Abstract: A latent pressure-sensitive sheet material, e.g., fastener or closure having a discontinuous surface is made by applying a solvent-based pressure-sensitive adhesive by means of a gravure roll onto a flocked pile surface which is adhered to a substrate by a permanent adhesive. The flocked pile surface serves as a reservoir for the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is wicked towards the face of the flocked pile surface upon face-to-face mating of two fasteners. The reservoir of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the wicking action enables repeated fastening and unfastening of two mated fasteners without substantial loss of locking power. The fasteners are particularly useful for seaming carpets. Also, the reservoir of pressure-sensitive material in one said fastener can be a curable or crosslinkable pressure-sensitive adhesive material, e.g.

Abstract: A method of producing a carpet tile with a backing material that is magnetically attracted to a metal surface to hold the tile in position. The method produces a carpet tile in which the magnetic backing material is flush with the secondary backing to produce a tile of substantially constant thickness.

Abstract: A transferable flocked fiber design material the fibers of which are to be transferred onto a shirt to be decorated with the design material to form a desired design pattern thereon. The fibers are releasably flocked at one end to one surface of the release support base by means of the release adhesive layer applied to the one surface of the support base and applied at the other ends with the fiber transfer adhesive layer containing the hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: Support with meshes, or elastic flexible openwork grid, used for producing pile textile articles by inserting pile textile elements into its meshes, in which the grid possesses an extensibility of at least 40%, a permanent deformation of less than 5% and an immediate deformation of less than 10%.Pile textile articles are produced by inserting pile textile elements into the meshes of a flexible grid, in which articles a flexible planar element, which can easily be perforated and comprises a design, is associated with the grid. The pile textile elements are inserted over at least part of the surface of the design. The articles have decorative value as wall or floor coverings, wall hangings or similar decorative articles.A tool for introducing pile textile elements into a flexible meshed grid is a hollow conical member which is optionally open along at least one generatrix.

Abstract: A novel cut pile fabric (10) and a method of making same is disclosed. The cut pile fabric (10) includes a needled non-woven batt (14) of staple fibers (12) that is processed on a texturizing needle loom (17) from one surface (20) (called a back surface) thereof to form texturized loops (18) on the other surface (22) (called a face surface) of said batt (14). The non-textured back surface (20) of the batt (14) has a backing (24) applied thereto which may be of latex, or the like, with the texturized loops (18) being tigered by a tigering roll (28) to cut, break or fracture a high percentage of the loops. The tigered pile is polished by a polishing roll (34) to remove the crimps in the fibers and to orient the fibers in a direction transverse to the batt (14) prior to being sheared in a shear (36). A dense, plush cut pile fabric is produced.

Abstract: A method of making pile material comprising pile strands or the like arranged in side-by-side relation, and a backing member bonded to the strands, the method comprising the steps of providing a bundle of pile strands, the strands extending in side-by-side relation and being held in pressurized engagement with each other by a wrapper surrounding the strands, cutting the bundle including the wrapper into slices, and positioning each slice in a form having a wall surrounding the slice and spaced outwardly thereof. The wrapper is removed from the slice, thereby allowing the pile strands to expand laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the form for being held by the form. A backing member is thereafter bonded to the pile strands on one face of the slice.

Abstract: In a methd for producing a soft sheet material containing thinned fibers or filaments and a viscoelastic substance, the improvement comprising:(A) applying a mixture of a viscoelastic substance and a temporary filler to a sheet material containing thinnable fibers or filaments;(B) thinning the thinnable fibers or filaments forming said sheet material;(B') applying temporary filler to said sheet material or relocating said temporary filler applied previously at step (A) within said sheet material, whenever necessary;(C) applying a viscoelastic substance;(D) removing said temporary filler; and(E) napping the sheet, whenever necessary.In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to obtain a leather-like sheet material which, though soft, has good mechanical properties such as high abrasion resistance and high tear strength. A leather-like sheet material is produced which is free from deficiencies such as low abrasion resistance and tear strength even where the thickness is further reduced.

Abstract: A novel cut pile fabric (110) and a method of making same is disclosed. The cut pile fabric (110) includes a needled non-woven batt (14) of staple fibers (12) that has a carrier member (60) which may be a separate sheet of material carried by a face surface (22) of the batt. A texturized surface is formed using a texturizing needle loom (17) which punches through the batt (14) from the one surface (20) (called the back surface) of the batt (14) so that texturized loops (70) project from the carrier (60) on the other face surface (22) of the batt. The one non-texturized back surface (20) of the batt (14) has a backing (24) applied thereto as by latexing, fusing, or the like, with the texturized loops (70) being tigered to break, fracture or cut a high percentage of the loops (70). The tigered pile is polished by a polishing roll (34) to remove the crimps in the fibers and to orient the fibers in a direction substantially perpendicular to the batt prior to being sheared in a shear (36).

