Patents Examined by John J. Calvert
  • Patent number: 7726526
    Abstract: A latex glove removal and disposal device including a container having an open upper end, a closed lower end, a front wall, a back wall, and opposed side walls. A cover member is dimensioned for positioning over the open upper end of the container. The cover member has a closed upper end, an open lower end, a front wall, a back wall, and opposed side walls. The front wall of the cover member has an opening therethrough. A glove removal apparatus is secured to the container and is positionable between a person's wrist and an opening of a latex glove to facilitate removal of the latex glove from the person's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin Cattenhead
  • Patent number: 7424898
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for warping a loom includes a heddle with an open or openable break in the circumference of its eyelet that allows insertion and removal of warp thread with simple motions through the break while both ends of the warp threads are fastened to the loom. A warp beam includes a plurality of retaining members that retain parallel strands of warp thread in a spaced relationship to one another. A length of warp thread is wound in consecutive parallel lines between two spaced apart warp beams. The combination of openable heddles and warp beams with warp thread retaining members allow a loom or knitting device to be rapidly set-up, allow for easy correction of mistakes, and for the removal and reloading of the heddles or a weaving project in mid-production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: David A. Holly
  • Patent number: 7188374
    Abstract: A hat member has a lower rim with a scarf attached thereto which extends between the temple areas around the back of the head. The scarf has and eye edge proximate the lower part of the eye sockets and extends from there to an area proximate the juncture of the neck with the torso or trunk. The scarf is loose and has folds under the chin so that a coat or other outer garment can be positioned and closed there over without restricting movement of the user. The scarf extends from the rim down proximate the nape of the neck to protect the back of the head and he rear of the neck. The hat member has a crown into which the scarf member can be positioned and stored while the hat is being worn. In turn the scarf may be moved between a stored position in the crown of the hat member and a deployed position removed from the crown and deployed over and about the head of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Seirus Innovative Accessories, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Carey
  • Patent number: 7181778
    Abstract: A dive mask having a pair of replaceable lenses comprises a soft, flexible skirt for bearing against the diver's face, an inner lens frame having a pair of openings for receiving the lenses and a peripheral member integrally molded into the skirt for permanent retention therein and a removable outer lens frame having a pair of lens openings and a peripheral member shaped to bear against the lenses adjacent the skirt. A sealing gasket is preferable molded into the inner lens frame along the lens openings to prevent water leakage into the face side of the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Dean R. Garraffa, Douglas J. Toth
  • Patent number: 7178559
    Abstract: Belts and methods of their manufacturing are provided. In one aspect, belts are manufactured by the steps of weaving the belt from a plurality of warp yarns and at least one weft yarn, the belt having a central region and two opposed edges. The warp yarns in the central region have a predetermined shrinkage characteristic. The belts also have at least one edge region between the central region and an edge of the belt has a predetermined number of warp yarns, each having a lesser shrinkage characteristic than the warp yarns of the central region. The method further includes the steps of passing the weft yarn across the warp yarns to effect a weaving in the central region of the belt. Further in the edge region, looping the weft yarn, on each pass, around a selected warp yarn, so that on a plurality of successive passes the weft yarn is looped around each of the warp yarns in the edge region. Subsequently, the yarns in the belt are shrunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Forrester Ketley & Co.
