Abstract: An apparatus having a sample sectioning device including a cutting mechanism that is operable to cut sections from a sample and a sample holder that is operable to hold the sample. The apparatus further includes a drive system coupled with the sample holder to drive movement of the sample holder and a reciprocating member coupled to the drive system to drive vertical movement of the drive system. The reciprocating member to move in a reciprocating manner within an angle of rotation of less than 180 degrees. A surface orientation sensor may further be provided that is operable to sense an orientation of a surface of the sample held by the sample holder.

Abstract: A high speed vertical textile lapper has a comb reciprocated by a first motor and a presser bar reciprocated by a second motor, both motors being under a common servo motor control. The linear comb is reciprocated by a comb crankshaft in a crankcase while the presser bar is reciprocated by a bar crankshaft in order to deposit a lapped web onto a horizontal conveyor which sends the web through an oven where some of the web fibers fuse to adhere the finished web. The incoming web to be plated is carried to the lapping zone by a combination of horizontal and vertical conveyors. These feed the descending web close to the lapping zone. The comb crankcase has pressurized lubrication and external cooling. The servo control permits PLC synchronization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacturing of a low shrinkage flexible sheet, said sheet comprising a fabric containing polyolefin fibers, said method comprising the steps of: a) depositing a molten plastomer layer on at least one surface of the woven fabric to form a sheet having a thickness approximately equal with the sum of the thicknesses of said molten plastomer layer and of said fabric; and b) impregnating said fabric with at least part of the molten plastomer layer by drawing the sheet into a gap between two calendaring rollers at a temperature of between the melting temperature of the plastomer and the melting temperature as determined by DSC of the polyolefin fibers, said gap having a width smaller than the thickness of the sheet; wherein the width of the gap is chosen to apply an impregnation pressure on the sheet of at least 20 bars.

Abstract: A method for binding a greige carpet and a secondary backing material using a hot melt adhesive is disclosed. A heated application roll may be provided and the secondary backing material may be contacted with the hot melt adhesive and greige carpet and pressed against the heated application roll.

Abstract: A stitched pile surface structure and a process and apparatus for producing and finishing the same is disclosed. The stitched pile surface structure includes a backing having a thickness T. A plurality of parallel lines of stitches extends longitudinally along the backing. Each stitch has a predetermined stitch length dimension S. A plurality of rows of pile elements (either as loop pile or cut pile) is formed from one or more pile yarn(s) having an effective predetermined yarn diameter D. The total weight of the yarn used to form the pile loop elements is G grams. Substantially all of the stitches have a thread length DKL that satisfies the relationship: DKL<=D·(1+?/2)+(2·T)+(2·S) A mass of binder material having a weight of less than G grams is disposed on the pile surface structure.

Abstract: Woven fabric of continuous, untwisted carbon yarn is impregnated with a modified cyanate ester resin or oligomer, preferably at least about 10% by weight of the combined weight of the cured resin and fabric. The cured fabric may be employed as a wet friction material suitable for use in transmission fluid couplings, and the like. The cured composite sheet can be backed with an adhesive film or liquid bonding paste for ease of bonding to one side of the metal portion of the transmission or clutch. Where thicker material is required, two or more cured composite sheets can be bonded together for applications such as transmissions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a textile product of the lapped/bonded type from fibers and/or filaments travelling in the direction of advance in the form of a web, this method comprising at least one step, called the “prelooping step”, in which the fibers and/or filaments individually undergo looping transversely to the direction of advance of the web, if appropriate accompanied by transverse drawing, characterized in that it subsequently comprises a step of confining the parallelized fibers and/or filaments in the form of loops, this latter confining step taking place directly on a support, without transport members, such as needles or transfer elements, being involved.

