Abstract: A textile substrate is made from two or more strands of yarn that are twisted together using a very low variable twist level. The amount of slight twist and variation in the twist are effective to give the finished carpet made from the textile substrate a uniform appearance in spite of any slight variations in one or more characteristics of the yarn. The textile substrate, by using such a low variable twist level, can avoid streaks in the carpet, for instance, caused by variations in yarn lots and the like.

Abstract: A wide-meshed grid fabric, in particular a geogrid, in which warp thread bundles composed of multiple warp threads and weft thread bundles composed of multiple weft threads intersect and surround meshes or lattice openings. To give the grid fabric, which may also be a scrim, a greater volume, whereby, among other things, improved reinforcement of the soil may be achieved, individual threads of a thread bundle in a mesh are longer than other threads of the same thread bundle, the longer threads running in a wave pattern and forming at least one open loop or bulge per mesh; the open loop or bulge may protrude upward and/or downward from the plane of the grid fabric. A plastic coating may stiffen the grid fabric.

Abstract: A base substrate having a first side and a second side, first and second receiving loops extending from the first and second side of the base substrate, respectively, and first and second stiff loops extending from the first and second side of the base substrate, respectively. The base substrate is a flexible cloth or cloth-like material. The receiving loops are an absorbent material such as the material used in the base substrate. The stiff loops are formed of a yarn having at least one filament with a cross-section having an aspect ratio of greater than about 1.2, a corner edge, and/or at least a concave portion.

Abstract: A fabric is formed of yarns having soiling-hiding and soiling-prone characteristics which are visually distinct one from the other in the surface of the fabric once the fabric has been soiled. The soiling-prone yarns comprise yarns formed of multi-lobal fibers or filaments where the soiling particles collect in the cavities of the lobed surfaces. Preferably, the soiling-hiding yarns are formed of hollowfil synthetic fibers or filaments. By embedding one or more yarns of the soiling-prone type in the fabric, e.g., carpet, the yarns become differentially visually distinctive relative to one another upon soiling of the fabric.

Abstract: A synthetic-grass flooring may include a substrate with multiple filiform formations extending upwards from the substrate to simulate natural-grass cover or turf. End portions of the filiform formations may be curled to bestow upon the filiform formations a general tree-like conformation. The synthetic-grass flooring may be manufactured as a finished product in a factory. A particulate filling material or infill may be retained on the substrate by the curly ends of the filiform formations.

Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.

Abstract: A curved surfaces for adhering to contact surfaces is provided. The structure includes a curved surface with a plurality of nano-fibers disposed thereon. When the curved surface is in a first position, at least one of the plurality of nano-fibers contacts the contact surface and provides an adhesive force at the contact surface. When the curved surface rotates to a second position from the first position, the at least one of the plurality of nano-fibers is leveraged way from the contact surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an internally-tufted laminate adapted to provide improved softness and cloth-like feel.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet is disclosed. The topsheet has a first side and a second side, the first side being a body-facing side and the second side being in fluid communication with the absorbent core. The topsheet also has a first relatively hydrophobic component and a second relatively hydrophilic component, the relatively hydrophilic component extending through the relatively hydrophobic component and being disposed on both of the sides of the topsheet. The absorbent article exhibits a rewet value of less than about 94 mg, and a fluid acquisition rate of at least about 0.10 ml/sec when tested by the Gush Acquisition and Rewet Test Method.

Abstract: A bulked continuous filament with a three-sided exterior configuration is characterized in that each side has a smoothly curved contour extending between a first and a second rounded tip with an inwardly extending depressed region being disposed adjacent to each tip. Generally, the filament has an exterior modification ratio in the range from about 1.4 to about 2.5, and a tip ratio in the range from about 2.0 to about 10.0. The filament generally delta-shaped void with three major apices extending centrally and axially therethrough. Each side of the void is convexly shaped and formed from a pair of facets that meet to define minor apices. The void is oriented such that each major apex extends toward the approximate midpoint of one side of the exterior of the filament and each minor apex extends toward a tip of an exterior side.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: A fabric is provided having discrete surface portions of a primary backing and tufted yarns exposed on the technical face of the fabric. To form the fabric, the yarn feed controlled by servomotors is adjusted in increments to rob back yarn sufficient to pull out the previously tufted loops in selected portions of the fabric, leaving the primary backing portion of the pulled-out loops exposed on the technical face. By the selection process, random or patterned tufted portions and exposed primary backing surface portions are provided on the technical face of the fabric.

