Milliken Research Corporation

Milliken + Co

Charles E Willbanks

Michael W Gilpatrick

Thomas E Godfrey

Walter Engels

Randolph S Kohlman

Allan W Smith

Allen M Smith

Ramesh Keshavaraj

Shulong Li

Kenneth B Higgins

Robert C Arnott

Derek L Bowen

Charles B Fitzgerald

David D Hildreth

William Ross Davis

This invention relates generally to abrasion resistant and/or puncture resistant fabrics, coated, layered and/or laminated inflatable fabrics, and methods. More particularly, it concerns airbag cushions to which films, fabrics, layers, and/or coatings have been applied and which exhibit enhanced abrasion resistance and/or puncture resistance. The inventive inflatable fabrics are especially suited for use in automotive restraint cushions that require abrasion resistance and/or puncture resistance (such as side curtain airbags).

Fabrics, airbags and methods

A lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant is provided. In one embodiment, the cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn which has an enhanced elongation to break. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in that region.

Yarn, airbag and method

A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.

Bag for home dry cleaning process

A strong lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant and the method of making same. The cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in the region adjacent the port that is located at a radial distance greater than the radius of said port. This is accomplished by shifting or shogging the yarn supplying mechanism relative to the cushion mandrel.

Airbag structure

A strong lightweight airbag cushion for deployment in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant is provided. The cushion is formed from a body of wound yarn. The body includes an interior, a face portion for contact with the occupant and a rear portion including an inlet port for the introduction of an inflation medium. The body is formed by the continuous winding of yarn around a mandrel such that the yarn is spread across the face and is disposed preferentially across the back in the area surrounding the inlet port so as to provide added strength in that region.

A method and apparatus utilizing an elongate, flexible member operatively attached to rods that move up and down, on a Jacquard loom. A latch control mechanism is provided for latching said elongate, flexible member in a fixed position by applying pressure thereto by vacuum or pressure. This latching of the rod in an upper position creates a shed whereby filling yarns can be passed through to create Jacquard fabric. The pressure can be applied against the elongate, flexible member by filling sealed elongate, elastomeric member with pressured gas. In addition, the pressure can be applied against the elongate, flexible member by activating a dimensionally alterable, electric element that presses against the elongate, flexible member.

Jacquard loom latch control mechanism

Apparatus to refurbish cut and/or loop pile products, including carpet tiles, by conveying the product to be refurbished by a high pressure water or cleaning liquid dispensing device which has a high pressure liquid outlet supplying such water or cleaning liquid against the product to be refurbished at a pressure in the range of 200-2000 p.s.i.g.

Apparatus to refurbish carpet tiles

A novel apparatus and method of patterning a textile fabric comprising fluid jets directed at an angle from the perpendicular line of intersection between the fluid jets and the fabric which eliminates stress lines, troughs and valleys in the fabric by placing a lateral force on the fabric.

Method and apparatus for patterning fabrics and products

An electro-pneumatic valve which includes a spiral coil formed of electrically conductive material bonded to an insulative substrate. A second layer of substrate material is mounted substantially beneath the combination of the spiral coil and insulative substrate. The second layer of substrate has both a recess and an outer edge. There is a first passage communicating between the recess and the other edge. Within the recess is a magnetic armature that is operatively aligned with the spiral coil. There is a second passage communicating between the spiral coil and the recess. There is a magnetically conductive member located below the magnetic armature. The magnetic armature moves in response to electric current passing through the spiral coil to close the second passage.

Electro-pneumatic valve card assemblies

An electro-pneumatic valve which includes a spiral coil formed of electrically conductive material bonded to an insulative substrate. A second layer of substrate material is mounted substantially beneath the combination of the spiral coil and insulative substrate. The second layer of substrate has both a recess and an outer edge. There is a first passage communicating between the recess and the outer edge. Within the recess is a magnetic armature that is operatively aligned with the spiral coil. There is a second passage communicating between the spiral coil and the recess. The magnetic armature moves in response to electric current passing through the spiral coil to close the second passage.

A novel textile fabric having a napped face which is uniform in height and in which most of the fibers comprising the nap extend from yarns extending in the warp direction of the fabric.

Hydraulic napping process and product

A low flow, constant rate pump is provided which comprises a fixed volume container, the inner walls of said container defining a receptacle for a liquid to be dispensed, said container being provided with means to form an unobstructed opening through which said liquid may be caused to flow continuously at a low-flow, constant rate, a propellant chamber within said container formed of a material which is permeable to vapor from a propellant of the liquid-vapor type, a supply of propellant of the liquid-vapor type confined within said chamber, said propellant initially being under pressure sufficient to maintain a major portion thereof in liquid form at normal temperatures.

Low flow constant rate pump

An extrusion die to extrude a water paste onto a web material. The die consists of two separate chambers which equalize the pressure of the water paste prior to extruding same through an elongated slot onto a web of material.

Water paste extrusion die

A method and apparatus for printing on a receptor is disclosed. The apparatus includes an advancing mechanism for advancing the receptor, a first applicator for applying an insulating liquid to the receptor, a second applicator for applying conductive liquid to the receptor, and an electric field inducing means mounted opposite to the second applicator. The electric field inducing means can be energized to cause the conductive liquid to penetrate the insulating liquid and print on the receptor.

Growing community of inventors

Spartanburg, SC, United States of America

Charles E Willbanks