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:

Spunbond fibers and fabrics from polyolefin blends:  A polyolefin blend composition suitable for spunbond fiber or filament comprising a least one random propylene copolymer having a comonomer content of from 8 to 25 wt % with a crystalline melting point between 40° C. to about 110° C; and an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer with a crystalline melting point greater than or equal to 120° C. The blends of the present invention typically have a melt flow rate (MFR) of from 100 g/10 min to about 500 g/10 min.  Patent:  8728960.  Inventor:  Kacker and Cheng.  Assignee:  Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.

Fabric with equal modulus in multiple directions:  A knit pattern for elastic fabric knitted with spandex with approximately equal modulus values in three directions. The three directions include a first reference direction, a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a third direction offset by 45 degrees from the first direction and the second direction.  Patent:  8726700.  Inventor:  Waldman and Lazarus.  Global Trademarks LLC.

Article of apparel incorporating a zoned modifiable textile structure:  A garment is disclosed that includes zones with a textile having a structure that changes or is otherwise modified by a physical stimulus, such as the presence of water or a temperature change that modifies a property of the textile.  The invention involves an article of apparel having a first material and a second material. The first material exhibits a dimensional transformation upon exposure to a physical stimulus.  The second material remains substantially stable upon exposure to the physical stimulus.  A variety of physical stimuli, such as water or changes in temperature, may induce the dimensional transformation.  Patent:  8726414.  Inventor:  Baron.  Assignee:  Nike, Inc.

Shoe having a bridge mechanism:  A shoe with a sole where the outsoles are connected by a bridging mechanism instead of a solid piece.  Patent:  8726542.  Inventor:  Kim.  Assignee:  Ls Networks Corporation Limited

Clamp assembly and apparel containing same:  A clamp assembly for attaching together two items of clothing such as a glove and coat sleeve. The clamp assembly includes a circular band and a tubular resilient cover having a hollow body.  The clamp is positioned in the hollow and is encased on all sides by the resilient cover.  Patent:  8726417.  Inventor:  McLachlan.  Assignee:  E I Du Pont De Nemours And Company

Texturing device and method for texturing continuous yarns:  A texturing device for texturing at least one continuous filament yarn. The device has at least one nozzle core which can be charged with a fluid. The nozzle core includes a yarn channel and a fluid feed channel opening into the yarn channel with a radial component. The distance between the inlet opening and the fluid feed channel of the nozzle core is at most 12.5 mm.  Patent:  8726474.  Inventor:  Simmen.  Assignee:  Oerlikon Heberlein Temco Wattwil Ag

Punch data generating device and computer readable medium storing punch data generating program:  A device that generates punch data used in an embroiderable sewing machine for punch engraving a pattern on a workpiece by punching the punch needle through the work piece while moving the work piece is two directions.  The punch data generating device includes a data generator that generates the punch data so that when punch engraving a plurality of patterns, the patterns are sequentially punch engraved one by one.  Patent:  8733263.  Inventor:  Kawaguchi, et.al.  Assignee:  Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Use of tea-polyphenol and/or tea-pigment as dye and products thereof:  The use of tea-polyphenol and/or tea-pigment as a dye.  Specifically, it is a combination of tea-polyphenol, its oxidation product, and tea-pigment with a metal salt for dyeing human or animal hair.  The advantages include good dyeing fastness that is natural and bright, non-allergenic, non-mutagenic, and simple to use.  Patent:  8734531.  Inventor:  Hu and Lan.  Assignee:  Natural Medicine Institute Of Zhejiang Yangshengtang Co., Ltd.

Shoes, devices for shoes, and methods of using shoes:  A shoe with two hinged plates that sandwiches a spring that returns impact energy to the wearer. It is not exactly clear to me what the benefit is but the application is remarkably detailed and a lot of engineering effort went into this patent.  Patent:  8732983.  Inventor:  Goldston, et.al.  Assignee:  Athletic Propulsion Labs LLC

Sole structure comprising a fluid filled member with slots:  A sole structure comprising a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are interconnected with each other and the sole structure to provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability.  Patent:  8732986.  Inventor:  Miner.  Assignee:  Nike, Inc.

Hygro materials for use in making yarns and fabrics:   A pile fabric is woven with cotton/PVA weft and warp yarns to produce terry fabrics. The fabric is then washed in warm water to dissolve the PVA fibers.  By dissolving the PVA fibers, a hollow air space is produced throughout the pile yarn.  By increasing the air space in the pile yarn, the resulting towels are softer and bulkier than standard cotton towels.  Patent:  8733075.  Inventor:  Mandawewala.  Assignee:

Azo dyes:  New azo dyes, and a process for their preparation, for use in dyeing or printing fibrous materials, to produce materials with brownish shades.  Patent:  8734534.  Inventor:  Meier, et.al.  Assignee:  Kemira Oyj.

Azo dyes:  The present invention relates to new azo dyes, a process for their preparation, and their use for dyeing or printing fibrous materials, to produce materials with brownish shades.  Sister patent to 8734534.  Patent:  8734532.  Inventor:  Meier, et.al.  Assignee:  Kemira Oyj.

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.