Patents Examined by Jenna-Leigh Befumo
  • Patent number: 6599849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a knitted textile material that, when transfer or film-coated, is suitable for use as an artificial leather substrate. The inventive procedure involves (a) producing an elastomer composition of at least four ingredients (an anionically-stabilized waterborne polymer dispersion, an acid-generating chemical, a cloud-point surfactant, and a foam-stabilizing surfactant); (b) incorporating sufficient gas into the liquid mixture to generate a spreadable foam; (c) applying the foam onto a porous knitted textile substrate; (d) heating said foamed fabric until the elastomer coagulates over the fabric substrate; and (e) drying the resultant composite without destroying the coagulated structure. The resultant composite obtains a pliability, compressibility, and drape that is similar to that of leather and a surface that is suitable for transfer or film-coating to produce artificial leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Kirkland W. Vogt, Howell B. Eleazer
  • Patent number: 6596658
    Abstract: A laminated fabric consisting of a relatively lightweight layer formed of dimensionally stable, heat-resistant fibers, and a relatively heavyweight layer formed of one of more plies. The laminate is imaged on a three-dimensional support surface, and the laminate may be treated with a fire-retardant binder to stabilize the image and enhance the flame-retardant properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Putnam, Herbert P. Hartgrove
  • Patent number: 6586092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cardable fiber blend which forms a moldable fiber batt, the blend comprising fibers having a modulus of 550 g/denier or more with fibers of a thermoplastic polymer wherein the high modulus polymer fibers are all uncrimped fibers or a mixture of crimped and uncrimped fibers. The moldable batt is useful in making speaker cones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Anil Kohli
  • Patent number: 6583072
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is formed of polyphenylene sulfide fibers impregnated with a synthetic resin by 5 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the nonwoven fabric, and has stiffness based on the Gurley method specified in JIS L 1096 of 3000 to 10000 mgf, and can be used as a filter medium for collecting hot dust emitted from refuse incinerators, coal boilers, metal melting furnaces, and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Kawakami, Kiyoshi Aihara, Takehiko Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 6576575
    Abstract: An adherent article, such as a bandage or adhesive tape, having a nonwoven substrate that contains water soluble fibers is provided. The water soluble fibers of the nonwoven substrate can include polyvinyl alcohol fibers that only dissolve at temperatures greater than 37° C. and/or polyvinyl alcohol fibers that can dissolve at temperatures less than about 37° C. The adherent article also includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the nonwoven substrate that facilitates adherence of the substrate to human skin. The pressure-sensitive adhesive can be water soluble or generally insoluble, but dispersible in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry L. Griesbach, III, Julie R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6576577
    Abstract: An underlayment material is disclosed for use as an underlayment in a non-textile flooring system. The underlayment material comprises a thin, flexible layer of polyurethane foam and a thin, flexible substrate layer bonded to one side of the layer of polyurethane foam. In a preferred embodiment, the underlayment material is a mechanically frothed polyurethane foam. In another preferred embodiment, the substrate layer is a layer of non-woven spun bonded polyester fibers. In another preferred embodiment, the underlayment material has a thickness of between about 0.05 and 0.125 inches, and most preferably, about 0.085 inches. In still another preferred embodiment, the foam has a fine cell structure and a density of between 10 and 30 pounds per cubic foot, and most preferably about 20 pounds per cubic foot. In still another preferred embodiment, the foam has a compression set of between about 5% and 25%, and most preferably about 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Foam Products Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Garner
  • Patent number: 6573204
    Abstract: A cleaning cloth having a nonwoven structure for wet, damp and/or dry cleaning, the cleaning cloth being made from micro staple fibers of at least two different polymers and from absorbent secondary staple fibers bound into the micro staple fibers and securely retained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Dieter Philipp, Jochen Wirsching, Steffen Kremser
  • Patent number: 6566288
    Abstract: A non-woven fabric comprising a principal component of para-aramid fiber chops bonded with each other by a binder, the para-aramid fiber chops having a mixture of (a) poly-p-phenylene-3,4′-diphenylether-terephthalamide fibers and (b) poly-p-phenylene-terephthalamide fibers and having a blend ratio by weight of (a)/(b)=10/90˜90/10 and preferably (a)/(b)=30/70˜70/30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignees: Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd., Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kurumatani, Hirokazu Hiraoka, Masayuki Noda, Tomoyuki Terao, Setsuo Toyoshima, Yoshihisa Kato, Hiroyoshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 6566287
    Abstract: A non-woven fabric having such a structure that fine fibers having a small fineness are entangled with one another and a sheet obtained by impregnating the non-woven fabric with an elastic polymer satisfy the following requirements: the fine fibers should be obtained by splitting a strippable and splittable composite short fiber comprising at least two components; the fine fibers should have a monofilament size of 0.01 to 0.5 denier; the fine fibers should form a fine non-woven fabric structure that they are entangled with one another at random; the apparent density should be 0.18 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignees: Teijin Limited, Daiwabo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahisa Mimura, Hideki Nitta, Nobuo Ohkawa, Kimio Nakamura, Yoshiji Usui, Hiroji Wakisaka, Akihiro Imoto
  • Patent number: 6559081
    Abstract: This invention relates to fibrous absorbent articles containing particles useful in the manufacture of disposable diapers, adult incontinence pads, sanitary napkins and the like, scrubbing pads, scouring pads and cleaning pads that contain a detergent or soap and the like, and pads that contain coffee, tea, and the like More particularly, the invention is directed to an absorbent articles having sealed lateral edges to contain loose fibers and particles within the structure. Additionally, this invention is related to airlaid methods to manufacture unitary absorbent products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: BKI Holding Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Erspamer, Jeffrey S. Hurley, Brian E. Boehmer, Derrix Betts
