Patents by Inventor James Burch Branum

James Burch Branum has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6623853
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and branching agent into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wicking, dyeability, and tactility properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction. Also disclosed are polyethylene glycol modified copolyester compositions, fibers, yarns, and fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: James Burch Branum, Keith James Carnes, Billy Mack Humelsine, Carl Steven Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030134117
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and branching agent into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wicking, dyeability, and tactility properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction. Also disclosed are polyethylene glycol modified copolyester compositions, fibers, yarns, and fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: James Burch Branum, Keith James Carnes, Billy Mack Humelsine, Carl Steven Nichols
  • Patent number: 6582817
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nonwoven fabric that is formed of polyethylene glycol modified copolyester staple fibers. The copolyester staple fibers include polyethylene terephthalate in an amount sufficient for the copolyester staple fibers to possess dimensional stability properties substantially similar to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyethylene glycol in an amount sufficient for the copolyester staple fibers to possess wicking characteristics that are superior to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, and chain branching agent in an amount less than about 0.0014 mole-equivalent branches per mole of standardized polymer. Also disclosed are methods for making such nonwoven fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith James Carnes, James Burch Branum
  • Patent number: 6509091
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyethylene glycol modified copolyester fiber that has exceptional moisture management characteristics and that can be formed into exceptionally comfortable fabrics. The copolyester fiber includes polyethylene terephthalate in an amount sufficient for the copolyester fiber to possess dimensional stability properties substantially similar to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyethylene glycol in an amount sufficient for the copolyester fiber to possess wicking properties that are superior to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, and chain branching agent in an amount less than about 0.0014 mole-equivalent branches per mole of standardized polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: James Burch Branum, Carl Steven Nichols, Keith James Carnes
  • Patent number: 6454982
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. The method includes the steps of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol into polyethylene terephthalate in the melt phase to form a copolyester composition, then polymerizing the copolyester composition in the solid phase until the copolyester is capable of achieving a melt viscosity that facilitates the spinning of filaments, and thereafter spinning filaments from the copolyester. A copolyester composition comprised of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene terephthalate is also disclosed. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wetting, wicking, drying, flame-retardancy, static-dissipation, and soft hand properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventor: James Burch Branum
  • Patent number: 6399705
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. The method includes the steps of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol into polyethylene terephthalate in the melt phase to form a copolyester composition, then polymerizing the copolyester composition in the solid phase until the copolyester is capable of achieving a melt viscosity that facilitates the spinning of filaments, and thereafter spinning filaments from the copolyester. A copolyester composition comprised of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene terephthalate is also disclosed. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wetting, wicking, drying, flame-retardancy, static-dissipation, and soft hand properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventor: James Burch Branum
  • Publication number: 20020019508
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyethylene glycol modified copolyester fiber that has exceptional moisture management characteristics and that can be formed into exceptionally comfortable fabrics. The copolyester fiber includes polyethylene terephthalate in an amount sufficient for the copolyester fiber to possess dimensional stability properties substantially similar to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyethylene glycol in an amount sufficient for the copolyester fiber to possess wicking properties that are superior to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, and chain branching agent in an amount less than about 0.0014 mole-equivalent branches per mole of standardized polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: James Burch Branum, Carl Steven Nichols, Keith James Carnes
  • Patent number: 6322886
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and branching agent into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wicking, drying, stretching, abrasion-resistance, flame-retardancy, static-dissipation, dyeability, and tactility properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction. Also disclosed are polyethylene glycol modified copolyester compositions, fibers, yarns, and fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventor: James Burch Branum
  • Publication number: 20010039160
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nonwoven fabric that is formed of polyethylene glycol modified copolyester staple fibers. The copolyester staple fibers include polyethylene terephthalate in amount sufficient for the copolyester staple fibers to possess dimensional stability properties substantially similar to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyethylene glycol in an amount sufficient for the copolyester staple fibers to possess wicking characteristics that are superior to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, and chain branching agent in an amount less than about 0.0014 mole-equivalent branches per mole of standardized polymer. Also disclosed are methods for making such nonwoven fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Keith J. Carnes, James Burch Branum
  • Patent number: 6303739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. The method includes the steps of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol into polyethylene terephthalate in the melt phase to form a copolyester composition, then polymerizing the copolyester composition in the solid phase until the copolyester is capable of achieving a melt viscosity that facilitates the spinning of filaments, and thereafter spinning filaments from the copolyester. A copolyester composition comprised of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene terephthalate is also disclosed. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wetting, wicking, drying, flame-retardancy, static-dissipation, and soft hand properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventor: James Burch Branum
  • Publication number: 20010027244
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and branching agent into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wicking, drying, stretching, abrasion-resistance, flame-retardancy, static-dissipation, dyeability, and tactility properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction. Also disclosed are polyethylene glycol modified copolyester compositions, fibers, yarns, and fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: James Burch Branum
  • Patent number: 6291066
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and branching agent into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wicking, drying, stretching, abrasion-resistance, flame-retardancy, static-dissipation, dyeability, and tactility properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction. Also disclosed are polyethylene glycol modified copolyester compositions, fibers, yarns, and fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventor: James Burch Branum
  • Publication number: 20010003131
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. The method includes the steps of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol into polyethylene terephthalate in the melt phase to form a copolyester composition, then polymerizing the copolyester composition in the solid phase until the copolyester is capable of achieving a melt viscosity that facilitates the spinning of filaments, and thereafter spinning filaments from the copolyester. A copolyester composition comprised of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene terephthalate is also disclosed. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wetting, wicking, drying, flame-retardancy, static-dissipation, and soft hand properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventor: James Burch Branum
  • Publication number: 20010002737
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. The method includes the steps of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol into polyethylene terephthalate in the melt phase to form a copolyester composition, then polymerizing the copolyester composition in the solid phase until the copolyester is capable of achieving a melt viscosity that facilitates the spinning of filaments, and thereafter spinning filaments from the copolyester. A copolyester composition comprised of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene terephthalate is also disclosed. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wetting, wicking, drying, flame-retardancy, static-dissipation, and soft hand properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventor: James Burch Branum
  • Patent number: 6214270
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. The method includes the steps of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol into polyethylene terephthalate in the melt phase to form a copolyester composition, then polymerizing the copolyester composition in the solid phase until the copolyester is capable of achieving a melt viscosity that facilitates the spinning of filaments, and thereafter spinning filaments from the copolyester. A copolyester composition comprised of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene terephthalate is also disclosed. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wetting, wicking, drying, flame-retardancy, static-dissipation, and soft hand properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventor: James Burch Branum