Process for forming densified tufted carpet tiles by shrinking primary backing

摘要

A heat-shrinkable backing material, which preferably is a spun-bonded polyolefin backing material, is tufted with a relatively heat stable yarn and the tufted backing is subjected to a temperature of not less than 300 DEG F. The applied temperature induces the tufted backing to shrink, thereby increasing the tuft density by not less than about 130% so as to produce an unbacked, densely tufted carpet tile. A secondary backing is then applied to provide a stable structure.