Artificial Leather Patents (Class 428/904)
  • Patent number: 5621023
    Abstract: To produce colored particles with a 10-200 .mu.m average grain size simply, efficiently, and in high yields, in order to obtain suede-type paint constituents with excellent decorative features capable of producing finely detailed, marble-like, multi-color patterns. Water-insoluble particles and a polyvalent carboxylic acid resin with an acid value (solid-based) of about 20-120, either water-soluble or water-diffusing, are mixed in water; and after primary coated particles are formed on the surfaces of the water-insoluble particles on which the polyvalent carboxylic acid resin is adsorbed, a dispersion-stabilized emulsion resin containing a colored pigment is mixed in the dispersion liquid; and a metal salt is added to this mixture so that colored particles with an average particle size of about 10-200 .mu.m with a surface colored coating are obtained. The water-insoluble particles can be either synthetic resin particles or inorganic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Asahipen Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Nishimura, Tadamitsu Hirata
  • Patent number: 5607755
    Abstract: A method for producing imitation leather which can be injection molded from the back as well as such imitation leather which can be injection molded from the back are disclosed. The imitation leather comprises a web layer with a decorative layer. In a first operational cycle, an open plastic framework is inserted into the web layer over the side of the web layer facing away from the decorative layer and subsequently, in one or a plurality of further operational cycles, one or a plurality of further open plastic frameworks are inserted. The surface of the web layer forms an adhesion layer for and at the same time a barrier against the injection molding compound. The resilience of the imitation leather is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Benecke-Kaliko AG
    Inventors: Michael Vollbrecht, Gustav Hildebrandt, Hans-Hinrich Kruse, Axel Bruder
  • Patent number: 5582905
    Abstract: A non-woven mat of fibrous thermoplastic insulation is produced by melt blowing recycled polyethylene teraphthalate (PET). The PET is melted, pressurized and extruded from an extrusion head into substantially continuous fibers that are subjected to turbulent high velocity air that attenuates the fibers. The fibers are then collected on a collection device building up a non-woven mat. The collection device is spaced from the extrusion device forming a flight path for the fibers that is sufficiently long that the fibers split apart under the force of the high velocity air, fibrillating into a plurality of very fine fibrils of under 15 microns in diameter. These fibrils are analogous to goose down and greatly enhance the loft and R value of the mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventors: Martin H. Beck, George F. Rollend, Lydia K. Reed, Marshall T. Watson, David W. Arseneau
  • Patent number: 5571597
    Abstract: An instrument trim panel (12) includes a shell (14) made from a flexible plastic material. A textured section (18) is circumscribed by a simulated seam (20). A closed cell plastic block (28) is press fitted behind the textured section. An air pocket (26) is interposed between the block and textured section. A rigid substrate (22) is molded and cured behind the shell (14) and block (28). The air pocket allows the textured section to be deformed to simulate the appearance and feel of a leather applique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Davidson Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Gallagher, Lawrence R. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5534327
    Abstract: A powdered leather which is composed of at least 85% by weight of cortex, at most 2% by weight of oil and fat, and at most 0.5% by weight of Na.sup.+ and Ca.sup.2+ ions capable of being eluted by water and which has an average particle size (D.sub.50) of at most 7 .mu.m, a standard deviation of the average particle size being at most 3 .mu.m. With this powdered leather, it is possible to thin films, coatings, fibers, etc. which would hardly be deteriorated with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Nishi, Yasuji Kawamura, Kazuo Minato, Nobuo Kusamoto, Haruki Kai, Kazuhisa Kaneda, Takao Inokuchi
  • Patent number: 5518800
    Abstract: A grained artificial leather comprised of a sheet-form fibrous base, a porous polyurethane layer having interconnected open cells, formed on at least one surface of the base, and a non-porous polyurethane film formed on the porous polyurethane layer. A multiplicity of open cells are interspersed in the porous polyurethane layer, part of which are closed by the non-porous polyurethane film and the remainder of which are not closed and at least 70% in number of the non-closed opening cells have a diameter of 1-25 .mu.m.The artificial leather is made by adhering the porous polyurethane layer to the sheet-form fibrous base, applying a polyurethane/solvent mixed liquid as dots interspersed on the surface of the polyurethane layer to develop a multiplicity of open cells on the surface, and then applying a finishing polyurethane on the open cell-developed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Nobuo Okawa, Yoshiyuki Suzuki, Kunihiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5507960
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for treating and protecting a substrate, said method comprising coating the surface of said substrate with a composition comprising a blend of(A) a polydimethylsiloxane polymer having a viscosity at 25.degree. C. of 5 to 100,000 cS; and(B) a polyisobutylene oligomer having a number average molecular weight of 200 to 550. The treatment imparts an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the surfaces of plastic, rubber or leather substrates whereby surface gloss is enhanced, but not excessively, as is the case for a comparable all-silicone treating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Popa, Linda D. Kennan, Thomas M. Gentle, Dale E. Hauenstein
