Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Daniel R. Pastirik
  • 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: 5681612
    Abstract: Methods for preparing abrasive articles and novel methods of making abrasive articles are presented. One method includes inserting a fibrous material adjacent an interior surface of a drum. A composition comprising an organic binder precursor material is then placed in the drum, and the drum is rotated such that centrifugal forces distribute the composition, including the organic binder precursor material, uniformly about the fibrous material. The composition is exposed to conditions sufficient to solidify the organic binder precursor material such that an endless, flexible, seamless substrate is formed having an outer surface formed adjacent the interior surface of the drum, an inner surface opposite the outer surface and the fibrous material embedded therein. Coated abrasives formed by this method, as well as other methods, are provided wherein an effective amount of a fibrous reinforcing material is engulfed within an organic polymeric binder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harold W. Benedict, Michael J. Schneider, Donna W. Bange, Gary L. Heacox, Timothy J. Trudeau, Subramanian Krishnan
  • Patent number: 5674122
    Abstract: Abrasive articles and methods for their manufacture are described. The articles are screen abrasive articles including a durable backing member having a patterned array of portions thereon arranged around a plurality of openings extending through the backing with the openings comprising between about 20% and about 80% of the total area of the backing. A coating of abrasive material is adhesively affixed to the array of portions on the backing, forming abrasive surfaces arranged around the openings to cooperatively function as a single abrasive surface while the openings allow debris to pass through the article during abrasive applications. In at least one aspect of the invention, the portions of the backing include a plurality of first surface portions and a plurality of second surface portions having surface areas greater than the surface areas of the first portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John E. Krech
  • Patent number: 5656333
    Abstract: Nonwoven articles having high durability and absorbent characteristics, and their methods of manufacture, are presented. One preferred article is characterized by(a) a nonwoven web comprised of organic fibers comprised of polymers having a plurality of pendant hydroxyl groups; and(b) a binder comprising an at least partially crosslinked and at least partially hydrolyzed polymeric resin having a plurality of pendant resin hydroxyl groups, the resin crosslinked by a crosslinking agent, the crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of organic titanates and amorphous metal oxides, the polymeric resin derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of monomers within the general formula ##STR1## wherein: X is selected from the group consisting of Si(OR.sup.4 OR.sup.5 OR.sup.6) and O(CO)R.sup.7 ; andR.sup.1 -R.sup.7 inclusive are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic radicals having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jack G. Truong, Willa M. Studiner, Bradford B. Wright, Michael M. Rock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5643971
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a metal complex capable of being dispersed in or alternatively, formed in a water-absorbing article. The metal complex consists of one or more metal ions, at least one chelating polymer chelated to the transition metal ion and at least one potentiator chelated to the transition metal ion. The chelating polymer may be a polyglucosamine, a polycarboxylic acid, a polyamine and methylene-acrylic acid polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Karl F. Roenigk
  • Patent number: 5643669
    Abstract: A low VOC curable water-based coating composition is provided. The composition includes a urethane/acrylic copolymer having a Tg of greater than about 50.degree. C., a polyoxyethylene aryl ether plasticizer, an alkaline-stable crosslinker, and water, wherein the curable water-based coating composition includes less than about 5 wt-% volatile organic compounds, based on the total weight of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alexander C. Tsuei
  • Patent number: 5641563
    Abstract: Nonwoven particles having high durability and absorbent characteristics, and their methods of manufacture, are presented. One preferred article is characterized by(a) a nonwoven web comprised of organic fibers comprised of polymers having a plurality of pendant hydroxyl groups; and(b) a binder comprising an at least partially crosslinked and at least partially hydrolyzed polymeric resin having a plurality of pendant resin hydroxyl groups, the resin crosslinked by a crosslinking agent, the crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of organic titanates and amorphous metal oxides, the polymeric resin derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of monomers within the general formula ##STR1## wherein: X is selected from the group consisting of Si(OR.sup.4 OR.sup.5 OR.sup.6) and O(CO)R.sup.7 ; andR.sup.1 -R.sup.7 inclusive are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic radicals having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jack G. Truong, Willa M. Studiner