Abstract: A novel cut pile fabric (210) and a method of making same is disclosed. The cut pile fabric (210) includes a needled non-woven batt (14) of staple fibers (12) that has an integral carrier member (74) formed by fusing a face surface (22) of the needled batt. A texturized surface is formed on the batt (14) using a texturized needle loom (17) which punches through the batt (14) from the one surface (20) (called the back surface) of the batt so that texturized loops (76) project from the carrier member (74). The non-texturized back surface (20) of the batt (14) has a backing (24) applied as by latexing, fusing, or the like, with the texturized loops (76) being tigered by a tigering roll (28) to break, fracture or cut a high percentage of the loops (76). The tigered pile is polished by a polishing roll (34) to remove the crimps in the fibers and to orient the fibers in a direction transverse to the plane of the batt (14) prior to being sheared in a shear (36).

Abstract: A fabric (10), for a wall covering or the like, is provided which has a needled non-woven batt (16) of staple fibers (12), to a front surface or one face (18) of which a cloth or film of woven, knitted fabric or extruded film (22) is attached, as by needle punching fibers (12) from the batt, or the like. Groups of staple fibers are punched from the batt through the cloth or film (22) to produce a distinctive pattern of clustered loops (34) of non-woven fibers having a visual background of cloth or film (22). The back surface (20) of the non-woven batt may optionally be backed (40) as by fusing, latexing, or the like. A novel method of making a fabric is provided and comprises needling (15) the non-woven batt, attaching the cloth or film (22) to the batt, needling clustered loops (34,35) from the non-woven fibers of the batt through the cloth or film (22) to define a pattern of loops with the cloth or film ( 22) visible between the clustered loops, and optionally backing the non-woven batt.

Abstract: A method of applying a latex coating to a carpet secondary backing by means of an applicator roll and a metering roll which travel in reverse rotation and different tangential speeds. The carpet secondary backing travels between a pressure roll and the applicator roll and a film of a coating material is applied to the backing. The backing is an open weave structure and the coating is applied primarily to the strands of the backing and not particularly to the open area of the backing.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile fabric comprising a batt of nonwoven filaments and having at least a portion of the filaments extending outwardly from one face of the batt to form a raised pile. In one embodiment at least a portion of the filaments are fused together on one side of the batt forming a fused face, and the raised pile extends outwardly from the fused face. In another embodiment, the batt has a fused face on each side thereof and the raised pile extends outwardly from one of these fused faces. In still another embodiment, the batt has a single fused face and the raised pile extends outwardly from the side of the batt opposite the fused face. The textile fabrics are also disclosed with an adhesive and/or a backcoating layer on the side opposite the raised pile. Method and apparatus for the production of the nonwoven textile fabrics are also disclosed which employ needle punching the nonwoven batt with forked needles to provide the raised pile.

Abstract: The manufacturing of at least one photothermal converter element according to the invention consists essentially of implanting a multiplicity of substantially uniformly distributed parallely projecting transparent fibers onto a baseplate element provided with an absorbing coating of a normally solid material capable of being temporarily converted to a plastic state, thanks to the use of an array of guiding means arranged above the baseplate element. The implantation proper of the desired fiber structure is then performed by advancing a series of bundles of fibers through the array of guiding means, to the desired level above the baseplate element, and by clipping the advanced bundles to the desired length above the guiding means, so as to cause the falling with limited transverse spreading of the clipped fibers onto the coating of the baseplate element.

Abstract: An antimicrobial carpet having bacteriostatic and sterilizing effect against molds, bacteria and viruses is prepared by incorporating into fibrous materials prior to or after fabrication into a carpet an amino acid type surfactant represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein RCO is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.16 fatty acid residue.

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: 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: Weatherstripping for minimizing or eliminating draughts around doors, windows and the like comprising a flexible backing strip having sealing material projecting from at least one of its surfaces, preferably of pile material, and wherein at least one barrier fin is located within the sealing material and extends generally at right angles away from the face of the backing strip to which the sealing material is attached, the fin incorporating therein a plurality of fold lines extending substantially parallel to each other about which the fin is folded so as to define a generally zig-zag fin arrangement. The zig-zags may extend the full height of the fin or may be provided just at the upper end of the fin and in a particular construction, the free end portion of the fin is turned over so as partially to overlie some of the sealing material in use.