Abstract: A lofty, nonwoven material having a nonwoven web having a plurality of substantially continuous fibers oriented in a z-direction of the nonwoven web and a method for producing the lofty, nonwoven material from as-formed z-direction fibers. The method is fast, having no mechanical manipulation of the fibers to slow it down, easily adjustable and allows for in-line processing. The material can be varied from preponderantly open to preponderantly closed in its web structure.

Abstract: A stitched yarn surface structure includes a backing having decorative upper surface and a thickness dimension T of at least two (2) millimeters. The backing exhibits a predetermined compressive resistance Rb. Plural rows of face yarn segments cover at least a portion of the decorative upper surface of the backing, with adjacent face yarn segments being spaced apart by a predetermined minimum spacing dimension S. The yarns forming the face yarn segments have a predetermined compressive resistance Ry. The compressive resistance Rb, the compressive resistance Ry, and the spacing S are selected such that a load of up to one hundred (100) pounds per square inch (psi) imposed on the stitched yarn surface structure by a loading member is able to be borne by the stitched yarn surface structure without allowing contact between the member and the decorative upper surface of the backing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial grass lawn suitable for sports fields, which artificial grass lawn consists of a base layer, on which first artificial grass fibres are disposed. In accordance with the invention, the artificial grass lawn is characterized in that said base layer comprises a material having damping properties, which is present thereon and/or therein. Thus the properties of a natural grass field are approximated very closely, and also the style of play on the sports field is positively affected. Furthermore, the artificial grass field thus obtained is substantially free of maintenance and of injury.

Abstract: Disclosed are mono-layer or multi-layer films, sheets, or coatings wherein at least on layer comprises a fringed surface microstructure (1), a process for making these items and uses thereof. Further disclosed are articles of manufacture comprising such film, sheet, or coating.

Abstract: A bulked continuous filament with a three-sided exterior configuration is characterized in that each side has a smoothly curved contour extending between a first and a second rounded tip with an inwardly extending depressed region being disposed adjacent to each tip. Generally, the filament has an exterior modification ratio in the range from about 1.4 to about 2.0, and a tip ratio in the range from about 2.0 to about 4.0. The filament generally delta-shaped void with three major apices extending centrally and axially therethrough. Each side of the void is convexly shaped and formed from a pair of facets that meet to define minor apices. The void is oriented such that each major apex extends toward the approximate midpoint of one side of the exterior of the filament and each minor apex extends toward a tip of an exterior side.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite comprising at least one heat shrinkable adhesive layer stitch-bonded with yarns, which shrink less than the adhesive layer or do not shrink, when the adhesive layer is exposed to heat. The stitch-bonded yarns form loops upstanding from the shrunk adhesive layer and the loops create a textured surface on the composite, and the composite is substantially inelastic after the adhesive layer is shrunk. The composite may further comprise at least one fibrous layer stitch-bonded to the shrinkable adhesive layer, and the fibrous layer is less shrinkable than the adhesive layer or is substantially non-shrinkable.

Abstract: A composite textile fabric for rapidly moving moisture away from the skin is provided. The composite fabric includes an inner fabric layer (the technical back) formed therealong with a plurality of vertical and horizontal channels and made of a yarn comprising a plurality of fibers of polyester or nylon which have been rendered hydrophilic. The fabric also includes an outer fabric layer (the technical face) made of a moisture absorbent material, a yarn comprising a plurality of fibers primarily of polyester of other man-made yarn which has also been rendered hydrophilic, or a combination thereof. The inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer are formed concurrently by knitting a plaited construction so that the layers are distinct and separate, yet integrated one with the other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape for polishing the surface of a substrate of a magnetic recording medium, and a thin-fineness filament obtained by dissolving a dissolving component of a dissolution-decomposition type composite yarn consisting of a nylon component and the dissolving component is used as piles of a flocked cloth, warps of a fabric, and webs of a nonwoven fabric. The polishing tape of the present invention can noticeably improve the surface roughness of the polished substrate.

Abstract: A covering for a floor, wall or ceiling surface includes tiles each having first and second discrete tile sections. The first section includes a primary backing exposed on one side of the tile forming a first discrete exposed surface portion and a plurality of yarns tufted into the primary backing with cut or loop yarns on the back side of the primary backing leaving backstitches forming a second discrete exposed surface portion of the first section. The primary backing and backstitches form the first and second surface portions, respectively, of the first section with aesthetic characteristics different from one another. The second section of the tile is formed of one of a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric and a tufted pile and which second section forms the remaining portion of the exposed surface of the tile.