  • Patent number: 5637559
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn toward compositions and methods of using same, the compositions comprising (in diluted form):a) an effective amount of a phenyl substituted alkyl alcohol having a water solubility of at least 0.1 weight percent (preferably benzyl alcohol);b) a coupler; andc) water,wherein the amount of the coupler is at least 3.0 times the amount necessary to completely solubilize the phenyl substituted alkyl alcohol in the water. Preferred couplers are the salt of a monofunctional water-soluble amine and an organic acid comprising at least one water-insoluble organic acid having from 6-10 carbon atoms. Methods of removing coatings such as standard urethane/acrylic sealer finishes from floors using the inventive compositions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Francis J. Koreltz, James A. McDonell, Fidelis C. Onwumere, Toshihiro Funabiki
  • 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: 5609706
    Abstract: A coated abrasive backing consisting of an endless, seamless, loop is provided. The backing loop includes about 40-99% by weight of an organic polymeric binder, based upon the weight of the backing; and an effective amount of a fibrous reinforcing material engulfed within the organic polymeric binder material. The endless, seamless backing loop includes a length with parallel side edges, and at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material engulfed within the organic polymeric binder material such that there are regions of organic binder material free of fibrous reinforcing material on opposite surfaces of the layer of fibrous reinforcing material. The fibrous reinforcing material can be in the form of individual fibrous strands, a fibrous mat structure, or a combination of the these. A method for preparing the endless, seamless backing loop for a coated abrasive belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harold W. Benedict, Diana D. Zimny, Donna W. Bange
  • 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
  • Patent number: 5585407
    Abstract: Water-based coatable compositions for application to a substrate to inhibit the growth of microbes for extended periods of time, durable removable biocidal polymeric coatings resulting from such coatable compositions, a method of protecting a substrate from the growth of microbes and substrates resistant to such growth are described. The coatable compositions comprise an acrylate emulsion polymer comprising the reaction product of one or more acrylate or methacrylate monomers and one or more carboxylic acid monomers, an organoalkoxysilane, an effective amount of biocide, plasticizer and water. The coatable composition may be applied to the surface of a substrate and allowed to dry to provide durable adherent polymeric coatings which slowly release biocide to the surrounding surface for extended periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Vinu Patel, Fidelis C. Onwumere
  • Patent number: 5575873
    Abstract: Endless coated abrasive articles having a splice. In general, the coated abrasive articles comprise a backing having abrasive grains bonded thereto by one or more layers of binder. This invention also provides a method of making the splice by using radiation curable adhesives, e.g., acrylated urethanes, and radiation energy to cure the adhesives. The radiation curable splice adhesive essentially solvent-free. Consequently, the time required for the solvent to flash off is eliminated and solvent removal is no longer an environmental concern. By utilizing a source of radiation energy, the splice adhesive can be solidified in less than one minute. Because the splice adhesive is fully solidified, coated abrasive belts can be packaged immediately after the splice is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jon R. Pieper, Donald C. Heinn, Eric G. Larson, Thomas E. Boettcher
  • Patent number: 5573782
    Abstract: An aigicidal composite sheet body suitable for use as a building material is described. The composite comprises a bituminous sheet material having a firmly adherent surfacing of granular material, the granular material comprising ceramic-coated base granules adhered to the bituminous sheet material by a composition containing calcium, the granular material and the composition forming an exterior surface on the composite sheet body, the composite sheet body exterior surface having an algicidal topical coating Thereon, wherein the algicidal topical coating comprises an organic oil and a tin-acrylate polymer dispersed therein, the tin-acrylate polymer being derived from a monomer composition comprising flee-radical polymerizable units. The organic oil is selected from the group consisting of slate oil, rock oil, coal oil, and seneca oil, and the tin-acrylate polymer is present at a weight percentage ranging from about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: W. Stuart Bigham, Christine A. Sobon, Billy L. George
