Patents by Inventor Jeffrey E. Ford

Jeffrey E. Ford 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).

  • Patent number: 5611825
    Abstract: Film-backed and paper-backed coated abrasives and methods of making same are described using coatable urea-aldehyde binder precursor compositions including a urea-aldehyde resin and a cocatalyst, which yield more consistent quality coated abrasives. In addition, the compositions have longer pot life and allow curing at lower temperatures. The urea-aldehyde resins have an aldehyde/urea molar ratio of at least about 1.0, more preferably ranging from about 1.0 to about 2.0, and a free aldehyde content ranging from about 0.1 to about 3.0 weight percent based on weight of total aldehyde. The cocatalyst consists essentially of a Lewis acid and a salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium ion salts and organic amine salts. Paper-backed abrasive articles may employ a fabric nonwoven layer between the abrasive coating and the paper layer to reduce abrasive particle shelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robbyn L. Engen, Jeffrey E. Ford
  • Patent number: 5551961
    Abstract: An abrasive article and methods for making such abrasive articles, including coated and nonwoven abrasive articles, comprising (a) a plurality of abrasive particles and (b) a bond system which adheres the plurality of abrasive particles together, the bond system comprising a binder; the binder being formed from a binder precursor essentially free of organic solvent, the binder precursor comprising a blend of an urea-aldehyde resin and a water dilutable resole phenolic resin, the blend being catalyzed by an acid catalyst system and, in particular, a coated abrasive comprising (a) a backing having a major surface, (b) a plurality of abrasive particles, and (c) a bond system which adheres the plurality of abrasive particles to the major surface of the backing, the bond system comprising a binder; the binder being formed from a binder precursor comprising a blend of an urea-aldehyde resin and a water dilutable resole phenolic resin, the blend being catalyzed by an acid catalyst, wherein the blend comprises from a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robbyn L. Engen, Douglas S. Spencer, Jeffrey E. Ford
  • Patent number: 5486219
    Abstract: Coatable urea-aldehyde binder precursor compositions including a urea-aldehyde resin and a cocatalyst yield more consistent quality coated abrasives. In addition, the compositions have longer pot life and allow curing at lower temperatures. The urea-aldehyde resins have an aldehyde/urea ratio of at least about 1.0, more preferably ranging from about 1.0 to about 2.0, and a free aldehyde content ranging from about 0.1 to about 3.0 weight percent based on weight of total aldehyde. The cocatalyst consists essentially of a Lewis acid and a salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium ion salts and organic amine salts. Methods of making coated and other abrasive articles using the compositions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Ford, Ellen Y. Chu, Harold E. Rude