Patents by Inventor Richard L. Walter
Richard L. Walter 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: 10618266Abstract: The present disclosure describes articles, such as medical articles, containing a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic gel material (e.g., a shaped hydrophilic gel material or a coating of a hydrophilic gel material) and methods for making such articles. Methods are provided for making hydrophilic gel materials from a precursor composition that contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material that is miscible with the polar solvent.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robin E. Wright, Stephen E. Krampe, Richard L. Walter, Caroline M. Ylitalo, William A. Eibner, Jeffrey H. Tokie, Matthew T. Scholz
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Patent number: 9534133Abstract: Methods for producing an at least partially cured layer by applying a layer including a (meth)acrylate-functional siloxane to a surface of a substrate, and irradiating the layer in a substantially inert atmosphere with a short wavelength polychromatic ultraviolet light source having a peak intensity at a wavelength of from about 160 nanometers to about 240 nanometers to at least partially cure the layer. Optionally, the layer is at a curing temperature greater than 25° C. In some embodiments, the layer has a thickness of about 0.1 micrometers to about 1 micrometer. In certain embodiments, the layer is substantially free of a photoinitiator and/or an organic solvent. In some particular embodiments, irradiating the layer with a short wavelength polychromatic ultraviolet light source takes place in an inert atmosphere including no greater than 50 ppm oxygen. The substantially cured layer may be a release layer or a low adhesion backsize (LAB).Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Robin E. Wright, Margaux B. Mitera, Richard L. Walter, Jayshree Seth, Janet A. Venne
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Publication number: 20160083613Abstract: Methods for producing an at least partially cured layer by applying a layer including a (meth)acrylate-functional siloxane to a surface of a substrate, and irradiating the layer in a substantially inert atmosphere with a short wavelength polychromatic ultraviolet light source having a peak intensity at a wavelength of from about 160 nanometers to about 240 nanometers to at least partially cure the layer. Optionally, the layer is at a curing temperature greater than 25° C. In some embodiments, the layer has a thickness of about 0.1 micrometers to about 1 micrometer. In certain embodiments, the layer is substantially free of a photoinitiator and/or an organic solvent. In some particular embodiments, irradiating the layer with a short wavelength polychromatic ultraviolet light source takes place in an inert atmosphere including no greater than 50 ppm oxygen. The substantially cured layer may be a release layer or a low adhesion backsize (LAB).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Robin E. Wright, Margaux B. Mitera, Richard L. Walter, Jayshree Seth, Janet A. Venne
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Publication number: 20150027625Abstract: The present disclosure describes articles, such as medical articles, containing a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic gel material (e.g., a shaped hydrophilic gel material or a coating of a hydrophilic gel material) and methods for making such articles. Methods are provided for making hydrophilic gel materials from a precursor composition that contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material that is miscible with the polar solvent.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Robin E. WRIGHT, Stephen E. KRAMPE, Richard L. WALTER, Caroline M. YLITALO, William A. EIBNER, Jeffrey H. TOKIE, Matthew T. SCHOLZ
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Patent number: 8846595Abstract: Methods of making a (e.g. dilute) cleaning solution from a hydrogel cleaning concentrate, packages of hydrogel cleaning concentrate, and methods of making a hydrogel cleaning concentrate are described.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Robin E. Wright, Sonja K. Belgrade, Mitchell T. Johnson, Richard L. Walter, John M. Brandner, Narina Y. Stepanova, James W. Zurawski
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Patent number: 8513322Abstract: Polymeric beads and methods of making the polymeric beads are described. The polymeric beads are crosslinked hydrogels or dried hydrogels. The polymeric beads are formed from droplets of a precursor composition that are exposed to radiation. The droplets are totally surrounded by a gas phase. The precursor composition contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material miscible in the polar solvent. The polymerizable material has an average number of ethylenically unsaturated groups per monomer molecule equal to at least 1.2.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robin E. Wright, Mahfuza B. Ali, Jessica M. Buchholz, Louis C. Haddad, Linda K. M. Olson, Matthew T. Scholz, Narina Y. Stepanova, Michael J. Svarovsky, Richard L. Walter, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Diane R. Wolk, Yifan Zhang
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Publication number: 20130059105Abstract: Methods for producing an at least partially cured layer by applying a layer including a (meth)acrylate-functional siloxane to a surface of a substrate, and irradiating the layer in a substantially inert atmosphere with a short wavelength polychromatic ultraviolet light source having a peak intensity at a wavelength of from about 160 nanometers to about 240 nanometers to at least partially cure the layer. Optionally, the layer is at a curing temperature greater than 25° C. In some embodiments, the layer has a thickness of about 0.1 micrometers to about 1 micrometer. In certain embodiments, the layer is substantially free of a photoinitiator and/or an organic solvent. In some particular embodiments, irradiating the layer with a short wavelength polychromatic ultraviolet light source takes place in an inert atmosphere including no greater than 50 ppm oxygen. The substantially cured layer may be a release layer or a low adhesion backsize (LAB).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Inventors: Robin E. Wright, Margaux B. Mitera, Richard L. Walter, Jayshree Seth, Janet A. Venne
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Publication number: 20120204676Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle has an output shaft, a main shaft and a countershaft. The main shaft is arranged to receive rotary power and the countershaft is arranged in parallel to the main shaft. A plurality of meshed gear pairs are formed main gears and counter gears on the two shafts. A plurality of clutch devices are arranged to select a gear pair that will transmit torque to the output shaft. A reverse drive is created by a main reverse gear on the main shaft, a counter reverse gear on the counter shaft and a chain wrapping the main reverse gear and the counter reverse gear. A reverse clutch device is arranged to selectively fix one of the main and counter reverse gears to its respective main or counter shaft for rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Richard L. Walters, Richard L. Walters, II
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Patent number: 7939578Abstract: Polymeric fibers and methods of making the polymeric fibers are described. The polymeric fibers are crosslinked hydrogels or dried hydrogels that are prepared from a precursor composition that contains polymerizable material having an average number of ethylenically unsaturated groups per monomer molecule greater than 1.0. The polymeric fibers can contain an optional active agent.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robin E. Wright, Mahfuza B. Ali, Jessica M. Buchholz, Louis C. Haddad, Linda K. M. Olson, Matthew T. Scholz, Narina Y. Stepanova, Michael J. Svarovsky, Richard L. Walter, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Diane R. Wolk, Yifan Zhang
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Publication number: 20110082068Abstract: Methods of making a (e.g. dilute) cleaning solution from a hydrogel cleaning concentrate, packages of hydrogel cleaning concentrate, and methods of making a hydrogel cleaning concentrate are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Caroline M. Ylitalo, Robin E. Wright, Sonja K. Belgrade, Mitchell T. Johnson, Richard L. Walter, John M. Brandner, Narina Y. Stepanova, James W. Zurawski
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Patent number: 7886634Abstract: A powertrain for a motorcycle includes a torque converter having an input and an output with a fluid coupling between the input and output, a gear train between the torque converter output and the rear wheel of the motorcycle, and an intermediate gear assembly that reverses the rotational direction of the motorcycle engine output shaft to the torque converter input. The intermediate gear assembly allows the motorcycle engine output shaft to be arranged in parallel with the torque converter input shaft wherein the motorcycle engine output shaft and the torque converter input shaft are on the same side of the motorcycle. The intermediate gear assembly includes a ring gear in meshing engagement with a plurality of planet gears, and a sun gear in meshing engagement with the planet gears. The ring gear is fixed for rotation with the intermediate input and the sun gear is fixed for rotation with the intermediate output.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Walters Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Walters, Richard L. Walters, II
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Publication number: 20100266794Abstract: The present disclosure describes articles, such as medical articles, containing a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic gel material (e.g., a shaped hydrophilic gel material or a coating of a hydrophilic gel material) and methods for making such articles. Methods are provided for making hydrophilic gel materials from a precursor composition that contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material that is miscible with the polar solvent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventors: Robin E. Wright, Stephen E. Krampe, Richard L. Walter, Caroline M. Ylitalo, William A. Eibner, Jeffrey H. Tokie, Matthew T. Scholz
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Patent number: 7678526Abstract: Radiation curable thermal transfer elements including a substrate and a light-to-heat conversion layer overlaying the substrate, and processes to make the thermal transfer elements. The light-to-heat conversion layer is derived from a radiation curable material capable of being cured by exposure to radiation at a curing wavelength and an imaging radiation absorber material not substantially increasing radiation absorbance at the curing wavelength. The radiation curable transfer elements can be used in processes for making organic microelectronic devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robin E. Wright, Khanh T. Huynh, Leslie A. Kreilich, Lan H. Liu, Rachel K. Swanson, Richard L. Walter, Martin B Wolk, Stephen A. Johnson, William A. Tolbert
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Publication number: 20090069144Abstract: A powertrain for a motorcycle includes a torque converter having an input and an output with a fluid coupling between the input and output, a gear train between the torque converter output and the rear wheel of the motorcycle, and an intermediate gear assembly that reverses the rotational direction of the motorcycle engine output shaft to the torque converter input. The intermediate gear assembly allows the motorcycle engine output shaft to be arranged in parallel with the torque converter input shaft wherein the motorcycle engine output shaft and the torque converter input shaft are on the same side of the motorcycle. The intermediate gear assembly includes a ring gear in meshing engagement with a plurality of planet gears, and a sun gear in meshing engagement with the planet gears. The ring gear is fixed for rotation with the intermediate input and the sun gear is fixed for rotation with the intermediate output.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Richard L. Walters, Richard L. Walters, II
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Patent number: 7484428Abstract: An automatic transmission for a motorcycle includes a fluid torque converter and a geartrain. The torque converter includes a torque converter housing, a torque converter input pulley arranged to receive rotary power from the motorcycle engine and a torque converter output shaft for transmitting rotary power. The geartrain includes a main shaft driven by the torque converter output and a parallel countershaft. The main shaft carries a plurality of main gears. The countershaft carries a plurality of counter gears forming selectable gear pairs with the main gears. An output pulley driven by the countershaft is rotatably carried on the main shaft between the torque converter and the gear pairs. The output pulley and the torque converter input pulley are on a same side of the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Walters Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Walters, Richard L. Walters, II
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Publication number: 20080300339Abstract: Polymeric beads and methods of making the polymeric beads are described. The polymeric beads are crosslinked hydrogels or dried hydrogels. The polymeric beads are formed from droplets of a precursor composition that are exposed to radiation. The droplets are totally surrounded by a gas phase. The precursor composition contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material miscible in the polar solvent. The polymerizable material has an average number of ethylenically unsaturated groups per monomer molecule equal to at least 1.2.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Robin E. Wright, Mahfuza B. Ali, Jessica M. Buchholz, Louis C. Haddad, Linda K.M. Olson, Matthew T. Scholz, Narina Y. Stepanova, Michael J. Svarovsky, Richard L. Walter, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Diane R. Wolk, Yifan Zhang
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Publication number: 20080241733Abstract: Radiation curable thermal transfer elements including a substrate and a light-to-heat conversion layer overlaying the substrate, and processes to make the thermal transfer elements. The light-to-heat conversion layer is derived from a radiation curable material capable of being cured by exposure to radiation at a curing wavelength and an imaging radiation absorber material not substantially increasing radiation absorbance at the curing wavelength. The radiation curable transfer elements can be used in processes for making organic microelectronic devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Robin E. Wright, Khanh T. Huynh, Leslie A. Krellich, Lan H. Liu, Rachel K. Swanson, Richard L. Walter, Martin B. Wolk, Stephen A. Johnson, William A. Tolbert
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Publication number: 20080207794Abstract: Polymeric fibers and methods of making the polymeric fibers are described. The polymeric fibers are crosslinked hydrogels or dried hydrogels that are prepared from a precursor composition that contains polymerizable material having an average number of ethylenically unsaturated groups per monomer molecule greater than 1.0. The polymeric fibers can contain an optional active agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Robin E. Wright, Mahfuza B. Ali, Jessica M. Buchholz, Louis C. Haddad, Linda K.M. Olson, Matthew T. Scholz, Narina Y. Stepanova, Michael J. Svarovsky, Richard L. Walter, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Diane R. Wolk, Yifan Zhang
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Patent number: 7396631Abstract: Radiation curable thermal transfer elements including a substrate and a light-to-heat conversion layer overlaying the substrate, and processes to make the thermal transfer elements. The light-to-heat conversion layer is derived from a radiation curable material capable of being cured by exposure to radiation at a curing wavelength and an imaging radiation absorber material not substantially increasing radiation absorbance at the curing wavelength. The radiation curable transfer elements can be used in processes for making organic microelectronic devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robin E. Wright, Khanh T. Huynh, Leslie A. Kreilich, Lan H. Liu, Rachel K. Swanson, Richard L. Walter, Martin B. Wolk, Stephen A. Johnson, William A. Tolbert
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Patent number: 5972176Abstract: A process for corona treating a polymer is described. The process involves exposing at least one surface of an article comprising a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of fluoropolymers, polycarbonates, and polyimides to a corona discharge in an atmosphere containing nitrogen and about 0.01 to about 10 percent of an additional gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, ammonia and mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Seth M. Kirk, Christopher S. Lyons, Richard L. Walter