  • Patent number: 5573844
    Abstract: Conformable surface finishing articles and a method for the manufacture of such articles are provided. The articles comprise a nonwoven three dimensional lofty web of fibers, a stretch resistant porous reinforcing fabric having first and second major surfaces with the first major surface disposed along a major surface of the web, and a layer comprising a polymer coated over and coextensive with the second major surface of the reinforcing fabric and having a flexible low friction exposed surface and portions extending through the reinforcing fabric encapsulating fibers along the major surface of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mary B. Donovan, Timothy J. Pleggenkuhle
  • Patent number: 5573619
    Abstract: A coated abrasive backing consisting of an endless, seamless, loop is provided. The backing loop includes about 40-99% by weight of an organic polymeric binder, based upon the weight of the backing; and an effective amount of a fibrous reinforcing material engulfed within the organic polymeric binder material. The endless, seamless backing loop includes a length with parallel side edges, and at least one layer of fibrous reinforcing material engulfed within the organic polymeric binder material such that there are regions of organic binder material free of fibrous reinforcing material on opposite surfaces of the layer of fibrous reinforcing material. The fibrous reinforcing material can be in the form of individual fibrous strands, a fibrous mat structure, or a combination of the these. A method for preparing the endless, seamless backing loop for a coated abrasive belt is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Harold W. Benedict, Diana D. Zimny, Donna W. Bange
  • Patent number: 5573710
    Abstract: Multi-surface cleaning compositions and methods of use are presented. Compositions within the invention which are substantially non-streaking on hard surfaces comprise:a) a surfactant selected from the group consisting of amine oxides within the general formula (I) ##STR1## and quaternary amine salts within the general formula (II) ##STR2## b) a very slightly water-soluble polar organic compound; and c) an effective amount of a water soluble organic compound selected from water soluble glycol ethers and water soluble alkyl alcohols.wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl and substituted alkyl groups, R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of straight chain alkyls, branched chain alkyls, straight chain heteroalkyls, and branched chain heteroalkyls having from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James A. McDonell
  • Patent number: 5543004
    Abstract: Stitchbonded articles and methods of making same are presented. The articles may be either dual purpose wiping/scrubbing articles or only scrubbing articles. The articles may be constructed to have three dimensional scrubbing surfaces. Both the dual purpose articles and the scrubbing articles comprise thermoplastic nodules melt-bonded to the stitching yarn, and preferably to the fibers of an absorbent material, the nodules providing the primary scrubbing utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Miroslav Tochacek, Donald M. Courteau, Vinu Patel
  • Patent number: 5539042
    Abstract: A nonwoven surface treating article suitable for treating surfaces while emitting little formaldehyde includes an open, lofty, three-dimensional nonwoven web of a plurality of thermoplastic organic fibers a bound together at places where they contact by a binder, binder comprising 1) a copolymer of an acrylate monomer and an acrylamide monomer, 2) the crosslinked reaction product of a polyol and a melamine crosslinking agent, and 3) the reaction product of a urea derivative and formaldehyde.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: D'Arcie W. Birch
  • Patent number: 5507968
    Abstract: A cleansing article along with its method for manufacture are provided. The cleansing article comprises a porous pad which includes a controlled detergent release composition comprising: polyacrylamide (preferably having a weight average molecular weight greater than 200,000) and detergent preferably blended to provide a weight ratio of polymer solids:detergent solids between about 1:9 and about 1:100 and more preferably between about 1:12 and about 1:30. The method comprises preparing a coatable polymer/detergent blend comprising polyacrylamide, detergent and a liquid vehicle which on drying forms a controlled detergent release composition, applying said coatable blend to a porous pad, and drying said blend to provide said controlled detergent release composition. The controlled detergent release composition is substantially retained within the pad for subsequent use and thereafter slowly released when used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Liana V. Palaikis