Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to fibers treated with or formed from at least one odor-absorbing composition, fiber treatment compositions, fiber treatment kits, and articles produced therefrom. In a further aspect, the invention relates to methods of increasing odor absorbency properties in a fiber. In still a further aspect, the fiber treatment compositions comprise an aqueous composition having a pH of less than about 2.1 and at least one anionic binding agent or fluorochemical. Is a further aspect, the fiber treatment compositions comprise an aqueous composition to provide a residual fiber pH of less than about 5.75 and at least one anionic binding agent or fluorochemical. 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 materials having resistance to staining by a wide variety of staining agents including, but not limited to, coffee, red wine, mustard, tumeric, Betadine®, bleach, benzoyl peroxide, as well as other types of common staining agents. The invention also provides fibers, yarns and carpet products prepared from such stain resistant nylon materials. Yet further, the present invention provides methods of imparting stain resistance to nylon materials. Methods of providing such treated fibers are set forth.

Abstract: A pickup reel for a harvester which includes stops for preventing over-rotation of bat tubes. The pickup reel includes a main shaft and a plurality of reel arms which extend from the main shaft. A bat tube is engaged with an end of each of the reel arms. More specifically, the pickup reel includes a plurality of bat tubes, all of which are parallel to each other and parallel to the main shaft of the pickup reel. Each bat tube carries a plurality of tines and is supported by a plurality of reel arms which extend from the main shaft. Associated with each bat tube are a plurality of stops for defining the range of allowable rotation of the respective bat tube. By restricting the amount the bat tubes can rotate, crop does not tend to get wrapped around the bat tubes during operation of the harvester.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing stain resistance of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are disclosed. Treating compositions used to enhance the stain resistance of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing repellency of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are disclosed. Compositions used to enhance the repellency of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pickup reel for a harvester which includes stops for preventing over-rotation of bat tubes. The pickup reel includes a main shaft and a plurality of reel arms which extend from the main shaft. A bat tube is engaged with an end of each of the reel arms. More specifically, the pickup reel includes a plurality of bat tubes, all of which are parallel to each other and parallel to the main shaft of the pickup reel. Each bat tube carries a plurality of tines and is supported by a plurality of reel arms which extend from the main shaft. Associated with each bat tube are a plurality of stops for defining the range of allowable rotation of the respective bat tube. By restricting the amount the bat tubes can rotate, crop does not tend to get wrapped around the bat tubes during operation of the harvester.

Abstract: A method for producing a carpet comprising the steps of (a) providing a carpet having a pile side formed from yarn fibers projecting through a primary backing layer and an underside region comprising back stitch yarn fibers; (b) applying effective repellency enhancing amounts of a first repellency enhancing compound to the pile side; (c) applying a liquid repellency enhancing compound to the underside region to provide liquid barrier properties in the region; and (d) applying separately and subsequently a coating to the underside region. Step (a) may be performed separately from step (b) and the liquid repellency enhancing compound forms a discontinuous layer. A carpet with improved liquid barrier properties produced by the method and variations thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing stain resistance of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of treating fiber, yarn or carpet comprising applying an aqueous treating composition to fiber, yarn or carpet, wherein the aqueous treating composition comprises tannic acid heating the fiber, yarn or carpet to a temperature of at least about 160° F.; applying a second topical treating composition to the fiber, carpet or yarn, wherein the second aqueous treating composition comprises a fluorochemical; and heating the fiber, yarn or carpet to a temperature of at least about 160° F.

Abstract: A method of producing carpet having the steps of: providing a carpet having a pile side formed from yarn fibers projecting through a primary backing layer, and an underside region comprising back stitch yarn fibers and the primary backing layer; applying effective repellency enhancing amounts of a first repellency enhancing compound to the pile side; applying a liquid repellency enhancing compound to the underside region to provide improved liquid barrier properties in the region; and applying separately a coating or latex layer to the underside region.

Abstract: A skin and tissue simulant including a gelatin composite block and an ether based cast polyurethane sheet. The gelatin composite block acting as the tissue simulant. The sheet acting as the skin simulant, the sheet disposed over a portion of the gelatin composite block.

Abstract: To improve the liquid barrier properties of a carpet, a repellency compound, such as a fluorochemical, is applied to the backstitch side or underside of the primary backing layer of a carpet.

Abstract: A slat and a sieve assembly. The sieve assembly comprises a frame, a slat supported by the frame, and a rotational drive mechanism supported by the frame. In some constructions and in some aspects, the slat extends at least 180° about an axis and has a cross-section having a uniform radius in relation to the axis. The slat includes spaced finger-like indentations being defined on an edge of the slat. The slat is couplable to the rotational drive mechanism for rotation about the axis. In some constructions and in some aspects, the rotational drive mechanism includes a pinion connected to the end of the slat, and a drive shaft including a worm gear engaging the pinion and rotatably supported by the frame to rotate about a drive axis. In some constructions and in some aspects, the slat may include a cross-section having a first adjustment cavity and a second adjustment cavity.

Abstract: To improve the liquid barrier properties of a carpet, a repellency compound, such as a fluorochemical, is applied to the backstitch side or underside of the primary backing layer of a carpet.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing repellency of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are disclosed. Compositions used to enhance the repellency of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are also disclosed.

Abstract: To improve the liquid barrier properties of a carpet, a repellency compound, such as a fluorochemical, is applied to the backstitch side or underside of the primary backing layer of a carpet.

Abstract: A slat and a sieve assembly. The sieve assembly comprises a frame, a slat supported by the frame, and a rotational drive mechanism supported by the frame. In some constructions and in some aspects, the slat extends at least 180° about an axis and has a cross-section having a uniform radius in relation to the axis. The slat includes spaced finger-like indentations being defined on an edge of the slat. The slat is couplable to the rotational drive mechanism for rotation about the axis. In some constructions and in some aspects, the rotational drive mechanism includes a pinion connected to the end of the slat, and a drive shaft including a worm gear engaging the pinion and rotatably supported by the frame to rotate about a drive axis. In some constructions and in some aspects, the slat may include a cross-section having a first adjustment cavity and a second adjustment cavity.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus, a guard assembly for a cutting apparatus and a method of assembling a cutting apparatus. The cutting apparatus includes a frame supported for movement over ground, the frame having a forward portion, a cutter support supported on the forward portion, and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a chain cutter assembly and a guard assembly. The chain cutter assembly includes a continuous chain assembly having opposite lateral chain surfaces, a plurality of knife members connected to the chain assembly to form a cutting portion, and a drive assembly for driving the chain assembly. In some aspects, the guard assembly includes a guard supported by the cutter support, the guard defining a channel having opposite lateral channel surfaces engageable with the opposite lateral chain surfaces to guide a portion of the chain assembly in the channel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and composition for treating carpet yarn and carpet to thereby enhance its repellency. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a carpet yarn comprising polymeric fibers. An anionic or nonionic fluorochemical compound is provided in an aqueous medium, the aqueous medium having a pH below about 3.5. The carpet yarn is immersed in the aqueous medium. The carpet yarn and aqueous medium are heated after which excess water is removed from the carpet yarn.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and composition for treating carpet yarn and carpet to thereby enhance its repellency, and preferably to enhance its stain resistance as well. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a carpet yarn comprising polymeric fibers. An anionic or nonionic fluorochemical compound is provided in an aqueous medium, the aqueous medium having a pH below about 3.5. The carpet yarn is immersed in the aqueous medium. The carpet yarn and aqueous medium are heated after which excess water is removed from the carpet yarn. The aqueous medium preferably also includes an anionic binding compound that acts to impart stain resistance to the yarn.