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: A weatherstrip and method for making the weatherstrip for use in sealing the space between fixed and movable members. The weatherstrip comprises a backing strip having a sealing body affixed thereto to form a sealing assembly, and a barrier fin secured at one edge to the sealing assembly. The barrier fin comprises a pair of leafs transverse to the backing strip. A longitudinal fold line in each leaf defines a leaf portion extending outwardly from the backing strip and toward the other leaf portion. The leaf portions are sealed together to form a hollow fin of substantially diamond-shaped cross section.

Abstract: A fabric to have a latex coating of controlled thickness applied to its upper surface moves toward a drying oven. The lower surface of the moving fabric contacts a supporting bedplate. A latex coating is applied to the upper surface of the moving carpet across the width of the carpet. The moving carpet with the latex coating travels underneath a nip roll. A flexible nip blade is positioned underneath the nip roll so that the edge of the nip blade extends beyond the bottom dead center of the nip roll in the direction of the drying oven. Both the nip roll and the nip blade extend across the width of the moving carpet.

Abstract: An improved pile weather strip having one or more rows of pile formed from substantially identical, closely packed monofilament yarns of non-circular cross-section whereby improved resistance to infiltration of foreign material such as air and moisture is achieved. Each monofilament yarn fiber is preferably of an enlarged X-shaped cross-section.

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: A novel lubricating composition useful in the manufacture of tufted textile articles comprises a polyalkoxylate lubricating oil and a minor amount of a long chain fatty acid.

Abstract: A floor covering is provided which has a woven fabric needle punched to a face surface of a non-woven batt of staple fibers. The woven fabric has either warps of polypropylene ribbons and fillings of continuous filaments, ribbon yarns, or spun staple fibers or vice versa. The needle punching forms a covering layer of fibers on the facing surface of the woven fabric. In one form of the invention, the needled batt and woven fabric is texturized from the batt side of the woven fabric which forms loops outwardly of the plane of the woven fabric which loops include fibers from the non-woven batt and varying amounts of filaments, ribbon yarns, or spun staple fibers from the woven fabric. A back is affixed to the batt as by fusing, latexing, foaming, needling, or the like. In another form of the invention, the needled batt and woven fabric are texturized from the woven fabric side of the batt which forms loops outwardly of the plane of the batt.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric is manufactured which utilizes as a primary component material the fringed selvage band resulting as a by-product in the manufacture of certain woven fabrics. Strips of selvage band are laid down on a non-woven backing or web in various configurations, depending upon the ultimate appearance that is desired. The selvage strips are then secured to the backing by punching with an array of forked needles, each of which forces a loop of yarn from the selvage through a hole in the backing.

Abstract: A product and method for making a patterned area in a pile rug in which pile yarn is carved out and removed to form a trough-like area, and one or more fabric pattern pieces having a total area and shape coinciding with the carved out trough-like area is inserted into the trough-like area and adhesively bonded in place. The top surface of the fabric pattern piece is distinct in either color, texture, material, or pattern from the main pile surface to produce contrasting patterns in the surface of the rug. The fabric pattern piece may be a separate pile strip including its own base fabric and pile yarn of different color, texture, material, height, or other distinguishing characteristics from the pile yarn of the main body of the rug. The method is particularly adapted for forming linear patterned insert pieces along the borders of an area pile rug.

Abstract: A method for making conductive brushes which comprises providing a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having a plurality of longitudinal recesses on its surface, and winding electrically conductive fibers from a supply around the mandrel by rotating the mandrel. The brush backing or base may be formed by a number of methods utilizing the recesses on the surface of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the brush backing is formed by placing a strip of a conductive material in each of the recesses, and after the conductive fibers have been wound thereover, the conductive fiber windings are caused to adhere to each other by adhesive means and another strip of conductive material is placed over the windings to mate with the strip in the recess to form the backing for the conductive brush. Individual conductive brushes are obtained by cutting the conductive fibers in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel.

Abstract: Latch hooked articles are made with a foraminous web having an overlying web laminated thereto, the latter having selected areas depicted thereon marking the placing of strand material to be secured to the backing web and having lines of weakness therein to facilitate the insertion of a latch hook bearing strand material through the openings in the backing web for securement to the backing web.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel adhesive compositions and composite structures utilizing the same, wherein said adhesive compositions contain an elastomer, a chemically compatible ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a tackifier, an adhesion promoter, and optionally, pigments, fillers, thickeners and flow control agents which are converted from the liquid to the solid state by exposure to high energy ionizing radiation such as electron beam. A particularly useful application for such adhesive compositions comprises the assembly of certain composite structures or laminates consisting of, for example, a fiber flocked rubber sheet and a metal base with the adhesive fulfilling the multiple functions of adhering the flocked fiber to the rubber sheet as well as adhering the rubber sheet to the metal base.

