A composite floor-covering comprising a fabric face layer, a barrier layer and a cushion backing layer is disclosed. The fabric face layer is attached to the barrier layer by a first adhesive layer and the barrier layer is attached to the cushion backing layer by a second adhesive layer. The fabric face layer on the composite floor covering can stretch up to an initial amount under a first pressure and can stretch beyond under a second pressure wherein the second pressure is higher than the first pressure. The composite floor-covering has a water vapor transmission rate of less than about 5.0 cm.sup.3/m.sup.2/24 hour at 100 F. and 90% RH.

A synthetic turf system and method includes turf tufted from monofilament fibers of a thermoplastic polymer where about 1 in about 32 tuft rows comprise at least one antistatic filament per tuft. Each antistatic filament has a first nonconductive polymeric component coextensive with a second non-conductive component. One or more of the antistatic filaments substantially reduces static electrical discharge within the turf. The thermoplastic polymer for each fiber may comprise at least one of nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester. Each tuft of the tufted turf may be twisted and each tuft may be slit to form multiple ends. The turf system may comprise stitched turf. Each antistatic filament may comprise a carbon core surrounded by a non-conductive sheath, wherein a ratio of the antistatic filament per number of tuft rows may comprise at least one of 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, and 1:16.

A process is described wherein pile yarn is woven with cotton weft and warp yarns to produce terry fabrics, such as towels. The fabric is then washed in warm water to dissolve the PVA fibers. The amount of fibers dissolved, depends upon the count of the yarn or yarns used. By dissolving the PVA fibers, a hollow air space is produced throughout the pile yarn, corresponding to an increase in the air space in the pile yarn. By increasing the air space in the pile yarn, the resulting towels are softer and bulkier than standard cotton towels. The present invention further relates to pile yarn in terry woven fabric (warp yarn), or weft yarn, in the case of flat fabrics.

A method for manufacturing an artificial turf fiber includes creating a polymer mixture that includes, 60-99% by weight of an LLDPE polymer and 1-15% by weight of an LDPE polymer. The method further includes extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament; quenching the monofilament; reheating the monofilament; and stretching the reheated monofilament to form the monofilament into the artificial turf fiber.

A method of manufacturing an artificial turf includes creating fluid polyurethane mass. The creation including reacting first and second polyols with an isocyanate. The first polyol is a polyether polyol and/or a polyester polyol having at least 2 hydroxyl groups per molecule, the second polyol being polybutadien diol. The isocyanate including isocyanate monomers, isocyanate polymers or isocyanate prepolymers or a mixture thereof, the isocyanate monomers, isocyanate polymers and the isocyanate prepolymers having two or more isocyanate groups per molecule. The method further includes incorporating an artificial turf fiber into a carrier such that a first portion of the fiber protrudes to the front side of the carrier and that a second portion of the fiber is located at the back side of the carrier, adding the fluid polyurethane mass on the back side of the carrier, and hardening the fluid polyurethane mass.

In one aspect, the invention relates to recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions, fibers and articles produced therefrom, and methods for producing same. In a further aspect, the invention relates to homogenized post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to extruded polymer compositions, polymer mixtures, fibers, and/or Bulked Continuous Filament fibers comprising post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to processes for preparing recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

A dimensionally stable universal floor covering includes a tufted textile having stitches and a reinforcement layer of fibers and adhesive providing dimensional stability for the entire floor covering. The fibers and adhesive are mixed and then moved by an applicator towards the stitches. A slip path is formed to improve the movement of the fibers and adhesive. A releasable adhesive or gecko-like cover system is provided which also provides additional strength and stability and a releasable attachment of the universal floor covering to a supporting surface.

An artificial turf field system is provided. The system may include a plurality of synthetic turf strands attached to a backing layer and an infill material positioned between the synthetic turf stands. The infill material may include a plurality of porous particles. A sub-layer may be included beneath the backing layer, and may be formed of a resilient material. A support layer may be included beneath the sub-layer, and may include materials configured for drainage. The porous particles of the infill material may include porous ceramic particles and the sub-layer may include rubber. The porous particles may be at least partially coated, for example, by a polymer coating. The infill material may be free of sand and/or crumb rubber.

In one aspect, the invention relates to recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions, fibers and articles produced therefrom, and methods for producing same. In a further aspect, the invention relates to homogenized post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to extruded polymer compositions, polymer mixtures, fibers, and/or Bulked Continuous Filament fibers comprising post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate. In a further aspect, the invention relates to processes for preparing recycled polyethylene terephthalate compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Drainage devices for draining a fluid from a patient during treatment of a medical condition body are disclosed. The drainage devices comprise a body defining at least one conduit through the body from a distal end of the body to a proximal end of the body. The body comprises at least one carbon-based structure configured to inhibit growth of fibroblasts in the conduit when the fluid flows through the conduit. Example embodiments of the drainage device may include an ophthalmic shunt, a hydrocephalus shunt, an artificial mesh, an arteriovenous shunt, a thoracic catheter, and a central venous access device.