Abstract: A carpet which is suitable for use in a vehicular passageway, includes a backing fabric that is woven by using the multi-filament yarns for the warps and wefts. A binding resin is applied to the filaments which compose the weft. The filaments which make up the weft are partially fixed to one another through the binding resin. The warp and the weft are partially fixed through the binding resin sticking on the filament of the weft before the tufting process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing yarn having reduced heatset shrinkage. Preferably, the fibers used in making the yarn are bicomponent fibers. The present invention also provides a process for producing yarn having reduced heatset shrinkage at reduced heat temperatures.

Abstract: Weatherstripping is provided having a backing which a composite portion is either integral with or adhered to for reducing stretch and shrinkage in the weatherstripping. The composite portion is composed of strand portion, preferably a plurality of strands, embedded in a matrix. The strand portion may be fibreglass and the matrix may be polypropylene. The composite portion is bonded to or integral with the weatherstripping backing along its length such that the strand portion is oriented linearly in the same direction as the backing. The strand portion has a higher tensile modulus than the backing and thus provides resistance to stretching induced by pull forces during installation. The strand portion also tends to resist shrinkage in the backing.

Abstract: Disclosed are mono-layer or multi-layer profiles or moldings wherein at least one layer comprises a fringed surface microstructure, a process for making these items and uses thereof. Further disclosed are articles of manufacture comprising such profile or molding.

Abstract: Lightweight, non-woven loop products for hook-and-loop fastening are disclosed, as are methods for making them and end products employing them. The products are non-woven webs of entangled fibers of substantial tenacity, the fibers forming both a sheet-form web body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from the web body. The product is stretched and stabilized to produce spaced-apart loop clusters extending from a very thin web of taut fibers. In some embodiments, the fibers include low denier fibers and/or bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A multi-layer sheet material for use as a portion of a tear away fastening system. The sheet material includes a substrate layer and loop forming yarns extending through the substrate layer such that the loop forming yarns define an arrangement of loop elements projecting away from one side of the substrate layer. The loop elements are interconnected by portions of the yarns disposed across the other side of the substrate layer. A backing layer is disposed in overlying relation to the substrate layer to hold the loop forming yarns in place.

Abstract: A method for producing a material having z-direction waves in which a layer of continuous fibers is conveyed on a first moving surface into a nip formed by the first moving surface and a second moving surface which is traveling at a slower speed than the first moving surface, resulting in formation of a plurality of z-direction loops in the fibers giving loft to the material and a wave pattern producing ridges on both major surfaces of the resultant nonwoven web. The method permits easy real time alignment of manufacturing parameters to produce a variety of materials. The method further produces lofty nonwovens at a commercially viable rate.

Abstract: A pile of a pile fabric is subjected to a forward abrasive action and a reverse abrasive action. The pile of the pile fabric obtains disturbances and/or fibrils on the ends of the piles.

Abstract: A woven carpet backing may include monofilament warp yarns and alternating monofilament and multifilament fill yarns. The yarns may be woven using a weave, such as a non-traditional weave, that places all of the multifilament fill yarns on the face of the fabric and all of the monofilament fill yarns on the back of the fabric. Monofilament fill yarns and multifilament fill yarns are overstuffed, thereby creating a coverage factor greater than one hundred percent. The invention results in a carpet backing with the appearance of a primary carpet backing on one side of the fabric and the appearance of a secondary carpet backing on the opposite side of the fabric. The need for a secondary carpet backing is eliminated by the woven carpet backing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a high-shrinkage acrylic fiber made of an acrylonitrile polymer comprising acrylonitrile in no less than 50% by weight, wherein a shrinkage rare after dry heating at 130° C. for 10 min without load is 25 to 35% and a difference between the maximum and the minimum of a shrinkage rate after dry heating within a temperature range of 120 to 140° C. for 10 min without load is 8% or less. There also provided a pile composition comprising the high-shrinkage acrylic in 20 to 80% by weight, and a pile fabric prepared from the pile composition.

Abstract: An artificial turf system that includes a base and a turf assembly. The base is readily constructed, at least in part, from naturally occurring ground elements that are present upon initiation of the construction of the base. The base is constructed to include a drainage mechanism that is disposed near the surface of the base. The turf assembly is laid out upon the base and is constructed to pass fluid, e.g., water, therethrough such that the fluid is specifically directed to the drainage mechanism of the base as it moves through the turf assembly. The turf assembly includes a plurality of layers such as an impermeable moisture barrier layer, a drainage layer, a filtering layer, and a turf mat.

