Patents Examined by Amy B. Vanatta
  • Patent number: 7690093
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing nonwoven, fleece-like fiber products, said apparatus comprising a transfer belt configured to transport an intermediate product on the underside of a transfer belt to a roller arrangement, said roller arrangement comprising four rotatable rollers that are arranged and configured to interact in pairs in constellations that can be selectively modified, wherein each of the four rollers has a rotational axis, and the four rotational axes run at least approximately parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Concert GmbH
    Inventor: Raymond Norgaard
  • Patent number: 7685648
    Abstract: A bath towel bib including a collar adapted to form a releasably securable loop around a user's neck, an actuatable means for releasing the loop from around the user's neck, and an absorbent cloth fixedly attached to the collar and operatively arranged to hang from the collar in front of the user's torso when the loop is releasably secured around the user's neck, wherein the actuatable means for releasing the loop from around the user's neck is operatively arranged to actuate when the absorbent cloth is pulled in a direction away from the user's neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Mary Kenney
  • Patent number: 7669301
    Abstract: A modular tenter frame for guiding a pair of chains with pins through a predetermined path to transport an open width tubular knit web through a drying oven and/or a steaming station to a compressive treating station to improve quality of the open width tubular knit web. The frame includes a rail section. The rail section guides an associated chain with the pins through the predetermined path to transport the open width tubular knit web through the drying oven and/or the steaming station to the compressive treating station to improve the quality of the open width tubular knit web. The rail section has a pair of recessed tracks being longitudinal, facing in a same direction, being spaced-apart from each other by a space therebetween defined by a web, and receiving the chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Frank Catallo
  • Patent number: 7669304
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of hydroentangling a fibrous web (N) including of positioning the web on a porous moving support (10) in translatory movement or in rotation about an axis, and of treating at least one side of the web by means of a plurality of streams of water arranged in a row perpendicular to the direction of movement of the web, characterized in that the row includes streams with a first cross-section (14A) and at least streams with a second cross-section (24A) different from the first. The invention also relates to a process including treatment of the web by means of a plurality of streams of water arranged in at least two rows perpendicular to the direction of movement of the web. The rows include streams with a first cross-section (14, 16, 17, 18, 19) and at least streams with a second cross-section (24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 39) different from the first cross-section, at least one row including streams the spacing of which is not constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Bernard Louis Dit Picard, Philippe Gregoire
  • Patent number: 7665151
    Abstract: A garment with bib attachment consists of a garment body having a front, opposed first and second sides, an upper end, a neck-receiving opening formed in the upper end of the garment body, a first arm stall formed in the upper end of the garment body on a first side of the neck-receiving opening, and a second arm stall formed in the upper end of the garment body on a second side of the neck-receiving opening. First and second pockets are formed in the upper end of the garment body on either side of the neck-receiving opening. A bib is formed a first extension extending into the first pocket and a second extension extending into the second pocket. The first and second extensions are detachably secured to the garment within the first and second pockets, respectively, suspending the bib on the front of the garment body under the neck-receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Rebecca M. Finell
  • Patent number: 7661149
    Abstract: A cape for protecting a user and a utility such as a sink or a tub from damage by chemical or biological waste generated during personal care procedures by seamlessly covering both while being attached to both the user and the utility. The cape including a neck portion adapted to be secured to the user at a neck. The cape further including an outer edge spaced from the neck portion to cover the user and extend over the sink, a plurality of holes formed in the cape to adapt to the sink and a connector to hold the cape on the sink. The connector may be a magnet fastener, a drain ring to secure the cape to the drain hole, adhesive backed tape or hook and loop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: Chikezie Ottah, Kenneth Ottah, Chika Ottah
  • Patent number: 7657982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suction device for liquids in hydroentangling machines, in which more than one water bar, which generate jets of liquid, are allocated to the exterior of the suction device. The suction device consists of a suction tube comprising one or more axial suction openings for each water bar, said openings being located along the working length of the tube. The liquid is sucked from the allocated water bar through said openings as a result of the negative pressure that is created in the tube. According to the invention, the suction openings that extend over the entire working width are configured to be sealed in relation to each respectively allocated water bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH
