Homogenously branched ethylene polymer carpet backsizing compositions

• Main Authors: GOINS JAMES D, PENG LICHIH R, BIESER JOHN O, DIEHL CHARLES F, MAUGANS REXFORD A, KELLEY DAVID C, TURLEY ROBERT R, DIBBERN JOSEPH A, MCKINNEY OSBORNE K
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: EMBROIDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; LAUNDERING; LAYERED PRODUCTS; LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT ORNON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SEWING; TEXTILES; TRANSPORTING; TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; TUFTING; WALL, FLOOR OR LIKE COVERING MATERIALS, e.g. LINOLEUM,OILCLOTH, ARTIFICIAL LEATHER, ROOFING FELT, CONSISTING OF AFIBROUS WEB COATED WITH A LAYER OF MACROMOLECULARMATERIAL

The present invention pertains to carpet and methods of making carpet. In one aspect, the carpet includes (a) a primary backing which has a face and a back surface, (b) a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing and extending from the face of the primary backing and exposed at the back surface of the primary backing, (c) an adhesive backing, (d) an optional secondary backing adjacent to the adhesive backing, and (e) at least one homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. The method includes extrusion coating at least one homogeneously branched ethylene polymer onto the back surface of a primary backing to provide an adhesive backing. The method can include additional steps or procedures, either separately or in various combinations. Additional steps and procedures include washing or scouring the primary backing and fibers prior to the extrusion step, and utilizing implosion agents. The preferred homogeneously branched ethylene polymer is a substantially linear ethylene polymer. The constructions and methods described herein are particularly suited for making tufted, broad-loom carpet having improved abrasion resistance.