ABRASION RESISTANT PAD FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE FLOORING SYSTEM

Abstract

An abrasion resistant pad for an automotive floor covering, characterised in that the pad comprises at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) material comprising crystalline polyesters and amorphous polyethers.

Claims

1. An abrasion resistant pad for an automotive floor covering, characterized in that the pad comprises at least one layer comprising a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) material comprising crystalline polyester and amorphous polyester.

2. The pad according to claim 1, whereby the crystalline polyester is a terephthalate based polyester.

3. The pad according to claim 1, whereby the amorphous polyester is one of poly(tetra methylene ether glycol terephthalate) or poly(alkylene glycol).

4. The pad according to claim 1, whereby an outer surface comprises an embossed or grained pattern.

5. The pad according to claim 1, whereby the thermoplastic polyester elastomer material further comprises CaCO.sub.3 or mica fillers, UV blocking additives, and/or color dyes.

6. The pad according to claim 1, whereby the at least one layer has a hardness of between 65 and 90 shore A, as measured with DIN 53 505 10.

7. The pad according to claim 1, whereby the crystalline polyester and or amorphous polyether is at least partially bio-based or from a recycled resource.

8. A method of using of the pad according to claim 1 as a floor mat, trunk mat, or front trunk mat in a vehicle.

9. An automotive flooring system or floor mat with at least a nonwoven or a tufted carpet layer comprising at least one pad according to claim 1.

10. The automotive flooring system or floor mat according to claim 9, whereby the at least one pad is mechanically attached to the carpet layer or materially attached to the carpet layer.

11. The automotive flooring system or floor mat according to claim 10, whereby the at least one pad is point bonded, partially bonded, or bonded over the full surface of the carpet.

12. The automotive flooring system or floor mat according to claim 9, whereby the nonwoven or tufted carpet comprises polyester, preferably comprising PET and or PBT, polyamide, or polyolefin, like polypropylene.

13. The automotive flooring system or floor mat according to claim 9, further comprising at least a fibrous backing layer comprising polyester fibers polyester

14. The automotive flooring system or floor mat according to claim 9, further comprising a least an additional layer, a foil layer, a foam layer, and a nonwoven fibrous layer, a scrim layer, or a textile layer.

15. The automotive flooring system or floor mat according to claim 9, whereby the polyester for the carpet layer and or backing layer is up to 100% from a recycled source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 schematic flooring system with a heel pad according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] A flooring system 1 comprising a nonwoven or tufted terephthalate based polyester surface and polyester based backing layer (not shown), laminated together, further comprising a heel pad 2 comprising a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) material comprising crystalline polyesters and amorphous polyethers. The heel pad is placed such that the foot of the driver 5 may serve the pedals 4 while staying in touch with the heel pad, thereby eliminating any scuffing on the main floor part as well as preventing any slippage of the foot during interaction.

[0039] The surface of the insert or pad may be molded and may include an surface embossment or graining. The lower surface of the insert or pad may be embossed with a pin type shape to obtain a better grip on the carpet surface underneath.