Apparel and Footwear Industry Official to Meet with Acting Head of CPSC

On Friday, February 28th, Consumer Product Safety Commission Acting Chairman Robert Adler is scheduled to meet with Stephen Lamar, American Apparel Footwear Association (AAFA) to discuss CPSC issues in general.

Tactical Vest Contract Awarded

Protective Products Enterprises Inc., Sunrise, Fla., has been awarded a maximum $76,661,994 modification (P00102) exercising the second option year on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-12-D-1026) with three one-year option periods for improved outer tactical vests and components. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Location of performance is Florida with a Feb. 27, 2015 performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

The Finnish Line

What are the factors that affect the value of a patent?   In a Finlands Bank publication titled Empirical Studies on the Private Value of Finnish Patents, Ms. Charlota Gronqvist studied the factors that impact the value of privately owned patents.  The study was published in March 2009 and dealt exclusive with patents issued in Finland.

While none of the results are unexpected, they do help confirm the conventional wisdom.   Some of the noteworthy results include:

The average Finnish patent was worth 7,550 Euros.  This value was imputed based on the patent renewal patterns of patent holders.  The theory is that the less valuable the patent, the less likely it is that patent holders will pay the renewal fees for their patent rights thus allowing Ms. Gronqvist to make her estimate.   The imputed values for patents in the chemical, electrical and pharmaceutical industries were significantly higher at 60,000 Euros.  Patents for musical instruments had the lowest imputed value of 2,985 Euros.

On average, patents owned by firms have imputed values 60% higher than patents owned by individuals.  As a rule, smaller firms hold more valuable patents than larger firms.  On average, more profitable firms also own more valuable patents.

Initially, "broader" patents are less valuable than the "narrower" patents that would protect specific products.  However, narrow patents lose value much more quickly over time than broader patents do.

These are pretty obvious results.  Patents should be more valuable in industries that have higher intellectual content like chemicals and pharmaceuticals.  Firms should be better able to commercialize inventions than individuals.  Profitable companies should have more profitable products which should increase the value of the underlying patent.  Narrow patents should be less valuable over time as the product they protect becomes obsolete.

It is just nice to know that the world really works that way.

Below is a summary of selected patents that have been recently issued in textile related classification codes:

 Extendable Spikes for Shoes.  Spikes mounted on shoes that can be extended through the use of compressed air.  The pump or compressed air can be contained within the shoe or provided externally.  Patent #:  8578631.  Inventors:  Francello, et al.  Assignee:  No Assignee.

Article of Footwear with Improved Stability and Balance:  A shoe where a rigid layer is mounted in the sole to act as an outsole helping to improve balance.  Patent #:  8578633.  Inventors:  Roether, et al.  Assignee:  Nike, Inc. 

Adjustable Orthopedic Device:  An adjustable orthopedic device includes a holder configured to be worn on a wearer's foot. The holder has an elastic cloth band sized to encircle the wearer's foot at a location between the wearer's toes and the wearer's ankle. A platform is removably secured into a pocket formed in the holder. Raised pads are provided for applying pressure to one or more bones of the wearer's foot, the raised pads include an adhesive surface providing a removable adherence to the top surface of the platform and allowing the raised pads to be manually repositionable to any X and Y coordinate on the platform.  Patent #:  8578634.  Inventors:   Nguyen and Freriks.  Not Assigned.

Polyolefin Fiber:  A method of making polyolefin fiber (polypropylene is a member of the polyolefin family) for spinning purposes.  This method is produces fibers with a more consistent structure and fewer fused borders. Patent #: 8578693.  Inventor: Marissen.  Assignee:  DSM IP Assets, B.V.  

Slider Needle with Improved Slider:  Modifications to an existing slider needle that provides improved precision of the slot guide and enlarges the penetration space between the slider springs.  Patent #: 8578740.  Inventors:  Schneider and Deitz.  Assignee:  Groz-Beckert, KG.

