Abstract: A process to manufacture tufted backing materials comprises the steps of a) providing a roll bearing a backing material which backing material comprises a first side exhibiting a first colour and a second side exhibiting a second colour, wherein the first colour is different from the second colour, the first side is the front side and the second side is the rear side, b) unwinding the backing material from the roll, c) tufting the backing material, d) cutting the backing material at a position between the roll bearing the backing material and the tufting device, e) rotating the roll bearing the backing material by an angle of 180°, f) unwinding the backing material from the roll in a second unwinding direction which is opposite to the first unwinding direction and guiding the backing material into the tufting device, and g) tufting the backing material.

Abstract: A tufted PET carpet assembly and a method of forming the same. The carpet assembly comprising a face layer comprised of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarn comprised of PET fibers and tufted at a pre-determined gauge, the face layer having a face weight, a first backing layer adjacent the face layer, and a first back coating layer adjacent the first backing layer. A method of forming a tufted PET carpet assembly with PET yarn comprising the steps of tufting the PET yarn at a pre-determined gauge onto a backing, applying a back coating to the tufted PET via extrusion to lock the tufted PET to the backing, and applying heat to the tufted PET to enhance the look and feel of the PET.

Abstract: A surface covering such as a carpet, carpet tile, area rug, floor mat or the like incorporating a textile face disposed in contacting overlying relation to at least a polyurethane layer. One or more optional intermediate structure layers may be disposed within the polyurethane and one or more optional backing layers may be disposed across the underside of the polyurethane.

Abstract: Processes for tufting substrate or primary carpet backing using conventional double needle bars but in which the needles may be shifted less than a full gauge. Processes of the present invention may employ a conventional double needle bar tufting machine to which is added means for shifting or indexing the hook bar laterally to the machine direction of the substrate being tufted. Timing of shifting of the hook bar may be coordinated with timing of shifting of the needle bar and advance of the substrate through the machine to allow piles to be tufted into the substrate at any desired lateral position with respect to previously tufted piles. The invention creates additional pile color pattern alternatives and eliminates repetitive patterns otherwise necessitated by full gauge shifting. Elimination of repeat color sequences reduces matching color sequences on adjoining edges of adjacent carpet tiles made from such substrate which otherwise accentuate or highlight the seams between carpet tiles.

Abstract: A synthetic yarn made from a blend of base fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon 6 and nylon 66, and 1-12 weight percent of a heat activated binder fiber having a melting point within the range of 165.degree.-190.degree. C., said binder fiber being made from a copolyamide which is derived from a mixture of 50 to 85 wt. % caprolactam, 0 to 40 wt. % hexamethylenediamine adipate or a combination of hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid, and optionally a salt selected from the group consisting of hexamethylenediamine dodecanedioate, hexamethylenediamine azeleate, hexamethylenediamine sebacate and hexamethylenediamine terephthalate; and a chain terminator selected from at least one of the group consisting of a fatty acid and a fatty amines, wherein said fatty acid or fatty amine include at least 14 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The device carries a bundle of fibers between an upper and lower table of a tufting machine. The bundle of fibers is transferred to a tufting machine by a transfer device having a pair of roller driven conveyors. The conveyors are individual drive belts having individual adjustability over the width of the transfer device. Individual tension is provided in each longitudinal region of the width permitting suitable guiding of each belt despite the very short developed length. The transfer device provides for positively driving the fiber bundle toward the interior of the tufting passage.

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 pattern is placed on a carpet backing by the use of sublimable dyes. Carpet facing is tufted into the backing. Subsequent heating with vacuum action causes the sublimable dye to move from the carpet backing to the face yarn to provide the dyed pattern on the face yarn.