Patents by Inventor Charles Keith Curtis
Charles Keith Curtis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6900146Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of forming a textile laminate or composite fabric from a plurality of woven fabric layers, with the method contemplating use of a three-dimensional image transfer device to facilitate efficient and commercially viable use of the method. Herein is disclosed a method of forming an imaged textile laminate or composite compound fabric, the fabric having a first textile fabric layer comprising a plurality of interwoven warp and weft yarns and at least one other textile fabric layer, the lamination of the fabric layers and imaging of the construct occurring on a three-dimensional image transfer device. The image transfer device has a foraminous, image-forming surface comprising a regular pattern of three-dimensional surface elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Samuel Keith Black, Charles Keith Curtis, Shane James Moran
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Patent number: 6701591Abstract: In the present invention, a hydroentangled and three-dimensionally patterned fibrous material is formed from a fibrous matrix to produce a nonwoven fabric of pronounced open area and enhanced physical properties, including abrasive, and particularly wet abrasive, performance. A three-dimensional pattern utilized on the forming surface results in the nonwoven fabric having a diaphanous gauze-like or cheesecloth-like presentation. A method of making a nonwoven material embodying the principles of the present invention contemplates the use of staple length fibers to facilitate economical fabric formation. Formation of the fibrous nonwoven fabric on a three-dimensional, image transfer device by hydroentangling imparts desired physical properties to the fabric such as the controlled placement of the fiber population relative to the desired three-dimensional pattern of the imaging device. This nonwoven fabric may be natural or colored.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: David Collins, Charles Keith Curtis, Jerry Parker
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Patent number: 6606771Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of imaging a woven textile fabric by positioning the fabric on a three-dimensional image transfer device, and subjecting the fabric to treatment with high pressure liquid streams. A regular pattern defined by the image transfer device is thereby durably imparted to the fabric. The use of a three-dimensional image transfer device facilitates efficient commercially viable use of the method, while avoiding the creation of repeating defects which can occur when imaging fabrics on wire mesh screens.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Charles Keith Curtis, Kenneth Daniels, Kay Goodson
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Publication number: 20030153231Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of forming a textile laminate or composite fabric from a plurality of woven fabric layers, with the method contemplating use of a three-dimensional image transfer device to facilitate efficient and commercially viable use of the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventors: Samuel Keith Black, Charles Keith Curtis, Shane James Moran
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Publication number: 20030104745Abstract: The present invention is directed a nonwoven fabric which is imparted with a three-dimensional image or pattern during the fabrication stage. The three-dimensional image or pattern imparted into the structure of the nonwoven fabric results in a lofty material with particulate capturing recesses or “pockets” which act to entrap and entrain dust. The three-dimensional image or pattern also results in a number of fibrous ends and loops which extend beyond the surface of the recesses or “pockets”, which in turn, improve the nonwoven fabrics ability to effectively collect particulates from the surface of the article to be cleaned or dusted. In conjunction, the recesses and the extended fibrous surface act to effectively remove fine particulates such as dust from articles such as furniture and flooring.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2002Publication date: June 5, 2003Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventor: Charles Keith Curtis
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Patent number: 6564436Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of forming a textile laminate or composite fabric from a plurality of woven fabric layers, with the method contemplating use of a three-dimensional image transfer device to facilitate efficient and commercially viable use of the method. Herein is disclosed a method of forming an imaged textile laminate or composite compound fabric, the fabric having a first textile fabric layer comprising a plurality of interwoven warp and weft yarns and at least one other textile fabric layer, the lamination of the fabric layers and imaging of the construct occurring on a three-dimensional image transfer device. The image transfer device has a foraminous, image-forming surface comprising a regular pattern of three-dimensional surface elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Samuel Keith Black, Charles Keith Curtis, Shane James Moran
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Publication number: 20030079324Abstract: In the present invention, a hydroentangled and three-dimensionally patterned fibrous material is formed from a fibrous matrix to produce a nonwoven fabric of pronounced open area and enhanced physical properties, including abrasive, and particularly wet abrasive, performance. A three-dimensional pattern utilized on the forming surface results in the nonwoven fabric having a diaphanous gauze-like or cheesecloth-like presentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: David Collins, Charles Keith Curtis, Jerry Parker
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Publication number: 20030009862Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of forming a textile laminate or composite fabric from a plurality of woven fabric layers, with the method contemplating use of a three-dimensional image transfer device to facilitate efficient and commercially viable use of the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Samuel Keith Black, Charles Keith Curtis, Shane James Moran
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Patent number: 6502288Abstract: A method of forming durable nonwoven fabrics by hydroentanglement includes providing a precursor web comprising a fibrous matrix of staple length fibers and/or substantially continuous filaments. The precursor web is subjected to hydroentanglement on a three-dimensional image transfer device to create a patterned and imaged fabric. Enhanced imaging is achieved by advancing the precursor web onto the movable imaging surface of the image transfer device at a rate substantially equal to the rate at which the image surface moves relative to one or more associated hydroentangling manifolds. Treatment with a polymeric binder composition enhances the integrity of the fabric, permitting it to exhibit desired physical characteristics, including strength, durability, softness, and drapeability. Mechanical compaction of the imaged and patterned fabric, such as by sanforizing, enhances the desired physical properties.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Samuel K. Black, Charles Keith Curtis, Cheryl L. Carlson
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Publication number: 20020050037Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of imaging a woven textile fabric by positioning the fabric on a three-dimensional image transfer device, and subjecting the fabric to treatment with high pressure liquid streams. A regular pattern defined by the image transfer device is thereby durably imparted to the fabric. The use of a three-dimensional image transfer device facilitates efficient commercially viable use of the method, while avoiding the creation of repeating defects which can occur when imaging fabrics on wire mesh screens.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: Charles Keith Curtis, Kenneth Daniels, Kay Goodson
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Publication number: 20020007540Abstract: A method of forming durable nonwoven fabrics by hydroentanglement includes providing a precursor web comprising a fibrous matrix of staple length fibers and/or substantially continuous filaments. The precursor web is subjected to hydroentanglement on a three-dimensional image transfer device to create a patterned and imaged fabric. Enhanced imaging is achieved by advancing the precursor web onto the movable imaging surface of the image transfer device at a rate substantially equal to the rate at which the image surface moves relative to one or more associated hydroentangling manifolds. Treatment with a polymeric binder composition enhances the integrity of the fabric, permitting it to exhibit desired physical characteristics, including strength, durability, softness, and drapeability. Mechanical compaction of the imaged and patterned fabric, such as by sanforizing, enhances the desired physical properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Samuel K. Black, Charles Keith Curtis, Cheryl L. Carlson