Automated Flanging Machine:  A machine for automatically sewing a flange onto a work panel. The machine has a table adapted to support a work panel, a sewing head mounted directly adjacent to the table for performing a sewing operation on the work panel, a turning arm mounted adjacent to the table, and a rear conveyor for selectively moving the work panel on the table.  Patent # 8578871.  Inventors:  Smith and Smith.  Assignee:  L & P Property Management Company

Roof Support Assembly for Collapsible Shelter:  A support assembly is provided for supporting a collapsible shelter structure, such as a ground blind for hunting. Patent #:  8578956.  Inventor:  Dankenbring.  Not Assigned.

Fabrics Having Double Layers of Terry or Pile:  A method of layering terry type fabrics.  The multiple layers allow control over less desirable characteristics of underlying fabrics.  An example given is that the multiple layers help the terry to stay soft after multiple laundering.  Patent #:  8478972.  Inventor:  Duan.  Not Assigned.

Footwear:  A shoe with springs in the sole that return some energy to the wearer when moving.  Patent #:  8578629:  Inventor:  Bosomworth, et al.  Assignee:  Salomon S.A.S.

 Cushioning Sole:  A shoe sole with a series of concentric “protuberances” that cushion the impact of landing.  Patent #:  8578630.  Inventors:  Diepenbrock.  Assignee:  Nike, Inc.

Footwear Having Independently Articuable Toe Portions:  Shoe that allows independent articulation of corresponding individual toes of a foot inserted in the footwear, and where the sole includes contouring and curvature which intimately corresponds to the shape of the foot.  Patent #: 8572868.  Inventor:  Fliri.  Assignee:  Vibram S.p.A.

Jim Carson is a principal of RB Consulting, Inc. and a registered patent agent.  He has over 30 years of experience across multiple industries including the biotechnology, textile, computer, telecommunications, and energy sectors.  RB Consulting, Inc. specializes in providing management, prototyping, and regulatory services to small and start-up businesses.  He can be reached via email at James.Carson.Jr@gmail.com or by phone at (803) 792-2183.

Air Force Uniform Contract Awarded

M&M Manufacturing, LLC, Lajas, Puerto Rico., has been awarded a maximum $7,039,102 firm-fixed-price, total set-aside contract for men's and women's rip-stop airmen battle uniform coats, trousers, maternity coats and slacks. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Location of performance is Puerto Rico with a Feb. 23, 2015 performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPE1C1-14-D-1015).

Request for Nominations for the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs)

This month, the Secretary of Commerce (the Secretary) and the United States Trade Representative (the USTR) are renewing the charters of the 16 Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs) and the Committee of Chairs of the ITACs for a four-year term to expire in February 2018. The ITACs provide detailed policy and technical advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary and the USTR regarding trade barriers, negotiation of trade agreements, and implementation of existing trade agreements affecting industry sectors; and perform other advisory functions relevant to U.S. trade policy matters as may be requested by the Secretary and the USTR or their designees. There are currently opportunities for membership on each ITAC. Nominations will be accepted for current vacancies and those that occur throughout the remainder of the charter term, which expires in February 2018.

DATES: Appointments will be made on a rolling basis. For that reason, nominations will be accepted through February 14, 2018.

The Secretary and the USTR welcome nominations for the ITACs listed below:

(ITAC 1) Aerospace Equipment
(ITAC 2) Automotive Equipment and Capital Goods
(ITAC 3) Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Health/Science Products and Services
(ITAC 4) Consumer Goods
(ITAC 5) Distribution Services
(ITAC 6) Energy and Energy Services
(ITAC 7) Forest Products
(ITAC 8) Information and Communications Technologies, Services, and Electronic Commerce
(ITAC 9) Building Materials, Construction, and Nonferrous Metals
(ITAC 10) Services and Finance Industries
(ITAC 11) Small and Minority Business
(ITAC 12) Steel
(ITAC 13) Textiles and Clothing
(ITAC 14) Customs Matters and Trade Facilitation
(ITAC 15) Intellectual Property Rights
(ITAC 16) Standards and Technical Trade Barriers

The duties of the ITACs are to provide the President, through the Secretary and the USTR, with detailed policy and technical advice, information, and recommendations regarding trade barriers, negotiation of trade agreements, and implementation of existing trade agreements affecting industry sectors; and perform other advisory functions relevant to U.S. trade policy matters as may be requested by the Secretary and the USTR or their designees. The ITACs provide nonpartisan, industry input in the development of trade policy objectives. The ITACs' efforts have assisted the United States in putting forward unified positions when it negotiates trade agreements.