Abstract: The composite sheet of this invention provides a fabric of superfine fibers impregnated with a high molecular weight elastic polymer and a hardened high molecular weight organic compound, having a nap on its surface formed from the ends of the fibers which constitute the fabric. The root portion of at least a part of the nap is bonded into a bundle by the high molecular weight organic compound, and the tip portion of the nap constituting the bundle is fibrous, thereby including at least some individually distinct fibers.The composite sheet or fabric has the appearance of a high-quality napped woolen woven fabric, deep in color, having a smooth touch, having bulkiness, water-washability and easy care due to excellent crease resistance and packability. It is especially suitable for clothing.

Abstract: Pile weatherstripping for forming a draught excluder around doors and windows, wherein pile material (3) projects from the face of a backing strip (1) which is preferably flexible and at least three barrier fins 5 are associated with the pile material (3). Preferably, the barrier fins 5 are located within the pile material and it is preferred that two V-shaped fins are provided, one within the other.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of brushes having a bristle collecting station, a melting station, a welding station and at least one bristle bunch holder. The bristle bunch holder consists of a plate having hollow bristle holding sleeves thereon and comprising movement devices, with which the bristle bunch holder is successively aligned with the stations. A discharge station is provided in which ejector means are, during advancement of the bristle bunch holder, pushed through the bristle holding sleeves.

Abstract: A tufted product comprising a primary backing material having pile yarn projecting through its top surface and including an electrically conductive metal foil, the pile yarn being tufted through the primary backing fabric including the electrically conductive foil so that the yarn is in direct contact with the foil so as to render the product antistatic.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an improved pile weatherstrip having a loop-shaped barrier film. The weatherstrip, which is used for sealing openings between fixed and movable members, comprises a backing strip to which is secured a barrier film of loop-shaped cross section formed, for example, from a polypropylene material. The loop-shaped film is formed from a web of material folded upon itself with one end portion thereof secured in various ways to the backing strip and an opposite looped portion extending from the strip.

Abstract: An overhanging barrier fin weatherstrip and method having a backing strip, and one surface of a sealing body affixed thereto with the opposite surface free. The backing strip and sealing body form a sealing assembly. An inverted shallow V-shaped barrier fin is provided having first and second web portions joined together along a common fold line. The barrier fin is arranged with an edge surface of the first web portion secured to the sealing assembly, and the first web portion extending vertically with the fold line substantially at the level of the opposite free surface of the sealing body. The second web portion extends outwardly from the fold line overhanging the opposite free surface of the sealing body.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a suede-like raised fabric which comprises preparing a raised fabric which has naps consisting of extra fine fibers (0.0001 to 0.8 denier), applying an emulsion of amino resin to the raised fabric, and after drying, heat-treating the applied raised fabric at 100.degree. to 180.degree. C. to let the amino resin in the fabric harden.

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 transferable flocked fiber design or sticker material which comprises a releasably flocked fiber base including fibers releasably flocked at one end to one major surface of a release support base sheet in upright position by means of a release adhesive layer; and a thermoplastic and pressure-sensitive synthetic resin layer applied to the other end of the flocked fibers. The entire area of the fiber-flocked surface of the release support base sheet is colored or printed or a selected area of the surface is colored or printed in a desired design or pattern and hot melt resin in the form of particles or pellets is sprinkled over the colored or printed surface of the release support base sheet. A method for preparing the releasably flocked fiber base in which a release adhesive layer is formed on one major surface of a release support base sheet, fibers are releasably flocked to the adhesive-applied surface of the release support base sheet and the adhesive-applied surface is colored or printed.

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: Weatherstrip is composed of a substrate having a pile strip upstanding from one surface thereof and containing a barrier strip within the pile strip. In one embodiment the substrate is made of two different materials, one of which is a thermoplastic material that is heat sealed, by being passed over a heated bar, to prevent the edges of the weatherstrip from fraying. The other material maintains the structural integrity of the substrate during heat sealing. The substrate also has a region or strip adjacent the pile to which a flexible, impervious, barrier strip can be heat sealed, this region being of the same material as the barrier strip and of a different material than the thermoplastic material. In another embodiment the substrate may be composed entirely or partly of the thermoplastic material, and the same thermoplastic material is extruded onto the back of the substrate.

Abstract: Weatherstrip is composed of a substrate having a pile strip upstanding from one surface thereof. In one embodiment the substrate is made of two different materials, one of which is a thermoplastic material that is heat sealed by being passed over a heated bar to prevent the edges of the weatherstrip from fraying. The other material maintains the structural integrity of the substrate during heat-sealing. Essentially the whole of the undersurface of the substrate including the portion immediately beneath the pile strip contains the aforementioned thermoplastic material, making it possible for the substrate to be surface mounted on a component such as a door or window fabricated of a material compatible to the thermoplastic material. In another embodiment the substrate may be composed entirely or partly of the thermoplastic material, and the same thermoplastic material is extruded onto the back of the substrate.

Abstract: A latent pressure-sensitive fastener having a discontinuous surface is made by spraying an aqueous pressure-sensitive adhesive onto a flocked pile surface which is adhered to a substrate by a permanent adhesive. The flocked pile surface serves as a reservoir for the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is wicked towards the face of the flocked pile surface upon face-to-face mating of two fasteners. The reservoir of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the wicking action enables repeated fastening and unfastening of two mated fasteners without loss of locking power. The fasteners are particularly useful for seaming carpets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transferrable applique wherein patterns, letters and the like are formed by temporarily bonding short fibers to the surface of a base sheet, such as paper and the like, the fibers being heat-transferred to an apparel, hat, bag and the like, more particularly the invention relates to a heat-transferrable applique having a dispersive dye layer of patterns, letters and the like, printed on the surface of a base sheet by use of dispersive dyes having relatively low sublimation fastness, on said layer there being provided a short fiber layer composed of short fibers made of material dyeable by sublimation of the dispersive dyes temporarily bonded by a porous temporary adhesive layer to the base, there being provided on said short fiber layer an adhesive layer with its position substantially conformed to that of the dispersive dye layer, the surface of said adhesive layer having a granulated or pulverized heat-sensitive adhesive layer, the short fibers being dyed by a preliminary heating

Abstract: A novel carpet material or mat which is characterized by an extraordinary ability to quickly and comfortably discharge any build-up of a static electricity charge on a person who has built up such a charge, say, by walking across conventional carpeting. The novel material is constructed with a backing which has a low dissipation factor and relatively low volume and surface conductivity, with a conductive thread in the pile and with an electroconductive tufting substrate sheet.

Abstract: An artificial grass carpet is adhered to the ground by multiple layers of a polyester resin. The first layer coats the ground and acts as a stabilizer. The second layer is reinforced with chopped fiberglass roving or a fiberglas or scrim mat. The grass carpet is bonded to the second layer.

Abstract: A non-woven sheet or web of fibers, containing at least some thermoplastic fibers, is fused to consolidate the fibers, bond another sheet of material thereto, perforate the sheet or bind tufting fibers therein by heating the sheet to a temperature and for a time sufficient to fuse at least some of the fibers in preselected areas of the sheet while simultaneously blocking heat transmission to the non-selected areas, or by pretreating patterned areas of the sheet to increase or decrease the heat-absorptivity of the patterned areas relative to the remainder of the sheet and thereafter heating the sheet. Improved non-woven fabrics, consolidated in preselected areas, non-woven fabrics bonded to another sheet material in preselected areas, non-woven fabrics perforated in predetermined areas and non-woven fabric substrates firmly holding tufting materials in preselected areas, are also produced.

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: A melt bonded fabric is produced by blending particular ethylene-vinyl acetate fibers with fibers of higher melting materials, forming a fabric thereof as by needle punching, and thereafter subjecting the fabric to temperatures above the melting point of ethylene-vinyl acetate but below that of the other fibers in the fabric.

Abstract: Three dimensional shapes, typically of convex-concave form and having sufficient rigidity to maintain that form are molded from nonwoven, needlepunched fabrics containing certain ethylene-vinyl acetate fibers in admixture with fibers of a higher melting point polymer. Molding is accomplished by heating the fabric to a temperature whereat the ethylene-vinyl acetate fibers soften or melt but below the melting point of the other fibers and thereafter pressing the fabric between the mating faces of a mold pair and allowing the ethylene-vinyl acetate fibers to solidify and cool while in the mold.

Abstract: A latent pressure-sensitive fastener having a discontinuous surface is made by spraying an aqueous pressure-sensitive adhesive onto a flocked pile surface which is adhered to a substrate by a permanent adhesive. The flocked pile surface serves as a reservoir for the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is wicked towards the face of the flocked pile surface upon face-to-face mating of two fasteners. The reservoir of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the wicking action enables repeated fastening and unfastening of two mated fasteners without loss of locking power. The fasteners are particularly useful for seaming carpets.