Patents Assigned to Milliken Research Corporation
  • Patent number: 5035031
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of relatively moving substrate materials by preheating the substrate before precise selective application of discrete, high temperature pressurized streams of fluid against the surface of the materials to impart a visual and tactile change thereto. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold for receiving heated pressurized fluid, such as air, disposed across the width of the relatively moving material and having a single slit the full width of the substrate for directing the fluid into the surface of the material. Pressurized cool fluid, such as air, is directed across selected portions of the manifold discharge slit to deflect pressurized heated air away from the substrate. The manifold is provided with cool air outlets which direct the heated air to a position upstream of the path of movement of the substrate for preheating purposes. The apparatus is further arranged and configured to enhance the visibility of faults in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Elliott
  • Patent number: 5033143
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and selectively interrupting one or more fluid stream which is confined within an open channel. A transverse fluid stream is introduced into the channel at a point under the stream flowing within the channel. Introduction of the transverse stream at relatively low pressure is sufficient to cause the stream within the channel to leave the confines of the channel. If the channel is directed at a target, the method and apparatus will allow intermittent and selective interruption of a fluid stream flowing within the channel and directed at the target. The source of the transverse fluid stream has an arcuate or curved outlet portion to prevent fluid from the open channel from accumulating therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Franklin S. Love, III
  • Patent number: 5030508
    Abstract: Fabrics are made electrically conductive by contacting the fiber under agitation conditions with an aqueous solution of an aniline compound, oxidizing agent and a doping agent or counter ion and then depositing onto the surface of individual fibers of the fabric a prepolymer of the aniline compound so as to uniformly and coherently cover the fibers with a conductive film of the polymerized aniline compound and wherein, furthermore, the oxidizing agent is a vanadyl compound whereby the reaction rate is controlled such that the prepolymer is uniformly and coherently adsorbed onto the surface of the textile material, thereby providing improved films of electrically conductive polymerized compound on the textile material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Hans H. Kuhn, William C. Kimbrell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5022891
    Abstract: The process for producing patterns on ground dye colored textile fiber pile substrates, particularly wherein the pile fibers are in the form of yarns comprised predominantly of polyamide fiber, and wherein at least some of the ground dye component is at least partially color dischargeable and selected from vat, reactive, direct, acid, premetallized or mordant dyes, the process comprising contacting selected portions of the colored pile fibers with a reducing system which optionally can contain one or more reduction resistant dye or pigment materials for in situ coloring of the substrates, the contacting being characterized by jet forcing the reducing system interstitially of the pile fibers to deposit the reducing system thereon substantially below the surface thereof, and to effect the color discharge of at least a portion of the ground dye component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel T. McBride
  • Patent number: 5016328
    Abstract: Apparatus and method to sculpture a pile fabric from a predetermined pattern by controlling the movement of the cutter by a pantograph system which employs rotary mounted carriers. The cutter arrangement employs an arrangement where the individual pile fibers or looks are bent over and then individually released so that the rotating cutter blade can sever the fiber or loop against a fixed blade to provide a clean cut of the top of the fiber or fiber loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Michael W. Gilpatrick
  • Patent number: 5017425
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive tape employing a tricot knit carrier fabric having a minimum number of weft yarns. The tricot knit carrier fabric being knit on a tricot knitting machine which employs a loop hold down bar to prevent the first three or four courses adjacent the needles of the knitting machine from breaking out when released or cast off the needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Sanders
  • Patent number: 5016308
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for patterning a substrate wherein liquid unfixed dye is applied to the substrate in the form of a spray. One or more streams of pressurized gas such as air are then directed onto the substrate for the purpose of displacing some of the unfixed dye where the streams impinge the substrate, thereby causing a visually distinctive area on the substrate where the relative dye concentration is reduced. Resulting products are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel T. McBride, William H. Stewart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5015849
    Abstract: A detection system is disclosed for detecting the presence of a marking material placed on a textile substrate prior to a series of dyeing and finishing steps. Following such steps, the substrate carrying the marking material is illuminated by light having a preferred wavelength of about 900 nanometers. The light is preferably absorbed by the marking material, thereby reducing the amount of light reflected from the substrate carrying the marking material and triggering an alarm. In a preferred embodiment, the marking material contains carbon particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Michael W. Gilpatrick
  • Patent number: 5013375
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the manufacture of a composite camouflage construction having an open mesh net substrate, and a continuous sheet overlying the substrate and bonded thereto along plural spaced lines of attachment, with lobes of the sheet cut to simulate the appearance of leaves and foliage. Apparatus and method includes a sewing station for stitching the sheet along plural spaced lines of attachment to the substrate to form open-ended pockets or channels between the sheet and substrate. The cutting station spaces the sheet from the substrate and a heated cutting wire reciprocates between adjacent lines of stiches to cut the sheet, open the channel, and use a series of loose lobes simulating the appearance of natural objects of a terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 5012961
