Robert C Kerr

US Patent:

6340514, Jan 22, 2002

Filed:

Aug 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/374707

Inventors:

Robert C. Kerr - LaGrange GA

Assignee:

Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

A47G 906

US Classification:

428159, 428161, 428172, 428215, 4283186, 264 451, 264 464, 264241, 2642975, 15624427, 156245, 5420

Abstract:

This invention relates to a cushioned dust control mat article wherein the mat comprises at least two distinct layers of rubber, one comprising foam rubber, the other comprising solid rubber. The solid rubber layer is present over the foam rubber layer on the side of the mat in which at least one integrated rubber protrusion is present to provide cushioning characteristics. The solid rubber layer acts as a cap or barrier for the foam rubber layer, particularly over the integrated protrusion or protrusions, in order to provide a mat which is resilient, will not easily degrade in its modulus strength after appreciable use and/or washing within industrial cleaning processes, and will not exhibit appreciable cracking or breaking, particularly within the integrated protrusion(s), after standard use for pedestrian traffic. A method of producing such an inventive cushioned floor mat article is also provided.

US Patent:

6428873, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Oct 15, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/732866

Inventors:

Robert C. Kerr - LaGrange GA

Assignee:

Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

D04H 1100

US Classification:

428 95, 428 97, 428337

Abstract:

The disclosure relates to a floor mat and method for producing the same. The floor mat includes a plurality of tufts extending from a carrier fabric which is joined by a layer of adhesive to a backing having at least one layer of vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer. The process for production of the floor mat includes applying an olefin based adhesive to the back of a primary tufted fabric which has been preheated. The process for production includes the further separate step of applying a sheet of vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer of between about 20 and 40 mils thickness with or without a layer of reinforcing material to the preheated adhesive backed primary tufted fabric. A second layer of vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer may thereafter be applied following another heating step.

US Patent:

6478995, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Oct 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/697223

Inventors:

Robert C. Kerr - LaGrange GA

Assignee:

Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

B29C 4406

US Classification:

264 464, 264 54, 264257, 264259

Abstract:

This invention relates to a cushioned floor covering article wherein the mat includes a tufted carpet placed on the top side of a foam rubber sheet and at least one foam rubber protrusion integrated within at least a portion of the bottom side of the foam rubber sheet. Such an article provides effective removal of moisture, dirt, and debris from the footwear of pedestrians through the utilization of a carpet pile component. Furthermore, the utilization of a foam rubber backing also allows for either periodic heavy duty industrial-scale laundering in such standard washing machines or periodic washing and drying in standard in-home machines, both without appreciably damaging the inventive floor covering article, such as a floor mat. Additionally, the presence of integrated foam rubber protrusions within the mat structure provides an effective cushioning effect for pedestrian comfort as well as a means to prevent slippage of the article from its contacted surface. A method of producing such an inventive cushioned floor covering article is also provided.

US Patent:

6520763, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Jul 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/915120

Inventors:

Robert C. Kerr - LaGrange GA
Amy B. Streeton - LaGrange GA

Assignee:

Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

B29C 6502

US Classification:

425385, 425403, 425364 R, 264293

Abstract:

The present invention relates to specific methods of producing cleated rubber-backed floor mats (such as dust control or rubber mats) through the utilization of the combination of a perforated coated woven fabric article and a cushioned platen liner between the article and the metal platen of an in-line dust control mat manufacturing machine. Such a procedure permits a more efficient manner of producing cleated anti-creep dust control mats than previously followed. In particular, the fabric article is in the form of a conveyor belt and is preferably constructed from TeflonÂ-coated woven fiberglass which will not adhere to the tacky rubber component of the target mat and can withstand the extremely high vulcanization temperatures and pressures required during the production of a dust control mat. The cushioned platen liner, which is preferably comprised of or coated with silicon, is utilized as a separator between the metal platen of the manufacturing machine, as well as cushion for the molten rubber as it is pressed through the conveyor belt perforations during vulcanization. Such a cushioned liner material substantially eliminates any problems due to the force of the metal platen against the molten rubber as it passes through the article perforations.

