Abstract: A floor covering having a bitumen composition as a backing layer, such as carpet tiles, which bitumen composition comprises straight run bitumen and a mixture of high density and low density polyethylene polymers blended and dispersed in the straight run bitumen as a continuous phase in an amount of up to about 12% by weight and which bitumen composition contains a minimum of about 40% by weight of a mineral filler material, such as limestone, and the bitumen composition having improved dimensional stability, adhesion, static loading and electrical conductivity and having lower cost and processing advantages.

Abstract: A method to remove stubborn stains that includes application of an ammonium salt in combination with a peroxide. In the preferred embodiment, the stain removing solution contains ammonium bicarbonate and peroxide. A major advantage of the method is that the solution is strong enough to remove coffee and tea stains yet sufficiently mild that it does not damage the carpet or pose a significant health hazard to the person treating the stain.

Abstract: A method to impart permanent stain resistance to polyamides, including nylon fiber and fibrous articles such as carpet and carpet tile, that includes treating the fiber with an isocyanate under moderate conditions that do not damage other materials that the fiber is attached to. Nylon carpet and carpet tile treated according to this method are highly suited for commercial use because they retain their stain resistance after repeated washings.

Abstract: A floor covering, such as a carpet or carpet tile, which comprises a primary backing sheet having a fibrous face wear surface and back surface and first and second backing layers and with a low density, resilient, non-elastomeric, closed cell polymeric foam layer, such as a thermoset, cross-linked polyethylene foam layer, positioned between and bonded to the first and second backing layers, optionally with a secondary backing layer bonded to the secondary bitumen backing layer. A method of producing a floor covering, such as a carpet tile, which comprises providing a primary backing sheet having a fibrous face wear surface and a back surface and bonding a first bitumen backing layer onto the primary backing sheet, bonding a low density, thermoset, polymeric foam layer to the first bitumen backing layer through a glass tissue to protect the polymeric foam layer and stabilize the composite, and bonding a second bitumen backing layer onto the polymeric foam layer.

Abstract: A pattern-tufted, fusion-bonded carpet, particularly a backed carpet tile, having a polymeric latex primary adhesive layer and a plurality of fibrous yarns bonded to and extending from the layer to form a face surface, the fusion-bonded carpet having a woven polyester sheet material and glass fiber tissue sheet material both secured to the primary adhesive base layer, and the fusion-bonded carpet overtufted by an overtufted pattern on the face wear surface. A method of preparing a pattern-tufted, fusion-bonded carpet which comprises overtufting a fusion-bonded carpet with the fusion-bonded carpet having a primary adhesive base layer composed of a polymeric latex material and containing a woven fiberglass and a glass fiber tissue sheet material and optionally to prepare carpet tile applying a solid, thermoplastic backing to the pattern-tufted, fusion-bonded carpet material.

Abstract: A cleansing or disinfecting solution that includes an effective amount of a salt of phosphoric acid or its ester of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, and neopentyl and X is selected from the group consisting of Group IA metals, Group IIA metals, transition metals, and HNR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3.sup.+, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl groups of from 4 to 18 carbon atoms or a hydroxyalkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 is an alkyl group of from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein when R is hydrogen, X is di-(2-hydroxyethyl)cocoamine. These formulations are effective in killing or inhibiting a wide variety of harmful, destructive or offensive microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, yeasts, algae and molds.

Abstract: A carpet and carpet tile resistant to the growth of Gram negative, Gram positive and fungal organisms which contains a polymeric non-plasticized PVC tuftlock precoat, fusion bonding adhesive, or secondary backing which has incorporated in it a phosphoric acid ester or its salt of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R' are alkyl, oxyalkyl, polyoxyalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl groups of C.sub.1 to C.sub.24, and one of R or R' can be H; X is a Group I metal ion, Group II metal ion, transition metal ion, or NY.sub.1 Y.sub.2 Y.sub.3 Y.sub.4, where Y.sub.1-4 are hydrogen, a hydrocarbon of C.sub.1 to C.sub.24, or a hydroxyalkyl group of C.sub.1 to C.sub.24 ; and there is at least one free hydroxyl group; and when X is NY.sub.1 Y.sub.2 Y.sub.3 Y.sub.4 or a Group I metal ion, n is 1, when X is a Group II metal ion, n is 2; and when X is a transition metal, n is equal to the valence of the metal.