Four Product Recalls Affecting Sewn Products, Apparel, and Footwear

1. Recall Date: February 20, 2014
Recall Number: 14-108
Sterling Rope Company Recalls Sewn Cords Due to Fall Hazard

Name of Product: Sewn cord edge restraints, sewn eyes and sewn loops.

Hazard: Sewn cords break at a lower weight than published weight values, posing a fall hazard.

Consumer Contact: Sterling Rope Company at (800) 788-7673 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.sterlingrope.com. Click on the recall link on the homepage under the headline "Latest News."

Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Sterling-Rope-Company-Recalls-Sewn-Cords/.

Units: About 9,200 in the U.S. and 480 in Canada

Description: This recall involves four models of Sterling Rope’s sewn cords which include the 8mm Aztek (AZ) Sewn Bound Loop Prusik, Aztek (AZ) Elite 8mm Edge Restraint, 8mm PER Sewn Eye and the 8mm Accessory Cord Sewn Eye. Sterling Rope products have the production lot number in two places. The product number and lot number are printed on the barcode label attached to the Care, Use and Retirement document, which comes with every product. The lot number is also printed on the shrink tube label on the sewn portion of the Prusik, edge restraint or sewn eye. Please see www.sterlingrope.com for a full list of lot numbers affected by this recall. All ropes except for the solid black products have a wrapping dotted line design around the rope. Specific recalled colors are listed next to each recalled product description.

8mm Bound Loop Prusiks

Product Number	Description
SC080320116	8mm AZ Bound Loop Prusik Short Teal Green x 16”
SC080321116	8mm AZ BLP cord Short Tan x 16"
SC080320322	8mm AZ Sewn BLP Cord Long Purple x 22"
SC080320422	8mm AZ Sewn BLP Cord Long Black x 22"
SC080320622	8mm AZ Sewn BLP Cord Long Blue x 22"
SC080320716	8mm AZ Sewn BLP cord Short Orange x 16"
SC080320816	8mm AZ Sewn BLP cord Short Red x 16"
CUSTOMSC	8mm Tan Bound Loop Prusik by 24"
CUSTOMSC	8mm Blue Bound Loop Prusik by 30"

Aztek Elite 8mm Edge Restraints

Product Number	Description
SC080NY04600	AZ Elite Tactical Edge Restraint x 50'
SC080NY06600	AZ Elite 8mm Edge Restraint Blue 50' Sewn End
SC080NY09600	AZ Elite 8mm Edge Restraint Yellow x 50'

8mm PER Sewn Eye

Product Number	Description
PER0804407SE	8mm PER Black Safety Glo x 22ft with Sewn Eye
CUSTOMSC	8mm PER Black Safety Glo with Sewn Eye
CUSTOMSC	8mm PER Orange With Sewn Eye
CUSTOMSC	8mm PER Yellow With Sewn Eye

8mm Accessory Cord Sewn Eye

Product Number	Description
CUSTOMSC	8mm Black Accessory Cord With Sewn Eye
CUSTOMSC	8mm Blue Accessory Cord With Sewn Eye
CUSTOMSC	8mm Yellow Accessory Cord With Sewn Eye

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Remedy: Consumers should discontinue use of the product and contact Sterling Rope for a free replacement. The item may also be returned to an authorized Sterling dealer that will coordinate the free replacement for you.

Sold at: Authorized Sterling Rope dealers from January 2013 through January 2014 in the United States and Canada for about $8 to $312.