Abstract: Pile weatherstripping having an integral fin is made by wrapping a fin material around a traveling mandrel or band, winding pile material around the fin material and the band, attaching a pair of backer elements to the pile material along opposite edges of the band, and then cutting the fin material and the pile material to produce simultaneously two pile weatherstrips. Stationary and traveling elements may be employed to facilitate cutting and produce fin above the pile weatherstrips.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making elongated articles are disclosed. One method includes feeding at least one base string along an axis, wrapping at least one monofilament around the axis to produce a number of monofilament wraps per length of base string which are transported by the base string, bonding the wraps to the base string with ultrasonic energy, and cutting the wraps at a point downstream of where the wraps are bonded to the base string. The result is an article having two rows of monofilament segments connected to the base string.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously making a bristle subassembly comprising:

Abstract: A continuous method for making a polymeric bristle subassembly using a continuous moving cable support to move the filament wraps along the mandrel. The base string being bonded to the polymeric filaments of the wrap as the filament wraps are transported to form a bristle sub assembly. An apparatus for making the subassemblies is also part of this invention. Other aspects of this invention are a continuous method of making a bristle subassembly wherein the base string is omitted and the filaments of the wrap are bonded to each other through the use of an energy source, or the use of a polymeric bead to bond the filaments together or use of a solvent or an adhesive to bond the polymeric filaments of the wrap together to form a bristle subassembly.

Abstract: A bristle sub-assembly includes first and second base strings and a plurality of polymeric monofilaments connected to and extending between the first and second base strings. The polymeric monofilaments form a first arched row when the first and second base strings are brought together. Several types and configurations of brushes are made using either arched bristles or combinations of arched and straight bristles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for making elongated articles are disclosed. One method includes feeding at least one base string along an axis, wrapping at least one monofilament around the axis to produce a number of monofilament wraps per length of base string which are transported by the base string, bonding the wraps to the base string with ultrasonic energy, and cutting the wraps at a point downstream of where the wraps are bonded to the base string. The result is an article having two rows of monofilament segments connected to the base string.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus for bonding a thermoplastic pad having a predetermined peripheral shape to a first surface of a carpet using radio frequency energy includes a die electrode and a backing electrode. Both the die electrode and the backing electrode have a peripheral shape that corresponds to the peripheral shape of the pad. In addition, both the die electrode and the backing electrode may have a relief feature thereon that are correspondingly sized and located. Concentrations of electric field intensity in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the die electrode and along the edges of the relief feature on the die electrode are minimized so that bonding of a pad to a carpet may be effected without thermal runaway. The pad is bonded to the carpet without the occurrence of localized burning of the carpet pile or perforation of the pad.

Abstract: A self-adhesive part of a hook and loop fastener has a multiplicity of layers of pressure-sensitive adhesive on a back surface of the base material, for adhering the part to a mating substrate. The adhesive is water based and a plurality times of coating and drying processes are repeated so as to have successive coatings. This reduces the overall drying time and efficiency is secured and minimization of requred space can be realized without impairing adhesive function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a carpet formed from a plurality of tuftstrings bonded to a backing. Methods and apparatii for accurately positioning the tuftstring and ultrasonically bonding multiple tuftstrings to the backing is disclosed.

Abstract: A sheet of loop material adapted to be cut into pieces to form loop portions for fasteners of the type comprising releasably engageable hook and loop portions, or to be incorporated into items such as disposable garments or diapers or into sheets of abrasives. The sheet of loop material includes a sheet of longitudinally oriented fibers having anchor portions and arcuate portions projecting in one direction away from the anchor portions, and a layer of thermoplastic backing material extruded onto the anchor portions to bond to the anchor portions and form at least a portion of a backing for the loop material. The thermoplastic backing material can also bond the sheet of fibers to a sheet of backing material.

Abstract: A fusion-bonded carpet system and method of manufacture which method includes providing as all or a portion of the wear face surface cut yarn material in rope form prepared in rope bundles and implanting one or both ends of the rope bundle in an adhesive layer on a backing sheet to provide one or two I-bond, fusion-bonded carpet material having a selected pattern on the wear face surface. The fusion-bonded carpet has a wear face surface composed of all or part of a yarn material in rope bundle form, for example, of a multicolored random or selected pattern. The carpet material may have a backing layer and form carpet tile.

Abstract: An elongated pile article having a support strand for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles, the yarn bundles including a dense portion with the filaments bonded to each other and bonded to the support strand, pile surface structure comprised of a plurality of elongated pile articles placed one next to the other, and a method and apparatus for making the elongated pile article.

Abstract: An elongated pile article having a support strand for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles, the yarn bundles including a dense portion with the filaments bonded to each other and bonded to the support strand, pile surface structure comprised of a plurality of elongated pile articles placed one next to the other, and a method and apparatus for making the elongated pile article.

