Patents by Inventor Michael T. Stanhope

Michael T. Stanhope 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).

  • Publication number: 20240102211
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to flame resistant fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers that provide the requisite thermal and arc protection, that have improved comfort, and that, in some embodiments, are less expensive than other fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers. Improved comfort and lower cost can be achieved by predominantly locating the inherently flame resistant fibers on the front face of the fabric to impart the requisite thermal and arc protection and predominantly locating the more comfortable (and less expensive) fibers on the back face of the fabric positioned next to the wearer. In this way, overall protection of the fabric is maintained while improving comfort. Some embodiments of such fabrics may also achieve NFPA 70E PPE Category 2 protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S. Dunn, Elijah Dufty, Michael T. Stanhope
  • Publication number: 20240102212
    Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics comprising a blend of modacrylic, aliphatic polyamide, and cellulosic fibers. Some embodiments are printed and/or dyed with vat dyes so as to comply with the color requirements (including the color, colorfastness, and IR requirements) set forth in the relevant sections of GL-PD-07-12 and/or MIL-PRF-EFRCE. Some embodiments further include reinforcing yarns that improve the strength of the fabrics. Still other embodiments are flame resistant fabrics for use in electrical applications that comply with some or all of the requirements of ASTM F 1506.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Timothy James Thorne, Charles S. Dunn
  • Patent number: 11873587
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to flame resistant fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers that provide the requisite thermal and arc protection, that have improved comfort, and that, in some embodiments, are less expensive than other fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers. Improved comfort and lower cost can be achieved by predominantly locating the inherently flame resistant fibers on the front face of the fabric to impart the requisite thermal and arc protection and predominantly locating the more comfortable (and less expensive) fibers on the back face of the fabric positioned next to the wearer. In this way, overall protection of the fabric is maintained while improving comfort. Some embodiments of such fabrics may also achieve NFPA 70E PPE Category 2 protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S. Dunn, Elijah Dufty, Michael T. Stanhope
  • Patent number: 11846043
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to flame resistant fabrics containing fibers having at least one energy absorbing and/or reflecting additive incorporated into the fibers. Inclusion of such fibers into the fabric increases the arc rating/fabric weight ratio of the fabric while still complying with all requisite thermal protective requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S Dunn
  • Publication number: 20220364274
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to flame resistant fabrics containing fibers having at least one energy absorbing and/or reflecting additive incorporated into the fibers. Inclusion of such fibers into the fabric increases the arc rating/fabric weight ratio of the fabric while still complying with all requisite thermal protective requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S. Dunn
  • Patent number: 11421348
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to flame resistant fabrics containing fibers having at least one energy absorbing and/or reflecting additive incorporated into the fibers. Inclusion of such fibers into the fabric increases the arc rating/fabric weight ratio of the fabric while still complying with all requisite thermal protective requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S. Dunn
  • Patent number: 11306418
    Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics that have incorporated into them high tenacity long staple yarns formed of long staple fibers. Such high tenacity long staple yarns are less expensive than continuous filament yarns and increase the strength of fabrics that incorporate them as compared to fabrics formed of only spun yarns formed of short staple fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Matthew Lucius Colatruglio
  • Publication number: 20210164133
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to flame resistant fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers that provide the requisite thermal and arc protection, that have improved comfort, and that, in some embodiments, are less expensive than other fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers. Improved comfort and lower cost can be achieved by predominantly locating the inherently flame resistant fibers on the front face of the fabric to impart the requisite thermal and arc protection and predominantly locating the more comfortable (and less expensive) fibers on the back face of the fabric positioned next to the wearer. In this way, overall protection of the fabric is maintained while improving comfort. Some embodiments of such fabrics may also achieve NFPA 70E PPE Category 2 protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S. Dunn, Elijah Dufty, Michael T. Stanhope
  • Patent number: 10870932
    Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics that provide protection against molten metal splash but that have improved comfort at a lower cost by predominantly locating the protective molten metal shedding fibers on the front face of the fabric. Concentrating the protective fibers predominantly on the front face of the fabric still provides good protection against molten metal adherence and allows for more comfortable and less expensive fibers to be used on the back face of the fabric positioned next to the wearer. In this way, overall protection of the fabric is maintained while improving comfort. Embodiments of such fabrics may also achieve NFPA 70E PPE Category 2 protection, for example ?8 cal/cm2 arc rating whether ATPV or EBT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20200308735
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to flame resistant fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers that provide the requisite thermal and arc protection, that have improved comfort, and that, in some embodiments, are less expensive than other fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers. Improved comfort and lower cost can be achieved by predominantly locating the inherently flame resistant fibers on the front face of the fabric to impart the requisite thermal and arc protection and predominantly locating the more comfortable (and less expensive) fibers on the back face of the fabric positioned next to the wearer. In this way, overall protection of the fabric is maintained while improving comfort. Some embodiments of such fabrics may also achieve NFPA 70E PPE Category 2 protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S. Dunn, Elijah Dufty, Michael T. Stanhope