  • Patent number: 5503899
    Abstract: A suede-like artificial leather which is composed of fiber bundles and an elastomeric polymer, has fibrous nap on its surface and is dyed, said fiber bundles being composed of fine fibers (A) having a finess of 0.02-0.2 denier and microfine fibers (B) having a fineness not more than 1/5 of the average fineness of said fine fibers (A) and also less than 0.02 denier, said fibers (A) and (B) being substantially uniformly dispersed in cross sections of the fiber bundles, the ratio between the strand numbers of fibers (A) to fibers (B) ranging from 1/2 to 2/3, said fiber bundles not substantially containing the elastomeric polymer in the interspaces among the individual fibers constituting each of the fiber bundles, and the ratio of the number of fibers (A) to that of fibers (B) in the nap-constituting fibers being at least 3/1, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ashida, Hisao Yoneda, Tuyosi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5478865
    Abstract: A method of recycling discarded PU foam articles comprises a first step of grinding the discarded PU foam articles into fine particles, which are then mixed with a predetermined amount of a powdered plastic to form a mixture. The mixture is heated to become a molten mixture, which is cooled to take form. The molten mixture may be adhered to the surface of a cloth or leather material when the cooling and the forming processes of the molten mixture are under way. The final product can be burned at a high temperature to produce a high-carbon residue, which is added to the mixture to make a product having a deodorant and an antistatic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Ching-Bing Chang
  • Patent number: 5476706
    Abstract: A sporting implement has a head portion with a hitting surface for contacting a ball. The implement uses a plurality of animal hide sections formed in a laminate for excellent durability, elasticity, batting sound and batting field. Each of the animal hide sections have a plurality of slits therein. The head portion or club head of the sporting implement is profiled so that the laminated end surfaces of the laminated hide are directed at a hitting or batting surface, whereby a stress generated in the batting surface at the time of batting is absorbed and attenuated by the plurality of slits within the laminated hide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Okiyoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5422186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to coating compositions which are suitable for preparing matt coatings and containA) an aqueous polymer dispersion which is capable of forming films at temperatures below 70.degree. C. andB) an aqueous polyurethane polyurea dispersion which is not film forming below 70.degree. C. and preferably has an average particle diameter above 350 nm, preferably from 500 to 1000 nm.The present invention is also directed to textile or leather substrates coated with these coating compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eberhard Biggeleben, Thomas Munzmay
  • Patent number: 5418051
    Abstract: An improved process is provided for treating a porous web (especially fabric) to produce a novel silicone polymer internally coated web. In the process, a starting curable liquid silicone polymer is coated under pressure upon one surface of the web, and the web is then subjected to localized shear forces sufficient to move the silicone polymer composition into interior portions of the web and to distribute the silicone polymer composition generally uniformly therwithin in such planar region. Excess silicone polymer composition is wiped away from a web surface. Thereafter, the resulting web is heated or irradiated to cure the silicone polymer. Preferably a web is preliminarily impregnated with a fluorochemical. Webs procuded by this process are breathable, waterproof or highly water repellent, and flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Fabric Coating Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Caldwell
  • Patent number: 5415940
    Abstract: There is a need for polymers which are utilized in automotive interiors which offer increased heat and ultraviolet light resistance. It is particularly critical for polymers which are utilized in making skin compounds for automotive instrument and door panels to display excellent heat and ultraviolet light resistance. This invention discloses a rubbery polymer which can be blended with polyvinyl chloride to make leathery compositions having good heat and ultraviolet light resistance, said rubbery polymer being comprised of repeat units which are comprised of (a) butyl acrylate, or optionally a mixture of butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate containing up to about 40% 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, and ethyl acrylate, (c) acrylonitrile, (d) styrene, (e) a half ester maleate soap, and (f) a crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Hung D. Ngoc, Mariano Salazar
  • Patent number: 5413846
    Abstract: The following describes elasticized artificial leather characterized in that it is formed by a woven support material comprising warp threads and weft threads, said material being coated on at least one of its two sides by at least one layer of synthetic polymer, said woven material having its weft made from elasticized yarn produced using elastomeric fibers. A further object of the present invention is a process for production of the elasticized artificial leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Man Made S.R.L.
