Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Milbourn
Thomas M. Milbourn 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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Publication number: 20040001921Abstract: The invention is generally directed to techniques for reducing premature drying of solvent-based coatings, including premature drying at sites on the apparatus that applies the coatings. By introduction of solvent vapor proximate to the coating apparatus, and by passively bringing the solvent vapor to the site, the risk of premature drying is reduced. In the presence of the solvent vapor, solvent in the coating fluid tends not to evaporate quickly. The solvent vapor may be introduced by any of a variety of solvent vapor emission devices, and may be brought to the site passively by, for example, increasing the concentration of solvent vapor in a boundary layer that moves with the substrate being coated, diffusion, or natural convection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2002Publication date: January 1, 2004Applicant: Imation Corp.Inventors: William Blake Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman, Thomas M. Milbourn, Timothy J. Edman, Joseph F. Fuller
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Patent number: 6458422Abstract: A method for reducing coating defects caused by strikethrough when simultaneously slide coating a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, and a third fluid layer. The method includes preparing the first, second, and third fluids such that the first solute is incompatible with the second and third solutes and such that the first fluid minimizes strikethrough of at least one of the second and third fluids to a slide surface when the first fluid is positioned between the slide surface and the second and third fluids. The present invention is useful in preparing imaging, data storage, and other media.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Aparna V. Bhave, Robert A. Yapel, Lawrence B. Wallace, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 6458421Abstract: A method for reducing coating defects caused by strikethrough when simultaneously slide coating a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, and a third fluid layer. The method includes preparing the first, second, and third fluids such that the first solute is incompatible with the second and third solutes and such that the first fluid minimizes strikethrough of at least one of the second and third fluids to a slide surface when the first fluid is positioned between the slide surface and the second and third fluids. The present invention is useful in preparing imaging, data storage, and other media.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Aparna V. Bhave, Robert A. Yapel, Lawrence B. Wallace, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 6426119Abstract: The coater apparatus enclosure encloses the entire die of a coating apparatus includes an enclosure structure, a saturation station which saturates a supply gas with solvent, a device which supplies solvent-saturated gas to the enclosure to continuously purge the enclosure, and a device which controls the gas flow to the enclosure. The saturation station could include a heated jacketed vessel and a porous metal bubbler, or it could include a series of heat exchangers. No streaks can form due to coating fluid drying on the die lip because the gas supplied to the die enclosure is saturated with the solvent.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert A. Yapel, Kent D. Nelson, Thomas M. Milbourn, Richard J. Foss
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Publication number: 20010005532Abstract: A method for reducing coating defects caused by strikethrough when simultaneously slide coating a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, and a third fluid layer. The method includes preparing the first, second, and third fluids such that the first solute is incompatible with the second and third solutes and such that the first fluid minimizes strikethrough of at least one of the second and third fluids to a slide surface when the first fluid is positioned between the slide surface and the second and third fluids. The present invention is useful in preparing imaging, data storage, and other media.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2001Publication date: June 28, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Aparna V. Bhave, Robert A. Yapel, Lawrence B. Wallace, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Publication number: 20010004472Abstract: A method for reducing coating defects caused by strikethrough when simultaneously slide coating a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, and a third fluid layer. The method includes preparing the first, second, and third fluids such that the first solute is incompatible with the second and third solutes and such that the first fluid minimizes strikethrough of at least one of the second and third fluids to a slide surface when the first fluid is positioned between the slide surface and the second and third fluids. The present invention is useful in preparing imaging, data storage, and other media.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2001Publication date: June 21, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Aparna V. Bhave, Robert A. Yapel, Lawrence B. Wallace, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 6231929Abstract: A slide coating apparatus for coating liquid with a first slide member having a first slide surface onto which a first liquid may flow, and a second slide member having a second slide surface over which the first liquid may flow, the first slide member being positioned relative to the second slide member to form a first slot through which the first liquid may flow before flowing over the second slide surface, the first slide surface being positioned relative to the second slide surface such that at least a portion of the first liquid flowing from the first slot may flow onto the first slide surface rather than to flow directly from the first slot over the second slide surface, the first slide surface having a low surface energy region positioned such that it may come in contact with the first liquid.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 6214111Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a moving web with a coating fluid. The coating die has at least one feed slot for supplying the coating fluid to the moving web and a front face demarked from the at least one feed slot by a die edge. A guide mechanism guides the moving web in a first direction past the coating die such that a coating bead is formed in a gap between the moving web and the die edge. The spraying system sprays a cleaning fluid on at least a portion of the front face of the slide coating die such that the coating bead forms a substantially linear static wetting line on the front face of the coating die.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert A. Yapel, Thomas M. Milbourn, Aparna V. Bhave, Lawrence B. Wallace, Daniel V. Norton, Hans E. Iverson
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Patent number: 6200641Abstract: A method for reducing coating defects caused by strikethrough when simultaneously slide coating a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, and a third fluid layer. The method includes preparing the first, second, and third fluids such that the first solute is incompatible with the second and third solutes and such that the first fluid minimizes strikethrough of at least one of the second and third fluids to a slide surface when the first fluid is positioned between the slide surface and the second and third fluids. The present invention is useful in preparing imaging, data storage, and other media.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Aparna V. Bhave, Robert A. Yapel, Lawrence B. Wallace, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 6117237Abstract: The coater apparatus enclosure encloses the entire die of a coating apparatus includes an enclosure structure, a saturation station which saturates a supply gas with solvent, a device which supplies solvent-saturated gas to the enclosure to continuously purge the enclosure, and a device which controls the gas flow to the enclosure. The saturation station could include a heated jacketed vessel and a porous metal bubbler, or it could include a series of heat exchangers. No streaks can form due to coating fluid drying on the die lip because the gas supplied to the die enclosure is saturated with the solvent.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1994Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert A. Yapel, Kent D. Nelson, Thomas M. Milbourn, Richard J. Foss
