Patents by Inventor Allen J. Rivard

Allen J. Rivard 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: 8790164
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method, apparatus, and system for uniformly supporting flexible surface modifying articles during surface modification as well as enabling replacing and repositioning thereof for improving their useful service life as well as improving dust and debris control management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Patent number: 8469775
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to conversion assemblages adapted for use in converting a surface modifying apparatus, such as a pole sander, whereby the conversion assemblage includes a generally rigid body assembly including first and second major surfaces opposing each other, the first major surface is adapted for receiving the supporting member, and the second major surface is attachable to a surface modifying member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David R. Dow, Allen J. Rivard, John G. Petersen, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Publication number: 20120034853
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method, apparatus, and system for uniformly supporting flexible surface modifying articles during surface modification as well as enabling replacing and repositioning thereof for improving their useful service life as well as improving dust and debris control management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Patent number: 8052506
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method, apparatus, and system for uniformly supporting flexible surface modifying articles during surface modification as well as enabling replacing and repositioning thereof for improving their useful service life as well as improving dust and debris control management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Patent number: 7892074
    Abstract: A surface modifying apparatus, system, article, and method are disclosed for modifying a surface by surface modification, whereby inserts of surface modifying elements are quickly and easily replaceable on a carrier assembly therefor without being damaged during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Allen J. Rivard
  • Patent number: 7731573
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method, apparatus, and system for uniformly supporting flexible surface modifying articles during surface modification as well as enabling replacing and repositioning thereof for improving their useful service life as well as improving dust and debris control management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Publication number: 20100120342
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method, apparatus, and system for uniformly supporting flexible surface modifying articles during surface modification as well as enabling replacing and repositioning thereof for improving their useful service life as well as improving dust and debris control management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Publication number: 20100009606
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a conversion assemblage adapted for use in converting a surface modifying mechanism, such as a pole sander, having an attaching member. The surface modifying assemblage and method facilitate converting the pole sander with anyone of several different surface treating assemblages in an easy and reliable manner as well as provides for enhanced surface modifying efficiencies and improvements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, David R. Dow, Galen A. Fitzel, John G. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20100009607
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a conversion assemblage adapted for use in converting a surface modifying mechanism, such as a pole sander, having an attaching member. The surface modifying assemblage and method facilitate converting the pole sander with anyone of several different surface treating assemblages in an easy and reliable manner as well as provides for enhanced surface modifying efficiencies and improvements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, David R. Dow, Galen A. Fitzel, John G. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20100009610
    Abstract: Disclosed is a non-motorized hand manipulatable surface modifying tool and method that facilitates improved surface modifying efficiency and ease of conversion to any one of several different surface treating assemblies. Included is a generally lightweight, low density supporting body assembly made of a block of generally rigid plastic foam material that is sized and shaped to allow a user to manipulate the tool by hand to modify a surface while retaining its shape under hand applying pressure; and a generally flexible surface modifying article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, David R. Dow, Galen A. Fitzel, John G. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20100009609
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to conversion assemblages adapted for use in converting a surface modifying apparatus, such as a pole sander, whereby the conversion assemblage includes a generally rigid body assembly including first and second major surfaces opposing each other, the first major surface is adapted for receiving the supporting member, and the second major surface is attachable to a surface modifying member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: David R. Dow, Allen J. Rivard, John G. Petersen, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Publication number: 20090191800
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method, apparatus, and system for uniformly supporting flexible surface modifying articles during surface modification as well as enabling replacing and repositioning thereof for improving their useful service life as well as improving dust and debris control management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Publication number: 20090191376
    Abstract: Method, system, and apparatus for use in enabling users to quickly change surface modifying articles and for supporting the surface modifying articles during a surface modification operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel
  • Publication number: 20090191799
    Abstract: A surface modifying apparatus, system, article, and method are disclosed for modifying a surface by surface modification, whereby inserts of surface modifying elements are quickly and easily replaceable on a carrier assembly therefor without being damaged during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Allen J. Rivard
  • Patent number: 6740137
    Abstract: A reversibly expandable filter element includes pleated filter media and a flexible spacing structure attached to the pleated media that provides the pleated media with uniform pleat spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James O. Kubokawa, Allen J. Rivard
  • Publication number: 20030230061
    Abstract: A reversibly expandable filter element includes pleated filter media and a flexible spacing structure attached to the pleated media that provides the pleated media with uniform pleat spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James O. Kubokawa, Allen J. Rivard
  • Patent number: 6261164
    Abstract: An abrasive article is formed from a lofty nonwoven abrasive pad and one or more abrasive sheets. In one embodiment, each sheet has an abrasive layer on its front side and a plurality of engagement stems on its back side. Enough of the engagement stems engage fibers on the surface of the nonwoven pad to affix the two components together for workpiece surface treatment. In another embodiment, the nonwoven pad has a slit therein, and each abrasive sheet has a portion thereof inserted into its respective slit to anchor the sheet to the pad. In this embodiment, each sheet has an abrasive layer on its front side but may have no stems on its back side. In either embodiment, the sheets are readily replaceable on the nonwoven pad, thus creating a very simple and versatile arrangement for varying the abrasive characteristics presented to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel, Chris A. Minick
  • Patent number: 6234886
    Abstract: An abrasive article is formed from a lofty nonwoven abrasive pad and one or more abrasive sheets. In one embodiment, each sheet has an abrasive layer on its front side and a plurality of engagement stems on its back side. Enough of the engagement stems engage fibers on the surface of the nonwoven pad to affix the two components together for workpiece surface treatment. In another embodiment, the nonwoven pad has a slit therein, and each abrasive sheet has a portion thereof inserted into its respective slit to anchor the sheet to the pad. In this embodiment, each sheet has an abrasive layer on its front side but may have no stems on its back side. In either embodiment, the sheets are readily replaceable on the nonwoven pad, thus creating a very simple and versatile arrangement for varying the abrasive characteristics presented to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Allen J. Rivard, Galen A. Fitzel, Chris A. Minick
  • Patent number: 4990214
    Abstract: A portable device for guiding a length of pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape partially onto the outer wrap of a roll of masking material adjacent one of its edges to provide a composite masking sheet for use in masking surfaces comprising a length of the sheet material having the tape adhered along and extending widthwise past one edge by which the composite masking sheet can be adhered to a surface. The outer edge of the tape is not guided by the device, and a tendency that otherwise exists for the tape being adhered along the edge portion of the roll of masking material to move transversely away from the masking material so that less and less of the tape is adhered to the masking material is restricted by a tracking member mounted on a frame of the device between a hub supporting a roll of the tape and the roll of masking material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Heil, Frederic A. Longworth, Allen J. Rivard
  • Patent number: 4915769
    Abstract: A pin extending along an axis which is mutually parallel to the axis of rotation of a roll of tape and the axis of rotation of a roll of masking sheet in a masking machine deflects tape inboard from the normal tangential path between rolls whereby the tape is coursed into overlapping engagement while the edge of the roll of masking sheet material. An auxiliary roll of tape is rotatably carried by a subframe which is slidably engagable with a slot formed in the frame of a masking machine. The subframe, which is removable, is automatically retained by a manually releasable detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Heil, Frederic A. Longworth, Allen J. Rivard