Patents by Inventor Edward J. Downing

Edward J. Downing has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4591189
    Abstract: A standardized document such as a credit card has a thin, light-transmissive, electrically conductive interior layer, the impedance, capacitance, or conductance of which can be sensed to indicate the authenticity of the document. When the document is cut to expose a new edge, the authenticating layer at that edge is not visible to the naked eye and hence should foil the ordinary counterfeiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Reynold E. Holmen, Edward J. Downing
  • Patent number: 4430366
    Abstract: Most processes for the generation of metal oxide or metal sulfide films involved oxidation of existing metal layers or direct vapor deposition of the oxide or sulfide layer. These processes do not provide efficient control of film integrity, optical properties, and bonding. The use of a metal vapor deposition process in which a controlled amount of oxygen or sulfur containing gas or vapor is introduced into the metal vapor stream or portions enables formation of metal oxide or metal sulfide films with excellent control over the film properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: George H. Crawford, Edward J. Downing, Roy G. Schlemmer
  • Patent number: 4405678
    Abstract: The use of organic materials containing carbonyl groups (which are not part of carboxyl group), phenoxy groups, ester groups, or alcohol groups over vapor deposited metal layers improves their mar resistance. These organic materials can improve the properties of the metal layer when used in photoresist imaging films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Downing, Richard S. Fisch
  • Patent number: 4364995
    Abstract: Most processes for the generation of metal oxide or metal sulfide films involved oxidation of existing metal layers or direct vapor deposition of the oxide or sulfide layer. These processes do not provide efficient control of film integrity, optical properties, and bonding. The use of a metal vapor deposition process in which a controlled amount of oxygen or sulfur containing gas or vapor is introduced into the metal vapor stream or portions enables formation of metal oxide or metal sulfide films with excellent control over the film properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: George H. Crawford, Edward J. Downing, Roy G. Schlemmer
  • Patent number: 4156751
    Abstract: A flexible sheet material for forming an envelope used to enclose and protect electronic components from electrostatic charges during storage and shipment. The sheet material is sufficiently transparent to afford visual identification of an electronic component through the envelope, while including a polymeric sheet having a high volume resistivity to electrically isolate a component within the envelope, an antistatic material which is disposed at an inner surface of the envelope for dissipating and restricting electrostatic charges on components within the envelope, and a highly conductive layer which is then disposed on the outer surface of the polymeric sheet and provides a highly conductive outer surface on the envelope for grounding electrostatic charges brought into contact with the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald M. Yenni, Jr., Steven W. Knutsen, Edward J. Downing
  • Patent number: 4154344
    Abstract: A flexible material for forming an envelope used to enclose and protect electronic components from electrostatic charges during storage and shipment. The material is sufficiently transparent to afford visual identification of an electronic component through the envelope, while including a sheet of polymeric material having a high volume resistivity to electrically isolate a component within the envelope, an antistatic material which is disposed at an inner surface of the envelope for dissipating and restricting electrostatic charges on components within the envelope, and a highly conductive layer which is then disposed on the outer surface of the polymeric sheet and provides a highly conductive outer surface on the envelope for grounding electrostatic charges brought into contact with the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald M. Yenni, Jr., Steven W. Knutsen, Edward J. Downing