Patents Assigned to Interface, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5702796
    Abstract: A floor covering having a bitumen composition as a backing layer, such as carpet tiles, which bitumen composition comprises straight run bitumen and a mixture of high density and low density polyethylene polymers blended and dispersed in the straight run bitumen as a continuous phase in an amount of up to about 12% by weight and which bitumen composition contains a minimum of about 40% by weight of a mineral filler material, such as limestone, and the bitumen composition having improved dimensional stability, adhesion, static loading and electrical conductivity and having lower cost and processing advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Thompson
  • Patent number: 5695696
    Abstract: Floor mats and methods for producing such mats having wear resistant phosphorescent borders that emit light after removal of ambient light so that the mat edges are visible in the event of a power failure in the facility where the mat is used. The mat border may also contain a bright pigment in the border regions and a contrasting pigment in other regions to make the border visually distinctive under normal lighting conditions. The mats may be produced from solid or foamed polyvinyl chloride materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Connie Daniel Hensler, Gilbert Searle Nowell, James Richard May, Walter Ivkovich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5693400
    Abstract: A fusion-bonded carpet system and method of manufacture which method includes providing as all or a portion of the wear face surface cut yarn material in rope form prepared in rope bundles and implanting one or both ends of the rope bundle in an adhesive layer on a backing sheet to provide one or two I-bond, fusion-bonded carpet material having a selected pattern on the wear face surface. The fusion-bonded carpet has a wear face surface composed of all or part of a yarn material in rope bundle form, for example, of a multicolored random or selected pattern. The carpet material may have a backing layer and form carpet tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Hamilton, David K. Slosberg
  • Patent number: 5676132
    Abstract: A device for sensing the respiratory air of a patient. The device includes a venturi tube through which the patient inspires and expires, the tube having a constricted midportion. The tube also has an inspiration orifice, an expiration orifice, and a central orifice therebetween. An air mass flow sensor is positioned in the tube. A flow direction housing is attached to the tube and has a channel with an inspiration portion, an expiration portion, and a central portion therebetween. The housing also has an inspiration opening providing communication between the tube inspiration orifice and an end portion of the inspiration channel away from the central channel portion, an expiration opening providing communication between the tube expiration orifice and an end portion of the expiration channel portions away from the central channel portion, and a central opening providing communication between the tube central orifice and the central channel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Pulmonary Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Tillotson, Thomas T. Taylor, Timothy R. Tajchman, Ronald D. Bingel, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5639464
    Abstract: A biocidal protective coating for heat exchanger coils formed by applying a polymeric composition containing an organic water resistant polymer that has associated with it an effective amount of a biocidal compound to inhibit corrosion, fouling, and biocidal buildup on the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude E. Terry, Douglas E. Triestman, Daniel L. Price
  • Patent number: 5637378
    Abstract: Floor mats and methods for producing such mats having wear resistant phosphorescent borders that emit light after removal of ambient light so that the mat edges are visible in the event of a power failure in the facility where the mat is used. The mat border may also contain a bright pigment in the border regions and a contrasting pigment in other regions to make the border visually distinctive under normal lighting conditions. The mats may be produced from solid or foamed polyvinyl chloride materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Connie D. Hensler, Gilbert S. Nowell, James R. May, Walter Ivkovich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5635192
    Abstract: A biocidal protective coating for heat exchanger coils formed by applying a polymeric composition containing an organic water resistant polymer that has associated with it an effective amount of a biocidal compound to inhibit corrosion, fouling, and biocidal buildup on the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude E. Terry, Douglas E. Triestman, Daniel L. Price
  • Patent number: 5616200
    Abstract: A fusion-bonded carpet system and method of manufacture which method includes providing as all or a portion of the wear face surface cut yarn material in rope form prepared in rope bundles and implanting one or both ends of the rope bundle in an adhesive layer on a backing sheet to provide one or two I-bond, fusion-bonded carpet material having a selected pattern on the wear face surface. The fusion-bonded carpet has a wear face surface composed of all or part of a yarn material in rope bundle form, for example, of a multicolored random or selected pattern. The carpet material may have a backing layer and form carpet tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Hamilton, David K. Slosberg
  • Patent number: 5616210
    Abstract: A fusion-bonded carpet system and method of manufacture which method includes providing as all or a portion of the wear face surface cut yarn material in rope form prepared in rope bundles and implanting one or both ends of the rope bundle in an adhesive layer on a backing sheet to provide one or two I-bond, fusion-bonded carpet material having a selected pattern on the wear face surface. The fusion-bonded carpet has a wear face surface composed of all or part of a yarn material in rope bundle form, for example, of a multicolored random or selected pattern. The carpet material may have a backing layer and form carpet tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Hamilton, David K. Slosberg
