Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Sventek

Bruce A. Sventek 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: 12128526
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides abrasive articles that include an abrasive layer having a contact surface, a first layer coupled to the abrasive layer, and a second layer coupled to the first layer. The first layer is configured to provide contact pressure to the abrasive layer, such as through a higher hardness than the second layer. The second layer is configured to provide conformability to the abrasive layer, such as through a higher compressibility than the first layer. The resulting abrasive articles may exert a consistent contact pressure against a substrate with increased conformability around the substrate, reduced hysteresis, improved removal rate consistency, and/or improved lifetime over abrasive articles that do not use the multiple layer construction described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, Stephen C. Loper, Samad Javid, David G. Baird
  • Publication number: 20220410281
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to abrasive rotary tools capable of expanding into a substrate. Exemplary abrasive rotary tools include an expandable collet configured to expand an abrasive surface of the abrasive rotary tool. The expandable collet may be positioned proximate to a multi-planar edge of a substrate, such as a hole, and expanded into the edge to more fully and/or evenly contact the edge of the substrate. In this way, an abrasive rotary tool may more quickly and/or consistently abrade the edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Bruce A. SVENTEK, Stephen C. LOPER
  • Publication number: 20220395962
    Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to a method of manufacturing an abrasive rotary tool using a molded elastic layer. A mold includes a cavity with a peripheral surface. An abrasive sheet is positioned so that a working surface of the abrasive sheet is positioned along at least a portion of the peripheral surface. A spindle is positioned within the mold to create a region between the spindle and the abrasive sheet. An elastomeric precursor material is injected into the region and solidified to form an elastic layer. As a result, the elastic layer is in direct contact with at least a portion of the opposed surface of the abrasive sheet and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the spindle. In this way, an abrasive rotary tool may be manufactured without using adhesive layers and/or fastening means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, David G. Baird, Stephen C. Loper, Samad Javid, Jason D. McNulty, Benjamin G. Sonnek
  • Publication number: 20220395961
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymer bond abrasive article formed of a continuous photocured polymer matrix having abrasive particles retained therein. The photocured polymer matrix includes at least one of an optical brightener or a light absorber, and the polymer bond abrasive article has a three-dimensional shape. An abrasive tool is also provided, including the abrasive article affixed to a shaft or a pad. Further, a method of making the polymer bond abrasive article is provided, including a) obtaining a photocurable composition liquid dispersion; b) selectively curing a portion of the photocurable composition; and repeating steps a) and b) to form the polymer bond abrasive article. The dispersion contains at least one photocurable component; abrasive particles; a photoinitiator; and at least one of an optical brightener or a light absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Tianyu Wu, Gareth A. Hughes, Bruce A. Sventek, Fabian Stolzenburg, Jing Chen, Gregory A. Kobussen, Robert L.W. Smithson
  • Publication number: 20210347012
    Abstract: The disclosure provides abrasive rotary tools with enhanced adhesion of an abrasive layer. Exemplary abrasive rotary tools include a securing element configured to secure an abrasive layer to an abrasive rotary tool. The securing element may be positioned over a portion of the abrasive layer, such as a tab or end, such that repeated forces on the abrasive layer do not decouple the abrasive layer from the rotary tool. In this way, an abrasive rotary tool may maintain a contact surface integrity through repeated use for extended life of the rotary tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, David G. Baird, Samad Javid, Joshua T. Hemelgarn
  • Patent number: 11040429
    Abstract: An abrasive rotary tool includes a tool shank defining an axis of rotation for the rotary tool, and an abrasive external working surface. The abrasive external working surface includes a resin, and a plurality of porous ceramic abrasive composites dispersed in the resin, the porous ceramic abrasive composites including individual abrasive particles dispersed in a porous ceramic matrix. At least a portion of the porous ceramic matrix comprises glassy ceramic material. A ratio of the average porous ceramic abrasive composite size to the average individual abrasive particle size is no greater than 15 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, David G. Baird, Adam J. Painter, Tammy J. Engfer, Dennis J. Stapleton, John J. Gagliardi
  • Publication number: 20210114171
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides abrasive articles that include an abrasive layer having a contact surface, a first layer coupled to the abrasive layer, and a second layer coupled to the first layer. The first layer is configured to provide contact pressure to the abrasive layer, such as through a higher hardness than the second layer. The second layer is configured to provide conformability to the abrasive layer, such as through a higher compressibility than the first layer. The resulting abrasive articles may exert a consistent contact pressure against a substrate with increased conformability around the substrate, reduced hysteresis, improved removal rate consistency, and/or improved lifetime over abrasive articles that do not use the multiple layer construction described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, Stephen C. Loper, Samad Javid, David G. Baird