Manufacturer: Sterling Rope Company, Inc., of Biddeford, Maine

Manufactured in: USA

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2.Recall Date: February 20, 2014
Recall Number: 14-110
U.S. Polo Assn. Recalls Girl’s Jacket Due to Strangulation Hazard

Name of Product: U.S. Polo Assn. girl’s jackets

Hazard: The jackets have a band of material at the neck that can pose a strangulation hazard to young children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines about drawstrings in children's upper outerwear. In 1997, those guidelines were incorporated into a voluntary standard. Then, in July 2011, based on the guidelines and voluntary standard, CPSC issued a federal regulation. CPSC's actions demonstrate a commitment to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Remedy: Refund or Repair

Consumer Contact: Q4 Designs LLC at (800) 741-0127 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, or online at www.q4designs.com and click on Product Recall for more information.

Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/US-Polo-Assn-Recalls-Girls-Jacket/

Recall Details

Units: About 1,400

Description: This recall involves U.S. Polo Assn. girl’s jackets. The jackets have the name U.S. Polo Assn. with the year 1890 and crossed polo mallets on the jacket’s upper right exterior and a silhouette of two polo players and the initials USPA on the jacket’s upper left exterior. The jackets come in the colors fuchsia, green and cream in girl’s sizes 4-16. The name Q4 Designs LLC and style numbers can be found on the white tracking label tag sewn into the inside of the jacket near the waist band. Recalled style numbers include: U274-200 for sizes 4-6 and U274-300 for sizes 7-16.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Remedy: Consumers should remove or cut the band to eliminate the hazard, or contact Q4 Designs to obtain a full refund.

Sold at: Burlington Coat Factory, Kids Stop and Cookie’s Department Stores from August 2013 to October 2013 for about $15.

Importer: Samsung C&T America, Inc., New York, N.Y.

Manufactured in: China

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3. Recall Date: February 20, 2014
Recall Number: 14-111
Eastman Footwear Recalls Coleman Runestone Children’s Shoes Due to Laceration Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Big 5 Sporting Goods

Name of Product: Coleman® Runestone Style Children’s Shoes

Hazard: The metal rivets surrounding the holes where the shoestring is secured on the shoes can have sharp edges, posing a laceration hazard.

Remedy: Refund

Consumer Contact: Eastman Footwear at (800)786-0282 ext. 301 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.efny.com and click Runestone Recall for more information.

Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Eastman-Footwear-Recalls-Coleman-Runestone-Childrens-Shoes/

Units: About 12,200

Description: The Runestone children’s shoes are black with gray mesh fabric panels on the side of the shoe with a green “Coleman” logo name and lantern graphic on the tongue. The black shoestrings on the shoes are threaded through green fabric tabs on the top of the shoe. A label located on the inside of tongue of the shoes identifies the style as Runestone.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of an adult who scratched or cut his finger. No medical attention was required.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled shoes and return them to a Big 5 Sporting Goods store for a full refund or contact Eastman Footwear for instructions on returning the shoes for a refund.

Sold by: Big 5 Sporting Goods retail stores nationally from January 2013 through December 2013 for about $39.

Importer: The Eastman Footwear Group Inc., of New York, N.Y.

Manufactured in: China

Seeing the Forest Through the Triz

How are inventions created?    Studies of creativity are usually psychological in nature, but beginning in the 1940's, a Russian engineer named Genrich Altshuller took a different approach.  He decided to study the nature of creativity by studying previous solutions to creative problems. Initially, Altshuller analyzed 200,000 Russian patents.  Since, his work has been expanded to over 3,000,000 patents.

From this work, Altshuller developed a theory of problem solving called Triz.  Pronounced "trees", Triz is the Russia acronym for Теория Решения Изобретательских Задач (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving). 

What Altshuller found were the following patterns:

That problems and solutions were repeated across industries and areas of study.

That creative solutions often came from outside the field where the problem occurred.

That breakthroughs came from solving contradictions.

That the same inventive principles were repeatedly used to solve problems.

