Catching Up

This week I will focus on issued patents.  Below is a summary of selected patents that have been recently issued in textile related classification codes:

Footwear having independently articuable toe portions:  Footwear where the sole and the upper delimit individual toe portions are configured to receive and retain the individual toes of a foot and where the sole includes contouring and curvature which intimately corresponds to the shape of the foot.  Patent:  8683718.  Inventor:  Fliri.  Assignee:  Vibram S.P.A.

Textile substrate with water and water vapor:  A textile substrate of relatively simple construction that has properties which make it possible to use as a seat cover which allows passive air-conditioned seating with improved seating comfort during long periods of sitting.  Patent:  8684043.  Inventor:  Baumeler.  Assignee:  Gessner Holding Ag

Reinforcing fibrous structure for a composite material and a part containing said structure:  A reinforcing fiber structure that is woven as a single piece for use in fabricating a composite material part.  The fiber reinforcing structure comprises an internal portion or core, and a portion adjacent to an outside surface of the structure, or skin, and the fiber structure being formed by three-dimensional weaving in its core using at least one weave selected from an interlock weave and a multilayer weave, and by weaving at its skin with a weave of satin type.  Patent:  8685868.  Inventors:  Bouillon.  Assignee:  Snecma, Snecma Propulsion Solide

Flame-resistant high visibility textile fabric for use in safety apparel:  A textile fabric which provides flame resistance and high visibility properties so as to be suitable for use in safety apparel but also provides a comfortable hand suitable for direct contact with a wearer's body.  Patent:  8685869.  Inventors:  Byles and Wasylyk.  Assignee:  Innovative Textiles, Inc.

Extensible absorbent composites:  Absorbent sheet materials are produced from a coformed blend of absorbent fibers and extensible meltblown polymer fibers. Laminates of these extensible coforms are prepared with layers of extensible polymeric fibers or filaments. The absorbent sheet materials are incrementally stretched to improve softness and drape.  Patent:  8685870.  Inventors:  Austin and Baer.  Assignee:  Fitesa Nonwoven, Inc.

Multifunctional additives in engineering thermoplastics:  A toughening agent for use in making composites comprises an epoxy curing agent and a thermoplastic. Primary use is to increase fracture toughness of composite materials.  Patent:  8685871.  Inventors:  Cross, et.al.  Assignee:  Cytec Technology Corp.

Three-dimensional bra underwire:  A three-dimensional bra underwire which is matched with the cup shape, has good supporting effects and is comfortable to use. The three-dimensional bra underwire comprises the middle part and two ends that create a three-dimensional underwire with a certain torsional stress so as to ensure that the underwire is matched with the cup shape and has good supporting effects.  Patent:  8684788.  Inventor:  Cheung.  Assignee:  Kaiping Hung Hon Garment Accessories Co., Ltd.

Undergarment:  A method to use silicon to hold garments in place relative to each other.  The intention is to prevent “wardrobe malfunctions.”  Patent:  8684789.  Inventor:  Gramelspacher.  Not Assigned.

Sun protective neckwear garment:  An ultraviolet protective garment to protect the user's neck, chest, upper back, chin, and portions of the shoulders. The neckwear garment is a single body tubular unit, with a ship decanter shape.  The neckwear garment is manufactured from flexible, elasticized, fabric with ultraviolet blocking capability. Patent:  8689362.  Inventor:  Lavin.  Not Assigned

Glove and method for producing the same:   A glove having excellent moisture permeability and abrasion resistance of a back portion, and does not trap heat or retain moisture.   A glove has a coating layer of rubber containing air bubbles formed on the back portion of the glove.  The moisture permeability of the coating layer ranges from 1000 to 9000 g/m²·24 hrs. Patent:  8689363.  Inventors:  Kishihara and Ii.  Assignee:  Showa Glove Co.

Belt adjustment system:  A heavy duty belt adjustment system that permit a continuum or larger selection of belt loop sizes..  Patent:  8689364.  Inventors:  Rowland and Hunsucker.  Not Assigned.

Fabric having ultraviolet radiation protection:  A method for treating a fabric for protection from ultraviolet radiation.  The method comprises washing the fabric in a washing machine with a suspension of zinc oxide particles treated with an acid polymer.  This binds the zinc oxide to the fabric.  Patent:  8690964.  Inventors:  Kramer, et.al.  Assignee:  The Sweet Living Group, LLC

Paper finishing process:  A process for applying a finishing paper material on a leather or woven support material is described, comprising the steps of: first buttering of glue on a surface of the support material, positioning the finishing material on said support material, ironing, perching, second buttering of glue, and a finishing step.  Patent:  8690965.  Inventor:  Magrin and Pellizzari.  Assignee:  G & G S.R.L. (Societa Unipersonale)

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.