Milliken & Company

Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.a.

General Electric Company

Patrick A Petri

Kirkland W Vogt

Michael Edward Dotson

Ryan W Johnson

Randolph S Kohlman

Sara A Arvidson

Sara A Broadaway

Rush W Marler

Brian Douglas Wilson

John A Sollars, Jr

James Milo Endicott

Jim Endicott

Rush Marler

The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a plurality of solid regions and a plurality of porous regions. The solid and porous regions form a repeating pattern on the surface of the composite. The solid regions contain a solid region nonwoven layer, an optional solid region polymer-fiber infused layer, and a solid region cap layer. The solid region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The solid region cap layer contains the first polymer and less than about 5% by volume of the first staple fibers. The porous regions contain a porous region nonwoven layer and a porous region polymer-fiber infused layer. The porous region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of the first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The porous region polymer-fiber infused layer contains a plurality of pores.

Process for forming a nonwoven composite

The application relates to a process for forming a nonwoven composite. The process includes forming a lofty nonwoven layer, obtaining a thermoplastic polymer, and applying the thermoplastic polymer to the second surface of the nonwoven layer, where the thermoplastic polymer is in the form of a molten polymer, semi-molten polymer, or solid film. Next, pressure and optionally heat is applied to the nonwoven layer and thermoplastic polymer, where the thermoplastic polymer and the second surface of the nonwoven layer are subjected to a textured surface forming a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions in the second surface of the nonwoven layer and embedding a portion of the primary fibers from the nonwoven layer into the thermoplastic polymer within the valley regions. The thermoplastic polymer is cooled forming a thermoplastic film and the nonwoven layer which together form the nonwoven composite.

Nonwoven composite

The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a lofty nonwoven layer and a film. The lofty nonwoven layer contains a plurality of primary fibers and defines a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions. The film contains a thermoplastic polymer and has a peak film thickness in the peak regions of the layer. The film is present on at least a majority of the second surface of the nonwoven layer. Within the valley regions, the film encapsulates a plurality of fibers from the nonwoven layer. The cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the valley regions is at least about 8% and the cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the peak regions is less than about 5%.

A method is provided for making an annular reinforcement structure having inner and outer reinforcement bands maintained in concentric alignment by a resilient spacing element positioned between the bands. The method includes the steps of placing the spacing element against the inside face of the outer reinforcement band and compressing the spacing element with a jig, adjacent the top edge of the outer reinforcement band. The spacing element is sufficiently compressed to allow the inner reinforcement band to slide into concentric alignment with the outer reinforcement band, with a minimum of deflection and/or distortion of the inner reinforcement band.

Method and apparatus for inserting a spacer between annular reinforcement bands

A non-pneumatic wheel with reinforcement bands that provide structural support for the wheel and a method of manufacture of such a wheel are described. The reinforcement band forms part of an annular reinforcement structure that includes a core that is cast in place between annular reinforcement bands. The core can be impregnated with a matrix material. The matrix material can also be used to form one or more elements of the non-pneumatic wheel.

Annular structure having multiple reinforcement bands

A non-pneumatic wheel with reinforcement bands that provide structural support for the wheel and a method of manufacture of such a wheel are described. The reinforcement band forms part of an annular reinforcement structure that includes foam spacers positioned between the annular reinforcement band. The foam can be a reticulated foam into which a matrix material such as a polyurethane is introduced. The matrix material can also be used to form one or more features of the non-pneumatic wheel such as spokes, a mounting band, and a hub.

Structurally supported non-pneumatic wheel with reinforcements and method of manufacture

A non-pneumatic tire and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. More particularly, a non-pneumatic tire having a reinforcement structure with one or more spacers is provided along with a method of placement of a spacer between reinforcing bands of a non-pneumatic tire. A jig can be used to facilitate placement of the spacer.

Non-pneumatic tire with reinforcement band spacer and method of manufacturing same

A non-pneumatic wheel is provided having a continuous loop reinforcement assembly that can support a load and have performance similar to pneumatic tires. Various configurations of a non-pneumatic wheel, including variations of the continuous loop reinforcement assembly, are provided. One or more resilient spacers can be positioned with the continuous loop reinforcement assembly and can be configured for the receipt of a matrix material.

Structurally supported, non-pneumatic wheel with continuous loop reinforcement assembly

The invention relates to a treatment apparatus and process for increasing the air permeability of a textile web, and the airbag fabrics made by such process. The process includes passing the textile web across a first guide having a first guide surface directing the textile web to the treatment body, rotating a treatment body about a treatment body axis, and moving the textile web from the first guide surface in tension around a portion of the treatment body and in contact with the exterior surface of the treatment body, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the treatment body axis, wherein the exterior surface of the treatment body includes at least one longitudinal edge substantially parallel to the treatment body axis, passing the textile web across a second guide having a second guide surface directing the textile web from the treatment body, wherein the included angle between a first plane running from the first guide surface to the treatment body axis and a second plane running between the second guide surface and the treatment body axis is greater than zero degrees and less than about 160 degrees. The treatment apparatus to increase the air permeability is also disclosed.

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Greer, SC, United States of America

Patrick A Petri