Paul H Thomas

US Patent:

20120313274, Dec 13, 2012

Filed:

Jun 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/155349

Inventors:

Pentti K. Loukusa - Hanover MN, US
Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN, US
Terence D. Neavin - St. Paul MN, US
Jennifer L. Trice - Hugo MN, US
Kristopher K. Biegler - Minneapolis MN, US
Paul C. Thomas - Roberts WI, US
William J. Kopecky - Hudson WI, US
Keith R. Bruesewitz - River Falls WI, US
Robert B. Secor - Stillwater MN, US

International Classification:

B29C 47/92

US Classification:

264 401, 425141

Abstract:

A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.

US Patent:

20120313275, Dec 13, 2012

Filed:

Jun 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/155357

Inventors:

Jennifer L. Trice - Hugo MN, US
Pentti K. Loukusa - Hanover MN, US
Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN, US
Robert B. Secor - Stillwater MN, US
Paul C. Thomas - Roberts WI, US
William J. Kopecky - Hudson WI, US
Keith R. Bruesewitz - River Falls WI, US
Kristopher K. Biegler - Minneapolis MN, US

International Classification:

B29C 47/92
B29C 47/22

US Classification:

264 401, 264167

Abstract:

A method of controlling a slot die comprises positioning actuators of the slot die with a controller according to a first set of discrete settings, operating the slot die by passing an extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot with the actuators positioned according to the first set of discrete settings, and while passing the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the positions of the actuators with the controller to create patterned features in the extrudate.

US Patent:

20120315378, Dec 13, 2012

Filed:

Jun 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/155272

Inventors:

Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN, US
Jennifer L. Trice - Hugo MN, US
Pentti K. Loukusa - Hanover MN, US
Paul C. Thomas - Roberts WI, US
Kristopher K. Biegler - Minneapolis MN, US
William J. Kopecky - Hudson WI, US
Keith R. Bruesewitz - Rivers Falls WI, US
Robert A. Secor - Stillwater MN, US

International Classification:

C23C 16/52
B05C 11/00
B05D 3/12

US Classification:

427 8, 427356, 118696

Abstract:

A system comprises a slot die including an applicator slot extending about a width of the slot die, wherein the applicator slot is in fluid communication with a fluid flow path through the slot die, and a plurality of actuators spaced about the width of the slot die, wherein each actuator in the plurality of actuators is operable to adjust a cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path at its respective location to provide a local adjustment of fluid flow through the applicator slot. The system further comprises a controller configured to set the position of each actuator according to one of a plurality of discrete settings for operation of the slot die. The controller is further configured to, using fluid dynamics and a digital model of the die, predict a set of discrete settings from the plurality of discrete settings corresponding to a preselected cross-web profile for the extrudate.

US Patent:

20220412723, Dec 29, 2022

Filed:

Sep 24, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/765873

Inventors:

- St. Paul MN, US
David L. Hofeldt - Oakdale MN, US
Gregory J. McGill - Maplewood MN, US
Jay M. Krieger - Eau Claire WI, US
Christopher J. Rother - St. Paul MN, US
Paul C. Thomas - Hudson WI, US

International Classification:

G01B 11/06

Abstract:

Methods and systems of measurement for blown film lines are provided. The sensing system includes a terahertz (THz) sensor positioned adjacent to a film bubble extruded from a blown film die, and a sensor support configured to guide the THz sensor around the circumference of the film bubble to measure its film thickness.

US Patent:

20150224700, Aug 13, 2015

Filed:

Apr 23, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/694041

Inventors:

- St. Paul MN, US
Robert A. Yapel - Oakdale MN, US
Terence D. Neavin - Minneapolis MN, US
Jennifer L. Trice - Hugo MN, US
Kristopher K. Biegler - Minneapolis MN, US
Paul C. Thomas - Roberts WI, US
William J. Kopecky - Hudson WI, US
Keith R. Bruesewitz - River Falls WI, US
Robert B. Secor - Stillwater MN, US

International Classification:

B29C 47/92
B29C 47/12

Abstract:

A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.