Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John A. Burtis
  • Patent number: 6207260
    Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided. The films, which have at least three layers of different composition in the optical repeating unit, reflect light in a first portion of the spectrum while transmitting light in a second portion of the spectrum, exhibit improved reflectivities at oblique angles, and can be designed to suppress one or more higher order harmonics of the main reflection band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Timothy J. Nevitt, William W. Merrill, Michael F. Weber
  • Patent number: 6197393
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of bonding substantially non-fluorinated polymeric material to a fluoropolymer utilizing a bonding composition comprising primary or secondary di- or poly-amine and a melt-processable, substantantially non-fluorinated component. Multi-layer articles and composite constructions, including retroreflective sheeting and fuel line hoses, made of a fluoropolymer layer and a substantially non-fluorinated layer are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Thomas J. Blong, Edward E. Parsonage, Keizo Yamanaka, Sehyun Nam, Constance J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6156400
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of bonding substantially non-fluorinated polymeric material to dissimilar polymers, particularly fluoropolymer materials, utilizing a bonding composition comprising base-treated amide group-containing substantially non-fluorinated polymer. Multi-layer articles and composite constructions, including retroreflective sheeting, fuel line hoses, and adhesive articles made of a fluoropolymer layer and a substantially non-fluorinated layer are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Sehyun Nam, Trang Pham
  • Patent number: 6113811
    Abstract: A dichroic polarizing film is made, for example, by, first combining polyvinyl alcohol and a second polymer, such as, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a sulfonated polyester, in a solvent. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to second polymer is between about 5:1 to 100:1 by weight. The film is coated on a substrate, dried, and then stretched to orient at least a portion of the film. The film incorporates a dichroic dye material, such as iodine, to form a dichroic polarizer. This polarizer may be used in conjunction with a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer, to form an optical polarizer. The multilayer optical film may contain two or more sets of polyester films, where at least one of the sets is birefringent and orientable by stretching. The polyvinyl alcohol/second polymer film and the multilayer optical film may be simultaneously stretched to orient both polymer films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William L. Kausch, Brian H. Williams, William W. Merrill
  • Patent number: 6110976
    Abstract: This invention provides perfluoro(alkoxycycloalkane) carbonyl fluoride compounds wherein, pendant from the fluorinated ring, are from 2 to 5 perfluoroalkoxy groups having from 1 to 4, preferably 1 to 2, carbon atoms with the proviso that when one or more of the perfluoroalkoxy groups contain from 3 to 4 carbon atoms, there are no more than 3 pendant groups. Also described are amidoamine intermediates prepared from the carbonyl fluoride compounds as precursors for surfactants used in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. Hansen, George G. I. Moore, Stephen D. Polson, Patricia M. Savu, Richard M. Stern
  • Patent number: 6111697
    Abstract: An optical device includes a dichroic polarizer and a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer or mirror. The multilayer optical film is made using polymers which may allow for the simultaneous orientation of the dichroic and reflective polarizers. The multilayer optical film often contains a set of birefringent first layers and a set of second layers, which may have an isotropic index of refraction. The dichroic polarizers is a polyvinyl alcohol film with a dichroic dye. The multilayer optical film and dichroic polarizer can be stretched at temperatures of 130.degree. C. or less to orient the two films without substantial cracking of the dichroic polarizer. When an optional second polymer is combined with the polyvinyl alcohol, the multilayer optical film and dichroic polarizer can be stretched at temperatures of about 160.degree. C. without substantial cracking of the dichroic polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William W. Merrill, Timothy J. Hebrink, Brian H. Williams, William L. Kausch
  • Patent number: 6107364
    Abstract: Described are a polymerizable composition comprising methyl styrene monomer, polymers comprising monomeric units derived from methyl styrene monomers, and optical products comprising these polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bettie C. Fong, David B. Olson
  • Patent number: 6101032
    Abstract: A polarized light source includes a diffuse light source and a reflective polarizing element placed proximate thereto. The reflective polarizing element transmits light of a desired polarization and reflects light of another polarization back into the diffuse source where it is randomized. Some of the initially rejected light is thus converted into the desired polarization and is transmitted through the reflective polarizing element. This process continues, and the repeated reflections and subsequent randomization of light of the undesired polarization increases the amount of light of the desired polarization that is emitted by the polarized light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David L. Wortman, Mark E. Gardiner, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, James M. Jonza, Michael F. Weber
  • Patent number: 6096428
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of bonding substantially non-fluorinated polymeric material to dissimilar polymers, particularly fluoropolymer materials, utilizing a bonding composition comprising substantially non-fluorinated polymeric material comprising a blend of carboxyl, anhydride, imide, or oxycarboxy functional polyolefin with a suitable organic or inorganic base and an organo-onium compound that is stable in the presence of the base. Multi-layer articles and composite constructions, including retroreflective sheeting, fuel line hoses, and adhesive articles made of a fluoropolymer layer and a substantially non-fluorinated layer are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, Sehyun Nam