    Inventor: Raffaele Besana
  • Patent number: 5395414
    Abstract: A novel display panel (10) has a high fidelity visual pattern with a full range of grey scale values, for instance, a marble or leather pattern, which is produced via a novel methodology (20). In accordance with the novel methodology (20), a high resolution visual pattern (31) and a mask pattern (32) are produced and separately printed. The patterns (31, 32) are then superimposed and exposed to a camera (33) which generates an enlarged photograph positive. A silk screen is produced from the enlarged photograph positive and used to print a high fidelity visual pattern onto a glass substrate (13). The glass substrate (13) and visual pattern (14) are then heated in a tempering oven to derive the display panel (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Dover Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Matasick, Don Bratton
  • Patent number: 5393600
    Abstract: A highly flexible leather-like sheet material has a base layer of a fibrous aggregate containing a first polymer principally containing a first elastic polymer and, provided on the surface thereof, a coating layer of a second polymer principally comprising a second elastic polymer, said coating layer containing the two layers of a wet-formed porous intermediate coating layer integrated with the base layer and having a thickness of 10 to 40 .mu.m and having continuous pores with a maximum pore diameter of 1 to 30 .mu.m and a dry-formed porous surface coating layer having a thickness of 20 to 80 .mu.m and having continuous pores with a maximum pore diameter of substantially not more than 20 .mu.m and an average pore diameter of, preferably, 1 to 5 .mu.m obtained by extracting off fine particles, the two layers both containing a softening agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Omura, Kazundo Akamata
  • Patent number: 5354397
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a surface of a molding is provided with soft touch feeling by making a sheet for covering a substrate having a soft touch layer adhere to the surface of the molding. A covering film having soft touch feeling can easily be formed even on surfaces of products with unevenness and curves. This sheet for covering a substrate has a soft touch layer formed from a resin composition containing at least one substrate selected from the group consisting of elastic beads and a porous inorganic material, and a urethane resin as its main components. This sheet is placed in a mold and a resin is molded in the mold, whereby a molding having soft touch feeling can be obtained. The sheet for covering a substrate has extensibility and is not likely to be broken during the molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Sekisui Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akitaka Miyake, Hiroshi Abe, Yosuke Oshikawa
  • Patent number: 5302440
    Abstract: The gripping characteristics of the contact surface of a handle, grip or glove can be improved by applying an extremely soft, and/or tacky, elastomeric coating having a hardness of 10 to 40 Shore A, a tensile strength of 400 to 1700 psi, an elongation of 200 to 1400 percent and a tear resistance of 50 to 400 PLI, such as a cross linkable acrylic polymer. The coating solution can also contain a pigment. The thus formed coating solution is then applied to the contact surface and dried, so as to form the polymer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Elbert Davis
  • Patent number: 5298315
    Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric comprising a staple fiber nonwoven fabric A constituted with a staple fiber of 0.3 denier or less and a staple fiber of 0.5 denier or more, the content of which is determined to a specific value, and a filament nonwoven fabric B. With regard to the fiber arrangement of the staple fiber in the staple fiber nonwoven fabric A, the proportion of a parallel component thereof against a surface of the nonwoven fabric is high, and the staple fiber nonwoven fabric A and the filament nonwoven fabric B are interlaced with each other near the boundary area therebetween, and the staple fiber of the staple fiber nonwoven fabric A is not deeply inserted. The composite nonwoven fabric has superior air permeability and water resistance and when deformation caused by bending or compression occurs, a leakage of liquid is not likely to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Fukui, Toshiko Kiyotaki
  • Patent number: 5279782
