Abstract: In some examples, a method includes forming a material layer on a substrate, partially polymerizing a component of the material layer, to form fluid-filled droplets within a partially polymerized matrix, deforming the material layer to form anisotropic fluid-filled droplets, and further polymerizing the partially polymerized matrix to form an anisotropic voided polymer, including anisotropic voids in a polymer matrix. The anisotropic voids may include anisotropic nanovoids. Example methods may further include depositing electrodes on the anisotropic voided polymer so that at least a portion of the anisotropic voided polymer is located between the electrodes. Examples may include forming electroactive elements including an anisotropic nanovoided polymer, and devices (such as sensors and/or actuators) including electroactive elements.

Abstract: A system for monitoring traffic in aircraft cabins includes conductive wire in aisle carpeting and sensors to register pressure via capacitance changes. The system identifies the volume and location of traffic in aircraft aisles via registered changes to voltage, current, and/or conductivity of the conductive wire, and sensors embedded in the carpet. Measurements over time establish changes in traffic flow and directionality which may be used to direct crew members in flight. Lighting elements may be incorporated into the carpet to provide signals to passengers and crew via the lighting elements.

Abstract: A floor mat with improved rigidity and non-slip surfaces is disclosed. The floor mat includes a bottom surface with an interior cavity that has within it a plurality of interior walls that intersect with one another, thereby increasing rigidity of the floor mat. The floor mat also includes a plurality of nubs at the intersections of the interior walls that increase friction with the flooring of an automobile, thereby improving the non-slip characteristics of the floor mat.

Abstract: In various embodiments, coated infill includes a plurality of infill granules and a preformed coating on the infill granules including a cured polyurethane product of at least one polyurethane prepolymer component and a curative component. The polyurethane prepolymer component includes a reaction product of an isocyanate component including diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and a polyol component, and has a free isocyanate content (% NCO) from 2 wt % to 12 wt %. The curative component includes water. Methods for making an artificial turf surface using the coated infill are also provided.

Abstract: A nonwoven sheet is provided in a formation region of a target portion or a further wide region including the formation region of the target portion. The target portion is a composite of a nonwoven fabric as a base and loop pile fiber yarns which are woven and project from at least an external surface nonwoven fabric. The target portion is fixed to an outer nonwoven sheet forming the outside of a ventral part.

Abstract: This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. The disclosure provides aromatic polyester polyether polyols and compositions comprising such polyols. The disclosed aromatic polyester polyether polyols and compositions including same are the products of the transesterification reaction of polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) and an ethoxylated triol, namely glycerin or trimethylolpropane, wherein the degree of ethoxylation is from 1 to 9 moles. At least some of the PET used to generate the aromatic polyester polyether polyols is derived from recycled PET. The disclosed aromatic polyester polyether polyols have utility in preparing polyurethane materials, for example.

Abstract: A low-weight carpet tile and process for making the same, wherein the carpet tile comprises a facecloth having a plurality of face yarns tufted through a primary backing, an extruded polymer secondary backing layer, and a reinforcing scrim layer partially embedded within the extruded polymer secondary backing layer. The top surface and bottom surface of the carpet tile are defined by the facecloth and the reinforcing scrim layer, respectively. A polymer-based resin is extruded onto the facecloth to form an at least substantially uniform secondary backing layer, and the reinforcing scrim layer is laid onto the extruded polymer secondary backing layer while the extruded polymer secondary backing layer remains above a softening temperature for the resin. The entire multi-layer web is then passed through a nip to embed the reinforcing scrim layer into the extruded polymer secondary layer, and the entire web is chilled.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for installing tile using a reactivatable tile bonding mat is disclosed. The reactivatable tile bonding mat is placed upon a substantially flat surface. Stone, porcelain or ceramic tile is placed and arranged on the reactivatable tile bonding mat in an aesthetically pleasing fashion, in some cases aided by the use of spacers in the joints between the sides of the tiles. Induction, or some other method of heat, is applied to the upper surfaces of the tiles, to quickly transfer through the tile, causing a polymer hot-melt material embedded in the reactivatable tile bonding mat to melt and adhere to a lower surface of the tiles, forming a strong bond. Upon the tiles fully bonding to the reactivatable tile bonding mat, spacers may be removed and a suitable grout may be applied in the joints between the sides of the tiles.

