Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Harold C. Knecht, III
  • Patent number: 7854905
    Abstract: A holding material (2) for mounting a pollution control element (1) in a pollution control apparatus (10) that provides for a high friction coefficient with the casing (4) and/or the pollution control element and can hold the pollution control element with good stability. The holding material comprises a fiber material (e.g., in the form of a mat) having a thickness and being provided with a friction layer (3) comprising inorganic colloidal particles (5) on an outer peripheral surface and/or an inner peripheral surface of the fiber material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daigo Yasuda, Muneki Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 7820117
    Abstract: A thin-walled structure (e.g., an end cone insulator (12) and/or a mounting mat) (12) comprising insulating material suitable for insulating portions (e.g., an end cone) of a pollution control device (16) and/or mounting material suitable for mounting a pollution control element in a pollution control device (16) (e.g., a catalytic element in a catalytic converter, a filter element in a diesel or gasoline engine exhaust filter, etc.). The thin-walled structure can comprise an insulating material and/or mounting material in the form, for example, of a sheet, mat (12) or three-dimensional thin walled structure (e.g., a single piece or multiple piece three dimensional end cone insulator). (12) An intermediate adhesive (18) (e.g., a heat activated adhesive, hot melt adhesive and/or adhesive-like thermoplastic material) is bonded to at least one major surface of the thin-walled structure so as to coat and penetrate into the at least one major surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph C. Peisert, Kevin Kaczorek, Ian R. Harding, Carl J. Braunreiter
  • Patent number: 7704459
    Abstract: A pollution control device suitable for use with an internal combustion engine (e.g., a diesel engine) and comprising a pollution control element arranged in a casing with non-woven mat disposed between the casing and the pollution control element, said non-woven mat being a non-intumescent mat comprising at least 90% by weight based on the total weight of the mat of chopped magnesium aluminum silicate glass fibers that have a number average diameter of 5? or more and a length of 0.5 to 15 cm, said glass fibers being needle punched or stitch bonded and said mat being free or substantially free of organic binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Merry, Ulrich E. Kunze, Michael D. Swan
  • Patent number: 7686266
    Abstract: An article support having a mount section comprising: a first engaging element (18) that has a pillar protruding from a base and a first hook extending from the pillar so that it can be displaced elastically; and a second engaging element that has a pillar protruding from the base and a second hook extending from the pillar so that it can be displaced elastically. The first hook and the second hook can be displaced elastically independently of each other and are disposed on the sides opposite to each other with respect to the pillars and. When the mount section is attached to an object, the pillar of the first engaging element bears a load on the object and the first hook and the second hook are engaged with the object to fixedly hold the article support on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shinji Torigoe, Kazutomo Osada, Hidetoshi Yoshida, Yukihiro Maeda, Atsushi Kakuta, Isao Nakanuma, Takayoshi Inagaki, Kazuyuki Furubetsupu
  • Patent number: 7645426
    Abstract: Multilayer mats, pollution control devices containing the multilayer mats, and methods of making the multilayer mats are described. The multilayer mats include an intumescent layer sandwiched between two non-intumescent layers. The non-intumescent layers contain inorganic fibers and have a larger area than the intumescent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Richard P. Merry
  • Patent number: 7615501
    Abstract: A method of making a patterned layer comprises directing a beam of vaporized material toward a reflector such that the beam of vaporized material impinges an impingement surface of the reflector and is redirected from the reflector through one or more apertures in a shadow mask and onto a deposition substrate to form a patterned material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, Paul F. Baude, Eric W. Hemmesch
  • Patent number: 7601769
    Abstract: A method of making a multilayered chromonic structure comprises (a) preparing a first aqueous mixture comprising (i) a first continuous water-soluble polymer phase and (ii) a first discontinuous chromonic phase comprising a chromonic material, to form chromonic nanoparticles;(b) non-covalently crosslinking the resulting chromonic nanoparticles with a multivalent cation salt; (c) dispersing the resulting crosslinked chromonic nanoparticles in a composition comprising a chromonic material to form a chromonic nanoparticle dispersion; and (d) preparing a second aqueous mixture comprising (i) a second discontinuous chromonic phase comprising the chromonic nanoparticle dispersion and (ii) a second continuous water-soluble polymer phase, to encapsulate the chromonic nanoparticles; wherein at least one of the first discontinuous chromonic phase and the second discontinuous chromonic phase further comprises a guest compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Peroperties Company
    Inventors: Sanat Mohanty, Hassan Sahouani, Cristin E. Moran
  • Patent number: 7582330
    Abstract: A method of making metallic nanostructures by mixing (a) an aqueous composition comprising a chromonic material with (b) a metal salt in solution or a suspension of metal particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Counsel
    Inventor: Hassan Sahouani
  • Patent number: 7563293
    Abstract: Al2O3-rare earth oxide-ZrO2/HfO2 ceramics (including glasses, crystalline ceramics, and glass-ceramics) and methods of making the same. Ceramics according to the present invention can be made, formed as, or converted into glass beads, articles (e.g., plates), fibers, particles, and thin coatings. The particles and fibers are useful, for example, as thermal insulation, filler, or reinforcing material in composites (e.g., ceramic, metal, or polymeric matrix composites). The thin coatings can be useful, for example, as protective coatings in applications involving wear, as well as for thermal management. Certain ceramic particles according to the present invention can be are particularly useful as abrasive particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz
  • Patent number: 7563294
    Abstract: Abrasive particles comprising ceramic (including glasses, crystalline ceramics, and glass-ceramics) comprising (on a theoretical oxide basis) Al2O3 and at least one other metal oxide (e.g., REO and; REO and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2) and methods of making the same. The abrasive particles can be incorporated into a variety of abrasive articles, including bonded abrasives, coated abrasives, nonwoven abrasives, and abrasive brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz
  • Patent number: 7524546
    Abstract: A thermal insulating material which can be efficiently produced while the content of organic matters, such as organic fibers and/or an organic binder, is reduced to the same or lower degree as compared with the thermal insulating material used in a conventional pollution control device (e.g., catalytic converter), and which can be applied to a pollution control element (e.g., catalytic element) while avoiding, as much as possible, an unpleasant feeling to the operator. A thermal insulating material comprising a thermal insulating material body formed of a bulk material of inorganic fibers, and a coating provided on at least one surface of said thermal insulating material body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Takuma Aizawa, Toshihiro Kasai, Takayuki Kawai, Toshiyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7507618
    Abstract: A method of making a thin film transistor comprises (a) solution depositing a dispersion comprising semiconducting metal oxide nanoparticles onto a substrate, (b) sintering the nanoparticles to form a semiconductor layer, and (c) optionally subjecting the resulting semiconductor layer to post-deposition processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Timothy D. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 7404840
    Abstract: A method for rigidifying a fiber-based paper substrate for use in the exhaust system of a combustion device. In the method, a green ceramic fiber-based paper substrate is impregnated with an impregnating dispersion. The impregnated substrate is then dried, calcined and fired to form a rigidified substrate that is suitable for use in the exhaust system of a combustion device. This rigidification process is performed at least once and, preferably, two or more times. The green paper substrate comprises two or more sheets of green ceramic fiber-based paper, with at least one creased sheet and another sheet being a laminated together to form a plurality of tubular channels. The rigidified substrate comprises refractory ceramic fibers in the form of a ceramic fiber-based paper and agglomerates of ceramic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Wood, Zhongshu Tan
  • Patent number: 7331683
    Abstract: A decorative article capable of being used in combination with an article having a light source and of remarkably improving the decorative effect together with the light source. The decorative article is attached to an article having a light source, and comprises, at least, an appearance-providing layer defining an appearance of the decorative article, and a light-storage layer which is disposed under the appearance-providing layer and is able to store the light from the light source and generate afterglow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ken Egashira, Motoaki Muraoka, Hirofumi Nitta
  • Patent number: 7309256
    Abstract: A flat flexible cable assembly includes a flat flexible cable having one or more substantially rectangular conductors encompassed within an insulating sheath. An overmold encapsulates and is secured to a portion of the flat flexible cable in an area in which the insulating sheath has been stripped. One or more sealing members are integrally-formed with the overmold and encapsulates and is secured to each stripped conductor to form a seal. The overmold and the sealing member(s) may be made of the same material by using a one-step process. Alternatively, the overmold and sealing member(s) may be made of different material by using a two-shot process. A method of manufacturing the flat flexible cable assembly is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Alloway, Wolfgang Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7287567
    Abstract: A tape application jig (10) comprising a tape application head (2), a jig guide (3) and a tape holding member consisting of a pair of members (6, 16) combined so as to face each other in vertical direction. The jig guide (3) comprises a guide pin (13) capable of abutting during the movement of the jig guide against the surface of the adherent opposite to the tape applying surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Daisuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7273528
    Abstract: Device for applying adhesive tape to a position in the width direction on an adherend surface linked to a neighboring surface via a folding line. The device comprises a pressing member with a surface attached pressingly to a surface of an adherend member, and at the same time, an edge between a sloping surface and an upper surface makes line contact with the neighboring surface near the folding line, thereby defining the position of the pressing member in the width direction relative to the adherend surface. The position of an adhesive tape relative to the pressing member is defined by an upper surface of a tape guide attaching member and a lower surface of a guide bar flange. Unapplied tape is guided by the guide bar and an unapplied tape guide, and a liner separated from the adhesive tape is guided by the guide bar and a liner guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Masayuki Kubota
  • Patent number: 7261864
    Abstract: To provide a catalyst carrier holding material which is particularly useful for catalytic converters, by exhibiting heat resistance and high compression resistance in high temperature ranges, as well as excellent wind erosion resistance. The catalyst carrier holding material comprises inorganic fibers comprising alumina and silica, and the mullite ratio of the inorganic fibers is in the range of greater than 30% and less than 75%, and preferably in the range of 35% to 70%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7252731
    Abstract: An application apparatus is provided with an object supporting section including a support surface for supporting an object; a tape carrying section for rotatably carrying, in a roll form, a double-coated pressure sensitive adhesive tape with a release paper attached to one side of the tape; and a tape laying section for holding the double-coated pressure sensitive adhesive tape with the release paper, fed in a strip form from the tape carrying section, in a condition where the tape is laid on the support surface of the object supporting section with an adhesive surface of the tape to which the release paper is not attached facing outward. Further provided is a tape cutting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Shinichi Kaneko, Taishi Tokunaga, Hideo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7238401
    Abstract: A multi-layer optically clear laminate suited for attachment to window glass to provide a glazing element which has reduced spall and lacerative consequences on fracture impact of the window glass is provided by the invention. The laminate is comprised of at least two films of nonadhesive polymeric material directly adhered together by pressure sensitive adhesive and includes an exposed surface covered with a hard coat composition and an opposite surface covered with an ambient temperature attachable pressure sensitive adhesive. A glazing element comprised of the laminate attached to glass is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Peter T. Dietz