Patents by Inventor William C. Kimbrell

William C. Kimbrell 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: 8722551
    Abstract: A flame retardant composition comprises a phosphorous-containing polymer. The phosphorous-containing polymer can be produced by first reacting a phosphonium compound and a nitrogen-containing compound to produce a precondensate compound and then reacting the precondensate compound with a cross-linking composition. The resulting phosphorous-containing intermediate polymer can then be oxidized to convert at least a portion of the phosphorous atoms in the polymer to a pentavalent state. A textile material comprises a textile substrate and a phosphorous-containing polymer, such as that described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Mayernik, Shulong Li, William C. Kimbrell
  • Publication number: 20130252495
    Abstract: A flame retardant composition comprises a phosphorous-containing polymer. The phosphorous-containing polymer can be produced by first reacting a phosphonium compound and a nitrogen-containing compound to produce a precondensate compound and then reacting the precondensate compound with a cross-linking composition. The resulting phosphorous-containing intermediate polymer can then be oxidized to convert at least a portion of the phosphorous atoms in the polymer to a pentavalent state. A textile material comprises a textile substrate and a phosphorous-containing polymer, such as that described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Richard A. Mayernik, Shulong Li, William C. Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 7901733
    Abstract: A method of making fabrics having first and second surfaces that exhibit different performance characteristics by virtue of having been treated with different chemical treatments is described. In addition, fabrics having first and second surfaces that exhibit different performance characteristics, such as one surface exhibiting oil and water repellency and optionally, soil release characteristics, and the opposite surface exhibits moisture transport characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: David S. Klutz, William C. Kimbrell, Dale R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090258557
    Abstract: This invention relates to the field of industrially launderable textile substrates possessing enhanced antifungal attributes. Specifically, the instant invention relates to industrially launderable textile substrates such as napery items, bar towels, shower curtains, and uniforms that possess antifungal properties, said antifungal properties being retained after multiple industrial laundering cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: William C. Kimbrell
  • Publication number: 20090178205
    Abstract: A method of making fabrics having first and second surfaces that exhibit different performance characteristics by virtue of having been treated with different chemical treatments is described. In addition, fabrics having first and second surfaces that exhibit different performance characteristics, such as one surface exhibiting oil and water repellency and optionally, soil release characteristics, and the opposite surface exhibits moisture transport characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: David S. Klutz, William C. Kimbrell, Dale R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7550399
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to substrates that exhibit useful, auto adaptable surface energy properties that depend on the environment of the substrate. Such surface energy properties provide relatively high advancing and receding contact angles for liquids when in contact with the target substrate surface. The substrates exhibit low surface energy quantities of at most about 20 millijoules per square meter (mJ/m2) at a temperature of about 25 degrees C. and a surface energy greater than about 20 mJ/m2 at, or with exposure to, a temperature of about 40 degrees C. More specifically, encompassed within the present invention are textile substrates having this highly desirable unique surface energy modification property and which exhibit wash durable oil and water repellency and stain release features. Novel compositions and formulations that impart such surface energy modifications to substrates are also encompassed within this invention, as well as methods for producing such treated substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: William C. Kimbrell, Jr., Xinggao Fang, Yunzhang Wang, Dominick J. Valenti, Daniel T. McBride
  • Patent number: 7517819
    Abstract: A method of making fabrics having first and second surfaces that exhibit different performance characteristics by virtue of having been treated with different chemical treatments is described. In addition, fabrics having first and second surfaces that exhibit different performance characteristics, such as one surface exhibiting oil and water repellency and optionally, soil release characteristics, and the opposite surface exhibits moisture transport characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: David S. Klutz, William C. Kimbrell, Dale R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080160850
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to substrates that exhibit useful, auto adaptable surface energy properties that depend on the environment of the substrate. Such surface energy properties provide relatively high advancing and receding contact angles for liquids when in contact with the target substrate surface. The substrates exhibit low surface energy quantities of at most about 20 millijoules per square meter (mJ/m2) at a temperature of about 25 degrees C. and a surface energy greater than about 20 mJ/m2 at, or with exposure to, a temperature of about 40 degrees C. More specifically, encompassed within the present invention are textile substrates having this highly desirable unique surface energy modification property and which exhibit wash durable oil and water repellency and stain release features. Novel compositions and formulations that impart such surface energy modifications to substrates are also encompassed within this invention, as well as methods for producing such treated substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: William C. Kimbrell, Xinggao Fang, Yunzhang Wang, Dominick J. Valenti, Daniel T. McBride
  • Patent number: 7141076
