IP Library Granted Patent US 9,376,766
Granted Patent B2
US 9,376,766 · App. 12/552,862 · Granted Jun 28, 2016

Low weight-hardback carpet tile

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,376,766
App. No.
12/552,862
Granted
Jun 28, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Low weight and non-square carpet tile suitable for use in mass transit vehicles, particularly passenger aircraft. The carpet tile preferably weighs less than about 82 ounces per square yard. The carpet tile of this invention may have a carpet pile and at least one backing layer. The backing layer may use a low weight filler material. The carpet tiles satisfy transportation industry standards for flame, smoke and toxicity.

Claims (54)

1. A carpet tile comprising:

a. yarns tufted into a tufting primary layer;

b. a flame retardant layer below the tufting primary layer; and

c. a secondary backing layer, wherein the secondary backing layer comprises a flame retardant and a filler,

wherein the carpet tile is a hardback carpet tile and has a weight of approximately 42 to 66 ounces per square yard.

2. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the yarns weigh approximately 16 ounces per square yard or less.

3. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein yarns weigh approximately 14 ounces per square yard or less.

4. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the yarns comprise a conductive material that dissipates static electricity.

5. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the tufting primary layer comprises a flame retardant.

6. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the tufting primary layer comprises a dark colored material.

7. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the secondary backing layer comprises aluminum trihydrate.

8. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the filler comprises hollow microspheres.

9. The carpet tile of claim 8 , wherein the hollow microspheres comprise glass.

10. The carpet tile of claim 9 , wherein the hollow microspheres are flame resistant.

11. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the secondary backing layer further comprises a smoke suppressant.

12. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the secondary backing layer further comprises a flame resistant reinforcing layer.

13. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the secondary backing layer further comprises a polymeric material.

14. The carpet tile of claim 13 , wherein the polymeric material comprises polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate.

15. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the secondary backing layer further comprises a plasticizer.

16. The carpet tile of claim 15 , wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of di-iso-nonyl phthalate, tri-cresyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate isopropylated, or a castor bean-based plasticizer.

17. The carpet tile of claim 16 , wherein the plasticizer comprises triphenyl phosphate isopropylated.

18. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the carpet tile complies with one or more of the following standards for flame, smoke or toxicity: FAR 25.853; BSS 7239; BSS 7238; D6-51377 and BSS 7230.

19. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the carpet has a dimensional stability of plus or minus 0.2% or less as determined by ISO 2551.

20. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the flame retardant layer comprises a latex material.

21. The carpet tile of claim 1 , wherein the filler is flame resistant.

22. The carpet tile of claim 15 , wherein the plasticizer comprises a flame retardant.

23. The carpet tile of claim 15 , wherein the plasticizer comprises a first plasticizer and a second plasticizer, wherein at least one of the first and second plasticizers comprises a flame retardant.

24. The carpet tile of claim 23 , wherein the first plasticizer comprises ester phosphate.

25. A carpet tile comprising:

a. yarns tufted into a tufting primary layer;

b. a precoat layer below the tufting primary layer; and

c. a secondary backing layer, wherein the secondary backing layer comprises:

i. a polymeric material;

ii. a first plasticizer and a second plasticizer, wherein at least one of the first and second plasticizers comprises a flame retardant; and

iii. a filler,

wherein the carpet tile is a hardback carpet tile and has a weight of approximately 42 to 66 ounces per square yard.

26. The carpet tile of claim 25 , wherein the yarns weigh approximately 16 ounces per square yard or less.

27. The carpet tile of claim 25 , wherein the tufting primary layer comprises a flame retardant.

28. The carpet tile of claim 25 , wherein the tufting primary layer comprises a nonwoven polyester.

29. The carpet tile of claim 25 , wherein the secondary backing layer further comprises a smoke suppressant.

30. The carpet tile of claim 25 , wherein the secondary backing layer further comprises a flame resistant reinforcing layer.

31. The carpet tile of claim 25 , wherein the filler comprises hollow microspheres.

32. The carpet tile of claim 25 , wherein the first plasticizer comprises ester phosphate.

33. The carpet tile of claim 25 , wherein the carpet tile complies with one or more of the following standards for flame, smoke or toxicity: FAR 25.853; BSS 7239; BSS 7238; D6-51377 and BSS 7230.

34. A carpet tile comprising:

a. yarns tufted into a tufting primary layer;

b. a precoat layer below the tufting primary layer; and

c. a secondary backing layer, wherein the secondary backing layer comprises:

i. a polymeric material;

ii. a first plasticizer and a second plasticizer, wherein the first plasticizer comprises ester phosphate and wherein at least one of the first and second plasticizers comprises a flame retardant; and

iii. a filler comprising hollow microspheres,

wherein the carpet tile is a hardback carpet tile and has a weight of approximately 42 to 66 ounces per square yard.

35. The carpet tile of claim 34 , wherein the tufting primary layer comprises a flame retardant.

36. The carpet tile of claim 34 , wherein the carpet tile complies with one or more of the following standards for flame, smoke or toxicity: FAR 25.853; BSS 7239; BSS 7238; D6-51377 and BSS 7230.

Assignments (5)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Nov 4, 2013
From: INTERFACE, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031572/0690 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Nov 4, 2013
From: WELLS FARGO BANK (INCLUDING AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO WACHOVIA BANK), NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: INTERFACE, INC.
Reel/Frame 031572/0851 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2010
From: HOBBS, JAMES; SHEPPARD, JOEL; JONES, STUART; WOODS, JAMES, JR.; BRADFORD, JOHN P.
To: INTERFACE, INC.
Reel/Frame 023946/0119 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2010
From: INTERFACE, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 023900/0174 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2010
From: INTERFACE, INC.
To: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 023900/0261 →