Patents Assigned to Polymer Group, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7452833
    Abstract: A heat reflective garment interlining laminate is provided that includes a continuous filament layer and a metallized thermoplastic film. The laminate is characteristically low-cost and suitable for such apparel applications as sports clothing, military clothing, camping gear, hunting/fishing clothing, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Daniel Russell, Chris Haas
  • Patent number: 7452418
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filamentary film construct which is used in providing cementitious mixtures supplemental and reinforcing strength upon setting, and more particularly, to a unitized filamentary construct which comprises a plurality of oriented reinforcing filamentary film components combined with a circumferential retaining element, said circumferential retaining element providing temporary retention of the oriented reinforcing filamentary components until such point the unitized filamentary substrate is incorporated and subjected to mechanical agitation during preparation of a cementitious blend or mixture. The unitized filamentary film construct is endowed with inherent and improved dispensability and dispersability of the associated reinforcing filamentary component into organic or inorganic cementitious matrixes, such as concrete, mortar, plaster, etc. The oriented reinforcing filamentary film components can comprise fibrillated film components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Schmidt, Gene Lamb, David Anderson, Nick Carter
  • Patent number: 7431874
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignees: Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg
  • Publication number: 20080215142
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making cross-linked, oxidatively stable, and highly crystalline polymeric materials. The invention also provides methods of treating irradiation-cross-linked antioxidant-containing polymers and materials used therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicants: The General Hospital Corporation dba Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg
  • Patent number: 7406755
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix for interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a nonwoven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets on a three-dimensional image transfer device. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web on a three-dimensional image transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Putnam, Richard Ferencz, Marlene Storzer, Jian Weng
  • Patent number: 7381669
    Abstract: A filter media formed in accordance with the present invention comprises hydroentangled, predominantly polyester staple length fibers having a basis weight of no more than about 12 oz/yd2. The filter media exhibits a Mullen burst strength of at least about 395 psi, and machine-direction and cross-direction shrinkage of less than about 3%, preferably less than about 2% . The filter media exhibits a machine-direction tensile strength of at least about 105 lb/in, and a cross-direction tensile strength of at least about 110 lb/in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Eric Pearce, Sergio DeLeon, Michael Putnam, Cheryl Carlson, Ping Hao
  • Patent number: 7381668
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric with improved flame retardant properties and the making thereof, whereby the nonwoven fabric is differentially entangled to collapse upon itself and self-extinguish upon burning. The self-extinguishing fabric further exhibits favorable tactile and ductile softness while obtaining sufficient physical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Carter, Jennifer Mayhorn
  • Patent number: 7378130
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a graphically-printed component for an absorbent disposable article. The method comprises providing a molten polymer by feeding polymer chips into an extruder and melting the polymer chips. The molten polymer is extruded in the form of a thermoplastic polymer film onto a provided nonwoven fabric in an in-line process, in which the film has a basis weight of about 10 gsm, to provide a backsheet comprising the film and the nonwoven fabric. The backsheet on the film is graphically printed with printing means to provide a graphically printed backsheet. The graphically printed back sheet is wound into a roll good, or an absorbent core is positioned between it and a liquid permeable topsheet to provide an absorbent disposable article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicte Coronado, Fermin Ruiz, Jorge Santisteban
  • Publication number: 20080119582
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antoxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion, post-doping annealing, and materials used therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicants: MACambridge Polymer Group,Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg
  • Publication number: 20080093778
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically a process and apparatus for effecting formation of sub-micron fibers by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Johnson, Timothy Krause, Michael W. Hayes, Rajeev Chhabra, Savas Aydore, Olaf Erik Alexander Isele, Han Xu
  • Publication number: 20080090934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion, post-doping annealing, and materials used therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicants: The General Hospital Corporation dba Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun Muratoglu, Stephen Spiegelberg
  • Publication number: 20080090933
    Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicants: Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun Muratoglu, Stephen Spiegelberg, Gareth McKinley
  • Publication number: 20080067724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicants: Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun MURATOGLU, Stephen Spiegelberg
  • Publication number: 20080039545
    Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicants: Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Orhun MURATOGLU, Stephen Spielgelberg, Gareth McKinley
  • Patent number: 7325420
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a knitted net, and more specifically to an expandable knitted net. In one form, the net comprises a plurality of fill yarns with an elastomeric performance, which allows the net to expand in the cross-direction. In another form, the present invention is directed to a netting, and more specifically to a knitted netting comprising a plurality of chain yarns with dissimilar elongation performance oriented in a first direction, and a plurality of fill yarns oriented in a second direction, wherein the yarns oriented in the second direction secure the yarns oriented in the first direction in position within the netting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dort, James Flick, Mike DeWeese, Lyndie Henrie, Dennis Gregory McCabe, Paul Schmidt, Nick Carter
  • Patent number: 7326314
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low-linting laminated nonwoven fabric comprised of a reticulated film layer and an associated absorbent layer, which is suitable for medical, hygiene, and industrial applications, wherein said nonwoven fabric performs to absorb liquids, such as human exudates, while significantly reducing the amount of particulates released. The reticulated film of the invention is comprised of a series or network of small, geometrically profiled, depressed areas, wherein the depressed areas of the film are able to collect liquids such as blood, and channel such liquids through openings in the film layer into the associated absorbent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Fuller, John Steffen, Nyle Bishop, David Bye
  • Patent number: D561479
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Bridges, Maura Jurgrau
  • Patent number: D561480
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Bridges, Maura Jurgrau
  • Patent number: RE40362
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 and related process for enhancement of woven and knit fabrics through use of dynamic fluids which entangle and bloom fabric yarns. A two stage enhancement process is employed in which top and bottom sides of the fabric are respectively supported on members 22, 34 and impacted with a fluid curtain including high pressure jet streams. Controlled process energies and use of support members 22, 34 having open areas 26, 36 which are aligned in offset relation to the process line produces fabrics having a uniform finish and improved characteristics including, edge fray, drape, stability, abrasion resistance, fabric weight and thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Herschel Sternlieb, Jodie M. Siegel, John M. Greenway
  • Patent number: D572018
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Bridges, Dianne Ellis