Abstract: An air bag curtain that incorporates at least a pair of substantially discrete inflation zones within the curtain structure such that upon failure or disengagement of one inflation zone, at least one other inflation zone remains operative.

Abstract: All-woven inflatable fabrics having areas of two layers and attachment points or “seams” where single layers of fabric are formed. Such single fabric layers may be constructed solely through the utilization of basket weave patterns. These specific single fabric layers provide a relatively effective manner of reducing air permeability within the entire fabric article by decreasing the possibility of yarn shifting upon inflation of the inflatable fabric. Alternatively, the presence of at least a second single fabric layer area adjacent to the first and separated by and narrow double fabric layer area can further reduce the possibility of yarn shifting in the first single fabric layer area. Such a fabric may be utilized in numerous and various applications wherein fabric inflation is desired or necessary. In particular, the inventive fabric may be incorporated within an airbag cushion.

Abstract: This invention relates to unsubstituted and polymeric leuco colorants for use as consumer product additives to indicate a product function by color change, to make attractive or distinctive visual effects, or to provide latent or delayed color generation. The colorants may be present in a stable, colorless state and may be transformed to an intense colored state upon exposure to certain physical or chemical changes. Alternatively, the colorants may be transformed from one color to another color upon exposure to certain physical or chemical changes. The colored form of the unsubstituted or polymeric leuco colorant may be transient, since the colorant can revert back to its colorless form or its original color after the physical or chemical activation has been removed or changed. Polymeric leuco colorants are typically comprised of at least two components: at least one leuco chromophore component and at least one polymeric component.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of specific hybrid resins as airbag coatings. Preferably, the polymers used to create these hybrid resins, as described herein, are urethanes blended with acrylates, vinyls, silicones, and combinations thereof, where at least one of the components has a glass transition temperature of 20° C. or less. The urethanes are preferably of the polycarbonate, polytetramethyleneglycol, silicon-based diol, or olefin-based diol type. The hybrid resins may be produced in an aqueous dispersion, in a solvent, or by mixing the polymers together where one polymer is dissolved directly into a second polymer to form a continuous matrix. The resulting hybrid resins exhibit a tensile strength of at least 1,000 p.s.i. and an elongation at break of at least about 200%.

Abstract: Certain chemical compositions provide superior repellency, durability, and soil (stain) release properties when applied to a textile or fabric. Compositions may contain a fluorochemical-containing soil release component or a crosslinking component, or both, and also may contain an antimicrobial agent. In some applications, the crosslinking component may be hydrophobic, so as to be generally not compatible with aqueous environments. Compositions having less than about 6 weight percent of a fluorochemical-containing soil release component, based upon the weight of the treating composition, may be employed in some applications.

Abstract: A moldable heat shield with a needled nonwoven core layer and needled nonwoven shell layers. The core layer has a blend polyester staple fibers and low melt polyester staple fibers. The shell layers have a blend of staple fibers of partially oxidized polyacrylonitrile, and staple fibers of polyester, and staple fibers of a low melt polyester. The layers are needled together such that fibers from the core layer do not reach the outer surfaces of the shell layers. The shell layers are calendared such that an outer surface layer is formed thereon, which provides the moldable heat shield with a water and oil resistant surface.

Abstract: A method of making fabrics having first and second surfaces that exhibit different performance characteristics by virtue of having been treated with different chemical treatments is described. In addition, fabrics having first and second surfaces that exhibit different performance characteristics, such as one surface exhibiting oil and water repellency and optionally, soil release characteristics, and the opposite surface exhibits moisture transport characteristics.

Abstract: Coated inflatable fabrics, more particularly airbags to which very low add-on amounts of coating have been applied, are provided which exhibit extremely low air permeabilities. The inventive fabrics are primarily for use in automotive restraint cushions which require low permeability characteristics (such as side curtain airbags). Traditionally, heavy, and thus expensive, coatings of compounds such as neoprene, silicones and the like, have been utilized to provide such required low permeability. The inventive fabric utilizes an inexpensive, very thin coating to provide such necessary low permeability levels. Thus, the inventive coated airbag possesses a coating of at most 2.5 ounces per square yard, most preferably about 0.8 ounces per square yard, and exhibits a leak-down time (a measurement of the time required for the entire amount of gas introduced within the airbag at peak pressure during inflation to escape the airbag at 10 psi) of at least 7 seconds.

Abstract: Clarified polyolefins such as polypropylene are used widely to make polymer articles, containers, and the like. Such articles may be manufactured by the injection of molten polymer into a mold or forming device in manufacturing processes at high rates. A clarified composition is provided to achieve optimized clarity and organoleptic performance at lower processing temperatures and/or within a polypropylene resin having a higher melt flow rate.

