Abstract: Specific fabric articles exhibiting very low air and/or gas permeability (even upon application of high inflation pressures) and very high tear strengths are herein disclosed and claimed. Such a specific fabric also permits the incorporation of discrete openings (through cutting, for example) through which air and/or gas introduced by an airbag inflation canister will travel. Such a specific fabric acts as a barrier to the complete introduction of high pressure inflation gases into an airbag cushion, thereby permitting a more controlled, safer inflation upon the occurrence of a collision event. Thus, the specific inventive fabric permits movement of inflation gas and/or air substantially solely through the openings within the fabric and not through the interstices between the individual fiber constituents.
Abstract: An air bag of the type utilized in a vehicle occupant restraint system has at least one panel of coated air bag fabric comprising a base fabric coated with a urethane coating material. The base fabric is woven in warp and fill directions from synthetic multifilament yarns. In at least one of the weave directions, the yarns comprise first yarns of a first yarn size and second yarns of a second yarn size, with the second yarn size being a lesser yarn size than the first yarn size. The first yarns and the second yarns are in predetermined positions in the base fabric to produce a crest and trough pattern on a surface thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 26, 2000
Date of Patent:
October 14, 2003
Assignee:
Safety Components Fabric Technologies, Inc.
Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing an air-holding vehicle restraint system, wherein a textile fabric is coated on at least one side with a thermoplastic polymeric material and folded along its lengthwise direction to form a closed bottom end and two open upper ends, with the coated side of the fabric facing inwardly. The method also comprises folding a portion of each of the upper open ends of the textile fabric so that they turn outwardly to form a coated platform, and laying a sealing tape upon the coated platform. The sealing tape is then secured to the coated platform and sealed to the coated platform. The method further comprises cutting the coated textile fabric along predetermined side edges to form an air-holding vehicle restraint system of desired shape, and sealing the cut side edges of the coated textile fabric.
Abstract: A protection system for preventing floor surfaces from becoming damaged due to the movement of furniture. The inventive device includes a piece of loop material, an adhesive strip attached to the loop material for attaching to the lower end of a leg of furniture, a piece of hook material for removably engaging the loop material, a piece of protective backing secured to the hook material, and a piece of wool attached to the protective backing in opposition to the hook material. The loop material, the hook material and the protective backing may be trimmed with a conventional cutting device to conform to the shape and size of the lower end of the furniture.
Abstract: The invention relates to a coated fiber mat of improved tear strength upon dividing pieces of the coated mat and the coating which comprises a cured, non-woven, fiber glass mat containing a polysiloxane wherein the fibers are fixedly distributed in a formaldehyde type binder containing a binder modifier which is a crosslinked styrene/acrylic polymer, and to a process for the preparation of the mat.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 12, 2001
Date of Patent:
April 8, 2003
Assignee:
Building Materials Investment Corporation
Abstract: At least one-sidedly self-adhesively treated backing material which is coated partially with a self-adhesive composition and which under a tensile load of 10 N/cm has an extension of greater than 10% so that the backing material following application can be detached from the substrate by pulling in the direction of the bond plane.
Abstract: A non-woven fabric having improved absorbent characteristics. The fabric has three different fiber arrays which are interconnected to produce a unique fiber distribution in the fabric.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 14, 1999
Date of Patent:
January 21, 2003
Assignee:
McNeil-PPC, Inc.
Inventors:
Susan Lynn Suehr, Linda J. McMeekin, James E. Knox, Frank J. Flesch
Abstract: Polyurethane elastomer yams (particularly spandex) containing certain silver-based antimicrobial formulations therein are provided. This invention relates to polyurethane elastomer yams (particularly spandex) containing certain silver-based antimicrobial formulations therein. Such formulations comprise antimicrobial compounds, such as, preferably, triclosan and/or silver-containing ion-exchange resins, such as zirconium phosphate, glass, and/or zeolite compounds. The inventive spandex yarns exhibit excellent antimicrobial qualities as well as surprisingly good anti-tack/frictional characteristics. As a result, antimicrobial spandex yams are provided which exhibit ease in processing, particularly in further knitting, weaving, etc., to produce fabrics therefrom. Such fabrics are also encompassed within this invention.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 4, 2000
Date of Patent:
November 12, 2002
Assignee:
Milliken & Company
Inventors:
Randy D. Petrea, Robert L. Schuette, Leland G. Close, Jr., Shirley Anne Whiteside
Abstract: A multilayer thermally bonded nonwoven fabric which is particularly useful as a liner in an absorbent product is described. The fabric includes at least two prebonded nonwoven webs having a multiplicity of intralaminar bonds bonding the fibers of the prebonded nonwoven webs together. The prebonded webs are secured together to form the fabric of the invention by a plurality of interlaminar thermal bonds formed of discrete areas of compressed and fused fibers of the prebonded webs.