  • Patent number: 10774451
    Abstract: A flame resistant fabric includes first yarns including inherently flame resistant fibers and second yarns including wool fibers. The fabric may satisfy one or more performance standards set forth in ASTM F 1506-02, NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E. The fabric may be a knit or woven fabric, such as a plush or terry knit construction, and one or both sides of the fabric may be napped to form a fleece fabric. The second yarns may include wool and modacrylic fibers, or wool fibers and other inherently flame resistant fibers. The first yarns or second yarns may include sufficient inherently flame resistant fibers such that the fabric has a char length of no more than 4 inches and an afterflame of no more than 2 seconds when tested in accordance with ASTM D6413. The fabric may exhibit a thermal shrinkage of no more than 10% when tested in accordance with NFPA 2112.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Charles S. Dunn
  • Patent number: 10704169
    Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics that have incorporated into them cellulosic filament yarns. The cellulosic filament yarns may be flame resistant (either inherently FR or treated so as to be FR) or non-flame resistant. Fabrics according to some embodiments are formed entirely of cellulosic filament yarns. However, fabrics according to some embodiments include additional yarns to ensure that the fabric complies with NFPA 1971 and/or 2112.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine J. Habicht, Charles S. Dunn, Michael T. Stanhope, Matthew Lucius Colatruglio
  • Patent number: 10487424
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to flame resistant fabrics containing fibers having at least one energy absorbing and/or reflecting additive incorporated into the fibers. Inclusion of such fibers into the fabric increases the arc rating/fabric weight ratio of the fabric while still complying with all requisite thermal protective requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S. Dunn
  • Patent number: 10485281
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention replace relatively bulky nonwoven thermal insulating materials used in thermal liners with thin, lightweight, flexible films that maintain or improve TPP performance while reducing the thickness, and enhancing the flexibility, of the thermal liner so as to increase wearer comfort. Moreover, the films incorporated into the thermal liners can be both air and vapor permeable such that the TPP performance is not realized at the expense of THL performance. Rather, the THL performance of garments incorporating embodiments of thermal liners contemplated herein is comparable to—if not improved over—garments formed with traditional thermal liners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Matthew Lucius Colatruglio
  • Publication number: 20190242038
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to flame resistant fabrics that provide protection against molten metal splash but that have improved comfort at a lower cost by predominantly locating the protective molten metal shedding fibers on the front face of the fabric. Concentrating the protective fibers predominantly on the front face of the fabric still provides good protection against molten metal adherence and allows for more comfortable (and less expensive) fibers to be used on the back face of the fabric positioned next to the wearer. In this way, overall protection of the fabric is maintained while improving comfort. Embodiments of such fabrics may also achieve NFPA 70E PPE Category 2 protection (?8 cal/cm2 arc rating whether ATPV or EBT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Dominique Janay Adams, Charles S. Dunn
  • Patent number: 10316440
    Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics are formed by warp and fill yarns having different fiber contents. The fabrics are constructed, for example, by selection of a suitable weaving pattern, such that the body side of the fabric and the face side of the fabric have different properties. The fabrics described herein can be printable and dyeable on both sides of the fabric and are suitable for use in military and industrial garments. Methods of forming flame resistant fabrics, and methods for forming garments from the fabrics, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Charles S. Dunn, Matthew Lucius Colatruglio
  • Publication number: 20190153663
    Abstract: Method for making a cellulose-comprising, flame-resistant, textile article comprising multiple flame-retardant treatments. The method comprises: a. providing at least part of the textile article with a non-cellulose-reactive, phosphorous-containing, flame-retardant compound, and b. providing at least part of the textile article with a cellulose-reactive, phosphorous-containing, flame-retardant compound. The method is suitable for producing flame-resistant, textile articles such as flame-resistant garments. Said garments can be used to protect individuals from flames and/or heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Ten Cate Protect B.V.
    Inventors: Tatjana Topalovic Jocic, Michael T. Stanhope
  • Publication number: 20190003805
    Abstract: Fabrics having fiber blends and constructions engineered to enhance the ballistic protection as well as the comfort and/or dyeability/printability of such fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Steven John Cushingham, Michael T. Stanhope, Charles S. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20180313006
    Abstract: Flame resistant fabrics comprising a blend of modacrylic, aliphatic polyamide, and cellulosic fibers. Some embodiments are printed and/or dyed with vat dyes so as to comply with the color requirements (including the color, colorfastness, and IR requirements) set forth in the relevant sections of GL-PD-07-12 and/or MIL-PRF-EFRCE. Some embodiments further include reinforcing yarns that improve the strength of the fabrics. Still other embodiments are flame resistant fabrics for use in electrical applications that comply with some or all of the requirements of ASTM F 1506.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Stanhope, Timothy James Thorne, Charles S. Dunn
  • Patent number: 10101128
    Abstract: Fabrics having fiber blends and constructions engineered to enhance the ballistic protection as well as the comfort and/or dyeability/printability of such fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Southern Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven John Cushingham, Michael T. Stanhope, Charles S. Dunn