Patents by Inventor Wesley J. Bruxvoort

Wesley J. Bruxvoort 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: 6848986
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a three-dimensional fixed abrasive article, and a three dimensional fixed abrasive made thereby. The method comprises providing an abrasive composition comprising a plurality of abrasive particles and a binder precursor. The binder precursor comprises a polymerizable material consisting essentially of an ethylenically unsaturated material having one or more terminal functional groups of the same type of reactive functionality, a photoinitiator, and a thermal initiator. The abrasive composition is then applied onto a backing. The method then comprises at least partially curing the binder precursor by activating the photoinitiator, and further curing the binder precursor by activating the thermal initiator to provide a three-dimensional fixed abrasive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Kendall, Soon C. Park, Wesley J. Bruxvoort, Scott R. Culler, Jerry W. Williams
  • Patent number: 6786810
    Abstract: A process for planarizing, polishing, or providing other modification of a wafer surface or other workpiece. The process includes using an abrasive article having a textured abrasive coating affixed to a backing. The abrasive article includes a monitoring element, such as a window, to allow transmission of radiation therethrough. The radiation level is monitored throughout the planarization process to determine the approach of the desired endpoint. The window in the abrasive coating can be an area devoid of abrasive coating or having minimal or a thinned abrasive coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Muilenburg, Chong-Yong J. Kim, Jerry J. Fizel, Richard J. Webb, John J. Gagliardi, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Jr., Robert J. Streifel, Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Publication number: 20030194961
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a three-dimensional fixed abrasive article, and a three dimensional fixed abrasive made thereby. The method comprises providing an abrasive composition comprising a plurality of abrasive particles and a binder precursor. The binder precursor comprises a polymerizable material consisting essentially of an ethylenically unsaturated material having one or more terminal functional groups of the same type of reactive functionality, a photoinitiator, and a thermal initiator. The abrasive composition is then applied onto a backing. The method then comprises at least partially curing the binder precursor by activating the photoinitiator, and further curing the binder precursor by activating the thermal initiator to provide a three-dimensional fixed abrasive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Kendall, Soon C. Park, Wesley J. Bruxvoort, Scott R. Culler, Jerry W. Williams
  • Patent number: 6612917
    Abstract: An abrasive article includes a fixed abrasive element, a resilient element, a rigid element disposed between the resilient element and the fixed abrasive element, and a plurality of microstructures disposed between the rigid element and the fixed abrasive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Patent number: 6604985
    Abstract: A process for planarizing, polishing, or providing other modification of a wafer surface or other workpiece. The process includes using an abrasive article having a textured abrasive coating affixed to a backing. The abrasive article includes a monitoring element, such as a window, to allow transmission of radiation therethrough. The radiation level is monitored throughout the planarization process to determine the approach of the desired endpoint. The window in the abrasive coating can be an area devoid of abrasive coating or having minimal or a thinned abrasive coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Muilenburg, Chong-Yong J. Kim, Jerry J. Fizel, Richard J. Webb, John J. Gagliardi, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Jr., Robert J. Streifel, Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Publication number: 20030064663
    Abstract: A process for planarizing, polishing, or providing other modification of a wafer surface or other workpiece. The process includes using an abrasive article having a textured abrasive coating affixed to a backing. The abrasive article includes a monitoring element, such as a window, to allow transmission of radiation therethrough. The radiation level is monitored throughout the planarization process to determine the approach of the desired endpoint. The window in the abrasive coating can be an area devoid of abrasive coating or having minimal or a thinned abrasive coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Muilenburg, Chong-Yong J. Kim, Jerry L. Fizel, Richard J. Webb, John J. Gagliardi, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Robert J. Streifel, Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Publication number: 20030024169
