Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a durable chemical treatment to enhance the adsorbency of activated carbon, which may be exposed to liquids such as rain, sweat, water, and the like. The treatment comprises a fluorocarbon that is applied at low add-on levels (that is, between about 0.1% and about 5%). The treated activated carbon is useful in a number of applications, including air filters, gas masks, solvent recovery devices, and chemical and biological protective gear.

Abstract: Coated inflatable fabrics, more particularly airbags to which very low add-on amounts of coating have been applied, are provided which exhibit extremely low air permeabilities. The inventive fabrics are primarily for use in automotive restraint cushions which require low permeability characteristics (such as side curtain airbags). Traditionally, heavy, and thus expensive, coatings of compounds such as neoprene, silicones and the like, have been utilized to provide such required low permeability. The inventive fabric utilizes an inexpensive, very thin coating to provide such necessary low permeability levels. Thus, the inventive coated airbag possesses a coating of at most 2.5 ounces per square yard, most preferably about 0.8 ounces per square yard, and exhibits a leak-down time (a measurement of the time required for the entire amount of gas introduced within the airbag at peak pressure during inflation to escape the airbag at 10 psi) of at least 7 seconds.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of specific hybrid resins as airbag coatings. Preferably, the polymers used to create these hybrid resins, as described herein, are urethanes blended with acrylates, vinyls, silicones, and combinations thereof, where at least one of the components has a glass transition temperature of 20° C. or less. The urethanes are preferably of the polycarbonate, polytetramethyleneglycol, silicon-based diol, or olefin-based diol type. The hybrid resins may be produced in an aqueous dispersion, in a solvent, or by mixing the polymers together where one polymer is dissolved directly into a second polymer to form a continuous matrix. The resulting hybrid resins exhibit a tensile strength of at least 1,000 p.s.i. and an elongation at break of at least about 200%.

Abstract: Coated inflatable fabrics, more particularly airbags to which very low add-on amounts of coating have been applied, are provided which exhibit extremely low air permeabilities. The inventive fabrics are primarily for use in automotive restraint cushions which require low permeability characteristics (such as side curtain airbags). Traditionally, heavy, and thus expensive, coatings of compounds such as neoprene, silicones and the like, have been utilized to provide such required low permeability. The inventive fabric utilizes an inexpensive, very thin coating to provide such necessary low permeability levels. Thus, the inventive coated airbag possesses a coating of at most 2.5 ounces per square yard, most preferably about 0.8 ounces per square yard, and exhibits a leak-down time (a measurement of the time required for the entire amount of gas introduced within the airbag at peak pressure during inflation to escape the airbag at 10 psi) of at least 7 seconds.

Abstract: Airbag coating compositions comprising at least two separate and distinct layers are provided. The first layer (base coat), being in contact with the airbag surface, comprises a composition of at least one coating material which may comprise up to 30% by parts of the total amount of material in the first layer of a silicone resin which provides desirable adhesion, desirable tensile strength, and overall lower cost than standard silicone airbag coating materials. The second layer, being a coating for the first layer, provides reinforcement and blocking characteristics to permit effective potential long-term storage and optimum use upon the occurrence of a collision. An airbag fabric coated with this two-layer system is also contemplated within this disclosure.

Abstract: Durable non-electrically conductive metal treatments (such as coatings or finishes) for yarns and textile fabrics are provided. Such treatments preferably comprise silver and/or silver ions; however, other metals, such as zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, gold, manganese, magnesium, and the like, may also be present or alternatively utilized. Such a treatment provides, as one example, an antimicrobial fiber and/or textile fabric which remains on the surface and does not permit electrical conductivity over the surface. The treatment is extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity (or other property).

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for topically applying an antimicrobial finish to a textile substrate, such as a yarn, a fabric, a composite, or an assembled article (for example, a garment). Specifically, the antimicrobial finish is based on hindered amine compounds that are applied in an aqueous bath (such as a commercial or home laundry setting), using the factors of pH and compound solubility to promote the formation of a durable antimicrobial halamine finish. Advantageously, the antimicrobial finish, which may be applied to fabrics made of any of a variety of fiber types and combinations of fiber types, has been found to be durable to repeated launderings.

Abstract: A screen or fencing structure which provides one-way viewing characteristics under conditions of substantially equal lighting on each side of the structure is described. The structure has a fabric which has a light transmission of about 2.8% to about 25%. The first side of the structure has an overall light reflectance to light transmission ratio of greater or equal to about 2.5, and the opposite side of the structure has an overall light reflectance to light transmission ratio of less than or equal to about 2. Fabrics that can be used to make screens are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions useful for maintaining the clean impression of a carpet (that is, its scent and appearance) over an extended time despite occurrences that might damage the carpet surface. The composition, which includes an antimicrobial agent, an enzyme inhibitor, and an odor-reacting compound, can be used by a consumer to remove contaminants from the carpet and to prevent the odor associated with the decomposition of future contamination. Specifically, the composition has been shown effective in neutralizing odors associated with the decomposition of organic materials (such as urine or food spills) by absorbing and/or removing the odor-generating source. A manufacturing treatment composition and methods for using are also disclosed.