  • Patent number: 6080467
    Abstract: Optical devices such as light pipes which incorporate multilayer optical films in which the refractive indices of two adjacent layers in the thickness direction are substantially matched or are small relative to the difference in refractive indices of said two adjacent layers in an given in-plane direction which is at least 0.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, David L. Wortman, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Sanford Cobb, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6049419
    Abstract: An optical body comprising (a) a dielectric multilayer film having a reflecting band positioned to reflect infrared radiation of at least one polarization at an incident angle normal to the film, said reflecting band having a short wavelength bandedge .lambda..sub.a0 and long wavelength bandedge .lambda..sub.b0 at a normal incident angle, and a short wavelength bandedge .lambda..sub.a.theta. and long wavelength bandedge .lambda..sub.b.theta. at a maximum usage angle .theta., wherein .theta..sub.a.theta. is less than .lambda..sub.a0 and .lambda..sub.a0 is selectively positioned at a wavelength greater than about 700 nm; and (b) at least one component which at least partially absorbs or reflects radiation in the wavelength region between .lambda..sub.a.theta. and .lambda..sub.a0 at a normal angle of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 6043201
    Abstract: In one aspect, this invention provides a composition for the cutting and abrasive treatment of metals and ceramic materials comprising a hydrofluoroether. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of cutting and abrasively treating metals and ceramic materials comprising applying to the metal or ceramic workpiece and tool a composition comprising a hydrofluoroether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dean S. Milbrath, Mark W. Grenfell, Daniel D. Krueger, Richard M. Flynn, Frederick E. Behr
  • Patent number: 6040352
    Abstract: A method of preparing an adhesive composition that includes exposing a free-radically polymerizable pre-adhesive composition to a monochromatic radiation source having a peak intensity at a wavelength falling within the range of about 250 nanometers to about 600 nanometers to polymerize the pre-adhesive composition and form the adhesive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robin E. Wright
  • Patent number: 5844034
    Abstract: This invention provides a fluoropolymer dispersion useful for coating applications. The dispersion is a homogeneous and non-ozone depleting dispersion comprising a lubricious fluoropolymer, an inert perfluorinated liquid, a polar solvent, and an effective amount of a surface active agent selected from the group consisting ofa. perfluoroaliphatic amidoalkanols;b. polymerized products formed from the reaction of a mixture comprising a hydrophilic monomer and a monomer of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein p and q are integers between 1 and 4 inclusive, x and y are integers between 0 and 4 inclusive, m is 1 or 2, n is an integer between 3 and 10 inclusive, X' is either a methyl group or a single hydrogen atom, g is 0 or 1, and Q is a sulfonamido constituent group according to the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark W. Grenfell, Richard M. Flynn, Patricia M. Savu
  • Patent number: 5839311
    Abstract: In one aspect, this invention provides a lubricating and colling composition for the forming of metals comprising a hydrofluoroether. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming metals comprising applying to the metal and the workpiece a composition comprising a hydrofluoroether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark W. Grenfell, Dean S. Milbrath, Daniel D. Krueger, Richard M. Flynn, Frederick E. Behr
  • Patent number: 5830376
    Abstract: A maskless process generates a patterned coating on a polymeric substrate, wherein the pattern is at least partially defined by the substrate topography. The process uses a high intensity/high fluence energy source to strike a coated substrate, thus selectively removing a portion of the coating. The amount and area of the coating removed is dependent on the substrate topography and the applied energy, and this forms a pattern of residual coating material on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Susan Nord Bohlke, Gregory M. Jellum, Douglas S. Dunn, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 5830947
    Abstract: Briefly, in one aspect, this invention provides a melt-processable composition comprising, in admixture: (1) one or more melt-processable thermoplastic hydrocarbon polymers as the major component of the composition by weight, and, as a minor component of the composition by weight, (2) an effective amount of a chemically-resistant, fluoropolymer process aid to improve the processability of the composition and (3) one or more poly(oxyalkylene) polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
    Inventors: Thomas J. Blong, Michael P. Greuel, Claude Lavallee
  • Patent number: 5827587
    Abstract: A multi-layer composition comprising of a fluoropolymer layer, a hydrocarbon polymer layer, and an aliphatic di- or polyamine having a molecular weight of less than 1,000, wherein the fluoropolymer comprises vinylidene fluoride units; the hydrocarbon polymer is a polyamide, polyimide, or a functionalized polyolefin; and wherein substantially all of the di- or polyamine is located between the fluoropolymer and the hydrocarbon polymer layers, the amount of amine being sufficient to increase the adhesion of the two layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Tatsuo Fukushi
  • Patent number: D438980
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Rodney K. Hehenberger
  • Patent number: D439344
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Rodney K. Hehenberger