Patents Represented by Attorney Carolyn V. Peters
  • Patent number: 6420480
    Abstract: Polymer latices are provided that are useful as release coatings for pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coated paper and tapes. With the ever-present environmental concern to eliminate organic solvents, the use of 100% solids and water-based release coatings is becoming more desirable. The latices of the present invention are waterborne, which is an advantage over the more conventional release coating compositions that are usually comprised of solvent-based polymers, and possess good and stable release characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Eser Ozdeger
  • Patent number: 6407195
    Abstract: Tackified compositions comprise a curable polydiorganosiloxane oligourea segmented copolymer which has alternating soft polydiorganosiloxane units and hard diisocyanate residues, the diisocyanate residue being the diisocyanate minus the —NCO groups. The units are connected together by urea linkages and the copolymer has end groups that are reactive under free radical or moisture cure conditions, and silicate resin. Also provided are pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot melt adhesives, and vibration damping composites, vibration damping constrained layer constructions, a bi-directional vibration damping constrained layer constructions, vibration damping shaped articles as well as a method of vibrationally damping an article and processes for producing curable vibration damping material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Kurt C. Melancon, Walter R. Romanko, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Albert I. Everaerts
  • Patent number: 6406244
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stack of flexible sheet material comprising a plurality of sheets disposed one on top of another, each sheet having repositionable adhesive along one edge and being free of adhesive along the opposite edge and the sheets are stacked with the repositionable adhesive edge of each sheet disposed along alternate opposite edges to maintain the sheets in the stack, characterized in that the stack comprises at least two sheets that are different from each other. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for obtaining a stack of sheets as defined above and a dispenser comprising a stack of sheets as defined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Frederic P. A. Le Riche
  • Patent number: 6395376
    Abstract: A tamper indicating device includes a light transmissive backing and a layer of adhesive. The backing comprises a blown film including a first, continuous phase and a second, discontinuous phase. The backing is normally light transmissive, and becomes opaque upon tampering sufficient to internally delaminate said backing. Preferably, the blown film contains from 60 to 85 parts by weight of the first, continuous phase and from 15 to 40 parts by weight of the second, discontinuous phase. More preferably, the first phase comprises polypropylene and the second phase comprises an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer or ethylene/vinyl alcohol ant copolymer or an ethylene/vinyl acetate/vinyl alcohol terpolymer. The tamper indicating device can include either or both of an initially viewable indicia that becomes obscured upon internal delamination of the backing and a latent indicia that becomes viewable upon internal delamination of the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Julian B. Cooley
  • Patent number: 6383612
    Abstract: A drying agent for inkjet receptor media is disclosed. The drying agent can be an aromatic or aliphatic acid having sulfonic, carboxylic, phenolic or mixed functionalities thereof, which in combination with a multivalent salt is capable of drying the film in a manner to obtain a smudge-free rapidly dried image onto and in the medium when the image is printed. Methods of using the drying agent in a coating solution, on and in an inkjet receptor media, and in interaction with inkjet inks are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Clinton P. Waller, Jr., Omar Farooq
  • Patent number: 6383613
    Abstract: To provide a method for the production of a decorative film, by which minute uneven patterns can randomly be formed on a metal layer, and a decorative film which presents rainbow color appearances irrespective of observing directions. The decorative film of the present invention is produced from a decorative film precursor comprising the first resin layer, the second layer having a thickness of 0.3 to 0.8 &mgr;m, and a metal layer, which are laminated in this order. When the decorative film precursor is heated at a specific temperature for a certain time, and then cooled, the second resin layer reversibly expands and shrinks. During the expansion and shrinkage of the second resin layer, the metal layer in contact with the second resin layer plastically deforms, and minute uneven patterns are formed. The minute uneven patterns function as a diffraction gratin which presents rainbow color appearances irrespective of observing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Takeda
  • Patent number: 6379444
    Abstract: An organic solvent-based piezo ink is disclosed having (a) a particulate material; (b) a binder; (c) a plasticizer; (d) an organic solvent; (e) a fluorochemical surfactant; and (f) an antifoaming agent including an oil. Preferably, the particulate material is provided by an antifoaming silicone oil. Optionally, light and heat stabilizers are also included. Methods of making and using this ink are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald R. Adkins, Robert W. Vorwerk, Ronald K. Thery
  • Patent number: 6358457
    Abstract: A method of biaxially stretching a polymeric film along an overbias stretch profile having the steps of (a) imparting a sufficiently high temperature to the film to allow a significant amount of biaxial stretch; and (b) biaxial tenter stretching the film to a final first direction stretch parameter and a final second direction stretch parameter, wherein at least 75% of the final first direction stretch parameter is attained before no more than 50% of the final second direction stretch parameter is attained, and wherein the final first direction stretch parameter is no greater than the final second direction stretch parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chiu Ping Wong, Thomas P. Hanschen, Anthony B. Ferguson, William W. Merrill, Fred J. Roska, Jeffery N. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6355759
