Abstract: The present invention is directed at fiber compositions for noise abatement and compression resistance for vehicular applications. More particularly, the fiber compositions are suitable to replace expanded polypropylene foam pads utilized in vehicular carpet applications.

Abstract: Steam heating and molding of single or multilayer nonwoven materials, particularly suitable for the formation of three-dimensionally shaped automotive sound insulators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at electromagnetic shielding that is particularly suitable for applications in electric vehicles. The electromagnetic shielding is relatively lightweight and can be integrated into a carpet or textile type construction.

Abstract: A decorative, nonwoven laminate and a method of forming, including a first side of a first nonwoven affixed to one or both of a) a first side of a polymeric sheet or b) a second nonwoven, wherein the first nonwoven exhibits a basis weight of 15 g/m2 to 2500 g/m2 and the second nonwoven exhibits a basis weight of 15 g/m2 to 1200 g/m2; and a colorant deposited on a second side of the first nonwoven. A topical coating may or may not be applied to improve durability of the printed surface layer. The decorative nonwoven laminate may also amount to a single layer of the first nonwoven, which then includes a layer of colorant and a topical coating over the colorant and single nonwoven layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates polyester tufted carpet where the tufts are engaged with a primary polyester backing and where a polyester roll coating is applied to the backside of the primary backing to lock the tufts which therefore avoids the use of a latex adhesive. The present invention also relates to the use of a polyester roll coating applied to the backside of a nonwoven polyester carpet.

Abstract: The present invention relates polyester tufted carpet where the tufts are engaged with a primary polyester backing and where a polyester extrusion coating is applied to the backside of the primary backing to lock the tufts which therefore avoids the use of a latex adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at electromagnetic shielding that is particularly suitable for applications in electric vehicles. The electromagnetic shielding is relatively lightweight and can be integrated into a carpet or textile type construction.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at the deposition of multiple layers and/or multiple blends of fiber which optionally include other additives in a 3D mold. The resulting parts are particularly suitable for automotive acoustic parts that may be used, for example, in under-carpet applications, flooring, headliners, trunk liners, and inner and outer dash liners. The parts may also include acoustic exterior parts. The fibers may also be filled/packed differently within the mold at any specified location.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates polyester tufted carpet where the tufts are engaged with a primary polyester backing and where a polyester extrusion coating is applied to the backside of the primary backing to lock the tufts which therefore avoids the use of a latex adhesive

Abstract: The present invention is directed at fiber compositions for noise abatement and compression resistance for vehicular applications. More particularly, the fiber compositions are suitable to replace expanded polypropylene foam pads utilized in vehicular carpet applications.

Abstract: A brush head assembly comprising: a hard platen; a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end; and a flexible matrix at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen, wherein the flexible matrix is arranged such that there is shear-thickening material between the proximal ends of the plurality of bristle tufts and the hard platen. A method of manufacturing the brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a freestanding unit for securing items within the floor of a cargo area in a vehicle comprising a primary wall and at least one projecting wall extending from the primary wall which includes an anchoring component for anchoring the freestanding unit to the floor in the cargo area. The present invention also relates to a vehicular cargo management system that includes such freestanding unit where the trim panel includes a recess to accommodate the projecting wall of the freestanding unit which may then fit flush to the trim panel.

Abstract: A decorative, nonwoven laminate and a method of forming, including a first side of a first nonwoven affixed to one or both of a) a first side of a polymeric sheet or b) a second nonwoven, wherein the first nonwoven exhibits a basis weight of 15 g/m2 to 2500 g/m2 and the second nonwoven exhibits a basis weight of 15 g/m2 to 1200 g/m2; and a colorant deposited on a second side of the first nonwoven. A topical coating may or may not be applied to improve durability of the printed surface layer. The decorative nonwoven laminate may also amount to a single layer of the first nonwoven, which then includes a layer of colorant and a topical coating over the colorant and single nonwoven layer.

Abstract: A device for treating skin includes a skin treatment member, a skin contacting surface, a mounting member for mounting the skin treatment member and the skin contacting surface, and a friction controlling device to control friction between the skin contacting surface and skin to be treated, in at least one controlled friction area of the skin contacting surface when the skin contacting surface is moved over the skin. The friction controlling device introduces a slip motion of the controlled friction area relative to the mounting member in a direction corresponding to a local direction of extension of the skin contacting surface. The device also includes a sensor for detecting a first parameter related to an amount of friction between the skin contacting surface and the skin during use, and the friction controlling device controls a second parameter of the slip motion in dependence on a value of the first parameter.

Abstract: A floor mat and a method of forming thereof, wherein the floor mat includes a backing layer embossed to provide a plurality of nibs extending from a surface of the backing layer while the backing layer remains molten. Each of the nibs is tiered, including a frusto-conical base and a tip extending from the frusto-conical base, the nibs having a maximum diameter in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 mm and an overall height in the range of 1.5 mm to 5 mm. In addition, each nib is located within a column and a row and is offset from at least one other nib present in the column and at least one other nib present in the row.

Abstract: A brush head assembly comprising: a hard platen; a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end; and a flexible matrix at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen, wherein the flexible matrix is arranged such that there is shear-thickening material between the proximal ends of the plurality of bristle tufts and the hard platen. A method of manufacturing the brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation and/or conversion system and method wherein an electrical power generator is controlled to periodically alternate between a contact-mode, during which elements of the generator are brought into contact to induce a state of charging, and a non-contact mode, during which plates of the generator are separated from one another and electrical energy is generated through electrostatic induction. Timing and duration of contact and non-contact modes are controlled by a controller, or by user commands, in dependence on a charge state of the elements of the generator: In this way elements are controlled to come into contact only when surface charge has fallen below a certain level, and re-charging is necessary; contact time between the elements may hence be minimised—thereby minimising incurred noise and surface wear—whilst still maintaining a given desired threshold power output.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.