Abstract: A pile fabric is formed by pressing lengths of yarn through a slot into a layer of adhesive on a pre-formed web. The yarn is pressed through the slot by a presser having at opposite faces respective grooves for receiving end portions of the yarn. While in the grooves, the end portions are constrained to have an upstanding relation with respect to the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming non-woven pile fabric comprises a pair of folding blades which oscillate to form ballows folds in warp threads passing between them. The folder blades are carried on forward ends of supports pivotally hung on pairs of suspension members. One suspension member of each pair is driven from a crank to impart oscillatory motion, while the other is adjustable in effective length to set the travel of the folder blade. Such length adjustment is effected by the upper ends of the suspension members being mounted on adjustable eccentric mountings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacture of carpet is disclosed where yarn bits are forced onto an adhesive covered backing. Yarn is moved through an outlet and severed after application to the backing. Also disclosed is a yarn feed device and a multicolor carpet printer.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for manufacturing pile fabrics, a method of using the apparatus and pile fabrics produced by the method. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in the production of pile fabrics incorporating natural woollen fibers by adhesion of a series of courses of wool fiber to a backing sheet of appropriate material.

Abstract: Weatherstripping is produced continuously by two or more spaced apart tufting heads, which may be operating at different stitch rates. The or each strip of weatherstripping comprises at least two rows of tufts sequentially inserted by two tufting heads. Heated dies may be located between the tufting heads for transforming rows of tufts inserted by the first tufting head at least partially into film to form barrier fins. The knuckles of the tufts are flattened, a secondary backing applied, and then individual strips of weatherstripping separated by ultrasonically slitting, all as a continuous process enabling weatherstripping of various constructions to be efficiently and economically produced by tufting.

Abstract: Weatherstripping is produced continuously by two or more spaced apart tufting heads, which may be operating at different stitch rates. The or each strip of weatherstripping comprises at least two rows of tufts sequentially inserted by two tufting heads. Heated dies may be located between the tufting heads for transforming rows of tufts inserted by the first tufting head at least partially into film to form barrier fins. The knuckles of the tufts are flattened, a secondary backing applied, and then individual strips of weatherstripping separated by ultrasonically slitting, all as a continuous process enabling weatherstripping of various constructions to be efficiently and economically produced by tufting.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing weatherstripping comprises forming a row of pile fiber on a substrate, compressing the row widthwise between a pair of dies, heating the row while so compressed, and cooling the heated row. In this way the sides of the row can be heat set for appearance, or formed into a continuous film, or the whole row converted into a barrier fin in the form of a film, depending upon the degree of compression and the temperature. Preferably the row is formed by tufting and the dies disposed immediately downstream of the tufting station. Pile fiber of conjugate polyethylene and polypropylene is advantageous in forming such films which are integrally attached to the substrate by pile fiber roots extending from the base of the film into the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacture of carpet is disclosed where yarn bits are forced onto an adhesive covered backing. Yarn is moved through an outlet and severed after application to the backing. Also disclosed is a yarn feed device and a multicolor carpet printer.

