layer laminated to a porous material layer. The cover layer may include a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible material and the porous spacer material layer may include a reticulated foam, nonwoven textile, or a spacer fabric. The cover layer is laminated onto the porous material layer, increasing the seam strength, durability and dimensional stability of the material.

Abstract: A fabric cartridge for an automotive beating and cooling system. The apparatus includes: a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly including a housing; and a single-ply, die cut fabric web disposed therein. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric web includes: a float-free fabric substrate; at least one surface including a laminated film; and a plurality of apertures for diverting airflow in the heating and cooling system; and a noise/friction reduction agent for reducing the interaction between the housing and the fabric web.

Abstract: A water jet loom having an on loom drying system. The water jet loom includes: a frame; a warp former; a shed former; a weft inserter and a two mode on loom dryer system downstream from the weft inserter. In the preferred embodiment, the two mode on loom dryer includes: a high volume air supply downstream from the weft inserter; and a second dryer adjacent to the high volume air supply. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the second dryer being at least one of radiant or convection heaters; and a fabric web take-up means.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and finishing a continuous fabric web in a single operation. The apparatus includes a fabric web forming station for forming a continuous fabric web and a finishing station downstream from the fabric web forming station for receiving the continuous fabric web from the fabric web forming station and for providing a finishing treatment to the continuous fabric web. In the preferred embodiment, the finishing station includes a substantially excess-free applicator which helps to prevent thick spots in the coated fabric web which may occur when a coating applicator is stopped and restarted. In the preferred embodiment, the finishing station includes a curing station downstream from the applicator. The curing station may include both a drying station and a heat set station downstream from the drying station. The operating temperatures of the drying and heat set stations are controlled to minimize the amount of air having VOCs to be treated before being discharged into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and finishing a continuous fabric web in a single operation. The apparatus includes a fabric web forming station for forming a continuous fabric web and a finishing station downstream from the fabric web forming station for receiving the continuous fabric web from the fabric web forming station and for providing a finishing treatment to the continuous fabric web. In the preferred embodiment, the finishing station includes a substantially excess-free applicator which helps to prevent thick spots in the coated fabric web which may occur when a coating applicator is stopped and restarted. In the preferred embodiment, the finishing station includes a curing station downstream from the applicator. The curing station may include both a drying station and a heat set station downstream from the drying station. The operating temperatures of the drying and heat set stations are controlled to minimize the amount of air having VOCs to be treated before being discharged into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A single adhesive composition for use in bonding more than one class of rubber polymer to textiles, in particular nylon and polyester fabric. The composition comprises an aqueous mixture of: a) about 85 to about 90 weight % polychloroprene latex; b) about 2 to about 6 weight % of at least one prepolymer of resorcinol with formaldehyde; c) about 4 to about 8% by weight of at least one blocked diisocyanate compound; and d) sufficient water to adjust the solids content of the mixture to about 15 to about 40% by weight; wherein the percentage of solids add-on on fabric treated with the composition ranges between about 5 and about 20% based on the weight of the untreated fabric. The preferred blocked diisocyanate compound is caprolactam blocked methylene-bis-(4-phenylisocyanate). The end-products that are contemplated for the present invention include, but are not limited to, diaphragms, molded articles, V-belt covers, conveyor belts, bead wraps for tires, hose wrap, dodge couplings and the like.

Abstract: A method for reinforcing fabric edges to prevent raveling or fraying of a release liner fabric during cutting and subsequent use. The method is carried out by coating the yarn crossovers with a flexible, thin film of a radiation polymerized resin and then curing the coating system at high production speeds. The fabric is cut in those areas where the cured coating is applied, thereby providing a band or border of cured resin of sufficient width to prevent raveling of the fabric edge. The method is particularly suitable for the fabrication of release liners used for the protection of rubber sheeting for manufacturing automobile tires.

Abstract: A warp knit, weft inserted fabric substrate for use as a strength component in vinyl coated and laminated backlit signs, awnings and in other applications where stability and uniform geometry is desired. The stable knit construction of the fabric is achieved by doubling the number of stitches or courses per inch of fabric. To avoid changing the industry-wide standard fabric construction of 18x12 with the stitch doubling, weft yarns are inserted every other stitch. In a fabric having an 18 x 12 construction, the number of stitches doubles from 12 to 24. The final fabric construction is 18 warp ends per inch, 12 weft ends per inch, and 24 courses per inch. Although the course count increases from 12 to 24 stitches per inch, only one weft yarn is inserted for every two stitches rather than every stitch as currently done in the prior art. By doubling the number of stitches through shortening the stitch length, the weft or filling yarns area forced to remain in a restricted are of the fabric.

Abstract: Backlit sign fabric formed by coating release paper with ink, applying a plastisol coating onto the dried ink, applying a reinforcing scrim onto the coating, curing the product, then removing the release paper.

Abstract: A silicone rubber composition that is capable of adhering to the surface of various kinds of substrates, in particular woven fabrics or the like in the absence of an adhesion promoter or coupling agent. The composition of the present invention includes a catalyst system which enhances the cure rate of the silicone compound. Strong adhesion of the silicone rubber coating composition to the substrate is achieved at high coating speeds using a mixture of an organopolysiloxane, an organohydrogenpolysiloxane resin and a catalyst system. The catalyst system is made up of either an unaccompanied platinum catalyst or a dual system utilizing a platinum catalyst and a peroxide curing agent. The silicone rubber composition is particularly suitable as a coating for airbag fabrics.

Abstract: A non-halogenated, tri-laminate fabric for automotive security shades or covers, comprising a layer of reinforcing fabric scrim juxtapositioned between at least two layers of a thermoplastic olefin film comprised of a rubber modified polyolefin compound, said layers being thermally bonded together to form a fire retardant, nontoxic tri-laminate fabric. The rubber modified polyolefin is a rubber modified polypropylene or polyethylene homopolymer and copolymer. The rubber is natural or synthetic. The preferred thermoplastic olefin film has characteristic melt peaks at temperatures ranging between about 61.degree. C. and 100.degree. C. and between about 105.degree. C. and 168.degree. C., with melt peaks forming preferably at about 86.degree. C. and 142.degree. C. Acceptable thermal lamination of the layers occurs at temperatures ranging between about 120.degree. C. and 140.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion coating a nylon fabric or the like. The apparatus includes a supply roll for supplying a length of fabric having a top and bottom surface and a take-up roll for taking up the length of fabric. An extrusion coating head located between the supply roll and the take-up roll and perpendicular to the movement of the length of fabric applies a plastic coating onto one surface of the length of fabric. A combining roll located between the supply roll and the take-up roll and adjacent to the extrusion coating head joins the plastic coating to the one surface of the length of fabric. In the preferred embodiment, the combining roll is heated to provide improved adhesion of the plastic coating onto the surface of the length of fabric while, at the same time, a water mist prevents sticking. The resulting fabric has a tear strength of greater than about 50 pounds and a weight of less than about 5.5 oz. per sq. yd.