    Abstract: By method of dispensing vapor, preferably perfumed vapor, to the air in a room from a vapor dispensing substance, vapor is dispensed by means of an electrically controlled control device for controlling the vapor dispensation of the vapor dispensing substance, and an electrical circuit for controlling the current supply to the control device. By the fact that the electrical circuit is supplying a time controlled, gradually increasing current supply to the control device in time periods with intermediate periods of no current supply to the control device is achieved that the concentration of the vapor dispensed is kept at a constant level, until the vapor dispensation substance has been used up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jens Madsen, Svend S. Kaae
  • Patent number: 5005606
    Abstract: An ultra-sonic weaving machine reed cleaner in which the cleaner is moved adjacent the weaving machine and the reed is cleaned without disturbing the thread-up of the warp yarn in the reed. The method of using the system includes inserting the reed into a washing bin and then into a rinsing bin both of which are ultra-sonically treated to enhance the cleaning of the reed. Then the reed is blown free of line and liquid and returned to its operating position in the loom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick R. Carroll
  • Patent number: 4999488
    Abstract: A method to count the courses and/or picks of a moving fabric by utilizing a fiber optic device to shine light on a fabric and detect the reflectance of same to provide a signal for comparison with the rate of travel of the fabric to provide a continuous count of the courses and/or picks of the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Sollars
  • Patent number: 4999231
    Abstract: Method to enhance the electrical conductivity of a carbon-containing film material such as a hot melt for carpet backing. The method involves applying a plurality of arcs across the surface of the film passing under a plurality of electrodes to create a plurality of small crater-like holes in the surface of the film. The film material may be adhered to a carpet material and the crater-like holes acting to increase the anti-static property of the carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Fowler
  • Patent number: 4998942
    Abstract: A system to texturize partially oriented yarn in which the yarn is wrapped around a logarithmic spiral shaped hot draw pin to draw the yarn before the texturing thereof. The shape of the hot draw pin provides even distribution of normal force on the surface of the draw pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. Reinholtz
  • Patent number: 4999072
    Abstract: A film encapsulated, gas cushion insole product which maintains its shape by means of a core fabric therein to which a desiccant may be added, if desired. To contain the gas for long periods of time, the film contains a layer of polyvinylalcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Dischler
  • Patent number: 4993242
    Abstract: A moveable shield and associated liquid containment system which may be used with machines in which arrays of individual streams of liquid dye are used to pattern substrates. The shield associated with a given array selectively may be interposed between the substrate and the liquid dye streams of that array to prevent substrate contact by the liquid streams as, for example, during cleaning operations, or withdrawn to permit unimpeded substrate contact by the liquid dye stream. One or more arrays may be cleaned or charged with a different color dyestuff while the remaining arrays are used to pattern the substrate, eliminating the down time presently associated with the cleaning or dye changing of individual arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Kyle W. Poor
  • Patent number: 4991307
    Abstract: Apparatus and method to properly mark and/or cut to size the carpet tiles which are used to complete the carpeted areas adjacent walls, doors, etc. in an area to be carpeted. The apparatus encompasses a machine which is placed against a carpet tile already in position and has spring loaded arms which extend therefrom to a point abutting the wall or door structure to fix the position of a cutter on the apparatus so that it cuts the actual size necessary to fill the gap between the previously laid tile and the wall or door sensed by the spring loaded arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Higgins
  • Patent number: 4985546
    Abstract: A substituted colorant which may be copolymerized with a condensation polymer to provide a covalently bound, nonextractable coloring, having the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sub.1 are independently selected from hydrogen or lower alkyl; R.sub.4 is selected from hydrogen or lower alkyl; x is 0 or 1; N and M are each integers of from 1 to about 100 and the sum of N and M is from 3 to about 100. The hydroxyl groups are protected by formation of a ring structure during alkoxylation and amination of the substituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Miley, John W. Rekers
  • Patent number: 4985095
    Abstract: A method to form a carpet tile into a configuration for use on a stair riser. This method involves measuring the stair riser and using this measurement to score the pile on the face of a tile. The tile is then bent to a 90.degree. angle and a nose guard adhesively placed over the bent or nose portion of the tile to provide a preformed product. This product then can be taken on the job, placed into position and readily tacked or glued down to provide the stairs with a tile product which is comparable to the adjacent tiled areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis L. Riddle
  • Patent number: 4981718
    Abstract: Fabrics are made electrically conductive by contacting the fiber under agitation conditions with an aqueous solution of an aniline compound, oxidizing agent and a doping agent or counter ion and then depositing onto the surface of individual fibers of the fabric a prepolymer of the aniline compound so as to uniformly and coherently cover the fibers with a conductive film of the polymerized aniline compound and wherein, furthermore, the oxidizing agent is a vanadyl compound whereby the reaction rate is controlled such that the prepolymer is uniformly and coherently absorbed onto the surface of the textile material, thereby providing improved films of electrically conductive polymerized compound on the textile material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Hans H. Kuhn, William C. Kimbrell, Jr.