Patents Assigned to Milliken Research Corporation
  • Patent number: 5624736
    Abstract: A patterned conductive textile is provided by depositing a conductive polymer film on the fabric to provide a resistivity of 1000 ohms per square or less, coating selected areas of the fabric with a protective film, to protect the conductive polymer from a chemical etching agent, to provide an oxygen barrier and to retain areas of high conductivity, applying a chemical etching agent to the fabric thereby degrading the conductive polymer film on areas of the fabric which have not been coated with the protective film and create areas of low conductivity and rinsing the fabric to remove any residual etching agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred R. DeAngelis, Andrew D. Child, Dennis E. Green
  • Patent number: 5620943
    Abstract: A process is provided for identifying a location to which a substance has been applied, which comprises incorporating into said substance prior to its application to said location an alkyleneoxy substituted fugitive colorant ingredient in an amount sufficient to identify the location to which the substance is to be applied; and thereafter applying said substance to said location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph N. Brendle
  • Patent number: 5609701
    Abstract: A wick proof woven chafer fabric for automotive radial tires has a monofilament fill yarn and a textured multifilament warp yarn. The chafer fabric comprises nylon yarns and is bias cut so that the warp and fill yarns extend at an angle to the bead of the radial tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Roger H. Soderberg, Michael J. Chekan
  • Patent number: 5596888
    Abstract: The present invention provides a knitted furniture support fabric having multi-directional stretch characteristics and possessing sufficient strength and durability to function as a support in a seating or bed structure. The furniture support fabric of the present invention is a four bar knit structure including two yarns of textured polyester and two yarns of elastomeric monofilament knit together such that the fabric has an elongation at break of at least 17 percent in both the warp and fill directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: George C. McLarty, III, Anthony R. Waldrop, Paul S. Loadholdt
  • Patent number: 5595809
    Abstract: A method for increasing the energy absorption of a fabric constructed of high tenacity fiber. This method modifies the ballistic stress-deflection curve of the fabric by effectively toughening the fabric by controlling the peak stresses generated in the fabric layer. These stresses are controlled by perforating the fabric into relatively narrow portions or cutting the fabric into relatively narrow strips, preferably along the bias. This unexpected property is counter-intuitive to known expertise in this area in that the weakening of the fabric by cutting or perforating actually improves the ballistic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Dischler
  • Patent number: 5590447
    Abstract: Method to continuously merge two multifilament yarns supplied from bobbins on a creel by merging and entangling the two yarns in a commingling air jet and supplying directly to a warper to form a warp beam. The method includes feed rolls upstream and downstream of the air jets providing an overfeed of the yarns to the jet of about 2.3%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Andre M. Goineau
  • Patent number: 5591833
    Abstract: Colorants and compositions useful as a fugitive or permanent colorant for a variety of substrates, or as intermediates for their manufacture, and having one or more improved properties of enhanced aqueous washability, compatibility with and non-extractibility from thermoplastic resins, or reactivity with resins having reactive functionality, said composition having the formula C(Z).sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Hines, David J. Moody, Edward W. Kluger
  • Patent number: 5589254
    Abstract: A method for increasing the energy absorption of a fabric constructed of high tenacity fiber. This method modifies the ballistic stress-deflection curve of the fabric by effectively toughening the fabric by controlling the peak stresses generated in the fabric layer. These stresses are controlled by perforating the fabric into relatively narrow portions or cutting the fabric into relatively narrow strips, preferably along the bias. This unexpected property is counter-intuitive to known expertise in this area in that the weakening of the fabric by cutting or perforating actually improves the ballistic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Dischler
  • Patent number: 5580629
    Abstract: A method for increasing the energy absorption of a fabric constructed of high tenacity fiber. This method modifies the ballistic stress-deflection curve of the fabric by effectively toughening the fabric by controlling the peak stresses generated in the fabric layer. These stresses are controlled by perforating the fabric into relatively narrow portions or cutting the fabric into relatively narrow strips, preferably along the bias. This unexpected property is counter-intuitive to known expertise in this area in that the weakening of the fabric by cutting or perforating actually improves the ballistic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Dischler
  • Patent number: 5573553
    Abstract: A process for protecting a dyed textile fiber from decolorization caused by exposure to bleach, and improving colorfastness is provided by applying an aqueous solution of non-volatile, polymeric salt forming monomers, such as hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid, to the textile fiber followed by drying the fiber to polymerize the monomers and form a non-volatile, polymeric salt film thereon. The process is especially suitable for treating dyed polyamide fiber used in floor covering products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel T. McBride, Terry M. Fannon
  • Patent number: 5569509