    Abstract: A method for making a rubbery weatherstrip having a suede appearance and a suede feel includes a step for coextruding a welt portion of a weatherstrip and an outer rubber layer containing fibrillated fibers, namely bast fibrillated fibers, leaf fibrillated fibers and mixture thereof, or a welt portion of a weatherstrip, a sealing portion and an outer rubber layer containing fibrillated bast or leaf fibers to adhere these sheets, a step for vulcanizing the entire portions thereof, and a step for subjecting the outer rubber layer to buff processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignees: Hiroshima Kasei Ltd., Tosco Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yamamoto, Taizo Kunimura, Hiroshi Miyachi, Shozaburo Dobashi, Hisaichiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 5277969
    Abstract: An imitation leather laminate material comprises a base sheet consisting of 50 to 90% by weight of a microfiber felt wherein said microfibers are polyethylene terephthalate or polyamide 6 or polyamide 6--6 of from 0.05 to 0.4 denier, and 50 to 10% by weight of a polyurethane-polyurea polymer having an average molecular weight corresponding to a polymer solution viscosity within the range from 10,000 to 50,000 centipoise (cps) when the solution is 25% by weight in dimethylformamide at a temperature of 20.degree. C.; the resulting base sheet has final weight within 140 to 450 g/m.sup.2 and density within 0.20 to 0.40 g/cm.sup.3 and is backed with one or more functional substrates adhered thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Alcantara S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Borri, Alessandro Piermattei, Luigi Serpe
  • Patent number: 5256429
    Abstract: A soft and strong composite sheet for artificial leather comprises a woven or knitted fabric and a non-woven layer intertwined with the fabric. The fabric comprises a high twist yarn and the non-woven layer has in it a number of fibers of a length greater than 20 mm, the number being at least 10 fibers/cm.sup.2. The sheet includes a binder.A method which can be employed for making such a sheet comprises superimposing on one another a fabric constructed at least partly from a highly twisted yarn and a non-woven fiber web, intertwining fibers of the non-woven fiber web with the said fabric by needle punching and thereafter applying to the resultant structure a binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Honda, Tateo Fujii, Koji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5254391
    Abstract: The gripping characteristics of the contact surface of a handle, grip or glove are improved by applying an extremely soft, elastomeric coating having a hardness of 20 to 40 Shore A, a tensile strength of 700 to 1700 psi, an elongation of 400 to 1400 percent and a tear resistance of 100 to 400 PLI, such as an oil-modified, styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene block copolymers. The oil-modified, styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene block copolymer is dissolved by high temperature, high shear mixing in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, such as ethyl benzene, in the range of 10% to 45% solids. The coating solution can also contain a pigment. The thus formed coating solution is then applied to the contact surface and dried, so as to form the polymer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventor: Elbert Davis
  • Patent number: 5252379
    Abstract: An embossed process paper for transfer, adapted to be used for forming a dry type of synthetic leather, includes a backing paper (1), a mixed resin (2) of polypropylene with polyethylene laminated on the surface of the backing paper (1) and a homopolypropylene resin (3) laminated on the surface of the mixed resin (2). Both the resins are laminated together at a total resin coat thickness of 30 to 120 .mu.m, the thickness of the mixed resin (2) accounting for 50 to 20% of the total resin coat thickness and the thickness of the resin (3) accounting for 50 to 80% of the total resin coat thickness, both the resins having thereon a given embossed pattern having a depth of 20 to 150 .mu.m, and the backing paper (1) having a smooth back side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignees: Sanyo Kakoshi Kabushiki Kaisha, Showa Denko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Kuribayashi, Haruo Yoshikawa, Yoshio Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5242750
    Abstract: A pressure- and vacuum-moldable foam sheeting, consisting of a foam layer, on which is applied a decorative layer, and optionally a primer layer as well as additional layers, for lining the interior of vehicles, is described. It is distinguished owing to the fact that the foam layer has a) a density of approximately 25 to 200 kg/m.sup.3, b) an elongation at break according to DIN 53571 of at least about 50% and c) a compression hardness according to DIN 53577 of at least 50 kPa (at 50% deformation). Preferably, the foam layer consists of a polyolefin. This vacuum-and pressure-moldable foam sheeting does not require any PVC material for its foam layer; disposal problems are thus eliminated. Because of the low weight of the foam sheeting, there is very little rejected material during secondary processing. The foam sheeting is distinguished by good mechanical properties and satisfies the demanding delivery conditions of the automobile industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: J. H. Benecke AG
