Patents by Inventor Robert D. Kampfer
Robert D. Kampfer 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).
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Patent number: 7052639Abstract: Tool rolls and methods of using the tool rolls to manufacture articles with one or more structured surfaces are disclosed. The tool rolls include an outer surface that, when used in connection with materials of the proper viscosity or formability, can form a structured surface on an article. Because the tools are manufactured in roll-form, they can be advantageously used in continuous manufacturing processes. Alternatively, discrete articles may be processed using the tool rolls. The tool rolls are constructed of a cylindrical base roll and are wrapped with one or more continuous wires in a helical pattern. The wires are used, in essence, to form a structured surface on the tool roll that is the negative of the structured surface to be formed on the articles processed using the tool roll. One of the wires wound around the base roll may include depressions formed therein that, when wound in helical coils about the base roll, form cavities on the outer surface of the tool roll.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2005Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Inventors: Michael R. Gorman, Robert D. Kampfer, Thomas R. LaLiberte
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Patent number: 6902389Abstract: Tool rolls and methods of using the tool rolls to manufacture articles with one or more structured surfaces are disclosed. The tool rolls include an outer surface that, when used in connection with materials of the proper viscosity or formability, can form a structured surface on an article. Because the tools are manufactured in roll-form, they can be advantageously used in continuous manufacturing processes. Alternatively, discrete articles may be processed using the tool rolls. The tool rolls are constructed of a cylindrical base roll and are wrapped with one or more continuous wires in a helical pattern. The wires are used, in essence, to form a structured surface on the tool roll that is the negative of the structured surface to be formed on the articles processed using the tool roll. One of the wires wound around the base roll may include depressions formed therein that, when wound in helical coils about the base roll, form cavities on the outer surface of the tool roll.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael R. Gorman, Robert D. Kampfer, Thomas R. LaLiberte
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Publication number: 20040229739Abstract: Tool rolls and methods of using the tool rolls to manufacture articles with one or more structured surfaces are disclosed. The tool rolls include an outer surface that, when used in connection with materials of the proper viscosity or formability, can form a structured surface on an article. Because the tools are manufactured in roll-form, they can be advantageously used in continuous manufacturing processes. Alternatively, discrete articles may be processed using the tool rolls. The tool rolls are constructed of a cylindrical base roll and are wrapped with one or more continuous wires in a helical pattern. The wires are used, in essence, to form a structured surface on the tool roll that is the negative of the structured surface to be formed on the articles processed using the tool roll. One of the wires wound around the base roll may include depressions formed therein that, when wound in helical coils about the base roll, form cavities on the outer surface of the tool roll.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael R. Gorman, Robert D. Kampfer, Thomas R, LaLiberte
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Patent number: 6592800Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a mechanical fastener. A preferred embodiment of the method includes moving a substrate along a web path, where the substrate includes a first major surface and a plurality of stems extending from the first major surface of the substrate and each of the stems includes a stem end, radiantly heating the stem ends to form softened ends, and thereafter deforming the softened ends into convex heads with a deformable surface. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a web conveyor, where the web conveyor defines a web path, a heating source located adjacent the web conveyor and a deformable surface located down the web path from the heating source, where the deformable surface includes a durometer hardness of greater than 10 Shore OO and less than 70 Shore A.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Leon Levitt, James J. Kobe, Robert D. Kampfer, Brian T. Hargrett, Cathleen M. Arsenault
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Publication number: 20030015819Abstract: An elastic web of material has a multiplicity of stems extending from at least one side of the web. The web includes a first continuous layer of elastic material having a first side and a second side and a second layer of material. The second layer of material has a first side which faces the first side of the first layer and a second side from which the stems extend. The first and second layers of material are joined together. The second layer of material can be formed of thermoplastic material or melt processable polymeric material. The first and second layers of material are melt formed. They are joined by coextrusion or lamination to form a multiple layer sheet on which a multiplicity of stems are formed on at least the second layer by a process such as embossing the stems into the heated web using a patterned roll or mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Leon Levitt, Robert D. Kampfer, Michael D. Delmore, Stephen E. Krampe, Brandon T. Berg, Alan J. Sipinen, Mark E. Napierala, Victor P. Thalacker
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Patent number: 6489003Abstract: An elastic web of material has a multiplicity of stems extending from at least one side of the web. The web includes a first continuous layer of elastic material having a first side and a second side and a second layer of material. The second layer of material has a first side which faces the first side of the first layer and a second side from which the stems extend. The first and second layers of material are joined together. The second layer of material can be formed of thermoplastic material or melt processable polymeric material. The first and second layers of material are melt formed. They are joined by coextrusion or lamination to form a multiple layer sheet on which a multiplicity of stems are formed on at least the second layer by a process such as embossing the stems into the heated web using a patterned roll or mold.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Leon Levitt, Robert D. Kampfer, Michael D. Delmore, Stephen E. Krampe, Brandon T. Berg, Alan J. Sipinen, Mark E. Napierala, Victor P. Thalacker
