Patents by Inventor THOMAS ODUM

THOMAS ODUM 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: 11945209
    Abstract: A system for printing on a substrate can comprise a conveyor that is configured to move the substrate along a substrate movement axis. The system can further comprise at least one print head array. Each print head array has a plurality of print heads, each print head having a respective orientation axis. The plurality of print heads can have at least a first print head and a second print head, wherein the orientation axis of the first print head is angularly offset from the orientation axis of the second print head. The first print head can be offset from the second print head along the substrate movement axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Odum, James K. Henry
  • Publication number: 20230383446
    Abstract: Described is a composite made from a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a knitted face fabric and a non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is needle punched such that fibers protrude into the non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric has a first polymer having a first melting point and a second polymer having a second melting point being higher than the first melting point. The nonwoven backing material comprises a third polymer having a third melting point and a fourth polymer having a fourth melting point being higher than the third melting point. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is further bonded to the nonwoven backing material applying heat to at least partially melt or soften the first polymer and the third polymer such that they bond together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: James T. Burns, Thomas Odum, Derek S. Bass
  • Patent number: 11767621
    Abstract: Described is a composite made from a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a knitted face fabric and a non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is needle punched such that fibers protrude into the non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric has a first polymer having a first melting point and a second polymer having a second melting point being higher than the first melting point. The nonwoven backing material comprises a third polymer having a third melting point and a fourth polymer having a fourth melting point being higher than the third melting point. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is further bonded to the nonwoven backing material applying heat to at least partially melt or soften the first polymer and the third polymer such that they bond together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: James T. Burns, Thomas Odum, Derek S. Bass
  • Publication number: 20230278314
    Abstract: Acoustic articles, decorative elements, and system comprising the same can include a decorative element having a first side and an opposing second side, and an acoustic article disposed on the opposing second side of the decorative element. The acoustic article can include an entangled fiber structure. The acoustic article can have a thickness of at least 0.4 mm, and can compress less than 25% of the thickness thereof when subjected to a pressure of 2 lbf/in2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Clark Hodgkins, Barrett Morton, Julie Brumbelow, Thomas Odum, Dennis Hart
  • Publication number: 20230175177
    Abstract: Described is a composite made from a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a knitted face fabric and a non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is needle punched such that fibers protrude into the non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric has a first polymer having a first melting point and a second polymer having a second melting point being higher than the first melting point. The nonwoven backing material comprises a third polymer having a third melting point and a fourth polymer having a fourth melting point being higher than the third melting point. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is further bonded to the nonwoven backing material applying heat to at least partially melt or soften the first polymer and the third polymer such that they bond together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: James T. Burns, Thomas Odum, Derek S. Bass
  • Patent number: 11603611
    Abstract: Described is a composite made from a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a knitted face fabric and a non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is needle punched such that fibers protrude into the non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric has a first polymer having a first melting point and a second polymer having a second melting point being higher than the first melting point. The nonwoven backing material comprises a third polymer having a third melting point and a fourth polymer having a fourth melting point being higher than the third melting point. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is further bonded to the nonwoven backing material applying heat to at least partially melt or soften the first polymer and the third polymer such that they bond together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: James T. Burns, Thomas Odum, Derek S. Bass
  • Publication number: 20230070994
    Abstract: A system for printing on a substrate can comprise a conveyor that is configured to move the substrate along a substrate movement axis. The system can further comprise at least one print head array. Each print head array has a plurality of print heads, each print head having a respective orientation axis. The plurality of print heads can have at least a first print head and a second print head, wherein the orientation axis of the first print head is angularly offset from the orientation axis of the second print head. The first print head can be offset from the second print head along the substrate movement axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: THOMAS ODUM, JAMES K. HENRY
  • Publication number: 20220161519
    Abstract: Described is a composite made from a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a knitted face fabric and a non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is needle punched such that fibers protrude into the non-woven fabric. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric has a first polymer having a first melting point and a second polymer having a second melting point being higher than the first melting point. The nonwoven backing material comprises a third polymer having a third melting point and a fourth polymer having a fourth melting point being higher than the third melting point. The woven fabric, the non-woven fabric, or the knitted face fabric is further bonded to the nonwoven backing material applying heat to at least partially melt or soften the first polymer and the third polymer such that they bond together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: James T. Burns, Thomas Odum, Derek S. Bass
  • Publication number: 20220064854
    Abstract: A healthier carpet employing UV light-transmitting threads, which facilitate UV light transmittance down from the surface of the carpet, through the interior of the carpet, and into the primary backing of the carpet. The UV light can destroy bacteria, molds, viruses, yeast, and other microorganisms, which are present in the carpet. An external UV light source, with UV wavelengths from 100-400 nm, can be passed over the carpet for effective sanitization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: THOMAS ODUM, STEVEN R. DUNKLE
  • Publication number: 20200254727
    Abstract: A composite structure for use in tiling surfaces is disclosed. The composite structure can include a fiber matrix impregnated with a water-activated setting material. The composite structure can be wet and then compressed between a tile and an application surface. The composite structure can cure to provide a support surface for the tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: THOMAS ODUM, James Burns
  • Publication number: 20200199798
    Abstract: A carpet product including a primary backing layer and a plurality of yarn tufts. The plurality of yarn tufts are tufted in and extend upwardly from a top surface of the primary backing layer to form a tufted carpet product. The carpet product has an inner portion and a peripheral portion surrounding at least a portion of the inner portion and extending along at least one of the edges of the primary backing layer. The plurality of yarn tufts include a plurality of peripheral yarn tufts positioned within the peripheral portion of the tufted carpet product. A portion of the peripheral yarn tufts are anchored to other peripheral yarn tufts. At least a portion of each anchored peripheral yarn tuft is entangled with one or more of the other peripheral yarn tufts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventor: THOMAS ODUM