Miscellaneous Patents (Class 223/1)
  • Patent number: 11647858
    Abstract: A garment hanger has a body for supporting a garment and an attachment mechanism for coupling the garment hanger to a garment rod. The attachment mechanism is mounted on a top central portion of the body and has a first semi-circular ring member, a second semi-circular ring member, a bracket, and a spring means. Each semi-circular ring member has a first end and a central aperture in proximity to a second end. The bracket has a central horizontal portion and two vertical portions on opposite sides of the central horizontal portion. The first and second semi-circular ring members are mounted in a mirrored direction between the two vertical portions by a shaft passing through a central aperture in each of the two semi-circular ring members. The spring means is coupled to force the first ends of the two semi-circular ring members towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Moshe Ratzabi
  • Patent number: 11286614
    Abstract: A system allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. As the user designs apparel, the system provides feedback as to what designs can be used, such as avoiding technical constraints with their designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: James Barton Sights, Jennifer Schultz, Debdulal Mahanty, Christopher Schultz, Benjamin Bell
  • Patent number: 11250312
    Abstract: Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes using machine learning to create or extract a laser input file for wear pattern from an existing garment. Machine learning can be by a generative adversarial network, having generative and discriminative neural nets. The generative adversarial network is trained and then used to create a model. This model is used generate the laser input file from an image of the existing garment with the finishing pattern. With this laser input file, a laser can re-create the wear pattern from the existing garment onto a new garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin Bell, Debdulal Mahanty, Christopher Schultz, Jennifer Schultz
  • Patent number: 10487864
    Abstract: A load-bearing attachment assembly is provided for mounting a structure to an aircraft. The load-bearing attachment assembly comprises a male fastening component and a female fastening component. The male fastening component comprises a radially-extending head, a first aperture, and a cylindrical portion extending perpendicular to the radially-extending head. The cylindrical portion has a first threaded portion circumferentially disposed on an outer surface of the cylindrical portion. The radially-extending head comprises a first clamping surface. The female fastening component comprises an annulus enclosing a second aperture, a second clamping surface disposed on the annulus, and a second threaded portion circumferentially disposed on an inner surface perpendicular to the second clamping surface. The first aperture and the second aperture are configured for a fastener to extend therethrough. In response to rotation of the fastener, first clamping surface translates toward second clamping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Schmidt, James Baglini, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10308039
    Abstract: A system for printing an image includes a robot, a printhead, a laser device, and a reference line sensor. The robot has at least one arm. The printhead is mounted to the arm and is movable by the arm over a surface along a rastering path while printing a new image slice over the surface. The laser device is configured to etch, during printing of the new image slice, a reference line into either the new image slice or into a basecoat at a location adjacent to the new image slice. The reference line sensor is configured to sense the reference line of an existing image slice and transmit a signal to the robot causing the adjustment of the printhead in a manner such that a side edge of the new image slice is aligned with the side edge of the existing image slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Dennis R. Mathis
  • Patent number: 10157762
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes transport mechanisms 121a to 127a, a sensor 40 for detecting whether a wafer W is held by the transport mechanisms 121a to 127a, a sensor controller 82 for controlling the sensor 40, a position information acquiring part 81 for acquiring position information of the substrate W in the transport passage, a detection result acquiring part 83 for acquiring a detection result from the sensor 40, and a determination processor 84 for determining whether the detection result of the sensor and the position information are consistent with each other. When it is determined that the detection result of the sensor 40 is inconsistent with the position information, the sensor controller 82 makes the sensor 40 retry to detect whether the substrate W is held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Tanaka, Kenichiro Saito, Koichi Takeda, Masumi Nishijima, Ryuichi Kosuge
  • Patent number: 9930984
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a garment hanger that is especially suited for life vests. The hanger may include a hanger body having a central portion with angled left and right legs that meet at an apex, generally flat left and right shoulders, and left and right ends that extend from the left and right shoulders, respectively, toward the apex. The hanger may also include a hook located adjacent to the apex of the hanger body. Hangers with an aperture at the top of the hanger and a cable to secure the hanger to an object are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: John Anthony Holmes
  • Patent number: 8235260
