Friday, February 27, 2015
Mike Hubbard Heads N.C. Furniture Export Office
According to a report in Furniture Today, Mike Hubbard, a former executive with the National Council of Textile Organizations, is the newest official heading up the North Carolina furniture export office.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
HLC Industries Names Peter Raneri as Vice President of Sales and Business Development
HLC Industries, Inc, a premier textile supplier, announced earlier this month the appointment of Peter Raneri as Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Raneri, age 56, comes to HLC Industries with nearly three decades of diverse apparel and textile sales, marketing and business development experience.
“We are very pleased to welcome Peter to our company,” said Vinny Salatino, Executive Vice President of HLC Industries, Inc. “We are confident his marketplace experience, strong reputation and energy and passion in creating and building solid customer relationships will help drive HLC’s sales and serve to diversify our business by expanding our Tactical, Industrial and Specialty segments.”
HLC Industries was founded in 1916, as a supplier of commercial and military fabrics and is a fourth generation family owned business, specializing in supplying fabrics to the US Military/DOD, Industrial and Commercial marketplace.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Army and Marine Shoe Contract Awarded
Capps Shoe Co., Lynchburg, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $7,192,659 modification (P00103) exercising the third one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-12-D-1030) with three one-year option periods for men's poromeric shoes. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Location of performance is Virginia, with a Feb. 27, 2016 performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Become a Sponsor of Univ. of Rhode Island Textile "Spring Splash"
The Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design Department ("TMD") and the Textile Advisory Board at the University
of Rhode Island invite you to become a sponsor of Spring Splash 2015: Designers in Bloom, to be held on Friday,
April 10, 2015.
For more than ten years, Spring Splash has raised funds to support student scholarships and activities directly related to the education of TMD students. Outstanding alums and industry partners are recognized, scholarships awarded, and fashion show winners selected. As attendees from years past will attest, it is a truly fun night for everyone involved and is a great benefit to the graduate students, graduating seniors, and continuing undergraduates. This year, the evening begins with a cocktail reception and dinner and culminates with a fashion show and awards ceremony. Textile, Fashion Merchandising and Design students work with faculty to organize the entire event. The design students present their spring lines of fashion, which they work on all year, independent of formal classes!
Fellow students volunteer as models. In addition, other academic achievements within the TMD program are highlighted. The audience will have the opportunity to assist in the selection of awardees!
The TMD Department offers two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in Textile Marketing and the other in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design, as well as a Master of Science degree. TMD provides a university experience along with specialized education in the design, production and merchandising of textile and fashion products.
Approximately 300 students are enrolled in the programs and come from all over the country and abroad. Students do international internships in China, France, Italy, Great Britain, as well as New York and Los Angeles. Many successful textile and fashion companies hire our graduates because they value the exceptional caliber of TMD students and the quality of the education we provide.
To ensure the success of Spring Splash 2015 and future TMD student-centered programming and scholarships, the Textile Advisory Board, of which David Trumbull, principal, Agathon Associates, is a member, seeks sponsors at four levels. The benefits afforded to sponsors at each level are detailed below attachment. Beyond the tangible benefits, however, is the satisfaction of helping to develop future professionals in the textile, apparel and merchandising industries.
Please contact Dr. Susan Hannel, Department Chair, at shannel@uri.edu or 401.874.2882, or Karin Conopask, Director of Development for the College of Human Science and Services, at kconopask@uri.edu or 401-874-5745 for additional information about becoming a sponsor.
2015 Spring Splash – Sponsorship Levels
Runway Star- $5,000 +
- Your name and/or logo prominently displayed on event program.
- Recognition in press releases and event flyers as a major event sponsor
- Six guests to reception, dinner and show
- One award (prize) named for the sponsor
Fashionista- $2,500 +
- Your name and/or logo displayed on the event program
- Recognition in press releases and event flyers as an event sponsor
- Four guests to reception, dinner and event
- One award (prize) named for the sponsor
Designer- $1,000 +
- Your name and/or logo displayed in the event program
- Recognition in press releases and event flyers as an event sponsor
- Two guests to reception, dinner and show
Stylist- $250 +
- Name on event program
- Recognition in press releases and event flyers as an event sponsor
- One guest to reception, dinner and show
Defence Logistics Agency Outer Tactical Vest Contract Awarded
Protective Products Enterprises Inc., Sunrise, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $78,996,385 modification (P00107) exercising the third one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-12-D-1026) with three one-year option periods for improved outer tactical vest and components. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Location of performance is Florida, with a Feb. 27, 2016 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Federal Business Opportunities, Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Recently posted federal business opportunities.
