Patents by Inventor Craig D. Thompson
Craig D. Thompson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11629748Abstract: Wall anchors and positioning aids disclosed herein grant a user the ability to temporary hang or otherwise mount heavyweight objects, while also allowing for adjustment of at least one of the location and orientation of the assembly via the direct manipulation of the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Joseph A. Hoffman, Tatiane Dias Marques Faria, Craig D. Thompson, Judd D. Olson, Michele A. Eller, Angela L. Pan, Landon B. Davis, Thaddeus S. Rodda, III, Margaret M. Bonello
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Publication number: 20220235931Abstract: A liquid-hydrocarbon fuel is used to produce thermal energy by introducing the liquid-hydrocarbon fuel and air to a vaporizer. The liquid-hydrocarbon fuel is vaporized in the vaporizer to produce hydrocarbon-fuel vapor, and the hydrocarbon-fuel vapor and air are blended to form a hydrocarbon-fuel-vapor-and-air mixture. Then, hydrocarbon-fuel-vapor-and-air mixture is introduced to a catalytic combustor including a catalyst, wherein the catalyst promotes oxidation of the hydrocarbon-fuel vapor to form a carbon-dioxide- and water-vapor-containing exhaust and to generate thermal energy. The carbon-dioxide- and water-vapor-containing exhaust and air is then introduced to a recuperator, wherein the recuperator transfers thermal energy from the carbon-dioxide- and water-vapor-containing exhaust to the air to produce heated air.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Aspen Products Group, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Fokema, Decio H. Coutinho, Craig D. Thompson, Sai C. Yelishala
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Publication number: 20220081935Abstract: Disclosed is a locking device for an enclosure, such as a cabinet. The locking device includes a catch attached to the frame. The catch has a first portion provided adjacent to a surface of the frame, and a second portion extending from and generally perpendicular to the first portion. The second portion is provided adjacent to an end of the frame. The locking device further includes a latch attached to the movable component. The latch includes a locking arm having a projection adapted to engage with the second portion of the catch upon movement of the movable component away from the first portion of the catch. Such a shape of the catch may prevent failure of the attachment between the catch and the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventor: Craig D. Thompson
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Publication number: 20210310508Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to adhesive mounting assemblies that are capable of attaching or adhering to a surface and that can be removed from the surface without causing damage to the surface. In some embodiments, the mounting assemblies are peeled off the surface. The present disclosure generally relates to adhesive articles including a mounting device. The adhesive articles have one or more adhesive areas (which can be part of one continuous adhesive area) exhibiting adhesive properties and one or more non-adhesive areas that lack significant adhesive properties. At least one of the non-adhesive areas is located in an area and/or has a size, shape, and/or geometry that lowers and/or controls at least one of the average peel force and/or the peak peel force of the adhesive article such that the peel force of the adhesive article does not exceed the threshold for causing damage to the surface from which the adhesive article is peeled.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2017Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Michael B. Runge, Margaret M. Sheridan, Craig D. Thompson, Joseph A. Hoffman, Brett P. Krull
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Publication number: 20210298497Abstract: Wall anchors and assemblies of the present disclosure include a plate, one more prongs, and a load bearing structure. The prongs are typically integral with a side edge of the plate and are typically curved in an upward towards the top edge of the plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2019Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Joseph A. HOFFMAN, Tatiane DIAS MARQUES FARIA, Craig D. THOMPSON, Judd D. OLSON, Michele A. ELLER, Angela L. PAN
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Publication number: 20210207645Abstract: Wall anchors and positioning aids disclosed herein grant a user the ability to temporary hang or otherwise mount heavyweight objects, while also allowing for adjustment of at least one of the location and orientation of the assembly via the direct manipulation of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2019Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Joseph A. Hoffman, Tatiane Dias Marques Faria, Craig D. Thompson, Judd D. Olson, Michele A. Eller, Angela L. Pan, Landon B. Davis, Thaddeus S. Rodda, III, Margaret M. Bonello
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Publication number: 20210187425Abstract: An air filter device including an air filter unit and an expansion unit. The air filter unit includes a filter media assembly maintained by an outer frame assembly. The outer frame assembly defines exterior length, width and depth dimensions of the air filter device in an initial state. The expansion unit provides one or more of an expanded length, width or depth in an expanded state of the air filter device. Portions or an entirety of the expansion unit can provided apart from the air filter unit in a deliver condition of the air filter device, or can be assembled to the air filter unit prior to delivery to a user. The air filter devices of the present disclosure are useful with a wide variety of differently size air handling devices, able to readily seal with an air handling device compartment via the expansion unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Glen O. Gregerson, Thomas J. Herbrand, David J. Prince, Danielle M. Schreppel, Craig D. Thompson, Judd D. Olson
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Patent number: 10981099Abstract: An expandable air filter. The air filter including a filter media assembly, an outer frame assembly, and at least one support member. The filter media assembly defines opposing, first and second major faces and a perimeter. The outer frame assembly is arranged about the perimeter. The support member is connected to the outer frame assembly and extends across the first major face. Further, the support member defines a line of separation at which the support member can be separated into first and second segment to permit expansion of the air filter. The filter media can form a plurality of pleats, with at least one pleat being free of bonding to the outer frame assembly. The unbonded pleat experiences expansion as the air filter transitions to an expanded state. The air filter can be configured for expansion in one or both of a length and width direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Glen O. Gregerson, Laura C. Chesnut, Danielle M. Schreppel, Stephen M. Sanocki, Zhiqun Zhang, Craig D. Thompson, David J. Prince
