Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John A. Fortkort
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Patent number: 6077468Abstract: A low melting, high solids spin finish composition is provided that can be readily applied to synthetic fibers during the fiber-making process. The spin finish solids, which make up at least about 70% by weight of the spin finish composition, comprise nonionic hydrocarbon surfactant components, such as polyoxyalkylenes, which have a <HLB> value of from about 2 to 13 and a melting point within the range of about 25.degree. C. to about 140.degree. C. In some embodiments, the spin finish composition also includes select fluorochemicals.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1999Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Chetan P. Jariwala, Edward R. Hauser, James E. Lockridge, Irvin F. Dunsmore, Malcolm B. Burleigh, Nicole L. Franchina
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Patent number: 6078719Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 1998Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gordon Wiegand, Sidney J. Berglund, Donald G. Doss
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Patent number: 6068805Abstract: A method for making a fiber is provided in which a fiber containing a fluorochemical polymer melt additive is treated with a low melting, high solids spin finish composition during the fiber-making process.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1999Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James E. Lockridge, Irvin F. Dunsmore
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Patent number: 6064006Abstract: An end seal for a cable splice closure includes a core portion having a slot for receiving a cable. A tail portion, extending from the core portion, is of sufficient length and flexibility to be extended over the slot. An adhesive injection port is provided in the core portion to communicate an adhesive injected into the injection port to the slot to bond into a sealed unit the surfaces of the end seal and the cable to be received. The adhesive is a low surface energy adhesive based on acrylic monomers with organoborane amine complexes.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jacqueline J. Pulido, Kenneth D. Rebers, Thomas S. Croft, Alan J. Oshinski, Kwang H. Chu, Daniel G. Lee, Russell P. Smith
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Patent number: 6057961Abstract: An optical film is provided which exhibits increased gain at nonnormal angles of incidence and which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard C. Allen, Lockwood W. Carlson, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Arthur L. Kotz, Timothy J. Nevitt, Carl A. Stover, Biswaroop Majumdar
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Patent number: 6051652Abstract: A composition for preparing a reactive hot melt composition comprises (a) a thermoplastic polymer which comprises a polyolefin having an epoxy group, and (b) a radiation polymerizable component containing (b-1) an aliphatic alkyl (meth)acrylate and (b-2) an acrylic compound having a functional group reactive with an epoxy group. A reactive hot melt composition is obtained by polymerizing this composition so as to polymerize the radiation polymerizable component.The reactive hot melt composition which can be easily hot melt coated, crosslinked quickly in the absence of radiation or moisture after bonding adherends, does not form moisture during crosslinking, and has high flowability during hot melting.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kohichiro Kawate, Shigeyoshi Ishii
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Patent number: 6048599Abstract: A composite material for electromagnetic fusion bonding materials together includes interconnected first and second portions forming a patterned array. The first portions include layer absorptive magnetic particles in a polymer matrix. The second portions include a polymer positioned to separate each first portion from each other first portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1997Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kwang H. Chu, Armond D. Cosman, Richard L. Miklos
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Patent number: 6039553Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding an illumination device using an open mold are provided which allow for the addition of light extraction structures to a prefabricated light guide using a curable material. A mold containing the extraction structures is first provided. Curable molding material and the prefabricated light guide are placed into the mold, and an overlay comprising light extraction structures is cured onto the light guide, providing a functional illumination device.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David J. Lundin, Kevin M. Eliason
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Patent number: 6033604Abstract: A method of molding an illumination device using an open mold is provided. The method allows for the addition of light extraction structures to a prefabricated light guide using a curable material. A mold containing the extraction structures is first provided. Curable molding material and the prefabricated light guide are placed into the mold, and an overlay comprising light extraction structures is cured onto the light guide, providing a functional illumination device.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David J. Lundin, Kevin M. Eliason
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Patent number: 6031665Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Lockwood W. Carlson, Arthur L. Kotz, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover, Michael F. Weber, Richard C. Allen, Biswaroop Majumdar
