Patents by Inventor Steven Wayne Smith

Steven Wayne Smith 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: 11274381
    Abstract: Included are segmented polyurethane elastic fibers or spandex fibers, capable of bonding to polymer fiber such as nylon or polyamide fibers, in addition to bonding to itself, for apparel textile applications. More particularly the invention relates to bicomponent spandex fibers, with a heat resistant core and a heat sensitive sheath, spun from polymer solutions. The nylon fabrics containing such spandex fibers have enhanced stretch performance and improved surface appearance after heat treatment to activate the fusing and bonding between nylon fibers and spandex fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: THE LYCRA COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Hong Liu, Steven Wayne Smith, Achille Mayelle Bivigou Koumba, Geoffey Davis Hietpas, Willem Bakker, Andreas J. Blab, Tianyi Liao, Lijuan Pi
  • Publication number: 20160122907
    Abstract: Included are segmented polyurethane elastic fibers or spandex fibers, capable of bonding to polymer fiber such as nylon or polyamide fibers, in addition to bonding to itself, for apparel textile applications. More particularly the invention relates to bicomponent spandex fibers, with a heat resistant core and a heat sensitive sheath, spun from polymer solutions. The nylon fabrics containing such spandex fibers have enhanced stretch performance and improved surface appearance after heat treatment to activate the fusing and bonding between nylon fibers and spandex fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: INVISTA North America S.a.r.I.
    Inventors: Hong LIU, Steven Wayne SMITH, Achille Mayelle BIVIGOU KOUMBA, Geoffey Davis HIETPAS, Willem BAKKER, Andreas J. BLAB, Tianyi LIAO, Lijuan PI
  • Patent number: 8513146
    Abstract: The invention provides a polyester bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) or a combination of such members, said bicomponent staple fiber having: a) a scalloped oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio a:b of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein ‘a’ is a fiber cross-section major axis length and ‘b’ is a fiber cross-section minor axis length; b) a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis; c) a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core; d) a plurality of longitudinal grooves; and e) a groove ratio of about 1.05:1 to about 1.9:1. Additionally, the invention provides a spun yarn comprising cotton and the polyester bicomponent staple fiber of the invention, as well as fabrics and garments comprising the spun yarn of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Invista North America S.ár.l.
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Hietpas, David A. Price, Sr., Steven Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 7942879
    Abstract: A milling system is disclosed for creating a cavity in a bone. The cavity has a cross section which has a generally triangular profile having a first side generally parallel with an axis of the bone and a second side forming an acute angle with the first side. The cavity is contiguous with a pre-existing conical cavity in the bone. The system comprises a drive shaft, a frame for carrying a cutter and a cutter for cutting the cavity. The drive shaft has a proximal end configured for coupling to a drive means and a distal end configured to form a portion of a drive joint for coupling the drive shaft to a cutter. The frame includes a shaft and a cutter mount for mounting a cutter at a first angle approximating the acute angle with respect to the shaft. The mount includes a bracket extending laterally from the shaft to a bearing configured to receive a portion of a cutter and maintain the received cutter oriented at the first angle during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: DePuy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Christie, David K. DeBoer, Michael C. Jones, Steven Wayne Smith, Brad Alan Parker, Charles W. Jaggers, Derek A. Shrack, James Ray Rogers
  • Publication number: 20100286696
    Abstract: A milling system is disclosed for creating a cavity in a bone. The cavity has a cross section which has a generally triangular profile having a first side generally parallel with an axis of the bone and a second side forming an acute angle with the first side. The cavity is contiguous with a pre-existing conical cavity in the bone. The system comprises a drive shaft, a frame for carrying a cutter and a cutter for cutting the cavity. The drive shaft has a proximal end configured for coupling to a drive means and a distal end configured to form a portion of a drive joint for coupling the drive shaft to a cutter. The frame includes a shaft and a cutter mount for mounting a cutter at a first angle approximating the acute angle with respect to the shaft. The mount includes a bracket extending laterally from the shaft to a bearing configured to receive a portion of a cutter and maintain the received cutter oriented at the first angle during rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: DePuy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Christie, David K. DeBoer, Michael C. Jones, Steven Wayne Smith, Brad Alan Parker, Charles W. Jaggers, Derek A. Shrack, James Ray Rogers
  • Patent number: 7785328
    Abstract: A milling system for creating a cavity in a bone includes a drive shaft, a frame for carrying a cutter and a cutter for cutting the cavity. The drive shaft has a proximal end and a distal end forming a portion of a drive joint for coupling the drive shaft to a cutter. The frame includes a frame shaft and a cutter mount, mounting a cutter at a first angle. The mount includes a bearing bracket extending laterally from the frame shaft to a bearing receiving a portion of a cutter and maintains the received cutter oriented at the first angle during rotation. The cutter has a head forming a portion of drive joint for coupling the cutter to a drive shaft. The cutter is received in the mount at the first angle and the drive shaft forms a second angle with the longitudinal axis less than the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: DePuy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J Christie, David K. DeBoer, Michael C. Jones, Steven Wayne Smith, Brad Alan Parker, Charles W. Jaggers, Derek A. Shrack, James Ray Rogers
  • Patent number: 7310933
    Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) wherein the bicomponent fiber has a substantially oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio A:B of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein A is a fiber cross-section major axis length and B is a fiber cross-section minor axis length, a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis, a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core, a tenacity at 10% elongation of about 1.1 cN/dtex to about 3.5 cN/dtex, a free-fiber length retention of about 40% to about 85%, and a tow crimp development value of about 30 to 55%, and a spun yarn comprising the bicomponent staple fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Invista North America S.ar.l.
    Inventors: Geoffrey D. Hietpas, Steven Wayne Smith
  • Patent number: 6881047
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for applying finish to an expanded filament array in a quench system with air directed inward to the filament bundle. The applicator may be used inside or proximate quench zones in a radial, pneumatic, or cross-flow quench system. The apparatus includes a spinneret, a quench zone located below said spinneret, wherein cooling gas is directed inward to an expanded filament array inside said quench zone, and an applicator inside or below said quench zone, wherein the applicator contacts the filament and delivers the finish to the expanded filament array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Invista North America S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Smith, Geoffrey David Hietpas, Richard Terry Wood
  • Publication number: 20020051880
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for applying finish to an expanded filament array in a quench system with air directed inward to the filament bundle. The applicator may be used inside or proximate quench zones in a radial, pneumatic, or cross-flow quench system. The apparatus includes a spinneret, a quench zone located below said spinneret, wherein cooling gas is directed inward to an expanded filament array inside said quench zone, and an applicator inside or below said quench zone, wherein the applicator contacts the filament and delivers the finish to the expanded filament array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Smith, Geoffrey David Hietpas, Richard Terry Wood