Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Dale A. Bjorkman
  • Patent number: 6137519
    Abstract: A system and method of reducing striations in electrostatic printing is provided by varying plate firing sequences in a pattern of nib groups on the writing head of an electrostatic printer to visually mute the effects of sequence striations. This variation, in combination with other techniques, minimize multiplexing striations that affect adversely the print quality of data emerging from high speed, wide width electrostatic printers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Speckhard, Takashi Horikawa
  • Patent number: 6113679
    Abstract: An organic solvent-based piezo ink is disclosed having (a) pigment particles; (b) binder; (c) plasticizer; (d) organic solvent; (e) a fluorochemical surfactant; and (f) an antifoaming agent comprising silica and silicone oil. Optionally light and heat stabilizers are also included. Method of making and using this ink are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald R. Adkins, Robert M. Vorwerk, Ronald K. Thery
  • Patent number: 6114022
    Abstract: An inkjet receptor medium wherein the medium is microporous and has on one major surface an imaging layer comprising a coating of a mixture of amorphous precipitated and fumed silicas and binder. Dot diameter of pigmented inkjet inks can be controlled using the receptor medium, which is advantageous for inks delivered in small picoliter volumes. Methods of making and using the medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David Warner, Loren R. Schreader
  • Patent number: 6103369
    Abstract: A highly moisture vapor transmissive adhesive composite is disclosed comprising at least three layers, a polymeric backing layer, a high moisture vapor transmission layer, and a skin contacting adhesive layer. The high moisture vapor transmission layer may be made from a polymeric backing material, an adhesive material or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald H. Lucast, Steven B. Heinecke
  • Patent number: 6080418
    Abstract: A composition comprising two suspensions: A) an aqueous suspension of microcapsules containing biologically active materials and B) an adhesive suspension of adhesive microspheres. The composition is useful for adhering microencapsulated biologically active material onto an intended substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ashok Sengupta, Kent E. Nielsen, Galina Barinshteyn, Kai Li, John P. Banovetz
  • Patent number: 6071614
    Abstract: Microporous fluorinated silica agglomerates are disclosed and their method of preparation from a reaction of colloidal silica of small particle sizes with an alkylamine (or a hindered amine) and hydrofluoric acid or with alkylammonium fluoride, under convenient laboratory conditions at an atmospheric pressure. The agglomerate is useful to interact with dispersants surrounding inkjet ink pigment particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Omar Farooq
  • Patent number: 6054213
    Abstract: Acrylate copolymer pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) which incorporate relatively small amounts of a plasticizer are disclosed. The resulting PSAs exhibit improved low temperature performance and minimal effect on other properties, when used as adhesives for graphic marking films. The adhesive system has been found to allow the graphic marking film to be applied at temperatures as low as 20.degree. F. (-7.degree. C.) and to improve the ability of the film to be applied to a substrate without trapping air between the marking film and the substrate. The adhesive system of the marking film also demonstrates resistance to tenting around the compound curved surfaces of rivet heads and corrugations typical of truck trailer sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Peacock, Albert I. Everaerts, Kenneth D. Wilson, Stephen J. Galick
  • Patent number: 6025406
    Abstract: Photocurable, addition polymerizable compositions contain an epoxy resin and a photoinitiator system containing (a) an epoxy resin and (b) a photoinitiator system comprising: (i) an iodonium salt; (ii) a visible light sensitizer; and (iii) an electron donor compound, wherein the photoinitiator system has a photoinduced potential of at least about 0 mV relative to a standard solution of 2.9.times.10.sup.-5 moles/g diphenyl iodonium hexafluoroantimonate and 1.5.times.10.sup.-5 moles/g camphorquinone in 2-butanone. The compositions cure on exposure to light in the visible spectrum and are useful in a variety of applications, including dental adhesives and composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joel D. Oxman, Dwight W. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6022403
    Abstract: Pigmented inks are disclosed comprising an aqueous medium, a pigment, a dispersant, and a humectant. Inks are disclosed where the humectant is a sulfonated polyethylene oxide which provides long decap times and fast drying of the printed image. Inks are further disclosed where the dispersant is an alkyl(sulfophenoxy)benzenesulfonic acid or its salt. Such dispersants reduce the agglomeration of pigment particles and reduce or eliminate the deposition of foreign substances on heater elements during the jetting process. A variety of pigments, dispersants, humectants, and aqueous media can be used. Combinations of a sulfonated polyethylene oxide humectant and an alkyl(sulfophenoxy)benzenesulfonic acid (salt) dispersant provide inks with good stability, few kogation problems, long decap times and relatively fast drying times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Richard J. Kuo
  • Patent number: 6017660
