Patents by Inventor E. Wayne Hunter

E. Wayne Hunter 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).

  • Method of reproducing, recoloring and/or recycling carpet tiles
    Patent number: 6990703
    Abstract: Reproducing, recoloring and/or recycling of used carpet tiles is provided. In accordance with one embodiment, used carpet tiles, which are recovered, are subjected to a choosing step according to the degree of stains, etc. The chosen carpet tiles are washed with a high-pressure fluid, and entangling of piles is removed and piles raised. The resultant carpet tiles are subjected to a choosing step once again according to the degree of stains, etc. The chosen carpet tiles are treated with such a design and color for recycling as to make less visible the stains or non-uniformity in color remaining after the washing, using a design computer, etc. Thus, reproduced carpet tiles are produced and subjected a choosing step once again, and the chosen ones are shipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Brown, William D. Blackstock, Kazufumi Yamada, E. Wayne Hunter, Nobuki Katayama
  • Method of reproducing, recoloring and/or recycling carpet tiles
    Publication number: 20020074075
    Abstract: Reproducing, recoloring and/or recycling of used carpet tiles is provided. In accordance with one embodiment, used carpet tiles, which are recovered, are subjected to a choosing step according to the degree of stains, etc. The chosen carpet tiles are washed with a high-pressure fluid, and entangling of piles is removed and piles raised. The resultant carpet tiles are subjected to a choosing step once again according to the degree of stains, etc. The chosen carpet tiles are treated with such a design and color for recycling as to make less visible the stains or non-uniformity in color remaining after the washing, using a design computer, etc. Thus, reproduced carpet tiles are produced and subjected a choosing step once again, and the chosen ones are shipped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Robert S. Brown, William D. Blackstock, Kazufumi Yamada, E. Wayne Hunter, Nobuki Katayama