Abstract: A photocatalytic substrate comprises a textile support and a finish on the surface thereof. The finish on the surface of the textile support comprises a particulate photocatalytic material and a binder. A process for producing a photocatalytic substrate comprises the steps of providing a textile support having at least one surface, providing a coating composition, applying the coating composition to at least a portion of the surface of the textile support, and drying the surface of the textile support to which the coating composition was applied to produce a photocatalytic substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein are several inventive fabrics having warp yarns and fill yarns, where the warp yarns preferably are an intimate blend of synthetic and cellulosic fibers and where the fill yarns are preferably a patternwise arrangement of synthetic and cellulosic yarns. Such fabric possesses sufficient cellulosic content (i.e., at least 45% by weight) to be easily rendered flame retardant, while simultaneously possessing sufficient synthetic content (i.e., at least 30% by weight) to be abrasion resistant and long-lasting. In one embodiment, the subject fabrics are treated with one or more flame retardant chemicals, typically in the presence of ammonia gas. In a second embodiment, the subject fabrics are coated on one side with an elastomeric composition into which a flame retardant compound has been incorporated. In yet another embodiment, the subject fabrics are both treated and coated to achieve flame retardance.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the use of specific hybrid resins as airbag coatings. Preferably, the polymers used to create these hybrid resins, as described herein, are urethanes blended with acrylates, vinyls, silicones, and combinations thereof, where at least one of the components has a glass transition temperature of 20° C. or less. The urethanes are preferably of the polycarbonate, polytetramethyleneglycol, silicon-based diol, or olefin-based diol type. The hybrid resins may be produced in an aqueous dispersion, in a solvent, or by mixing the polymers together where one polymer is dissolved directly into a second polymer to form a continuous matrix. The resulting hybrid resins exhibit a tensile strength of at least 1,000 p.s.i. and an elongation at break of at least about 200%.

Abstract: Durable non-electrically conductive metal treatments (such as coatings or finishes) for yarns and textile fabrics. Such treatments preferably comprise silver and/or silver ions; however, other metals, such as zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, gold, manganese, magnesium, and the like, may also be present or alternatively utilized. Such a treatment provides, as one example, an antimicrobial fiber and/or textile fabric which remains on the surface and does not permit electrical conductivity over the surface. The treatment is extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity (or other property).

Abstract: Typical road surfaces are concrete, and gravel filled asphalt. They are very abrasive to fabrics that slide on those surfaces. For the new side impact curtain-type airbag, in a rollover situation, the airbag needs to protect the occupant from directly contacting the road hazard and should not deflate quickly or break when sliding on such road surfaces. We have found that a layer of elastomer can provide much better abrasion resistance than a layer of heavy industrial fabric. A Jacquard bag coated with 1.2 oz/yd2 polyurethane showed significant increase in air leakage rate after 5 cycles of concrete sliding abrasion. A 3 mil thick polyurethane film was laminated to the coated Jacquard woven airbag. After 110 cycles of sliding abrasion using the same concrete, no visual damage or change In bag leakage was observed. This finding indicates surprisingly better abrasion resistance of a thin elastomer film than a heavy industrial fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a halamine compound indicator comprising a halamine compound treated substrate and a redox color indicating composition disposed on a selected area of the substrate, wherein the redox color indicator comprises a compound capable of reacting with the halamine compound and exhibiting color change as a result of the reaction. Methods of using the halamine compound indicator are also covered.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a durable chemical treatment to enhance the adsorbency of activated carbon, which may be exposed to liquids such as rain, sweat, water, and the like. The treatment comprises a fluorocarbon that is applied at low add-on levels (that is, between about 0.1% and about 5%). The treated activated carbon is useful in a number of applications, including air filters, gas masks, solvent recovery devices, and chemical and biological protective gear.

Abstract: A photocatalytic substrate comprises a textile support and a finish on the surface thereof. The finish on the surface of the textile support comprises a particulate photocatalytic material and a binder. A process for producing a photocatalytic substrate comprises the steps of providing a textile support having at least one surface, providing a coating composition, applying the coating composition to at least a portion of the surface of the textile support, and drying the surface of the textile support to which the coating composition was applied to produce a photocatalytic substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein is a photocatalytic substrate comprising a textile support and a finish on at least a first surface thereof. The finish on at least the first surface of the textile support comprises a particulate photocatalytic material and a binder. On the opposite surface of the textile support is disposed a coating comprising activated carbon particles and a binder. Also provided is a process for producing such photocatalytic substrates.

Abstract: A treated textile material comprises a plurality of yarns or fibers having a hindered amine or halamine compound disposed on the exterior surface of the yarns or fibers and/or dispersed in the interior portion of the yarns or fibers. A treated textile material comprises a finish on a surface thereof, the finish comprising the product of a reaction between a cross-linking agent and a polymer comprising a plurality of secondary, hindered amine moieties attached to the polymer chain. Methods for making the treated textile materials are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions useful for maintaining the clean impression of a carpet (that is, its scent and appearance) over an extended time despite occurrences that might damage the carpet surface. The composition, which includes an antimicrobial agent, an enzyme inhibitor, and an odor-reacting compound, can be used by a consumer to remove contaminants from the carpet and to prevent the odor associated with the decomposition of future contamination. Specifically, the composition has been shown effective in neutralizing odors associated with the decomposition of organic materials (such as urine or food spills) by absorbing and/or removing the odor-generating source. A manufacturing treatment composition and methods for using are also disclosed.