------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Cadet Raincoats Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: OVERALLS, CHEMICAL, JOINT PROTECTIVE AIR CREW ENSEMBLE (JPACE) in Sage (class 1), Universal Camouflage (class3) and Field Expedient Repair Kits (OFERK and LFERK) Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Wrestling Shoes Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: COAT, WOMEN'S, P/W, DRESS, P/W, ARMY, BLUE, SHADE 450 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--KYANG - STS Arctyrex Leaf Clothing Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--TENT,TEMPER,AIR SUPPOR Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Provide t-shirts to include custom imprinting for Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG), Fort Knox, Kentucky. Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: DAF Police Uniforms Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: FBI Police Uniforms Agency: Department of Justice ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Cloth, MC, P/W, Serge, Green, Shade 2243 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Academic Uniform Pants Agency: Department of Labor ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Academic Uniform Shirts Agency: Department of Labor ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Massif Elements Jackets Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Uniform Quality Control Program for Army Combat Boot Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: "THIS IS A SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITY" FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR STUDENT UNIFORMS Agency: Department of Labor ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Cold Weather Glove Insert Market Research Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--Shoe Mobile Agency: Social Security Administration ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Pentagon Arc Flash Uniforms Agency: Other Defense Agencies ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--Protective (Safety) Footwear Sources Sought Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Eagles Industries Soft Armor Inserts Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--BAG,DUFFEL Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Safety Shoes Agency: Department of the Navy -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
Issued Patents
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:
Article of
footwear: A method of making a sole for an article of
footwear is disclosed. The method includes steps of attaching a double sided
acrylic adhesive film to a composite plate. The composite plate is then
attached to an outer member of the article of footwear using the acrylic
adhesive film. Patent: 8756831.
Inventor: Spanks and Foxen. Assignee:
Nike, Inc.
Garment pocket system
for securely holding personal items with easy access: A garment pocket system securely holds personal items with easy
access to a touch screen feature of an electronic device. The garment includes
a pocket system accessible from one or more garment surfaces allowing a user to
store an external electronic device having a touch control surface. The pocket
system includes a guiding system for receiving and positioning the touch
control surface. Patent: 8756716. Inventor:
Jordan and Payne. Assignee: Scottevest, Inc.
Polyolefin fiber
reinforced rubber: Rubberized polyolefin fabrics and a method for
vulcanizing rubber without melting or lowering the performance of the fibers. A
plurality of fibrous layers are molded and rubberized under high pressures,
producing fabrics having customized stiffness properties. Patent:
8759236. Inventor:
Bhatnagar and Cordova.
Assignee: Honeywell
International, Inc.
Method for producing
an upper part of a shoe, in particular of a sports shoe: The method produces an upper part of a sports shoe with enhanced
wearing comfort. The method entails supplying a shoe last, which corresponds to
the inner shape of the upper part of the shoe to a radial braiding machine
having an annular creel, which is designed for weaving and/or braiding along
three axes; Guiding the at least one shoe last through the center of the creel
and simultaneously weaving and/or braiding along three axes using a fiber
material around the outer circumference of the shoe last; and terminating the
weaving and/or braiding and removing the woven and/or braided material from the
shoe last. Patent: 8757038. Inventor:
Siegismund Assignee: Puma SE
Radially collapsible
and expandable textile sleeve and method of construction thereof: A textile sleeve for routing and protecting fiber or cable
bundles and method of construction. The
sleeve has a wall of interlaced monofilament and/or multifilament yarns.
Opposite edges of the wall extend along a central axis of the sleeve. The
opposite edges are biased into a self-wrapping, overlapping relation with one
another to create a tubular cavity. A plurality of stitched hinges formed with
the interlaced yarns extend along the length of the sleeve in parallel to the central
axis of the tubular cavity with the hinges separating relatively rigid, arcuate
regions of the wall from one another. The hinges allow the sleeve to be
collapsed and nested with one another to allow significantly increased numbers
of the sleeves to be shipped and stowed in a significantly reduced volume of
space. Patent: 8737215. Inventor:
Burdy Assignee: Federal-Mogul Powertrain, Inc.
Hoodie with three
groups of connectors on an opening edge of the hood: A garment with a hood, wherein three connectors are installed around
the open edge of the hood surrounding the face of the wearer. Each group of the
three connectors are positioned at a
vertex of a triangle shape. When the hood has been put on the head of the
wearer, the exposure area of the wearer's face is to be adjusted to be smaller
or larger, by tightening or untightening one or more pair of the connectors.
When tightened, the hood provides better protection for the user against severe
weather including cold, wind and snow.
Patent: 8756713. Inventor:
Fu. Not Assigned.
Cushioned athletic
cleat: A reinforcing elastic polymer, such as a
urethane/rubber material, is selectively spray-applied over upper, midsole or
outsole components of articles of footwear. Such a material sprayed over the
toe area of baseball shoes, for example, that is subjected to increased wear
during use, serves to improve the durability of that area. A cleated midsole
constructed of a lightweight foamed material such as EVA, has an elastic
polymer outsole layer selectively spray-applied over the outer surface of the
cleated midsole to form a combination midsole/outsole that provides improved
durability and traction, as well as superior shock absorption characteristics. Patent:
8756834. Inventors:
Halberstadt and Hockerson.
