Abstract: Yarns are described herein which, in some embodiments, comprise plies or single strands dyed with at least one vat dyestuff yielding a tweed or heathered appearance. In one aspect, a yarn comprises a first ply and a second ply each dyed with at least one vat dyestuff, wherein a difference in color depth (DL*) between the dyed first single strand and the dyed second single strand has an absolute value of at least 2 when the vat dyestuff is in an oxidized state. As described further herein, the first ply and the second ply are dyed in the same dyebath. In another aspect, a yarn comprises a first ply and a second ply each dyed with at least one vat dyestuff, wherein a reflectance ration between the second ply and the first ply ranges from 0.05 to 0.95.

Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure zone capacitance in of the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured zone capacitance values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured zone capacitance of the sensor and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured zone capacitance values upon occurrence of a change in capacitance of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composition for treating fibers comprises an acidic aqueous or aqueous-based continuous phase and a liquid repellent phase comprising a dendrimer component and/or non-dendrimer alkyl urethane. The treatment composition, for example, can have pH of 2.5 to 6.5. In some embodiments, carboxylic acid is employed in the treatment composition for providing the acidic character of the aqueous or aqueous-based continuous phase. Moreover, the treatment composition can further comprise at least one of an acid stain resist component and soil release component. In some embodiments, fibers treated with compositions described herein exhibit ionic character.

Abstract: In one aspect, floor coverings are described herein comprising nylon fibers dyed with at least one vat dyestuff, the dyed nylon fibers exhibiting enhancements to lightfastness, color fastness, wet fastness and/or resistance to household bleach.

Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure zone capacitance in of the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured zone capacitance values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured zone capacitance of the sensor and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured zone capacitance values upon occurrence of a change in capacitance of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor.

Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure zone capacitance in the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured zone capacitance values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured zone capacitance of the sensor and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured zone capacitance values upon occurrence of a change in capacitance of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor.

Abstract: In one aspect, floor coverings are described herein comprising nylon fibers dyed with at least one vat dyestuff, the dyed nylon fibers exhibiting enhancements to lightfastness, color fastness, wet fastness and/or resistance to household bleach.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composition for treating fibers comprises an acidic aqueous or aqueous-based continuous phase and a liquid repellent phase comprising a dendrimer component and/or non-dendrimer alkyl urethane. The treatment composition, for example, can have pH of 2.5 to 6.5. In some embodiments, carboxylic acid is employed in the treatment composition for providing the acidic character of the aqueous or aqueous-based continuous phase. Moreover, the treatment composition can further comprise at least one of an acid stain resist component and soil release component. In some embodiments, fibers treated with compositions described herein exhibit ionic character.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composition for treating fibers comprises an acidic aqueous or aqueous-based continuous phase and a liquid repellent phase comprising a dendrimer component and/or non-dendrimer alkyl urethane. The treatment composition, for example, can have pH of 2.5 to 6.5. In some embodiments, carboxylic acid is employed in the treatment composition for providing the acidic character of the aqueous or aqueous-based continuous phase. Moreover, the treatment composition can further comprise at least one of an acid stain resist component and soil release component. In some embodiments, fibers treated with compositions described herein exhibit ionic character.

Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure zone capacitance in the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured zone capacitance values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured zone capacitance of the sensor and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured zone capacitance values upon occurrence of a change in capacitance of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor.

Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure at least one parameter in each of the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured parameter values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured parameters and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured parameters upon occurrence of a change in measured parameters of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor. The data analysis device is configured to receive the data packet, compare the measured parameter values of the data packet to previously-measured parameter values associated with the sensor underlayment into and generate a result therefrom.

Abstract: In one aspect, latex compositions are described herein exhibiting desired water repellencies. Briefly, a latex composition comprises an elastomeric component, a wax component and an inorganic filler component, wherein percent solids of the latex composition is at least 50. In some embodiments, the percent solids is 75 to 85. Additionally, the elastomeric component can comprise at least one of a polyisoprene and polymer based on 1,3 dienes.

Abstract: In one aspect, floor coverings are described herein comprising nylon fibers dyed with at least one vat dyestuff, the dyed nylon fibers exhibiting enhancements to lightfastness, color fastness, wet fastness and/or resistance to household bleach.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composition for treating fibers comprises an acidic aqueous or aqueous-based continuous phase and a liquid repellent phase comprising a dendrimer component and/or non-dendrimer alkyl urethane. The treatment composition, for example, can have pH of 2.5 to 6.5. In some embodiments, carboxylic acid is employed in the treatment composition for providing the acidic character of the aqueous or aqueous-based continuous phase. Moreover, the treatment composition can further comprise at least one of an acid stain resist component and soil release component. In some embodiments, fibers treated with compositions described herein exhibit ionic character.

Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure at least one parameter in each of the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured parameter values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured parameters and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured parameters upon occurrence of a change in measured parameters of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor. The data analysis device is configured to receive the data packet, compare the measured parameter values of the data packet to previously-measured parameter values associated with the sensor underlayment into and generate a result therefrom.

Abstract: In one aspect, cellulosic floor coverings having desirable flammability resistance are provided. Briefly, a floor covering described herein comprises cellulosic fibers or cellulose-based fibers and fluoropolymer adhered to surfaces of the cellulosic fibers or cellulose-based fibers in an amount sufficient for the floor covering to conform with or pass flammability testing with a methenamine-timed burning tablet according to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Standard FF 2-70.

Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure zone capacitance in of the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured zone capacitance values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured zone capacitance of the sensor and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured zone capacitance values upon occurrence of a change in capacitance of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor.

Abstract: In one implementation, a footfall detection assembly comprising a sensor underlayment unit and a data analysis device is provided. The sensor underlayment unit comprises a sensor having a unique sensor identifier and a plurality of zones, wherein the sensor is configured to measure zone capacitance in of the plurality of zones, and a processing unit operably connected to the sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the measured zone capacitance values from the sensor upon the occurrence of a change in measured zone capacitance of the sensor and generate and transmit a data packet comprising at least the unique sensor identifier and measured zone capacitance values upon occurrence of a change in capacitance of at least one of the plurality of zones of the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for fixing additives in textiles that comprise applying at least one additive to the textile and substantially simultaneously directing steam onto the faces of the textile. Also disclosed are the products of the disclosed processes. Also disclosed are apparatuses for fixing additives in textiles comprising means for applying at least one additive to the textile and means for substantially simultaneously directing steam onto the faces of the textile. Also disclosed are rotating steam head assemblies for use in connection with the disclosed processes and apparatuses. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A gutter hanger system includes a gutter having an outer wall, an inner wall in spaced relation to the outer wall, and a base connecting the outer wall and the inner wall; a support surface supporting the inner wall; and a gutter hanger including opposing top and bottom ends, a coupling member located at the bottom end, and a retainer located at the top end. The gutter hanger is positioned intermediate the inner wall and the support surface, oriented in a downward direction, and the retainer is positioned atop the inner wall. A method for installing a gutter hanger system includes the steps of providing a gutter, providing a support surface to which an inner wall of the gutter is attached, inserting a gutter hanger intermediate the support surface and the inner wall of the gutter, and retaining a top end of the gutter hanger on the inner wall of the gutter.