Abstract: A material to reduce the effects of trauma received from the impact of a projectile. One embodiment is a needle-punched, non-woven material including at least one type of ballistic fibers selected and oriented to provide a cushioning effect and maintain a high compressive restitution constant. A percentage of the fibers are oriented with at least their ends lying approximately perpendicular to the fabric plane and/or oriented to lie in a waveform generally along or parallel to the fabric plane. This enables the ends of the fibers lying perpendicular to the fabric plane to cushion the impact from the projectile by dissipating energy through compressional resistance, and the fibers along the fabric plane to reduce energy through dispersal along fiber lines, thereby reducing the trauma resulting from an impact.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet is disclosed. The topsheet has a first side and a second side, the first side being a body-facing side and the second side being in fluid communication with the absorbent core. The topsheet also has a first relatively hydrophobic component and a second relatively hydrophilic component, the relatively hydrophilic component extending through the relatively hydrophobic component and being disposed on both of the sides of the topsheet. The absorbent article exhibits a rewet value of less than about 94 mg, and a fluid acquisition rate of at least about 0.10 ml/sec when tested by the Gush Acquisition and Rewet Test Method.

Abstract: A laminate web comprising a first and second precursor webs, at least the first precursor web being a nonwoven web, the laminate web having a first side, the first side comprising the second precursor web and at least one discrete tuft, each of the discrete tufts having a linear orientation defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of tufted fibers being integral extensions of the first precursor web and extending through the second precursor web; and a second side, the second side comprising the first precursor web.

Abstract: A composite web adapted for use as a component in a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The composite web comprises a first fibrous layer and a second layer, the first and second layers each comprising a body-facing side and a garment-facing side and are disposed in a face to face relationship to form a laminate. The first fibrous layer comprises a fibrous web of randomly oriented fibers with respect to an X-Y plane, and a plurality of discrete regions of fiber reorientation at least on the body-facing side thereof, and a plurality of fibers having portions reoriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X-Y plane and extending toward the garment-facing side.

Abstract: An infilled artificial surface has natural grass-like play characteristics due to the use of two distinct groups of fibers extending upwardly from a backing, and a stabilizing fill material residing on the backing, with a first upper group of fibers simulating grass plants and extending above the infill and a second lower group of preferably texturized fibers extending upward from the backing to the top of, but not above, the fill. With this structure, substantially all of the fill material is stabilized within the vertical level of the second lower group of fibers. This second group of fibers “locks” the fill material in place and helps to promote consistent and uniform play characteristics which closely simulate natural grass, with a “foot feel” of natural turf. This structure also improves the durability of this playing surface, compared to prior infilled surfaces.

Abstract: A fabric for decorative towels is disclosed that combines exceptional hand and image-carrying capability with high strength and absorbency. The fabric includes two different pile faces, preferably opposite one another, with one of the faces being formed of synthetic filaments of 0.9 denier or less—i.e., microfibers—for providing strength and absorbency, with the other of the faces of the fabric being formed of cotton for providing desirable hand and decorative design capabilities, and with the synthetic microfiber face being more absorbent on a weight-for weight basis than the cotton face.

Abstract: A warp knit fabric having a plurality of stitches formed by overlaps arranged in adjacent, longitudinally extending wales with transverse underlaps connecting the overlaps of adjacent wales and with a binder material extending along the wales is used to produce a chenille yarn having a core and a pile. The pile of the chenille yarn is defined by the slit transverse underlaps and the core is defined by the overlaps of the stitches and the binder. Either before or after slitting, either the fabric or the chenille yarns is(are) heated to activate the binder. A tensile force is imposed either during or after heating.

Abstract: A composite sheet is disclosed. The composite sheet comprises an open random fibrous web having substantially vertical fibers near a top surface, a first binder resin and a second binder resin, wherein the first binder resin has a melting point lower than the melting point of the second binder resin, wherein the melting point of the second resin is lower than the melting point of the web, wherein the resins are activated in situ with the web fibers to form a resin-fiber rich region on the top surface and wherein the abrasion-resistant sheet can withstand at least about 3,000 cycles on the Wyzenbeek abrasion test using 80-grit abrasive paper. An abrasion-resistant sheet comprising a single binder resin and other abrasion-resistant sheets are also disclosed. Processes for making these abrasion-resistant sheets are further disclosed herein.