Abstract: An acoustic damping part for arrangement in a motor vehicle, a method for producing a sound-insulated vehicle body, and a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car is provided. The acoustic damping part comprises a sound insulation element, in particular a foam element, for substantially planar contact with at least one portion of a motor vehicle body, in particular an end wall, in order to reduce the transmission of sound into a passenger compartment. Furthermore, the acoustic damping part has at least one plug part connected to the sound insulation element with a plug for insertion into an opening of a vehicle body component or component composite. This serves to produce a non-positive and/or positive connection of the acoustic damping part with material of the vehicle body component or component composite that forms the opening.

Abstract: A shoulder pad assembly has main body cushions consisting of a plurality of different types of foam material joined together to result in a hybrid pad structure constructed from slow-response foam and open-cell foam. A main body cushion is constructed from a first sheet or panel of slow-response foam disposed over the torso of the wearer, a second sheet or panel of slow-response foam disposed over the back of the wearer, joined together by a third sheet or panel of open-cell foam positioned between the first sheet and second sheet, disposed over the wearer's shoulder. Optionally, a fourth sheet or pad of slow-response foam is disposed on the third sheet, disposed over the wearer's shoulder, preferably at the location that is most likely to suffer blows during football play. Optionally, a fifth sheet or pad of open-cell foam is disposed on the first sheet, on the side of the first sheet in contact with the wearer and a sixth sheet or pad of open-cell foam is disposed on the second sheet.

Abstract: A composite loop face fabric which incorporates a multi-bar stitch-bonded construction and related fastening system. A yarn system forms an arrangement of surface loops extending in stitched relation through a composite nonwoven stitching substrate incorporating at least one layer of a cellulose tissue disposed in surface covering relation to at least one layer of a nonwoven support material of polymeric fiber. Multiple layers of cellulose tissue and nonwoven support material may be used if desired.

Abstract: Floor coverings having a greige good, an adhesive layer, and a secondary backing material. The greige good has a primary backing component having adjoined first and second portions, and a plurality of fibers. The secondary backing material has an attached portion and a first exposable portion, with the attached portion adhered to the first portion of the primary backing component by contact with the adhesive layer. The second portion of the primary backing component is unattached to the first exposable portion of the secondary backing material, and the first exposable portion defines a portion of the first end edge of the floor covering. The second portion of the primary backing component is selectively moveable relative to the first portion to a position in which at least a portion of the second portion of the primary backing component does not overlie the first exposable portion of the secondary backing material.

Abstract: Textile fabrics consolidated with a binder that is made from a binder system are described. The binder system may include: a) 30% or less by dry weight of at least one polymer based on polyvinyl alcohol; b) 70% or more by dry weight of at least one starch, wherein the at least one starch comprises 50% by weight or more of one or more natural starches based on the total weight of the at least one starch; c) 0 to 10% by dry weight of at least one crosslinker; d) 0 to 10% by dry weight of at least one filler; and e) 0 to 10% by dry weight of at least one additive, wherein a sum of components a) through e) is 100% by dry weight of the binder system. Method of making the textile fabrics consolidated with binders made from the binder systems are also described.

Abstract: A method of making a floor covering including a tufted textile substrate and a reinforcement backing system. The backing system includes adhesive layers which are conditioned to include voids. A layer of reinforcement fibers is positioned between the adhesive layers. After drying, the layers of adhesive and reinforcement fibers are compressed to collapse the voids in the layers of adhesive and to encapsulate the reinforcement fibers. The layer of reinforcement fibers is also moved toward the primary backing substrate and into engagement with the ends of the tufts.

Abstract: A cleaning and sanitizing kit for use in a defined region of a hospital and a method employing the same.

Abstract: A primary base fabric for a tufted carpet includes a first non-woven web and a second non-woven web laminated on each other. The first non-woven web is constituted with a first constituent fiber formed with a first thermoplastic resin and containing carbon. The second non-woven web is constituted with a second constituent fiber formed with a second thermoplastic resin and having a carbon content lower than the carbon content of the first constituent fiber or containing no carbon. The primary base fabric is a product prepared by combining the first non-woven web and the second non-woven web through an emboss processing.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing an artificial turf includes: creating fluid polyurethane mass, the creation comprising reacting first and second polyols with an isocyanate, the first polyol being a polyether polyol and/or a polyester polyol having at least 2 hydroxyl groups per molecule, the second polyol being polybutadiendiol; the isocyanate comprising isocyanate monomers, isocyanate polymers or isocyanate prepolymers or a mixture thereof, the isocyanate monomers, isocyanate polymers and the isocyanate prepolymers having two or more isocyanate groups per molecule; incorporating an artificial turf fiber into a carrier such that a first portion of the fiber protrudes to the front side of the carrier and that a second portion of the fiber is located at the back side of the carrier; and adding the fluid polyurethane mass on the back side of the carrier; and hardening the fluid polyurethane mass.

