IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,869,122
Granted Patent B2
US 6,869,122 · App. 10/282,814 · Granted Mar 22, 2005

Protective layer for automotive surfaces

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,869,122
App. No.
10/282,814
Granted
Mar 22, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A protective layer embodying the principles of the present invention is configured for protection of automotive surfaces, including specifically, the protection of a truck-bed against wear induced by a truck-bed liner. The protective layer has a substantially planar configuration sized to permit the layer to be positioned generally between an associated truck-bed liner and a truck-bed, whereby the abrasion is significantly reduced. The layer comprises a fibrous nonwoven fabric formed from fibrous and/or filamentary elements, with the fibrous nonwoven fabric exhibiting a sufficiently reduced coefficient of friction and sufficient durability to absorb or distribute abrasive actions, while allowing passage of moisture, thus protecting the automotive surfaces against potentially detrimental environmental conditions.

Claims (16)

1. A method of protecting automotive surfaces, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one piece of nonwoven fabric formed from fibrous or filamentary elements;

forming a substantially planar sheet from said nonwoven fabric;

cutting said planar sheet to a selected length to form a protective layer;

providing a truck-bed liner separate from said protective layer; and

positioning said protective layer between a truck-bed liner and a truck-bed so that said protective layer contacts said truck-bed to protect the truck-bed from abrasion and moisture.

2. A method of protecting automotive surfaces in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:

said nonwoven fabric comprises heat-bonded, polymeric staple length fibers.

3. A method of protecting automotive surfaces in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:

said nonwoven fabric comprises hydroentangled staple length fibers.

4. A method of protecting automotive surfaces in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:

said nonwoven fabric comprises adhesive-bonded fibrous material.

5. A method of protecting automotive surfaces in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:

said nonwoven fabric comprises substantially continuous polymeric filaments.

6. A method of protecting automotive surfaces in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:

said nonwoven fabric is non-apertured.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 6, 2005
From: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BONLAM (S.C.), INC.; CHICOPEE, INC.; DOMINION TEXTILE (USA) INC.; FABPRO ORIENTED POLYMERS, INC.; FABRENE CORP.; FABRENE GROUP L.L.C.; FIBERGOL CORPORATION; FIBERTECH GROUP, INC.; FNA ACQUISITION, INC.; FNA POLYMER CORP.; LORETEX CORPORATION; PGI EUROPE, INC.; PGI POLYMER, INC.; PNA CORPORATION; POLY-BOND INC.; POLYLONIX SEPARATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; POLYMER GROUP, INC.; PRISTINE BRANDS CORPORATION; TECHNETICS GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 016851/0436 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 6, 2005
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BONLAM (S.C.), INC.; CHICOPEE, INC.; DOMINION TEXTILE (USA) INC.; FABPRO ORIENTED POLYMERS, INC.; FABRENE CORP.; FABRENE GROUP L.L.C.; FIBERGOL CORPORATION; FIBERTECH GROUP, INC.; FNA ACQUISITION, INC.; FNA POLYMER CORP.; LORETEX CORPORATION; PGI EUROPE, INC.; PGI POLYMER, INC.; PNA CORPORATION; POLY-BOND INC.; POLYLONIX SEPARATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; POLYMER GROUP, INC.; PRISTINE BRANDS CORPORATION; TECHNETICS GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 016851/0471 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 6, 2005
From: POLYMER GROUP, INC.; CHICOPEE, INC.; FIBERTECH GROUP, INC.; PGI POLYMER, INC.; POLY-BOND INC.
To: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 016851/0624 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 12, 2004
From: CHICOPEE, INC.; FIBERTECH GROUP, INC.; POLY-BOND, INC.; POLYMER GROUP, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 015778/0311 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 10, 2004
From: CHICOPEE, INC.; FIBERTECH GROUP, INC; POLY-BOND, INC.; POLYMER GROUP, INC.
To: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC. AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 015732/0080 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2004
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: FIBERTECH GROUP, INC.; POLYMER GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 015380/0798 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 26, 2003
From: POLYMER GROUP, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
Reel/Frame 014192/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2003
From: STEWART, ERIC; CARTER, NICK MARK
To: POLYMER GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 013780/0963 →