Milliken + Co

Other

Howell Brewster Eleazer

Kirkland W Vogt

Brian Callaway

Yunzhang Wang

Heather Jean Hayes

Michael Paul Sasser

Kenny Greene

John M Blackman

Koen C G Steen

Venkatkrishna Raghavendran

Sasha Stankovich

Sujith Nair

Elizabeth Cates

Karl M Gruenberg

Charles W Pestridge

A wearable container containing a composite which has an alternating pattern containing groupings of woven fabric and groupings of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films. The composite has a thickness of less than about 5 mm. Each grouping of woven fabric contains at least one woven fabric layer, each woven fabric layer containing tape elements having a base layer of a strain oriented olefin polymer disposed between covering layers of a heat fusible olefin polymer. Each grouping of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films contain at least one biaxially oriented thermoplastic film which has a core layer of thermoplastic disposed between covering layers of a thermoplastic able to bond to polypropylene.

Protective garment containing a composite

A protective garment containing a composite which has an alternating pattern containing groupings of woven fabric and groupings of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films. The composite has a thickness of greater than about 5 mm. Each grouping of woven fabric contains at least one woven fabric layer, each woven fabric layer containing tape elements having a base layer of a strain oriented olefin polymer disposed between covering layers of a heat fusible olefin polymer. Each grouping of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films contain at least one biaxially oriented thermoplastic film which has a core layer of thermoplastic disposed between covering layers of a thermoplastic able to bond to polypropylene.

Protective garment containing a stiff composite

Composite useful for molded articles

A vehicle containing a composite which has an alternating pattern containing groupings of woven fabric and groupings of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films. The composite has a thickness of less than about 5 mm. Each grouping of woven fabric contains at least one woven fabric layer, each woven fabric layer containing tape elements having a base layer of a strain oriented olefin polymer disposed between covering layers of a heat fusible olefin polymer. Each grouping of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films contain at least one biaxially oriented thermoplastic film which has a core layer of thermoplastic disposed between covering layers of a thermoplastic able to bond to polypropylene.

Vehicle components containing composites

A vehicle containing a composite which has an alternating pattern containing groupings of woven fabric and groupings of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films. The composite has a thickness of greater than about 5 mm. Each grouping of woven fabric contains at least one woven fabric layer, each woven fabric layer containing tape elements having a base layer of a strain oriented olefin polymer disposed between covering layers of a heat fusible olefin polymer. Each grouping of biaxially oriented thermoplastic films contain at least one biaxially oriented thermoplastic film which has a core layer of thermoplastic disposed between covering layers of a thermoplastic able to bond to polypropylene.

Vehicle containing a stiff composite

A fiber reinforced structural element comprising a thermoplastic fiber reinforced member, a non-thermoplastic fiber reinforced member, and a multi-layer woven tie layer. The thermoplastic fiber reinforced member contains at least one layer of thermoplastic fibers and the non-thermoplastic fiber reinforced member contains at least one layer of non-thermoplastic fibers. The multi-layer woven tie layer contains at least a first woven ply and a second woven ply, where the woven plies are integrated through combined portions formed by interlacing warps or wefts of adjacent woven plies. The multi-layer woven tie layer is oriented such that the upper surface of the multi-layer woven tie layer which is predominately thermoplastic fibers is adjacent the thermoplastic fiber reinforced member and the lower surface of the multi-layer woven tie layer which is predominately non-thermoplastic fibers is adjacent the non-thermoplastic fiber reinforced member.

Fiber reinforced structural element

An energy absorbing panel containing a pair of generally parallel spaced apart rigid end plates having a stiffness of at least about 200 N-m and a plurality of fabric layers extending between the rigid end plates oriented in a z-axis direction defined as being perpendicular to the rigid end plates. Each fabric layer contains a plurality of monoaxially drawn, thermoplastic fibers. The plurality of fabric layers are fused together forming a bonded structure. Methods of making the energy absorbing panel are also disclosed.

