Patents by Inventor Howard C. Willauer

Howard C. Willauer 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).

  • Publication number: 20090022955
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for imparting a permanent, high resolution pattern to a heat-settable fabric, particularly one having a pile-like surface, using modulated streams of pressurized heated air that are individually controllable and electronically addressable, using a patterning technique capable of extremely fine gauge (i.e., high dots-per-inch or high pixel count) and extremely fine carve depth control (e.g., allowing for multiple finely spaced carve levels, as compared with techniques in the prior art), and which results in the formation of patterns of extraordinary resolution, definition and detail without the harsh hand associated with prior art techniques in which fibers and yarns are melted within patterned areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Franklin Sadler Love, III, Frank M. Pitman, Howard C. Willauer
  • Publication number: 20040176006
    Abstract: A base textile with a camouflage pattern is subjected to hot fluid streams to create flat regions and puckered or wrinkled regions, enhancing the three dimensional characteristics of the resulting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Howard C. Willauer, J. David Strength, William L. McLeod
  • Patent number: 6751831
    Abstract: A base textile with a camouflage pattern is subjected to hot fluid streams to create flat regions and puckered or wrinkled regions, enhancing the three dimensional characteristics of the resulting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Howard C. Willauer, J. David Strength, William L. McLeod
  • Publication number: 20040020020
    Abstract: A material having a unique, multi-colored appearance is described. More specifically, a material having a multi-colored appearance and a three-dimensional surface is described, along with a method of making such a material. The process involves providing a pile material having an upper portion of the pile yarns of a first color and a lower portion of the pile yarns of a second color that is visually distinct from the first color, then treating the material so as to displace at least some of the pile yarns to a different position with respect to the base web portion of the fabric from other of the pile yarns. In this way, the lower portions of at least some of the pile yarns are exposed, to provide a unique visual appearance as a result of the color differential, and a unique three dimensional appearance as a result of the difference between the position of the treated and untreated portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Howard C. Willauer
  • Publication number: 20030024093
    Abstract: A material having a unique, multi-colored appearance is described. More specifically, a material having a multi-colored appearance and a three-dimensional surface is described, along with a method of making such a material. The process involves providing a pile material having an upper portion of the pile yarns of a first color and a lower portion of the pile yarns of a second color that is visually distinct from the first color, then treating the material so as to displace at least some of the pile yarns to a different position with respect to the base web portion of the fabric from other of the pile yarns. In this way, the lower portions of at least some of the pile yarns are exposed, to provide a unique visual appearance as a result of the color differential, and a unique three dimensional appearance as a result of the difference between the position of the treated and untreated portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Howard C. Willauer
  • Publication number: 20020098325
    Abstract: A base textile with a camouflage pattern is subjected to hot fluid streams to create flat regions and puckered or wrinkled regions, enhancing the three dimensional characteristics of the resulting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Howard C. Willauer, J. David Strength, William L. McLeod