    Inventors: Ullrich Münstermann, Roland Schweizer
  • Patent number: 7653950
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a T-shaped stiffening device to prevent a trouser leg from becoming entangled between the foot and a shoe, particularly and open-back shoe, of a wearer. Accordingly, the device includes a stiffening device having a central stiffening member arranged between two opposing layers, one layer having an exterior face having an adhesive. One method of use includes locating an interior portion of a trouser leg, preferably near the hem-line, where stiffening is desired and arranging the device vertically starting at the hem-line at a rear portion of the interior portion of the trouser leg. Finally, adhering the device to the interior portion of the trouser leg using an adhesive provided on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Katie L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7640598
    Abstract: An infant caregiver's padded pillow garment has a single shoulder strap on one side. An outer breathable water resistant cover shields an inner memory foam pad. Teething items and toys on tethers are removably clipped to an edge of the garment. The garment covers the upper front torso and shoulders for holding the infant to cushion the infant's head banging the caregiver's bones. The garment folds in half vertically along a stitched vertical fold line and flips over to the back of the caregiver with the strap over the front for normal activity without holding the infant. The padding conforms to the shape of the caregiver's body from thick over the boney body portions tapering to thin over the upper breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Margot Mallik
  • Patent number: 7640599
    Abstract: A bib for illustrating an infant's last feeding time, including a cover member for covering a predetermined portion of at least one of an infant and an infant's clothing. The cover member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and first predetermined shape. A securing mechanism is operably connected to such cover member at predetermined location thereon for securing such cover member at least one of around such infant's neck, to such infant and to such infant's clothing. Indicia is formed on such cover member illustrating predetermined information relating to a last feeding time of such infant. An indicator mechanism is disposed on such cover member for indicating such infant's last feeding time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Rifky Amsel
  • Patent number: 7640600
    Abstract: What is described is a sash-style apparatus that can be comprised of two strips of material. The two strips of material can be configured such that in one configuration the first strip of material lies substantially behind the second strip of material and in a second configuration, the two strips of material can be minimally parted to reveal the mother's nipple and allow an infant to breastfeed. The mother can feed and bond with her infant, without exposing her breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Michele Reder
  • Patent number: 7636949
    Abstract: A craft apron for keeping knitting and crocheting components together, for providing easy access to the components by a knitter and a crocheter and for storing and for carrying the knitting and crocheting components. A first member having a pleated portion and a second member having a hem. The second member joined to the first member to define a pouch. A closure disposed on the first member. The closure has a fastener for fastening the closure to the hem for opening and closing the craft apron. A tie cooperating with the hem. The craft apron is adjustable. A width adjustment is provided with a cord lock by gathering the hem; the cord lock cooperating with the tie and a length adjustment is accomplished with a snap fastener. The craft apron may be worn about the waist of a crafter and carried as a tote bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Mary E. Shooshan
  • Patent number: 7634818
    Abstract: A combination user protector and baby safety towel is provided including a long front fabric member, a short back fabric member, two long sleeve fabric members, a belt fabric member, complementary belt-attachment members, and complementary sleeve-securing button and loop members. The front and sleeve fabric members are a soft, absorbent fabric. Each sleeve is positionable. The loop engages the button to retract the sleeve for washing the baby. The sleeve is held extended for drying the baby by insertion of the user's thumb into the loop. The combination user protector and baby safety towel allows the user to draw a wet baby out of a bath and immediately and conveniently wrap and dry the baby in the extended sleeve fabric members while cuddling the baby on the front fabric member. Thus safety and convenience are increased while the user's clothing is protected from wetness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Inventors: Lesther Trujillo, Leidy D. Trujillo
  • Patent number: 7631406