Abstract: A power loom for making carpets, tapestry and the like. A stationary, cylindrical mandrel is surrounded by a rotatable annular table adjacent the mandrel's upper end. The table is rotated around the mandrel. Each strand of yarn is guided down vertically between the mandrel and the annular table. A continuous circumferential series of substantially identical loom stations is mounted in succession on the annular table, each station having a pressure blade assembly, a guiding hook, and a cutter assembly. A jute is fed in split cylindrical form downwardly around and with an inner surface against the mandrel. The jute having an adhesively coated outer surface. Each hook engages a series of successive strands passing down, and at each loom station, feeds them one at a time to a pressure blade assembly while the annular table rotates. Each pressure blade assembly includes pressure means for forcing each strand against the coated jute and adhering it there to the jute's outer surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tufting weatherstripping involves forming a barrier fin on a substrate, advancing the substrate with the barrier fin extending downwardly from the underside thereof past a tufter head, and passing the downwardly extending barrier fin through a channel in the needleplate of the tufter head while the substrate passes over and is supported by the needleplate. A row of tufts is then tufted along one or both sides of the barrier fin. The barrier fin may be formed by folding the substrate, adhering a strip to the underside of the substrate, or by forming a film from a row of previously inserted tufts. Preferably, the substrate is guided transversely to ensure alignment of the barrier fin or fins between the rows of tufts.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing weatherstripping includes tufting synthetic yarn into a primary backing fabric to form tufts on one side thereof and tuft "knuckles" on the other side. Then, the tuft knuckles are contacted with a heated surface of controlled temperature to deform and flatten them, the combined thickness of the primary backing and the tuft knuckles thus being reduced and the tufts being more securely attached to the primary backing. Preferably, there is relative motion between the tuft knuckles and the heated surface to effect a smearing of the tuft knuckles onto the primary backing. The flattened tuft knuckles may form a thin continuous strip adhering to the primary backing and locking the tufts thereto.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive bonded pile fabric is provided which comprises a liquid permeable base layer; a pile forming yarn adjacent to the base layer in pile forming fashion but not tufted through the base layer; the pile forming element having been bonded to the base layer by means of a hot melt adhesive applied to the back of said base layer. A method and apparatus for making fusion bonded, pile fabrics are also provided.

Abstract: This machine comprises a sonotrode (1), a matrix (4) of tubes (5) bringing threads (10) onto a support sheet (7) for the purpose of welding rows of loops to the surface of this sheet. The matrix (4) is guided between slides (6) which are parallel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes (5) and perpendicularly to the surface of application of the sonotrode (1) vibrations. A driving mechanism (13, 14, 15) periodically brings the extremities of the tubes (5) from which the threads leave against the sonotrode (1) by pressing the base of a row of loops and the support sheet (7) against the sonotrode in order to cause them to be welded together.

Abstract: Staple fiber, typically of up to about 2.5 inches long, is preferably crimped and heat-set, then is open-end spun to product single yarns having about half the fibers in a non-parallel configuration. These are supplied to a fine gauge tufting machine which simultaneously tufts the yarns into a scrim substrate and shears the tufted loops e.g. to a one-eighth inch pile height. A conventional backing is applied. The resulting product more closely resembles woven velvet than does conventionally tufted velvet and is especially suitable for use as upholstery fabric.

Abstract: In order to produce random changes in texture of pile fabrics, continuous multifilament bulked yarn is treated to detexturize spaced portions along its length.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for making tufted carpets having bonded nonwoven fabric secondary backings. After the secondary backing has been laminated to a back-sized and tufted primary backing to form a carpet composite, the composite is passed through a nip to emboss the secondary backing and provide a less stiff, easier to install carpet.

Abstract: A web is placed on a grooved cylinder, folded by pressing it into the cylinder grooves, and attached to a backing sheet to form a pile fabric. Folding is performed by rollers with blades which enter and move along the length of the grooves. The rollers are guided precisely by guide members on their opposite axial sides. To prevent the rollers from pushing the textile material across the grooved cylinder surface, the rollers are rotated independently of their contact with the web.

Abstract: A bonded fabric producing machine in which the yarn is implanted in zig-zag fashion into coated substrates by a pair of folding blades which folds the yarn between the substrates fed between vertical guides. The machine is adapted to allow ready adjustment of the position of the folding blades when the distance between the vertical guides is adjusted.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing tufted carpet by precutting yarn into individual tufts, and pressing the tufts into an adhesive coating on a backing material. Individual yarns are selectably clamped on a sliding bed, and the sliding bed is moved forwardly to a tufting position. Forward movement of the bed withdraws the yarns and cuts the withdrawn yarns to desired length. The yarns are then unclamped, and a tufting bar passes through aligned secondary and primary tufting slots to press the cut yarns against the backing material. The yarns are supplied through a yarn pattern head having a number of yarn bars individually and selectably positionable to vary the tufting pattern in any predetermined manner.

Abstract: Yarn of thermoplastic material is wound on a traveling endless band. Backing strips of thermoplastic material are continuously fed along the edges of the band and are ultrasonically welded to the yarn. Thereafter the yarn is slit along opposite sides of the band to provide a pair of continuous pile weatherstrips. The weatherstrips resulting are thus continuously made at high speed and at low cost.

