Cotton, Inc.

Other

William A Rearick

Allen R Winch

Richard Worrall

John D Turner

Dana Wernsman

Michele Lefeber Wallace

Birgit Andersen

Disclosed is a remote contrivance refurbishment apparatus and related methods.

Remote contrivance refurbishment apparatus and related methods

The present invention relates to cellulosic substrates with reduced absorbent capacity having the capability to wick liquids, as well as to methods of manufacturing such cellulosic substrates. The cellulosic substrates provided by the present invention comprise an inside and an outside connected to the inside. The inside comprises cellulosic fibers and has a reduced absorbent capacity, and the outside comprises cellulosic fibers. The outside may have a reduced absorbent capacity and may have an absorbent capacity higher than the inside. The cellulosic substrate is capable of wicking liquid contacting the inside of the substrate to the outside of the substrate.

Cellulosic substrates with reduced absorbent capacity having the capability to wick liquids

Compositions and methods of rendering cellulosic materials flame resistant, and articles of manufacture including the materials, are disclosed. The compositions include one or more crosslinking agents, and, optionally, one or more phosphorus-based compounds. Dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea, imidazole, imidazolidinones, dialdehydes, and dichlorotriazines are preferred crosslinking agents. The methods involve applying the composition to the material, and covalently linking the crosslinking agent to the material. An advantage of covalently linking the crosslinking agent to the cellulosic material is the lack of any potential toxicity associated with uncrosslinked fire retardants on the cellulosic material and the stability of the bonds between the material and the crosslinking agent to conventional steam cleaning and other carpet cleaning methods. In a preferred embodiment, the fire-retardant cotton-fiber composition is used to prepare cotton carpets, upholstery or raised surface apparel.

Methods for reducing the flammability of cellulosic substrates

Compositions and methods of rendering cellulosic materials fire retardant, and articles of manufacture including the materials, are disclosed. The compositions include an amino acid, protein and/or peptide and optionally include one or more crosslinking and/or coupling agents. Enzymes are a preferred protein. The methods involve applying the composition to the material, and optionally involve covalently linking the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to the material, either directly or via a crosslinking agent. An advantage of covalently linking the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to the cellulosic material is the lack of any potential toxicity associated with breathable dust particles of unbound amino acid, protein and/or peptide, and the stability of the bonds between the material and the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to conventional steam cleaning and other carpet cleaning methods. In a preferred embodiment, the fire-retardant cotton-fiber composition is used to prepare cotton carpets, upholstery or raised surface apparel.

A squeeze roll arrangement and method is disclosed for high expression squeeze roll liquor expression of non-woven fiber batts. An auxiliary conveyor belt is provided to squeeze the batt before passing through the nip of the squeeze rolls with the batt. In this way, a portion of the liquor carried by the batt is expressed prior to passage of the batt through the nip. Since the batt is carried by the auxiliary conveyor belt, disruption of the batt is minimized. Preferably, chains are provided on either side of the batt to maintain a preferred orientation of the batt. Various sprockets and pulleys are provided as desired to guide the chains with various turn rollers provided to carry the conveyor belt. The chains are flexibly attached to the edges of the belt to continuously guide the belt. In this way, alignment of the belt on the turn and squeeze rolls is maintained.

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Cary, NC, United States of America

William A Rearick