Assignee: Heart And Sole USA,
LLC.
Lacing closure system for an
object: A heavy duty
lacing system where the laces are run down each side of the lace eyelets as an
initial step. The laces are the laced up
normally, but are interlaced with the lace itself instead of the eyelets. Patent:
8756833. Inventor:
Heard. 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.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
AAFA Advocates for Specific TTP Provisions Relating to Hosiery, Gimped Yarn, and Nylon Yarn
On February 13, 2015, the American Apparel and Footwear Association ("AAFA") wrote to the United States Trade Representative to urge inclusion of a knit to shape ("KTS") rule of origin ("ROO") provision in the Trans Pacific Partnership ("TPP") trade agreement for legwear. The same day AAFA also sent a letter that stresses the importance of including specialized provisions relating to gimped and Israeli nylon filament yarn that had been included in previous U.S. free trade agreements.
MORE INFORMATION.
Agathon Associates' report on Nylon Yarn Exemption.
Agathon Associates' report on Gimped Yarn.
Clients of Agathon Associates may access these reports with their username and password. If you need your username and password sent to you, email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
NAFTA Certificate of Origin Revised
http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%20434_3.pdf. The revised form provides blocks for importer / exporter / producer and signee email addresses, as well as drop-down calendars indicating “mm/dd/yy” for the input of the blanket period and signature date. These enhancements to the CBP Form 434 were made to facilitate communication and eliminate date ambiguity.
CBP will continue to accept prior versions of the CBP 434, as well as the Canadian B232 and the Mexican Certificado de Origen without the email address blocks. While a form with email blocks may assist communication, for CBP purposes, a form or format without email addresses remains valid.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Issued Patents
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:
Impulse type shock wave flash dyeing machine: An impulse type shock wave flash dyeing machine is disclosed. A
row of joint nozzles can send out high-speed air flows to prompt fibrous fabric
to spread out and move in the dyeing machine through the effect of impulse.
Dyes or processing agents may be converted into fine mist and is carried by the
high-speed air flows to blast the fibrous fabric. Therefore, the dyes or
processing agents can enter the fibrous fabric quickly and can diffuse or spread
out in the fibrous fabric swiftly through strong elastic and inelastic
collisions as well as the effect of shock wave. Such collisions and effect can
impart enough energy to the dyes or processing agents and convert non-activated
molecules into activated molecules. In addition, the effect of corona discharge
may be used to generate high-energy particles and hence the goals of clean and
swift processes may be achieved. Patent:
8756958. Inventor:
Zhao-Chen. Not Assigned.
Ventilated
garment: A ventilated garment includes a shell layer
worn by the user and an auxiliary layer attached to the shell to define a
ventilated portion of the garment. An exterior opening is formed in the
outermost layer of the garment includes a fastener controlling the open or
closed state of the exterior opening. A drain opening is also formed in the
outermost layer separate from the exterior opening adjacent the bottom of the
ventilated portion. Ventilating openings are formed in the waterproof innermost
layer. A mesh layer spans the ventilating portion between the ventilating
openings and the exterior opening to trap snow/rain and drain the
precipitation. Patent: 8756714. Inventor:
Reimer. Not Assigned.
Tzitzit garment: The claimed subject matter provides a tzitzit garment that meets
halachic (e.g., Jewish law) requirements for wearing tzitzit strings (e.g.,
fringes) on the corners of a four-cornered garment. The tzitzit garment
includes two layers, including an under layer that is made of compression
material that wicks perspiration away from the body of a wearer and an outer
layer that is a four cornered garment, has tzitzit strings at each of the four
corners and is attached to the under layer. Furthermore, the claimed subject
matter provides a pant garment that includes grips to hold the tzitzit strings
in place to prevent interference during physical activity. Patent:
8756712. Inventor:
Goodman. Assignee: Tamir
Goodman Sports Consultant, Llc
Garment with hidden
insulated beverage holder: A beverage holding garment wherein the
beverage holder is disposed in the garment such that it is substantially
concealed when not in use so that the garment appears to not have a beverage
holder. Patent: 8756717. Inventor:
Claeys. Assignee: Hoodykoo LLC
Undergarment for use
with protective vest: An undergarment to be worn beneath a
protective vest or uniform permits escape of perspiration and heat, and
ventilation so that the wearer can remain reasonably comfortable while wearing
the vest. The undergarment has vertically elongated ribs or bars space the vest
away from the torso to create ventilation channels. Heat and perspiration vapor
escape at the neck of the vest. The ribs or bars can each comprise a cloth
strip or pocket sewn onto the garment, to contain a lightweight rod of
open-cell or closed-cell polyethylene foam. Three or more of these ribs can be
sewn onto the front, and two or more sewn onto the back. Patent:
