Binding strength improvement in laminated carpet tiles

Abstract

Prior art teaches to apply strands of a hot melt adhesive on a primary backing of a textile product, such as a carpet or carpet tile, before adhering a secondary backing. In some cases, all portions of the strands may not contribute to the adhesion strength. Adjusting the viscosity of the hot melt adhesive may make the strands less flexible as they lay across the irregular features of the backstitching of a primary backing so they provide greater adhesion to the secondary backing. Alternatively, applying the hot melt adhesive to the secondary backing will also be used to create sufficient adhesion. Preferentially, using an air knife to prevent the strands from forming and/or to press the hot melt adhesive into the primary backing may also be used to create sufficient adhesion. These methods provide greater adhesion between the primary and secondary backings with less hot melt adhesive.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.