Leon Etal Levitt

US Patent:

6489003, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Mar 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/508207

Inventors:

Leon Levitt - Mendota Heights MN
Robert D. Kampfer - Oakdale MN
Michael D. Delmore - Mounds View MN
Stephen E. Krampe - Maplewood MN
Brandon T. Berg - Woodbury MN
Alan J. Sipinen - North Oaks MN
Mark E. Napierala - Woodbury MN
Victor P. Thalacker - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 306

US Classification:

428100, 428 99, 428120, 428174, 428343, 24442, 24452

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6503855, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Nov 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/444349

Inventors:

Robert H. Menzies - Hudson WI
Jason L. Edgar - Inver Grove Heights MN
Scott J. Tuman - Woodbury MN
David L. Seidel - Woodbury MN
Robert J. Maki - Hudson WI
John E. Riedel - Hugo MN
Eugene G. Joseph - Vadnais Heights MN
Leon Levitt - Mendota Heights MN
Brandon T. Berg - West Lakeland MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 526

US Classification:

442328, 442329, 442366, 442381, 442382, 442389, 442392, 442400, 442401, 442409, 442149, 442 35, 442 36, 428 99, 428100, 24442, 24452, 602 41, 602 42, 602 45, 602 57, 602 58

Abstract:

A laminated composite suitable for use in medical products such as tapes and wraps. The composite includes, for example, a first nonwoven fiber layer, an elastic layer, a melt blown adhesive fiber layer, and a second nonwoven fiber layer. A scrim layer serves as a deadstop, or stretch limit, to prevent over stretching. The non-woven fiber layer(s) and/or the scrim layer form suitable loops for a hook and loop fastening system. The scrim layer in some embodiments is employed to make the composite finger tearable. The melt blown adhesive layer, nonwoven web layer and elastic layer form a breathable, porous elastic composite. Methods of manufacturing the composite are also disclosed.

US Patent:

6592800, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Oct 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/412776

Inventors:

Leon Levitt - Mendota Heights MN
James J. Kobe - Newport MN
Robert D. Kampfer - Oakdale MN
Brian T. Hargrett - St. Paul MN
Cathleen M. Arsenault - Fridley MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B29C 4346

US Classification:

264479, 264481, 264167, 2642102, 425373

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6835256, Dec 28, 2004

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/282515

Inventors:

Robert H. Menzies - Hudson WI
Jason L. Edgar - Inver Grove Heights MN
Scott J. Tuman - Woodbury MN
David L. Seidel - Woodbury MN
Robert J. Maki - Hudson WI
John E. Riedel - Hugo MN
Eugene G. Joseph - Vadnais Heights MN
Leon Levitt - Mendota Heights MN
Brandon T. Berg - West Lakeland MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B23B 526

US Classification:

156 624, 156167, 156176, 156178, 156179, 156229, 156324

Abstract:

A laminated composite suitable for use in medical products such as tapes and wraps. The composite includes, for example, a first nonwoven fiber layer, an elastic layer, a melt blown adhesive fiber layer, and a second nonwoven fiber layer. A scrim layer serves as a deadstop, or stretch limit, to prevent over stretching. The non-woven fiber layer(s) and/or the scrim layer form suitable loops for a hook and loop fastening system. The scrim layer in some embodiments is employed to make the composite finger tearable. The melt blown adhesive layer, nonwoven web layer and elastic layer form a breathable, porous elastic composite. Methods of manufacturing the composite are also disclosed.

US Patent:

6904615, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

May 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/436416

Inventors:

James J. Kobe - Newport MN, US
Leon Levitt - Mendota Heights MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A41D019/00
A41D013/00

US Classification:

21618, 21611

Abstract:

A friction control article including a backing layer having a first surface with an array of at least 100 upstanding stems per square inch and a second surface. At least a portion of the upstanding stems is an elastomeric material and the stems have an aspect ratio of at least 1. 25. The first surface has a static coefficient of friction when dry of at least 0. 6 and a static coefficient of friction when wet within 20% of the static coefficient of friction when dry. The first surface has a peel strength and a tensile strength of substantially zero when engaged with another slip control article. The first surface has a relatively high shear strength when engaged with another slip control article. The high shear forces are due primarily to the frictional properties of the elastomeric materials, not a mechanical interlock of the stems, such as on a mechanical fastener.

US Patent:

6962635, Nov 8, 2005

Filed:

Mar 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/821669

Inventors:

Scott J. Tuman - Woodbury MN, US
David L. Seidel - Woodbury MN, US
Leon Levitt - Mendota Heights MN, US
Brandon T. Berg - Woodbury MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B031/10
B32B031/16

US Classification:

156 66, 15624411, 15624425, 156245, 156229, 156256, 156257, 156265, 156297

Abstract:

Method for making a stem web material having a plurality of stems extending from discrete regions (patches or stripes) of the web, comprising:The stems can be formed by pressing the web on which the patches or stripes of polymer are deposited against a tool having a surface with a plurality of stem-forming holes. The stems can be given enlarged ends by bringing the surface of the stem web close to a heated surface.

US Patent:

8277922, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Aug 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/833846

Inventors:

Scott J. Tuman - Woodbury MN, US
James J. Kobe - Newport MN, US
Leon Levitt - Mendota Heights MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

B08B 7/00
A46D 1/00
B32B 3/06
B32B 3/10

US Classification:

428119, 428 99, 428120, 428156, 428172, 428220, 15 211, 15 40, 15 881, 15 971, 15118, 15146, 151591, 152072

Abstract:

A stem web is disclosed that comprises a backing layer having a first surface and a second surface, and an array of 600 to 20000 upstanding stems projecting from the first surface of the backing. The stems comprise a height from 0. 3 and 2. 0 millimeters and a shore hardness less than 90A. In one embodiment, the stem web further comprises a reinforcing layer secured to the second surface. In one embodiment, the stem web is secured to a tool to be passed across a surface to be cleaned to capture lint and hair.

US Patent:

20010016245, Aug 23, 2001

Filed:

Mar 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/822651

Inventors:

Scott Tuman - Woodbury MN, US
David Seidel - Woodbury MN, US
Leon Levitt - Mendota Heights MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company

International Classification:

B32B003/06

US Classification:

428/099000, 428/120000, 428/195000

Abstract:

A web of material having a multiplicity of discrete regions or patches spaced apart from each other on at least a first side of the web, and methods of making the web. A plurality of stems extend from each patch. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the web may be configured to engage the plurality of the stems, and the web may include a breathable (microporous) and/or elastic material. A method of making a web includes providing a web and discrete quantities of a polymeric material. The polymeric material is fused to the web; and a plurality of stems are formed in each of the discrete quantities of the polymeric material to form fastener patches or regions. The discontinuous fastener patches can function as the male component of a hook-and-loop refastenable mechanical fastener.