    Inventors: Werner Wagner, Heinrich Kracke, Gustav Hildebrandt, Reiner Taczkowski, Axel Bruder
  • Patent number: 5209965
    Abstract: An improved process is provided for treating a porous web (especially fabric) to produce a novel silicone polymer internally coated web. In the process, a starting curable liquid silicone polymer is coated under pressure upon one surface of the web, and the web is then subjected to localized shear forces sufficient to move the silicone polymer composition into interior portions of the web and to distribute the silicone polymer composition generally uniformly therewithin in such planar region. Excess silicone polymer composition is wiped away from a web surface. Thereafter, the resulting web is heated or irradiated to cure the silicone polymer. Preferably a web is preliminarily impregnated with a fluorochemical. Webs produced by this process are breathable, waterproof or highly water repellent, and flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Sili-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Caldwell
  • Patent number: 5183695
    Abstract: An interior finish surface material for automobiles having good heat moldability such as high stretchability, low shrinkability after molding, good feeling of touch and good retainability of embossed pattern and comprising a surface layer and at least one of a base layer and a foam layer provided between said surface layer and said base layer, said surface layer being made from a composition comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a vinyl chloride resin, (B) 20 to 200 parts by weight of at least one of a plasticizer and a thermoplastic elastomer, (C) 2 to 150 parts by weight of an AMBS resin and (D) 0 to 100 parts by weight of an inorganic filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignees: Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shohei Masuhra, Satoshi Tonoki, Toshiya Shibukawa, Hirsohi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 5171788
    Abstract: A material for the preparation of an internal-finishing skin of a composite type composed of a polyvinyl chloride and a polyurethane derived from reaction of a polyester polyol with an aliphatic or alicyclic diisocyanate, in which said polyesterpolyol comprising:(a) in the molecule, a group of ##STR1## and groups of [I], [II], and [III] which link to the abovementioned formula: ##STR2## where n and m are respectively an integer of from 4 to 9 which may be identical to or different from each other, R and R' are respectively a lower alkyl which may be identical to or different from each other; [II] being contained in an amount of 30 to 50 mol %, [III] being contained in an amount of 10 to 25 mol %, and [I] being the remainder (25 to 60 mol %) based on the total amount of [I], [II], and [III]; and has (b) OH groups at ends of the molecule, and (c) a number-average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 10,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Yano, Tetsuo Kijima, Shohei Tsunoda, Toshihiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5164231
    Abstract: The gripping characteristics of the contact surface of a handle, grip or glove are improved by applying an extremely soft, elastomeric coating having a hardness of 20 to 40 Shore A, a tensile strength of 700 to 1700 psi, an elongation of 400 to 1400 percent and a tear resistance of 100 to 400 PLI, such as an oil-modified, styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene block copolymers. The oil-modified, styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene block copolymer is dissolved by high temperature, high shear mixing in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, such as ethyl benzene, in the range of 10% to 45% solids. The coating solution can also contain a pigment. The thus formed coating solution is then applied to the contact surface and dried, so as to form the polymer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: Elbert Davis
  • Patent number: 5156900
    Abstract: A leather-like sheet material resembling natural leather is provided which has a microporous surface and comprises a fibrous substrate layer (1) and a porous, skinless surface layer (2) having an apparent density of 0.25-0.48 g/cm.sup.3 with pores having an average diameter of 15-300 .mu.m being predominantly present therein. The surface layer (2) comprises polyurethane I in which the organic diisocyanate constituent is an aromatic ring-containing organic diisocyanate and the porous structure of at least the surface portion of the surface layer (2) is provided with polyurethane II prepared from an organic diisocyanate, which mainly comprises an aliphatic diisocyanate and/or an alicyclic diisocyanate, a polymer diol and a chain extender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeo Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5151240