    Abstract: A device is known in which the bulky felt arriving on the top side of an endless belt for water felting is compacted between a felting drum and the belt and at the same time it is wetted by a first water curtain from a nozzle beam, whose water jets first pass through the endless belt and then the fiber web and finally the felting drum. Now, according to the invention, the unconsolidated felt is held against the bottom of an endless belt by means of induced suction and transported, and it is brought up tangentially to a needle felting drum, arranged beneath the endless belt. In this way, the handover of the fiber web from the endless belt to the needle felting drum is accomplished under the influence of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Fechter
  • Patent number: 7627908
    Abstract: A reflective surgical gown has a surgical gown, and a reflector affixed to the surgical gown for reflecting light and images. The reflector is removably affixed to the surgical gown. The reflector can be a flexible panel that has an adhesive surface positioned between the flexible panel and the surgical gown. The flexible panel is flexible. The flexible panel is formed a material suitable for producing a mirror effect. The flexible panel has a matte finish. The flexible panel is sterile. The adhesive surface is sterile. The reflector is positioned on an upper portion of the front side of the surgical gown. The flexible panel can also be threadedly affixed to the surgical gown. A tracking device can be positioned adjacent the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventor: James S. Pinckney, II
  • Patent number: 7614127
    Abstract: An apparatus for needling a non-woven web. The apparatus comprises at least one needle beam. The needle beam, the lower side of which comprises a needle board having a plurality of needles, is held by a beam support, which is guided by means of a vertical drive for an oscillating movement in an upward and downward movement and is guided by means of a horizontal drive for an oscillating movement in a reciprocating movement. At least two driven eccentric shafts and several connecting rods, which are assigned to the eccentric shafts and the free ends of which are coupled to the beam support, are provided as the vertical drive. The horizontal drive comprises at least one horizontal link, one end of which is connected to the beam support and the opposite end of which is coupled to a gear kinematics, which comprises an eccentric drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tilman Reutter, Andreas Plump, Robert Strasser
  • Patent number: 7603755
    Abstract: A method of forming a fabric is provided. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of yarn and batching the yarn on an A-frame so that the fabric is formed with a width greater than 102 inches and with a twill weave with a satin face. Also included is the step of passing the fabric across a plurality of rolls that have a rough surface and that apply compression to the fabric. The steps of applying fabric to a tenter frame and heating of the fabric is also included. The present invention also provides for a fabric in certain exemplary embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Northeast Textiles, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Gordon
  • Patent number: 7596815
    Abstract: As worn by a firefighter or by an emergency rescue worker, a protective garment having a lower torso-covering portion and two leg-covering portions is equipped with a drag harness or drag harnesses. Each drag harness is accessible through an aperture or apertures somewhere in the lower torso-covering and leg-covering portions. In the illustrated and described embodiments, the protective garment is equipped with two knee pads. Each knee pad is manipulatable between a position wherein such knee pad covers the aperture or apertures in a given one of the leg-covering portions and positions wherein such knee pad does not cover the aperture or apertures in the given one of the leg-covering portions. Each knee pad may serve as a flap or may be completely detachable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Morning Pride Manufacturing, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William L. Grilliot, Mary I. Grilliot, Patricia K. Waters, Douglas Sloan, John J. Reilly, Michael P. Harty, Francis T. Haskell, Thomas J. Fee
  • Patent number: 7596839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drawing a film web, made from a thermoplastic plastic, comprising at least one driven roller (2), driven at a speed V1 and at least one second driven roller (3), driven at a speed V2, where V1<V2. The rollers (2, 3) are serially arranged such that a drawing gap (4) is embodied between the two rollers (2, 3). A width-maintaining device is arranged in the drawing gap (4), which mechanically grips both edges of the film web such that the width of the film web is essentially maintained during the longitudinal drawing in the drawing gap (4). The invention further relates to a method for the longitudinal drawing of films which are drawn by means of said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Treofan Germany GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlef Busch, Albrecht Freynhofer, Gerhard Koch, Michael Thull
  • Patent number: 7587798
    Abstract: The machine for the production of a nonwoven comprises an expanding device which is arranged in-between a first consolidation by water jets and a second consolidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Rieter Perfojet
    Inventors: Andre Michalon, Frederic Noelle