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of abrading a surface of a workpiece. The method of the invention comprises bringing a surface of a workpiece and an abrasive article into frictional contact in the presence of an aqueous fluid. The abrasive article comprises a backing comprising a surface, and an abrasive layer bonded to the surface of the backing, the abrasive layer comprising a binder, a plurality of abrasive particles, and a plurality of organic water soluble particles, the abrasive layer comprising a plurality of three-dimensional abrasive composites. The invention is also directed to the abrasive article for use in the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Philip E. Kendall, Soon C. Park, Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Publication number: 20030022598
    Abstract: A process for planarizing, polishing, or providing other modification of a wafer surface or other workpiece. The process includes using an abrasive article having a textured abrasive coating affixed to a backing. The abrasive article includes a monitoring element, such as a window, to allow transmission of radiation therethrough. The radiation level is monitored throughout the planarization process to determine the approach of the desired endpoint. The window in the abrasive coating can be an area devoid of abrasive coating or having minimal or a thinned abrasive coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Muilenburg, Chong-Yong J. Kim, Jerry J. Fizel, Richard J. Webb, John J. Gagliardi, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Robert J. Streifel, Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Publication number: 20030017797
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a three-dimensional fixed abrasive article, and a three dimensional fixed abrasive made thereby. The method comprises providing an abrasive composition comprising a plurality of abrasive particles and a binder precursor. The binder precursor comprises a polymerizable material consisting essentially of an ethylenically unsaturated material having one or more terminal functional groups of the same type of reactive functionality, a photoinitiator, and a thermal initiator. The abrasive composition is then applied onto a backing. The method then comprises at least partially curing the binder precursor by activating the photoinitiator, and further curing the binder precursor by activating the thermal initiator to provide a three-dimensional fixed abrasive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Philip E. Kendall, Soon C. Park, Wesley J. Bruxvoort, Scott R. Culler, Jerry W. Williams
  • Publication number: 20020106980
    Abstract: An abrasive article includes a fixed abrasive element, a resilient element, a rigid element disposed between the resilient element and the fixed abrasive element, and a plurality of microstructures disposed between the rigid element and the fixed abrasive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Publication number: 20020072296
    Abstract: A process for planarizing, polishing, or providing other modification of a wafer surface or other workpiece. The process includes using an abrasive article having a textured abrasive coating affixed to a backing. The abrasive article includes a monitoring element, such as a window, to allow transmission of radiation therethrough. The radiation level is monitored throughout the planarization process to determine the approach of the desired endpoint. The window in the abrasive coating can be an area devoid of abrasive coating or having minimal or a thinned abrasive coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Michael J. Muilenburg, Chong-Yong J. Kim, Jerry J. Fizel, Richard J. Webb, John J. Gagliardi, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Robert J. Streifel, Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Patent number: 6217984
    Abstract: An energy sensitive composition comprising a monomeric organometallic complex essentially free of nucleophilic groups and which, upon exposure to energy, bonds to basic reactive sites on a substrate via the metal center, leaving the polymerizable group of the complex unreacted and unrestricted; an energy sensitive composition at least one energy sensitive organometallic group is incorporated in or appended to the backbone of a polymer, such that the resulting coordinatively unsaturated organometallic group or groups bond to basic reactive sites on a substrate, thus forming permanent bonds, and further, the adherent compositions are useful in applications such as adhesion of polymers to substrates, protective coatings, printing plates, durable release coatings, primers, binders, and paints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Wesley J. Bruxvoort, Steven J. Keipert, Fred B. McCormick, Jerry W. Williams, Bradford B. Wright
  • Patent number: 6132860
    Abstract: An energy sensitive composition comprising a monomeric organometallic complex essentially free of nucleophilic groups and which, upon exposure to energy, bonds to basic reactive sites on a substrate via the metal center, leaving the polymerizable group of the complex unreacted and unrestricted; an energy sensitive composition at least one energy sensitive organometallic group is incorporated in or appended to the backbone of a polymer, such that the resulting coordinatively unsaturated organometallic group or groups bond to basic reactive sites on a substrate, thus forming permanent bonds, and further, the adherent compositions are useful in applications such as adhesion of polymers to substrates, protective coatings, printing plates, durable release coatings, primers, binders, and paints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Wesley J. Bruxvoort, Steven J. Keipert, Fred B. McCormick, Jerry W. Williams, Bradford B. Wright