Abstract: Fluid flow control valve in which bidirectional displacement of a valve operator is effected by momentary utilization of high current flow in a permanent magnetic flux field and longer term utilization of minimal current flow with in said flux field to maintain valve operator position in limiting displaced condition.

Abstract: A steamer which accelerates the fixing of dyestuffs while reducing backing distortion and minimizing crocking and the accompanying steaming method are disclosed. The steamer uses low pressure jets of steam impinging at low velocity on the upper surface of steamed materials to displace cooler embedded air and promote fixing of printed dyes. Because fixing occurs in less time and the backing is not directly exposed to the hot steam, much less curling and distortion of the backing results. Using low velocity steam also minimizes movement of fibrous surfaces to prevent excessive dye transfer between adjacent fibers.

Abstract: An biocidal protective coating and an method for coating heat exchanger coils, which includes a polymeric composition comprising an organic water resistant polymer and a compound of the general formula ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of organic ions, H.sup.T, Group I metals, Group II metals and transition metals, R and R' are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and substituted hydrocarbons of not more than 24 carbon atoms, and there is at least one free hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A biocidal phosphate ester in combination with an inert inorganic or organic particulate or polymeric carrier. The biocidal-carrier composition is useful in extending the effective lifetime of the biocidal phosphate ester when incorporated into a variety of materials including plastics, fibrous materials, and solutions. Applications of the disclosed carrier compounds include preparation of mildew resistant paints and plastics having extended antimicrobial properties despite extensive washing and wear of the surface.

Abstract: Fluid flow control valve in which bidirectional displacement of a valve operator is effected by momentary utilization of high current flow in a permanent magnetic flux field and longer term utilization of minimal current flow with in said flux field to maintain valve operator position in limiting displaced condition.

Abstract: A load cell of integral unitary construction wherein strain gages are mounted on the peripheral surface of a solid disc-shaped measuring body and are responsive to shear strain induced in the solid measuring body by an applied load. The load receiving and load cell supporting ends are incorporated into the integral unitary structure.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus utilizing a load cell wherein overload protection is provided that is external to the load cell. The weighing platform is attached to the load receiving surface of the load cell by a number of outwardly extending arms. Two sets of stops are provided adjacent the load cell and one set is provided at the periphery of the weighing platform.

Abstract: A strain gage load cell scale is provided with overload protection that is external to the load cell and which compensates for off-center loading of the weighing platform. The weighing platform is attached to the load receiving surface of the load cell by a number of outwardly extending arms. Two sets of stops are provided under the weighing platform with different spacing therefrom to provide the external overload protection.

Abstract: A folded structure having utility as the base structure for fanciful novelty structures. The structure is comprised of a base sheet and four outer sheets. The base sheet has eight alternate convex and concave folds. The four convex folds pass through the center of the base sheet and the midpoint of the four sides of the base sheet. Four concave folds pass through the center of the base sheet and through each of the four corners. Four smaller outer sheets are connected to the outer edge of the base sheet. The outer sheets are bisected by convex folds extending outwards from the four respective corners of the base sheet. The resulting structure is a hingeable, flexible, easily-opened structure that can be folded flat making it a useful base for novelty structures.

Abstract: A flame-resistant carpet tile having low smoke values and improved flame resistance which carpet tile comprises a primary backing having a fibrous face and a fibrous back, a barrier layer adjacent to fibrous back to an acrylic polymer heavily loaded with a metallic flame-retardant salt filler material which acrylic polymer is compatible with a vinyl chloride polymer layer and a relatively thick vinyl chloride polymer backing layer adhering to the barrier layer.The method of preparing a flame-resistant carpet tile which comprises pre-coating the back of a carpet with an acrylic polymer latex containing a metallic salt flame-retardant filler material, coating the latex material with a PVC layer, thereafter laying the latex PVC coated carpet into the top surface of a liquid PVC backing layer, heating the laid-in carpet to fuse the PVC layers, cooling the carpet and cutting the carpet into carpet tile.