Patents Represented by Attorney Donald M. Sell

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  • Radiation crosslinkable compositions
    Patent number: 4956265
    Abstract: Aqueous solvent dispersible, radiation crosslinkable compounds and oligomers containing poly(ethylenically unsaturated) group-containing components and carboxyl groups are disclosed. Each compound is a monoester of a cyclic dicarboxylic acid anhydride and a 2-hydroxyalkylpolyester, said 2-hydroxyalkylpolyester being the ester of a polyepoxide with a monoester which is the monoester of a poly(ethylenically-unsaturated)alkanol and a dicarboxylic acid. These compounds and oligomers are useful in the field of graphic arts and protective coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Aida F. Robbins, M. Zaki Ali
  • Imaging apparatus including three laser diodes and a photographic element
    Patent number: 4956702
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a full color image including a photosensitive element having three silver halide emulsion layers, at least two of which are sensitized to radiation in the infrared region of the electromagnetic region, and three laser diodes for exposing the photosensitive element. The three silver halide emulsion layers are differentiated from each other by photographic speed, filter layers between the emulsion layers or a combination of both speed differences and filter layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John M. McQuade, Richard L. Paidosh
  • Thin caliper retroreflective transfer
    Patent number: 4955690
    Abstract: A thin caliper retroreflective transfer comprising a monolayer of retroreflective elements in a support layer, the back stratum of which is a vulcanizable elastomer, and a premask releasably adhered to the front surface thereof to facilitate handling of the transfer and protect the retroreflective elements during handling and application to a substrate. Also a method for making such transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Chester A. Bacon, Jr.
  • Wound filling compositions
    Patent number: 4956350
    Abstract: Wound filling compositions containing: (a) chitosan, (b) at least one compatible hydrocolloid material other than chitosan, and (c) water, exhibit a variety of properties desirable for use in filling large wound such as dermal ulcers, yet do not exhibit syneresis. Preferably compositions exhibit antimicrobial activity, would healing capability, a viscosity suitable to allow them to be applied to and remain in an open wound, and are able to absorb wound exudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Deral T. Mosbey
  • Device for obtaining predetermined amounts of bacteria
    Patent number: 4956297
    Abstract: A wand assembly having an elongate rod with a lower end having a groove or grooves formed therein. When contacted with (e.g., touched to) a colony, the lower end is able to ingest a predetermined quantity of bacteria into the groove or grooves by capillary action. The wand assembly is particularly suitable for ingesting very small quantities of bacteria, e.g., on the order of 1.times.10.sup.7 colony forming units, since it is provided with a collar that is releasably attached to the rod, and can be detached from the rod after the lower end has been touched to a colony, in a manner that wipes excess, unwanted bacteria from the peripheral surface of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John K. Hood, Marlys E. Lund, Robert L. Nelson
  • Ink receptive transparency sheet
    Patent number: 4956230
    Abstract: Transparent sheet for use with ink jet printers and pen plotters which utilize hydrophilic solvent-based inks. The sheet comprises a transparent backing bearing on at least one major surface thereof a transparent coating formed of a blend of at least one hydrophilic polymer containing a carbonylamido functional group and at least one hydrophobic polymer substantially free of acidic functional groups, hydroxyl groups, >NH groups and --NH.sub.2 groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Edwards, Armin J. Paff, Daniel C. Duan
  • Use of sorbent sheet materials as evaporative coolants
    Patent number: 4953544
    Abstract: A method of evaporative cooling using sorbent sheet materials comprising a fibrous web that includes entangled fibers and a solid high sorbency liquid-sorbent polymeric material is disclosed. A sorbent sheet material useful for administering cold water therapy is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Hansen, Thomas I. Insley, Christopher J. Libbey
  • Microcrystalline alumina-based ceramic articles
    Patent number: 4954462
    Abstract: Microcrystalline alpha-alumina based ceramic articles comprising at least 60% alumina by weight in which substantially all the alumina is in the alpha phase having a uniform grain structure comprising alpha alumina crystallites with an average crystallite size less than 0.5 micrometer and a density greater than 90% theoretical are disclosed. Ceramic articles particularly useful as high modulus refractory fibers, among other shaped bodies such as beads, flakes, coatings, and shaped or randomly-shaped abrasive particles, are produced from a unique sol-gel process wherein hydroxy iron polymers are utilized to nucleate the alpha alumina transformation. An inherent advantage of the unique process disclosed is the resulting fine grained microstructure which is essential if a ceramic article such as an alpha alumina fiber is to have reasonable strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Wood, David M. Wilson
  • Optical sensor
    Patent number: 4954318
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the concentration of a component in a medium comprising:an optical sensor including at least one optical indicator for providing an optical signal which varies in response to the presence of a component in a medium;an optical signal fiber capable of transmitting the optical signal from the optical sensor; anda supply reservoir associated with the optical sensor and acting to provide additional optical indicator to the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Masao Yafuso, Cheng F. Yan, Thomas G. Hacker, Henry K. Hui, Thomas P. Maxwell, William W. Miller
  • Ceramic orthodontic appliance
    Patent number: 4954080
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket or similar orthodontic appliance is made of a polycrystalline ceramic having a translucency which minimizes visibility of the appliance when mounted on a tooth. The ceramic is formed by pressing a powder material, such as high purity aluminum oxide, and sintering to yield a single phase appliance having substantially zero porosity and an average grain size preferably in the range of 10 to 30 microns. The substantially color-free ceramic appliance has desirable strength and other mechanical properties combined with a translucency which permits the natural color of the tooth to diffusely show through in a fashion tending to make the appliance blend with and disappear against the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignees: Unitek Corporation, Ceradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Kelly, Henrick K. Gille
