Patents by Inventor Frank Gunter Niemz

Frank Gunter Niemz 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).

  • Patent number: 10501876
    Abstract: Functional spunlaid fabrics incorporating fibers made from non-meltable polymers containing permanently one or more functional additives are provided. The fibers are entangled and interlocked to form a firm nonwoven composite, have different lengths, and aspect ratios above 1,000. The fibers have a mean diameter of 0.1 to 500 micrometres and diameter variations within a single fiber and among each other of at least 30%. The fibers contain more than 40 wt % of finely distributed functional additives in solid and/or liquid form. The spunlaid fabric is produced from a spinning solution containing the non-meltable polymer dissolved in a direct solvent and at least one functional additive. The spinning solution is extruded out of a spinneret, and the resulting strands are drawn in the longitudinal direction to form fibers, stabilized and laid down to form a nonwoven fabric with permanent functional properties. Exemplary spunlaid fabrics include clothing, technical textiles and filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: THUERINGISCHES INSTITUT FUER TEXTIL-UND KUNSTSTOFF-FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Yvonne Ewert, Frank-Günter Niemz, Marcus Krieg, Bernd Riedel
  • Patent number: 10443153
    Abstract: The invention relates to molded cellulose bodies, in particular fibers, filaments, directly spun nonwovens, films, or foams which have flame-resistant properties. The fibers and filaments can be further processed as textiles into yarns, wovens, knitted fabrics, and nonwovens. The molded bodies are produced from solutions of cellulose and melamine cyanurate or cellulose and crosslinked or partially crosslinked melamine resin particles in an organic solvent. The melamine cyanurate or the melamine resin particles provide the molded cellulose bodies with flame-retardant properties. The molded cellulose bodies made of cellulose and melamine cyanurate or melamine resin particles can further contain flame retardants, in particular flame retardants which act synergistically, in a particulate form. The obtained textile fibers and nonwoven materials have a soft touch and can be processed or finished as filaments or yarns on conventional textile machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: smartpolymer GmbH
    Inventors: Frank-Günter Niemz, Marcus Krieg, Michael Mooz, Ralf-Uwe Bauer, Sabine Riede
  • Publication number: 20180313010
    Abstract: Functional spunlaid fabrics incorporating fibers made from non-meltable polymers containing permanently one or more functional additives are provided. The fibers are entangled and interlocked to form a firm nonwoven composite, have different lengths, and aspect ratios above 1,000. The fibers have a mean diameter of 0.1 to 500 micrometres and diameter variations within a single fiber and among each other of at least 30%. The fibers contain more than 40 wt % of finely distributed functional additives in solid and/or liquid form. The spunlaid fabric is produced from a spinning solution containing the non-meltable polymer dissolved in a direct solvent and at least one functional additive. The spinning solution is extruded out of a spinneret, and the resulting strands are drawn in the longitudinal direction to form fibers, stabilized and laid down to form a nonwoven fabric with permanent functional properties. Exemplary spunlaid fabrics include clothing, technical textiles and filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Yvonne EWERT, Frank-Günter NIEMZ, Marcus KRIEG, Bernd RIEDEL
  • Publication number: 20170016148
    Abstract: The invention relates to molded cellulose bodies, in particular fibers, filaments, directly spun nonwovens, films, or foams which have flame-resistant properties. The fibers and filaments can be further processed as textiles into yarns, wovens, knitted fabrics, and nonwovens. The molded bodies are produced from solutions of cellulose and melamine cyanurate or cellulose and crosslinked or partially crosslinked melamine resin particles in an organic solvent. The melamine cyanurate or the melamine resin particles provide the molded cellulose bodies with flame-retardant properties. The molded cellulose bodies made of cellulose and melamine cyanurate or melamine resin particles can further contain flame retardants, in particular flame retardants which act synergistically, in a particulate form. The obtained textile fibers and nonwoven materials have a soft touch and can be processed or finished as filaments or yarns on conventional textile machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Frank-Günter NIEMZ, Marcus KRIEG, Michael MOOZ, Ralf-Uwe BAUER, Sabine RIEDE
  • Publication number: 20120215148
    Abstract: The invention relates to functional spunbonded fabrics incorporating fibers made from non-fusible polymers containing one or more functional additives. The fibers are interwoven and interlocked to form a firm fleece composite, have different lengths, and have aspect ratios above 1,000. The fibers have a mean diameter of 0.1 to 500 micrometres and diameter variations within a fiber and/or among each other of at least 30%. The fibers contain more than 40 wt % of finely distributed functional additives in solid and/or liquid form. The spunbonded fabric is produced from a spinning solution containing the non-fusible polymer dissolved in a direct solvent and at least one functional additive. The spinning solution is extruded out of a spinneret, and the resulting strands are drawn in the longitudinal direction to form filaments or fibers, stabilized and laid down to form a fleece fabric. Exemplary spunbonded fabrics include clothing, technical textiles and filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Yvonne Ewert, Frank-Günter Niemz, Marcus Krieg, Bernd Riedel
