Abstract:
A two-layer secondary carpet backing including a woven scrim layer and a fibrous layer is described. The woven scrim layer is characterized as having a low open area and a flat weave. The two-layer secondary backing is capable of having a non-abrasive, textile back surface. The secondary carpet backing is also capable of having a construction that permits high carpet manufacturing speeds due to high air permeability and is capable of providing high dimensional stability, seam strength, and delamination strength to tufted carpets made therefrom.
Abstract:
Constructions for surface coverings such as wall coverings or floor coverings are provided. Components for surface coverings, precursors, materials, and the like are also provided. In one embodiment, a pile fabric suitable for use as a primary carpet fabric within a carpet construction or composite such as a cushioned carpet or tile includes a plurality of pile-forming yarns tufted through or adhered to a primary backing of integral dimensionally stable character. A cushioning layer of foam, felt, fabric, or other suitable cushioning material may be disposed at a position below the primary carpet fabric.
Abstract:
A method of imparting fire-resistant properties, insulation properties, acoustic properties, and/or anti-microbial properties, and/or reducing static electricity propensity, to items including carpet, flooring and/or textile products including woven and/or non-woven products, synthetic products, and/or natural fiber products, includes coating the item with a multi-ceramic based liquid insulation composition.
Abstract:
Improvements in preventing heat- and moisture-shrink problems in specific polypropylene tape fibers are provided. Such fibers are basically manufactured through the initial production of polypropylene films or tubes which are then slit into very thin, though flat (and having very high cross sectional aspect ratios) tape fibers thereafter. Such fibers (and thus the initial films and/or tubes) require the presence of certain compounds that quickly and effectively provide rigidity to the target polypropylene tape fiber after heat-setting. Generally, these compounds include any structure that nucleates polymer crystals within the target polypropylene after exposure to sufficient heat to melt the initial pelletized polymer and upon allowing such a melt to cool. The compounds must nucleate polymer crystals at a higher temperature than the target polypropylene without the nucleating agent during cooling. In such a manner, the “rigidifying” nucleator compounds provide nucleation sites for polypropylene crystal growth. Upon slitting of the initial film and/or tube, the fiber is then exposed to sufficient heat to grow the crystalline network, thus holding the fiber in a desired position. The preferred “rigidifying” compounds include dibenzylidene sorbitol based compounds, as well as less preferred compounds, such as sodium benzoate, certain sodium and lithium phosphate salts (such as sodium 2,2′-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate, otherwise known as NA-11). Specific methods of manufacture of such inventive tape fibers, as well as fabric articles made therefrom, are also encompassed within this invention.
Abstract:
Tuftable primary backings comprise a closed-weave, woven tape fabric to which is affixed a coherent web layer comprising staple fibers with fibers oriented in at least two directions and a plurality of the fibers being fused. The web layer is affixed to the fabric by penetration of fibers from the web into the fabric. The backings have substantial weftline straightness and stability against deformations in the machine, cross and off-axis directions. Improved tufted goods and methods for making the composites and tufted goods are also provided.
Abstract:
Constructions for surface coverings such as wall coverings or floor coverings are provided. Components for surface coverings, precursors, materials, and the like are also provided. In one embodiment, a pile fabric suitable for use as a primary carpet fabric within a carpet construction or composite such as a cushioned carpet or tile includes a plurality of pile-forming yarns tufted through or adhered to a primary backing of integral dimensionally stable character. A cushioning layer of foam, felt, fabric, or other suitable cushioning material may be disposed at a position below the primary carpet fabric.
Abstract:
Improvements in preventing heat- and moisture-shrink problems in specific polypropylene tape fibers are provided. Such fibers are basically manufactured through the initial production of polypropylene films or tubes which are then slit into very thin, though flat (and having very high cross sectional aspect ratios) tape fibers thereafter. Such fibers (and thus the initial films and/or tubes) require the presence of certain compounds that quickly and effectively provide rigidity to the target polypropylene tape fiber after heat-setting. Generally, these compounds include any structure that nucleates polymer crystals within the target polypropylene after exposure to sufficient heat to melt the initial pelletized polymer and upon allowing such a melt to cool. The compounds must nucleate polymer crystals at a higher temperature than the target polypropylene without the nucleating agent during cooling. In such a manner, the nullrigidifyingnull nucleator compounds provide nucleation sites for polypropylene crystal growth. Upon slitting of the initial film and/or tube, the fiber is then exposed to sufficient heat to grow the crystalline network, thus holding the fiber in a desired position. The preferred nullrigidifyingnull compounds include dibenzylidene sorbitol based compounds, as well as less preferred compounds, such as sodium benzoate, certain sodium and lithium phosphate salts (such as sodium 2,2null-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate, otherwise known as NA-11). Specific methods of manufacture of such inventive tape fibers, as well as fabric articles made therefrom, are also encompassed within this invention.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a carpet product, a process for manufacturing carpet, and an apparatus used in a carpet manufacturing process. The carpet product is made from tufted polymer filament yarn wherein the individual yarn filaments of the yarn back loops are integrally fused so that the carpet resists fuzzing. The primary backing preferably is modified polypropylene in the fill direction. Further, the primary backing may be coated with a polymer before tufting to adhere or integrally fuse the inside of the fiber tuft to the primary backing. An optional secondary backing is preferably made of tape yarn in both directions. The process includes providing a carpet base having a primary backing penetrated by yarn, applying heat to the underside of the primary backing, extruding a heated sheet of polymer and continuously contacting the heated extruded sheet of polymer with the base. The apparatus includes a source of carpet precursor, a heated cylinder for heating the underside of the carpet, an extruder and a casting roll against which the extruded sheet and heated carpet are pressed.
Abstract:
A synthetic grass surface comprising widely spaced rows of ribbons and the ribbons having a length about twice as long as the spacing between the rows of ribbons. A particulate material is laid on a matrix of the synthetic grass, and the thickness of the particulate material is as least two-thirds the length of the ribbons.
Abstract:
The improved top dressed synthetic turf according to the patent invention provides thatch like fibers to retain top dressing and particularly the rubber or resilient particles in the dressing. The grasslike surface is formed by polyethylene co-polymer slit fibers more than two inches in height tufted through a fiberglass reinforced backing. The thatch zone fibers are dense and texturized so that they will contract to only about one inch in height after curing.