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Patent number: 10959547Abstract: A flexible hook hanger comprises an elongate sheet of pliable backing, an adhesive layer and a hook element. The backing comprises first and second ends, a first zone positioned adjacent the first end, a second zone positioned adjacent the second end and a central zone positioned between the first and second zones. The adhesive layer is disposed on one side of the backing. The hook element is connected to the central zone. In one embodiment, the pliable backing comprises microstructured tape, and the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising one or more hydrocarbon block copolymers, and a polar phenolic tackifier. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second zones includes a peel arrestor. For example, the first zone and the second zone have a first width and a second width, respectively, and the central zone has a third width that is less than at least one of the first width and the second width.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Joseph A. Hoffman, Angela L. Pan, Craig D. Thompson, Chaodi Li, Michael B. Runge
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Patent number: 10940416Abstract: An air filter device including an air filter unit and an expansion unit. The air filter unit includes a filter media assembly maintained by an outer frame assembly. The outer frame assembly defines exterior length, width and depth dimensions of the air filter device in an initial state. The expansion unit provides one or more of an expanded length, width or depth in an expanded state of the air filter device. Portions or an entirety of the expansion unit can provided apart from the air filter unit in a deliver condition of the air filter device, or can be assembled to the air filter unit prior to delivery to a user. The air filter devices of the present disclosure are useful with a wide variety of differently size air handling devices, able to readily seal with an air handling device compartment via the expansion unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Glen O. Gregerson, Thomas J. Herbrand, David J. Prince, Danielle M. Schreppel, Craig D. Thompson, Judd D. Olson
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Publication number: 20200124230Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to adhesive mounting assemblies that are capable of attaching or adhering to a surface and that can be removed from the surface without causing damage to the surface. In some embodiments, the mounting assemblies are peeled off the surface. The present disclosure generally relates to adhesive articles including a mounting device. The adhesive articles have one or more adhesive regions (which can be part of one continuous adhesive layer) exhibiting adhesive properties and one or more non-adhesive regions that lack significant adhesive properties. At least one of the non-adhesive regions is positioned relative to a corresponding adhesive region and/or has a geometry that lowers and/or controls at least one of the average peel force and/or or the peak peel force of the adhesive article such that the peel force of the adhesive article does not exceed the threshold for causing damage to the surface from which the adhesive article is peeled.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Joseph A. Hoffman, Margaret M. Sheridan, Craig D. Thompson, Brett P. Krull, Michael B. Runge
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Patent number: 10480710Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an improved mounting assembly. In general, the mounting device includes a cover plate, a frame (at least a portion of which is adjacent to the cover plate), and an accessory that is attachable to the cover plate. The frame includes generally horizontal top and bottom portions or members that cooperatively limit or prohibit lateral motion of the cover plate relative to the frame when the cover plate is attached to the frame and is attached to a wall or vertical surface. The presence of the generally horizontal bottom and top portions or members facilitate faster and easier application and removal of the mounting assembly to a wall or other vertical surface by permitting the mounting assembly to be removed from the backplate on the wall in a single step.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Craig D. Thompson
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Patent number: 10390636Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to various improved mounting devices. Some embodiments relate to a mounting device, comprising: a bracket that can be attached to or mounted on a vertical surface with one or more adhesive strips; and one or more mechanical features on the bracket that prevent or minimize an item hung on the bracket from sliding horizontally off the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Craig D. Thompson, David J. Prince, Andrew C. Stansel, Michele A. Eller
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Publication number: 20190038051Abstract: A flexible hook hanger comprises an elongate sheet of pliable backing, an adhesive layer and a hook element. The backing comprises first and second ends, a first zone positioned adjacent the first end, a second zone positioned adjacent the second end and a central zone positioned between the first and second zones. The adhesive layer is disposed on one side of the backing. The hook element is connected to the central zone. In one embodiment, the pliable backing comprises microstructured tape, and the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising one or more hydrocarbon block copolymers, and a polar phenolic tackifier. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second zones includes a peel arrestor. For example, the first zone and the second zone have a first width and a second width, respectively, and the central zone has a third width that is less than at least one of the first width and the second width.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2017Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Joseph A. Hoffman, Angela L. Pan, Craig D. Thompson, Chaodi Li, Michael B. Runge
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Patent number: D842082Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Craig D. Thompson, Aaron P. Thompson
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Patent number: D842083Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Craig D. Thompson, Aaron P. Thompson
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Patent number: D859138Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventor: Craig D. Thompson
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Patent number: D941126Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Craig D. Thompson, Angela L. Pan, Judd D. Olson
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Patent number: D968202Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew T. Helgeson, Connor M. Pelletier-Sutton, Angela L. Pan, Aaron P. White, Craig D. Thompson, Judd D. Olson
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Patent number: D986035Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Angela L. Pan, Connor M. Pelletier-Sutton, Craig D. Thompson