Abstract: A method for producing an expandable and collapsible product for use in a window covering includes the steps of pleating a continuous length of material, bonding together opposing faces that face one side of the product to form a series of enclosed cells, bonding together opposed faces facing the other side of the product to form another series of enclosed cells, and removing creases from one side of the product to open one of the series of enclosed cells so that the other series of enclosed cells remains intact and connected to one another. The creases may be removed by abrading the material along the creases. The opposed faces may be bonded by applying a bead of adhesive to one of the faces and compressing the faces together. Also provided is a window covering having a multi-cellular expandable and collapsible body. The body has a number of strips of material that are creased in the center parallel to the long edges. The long edges are joined together to form a tab.

Abstract: Fine textured fire resistant flame barrier fabrics for use as mattress and pillow ticking, bedspreads, mattress covers, draperies, upholstery, protective apparel, tenting, awnings, field fire shelters, for use as a substrate or backing for coated upholstery fabrics and as a flame barrier for use beneath upholstery fabric. The fabric is formed from a corespun yarn comprising a high temperature resistant continuous filament fiberglass core and a low temperature resistant staple fiber sheath surrounding the core. The core comprises about 20% to 40% of the total weight of the corespun yarn while the sheath comprises about 80% to 60% of the total weight of the corespun yarn. The total size of the corespun yarn is within the range of about 43/1 to 3.5/1 conventional cotton count. This corespun yarn may be woven and knit in fine, non-plied form and extends the range of fineness of fabrics below heretofore achievable limits.

Abstract: A fire-resistant fabric suitable for use as a flame barrier comprising a flame durable textile fabric substrate formed of corespun yarns, the yarns comprising a core of flame resistant filament and a sheath of staple fibers, and an intumescent coating carried by one surface of the textile fabric substrate. In normal use, the fabric is flexible and conformable and has good air porosity. When exposed to high temperature and/or a flame, however, the intumescent coating reacts and swells to form a char which closes the pores or interstices of the fabric to thus prevent flame or hot gases from penetrating therethrough.

Abstract: A fire-resistant fabric suitable for use as a flame barrier comprising a flame durable textile fabric substrate formed of corespun yarns, the yarns comprising a core of flame resistant fiber and a sheath of modacrylic intumescent staple fibers. In normal use, the fabric is flexible and conformable and has good air porosity. When exposed to high temperature or a flame, however, the modacrylic intumescent sheath fiber reacts and swells to form a char which closes the pores or interstices of the fabric to thus prevent flame or hot gases from penetrating therethrough.

Abstract: A fabric suitable for use as a flame barrier fabric comprising a flame durable textile fabric substrate, a flexible silicone polymer layer which stays intact, maintains its integrity on exposure to a flame and is carried by the surface of the textile fabric substrate, and a reflective flame durable paint coating carried by the silicone polymer coating.

Abstract: A flame-resistant office building material for use as office panel partitions, wall panels, wall coverings, ceiling panels, floor and the like is provided. The building material comprises a rigid core support material, a decorative outer surface layer, and a fiber-based flame barrier layer positioned between the support material and the surface layer. The barrier layer comprises a flame durable fabric substrate formed of fire-resistant fibers.

Abstract: An accordion folded laminate of a fiber sheet reinforced with a thermoplastic film and bonded together with adhesive is utilized as a window shade or as a shower curtain or other end use product. In the preferred form, the thermoplastic sheet comprises polyester and the adhesive comprises a low melt polyester adhesive powder. The powder is applied uniformly to the reverse face of the fiber sheet and is heated to a temperature higher than its melt temperature, and the thermoplastic sheet is pressed over the adhesive against the polyester sheet. This laminate is subsequently formed into an accordion folded configuration, with the edges of the accordion folds being heated to a temperature higher than the melt temperature of the adhesive, causing the folds to retain a memory that enhances the appearance and function of the end use product.

Abstract: A fabric formed of yarns having a core formed of fire-resistant filaments and a sheath formed of staple fibers and a cured, crosslinked composition applied to one surface of the fabric is provided. The composition comprises a first crosslinkable resin having an affinity for the fire-resistant filament core and a second crosslinkable resin having an affinity for the staple fiber sheath and for the first crosslinkable resin. The fabric because of the composition is pucker and shrink resistant, and the tensile strength and flexibility of the yarns and the aesthetic appeal of the fabric are maintained when the fabric is washed repeatedly.

Abstract: This corespun yarn includes a high temperature resistant continuous filament fiberglass core and a low temperature resistant staple fiber sheath surroudning the core. The corespun yarn is useful in the formation of fine textured fire resistant flame barrier fabrics for use as mattress and pillow ticking, bedspreads, mattress covers, draperies, upholstery, protective apparel, tenting, awnings, field fire shelters, for use as a substrate or backing for coated upholstery fabrics and as a flame barrier for use beneath upholstery fabric. The core of high temperature resistant continuous filament fiberglass comprises about 20% to 40% of the total weight of the corespun yarn while the sheath of low temperature resistant staple fibers surrounding and covering the core comprises about 80% to 60% of the total weight of the corespun yarn. The total size of the corespun yarn is within the range of about 43/1 to 3.5/1 conventional cotton count.

Abstract: A self-locking electrical and mechanical connecting means and method between a helical curved end-portion of a self-supporting resilient, electrical wire-helix of a certain radius and a nominally straight-axis, metal socket-portion of an electrical terminal characterized in that the socket is plastically deformed to self-lock onto the elastically deformed and somewhat straightened wire-helix end-portion.