    Abstract: A washing device for plus size bras includes a shell which consists of upper and lower shell portions. The upper and shell portions are curved inwardly and may have flat upper and lower surfaces, respectively, such that the height of the shell is less than the lateral dimension of the shell between opposite sides. A hinge permits opening of the upper shell portion with respect to the lower shell portion to insert a bra into the washing device, and a releasable latch mechanism securely holds the upper shell portion and a lower shell portion together during a washing cycle. Preferably, the height of the washing device is about one-half, or less, of the lateral dimension of the washing device, thereby permitting easy insertion into the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Kieu Thi-Bich Phan
  • Patent number: 8046844
    Abstract: A torso, around which clothes can be wound, includes a curved incision on the backface. Preferably, an elastic member is provided at least on the periphery of the incision. The torso may also include a first opening on the backface, an elastic member formed to cover the first opening, and a curved incision on the elastic member, where the incision is exposed from the first opening. Preferably, the incision is formed along the longitudinal direction of the first opening. Furthermore, the first opening may include at least two projections formed on its periphery, and the elastic member may include at least two holes formed at positions opposing the projections, respectively. A fixing member may be provided for fixing the elastic member, and the fixing member includes a second opening having the same shape and size as those of the first opening and formed at a position opposing the incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bandai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mariko Takano, Midori Itou, Saki Kawai
  • Patent number: 7922046
    Abstract: A container for supporting a brassiere or a similar garment for cleaning and storage includes opposed flat plate members connected by a hinge, and opposed container cup members connected to the respective plate members at hinge connections for folding the container cup members over the plate members and for folding the plate members with respect to each other to form a closed container for supporting a brassiere. The plate members include hinged support members, each having an arcuate cross shape, for supporting brassiere cups between the plate members and the container cup members. Spaced apart clips secure the brassiere straps to the plate members. Spaced apart latches releasably secure the cup members to the plate members and the plate members to each other for placing the container in a compact folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mainytime, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren J. Radtke, Michael J. DeMarco, Raymond M. Green
  • Publication number: 20100251459
    Abstract: A device and method for temporary hemming/cuffing children's pants legs is disclosed. A base member and a securement member sandwich material to be hemmed between one another. The base member and the securement member are operatively engaged with one another by way of tab extending axially from the securement member, which are engageable with lip portions of the base member. When the securement member and the base member sandwich the material to be hemmed, portions of the material, especially any seams, are positioned within spaces or passages defined by the tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Danielle Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 7721923
    Abstract: An apparatus for textile maintenance comprises a base component containing a plurality of holes and at least one coupling member. Multiple base components may be interlocked by means of the coupling member(s). Retention members snugly fit into the plurality of holes of a base component. The retention members support one or more textile pieces adjacent to a base component. Additionally, the retention members may be used to stack a base component onto another base component. A user may then use a base component or any combination of base components to perform textile maintenance, such as drying or starching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Joyce Y. Holt
  • Publication number: 20090108035
    Abstract: A garment carrier and support device is provided for collecting, carrying, supporting, and transporting dry cleaning or other clothing hung on hangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Marya Obenauf
  • Publication number: 20080296322
    Abstract: To provide an utensil adapted to wash a brassiere without loss of shape in cup portions, damage of fabric such as lace and cloth, and deformation and twisting of wires. A brassiere holder (20) is configured by two cup receiving portions (21), a connecting portion (22) and a hook portion (24). When the cup receiving portions are pressed from the side, the connecting portion is elastically deformed to allow the two cup receiving portions to be folded back on each other such that a part of a flange portion of the two cup receiving portions is brought into contact with the other part of the flange portion and a gap gradually increasing toward the upper side is formed between the two cup receiving portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshiki Okazaki, Kazuyo Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7350679
    Abstract: A container for supporting a brassiere or a similar garment for cleaning and storage includes opposed flat plate members connected by a hinge, and opposed container cup members connected to the respective plate members at hinge connections for folding the container cup members over the plate members and for folding the plate members with respect to each other to form a closed container for supporting a brassiere. The plate members include hinged support members, each having an arcuate cross shape, for supporting brassiere cups between the plate members and the container cup members. Spaced apart clips secure the brassiere straps to the plate members. Spaced apart latches releasably secure the cup members to the plate members and the plate members to each other for placing the container in a compact folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Mainytime, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren J. Radtke, Michael J. Demarco, Raymond M. Green
