Patents by Inventor Larry E. Ballard

Larry E. Ballard 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: 5759925
    Abstract: An extruded monofilament is formed from a compatibilized blend of polyphenylene sulfide and a polyamide resin. The blend is compatibilized by the addition of a compatibilizing resin selected from the group consisting of chemically modified and functionalized polyolefins. Preferably, from about 25 to about 99 parts by weight of a polyphenylene sulfide resin and from about 75 to 1 parts by weight of at least one polyamide resin, together with from about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a compatibilizer are blended and extruded to form the monofilament. The resultant monofilament exhibits improved physical properties as compared to unblended polyphenylene sulfide resins (PPS), as well as uncompatibilized blends of PPS with other materials. The monofilaments prepared from these compatibilized blends are useful as components of industrial fabrics, particularly fabrics such as are used as belts on paper forming machines. The polymer blend and a process for the manufacture of the monofilaments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Shakespeare Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Ballard, Marc R. Savoy
  • Patent number: 5667890
    Abstract: An extruded monofilament is formed from a compatibilized blend of polyphenylene sulfide and a polyamide resin. The blend is compatibilized by the addition of a compatibilizing resin selected from the group consisting of chemically modified and functionalized polyolefins. Preferably, from about 25 to about 99 parts by weight of a polyphenylene sulfide resin and from about 75 to 1 parts by weight of at least one polyamide resin, together with from about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a compatibilizer are blended and extruded to form the monofilament. The resultant monofilament exhibits improved physical properties as compared to unblended polyphenylene sulfide resins (PPS), as well as uncompatibilized blends of PPS with other materials. The monofilaments prepared from these compatibilized blends are useful as components of industrial fabrics, particularly fabrics such as are used as belts on paper forming machines. The polymer blend and a process for the manufacture of the monofilaments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Shakespeare Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Ballard, Marc R. Savoy
  • Patent number: 5456973
    Abstract: A monofilament which exhibits improved hydrolytic stability properties as compared to conventional polyester monofilaments is formed from the extrusion of a blend of PPS and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and possibly, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. The monofilament is produced without the inclusion of compatibilizers or fillers, even though PPS is known to be incompatible with PET and high temperature polyester resins in most applications. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic degradation and includes a plurality of woven monofilaments, comprising a blend of PPS with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper machines. Methods for the production of such monofilaments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Shakespeare Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Ballard, Michelle Diaz-Kotti, Robert A. Keller
  • Patent number: 5424125
    Abstract: A monofilament which exhibits improved hydrolytic stability properties as compared to conventional polyester monofilaments is formed from the extrusion of a blend of PPS and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and possibly, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. The monofilament is produced without the inclusion of compatibilizers or fillers, even though PPS is known to be incompatible with PET and high temperature polyester resins in most applications. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic degradation and includes a plurality of woven monofilaments, comprising a blend of PPS with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper machines. Methods for the production of such monofilaments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Shakespeare Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Ballard, Michelle Diaz-Kotti, Robert A. Keller