Abstract: Mass production of carpet tiles can be enabled by a method for manufacturing a carpet tile by applying an adhesive layer to a carpet tile base material containing pile, the method including: a first process of mixing 15 to 25 wt. % of urethane resin glue to an acrylic foamed resin to produce 100 wt. % of a mixture, thereby obtaining an adhesive; a second process of subjecting the adhesive to viscosity adjustment to adjust viscosity thereof to 3000 to 6000 cps; and a third process of applying the adhesive to the carpet tile base material by using a screen mesh having a mesh thickness of 20 ?m or more and less than 100 ?m and an opening area ratio of 40% to 60%.

Abstract: A sheet of loop material having utility as the landing zone in the manufacture of, e.g. disposable diapers and having excellent properties and an exceptionally low basis weight. Methods and apparatus for forming the sheet of loop material are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for beneficially reusing a paint-saturated filter aid, such as paint-saturated alkaline earth metal carbonates, as a substitute in applications requiring virgin alkaline earth metal carbonates. The paint-saturated filter aid is prepared by re-milling paint-saturated filter aid to a predetermined size to produce re-milled particles suitable for reuse in a variety of applications, including flooring, concrete, and the like. Also provided are flooring materials including re-milled particles of a paint-saturated filter aid characterized by one or more of: a median particle size (D50) of about 1 to about 50 microns; less than about 5% of the re-milled particles being retained on a 200 mesh screen; or a top cut size (D90) of about 5 to about 300 microns.

Abstract: A method of making a shaving article comprising a substrate comprising stainless steel; and an external polymer coating comprising polymer brushes, the method comprising the steps of: providing said substrate; providing a initiating species comprising an anchor group that is chemically reactive with surface moieties on the substrate, and a polymerization initiator group; reacting said anchor group with said surface moieties of the substrate; providing monomers reactive for polymerization with the polymerization initiator; and polymerizing the monomers with the initiator group of the initiating species.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a porous polyvinyl acetal object and a nonwoven polyvinyl acetal fabric each capable of exhibiting significantly high shock absorption. Provided is a porous polyvinyl acetal object having a large number of cells, including: a polyvinyl acetal; and a plasticizer, the porous object having an open cell ratio of 10% or higher, the porous object in the form of a sample with a size of 10 cm in length, 10 cm in width, and 4 mm in thickness having a coefficient of rebound (rebounding height/drop height) of 0.1 or lower in measurement of a rebounding height of a ½-inch SUS ball in conformity with JIS B 1501 dropped from a given drop height to the center of the sample placed on an iron plate with a size of 10 cm or more in length, 10 cm or more in width, and 1 cm in thickness.

Abstract: The current invention concerns a covering, such as a floor covering, wall covering or ceiling covering, said covering comprising a surface layer, and a substrate layer attached to said surface layer, said substrate layer optionally comprising one or more reinforced thermoplastic layers. Said covering further comprises a backing layer on the bottom side of said substrate layer, opposite to said surface layer, and a textile layer attached to the bottom side of said backing layer, optionally through a contact layer. The covering further comprises a coating applied to the bottom of said textile layer. The invention also provides a method for producing a covering, such as a floor covering, wall covering or ceiling covering.

Abstract: A liquid adhesive coating composition that cures into a solid form, used to non-permanently adhere interior floor or wall coverings to substrate floor or wall surfaces respectively, includes a polymer incorporating iron or other paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, ferromagnetic, or ferrimagnetic ingredients, that becomes permanently adhered to the substrate as it cures, and thereafter provides a low-tack adhesive surface that is also magnetically attractive, upon which magnetized floor or wall coverings including certain types of carpet, linoleum, vinyl, wallpaper, and other types of magnetically-backed coverings can be subsequently installed.

