Patents by Inventor Paul D. Graham

Paul D. Graham 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: 12220858
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an abrasive sheet. The abrasive sheet includes a first layer including an abrasive major surface and an opposite second layer defining a second major surface. The second major surface includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the second major surface. The protrusions include a first polymer component having at least one of a Shore A hardness ranging from about 5 to about 100 and a Shore D hardness ranging from about 1 to about 70. The first layer and the second layer are directly joined to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Davis, Thomas E. Pahl, John G. Petersen, Graham M. Clarke, James J. Kobe, Thomas B. Galush, Charles R. Wald, Brian W. Lueck
  • Publication number: 20240033130
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to methods, systems, and apparatus for obtaining flame-perforated films which reduce or eliminate skewing of perforations in such films caused by thermal creep, whereby the film has perforations arranged to provide controlled tear characteristics, especially in both the lengthwise or machine direction (MD), and the crosswise or transverse direction (TD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Joel A. Getschel, Audrey A. Sherman, Paul D. Graham, David M. Mahli
  • Publication number: 20230226665
    Abstract: A porous coated abrasive article comprises a porous backing having opposed first and second major surfaces, and a porous abrasive layer disposed on the first major surface. The porous backing comprises a porous oriented thermoplastic film. The porous backing has a land portion and openings extending between the first and second major surfaces. Each opening has a respective area at the first surface, wherein the openings have a number density of 5 to 4600 openings per square inch, and wherein the total area of the openings is from 1 to 90 area percent, based on the combined total areas of the land portion and the openings. The porous abrasive layer is disposed on the first major surface of the porous backing. The porous abrasive layer comprises abrasive particles retained in a binder and has an abrading surface opposite the porous backing, and the second major surface of the porous backing and the abrading surface are in fluid communication through at least some of the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: David M. Mahli, Joel A. Getschel, Paul D. Graham, Steven J. McMan, Thomas A. Mahler, Charles R. Wald
  • Publication number: 20220220264
    Abstract: A heat-treated non-oriented principal film including a cast (co)polymeric component that is not capable of thermally-induced self-forming. The heat-treated principal film has first and second opposed major faces and at least one modification zone on the first major face, each modification zone including a central portion and a rim portion surrounding the central portion. Each rim portion is surrounded by a land portion. An average thickness of each rim portion is greater than an average thickness of the land portion surrounding each modification zone, and an average thickness of each central portion is less than the average thickness of the land portion, or zero. The first major face of the heat-treated principal film may be positioned in contact with an oriented carrier film including a molecularly-oriented (co)polymer that exhibits a relaxation temperature (Tr). Methods of making such films and hand-tearable adhesive articles including such films are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Aniruddha A. Upadhye, Joel A. Getschel, Mark A. Strobel, David M. Mahli, Paul D. Graham
  • Patent number: 11351654
    Abstract: An abrasive article is provided that has a backing having opposed first and second major surfaces, an abrasive layer disposed on the first major surface, and a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the second major surface. The protrusions comprise a polymer having a Shore A hardness ranging from 5 to 90. These articles provide an alternative sanding solution enabling abrasive articles lacking an attachment layer to be handled effectively and efficiently, providing for a technically superior abrasive sheet on the marketplace that does not use or require an attachment layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Davis, Yugeun P. Yang, Thomas E. Pahl, James J. Kobe, Christopher J. Lee, Thomas B. Galush, John G. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20220105605
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an abrasive sheet. The abrasive sheet includes a first layer including an abrasive major surface and an opposite second layer defining a second major surface. The second major surface includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the second major surface. The protrusions include a first polymer component having at least one of a Shore A hardness ranging from about 5 to about 100 and a Shore D hardness ranging from about 1 to about 70. The first layer and the second layer are directly joined to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Davis, Thomas E. Pahl, John G. Petersen, Graham M. Clarke, James J. Kobe, Thomas B. Galush, Charles R. Wald, Brian W. Lueck
  • Publication number: 20210197340