Abstract: A method for forming a strip material useful as part of a fastener. The method steps comprise moving two backing layers from opposite directions around guides and away from the guides in parallel paths, feeding monofilaments between the guides, pressing the monofilaments first into engagement with one and then the other of the backing layers on the guides so that lengths of the filaments extend normally between the backing layers along the parallel paths, severing those normally extending monofilaments halfway between the backing layers, and heating the newly severed terminal ends of the monofilaments to form heads.

Abstract: A multifilament thermoplastic yarn and process for the formation thereof which, when tufted or woven into a fabric, presents a grass-like appearance. The yarn is made by melt spinning and water quenching a melt-spinnable synthetic organic thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene, drawing the filaments, surface heating at least a portion of the thus drawn filaments, cooling the thus surface heated filaments and reheating the thus cooled filaments either before or after tufting, weaving or otherwise processing into a fabric to develop latent crimp in the yarn. Also disclosed is a carpet fabric employing the yarn and exhibiting grass-like appearance with exceptional cover and relatively soft hand.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting textile strands and forming the cut strands into bundles including a means for supplying the textile strands. A means for positioning the textile strands funnels the textile strands into a grouping of substantially parallel strands having a substantially cylindrical cross-section. A means for wrapping the parallelly arranged strands places a wrapper of paper around the strands and secures it by adhesive. A capstan guides the parallel strands to an accumulator pipe which has at its end a means for cutting the strands. The strands are held and retained so that a blade can cut them and the ends of the strands of the bundle are joined by adhesive or heat. An adhesive strip is tangentially attached to the sides of the bundles so that they may be wrapped around a rotating shaft.

Abstract: In the production of a pile fabric by the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,011 in which pile tufts are implanted in a layer of adhesive and the adhesive is subsequently heated to reduce the viscosity of the adhesive temporarily, the pile tufts are subjected to a tamping operation while the viscosity of the adhesive is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing non-woven pile fabrics such as carpets or velvets including means for passing two support sheets in spaced, face-to-face relation, means for folding at least one continuous element, such as a thread or a warp sheet of threads, in a sinuous path between and contiguous with the faces of the sheets, characterized in that the folding means comprises two folder blades positioned for driving the continuous element alternately against the opposing faces of the support sheets, the blades being mounted on connecting rods pivotally attached to pivotal suspension cranks, and the rods and the cranks are movable to move the blades in desired paths toward and away from the support sheets.

Abstract: In procedure for making nonwoven pile articles by assembling an array of cut pile fibers or yarns having free ends disposed substantially in a common plane and adhering a backing to the free ends, the step of treating the fibers or yarns with steam after assembling the array but before applying the backing thereto.

Abstract: A material, such as a web, mat or slab is disclosed, for covering a surface of a building, for decorative purposes. It comprises a carrier layer or foil and elongate elements, especially small plastic material tubes, fixed thereto and disposed at an acute angle to the carrier layer. The elongate elements extending through the carrier layer are anchored to the back of the carrier layer by the portion at the back of the carrier layer. Additionally, there is disclosed a method of and apparatus for making such a material.

Abstract: A process for making fabrics with non-woven pile where a continuous thread or band is fed to a parallel passage having two parallel support bands each carrying a layer of adhesive. The thread or fabric is prefolded with a flexible bladelet and then driven with a substantially circular movement by folder blades against the support band. After having produced the desired adhesive connection of the fabric and the band, the adhesive is cured and the support bands are separated to produce the finished product.

Abstract: A pile weatherstripping has a continuous length of a resin anchorage base with even lengths of filaments secured to opposite sides of the base along the length of the base and extending away from the base in the same general direction on each side of the base. The filaments are long enough and dense enough to form insulating pile rows extending out of a retainer slot in which the anchorage base has an interference fit. A sheet resin fin preferably extends continuously outward from the base between the filaments on the opposite sides of the base, and such a weatherstripping is preferably made by wrapping a multifilament yarn around a plurality of bases, securing the yarn to opposite sides of the bases, and then slitting to separate each individual weatherstrip.

Abstract: An elongated pile article having a support strand for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles, the yarn bundles including a dense portion with the filaments bonded to each other and bonded to the support strand, pile surface structure comprised of a plurality of elongated pile articles placed one next to the other, and a method and apparatus for making the elongated pile article.