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Patent number: 6018008Abstract: 1H,1H-perfluorocyclohexylmethyl 2-fluoroacrylate, homopolymers and copolymers thereof. The compolymers may comprise monomers selected from:a) at least 40% by weight of 1H,1H-perfluorocyclohexylmethyl 2-fluoroacrylate, andb) up to 60% by weight of monomer which is a member selected from the group consisting of methyl 2-fluoroacrylate, 1H,1H-perfluorooctyl 2-fluoroacrylate, 1H,1H-perfluoro(2-(butoxy)propyl) 2-fluoroacrylate and combinations thereof. The polymers are useful for making optical elements, particularly optical fibres.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1994Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Nicholas A. Stacey, Alastair S. Dodds, Luke C. Williams
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Patent number: 6006768Abstract: A device for cleaning an optical fiber includes a body having a surface. A cleaning substance is deposited on the surface of the body. The body is selectively positionable for selectively contacting the cleaning substance with the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Larry R. Cox
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Patent number: 6005713Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Lockwood W. Carlson, Arthur L. Kotz, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover, Michael F. Weber, Richard C. Allen, Biswaroop Majumdar
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Patent number: 5991077Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Lockwood W. Carlson, Arthur L. Kotz, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover, Michael F. Weber, Richard C. Allen, Biswaroop Majumdar
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Patent number: 5981076Abstract: A UV weatherable film construction is provided which is capable of retaining its dimensional stability under extreme environmental temperatures and humidities. The base film polymer, syndiotactic polystyrene, has characteristically low moisture absorption, excellent thermal stability, and high transparency. When used in combination with a UV-blocking coating, the sPS film exhibits a degree of resistance to UV-induced discoloration and degradation that is substantially superior to unprotected sPS films or films based on sPS resins that are merely compounded with a UV absorber. The sPS cover films of the present invention are useful as overlay films in signing and other outdoor applications, are comparable to UV-absorber loaded acrylic films in UV blocking or resistance, and provide a cost competitive alternative to acrylic, polyester, and fluoropolymer overlay films.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1996Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Jaime R. Ojeda
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Patent number: 5976424Abstract: A method for making multilayer optical films is provided in which the degradation of the optical extinction of the thinnest optical layers is avoided by casting these layers close to the casting wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Carl A. Stover, William W. Merrill, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
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Patent number: 5968666Abstract: A multilayer polyester film, and a method for making the same, is provided. The film consists of alternating layers of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate. Biaxial orientation and subsequent restrained heat setting of these materials results in thin films with tensile moduli in both stretch directions well in excess of the values obtained with monolithic films of either material. In some embodiments, a slippery surface is imparted to the film without the use of conventional slip agents.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1996Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Brandt K. Carter, Raymond L. Lucking, James A. Klein, Sheldon J. Israel
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Patent number: 5912433Abstract: A cable splice closure includes a closure body having mating surfaces sealed together. An end seal in the closure has an opening for receiving a cable. The end seal is sealed to the closure body by an adhesive bond. An adhesive injection port is provided in the end seal to communicate an adhesive injected into the end seal and to bond into a sealed unit the surf aces of the end seal and the cable to be received. The adhesive is a low surface energy adhesive based on acrylic monomers with organoborane amine complexes.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jacqueline J. Pulido, Kenneth D. Rebers, Thomas S. Croft, Alan J. Oshinski, Kwang H. Chu, Daniel G. Lee, Russell P. Smith
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Patent number: 5908663Abstract: A method for treating carpets is provided which obviates the need for scouring. In accordance with the method, an unscoured carpet is treated topically, and by means of a low wet pickup method, with a solution comprising particles of silica or a similar inorganic additive and a fluorochemical or other optional organic additive. Carpets treated in accordance with this method are found to have excellent soil resistance properties which do not decrease noticeably with subsequent wear or cleaning. Furthermore, since the method involves a low wet pickup, the required drying times are significantly reduced as compared to conventional aqueous bath immersion methods.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1996Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Shou-Lu G. Wang, Lori P. Engle, Steven J. Hamrock, Dong-Wei Zhu, Thomas E. Wood, Steven J. Martin
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Patent number: D427152Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1999Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael L. Black, Jenny L. Blankinship