Patents Represented by Attorney Gerald F. Chernivec
  • Patent number: 6491745
    Abstract: The object is to provide a water/oil repellent composition which can simultaneously perform a water/oil treatment and a polishing treatment to leather products such as leather shoes, etc., by using one water/oil repellent composition, and can also exert excellent water/oil repellent effect and excellent polishing effect. It is constituted so that microcapsules, in which a polishing agent is encapsulated, are dispersed in a water/oil repellent agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Masahiro Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 6434314
    Abstract: A filament holding fixture having a closed position for applying substantially equal pressure to a plurality of points around the circumference of a filament. The holding fixture comprises a first jaw having a planar surface and an open-ended channel formed in the first jaw opening to the planar surface, and a second jaw having a structured surface including an open-ended groove of substantially rectangular cross section. Both the channel and the groove are sized for even application of pressure to a filament placed between them when there is axial alignment of the channel with the groove. An angular compensator may be included to facilitate positioning of the groove for even application of pressure to a filament when the planar surface lies adjacent to the structured surface, and the filament holding fixture is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Anthony William Gatica, Stephen Paul LeBlanc, Ronald Phillip Pepin
  • Patent number: 6410636
    Abstract: A water dispersed primer composition comprising a solution of a halogenated hydrocarbon polymer in organic solvent; and a dispersing agent added to the solution to form a fluid primer to be dispersed in water to provide the water dispersed primer composition. The invention further includes a water based priming adhesive composition comprising an adhesive dispersion of a an adhesive polymer dispersed in water, and a primer mixed with the adhesive dispersion to form the priming adhesive. The primer comprises a solution of a halogenated hydrocarbon polymer in organic solvent and optionally a dispersing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James David Groves
  • Patent number: 6403211
    Abstract: A flexible circuit comprising a liquid crystal polymer film having through-holes and related shaped voids formed therein using an etchant composition comprising a solution in water of from about 35 wt. % to about 55 wt. % of an alkali metal salt; and from about 10 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of a solubilizer dissolved in the solution to provide the etchant composition suitable for etching the liquid crystal polymer at a temperature from about 50° C. to about 120° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rui Yang, Guoping Mao
  • Patent number: 6403673
    Abstract: A water dispersed primer composition comprising a solution of a halogenated hydrocarbon polymer in organic solvent; and a dispersing agent added to the solution to form a fluid primer to be dispersed in water to provide the water dispersed primer composition. Optionally, fluid primers may include photoreactive components to provide photoreactive water dispersed primer compositions. The invention further includes water based priming adhesive compositions comprising an adhesive dispersion of an adhesive polymer dispersed in water, and a primer mixed with the adhesive dispersion to form the priming adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James D. Groves
  • Patent number: 6391954
    Abstract: The invention provides a recording sheet including an additive, referred to herein as a compatibilizer, to improve the quality of images formed by toner powder development of electrostatic charge patterns. Recording sheets, carrying images produced by toner powder transfer and fusion on a receptor surface, according to the present invention, exhibit improved light transmission and reduced light scattering. Specifically, a transparent sheet is provided having a toner-receptive coating containing about 4 wt. % to about 25 wt. % of a compatibilizer on at least one surface, wherein the coating has a low density yellow Q factor value at least 2 less than an identical coating without the compatibilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jamshid Azizi, Joseph C. Carls, Shigeaki Dohgoshi, Koji Kamiyama, Andrew C. Lottes
  • Patent number: 6387508
    Abstract: An electrically insulating composition for bonding to metal and method for applying the composition in sheet form. The insulating composition comprises a polyolefin polymer adapted for elevated temperature crosslinking and a co-bonding agent mixed with the polyolefin polymer in an amount up to about 60 parts of tile co-bonding agent to 100 parts of the polyolefin polymer. Preferably, the insulating composition cures in contact with metal pre-heated to elevated temperatures in a range from about 140° C. to about 190° C. to provide a lap-shear bond strength between the electrically insulating composition and a metal substrate of from about 3.3 MPa to about 12 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: C. Carol Guilbert, David V. Mahoney, Rafael Garcia-Ramirez
  • Patent number: 6379865
    Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Guoping Mao, Hany B. Eitouni, Alphonsus V. Pocius, John B. Scheibner, Nanayakkara L. D. Somasiri, Nicholas A. Stacey, Alfred Viehbeck
  • Patent number: 6372992
    Abstract: A composite, useful as a flexible circuit, includes at least a portion of an electrical conductor having a first surface opposite a second surface. A first homogeneous polymeric film contacts the first surface of at least a portion of the electrical conductor. A second homogeneous polymeric film contacts at least a portion of the first film and the second surface of the at least a portion of the electrical conductor. The first and second films infuse to form a continuous phase surrounding the at least a portion of an electrical conductor. A process for producing a flexible circuit including hermetic sealing by providing at least one electrically conductive trace having a first surface opposite a second surface. At least a portion of the first surface is attached to a first homogeneous polymeric film. A second homogeneous polymeric film is contacted with at least a portion of the first film and at least a portion of the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Rui Yang
  • Patent number: 6259855
    Abstract: An illumination device and a method for making the same are provided. The illumination device comprises a light guide having a non-circular cross-sectional shape which is defined by a first region, and a light extracting material or element having a cross-sectional shape which is defined by a second region. The first and second region are contiguous and define a third region which may, for example, be circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.
