Collins Aikman Corporation

Vernon C Smith

Clarence A Peoples, Jr

Jacquelyn S Hicks

Paul L Weinle

Christopher H Gardner

Matthew R Pierce

Ruth C Roberts

This invention relates to an automobile headliner which is formed from a batt of polymeric fibers compressed and molded into a predetermined contoured shape. The headliner is characterized by being of a highly deformable resilient construction to facilitate installation in the vehicle. More specifically, the fibers forming the batt are bonded together at a multiplicity of locations which impart a self-supporting molded rigidity which allows the headliner to retain its shape in the installed condition in the vehicle, yet rendering the same highly deformable and resilient to allow it to be rolled or folded upon itself during installation and to thereafter resiliently recover to its original molded shape.

Molded automobile headliner

A pile carpet having a primary backing with pile yarns extending from the primary backing is provided with a tuft-lock coating comprising a copolymer of vinylidene chloride with at least one acrylic monomer, and having a glass transition temperature of 0.degree. C. or less. The coating imparts excellent tuft-lock properties to the carpet and also serves as a thermoplastic adhesive layer for laminating the carpet to a secondary backing.

Carpet with polyvinylidene chloride latex tuft-lock adhesive coating

A molded foam-backed carpet assembly is provided which is suitable for use in automobiles and which includes a carpet layer, a moldable thermoplastic polymer layer and a sound deadening foam cushion bonded to the thermoplastic polymer layer. The physical properties of the foam are controlled to provide enhanced vibration damping and sound deadening in the carpet assembly.

Molded carpet assembly with sound deadening foam backing

A molded foam-backed carpet assembly is provided which is suitable for use in automobiles and which includes a carpet layer, a moldable thermoplastic polymer layer and one or more foam pads fusibly bonded to the thermoplastic polymer layer and extending over less than the entire surface of the thermoplastic polymer layer to provide desired cushioning and sound and thermal insulation only in preselected areas of the carpet where needed.

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Huntersville, NC, United States of America

Vernon C Smith