    Abstract: A hydrolizable polymer-containing textile article and method for producing the same is provided that has been chemically modified by treating the article with certain branched chain amines to reduce the strength of the fibers contained therein, thus rendering the article less prone to the formation of objectionable pill balls, thereby increasing wearer comfort and retaining the desired appearance of the article, and thereby extending the useful life of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventor: William C. Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 7137999
    Abstract: A hydrolizable polymer-containing textile article and method for producing the same is provided that has been chemically modified by treating the article with certain branched chain amines to reduce the strength of the fibers contained therein, thus rendering the article less prone to the formation of objectionable pill balls, thereby increasing wearer comfort and retaining the desired appearance of the article, and thereby extending the useful life of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventor: William C. Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 7037346
    Abstract: A textile coated with a coating having multiphase fluorochemical and a cationic material. A printed image is subsequently placed on the coated textile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth Cates, Daniel T. McBride, William C. Kimbrell, Kirkland W. Vogt
  • Patent number: 6899923
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to substrates that exhibit useful, auto adaptable surface energy properties that depend on the environment of the substrate. Such surface energy properties provide relatively high advancing and receding contact angles for liquids when in contact with the target substrate surface. The substrates exhibit low surface energy quantities of at most about 20 millijoules per square meter (mJ/m2) at a temperature of about 25 degrees C. and a surface energy greater than about 20 mJ/m2 at, or with exposure to, a temperature of about 40 degrees C. More specifically, encompassed within the present invention are textile substrates having this highly desirable unique surface energy modification property and which exhibit wash durable oil and water repellency and stain release features. Novel compositions and formulations that impart such surface energy modifications to substrates are also encompassed within this invention, as well as methods for producing such treated substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: William C. Kimbrell, Jr., Xinggao Fang, Yunzhang Wang, Daniel T. McBride
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6818253
    Abstract: A process for imparting durable water and oil repellency and durable soil release characteristics comprises the application of an aqueous mixture having a water repellent component such as a fluorocarbon polymer and a separate hydrophilic soil release polymer to a textile substrate, followed by a drying step. Optionally, a curing or thermosetting step may also be employed, if desired. This process is carried out in a preferred embodiment in a generally mild pH, which allows the process to be performed on a wide variety of textile substrates that may not be capable of withstanding more extreme pH values. Polyamides, aramids, polyesters, and poly/cotton substrates, when treated according to the present process, have all yielded improved performance with respect to durable water and oil repellency and durable soil release characteristics. A novel mixture or bath and novel treated substrates are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventor: William C. Kimbrell
  • 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: 20040137818
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to substrates that exhibit useful, auto adaptable surface energy properties that depend on the environment of the substrate. Such surface energy properties provide relatively high advancing and receding contact angles for liquids when in contact with the target substrate surface. The substrates exhibit low surface energy quantities of at most about 20 millijoules per square meter (mJ/m2) at a temperature of about 25 degrees C. and a surface energy greater than about 20 mJ/m2 at, or with exposure to, a temperature of about 40 degrees C. More specifically, encompassed within the present invention are textile substrates having this highly desirable unique surface energy modification property and which exhibit wash durable oil and water repellency and stain release features. Novel compositions and formulations that impart such surface energy modifications to substrates are also encompassed within this invention, as well as methods for producing such treated substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: William C. Kimbrell, Xinggao Fang, Yunzhang Wang, Dominick J. Valenti, Daniel T. McBride
  • Publication number: 20040107507
    Abstract: A hydrolizable polymer-containing textile article and method for producing the same is provided that has been chemically modified by treating the article with certain branched chain amines to reduce the strength of the fibers contained therein, thus rendering the article less prone to the formation of objectionable pill balls, thereby increasing wearer comfort and retaining the desired appearance of the article, and thereby extending the useful life of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: William C. Kimbrell
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040068803
    Abstract: A hydrolizable polymer-containing textile article and method for producing the same is provided that has been chemically modified by treating the article with certain branched chain amines to reduce the strength of the fibers contained therein, thus rendering the article less prone to the formation of objectionable pill balls, thereby increasing wearer comfort and retaining the desired appearance of the article, and thereby extending the useful life of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: William C. Kimbrell
  • Publication number: 20040064899
    Abstract: A hydrolizable polymer-containing textile article and method for producing the same is provided that has been chemically modified by treating the article with certain branched chain amines to reduce the strength of the fibers contained therein, thus rendering the article less prone to the formation of objectionable pill balls, thereby increasing wearer comfort and retaining the desired appearance of the article, and thereby extending the useful life of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: William C. Kimbrell