Kim Glas Steps Down from OTEXA Post

David Trumbull with Kim Glas, 2010, at a meeting of Industry Trade Advisory Committee for Textiles, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods

According to an article in WWD, Kim Glas, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Textiles, Apparel and Consumer Goods will step down from that post June 6 to become the executive vice president of the BlueGreen Alliance in Washington, a national partnership of 14 unions and environmental organizations advocating for renewable energy; energy efficiency, and safer, cleaner chemicals, among other issues, to create a "clean economy."

Since her appointment August 24, 2009, Kim has been a strong advocate within the Department of Commerce for the domestic U.S. textile industry.

President's Export Council to Meet June 19th

SUMMARY: The President's Export Council will hold a meeting June 19th to deliberate on recommendations related to promoting the expansion of U.S. exports. Topics may include: Trade promotion authority; localization barriers to trade; reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States; trade facilitation; access to capital; technology-enabled small business exporters; innovation; the National Travel and Tourism Strategy; and the National Export Initiative. The public is invited to submit written statements to the President's Export Council by C.O.B. June 17, 2014.

The President's Export Council was first established by Executive Order on December 20, 1973 to advise the President on matters relating to U.S. export trade and to report to the President on its activities and recommendations for expanding U.S. exports. The President's Export Council was renewed most recently by Executive Order 13652 of September 30, 2013, for the two-year period ending September 30, 2015. This Committee is established in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

FTC Published Wool Rule Amendments Effective July 7th

On June 4, 2014, the FTC published in the Federal Register (79 FR 32157) Rules and Regulations Under the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939; Final rule.

Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor service may view an annotated version of the announced changes by CLICKING HERE and scrolling down to the link "Revised Rules Effective July 7,2014 (Annotated by Agathon Associates)." 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. The document contains the full text of the FTC Federal Register notice in the left column with running commentary in the form of explanatory notes by David Trumbull in the right column.

Berry Interesting: DoD Procurement, What's Covered; What's Not.

The Berry Amendment, which mandates domestic sourcing for nearly all U.S. Department of Defense procurement of textiles and clothing, is the subject of my latest guest column in the BeaverLake6 Report It's a good concise primer for companies who are thinking of government contracting and also for those US companies considering providing for Foreign Military Sales through the US Department of Defense. Read the column at www.beaverlake6.com/commentary-by-david-trumbull.

First Patents

What was the first patent?  Since its beginnings, the United States has issued three patents with claims to being the first patent. 

The first legal patent was issued in 1790 to Samuel Hopkins for an improvement in making potash and pearl ash.  Potash and pearl ash were early industrial alkalis that were used in making soaps, glass, bleaching fabric and the manufacture of gunpowder.  At the time potash was an impure form of potassium bicarbonate and was manufactured by burning hardwood and then mixing the ashes with water to leech out the alkali.  This water was then boiled off to generate a black corrosive tar.  Today, you can see the same process in action in old charcoal grills:  when the charcoal gets wet it creates a corrosive effect that eventually eats through the grill.  Hopkins innovation was to burn the ashes a second time in a furnace before leeching the residual in water.  This second burning increased carbonate formation which increased the yield of the process.

The original patent document, now known as X1, was signed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  While Canada did not exist as a country at the time, the process is considered Canada’s first “patent” because the Quebec parliament authorized a “reward” to Hopkins for his discovery.

In 1836, Congress passed a law reorganizing the patent office.  Under the new system, patents were no longer issued by name and date but by an assigned patent number.  Patent Number 1: “Locomotive steam-engine for rail and other roads” was issued to Senator John Ruggles on July 13^th, 1836.  Senator Ruggles, a Jacksonian Democrat from Maine, was Chairman of the Patents and Patent Office Committee and eventually became known as the “Father” of the Patent Office. 

Senator Ruggles’ invention was for a cog and gearing system that improved the traction of train wheels.  The patent has been cited several times since its issue, most recently in February 2013.

During the Civil War, the Confederate States of America also maintained a patent office in Richmond Virginia that issued 266 patents.  While the records and models were destroyed in the war, it is known that their first patent was issued in August 1861 for a breech loading gun.

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

Reinforcing element for a glove, and glove, in particular a goal keeper's glove having such a reinforcing element:  A reinforced glove, especially for a goal keeper's glove, which is designed to allow bending in one direction.  The reinforcement comprises two bending elements which extend in a longitudinal direction of a finger with  blocking elements to prevent bending in the opposite direction.  Patent #:  8646112.  Inventor:  Nix and Schwartz.  Assignee:  Puma SE.