US Patent:

6589631, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Oct 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/679467

Inventors:

Akihito Suzuki - Yamagata-ken, JP
Robert C. Kerr - LaGrange GA
Amy K. Streeton - LaGrange GA

Assignee:

Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

B32B 300

US Classification:

428172, 428159, 428187, 428215, 264243, 264257, 156 72, 156244, 15624415, 15215, 15217, 15238, 5417

Abstract:

A flashless floor mat or product and method are provided. At least one embodiment of this invention relates to a flashless cushioned dust control mat article wherein the mat comprises at least two distinct layers of rubber, one comprising foam rubber, the other comprising solid rubber. The solid rubber layer is present over the foam rubber layer on the side of the mat in which at least one integrated rubber protrusion is present to provide cushioning characteristics. The solid rubber layer acts as a cap or barrier for the foam rubber layer, particularly over the integrated protrusion or protrusions, in order to provide a mat which is resilient, will not easily degrade in its modulus strength after appreciable use and/or washing within industrial cleaning processes, and will not exhibit appreciable cracking or breaking, particularly within the integrated protrusion(s), after standard use for pedestrian traffic. A method of producing such an inventive cushioned floor mat article is also provided.

US Patent:

6591560, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Mar 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/802824

Inventors:

Amy B. Streeton - LaGrange GA
Robert C. Kerr - LaGrange GA
Roy P. DeMott - Spartanburg SC

Assignee:

Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

E04F 1116

US Classification:

52177, 52179, 5420, 428159, 428161

Abstract:

The present disclosure relates to an anti-fatigue flooring article having inherent properties of electrostatic dissipation. Further, this disclosure relates to flooring article having at least two layers, wherein a first layer (comprised of dense rubber) is calendered to a second layer (comprised of foam rubber). Each layer has a different electrical conductivity, thereby creating a mat having an appropriate range of conductivity when combined. The present flooring article may also include a layer of static dissipating scrim, a grounding means, and/or a colored marking.

US Patent:

RE38422, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Feb 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/066737

Inventors:

Robert C. Kerr - LaGrange GA

Assignee:

Milliken Co. - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

B32B 302

US Classification:

428 85, 15215, 15216, 428 86, 428 87, 428 88, 428 89, 428 90, 428 91, 428 92, 428 93, 428 94, 428 95, 428 96, 428 97, 4283193

Abstract:

This invention relates to a cushioned floor covering article wherein the mat includes a tufted carpet placed on the top side of a foam rubber sheet and at least one foam rubber protrusion integrated within at least a portion of the bottom side of the foam rubber sheet. Such an article provides effective removal of moisture, dirt, and debris from the footwear of pedestrians through the utilization of a carpet pile component. Furthermore, the utilization of a foam rubber backing also allows for either periodic heavy duty industrial-scale laundering in such standard washing machines or periodic washing and drying in standard in-home machines, both without appreciably damaging the inventive floor covering article, such as a floor mat. Additionally, the presence of integrated foam rubber protrusions within the mat structure provides an effective cushioning effect for pedestrian comfort as well as a means to prevent slippage of the article from its contacted surface. A method of producing such an inventive cushioned floor covering article is also provided.

US Patent:

6709728, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Jul 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/915017

Inventors:

Robert C. Kerr - LaGrange GA
Amy B. Streeton - LaGrange GA

Assignee:

Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

B32B 314

US Classification:

428 47, 57211, 57236, 15215, 15216, 428 375, 428 361, 428 48, 428 82, 428 85, 428 86, 428 88, 428 90, 428 91, 428 95, 428 96, 428102, 428120, 428138, 428166, 428167, 4581, 4582, 4583

Abstract:

The present invention relates to specific methods of producing cleated rubber-backed floor mats (such as dust control or rubber mats) through the utilization of the combination of a perforated coated woven fabric article and a cushioned platen liner between the article and the metal platen of an in-line dust control mat manufacturing machine. Such a procedure permits a more efficient manner of producing cleated anti-creep dust control mats than previously followed. The produced mat as well as the woven fabric article/cushioned platen liner combination are also encompassed within this invention.