Abstract: Airbag coating compositions comprising at least two separate and distinct layers are provided. The first layer (base coat), being in contact with the airbag surface, comprises a composition of at least one coating material which may comprise up to 30% by parts of the total amount of material in the first layer of a silicone resin which provides desirable adhesion, desirable tensile strength, and overall lower cost than standard silicone airbag coating materials. The second layer, being a coating for the first layer, provides reinforcement and blocking characteristics to permit effective potential long-term storage and optimum use upon the occurrence of a collision. An airbag fabric coated with this two-layer system is also contemplated within this disclosure.

Abstract: A layered textile composite product is disclosed which may include a nonwoven needled layer. The nonwoven needled layer is comprised of mechanically interlocked staple fibers which are needled together on a needle punch machine and then bonded with an adhesive layer to a polymeric or polyolefin film layer. The overall layered textile product may be used in several different applications, including for example in automobiles for seating, load floor, trunk linings, floor carpeting, door panel trim, and other interior trim applications.

Abstract: Compositions comprising hexahydrophthalate (HHPA) metal salts may be useful as nucleating agents in polyolefins. Masterbatch compositions containing such salts and silica and/or hydrotalcite are particularly useful in reducing haze and improving properties of manufactured polyolefin articles or film. Such compositions may be dispersed effectively and efficiently into resin during manufacturing operations in the form of a masterbatch, thereby providing excellent polymer crystallization temperatures, improved polymer physical properties, improved dimensional stability, and improved transparency.

Abstract: A framing member for use in a bleed sign construction assembly, the construction assembly including a projecting mounting surface and at least one construction light fixture arrayed proximate to the projecting mounting surface which is encased within a light permeable covering material. A substantially elongate and joinable member includes a body with a selected width and height in cross section and a longitudinally extending channel which reveals an interior cavity of the body. A first flange extends longitudinally from along a first side of the body and secures to the mounting surface to arrange the body at a spaced distance therefrom. A second flange extends longitudinally from along a second and opposite side of the body terminates along a remote extending edge. A plurality of the framing members are connected in end to end fashion to form a closed perimeter and the covering material is anchored within the interconnected channels and drawn across the framing members.

Abstract: A circular knitted fabric and a method for making such a fabric is disclosed. The fabric employs a multifilament elastomeric yarn as a ground yarn and a polyester yarn as a pile yarn. The fabric is comprised of a plurality of knitted regions arranged in a pre-defined ornamental pattern on the fabric. The fabric has at least a first non-pile region and a second region having a pile of a first height. Also, a third region provides a pile of a second height. The fabric is visibly translucent through at least the first region of the fabric, so that an object positioned on a first side of the fabric is visible from the second side of the fabric when the object is viewed through the non-pile first region of the fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to substrates that exhibit useful, auto adaptable surface energy properties that depend on the environment of the substrate. Such surface energy properties provide relatively high advancing and receding contact angles for liquids when in contact with the target substrate surface. The substrates exhibit low surface energy quantities of at most about 20 millijoules per square meter (mJ/m2) at a temperature of about 25 degrees C. and a surface energy greater than about 20 mJ/m2 at, or with exposure to, a temperature of about 40 degrees C. More specifically, encompassed within the present invention are textile substrates having this highly desirable unique surface energy modification property and which exhibit wash durable oil and water repellency and stain release features. Novel compositions and formulations that impart such surface energy modifications to substrates are also encompassed within this invention, as well as methods for producing such treated substrates.

Abstract: A heat and fire resistant planar unitary shield formed of heat and flame resistant fibers and voluminous bulking fibers. The shield material has a heat and flame resistant zone with a majority of the heat and flame resistant fibers, and a voluminous bulking zone with a majority of the voluminous bulking fibers. The fibers are distributed through the shield material in an manner that the heat and flame resistant fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield with the heat and flame resistant zone, and the voluminous bulking fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield material with the voluminous bulking zone.

Abstract: Surface covering display elements, systems and/or methods are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a multi-patterned rug display sample, element or unit has at least two different geometric designs and/or coloration schemes across a common surface for simultaneous comparative evaluation by a potential purchaser. The rug display sample may be patterned to include two or more geometric or solid patterns corresponding to patterns available on floor covering products independent of the display sample. Also, the display unit may include a feature rug, color runner, color rug, and/or hang tag.

Abstract: A heat and fire resistant planar unitary shield formed of heat and flame resistant fibers and voluminous bulking fibers. The shield material has a heat and flame resistant zone with a majority of the heat and flame resistant fibers, and a voluminous bulking zone with a majority of the voluminous bulking fibers. The fibers are distributed through the shield material in an manner that the heat and flame resistant fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield with the heat and flame resistant zone, and the voluminous bulking fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield material with the voluminous bulking zone.