Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Close
Thomas E. Close 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: 7169199Abstract: A curable emulsion comprises: an oil phase comprising blocked polyisocyanate and curative; and an aqueous phase comprising at least partially neutralized crosslinked copolymer of monomers comprising at least one free-radically polymerizable carboxylic acid and at least one of an alkyl or alkaryl (meth)acrylate. In some embodiments, the curable emulsion further comprises nonionic surfactant. Methods of making the curable emulsions and their use in the manufacture of abrasive articles are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Loren L. Barber, Jr., Thomas E. Close, Yeun J. Chou
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Publication number: 20040102574Abstract: A curable emulsion comprises: an oil phase comprising blocked polyisocyanate and curative; and an aqueous phase comprising at least partially neutralized crosslinked copolymer of monomers comprising at least one free-radically polymerizable carboxylic acid and at least one of an alkyl or alkaryl(meth)acrylate. In some embodiments, the curable emulsion further comprises nonionic surfactant. Methods of making the curable emulsions and their use in the manufacture of abrasive articles are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Loren L. Barber, Thomas E. Close, Yeun J. Chou
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Patent number: 6514363Abstract: Surface treating articles and methods for the manufacture of such articles are provided. The articles of the invention comprise a rotatable core; a plurality of surface treating segments, the segments having first ends adjacent the core and second ends opposite the first ends; and a cured, expanded adhesive composition bonding the surface treating segment to the core, the adhesive composition comprising (a) an organic epoxide compound having an epoxide functionality of at least 1, (b) an epoxide hardener, (c) a film-forming material, and (d) a foaming agent; wherein the expanded adhesive provides a substantially continuous bond area extending from the core into and around the first end of the segments.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Thomas E. Close
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Publication number: 20010052391Abstract: Surface treating articles and methods for the manufacture of such articles are provided. The articles of the invention comprise a rotatable core; a plurality of surface treating segments, the segments having first ends adjacent the core and second ends opposite the first ends; and a cured, expanded adhesive composition bonding the surface treating segment to the core, the adhesive composition comprising (a) an organic epoxide compound having an epoxide functionality of at least 1, (b) an epoxide hardener, (c) a film-forming material, and (d) a foaming agent; wherein the expanded adhesive provides a substantially continuous bond area extending from the core into and around the first end of the segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2001Publication date: December 20, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Thomas E. Close
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Patent number: 6251002Abstract: Surface treating articles and methods for the manufacture of such articles are provided. The articles of the invention comprise a rotatable core; a plurality of surface treating segments, the segments having first ends adjacent the core and second ends opposite the first ends; and a cured, expanded adhesive composition bonding the surface treating segment to the core, the adhesive composition comprising (a) an organic epoxide compound having an epoxide functionality of at least 1, (b) an epoxide hardener, (c) a film-forming material, and (d) a foaming agent; wherein the expanded adhesive provides a substantially continuous bond area extending from the core into and around the first end of the segments.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Thomas E. Close
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Patent number: 5996167Abstract: Surface treating articles and methods for the manufacture of such articles are provided. The articles of the invention comprise a rotatable core; a plurality of surface treating segments, the segments having first ends adjacent the core and second ends opposite the first ends; and a cured, expanded adhesive composition bonding the surface treating segment to the core, the adhesive composition comprising (a) an organic epoxide compound having an epoxide functionality of at least 1, (b) an epoxide hardener, (c) a film-forming material, and (d) a foaming agent; wherein the expanded adhesive provides a substantially continuous bond area extending from the core into and around the first end of the segments.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1995Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Thomas E. Close
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Patent number: 5395208Abstract: A rotary article storage and outfeed apparatus stores a plurality of groups of generally flat articles in a facewise stacked condition and delivers a supply of these articles to an infeed for a device wherein the articles are to be utilized. The apparatus comprises an upper rotary carousel rotatable about an upper axis and a lower rotary carousel located below the upper carousel and rotatable about a lower axis parallel to and offset from the upper axis. Each of the carousels has a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertically oriented pockets, each pocket being dimensioned for receiving a group of articles in a facewise stacked condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1993Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: Fleetwood Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Mojden, Thomas E. Close, Jr.