  • Patent number: 6007407
    Abstract: An abrasive construction for modifying a surface of a workpiece, such as a semiconductor wafer. The abrasive construction comprises: a three-dimensional, textured, fixed abrasive element; at least one resilient element generally coextensive with the fixed abrasive element; and at least one rigid element generally coextensive with and interposed between the resilient element and the fixed abrasive element, wherein the rigid element has a Young's Modulus greater than that of the resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignees: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, Exclusive Design Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Denise R. Rutherford, Douglas P. Goetz, Cristina U. Thomas, Richard J. Webb, Wesley J. Bruxvoort, James D. Buhler, William J. Hollywood
  • Patent number: 5958794
    Abstract: A method of modifying an exposed surface of a semiconductor wafer that includes the steps of:(a) contacting the surface with a fixed abrasive article having a three-dimensional textured abrasive surface that includes a plurality of abrasive particles and a binder in the form of a pre-determined pattern; and(b) relatively moving the wafer and the fixed abrasive article to modify said surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wesley J. Bruxvoort, Scott R. Culler, Kwok-Lun Ho, David A. Kaisaki, Carl R. Kessel, Thomas P. Klun, Heather K. Kranz, Robert P. Messner, Richard J. Webb, Julia P. Williams
  • Patent number: 5692950
    Abstract: An abrasive construction for modifying a surface of a workpiece, such as a semiconductor wafer. The abrasive construction comprises: a three-dimensional, textured, fixed abrasive element; at least one resilient element generally coextensive with the fixed abrasive element; and at least one rigid element generally coextensive with and interposed between the resilient element and the fixed abrasive element, wherein the rigid element has a Young's Modulus greater than that of the resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Denise R. Rutherford, Douglas P. Goetz, Cristina U. Thomas, Richard J. Webb, Wesley J. Bruxvoort, James D. Buhler, William J. Hollywood
  • Patent number: 5549961
    Abstract: An abrasive article having a sheet-like structure having at least one major surface having deployed thereon a plurality of individual abrasive composites, each abrasive composite comprising a plasticizer and a plurality of abrasive particles dispersed in a binder, wherein said binder is formed by polymerizing a binder precursor and said plasticizer being combined with said binder precursor prior to said polymerizing in an amount of 30 to 70 parts plasticizer per 100 parts by weight of the combined binder precursor and plasticizer. There is also a method of using such as abrasive article to reduce the surface finish of a workpiece and a process of making the abrasive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John D. Haas, Todd J. Christianson, Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Patent number: 5453312
    Abstract: An abrasive article having a sheet-like structure having at least one major surface having deployed thereon a plurality of individual abrasive composites, each abrasive composite comprising a plasticizer and a plurality of abrasive particles dispersed in a binder, wherein said binder is formed by polymerizing a binder precursor and said plasticizer being combined with said binder precursor prior to said polymerizing in an amount of 30 to 70 parts plasticizer per 100 parts by weight of the combined binder precursor and plasticizer. There is also a method of using such as abrasive article to reduce the surface finish of a workpiece and a process of making the abrasive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John D. Haas, Todd J. Christianson, Wesley J. Bruxvoort
  • Patent number: 5251802
    Abstract: An abrasive article comprising a coated abrasive bonded to a substrate by means of a metallic adhesive and a method for producing the abrasive article by heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wesley J. Bruxvoort, Robert N. Howard
  • Patent number: 5219462
    Abstract: The present invention provides an abrasive article that has abrasive composite members secured firmly in recesses in a backing sheet in a precise pattern whereby there is desired lateral spacing between each abrasive composite member. The present invention also provides a method for preparing the abrasive article comprising the steps of providing an embossed backing sheet having a plurality of recesses in the front surface of the backing sheet. The recesses are filled with an abrasive slurry that includes a plurality of abrasive grains dispersed in a binder precursor. An expanding agent is also provided in the recesses, either separate from the slurry or dispersed in the slurry. The expanding agent, when activated, expands the abrasive slurry outward and above the front surface of the embossed backing sheet. After the binder precursor of the abrasive slurry is hardened, individual abrasive composite members extend above the front surface of the embossed backing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wesley J. Bruxvoort, Clyde D. Calhoun, Richard J. Webb