Southern Mills, Inc.

Other

Michael T Stanhope

Charles S Dunn

Matthew Lucius Colatruglio

Phillip H Riggins

Clyde C Lunsford

Dominique Janay Adams

Denise N Statham

Michael Andrew Laton

Rembert J Truesdale, Iii

Rembert Joseph Truesdale

Thomas J Hejhal

Elijah Dufty

Christine J Habicht

Steven John Cushingham

Karen A Kelleher

Timothy James Thorne

Embodiments of the present invention relate to flame resistant fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers that provide the requisite thermal and arc protection, that have improved comfort, and that, in some embodiments, are less expensive than other fabrics formed with inherently flame resistant fibers. Improved comfort and lower cost can be achieved by predominantly locating the inherently flame resistant fibers on the front face of the fabric to impart the requisite thermal and arc protection and predominantly locating the more comfortable (and less expensive) fibers on the back face of the fabric positioned next to the wearer. In this way, overall protection of the fabric is maintained while improving comfort. Some embodiments of such fabrics may also achieve NFPA 70E PPE Category 2 protection.

Flame resistant fabrics

Embodiments of the invention relate to flame resistant fabrics containing fibers having at least one energy absorbing and/or reflecting additive incorporated into the fibers. Inclusion of such fibers into the fabric increases the arc rating/fabric weight ratio of the fabric while still complying with all requisite thermal protective requirements.

Flame resistant fabrics having fibers containing energy absorbing and/or reflecting additives

Flame resistant fabrics that have incorporated into them high tenacity long staple yarns formed of long staple fibers. Such high tenacity long staple yarns are less expensive than continuous filament yarns and increase the strength of fabrics that incorporate them as compared to fabrics formed of only spun yarns formed of short staple fibers.

Flame resistant fabric having high tenacity long staple yarns

Flame resistant fabrics that provide protection against molten metal splash but that have improved comfort at a lower cost by predominantly locating the protective molten metal shedding fibers on the front face of the fabric. Concentrating the protective fibers predominantly on the front face of the fabric still provides good protection against molten metal adherence and allows for more comfortable and less expensive fibers to be used on the back face of the fabric positioned next to the wearer. In this way, overall protection of the fabric is maintained while improving comfort. Embodiments of such fabrics may also achieve NFPA 70E PPE Category 2 protection, for example &#x2265;8 cal/cmarc rating whether ATPV or EBT.

Flame resistant fabrics for protection against molten metal splash

A flame resistant fabric includes first yarns including inherently flame resistant fibers and second yarns including wool fibers. The fabric may satisfy one or more performance standards set forth in ASTM F 1506-02, NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E. The fabric may be a knit or woven fabric, such as a plush or terry knit construction, and one or both sides of the fabric may be napped to form a fleece fabric. The second yarns may include wool and modacrylic fibers, or wool fibers and other inherently flame resistant fibers. The first yarns or second yarns may include sufficient inherently flame resistant fibers such that the fabric has a char length of no more than 4 inches and an afterflame of no more than 2 seconds when tested in accordance with ASTM D6413. The fabric may exhibit a thermal shrinkage of no more than 10% when tested in accordance with NFPA 2112.

Flame resistant fabric having wool blends

Flame resistant fabrics that have incorporated into them cellulosic filament yarns. The cellulosic filament yarns may be flame resistant (either inherently FR or treated so as to be FR) or non-flame resistant. Fabrics according to some embodiments are formed entirely of cellulosic filament yarns. However, fabrics according to some embodiments include additional yarns to ensure that the fabric complies with NFPA 1971 and/or 2112.

Flame resistant fabrics having cellulosic filament yarns

Embodiments of the present invention replace relatively bulky nonwoven thermal insulating materials used in thermal liners with thin, lightweight, flexible films that maintain or improve TPP performance while reducing the thickness, and enhancing the flexibility, of the thermal liner so as to increase wearer comfort. Moreover, the films incorporated into the thermal liners can be both air and vapor permeable such that the TPP performance is not realized at the expense of THL performance. Rather, the THL performance of garments incorporating embodiments of thermal liners contemplated herein is comparable to&#x2014;if not improved over&#x2014;garments formed with traditional thermal liners.

Flame resistant thermal liners and garments made with same

Flame resistant fabrics are formed by warp and fill yarns having different fiber contents. The fabrics are constructed, for example, by selection of a suitable weaving pattern, such that the body side of the fabric and the face side of the fabric have different properties. The fabrics described herein can be printable and dyeable on both sides of the fabric and are suitable for use in military and industrial garments. Methods of forming flame resistant fabrics, and methods for forming garments from the fabrics, are also described.

Flame resistant fabric with anisotropic properties

Fabrics having fiber blends and constructions engineered to enhance the ballistic protection as well as the comfort and/or dyeability/printability of such fabrics.

Fabrics with ballistic protection and garments made from same

Flame resistant fabrics having antimicrobial properties that combat odor and/or resist hazardous microorganisms. The fabrics are particularly suitable for use in clothing and more particularly in protective garments designed to be worn by individuals, such as military personnel and emergency rescue personnel, at risk of exposure to fire and extreme temperatures as well as hazardous substances. The fabrics may be formed in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, incorporating antimicrobial fibers into the flame resistant fabric yarn or by treating the pre-formed flame resistant yarn or fabric with antimicrobial agents in a dyeing or finishing process.

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Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Michael T Stanhope