Abstract: A shoulder pad assembly for protecting the body during sports play has a pair of arches connected to each other in the front and in the back by connecting straps, webs, or similar connectors. Shoulder caps are connected to the arches by a flexible connecting structure, for example, webs, straps, or bands. Epaulets are attached by webs, straps, or bands, at the top of each arch. The arches and shoulder caps are lined with a shock-absorbing liner. Each of the epaulets contains a shock absorbing insert made of slow-response foam, slow-rebound foam or memory foam, encased in a nylon or fabric shell. Redundant pads, made of slow-response foam, slow-rebound foam or memory foam, encased in a nylon or fabric shell may be inserted below the top of each of the left arch and right arch, to provide additional padding in those areas.

Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide a tufted structure such as an artificial turf, that imitates more closely the root zone, the volume effect, and density of natural grass and that has an improved wear and drainage property. An artificial turf adapted for use in landscape and sports applications comprises a bounded layer of fibers formed as a non-woven matting made of one or more natural and/or synthetic fibers. A plurality of tufts of pile yarn is inserted through the bounded layer of fibers. A backing is applied at the backside of the bounded layer of fibers enhancing anchoring the tufts to the bounded layer of fibers.

Abstract: Compositions are provided that comprise: (1) a polymer selected from the group consisting of: (A) an ethylene/?-olefin multiblock interpolymer; (B) a propylene based plastomer or elastomer; and (C) a mixture of (A) and (B); (2) from about 1 to about 75 weight percent filler based on the weight of the composition; and (3) an effective amount of tackifier.

Abstract: A fabric includes base yarns and antistatic spun yarns located in discrete portions of the fabric such that the fabric dissipates static electricity by way of an inductive field and complies with one or more standards for static dissipation in fabric. The antistatic spun yarns may include inductive antistatic staple fibers, and may include less than 20% antistatic fiber. The fabric may be a woven fabric with the antistatic spun yarns inserted into the fabric in both the warp and filling directions in a ratio of antistatic spun yarns to base yarns of from 1:1 to 1:40. The fabrics may be flame resistant and comply with one or more standards for flame resistant fabrics and/or may comply with one or more standards for high visibility apparel. The fabric may have a total antistatic fiber content of less than about 1%.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester polyol comprising reacting a recycle stream selected from recycled PET carpet, carpet fiber, containers, textiles, articles or mixtures thereof, with a glycol in a reactor, thereby forming a digested product stream comprising polyols, and an undigested stream; and then reacting the digested product stream with a hydrophobe selected from dimer fatty acids, trimer fatty acids, oleic acid, ricinoleic acid, tung oil, corn oil, canola oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, bacterial oil, yeast oil, algae oil, castor oil, triglycerides or alkyl carboxylate esters having saturated or unsaturated C6-C36 fatty acid units, saturated or unsaturated C6-C36 fatty acids, alkoxylated castor oil, saturated or unsaturated C9-C18 dicarboxylic acids or diols, cardanol-based products, recycled cooking oil, branched or linear C6-C36 fatty alcohols, hydroxy-functional materials derived from epoxidized, ozonized, or hydroformylated fatty esters or acids, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are resilient floor coverings made from non-vinyl materials and methods for manufacturing same. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pre-coated bottom cover combination machine for tile carpet comprising a carpet surface pre-coated processing line and a back bottom cover processing line. The back bottom cover processing line includes drive device for driving the carpet belt to move, black material feeding and automatic control device, scraper, white material feeding and automatic control device, composite device of bottom back and carpet surface, bottom back plasticizing and heating line, embossing device, carpet body water-cooled plate, carpet body water-cooled roller, carpet storage rack, deviation correction device, dicing machine, inspection table. The present invention can meet the requirements of reducing the manufacturing cost of tile carpets.

Abstract: A valve unit (1) for modulating pressure in a compressed air braking system includes a brake pressure input (3), a brake pressure output (4), and a purge output (5), an inlet valve (6) and an outlet valve (7), both configured as a diaphragm valve, and respective precontrol valves (8, 9), which are each configured as a 3/2-way solenoid valve. For effective sound damping of the compressed air emerging into the environment when the outlet valve (7) is open, the valve unit (1) at the purge output (5) has a silencer (75) with a largely cylindrical silencer housing (76) with an inlet opening (77), a calming chamber (78), a large outlet opening (79) and a silencer insert (80.1) arranged upstream of the outlet opening (79) inside the silencer housing (76). The silencer is air-permeable and sound-deadening and attached to the base housing (11) with base walls (83, 84).