    Inventors: Jac Tielemans, Petrus Johannes Gerardus Maria Van Haaren
  • Patent number: 7168456
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of one or more lateral yarns from a woven industrial textile to prepare it for seaming. The apparatus consists of a movable table, a clamping device to hold the fabric, and a yarn removal device, consisting of a cutter and a combined hooked needle & thread catcher. In operation, the yarn removal device moves both vertically into and out of the fabric plane, and horizontally parallel to the longitudinal yarns. The yarn removal device pierces the fabric at two locations, cuts one or more yarns, and then grasps the cut section(s) to pull them down and out of the fabric plane. The cycle is repeated to form a longitudinal channel of desired length; the device is then moved laterally and the cycle repeated until an open channel parallel with the lateral fabric edge is accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: North Rocky Robot Technology, Inc. (NORTEC)
    Inventors: Heinz (Heikki) Kuster, Raymond Lee Seeman
  • Patent number: 7153312
    Abstract: A surgical method includes positioning a fixation member relative to tissue, moving a flexible member coupled to the fixation member relative to the fixation member to bring two tissue surfaces together, and moving a retaining element coupled to the flexible member relative to the fixation member. The retaining element acts to limit loosening of the flexible member relative to the fixation member. An apparatus for repairing a tear in soft tissue includes first and second fixation members, a flexible member substantially immovably secured to the first fixation member and movably coupled to the second fixation member, and a retaining element coupled to the flexible member. In another embodiment, an apparatus for repairing a tear in soft tissue includes a fixation member, and a flexible member movably coupled to the fixation member. A first end of the flexible member is looped back and secured to the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Torrie, George Sikora, Raymond A. Bojarski
  • Patent number: 7137152
    Abstract: The combination comprising a figure element mounted on the bill of a cap. The figure element includes a removable compartment and the mounting means comprises an elongated threaded screw member having an enlarged head at one end engageable through a hole in the bill. A washer is disposed between the screw head and the bill. An enlarged tapered flexible ring is mounted between the outer surface of the bill and the bottom compartment. A lock washer threads on the shank of the screw remote from the head end. The flexible ring permits limited turning of the compartment when the screw is turned to a locked position to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the compartment from the figure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventor: Brandon Smith
  • Patent number: 7134457
    Abstract: A method of weaving Braille and/or the resulting woven Braille textile may assist sighted persons in determining the woven Braille cells by differentiating the colors of each number 1 through number 6 Braille cell warp thread. A method of weaving Braille and/or the resulting woven Braille textile may assist blind and visually impaired persons in determining the woven Braille cells or determining the reading content weft threads from filler weft threads by differentiating the texture of the non-Braille cell warp threads from the texture(s) of the Braille cell warp threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Blind Faith School of Music and Art
    Inventor: Jennifer J. Mayster
  • Patent number: 7131466
    Abstract: A patterned scarf having a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer which are interwoven along the edges. The scarf has colors and/or patterns which are formed by weft threads their inserted spaced-out between warped threads of the same color. The warped threads are a textured yarn composed of chemical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Brevitex Etablissement Pour L'Exploitation De Brevets Textiles
    Inventors: Francisco Speich, Christian Kuoni
  • Patent number: 7131464
    Abstract: An apparatus for weaving patterns comprising pattern threads and wrapping threads around an object having a central axis comprising an elongated slide tube and at least two side wheel assemblies, one of said side wheel assemblies mounted on said slide tube and the other of said side wheel assembly mounted on said object and spaced axially therefrom a distance greater than the axial extent of the pattern to be weaved; each of said side wheel assemblies having a thread wheel with a series of radially directed circumferentially spaced slots and a number ring having number indicia means which are axially aligned relative to one another and which correspond to pattern thread lines on a chart for a pattern; means for securing the pattern threads at one end to said object and engaging each of the threads in a numbered slot in one of the side wheel assemblies which may be selectively withdrawn from the slot in said one side wheel assembly and inserted into a corresponding number in said other side wheel assembly duri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Renzetti, Inc.
    Inventor: James Upton
  • Patent number: 7130711
    Abstract: A system and method for producing multi-colored carpets using a tufting machine. The present invention features a system and method for: providing a multi-colored pattern which is analyzed for validity with reference to a particular tufting machine; collecting parameters concerning a particular tufting machine; determining the colors of yarn to load with each needle of the particular tufting machine; and generating a report including a palette of colors used within the pattern, a chart indicating which color of yarns are used within each needle position, and a summary of the number of yarn cones needed to create a carpet of a predetermined size with the particular tufting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mohawk Carpet Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Dabrowa, Charlie Thompson, Dina Poindexter, Katrina Kuhels, Ashlee Swift
  • Patent number: 7127746
    Abstract: Headwear having a crown and a headband attached to and extending around the lower inside edge of the crown. A visor part may also be attached to the underside of the crown. The headband is made of two sheets of elastic cloth excluding polyurethane yarn so as to provide good stretch without imposing undue elastic pressure on the wearer. The crown is made of several sheets of material, at least two of which are attached to each other by an elastic connecting portion for increased stretch and wearer comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: DADA Corp.