    Abstract: A leather-like material having a soft feed and a high water vapor permeability comprises a substrate of a fiber aggregate and a microporous grain layer mainly comprising a polyurethane elastomer and having an average thickness between 20 .mu.m and 300 .mu.m, preferably between 20 .mu.m and 200 .mu.m, more preferably 20 .mu.m and 100 .mu.m. The grain layer has an inner layer portion permeating partly into interstices of the fiber aggregate and bonding thereto, a topside having been coagulated to set up with a flat and smooth, or animal skin-like, grain appearance and micropores having an average pore diameter gradient of from at least 4 .mu.m in the inner layer portion to at most 3 .mu.m in the surface layer portion. The leather-like material is characterized by a water vapor permeability of from 1 to 30 mg/cm.sup.2.hr and a Gurley stiffness ratio of article to substrate of at most 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Kanebo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koin Asano, Kenichi Tagawa, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Hiroyuki Wakahara
  • Patent number: 5140746
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for splicing electrical wires that are to be exposed to an adverse environment. The apparatus includes a connector, an insulating sleeve adapted to retain the connector, and an encapsulant. The encapsulant, which is disposed within the insulating sleeve, has a cone penetration value of 100 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Christian A. M. Debbaut
  • Patent number: 5126189
    Abstract: The invention is a membrane comprising polymerized monomer and oligomer components. A primary membrane oligomer component is selected from acrylic polyester urethanes, and a secondary membrane monomer component is selected from 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutylacrylamide and perfluoromonomers and perfluoroacrylic monomers. The membrane is further characterized as being microporous, permeable and having a thickness of less than 0.1 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Gelman Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald B. Tanny, Yitzchak Keningsberg, Ehud Shchori
  • Patent number: 5112421
    Abstract: A soft and strong composite sheet for an artificial leather is provided by superimposing a fabric or woven or knitted construction and a non-woven fiber web, anchoring fibers of the non-woven fiber web with the fabric by needle punching to form a composite sheet and thereafter coating or impregnating the composite sheet with a binder solution. The fabric is constructed at least partly from high twist multifilament yarn and the non-woven fiber web is constructed from fibers having an average fiber length of at least 20 mm, the number of fibers being at least 10 fibers/cm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Honda, Tateo Fujii, Koji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5061572
    Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer laminate comprising: a base fabric, a polyolefin intermediate layer formed on said fabric comprising a polyolefin, at least a part of which is modified by grafting with at least one monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof, and a thermoplastic elastomer surface layer formed on said intermediate layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer. The surface layer is comprised of a composition comprising: a polyolefin resin and an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer rubber, in which only said copolymer rubber is, or both said copolymer rubber and at least a part of said polyolefin resin are partially crosslinked. The product is attractive as an artificial leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Hamada, Akira Uchiyama, Katsuo Okamoto
  • Patent number: 5043209
    Abstract: Fluid impermeable, protective clothing is usually impermeable in both directions, and thus sweat is unable to evaporate from the skin or from inner clothing. A buildup of moisture is uncomfortable and, if prolonged, can cause pain and injury. A simple solution to the problem is to insert a two-layer liner in the impermeable clothing which will absorb the sweat. The liner includes an inner layer of vapor permeable, liquid impermeable material such as microporous Teflon (trademark) film, microporous polyurethane film or a hydrophilic polymer coating, and an outer layer of a material highly absorptive of both water vapor and liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence
    Inventors: Sylvie Boisse, Brian Farnworth
  • Patent number: 5004643
    Abstract: An improved process is provided for treating a porous web (especially fabric) to produce a novel silicone polymer internally coated web. In the process, a starting curable liquid silicone polymer is coated under pressure upon one surface of the web, and the web is then subjected to localized shear forces sufficient to move the silicone polymer composition into interior portions of the web and to distribute the silicone polymer composition generally uniformly therwithin in such planar region. Excess silicone polymer composition is wiped away from a web surface. Thereafter, the resulting web is heated or irradiated to cure the silicone polymer. Preferably a web is preliminarily impregnated with a fluorochemical. Webs procuded by this process are breathable, waterproof or highly water repellent, and flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Sili-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Caldwell
  • Patent number: 4959264
    Abstract: A release paper for the manufacture of artificial leather, characterized by the release coating of the paper being essentially of a flexible poly(4-methyl pentene-1) resin (TPX) loaded with particulate mineral filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: The Wiggins Teape Group Limited
    Inventors: Paul Dunk, Roger M. Hindin, Peter J. Miles
  • Patent number: 4936937
    Abstract: A laminated vinyl fabric and a process for making the same, said fabric comprising a sheet of vinyl resin with which a major proportion of plasticizer is combined, said fabric also having been made by extrusion and promptly thereafter having been adhesively laminated at a relatively low temperature with a knitted fabric at substantially only wrap pressure. In one form, the knitted fabric is of an interlock double-knit construction with one surface thereof having a relatively small number of contacts with said vinyl sheet via an intermediate adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Pioneer-Leimel Fabrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Burns, Robert D. Scarth, John V. Mascaro, J. W. Hegenboden, Moses Green, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4923732
    Abstract: A dressed leather is provided at least on one side with depressions and have on this side absorbent protruding fibres. At this side the leather is bonded with a layer formed of an aqueous dispersion of synthetic plastics material, said layer fills the depressions and completely receives the protruding fibres and forms at least a part of the dressing, which dressing is provided with a structured surface at the side turned away from the leather.Preferably, the dressing consists of two layers, the inner layer, which is adjacent the leather and completely receives the protruding fibres, is formed of the aqueous dispersion of synthetic plastics material and the outer layer, which has the structured surface, consists of an aqueous dispersion of synthetic plastics material or of a liquid solution of synthetic plastics material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignees: Philipp Schaefer, Microplastic Corp.
    Inventor: Philipp Schaefer
  • Patent number: 4906516
    Abstract: A leather-like foam sheet for vacuum forming, which comprises:(1) a transparent of semitransparent colored polyurethane elastomer film layer,(2) a colored polyurethane elastomer film layer,(3) a polyurethane adhesive layer,(4) a thermoplastic resin foam layer (optional),(5) a thermoplastic resin sheet layer, and(6) a thermoplastic resin foam layer.The foam sheet of the present invention has excellent resistance and forming properties and a high-grade leather-like appearance and a soft feeling to the touch similar to those of natural leather and is useful for a trim material of a car and for furniture and other miscellaneous goods having leather-like appearance, touch, and other properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikaaki Okamura, Tamotu Nagao
  • Patent number: 4892777
    Abstract: A coated laminate in web form, having a fine-grained surface, consists of a nonwoven fabric with a coating, with a plain knit or woven fabric situated between the coating and the nonwoven fabric. Its production is performed by a reverse procedure on a release paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Hanns J. Wald, Wilfried Getrost, Sigrid Lang
  • Patent number: 4876138
    Abstract: A synthetic leather-like material includes a woven fabric base, an acrylic paint layer over the fabric, a clear polymer layer over the paint, and a silicone layer over the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Inventor: Linda F. Bailey
  • Patent number: 4864725