Abstract: Methods are provided for processing a latex stream that include adding an isocyanate to a foam head that converts the latex stream to a foamed latex stream. A curing agent also may be added to the foam head. Also provided are methods of making a carpet that include disposing a foamed latex stream that includes an isocyanate onto a carpet fabric, or a support material to form a carpet backing. Carpets made by the methods herein also are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to augmented reality, and more particularly to augmented reality systems and methods using textiles. In one embodiment, a processor-implemented textile-based augmented reality method is disclosed. The method may comprise capturing, via one or more hardware processors, a video frame including a depiction of an aperiodic marker included in an ornamental design of a textile fabric. Via the one or more hardware processors, the presence of the marker may be identified using one or more image-processing marker detection techniques. The identified marker may be associated with one or more audio-visual content files. Finally, data from the one or more audio-visual content files may be displayed as part of an augmented reality presentation.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable floor covering comprises a tufted textile substrate and a reinforcement layer attached to the textile substrate. The reinforcement layer includes an adhesive backing compound and reinforcement fibers surrounded by the adhesive backing. The fibers may form a continuous layer on the back side of the floor covering or may be dispersed within the adhesive backing compound. The adhesive backing compound may be hot water-soluble to facilitate recycling of the floor covering. The floor covering may optionally include additional backing layers (including cushions) and may be used as a broadloom carpet, a carpet tile, or other modular floor covering products. Methods of manufacturing, installing, and recycling the present floor coverings are also provided.

Abstract: A carpet or other interior piece for an automobile vehicle includes a non-woven web of needled fibers forming a velvet face layer and a sole. The fibers of the web include at least 50% by mass and preferentially at least 75% by mass of hollow fibers. The velvet density of the web is greater than or equal to 0.04 g/cm3 and preferentially comprised between 0.04 g/cm3 and 0.06 g/cm3. This results in a velvet from which solid wastes are easily cleaned, while limiting the production costs.

Abstract: A rubber composition includes, as essential components, an EDPM polymer, a carbon black, an electrical insulating amorphous or spindle-shaped filler, a softener, and a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent as essential components, and also includes, as an optical component, an electrical insulating plate-shaped filler. An obtained vulcanized product is satisfied with the following Equations (1) and (2): volume resistivity ?1.0×106 ?·cm??(1) (M30<100° C.>/M30<23° C.>?1)×100??15%??(2) where M30<23° C.> is a tensile stress at elongation of 30% as measured by a tensile test at 23° C., and M30<100° C.> is a tensile stress at elongation of 30% as measured by a tensile test at 100° C.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprising contacting the substrate with a composition comprising i) a wax which provides a surface effect and ii) a polymer extender composition comprising a urethane based compound, a composition for treating a substrate, and treated substrates thereof.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube aggregate according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, in which: the carbon nanotubes each have a plurality of walls; a distribution width of a wall number distribution of the carbon nanotubes is 10 walls or more; a relative frequency of a mode of the wall number distribution is 25% or less; and a length of each of the carbon nanotubes is more than 10 ?m. A carbon nanotube aggregate according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, in which: the carbon nanotubes each have a plurality of walls; a mode of a wall number distribution of the carbon nanotubes is present at a wall number of 10 or less; a relative frequency of the mode is 30% or more; and a length of each of the carbon nanotubes is more than 10 ?m.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, or modified porous membranes, fibers, porous fibers, products made from such membranes, fibers or porous fibers, and/or related methods of production, use, and/or the like. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, or modified microporous membranes or films, fibers, microporous fibers, materials or layers made from such membranes, fibers or porous fibers, and the like for use in textile materials, garments, products, and/or textile related applications. Microporous membranes, fibers, and/or microporous fibers are made of one or more copolymers, such as block or impact copolymers, or of at least one polyolefin combined with at least one copolymer as a means of improving the hand, drape, and/or surface coefficient of friction performance properties for use in textile garments, textile materials or textile related applications.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer arrangement includes a chassis; a ground engaging traction member carried by the chassis; a liquid tank carried by the chassis; a boom carried by the chassis; a conduit associated with the boom in fluid communication with the liquid tank that acts as a fluid flow path; a nozzle having an inlet in fluid communication with the conduit; a first flow sensor placed upstream of the inlet in the fluid flow path that provides a first flow signal; a second flow sensor placed downstream of the inlet in the fluid flow path that provides a second flow signal; and an electrical processing circuit coupled to the first flow sensor and the second flow sensor that is configured to compare the first and second flow signals to determine a flow rate decrease and issue an alarm if the flow rate decrease is less than a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams which are highly flame resistant are described, as well as the production of such polyurethane foams by the reaction between a natural polyol, such as sucrose or a blend of mono- or disaccharides in place of the standard hydrocarbon-based polyol component, a polyisocyanate and water in the presence of a suitable polyurethane forming catalyst and a flame retardant, and optionally one or more components such as surfactants and/or emulsifiers. The resultant polyurethane foam has a bio-based solid content ranging from about 17% to 30%, may be formulated in a variety of foam densities for a variety of applications, and exhibits a high degree of fire and burn resistance, as exhibited by the flame spread index and the smoke spread values.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for utilizing reclaimed carpet materials in the manufacture of high density composites. Also disclosed are products manufactured by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The instant invention provides to polymeric blend formulation, and a multilayer structure comprising a skin layer derived from the polymeric blend formulation, and method of making the same. The polymeric blend formulation comprises: (a) 40 to 65 percent by weight of an ethylene-based copolymer composition; (b) 15 to 40 percent by weight of a chlorinated olefin polymer composition; (c) from 0.1 to 25 percent by weight of a filler; (d) 10 to 30 weight percent by weight of an adhesion promoting agent; and (e) optionally, 1 to 4 percent by weight of a mineral oil.

