3m Innovative Properties Company

Peter T Benson

Satinder K Nayar

Donald L Pochardt

Dennis Earl Ferguson

Stanley Rendon

William Blake Kolb

Michele A Craton

Jack Wing Lai

David L Phillips

Francis M Aguirre

Mikhail L Pekurovsky

Robert A Yapel

James N Dobbs

Michael Alan Meis

Scott R Culler

Negus B Adefris

Aaron K Nienaber

Steven J Keipert

Gordon D Henson

Daniel H Carlson

John T Boden

John W Louks

Jonathan J O'Hare

Bradford B Wright

Tyler J Rattray

Luther E Erickson

David L Hofeldt

Karan Jindal

Nirmal K Jain

Richard M Jendrejack

Nancy J W Hiebert

David L Morrison

Pratik Pranay

Matthew S Stay

Raghunath Padiyath

Joan M Noyola

Karl K Stensvad

Ann M Gilman

Gary Lee Huelsman

William R Dudley

Glen A Jerry

Timothy J Rowell

John M Sever

Joseph S Warner

Mitchelle A F Johnson

Kathleen M Cooklock

Richard G Sitz

Norman L Rogers, Jr

James L Capps

Eldon E Lightner

Jonathan J O'HARE

A process for applying a coating material onto a substrate as a non-uniform discontinuous pattern of coating material, the method including the present disclosure describes a method of applying a coating material onto a substrate, including providing a first distribution manifold having a cavity and a multiplicity of first dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, creating relative motion between a substrate and the dispensing outlets in a first direction; dispensing a first coating material from the dispensing outlets while maintaining the relative motion and translating the multiplicity of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction, and varying a rate of dispensing of the first coating material in a predetermined fashion to form a discontinuous pattern of the first coating material on a major surface of the substrate. Useful non-uniformly patterned coated articles can be prepared using the process.

Method and apparatus for forming articles with non-uniform discontinuous patterned coatings

A coated abrasive article maker apparatus is disclosed comprising a first web path comprising a production tool and a second web path configured for a resin coated backing. The second web path is configured to guide the resin coated backing through the coated abrasive article maker apparatus with the resin layer positioned facing the dispensing surface. An abrasive particle feeder is positioned along the first web path and is configured to dispense abrasive particles onto the dispensing surface such that abrasive particles are removably disposed within cavities of the production tool. Abrasive particles are transferred from the plurality of cavities to the resin layer of the resin coated backing when the production tool is positioned adjacent the resin coated backing.

Coated abrasive article maker apparatus

A coated abrasive article maker apparatus including a first web path guiding a production tool such that it wraps a portion of the outer circumference of an abrasive particle transfer roll; a second web path for a resin coated backing guiding the resin coated backing such that it wraps a portion of the outer circumference of the abrasive particle transfer roll with the resin layer positioned facing the dispensing surface of the production tool this is positioned between the resin coated backing and the outer circumference of the abrasive particle transfer roll; and wherein abrasive particles are transferred from cavities in the production tool to the resin coated backing as the resin coated backing and the production tool traverse around the abrasive particle transfer roll.

A process for applying a coating material onto a substrate as a non-uniform patterned layer of coating material, the method including providing a first distribution manifold having a cavity and a first multiplicity of dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, providing a second distribution manifold having a cavity and a second multiplicity of dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, creating relative motion between a substrate and the dispensing outlets in a first direction, dispensing a first coating material from the first dispensing outlets while maintaining the relative motion and simultaneously translating the plurality of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction, and dispensing a second coating material from the second dispensing outlets while maintaining the relative motion and simultaneously translating the plurality of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction. Useful non-uniformly patterned coated articles can be prepared using the process.

Method and apparatus for forming articles with non-uniformly patterned coatings

Injection molding parts onto a carrier web located between mold halves, each mold half having a cavity, resulting in molded articles having parts on both sides of the carrier web. Polymer flow into the cavities is assisted by application of ultrasonic energy to the mold. After the molding operation, mold halves are separated, and the carrier web is advanced, or indexed, to a next position for another molding sequence. Articles produced include lenses with part of the carrier web between lens halves, and a carrier web bearing an array of molded parts.

Web with molded articles on both sides

An ultrasonic-assisted injection molding system and method for making precisely-shaped articles. A source of ultrasonic energy is positioned to apply vibrational energy to a mold cavity connected to at least one gate in flow communication with a source of molten (co)polymer. The mold is heated to a temperature of 104-116&#xb0; C., and the molten (co)polymer is injected into the mold cavity. After cooling the mold until the molten (co)polymer within the gate has solidified, ultrasonic energy is applied to the mold without remelting the solidified (co)polymer within the gate until the temperature increases to 116-122&#xb0; C., thereby substantially relieving flow induced stresses. The mold is then cooled until the temperature decreases to 101-107&#xb0; C., and is thereafter heated until the temperature increases to 116-122&#xb0; C., thereby substantially relieving any thermally induced stresses. The mold is cooled until the molten (co)polymer has solidified, thereby forming a precision molded plastic optical element.

Ultrasonic-assisted molding of precisely-shaped articles and methods

Methods of altering charge on a dielectric material involve application of an at least weakly conductive liquid to at least a portion of the dielectric material. The liquid is then at least partially removed from the dielectric material leaving a substantially uniform electrostatic charge on at least the portion of the dielectric material. Some methods provide a dielectric material that is both net neutral and completely neutral. Other methods generate a charge pattern that is used for subsequent processing.

Apparatus and methods for altering charge on a dielectric material

Methods and apparatus () to neutralize the charge on a moving web () by splitting the field present on the web (). One portion of the field is removed by a grounded element () proximate to, and optionally contacting, one side of the web (). Proximate the opposite side of the web, the apparatus includes an ion source (), which provides ions to the web () to neutralize the charge remaining on the web (), and a second grounded element () positioned between the ion source () and the web (). The methods provide a web () that is net neutralized and is also dual-side or bipolar neutralized.

Apparatus and methods for modification of electrostatic charge on a moving web

Ultrasonic injection molding on both sides of a web

Injection molding, parts onto a carrier web () located between mold halves (). Flow of polymer melt into the mold is assisted by application of ultrasonic energy to the mold cavity. After the molding operation, mold halves are separated, and the carrier web is advanced, or indexed, to a next position for another molding sequence. Molding apparatus comprises a moving mold face (), that can move toward and away from a first mold member () (which can be stationary) in which the mold cavity is located, a means () for moving and/or indexing carrier web between the first mold member and the moving mold face, means () to inject polymer melt into the mold cavity, and an ultrasonic system () providing ultrasonic energy to the mold cavity. The carrier web can transport molded parts to subsequent process steps, such as coating, drying, inspection, curing, assembly or packaging.

Ultrasonic injection molding on a web

A radiation curing apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that cures a first material. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The curing apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.

LED curing apparatus and method

A radiation modifying apparatus comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation that modifies a first material such as by curing or creating alignment through polarization. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. The radiation modifying apparatus can be utilized for continuous substrate, sheet, piece part, spot curing, and/or 3D radiation-cure processes.

LED modifying apparatus and method

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North St. Paul, MN, United States of America

Peter T Benson