Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John H. Hornickel
  • Method of preparing a polymer using aliphatic solutions of aminoalkyllithium compounds
    Patent number: 6046288
    Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of aliphatic solvent needed for maintaining aminoalkyllithium initiators in solution comprising the step of combining at least one aminoalkyllithium compound with a second, dissimilar lithioamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Lawson, Michael L. Kerns, John R. Schreffler
  • Tires having belts of high modulus composites
    Patent number: 6012498
    Abstract: Composites of high melting point thermoplastics such as polyphenylene sulfide or polyimide and high modulus fibers such as carbon, graphite, or boron can be bonded to rubber using a primer such as a metal primer. The composite desirably has a modulus of elasticity of at least 750,000 psi and can be used as a belt in a no-flat tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Russell W. Koch
  • Pneumatic tire with air retention innerliner ply
    Patent number: 6009923
    Abstract: A tubeless pneumatic vehicle tire having an interliner ply having reduced resistance to air permeability. The interliner rubber composition is a a graft copolymer of a butyl rubber or a halogenated butyl rubber backbone having pendently grafted thereto a polymerized metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, Joseph K. Valaitis
  • Apparatus for depositing precisely metered quantities of an emulsion on a surface
    Patent number: 5976252
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing precisely metered quantities of an emulsion on a surface are disclosed. The method and apparatus are particularly useful for assembly of reversible clinical thermometers. The apparatus involves (a) at least one cartridge having a volume containing the emulsion composition; (b) at least one piston associated with each cartridge for collapsing the volume under a controlled pressure; (c) at least one tubular needle for receiving a flow of emulsion composition from each cartridge; (d) a fluid connection between each tubular needle and each cartridge for delivering the emulsion composition from each cartridge to each needle; and (e) a valve for each fluid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Gary Focarino
  • Water-based pigmented inks
    Patent number: 5951749
    Abstract: Water-based pigmented inks are disclosed. Such inks are formed from water-based dispersions of pigment particles having novel dispersants therein. The dispersions are formed from the reaction product of an amino acid compound with a nitrogen reactive compound with subsequent hydrolysis providing the capability of the dispersant to hydrophobically interact with the pigment particles. The resultinginks are well-suited for use in ink jet and other printing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Larry R. Krepski, Prabhakara S. Rao, Terrance P. Smith, Kenneth D. Wilson, Richard J. Kuo
  • Polymerized microemulsion pressure sensitive adhesive compositions and methods of preparing and using same
    Patent number: 5952398
    Abstract: A polymerized microemulsion pressure sensitive adhesive composition is described. The composition has peel adhesion of at least 3 Newtons/100 mm as measured according to a PSTC-1 Test. The composition preferably has a bicontinuous structure of a continuous phase of a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive polymer and a continuous phase of a hydrophilic polymer. The bulk properties of both polymers are retained in the bicontinuous structure. The composition is prepared from a microemulsion comprising a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated polar amphiphilic or hydrophilic monomer or oligomer in the aqueous phase, a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer, having a glass transition temperature suitable for forming a pressure sensitive adhesive, in the oil phase, water, and surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Timothy M. Dietz, Ying-Yuh Lu, Rosa Uy, Chung I. Young
  • Biomedical electrode having skin-equilibrating adhesive at its perimeter and method for using same
    Patent number: 5947961
    Abstract: A biomedical electrode is disclosed, having a geometry of a perimeter of hydrophilic adhesive exceeding the perimeter of an area containing electrically conductive plate(s). The geometry unexpectedly causes a reduction in edge effect for dispersive electrodes and cardiac stimulation electrodes due the substantial equilibration of the conductive adhesive with epidermis of a patient the electrode contacts for a period of time sufficient to cause such substantial equilibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Samuel G. Netherly
  • Pigmented inks and N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-N-disubstituted sulfosuccinamate dispersants used therewith
    Patent number: 5938830
    Abstract: Pigmented inks are disclosed comprising an aqueous medium, a pigment, and a N-disubstituted sulfosuccinamate dispersant, preferably tetrasodium N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-N-octadecyl sulfosuccinamate. Such dispersants reduce the agglomeration of pigment particles and reduce or eliminate the deposition of foreign substances on heater elements during the jetting process. A variety of pigments, dispersants, humectants, and aqueous media can be used. Such dispersants provide inks with good stability, few kogation problems, long decap times, and no color-to-color bleed, and relatively fast drying times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Kuo, Jennifer Jeannette
  • Stethoscope having microphone therein
    Patent number: 5932849
    Abstract: A stethoscope chestpiece is disclosed having an acoustic-to-electrical transducer residing within the acoustic pathway of the chestpiece. The transducer resides within a mounting that can provide shock attenuation and vibration isolation. The transducer preferably resides within a coaxial position in the acoustic pathway. The chestpiece is useful in a stethoscope which can be electrically connected to auscultation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alan P. Dieken
  • Modulation of coating patterns in fluid carrier coating processes
    Patent number: 5928726
    Abstract: A method of modulating coating patterns is disclosed. The method uses the steps of dispensing a composite comprising a carrier fluid layer and a transferring the composite to the substrate, wherein interfacial interaction among the carrier fluid layer, the functional fluid layer, and the substrate generates a patterned coating of the functional layer on the substrate. The coating patterns provide controlled release surfaces for tapes, image receptors, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Terri L. Butler, Kathryn R. Bretscher, Mark C. Berens, James A. Baker, Gaye K. Lehman
  • Electrical conductor for biomedical electrodes and biomedical electrodes prepared therefrom
    Patent number: 5924983