    Abstract: Photocurable addition-polymerizable compositions containing a free-radically-polymerizable monomer and a photoinitiator system containing i) an arylidonium salt, ii) a sensitizing compound, and iii) an electron donor having an oxidation potential that is greater than zero and less than or equal to that of p-dimethyoxybenzene (1.32 volts vs. S.C.E.). The compositions cure rapidly and deeply under ultraviolet or visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Palazzotto, F. Andrew Ubel, III, Joel D. Oxman, M. Zaki Ali
  • Patent number: 6015606
    Abstract: An adhesive film for decoration prepared by coating an adhesive on a surface of a film substrate, characterized in that the adhesive has microspheres, an elastic modulus of the to 1 microspheres is 1.times.10.sup.4 to 1.times.10.sup.7 dyn/cm.sup.2 and their particle diameter is 10 to 100 .mu.m (volume average diameter).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Abe
  • Patent number: 5965243
    Abstract: The invention is textured surface release layers for dielectric substrates used in liquid electrostatic imaging processes. The invention also includes means of providing textured release surfaces for dielectric substrates, and a method of liquid electrostatic imaging using textured dielectric substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terri L. Butler, Kathryn R. Bretscher, Mark C. Berens, James A. Baker, Gaye K. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5961967
    Abstract: A candle is provided for delivery of an active ingredient comprising a multiphase construction of a continuous first matrix and a second matrix dispersed therein. The first matrix comprises a thermoplastic material, and the second matrix comprises a thermoplastic material which additionally comprises an active ingredient. The second matrix is a discrete phase of small bodies having size in longest dimension between about 0.05 microns to about 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: W. Nigel Powell, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5962109
    Abstract: A backlit sign and its method of making and usage is disclosed. The sign has a translucent film with a first image, of color, a light-filtering film with a second image of color or of a graphic, and a masking film with a third image of a graphic. The order of assembly of the films determines whether a change of color or a change in graphics or both is achieved when the assembled sign is backlit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: William T. Schwietz
  • Patent number: 5935535
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a multi-component composition in which the composition includes a first component and a second component in a predetermined weight to weight ratio, and in which the first component and said second component undergo an undesirable chemical reaction with each other when brought into contact with each other. The apparatus includes a receptacle for storing one of the first component or the second component that is adapted to receive the other of the first component or the second component from a separate source to form the predetermined quantity of multi-component composition having the first component and the second component in a predetermined weight to weight ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Sumita B. Mitra
  • Patent number: 5925715
    Abstract: A dental cement system containing a photocurable ionomer, reactive powder and water undergoes both a conventional setting reaction and a photocuring reaction.The cement system can provide a long working time and can be cured on demand by exposure to an appropriate source of radiant energy. The surface of the cement cured in this manner is then hard enough to allow subsequent clinical procedures to be performed, while the ongoing chemical-cure "setting" reaction hardens the remainder of the cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Sumita B. Mitra
  • Patent number: 5922786
    Abstract: A multiple-part dental adhesive primer composition is provided in at least two parts, A and B. Part A comprises an acidic polymerizable compound and a polymerizable diluent. This part is selected such that if water is present the pH of Part A is greater than about 2. Part B comprises an acidic material such that the pH of Part B is below about 2. Methods of bonding substrates are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sumita B. Mitra, Robert D. Kuehn
  • Patent number: 5888491
    Abstract: Coatings for hard tissue and surfaces of the oral environment are provided that reduce adhesion of bacteria and proteinaceous substances to these surfaces. Methods of reducing adhesion of these materials to such surfaces, and polymers for incorporation into such coatings are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sumita B. Mitra, Charles E. Shelburne, Sharon M. Rozzi, Brant L. Kedrowski
  • Patent number: 5876208
    Abstract: Coatings for hard tissue and surfaces of the oral environment are provided that reduce adhesion of bacteria and proteinaceous substances to these surfaces. Methods of reducing adhesion of these materials to such surfaces, and polymers for incorporation into such coatings are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sumita B. Mitra, Sharon M. Rozzi, Brant L. Kedrowski
  • Patent number: 5866630
    Abstract: Coatings for hard tissue and surfaces of the oral environment are provided that reduce adhesion of bacteria and proteinaceous substances to these surfaces. Methods of reducing adhesion of these materials to such surfaces, and polymers for incorporation into such coatings are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sumita B. Mitra, Charles E. Shelburne, Sharon M. Rozzi, Brant L. Kedrowski