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Patent number: 6132660Abstract: There is provided a method of deforming the hook head portions of hook elements on a web backing. The hook elements on the web backing are fed into a nip formed between a support surface and an upper heated surface having a durameter hardness of less than 90 Shore A. This upper heated surface compressively engages the hook head causing it to turn down and permanently deform. This increases the uniformity of the hook head elements forming a fiber engaging crook region.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1997Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Robert D. Kampfer
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Patent number: 6106922Abstract: A web of material has a plurality of stems extending from at least one side of the web. The web includes a first layer of material having a first side and a second side and a second layer of material. The second layer of material has a first side which faces the first side of the first layer and a second side from which the plurality of stems extend. The first and second layers of material are joined together while they are both molten, before either layer has cooled. The first and second layers of material can be formed of thermoplastic material or melt processable polymeric material. A method of making a web of material includes selecting a first material for a first layer of material and selecting a second material for a second layer of material. The first and second layers of material are melt formed. Then, the first and second layers of material are joined while the layers are in the molten state to form a multiple layer sheet.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1997Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative CompanyInventors: John E. Cejka, Mark R. Dupre, Jeffrey O. Emslander, William H. Hartt, Robert D. Kampfer, Francis V. Loncar, Jr., Louis S. Moren, Diane L. Regnier, Jayshree Seth, Robert W. G. Shipman, Alan J. Sipinen, William C. Unruh, Dennis G. Welygan, Leigh E. Wood
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Patent number: 6000106Abstract: There is provided a method of capping mechanical fasteners from a web having an array of upstanding stems. A heated surface member is positioned opposite a support forming a nip into which the web is fed. The heated surface member has a series of laterally spaced elongated peak and valley structures such that more than one peak and valley structure contacts and deforms each stem structure. The peak and valley groove structures provided asymmetric elongation and deformation of top portion of the stem structures forming hook heads.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1998Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert D. Kampfer, Philip Miller
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Patent number: 5868987Abstract: There is provided a method of capping mechanical fasteners from a web having an array of upstanding stems. A heated surface member is positioned opposite a support forming a nip into which the web is fed. The heated surface member has a series of laterally spaced elongated peak and valley structures such that more than one peak and valley structure contacts and deforms each stem structure. The peak and valley groove structures provided asymmetric elongation and deformation of top portion of the stem structures forming hook heads.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1997Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignee: MinnesotaMining and ManufacturingInventors: Robert D. Kampfer, Philip Miller
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Patent number: 5556826Abstract: Laser perforation of all types of paper provides paper having sufficient strength characteristics to survive stresses imposed during handling, such as experienced in sheet feed processes. The paper so perforated is readily separable along the perforation line when separation is desired. Carbonless paper products particularly benefit from use of a laser in perforation. The paper, capsule, and capsule fill material are vaporized during the laser process, thus forming clean holes and leaving little residual material on the paper.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1995Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth J. Perrington, Robert D. Kampfer
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Patent number: 5444035Abstract: Laser perforation of all types of paper provides paper having sufficient strength characteristics to survive stresses imposed during handling, such as experienced in sheet feed processes. The paper so perforated is readily separable along the perforation line when separation is desired. Carbonless paper products particularly benefit from use of a laser in perforation. The paper, capsule, and capsule fill material are vaporized during the laser process, thus forming clean holes and leaving little residual material on the paper.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1994Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kenneth J. Perrington, Robert D. Kampfer
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Patent number: 4563565Abstract: A method of forming edges on contact lenses prepared from laser-machinable, organic polymers wherein the edge is formed by contacting the lens with a laser beam having a wavelength which is absorbed by the polymer. The radiated energy supplied to the polymer by the laser beam is such that the ratio of heat absorbed in vaporization of the polymer to heat absorbed by the polymer bulk is maximized.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1983Date of Patent: January 7, 1986Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert D. Kampfer, Randall S. Blum
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Patent number: 4138211Abstract: Thermomechanical candle snuffer utilizes staff of material such as 55-Nitinol which, when heated by candle flame, elevates slideably engaged cap which falls over candle extinguishing it.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1977Date of Patent: February 6, 1979Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robert D. Kampfer, Gunther H. Dierssen
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Patent number: D500671Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael W. Mills, Robert D. Kampfer
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Patent number: D505064Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Robert D. Kampfer