Patents by Inventor Robert A. Follensbee

Robert A. Follensbee 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: 20230167262
    Abstract: A water soluble polymer blend composition includes at least one water soluble polymer and at least one immiscible polymer. The water soluble polymer and the immiscible polymer can be melt processed at a temperature above their respective melt processing temperatures and quenched to form the water soluble polymer blend composition in a non-equilibrium state, such that it can exhibit a non-equilibrium morphology. Non-equilibrium morphologies can include, e.g., a microfiber morphology or a co-continuous morphology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Brandon Cernohous, Nathan W. Ockwig, Gavriel DePrenger-Gottfried, Robert A. Follensbee, Jonathan Farren
  • Patent number: 9694538
    Abstract: Articles are provided, having a multilayer structure including (a) a first layer formed from polyolefin and including undercut features formed on and extending from an integral backing; (b) a second layer including an adhesive having a Shore D hardness of greater than 59 when cured; and (c) a third layer including a substrate. The second layer is interlocked with the undercut features, the third layer is adhered to the adhesive, and the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer. A method is also provided including (a) depositing a polyolefin resin into a mold cavity to form a first layer including undercut features; (b) demolding the first layer from the mold cavity at a rate of at least 150 millimeters per minute; (c) applying a curable adhesive to the undercut features to form a second layer attached to the first layer; and (d) attaching a third layer including a substrate to the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rule, Mario A. Perez, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Robert A. Follensbee
  • Publication number: 20160221256
    Abstract: Articles are provided, having a multilayer structure including (a) a first layer formed from polyolefin and including undercut features formed on and extending from an integral backing; (b) a second layer including an adhesive having a Shore D hardness of greater than 59 when cured; and (c) a third layer including a substrate. The second layer is interlocked with the undercut features, the third layer is adhered to the adhesive, and the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer. A method is also provided including (a) depositing a polyolefin resin into a mold cavity to form a first layer including undercut features; (b) demolding the first layer from the mold cavity at a rate of at least 150 millimeters per minute; (c) applying a curable adhesive to the undercut features to form a second layer attached to the first layer; and (d) attaching a third layer including a substrate to the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rule, Mario A. Perez, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Robert A. Follensbee
  • Publication number: 20060265967
    Abstract: A coated abrasive article having a reinforced vulcanized fiber backing with an abrasive layer affixed thereto and methods of making and using the same. The reinforced vulcanized fiber backing has a backsize that comprises a reaction product of components selected from the group consisting of curable latex emulsions, phenolic resins, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Follensbee, Barry Gryb
  • Publication number: 20050032468
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an endless spiral wound abrasive article and the resulting article. The apparatus includes first and second spaced-apart hubs, configured so that a portion of first and second webs passing between the first hub and the second hub is oriented substantially in a plane which remains stationery even if a position of a hub is changed. The apparatus further includes winders and a web joiner. The method includes providing a second web which includes an adhesive disposed on a first surface and a liner releasably affixed to the adhesive. The method includes removing the liner from the second web before positioning the second web adjacent the first web. The first and second webs are wound about the first and second hubs to form a spiral wound article having a desired circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Douglas Hunt, Ann Hawkins, Gary Heacox, Robert Follensbee, Stephen Yoos
  • Patent number: 6805722
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an endless spiral wound abrasive article and the resulting article. The apparatus includes first and second spaced-apart hubs, configured so that a portion of first and second webs passing between the first hub and the second hub is oriented substantially in a plane which remains stationery even if a position of a hub is changed. The apparatus further includes winders and a web joiner. The method includes providing a second web which includes an adhesive disposed on a first surface and a liner releasably affixed to the adhesive. The method includes removing the liner from the second web before positioning the second web adjacent the first web. The first and second webs are wound about the first and second hubs to form a spiral wound article having a desired circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas C. Hunt, Ann M. Hawkins, Gary L. Heacox, Robert A. Follensbee, Stephen J. Yoos
  • Patent number: 6780096
    Abstract: A spiral wound abrasive belt is formed from an abrasive media including a plurality of webs. The webs of the abrasive media may include coated abrasives joined by splicing media or other suitable joining material. Alternatively, the webs may include individual single or multiple layers that form a coated abrasive simultaneously along with the spiral belt without the use of additional joining material. A method of forming the spiral belt includes draping the abrasive media over a fixed hub at an angle to form the spiral belt while abutting the edges of the outermost web and overlapping the outermost web and adjacent web or webs. Heat and pressure may be applied to the joined edges to form a strong bond along the spiral seam. Another method includes introducing the webs forming the abrasive media at an angle and draping the webs over a fixed hub. The abrasive media may then be passed around an adjustable hub that provides tension in the spiral belt while allowing for different circumferentially sized belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ross A. Brown, Robert A. Follensbee, Stephen J. Yoos, Douglas C. Hunt, Gary L. Heacox
  • Patent number: 6776868