Energy absorbing panel

A method of consolidating thermoplastic fibrous layers by providing a plurality of fibers having a core with an exterior surface portion comprising polypropylene and a first layer disposed on at least a portion of the core containing at least 70% alpha-olefin units which is formed into a first fibrous layer. A second fibrous layer is applied to the first fibrous layer which second layer contains a second polymer being a co-polymer having at least 50% alpha-olefin units which is characterized by a number-average molecular weight of about 7,000 to 50,000 g/mol, a viscosity of between about 2,500 and 150,000 cP measured at 170&#xb0; C. and a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface of the core. Heat and optionally pressure are applied to the assembly to consolidate the layers.

Method of forming a consolidated fibrous structure

The invention relates to an impact resistant component comprising at least two composite sheets fused together, each composite sheet comprising an adhesive layer fused between two unidirectional sheets, wherein each unidirectional sheet comprises a plurality of monoaxially drawn fibers arranged substantially parallel to one another along a common fiber direction, the fibers comprising a base layer of a strain oriented polymer disposed between surface layer(s) of a heat fusible polymer, wherein the surface layer(s) are characterized by a melting temperature below that of the base layer to permit fusion bonding upon application of heat, and wherein the adhesive layer has a melting temperature below that of the base layer of the unidirectional sheet.

Moldable fabric with unidirectional tape yarns

A composite construction incorporating one or more non-woven layers at least partially formed from heat fused monoaxially drawn tape fiber elements of discrete length. The non-woven layers are provided with a mat structure covering across at least one surface. The mat structure covering is formed at least partially from interwoven heat fused, monoaxially drawn tape fiber elements of elongate length. The tape fiber elements in the woven and non-woven layers incorporate a base layer of a strain oriented polymer and at least one covering layer of a heat fusible polymer. The covering layer of the tape fiber elements is characterized by a softening point below that of the base layer to permit bonding fusion upon application of heat.

Moldable fibrous construction incorporating non-woven layers

The present invention relates generally to a printed loop fabric with improved graphic visibility and clarity which may be used as the female portion of a mechanical closure system. The loop fabric is generally comprised of a knit fabric, and more specifically, of a warp knit, weft inserted fabric. One method of creating the printed loop fabric includes coating the backside of the loop fabric with a thermoplastic material and then printing the face side of the coated fabric. Alternatively, the printed loop fabric may be achieved by applying a thermoplastic material to the backside of the loop fabric and printing on the thermoplastic material. The printed loop fabric may also be produced by applying a thermoplastic material to the backside of a low loop fabric and laminating a pre-printed film to the thermoplastic material. The fabric can be made without sacrificing the fabric's hook to loop engagement strength.

Printed loop fabric and method for producing the same

A composite construction incorporating one or more mat layers of interwoven axially drawn heat fusible tape fiber elements. The axially drawn tape fiber elements incorporate a central or base layer of a strain oriented polymer with a covering layer of a heat fusible polymer. The covering layer of the tape fiber elements is characterized by a softening point below that of the base layer to permit bonding fusion upon application of heat. An arrangement of embedded non-olefin fiber elements extends in anchored relation at least partially across the thickness dimension of the mat structure. The composite is adapted for bonding to a substrate layer. An optional covering layer may be utilized.

Moldable construction incorporating non-olefin bonding interface

A composite construction comprising a mat structure comprising a plurality of layers, each layer comprising plurality of fibers arranged substantially parallel to one another along a common fiber direction, a multiplicity of embedded fiber elements extending in anchored relation at least partially across the thickness dimension of the mat structure such that at least a portion of the embedded fiber elements project outwardly from the mat structure and the projecting portions define at least a partial surface covering across a first side of the mat structure, and a substrate layer disposed in layered relation to the mat structure in contacting, bonding relation with said first side of the mat structure such that at least a percentage of said portion of embedded fiber elements projecting outwardly from the mat structure is at least partially bonded or embedded into a surface portion of the substrate layer. The composite is adapted for bonding to a substrate layer. At least one interface layer disposed in layered relation to a first side of the mat structure may be included. Additional layers comprising plurality of fibers arranged substantially parallel to one another along a common fiber direction may be utilized.

Growing community of inventors

Chesnee, SC, United States of America

Howell Brewster Eleazer