8756718. Inventor: Tymofy.
Not Assigned:
Orthopedic prayer
mat: A new orthopedic prayer mat that has a multiple layered
structure. The top layer is made from microfiber which is antimicrobial,
anti-molding, water-resistant, anti-dust and heat-resistant. The bottom layer is
an anti-slip layer to prevent the user from physical injury in any situation
while using the mat, and a soft polyurethane layer and an anti-fatigue layer or
a hard polyurethane layer are arranged between the top microfiber layer and the
bottom anti-slip layer in order to absorb pressure pressure and providing
support, and the soft and hard polyurethane layer are combined at an angle to
adjust the ratio of the weight-absorption and bearing to form the orthopedic
prayer mat. Further the angle between the layers is tailored for users
according to user's weight, height, body structure type and healthy conditions. Patent:
8759235. Inventor:
Sabry. Not Assigned.
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.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Happy Year of the Goat
Thursday, February 19, 2015, on the Gregorian Calendar, is the beginning of the lunar new year, sometimes called Chinese New Year, and observed in many of the nations of East and Southeast Asia.
If you are looking to a new year's gift, you couldn't go wrong with...
...an apparel article, such as these scarves, made of 100 percent hair of the CASHMERE GOAT.
If you are looking to a new year's gift, you couldn't go wrong with...
Are
your yarns, fabrics, apparel, or home textile articles labeled in compliance
with the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") Wool Rules and Textile
Rules?
Are you sure?
David Trumbull, Principal, Agathon
Associates, has 20-years experience working with the FTC. We can assist you
with LABEL ADVISOR, which offers "Smart
guidance for U.S. label compliance: SO SMART,
SEW RIGHT." Contact David at 202-657-6008 or
david@agathonassociates.com.
Federal Trade
Commission requirement for labeling of textile and apparel products are complex
and cover such areas as:
Ø
country of origin,
Ø
fiber content,
Ø
care labeling, and
Ø
identification of manufacturer, importer, or other dealer.
The
penalties for mislabeling can be high, in some cases as high as $16,000 per
offense (that's per skein of yarn, roll of fabric, garment, or home textile
article!).
Do you know
the answers to these questions? Are you sure?
Q. Recently four national retailers agreed
to pay FTC penalties totaling $1.26 million for labeling rayon made from
bamboo as simply "bamboo." Are your bamboo products labeled in
compliance with the FTC regulations?
Q. What is the FTC one step removed
rule for country of origin labeling and how does it apply to your product?
Q. Why is it not permissible in the
U.S. to label the fiber content of a yarn, fabric, apparel or home textile
article as "pashmina?"
Q. Are you aware of, and in compliance with the
FTC's new definition of cashmere, which was part of the July 2014
modifications to the Wool Rules? What about the changes made at that time to
the designation of very fine wools?
Q. Did you know that natural fibers
such as wool and cotton are not necessarily organic and that the FTC has
provided guidance that broad, unqualified general environmental benefit
claims like "green" or "eco-friendly" are not
acceptable?
For help with labeling requirements Contact David at
202-657-6008 or david@agathonassociates.com.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Federal Business Opportunities for Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Recently posted federal business opportunities.
------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--FIREFIGHTER DAILY WORK BOOTS Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Men's and Women's Air Force Dress Coat, Blue Shade 1620 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Military Bags Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: US Navy Service Dress Whites, Men Agency: Department of Transportation ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--Energy Dissipating Airbag for use with Cargo Aerial Delivery Platform Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Sweatshirt/Sweatpants, Air Force PCU Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Cadet Raincoats Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Protective Footwear Agency: Department of the Army -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Attention Wool Spinners and Weavers, Major News Regarding Wool Payments
On February 13, 2015, Agathon Associates confirmed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service the procedures to implement SEC. 12315 for the 2014 Farm Bill, the "Agriculture Wool Apparel Trust Fund," were nearing completion. These changes affect "make up" payments for payment "shortfalls" in prior years, major changes to the grants to wool fabric weavers, and provisions for refund of certain duties paid on imports of fiber, top, and yarn of 18.5 micron and fiber.
Details are available to Agathon Associates clients by CLICKING HERE and entering you ID and PW. Scroll to the bottom for the latest news. If you need your ID and PS contact David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Canadian Government Requests WTO Panel on China Anti-Dumping Measures
Today the Honourable Ed Fast, Canadian Minister of International Trade, issued the following statement:
"On October 15, 2014, Canada filed a request for consultations at the WTO concerning the unfounded and discriminatory measures introduced by China that disadvantage Canadian exports of dissolving pulp.
"Following our government’s commitment to defend the interests of Canadian workers and companies in the forestry sector, and due to the inability to resolve this matter through ongoing engagement with China, Canada is requesting the establishment of a WTO panel on China’s imposition of discriminatory anti-dumping measures on Canadian dissolving pulp.