    Inventor: Boo Yl Park
  • Patent number: 7128096
    Abstract: A device and weaving machine using the device for cutting discarded pile loop weft yarns in a fabric that is composed of a backing fabric consisting of weft yarns and warp yarns and that contains pile warp yarns by which, in one or several zones, pile loops are formed over discarded pile loop weft yarns, device being provided with a cutting blade to cut the discarded pile loop weft yarns, the device comprising a guiding needle that extends between two rows of pile positioned side by side in the direction of the warp, and the device being provided with two or several guiding yarns in the direction of the warp that push this side by side positioned pile away from the guiding needle and the cutting blade in the direction of the weft and that, at the same time, pull the discarded pile loop weft yarns away from the backing fabric in order to present them over the guiding needle to the cutting blade so that they can be severed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: N.V. Michel Van de Wiele
    Inventors: Johny Debaes, Bart Deneir
  • Patent number: 7124781
    Abstract: A multi-layer fabric which may be utilized in a papermaking process. Such fabric has a first layer of machine direction (MD) yarns, a second layer of MD yarns and a first system of cross-direction (CD) yarns having first binder yarns weaving a first contour pattern and second binder yarns weaving a second contour pattern different from the first contour pattern. The first binder yarns and the second binder yarns are each intrinsic to the first layer and each bind with the second layer. Moreover, the binder yarns each weave in sequence in the first layer more than once in a pattern repeat of the fabric. The binder yarns also weave plural contour patterns in the first layer in the weave pattern repeat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Ernest Fahrer, Monique Fagon
  • Patent number: 7120937
    Abstract: A cap (1), preferably in the form of a baseball cap, including a hood (3) with a hood edge (33, 34), as well as a lining (4) which extends along at least a part of the inner surface of the cap (3). The lining (4) has a lining part (41) which is fixed to the hood (3), and at least one edge part (42) which is loose from the hood (3). The loose lining edge part (42) is provided with a flexible reinforcement member (50), for example a whalebone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: World Magic International (W.M.I.)
    Inventor: Herman Jacques Monshouwer
  • Patent number: 7121439
    Abstract: An improved pinch grip pant and skirt hanger of reduced depth is formed with an offset between the hanger bar and the mounting of the pinch grip to align the center axis of the hanger bar with the center of the pinch grip, to thereby reduce the depth of the hanger and pinch grip and provide greater density of garments during shipment. Two separate guards are provided to prevent inadvertent opening of the pinch grip by an adjacent hanger, including a moveable guard, formed by arches on the fixed and moveable jaws. Since the arches are formed to contact below the pivot axis of the pinch grip, any contact between hangers will serve to enhance grip, rather than inadvertently opening the pinch grip. The hanger is particularly adapted for magazine feed and the automated loading of garments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Spotless Plastics Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stanley F. Gouldson, Olaf Olk
  • Patent number: 7121306
    Abstract: A woven industrial fabric, including a plurality of warp yarns interwoven with a plurality of weft yarns. At least a portion of one of the plurality of warp and the plurality of weft yarns includes yarn assemblies. Each yarn assembly is comprised of at least a first and a second yarn. The yarns are structured and arranged in the woven fabric so as to be in generally continuous, contiguous contact with each other substantially throughout the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Astenjohnson, Inc.
    Inventor: James Harrison
  • Patent number: 7117898
    Abstract: A guide rod assembly for a Jacquard loom is described which is narrower (10 mm or less), instead of 13 mm of conventional guide rods. This reduction in width is attained reducing the overall height of the magnet system integrated in the guide rod. The magnet system has a support member in the form of an iron core with an elongated or oval cross-section, with an excitation coil wound around the iron core. Pole strips are in contact with both front faces of the iron core. The respective top surfaces of the pole strips are spaced apart by less than 13 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Michel Van de Wiele NV Carpet and Velvet Machinery
    Inventors: Norbert Irmer, Peter Wahl
  • Patent number: RE39737
    Abstract: A print-receptive, pill-resistant, knitted fabric and printed article of apparel. The fabric is knitted from yarn formed from high-tenacity, staple synthetic fiber having a tenacity value of greater than about 4 grams/denier and preferably about 6 grams/denier. The resulting knitted fabric has a pilling resistance value of greater than about 3. In the preferred embodiment, the high-tenacity, staple synthetic fiber is selected from the group consisting of air jet spun polyester; nylon; acrylic; and polypropylene. The use of staple fibers improves the hand, drape and comfort of the knitted fabric. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the knitted fabric is a double-knit fabric having a front side and a back side, the front side being formed from the high-tenacity, staple synthetic fiber and the back side being substantially formed from cellulosic yarns, such as cotton and synthetic cellulosic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Sonny B. Driggars