Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Bradford B. Wright
  • Patent number: 7744997
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an adhesive article. The adhesive article comprises a first layer comprising a transparent film, the first layer having a first major surface and a second major surface. Additionally, the adhesive article comprises a second layer comprising a fluid transport substrate, the second layer having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface of the second layer being in contact with the second major surface of the first layer and a third layer comprising a fluid transportable ink, the third layer being associated with the second major surface of the second layer. The adhesive article then comprises an adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Russell D. Birkholz, Paul R. LaBrosse, James S. Mrozinski, Ramon T. Ignacio
  • Patent number: 7691932
    Abstract: A mixture of layered silicate, block copolymer having at least one block that is compatible with the first layered silicate, and a solvent is sheared while the solvent is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James M. Nelson, Ryan E. Marx, John W. Longabach, Kenneth J. Hanley, Mark E. Napierala, Myles L. Brostrom, Jeffrey J. Cernohous
  • Patent number: 7635452
    Abstract: A system for measuring diffusion of a compound across a membrane generally comprises a membrane held between a first base having a plurality of outwardly extending hollow projections and a second base fastened to the first base and having a plurality of recessed tapered openings therein adapted to engage the plurality of hollow projections. Methods for measuring membrane diffusion using such systems are included. The system components are also provided in kit form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen B. Roscoe, Neal A. Rakow, Michael L. Husberg, Lester H. McIntosh, III
  • Patent number: 7628829
    Abstract: An abrasive article comprises a porous abrasive member, a nonwoven filter medium, and a porous attachment fabric. A plurality of openings in the porous abrasive member cooperates with the nonwoven filter medium to allow the flow of particles from an outer abrasive surface of the porous abrasive member to the porous attachment fabric. Methods of making and using the abrasive articles are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Thomas W. Rambosek, Seyed A. Angadjivand, Mary B. Donovan, Rufus C. Sanders, Jr., Yeun-Jong Chou
  • Patent number: 7618306
    Abstract: Conformable abrasive article comprising: a backing having a first major surface; a deformable material contacting a central portion of the first major surface; an elastic member affixed to the first major surface of the backing and together with the backing enclosing the deformable material; and an abrasive member affixed to the elastic member, wherein the abrasive member comprises abrasive particles and a binder; and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Felipe, Sr., James W. Schutz, Gregory A. Koehnle, Michael J. Annen, Albert I. Everaerts
  • Patent number: 7572848
    Abstract: A coatable composition that comprises water, a film-forming organic polymer, and a leveling agent comprising an anionic species represented by the formula wherein Rf represents a perfluoroalkyl group having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, and R represents H or an alkyl group having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patricia M. Savu, Michael J. Parent, William M. Lamanna
  • Patent number: 7560166
    Abstract: An adhesive article comprising a fluorothermoplastic film having a major surface; and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to at least a portion of the first major surface, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a silicone polyurea block copolymer and an MQ tackifying resin. Composite articles preparable from the adhesive articles, and methods of making the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: George G. I. Moore, John C. Clark, Audrey A. Sherman, Mark W. Muggli, Kurt C. Melancon, Timothy D. Filiatrault, Naiyong Jing
  • Patent number: 7556774
    Abstract: A method of making an optochemical sensor, the method comprising: providing a reflective substrate having a major surface; affixing a detection layer comprising at least one intrinsically microporous polymer to at least a portion of the major surface; depositing a substantially continuous semi-reflective metallic layer on at least a portion of the detection layer, the semi-reflective metallic layer comprising palladium and having a network of fine irregular cracks therein; and heating the detection layer and semi-reflective metallic layer in the presence of molecular oxygen at a temperature sufficient to cause the cracks to widen. Sensors prepared according to method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Neal A. Rakow, Michael S. Wendland, Michael C. Palazzotto, Dora M. Paolucci, Richard J. Poirier, Stefan H. Gryska, John E. Trend, Moses M. David
  • Patent number: 7517455