  • Patent number: 7234616
    Abstract: A hosiery donning aid apparatus comprises a body formed as a channel having interior and exterior surfaces and two outer edges extending along a longitudinal axis of the body. A frictional arrangement is provided consisting of a multiplicity of spaced from each other frictional ribs extending outwardly from the exterior surface in such a manner that a substantial gap separates each end of each frictional rib from the respective outer edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Bel-Art Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Thom, Francis Gomes, Kathleen L. O'Neill, David Landsberger
  • Patent number: 7216068
    Abstract: Visual thermal functional textile clothing designs are created using a programmed computer and advanced computing techniques. The computer is supplied with information from a number of databases relating to human body properties and relating to textile material characteristics. The method is used to generate functional designs that are visually displayed for use by a textile designer or engineer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Yi Li, Edward Newton, Burley Zhong Wang
  • Publication number: 20040222247
    Abstract: This is a needlework accessory to aid in the protection of non-working ends of needlework fabric once it is mounted on a scroll bar or like frame from becoming soiled or damaged from repeated handling. The accessory is secured to the non-working end of the needlework fabric with magnets incorporated in the ends of accessory fabric strips which then wrap around the ends of non-working needlework fabric mounted on a scroll bar or like frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: June A. Abel
  • Patent number: 6702162
    Abstract: A button attaching device includes a pair of elongate members each having a pointed first end and a hole adjacent to a second end. Each of the elongate members has a slit therein extending from an outer surface to a corresponding one of the holes. A thread extends between the elongate members and extends through the holes. The thread has a pair of knots therein adjacent to opposite ends of the thread such that the elongate members are secured together by the thread. Each of the elongate members may be extended through one of a pair of openings in a button and through the cloth such that the button is secured to the cloth. The thread is releasable through the slits such that the thread is released from the elongate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gilbert F. Hassid
  • Patent number: 6638202
    Abstract: An inverting cone mounted to an expansion box for turning a bag assembly having an assembly opening, an assembly extended length, and an assembly width. The inverting cone has an inlet separated from an outlet by a length. The inverting cone inlet is smaller than the assembly opening of the bag assembly, the inverting cone length is longer than the extended length of the bag assembly, and the cross-sectional area of the inverting cone increases from the inlet to the outlet along the length of the inverting cone. The expansion box has an expansion chamber separated from a manifold chamber by a baffle plate, and the baffle plate includes concentric circles of apertures communicating between the expansion chamber and the manifold chamber. The outlet of the inverting cone is open to the expansion chamber opposite to the center of the concentric circles of apertures in the baffle plate, and the side walls of the expansion box as spaced further apart than the assembly width of the bag assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Autotex, SA
    Inventors: Eduard Capdevilla, Francesc Pineda, Xavi Codina, Fracisco Reollo, Eduard Guitart
  • Patent number: 6568572
    Abstract: A device for inverting gloves, especially industrial-heavy-duty-lined-rubber gloves, wherein a shallow hole exists in the center of the top of the base (1) wherein the pushrod fits and the tube (3), wherein the length thereof is shorter than the pushrod (2) and provides for an inside diameter that is sufficient to accommodate a pushrod (2) freely without hindrance. Inserting the glove appendage tip into the tube (3), thereafter introducing the tube (3) conversely into the glove appendage socket. Subsequently the pushrod (2) base (1) assembly is inserted into the tube (3) and pushed through the tube (3) accomplishing inversion efficiently and expediently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Gregory John Smith
  • Patent number: 6516979
    Abstract: Apparatus for handling textile articles, comprising means to engage a portion (30) of same articles in a station for the removal thereof and to operate the handling thereof in a predetermined direction (F) up to a station for either the unloading or the release thereof, characterized in that it comprises means (6), acting between said removal and handling means and said article portion (30) engaged by the latter, in order to move said article portion forward by rotating it in said direction (F) about a respective fold axis (u—u): said means (6) being in an active condition in correspondence of the unloading of the articles (3) and, respectively, in a rest condition in correspondence of the removal and handling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Matec S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pier Lorenzo Migliorini
  • Patent number: 6334558
