Patents by Inventor Bruce D. Shalles

Bruce D. Shalles 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).

  • Publication number: 20170072434
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish is described. A coatable material is applied to a substrate. The viscosity of the coatable material is changed and a face-side roller contacts the coatable material to impart a matte finish thereon; and hardening the coatable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Francis M. Aguirre, John P. Baetzold, Olester Benson, JR., Andrew J. Henderson, Mitchell A.F. Johnson, Leslie A. Todero, Steven J. McMan, David L. Phillips, Bruce D. Shalles
  • Patent number: 9539613
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish is described. A coatable material is applied to a substrate. The viscosity of the coatable material is changed and a face-side roller having patterned features thereon contacts the coatable material to impart a matte finish thereon; and hardening the coatable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Francis M. Aguirre, John P. Baetzold, Olester Benson, Jr., Andrew J. Henderson, Mitchell A. F. Johnson, Leslie A. Todero, Steven J. McMan, David L. Phillips, Bruce D. Shalles
  • Publication number: 20140057058
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish. The system includes means for providing a coated substrate, the coated substrate comprising a first coatable material applied to a substrate, the coatable material forming a first major surface of the coated substrate; means for changing the viscosity of the first coatable material from a first viscosity to a second viscosity; a face-side roller having an outer surface positioned to contact the first major surface of the coated substrate to impart a matte finish thereon; and optionally, means for hardening the first coatable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Francis M. Aguirre, John P. Baetzold, Olester Benson, JR., Andrew J. Henderson, Mitchell A.F. Johnson, Leslie A. Todero, Steven J. McMan, David L. Phillips, Bruce D. Shalles
  • Patent number: 8623140
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish. The system includes means for providing a coated substrate, the coated substrate comprising a first coatable material applied to a substrate, the coatable material forming a first major surface of the coated substrate; means for changing the viscosity of the first coatable material from a first viscosity to a second viscosity; a face-side roller having an outer surface positioned to contact the first major surface of the coated substrate to impart a matte finish thereon; and optionally, means for hardening the first coatable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Francis M. Aguirre, John P. Baetzold, Olester Benson, Jr., Andrew J. Henderson, Mitchell A. F. Johnson, Leslie A. Kreilich, Steven J. McMan, David L. Phillips, Bruce D. Shalles
  • Patent number: 8355809
    Abstract: Computer implemented method for making a die includes: selecting coating uniformity required to produce a particular coated product with the die and a value for one or more dimensions of the die; determining (using a mathematical model determined by regression analysis) total indicated run-out (TIR) of a die surface and dimensions of the die not having a user specified value; and machining die part or parts to the determined TIR and dimensions. A thermal treatment process for reducing the number of finishing (e.g., grinding) cycles needed to produce a desired die flatness is provided. A coating fluid rheological characteristic can be an input to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Robert B. Secor, Michael J. Tichy, Bruce D. Shalles, Charles N. DeVore, Jennifer L. Trice, James M. Nelson, Andrzej P. Jaworski, William R. Dudley, Keith R. Bruesewitz
  • Publication number: 20100168894
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer implemented system and method for selecting dimensions of a die is disclosed. The method may include prompting a user to select a coating uniformity required to produce a particular coated product with the die. The user may also be prompted to select a slot height of the die. In some embodiments, the user may specify a value for one or more dimensions of the die. The method may then determine the total indicated run-out (TIR) of the coated product as a function of the dimensions of the die not having a user specified value. In certain embodiments, the method provides a thermal treatment process for reducing the number of finishing (e.g., grinding) cycles needed to produce a desired die flatness. In another embodiment, a computer implemented method for designing a coating die to achieve a desired coating uniformity with a particular coating fluid having a specified rheological characteristic is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Robert B. Secor', Michael J. Tichy, Bruce D. Shalles, Charles N. DeVore, Jennifer L. Trice, James M. Nelson, Andrzej P. Jaworski, William R. Dudley, Keith R. Bruesewitz
  • Publication number: 20090029054
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing a film having a matte finish. The system includes means for providing a coated substrate, the coated substrate comprising a first coatable material applied to a substrate, the coatable material forming a first major surface of the coated substrate; means for changing the viscosity of the first coatable material from a first viscosity to a second viscosity; a face-side roller having an outer surface positioned to contact the first major surface of the coated substrate to impart a matte finish thereon; and optionally, means for hardening the first coatable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Francis M. Aguirre, John P. Baetzold, Olester Benson, JR., Andrew J. Henderson, Mitchell A. F. Johnson, Leslie A. Kreilich, Steven J. McMan, David L. Phillips, Bruce D. Shalles
  • Patent number: 6899922
    Abstract: Continuous void-free uniform coatings are formed on substrates of limited length. The substrate is wrapped around a mounting roll and nipped between the mounting roll and one or more pick-and-place contacting rolls. Coating liquid is applied to the substrate or to a pick-and-place roll, preferably as a pattern of stripes. The mounting roll, substrate and pick-and-place rolls are caused to rotate for a plurality of revolutions. Wetted surface portions of the pick-and-place roll repeatedly contact the substrate, the coating is repeatedly picked up from and placed onto the substrate, and the coating becomes more uniform. Extremely uniform and extremely thin coatings can be quickly and easily obtained, with easy adjustment of the final coating thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William K. Leonard, David W. Leonard, Bruce D. Shalles
  • Publication number: 20030003238
    Abstract: Continuous void-free uniform coatings are formed on substrates of limited length. The substrate is wrapped around a mounting roll and nipped between the mounting roll and one or more pick-and-place contacting rolls. Coating liquid is applied to the substrate or to a pick-and-place roll, preferably as a pattern of stripes. The mounting roll, substrate and pick-and-place rolls are caused to rotate for a plurality of revolutions. Wetted surface portions of the pick-and-place roll repeatedly contact the substrate, the coating is repeatedly picked up from and placed onto the substrate, and the coating becomes more uniform. Extremely uniform and extremely thin coatings can be quickly and easily obtained, with easy adjustment of the final coating thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: William K. Leonard, David W. Leonard, Bruce D. Shalles