    Abstract: A method of extracting ethanol from a feed solution using a liquid-liquid extraction system including an outer chamber and an inner chamber. The outer chamber is adapted to contain one of a feed solution and a liquid extractant and defines a containment region. The inner chamber is adapted to contain the other of the feed solution and the liquid extractant within a lower portion of the inner chamber. The inner chamber is defined by a microporous membrane sleeve that internally maintains a frame. Upon final assembly, at least the lower portion of the inner chamber is positioned within the containment region of the outer chamber such that the microporous membrane sleeve establishes an extraction interface between contents of the inner and outer chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dan L. Fanselow, Todd W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7513985
    Abstract: Methods of electrochemically fluorinating an acrylate polymer, and products therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: George G. I. Moore
  • Patent number: 7491251
    Abstract: A method of making an abrasive product includes compacting a cohesive layer of abrasive particles and particulate curable binder precursor prior to forming curable shaped structures, and then at least partially curing the curable binder precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dennis G. Welygan, Kyongcheol Lee, Louis S. Moren
  • Patent number: 7425374
    Abstract: A composition comprising a fluorinated surfactant. Also, an unseparated reaction product obtained by reacting an epoxide and either an acid alcohol or an acid mercaptan. Additionally, a coatable composition comprising a leveling agent, water, and a film-forming organic polymer. The present application also provides a method of coating and a coated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Zai-Ming Qiu
  • Patent number: 7410413
    Abstract: A structured abrasive article comprises a backing, a structured abrasive layer affixed to the backing, the structured abrasive layer comprising: a plurality of raised abrasive regions, each raised abrasive region consisting essentially of a close-packed plurality of pyramidal abrasive composites; and a network consisting essentially of close-packed truncated pyramidal abrasive composites, wherein the network continuously abuts and separates the raised abrasive regions from one another. The height of the pyramidal abrasive composites is greater than the height of the truncated pyramidal abrasive composites. Methods of making and using the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Craig F. Lamphere, Gregory A. Koehnle
  • Patent number: 7344575
    Abstract: A curable composition comprises epoxy resin preparable by reaction of epichlorohydrin with at least one of bisphenol A or bisphenol F, polyfunctional urethane(meth)acrylate, dicyandiamide and photoinitiator. The curable composition is useful for preparing treated backings and coated abrasive articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ernest L. Thurber, Marcos R. Nery, Jeffrey S. Peterson, Don H. Kincaid, Gregory A. Berg, James L. McArdle, Steven J. Keipert
  • Patent number: 7344574
    Abstract: A coated abrasive article has a backing treatment preparable by at least partially polymerizing an isotropic backing treatment precursor comprising polyepoxide, polyfunctional urethane (meth)acrylate, non-urethane polyfunctional (meth)acrylate, acidic free-radically polymerizable monomer, dicyandiamide, photoinitiator. Methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ernest L. Thurber, Don H. Kincaid, James L. McArdle, Steven J. Keipert
  • Patent number: 7342080
    Abstract: Polymerizable fluorinated polyethers are formed by Michael-type addition of a reactive fluorinated polyether to a poly(meth)acryl compound. The polymerizable fluorinated polyethers may be used to form composite articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zai-Ming Qiu, Thomas P. Klun, Naiyong Jing, William D. Coggio
  • Patent number: 7338355
    Abstract: An abrasive article having an apertured coated abrasive member, filter media, and an attachment interface member is formed by an ultrasonic welding process. The abrasive article is useful for abrading a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rufus C. Sanders, Jr., Timothy J. Rowell, Satinder K. Nayar
  • Patent number: 7304101
    Abstract: Anionic species are removed from aqueous dispersions of ionic fluoropolymers using anion exchange resins. In some embodiments, cationic species are also removed using cation exchange resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Klaus Hintzer, Kai H. Lochhaas, Tanja Zeif, Steven J. Hamrock, Harold T. Freemyer
  • Patent number: 7304106
    Abstract: A nanocomposite precursor comprises a plurality of nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in an organic binder precursor. The nanocomposite precursor is useful for forming a nanocomposite, suitable for use as a protective coating, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles is homogeneously dispersed in an organic binder. The nanoparticles comprise Ti/Sb mixed oxide nanoparticles containing a rutile-like crystalline phase, wherein the ensemble average rutile-like crystalline phase content of the Ti/Sb mixed oxide nanoparticles is at least 20 weight percent, and wherein the weight ratio of antimony to titanium in the Ti/Sb mixed oxide nanoparticles is in a range of from at least 0.42 up to and including 2.93.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John T. Brady, David S. Arney
  • Patent number: 7294667
    Abstract: Coated abrasive articles comprise a composition comprising binder and at least about 25% by weight graphite particles, based on the total solids content of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael L. Teetzel