Patents Represented by Attorney C. Michael Geise
  • Patent number: 8344190
    Abstract: Process for producing fluorinated olefins from fluorinated materials, the process comprising thermally decomposing the fluoropolymers into fluoroolefins in a reactor having a feeding zone where the fluorinated materials are fed into the reactor and a decomposition zone where the fluorinated materials are thermally decomposed and wherein the thermal decomposition is carried out in the presence of microwave irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Klaus Hintzer, Gunther J. Kaempf, Thomas Kolbeck, Tilman C. Zipplies, Monika A. Willert-Porada, Thorsten Gerdes, Achim Schmidt-Rodenkirchen
  • Patent number: 8343895
    Abstract: Additives for reducing the loss of drilling fluid into the formation surrounding a wellbore during the drilling process as well as drilling fluids comprising the additives and methods of using such additives. The additive includes elastomeric, polymeric, and acrylate, non-agglomerated microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dirk Van de Peer, Francois Cyriel D'Haese, Rudolf J. Dams
  • Patent number: 8324135
    Abstract: Aqueous fluids comprising polysaccharide, dissolved salt, and borate anions. The fluids are useful, for example, as a drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Hunter, Jean-Marie Ruckebusch, Adriana Paiva
  • Patent number: 8261577
    Abstract: There is provided a method for making hollow microspheres including heating a feed under conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of the feed into hollow microspheres, where the heating is conducted under a vacuum. There is also provided hollow microspheres made using this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Gang Qi
  • Patent number: 8159472
    Abstract: A data processor for an occupant identification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Bernard O. Geaghan
  • Patent number: 8119750
    Abstract: A process comprising polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene in an aqueous emulsion in the presence of a non-telogenic surfactant having an anionic portion with the general formula (I): Rf—O-L-CO2—??(I) wherein Rf is selected from a partially fluorinated alkyl group, a perfluorinated alkyl group, a partially fluorinated alkyl group interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, and a perfluorinated alkyl group interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, wherein Rf has from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and L is an alkylene group having the general formula (CX2)n wherein each X is independently selected from Rf, fluorine, and hydrogen and n is selected from 1 to 5, with the proviso that the surfactant contains at least one unit selected from a —CH2— unit and a —CHF— unit. Also provided are aqueous dispersions comprising these surfactants and methods of coating substrates with the aqueous dispersions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Klaus Hintzer, Michael Jürgens, Harald Kaspar, Andreas R. Maurer, Werner Schwertfeger, Tilman C. Zipplies
  • Patent number: 7594845
    Abstract: Provided is an abrasive article for lapping or polishing a workpiece comprising a three-dimensional, textured, flexible, fixed abrasive construction having a first surface and a working surface, the working surface comprising a plurality of precisely shaped abrasive composites, wherein the precisely shaped abrasive composite comprises a resin phase and a metal phase, wherein the metal phase further comprises superabrasive material. Also provided are a method of polishing or lapping a workpiece and a kit comprising a three-dimensional, textured, flexible, fixed abrasive construction and instructions for carrying out the method of polishing or lapping a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul S. Lugg, Timothy D. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7592386
    Abstract: Provided is a curable fluoropolymer composition comprising a fluoropolymer comprising interpolymerized units of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(aliphatic vinyl)ether, and a nitrogen-containing cure site monomer; a catalyst to form cross-links with the nitrogen-containing cure site monomer; an organic peroxide; a co-agent to participate in a peroxide cure; and a hydrotalcite compound. Also provided is an article comprising the cured fluoropolymer reaction product of the curable composition and a method for forming a shaped article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Werner M. A. Grootaert, Robert E. Eggers
  • Patent number: 7357511
    Abstract: Some projection systems use a polarization beamsplitter (PBS) for coupling light to and from an image-forming device. The PBS is typically formed with a reflective polarizing layer disposed between glass covers. Stress birefringence in the glass cover lying between the reflective polarizing layer and the image-forming device can reduce the image contrast of the projection system. A quarter-wave retarding element positioned between the glass cover and the image-forming device is used to compensate for the birefringence, at least in part. This permits the PBS to use glass covers formed of a glass material having a higher stress optic coefficient than before, while still maintaining high image contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, Jiaying Ma