Abstract: Refurbishing and/or renewing cut or loop pile carpet products including carpet tiles by passing the product under a high pressure water or liquid dispensing head projecting a stream of water against the subject product at a pressure in the range of 100-2000 p.s.i.g. Improvements to such methods include adding a polymer backing layer to the tile, pre-bulking the face yarns, and/or chemically treating the face yarns.

Abstract: A space-dyed yarn and textile construction formed therefrom is provided. The space-dyed yarn includes a multiplicity of discrete color segments arranged along the length of the yarn. The color segments are of finite lengths which may be in the range of less than about 2 inches. The yarns may have linear densities under about 500 denier. A process and apparatus for production of the space-dyed yarns are also provided.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant, soft magnetic, ferritic steel alloy, a useful article made therefrom, and a method of using the alloy are described. The alloy has the following composition in weight percent. 1 C 0.005-0.040 Mn  1.0 max. Si  1.0 max. P 0.050 max. S 0.020 max. Cr  27.0-30.0 Ni  0.35 max. Mo  0.35 max. Cu  0.35 max. Co  0.25 max. N 0.010-0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus to produce space dyed yarns. A yarn sheet passes over a yarn-driven roll equipped with a digital sensor that tracks the position of the sheet as it then passes through a dyeing apparatus. A computer precisely controls the spray application of dyes at the desired locations on the length of the yarn sheet to produce space dyed POY and FOY yarns.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus to produce space dyed yarns. A yarn sheet passes over a yarn-driven roll equipped with a digital sensor that tracks the position of the sheet as it then passes through a dyeing apparatus. A computer precisely controls the spray application of dyes at the desired locations on the length of the yarn sheet to produce space dyed POY and FOY yarns.

Abstract: Reproducing, recoloring and/or recycling of used carpet tiles is provided. In accordance with one embodiment, used carpet tiles, which are recovered, are subjected to a choosing step according to the degree of stains, etc. The chosen carpet tiles are washed with a high-pressure fluid, and entangling of piles is removed and piles raised. The resultant carpet tiles are subjected to a choosing step once again according to the degree of stains, etc. The chosen carpet tiles are treated with such a design and color for recycling as to make less visible the stains or non-uniformity in color remaining after the washing, using a design computer, etc. Thus, reproduced carpet tiles are produced and subjected a choosing step once again, and the chosen ones are shipped.

Abstract: Refurbishing and/or renewing cut or loop pile carpet products including carpet tiles by passing the product under a high pressure water or liquid dispensing head projecting a stream of water against the subject product at a pressure in the range of 100-2000 p.s.i.g. Improvements to such methods include adding a polymer backing layer to the tile, pre-bulking the face yarns, and/or chemically treating the face yarns.

Abstract: A powder metallurgy article formed of a sulfur-containing, precipitation-hardenable, stainless steel alloy is described. The article has a unique combination of strength, ductility, processability, and machinability. The powder metallurgy article is formed of a stainless steel alloy having the following composition in weight percent. C 0.03 max. Mn 1.0 max. Si 0.75 max. P 0.040 max. S 0.010-0.050 Cr 10-14 Ni 6-12 Ti 0.4-2.5 Mo 6 max. B 0.010 max. Cu 4 max. Co 9 max. Nb 1 max. Al 1 max. Ta 2.5 max. N 0.03 max. The balance of the alloy is iron and the usual impurities. The powder metallurgy article according to this invention is characterized by a fine dispersions of titanium sulfides that are not greater than about 5 &mgr;m in major dimension. A method of preparing the powder metallurgy article is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for space-dyeing yarns. A yarn sheet passes over a yarn-driven roll equipped with a digital sensor that tracks the position of the sheet as it then passes through a dyeing apparatus. A computer precisely controls the spray application of dyes at the desired locations on the length of the yarn sheet. Undyed areas and areas of unwanted overlap of dyes are virtually eliminated, reducing the amount of off-quality yarn produced versus conventional methods. Sprayed dye droplets are collected and reused.