    Abstract: A hanger support comprises a base comprising a projection, a horizontal member above the base having a plurality of hanging grooves on the bottom thereof, a vertical member coupled between the horizontal member and the base, a slot at the other end of the horizontal member having a guide and an end recess, and a flexible first protuberance; a pivotal engagement mechanism comprising an outer knob, a body having a first and second pivot ends, a flexible second protuberance, a first dent, and a second dent; a pin for pivotably securing the engagement mechanism to the base; and a pad member on the bottom of the body; wherein the engagement mechanism is rotatable to dispose horizontally for providing a space for inserting a hanger between the pad member and the horizontal member in an unlocked state; and the engagement mechanism is further rotatable to dispose vertically for clamping the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Yuh Yi Sher
  • Patent number: 6276577
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling textile articles with structure to engage a portion 30 of the articles in a station for removal thereof and to operate the handling thereof in a predetermined direction F up to a station for either the unloading or the release thereof. A rotation body 6 acts between the removal and handling means and the article portion 30 is engaged by the latter, in order to move the article portion forward by rotating it in the direction F about a respective fold axis u—u. The rotation body 6 is in an active condition in correspondence of the unloading of the articles 3 and, respectively in a rest condition in correspondence of the removal and handling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Matec S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pier Lorenzo Migliorini
  • Patent number: 6276576
    Abstract: A tie tucking apparatus for engaging an edge of a segment of a neck tie wrapped around a user shirt collar and for guiding the tie underneath the user shirt collar includes a plate of relatively unyielding material having a tie engaging end including a tie edge engaging slot extending into the plate and defining plate tabs separated by the engaging slot, the plate tabs being spaced apart by the engaging slot. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a collar abutment plate edge, and the collar abutment edge preferably is angled relative to the engaging slot so that the plate narrows at the tie engaging end to fit more easily under a collar. The plate preferably is elongate and has a plate longitudinal axis and two opposing plate longitudinal ends. The engaging slot optionally extends into the plate parallel to the plate longitudinal axis. Each plate longitudinal end preferably is a tie engaging end, so that the plate may be gripped by a user from either plate longitudinal end for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: James B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6276575
    Abstract: A garment crinkling apparatus for drying a garment and leaving crinkles in the garment. The garment crinkling apparatus includes a base portion. The base portion comprises a bottom wall having a top surface. A support portion for supporting the garment includes an elongate member. The elongate member has a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongate member is fixedly coupled to the top surface of the bottom wall. A plurality of fastening means fasten the garment to the upstanding member. The fastening means generally include a plurality of securing means for releasably securing a garment to the elongate member. Each of the securing means is a band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Cecilia A. Nauden, Charles Nauden
  • Patent number: 6257295
    Abstract: A machine has a support (3) which receives and supports a button shank (6) at a support station (4); a winding device (12) rotates thread (21) through an outlet (25) to wind it around the shank supported in the support under the control of tensioner (17); hooks (56, 57) catch the thread at both ends after bonding the winded thread, the hooks moving as a unit (77) snap the thread to release the shank from the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Mason Simon Small
  • Patent number: 6234368
    Abstract: A device for protecting a brassiere and other delicate undergarments during laundering includes a pair of domed or hemispherically shaped shells adapted to assemble together over a cup of the brassiere as a protective covering for the cup. The outer shell has a circularly shaped first rim portion and a hemispherically shaped first dome portion larger than the cup of the brassiere that extends to the first rim portion. The inner shell has a circularly shaped second rim portion and a hemispherically shaped second dome portion that extends to the second rim portion, said second dome portion having a size adapted to fit within the first dome portion of the outer shell with the first and second rim portions in concentric relationship and the cup of the brassiere disposed intermediate the first and second dome portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Meryl J. DesForges, David O. Howells
  • Patent number: 6199727
    Abstract: An apparatus for binding a button-fixing thread running through a button sewed on a garment or other fabric, which is capable of winding a binding thread around the button-fixing thread by several turns in a safe, simple, easy and convenient manner while forming a twist with the binding thread at every turn, thereby not only preventing the button from being separated due to a loosening of the button-fixing thread during a strong washing operation or an operation of passing the button through a button slit formed in the garment, but also achieving an improvement in the binding operation and an improvement in the reliability in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Myung Won Suh
  • Patent number: 6186376