  • Patent number: 10906156
    Abstract: An abrasive rotary tool includes a tool shank a flexible planar section positioned opposite the tool shank. The flexible planar section forms a first abrasive external surface on a first side of the flexible planar section and a second abrasive external surface on a second side of the flexible planar section. The flexible planar section facilitates abrading, corners of a workpiece across multiple angles relative to the axis of rotation for the rotary tool through bending of the flexible planar section when the abrasive external surfaces are applied to a corner of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, David G. Baird, Adam J. Painter, Tammy J. Engfer, Dennis J. Stapleton
  • Patent number: 10556316
    Abstract: A polishing system includes a first carrier assembly configured to receive and hold a substrate and a polishing pad. The polishing pad includes a top major surface and a bottom major surface positioned opposite the top major surface, and a plurality of polishing elements extending from the top major surface of the polishing pad. The system further includes a polishing solution disposed between the top surface of the polishing pad and the substrate. The polishing fluid includes a fluid component, and a plurality of ceramic abrasive composites dispersed in the fluid component, the ceramic abrasive composites including individual abrasive particles dispersed in a porous ceramic matrix. The system further includes a second carrier assembly configured to receive and hold the polishing pad. The system is configured such that the polishing pad is movable relative to the substrate to carry out a polishing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul S. Lugg, Bruce A. Sventek, Lian S. Tan
  • Patent number: 10265826
    Abstract: A method of forming a recess in a surface of a substrate includes: providing an abrasive article comprising a structured abrasive member disposed along a peripheral surface of a support member, frictionally contacting the structured abrasive layer with a surface of a substrate, longitudinally advancing the structured abrasive layer relative to the surface of the substrate; and rotating at least one of the abrasive article or the substrate relative to the other around a rotational axis perpendicular to the surface of the substrate such that the structured abrasive layer maintains contact with and abrades the surface of the substrate. The structured abrasive member comprises a structured abrasive layer comprising shaped abrasive composites secured to a backing, wherein the backing is proximate to the support member. The shaped abrasive composites comprise abrasive particles retained in a binder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, Mitchell L. Nelson, David G. Baird, Kathryn R. Bretscher
  • Publication number: 20180264626
    Abstract: An abrasive rotary tool includes a tool shank defining an axis of rotation for the rotary tool, and an abrasive external working surface. The abrasive external working surface includes a resin, and a plurality of porous ceramic abrasive composites dispersed in the resin, the porous ceramic abrasive composites including individual abrasive particles dispersed in a porous ceramic matrix. At least a portion of the porous ceramic matrix comprises glassy ceramic material. A ratio of the average porous ceramic abrasive composite size to the average individual abrasive particle size is no greater than 15 to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, David G. Baird, Adam J. Painter, Tammy J. Engfer, Dennis J. Stapleton, John J. Gagliardi
  • Publication number: 20180250793
    Abstract: An abrasive rotary tool includes a tool shank a flexible planar section positioned opposite the tool shank. The flexible planar section forms a first abrasive external surface on a first side of the flexible planar section and a second abrasive external surface on a second side of the flexible planar section. The flexible planar section facilitates abrading, corners of a workpiece across multiple angles relative to the axis of rotation for the rotary tool through bending of the flexible planar section when the abrasive external surfaces are applied to a corner of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, David G. Baird, Adam J. Painter, Tammy J. Engfer, Dennis J. Stapleton
  • Publication number: 20180154497
    Abstract: A polishing system includes a first carrier assembly configured to receive and hold a substrate and a polishing pad. The polishing pad includes a top major surface and a bottom major surface positioned opposite the top major surface, and a plurality of polishing elements extending from the top major surface of the polishing pad. The system further includes a polishing solution disposed between the top surface of the polishing pad and the substrate. The polishing fluid includes a fluid component, and a plurality of ceramic abrasive composites dispersed in the fluid component, the ceramic abrasive composites including individual abrasive particles dispersed in a porous ceramic matrix. The system further includes a second carrier assembly configured to receive and hold the polishing pad. The system is configured such that the polishing pad is movable relative to the substrate to carry out a polishing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Paul S. Lugg, Bruce A. Sventek, Lian S. Tan
  • Publication number: 20160129544
