Patents by Inventor Ann M. Hawkins

Ann M. Hawkins 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: 11911876
    Abstract: A system and method for producing an abrasive article includes a production tool configured to provide shaped abrasive particles to a resin coated backing. A first end and a second end of the production tool are spliced together to form a spliced area. The production tool includes a dispensing surface that includes a plurality of cavities formed between the first end and the second end and configured to receive and hold the shaped abrasive particles. The resin coated backing is configured to receive the shaped abrasive particles from the dispensing surface of the production tool and configured to receive further shaped abrasive particles to fill gaps in the shaped abrasive particles caused by an absence of the plurality of cavities in the spliced area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas J. Nelson, Aaron K. Nienaber, Joseph B. Eckel, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20240033880
    Abstract: Grinding aid particles for abrasive articles. The grinding aid particles include a core particle having a Mohs hardness of less than 7 and a coating on at least a portion of the surface of the core. The coating comprises a binder and at least one grinding agent. The grinding aid particles can be incorporated in the make coat, size coat and/or supersize coat of an abrasive article to improve abrasive performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Adam D. Miller, Joseph B. Eckel, Ann M. Hawkins, Thomas J. Nelson, Junting Li, Mark A. Lukowski
  • Publication number: 20230356362
    Abstract: A method of making a coated abrasive article comprises sequential steps: disposing a curable composition on a major surface of a backing b) adhering abrasive particles to the curable composition; c) at least partially curing the free-radically polymerizable component; and d) at least partially curing the phenolic resin component to provide an at least partially cured composition. The curable composition comprises a phenolic resin component, a free-radically polymerizable component, and an organic polymeric rheology modifier, wherein the organic polymeric rheology modifier comprises an alkali-swellable/soluble polymer, and wherein, on a solid basis, the organic polymeric rheology modifier comprises from 0.001 to 5 weight percent of the phenolic resin component, the free-radically polymerizable component, and the organic polymeric rheology modifier combined. A variant wherein step b) effectively occurs after step c) is also disclosed. Abrasive articles made according to the methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ernest L. Thurber, Thomas J. Nelson, Gregory P. Sorenson, Junting Li, Daniel M. Lentz, Brian G. Koethe, Jon T. Schwartz, Jing Zhang, Ann M. Hawkins, Geoffrey I. Wilson, Blake R. Rustad, Gregory S. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20220339761
    Abstract: A method of making a coated abrasive article includes: depositing precisely-shaped abrasive platelets into precisely-shaped cavities in a production tool; depositing diluent abrasive particles onto the production tool; contacting the precisely-shaped abrasive platelets and the diluent abrasive particles with a curable make layer precursor disposed on a major surface of a backing; separating the tool from the precisely-shaped abrasive platelets and the diluent abrasive particles; and at least partially curing the curable make layer precursor to provide an at least partially cured make layer precursor. Coated abrasive articles preparable by the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Yuyang Liu, Ann M. Hawkins, Geoffrey I. Wilson, Brian G. Koethe, Ernest L. Thurber, Negus B. Adefris, Junting Li, Fay T. Salmon
  • Publication number: 20220152783
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an abrasive article comprising: a fabric substrate comprising strands forming first void spaces between the strands; a laminate joined to the fabric substrate; a cured resin composition joined to the laminate opposite the fabric substrate; abrasive particles joined to the cured resin composition; and a plurality of second void spaces extending through the laminate coinciding with first void spaces in the fabric substrate. The disclosure also relates to methods of making such abrasive articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Jaime A. Martinez, Caroline E. Morel, Junting Li, Michael J. Annen, Deborah J. Eilers, Daniel A. Billig, Carlos A. Barrios, Monika E. Frendt, Victor A. Cárdenas, Yuyang Liu, Dwight D. Erickson, Brian G. Koethe, Ann M. Hawkins, Jing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220063061
    Abstract: Abrasive articles and associated methods are shown that include one or more camouflaging layers that can be applied to a portion of the abrasive article. The one or more camouflaging layers can be applied over the size coat layer as a discontinuous colored layer covering a portion of the size coat layer. In an example, the camouflaging layer can be applied as a repeating pattern of one or more colors on the abrasive article. In an example, the camouflaging layer can be applied randomly to the abrasive article. The discontinuous layer can have a color markedly different than a color of the size coat layer and can be used to mask or minimize an appearance of particle imperfections or voids on the abrasive article. The discontinuous layer can be applicable to coated and non-woven abrasive articles in the form of sheets, discs, belts, pads, or rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Thomas J. Nelson, Amelia W. Koenig, Ann M. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20220055186
