Patents by Inventor Richard Ferencz
Richard Ferencz 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: 7722347Abstract: Apparatus (100, 101, 102) and die cartridge assembly (18, 44, 45, 47) adapted for use with same for producing fibrous material (212). The apparatus (100) comprises a removably attachable die cartridge assembly (18) that adapts to conventional spunmelt equipment. The die cartridge assembly (18) is removably positionable beneath an extrusion body (10) for effecting formation of fibrous material by fibrillation of polymer films. The cartridge assembly (18) includes at least one polymer passage (19) communicating with a molten polymer source (10) for directing molten polymer onto at least one film forming surface (20, 28) defined by the cartridge assembly (18), and also defines at least one gas passage (222, 22, 30) communicating with a gas source (16) for directing pressurized gas (220) against the molten polymer (210) in the form of a film for effecting formation of the fibrous material (212).Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Krause, Michael H. Johnson, Richard Ferencz
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Publication number: 20090295020Abstract: Apparatus (100, 101, 102) and die cartridge assembly (18, 44, 45, 47) adapted for use with same for producing fibrous material (212). The apparatus (100) comprises a removably attachable die cartridge assembly (18) that adapts to conventional spunmelt equipment. The die cartridge assembly (18) is removably positionable beneath an extrusion body (10) for effecting formation of fibrous material by fibrillation of polymer films. The cartridge assembly (18) includes at least one polymer passage (19) communicating with a molten polymer source (10) for directing molten polymer onto at least one film forming surface (20, 28) defined by the cartridge assembly (18), and also defines at least one gas passage (222, 22, 30) communicating with a gas source (16) for directing pressurized gas (220) against the molten polymer (210) in the form of a film for effecting formation of the fibrous material (212).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2006Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: POLYMER GROUP, INC.Inventors: Timothy Krause, Michael H. Johnson, Richard Ferencz
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Patent number: 7455800Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix of interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a non-woven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard Ferencz, Michael Putnam, Jian Weng
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Patent number: 7406755Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix for interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a nonwoven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets on a three-dimensional image transfer device. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web on a three-dimensional image transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Putnam, Richard Ferencz, Marlene Storzer, Jian Weng
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Patent number: 7238313Abstract: The present invention is directed to the combined use of first and second fatty acid amides to improve the softness of a thermoplastic polymer construct. A combination of fatty acid amides is provided in the blend ratio of about 10 to 90 percent by weight of a first fatty acid amide and 90 to 10 percent by weight of a second fatty acid amide. The first and second fatty acid amides are compounded into a thermoplastic polymer carrier resin and, preferentially, produced as concentrate pellets containing 0.5 to 75 percent by weight total fatty acid amide loading. The concentrate pellets are introduced into a thermoplastic polymer base, to form a thermoplastic resin, at a letdown level in the range of about 1 to 15 percent, with the range of 2 to 10 percent being preferred, and the range of 3 to 6 percent being most preferred.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard Ferencz, Robert Dale, Nick Carter, Lei Wang
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Publication number: 20060217000Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modular die unit comprising a plurality of individually shaped plates wherein the shaped plates are stacked in face to face juxtaposition, and when placed into such a juxtaposition exhibit useful polymer forming attributes heretofore unattainable by prior art practices. Single die plates are formed such that the plates exhibit a finite geometric relationship, which in turn provides resistance to flexural deformation of the individually shaped die plates and conversely, improved resistance to variability of the modular die unit and enhanced and predictable formation characteristics of the polymer material formed therewith. Each of said single die plates within the stack forming the modular die unit exhibit an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction, wherein any one of said single die plates exhibit in said x-direction and y-direction to have at least a 50% planar continuity of the total planar continuity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2006Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventors: Jerry Zucker, James Schaeffer, Richard Ferencz, James Snyder, Tim Krause, Nick Carter
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Patent number: 7070884Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonwoven composite fabric for use on batteries or fuel cells comprising one or more layers of fine denier spunbond filaments and at least one layer of barrier material, wherein said nonwoven composite fabric has an improved barrier performance as measured by an increase in the hydrostatic head to barrier layer basis weight ratio. In the present invention, a first fine denier layer is formed, comprising continuous spunbond thermoplastic filaments, with the size of the continuous filaments between about 0.7 and 1.2 denier, preferably less than or equal to 1 denier. A barrier layer is deposited onto the first fine denier layer. The barrier layer preferentially comprises microfibers of finite length, wherein the average fiber diameter is in the range of about 1 micron to about 10 microns, and preferably between about 1 micron and 5 microns, said layers being consolidated into a composite fabric.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Julia A. Thompson, Richard Ferencz, Nick Mark Carter
