Charles Chesley Curtis

US Patent:

6564436, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Dec 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/008736

Inventors:

Samuel Keith Black - Garner NC
Charles Keith Curtis - Benson NC
Shane James Moran - Willow Springs NC

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

D06B 102

US Classification:

28104, 28163, 28167

Abstract:

The present invention contemplates a method of forming a textile laminate or composite fabric from a plurality of woven fabric layers, with the method contemplating use of a three-dimensional image transfer device to facilitate efficient and commercially viable use of the method. Herein is disclosed a method of forming an imaged textile laminate or composite compound fabric, the fabric having a first textile fabric layer comprising a plurality of interwoven warp and weft yarns and at least one other textile fabric layer, the lamination of the fabric layers and imaging of the construct occurring on a three-dimensional image transfer device. The image transfer device has a foraminous, image-forming surface comprising a regular pattern of three-dimensional surface elements.

US Patent:

6502288, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Feb 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/780251

Inventors:

Samuel K. Black - Garner NC
Charles Keith Curtis - Benson NC
Cheryl L. Carlson - Willow Springs NC

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

D04H 146

US Classification:

28104, 28163, 28167

Abstract:

A method of forming durable nonwoven fabrics by hydroentanglement includes providing a precursor web comprising a fibrous matrix of staple length fibers and/or substantially continuous filaments. The precursor web is subjected to hydroentanglement on a three-dimensional image transfer device to create a patterned and imaged fabric. Enhanced imaging is achieved by advancing the precursor web onto the movable imaging surface of the image transfer device at a rate substantially equal to the rate at which the image surface moves relative to one or more associated hydroentangling manifolds. Treatment with a polymeric binder composition enhances the integrity of the fabric, permitting it to exhibit desired physical characteristics, including strength, durability, softness, and drapeability. Mechanical compaction of the imaged and patterned fabric, such as by sanforizing, enhances the desired physical properties.

US Patent:

6606771, Aug 19, 2003

Filed:

Jul 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/918205

Inventors:

Charles Keith Curtis - Benson NC
Kenneth Daniels - Benson NC
Kay Goodson - Littleton NC

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

D06B 508

US Classification:

28167, 28163

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a method of imaging a woven textile fabric by positioning the fabric on a three-dimensional image transfer device, and subjecting the fabric to treatment with high pressure liquid streams. A regular pattern defined by the image transfer device is thereby durably imparted to the fabric. The use of a three-dimensional image transfer device facilitates efficient commercially viable use of the method, while avoiding the creation of repeating defects which can occur when imaging fabrics on wire mesh screens.

US Patent:

6701591, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Sep 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/251746

Inventors:

David Collins - Apex NC
Charles Keith Curtis - Benson NC
Jerry Parker - Benson NC

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

D04H 146

US Classification:

28104

Abstract:

In the present invention, a hydroentangled and three-dimensionally patterned fibrous material is formed from a fibrous matrix to produce a nonwoven fabric of pronounced open area and enhanced physical properties, including abrasive, and particularly wet abrasive, performance. A three-dimensional pattern utilized on the forming surface results in the nonwoven fabric having a diaphanous gauze-like or cheesecloth-like presentation. A method of making a nonwoven material embodying the principles of the present invention contemplates the use of staple length fibers to facilitate economical fabric formation. Formation of the fibrous nonwoven fabric on a three-dimensional, image transfer device by hydroentangling imparts desired physical properties to the fabric such as the controlled placement of the fiber population relative to the desired three-dimensional pattern of the imaging device. This nonwoven fabric may be natural or colored.

US Patent:

6859983, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Sep 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/246200

Inventors:

Charles Curtis - Benson NC, US
Samuel K. Black - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

D04H001/46
D04H013/00

US Classification:

28104, 28163, 28169

Abstract:

In the present invention, a hydroentangled and three-dimensionally patterned fibrous material is printed or dyed with suitable coloring agents that are beneficial in enhancing the ability of the material to disrupt or obscure objects placed beneath such material. A three-dimensional pattern in the fibrous material results in a camouflage fabric with enhanced realism due to ability of the fabric to transmit varying amounts of direct and incidental light, thus producing shape-obscuring shadows.

US Patent:

6900146, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Mar 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/385411

Inventors:

Samuel Keith Black - Garner NC, US
Charles Keith Curtis - Benson NC, US
Shane James Moran - Willow Springs NC, US

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

B32B005/26

US Classification:

442240, 442246, 442247, 442276, 442304, 442318

Abstract:

The present invention contemplates a method of forming a textile laminate or composite fabric from a plurality of woven fabric layers, with the method contemplating use of a three-dimensional image transfer device to facilitate efficient and commercially viable use of the method. Herein is disclosed a method of forming an imaged textile laminate or composite compound fabric, the fabric having a first textile fabric layer comprising a plurality of interwoven warp and weft yarns and at least one other textile fabric layer, the lamination of the fabric layers and imaging of the construct occurring on a three-dimensional image transfer device. The image transfer device has a foraminous, image-forming surface comprising a regular pattern of three-dimensional surface elements.

US Patent:

20030104745, Jun 5, 2003

Filed:

Jul 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/206271

Inventors:

Charles Keith Curtis - Benson NC, US

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc.

International Classification:

B32B005/16

US Classification:

442/327000, 442/404000

Abstract:

The present invention is directed a nonwoven fabric which is imparted with a three-dimensional image or pattern during the fabrication stage. The three-dimensional image or pattern imparted into the structure of the nonwoven fabric results in a lofty material with particulate capturing recesses or “pockets” which act to entrap and entrain dust. The three-dimensional image or pattern also results in a number of fibrous ends and loops which extend beyond the surface of the recesses or “pockets”, which in turn, improve the nonwoven fabrics ability to effectively collect particulates from the surface of the article to be cleaned or dusted. In conjunction, the recesses and the extended fibrous surface act to effectively remove fine particulates such as dust from articles such as furniture and flooring.

US Patent:

20050268420, Dec 8, 2005

Filed:

Jun 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/146604

Inventors:

Charles Curtis - Benson NC, US

International Classification:

A47L013/16

US Classification:

015209100

Abstract:

The present invention is directed a nonwoven fabric which is imparted with a three-dimensional image or pattern during the fabrication stage. The three-dimensional image or pattern imparted into the structure of the nonwoven fabric results in a lofty material with particulate capturing recesses or “pockets” which act to entrap and entrain dust. The three-dimensional image or pattern also results in a number of fibrous ends and loops which extend beyond the surface of the recesses or “pockets”, which in turn, improve the nonwoven fabrics ability to effectively collect particulates from the surface of the article to be cleaned or dusted. In conjunction, the recesses and the extended fibrous surface act to effectively remove fine particulates such as dust from articles such as furniture and flooring.