  • Automated thermoplastic dispensing device
    Patent number: 4953755
    Abstract: A device for dispensing molten thermoplastic material comprising a barrel member having an internal melting chamber communicating with an outlet opening through a nozzle, and a sleeve having one end secured at the barrel member and a through opening communicating with the end of the melting chamber opposite the outlet opening. The sleeve is adapted to receive a rod of solid thermoplastic material with one end portion of the rod in the melting chamber and the rod projecting through the sleeve along a predetermined path. The barrel member is heated to melt the end portion of the rod therein, and a drive adapted to be switched between a deactivated state and an activated state is provided for driving the rod of solid thermoplastic material into the melting chamber at a predetermined rate to expel molten thermoplastic material through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Dennison
  • Sealed insulation displacement connector
    Patent number: 4954098
    Abstract: An insulation displacement connector (IDC) having internal sealing material which is packed around the wires as the connection is made. The IDC has a plurality of channels for receiving the wires, and at least one metallic element providing electrical contact between the wires. A plurality of voids are in fluid communication with the channels, and the voids are filled with the sealing material, such as a mastic or silicone grease. When the IDC is moved from an open to a closed position, the metallic element makes contact between the wires, and a piston or post subsequently enters the voids, causing the sealant to flow into the channels about the wires and the contact interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Elmont E. Hollingsworth, Gary W. Schlaeger
  • Tethered sulfonium salt photoinitiators for free radical polymerization
    Patent number: 4954416
    Abstract: Free radical polymerizable compositions contain a sulfonium salt which is tethered to at least one of an electron donor and a sensitizer, and a polymerizable monomer, demonstrate substantially enhanced photosensitivity. This invention also provides layered structures comprising a substrate coated with a free radical polymerizable composition containing a sulfonium salt which is tethered to at least one of an electron donor and a sensitizer, and the polymerized layered structures. A method for the preparation of certain tethered sulfonium salts is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bradford B. Wright, Robert J. DeVoe
  • Chemical thermal pack having an outer pouch provided with capillaries
    Patent number: 4953550
    Abstract: This invention relates to hot or cold thermal packs having an outer pouch provided with capillaries to allow drainage of the pack and optionally to provide a temperature moderating effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Wayne K. Dunshee
  • Internally illuminated retroreflective sign
    Patent number: 4952023
    Abstract: An internally illuminated sign employs retroreflective sheeting with optically transmissive bonds between cover layer and base layer, thereby making the sign suitable for applications where visibility of the sign is required if the internal illumination source fails. A light conduit may be employed to allow the source of internal illumination to be remote from the interior of the sign enclosure. Total internal reflection type sheeting also may be employed to diffuse the internal illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas I. Bradshaw, Edward S. Shinbach
  • Method and apparatus for determining acoustic parameters of an auditory prosthesis using software model
    Patent number: 4953112
    Abstract: A software model of the auditory characteristics of an auditory prosthesis is stored independently of the actual auditory prosthesis being fitted to determine the acoustic parameters to be utilized. A transfer function of the auditory characterictics of the individual auditory prosthesis to be fitted, or of an exemplary model of such an auditory prosthesis, is created, transformed into a table, or other usable form, and stored in software usable by the automated fitting program. The automated fitting program may then "test" or try by iterative process, the various settings for the acoustic parameters of the auditory prosthesis and determine accurately the results without actual resort the physical auditory prosthesis itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gregory P. Widin, Mats B. Dotevall
  • Clamp for electro-surgical dispersive electrode
    Patent number: 4952177
    Abstract: A clamp for releasably engaging dispersive electrodes is disclosed. The clamp is adaptable to be used either with electro-surgical generating equipment which has a unitary plate continuity safety circuit or with an electro-surgical generating equipment which has an impedance split-plate impedance safety circuit. The clamp electrically adapts a split-plate electrode to be useful with an electro-surgical generating equipment which has a unitary plate continuity safety circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Drake, Robert L. Goodlad, William K. Weimer
  • Hydrocolloid/adhesive composition
    Patent number: 4952618
    Abstract: Hydrocolloid adhesive compositions are disclosed comprising a rubbery elastomeric base having dispersed therein hydrocolloid particles, at least some of which are polycationic hydrocolloid particles. The compositions have enhanced resistance to breakdown by body fluids and are especially useful as wound dressings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Roger A. Olsen
  • Nonlinear optically active polymers
    Patent number: 4952640
    Abstract: Organic groups covalently bound to a polymer backbone provide second or third order nonlinear susceptibilities to the polymer. In another aspect, a method is disclosed for providing the novel polymers of the invention. Polymers of the invention can be directionally oriented to provide useful optically nonlinear media for use in nonlinear optical devices such as optical switches or light modulation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Cecil V. Francis, Steven M. Heilmann, Larry R. Krepski, Jerald K. Rasmussen
  • Compressible fireproof seal
    Patent number: 4952615
    Abstract: A fireproof, compressible, intumescent, elastomeric material useful to seal expansion joints, curtain wall gaps and penetrations in floors and walls in order to prevent the passage of flame and smoke. A seal of the material retains strength before and after exposure to fire and provides superior resistance to the impact, erosion, and cooling effects of a hose stream used to combat a fire. The composition of this compressible, fireproof material consists of elastomers, vulcanizing agents, fillers, softening agents, and an intumescent. This fireproof material may be in cellular or noncellular form with various degrees of compressibility and softness. It can be produced in sheets, molded parts, and continuous length strips. It may be vulcanized or nonvulcanized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Walton W. Welna