    Abstract: The invention provides coated abrasive products having as a backing material a barrier-coated tear-resistant laminate of fabric and paper overcoated on the barrier coating with an abrasive coating. The coated abrasive product is made by laminating at least one fabric sheet and at least one paper sheet with adhesive to provide a laminate having at least one major surface provided by the fabric sheet, coating the surface of the fabric with a barrier coating and coating the barrier coated surface with an abrasive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Follensbee
  • Patent number: 6755878
    Abstract: Abrasive articles have an adhesive layer in contact with a liner having protrusions that contact the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard T. Paxton, David F. Slama, Mark A. Swanson, Robert A. Follensbee
  • Publication number: 20040072509
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an endless spiral wound abrasive article and the resulting article. The apparatus includes first and second spaced-apart hubs, configured so that a portion of first and second webs passing between the first hub and the second hub is oriented substantially in a plane which remains stationery even if a position of a hub is changed. The apparatus further includes winders and a web joiner. The method includes providing a second web which includes an adhesive disposed on a first surface and a liner releasably affixed to the adhesive. The method includes removing the liner from the second web before positioning the second web adjacent the first web. The first and second webs are wound about the first and second hubs to form a spiral wound article having a desired circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas C. Hunt, Ann M. Hawkins, Gary L. Heacox, Robert A. Follensbee, Stephen J. Yoos
  • Publication number: 20040020133
    Abstract: Abrasive articles have an adhesive layer in contact with a liner having protrusions that contact the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard T. Paxton, David F. Slama, Mark A. Swanson, Robert A. Follensbee
  • Publication number: 20030205320
    Abstract: The invention provides coated abrasive products having as a backing material a barrier-coated tear-resistant laminate of fabric and paper overcoated on the barrier coating with an abrasive coating. The coated abrasive product is made by laminating at least one fabric sheet and at least one paper sheet with adhesive to provide a laminate having at least one major surface provided by the fabric sheet, coating the surface of the fabric with a barrier coating and coating the barrier coated surface with an abrasive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Follensbee
  • Patent number: 6638601
    Abstract: The invention provides coated abrasive products having as a backing material a barrier-coated tear-resistant laminate of fabric and paper overcoated on the barrier coating with an abrasive coating. The coated abrasive product is made by laminating at least one fabric sheet and at least one paper sheet with adhesive to provide a laminate having at least one major surface provided by the fabric sheet, coating the surface of the fabric with a barrier coating and coating the barrier coated surface with an abrasive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Follensbee
  • Patent number: 6239049
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for use in coated abrasives. The curable composition comprises a mixture of: i) from about 30 to about 60 weight percent of an oligomeric aminoplast resin having on average at least one pendant &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carbonyl group per oligomeric unit; ii) from about 70 to about 40 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyamide miscible in said aminoplast resin, the weight percents being based on the total resin content; and iii) a sufficient amount of a catalyst for the curable oligomeric aminoplast resin having on average at least one pendant &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carbonyl group per oligomeric unit, said catalyst being stable at a temperature of mixing of the components. The curable composition can either be in the form of a melt-processable solid or a molten mixture. The present invention also provides single and multilayered treated backing substrates used in coated abrasives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Follensbee, Michael L. Teetzel, Robert J. DeVoe, Gregg D. Dahlke
  • Patent number: 6120878
    Abstract: Abrasive articles are provided having at least one of a backing material saturated with a saturant, a barrier coat, a make coat, a size coat layer or combinations thereof wherein the saturant and layers consisting essentially of 100% solids radiation-cured resin of one or more vinyl ether monomers and/or oligomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Follensbee, Eric G. Larson
  • Patent number: 6039775
    Abstract: An abrasive article is provided which includes a peripheral surface formed comprising a grinding aid. The grinding aid is formed from a mixture including an acid and at least one of an inorganic metal phosphate salt or an inorganic metal sulfate salt. The acid is preferably selected so that the mixture forms a film. The abrasive article preferably has sharp abrasive particles. The inventive abrasive article improves grinding efficacy, particularly in titanium grinding processes, as compared to abrasive articles that are substantially devoid of a grinding aid of the present invention. Also provided is a method for making an abrasive article and a method of abrading a surface with an abrasive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kwok-Lun Ho, Robert A. Follensbee, Walter L. Harmer, Mary L. Morris
  • Patent number: 5632668
    Abstract: A method for polishing an optical quality surface, such an ophthalmic lens, to finish which can accept a hardenable protective coating without using an abrasive slurry or gel, including the steps of: (a) providing an optical lens having a first major surface, the first major surface having an initial Rtm value of greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gene O. Lindholm, Robert A. Follensbee
  • Patent number: 5378252
    Abstract: An abrasive article comprising a plurality of abrasive particles bonded together, bonded into a substrate, or bonded onto a backing by a cured binder, the cured binder being formed by solidifying a binder precursor comprising an aqueous acrylate polymer emulsion. In preferred embodiments, the binder precursor includes a phenolic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Follensbee