    Abstract: A clothes hanging device, for supporting a garment in a vehicle, from grab handles located in the vehicle interior near the ceiling. The hanging device comprises a pair of hooks and a bow. The bow has a horizontal member having pair of ends, and a having pair of downwardly and outwardly sloping members. Each of the downwardly and outwardly sloping members connects one of the ends of the horizontal member with one of the hooks. The bow supports a garment, and the hooks engage the grab handle to support the garment therefrom. The bow is substantially planar, and the hooks are twisted outward therefrom so as to extend over the grab handle to support the bow substantially parallel to the grab handle, and parallel to the vehicle window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Hyun
  • Patent number: 6152337
    Abstract: A fabric pinning system that includes a rectangular fabric foundation member with two attached pin members and a pin end receiving tube structure. The pin end receiving tube structure includes two inwardly curled side edges. Each inwardly curled side edge forms a pin receiving area sized such that said curled side edge resiliently grips an end of a pin member inserted into an open tube structure end in connection with said pin receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Rebecca I. Petree
  • Patent number: 6123238
    Abstract: Multipositional apparatus for hanging articles such as ties, belts, shoes, bras, hats etc. includes a flexible main body comprising a series of intertwined rigid links including a first end link, a series of intermediate links and a second end link, as well as a plurality of hooks that project from the links, including at least several intermediate hooks that project perpendicularly from a segment of the series of intermediate links and including an end hook projecting from the first end link. The hooks have a straight portion and a curved portion, the curved portion being shaped so as to receive articles or to be hung on a projecting member. The straight portion of the end hook is aligned collinearly with an axis of the nearest segment of the series of intermediate links. The entire apparatus is suitable for being hung by a selected hooks which may be any of several hooks and is adjustable in length and shape by virtue of which hook is the selected hook to hang the apparatus on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Elsa Dumplet
  • Patent number: 6116481
    Abstract: A hat hanger device for safely storing a hat when not being worn. The hat hanger device includes includes a frame having a first elongate support member and a second elongate support member which is attached to the first elongate support member and has a second end portion which is spaced from and parallel to the first elongate support member, and further includes an arm member being pivotally and biasedly attached to a first end of the first elongate support member and having a padded member securely attached to a second end thereof, and also includes a ring member which is securely attached to a second end of the second elongate support member and is adapted to fit about the crown of a hat; and further includes a hook member which is pivotally secured in a coupling member which is also pivotally attached to the first elongate support member. In combination, the arm member and the ring member securely retains a hat to the hat hanger device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Dean Arnold
  • Patent number: 6109489
    Abstract: A device for properly positioning a button for attachment to a garment or the like by sewing, preferably hand sewing, has a button supporting body and an integral needle. The needle is pushed into the fabric of the garment to position the body over the point of attachment. A "sew-through" button having two or four holes is placed on the body ands sewn to the garment with the device providing both proper positioning as well as proper spacing for the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Constance J. Marlowe
  • Patent number: 6090158
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for producing localized abraded, faded and worn finishing effects on a garment by applying a finishing pattern to its component pre-cut, individual fabric workpieces before assembly by sewing. An optical detection system that contains at least one video camera operatively connected to a controller is used to capture an electronic image of a fabric workpiece which is compared to a set of stored known images contained in memory accessible by the controller. Once the workpiece is identified, the controller locates in memory a finishing pattern to be applied to the workpiece. The workpiece can be secured if necessary to a work surface, and a mechanical or electronic device used to duplicate the abraded, faded and worn pattern on the workpiece. After the finishing pattern has been applied, the workpiece can be released and moved downstream for further processing and sewing into a completed garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventor: Richard S. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 6089422
    Abstract: The invention is a collar stiffening means comprising a base with two surfaces wherein the base has depicted upon one of its two surfaces one or more geometric shapes and upon the other of its two surfaces, an adhesive with a removably affixed cover so that the adhesive side of the base can be pressed upon the underside of a collar for stiffening the collar, thereby improving the appearance of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Lee G. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6029867