Abstract: An augmentation system for an implantable bone prosthesis, such as a femoral component of a knee joint prosthesis, includes an augmenting block having an aperture disposed therein. A collet having an expandable distal end, extending beyond one surface of the augmenting block, is positioned within the aperture. The proximal end of the collet includes a cavity that receives an expansion pin that is adapted to communicate with the collet to expand the collet. The distal end of the collet is adapted to fit within a mounting cavity of a joint prosthesis. With the augmenting block placed on the appropriate surface of the joint prosthesis, the distal end of the collet is positioned within the mounting cavity. Advancement of the expansion pin causes the distal end of the collet to expand, thus frictionally and/or mechanically engaging the interior walls of the mounting cavity to firmly secure the augmenting system to the prosthesis.

Abstract: A portable wheeled apparatus for storing and spraying liquids includes a low center of gravity liquid container having generally elliptical shape horizontally extended center section with integral end caps and attached wheels, a pump for supplying air pressure into the container, a carrying handle, and a threaded outlet fitting. A removable handle is provided that adjusts for user height.

Abstract: A modular femoral trial system is provided having femoral trial bases of various sizes and adapters which may be used to convert the base from a cruciate retaining trial to a cruciate sacrificing trial or a trial for an implant with increased built in stability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous treatment of webs of fabric having upright pile comprised of wetting the fabric to at least 50% saturation, heating the fabric to approximately 225.degree. to 350.degree. Fahrenheit and then brushing the fabric in both the pile and counter-pile directions. The presence of liquid and steam plasticize and lubricate the fibers, thereby allowing an easier, more complete return to the uncrushed state.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to selectively treat adjacent yarns in draw machine to provide different characteristics in the synthetic yarn being drawn and beamed. The yarn running between the feed rolls and draw rolls is selectively blown upwardly away from the heater to provide portions of heat set and unheat set drawn yarn.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to soften the backing and consequently the material attached thereto of a nonwoven fabric by passing the back over and around a series of rollers arranged in a staggered diamond shape to break up the bond between individual fibers and clumps of fibers but maintain the bond at cross-over points of the fibers.

Abstract: A process for making a clad article of a densified metal powder core and a compatible metal cladding metallurgically bonded thereto results in a significantly reduced concentration of metal oxides in the core so as to prevent embrittlement of the core at and adjacent the core/cladding interface that results in rupture between the core and the cladding along the interface during working or forming. In carrying out the process, the temperature of the undensified metal powder and/or the temperature of the compatible metal container into which the metal powder is filled are closely controlled so as to avoid adsorption of moisture during the filling step.

Abstract: The periodic shedding of vortices produced in a highly sheared gas flow, such as that encountered at the grain transition boundary in a solid propellant rocket motor or at the combustor inlet to a ramjet engine, is a significant source of acoustic instability which may result in unstarting of the ramjet engine or excessive vibration of the rocket motor. By restricting the transition boundary or combustor inlet at the sudden expansion dump plane (5), such as by locating an orifice plate (13) at the dump plane, the gas flow is separated upstream and produces a vena contracta downstream of the orifice, inhibiting the feedback of acoustic pressure to the point of flow separation and preventing the formation of organized oscillations. Incorporation of such a simple thin plate orifice at the dump plane reduces the periodic acoustic oscillations and thereby controls the detrimental oscillatory pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: The periodic shedding of vortices produced in a highly sheared gas flow, such as that encountered at the grain transition boundary in a solid propellant rocket motor or at the combustor inlet to a ramjet engine, is a significant source of acoustic instability which may result in unstarting of the ramjet engine or excessive vibration of the rocket motor. By restricting the transition boundary or combustor inlet at the sudden expansion dump plane (5), such as by locating an orifice plate (13) at the dump plane, the gas flow is separated upstream and produces a vena contracta downstream of the orifice, inhibiting the feedback of acoustic pressure to the point of flow separation and preventing the formation of organized oscillations. Incorporation of such a simple thin plate orifice at the dump plane reduces the periodic acoustic oscillations and thereby controls the detrimental oscillatory pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: A scrubbing plate assembly for use on a carpet scrubbing machine is disclosed. The assembly comprises a mounting plate and a set of brushes which are individually attached to the mounting plate at some predetermined radial orientation. By uniformly changing the angle at which each brush is mounted on the plate, the plate assembly can replace conventional circular brushes having a variety of different diameters.

Abstract: A yarn pad, for use in conjunction with a circular-style floor cleaning machine, which resists folding or bundling and which is particularly adapted for use with dry-type carpet cleaning systems.