Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Sharp

Stephen R. Sharp 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: 20130165007
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for the preparation of nonwoven spunbonded fabrics and various materials prepared using such spunbonded fabrics. The method generally comprises extruding multicomponent fibers having an islands in the sea configuration such that upon removal of the sea component, the island components remain as micro- and nanofibers. The method further comprises mechanically entangling the multicomponent fibers to provide a nonwoven spunbonded fabric exhibiting superior strength and durability without the need for thermal bonding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8420556
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to fabrics composed of micro-denier fibers wherein said fibers are formed as bicomponent fibrillated fiber. The energy is sufficient for fibrillating as well as entangling (bonding) the fibers. These fabrics can be woven or knitted and made from made from bicomponent islands in the sea fibers and filaments or can be nonwovens and formed by either spunbonding or through the use of bicomponent staple fibers formed into a web by any one of several means and bonded similarly to those used for the spunbonded filament webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8349232
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for the preparation of nonwoven spunbonded fabrics and various materials prepared using such spunbonded fabrics. The method generally comprises extruding multicomponent fibers having an islands in the sea configuration such that upon removal of the sea component, the island components remain as micro- and nanofibers. The method further comprises mechanically entangling the multicomponent fibers to provide a nonwoven spunbonded fabric exhibiting superior strength and durability without the need for thermal bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20120231690
    Abstract: Multicomponent fibers and fabrics made therefrom are provided. The fibers include a multilobal sheath fiber component surrounding a core fiber component, wherein the fibers can be fibrillated to provide a plurality of intertwined microdenier fiber components. Methods of providing such fabrics are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20110318986
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for the preparation of nonwoven spunbonded fabrics and various materials prepared using such spunbonded fabrics. The method generally comprises extruding multicomponent fibers having an islands in the sea configuration such that upon removal of the sea component, the island components remain as micro- and nanofibers. The method further comprises mechanically entangling the multicomponent fibers to provide a nonwoven spunbonded fabric exhibiting superior strength and durability without the need for thermal bonding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20110250812
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to fabrics composed of micro-denier fibers wherein said fibers are formed as bicomponent fibrillated fiber. The energy is sufficient for fibrillating as well as entangling (bonding) the fibers. These fabrics can be woven or knitted and made from made from bicomponent islands in the sea fibers and filaments or can be nonwovens and formed by either spunbonding or through the use of bicomponent staple fibers formed into a web by any one of several means and bonded similarly to those used for the spunbonded filament webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7981226
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to fabrics composed of micro-denier fibers wherein said fibers are formed as bicomponent fibrillated fiber. The energy is sufficient for fibrillating as well as entangling (bonding) the fibers. These fabrics can be woven or knitted and made from made from bicomponent islands in the sea fibers and filaments or can be nonwovens and formed by either spunbonding or through the use of bicomponent staple fibers formed into a web by any one of several means and bonded similarly to those used for the spunbonded filament webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7935645
    Abstract: A method of producing a nonwoven fabric comprising spinning a set of bicomponent fibers which include an external fiber component and an internal fiber component. The external fiber enwraps said internal fiber and has a higher elongation to break value than the internal fiber and a lower melting temperature than the internal fiber component. The set of bicomponent fibers are positioned onto a web and thermally bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20090017708
    Abstract: A method of producing a nonwoven fabric comprising spinning a set of bicomponent fibers which include an external fiber component and an internal fiber component. The external fiber enwraps said internal fiber and has a higher elongation to break value than the internal fiber and a lower melting temperature than the internal fiber component. The set of bicomponent fibers are positioned onto a web and thermally bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7438777
    Abstract: A method of producing a nonwoven fabric comprising spinning a set of bicomponent fibers which include an external fiber component and an internal fiber component. The external fiber enwraps said internal fiber and has a higher elongation to break value than the internal fiber and a lower melting temperature than the internal fiber component. The set of bicomponent fibers are positioned onto a web and thermally bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20040214498
    Abstract: A bonded web of multi-component strands that include a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component is capable of overcoming a number of problems associated with nonwoven webs including both stickiness and blocking. The first polymeric component and second polymeric component are arranged in substantially distinct zones extending longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the strands which make up the web with the second component containing a zone constituting at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the strand. The first polymeric component also has an elasticity which is greater than that of the second polymer component. A process producing elastomeric spunbonded nonwoven fabrics which utilizes the activation by incremental stretching of the strands is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Steven P. Webb, Jared A. Austin, Stephen R. Sharp, Ruediger Kesselmeier