    Abstract: An apparatus for winding round the stem of a button is disclosed wherein the drawbacks of the prior invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,151 were settled. Namely, after drawing the winding thread from the bobbin and in the process of the winding operation, if the thread is recoiled and drawn, the tensile force of the thread decreases and during the winding operation maintaining high rotation speed, the thread is frequently cut off, which leads to the frequent interruption of the winding operation. It was very inefficient in the respect of operation and had impractical disadvantage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Uk Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 6012619
    Abstract: Apparatus configured to used with a garment hangers providing visual and/or audio information for customers and end users. The apparatus include memory means for storing the information data and electrically energizable output devices for producing various motion, visual, and sound output. An electronic control circuit, which may be responsive to hanger mounted switches, preferably controls the output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Peter Ar-Fu Lam
  • Patent number: 5992712
    Abstract: Panty hose sewing processes can be fully automatized (allowing unattended operation) by providing a processing apparatus which is enabled to perform working steps from the pickup of hose material to the opening of the welt portion by using suction air flow synchronously and iteratively under phase differences in working position for the respective working steps, and which allows one piece of hose material to be taken out at a time with reliability, and yet which fully opens the welt portion onto the slide pipe in an unfolding manner and delivers the welt portion to a fitting arm with reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Takatori Corporation
    Inventors: Etsuo Nishikawa, Shinji Kimura, Koichi Morioka
  • Patent number: 5971236
    Abstract: A device for protecting a brassiere in a washing machine includes a pair of hemispherically shaped shells (preferably injection molded polypropylene material) adapted to assemble together over a cup of the brassiere as a protective covering for the cup. The outer shell has a circularly shaped first rim portion and a hemispherically shaped first dome portion larger than the cup of the brassiere that extends to the first rim portion. The inner shell has a circularly shaped second rim portion and a hemispherically shaped second dome portion that extends to the second rim portion, said second dome portion having a size adapted to fit within the first dome portion of the outer shell with the first and second rim portions in concentric relationship and the cup of the brassiere disposed intermediate the first and second dome portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: The Bravo Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Meryl J. DesForges, Robin A. Blench
  • Patent number: 5954242
    Abstract: A button attaching device for attaching a button having four holes to a layer of material includes a holder having a front end and a rear end, four rodless fastener dispensing needles projecting out from the front end of the holder and two fasteners, each having a foot at each end of an elongated filament. Each foot is removably mounted on one of the rodless fastener dispensing needles. A cover is removably mounted on the front end of the holder and includes an anvil. In use, the cover is removed from the holder and the layer of material placed on the cover over the anvil. The button is then placed over the layer of material. The holder is then pushed in the direction of the cover so that the needles and fastener feet extend through the holes in the button and through the layer of material, with the tips of the needles striking the anvil. The tension on the filaments of the fasteners causes the feet to pop out from the needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Deschenes, Paul A. Davignon, William Hartman, Hugh Smith, Douglas Cooke
  • Patent number: 5954243
    Abstract: An assemblage of hanger-supported clothing patterns to which there is added laterally extending tags identifying the pattern and providing other pertinent information, in the use of which the tags are readily fanned into positions in facing relation to a user to enable facilitated identification of a clothing pattern of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Sean Reilly
  • Patent number: 5944236
    Abstract: An apparatus for clipping two or more articles of clothing, such as socks, together. The apparatus includes two jaw members which are hingeably attached and a securing member that has two arms which are respectively positioned in two channels in the two jaw members. The securing member is slidable between a closed position, where it urges the two jaw members inward to thereby securely clamp the two articles of clothing therebetween, and an open position where one of the arms is not engaged with one of the jaw members allowing the jaw members to be separable to permit removal of the two articles of clothing. The apparatus includes a latch mechanism comprised of a ridge in one of the channels and a lip in the corresponding arm which engage to retain the securing member in the closed position. The apparatus is used to keep articles of clothing together during washing and drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Richard Cinque
  • Patent number: 5904276
    Abstract: An expandable clothes hanger base is located in a luggage body and is composed of a plurality of front inclined fork rods and rear inclined fork rods linked with the front inclined fork rods. The front inclined fork rods are provided with a slide clamp slot, a hanging hook and a pivoting slide pillar and are also linked with two rear inclined connection rods and an action body. The action body is provided with a clamp slot, a pivoting slide pillar and a front inclined connection rod. The front inclined fork rods, the rear inclined fork rods, the rear inclined connection rod and the front inclined connection rod are provided respectively with a center pivoting hole, a center pivoting pillar, an end pivoting hole, and a back pivoting hole for engaging the pivoting bolt so as to enable the expandable clothes hanger base to be extracted and retracted. The action body is capable of actuating the front inclined fork rods to join together or move apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Chen Shou Mao
