Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a release liner adapted to separate adjacent layers of an elastomeric material. The release liner, which can be a woven fabric, is made, at least in part, from a fibrillated yarn. The fibrillated yarn provides a more textured surface to the release liner than a multifilament yarn of the same material, which allows the release liner to be easily separable from the elastomeric material. The release liner made according to the present invention is durable and can be used repeatedly before being replaced.

Abstract: An air bag of the type utilized in a vehicle occupant restraint system is constructed of a plurality of panels of uncoated fabric. Respective of the panels have been processed to achieve a selected air permeability with greater accuracy on a lot-to-lot basis than had generally been achieved with uncoated fabrics of the prior art. In one presently preferred methodology, a plurality of fluid jets, preferably water jets, are utilized to impact panels of the uncoated fabric under selected operating conditions. Pores created by the fluid jets may be heat set to achieve a selected permeability. Fluid jet processing may also be utilized to produce a fabric having a selected thread count.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of tufting and molding a carpet module which is sized and shaped to fit the interior of a motor vehicle to form its floor carpeting. The method includes tufting the module in such a manner that selected areas have pile tufts arranged at a lower densities than the selected high density area. This construction provides that the selected high density area has the greater resistance to wear and the remaining areas have selected lesser resistance to wear while the entire module maintains substantially a uniform appearance.

Abstract: An air bag of the type utilized in a vehicle occupant restraint system is constructed of a plurality of panels of uncoated fabric. Respective of the panels have been processed to achieve a selected air permeability with greater accuracy on a lot-to-lot basis than had generally been achieved with uncoated fabrics of the prior art. In one presently preferred methodology, the panels are first calendered under selected temperature and pressure conditions such that a low reference permeability is achieved. Next, respective of the panels may be needled such that the permeability is raised from the low reference permeability to a selected permeability level. Alternatively, a plurality of fluid jets, preferably water jets, may be utilized to impact panels of the uncoated fabric under selected operating conditions. Pores created by the fluid jets may be heat set to achieve a selected permeability.

Abstract: A vehicle air bag including a first panel of calendered uncoated fabric with a permeability of less than approximately 2 CFM at a pressure drop of 0.5 inches of water and at least one second panel of calendered uncoated fabric of the same yarn and weave type as the first panel operatively associated with the first panel. The at least one second panel has a permeability of greater than approximately 2 CFM at a pressure drop of 0.5 inches of water. At least one of the panels is constructed of a fabric having been processed to a controlled higher permeability subsequent to calendering.

Abstract: A tufted pile fabric in which the pile yarns extend from a backing fabric to form the face of the fabric. The backing fabric comprises a fibrous substrate comprised of a blend of synthetic filaments having a high-melt temperature and synthetic filaments having a low-melt temperature. The pile yarns are also formed of a blend of synthetic low-melt filaments and synthetic high-melt filaments spun together. The filaments forming the pile yarn are cut into staple lengths prior to spinning. The low-melt filaments of the backing fabric and the pile yarn have the same melt temperature. The tufted pile fabric is subjected to sufficient heat during the tufting operation to cause the low-melt filaments to soften and to thermally bond the pile yarns with the backing fabric to provide a stable tufted pile fabric without a backing coating.

Abstract: A system for separating and packaging carpet forming fibrous material and backing material from carpet pieces for recycling. The system comprises a shredding apparatus for separating carpet pieces into substantially even sized small pieces of between two inches by two inches and four inches by four inches. These pieces are passed to a granulating apparatus which slices them into smaller pieces of between one-quarter inch and one-half inch which causes the fibrous material and backing material to begin to separate. A surge apparatus receives the partially separated materials and delivers them in an even manner to an elutriator. The elutriator using an upper air delivery system for carrying off the fibrous material and a lower air delivery system for carrying off the backing material delivers the separated materials to storage apparatus which readies the separated materials for recycling.

Abstract: A system for separating and packaging carpet forming fibrous material and backing material from carpet pieces for recycling. The system comprises a shredding apparatus for separating carpet pieces into substantially even sized small pieces of between two inches by two inches and four inches by four inches. These pieces are passed to a granulating apparatus which slices them into smaller pieces of between one-quarter inch and one-half inch which causes the fibrous material and backing material to begin to separate. A surge apparatus receives the partially separated materials and delivers them in an even manner to an elutriator. The elutriator using an upper air delivery system for carrying off the fibrous material and a lower air delivery system for carrying off the backing material delivers the separated materials to storage apparatus which readies the separated materials for recycling.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a molded carpet module which is sized and shaped to fit the interior of a motor vehicle to form its floor carpeting. The module is tufted with pile yarn in such a manner that selected areas have pile tufts arranged at a higher density than the remaining areas. This construction provides that the selected areas have a greater resistance to wear while the entire module maintains substantially a uniform appearance.