Abstract: A composition may comprise a fabric substrate having a first melting temperature and a polymer sheet having a second melting temperature, wherein the second melting temperature may be less than the first melting temperature. The polymer sheet and the fabric substrate may have a base thermoplastic polymer in common. The polymer sheet may be at least partially melted and laminated onto the fabric substrate such that the polymer sheet and fabric substrate become fused to produce a fused laminated fabric. A recycling process may be performed on the fused laminated fabric, wherein the fabric substrate and the polymer sheet remain laminated throughout the recycling process.

Abstract: A composite polymeric film wear layer for application as a surface protection layer to impart lower gloss, higher scratch resistance, wear performance and comfort under foot to hard surface substrates is provided. Hard surface substrate made with the composite as well as methods for application are also provided.

Abstract: A hard tile product and system useful for covering floors, walls and other surfaces which are both easy to install and remove are provided.

Abstract: A fiber and method for making the same is disclosed that comprises a surface treatment, wherein the surface treatment comprises at least one clay nanoparticle component present in an amount greater than 2000 ppm on the surface of the fiber. Also disclosed is a fiber and method for making the same, comprising a surface treatment, wherein the surface treatment comprises at least one clay nanoparticle component and excludes flourochemicals.

Abstract: A composite polymeric film wear layer for application as a surface protection layer to impart lower gloss, higher scratch resistance, wear performance and comfort under foot to hard surface substrates is provided. Hard surface substrate made with the composite as well as methods for application are also provided.

Abstract: Processes for forming synthetic fibers from polymer melts containing a first fiber forming polymer, a spin assist additive, and optionally a pigment additive are provided. Also provided are synthetic fibers of a first fiber forming polymer, a spin assist additive, and optionally a pigment additive, as well as articles of manufacture such as yarns, carpets and fabrics made up of these synthetic fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are spray-on anti-soil formulations, and methods for treating fibers, carpets, and fabrics with the same. The anti-soil formulations comprise a synergistic blend of an anti-soil component and a stain blocker component adapted to be sprayed-on a fiber, carpet, or fabric instead of known exhaust applications. The anti-soil component can be either fluorochemical or non-fluorochemical based, while the stain blocker can comprise any chemical that blocks positively charged dye sites. Fibers, carpets and fabrics treated with the anti-soil formulations exhibit superior anti-soil characteristics compared to sprayed-on fluorochemicals and exhibit similar anti-soil characteristics compared to known exhaust applications.

Abstract: A fiber and method for making the same is disclosed that comprises a surface treatment, wherein the surface treatment comprises at least one clay nanoparticle component present in an amount greater than 2000 ppm on the surface of the fiber. Also disclosed is a fiber and method for making the same, comprising a surface treatment, wherein the surface treatment comprises at least one clay nanoparticle component and excludes flourochemicals.

Abstract: A composite film comprising one or more barrier film layers, wherein the one or more barrier film layers are liquid impermeable and have a total moisture vapor transfer rate (MVTR) of at least 14.6 g/24 hr/m2 according to ASTM E96B and one or more dimensionally stable layers, wherein the composite film has a robustness of greater than about 1.49 pound force.

Abstract: Disclosed are spray-on anti-soil formulations, and methods for treating fibers, carpets, and fabrics with the same. The anti-soil formulations comprise a synergistic blend of an anti-soil component and a stain blocker component adapted to be sprayed-on a fiber, carpet, or fabric instead of known exhaust applications. The anti-soil component can be either fluorochemical or non-fluorochemical based, while the stain blocker can comprise any chemical that blocks positively charged dye sites. Fibers, carpets, and fabrics treated with the anti-soil formulations exhibit superior anti-soil characteristics compared to sprayed-on fluorochemicals and exhibit similar anti-soil characteristics compared to known exhaust application.

Abstract: Disclosed is composition comprising an aqueous dispersion containing a dye, a stain blocker component, and an anti-soil component. The composition provides uniform dyeing, and superior stain blocking and anti-soil characteristics to fibers, carpets, and fabrics by adjusting the conductivity and pH of the dispersion. Alternatively, the composition can comprise an aqueous dispersion containing a dye, a stain blocker component, and a retarder for slowing down the rate of dye reaction. Also disclosed is a method of applying the compositions and dispersions to fibers, carpets, and fabrics.

Abstract: Polyamide terpolymer compositions, which contain biobased monomers and are suitable for making shaped articles, are disclosed. Comprised of three monomeric species polymerized randomly, including hexamethylene diamine, adipic acid and a bio-based monomer, the compositions are easier to process and have better dye uniformity than polyamides formed from melt-blended biobased components, and are comparable in dyeability, color fastnessand appearance retention performance to non-biobased polyamide copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nylon yarn of a finely dispersed melt blended polymer alloy having i) a polyamide component selected from polyhexamethyleneadipamide, polycaprolactam and mixtures thereof, and ii) a nylon 11 component; wherein the polyamide component is the major component by weight of the total melt blended polymer and wherein the polyamide component has a viscosity of about 2.6 IV or more as measured in 96% sulfuric acid. The resulting nylon yarn shows improved bleach resistance. The present invention also relates to processes of producing the yarn and nylon carpets comprising the yarn described above.

Abstract: A method of producing a multicolored textured carpet comprises blending a polyamide polymer and a color pigment to form a melt blend, extrusion spinning the melt blend to form pigmented polyamide yarns, tufting (1) the pigmented polyamide yarns and (2) white dyeable polyamide yarns into a carpet, and overdyeing the carpet with an amount of acid dye sufficient to produce the multicolored textured carpet. The color pigment and the acid dye are selected to provide desired multicolored effect in the carpet. The multicolored textured carpet having deeper color and dye light fastness is also disclosed.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include fibers, methods of making fibers, structures (e.g., textile articles), and carpets.

Abstract: A method of producing a multicolored textured carpet comprises blending a polyamide polymer and a color pigment to form a melt blend, extrusion spinning the melt blend to form pigmented polyamide yarns, tufting (1) the pigmented polyamide yarns and (2) white dyeable polyamide yarns into a carpet, and overdyeing the carpet with an amount of acid dye sufficient to produce the multicolored textured carpet. The color pigment and the acid dye are selected to provide desired multicolored effect in the carpet. The multicolored textured carpet having deeper color and dye light fastness is also disclosed.

Abstract: Dyed yarns typically have inferior color fastness compared with pigmented yarns. However, dyeing offers a virtually infinite selection of colors, flexibility and more uniformity than constructions of pigmented yarns in residential carpet and other yarn applications, such as apparel. It has been found that relatively small amounts of pigment (10 to 1000 ppm) incorporated into polymeric fibers, and particularly nylon fibers used in carpets, creates lightly pigmented yarns which, when overdyed, are highly uniform and have a higher degree of apparent dye light fastness compared to normal dyed yarns. This effect is observable for both anionic and cationic polyamide polymers, and dyeing of these slightly pigmented yarns can be conducted to produce yarns of almost any color of greater depth than the base yarn.

Abstract: A shaped article is disclosed which is formed from a polymer mixture of polyamide polymer, pigment dispersed in a polymeric carrier and about one-half to nine percent free polyester based on the weight of the polymer mixture. A process for making the shaped article is also disclosed, wherein the polymer mixture is melted, mixed and formed into the shaped article. The invention is especially suited for use in forming multifilament yarn, where the use of the invention facilitates the spinning of yarns containing difficult-to-spin pigments. The invention may be advantageously employed using conventional polyamide melt-spinning techniques.