    Inventor: David J. Lundin
  • Patent number: 6139195
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector having strain relief insert means to engage the buffered coating of the optical fiber cable upon the crimping of a crimp ring to cause the insert to flow in a direction toward the connector and the fiber to move toward the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Joseph A. Paparella
  • Patent number: 5842891
    Abstract: An external ground isolation connector for use with a cable splice closure includes a housing having a keyed bore formed therein. A ground stud is keyed for extending through the bore in the housing so as to limit rotation of the stud within the housing. The ground stud has a first end for extending into an associated cable closure for connection to an internal ground wire, and a second end for extending externally of the cable closure for connection to an external ground wire. A port is formed in the housing for receiving the external ground wire. The first end of the ground stud is provided to be sealed with the housing and the closure and the second end of the ground stud is provided to be sealed with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Patent number: 5838850
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for curved-angle cleaving of optical fibers is presented. The method requires the introduction of a flaw in an optical fiber to be cleaved, and the application of predetermined stress and strain to the optical fiber in the vicinity of the flaw to cause curved-angle cleaving of the optical fiber at the flaw. More particularly, one embodiment of the method requires fixing first and second portions of the optical fiber, for example, by clamping, and introducing a flaw into the optical fiber between the first and second portions. Then, a substantially concentrated force is applied to the optical fiber between the flaw and the first portion of the optical fiber, on a side of the optical fiber opposite the flaw, in order to cause the optical fiber to cleave with a curved-angle cleave. Another embodiment of the method applies a substantially concentrated force to the fiber before introduction of the flaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Mansfield, Gordon Wiegand
  • Patent number: 5836031
    Abstract: A device for cleaning the tips of optical fibers which have been installed in a connector, such as a plug or a receptacle. The device includes a tool body having cleaning media therein, such as a strip of adhesive tape, and a latch for releasably attaching the connector to the tool body. The adhesive tape may be in the form of a roll on a supply spool. In the embodiment designed for a plug, the tool body has an appropriately shaped opening for receiving the plug, and push rods are provided with the tool body which contact the fibers and urge them towards a cleaning position. In the embodiment designed for a receptacle, the receptacle is modified by having a tilt arm which can move the fibers to the cleaning position, and the tool body includes features to actuate the tilt arm as the tool body is inserted into the receptacle. Alternate designs are presented in which the cleaning media is not located in the tool body, but is manually applied to the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Larry R. Cox
  • Patent number: 5832593
    Abstract: A splice head for use with a modular wire connector, to work with and hold the wires while installing them in the connector, particularly for wires of differing diameters. The splice head includes a coil spring loosely arranged on a bar and movable axially thereon. By selecting an appropriate location for the starting point on the spring and selection of the spring position on the bar, different sized wires can be fixed by the coils of the spring. The bar may be circular in cross-section to allow the spring to slide easily forward and backward. This construction allows simpler placement of the wires since the coil spring does not need to to replaced for wires of different sizes, and there is no requirement that the splicing operation begin at one particular end of the coil since neither end is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wolfgang Wurst, Udo Seidel
  • Patent number: 5813902
    Abstract: A device for preparing an optical fiber for interconnection includes means for grasping the optical fiber at a first location along the optical fiber, means for scribing and breaking the optical fiber a first select distance from the first location, the means for scribing and breaking including guides for supporting and sliding the means for grasping along the guides in fixed relationship to the means for scribing and breaking, and means for polishing the optical fiber as broken, the means for polishing being connected to the means for breaking. The device also includes a polishing surface fixedly connected to the means for grasping. The polishing surface supports the means for grasping at a second select distance from the first location, the second select distance being shorter than the first select distance. The optical fiber is linearly moveable with respect to the polishing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gordon Wiegand
  • Patent number: 5812718
    Abstract: A mechanical optical fiber splice which does not employ any gel material with a matching refractive index, wherein the fiber ends are prepared for intimate axial compressive contact and the fiber end faces are maintained in the splice element in optically aligned intimate contact under axial compression, as the result of heating, elastic deformation or plastic deformation of the splice element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James B. Carpenter, Gordon D. Henson, Michael A. Meis, Richard A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5806168
    Abstract: A tool (10) for the termination of insulated wires in electrical connectors having different heights, which tool has a mechanism affording adjustment of the spacing between a pressing body (50), accommodated by a splice head, and a retaining body for the connector. The adjustment in height between the bodies is afforded by step adjustment and by an intermediate member (56, 58) affording smaller pitches, and the tool has an attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the tool to the retaining body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wolfgang Wurst, Eckhard Wolter
  • Patent number: 5802237
    Abstract: An optical fiber organizer for protecting and storing optical fibers includes a housing having a first level separated from a second level. A first fiber port is provided on the first level and a second fiber port is provided on the second level. Eccentric fiber channels are provided on the first level. Each channel has a passage for communicating fiber with an adjacent channel. The outermost one of the channels includes a passage for communicating fiber with the first fiber port on the first level. The innermost one of the channels includes a passage for communicating fiber to the second fiber port on the second level. A transition channel between the innermost and outermost channels provides an optical fiber splice device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Jacqueline J. Pulido
  • Patent number: 5792989
    Abstract: An end seal for splice closures or for terminals including a body having a core portion and an extended tail portion of a flexible resilient material. The core portion has an outer periphery and openings extending through the core. The openings communicate with the outer periphery. A tail portion is integral with and extends from the core periphery to be wrapped about the core and the cables to be placed in the openings. A sealant strip extends around the cables and between the abutting peripheral surface of the core and the wrapped tail portion. The strip is responsive to electrical or electromagnetic stimulation for heating the sealant strip and causing the strip to bond with adjacent contact surfaces of the cable and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Russell P. Smith