Patents by Inventor Dennis L. Becker

Dennis L. Becker 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: 8227071
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more elastic composite structures located on a substrate, methods of manufacturing the composite webs, and articles including the elastic composite structures and substrates are disclosed. The elastic composite structures may preferably include one or more elastic components attached to anchors at two or more locations, wherein the anchors are themselves attached to the substrate. The anchors may preferably be constructed of inelastic polymeric material (and/or exhibit limited to no elasticity in use) and the elastic components may preferably be constructed of elastomeric polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg, Byron M. Jackson, Dennis L. Becker
  • Publication number: 20110247184
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Roger D. Pavlis
  • Patent number: 8034431
    Abstract: There is provided a laminate of a thermoplastic backing to a fibrous web. This laminate, for example, could be used as a loop laminate for use in a hook and loop fastening system or an intermittently bonded elastic fibrous laminate. The laminate comprises a thermoplastic backing layer, having a first face and a second face. The backing layer has a plurality of projections extending from at least the first face of the backing. A fibrous web is attached to the backing at the location of at least some of the projections. The thermoplastic material of the backing, at the location of the projections, penetrates into the fibrous web encapsulating at least in part fibers of the fibrous web. The fibrous web preferably penetrates into at least some of the projections. The fibrous web is generally not attached, or very lightly attached, to the backing layer over at least some portion of the distance between adjacent projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jayshree Seth, Leigh E. Wood, Ronald W. Ausen, Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Katherine A. S. Graham, Byron M. Jackson, Janet A. Venne
  • Publication number: 20100312219
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more elastic composite structures located on a substrate, methods of manufacturing the composite webs, and articles including the elastic composite structures and substrates are disclosed. The elastic composite structures may preferably include one or more elastic components attached to anchors at two or more locations, wherein the anchors are themselves attached to the substrate. The anchors may preferably be constructed of inelastic polymeric material (and/or exhibit limited to no elasticity in use) and the elastic components may preferably be constructed of elastomeric polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg, Byron M. Jackson, Dennis L. Becker
  • Patent number: 7799162
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more elastic composite structures located on a substrate, methods of manufacturing the composite webs, and articles including the elastic composite structures and substrates are disclosed. The elastic composite structures may preferably include one or more elastic components attached to anchors at two or more locations, wherein the anchors are themselves attached to the substrate. The anchors may preferably be constructed of inelastic polymeric material (and/or exhibit limited to no elasticity in use) and the elastic components may preferably be constructed of elastomeric polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg, Byron M. Jackson, Dennis L. Becker
  • Publication number: 20100112274
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Roger D. Pavlis
  • Publication number: 20100055326
    Abstract: A method for forming a fasteners is disclosed comprising providing a multiplicity of suitable polymer particles, providing a base with a front surface, and dispersing the particles onto at least one discrete area of the contact release surface, forming a predetermined shape. The dispersed particles are provided in a semiliquid state of a suitable viscosity, at least some of the particles in the discrete areas being in contact with the contact release surface for a time sufficient to transform into preform projections. The method further comprises conducting and fixing the front surface of the base with the terminal ends of at least some of the preform projections and removing the base from the contact release surface to separate the preform projections fixed thereto and form engaging projections projecting from the front surface of the base in the form of a predetermined shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Zhiqun Zhang, Janet A. Venne, Dennis L. Becker, Lori-Ann S. Prioleau
  • Patent number: 7669297
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Roger D. Pavlis
  • Patent number: 7636988
    Abstract: There is provided a hook fastener comprising a base, where at least one surface has a multiplicity of engaging projections, which projections have a top surface and an attached end that are arranged in a region to form one or more shapes. There is also provided a method for forming the above fastener comprising dispersing onto a contact release surface polymer particles in at least one discrete area forming a predetermined shape and forming preform projections. The front surface of the base is fixed to the terminal ends of at least some of the preform projections and then removed from the contact release surface in the form of the predetermined shape. In an alternative method polymer particles are uniformly dispersed onto a contact release surface using electrostatic attraction and selectively transferred to the base in the predetermined shape by masks or selective adhesion or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zhiqun Zhang, Janet A. Venne, Dennis L. Becker, Lori-Ann S. Prioleau
  • Publication number: 20090142577
    Abstract: Composite webs having a structured web attached to a carrier web and methods of manufacturing the composite webs are disclosed. The structured web may include a plurality of structures that protrude from the structured web. The methods may involve delivering a molten polymeric composition onto the outer surface of a forming tool that includes a plurality of depressions formed in the outer surface. The molten polymer enters depressions in the outer surface of the forming tool and is solidified therein such that a plurality of structures are formed in the shape of the depressions. A skin layer of the polymeric composition may extend between the depressions, such that the structured web formed on the forming tool includes a skin layer connecting the structures. The structured web is removed from the forming tool after solidification of the polymeric composition by adhering the structured web to a carrier web using adhesive located between the carrier web and structured web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Byron M. Jackson, Daniel S. McDonald, Leigh E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20090014113
