Tufted articles and related processes
US6228460A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/23979
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Processes for tufting substrate or primary carpet backing using conventional double needle bars but in which the needles may be shifted less than a full gauge. Processes of the present invention may employ a conventional double needle bar tufting machine to which is added means for shifting or indexing the hook bar laterally to the machine direction of the substrate being tufted. Timing of shifting of the hook bar may be coordinated with timing of shifting of the needle bar and advance of the substrate through the machine to allow piles to be tufted into the substrate at any desired lateral position with respect to previously tufted piles. The invention creates additional pile color pattern alternatives and eliminates repetitive patterns otherwise necessitated by full gauge shifting. Elimination of repeat color sequences reduces matching color sequences on adjoining edges of adjacent carpet tiles made from such substrate which otherwise accentuate or highlight the seams between carpet tiles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.