Robert N Erwin

US Patent:

6386855, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Sep 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/965389

Inventors:

Dan E. Luttrell - Corning NY
Robert L. Erwin - Rohnert Park CA
Kenneth L. Smith - White Bear Lake MN
Gerald M. Benson - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B41B 1154

US Classification:

425193, 249117, 249160, 264 19, 264 25, 359529, 425470, 425DIG 30

Abstract:

Laminae suitable for use in molds for forming retroreflective cube corner elements and methods for making such laminae are disclosed. A representative lamina includes a first row of cube corner elements disposed in a first orientation and a second row of optically opposing cube corner elements disposed. The working surface of a lamina is provided with a plurality of cube corner elements formed by the optical surfaces defined by three groove sets. Opposing first and second groove sets are formed in the working surface of a lamina. The first groove set forms a plurality of structures having first and second optical surfaces disposed in mutually perpendicular planes that intersect along a reference edge. The second groove set forms a corresponding plurality of structures on the opposite side of the lamina. A third groove is formed in the working surface of the lamina along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axes of the grooves of the first and second groove sets.

US Patent:

20120058310, Mar 8, 2012

Filed:

May 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/318603

Inventors:

Dale L. Ehnes - Cotati CA, US
Alan B. Campbell - Santa Rosa CA, US
Mark E. Gardiner - Santa Rosa CA, US
Robert Lee Erwin - Hudson WI, US

International Classification:

B23B 1/00
B32B 3/30

US Classification:

428169, 82 111

Abstract:

A method for cutting a pattern in a work piece (), wherein the pattern includes adjacent features () separated by a pitch spacing P. The method includes providing a cutting tool assembly () having a first tool shank with a first cutting tip () to create a first feature () in the work piece () and a second tool shank with a second cutting tip () to create a second feature () in the work piece (), wherein a distance Y between the first cutting tip and the second cutting tip is equal to nP, and wherein n is an odd integer greater than 1. The work piece is rotated (C) with respect to the cutting tool assembly (), and the cutting tool is advanced along a lateral direction (B) with respect to the rotating work piece (), wherein the cutting tool () is advanced along the lateral direction a distance of 2P for each rotation of the work piece ().

US Patent:

63189879, Nov 20, 2001

Filed:

Aug 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/636520

Inventors:

Dan E. Luttrell - Corning NY
Robert L. Erwin - Rohnert Park CA
Kenneth L. Smith - White Bear Lake MN
Gerald M. Benson - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B41B 1154
B29D 1100

US Classification:

425193

Abstract:

Laminae suitable for use in molds for forming retroreflective cube corner elements and methods for making such laminae are disclosed. A representative lamina includes a first row of cube corner elements disposed in a first orientation and a second row of optically opposing cube corner elements disposed. The working surface of a lamina is provided with a plurality of cube corner elements formed by the optical surfaces defined by three groove sets. Opposing first and second groove sets are formed in the working surface of a lamina. The first groove set forms a plurality of structures having first and second optical surfaces disposed in mutually perpendicular planes that intersect along a reference edge. The second groove set forms a corresponding plurality of structures on the opposite side of the lamina. A third groove is formed in the working surface of the lamina along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axes of the grooves of the first and second groove sets.

US Patent:

52011011, Apr 13, 1993

Filed:

Apr 28, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/875186

Inventors:

Forrest J. Rouser - San Rafael CA
Robert L. Erwin - Rohnert Park CA

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A44B 1700

US Classification:

24575

Abstract:

A plurality (e. g. a pair) of misaligned, fastened articles with structured surfaces is disclosed. The structured surfaces have elements which may bend and twist during attachment resulting in a higher peel strength than when the articles are aligned. A method of attaching a pair of articles is also disclosed.

US Patent:

53602706, Nov 1, 1994

Filed:

Apr 28, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/875079

Inventors:

Roger H. Appeldorn - White Bear Lake MN
Robert J. Johnson - Hudson WI
Forrest J. Rouser - San Rafael CA
Robert L. Erwin - Rohnert Park CA

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B65D 2730

US Classification:

383 5

Abstract:

A reusable security package is disclosed that includes a closure mechanism for closing a container and for determining whether the container has been opened.

US Patent:

6257860, Jul 10, 2001

Filed:

Aug 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/636730

Inventors:

Dan E. Luttrell - Corning NY
Robert L. Erwin - Rohnert Park CA
Kenneth L. Smith - White Bear Lake MN
Gerald M. Benson - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B41B 1154
B29D 1100

US Classification:

425193

Abstract:

Laminae suitable for use in molds for forming retroreflective cube corner elements and methods for making such laminae are disclosed. A representative lamina includes a first row of cube corner elements disposed in a first orientation and a second row of optically opposing cube corner elements disposed. The working surface of a lamina is provided with a plurality of cube corner elements formed by the optical surfaces defined by three groove sets. Opposing first and second groove sets are formed in the working surface of a lamina. The first groove set forms a plurality of structures having first and second optical surfaces disposed in mutually perpendicular planes that intersect along a reference edge. The second groove set forms a corresponding plurality of structures on the opposite side of the lamina. A third groove is formed in the working surface of the lamina along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axes of the grooves of the first and second groove sets.