That the evolution of technologies follow predictable patterns.

Using these patterns, Altshuller was able to create a methodology for solving "inventive" problems.  By inventive, Altshuller meant problems that contained the contradictions that are at the heart of his method. 

In a sense, Altshuller created an algorithm for creativity. 

Altshuller's idea was simple.  He proposed to take a specific problem and convert it into a "model problem" which had known solutions.  An inventor could then take one of the known model solutions and apply it to the specific problem.   Altshuller converted a specific problem to the model problem by focusing on the inherent contradiction of the problem.

In Altshuller's model, a contradiction occurs when a bad result prevents a good result.  For example, suppose a dye range operator wants to increase production.  The obvious decision is to increase the speed of the machine.  The only thing that stops the operator from doing so are the bad results.  For this example, the bad results are the dyes will not react properly with the fabric and the machine will break.  In Altshuller's method, these two contradictions create two model problems: 1) increase production and dyes will not properly react; and 2) increase production and the machine will break. 

What Altshuller’s analysis found was that contradictions could be described by combinations of measurable parameters such as weight, volume, temperature or energy.  One parameter would make the problem better and another parameter would make the problem worse.  Using only the parameter combinations, Altshuller was able to predict successful solution strategies.  Inventors could then choose from these strategies to apply to the specific problem.

There are two other things to note about Triz.  First, the Triz model appears to be stable.  While I believe some parameters have been added over time (there are 39) they have not dramatically changed since Altshuller developed his initial methodology.  As new technologies bring new solution strategies, they seem to fit into the existing parameters.  Second, the Triz model has statistical significance.  Solution strategies generated by Triz appear to have higher probabilities of success than other strategies.

In the end, however, Triz is only a tool.  It can provide guidance, strategies and priorities but it still takes the insight of the inventor to choose the right strategy and apply it to solve the specific problem.

Below is a summary of selected patents that have been recently issued in textile related classification codes:

Bib: A bib is described that includes multiple flaps, each flap providing a surface to prevent soiling of clothing. The flaps are secured to one another through multiple fastening mechanisms, which may include one or more magnets. A neck bridge portion couples the plurality of flaps to one another.  Patent #:8584262.  Inventor:  Ekelund and Denny.  Assignee: Bebe au Lait LLC

Decorative Wearing Accessories Including Reconstituted Leather Board:  Use of reconstituted leather in making decorative apparel items such as belts, cuffs, and bracelets.  The claim is that the reconstituted leather makes the decorative items stronger, more durable, and more malleable.  Patent #:  8584263.  Inventor:  Younger.  Not Assigned.

Process for Preparing a non-Woven Fabric Having a Surface Covered with Microfiber and Fabric Obtainable with Said Process:  A non-woven microfiber fabric including the method to make it.  The stated purpose is to make a low density high volume fabric for cleaning purposes but the patent itself is much broader.  The fabric is made by needle punching a mat made of two layers – one made of microfibers and one made of normal fibers.  The fabric is then run through a water jet that splits the microfibers into filaments.  Patent #:  8584328.  Inventor:  Maranghi.  Not Assigned.

Insole with Reinforcement Element:  An insole reinforced under the arch with a stiffer material.  The purpose is to improve durability and the consistency of comfort and fit over time.  Patent #:  8584376.  Inventor:  Ahlbaumer.  Not Assigned.

Article of Footwear with Elongated Shock Absorbing Heel System:  Footwear with an elongated heel system.  This elongation better distributes impact forces from the wearer.  Patent #:  8584377.  Inventors:  Blevens, et al.  Assignee:  Nike, Inc.

 Jim Carson is a principal of RB Consulting, Inc. and a registered patent agent.  He has over 30 years of experience across multiple industries including the biotechnology, textile, computer, telecommunications, and energy sectors.  RB Consulting, Inc. specializes in providing management, prototyping, and regulatory services to small and start-up businesses.  He can be reached via email at James.Carson.Jr@gmail.com or by phone at (803) 792-2183.