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Patent number: 5375961Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for debagging a stack of articles such as can ends and the like which are arranged in a facewise stacked condition in an elongate tubular bag. The method comprises the steps of engaging one end of the bag and then pulling the bag in an axial direction for removing it from the stack of articles while simultaneously retaining the articles in such a manner as to prevent axial movement thereof to a degree sufficient to disengage any of the articles from their facewise stacked condition in response to the axial movement of the bag. The invention also provides novel apparatus for carrying out this method.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Fleetwood Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Mojden, Thomas E. Close, Jr.
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Patent number: 5346050Abstract: An article delivery station alignment apparatus is provided for use with a carousel-type rotary infeed device for articles arranged in stacks of a predetermined length, which infeed device is made of a plurality of carrier pockets each for receiving a stack of articles and movable about a closed chain relative to an article delivery station, located at one end of the chain and defining a vertical axis, wherein articles are to be discharged from the carrier pockets, the carrier pockets and the stacks of articles therein being aligned with respective axes parallel to the vertical axis. The alignment apparatus includes a pair of sprockets, one to either side of the vertical axis of the delivery station and engaging the chain for defining a relatively short, straight segment of chain traversing the article delivery station, and a rigid chain guide located between the sprockets for holding the chain in a relatively straight and rigid condition as it traverses the article delivery station.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1993Date of Patent: September 13, 1994Assignee: Fleetwood Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Mojden, Thomas E. Close, Jr.
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Patent number: 4254604Abstract: A cartoner for inserting a product into an expanded carton having at least one open end and side flaps and an end panel with tuck flap thereon, and thereafter closing the open end, the cartoner accommodating a wide variety of carton shapes and sizes; a product infeed conveyor for such a cartoner including a product support plate extending laterally from either side of the cartoner and including a conveyor chain carrying product pushers pivotally mounted thereon, the product support plate being positioned from a bottom carton supporting rail a distance to receive the product pushers therethrough so that the product pushers both feed the product to the cartons and insert the product therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1979Date of Patent: March 10, 1981Assignee: Redington Inc.Inventors: Walter H. Vogel, Thomas E. Close
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Patent number: 3996843Abstract: The method of expanding and transferring a carton from a stack of collapsed cartons in a magazine to a bucket on a conveyor wherein the cartons comprise at one end thereof two side flaps and a front flap which includes a tuck flap. The method of expanding the carton comprises partially expanding the carton, closing the front flap while the carton is partially expanded thereby spreading the second flap outwardly, holding the second flap open while spreading the first and front flaps outwardly by applying pressure from the inside surfaces thereof and fully expanding the carton while holding the first, second and front flaps in their spread position.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1975Date of Patent: December 14, 1976Assignee: Redington, IncorporatedInventors: Walter H. Vogel, Thomas E. Close
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Patent number: 3956976Abstract: Means for and the method of expanding and transferring a carton from a stack of collapsed cartons in a magazine to a bucket on a conveyor wherein the collapsed cartons are extracted singly from the magazine first by a suction means and transferred to a second suction means which deposits the carton into the conveyor bucket. The cartons comprise at one end thereof two side flaps and a front flap which includes a tuck flap. Stationary cams are utilized to partially expand a carton while it is being transferred and pushing the front flap inwardly while the carton is partially expanded which spreads one of the side flaps outwardly. This side flap is then held while the front flap is released and the other side flap and front flap are spread outwardly from the inside. Finally, all the flaps are maintained in a spread position while the carton is fully expanded.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1974Date of Patent: May 18, 1976Assignee: Crompton & Knowles CorporationInventors: Walter H. Vogel, Thomas E. Close