John Michael Mcdaniel

US Patent:

6715189, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Feb 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/083922

Inventors:

Robert Lindsay Osbon - Waterloo SC
John Scott McDaniel - Greenville SC

Assignee:

Milliken Company - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

D06C 2900

US Classification:

26 1, 28167

Abstract:

This invention relates to specific, improved spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics comprised of continuous multi-component longitudinally splittable fibers. The resulting nonwoven fabrics exhibit enhanced flexibility, drape, softness, thickness, moisture absorption capacity, moisture vapor transmission rate, and cleanliness in comparison with other nonwovens of the same fiber construction. These improved aesthetic and performance characteristics permit expansion of high-strength nonwoven fabric materials into other markets and industries currently dominated by woven and knit fabrics that exhibit such properties themselves, but at high cost and requiring greater manufacturing complexity. Such enhanced fabrics are subjected to certain air impingement procedures, for instance through directing low-pressure gaseous fluids at high velocity to the surface of the targeted nonwoven fabric. Also encompassed within this invention is the method of treating such a specific nonwoven fabric with this air impingement procedure.

US Patent:

6863697, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Feb 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/071316

Inventors:

John Scott McDaniel - Greenville SC, US
Kirkland W. Vogt - Greenville SC, US
Woodrow P. Gilbert - Spartanburg SC, US

Assignee:

Milliken & Company - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

D06M011/36

US Classification:

811556, 811554, 811568, 811569, 442361

Abstract:

In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric having splittable conjugate yarns both to an acidic treatment and to a basic treatment, each of which erodes a portion of the components of the conjugate yarns. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The basic treatment has a similar effect on the polyester element of the conjugate filament, making it more hydrophilic. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component, coupled with the increased hydrophilicity of the polyester component, results in a fabric having enhanced absorptive properties. In an alternate embodiment, treatments with only acid or only basic solution may be employed.

US Patent:

20030153229, Aug 14, 2003

Filed:

Feb 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/071048

Inventors:

John McDaniel - Greenville SC, US
Kirkland Vogt - Simpsonville SC, US
Woodrow Gilbert - Spartanburg SC, US

International Classification:

D04H001/00
D04H003/00
D04H005/00
D04H013/00

US Classification:

442/361000, 442/327000, 442/333000, 442/362000, 442/363000, 442/364000, 442/414000, 442/415000

Abstract:

In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting the nonwoven fabric both to an acidic treatment and to a caustic treatment, each of which erodes a portion of the components of the conjugate yarns. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The caustic treatment has a similar effect on the polyester element of the conjugate filament, making it more hydrophilic. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component, coupled with the increased hydrophilicity of the polyester component, results in a fabric having enhanced absorptive properties. In an alternate embodiment, treatments with only acid or only caustic solution may be employed.

US Patent:

20030162459, Aug 28, 2003

Filed:

Feb 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/083940

Inventors:

Robert Osbon - Waterloo SC, US
John McDaniel - Greenville SC, US

International Classification:

D04H001/00
D04H003/00

US Classification:

442/361000, 442/401000

Abstract:

This invention relates to specific, improved spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics comprised of continuous multi-component longitudinally splittable fibers. The resulting nonwoven fabrics exhibit enhanced flexibility, drape, softness, thickness, moisture absorption capacity, moisture vapor transmission rate, and cleanliness in comparison with other nonwovens of the same fiber construction. These improved aesthetic and performance characteristics permit expansion of high-strength nonwoven fabric materials into other markets and industries currently dominated by woven and knit fabrics that exhibit such properties themselves, but at high cost and requiring greater manufacturing complexity. Such enhanced fabrics are subjected to certain air impingement procedures, for instance through directing low-pressure gaseous fluids at high velocity to the surface of the targeted nonwoven fabric. Also encompassed within this invention is the method of treating such a specific nonwoven fabric with this air impingement procedure.