    Abstract: A method for increasing the energy absorption of a fabric constructed of high tenacity fiber. This method modifies the ballistic stress-deflection curve of the fabric by effectively toughening the fabric by controlling the peak stresses generated in the fabric layer. These stresses are controlled by perforating the fabric into relatively narrow portions or cutting the fabric into relatively narrow strips, preferably along the bias. This unexpected property is counter-intuitive to known expertise in this area in that the weakening of the fabric by cutting or perforating actually improves the ballistic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Dischler
  • Patent number: 5569430
    Abstract: A method of making a roofing membrane having a reinforcing fabric saturated with a bituminous material. The reinforcing fabric comprises a first fiberglass scrim layer to which is stitched a non-woven polyester mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Callaway, Morris D. Moore, III
  • Patent number: 5567257
    Abstract: A process for forming a bonded pile fabric of enhanced stability using low levels of adhesive is provided. In the process pile forming yarn is tacked by heat fusion an open weave base layer prior to the application of adhesive. The adhesive which is preferably a low viscosity latex is applied through an open weave base layer to further bond the pile. An apparatus for making the bonded pile fabric is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Higgins, Benjamin A. Gaddis
  • Patent number: 5566433
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous treatment of webs of fabric having upright pile comprised of wetting the fabric to at least 50% saturation, heating the fabric to approximately 225.degree. to 350.degree. Fahrenheit and then brushing the fabric in both the pile and counter-pile directions. The presence of liquid and steam plasticize and lubricate the fibers, thereby allowing an easier, more complete return to the uncrushed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Franklin S. Love, III, Robert S. Brown
  • Patent number: 5564169
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating an appearance of a moire fabric on a textile fabric having a number of filling yarns per inch utilizing a substantially transparent sheet having a number of lines per inch which substantially corresponds to said number of filling yarns per inch in the textile fabric to be viewed. The lines are aligned substantially parallel to the filling yarns of the textile fabric thereby simulating the appearance of a moire fabric. When the textile fabric has a lateral shifting of the filling yarns, then the lines on the substantially transparent sheet are straight and if the filling yarns of the textile fabric are not yet shifted, then the lines on the substantially transparent sheet are curved in accordance with the proposed filling yarn shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Howard C. Willauer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5565507
    Abstract: An aqueous adhesive composition for bonding reinforcing textiles to rubber products is provided, having an epoxy resin with a functionality of three or greater and a rubber latex functionalized with pendent groups selected from carboxyl, amide and pyridyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Francis W. Marco, Dany F. M. Michiels
  • Patent number: 5560971
    Abstract: This invention provides a multi-layer material designed to cover ceramic armor applied to military vehicles, which suppresses ceramic shrapnel created during a ballistic event up to the magnitude of a 0.50 caliber at 2000-2200 feet per second at zero degree obliquity. This material is a laminate comprising of three distinct layers of fabric. The middle layer is a heavy ballistic nylon or polyester fabric. A nylon fabric of this nature weighs between fifteen to thirty-five ounces per square yard and a polyester fabric of this nature weighs between fifteen to thirty-five ounces per square yard. This fabric can be either woven or knitted. The outer layer that is attached to the middle layer can be any type of decorative fabric, including woven, nonwoven and knit fabrics. This fabric should be relatively light weight and dyeable. The bottom layer of fabric is a loop pile, warp knit, weft-inserted fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan B. Emery
  • Patent number: 5559605
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining directional variation of shade of pile or napped materials. This directional variation of shade can be determined in multiple directions either simultaneously or sequentially utilizing spectrophotometers with bifurcated fiber optic cables. The bifurcated fiber optic cable is repeatably and accurately positioned over the pile or napped materials. A typical non-limiting example of pile materials includes carpeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Morton W. Reed
  • Patent number: 5545276
    Abstract: An improved cushioned carpet fabric is provided. The cushioned carpet comprises a primary carpet having a primary base and a plurality of pile-forming yarns projecting outwardly from one side. A layer of reinforcement material is bonded to the primary base on the side opposite the pile forming yarns. The reinforcement layer is adjacent to and embedded in, a cushion layer of a polymer such as a polyurethane. There is preferably no additional adhesive between the cushion layer and the layer of reinforcement material since the primary carpet fabric is mated in-situ to the polyurethane-forming composition without preheating the polyurethane-forming composition. An apparatus and process for forming the cushioned carpet fabric of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5540968
    Abstract: A cushioned carpet tile is provided. The cushioned carpet tile includes a primary carpet fabric having a plurality of pile-forming yarns projecting from one side thereof. A mass of polymer cushioning is dispersed on the side of the primary carpet fabric from which the pile-forming yarns do not extend. A heat-fused nonwoven backing of polyester and polypropylene is disposed on the bottom of the polymer cushioning. The ratio of polyester to polypropylene in the nonwoven backing is between about 0.43 and about 2.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Higgins