"Canada’s position is that China’s investigation was not conducted in accordance with WTO rules and, as a result, the conclusions were flawed.
Backgrounder - Chronology and Facts
On October 15, 2014, the Government of Canada filed a request for consultations at the WTO.
On April 6, 2014, China imposed duties of up to 23.7 percent on Canadian exports of dissolving pulp entering the Chinese market.
Last year, Canadian companies exported $317 million of dissolving pulp to China. In 2013, Canada produced approximately 750,000 tonnes of dissolving pulp, of which 363,000 tonnes was exported to China.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
This is Washington’s Birthday and I Can’t Tell a Lie
Monday is WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY, a federal and state holiday to honor the hero of the Revolutionary War, the Father of His Country, and the first President of the United States. Of the 43 men to serve as chief executive of the Union, only Washington is so singled out for honor with a federal holiday. Federal, state, and local government offices in the United States will be closed. Many businesses, especially those that routinely engage with government offices, will also be closed in observance of the day.
That many persons now call the third Monday in February "Presidents Day" is an indicator of our lack of discrimination and devaluing of true accomplishment and fame. To put it in perspective, Catholics believe that each of the 266 popes was the Vicar of Christ on Earth, infallible in matters of faith and morals, and yet fewer than 90 have been added to the calendar of Saints (and no less erudite writer than Dante placed some of the popes in Hell), but common American usage honors equally the great Washington and the least noble and least accomplished of men to hold the office by jumbling them all together on "Presidents Day," the equivalent of declaring each a "secular saint."
Books on history and government from Washington's library include his personal copy of Common Sense, the tract by Thomas Paine that was so influential in promoting the revolutionary spirit. The General, of course, had several books on military science. Remembering that Mount Vernon was a working farm, we are not surprised to find books on agriculture and practice arts such as carpentry and horsemanship. President Washington's mind ranged beyond those necessary topics, for we also find books on religion, linguistics, and poetry.
Slighting of Washington by calling his birthday "Presidents Day" also errs by neglecting the 29th of May, which by state law (Mass. Gen. Laws Chap. 6 Section 15VV) is our PRESIDENTS DAY, in memory of John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, former presidents from the Commonwealth.
Virginia, home of eight presidents, including Washington, beats us out in total number. But here in the Bay State we have something the Old Dominion lacks. We have in our midst the Washington Library -- About 800 books and pamphlets from George Washington's personal library at Mount Vernon given to the Boston Athenæum by a group of Bostonians in 1848. The books themselves are priceless and only serious scholars need apply for permission to use the collection. However, in 1997 the library published a catalog so the rest of us can see what sort of books the great man was reading.
I could lump Washington in the same group with some of the lesser men who occupied the White House -- but that would be a lie.
United States Launches Challenge to Extensive Chinese Export Subsidy Program
United States Trade Representative Michael Froman announced today that the United States has pursued dispute settlement consultations with the Government of China at the World Trade Organization ("WTO") concerning China’s "Demonstration Bases-Common Service Platform" export subsidy program. Under this questionable program, China seems to provide prohibited export subsidies through "Common Service Platforms" to manufacturers and producers across seven economic sectors and dozens of sub-sectors located in more than one hundred and fifty industrial clusters throughout China known as "Demonstration Bases." This unfair Chinese program is harmful to American workers and American businesses of all sizes.
Pursuant to the Demonstration Bases-Common Service Platform program, China provides free and discounted services through "Common Service Platforms" as well as cash grants and other incentives to enterprises that meet export performance criteria and are located in 179 Demonstration Bases throughout China. Each of these Demonstration Bases is comprised of enterprises from one of seven sectors:
- textiles, apparel and footwear;
- advanced materials and metals (including specialty steel, titanium and aluminum products);
- light industry;
- specialty chemicals;
- medical products;
- hardware and building materials; and
- agriculture.
Consultations are the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process. If the United States and China are not able to reach a mutually agreed solution through consultations, the United States may request the establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel.
Issued Patents
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:
Method for manufacturing a turf reinforcement mat: A turf reinforcement fabric and a method for producing such a
fabric by weaving a plurality of filaments in a predetermined pattern to form a
three-dimensional structure formed to have a loft thickness without the
application of heat to heat shrink the fibers, and/or formed with one or more
fibers of increased thickness at peaks and valleys of the woven structure,
and/or incorporating flame retardant and/or UV stabilizing fiber additives. Patent:
8752592. Inventor:
Sutton et.al. Assignee: Lumite,
Inc
Elastomeric flexible article with absorbant polymer and
manufacturing method: An elastomeric glove with moisture absorbing
characteristics that includes a first layer; and a second layer with an
effective amount of super absorbent polymer dispersed between. One layer is configured to absorb excess
moisture, when the glove is worn for a period of time, to facilitate wet
donning and provide for breathability of the skin, and thereby to provide for a
comfortable environment for the skin.
