Backsizing carpet with hot melt composition of ethylene copolymer, atactic polypropylene and vulcanized rubber

A process for backsizing a tufted carpet having a primary textile backing and non-woven tufts of synthetic fibers protruding therefrom which comprises:

• a. heating to a temperature of about 160.degree.F to 375.degree.F, a hot melt coating composition, said hot melt composition consisting essentially of:
• 1. copolymer of ethylene and unsaturated ester monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate;
• alkyl acrylate wherein the alkyl group contains 1-18 carbon atoms;
• and mixtures thereof;
• containing from about 40 to 85% by weight of ethylene and from about 15 to about 60% by weight of unsaturated ester monomer;
• 2. atactic polypropylene;
• and
• 3. vulcanized rubber;
• said composition based upon the combined weight of (1), (2), and (3) containing from about 5% to about 50% by weight of (1);
• about 10 to about 85% by weight of (2) and about 10 to about 50% of (3);
• b. applying a uniform coating in an amount from about 10 to 40 ounces per square yard of said composition in a molten state to the backside of said carpet at a coating station while moving said carpet past said station at a speed of from about 20 to 60 feet per minute;
• and
• c. thereafter solidifying said carpet by cooling it below its melting point.