  • Patent number: 5614269
    Abstract: A method of making a water absorptive article comprising, a fibrous substrate impregnated with a water absorptive, water insoluble polymer, wherein the polymer is intertwined and interlocked with fibers of the fibrous substrate, and the article has high water absorbing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin G. Hoskins, Connie Hensler
  • Patent number: 5587407
    Abstract: A biocidal protective coating for heat exchanger coils formed by applying a polymeric composition containing an organic water resistant polymer that has associated with it an effective amount of a biocidal compound to inhibit corrosion, fouling, and biocidal buildup on the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude E. Terry, Douglas E. Triestman, Daniel L. Price
  • Patent number: 5560972
    Abstract: A fusion bonded carpet in which the pile yarn is secured in a non hot-melt latex adhesive base and methods of manufacture of such carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Blakely, Michael A. Howe
  • Patent number: 5522251
    Abstract: A system for simulating effects of cleaning and maintenance on the appearance of a product such as carpet tile is disclosed. Short- and long-term effects of wear and soiling can be simulated as well, providing a relatively complete and rapid indicator of product appearance changes over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham A. H. Scott
  • Patent number: 5506308
    Abstract: A curable elastomer composition comprising an elastomer, an unsaturated carboxylic metal salt such as zinc diacrylate, an organic peroxide curing agent such as a ditertiary alkyl peroxide, and phenothiazine as a precure inhibitor. Suitable elastomers include nitrile rubber, EPDM, and EVA. The nitrile rubber is desirably hydrogenated. A method for curing the curable elastomer composition and the resulting cured elastomer compositions are encompassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahfooz Ahmad, Mark E. Terry
  • Patent number: 5499476
    Abstract: A raised flooring system and methods of forming components of such a system are disclosed. Systems consistent with embodiments of the present invention utilize thin sheet metal, typically galvanized steel, base plates laid side by side on an existing floor. Attached in a rectilinear pattern to the base plates are stand-offs, which support floor panels forming the raised or false floor (which in turn are typically covered with carpet tile). In addition to supporting the floor panels, the stand-offs form a network of channels where conduit, cables, hoses, pipe and similar materials can be routed. The stand-offs are punched and then formed from thin sheet metal, also typically galvanized steel, and have an overall shape generally that of a truncated cone achieved with four arms that have rolled edges for enhanced load-bearing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold F. Adams, Roderick A. Suarez, Lewis H. Engle
  • Patent number: 5474739
    Abstract: A broad spectrum, non-toxic, microbiocidal composition effective in killing or inhibiting the growth of a wide variety of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, yeasts, molds and fungi and algae, that includes a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl and alkaryl groups including, but not limited to, straight chain, branched chain or cyclic alkyl groups having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene having from 2 to 32 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units respectively, alkyl phenoxy polyoxyethylene containing 2 to 32 ethylene oxide units, alkyl phenoxy polyoxyethylene containing ethylene oxide units and 1 to 24 carbon atoms in the phenolic alkyl chain, and polyhydroxy compounds, including but not limited to, ethylene glycol, glycerol, or sorbitol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Triestram, Robert H. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5470630
    Abstract: A floor covering having a bitumen composition as a backing layer, such as carpet tiles, which bitumen composition comprises straight run bitumen and a mixture of high density and low density polyethylene polymers blended and dispersed in the straight run bitumen as a continuous phase in an amount of up to about 12% by weight and which bitumen composition contains a minimum of about 40% by weight of a mineral filler material, such as limestone, and the bitumen composition having improved dimensional stability, adhesion, static loading and electrical conductivity and having lower cost and processing advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Thompson
  • Patent number: 5466933
    Abstract: An electron energy analyzer uses identical sectors, typically though not necessarily ninety degree segments of a toroid, disposed in complementary relationship with an aperture therebetween to provide a mapping of the image at the entrance plane to the exit plane while permitting the desired energy analysis to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Surface Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Bryson, III, Michael A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5453275
    Abstract: A biocidal protective coating for heat exchanger coils formed by applying a polymeric composition containing an organic water resistant polymer that has associated with it an effective amount of a biocidal compound to inhibit corrosion, fouling, and biocidal buildup on the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude E. Terry, Douglas E. Triestman, Daniel L. Price
  • Patent number: 5428117
    Abstract: A composition for imparting stain resistance to polyamide substrates comprising a sulfonated fatty composition and sulfonated hydroxyaromatic formaldehyde condensation polymer. A method for making the stain treatment composition, a method for treating polyamide substrates with the composition, and the resulting stain resistant polyamide materials are also disclosed. Suitable sulfonated hydroxyaromatic formaldehyde condensation polymers include sulfonated phenol formaldehyde condensation polymer and sulfonated dihydroxy diphenyl formaldehyde condensate polymer. Suitable sulfonated fatty compositions include sulfonated oleic acid and marine oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Terry, Mahfooz Ahmad