Abstract: The present invention is a polyurethane backed carpet having a backing prepared by application of an aqueous dispersion of a polyurethane or a polyurethane-forming material to the back of a carpet substrate. The present invention can eliminate the need to prepare a polyurethane backing from its monomeric components at the carpet manufacturing site. The polyurethane backed carpet of the present invention can be efficiently prepared by a continuous process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the density of a foam. The method involves measuring the electrical conductivity of a foam wherein the electrical conductivity of the foam varies with the density thereof and adjusting the density of the foam in response to the measured electrical conductivity to prepare a foam having a desired density. The apparatus comprises means for generating and applying a foam, said means being connected by an enclosed pathway. Located within the enclosed pathway is an electrical conductivity sensor. The conductivity sensor is electronically connected to a translation means. The conductivity sensor provides an electrical signal, related to conductivity of the foam, to the translation means. The translation means is connected to a gas flow controlling means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for improving the tuft bind of yarn in textile coverings. The method comprises applying to the yarn, prior to applying an adhesive, a functional amount of an aqueous dispersion comprising a surfactant and/or polymeric component wherein the aqueous dispersion has a surface tension approximately equal to or less than the surface tension of the yarn. The present invention also is directed toward a textile covering having improved tuft bind prepared by the aforementioned method. The method is advantageously employed in the preparation of floor coverings to maintain the original appearance and resist the loss of pile or a condition known as pill and fuzzing.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable carpet tile having a greige good adhered to an aqueous wet-laid composite sheet comprising a dimensionally stable reinforcing fiber in an amount sufficient to provide less than a 0.1 percent dimensional change of the carpet on an Aachen Test. Typical dimensionally stable reinforcing fibers are glass fibers and/or polyester fibers employed in amounts from about 2 to about 15 percent by weight based on the total composite sheet. The other main ingredients of the composite sheet comprise from about 1 to about 30 percent cellulose fibers, 2 to about 30 percent organic polymer binder material and 60 to 95 percent inorganic filler based on the total weight composite sheet. The composite sheet has an internal bond strength of at least 50 grams per inch.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant are effectively thickened without substantial loss in clarity by a suitable pH responsive, synthetic addition copolymeric thickener such as a copolymer of an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid (e.g., methacrylic acid), a nonionic chain extender of an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer (e.g., ethyl acrylate), and a nonionic vinyl surfactant ester (e.g., nonylphenoxy(polyethyleneoxy)ethyl methacrylate). Due to the ability of the copolymeric thickener to increase the viscosity of the amphoteric surfactant composition without substantially reducing the clarity thereof, the resulting thickened compositions are useful as shampoos, cleaning compounds and the like.

Abstract: Aqueous coating compositions are disclosed employing as a thickener an HEHPC ether having a haze point of at least about 70.degree. C., a gel point below 100.degree. C., a total molar substitution of about 2.5 to about 4.0 and having a ratio of hydroxypropyl molar substitution to hydroxyethyl molar substitution of about 1:2 to 2:1. The HEHPC thickeners as described exhibit good resistance to bacterial degradation, good color development and a haze point sufficiently high to allow normal formulation of the coating composition.