    Abstract: An abrasive article having a removable support sheet having a first major surface. An image layer containing inks applied over the first major surface. A polyurethane backing layer having a first major backing surface located adjacent to the image layer and a second major backing surface opposite the first major surface. A functional layer comprising an abrasive layer applied to the second major surface; the abrasive layer comprising a make coat, abrasive particles and a size coat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Davis, Shigeaki Dohgoshi, Kanta Kumar, Satoshi Matsuda, Jon P. Nietfeld, Thomas E. Pahl
  • Patent number: 10759023
    Abstract: Provided are abrasive articles that include a plurality of layers, in the following order: a backing; an abrasive layer; and a supersize coat. The supersize coat contains a metal salt of a long-chain fatty acid and clay particles dispersed therein. Advantageously, the clay particles enhance the optical clarity of the supersize coat, allowing printed abrasive articles to be made with thicker supersize coatings. The addition of clay was also found to improve cut performance of the abrasive article relative to articles in which the clay particles are absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Adam J. Meuler, Daniel J. Schmidt, Yugeun P. Yang, Paul D. Graham, David A. Nettleship
  • Patent number: 10688625
    Abstract: An abrasive article is provided which comprises a plurality of layers in the following order: a backing; an abrasive layer; a primer layer comprising clay particles, wherein the clay particles are agglomerated and form a layer; and a supersize coat comprising a metal salt of a long-chain fatty acid. The addition of the aforementioned primer layer can significantly reduce loading of swarf and improve both the cut and expected lifetime of the abrasive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Adam J. Meuler, Daniel J. Schmidt, Yugeun P. Yang, Paul D. Graham, David A. Nettleship, Philip S. Hill
  • Publication number: 20200164610
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an article. The article includes a first layer defining a first major surface of the article. The first layer includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the first major surface. The protrusions comprise an elastic polymer component. The article further includes a second layer opposite the first layer, which at least partially defines a second major surface of the article. The first layer is disposed over a range of about 5% surface area of the second layer to about 99% surface area of the second layer. The first layer and the second layer are in direct contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas A. Davis, Paul D. Graham, James J. Kobe, Thomas B. Galush, Graham M. Clarke, Thomas E. Pahl, Charles R. Wald, Brian W. Lueck, John G. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20200070314
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an abrasive sheet. The abrasive sheet includes a first layer including an abrasive major surface and an opposite second layer defining a second major surface. The second major surface includes a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the second major surface. The protrusions include a first polymer component having at least one of a Shore A hardness ranging from about 5 to about 100 and a Shore D hardness ranging from about 1 to about 70. The first layer and the second layer are directly joined to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Davis, Thomas E. Pahl, John G. Petersen, Graham M. Clarke, James J. Kobe, Thomas B. Galush, Charles R. Wald, Brian W. Lueck
  • Patent number: 10434618
    Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a body and a first portion. The first portion can be coupled to the body and moveable therewith. The first portion can comprise a rigidifying material and a layer. The rigidifying material can be positioned in a chamber defined by an envelope formed of a gas-impermeable material. A pressure within the chamber can be variable between at least a lower pressure state and a higher pressure state. In the higher pressure state the material is relatively flexible, and in the lower pressure state the material can be relatively less flexible than in the higher pressure state. The layer can be manipulatable by the rigidifying material. More particularly, the layer can have a first state when the pressure within the chamber is in the higher pressure state. In the first state, the layer can be formable by the target surface to take on a desired shape that can be substantially a match of the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Marc A. Egeland, Paul D. Graham
  • Patent number: 10293449
    Abstract: A method of providing an easy-clean, water-sheeting coating on a substrate includes: abrading a surface of a substrate using an abrasive article to provide an abraded surface having a surface roughness R?a#191 in a range of from 100 nm to 3500 nm, contacting a coatable composition with the abraded surface, and removing water from the coatable composition. The coatable composition comprises silica nanoparticles and has a pH of 7.5 or less. A kit including the abrasive article and the coatable composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jay S. Schlechte, Patrick J. Hager, Jeffrey R. Janssen, Paul D. Graham
  • Patent number: 10245705
