Patents Represented by Attorney James V. Lilly
  • Patent number: 6906145
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a substrate having a fluoropolymer on at least one of its surfaces wherein one of the substrates or the fluoropolymer comprises a hydride function MH wherein M is Si, Ge, Sn or Pb. The invention further comprises articles comprising the substrate and fluoropolymer; a method of bonding the fluoropolymer to the substrate; a fluoropolymer composition that contains the fluoropolymer, a polyhydroxy cure composition, and an organic composition comprising the hydride function MH; a premix that contains the fluoropolymer and the hydride function MH; and a fluoropolymer composition that comprises (a) a thermoplastic fluoropolymer comprising Cl, Brand/or I atoms and (b) an organic compound that comprises the hydride function MH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ludo Govaerts, Dirk H. Arren, Tatsuo Fukushi, William D. Coggio, Klaus Hintzer, Harald Kaspar
  • Patent number: 6870489
    Abstract: A reusable mechanical fastening means for a vehicle monitoring system facilitates maintenance and repair of the system. A plurality of carrier sections are connected together by clips. The clips have release tabs to move prongs against a spring force, thereby making the clips manually detachable. Vehicle sensing probes have interference ridges which mate with probe openings in the carrier sections. The carrier sections have open bottoms, and the worker can overcome the locking force of the interference ridge by turning the carrier section over and pressing on the probe through the open bottom. The clips can be attached on multiple planes relative to the carrier sections, minimizing torsional play within the extended support train. The clips and carrier sections are also easily manufacturable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Eric R. Cybulski
  • Patent number: 6833043
    Abstract: A method for increasing the adhesion of a first layer comprising a fluoropolymer substantially free of interpolymerized units derived from vinylidene fluoride to a second layer comprising a curable elastomer is described. The method comprises adding a dehydrofluorinating composition to the curable elastomer, contacting the layers and curing the layered article so formed. The resulting multilayer compositions and articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward E. Parsonage, Robert E. Kolb
  • Patent number: 6833403
    Abstract: Fluorine-containing emulsifiers can be removed from fluoropolymer dispersions by adding to the dispersion a nonionic emulsifier, removing the fluorine-containing emulsifier by contact with an anion exchanger and separating the dispersion from the anion exchanger. The resulting dispersions can be concentrated and used for coating applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hermann Blädel, Klaus Hintzer, Gernot Löhr, Werner Schwertfeger, Reinhard Albert Sulzbach
  • Patent number: 6780481
    Abstract: A melt processable polymer composition that comprises a thermoplastic non-aliphatic host polymer and a minor but effective amount of a fluoropolymer processing aid, and a method of improving the melt processability of the host polymer are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Claude Lavallée, Maria P. Dillon, Thomas J. Blong, Susan S. Woods, Shannon S. Le Blanc
  • Patent number: 6773755
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the bond strength between a VDF-containing fluoroplastic layer and an elastomer layer of a multi-layer article. A VDF-containing fluoroplastic composition is applied to the surface of a precursor article that includes a curable elastomer layer to form a fluoroplastic layer. Prior to application of the fluoroplastic composition, the curable elastomer layer is thermally insulated to prevent it from undergoing substantial heating. Following application, the fluoroplastic layer is heated and the curable elastomer layer is cured (e.g., thermally cured). Preferably, the elastomer cure occurs separately from and subsequent to heating the fluoroplastic layer. The combination of thermally insulating the curable elastomer layer prior to application of the fluoroplastic composition and heating the fluoroplastic layer following application of the fluoroplastic composition results in formation of a strong bond between the fluoroplastic and elastomer layers upon cure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Tatsuo Fukushi, Robert E. Kolb, Craig R. Hoff, Steven J. Wellner, Attila Molnar
  • Patent number: 6753087
    Abstract: A multi-layer structure includes a fluoropolymer bonded to a substrate. The structure is prepared by heating a bonding composition to form the bond. The bonding composition includes an amino-substituted organosilane. The bonding composition includes non-adhesive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Andrew M. Hine, William J. Schultz, Trang D. Pham, Christopher A. Haak
  • Patent number: 6750304
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a fluoropolymer comprising repeating units derived from one or more gaseous fluorinated monomers. The method comprises an aqueous emulsion polymerization of gaseous fluorinated monomers in the presence of an ether selected from the group consisting of dimethyl ether (DME), methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Harald Kaspar, Klaus Hintzer, Karl-Dieter Weilandt, Jost Krichel, Erik Peters, Lisa P. Chen
  • Patent number: 6734252
    Abstract: A polymer processing aid composition, a melt processable thermoplastic hydrocarbon polymer composition that uses the polymer processing aid, and a method of improving the melt processability of a thermoplastic hydrocarbon polymer are provided. The polymer processing aid composition comprises a major amount of a fluorothermoplastic polymer that comprises interpolymerized units derived from vinylidene fluoride, at least one ethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable fluorinated monomer, and, optionally, at least one low molecular weight non-fluorinated olefin monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Susan S. Woods