    Abstract: Melt-processable polydiorganosiloxane polyurea segmented copolymer compositions are provided. The compositions comprise alternating soft polydiorganosiloxane units and hard diisocyanate residue units, the diisocyanate residue being the diisocyanate minus the —NCO groups, the units being connected together by urea linkages which also provide hard units. The compositions are prepared by continuously providing at least one diisocyanate and at least one polydiorganosiloxane diamine to a reactor, mixing the diisocyanate and the polydiorganosiloxane diamine in the reactor under substantially solvent-free conditions, allowing the diisocyanate and polydiorganosiloxane diamine to react to form a polydiorganosiloxane polyurea copolymer, and conveying the copolymer from the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Walter R. Romanko, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Kurt C. Melancon, Constance J. Nelson, Jayshree Seth
  • Patent number: 6352766
    Abstract: A low adhesion backsize (LAB) material made by mixing together materials, which self-associate. The mixtures can be waterbased and have high solids levels. The release is provided by functional groups such as silicones, fluorocarbons or long chain hydrocarbons. Release level can be tailored with release levels as low as the 0.5 gram/cm range to microsphere adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Crandall, Steven S. Kantner
  • Patent number: 6351537
    Abstract: A verifiable holographic article comprises a substrate comprising (a) at least one hologram; and (b) at least one covert image that is convertible to an overt image using a decoding sampling device, e.g., a photocopier, that produces an aliasing or moire effect. The article cost-effectively provides both “first line” and “second line” security features and can be easily, quickly, and safely verified or authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sergiy Dovgodko, Domenica Kirchmeyer
  • Patent number: 6322874
    Abstract: An electrostatic toner receptor layer comprised of a blend of an acrylic resin, a vinyl resin, a solution or dispersion grade rubber and a plasticizer. The resulting receptor layer provide durability and flexibility when applied to a crack resistance film for subsequent application to soft-sided vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, Eric J. Hanson, Jennifer Jeannette
  • Patent number: 6322657
    Abstract: A minimum visibility seam tape and method of joining at least two substrates with the tape. The substrates joined typically are sign faces or awnings comprising a composite of thermoplastics and a woven scrim. The seam tape is a woven or nonwoven scrim embedded in or coated with a thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James A. Pontuti, Robert W. Warner, Richard F. Theissen, John A. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6316120
    Abstract: An image receptor medium including an image reception layer having two major opposing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey O. Emslander
  • Patent number: 6303067
    Abstract: A method of biaxially stretching a polymeric film according to an overbias or overstretch stretch profile to a final first direction stretch parameter and a final second direction stretch parameter to provide a film having uniform properties. First, a sufficiently high temperature is imparted to the film to allow a significant amount of biaxial stretch. The film is then biaxially tenter stretched to a peak first direction stretch parameter that is at least 1.3 times the final first direction stretch parameter wherein the final first direction stretch parameter is no larger than the final second direction stretch parameter. Finally, the film is retracted in the first direction from the peak first direction stretch parameter to the final first direction stretch parameter to produce a film having uniformity of properties in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chiu Ping Wong, Thomas P. Hanschen, Anthony B. Ferguson, William W. Merrill, Fred J. Roska, Jeffery N. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6296932
    Abstract: An adhesive coated article comprises a layer of microsphere adhesive onto a portion of at least one major surface of a substrate. The microspheres in the adhesive are obtained as the reaction product of (a) at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate ester wherein the alkyl group contains four to about 14 carbon atoms, preferably four to about 10 carbon atoms and (b) a comonomer(s). The comonomer may be a nonpolar, ionic, polar comonomer or mixtures of such monomers. This microsphere adhesive either contains a (meth)acrylamide comonomer or a polyacrylamide material is post-added to the microsphere adhesive. The adhesive exhibits a lower than expected adhesion to coated papers without sacrificing the adhesion to standard uncoated (bond) papers and preferably, the 90° peel adhesion, as measured on Kromkote® paper (used as an industry standard) is in the range of 20 to 250 grams/inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Crandall, Terrence E. Cooprider
  • Patent number: 6294250
    Abstract: An adhesive film is disclosed which can achieve, at the same time, bubble escapability during adhering, permanent and high peel resistance, and good appearance of the film surface after being adhered. The adhesive film comprises a substrate film, a primer layer formed on said substrate film, and an upper layer which is formed on said primer layer and contains elastic microspheres and a first adhesive polymer, wherein said primer layer comprises a second adhesive polymer and has a compressive modulus of 1×106 to 1×107 dyn/cm2, and said elastic microspheres comprises a third adhesive polymer and has a volume average diameter of 10 to 300 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Abe Date
  • Patent number: D448413
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bruce W. Carlson, Steven E. Turch, Bruce E. Samuelson, Paul J. Richtman
  • Patent number: RE37563
    Abstract: An adhesive composition is provided comprising: (a) a plurality of polymeric, elastomeric microspheres wherein the microspheres are the reaction product of reactants comprising polymerizable starting materials comprising at least one C4-C14 alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer and optionally at least one comonomer and have a solvent soluble portion that is 30-98% of the microsphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terrence E. Cooprider, Michael D. Crandall, James E. Garbe, Richard J. Goetz, Michael R. Kesti
  • Patent number: D454911
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bruce W. Carlson, Gerald E. Mueller, Steven E. Turch, John M. Pilgrim