    Abstract: An article and process for splicing electrical wires that are to be exposed to an adverse environment. The article includes a connector, an insulating sleeve adapted to retain the connector, and an encapsulant. The encapsulant, which is disposed within the insulating sleeve, has a cone penetration value of 100 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Christian A. M. Debbaut
  • Patent number: 4833012
    Abstract: A fiber entanglement is provided which is characterized in that it is a three-dimensional entanglement comprising elastic fibers (A) each being a fine-denier fiber bundle or exhibiting porous fiber structure as seen on a fiber cross section with a number of irregularly-shaped pores extending in the fiber axis direction; nonshrinkable, nonelastic fibers (B); and shrinkable, nonelastic fibers (C); said fibers (A) are at least partially bonded or fused together at various points of contact with one another and, thereby, produce a taut condition; said nonshrinkable, nonelastic fibers (B) are folded several times over by means of the elastic fibers (A) and the shrinkable, nonelastic fibers (C). This fiber entanglement is useful as a base material for leather-like sheet materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Makimura, Kunio Kogame
  • Patent number: 4812350
    Abstract: Covered polyurethane foam panels have incorporated in them an adhesion enhancer which is composed of a polyester polyol and a heteric polyether polyol. The polyester polyol is preferably an adduct of adipic acid with ethylene glycol and butanediol. The heteric polyether polyol contains from about 35 weight percent to about 75 weight percent ethylene oxide, the remainder being propylene or butylene oxide and has a functionality from about 2 to about 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Shrewsburg, Edward W. Cole, III
  • Patent number: 4766014
    Abstract: Synthetic sheet material comprising a porous polyurethane resin matrix containing polyester or polyethylene fibers, and a pressed polyurethane resin cover film patterned to imitate natural leather is treated inside rotary tanning drums, with a bivalent or trivalent metal salt solution, preferably of a chloride or sulphate, which is brought up to precipitation pH level in such a manner as to fill the pores in the polyurethane matrix on the sheet material with a corresponding hydroxide, after which the material is treated with a dialdehyde; fireproofing, coloring and softening substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Lorica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Poletto
  • Patent number: 4764412
    Abstract: A laminated vinyl fabric and a process for making the same, said fabric comprising a sheet of vinyl resin with which a major proportion of plasticizer is combined, said fabric also having been made by extrusion and promptly thereafter having been adhesively laminated at a relatively low temperature with a knitted fabric at substantially only wrap pressure. In one form, the knitted fabric is of an interlock double-knit construction with one surface thereof having a relatively small number of contacts with said vinyl sheet via an intermediate adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Pioneer-Leimel Fabrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Burns, Robert D. Scarth, John V. Mascaro, J. W. Hegenboden, Moses Green, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4756947
    Abstract: Artificial leather and a dyeing method therefor; the leather includes ultrafine polyamide fibers and is particularly a grained artificial leather having bright, deep color, good color fastness to dry cleaning with charged soap, a delicate touch free from any undesirable rubber-like feeling, as well as high durability.A super-entangled fiber base is provided comprising ultrafine polyamide fibers and/or bundles thereof; polyurethane including polyoxyethylene of molecular weight of 500-5,000 is applied. The polyamide ultrafine fibers are dyed with a metal-dye complex and a fixing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshio Nishikawa, Shiro Imai, Kenkichi Yagi, Yuriko Yoshida, Masato Shimada, Junnosuke Nagashima, Teruo Nakamura
  • Patent number: H1542
    Abstract: A composite comprising two or more layers of fiber-reinforced, crosslinked epoxy resin, wherein adjacent layers of the reinforced, crosslinked epoxy resin are interspaced with a layer of a thermoplastic polymer, which thermoplastic polymer comprises a linear polymer of carbon monoxide with one or more olefinically unsaturated compounds, wherein the monomer units originating from carbon monoxide and the monomer units originating from olefinically unsaturated compounds, are present in an alternating arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jacob J. Elmendorp, Johannes C. M. Gillemans