Patents by Inventor Mark C. Berens

Mark C. Berens 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).

  • Publication number: 20200101485
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for a moving web that employs a spreader roller in the upweb position in a tensioned-web-over-slot die coater. The spreader roller can help spread webs laterally in a web processing operation, in particular to reduce or remove the presence of wrinkles or bagginess in the web. The spreader roller can be a reverse crown roll that is covered with a resilient material to assist spreading the web to remove wrinkles. The surface curvature of the spreader roller can be formed using layers of material such as a tape, to easily and readily approximate the shape of a reverse crown roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Chris J. Tanley, Bruce E. Tait, Scott A. Walker, Mark C. Berens
  • Patent number: 6194106
    Abstract: This invention discloses novel surface release layers on temporary image receptors particularly suited to the requirements of liquid electrographic (both electrophotographic and electrostatic) printing on a variety of receptors. The inventive temporary image receptors are comprised of a surface release layer on a photoreceptive or dielectric substrate. The release layers are silicone copolymers which are chemically modified to improve imaging, drying or transfer performance when used in the simplified color electrophotography (SCE) or electrostatic printing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kathryn R. Bretscher, Terri L. Butler, Mark C. Berens, James A. Baker, Gay L. Herman, Larry D. Boardman, Gaye K. Lehman
  • Patent number: 6106989
    Abstract: This invention discloses novel surface release layers on temporary image receptors particularly suited to the requirements of liquid electrographic (both electrophotographic and electrostatic) printing on a variety of receptors. The inventive temporary image receptors are comprised of a surface release layer on a photoreceptive or dielectric substrate. The release layers are silicone copolymers which are chemically modified to improve imaging, drying or transfer performance when used in the simplified color electrophotography (SCE) or electrostatic printing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kathryn R. Bretscher, Terri L. Butler, Mark C. Berens, James A. Baker, Gay L. Herman, Larry D. Boardman, Gaye K. Lehman
  • Patent number: 6020098
    Abstract: This invention discloses novel surface release layers on temporary image receptors particularly suited to the requirements of liquid electrographic (both electrophotographic and electrostatic) printing on a variety of receptors. The inventive temporary image receptors are comprised of a surface release layer on a photoreceptive or dielectric substrate. The release layers are silicone copolymers which are chemically modified to improve imaging, drying or transfer performance when used in the simplified color electrophotography (SCE) or electrostatic printing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kathryn R. Bretscher, Terri L. Butler, Mark C. Berens, James A. Baker, Gay L. Herman, Larry D. Boardman, Gaye K. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5965243
    Abstract: The invention is textured surface release layers for dielectric substrates used in liquid electrostatic imaging processes. The invention also includes means of providing textured release surfaces for dielectric substrates, and a method of liquid electrostatic imaging using textured dielectric substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terri L. Butler, Kathryn R. Bretscher, Mark C. Berens, James A. Baker, Gaye K. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5928726
    Abstract: A method of modulating coating patterns is disclosed. The method uses the steps of dispensing a composite comprising a carrier fluid layer and a transferring the composite to the substrate, wherein interfacial interaction among the carrier fluid layer, the functional fluid layer, and the substrate generates a patterned coating of the functional layer on the substrate. The coating patterns provide controlled release surfaces for tapes, image receptors, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Terri L. Butler, Kathryn R. Bretscher, Mark C. Berens, James A. Baker, Gaye K. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5733698
    Abstract: The invention is photoconductor construction comprising a release layer which controls the carrier liquid on the surface of the photoreceptor and minimizes beading of toner carrier liquid. According to one embodiment this invention is a photoconductor construction comprising a photoconductor layer applied to an electroconductive substrate, an interlayer applied to the photoconductor layer, and a release layer over the interlayer. The release layer is a swellable polymer. According to another embodiment this invention is a photoconductor construction comprising a polymeric release layer that has a surface with an average roughness, Ra, of at least 10 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gaye K. Lehman, Claire A. Jalbert, Edward J. Woo, Kathryn R. Bretscher, James A. Baker, Mark C. Berens