Patent: 8752215. Inventor:
Chou and Zhang. Assignee: Shen
Wei (Usa) Inc.
Hybrid rope: Hybrid rope having a core containing synthetic
yarns, surrounded by an outer containing steel wire strands, the rope being
terminated at least at one of its ends by a socket having a conically shaped
space, which has a conical angle α of between 2 and 8° and a length of between
5D and 20D, D being the smallest diameter of the conically shaped space. The core contains synthetic yarns and the steel
wires having been untwisted at said at least one of the ends, the open space
around the untwisted wires and fibers in the hollow conical body of the socket
being filled with a resin. Patent: 8752361. Inventor:
Smeet, et.al. Assignee: Dms Ip
Assets B.V.
System and method for textile positioning: A method for needling a spiral textile to create a needled
preform, the method comprising receiving the spiral textile on a bed plate of a
circular needle loom, engaging a positional structure of the spiral textile,
rotating the spiral textile around the circular needle loom, depositing a
predetermined number of layers of the spiral textile on the bed plate, and
needling the spiral textile to create the needled preform. Moreover, the
present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, a method for creating
a circular needled preform from a spiral textile, comprising attaching sacrificial
fibers to at least one of the weft tow and the plurality of warp tows proximate
at least one of the inside diameter and the outside diameter, and engaging the
sacrificial fibers with an engagement mechanism on a circular needle loom. Patent:
8752255. Inventor:
LeCostaouec. Assignee: Goodrich Corporation.
Cottonseed delinters and methods: A system for removing linters from ginned cottonseeds. The systems and methods involve rotating the
seeds in a rotatable drum having a plurality of longitudinal brushes. The
centrifugal force created by the rotation of the drum and the plurality of
longitudinal brushes urge the seeds against an interior surface of the drum
that is lined with a brush insert. In this way, work is performed that removes
the material from the exterior of the seeds. The material is removed using
reduced pressure and the processed seeds are removed. The system may include a
brush insert that is easily removed from the rotatable drum. Other systems and
methods are disclosed. Patent: 8752250. Inventor:
Wedegartner and Horth. Not
Assigned.
Positioning brace for a kneepad:
An adjustable kneepad
support that is a brace formed by a pair of elongated, flexible, and overlapping
beam members that are movable relative to each other for lengthwise adjustment.
Flexing of the beam members allows operation of a flex-latch that can release a
fixed position of the beam members to allow sliding of the members to a newly
adjusted lengthwise position. Patent: 8752214. Inventor:
Maldonado. Not Assigned.
Radiation treatment brassiere:
A radiation treatment
bra. The bra includes adjustable
elements and a medial window. During radiation treatment planning, the elements
are adjusted to establish a reference breast geometry. The reference breast
geometry is reproduced prior to an actual treatment session by repeating the
original adjustment of the elements, as necessary. The medial window enables a
light field to be projected onto the patient's chest, and read therefrom,
thereby establishing proper alignment of the patient to the radiation treatment
machine. Patent: 8753171. Inventor:
Thompson. Not Assigned.
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.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Federal Business Opportunities for Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Recently posted federal business opportunities.
------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--CLOTH, Z-FLEX Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Sources Sought-Windbreakers for Soldiers of The Old Guard, 3d Infantry Regiment Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Request for Information (RFI) - Jungle Rucksack Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--TENT Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Webbing, Textile, Intergral Locking Slot Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Sources Sought-Men's High Gloss Shoes for Soldiers of The Old Guard-3d Infantry Regiment Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: CLOTH, LAMINATED Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Provide t-shirts to include custom imprinting for Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG), Fort Knox, Kentucky. Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Purchase of Protective Hood by North Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--CORD,ELASTIC Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--TENT,MX SHELTER, TAN, Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--10 JACKET Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Shoe, Men's and Women's, Dress, Leather (Navy Certified Style) Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Sweatshirts & Sweatpants Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--CLOTH; TWILL WEAVE 65% POLYESTER/35% COTTON Agency: Department of the Army -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
Customs Publishes Regulations for U.S.-Australia FTA
On February 10, 2015, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published in the Federal Register (80 FR 7303) United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement; Interim regulations; solicitation of comments. The Interim rule is effective February 10, 2015; comments must be received by April 13, 2015.
Claremont Flock Seeks to Use FTZ Procedures to Promote American Manufacturing
An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones ("FTZ") Board by the Massachusetts Port Authority, grantee of FTZ 27, requesting subzone status for the facility of Spectro Coating Corporation d/b/a Claremont Flock, LLC, located in Leominster, Massachusetts.
Claremont Flock, LLC, imports man-made fiber tow, with a rate of duty of 7.5%, and converts it to precision cut flock (rate of duty zero). Claremont's competitors who import cut flock duty-free have an unfair advantage over Claremont, which is committed to preserving flock manufacturing jobs in the U.S.A. This application, when approved, will allow Claremont to defer the duty paid on the imported tow until the finished flock enters U.S. commerce, at which time it will be subject the normal rate of duty. In the case of tow which is subsequently exported out of the U.S. as flock, Claremont will pay no duty on the tow.
