Robert A Yapel

Address:

2133 Holly Ave N, Landfall Vlg, MN 55128

Phone:

651-777-9689

VIN:

1G1AL58F177258684

Make:

Chevrolet

Model:

Cobalt

Year:

2007

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:

6426119, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

Sep 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/657499

Inventors:

Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN
Kent D. Nelson - Afton MN
Thomas M. Milbourn - Mahtomedi MN
Richard J. Foss - Pine City MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05D 126

US Classification:

427335, 427356, 427358, 427359, 427402, 427420, 427428, 118 65, 118203, 118244, 118410, 118DIG 4

Abstract:

The coater apparatus enclosure encloses the entire die of a coating apparatus includes an enclosure structure, a saturation station which saturates a supply gas with solvent, a device which supplies solvent-saturated gas to the enclosure to continuously purge the enclosure, and a device which controls the gas flow to the enclosure. The saturation station could include a heated jacketed vessel and a porous metal bubbler, or it could include a series of heat exchangers. No streaks can form due to coating fluid drying on the die lip because the gas supplied to the die enclosure is saturated with the solvent.

US Patent:

6458421, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Feb 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/776467

Inventors:

Aparna V. Bhave - Woodbury MN
Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN
Lawrence B. Wallace - Newport MN
Thomas M. Milbourn - Mahtomedi MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05D 134

US Classification:

427402, 427420, 118411, 118DIG 11

Abstract:

A method for reducing coating defects caused by strikethrough when simultaneously slide coating a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, and a third fluid layer. The method includes preparing the first, second, and third fluids such that the first solute is incompatible with the second and third solutes and such that the first fluid minimizes strikethrough of at least one of the second and third fluids to a slide surface when the first fluid is positioned between the slide surface and the second and third fluids. The present invention is useful in preparing imaging, data storage, and other media.

US Patent:

6458422, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Feb 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/776476

Inventors:

Aparna V. Bhave - Woodbury MN
Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN
Lawrence B. Wallace - Newport MN
Thomas M. Milbourn - Mahtomedi MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05D 134

US Classification:

427402, 427420, 118411, 118DIG 4

Abstract:

A method for reducing coating defects caused by strikethrough when simultaneously slide coating a first fluid layer, a second fluid layer, and a third fluid layer. The method includes preparing the first, second, and third fluids such that the first solute is incompatible with the second and third solutes and such that the first fluid minimizes strikethrough of at least one of the second and third fluids to a slide surface when the first fluid is positioned between the slide surface and the second and third fluids. The present invention is useful in preparing imaging, data storage, and other media.

US Patent:

6553689, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Sep 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/960131

Inventors:

Nirmal K. Jain - Maple Grove MN
Peter T. Benson - North St. Paul MN
James L. Capps - Moundville MO
William Blake Kolb - St. Paul MN
Eldon E. Lightner - Nevada MO
Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

F26B 300

US Classification:

34444, 34448, 34445, 34468, 34630, 34631, 34416, 162204

Abstract:

A vapor collection method and apparatus capable of capturing vapor compositions without substantial dilution. The method and apparatus utilize a material that has a surface with an adjacent gas phase. A chamber is positioned in close proximity to a surface of the material. The position of the chamber creates a relatively small gap between the surface of the material and the chamber. The adjacent gas phase between the chamber and the surface define a region possessing an amount of mass. At least a portion of the mass is drawn through the region by induced flow. The utilization of a small gap limits the flow of mass that is external to the chamber from being swept through the chamber by induced flow.

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:

6720025, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Jul 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/186809

Inventors:

Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN
Wayne P. Ray - Weatherford OK
David J. Scanlan - Ventura CA
Larry A. Lien - Woodbury MN
Charles W. Simpson - Lakeland MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B08D 126

US Classification:

427 9, 427356, 427358

Abstract:

A method of slot extrusion coating is provided that can be used to apply thin coatings using liquid compositions having high percent solids. A window of operability advantageously identifies the limits of a process to provide these thin high solids coatings. The window of operability is determined by obtaining a first graphical curve representing actual values of wet thickness as a function of percent solids level. The critical wet thickness is then identified on the first graphical curve. The window of operability is identified as an area defined by the boundaries: percent solids greater than the point at which critical wet thickness occurs, an actual wet thickness greater than all points above the first graphical curve and equal to or less than the critical thickness.

US Patent:

6790404, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Sep 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/961025

Inventors:

Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN
Shannon K. Hughes - Minneapolis MN
William Blake Kolb - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B29C 4126

US Classification:

264466, 264 401, 264 406, 264 41, 2641761, 264216

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for producing microporous films. The method utilizes a casting surface and a condensing surface. The condensing surface is spaced from the casting surface to form a gap. The distance between the surfaces forming the gap is relatively small and is preferably less than 3 cm. A material, capable of forming microporous films through thermally induced phase separation processes, is cast onto the casting surface, preferably through conventional extrusion practices. The material contains at least one evaporative component that generally flashes off upon formation of the microporous material and condenses on the condensing surface.