Milliken + Co

North Carolina State University

Other

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Joseph R Royer

Saad A Khan

Joseph Desimone

Daniel Taylor McBride

Ty G Dawson

Dale Robert Williams

George W Roberts

John L Sanchez

Nils David Sellman, Jr

Joseph Wallen

Richard J Spontak

Samuel E Graham

Teri Anne Walker

Srinivas Siripurapu

Brian G Morin

Randolph S Kohlman

Martin E Cowan

Sujith Nair

Johann Peschek

Charles William Prestridge

Ines El-Majid

Yvon J Gay

This invention relates to tufted floorcovering articles, including carpet tiles and broadloom carpet. In particular, this invention relates to tufted floorcovering articles made from the family of polymers known as polyester. Specifically, this invention relates to tufted carpet tile products made from polyester. The polyester carpet tiles meet commercial performance specifications and are fully end-of-life recyclable.

Recyclable single polymer floorcovering article

A reinforced rubber article containing a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn tape elements having at least a first layer, an upper surface and a lower surface. The first layer comprises a blend of polyester and nylon 6. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Polyester/nylon 6 fibers for rubber reinforcement

The present disclosure relates to cementitious articles that are reinforced with a fabric made at least partially of high modulus polyolefin monofilament fibers. Preferably, the polypropylene monofilament yarns have a 3% secant modulus of elasticity of at least 100 g/denier. The high modulus polypropylene fabric has an intrinsic resistance to the alkaline conditions present in a cementitious composite, as well as a low elongation at break. The high modulus polypropylene may contain a nucleating agent to facilitate the process of obtaining desired draw ratio.

Fabric reinforced cement

Polymeric materials having a plurality of cells formed therein are described. The polymeric materials include a foamed layer comprising a plurality of uniform microcells, nanocells or combinations thereof in a closed cell network, a transition layer positioned adjacent to the foamed layer, and at least one unfoamed outer layer positioned adjacent to the transition layer. The foamed layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 80 to about 99 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, the transition layer may present in a volume ranging from about 0 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, and the at least one outer layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 0.01 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material. Methods of making such polymeric materials are also described, as are apparatus for providing foamed polymeric materials.

Nano-and micro-cellular foamed thin-walled material, and processes and apparatuses for making the same

A method for continuously separating polymer from a high pressure fluid stream comprises subjecting the high pressure fluid stream comprising polymer particles to a filter, wherein the filter segregates the high pressure fluid stream from the polymer particles; subjecting the polymer particles to a rotating device which transports the polymer particles away from the filter, wherein the polymer particles are exposed to thermal conditions sufficient to melt the polymer particles and form a seal surrounding at least a portion of the rotating device; and separating the molten polymer from the rotating device. The method is carried out such that the separation of polymer from the high pressure fluid stream occurs under steady-state.

Continuous method and apparatus for separating polymer from a high pressure carbon dioxide fluid stream

A cement panel that is reinforced with a fabric made of nucleated polypropylene fibers. The cement panel includes a core layer that is made of a lightweight cement composition. This core layer is covered with a layer of reinforcing nucleated polypropylene fabric on the top and on the bottom, each bonded to the core with a coating of cementitious material on the top and on the bottom of the core layer. On the edges of the cement panels, the fabric layers may be overlapped so as to augment the strength of these edges.

A method of depolymerizing a polymer comprises contacting a polymer with a fluid comprising carbon dioxide and at least one component, wherein the fluid plasticizes the polymer and facilitates penetration of the component into the polymer to depolymerize the polymer and form oligomeric units, monomeric units, or combinations thereof.

CO2-assisted deploymerization, purification and recycling of step-growth polymers

Methods of carrying out a reactive extrusion processes are described that include combining at least one polymer, oligomer, or combination thereof, a carbon dioxide containing fluid, and at least one reactant in an extruder to form a mixture such that the carbon dioxide containing fluid comes into intimate contact with the at least one polymer, oligomer, or combination thereof and assists in a reaction between the at least one polymer, oligomer, or combination thereof and the at least one reactant, and wherein the at least one polymer, oligomer, or combination thereof is modified upon reaction with the at least one reactant.

Methods of CO2-assisted reactive extrusion

A method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a mixture comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a second thermoplastic polymer with a blowing agent, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer has a higher percent crystallinity that the second thermoplastic polymer; and subjecting the mixture to conditions sufficient to create a thermodynamic instability in the blend foam the mixture, wherein the mixture comprising the first and second thermoplastic polymers has a percent crystallinity lower than the first thermoplastic polymer.

Methods of making foamed materials of blended thermoplastic polymers using carbon dioxide

Unique thermoplastic monofilament fibers and yarns that exhibit heretofore unattained physical properties are provided. Such fibers are basically manufactured through the extrusion of thermoplastic resins that include a certain class of nucleating agent therein, and are able to be drawn at high ratios with such nucleating agents present that the tenacity and modulus strength are much higher than any other previously produced thermoplastic fibers, particularly those that also simultaneously exhibit extremely low shrinkage rates. Thus, such fibers require the presence of certain compounds that quickly and effectively provide rigidity to the target thermoplastic (for example, polypropylene), particularly after heat-setting. Generally, these compounds include any structure that nucleates polymer crystals within the target thermoplastic after exposure to sufficient heat to melt the initial pelletized polymer and allowing such an oriented polymer to cool. The compounds must nucleate polymer crystals at a higher temperature than the target thermoplastic without the nucleating agent during cooling. In such a manner, the &ldquo;rigidifying&rdquo; nucleator compounds provide nucleation sites for thermoplastic crystal growth. The preferred &ldquo;rigidifying&rdquo; compounds include dibenzylidene sorbitol based compounds, as well as less preferred compounds, such as &lsqb;2.2.1&rsqb;heptane-bicyclodicarboxylic acid, otherwise known as HPN-68, sodium benzoate, certain sodium and lithium phosphate salts &lsqb;such as sodium 2,2&prime;-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate, otherwise known as NA-11&rsqb;. Specific methods of manufacture of such inventive thermoplastic fibers, as well as fabric articles made therefrom, are also encompassed within this invention.

Thermoplastic monofilament fibers exhibiting low-shrink, high tenacity, and extremely high modulus levels

A method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a material with a fluid mixture comprising carbon dioxide and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant facilitates the dissolution of the carbon dioxide into the material and then foam the material in the fluid mixture.

Growing community of inventors

Greenville, SC, United States of America

Joseph R Royer