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Publication number: 20050215156Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix of interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a non-woven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2005Publication date: September 29, 2005Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard Ferencz, Michael Putnam, Jian Weng
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Publication number: 20050202744Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix for interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a nonwoven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets on a three-dimensional image transfer device. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web on a three-dimensional image transfer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2005Publication date: September 15, 2005Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc,Inventors: Michael Putnam, Richard Ferencz, Marlene Storzer, Jian Weng
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Patent number: 6903034Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix for interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a nonwoven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets on a three-dimensional image transfer device. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web on a three-dimensional image transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Putnam, Richard Ferencz, Marlene Storzer, Jian Weng
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Publication number: 20050003035Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modular die unit comprising a plurality of individually shaped plates wherein the shaped plates are stacked in face to face juxtaposition, and when placed into such a juxtaposition exhibit useful polymer forming attributes heretofore unattainable by prior art practices. Single die plates are formed such that the plates exhibit a finite geometric relationship, which in turn provides resistance to flexural deformation of the individually shaped die plates and conversely, improved resistance to variability of the modular die unit and enhanced and predictable formation characteristics of the polymer material formed therewith. Each of said single die plates within the stack forming the modular die unit exhibit an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction, wherein any one of said single die plates exhibit in said x-direction and y-direction to have at least a 50% planar continuity of the total planar continuity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2004Publication date: January 6, 2005Inventors: Jerry Zucker, James Schaeffer, Richard Ferencz, James Snyder, Tim Krause, Nick Carter
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Patent number: 6797101Abstract: An apparatus for providing a uniform web of filaments comprises tube filament transport means exiting through a confined zone of reduced turbulence, which preferably comprises a delivery slot. The delivery slot is configured with sidewalls substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that filaments undergo minimal machine direction deflection in the slot. Charging means within the slot charge the filaments for further cross direction separation. A method of providing a uniform web of filaments comprises transporting filaments through transport tubes, through a tapered transition member, and into a delivery slot. The delivery slot is defined by sidewalls that are substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that minimal machine direction deflection of the filaments occurs. The filaments are also charged by electrostatic charging means while they are in the slot for further separation.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard Ferencz, Jian Weng, Brian Yamanouchi
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Publication number: 20030113620Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonwoven composite fabric for use on batteries or fuel cells comprising one or more layers of fine denier spunbond filaments and at least one layer of barrier material, wherein said nonwoven composite fabric has an improved barrier performance as measured by an increase in the hydrostatic head to barrier layer basis weight ratio. In the present invention, a first fine denier layer is formed, comprising continuous spunbond thermoplastic filaments, with the size of the continuous filaments between about 0.7 and 1.2 denier, preferably less than or equal to 1 denier. A barrier layer is deposited onto the first fine denier layer. The barrier layer preferentially comprises microfibers of finite length, wherein the average fiber diameter is in the range of about 1 micron to about 10 microns, and preferably between about 1 micron and 5 microns, said layers being consolidated into a composite fabric.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Julia A. Thompson, Richard Ferencz, Nick Mark Carter