  • Publication number: 20120201995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molded body having a polymeric coating in which cladding material is prepared from a polymer solution; carrier material is guided through a feed channel and an outlet opening into a coating chamber, the feed channel traversing a container holding the cladding material; the cladding material is guided through a predefined gap into the coating chamber, and contact is effected between the cladding material and the carrier material to form a preliminary layer; the carrier material and preliminary layer are guided through an outlet opening into a relaxation zone; by setting the withdrawal of the carrier material via the outlet opening into the relaxation zone, the cladding material, the carrier material or both can be altered; and solvent is removed from the polymer layer. The molded bodies are preferably fibers, in particular bristles, such as brush or paint brush bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Jürgen Melle, Ralf-Uwe Bauer, Frank-Günter Niemz, Sabine Riede
  • Patent number: 8153940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flat heater, which is used for applications in the range of heating voltages of up to 1000 V, produces attainable powers of up to 2 kW/m2 and is characterized by the fact that the electrical resistance required for the heating is formed by an electrically conductive cellulose nonwoven. Metallic contacts which are incorporated ensure the connection of the conductive cellulose nonwoven to a voltage source. Polymer films applied on both sides provide mechanical and electrical protection and prevent the ingress of moisture into the cellulose nonwoven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Thüringisches Institut für Textil-und Kunststoff-Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Frank-Günter Niemz, Bernd Riedel, Carmen Knobelsdorf
  • Publication number: 20090057296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flat heater, which is used for applications in the range of heating voltages of up to 1000 V, produces attainable powers of up to 2 kW/m2 and is characterized by the fact that the electrical resistance required for the heating is formed by an electrically conductive cellulose nonwoven. Metallic contacts which are incorporated ensure the connection of the conductive cellulose nonwoven to a voltage source. Polymer films applied on both sides provide mechanical and electrical protection and prevent the ingress of moisture into the cellulose nonwoven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Frank-Gunter Niemz, Bernd Riedel, Carmen Knobelsdorf
  • Patent number: 6972101
    Abstract: A method and device for regulating the composition of a solution(s) in the production of cellulosic mouldings. The device comprises multiple measuring devices for the measurement of non-optical properties of the solution. According to invention, by measuring the non-optical properties of the solutions and comparison of the measured value with a preset value, the composition(s) of the solution(s) can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Frank-Gunter Niemz, Wilhem Meyer, Tanja Mainzer-Althof
  • Patent number: 6902690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing cellulosed shaped bodies. (a) Cellulose and an aqueous aminoxide are mixed, whereby a suspension is produced. (b) A cellulose solution is produced from the suspension, whereby water evaporates. (c) A first property and a second property of the produced cellulose solution is measured and the measured value is used for correcting the composition of the solution and (d) the cellulose solution is extruded through a gap of air and into an aqueous regenerating bath where said solution is coagulated to form shaped bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Frank Gunter Niemz, Wilhelm Meyer, Tanja Mainzer Althof
  • Patent number: 6814904
    Abstract: Process for producing formed cellulosic articles, particularly fibers and filaments, comprising a) dissolving cellulose in an aqueous solution of a tertiary amine oxide, especially N-methyl-morpholine N-oxide, and b) extruding the cellulose solution through an extrusion die via an air gap into a precipitation bath with precipitation of the formed articles, said cellulose solution and/or said precipitation bath containing a tenside, characterized in that in the step b) the tenside content c of the cellulose solution and/or of the precipitation bath is in the range 100 ppm>c>5 ppm, and the width of the air gap is in the range from 2 to 20 mm. With this process the air gap width can be considerably reduced without deterioration of the properties of the fibers/filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Ralf-Uwe Bauer, Frank-Gunter Niemz
  • Patent number: 6676739
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cellulose solution in an aqueous amine oxide, preferably N-methyl-morpholine-N-oxide, for processing to form cellulosed moulded bodies according to the Lyocell method, whereby said solution has an increased thermal stability. Cellulose is suspended in an aqueous amine oxide and the suspension is converted into the cellulose solution. The inventive method is characterised in that the base use of the cellulose used for producing the solution and of the optionally used additives is detected in a dispersion in aqueous amine oxide solution and in that the cellulose solution is formed by adding a base quantity which matches the detected own consumption of the cellulose and optionally the additives. Cellulose solutions having a stability which is essentially independent from the provenance of the used cellulose can he formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Thuringishces Institut fur Textil und Kunststoff-Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Birgit Kosan, Christoph Michels, Ralf-Uwe Bauer, Michael Mooz, Frank-Gunter Niemz
  • Publication number: 20030159620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cellulose solution in an aqueous amine oxide, preferably N-methyl-morpholine-N-oxide, for processing to form cellulosed moulded bodies according to the Lyocell method, whereby said solution has an increased thermal stability. Cellulose is suspended in an aqueous amine oxide and the suspension is converted into the cellulose solution. The inventive method is characterised in that the base use of the cellulose used for producing the solution and of the optionally used additives is detected in a dispersion in aqueous amine oxide solution and in that the cellulose solution is formed by adding a base quantity which matches the detected own consumption of the cellulose and optionally the additives. Cellulose solutions having a stability which is essentially independent from the provenance of the used cellulose can be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Birgit Kosan, Christoph Michels, Ralf-Uwe Bauer, Michael Mooz, Frank-Gunter Niemz