Patents by Inventor William R. O'Bryan

William R. O'Bryan 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).

  • System, apparatus, and method of reducing production loss having a counterband
    Patent number: 7500295
    Abstract: A yarn system, apparatus, and methods of reducing production loss or increasing production speed in a continuous yarn production process are provided. A yarn conveyor receives a bundle of yarn, an oven heats the yarn, and a yarn cooler cools the yarn exiting the oven to heat set the yarn. The conveyor carries the yarn through the oven and cooler. A counterband extends through the oven substantially parallel to and above the conveyor to abuttingly contact the yarn against the conveyor. The counterband is formed by hydrophobic fibers woven in a mesh pattern that form apertures to enhance flow of a heated fluid between the fibers. A cooling efficiency of the cooler is increased responsive to the hydrophobic fibers allowing the cooler to cool the yarn without moisture from the heated fluid being absorbed by the counterband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: American Linc, LLC
    Inventors: Deborah A. Laird, Edward J. Kennedy, William R. O'Bryan
  • System, apparatus, and method of reducing production loss having a counterband
    Publication number: 20080005877
    Abstract: A yarn system, apparatus, and methods of reducing production loss or increasing production speed in a continuous yarn production process are provided. A yarn conveyor receives a bundle of yarn, an oven heats the yarn, and a yarn cooler cools the yarn exiting the oven to heat set the yarn. The conveyor carries the yarn through the oven and cooler. A counterband extends through the oven substantially parallel to and above the conveyor to abuttingly contact the yarn against the conveyor. The counterband is formed by hydrophobic fibers woven in a mesh pattern that form apertures to enhance flow of a heated fluid between the fibers. A cooling efficiency of the cooler is increased responsive to the hydrophobic fibers allowing the cooler to cool the yarn without moisture from the heated fluid being absorbed by the counterband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Deborah A. Laird, Edward J. Kennedy, William R. O'Bryan