Abstract: A multifilament, a monofilament, a non-woven or a tape, each having 1 to 2000 Denier per filament and a draw ratio of 1:2 to 1:11 and each made of a composition containing the components (A) a polyolefin, (B) for example a compound of the formula (B-1-a-1), (C) for example a compound of the formula (C-1-b-1), wherein b1 is a number from 2 to 20, and optionally (D) one or more inorganic and/or organic pigments.

Abstract: A weatherstripping for use with a frame having at least one channel comprises a backing and a weatherstripping material coupled to the backing. The backing has a front surface, a bottom surface opposite the front surface, a first side edge, a second side edge opposite the first side edge, a central support defining a central axis, and a plurality of alternating tabs extending from the central support to the first side edge to define notched out spaces between the alternating tabs. The second side edge defines a plane that is parallel to the central axis of the central support. The weatherstripping material, which is coupled to the backing, extends from the front surface of the backing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are carpets and carpet tiles comprising a primary backing material having a face and a back side; a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing material and extending from the face of the primary backing material and exposed at the back side of the primary backing material; and an adhesive composition. The adhesive composition generally comprises at least one homogenously branched ethylene polymer. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing the disclosed carpets and carpet tiles.

Abstract: A monofilament with longitudinally oriented grooves and fabrics made thereof having reduced air permeability, wherein the reduced permeability is achieved without using additional coatings or stuffer yarns. Bicomponent monofilaments made from these grooved monofilaments using solution or wire coating have improved coating adhesion and may also include a conductive coating. In addition, the grooved bicomponent monofilaments may include a wear-indicating mechanism. Also disclosed are monofilaments with grooves formed in its surfaces. Advantageously, these grooved monofilaments exhibit improved adhesion to “sheet-grip” coatings, as compared with circular monofilaments. In addition, fabrics comprising these grooved monofilaments demonstrate improved air handling. The grooved monofilaments may be incorporated in a fabric as MD yarns, CD yarns, or both CD and MD yarns.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent sanitary paper product having a machine direction, a cross-machine direction orthogonal and co-planar thereto, and a Z-direction orthogonal to both the machine- and cross-machine directions is disclosed. The method provides the steps of: providing a first and second network of fibers each having opposing first and second sides where each fiber of the first network of fibers has a longitudinal axis generally disposed within the plane comprising the machine- and cross-machine-directions; applying a first bonding layer to one of the first and second sides of the first network of fibers; applying a first and second second network of fibers to the first bonding layer; and, placing the first and second network of fibers into face-to-face contacting engagement.

Abstract: A method of forming a substrate for a sports surface of a sports pitch includes the steps of: a) Agglomerating plastics materials; b) Granulating the agglomerated plastics materials to form granules having a predetermined range of sizes; c) In situ coating the granules with a binding material so that they form a fluent material; d) Forming a layer of the fluent material on the site of the sports pitch; and e) Setting the laid material such that the granules adhere where they contact each other to form a voided water permeable structure.