Claremont was assisted in drafting the application by Agathon Associates. David Trumbull, principal, Agathon Associates, has, since 2007, represented the interests of domestic U.S.A. textile manufacturers in comments to the FTZ Board relating to many production applications and in several meetings with the Board in Washington, D.C.
Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions shall be addressed to the FTZ Board's Executive Secretary The closing period for their receipt is March 23, 2015.
A separate application for production relating to certain acrylic and rayon tow not produced in the U.S.A. is expected to be published in the Federal Register in a few days. The production application will relate to the same acrylic and rayon tow for which Claremont's domestic competitor, Cellusuede Products, Inc., received FTZ authorization in 2009. Thus the production application, when approved, will put Claremont at parity with as Cellusuede.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
CBP Seizes $12 Million in Counterfeit Goods in Operation Super Fake
U.S. Customs and Border Protection interdicted nearly 700 shipments of counterfeit merchandise valued at $12 million as part of a Super Bowl XLIX focused operation conducted on Jan. 26-29 at the DHL facility in Cincinnati. The $12 million is the estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price if the trademark on the merchandise had been genuine. Included in the hundreds of shipments seized are team apparel with counterfeit NFL trademark. Read more HERE
Children’s Pajamas and Robes Recalled by Lazy One Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard
Name of Product: Children’s pajamas and robes
Description: This recall involves 100% polyester Lazy One children’s sleepwear garments, including footed pajamas and two robes. The one-piece “footeez” style footed zip-up pajama is beige with a red, pink, blue and yellow owl print with the wording “I’m OWL yours.” It has blue trim at the neck, cuff and right-hand side single pocket. The pajama has a foot-to-neck zipper, non-slip soles and a rear opening on the behind. It was sold in sizes children’s small through extra-large. One of the recalled robes is pink with moose graphics and “Don’t Moose With Me” printed on it. It has solid green trim, two front pockets and belt. The second robe is red with printed moose graphics and solid black trim, two front pockets and belt. Both robes were sold in sizes 4T through 14. “Lazy One”, the size and “Made in China” are printed on the garments’ neck label. Garments with “Flame Resistant” printed on the neck label are not included in this recall.
Hazard: The footed pajamas and robes fail to meet the federal flammability standard for children’s sleepwear, posing a burn hazard to children.
Remedy: Replace. Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas and robes away from children and return them to Lazy One for a free replacement garment, including shipping.
Consumer Contact: Lazy One toll-free at (866) 340-5278 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or online at www.lazyone.com and click on the Product Recall link on the bottom of the page for more information.
Units: About 8,400
Injuries: None reported.
Sold at: Department stores and children’s boutiques nationwide and online at www.lazyone.com from October 2013 through June 2014 for about $22 for the pajamas and about $15 for the robes.
Importer: Lazy One, Inc., of North Logan, Utah
Manufactured in: China
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
U.S. Dept. of Labor to Direct $8 Million toward Reducing Child Labor in Vietnam
On January 29, 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of an $8 million cooperative agreement to the International Labor Organization to implement a technical cooperation project to prevent and reduce child labor in Vietnam. This project will be undertaken in coordination with the Government of Vietnam. There are an estimated 1.75 million children in Vietnam who work as child laborers.
According to the U.S. Department of State, it it's 2013 Human Rights Reports: Vietnam
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is an authoritarian state ruled by a single party, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and President Truong Tan Sang. The most recent National Assembly elections, held in 2011, were neither free nor fair.The most significant human rights problems in the country continued to be severe government restrictions on citizens’ political rights...
Specific human rights abuses included continued police mistreatment of suspects during arrest and detention, including the use of lethal force as well as austere prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention for political activities; and denial of the right to a fair and expeditious trial... The government limited freedoms of speech and press and suppressed dissent; increasingly restricted internet freedom; reportedly continued to be involved in attacks against websites containing criticism; maintained surveillance of dissidents; and continued to limit privacy rights and freedoms of assembly, association, and movement. Although authorities allowed more than 100 new places of worship to register, hundreds of others remained unable to register, and citizens who tried to exercise their right to freedom of religion continued to be subject to harassment, differing interpretations and applications of the law, and inconsistent legal protection, especially at provincial and village levels. Police corruption persisted. The government maintained its prohibition of independent human rights organizations. Violence and discrimination against women as well as trafficking in persons of men, women, and children continued, as did gender-based sex selection and sexual exploitation of children. The government maintained limits on workers’ rights to form and join independent unions and did not enforce safe and healthy working conditions adequately. Child labor persisted.
