Patents by Inventor Richard V. Gregory

Richard V. Gregory 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: 5849415
    Abstract: Organic inherently conductive polymers, such as those based on polyaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophene, are formed in-situ onto polymeric surfaces that are chemically activated to bond ionically the conductive polymers to the substrates. The polymeric substrate is preferably a preshaped or preformed thermoplastic film, fabric, or tube, although other forms of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers can be used as the substrates for pretreatment using, most preferably, phosphonylation-based processes followed by exposure to an oxidatively polymerizable compound capable of forming an electrically conductive polymer. The resultant conductive surface imparts unique properties to the substrates and allows their use in antistatic clothing, surface conducting films for electronic components and the like, and electromagnetic interference shielding. In an alternative embodiment, metals such as gold or platinum are bonded to the chemically interactive surface of a preshaped thermoplastic or thermoset article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Shalaby W. Shalaby, Richard V. Gregory, Jacqueline M. Allan
  • Patent number: 5691062
    Abstract: Organic inherently conductive polymers, such as those based on polyaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophene, are formed in-situ onto polymeric surfaces that are chemically activated to bond ionically the conductive polymers to the substrates. The polymeric substrate is preferably a preshaped or preformed thermoplastic film, fabric, or tube, although other forms of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers can be used as the substrates for pretreatment using, most preferably, phosphonylation-based processes followed by exposure to an oxidatively polymerizable compound capable of forming an electrically conductive polymer. The resultant conductive surface imparts unique properties to the substrates and allows their use in antistatic clothing, surface conducting films for electronic components and the like, and electromagnetic interference shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Shalaby W. Shalaby, Richard V. Gregory, Jacqueline M. Allan
  • Patent number: 5316830
    Abstract: An electrically conductive textile fabric in which the electrical conductivity may be made to vary in a pattern configuration, and a method for manufacturing such fabric. A textile fabric is coated with an electrically conductive polymeric coating, and the coating is selectively removed in those areas in which a reduced electrical conductivity is desired. The removal may be achieved by means of high velocity water jets, sculpturing, or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Louis W. Adams, Jr., Michael W. Gilpatrick, Richard V. Gregory
  • Patent number: 5292573
    Abstract: An electrically conductive textile fabric in which the electrical conductivity may be made to vary in a pattern configuration, and a method for manufacturing such fabric. A textile fabric is coated with an electrically conductive polymeric coating, and the coating is selectively removed in those areas in which a reduced electrical conductivity is desired. The removal may be achieved by means of high velocity water jets, sculpturing, or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Louis W. Adams, Jr., Michael W. Gilpatrick, Richard V. Gregory
  • Patent number: 5162135
    Abstract: A conductive polymeric material such as a textile fabric having a conductive polymer film may be treated with a solution containing a chemical reducing agent to reduce its conductivity. By selectively reducing portions of the conductive polymer in varying degrees, a gradient of conductivity may be produced in the material. After the conductive polymer has been reduced to a target level, the reducing solution may be removed with a hot water rinse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Richard V. Gregory, William C. Kimbrell, Jr., Mark E. Cuddihee
  • Patent number: 4846845
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for sculpturing pile fabrics which comprises: (a) selectively contacting the surface of a pile fabric corresponding to a pattern a fiber degrading composition, said composition comprising a fiber degrading agent in a concentration sufficient to reduce the tensile strength of the fibers of the pile, said fiber degrading agent being selected from a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R' are each independently selected from a lower alkyl group having from one to about five carbon atoms, dyes are optionally selectively applied in pattern form and in register with the fiber degrading composition; (b) heating the pile fabric to temperatures above 180.degree. F. but below 250.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel T. McBride, Richard V. Gregory, Michael D. Morris
  • Patent number: 4808191
    Abstract: A process is provided for the pattern dyeing of textile materials wherein dye migration may be inhibited by the in-situ formation of a coordination complex of metal-thickener-dye when the dye-thickener solution is applied to the textile material pretreated with an aqueous solution of a water soluble salt of the metal. The metal is selected from zirconium, hafnium or aluminum. The thickener may be a naturally derived aqueous system thickener, such as guar gum, xanthan gum or other water-soluble gum thickener or may be a synthetically derived aqueous system thickener, such as polyacrylics and polyacrylamides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Richard V. Gregory, Daniel T. McBride