Abstract: This invention relates generally to abrasion resistant and/or puncture resistant fabrics, coated, layered and/or laminated inflatable fabrics, and methods. More particularly, it concerns airbag cushions to which films, fabrics, layers, and/or coatings have been applied and which exhibit enhanced abrasion resistance and/or puncture resistance. The inventive inflatable fabrics are especially suited for use in automotive restraint cushions that require abrasion resistance and/or puncture resistance (such as side curtain airbags).

Abstract: A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.

Abstract: A lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant is provided. In one embodiment, the cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn which has an enhanced elongation to break. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in that region.

Abstract: A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.

Abstract: A strong lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant and the method of making same. The cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in the region adjacent the port that is located at a radial distance greater than the radius of said port. This is accomplished by shifting or shogging the yarn supplying mechanism relative to the cushion mandrel.

Abstract: Typical road surfaces are concrete, and gravel filled asphalt. They are very abrasive to fabrics that slide on those surfaces. For the new side impact curtain-type airbag, in a rollover situation, the airbag needs to protect the occupant from directly contacting the road hazard and should not deflate quickly or break when sliding on such road surfaces. We have found that a layer of elastomer can provide much better abrasion resistance than a layer of heavy industrial fabric. A Jacquard bag coated with 1.2 oz/yd2 polyurethane showed significant increase in air leakage rate after 5 cycles of concrete sliding abrasion. A 3 mil thick polyurethane film was laminated to the coated Jacquard woven airbag. After 110 cycles of sliding abrasion using the same concrete, no visual damage or change in bag leakage was observed. This finding indicates surprisingly better abrasion resistance of a thin elastomer film than a heavy industrial fabric.

Abstract: A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.

Abstract: A strong lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant is provided. The cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in that region.

Abstract: A strong lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant is provided. The cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in that region.

Abstract: A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.

Abstract: A strong lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant is provided. The cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in that region.

Abstract: A strong lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant and the method of making same. The cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port. This is accomplished by shifting or shogging the yarn supplying mechanism relative to the cushion mandrel. The body may also include at least one film layer and at least one coating layer.

Abstract: A strong lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant and the method of making same. The cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in the region adjacent the port that is located at a radial distance greater than the radius of said port. This is accomplished by shifting or shogging the yarn supplying mechanism relative to the cushion mandrel.

Abstract: Apparatus to refurbish cut and/or loop pile products, including carpet tiles, by conveying the product to be refurbished by a high pressure water or cleaning liquid dispensing device which has a high pressure liquid outlet supplying such water or cleaning liquid against the product to be refurbished at a pressure in the range of 200-2000 p.s.i.g.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method of patterning a textile fabric comprising fluid jets directed at an angle from the perpendicular line of intersection between the fluid jets and the fabric which eliminates stress lines, troughs and valleys in the fabric by placing a lateral force on the fabric.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic valve which includes a spiral coil formed of electrically conductive material bonded to an insulative substrate. A second layer of substrate material is mounted substantially beneath the combination of the spiral coil and insulative substrate. The second layer of substrate has both a recess and an outer edge. There is a first passage communicating between the recess and the other edge. Within the recess is a magnetic armature that is operatively aligned with the spiral coil. There is a second passage communicating between the spiral coil and the recess. There is a magnetically conductive member located below the magnetic armature. The magnetic armature moves in response to electric current passing through the spiral coil to close the second passage.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic valve which includes a spiral coil formed of electrically conductive material bonded to an insulative substrate. A second layer of substrate material is mounted substantially beneath the combination of the spiral coil and insulative substrate. The second layer of substrate has both a recess and an outer edge. There is a first passage communicating between the recess and the outer edge. Within the recess is a magnetic armature that is operatively aligned with the spiral coil. There is a second passage communicating between the spiral coil and the recess. The magnetic armature moves in response to electric current passing through the spiral coil to close the second passage.

Abstract: A novel textile fabric having a napped face which is uniform in height and in which most of the fibers comprising the nap extend from yarns extending in the warp direction of the fabric.

Abstract: A low flow, constant rate pump is provided which comprises a fixed volume container, the inner walls of said container defining a receptacle for a liquid to be dispensed, said container being provided with means to form an unobstructed opening through which said liquid may be caused to flow continuously at a low-flow, constant rate, a propellant chamber within said container formed of a material which is permeable to vapor from a propellant of the liquid-vapor type, a supply of propellant of the liquid-vapor type confined within said chamber, said propellant initially being under pressure sufficient to maintain a major portion thereof in liquid form at normal temperatures.

Abstract: An extrusion die to extrude a water paste onto a web material. The die consists of two separate chambers which equalize the pressure of the water paste prior to extruding same through an elongated slot onto a web of material.