Robert J Willis

US Patent:

47886501, Nov 29, 1988

Filed:

Sep 19, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/909331

Inventors:

Robert F. Willis - Greensboro NC
Robert H. Best - Greensboro NC
Vernon T. Daniel - Oak Ridge NC
Roland L. Connelly - Greensboro NC
Ann Griesinger - Greensboro NC

Assignee:

Burlington Industries, Inc. - Greensboro NC

International Classification:

G01N 2125

US Classification:

364526

Abstract:

The average color, and excursions outside predetermined acceptable color limits, of non-solid-shade fabrics, such as denim, can be determined utilizing a filter colorimeter, an A/D convertor, and computer. A swatch of fabric having a length greater than its width is continuously moved past the colorimeter, and is continuously sampled at the rate of at least about 100 readings per second until the length of the entire swatch has been sampled and analog signals have been generated for all readings. Analog signals are continuously passed from the colorimeter to the A/D convertor, and from the convertor as digital signals to storage in the computer. After sampling is completed the stored digital signals are analyzed. The voltage of the electric light source of the colorimeter is monitored to calibrate the digital signals depending on the voltage to the light source. The swatch is moved with respect to the colorimeter by an assembly including swatch detectors, swatch moving apparatus including a pair of rollers, connected by a belt and driven by a motor, and a device for adjusting the swatch moving apparatus to accommodate swatches of different dimensions.

US Patent:

47455551, May 17, 1988

Filed:

May 26, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/054205

Inventors:

Roland L. Connelly - Greensboro NC
Robert F. Willis - Greensboro NC
Jeremy D. Phelan - Greensboro NC
Kathleen A. Nealen - Kernersville NC

Assignee:

Burlington Industries, Inc. - Greensboro NC

International Classification:

G01N 2125
G01J 350

US Classification:

364470

Abstract:

In a data base of inventoried fabric pieces (e. g. rolls) having associated predetermined color parameter value data, a target fabric piece is initially selected having color parameter values which substantially deviate from a nominal center point within the color parameter space. Thereafter, a subset of the inventoried fabric pieces is identified having associated color parameters sufficiently near to those of the identified target piece as to be commonly usable therewith (e. g. in the construction of a garment). The color parameters may include red/green difference (da*), yellow/blue difference (db*) and lightness difference (dL*) values. Those defined points which fall within an ellipsoidal color space volume (having axes dimensioned to correspond to a predetermined acceptable variations in the color parameters within the desired subset and having a center selected so as to cause the color parameter values of the target piece to be located at the outer portion of such an ellipsoidal volume) are selected as a potentially usable subset. The result is an inverted or outside-toward-inside shade grouping selection process (in color space) of the inventoried fabric pieces--rather than vice versa--thus tending always to concentrate the color space values of remaining inventoried fabric pieces.

US Patent:

46881786, Aug 18, 1987

Filed:

Sep 6, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/773216

Inventors:

Roland L. Connelly - Greensboro NC
Robert F. Willis - Greensboro NC
Jeremy D. Phelan - Greensboro NC
Kathleen A. Nealen - Kernersville NC

Assignee:

Burlington Industries, Inc. - Greensboro NC

International Classification:

G01N 2125
G01J 350

US Classification:

364470

Abstract:

In a data base of inventoried fabric pieces (e. g. rolls) having associated predetermined color parameter value data, a target fabric piece is initially selected having color parameter values which substantially deviate from a nominal center point within the color parameter space. Thereafter, a subset of the inventoried fabric pieces is identified having associated color parameters sufficiently near to those of the identified target piece as to be commonly usable therewith (e. g. in the construction of a garment). The color parameters may include red/green difference (da*), yellow/blue difference (db*) and lightness difference (dL*) values. Those defined points which fall within an ellipsoidal color space volume (having axes dimensioned to correspond to a predetermined acceptable variations in the color parameters within the desired subset and having a center selected so as to cause the color parameter values of the target piece to be located at the outer portion of such an ellipsoidal volume) are selected as a potentially usable subset. The result is an inverted or outside-toward-inside shade grouping selection process (in color space) of the inventoried fabric pieces--rather than vice versa--thus tending always to concentrate the color space values of remaining inventoried fabric pieces.

US Patent:

43469973, Aug 31, 1982

Filed:

Jun 9, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/157841

Inventors:

Robert F. Willis - Greensboro NC

Assignee:

Burlington Industries, Inc. - Greensboro NC

International Classification:

G01N 2157
G01J 346

US Classification:

356244

Abstract:

The invention relates to a method of presenting a non-rigid sample to a color measuring instrument, and such an instrument modified in accordance with the invention to provide proper sample presentation. Fluid under pressure is continuously supplied to the head of a conventional colorimeter having an open viewing port, to maintain a positive pressure in the head with respect to its immediate surroundings, fluid being exhausted through the open viewing port in a turbulent flow of about 10-20 cubic feet/minute. Then a solid backing structure is disposed in backing relationship with a non-rigid sample to be examined, and the sample is positioned over the viewing port with sufficient pressure applied to it to prevent the sample from moving away from the viewing port as a result of fluid flow through the viewing port. The fluid providing a positive pressure is exhausted from a location--a secondary opening about 1/10 the effective area of the viewing port--distinct from the viewing port when the viewing port is covered with the sample to be examined. The fluid flow through the instrument head prevents sample lint and dust from entering the head, facilitates removal of heat generated by the instrument, and facilitates maintenance of the sample so that a flat, distortion-free surface can be examined.