  • Patent number: 6720360
    Abstract: High purity fluoropolymers are obtained by the emulsion polymerization process, removing essentially all ions and coagulating the polymer essentially without adding ions. These polymers are useful in the field of electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Werner M. A. Grootaert, Georg Burkard, William D. Coggio, Klaus Hintzer, Bernhard Hirsch, Robert E. Kolb, Albert Killich, Gernot Loehr
  • Patent number: 6713141
    Abstract: A low-molecular-weight copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with units of perfluoro alkyl vinyl ethers having a melt index of ≧30 suitable as a mixing component with a higher-molecular-weight copolymer of the same monomers for producing moldings in injection molding or by extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Companyz
    Inventors: Ralph Kaulbach, Friedrich Kloos, Gernot Löhr, Peter Stamprech
  • Patent number: 6706193
    Abstract: Fluorinated emulsifiers can be recovered from an aqueous phase containing small amounts of fluoropolymer particles by treating the aqueous phase with a small amount of a nonionic surface-active agent, bringing the aqueous phase adjusted in this way into contact with an anionic exchanger resin, and liberating the adsorbed emulsifier from the exchanger resin. The finely divided fluoropolymer can be precipitated quantitatively in the untreated aqueous phase or the eluate using flocculating agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Georg Burkard, Klaus Hintzer, Gernot Löhr
  • Patent number: 6703520
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a desired halogenated ester, which process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting (A) a substantially organic solvent free liquid mixture of (i) an alkanolate of the formula M—O—Z, wherein M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and Z is a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and (ii) a diester with (B) a halogenated ethylenically unsaturated olefin at a temperature of not more than 40° C. and with a mol ratio of halogenated ethylenically unsaturated olefin to alkanolate of not more than 1.1; (b) contacting an acid with a thus obtained reaction mixture thereby obtaining a mixture comprising the desired halogenated ester; and (c) recovering the halogenated ester from said reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Klaus Hintzer, Egon Obermaier, Werner Schwertfeger
  • Patent number: 6696526
    Abstract: A low-molecular-weight copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with units of perfluoro alkyl vinyl ethers having a melt index of ≧30 suitable as a mixing component with a higher-molecular-weight copolymer of the same monomers for producing moldings in injection molding or by extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ralph Kaulbach, Friedrich Kloos, Gernot Löhr, Peter Stamprech
  • Patent number: 6693164
    Abstract: The invention relates to high purity fluoropolymers and processes for making such materials. These polymers are particularly suited for applications in the semiconductor industry. The process comprises removal of unstable polymer end groups by fluorination and removal of heavy metal impurities by extraction with an aqueous acid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Blong, Denis Duchesne, Gernot Loehr, Albert Killich, Tilman Zipplies, Ralph Kaulbach, Herbert Strasser
  • Patent number: 6693152
    Abstract: Emulsifier free fluoropolymer manufacturing method in which (a) a mixture of an oxidizing agent and reducing agent is used to start the polymerization and where one or the other but not both, are further added during polymerization, or (b) an oxidizing metal ion is added to start polymerization and where additional oxidizing metal ion is added during polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Harald Kaspar, Klaus Hintzer, Greet Dewitte
  • Patent number: 6686012
    Abstract: A multi-layer article featuring a fluoroplastic layer bonded to a non-fluorinated polymer layer in which the fluoroplastic has a melting point of at least 200° C. and contains interpolymerized units of at least TFE and VDF, the amount of VDF being at least 0.1% by weight, but less than than 20% by weight. Also useful are fluoroplastics containing at least TFE and VDF in which the amount of VDF units is between 0.1 and 15% by weight. Such polymers may optionally have melting points greater than 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Attila Molnar, Edward E. Parsonage, Denis D. Duchesne, Tatsuo Fukushi
  • Patent number: 6685793
    Abstract: A multi-layer structure includes a layer of a fluoropolymer bonded to a substrate. The structure is prepared by exposing a bonding composition to actinic radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation, to form the bond. The bonding composition includes a light-absorbing electron donor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Naiyong Jing
  • Patent number: 6683255
    Abstract: The preparation, processing and use of foamed polytetrafluoroethylene is described. Extrusion of polytetrafluoroethylene with a foaming agent gives a product which can be used in the electrical industry, in the chemical industry or in chemical or plant engineering. The advantage over other processes is that the product can be prepared in a simple manner. Possible application sectors are cables, coaxial cables, gaskets, filters, filter screens, membranes and absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gunter Kolmschlag, Armin Steurer
  • Patent number: D511187
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robert T. Krasa