    Abstract: Composite webs having a structured web attached to a carrier web and methods of manufacturing the composite webs are disclosed. The structured web may include a plurality of structures that protrude from the structured web. The methods may involve delivering a molten polymeric composition onto the outer surface of a forming tool that includes a plurality of depressions formed in the outer surface. The molten polymer enters depressions in the outer surface of the forming tool and is solidified therein such that a plurality of structures are formed in the shape of the depressions. A skin layer of the polymeric composition may extend between the depressions, such that the structured web formed on the forming tool includes a skin layer connecting the structures. The structured web is removed from the forming tool after solidification of the polymeric composition by adhering the structured web to a carrier web using adhesive located between the carrier web and structured web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Byron M. Jackson, Daniel S McDonald, Leigh E. Wood
  • Patent number: 7390451
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Roger D. Pavlis
  • Publication number: 20080070464
    Abstract: Composite webs having a structured web attached to a carrier web and methods of manufacturing the composite webs are disclosed. The structured web may include a plurality of structures that protrude from the structured web. The methods may involve delivering a molten polymeric composition onto the outer surface of a forming tool that includes a plurality of depressions formed in the outer surface. The molten polymer enters depressions in the outer surface of the forming tool and is solidified therein such that a plurality of structures are formed in the shape of the depressions. A skin layer of the polymeric composition may extend between the depressions, such that the structured web formed on the forming tool includes a skin layer connecting the structures. The structured web is removed from the forming tool after solidification of the polymeric composition by adhering the structured web to a carrier web using adhesive located between the carrier web and structured web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Byron M. Jackson, Daniel S. McDonald, Leigh E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20080060173
    Abstract: There is provided a hook fastener capable of engaging a suitable loop fabric comprising a base, where at least one surface has a multiplicity of engaging projections having a top surface and an attached end that are arranged in a region to form one or more shapes. A method for forming the above fastener comprises providing a polymer particles and a base. Dispersing onto a contact release surface a multiplicity of polymers particles in at least one discrete area forming a predetermined shape and forming preform projections. The front surface of the base is fixed to the terminal ends of at least some of the preform projections then removed from the contact release surface in the form of the predetermined shape. The alternatively the preform projections can be provided uniformly on the contact release surface and selectively transferred to the base in the predetermined shape by masks or selective adhesion or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Zhiqun Zhang, Janet A. Venne, Dennis L. Becker, Lori-Ann S. Prioleau
  • Patent number: 7303805
    Abstract: This invention relates to a low cost loop material for a hook and loop fastener having at least one sheet of flexible nonwoven material intermittently bonded to inelastic oriented film. The invention further relates to methods for producing these loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jayshree Seth, Dennis L. Becker
  • Patent number: 7238314
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, methods of manufacturing the composite webs, and systems for manufacturing the composite webs are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions deposited into one or more depressions on a forming tool. The forming tool is maintained at a temperature that is below the melt processing temperature of the thermoplastic composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Roger D. Pavlis, Leigh E. Wood
  • Patent number: 7195729
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Roger D. Pavlis
  • Publication number: 20040180186
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Roger D. Pavlis
  • Publication number: 20040178544
    Abstract: Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, methods of manufacturing the composite webs, and systems for manufacturing the composite webs are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions deposited into one or more depressions on a forming tool. The forming tool is maintained at a temperature that is below the melt processing temperature of the thermoplastic composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Randall L. Alberg, Dennis L. Becker, Roger D. Pavlis, Leigh E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5904793
    Abstract: A method for forming a sheet of loop material in which a sheet of fibers is passed between a first cylindrical forming member having sockets and a second cylindrical forming member having mating posts to generally conform the sheet of fibers to the peripheral surface of the first forming member and retain it there for a distance after which molten thermoplastic material is bonded to it to form a backing layer. Arcuate portions of the sheet of fibers that were in the sockets then projecting from the backing. The formed sheet of fibers is retained along the peripheral surface of the first forming member for said distance by drawing air through those air passageways in the bottoms of the sockets. The first forming member can be heated, and a source of heated air can be supplied to restrict cooling of the first forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Gorman, Nedlin B. Johnson, Dennis L. Becker, Donald W. Folske