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:

Fabric constructions with sensory transducers:  A fabric construction with “sensory transducers,” such as light-emitting diodes, that generate sensory effects while maintaining the look and feel of a conventional fabric item.  The construction has a fabric layer and an appliqué on a front surface of the fabric layer. A plurality of electrical sensory transducers are arranged in a desired pattern with an electrical harness electrically interconnecting the sensory transducers to a drive and control circuit. The transducers and harness are located between a rear surface of the appliqué and a front surface of the fabric layer, while the drive and control circuitry is positioned at a rear surface of the fabric layer. The fabric layer and appliqué are bonded together to seal the transducers and harness in place. Releasable connectors extend through the fabric layer to operatively connect the harness to the drive and control circuit.  Patent:  8732866.  Inventor:  Genz and Rosella.  Not assigned.

Shoe with breathable sole:  A shoe sole with a support layer with region which allows the passage of air through the layer.  The sole comprises reinforcing elements, the air passage regions, and a waterproof but vapor permeable membrane protecting the air passage region.  Patent:  8732985.  Inventor:  Zanetta, et.al.  Assignee:  W. L. Gore & Associates Gmbh

Eccentric toe-off cam lever:  A sole system which allows plantarflexion and dorsiflexion in the running/walking gait; provides a mechanical advantage through articulation of the forefoot to stimulate an upward plantar moment force during toe-off; and increases the distance per step without altering the stride pattern. An eccentric toe-off cam lever integrated into the midsole of a shoe which allows plantarflexion and dorsiflexion in the running/walking gait providing a mechanical advantage.  Patent:  8732981.  Inventor:  Cobb.  Not assigned.

Ballistic vest:  A ballistic vest that does not include or require a carrier. The vest includes a front ballistic panel permanently enclosed in a front waterproof cover, the front waterproof cover having, on its outer surface, portions of an adjustable body-attachment system; a front body side liner that is detachably secured to a body side portion of the front waterproof cover and that is machine washable; a back ballistic panel permanently enclosed in a back waterproof cover, the back waterproof cover having, on its outer surface, portions of an adjustable body-attachment system; and a back body side liner that is detachably secured to a body side portion of the back waterproof cover and that is machine washable.  Patent:  8739312.  Inventor:  Brown et.al.  Assignee:  Safariland LLC.

Flame resistant textile materials providing protection from near infrared radiation:  A flame resistant textile material comprises a textile substrate, an infrared-absorbing finish applied to the textile substrate, and a flame retardant finish applied to the textile substrate.  In order to the provide protection from near infrared radiation (e.g., momentary high emissions of infrared radiation caused, for example, by electric arcs), one surface of the textile substrate (e.g., the side facing away from the wearer) is designed to reflect an appreciable amount of infrared radiation. The opposite surface of the textile substrate (e.g., the side facing the wearer) can be design to absorb an appreciable amount of infrared radation.  The first and second surface finishes use a plurality of pentavalent phosphine oxide groups linked with amides.  The fire resistant finish comprises two cross-linked molecules of an organophosphorous compound [P(CH₂OH₂)₄].  Patent:  8741789.  Inventor:  Li, et.al.  Assignee:  Milliken & Company.

Rebound-dampening headgear liners with positioning feature:  A liner placed between the interior surface of a protective headgear and a wearer's head which includes a plurality of networked fluid cells which distribute and dissipate an impact force to the liner, and to dampen the tendency of the wearer's head from rebounding back from the impact location by transferring fluid through the network from fluid cells at the impact location to those in an opposed region. Discrete fluid cells interspersed among the networked fluid cells maintain the liner and/or the headgear in a predetermined orientation on the wearer's head. Fluid flow within the liner may be restricted or directed by configuring the fluid passageways. A liner may further include means for moving fluid into or out of the fluid cells.  Patent:  8739317.  Inventor:  Abernathy.  Not Assigned.

Garment with tethering system:  A tethering system sewn inside an outer garment that connects, or tethers, the outer garment to inner garments such as underwear.  Patent:  8739314.  Inventors:  Caulfield and Farkus.  Not assigned.

PTFE/fiberglass composite for use as a conveyor belt:  A PTFE/fiberglass composite for use as a conveyor belt comprises a fiberglass fabric with a uniform pattern of openings extending from one to the other of its surfaces.  PTFE films are laminated to the surfaces of the fabric. The laminated films are interconnected with fluroropolymer ties extending through the fabric openings that are adhered to the major surfaces with a peel strength of between about 5-13 pli. The composite has a thickness of less than about 20 mils and a fiberglass content of less than about 25%.  Patent:  8741790.  Inventors:  Tippett and Tippett.  Assignee:  Textiles Coated Incorporated

Sewing method for a cover material:  A sewing machine is disclosed with a sensor member, and a feed rate of cover pieces that is changed after detecting a conductive thread that is arranged in front of a sewing needle. A position through which The sewing needle will pass a position other than where the conductive thread is arranged.  Patent:  8739713.  Inventor:  Ishii.  Assignee:  Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha

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.