The U.S. is currently negotiating a free trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with Vietnam
Issued Patents
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:
Chainsaw protective chaps:
Protective
chaps to provide protection against chainsaw cuts made with and snake bites has
a woven cloth-like shell lined by a layer of polyester/aramid fiber all
enclosed by an inside thin polyester fabric. The combination of zippers and
hook-and-loop fasteners provides a dual fastener system that protects against
freeze up and clogging of exposed zippers.
This patent is more about how the chaps are made and worn than about
chainsaw protection. Patent: 8745765. Inventor:
Ahlborn. Assignee: Ahlborn Equipment, Inc.
Aerodynamic bicycle shoe cover and pedal cover: A new aerodynamic cover for a bicycle shoe and
clipless bicycle pedal for improving speed when cycling. The aerodynamic cover
has a main body covering the ankle, heel and sole. An opening is formed in the sole portion for
allowing a bicycle pedal to be engaged to a cleat mounted on the bicycle
pedal. Patent: 8745900. Inventor:
Byrne. Assignee: Speedplay Inc.
Article of footwear having an upper incorporating a knitted
component: An article of footwear
with an upper that has a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the
upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit
construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. A flat knitting process or a variety of other
knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component. Patent:
8745896. Inventor: Dua, et.al.
Assignee: Nike.
Method for making a knitted mesh: A biocompatible surgical silk mesh prosthetic
device employs a knit pattern that substantially prevents unraveling and
preserves the stability of the mesh device, especially when the mesh device is
cut. Patent: 8746014. Inventor:
Mortarino. Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
Bathing garment set: A novel bathing
garment set for taking showers in public places. Oversized, snap-fastened shirt
tops and shorts are designed for easily putting on and disrobing normal clothes
in public with privacy. Made of semi-permeable fabrics, the bathing garment is
to be worn during a shower and while washing.
Patent: 8745766. Inventor:
Tarrant and Tarrant.
Assignee: Neil Tarrant
Triple density gel insole:
A
triple density replacement insole with two coextensive layers of different
densities which extend the length of the insole. The invention comprises a first top cloth
layer, a second gel layer and a third density layer comprising a stability
cradle adjacent the gel layer. In a preferred embodiment, the stability cradle,
which extends from the arch area to the heel area and secures to the gel layer,
defines a first metatarsal region gap which exposes the gel layer and a second
heel region gap which exposes the gel layer. A heel cushion is positioned in
the second heel region gap adjacent to the gel layer and is secured to the gel
layer exposed in that region. A metatarsal arch support is integrally formed in
the first metatarsal region gap area.
Patent: 8745894. Inventor:
Cheskin, et.al. Assignee: Spenco Medical.
Article of footwear including a sizing system: A shoe with a size-adjustable system capable
of adjusting the size of the shoe. The size-adjustable system comprises three
sets of removable inserts. The inserts engage the shoe in the heel region of
the upper to provide both space-filling in the heel region as well as
stabilization of the foot. When each set of sizing inserts are placed within
the article of footwear, the size of the foot the article of footwear is
capable of receiving is different. By providing a size-adjustable system, the
article of footwear is capable of receiving multiple foot sizes, such as that
of a growing child. Patent: 8745899. Inventor:
Schenone. Assignee: Nike, Inc.
Apparatus and method for the treatment of strand-shaped textile
products: An apparatus for the
treatment of yarn which is circulated through a tubular treatment container and
a transport nozzle array that can be charged with a gas jet. Charge elements are provided at least in the
region of the transport nozzle array to charge the material strand with a
liquid treatment agent. Patent: 8746018. Inventor:
Christ. Assignee: Then Maschinen Gmbh.
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.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Federal Business Opportunities for Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Recently posted federal business opportunities.
------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--Ultra Low Visibility Concealable Body Armor (ULV CBA) Re-Solicitation Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--Gray Wool Blanket Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--OPTION - Ballistic T-Shirts Level III-A PLUS Agency: Department of State ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--M98 Pleated Particulate Media Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: socks Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: DAF Civilian Police Uniforms Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 84--FIELD SHOWER,PORTAB Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Field Jackets Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Floor Tent, MGPTS Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: SLACKS, WOMENS, NAVY, POLYESTER, WHITE SHADE 3006 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Webbing, Textile 8305-01-629-6119 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Running Shoes & Cross Trainers Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: WET WEATHER PARKA Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Emergency Response Jackets, Fire Dept (Brand Name or Equal - Blauer) Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Office of Protection Uniforms Agency: Department of the Treasury ------------------------------------------------------- Title: FBI Police Uniforms Agency: Department of Justice ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--PURLIN,TENT Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: NAUGAHYDE Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Flame Resistant Jackets Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Sweatshirts & Sweatpants Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Enhanced Combat Helmet Agency: Department of the Navy ------------------------------------------------------- Title: HOODS, RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Textile Tape Agency: General Services Administration ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 83--TARPAULIN Agency: Defense Logistics Agency -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
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