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for abrasive articles and manufacturing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Joseph B. Eckel, Thomas J. Nelson, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20220055185
    Abstract: Coated abrasive articles having spacer particles are formed by providing a production tool having a dispensing surface with a plurality of cavities, guiding the production tool past an abrasive particle feeder, dispensing shaped abrasive particles onto the dispensing surface and into the plurality of cavities of the production tool, guiding a resin coated backing sheet adjacent the production tool past a spacer particle feeder, and dispensing spacer particles onto the resin coated backing sheet and/or the production tool after the abrasive particle feeder prior to a deposit point for the shaped abrasive particles. The spacer particles are selected to have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of a resin coating of the resin coating backing sheet and a thickness and density once dispensed that are sufficient to substantially prevent the production tool from contacting the resin coated backing sheet at the deposit point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Thomas J. Nelson, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20220055187
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a shaped abrasive particle transfer assembly. The shaped abrasive particle transfer assembly includes a substrate including an adhesive and a plurality of shaped abrasive particles adhered to the substrate and forming a predetermined pattern thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Thomas J. Nelson, Amelia W. Koenig, Ann M. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20220055182
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a tooling apparatus and method for providing multiple orientation cavities in tooling for abrasive particles in an abrasive article or structure. An example method includes aligning a plurality of shaped abrasive particles into a pattern, including collecting the plurality of shaped abrasive particles at least partially into cavities arranged on a dispensing surface, where at least one of the cavities is configured to allow for multiple orientations of one of the plurality of shaped abrasive particles. The pattern is transferred to a backing substrate containing a layer of adhesive, and the adhesive is cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Thomas J. Nelson, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20220048162
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an abrasive article and method of forming abrasive articles using backfill to secure orientation of shaped abrasive particles. An example method includes aligning a plurality of shaped abrasive particles into a pattern, and transferring the pattern to a backing substrate containing a layer of adhesive. Prior to curing the adhesive, a plurality of backfill particles are transferred to the backing substrate, where at least some of the plurality of backfill particles are disposed between the plurality of shaped abrasive particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Thomas J. Nelson, Junting Li, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20220041909
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for abrasive articles and manufacturing the same. An abrasive article can include a substrate shaped particles disposed on the substrate, wherein the shaped particles include first shaped abrasive particles and second shaped particles, and wherein a characteristic of the first shaped abrasive particles is different from a corresponding characteristic of the second shaped particles, and at least one binding agent securing the shaped particles to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Joseph B. Eckel, Thomas J. Nelson, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20220040816
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a production tooling having a dispensing surface with a plurality of cavities and formed into an endless belt. An abrasive particle feeder dispenses shaped abrasive particles onto the dispensing surface and into the plurality of cavities. A resin coated backing receives shaped abrasive particles from the cavities of the production tooling at a deposit point. A detecting device detects a pattern transition zone as the production tooling moves in the direction of travel and provides pattern transition zone detection data to one or more controllers to control a speed of the production tooling and/or a speed of the resin coated backing as the detected pattern transition zone passes the deposit point to change a pattern density of the shaped abrasive particles in a portion of the resin coated backing corresponding to the pattern transition zone of the production tooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Thomas J. Nelson, Aaron K. Nienaber, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig, Negus B. Adefris
  • Publication number: 20220040815