Sports glove having improved wrist strap: A protective sports glove with adjustable dual strapping wrist tie system to secure the gloves to the contour of the hands and ensure they remain tight and fixed. The dual strapping system seeks to provide increased wrist and hand rigidity that mirrors a tightness of hand wrap bandages for maximal bone and tendon support of the hands and wrists. This system increases the transfer of force to the point of impact.  Patent:  8646113.  Inventor:  Clement, et.al.  Assignee:  Hayabusa Fightwear Inc.

System and apparatus for the prevention of the use of certain interventions on vulnerable patients:  A system and apparatus of coded gowns to alert health care workers of the status of vulnerable patients and where on the patient's body the vulnerable portions are located. The use of color-coded gowns follows the patient on his or her person and is therefore less likely to be lost or unseen information, thereby avoiding physical calamity and legal liability.  Patent #:  8646114.  Inventor:  Williams.  Not Assigned. 

Versatile glove:  A glove with zippered (or other) access to the index finger and thumb.  This allows the fingers easy access to touchscreen devices when glove is worn.  Patent #: 8646115.  Inventor:  Baunach.  Not Assigned.

Ballistic resistant groin protector:  A ballistic groin protector with a groin panel and a deployable groin wrap. The groin panel can be suspended from clothing or equipment to protect a wearer's anterior pelvic region from ballistic impact. Patent #:  8646116.  Inventor:  Crye, et.al.  Assignee:  Lineweight, Llc.

Sole assembly for article of footwear exhibiting posture-dependent characteristics:  A shoe with a sole that allows for an insert.  The insert can be used to provide posture and position feedback to the wearer during training sessions.  Patent #:8646191.  Inventor:  Amos, et.al.  Assignee:  Nike, Inc.

Tufting machine for creating a cut pile carpet with two different pile heights:  A tufting machine for creating a cut pile carpet with two different pile heights.  The arrangement insures ensures that the lower hook does not contact the knife once the cutting edge of the knife has passed the lower hook.  This allows the cut angle of the two pile heights to be the same.  Patent #:  8646396.  Inventor:  Shanley. Assignee:  Spencer Wright Industries, Inc.

Garment for providing body shaping:  A garment for providing body shaping. In one embodiment, a slip-shaped body garment uses support bands to provide support in various areas of the body while maintaining an overall smooth and desirable body shape.  Patent #:  8647168.  Inventor:  Anvirapour. Not Assigned.

Backless, strapless bra and attachable breast form enhancement system:  A bra cup or breast form including an interior surface facing toward a user's breast and having at least one thin ridge of pressure sensitive adhesive, for securing the bra cup or breast form to the user's breast, and at least one ventilation pathway on the interior surface. The bra cup or breast form may be used in a backless, strapless bra or breast form system.  Patent #: 8647169.  Inventor:  Chang.  Assignee:  Bragel International.

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.

USDA Announces Modification of Regulations of National Sheep Industry Improvement Center

On June 3, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ("USDA") Agricultural Marketing Service ("AMS") published in the Federal Register (79 FR 31843) National Sheep Industry Improvement Center; Interim rule and request for comments.

As provided under 2014 Farm Bill, the AMS is amending the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center regulations at 7 CFR Part 63. This interim rule redesignates (1) the statutory authority from section 375 (7 U.S.C. 2008j) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), (2) amends the definition of the Act under section 63.1 consistent with the redesignated statutory authority, and (3) amends the regulations by increasing the administrative cap for the use of the funds from 3 percent to 10 percent.

DATES: Effective Date: This interim rule is effective June 4, 2014. Comment Date: Written comments on the regulatory provisions of this interim rule must be received by July 3, 2014.

CBP Publishes List of Entities that May be Able to Claim "Byrd Amendment" Payments

On June 2, 2014, U.S Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") published in the Federal Register (79 FR 31413) Distribution of Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset to Affected Domestic Producers.

To obtain a distribution of the offset under a given order or finding, an affected domestic producer (and anyone alleging eligibility to receive a distribution) must submit a certification for each order or finding under which a distribution is sought, to CBP, indicating their desire to receive a distribution. To be eligible to obtain a distribution, certifications must be received by CBP no later than August 1, 2014. All certifications not received by August 1, 2014 will not be eligible to receive a distribution.

Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor may learn more about the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset, commonly called the "Byrd Amendment," by CLICKING HERE and scrolling down to the link "Revised Rules Effective Mid-2014 (Annotated by Agathon Associates)." 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.