    Abstract: A method of forming a recess in a surface of a substrate includes: providing an abrasive article comprising a structured abrasive member disposed along a peripheral surface of a support member, frictionally contacting the structured abrasive layer with a surface of a substrate, longitudinally advancing the structured abrasive layer relative to the surface of the substrate; and rotating at least one of the abrasive article or the substrate relative to the other around a rotational axis perpendicular to the surface of the substrate such that the structured abrasive layer maintains contact with and abrades the surface of the substrate. The structured abrasive member comprises a structured abrasive layer comprising shaped abrasive composites secured to a backing, wherein the backing is proximate to the support member. The shaped abrasive composites comprise abrasive particles retained in a binder material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sventek, Mitchell L. Nelson, David G. Baird, Kathryn R. Bretscher
  • Publication number: 20160101499
    Abstract: An assembly may include a substrate defining at least one recess and a component located adjacent to the recess and attached to the substrate. In some examples, the recess may be formed by frictionally contacting a structured abrasive layer of an abrasive article with a surface of the substrate, longitudinally advancing the structured abrasive layer relative to the surface of the substrate, and rotating the substrate around a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate such that the structured abrasive layer maintains contact with and abrades the surface of the substrate thereby forming the recess therein. In some examples, the recess may be formed in the substrate after the component is attached to the substrate. Moreover, the recess may be formed without using added loose abrasive particles or abrasive slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce A Sventek, Kathryn R. Bretscher, David G Baird, Lee A Fain, Mitchell L Nelson
  • Patent number: 8795033
    Abstract: Provided is a lapping carrier including a base carrier having a first major surface, a second major surface and at least one aperture for holding a workpiece. The aperture extends from the first major surface through the base carrier to the second major surface. The base carrier includes a first metal or a polymer. At least a portion of the first major surface or at least a portion of each of the first and the second major surfaces includes a polymeric region. In at least a portion of the polymeric region, at least one adhesion promoting layer is interposed between the polymeric region and the base carrier. The adhesion promoting layer includes an inorganic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy D. Fletcher, Todd J. Christianson, Vincent D. Romero, Bruce A. Sventek
  • Publication number: 20140138305
    Abstract: An article including multi-component fibers and particles is disclosed. The multi-component fibers include at least a first polymeric composition and a second polymeric composition, are adhered together, and are non-fusing at a temperature of at least 110° C. At least a portion of the external surfaces of the multi-component fibers includes the first polymeric composition. Particles are adhered or directly attached to the first polymeric composition on the external surfaces of at least some of the multi-component fibers along their lengths. The particles include at least one of activated carbon, superabsorbent polymer particles, and abrasive particles. In some embodiments, the particles are distributed throughout the thickness of a web of the multi-component fibers. A method of making the articles is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Michael D. Crandall, Ignatius A. Kadoma, Andrew J. Peterson, Bruce A. Sventek, Yong K. Wu
  • Patent number: 8727139
    Abstract: An aftermarket kitchen utensil and a method of using the utensil to support a cover of a cooking vessel such that the cover does not obstruct the service of food from the cooking vessel while drippings from the inner surface of the supported cover are guided into the cooking vessel. The utensil includes a body, a first support assembly operable and effective for supporting the body in a vertically upright position during use, and a second support assembly operable and effective for supporting the cover of a cooking vessel in a desired orientation relative to the cooking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jeanne Sventek, Bruce Sventek, Tanner Sventek
  • Patent number: 8226737
    Abstract: An abrasive particle includes a substantially spheroid metal containing matrix having a circumference and a super abrasive material having an average diameter of less than about 8 micrometer at least partially embedded the circumference of the metal containing matrix. The abrasive particle having an average diameter of less than about 200 micrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul S. Lugg, Joel D. Oxman, Bruce A. Sventek, Blake R. Dronen
  • Publication number: 20120135669
    Abstract: Provided is a lapping carrier including a base carrier having a first major surface, a second major surface and at least one aperture for holding a workpiece. The aperture extends from the first major surface through the base carrier to the second major surface. The base carrier includes a first metal or a polymer. At least a portion of the first major surface or at least a portion of each of the first and the second major surfaces includes a polymeric region. In at least a portion of the polymeric region, at least one adhesion promoting layer is interposed between the polymeric region and the base carrier. The adhesion promoting layer includes an inorganic coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy D. Fletcher, Todd J. Christianson, Vincent D. Romero, Bruce A. Sventek