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for abrasive articles and manufacturing the same. A shaped abrasive particle placement tool can include a substrate including an abrasive particle receiving surface defining an x-y plane including an x-axis and a y-axis and a back surface opposite the abrasive particle receiving surface, cavities formed in the substrate, the cavities including one or more sidewalls, the cavities including a width and length at the abrasive article receiving surface, and a depth defined by a distance the first cavities extend from the abrasive article receiving surface towards the back surface in a direction parallel to a z-axis perpendicular to the x-y plane, and respective protrusions between two or more proximate cavities, the respective protrusions extending from the abrasive article receiving surface in a direction parallel to the z-axis and away from the back surface, and shaped abrasive particles situated in the cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron K. Nienaber, Joseph B. Eckel, Thomas J. Nelson, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig, Yuyang Liu
  • Publication number: 20220040814
    Abstract: Abrasive articles and associated methods are shown that include abrasive particles arranged in one or more symbols on a backing substrate. Examples include shaped abrasive particles arranged into one or more symbols. Other examples include one or more wear particles with a height less than other abrasive particles, such that when exposed, the wear particles indicate a wear condition of the abrasive article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Aaron K. Nienaber, Thomas J. Nelson, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20220040817
    Abstract: A system and method for producing an abrasive article includes a production tool configured to provide shaped abrasive particles to a resin coated backing. A first end and a second end of the production tool are spliced together to form a spliced area. The production tool includes a dispensing surface that includes a plurality of cavities formed between the first end and the second end and configured to receive and hold the shaped abrasive particles. The resin coated backing is configured to receive the shaped abrasive particles from the dispensing surface of the production tool and configured to receive further shaped abrasive particles to fill gaps in the shaped abrasive particles caused by an absence of the plurality of cavities in the spliced area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas J. Nelson, Aaron K. Nienaber, Joseph B. Eckel, Ann M. Hawkins, Amelia W. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20220016747
    Abstract: A coated abrasive article comprises a backing having first and second opposed major surfaces. A make layer is bonded to the first major surface. Agglomerate grinding aid particles are directly bonded to the make layer. At least a portion of the agglomerate grinding aid particles comprise grinding aid particles retained in a binder, and are arranged according to an open predetermined pattern. Abrasive particles are directly bonded to the make layer in spaces between the agglomerate grinding aid particles. A size layer is directly bonded to the make layer, agglomerate grinding aid particles, and abrasive particles. A method of making a coated abrasive article, in which the agglomerate grinding aid particles are deposited onto a curable make layer precursor prior to depositing abrasive particles onto the curable make layer precursor in spaces between the agglomerate grinding aid particles is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Junting Li, Yuyang Liu, Mark A. Lukowski, Ernest L. Thurber, Brian G. Koethe, Ann M. Hawkins, Geoffrey I. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8888561
    Abstract: A nonwoven abrasive wheel comprising one or more layers of a nonwoven fiber web, a plurality of super abrasive particles having a Vickers hardness greater than 40 GPa, a polyurethane binder adhering the plurality of super abrasive particles to the nonwoven fibers and adhering the layers of the nonwoven fiber web to each other, and wherein the nonwoven abrasive wheel comprises a Flexural Modulus from 4.0 to 128.0 lb/inch of thickness per inch of displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James L. McArdle, Alice B. Moris, Ann M. Hawkins, Carl P. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20130157544
    Abstract: A nonwoven abrasive wheel comprising one or more layers of a nonwoven fiber web, a plurality of super abrasive particles having a Vickers hardness greater than 40 GPa, a polyurethane binder adhering the plurality of super abrasive particles to the nonwoven fibers and adhering the layers of the nonwoven fiber web to each other, and wherein the nonwoven abrasive wheel comprises a Flexural Modulus from 4.0 to 128.0 lb/inch of thickness per inch of displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James L. McArdle, Alice B. Moris, Ann M. Hawkins, Carl P. Erickson
  • Patent number: 8323072
    Abstract: A method of polishing transparent armor, preferably to optical clarity. The method can be used on flat or contoured armor, manually or via robotic automation. The method includes using a step-wise progression of diamond, structured abrasive articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Billig, John L. Barry, James L. McArdle, Ann M. Hawkins