Patents Represented by Attorney Kathleen B. Gross
  • Patent number: 7678316
    Abstract: A method that includes coextruding two or more thermoplastic resin streams through a profiled die plate, which die plate is shaped to form a nonplanar film (three dimensional) preferably with a regularly oscillating peak and valley structure that oscillates from a top surface to a bottom surface forming longitudinally extending ridges on both faces of the film. The film is formed by coextruding the film through the oscillating die plate opening causing partitioning of the resins in different zones in the width direction of the film. Flattening of the film results in a film with side-by-side zones formed of different polymers or relative proportions of polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Ausen, Janet A. Venne, Jayshree Seth
  • Patent number: 7678426
    Abstract: Perfluoropolyether amide-linked phosphonates and derivatives thereof are provided. Compositions containing perfluoropolyether amide-linked phosphonates or derivatives thereof, perfluoropolyether amide-linked phosphates or derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof are also provided. Additionally, articles, methods of making articles, and methods of reducing contaminant adhesion to a substrate are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Flynn, Mark J. Pellerite
  • Patent number: 7670522
    Abstract: A unitary fastener of a thermoplastic resin comprising a base film layer having generally parallel upper and lower major surfaces, arranged in a first direction the base film layer being oriented at least in the first direction. The backing layer having on at least one surface separated surface elements extending at an angle to said first direction. The invention is also related to a method of forming a unitary fastener. The method includes the steps of extruding a thermoplastic resin in a machine direction through a die plate having a continuous base portion cavity and one or more rib cavities extending from the base portion cavity, forming a strip having a base layer and one or more continuous ribs. Scoring or cutting the ribs and at least a surface layer of the base layer forms predetermined separable elements. Inelastically stretching the strip forms separated projections and separated separable surface elements across the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Ausen, Jayshree Seth
  • Patent number: 7662896
    Abstract: Described are fluorochemical surfactants derived from nonafluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride that contain polyalkyleneoxy side chains and may be copolymerized with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid to form polyacrylates or polymethacrylates. The surfactants surprisingly lower the surface tension of water and other liquids in the same or similar low values achieved by premier surfactants such as those derived from perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patricia M. Savu, Sandra A. Etienne
  • Patent number: 7658813
    Abstract: A method of preparing closure components and a method of preparing a stable roll of such components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Johann F. Petersen
  • Patent number: 7652115
    Abstract: Described are compositions containing fluorinated polyether isocyanate derived silane compounds for treating substrates such as hard surfaces, e.g. ceramic and/or glass, to render them oil and water repellent, and stain resistant, articles having coatings comprising such compounds, and methods for applying such coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Dams, Steven J. Martin, Richard M. Flynn
  • Patent number: 7629298
    Abstract: Methods for modifying the wettability of sandstone. Compositions comprising sandstone having a modified wettability. Such wettability modifications may be useful, for instance, in improving the well-deliverability of an oil and/or gas well located in a sandstone formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Manuel J. Arco, Rudolf J. Dams
  • Patent number: 7569715
    Abstract: Perfluoro lower alkanesulfonamide-derived silanes which in an organic solvent are useful in treating siliceous substrates are described. The compositions may optionally contain an additional non-fluorinated compound in a mixture or condensation product. Methods for preparing perfluoro lower alkanesulfonamide-derived silanes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Dams, George G. I. Moore
  • Patent number: 7524545
    Abstract: An article including: a porous substrate that includes a fibrous material; and a release coating disposed on the fibrous material of the porous substrate; wherein the release coating includes a thermoplastic silicone-containing polymer. A method of making an article, which method includes: providing a porous backing having a first major surface and a second major surface; applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the first major surface of the porous backing; and applying an aqueous dispersion including a thermoplastic silicone-containing polymer to the second major surface of the porous backing to form a low adhesion backsize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bany, James P. DiZio, Patricia J. A. Brandt, Janice R. Manore, Judith A. Green
  • Patent number: 7495118
    Abstract: Described are perfluoro lower alkyl derived silanes having two perfluoroalkyl groups in close proximity to one another which in an organic solvent are useful in treating siliceous substrates; the compositions may optionally contain an additional non-fluorinated compound in a mixture or condensation product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Dams, Michael S. Terrazas, George G. I. Moore
  • Patent number: 7470741
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorochemical composition comprising: (a) one or more fluorochemical oligomers derivable from a free radical polymerization of one or more fluorinated monomers and optionally one or more non-fluorinated monomers in the presence of a chain transfer agent, said fluorochemical oligomer being free of acid groups and comprising one or more groups of the formula: -M1(R)q(Y)p?q?1??(I) wherein M1 is selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti, Zr, B, Al, Ge, V, Pb, Sn and Zn, R represents a non-hydrolysable group, Y represents a hydrolysable group, q is 0, 1 or 2, p equals the valence of M1 and is 3 or 4 and p?q?1 is at least 1; (b) one or more non-fluorinated compounds of an element M2 selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti, Zr, B, Al, Ge, V, Pb, Sn and Zn and having at least two hydrolysable groups per molecule in an amount sufficient to form a polycondensation product upon reaction with said fluorochemical oligomer (a); (c) water; and (d) an organic solvent in an amount
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Rudolf J. Dams
  • Patent number: 7417099
    Abstract: Described are fluorochemical surfactants derived from nonafluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride that contain polyalkyleneoxy side chains and may be copolymerized with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid to form polyacrylates or polymethacrylates. The surfactants surprisingly lower the surface tension of water and other liquids in the same or similar low values achieved by premier surfactants such as those derived from perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patricia M. Savu, Sandra A. Etienne
  • Patent number: 7407496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastening film system 1 comprising a backing 7 and an adhesive layer 6 on one of the two major surfaces of the backing 7, the backing 7 bearing on its exposed major surface 3a opposite to the adhesive layer 6 a plurality of male fastening elements 4 capable of engaging with fibrous materials 32 having a plurality of complementary female fastening elements, and a plurality of through-holes 2 extending through the thickness 11 of the backing 7 so that the adhesive layer 6 attached to the backing 7 is exposed through such through-holes 2 wherein at least one of said through-holes 2 is encompassed by the backing 7, and wherein the fastening film system 1 releasably adheres to said fibrous materials 32 through a combination of a mechanical and an adhesive bonding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Johann F. Petersen
  • Patent number: 7261757
    Abstract: There is provided a framed filter for insertion into a filter housing having a frame surrounding at least part of a filtration media with a fluid inlet face and a fluid outlet face, the frame comprising at least one longitudinally extending sidewall portion provided with one or more flexible side seals which side seal is provided with at least one longitudinally extending rib extending in the lengthwise direction of the seal on an outwardly facing surface of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • Patent number: 7258717
    Abstract: The invention is related to a framed filter media comprising a pleated filter media having a fluid inlet face and a fluid outlet face with peripheral sidewalls. The peripheral sidewalls of the pleated filter are attached to the frame generally by an adhesive. The frame is preferably a flexible strip frame formed into three or more (up to an infinite number if the sidewall sections(s) is formed into a circular filter frame) sidewall sections each having a substantially flat sidewall and at least two projecting filter retaining tabs which form a flange on a first face of the sidewall section for containing the filter along its peripheral sidewalls and any adhesive. A cross brace is also inserted within the filter retaining tabs which fits into at least one pleat of the framed pleated filter media. The cross brace fits into the space formed by the pleated filter media but is not in continuous contact with the filter media forming the pleat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy