Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Godfrey

Thomas E. Godfrey 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: 7709405
    Abstract: A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and optionally second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material. The non-woven material has a woven, knitted, or non-woven layer added on either one or both sides of the non-woven material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: David E. Wenstrup, Gregory J. Thompson, LeAnne Flack, Thomas E. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 7696112
    Abstract: A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: David E. Wenstrup, Gregory J. Thompson, Raymond C. Sturm, Thomas E. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 7428803
    Abstract: A ceiling system having panels suspended from a ceiling with a frame and suspension connections. The panels are a non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: David E. Wenstrup, Gregory J. Thompson, Raymond C. Sturm, Thomas E. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 7291370
    Abstract: The flexible, reusable packaging container of the present invention is comprised of a packaging material. The packaging material is comprised of one or more layers of coating disposed on one or more layers of textile substrate. The coating layer may be comprised of a stiffening agent for providing support to the packaging container. The stiffening agent may provide a gas and/or liquid impermeable barrier between the contents of the container and the textile substrate. The stiffening agent may also include chemicals which impart antifungal or antibacterial properties to container. The textile substrate typically provides an aesthetically pleasing feel and appearance to the outside of the packaging container, as well as providing functional attributes such as water repellence, stain resistance, and/or anti-static resistance. The resulting packaging container possesses increased strength, puncture resistance, and resistance to de-lamination over the current paper or plastic packaging containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Kyle G. Gipson, Thomas E. Godfrey, Lila T. Villarreal
  • Patent number: 6833335
    Abstract: A fabric having a unique combination of stain resistance, fluid barrier properties, aesthetic characteristics and drape ability is described, and a method of making such fabrics. The fabric includes a fabric substrate that has been treated with a low surface energy stain resist compound on at least one of its surfaces, and one or more layers secured to the other of its surfaces, with the layers providing the fabric with the unique combination of characteristics. In addition, the fabric is desirably provided with flame resisting and ultraviolet resisting characteristics, to enable it to be used as a seating material for transportation vehicles. Methods for making the fabric are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Roy P. DeMott, William C. Kimbrell, Thomas E. Godfrey, Samuel J. Lynn
  • Publication number: 20040253410
    Abstract: A surface covering element adapted for disposition in covering relation to a support surface. The surface covering element includes a show surface adapted to project away from the support surface when the surface covering element is disposed across the support surface and an underside adapted to project towards the support surface when the surface covering element is disposed across the support surface. A friction enhancing coating composition is disposed in coated relation across the underside at an effective level to enhance sliding friction of the surface covering element such that the surface covering element exhibits a degree of lateral grip cross across the support surface. The friction enhancing coating composition does not permanently stick to the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Higgins, William Tippett, N. David Sellman, Heather J. Hayes, Shulong Li, Thomas E. Godfrey, Robert S. Brown
  • Patent number: 6769146
    Abstract: A fabric having a unique combination of stain resistance, fluid barrier properties, aesthetic characteristics and drape ability is described, and a method of making such fabrics. The fabric includes a fabric substrate that has been treated with a low surface energy stain resist compound on at least one of its surfaces, and one or more layers secured to the other of its surfaces, with the layers providing the fabric with the unique combination of characteristics. In addition, the fabric is desirably provided with flame resisting and ultraviolet resisting characteristics, to enable it to be used as a seating material for transportation vehicles. Methods for making the fabric are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignees: Milliken & Company, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Todd Copeland, Roy P. DeMott, Thomas E. Godfrey, Masato Ishibashi, William C. Kimbrell, Jr., Samuel J. Lynn, Patricia Scott
  • Publication number: 20040128770
    Abstract: A fabric having a unique combination of stain resistance, fluid barrier properties, aesthetic characteristics and drape ability is described, and a method of making such fabrics. The fabric includes a fabric substrate that has been treated with a low surface energy stain resist compound on at least one of its surfaces, and one or more layers secured to the other of its surfaces, with the layers providing the fabric with the unique combination of characteristics. In addition, the fabric is desirably provided with flame resisting and ultraviolet resisting characteristics, to enable it to be used as a seating material for transportation vehicles. Methods for making the fabric are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Todd Copeland, Roy P. DeMott, Thomas E. Godfrey, Masato Ishibashi, William C. Kembrell, Samuel J. Lynn, Patricia Scott
  • Publication number: 20040118013
    Abstract: A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Randolph S. Kohlman, Allan W. Smith, Thomas E. Godfrey, Charles E. Willbanks, Allen M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040102113
    Abstract: A fabric having a unique combination of stain resistance, fluid barrier properties, aesthetic characteristics and drape ability is described, and a method of making such fabrics. The fabric includes a fabric substrate that has been treated with a low surface energy stain resist compound on at least one of its surfaces, and one or more layers secured to the other of its surfaces, with the layers providing the fabric with the unique combination of characteristics. In addition, the fabric is desirably provided with flame resisting and ultraviolet resisting characteristics, to enable it to be used as a seating material for transportation vehicles. Methods for making the fabric are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Roy P. DeMott, William C. Kimbrell, Thomas E. Godfrey, Samuel J. Lynn
  • Patent number: 6709993
    Abstract: A base textile has a camouflage pattern on the first surface and a coating on the second surface. The coating is a ethylene methyl acrylate thermoplastic with a carbon black pigment. The base textile and coating have a visible light transmission such that shadows of hunters or others inside a blind of the camouflage are not visible on the opposite side of the camouflage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: John David Strength, Allan W. Smith, Gary K. Greene, Thomas E. Godfrey
  • Publication number: 20040022985
    Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Higgins, Heather J. Hayes, Shulong Li, Thomas E. Godfrey, N. David Sellman, Robert S. Brown, William Tippett
  • Patent number: 6658760
    Abstract: A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Randolph S. Kohlman, Allan W. Smith, Thomas E. Godfrey, Charles E. Willbanks, Allen M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030181113
    Abstract: A woven fabric substrate is treated with a fluorochemical stain resist agent and thereafter extrusion coated substantially on the back side with a layer of thermoplastic polymeric material so as to yield a final construction which exhibits both fluid and stain resistant properties. The fabric substrate can also be treated with an flame retardant agent, an antistatic agent, and/or an anti-microbial agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Roy P. Demott, William C. Kimbrell, Thomas E. Godfrey, Samuel J. Lynn
  • Publication number: 20030129897
    Abstract: A forming panel having board with a release barrier of a substrate and a barrier/release layer secured to the board by an adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Howell B. Eleazer, Allan M. Smith, Thomas E. Godfrey, William S. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20030096546
    Abstract: A base textile has a camouflage pattern on the first surface and a coating on the second surface. The coating is a ethylene methyl acrylate thermoplastic with a carbon black pigment. The base textile and coating have a visible light transmission such that shadows of hunters or others inside a blind of the camouflage are not visible on the opposite side of the camouflage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: John David Strength, Allan W. Smith, Gary K. Greene, Thomas E. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 6541402
    Abstract: An improved fabric for use in applications such as furniture upholstery is provided which possesses desirable flexibility, cleanability, and fluid resistant properties. The fabric includes a textile substrate treated with a fluorochemical stain resist agent. The treated textile substrate is covered substantially on the back with a layer of extrusion coated thermoplastic polymer which is pressed at least partially into the fabric substrate. A process for forming the fluid shield fabric according to the present invention is also provided. Preferably, the fabric is comprised of solution dyed nylon and the polymeric material is ethylene methyl acrylate polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: William Carl Kimbrell, Jr., Thomas E. Godfrey
  • Publication number: 20030031388
    Abstract: The flexible, reusable packaging container of the present invention is comprised of a packaging material. The packaging material is comprised of one or more layers of coating disposed on one or more layers of textile substrate. The coating layer may be comprised of a stiffening agent for providing support to the packaging container. The stiffening agent may provide a gas and/or liquid impermeable barrier between the contents of the container and the textile substrate. The stiffening agent may also include chemicals which impart antifungal or antibacterial properties to container. The textile substrate typically provides an aesthetically pleasing feel and appearance to the outside of the packaging container, as well as providing functional attributes such as water repellence, stain resistance, and/or anti-static resistance. The resulting packaging container possesses increased strength, puncture resistance, and resistance to de-lamination over the current paper or plastic packaging containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Kyle G. Gipson, Thomas E. Godfrey, Lila T. Villarreal
  • Publication number: 20030031387
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a packaging container formed of a packaging material comprised of a textile layer of woven polyester fabric and a thermoplastic layer of polyolefin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Kyle G. Gipson, Thomas E. Godfrey
  • Publication number: 20020112365
    Abstract: A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Randolph S. Kohlman, Allan W. Smith, Thomas E. Godfrey, Charles E. Willbanks, Allen M. Smith