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Publication number: 20030092344Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective outdoor fabric comprising one or more layers of fine denier spunbond filaments and at least one layer of barrier material, wherein said protective outdoor fabric has a significant barrier performance as measured by the hydrostatic head to barrier layer basis weight ratio being of about at least 4.9 cm/gsm. In the preferred practice of the present invention, first and second outer fabric layers are formed, each comprising continuous filament spunbond layers of thermoplastic fibers, with the size of the continuous filaments between about 0.7 and 1.2 denier, preferably less than or equal to 1 denier. The barrier layer preferentially comprises microfibers of finite length, wherein the average fiber diameter is in the range of about 1 micron to about 10 microns, and preferably between about 1 micron and 5 microns, said layers being consolidated into a composite fabric.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Julia A. Thompson, Nick Mark Carter, Richard Ferencz
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Publication number: 20030049989Abstract: The present invention is directed to the combined use of first and second fatty acid amides to improve the softness of a thermoplastic polymer construct. A combination of fatty acid amides is provided in the blend ratio of about 10 to 90 percent by weight of a first fatty acid amide and 90 to 10 percent by weight of a second fatty acid amide. The first and second fatty acid amides are compounded into a thermoplastic polymer carrier resin and, preferentially, produced as concentrate pellets containing 0.5 to 75 percent by weight total fatty acid amide loading. The concentrate pellets are introduced into a thermoplastic polymer base, to form a thermoplastic resin, at a letdown level in the range of about 1 to 15 percent, with the range of 2 to 10 percent being preferred, and the range of 3 to 6 percent being most preferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: Richard Ferencz, Robert Dale, Nick Carter
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Patent number: 6430788Abstract: A process is disclosed for hydroentangling polymeric filament webs for production of low basis weight nonwoven fabrics. A three-dimensional image transfer device is employed for patterning a precursor web to form a fabric preferably having a rectilinear pattern. High-speed production of relatively low basis weight fabrics can be achieved, with the fabrics exhibiting desired softness, uniformity, and strength characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Putnam, Richard Ferencz, Marlene Storzer, Jian Weng
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Publication number: 20020074089Abstract: An apparatus for providing a uniform web of filaments comprises tube filament transport means exiting through a confined zone of reduced turbulence, which preferably comprises a delivery slot. The delivery slot is configured with sidewalls substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that filaments undergo minimal machine direction deflection in the slot. Charging means within the slot charge the filaments for further cross direction separation. A method of providing a uniform web of filaments comprises transporting filaments through transport tubes, through a tapered transition member, and into a delivery slot. The delivery slot is defined by sidewalls that are substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that minimal machine direction deflection of the filaments occurs. The filaments are also charged by electrostatic charging means while they are in the slot for further separation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2002Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Richard Ferencz, Jian Weng, Brian Yamanouchi
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Patent number: 6386260Abstract: An apparatus for providing a uniform web of filaments comprises tube filament transport means exiting through a confined zone of reduced turbulence, which preferably comprises a delivery slot. The delivery slot is configured with sidewalls substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that filaments undergo minimal machine direction deflection in the slot. Charging means within the slot charge the filaments for further cross direction separation. A method of providing a uniform web of filaments comprises transporting filaments through transport tubes, through a tapered transition member, and into a delivery slot. The delivery slot is defined by sidewalls that are substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that minimal machine direction deflection of the filaments occurs. The filaments are also charged by electrostatic charging means while they are in the slot for further separation.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1999Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard Ferencz, Jian Weng, Brian Yamanouchi
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Publication number: 20020025753Abstract: A process is disclosed for hydroentangling polymeric filament webs for production of low basis weight nonwoven fabrics. A hydroentangling device having a foraminous forming surface is employed for hydroentangling a precursor web to form a fabric. High-speed production of relatively low basis weight fabrics can be achieved, with the fabrics exhibiting desired softness, uniformity, and strength characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Applicant: Polymer Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Putnam, Richard Ferencz, Marlene Storzer, Jian Weng
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Patent number: 6321425Abstract: A process is disclosed for hydroentangling polymeric filament webs for production of low basis weight nonwoven fabrics. A hydroentangling device having a foraminous forming surface is employed for hydroentangling a precursor web to form a fabric. High-speed production of relatively low basis weight fabrics can be achieved, with the fabrics exhibiting desired softness, uniformity, and strength characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Polymer Group Inc.Inventors: Michael Putnam, Richard Ferencz, Marlene Storzer, Jian Weng