  • Patent number: 6537640
    Abstract: Provided is a pile fabric in which non-twist interlaced yarns composed of non-torque or low-torque polyester multi-filaments having a torque of 0 or 100 turns/meter or less are laid out in a flattened state as both warp and weft yarns constituting a ground portion of the pile fabric, which has no thick feel of the ground, excellent in formability and sewing property, and also makes it possible to form a short pile length (less than 1.5 mm). Further, diverse pile fabrics such as velvet-like, amundsen-like, astrakhan-like and suede-like fabrics, are also realized by specifying the fineness of the constituent filaments and the yarn form of the pile yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nakamura, Manabu Toyao, Norimitsu Hamajima
  • Patent number: 6537934
    Abstract: A composite material is formed from a flexible porous hardening foam (e.g. polyurethane) and an adhesive composition which sets to a water-resistant film and contains a water-absorbent filler (e.g. fumed silica) in an amount such that the film is water absorbent. The adhesive reinforces the foam while preserving its porosity and absorbency. The material is suitable for shoe insoles and handgrips. The adhesive may be primarily in a surface layer e.g. of cloth (14) applied to the foam (12); or the foam (22) may be saturated with the composition prior to curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Siew Puat Yeo
  • Patent number: 6534175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a comfortable cut resistant fabric wherein metal fibers in the fabric are shielded from abrasive exposure by being wrapped with cut resistant staple fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Reiyao Zhu, Larry John Prickett
  • Patent number: 6531419
    Abstract: A multi-layer protective fabric includes a thin urethane film, a flame-retardant fibrous layer, and a flame-retardant micro-porous layer. The film includes flame retardant additives, blocks a liquid chemical from passing through it, and breathes by an adsorption/de-sorption process to permit water vapor to pass through it. The fibrous layer is bonded on one surface of the film. The urethane layer is bonded on the other surface of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: R. H. Wyner Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Wyner, Robert C. Koeppel
  • Patent number: 6524981
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric with UV stability having a layer of meltblown fibers sandwiched between first and second layers of spunbonded fibers wherein each layer includes a base resin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene; combined with melt processable additives which are a mixture of (i) at least two hindered amine light stabilizers; (ii) a processing aid selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl amines and phosphites; and (iii) a carrier resin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene. Other melt processable additives include pigments which are added to provide the desired color in the resulting fabric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 6521553
    Abstract: A deodorant fibrous material contains (1) as a first deodorant material, at least one deodorant component selected from inorganic type and polyorganic acid, ester or salt type components, (2) as a second deodorant material, at least one hydrazine compound and (3) a synthetic resin binder. The deodorant fibrous material can be produced by applying to a fibrous material by a padding or coating method, a liquid composition containing the above components (1)-(3), followed by subsequent heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jirou Tabata, Toshiharu Kanaya, Masayuki Hirata, Kouichi Saito, Kouji Hori, Kouichi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6509092
    Abstract: Disclosed are multicomponent fibers which include a surface modified thermobondable non-biodegradable synthetic polymeric component and a biodegradable component. The surface modified thermobondable non-biodegradable component permits thermal bonding of the multicomponent fiber to other fibers with enhanced adhesion. The multicomponent fibers are useful in the manufacture of nonwoven structures, and in particular nonwoven structures used as a component in disposable absorbent products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Fiber Innovation Technology
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Dugan
  • Patent number: 6506695
    Abstract: This invention provides breathable composite materials with good liquid barrier properties comprising a laminate of a nonwoven web layer and a breathable film layer wherein breathability of the composite is provided by a plurality of point-like deformations of the film layer. In one embodiment, the composites also have a soft, cloth-like texture at at least one surface thereof. Also provided is a process for making such composites comprising applying a molten film-forming resin composition capable of developing breathability on deformation to a nonwoven web, cooling the molten composition to form a coated web having a web layer bonded to a film layer, and subjecting the coated web to heat and pressure at a plurality of points on a surface thereof wherein the heat, pressure and density of, and proportion of the composite surface occupied by, the deformations are effective to impart breathability to the film without loss of liquid barrier properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Rheinische Kunststoffewerke GmbH
    Inventors: Hugh C. Gardner, Jeffrey H. Mumm, Kam C. Lui
  • Patent number: 6500776
    Abstract: A blanket substrate comprising spun yarn of polyvinyl alcohol based fibers, in which the fibers have primary ridged streaks which are formed on their surfaces in the direction of the fiber axis with finer secondary ridged steaks formed in the primary ridged streaks, the fibers having a cross-section circularity of at least 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hamada, Nobuyoshi Takai, Kunihiro Shiraki, Tomokazu Ise
  • Patent number: 6497936
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for treating one or more yarn strands before or after the strand is dyed. The apparatus preferably includes a modified space dyeing apparatus having a dye applicator modified to be used as a treatment composition applicator for treating a yarn strand. The apparatus enables a high speed yarn dyeing and treatment method. Also described is a method and composition for treating yarn with a polyphenolic derivative composition to form a bleach-resistant yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Mannington Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Desai, Jeffrey Lovelady