Stanley M Erickson

US Patent:

6492286, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Sep 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/670642

Inventors:

Michael R. Berrigan - Oakdale MN
James F. Dyrud - New Richmond WI
Stanley C. Erickson - Stillwater MN
Luther E. Erickson - Grant MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 526

US Classification:

442381, 442394, 442400, 442415, 442392, 442393, 428 77, 428157, 428171, 428172, 428189, 428190, 428191, 428192, 428193, 428213, 428218

Abstract:

Multilayer meltblown fibrous webs, as well as apparatus and methods of forming the webs. The webs are produced on a rotating collector that also moves parallel to its longitudinal axis. The webs are thus formed in a helical process, and the resulting tubular web is separated in a direction parallel to a helix angle. By separating the tubular web in a direction parallel to the helix angle, a flat multilayer meltblown fibrous web is provided that allows for incorporation of feathered edges formed during the articles manufacture.

US Patent:

6824733, Nov 30, 2004

Filed:

Jun 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/177419

Inventors:

Stanley C. Erickson - Scandia MN
James C. Breister - Oakdale MN
Michael G. Schwartz - Hugo MN
Patrick J. Sager - Hastings MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

D01D 5088

US Classification:

264555, 264103, 425 722, 4253822, 425463

Abstract:

Melt blown nonwoven webs are formed by supplying fiber-forming material to a planetary gear metering pump having a plurality of outlets, flowing fiber-forming material from the pump outlets through a plurality of inlets in one or more die cavities, and meltblowing the fiber-forming material. Each die cavity inlet receives a fiber-forming material stream having a similar thermal history. The physical or chemical properties of the nonwoven web fibers such as their average molecular weight and polydispersity can be made more uniform. Wide nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities in a side-by-side relationship. Thicker or multilayered nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities atop one another.

US Patent:

6846450, Jan 25, 2005

Filed:

Jun 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/177446

Inventors:

Stanley C. Erickson - Scandia MN, US
James C. Breister - Oakdale MN, US
Michael G. Schwartz - Hugo MN, US
Patrick J Sager - Hastings MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

D01D 5084
D01D 5088
D04H 302

US Classification:

264555, 264103, 26421114, 26421117

Abstract:

Melt blown or spun bond nonwoven webs are formed by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having a substantially uniform residence time and then through a plurality of orifices to form filaments, using air or other fluid to attenuate the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers as a nonwoven web. Each die orifice receives a fiber-forming material stream having a similar thermal history. The physical or chemical properties of the nonwoven web fibers such as their average molecular weight and polydispersity can be made more uniform. Wide nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities in a side-by-side relationship. Thicker or multilayered nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities atop one another.

US Patent:

6861025, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Jun 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/177814

Inventors:

Stanley C. Erickson - Scandia MN, US
James C. Breister - Oakdale MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

D01D005/088
D01D013/00
D04H003/02

US Classification:

264555, 264103, 425 722, 425464

Abstract:

Melt blown nonwoven webs are formed by supplying attenuating fluid to a meltblowing die through an attenuating fluid distribution passage whose distribution characteristics can be changed while the die and manifold are assembled. By adjusting the distribution characteristics of the passage, the mass flow rate of attenuating fluid to channels in the meltblowing die and the temperature of the attenuating fluid at the die outlets can be made more uniform.

US Patent:

7364421, Apr 29, 2008

Filed:

Dec 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/317683

Inventors:

Stanley C. Erickson - Scandia MN, US
James C. Breister - Oakdale MN, US
Gregory H. Van Erem - Stillwater MN, US
David W. Meitz - St. Paul MN, US
Stephen W. Mohn - St. Paul MN, US
Paul DeRoussel - Hudson WI, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Comapny - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B29C 47/16

US Classification:

425466, 425381, 4253761, 264214, 264167, 118416

Abstract:

The invention relates to a method of making retroreflective sheeting and other articles prepared from casting a fluid synthetic resin onto a tool having a microstructured surface with a slot die apparatus. The invention further relates to a slot die apparatus.

US Patent:

7410604, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

Mar 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/382375

Inventors:

Stanley C. Erickson - Scandia MN, US
James C. Breister - Oakdale MN, US
Gregory H. Van Erem - Stillwater MN, US
David W. Meitz - St. Paul MN, US
Stephen W. Mohn - St. Paul MN, US
Paul DeRoussel - Hudson WI, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B29C 47/12
B29D 11/00

US Classification:

264216, 264 16, 264 19

Abstract:

The invention relates to a method of making retroreflective sheeting and other articles prepared from casting a fluid synthetic resin onto a tool having a microstructured surface with a slot die apparatus. The invention further relates to a slot die apparatus.

US Patent:

7476352, Jan 13, 2009

Filed:

May 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/851340

Inventors:

Bruce B. Wilson - Woodbury MN, US
Roger J. Stumo - Shoreview MN, US
Stanley C. Erickson - Scandia MN, US
William L. Kopecky - Hudson WI, US
James C. Breister - Oakdale MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B29C 47/94

US Classification:

264130, 26417211, 26417217

Abstract:

Methods and systems for extruding polymeric fibers are disclosed. The extrusion process preferably involves the delivery of a lubricant separately from a polymer melt stream to each orifice of an extrusion die such that the lubricant preferably encases the polymer melt stream as it passes through the die orifice.

US Patent:

7690902, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Jun 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/763505

Inventors:

Stanley C. Erickson - Scandia MN, US
James C. Breister - Oakdale MN, US
Michael G. Schwartz - Hugo MN, US
Patrick J. Sager - Hastings MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B29B 9/06
D01D 5/08
D04H 3/00

US Classification:

425 722, 425 7, 425192 S, 4253822, 425464

Abstract:

Melt blown or spun bond nonwoven webs are formed by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having a substantially uniform residence time and then through a plurality of orifices to form filaments, using air or other fluid to attenuate the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers as a nonwoven web. Each die orifice receives a fiber-forming material stream having a similar thermal history. The physical or chemical properties of the nonwoven web fibers such as their average molecular weight and polydispersity can be made more uniform. Wide nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities in a side-by-side relationship. Thicker or multilayered nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities atop one another.