    Abstract: A flexible abrasive article is provided with a first, non-tacky base layer having opposed first and second major surfaces. An ink layer is disposed on the first major surface of the first base layer, while a second, thermoplastic base layer is disposed on the ink layer whereby the ink layer is located between the first and second base layers. Disposed on the second base layer is an abrasive layer such that the second base layer is located between the abrasive layer and the ink layer. Compared with conventional printed flexible adhesive articles, the provided articles improved robustness while avoiding manufacturing difficulties related to flexographic printing onto abrasive coated articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Davis, Yugeun P. Yang
  • Publication number: 20190084114
    Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a body and a first portion. The first portion can be coupled to the body and moveable therewith. The first portion can comprise a rigidifying material and a layer. The rigidifying material can be positioned in a chamber defined by an envelope formed of a gas-impermeable material. A pressure within the chamber can be variable between at least a lower pressure state and a higher pressure state. In the higher pressure state the material is relatively flexible, and in the lower pressure state the material can be relatively less flexible than in the higher pressure state. The layer can be manipulatable by the rigidifying material. More particularly, the layer can have a first state when the pressure within the chamber is in the higher pressure state. In the first state, the layer can be formable by the target surface to take on a desired shape that can be substantially a match of the target surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Marc A. Egeland, Paul D. Graham
  • Publication number: 20190015950
    Abstract: Provided are abrasive articles that include a plurality of layers, in the following order: a backing; an abrasive layer; and a supersize coat. The supersize coat contains a metal salt of a long-chain fatty acid and clay particles dispersed therein. Advantageously, the clay particles enhance the optical clarity of the supersize coat, allowing printed abrasive articles to be made with thicker supersize coatings. The addition of clay was also found to improve cut performance of the abrasive article relative to articles in which the clay particles are absent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Adam J. Meuler, Daniel J. Schmidt, Yugeun P. Yang, Paul D. Graham, David A. Nettleship, Philip S. Hill
  • Publication number: 20190001467
    Abstract: An abrasive article is provided which comprises a plurality of layers in the following order: a backing; an abrasive layer; a primer layer comprising clay particles, wherein the clay particles are agglomerated and form a layer; and a supersize coat comprising a metal salt of a long-chain fatty acid. The addition of the aforementioned primer layer can significantly reduce loading of swarf and improve both the cut and expected lifetime of the abrasive article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Adam J. Meuler, Daniel J. Schmidt, Yugeun P. Yang, Paul D. Graham, David A. Nettleship, Philip S. Hill
  • Patent number: 10155300
    Abstract: A flexible abrasive article is provided with a first, non-tacky base layer having opposed first and second major surfaces. An ink layer is disposed on the first major surface of the first base layer, while a second, thermoplastic base layer is disposed on the ink layer whereby the ink layer is located between the first and second base layers. Disposed on the second base layer is an abrasive layer such that the second base layer is located between the abrasive layer and the ink layer. Compared with conventional printed flexible adhesive articles, the provided articles improved robustness while avoiding manufacturing difficulties related to flexographic printing onto abrasive coated articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Davis, Yugeun P. Yang
  • Publication number: 20170334041
    Abstract: A flexible abrasive article is provided with a first, non-tacky base layer having opposed first and second major surfaces. An ink layer is disposed on the first major surface of the first base layer, while a second, thermoplastic base layer is disposed on the ink layer whereby the ink layer is located between the first and second base layers. Disposed on the second base layer is an abrasive layer such that the second base layer is located between the abrasive layer and the ink layer. Compared with conventional printed flexible adhesive articles, the provided articles improved robustness while avoiding manufacturing difficulties related to flexographic printing onto abrasive coated articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Davis, Yugeun P. Yang
  • Publication number: 20170304996
    Abstract: An abrasive article is provided that has a backing having opposed first and second major surfaces, an abrasive layer disposed on the first major surface, and a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the second major surface. The protrusions comprise a polymer having a Shore A hardness ranging from 5 to 90. These articles provide an alternative sanding solution enabling abrasive articles lacking an attachment layer to be handled effectively and efficiently, providing for a technically superior abrasive sheet on the marketplace that does not use or require an attachment layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Davis, Yugeun P. Yang, Thomas E. Pahl, James J. Kobe, Christopher J. Lee, Thomas B. Galush, John G. Petersen