Abstract: A rotary-molded, three-dimensional, multi-polymer article, e.g. a multi-color door mat, where sections of projecting elements comprise different polymers. Such multi-polymer articles are produced on a rotating cylindrical mold in continuous lengths wherein said apparatus comprises a rotatable, cylindrical mold having a plurality of circumferential, rows of cavities and a plurality of parallel grooves separating the rows of cavities. Two sources of polymer are fed to the rotating mold from a stationary polymer injection block in arcuate proximity to the mold and having a plurality of cavity injection ports for supplying at least two different polymers to corresponding rows of cavities to form projecting elements, and a plurality of base-forming injection ports for supplying polymer to corresponding parallel grooves to form a base.

Abstract: A process for forming a carpet, and the carpet formed thereby are provided. The process includes forming a thread comprising low melt fiber and high melt fiber. The thread is then heated above a temperature sufficient to melt the low melt fiber. The thread is tufted in a carpet backing to form a tufted carpet. The tufted carpet is then printed or dyed with an image. A process for forming a low melt content yarn and the yarn formed thereby are provided.

Abstract: Lightweight, non-woven loop products for hook-and-loop fastening are disclosed, as are methods for making them and end products employing them. The products are non-woven webs of entangled fibers of substantial tenacity, the fibers forming both a sheet-form web body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from the web body. The product is stretched and stabilized to produce spaced-apart loop clusters extending from a very thin web of taut fibers. In important cases a binder is added to stabilize the product in its stretched condition. An example of the loop product is produced by needle-punching a batt of staple fibers in multiple needle-punching operations, applying a foamed acrylic binder, and then stretching the needled batt and curing the binder with the batt stretched. Other forming techniques are disclosed and several novel articles and uses employing such loop products are described, such as for filters and fasteners.

Abstract: A mat has fabric layer (4) and a rubber backing (6) bonded to the fabric layer. The fabric layer (4) includes a microknitted plush polyester fabric that is chemically treated to render it hydrophilic. The fabric layer (4) may also have a textured surface that includes raised and/or recessed surface formations (14).

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous web comprising a first region and at least one discrete integral second region, the second region having at least one portion being a discontinuity exhibiting a linear orientation and defining a longitudinal axis, and at least another portion being a deformation comprising a plurality of tufted fibers integral with but extending from the first region.

Abstract: A process for forming a carpet, and the carpet formed thereby are provided. The process includes forming a thread comprising low melt fiber and high melt fiber. The thread is then heated above a temperature sufficient to melt the low melt fiber. The thread is tufted in a carpet backing to form a tufted carpet. The tufted carpet is then printed or dyed with an image. A process for forming a low melt content yarn and the yarn formed thereby are provided. It is preferred that the carpet and low melt content yarn be adapted to printing or dyeing.

Abstract: A patterned pile fabric of stitch-bonded construction. The fabric includes a substrate layer with an arrangement of ground yarns extending in stitched relation through the substrate layer so as to define a ground covering across the substrate layer. An arrangement of pile forming yarns extend in stitched relation through the substrate layer such that the pile forming yarns define a patterned arrangement of looped elements projecting away from the ground covering in predefined three dimensional patterned arrays disposed across the fabric.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a floor mat comprising a base portion defining a floor contact surface, and an absorbent portion in contact with said base portion and surrounding each of a distributed plurality of scrapers, said scrapers integral with said base portion. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method of forming a floor mat, comprising aligning an absorbent portion having a distributed plurality of holes therethrough with a compression mold; and compression molding an elastomeric material onto the absorbent portion and through the distributed plurality of holes to form an base portion and a plurality of distributed scrapers, the base portion integral with the plurality of distributed scrapers. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A synthetic grass assembly for installation on a supporting soil substrate includes a pile fabric with a flexible sheet backing and rows of upstanding synthetic ribbons representing grass blades, extending upwardly from an upper surface of the backing. An infill layer of two distinct graded courses of particulate material is disposed interstitially between the upstanding ribbons upon the upper surface of the backing and of a depth less than the length of the ribbons. A bottom course of intermixed hard sand and resilient rubber granules with substantially identical particle size distribution characteristics is installed upon the backing and a top course exclusively of resilient rubber granules is placed upon the bottom course.

Abstract: A base substrate having a first side and a second side, first and second receiving loops extending from the first and second side of the base substrate, respectively, and first and second stiff loops extending from the first and second side of the base substrate, respectively. The base substrate is a flexible cloth or cloth-like material. The receiving loops are an absorbent material such as the material used in the base substrate. The stiff loops are formed of a yarn having at least one filament with a cross-section having an aspect ratio of greater than about 1.2, a corner edge, and/or at least a concave portion.