Patents by Inventor Robert T. Patton

Robert T. Patton 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: 20030056298
    Abstract: A trench apparatus and process for liquid treatment of fabric uses a longitudinal trench for holding a treatment liquid. A pull rope, chain, or cable having shackle rings or shackles attached thereto for securing one or more bags to the rope, chain, or cable is positioned for pulling one or more bags containing dyed fabric in a longitudinal direction down the length of the trench. The trench has a liquid treatment zone with a surface level, and the trench includes one or more raised platforms dividing the trench into a plurality of separated treatment vats, the raised platforms having a height extending above said surface level. A conduit communicates from at least one vat to at least one other vat at a level below said surface level for movement of liquid therebetween. A conduit and a pump permits the countercurrent recirculation of treatment liquor within each longitudinal treatment vat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Gary F. Hirsch, Robert T. Patton, David M. Hall
  • Publication number: 20030056296
    Abstract: A recycling process for liquid treatment of denim scrap comprising placing denim scrap on a support surface to form a thickness of flat, layered denim scrap. To the top surface is applied a compression plate to form the thickness of denim scrap into a compact cake. Then treatment liquid is passed through the interior of the compact cake in a direction parallel to the surfaces of the scrap, the liquid passing between opposed surfaces of the denim pieces. The denim scrap is preferably cut into relatively uniform sizes having their largest dimension less than about 4 inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Gary F. Hirsch, Robert T. Patton, David M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6120554
    Abstract: A process for decolorizing a cellulose textile bearing oxidized vat dye comprising contacting the cellulose textile with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide containing an amount of a hydrogen peroxide catalyst sufficient to oxidize vat dye in the fabric until the dye is decolorized by oxidation. Then the cellulose textile is separated from the aqueous solution. The hydrogen peroxide catalyst can be a water-soluble lower alkyl quaternary amine salt such as a dihydroxypropyltrimethylammonium halide, chlorohydroxypropyltrimethylammonium halide or epoxypropyltrimethylammonium halide, or it can be a transition metal ion such as a cupric or stannous metal ion present in an amount of from 0.1 to 2 ppm. The process is suitable for decolorizing denim bearing vat dyes such as indigo, and is particularly suitable for decolorizing denim scrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: American Renewable Resources LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Patton, David Hall
  • Patent number: 5989296
    Abstract: A process for recovering a vat dye from a textile using a heated organic solvent. The textile is contacted with a heated organic solvent in which the dye is soluble until dye is extracted from the textile into the solvent to produce a dye-containing solvent solution. The dye is then recovered from the organic solvent by evaporation of the solvent leaving a dye residue, cooling and precipitation of the dye, or extraction of the dye by contacting the dye-containing solvent solution with an aqueous solution containing a reducing agent for the dye. When dye is extracted from the dye-containing solvent solution by contacting it with an aqueous solution containing a reducing agent, the dye is subsequently insolubilized by oxidation, and the dye is recovered from the aqueous dye solution. This process is particularly advantageous for recovering indigo dye from denim scrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: American Renewable Resources LLC
    Inventors: Robert T. Patton, David Hall
  • Patent number: 5407739
    Abstract: An ignition resistant fibrous material for use as insulation. The material comprises a multiplicity of meltblown or spunbonded thermoplastic filaments in combination with a multiplicity of nonlinear, nongraphitic carbonaceous fibers. The carbonaceous fibers have a Young's modulus of greater than 300,000 psi and reversible deflection ratio of greater than 1.2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Francis P. McCullough, Bhuvenesh C. Goswami, Robert T. Patton
  • Patent number: 5399423
    Abstract: An ignition resistant fibrous material for use as insulation. The material comprises a multiplicity of meltblown or spunbonded thermoplastic filaments in combination with a multiplicity of nonlinear, nongraphitic carbonaceous fibers. The carbonaceous fibers have a Young's modulus of greater than 300,000 psi and reversible deflection ratio that is equal to or less than 1.2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Francis P. McCullough, Bhuvenesh C. Goswami, Robert T. Patton
  • Patent number: 5320646
    Abstract: A process for improving the dyeability of fabrics or fibers comprising polyhydroxylzed polymers by the use of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound of the formula; ##STR1## and mixtures thereof, wherein R, R', R" and R"' are lower alkyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and X is selected from the group consisting of sulfate, sulfonate and halide. The process requires that a dry cauticized fabric be treated with a dilute solution of a lower alkyl ammonium salt so that the fabric contains less than about 50% by weight of water prior to curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Patton, Stephen E. Hill, Dorothy L. Roerden
  • Patent number: 5145558
    Abstract: A composition for alkaline hydrogen peroxide bleaching of mechanical wood pulp which employs a quaternary amine compound, such as (3-chloro-2-hydroxy-propyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride, in the stabilized bleach solution. The brightness of the final paper product made from such bleached pulp shows marked improvement over that in which only chelating agents are employed to improve the brightness according to the known art. The process is useful in both silicate and silicate-free bleach solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steven H. Christiansen, Teresa Littleton, Robert T. Patton
  • Patent number: 5082697
    Abstract: Natural or synthetic fibers (or fabrics, knits, papers, or webs made of such fibers) are improved in at least abrasion resistance, dye receptivity and/or other properties by bringing together on said fibers (or product made thereof) a liquid dispersion of a dispersible normally-solid polymer having pendent acid groups, such as carboxylic groups, and a reagent which reacts with the carboxylic group to render the polymer non-dispersible. The reagent may be one which supplies metal cations having a valence of at least 2 or it may be a primary amine, secondary amine or tertiary amine, or salts of the amine, a polyamine or salt thereof, or a quaternary ammonium salt. The reagent may precede the polymer onto the substrate, or may follow the application of the polymer onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Patton, David M. Hall, Walter L. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 5059629
    Abstract: A biocidal foam product comprising a foam having incorporated therein a water insoluble thermoplastic copolymer consisting of an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, said copolymer having at least one biocidal agent ionically bonded to said copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Patton, Walter L. Vaughn, Thomas J. McKeand, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5042986
    Abstract: A process for imparting wrinkle resistance and smooth drying properties to cellulose textiles by crosslinking the cellulose with a cyclic aliphatic polycarboxylic acid having at least two adjacent carboxyl groups in the trans configuration relative to each other, and the resulting crosslinked textile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: John D. Kitchens, Robert T. Patton, Bassam S. Nadar
  • Patent number: 5013404
    Abstract: A process for alkaline hydrogen peroxide bleaching of mechanical wood pulp which employs a quaternary amine compound, such as (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)trimethyl ammonium chloride, in the stabilized bleach solution. The brightness of the final paper product made from such bleached pulp shows marked improvement over that in which only chelating agents are employed to improve the brightness according to the known art. The process is useful in both silicate and silicate-free bleach solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steven H. Christiansen, Teresa Littleton, Robert T. Patton
  • Patent number: 5006125
    Abstract: In a process for treating a cellulosic fabric which includes the step of scouring and/or bleaching the improvement which comprises treating said fabric with a quaternary compound of the formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein R, R', R" and R"' are each lower alkyl radicals and X.sup.- is an anion prior to dyeing so as to improve its whiteness and/or dyeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Patton, John D. Kitchens, David M. Hall
  • Patent number: 5006267
    Abstract: A water insoluble material useful for making biocidal barriers and biocidal filter for use in fluid systems, said material comprising a water insoluble thermoplastic copolymer consisting of an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, said copolymer having at least one biocidal agent ionically bonded to said copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Walter L. Vaughn, Thomas J. McKeand, Jr., Robert T. Patton
  • Patent number: 5004760
    Abstract: A biocidal foam product comprising a foam having incorporated therein a water insoluble thermoplastic copolymer consisting of an alpha olefin and an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, said copolymer having at least one cationic biocidal agent ionically bonded to said copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Patton, Walter L. Vaughn, Thomas J. McKeand, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4999025
    Abstract: Aqueous-based dye-depletion formulations such as bleaches, oxidizing agents or reducing agents are thickened or viscosity-modified by the addition of at least a small, but effective, amount of at least one crystalline mixed metal hydroxide conforming substantially to the formulaLi.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH)(m+2d+3+n.multidot.a)(A.sup.n).sub.a .multidot.xH.sub.2 Owhere m is zero to one, D is a divalent metal, d is from zero to 4, T is a trivalent metal, A represents at least one anion or negative-valence radical of valence n, where n is 1 or more, (m+2d+3+n.multidot.a) is equal to or greater than 3, (m+d) is greater than zero, and xH.sub.2 O represents excess waters of hydration.The dye-depletion formulations have highly beneficial gel-thinning and gel-setting properties which render it capable of being used in pattern-dying, pattern-bleaching, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Robert T. Patton
  • Patent number: 4979274
    Abstract: An apparatus for crimping and permanently heat setting a fiber or tow without stress or tension, comprising a mechanical crimping means, a conveying means which receives the crimped fiber or tow, and a heating or irradiation zone through which the conveying means and fiber or tow passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Francis P. McCullough, Jr., Robert T. Patton, R. Vernon Snelgrove