John M David

US Patent:

6474389, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Jan 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/491106

Inventors:

Ronald S. Steelman - Woodbury MN
John R. David - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B30B 500

US Classification:

156382, 156555, 156582, 1565831

Abstract:

A vacuum-assisted lamination apparatus and methods of using the same to laminate a film to a substrate or two or more continuous webs together are disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of rolls and a partial vacuum source to provide pressure on a film or films.

US Patent:

6520234, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

May 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/576624

Inventors:

Conrad V. Anderson - Minneapolis MN
Brett A. Behnke - Welch MN
John R. David - Stillwater MN
Anne M. DePalma - Chisago City MN
Ronald S. Steelman - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3120

US Classification:

156361, 156381, 156576, 156574, 156582

Abstract:

Steered vacuum-assisted laminating apparatus and methods of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The apparatus also includes a steering system to control the vertical position the laminator and a vehicle to move the laminator along the substrate in a desired direction.

US Patent:

6613181, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Sep 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/242010

Inventors:

Ronald S. Steelman - Woodbury MN
John R. David - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B30B 500

US Classification:

156285, 156382, 156555, 156582, 1565831

Abstract:

A vacuum-assisted lamination apparatus and methods of using the same to laminate a film to a substrate or two or more continuous webs together are disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of rolls and a partial vacuum source to provide pressure on a film or films.

US Patent:

6645328, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Jan 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/351851

Inventors:

Conrad V. Anderson - Minneapolis MN
Brett A. Behnke - Welch MN
John R. David - Stillwater MN
Anne M. DePalma - Chisago City MN
Ronald S. Steelman - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3120

US Classification:

156 64, 156163, 156286, 156285

Abstract:

Steered vacuum-assisted laminating apparatus and methods of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The apparatus also includes a steering system to control the vertical position the laminator and a vehicle to move the laminator along the substrate in a desired direction.

US Patent:

6706131, Mar 16, 2004

Filed:

Sep 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/244861

Inventors:

Ronald S. Steelman - Woodbury MN
John R. David - Stillwater MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3120

US Classification:

156 71, 156285, 156344, 156381, 156576, 156574, 156584

Abstract:

Vacuum-assisted film laminating and removal systems and methods of using the same. The systems include a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The removal apparatus applies tension over the width of the adhesive film, thereby removing the film from the substrate along the release line that extends over the width of the film. The systems and methods can be used to apply and remove large-scale adhesive films from substrates.

US Patent:

6824638, Nov 30, 2004

Filed:

Jul 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/626621

Inventors:

Conrad V. Anderson - Minneapolis MN
Brett A. Behnke - Welch MN
John R. David - Stillwater MN
Ronald S. Steelman - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3100

US Classification:

156229, 156 64, 156 71

Abstract:

Methods of forming composite graphic images on a substrate using a plurality of films that are applied and registered with each other under tension are disclosed. The films may include registration marks distributed along their lengths and those registration marks can be used to vary the tension under which the films are dispensed during application to a substrate. By detecting the registration marks on a film already applied to a substrate and detecting corresponding registration marks on a film being dispensed and applied to the substrate, registration between the different portions of the composite image on the different films can be maintained over the length of the films and, therefore, the length of the resulting composite image. That registration is controlled by varying tension of the film being applied.

US Patent:

6872268, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Jun 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/167347

Inventors:

John R. David - Stillwater MN, US
Jeffrey O. Emslander - Afton MN, US
Danny L. Fleming - Stillwater MN, US
Michael R. Kesti - Minneapolis MN, US
Larry A. Meixner - Woodbury MN, US
Frank T. Sher - St. Paul MN, US
Ronald S. Steelman - Woodbury MN, US
David J. Yarusso - Shoreview MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B031/04

US Classification:

156 71, 156 87, 156286, 527461

Abstract:

Films are closely conformed to substrates by reducing the air pressure to a subatmospheric level in at least one airflow pathway that is present in the film or the substrate. The reduced air pressure enables the film to tightly contact the substrate in locations where protrusions or depressions on the substrate are present. The method is particularly useful for conforming film containing graphics to a variety of substrates such as the sides of semi-trailers or concrete block walls, even in instances where the semi-trailer sides include rivets and/or grooves and where the concrete block wall is relatively rough.

US Patent:

7141133, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Dec 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/325509

Inventors:

Michael R. Kesti - Minneapolis MN, US
Frank T. Sher - St. Paul MN, US
Stephen J. Aden - West St. Paul MN, US
Ronald S. Steelman - Woodbury MN, US
John R. David - Stillwater MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 37/10

US Classification:

156212, 156252, 156253, 156286

Abstract:

Methods of applying film to substrates are provided wherein the film matingly conforms to the configuration of the substrate, including areas adjacent protrusions or depressions in the substrate. In certain embodiments, the film is punctured by a probe and a vacuum is applied to the probe in order to aspirate air and urge the film toward a position of compliance with the substrate. Optionally, the film is softened by heat in order to facilitate conformance with the shape of the substrate.