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Patent number: 6007874Abstract: A method for minimizing coating defects caused by strikethrough when simultaneously slide coating a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, and a third fluid layer. The method includes preparing the first, second, and third fluids such that the first solute is incompatible with the second and third solutes and such that the first fluid minimizes strikethrough of at least one of the second and third fluids to a slide surface when the first fluid is positioned between the slide surface and the second and third fluids. The present invention is useful in preparing imaging, data storage, and other media.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Aparna V. Bhave, Robert A. Yapel, Lawrence B. Wallace, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 5998549Abstract: Novel polymeric compounds having pendent fluoroaliphatic groups, pendent organic-solubilizing groups, and pendent groups capable of reacting with an epoxy silane; which have been reacted with an epoxy silane have been discovered. These compounds are easy to apply, abrasion and impact resistant, and provide durable, low surface energy, streak reducing surfaces on coating dies, edge guides, and other coating and fluid contacting surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1996Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Thomas M. Milbourn, John F. Kistner, Larry A Lien
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Patent number: 5980992Abstract: A process for treating silicon-containing organic polymeric surfaces (e.g., spent, fluorosilane-containing, low-energy coatings) including applying a treatment composition comprising a fluorochemical compound. Preferably, the fluorochemical compound is a fluorinated silane having the following formula:R.sub.f --L--SiX.sub.3-x (R.sub.a).sub.xwherein: R.sub.f is a fluoroaliphatic group containing a perfluorinated terminal group; L is a covalent bond, a heteroatom, or an organic linking group; R.sub.a is an alkoxy group, an alkyl group, or an acyloxy group; X is a halide; and x is 0 to 3, with the proviso that when R.sub.a is an alkyl group, x is not 3.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John F. Kistner, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 5861195Abstract: A method for minimizing coating defects caused by strikethrough when simultaneously slide coating a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, and a third fluid layer. The method includes preparing the first, second, and third fluids such that the first solute is incompatible with the second and third solutes and such that the first fluid minimizes strikethrough of at least one of the second and third fluids to a slide surface when the first fluid is positioned between the slide surface and the second and third fluids. The present invention is useful in preparing imaging, data storage, and other media.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Aparna V. Bhave, Robert A. Yapel, Lawrence B. Wallace, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 5851137Abstract: A method of microfinishing the edge of a die component includes polishing the edges after the die component is machined by known methods to finish the edges of the die component to a smoother finish than the rest of the die component. This eliminates the incidence of undesirable streaking defects in the coating. The polishing step can be lapping, vapor honing, or grit blasting. The edges are polished to a finish of less than 8 microinches.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Aparna V. Bhave, William B. Kolb, Thomas M. Milbourn, Lawrence B. Wallace, Robert A. Yapel
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Patent number: 5837324Abstract: Precise control of the wetting of an edge guide by a coating fluid (i.e., the wetting profile) can be achieved by providing a wetting line below which the coating fluid will wet the surface of the edge guide. Preferably, the height of the wetting line corresponds to a predetermined depth profile of a coating fluid flowing down a coater face. Optionally, a non-wetting surface can be provided above the wetting line, and the non-wetting surface can optionally have a low energy coating provided thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert A. Yapel, Aparna V. Bhave, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 5805963Abstract: An imaging system and method incorporate an apparatus and method for cleaning developer liquid from an imaging substrate such as a photoreceptor.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1997Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Brian P. Teschendorf, W. Blake Kolb, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 5780109Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a moving web with a coating fluid. The coating die has at least one feed slot for supplying the coating fluid to the moving web and a front face demarked from the at least one feed slot by a die edge. A guide mechanism guides the moving web in a first direction past the coating die such that a coating bead is formed in a gap between the moving web and the die edge. The spraying system sprays a cleaning fluid on at least a portion of the front face of the slide coating die such that the coating bead forms a substantially linear static wetting line on the front face of the coating die.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1997Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert A. Yapel, Thomas M. Milbourn, Aparna V. Bhave, Lawrence B. Wallace, Daniel V. Norton, Hans E. Iverson
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Patent number: 5781834Abstract: An imaging system and method incorporate an apparatus and method for cleaning developer liquid from an imaging substrate such as a photoreceptor.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1997Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Brian P. Teschendorf, W. Blake Kolb, Thomas M. Milbourn
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Patent number: 5758236Abstract: A development apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on an imaging substrate in a liquid electrographic imaging system includes a cleaning roller for removing back-plated developer from a development device such as a development roller, and a squeegee apparatus for.sub.-- removing both "drip-line" developer liquid and "wrap-around" developer liquid from the imaging substrate. The squeegee apparatus may include a squeegee roller having a crowned profile and a loading mechanism configured to achieve a uniform loading force across a pressure nip formed between the squeegee roller and the imaging substrate. The cleaning roller may include a fiber cleaning media and fluid delivery means for flushing back-plated developer from the cleaning media. The development apparatus also may include means for spacing the development apparatus relative to the imaging substrate without contacting the imaging substrate, thereby avoiding disruption of the motion quality of the imaging substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1996Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Brian P. Teschendorf, Truman F. Kellie, Edward J. Moe, W. Blake Kolb, Joseph T. Brophy, Thomas M. Milbourn, Arthur V. Lang, Donald H. Larson, Alberto Goenaga, Steven C. Jensen, John D. Watson