Bernard Andrew Scheller

US Patent:

6418604, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Jul 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/127474

Inventors:

Timothy J. Edman - Stillwater MN
Thomas J. Ludemann - Maplewood MN
Bernard A. Scheller - Roseville MN
Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN

Assignee:

Imation Corp. - Oakdale MN

International Classification:

B23Q 1700

US Classification:

2940704, 2940705, 33546, 33547

Abstract:

A method of preparing a surface on a die coater to improve the uniformity of the coating layer on the substrate. A surface of the die block is machined. The die block is then positioned on a measuring surface in a free state so that the machined surface being measured is substantially vertical. The vertical orientation of the die block substantially removes the effect of gravity on any residual stress during measuring. The steps of machining, positioning, and measuring the die block are repeated until the desired total indicated run-out is achieved. The positioning step may also include interposing at least two point supports between the die block and the measuring surface. In another embodiment, the die blocks are positioned in a reference state or a production state for measuring.

US Patent:

6576296, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Mar 10, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/037625

Inventors:

Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN
Aparna V. Bhave - Woodbury MN
Timothy J. Edman - Stillwater MN
Bernard A. Scheller - Roseville MN
Lawrence B. Wallace - Newport MN
Jerry L. Warren - Medford OR

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05D 126

US Classification:

427294, 427402, 427420, 118 50, 118410, 118411

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for continuously coating moving web and splices with a coating fluid. The system includes a slide coating die having a slide surface with at least one feed slot for extruding the coating fluid onto the moving web. The slide coating die defines a coating gap with the moving web. The coating gap is adjustable between a coating position and a splice coating position. A web guide is positioned to guide the moving web in a first direction past the slide coating die such that a coating bead of the coating fluid can be formed in the coating gap. A vacuum system is positioned to generate a reduced pressure condition along a lower surface of the slide coating die. The vacuum system defines a vacuum gap with the moving web. The vacuum gap is adjustable independent of the coating gap between a coating position and a splice coating position. A detector signals an increase in web thickness.

US Patent:

59068620, May 25, 1999

Filed:

Apr 2, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/831248

Inventors:

Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN
Omar D. Brown - St. Paul MN
Wayne P. Ray - Weatherford OK
Daniel V. Norton - St. Paul MN
Bernard A. Scheller - Roseville MN
Manley C. Marcellus - Lake Elmo MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05D 304
B05D 302

US Classification:

427378

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for coating and drying coated substrates without introducing significant surface imperfections while running at higher web speeds than known drying methods. The substrate is preferably coated within the drying enclosure or the coating bead may form a closure at the entrance of the drying enclosure. The substrate is moved through a first drying enclosure along a first axis. The first drying enclosure is substantially isolated from an external environment. A first low velocity, substantially laminar flow field of a drying gas is directed across the front surface of the substrate. The first flow field is generally parallel to the front surface and generally perpendicular to the first axis to minimize the formation of surface imperfections during the evaporation of the coating solvent. The substrate may then be moved to subsequent drying enclosures through transition enclosures that minimize surface imperfections due to high velocity interaction between the adjacent drying enclosures. In embodiments where the first axis is in an inclined configuration with respect to horizontal, louvers may be utilized for directing solvent evolving from the substrate to minimize surface imperfections due to solvent cascade.