Abstract: An airbag base fabric is formed of thermoplastic synthetic filament yarns, wherein the yarn strength of the filament yarn is 7.0 g/denier or more and the fineness of the filament yarn is 200-250 denier. The fabric is thin and lightweight, which is thus excellent in accommodation, and is effective in reducing the size and weight of an airbag module.
Abstract: A wound dressing comprises a blend of at least two types of discrete fibers wherein one discrete fiber is of a modified cellulose gel-forming material and a second discrete fiber is of another type of gel-forming material such as an alginate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 1, 2002
Assignee:
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Inventors:
Bryan Griffiths, Elizabeth Jacques, Stephen Bishop
Abstract: A molding material comprises at least the following components A, B and C, with the component C arranged to contact a composite comprising the components A plus B. The components are elongated members identified as:
A A continuous reinforcing fiber bundle,
B A thermoplastic polymer or oligomer having a weight average molecular weight of 200 to 50,000 and a melt viscosity lower than that of the component C, and
C A thermoplastic resin having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or more.
Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a layer having carpeted upper surface and/or other rubber-like padding material covered by a translucent, elastomeric sheet. The upper elastomeric layer may have downwardly depending projections that engage the carpeted upper surface of the inner padding layer, thereby reducing the likelihood of the upper elastomeric layer from slipping relative to the inner padding layer. The upper elastomeric layer is sewn or otherwise affixed to the carpeted surface to prevent slipping and creasing of the upper elastomeric layer relative to the padding during use. In addition, in a preferred embodiment for use on carpeted surfaces, the lower elastomeric layer may have downwardly depending projections that engage in the underlying carpet surface to reduce slipping of the device relative to the underlying surface. An overcovering material may be provided to further protect the upper elastomeric layer from excessive soiling.
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 3.0 ounces per square yard, most preferably about 0.
Abstract: A base cloth for an air bag is obtained by forming a film of a silicone modified thermoplastic polyurethane resin having a polysiloxane segment on a surface of a woven fabric, and the air bag is formed of the base cloth. Since an organic solvent is not used when the resin is prepared, its workability is superior, the resin is safe for the human body. Also, the air bag can be quickly developed in a wide range from an extremely low temperature to a high temperature, and there is no problem of adhesion or sticking. Thus, the air bag having a stable performance and the base cloth for the air bag are provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 11, 2000
Date of Patent:
September 3, 2002
Assignees:
Takata Corporation, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.
Abstract: The invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coated articles, including tapes and transfer coatings, having microstructured surfaces and methods of making pressure-sensitive adhesive articles bearing such microstructured surfaces. The performance properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive articles can be tailored by independently varying the microstructure and the rheological properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 3, 1999
Date of Patent:
August 27, 2002
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Robert K. Galkiewicz, Gerald M. Benson
Abstract: Tape backing compositions of the present invention comprise a blend of a first relatively flexible and second relative inflexible polymer, the two polymers having a melting temperature of at least about 93° C. (200° F.). Tape backing compositions of the present invention are especially useful for making flexible films and tapes. Such films and tapes advantageously possess properties particularly useful for applications involving elevated temperatures, such as auto paint masking tape applications, where the flexible film is used as a backing. In one embodiment, the backing is chloride-free. In another embodiment, the backing is essentially free of plasticizers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 20, 1998
Date of Patent:
August 20, 2002
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Richard A. Kollaja, Steven D. Solomonson, Sarah A. Franzwa
Abstract: There is disclosed a substance releasing material including a substrate having at least one beneficial substance adhered thereto by at least one layer of bonding agent. The beneficial substance or substances is releasable by the action of a release agent. Examples of the beneficial substance include an anti-rust agent, a foodstuff preservative, a sterilising agent, and a foodstuff flavouring.
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 permeability. The inventive inflatable fabrics are primarily for use in automotive restraint cushions that 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 necessarily low permeability levels. Thus, the inventive coated inflatable airbag comprises a film laminated on at least a portion of the target fabric surface wherein the film possesses a tensile strength of at least 2,000 and an elongation at break of at least 180%.
Abstract: The liner is formed by a “support” structure and an outer or decorative liner layer. The “support” structure consists of three superimposed layers made of polyester fibers, where the middle layer (1) is considerably thicker than the outer layers (2), while the decorative layer (3) is of a polyester liner or of another suitable material, allowing recycling of the entire set. The different layers are attached to each other by pre-heating layers (1) and (2) and the corresponding molding of the “support” formed by these, including the outer or decorative layer (3), without requiring any further adhesive to keep said layers joined.