    Inventors: Michael Chen, Chen Shou Mao
  • Patent number: 5904277
    Abstract: The machine of the present invention makes single or double transverse folds in segments cut from a continuous web. It includes feeder and cutter mechanisms to transfer segments to the surface of a central folding drum. A controlled vacuum source selectively applies vacuum to leading and trailing portions of the segments during advancement and folding. Segment portions are held by vacuum applied through ports arranged in pre-selected patterns that include transverse fold lines. An air blast directed through apertures in the drum surface urges leading portions of the segment upward to project radially before fold completion by contact with a stationary plate. Air blast can be used alone or in combination with mechanical means to complete the folds. Selective placement and operation of vacuumized ports and air blast apertures in combination with mechanical means are used to achieve multiple transverse folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 5894968
    Abstract: A garment hanger for supporting hangers includes a securement member defining an arch shaped portion that is rotatably engageable with a garment hook of a vehicle. A transverse member is rigidly attached to the securement member and defines a first end portion and a second end portion at respective ends. A first end portion of a substantially straight first angled member rigidly interconnects to the first end portion of the transverse member forming a first acute angle therebetween. A first end portion of a substantially straight second angled member rigidly interconnects to the second end portion of the transverse member forming a second acute angle therebetween. A second end portion of the substantially straight first angled member and a second end portion of the second angled member are rigidly interconnected together forming an oblique angle therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Bruce W. Christensen
  • Patent number: 5884822
    Abstract: Apparatus for picking up and moving tubular articles such as knitted stockings, comprising:--pneumatic means for picking up at least one article from a heap or container;--pneumatic means for moving the thus picked-up article(s);--means positioned in a first stopping station for holding the most forward portion of at least one article;--optical means for detecting the article portion which results further away from said first stopping station and associated buffer means to operate the retention thereof at a second station located intermediate between the station for picking up the articles and the stopping station;--mechanical means for holding the article in correspondence of a portion thereof at a preset distance from the end thereof being retained in said second station;--means for assessing the thickness of the article end being retained in said second station. (FIG. 1A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Matec S.R.L.
    Inventor: Pier Lorenzo Migliorini
  • Patent number: 5857597
    Abstract: A hanger is comprised of a one-piece body having a hook portion for the receipt of a display rod, a central portion depending from the hook portion, the body defining in the central portion a transverse opening therethrough fully bounded by the central portion, a fold line portion depending from the central portion and a flap segment depending from the fold line segment, the central portion, the fold line portion and the flap segment jointly defining a slot in the body which opens into a margin of the body, the central portion defining a notch bounding the slot and transversely coextensive with the transverse opening. An article displayed by the hanger has a fold part disposed in the transverse opening and at least first and second parts extending from the fold part. The first part is disposed between hanger flap segment and the hanger central portion and the second part is disposed fully exteriorly of the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: B & G Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Chester Kolton
  • Patent number: 5839628
    Abstract: A device attached to a shirt having excess material in the waist area comprising a central member and two wing members hingedly attached at each end of the central member, where each wing member is folded back against the central member to form a single, smooth pleat of the excess shirt material on each side of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Freese
  • Patent number: RE39728
    Abstract: Multipositional apparatus for hanging articles such as ties, belts, shoes, bras, hats, etc. includes a flexible main body comprising a series of intertwined rigid links including a first end link, a series of intermediate links and a second end link, as well as a plurality of hooks that project from the links, including at least several intermediate hooks that project perpendicularly from a segment of the series of intermediate links and including an end hook projecting from the first end link. The hooks have a straight portion and a curved portion, the curved portion shaped so as to receive articles or to be hung on a projecting member. The straight portion of the end hook is aligned collinearly with an axis of the nearest segment of the series of intermediate links. The entire apparatus is suitable for being hung by a selected hooks which may be any of several hooks and is adjustable in length and shape by virtue of which hook is the selected hook to hang the apparatus on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Elsa Dumplet