    Abstract: An electrical conductor and a biomedical electrode using the electrical conductor are disclosed. The electrical conductor has a flexible, non-conductive film and two different carbon-containing coatings on a major surface of the film. The electrical conductor coatings are a low porous carbon-containing coating and a high porous carbon-containing coating. The low porous carbon-containing coating contacts the film and the high porous carbon-containing coating contacts the low porous carbon-containing coating. A tab/pad style of biomedical electrode using the electrical conductor has a field of ionically conductive media containing electrolyte contacting the high porous carbon-containing coating. The electrolyte diffuses into the high porous carbon-containing coating for electrochemical advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Shunsuke Takaki, Masanao Shikano
  • Liquid toners with hydrocarbon solvents
    Patent number: 5919866
    Abstract: The toner particles of this invention comprise pigment and a resin. The resin comprises a novel polymer formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, macromeric moieties that render the resin dispersible in hydrocarbon solvents, and a surface-release promoting moiety. When used for toner particles the polymer further comprises charge directing chelating moieties. The toner particles also include a charge director, preferably a metal cation. The toner particles, when dispersed in a carrier liquid, are useful as liquid toners for electrographic or electrophotographic processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Prabhakara S. Rao, Valdis Mikelsons
  • Minimum visibility seam tape and method of joining substrates using the same
    Patent number: 5906696
    Abstract: A minimum visibility seam tape and method of joining at least two substrates with the tape. The substrates joined typically are sign faces or awnings comprising a composite of thermoplastics and a woven scrim. The seam tape is a woven or nonwoven scrim embedded in or coated with a thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James A. Pontuti, Robert W. Warner, Richard F. Theissen, John A. Nielsen
  • Multiple embossed webs
    Patent number: 5897930
    Abstract: A carrier web having at least one surface that is multiple, sequentially embossed, wherein depressions created from the prior embossing patterns(s) are preserved during the subsequent embossing pattern(s) even though the subsequent embossing pattern(s) are superimposed on the depressions from the prior embossing pattern(s). The patterns of embossing can be Euclidean or fractal created from machine tools produced using microreplication and other techniques. The carrier webs are useful for release liners for pressure sensitive adhesives and a number of other industrial and consumer applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Clyde D. Calhoun, David C. Koskenmaki
  • Biometric recognition using a classification neural network
    Patent number: 5892838
    Abstract: A biometric recognition system involves two phases: creation of a master pattern set of authorized users biometric indicia and authentication using a classification neural network. To create the master pattern set, an image of an authorized biometric user's indicia is divided into a plurality of regions of interest or "features". The system determines which features are the most useful for identification purposes. Master patterns are then created from these master features, thus creating a master pattern set. During authentication, a sample pattern set of a user to be authenticated is similarly created. A neural network is used to compare the sample pattern set with the master pattern set to determine whether the user should be authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Mark J. Brady
  • Heat activated translucent marking films
    Patent number: 5874158
    Abstract: Heat activated, translucent marking films are disclosed. The translucent, heat activated marking film has a transferable, translucent, plastic film and field of a heat activated, translucent adhesive adhered to the plastic film. The marking film is prepared and stored on a polymeric liner until transfer by heat to a substrate, such as a back-lit sign or an awning. The film can be cut into images prior to heat transfer to the substrate according to commercial graphics techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bret W. Ludwig, Chi Chung Hsu, Roger E. Bakken
  • Pressure sensitive adhesives for use on low energy surfaces
    Patent number: 5874143
    Abstract: A vinyl graphic marking film or label coated with a pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive designed to achieve high or permanent adhesion to polymeric low energy surfaces is disclosed. In addition to good adhesion to low energy surfaces, the graphic marking film or label may have microperforated or micro-rough edges which initiate tearing when removal is attempted. The article maintains flexibility and film strength for easy fabrication in graphic marking film or label manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Peloquin, Albert I. Everaerts, Kenneth D. Wilson, Stephen J. Galick
  • Water-based pigmented inks having silicone-containing polymer incorporated therein
    Patent number: 5854308
    Abstract: Water-based pigmented ink formulations are disclosed including a water soluble or water dispersible silicone-containing polymer additive comprising a vinyl silicone polymer. The additive significantly reduces kogation, mudcracking, and banding in some or all of the pigmented ink formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Kuo, Smarajit Mitra, Charles E. Boyer, III, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Jr.
  • Polymerized microemulsion pressure sensitive adhesive compositions and methods of preparing and using same
    Patent number: 5853750
    Abstract: A polymerized microemulsion pressure sensitive adhesive composition is described. The composition has peel adhesion of at least 3 Newtons/100 mm as measured according to a PSTC-1 Test. The composition preferably has a bicontinuous structure of a continuous phase of a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive polymer and a continuous phase of a hydrophilic polymer. The bulk properties of both polymers are retained in the bicontinuous structure. The composition is prepared from a microemulsion comprising a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated polar amphiphilic or hydrophilic monomer or oligomer in the aqueous phase, a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer, having a glass transition temperature suitable for forming a pressure sensitive adhesive, in the oil phase, water, and surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Timothy M. Dietz, Ying-Yuh Lu, Rosa Uy, Chung I. Young
  • Electrostatic toner receptor layer of rubber modified thermoplastic
    Patent number: 5852121
    Abstract: An electrostatic toner receptor layer comprised of a blend of a terpolymer of methyl methacrylate/ethyl acrylate and N-t-butyl acrylamide, a vinyl resin, a chlorinated rubber or polyurethane dispersion rubber and a plasticizer. The resulting receptor layer provide durability and flexibility when applied to a crack resistance film for subsequent application to soft-sided vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, Eric J. Hanson, Jennifer Jeannette