US4028159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resin reclamation in carpet manufacture
Assignee: Champion International Corp
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Filing: 1976-04-07
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Granted: 1977-06-07
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Expires: 1996-04-07
Abstract
Abstract Selvedge from carpeting containing meltable resin content is heated to melt and degrade said resin which is then separated by screening or straining from any solid residue. As an example, tufted carpeting having nylon yarn pile secured in a woven polypropylene primary back which is bonded by a thermoplastic adhesive to the pile yarns and to a secondary back of woven jute is so treated to separate a significant quantity of the resin from the jute. The jute residue may be incinerated to utilize the latent thermal energy therein. Alternatively, the secondary back may be of thermoplastic material or may be omitted. The reclaimed degraded resin is then substituted for the high molecular weight copolymer which constitutes a component of the adhesive for subsequent carpet manufacture. The process may be carried out in a double-walled vessel wherein the inner wall is pervious or it can be carried out with apparatus having a moving web of pervious material for supporting the selvedge or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan H. Norris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:03
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29B; B29B17/00; B29B17/02; C; C08; C08J; C08J11/00; C08J11/04; C08J11/06; B29B2017/0213; B29B2017/0255; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/732; B29L2031/7322; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/62; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/911; Y10S264/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
In the process for producing carpeting, the steps of removing and collecting selvedge during production of carpet material comprising: a. a yarn supporting back of thermoplastic resin; b. an adhesive comprising a mixture of: 1. an amorphous low molecular weight polyethylene resin; 2. a high molecular weight ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin which is an adhesive modifier for said amorphous resin; and 3. a filler; and c. pile yarns formed from high molecular weight synthetic resin fibers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polypropylene and polyester fibers; heating said selvedge in air to a temperature above the melting points of said resins to melt and degrade said resins sufficiently to produce adhesive modification characteristics substantially equivalent of said copolymer resin, separating melted resin from solid residue, if any, to reclaim meltable resin from said selvedge and utlizing said reclaimed resin as a substitute for ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin in an adhesive mixture in subsequent carpet production.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said carpet material comprises a primary back of woven polypropylene resin and a secondary back of jute; said resin adhesive secures said secondary back to said primary back; and the melted resins are separated from said jute.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said selvedge is fed to a previous structure on which it is supported during said heating and separating steps with said melted resin passing through said structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 3, wherein the residue on said previous structure is incinerated after separation of said melted resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 4, wherein said step of incineration is accomplished with gainful employment of the heat of combustion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The process of claim 3, wherein said pervious structure is in the form of a container within an impervious vessel, said vessel is supplied with a quantity of substantially pure adhesive, and heat is applied to said vessel to melt said pure adhesive and maintain it in the liquid state while said selvedge is fed to said container whereby the meltable resin in said selvedge is melted, commingles with said pure adhesive, and passes through the wall of said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
In the process for producing carpeting, the steps of removing and collecting selvedge during production of carpet material comprising: a. a yarn supporting back of thermoplastic resin; b. an adhesive mixture of high and low molecular weight resins with a filler; and c. pile yarns formed from high molecular weight synthetic resin fibers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polypropylene and polyester fibers; heating said selvedge in air to a temperature above the melting points of said resins to melt and degrade said resins sufficiently to produce adhesive modification characteristics substantially equivalent of said high molecular weight resin; separating melted resin from solid residue, if any, to reclaim meltable resin from said selvedge; and utilizing said reclaimed resin as a substitute for at least a portion of the high molecular weight resin in an adhesive mixture in subsequent carpet production.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-06 | 1980-12-06 | 1981-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-06 | 1984-12-06 | 1985-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-06 | 1988-12-06 | 1989-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |