Patents by Inventor Rufus C. Sanders, Jr.

Rufus C. Sanders, Jr. 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: 8070862
    Abstract: A dust collection device for a sanding tool comprising a bag having a sidewall and a coupler attached to the bag. The sidewall comprising a first filter layer, a second filter layer, and an outer support layer. The first filter layer comprising a plurality of fibrillated electrostatically charged electret fibers forming a nonwoven web; the first filter layer having a total pressure drop between about 0.1 to about 4.0 mm H2O, and the first filter layer having a total basis weight between about 50 to about 450 gram/m2. The second filter layer comprising a melt blown microfiber nonwoven web; the second filter layer having a total pressure drop between about between about 5.5 to about 20.0 mm H2O, and the second filter layer having a total basis weight between about 15 to about 75 grams/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Seyed A. Angadjivand, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr., Edward L. Manor, Robert A. Harkins, Ehrich J. Bräunschweig, Joseph B. Eckel, Timothy J. Rowell
  • Patent number: 7628829
    Abstract: An abrasive article comprises a porous abrasive member, a nonwoven filter medium, and a porous attachment fabric. A plurality of openings in the porous abrasive member cooperates with the nonwoven filter medium to allow the flow of particles from an outer abrasive surface of the porous abrasive member to the porous attachment fabric. Methods of making and using the abrasive articles are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Thomas W. Rambosek, Seyed A. Angadjivand, Mary B. Donovan, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr., Yeun-Jong Chou
  • Publication number: 20090056548
    Abstract: A dust collection device for a sanding tool comprising a bag having a sidewall and a coupler attached to the bag. The sidewall comprising a first filter layer, a second filter layer, and an outer support layer. The first filter layer comprising a plurality of fibrillated electrostatically charged electret fibers forming a nonwoven web; the first filter layer having a total pressure drop between about 0.1 to about 4.0 mm H2O, and the first filter layer having a total basis weight between about 50 to about 450 gram/m2. The second filter layer comprising a melt blown microfiber nonwoven web; the second filter layer having a total pressure drop between about between about 5.5 to about 20.0 mm H20, and the second filter layer having a total basis weight between about 15 to about 75 grams/m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Seyed A. Angadjivand, Rufus C. Sanders, JR., Edward L. Manor, Robert A. Harkins, Ehrich J. Braunschweig, Joseph B. Eckel, Timothy J. Rowell
  • Patent number: 7393269
    Abstract: An abrasive filter assembly with an integral dust collection system. The abrasive filter assembly comprises a porous element, a first filter media with channels, a second filter media, and an attachment interface layer. The openings of the porous element cooperate with the channels to allow the flow of particles from the porous element to the second filter media. The porous element can be an abrasive article or an attachment surface for an abrasive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Rambosek, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7390244
    Abstract: An abrasive article mounting assembly with an integral dust collection system. The abrasive attachment interface is configured to releasably engage and support an abrasive article, such as, for example, a porous abrasive sheet or disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Thomas W. Rambosek, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr., Ehrich J. Braunschweig, Seyed A. Angadjivand, Suresh Kalatoor, Curtis J. Schmidt, Charles R. Wald, Donna W. Bange
  • Patent number: 7338355
    Abstract: An abrasive article having an apertured coated abrasive member, filter media, and an attachment interface member is formed by an ultrasonic welding process. The abrasive article is useful for abrading a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rufus C. Sanders, Jr., Timothy J. Rowell, Satinder K. Nayar
  • Patent number: 7244170
    Abstract: An abrasive article with an integral dust collection system. The abrasive article comprises a porous abrasive layer with openings, a first filter media with channels, a second filter media, and an attachment interface layer. The openings of the porous abrasive layer cooperate with the channels to allow the flow of particles from the abrasive surface to the second filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Thomas W. Rambosek, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr., Ehrich J. Braunschweig, Seyed A. Angadjivand, Suresh Kalatoor, Curtis J. Schmidt, Charles R. Wald, Donna W. Bange
  • Patent number: 6733876
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible abrasive article containing minimal releaseable amounts of physical and chemical contaminants that may be used to clean surfaces. The abrasive article is made of a foraminous substrate, at least one binder and abrasive particles. Methods of making such abrasive articles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kris A. Beardsley, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6328773
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible abrasive article containing minimal releaseable amounts of physical and chemical contaminants that may be used to clean surfaces. The abrasive article is made of a foraminous substrate, at least one binder and abrasive particles. Methods of making such abrasive articles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kris A. Beardsley, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6007590
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a foraminous abrasive article whereby abrasive particles are concentrated in an external surface region of a foraminous substrate. The method includes the steps of: providing a foamable, hardenable, liquid resin composition and a foraminous substrate having an external surface; foaming the resin composition effective to disperse a plurality of gas bubbles throughout the resin composition; applying the foamed resin composition to the external surface of the substrate to form a foam coating layer having an upper surface; applying a plurality of abrasive particles to the upper surface of the foam coating layer; heating the foamed coating layer effective to eliminate the gas bubbles from the foamed coating layer; and hardening the resin composition to attach the abrasive particles to the substrate. The invention also concerns the foraminous abrasive article products of this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Rufus C. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5863305
    Abstract: A method for making a nonwoven a abrasive article. A preferred aspect of the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a nonwoven web having a first side and a second side, the web comprising a plurality of fibers; b) frothing a liquid make coat precursor; c) applying the frothed make coat precursor to at least the first side of the web in such a manner so as to achieve a substantially uniform coating of the make coat precursor along the fibers of the web; d) spraying a plurality of fine abrasive particles onto the first side of the web, wherein the particles are sprayed so as to form a cloud of abrasive particles that deposit onto the fibers of the web in a substantially uniform distribution; and e) curing the make coat precursor to thereby form a hardened make coat which adheres the abrasive particles to the web and wherein the abrasive particles substantially protrude from the outer surface of the hardened make coat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kris A. Beardsley, Jonathan M. Lise, Brent D. Niccum, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5849051
    Abstract: Abrasive foam articles and a method of manufacture of such articles are described. The articles of the invention comprise a flexible and resilient foam substrate having first and second major substrate surfaces, at least one of the surfaces having a plurality of open cells substantially across the substrate surface, the open cells having coatable surfaces defined by interconnected voids; and a plurality of abrasive particles adhered to said coatable surfaces of said open cells in a substantially uniform manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kris A. Beardsley, Jonathan M. Lise, Chris A. Minick, Richard B. Muir, Brent D. Niccum, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr., Jeffrey D. Sheely
  • Patent number: 5681361
    Abstract: A method for making an abrasive article is described including the steps of providing an organic substrate; contacting the organic substrate with dry particulate solid material comprising a binder material, the binder material comprising a plurality of fusible organic particles, and a plurality of abrasive particles; inducing the fusible organic particles to liquefy; and solidifying the organic particles to thereby bond the particles to the organic substrate to provide an abrasive article. The invention provides a facile method for bonding abrasive particles to an organic substrate while reducing emissions at processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Rufus C. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5626512
    Abstract: Lofty, low density nonwoven pads and a process for the manufacture of such pads are described. The pads of the invention each comprise a bundle of discontinuous fibers bonded to one another at their mutual points of contact. The fibers are arranged within the bundle to provide a dense longitudinal central portion extending to opposite ends of the bundle, less dense side portions, a longitudinal tensile strength and a transverse tensile strength, wherein the longitudinal tensile strength is greater than the transverse tensile strength. The pads are made according to a process comprising forming a tow of discontinuous fibers so that the fibers are arranged within the tow to extend along a first axis, twisting the tow along the first axis to form a slubbed tow, bonding the fibers to one another at their mutual contact points and cutting the slubbed tow into scouring pads and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Liana V. Palaikis, Gary L. Olson, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5591239
    Abstract: An open low-density abrasive article comprising in combination:(a) a lofty, open, nonwoven three-dimensional fibrous web formed of a plurality of interentangled randomly-extending polyamide staple fibers including points of intersection and contact between the fibers, the points of intersection and contact between the fibers being bonded together to form a three-dimensionally integrated structure throughout the web, wherein the fibers comprise surfaces and a fiber tenacity of less than 5 g/denier; (b) abrasive particles dispersed throughout the web and securely adhered to the surfaces of the fibers; and (c) resinous material dispersed throughout the web comprising (i) a hard phenolic resin formed as a cured product of a phenolic resin precursor distributed throughout the web and in contact with the fibers, and (ii) a modifier component of the type and in an amount effective to substantially prevent chemical degradation of the fibers while in contact with the phenolic resin precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric G. Larson, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr., Brent D. Niccum, Walter W. Pawlikowski, Elizabeth C. Edblom