Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kent S. Kokko
  • Patent number: 7078937
    Abstract: Logic circuitry is powered by a partially rectified alternating current (ac) waveform. The waveform is partially rectified in the sense that it does not provide a clean, primarily dc power signal. Instead, it is possible to power logic circuitry with a waveform that includes a substantial ac component. The partially rectified ac waveform may be applied to logic circuitry incorporating thin film transistors based on amorphous or polycrystalline organic semiconductors, inorganic semiconductors or combinations of both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul F. Baude, Michael A. Haase, Steven D. Theiss
  • Patent number: 7078454
    Abstract: This invention provides compositions for treating fibrous substrates to render those substrates durably repellent to water and oil and durably resistant to dry soil comprising a 1) fluorochemical urethane formed by reacting a tri- or higher order isocyanate with a fluorochemical monofunctional compound and optionally a non-fluorinated aliphatic monofunctional compound; and 2) a fluorochemical polymeric surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Malcolm B. Burleigh, David P. Cheatham, John C. Clark, A. Dale Otteson
  • Patent number: 7078456
    Abstract: A method of treating fibrous substrates by contacting the substrate with a fluorochemical composition comprising: a fluorochemical oligomeric component and an antisoiling component is described. The compositions provide desirable antisoiling properties, as well as oil, water and stain repellency to fibrous substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chetan P. Jariwala, Dirk M. Coppens, Frank A. H. M. Godefroidt
  • Patent number: 7074839
    Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinkable compositions useful in the preparation of hydrophilic gels, and are prepared from oligomers having pendent hydrophilic, poly(alkylene oxide) groups, pendent photoinitiator groups, and optionally polymerizable functional groups, and crosslinked by polyfunctional poly(alkylene oxides).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Duane D. Fansler, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Michael S. Wendland, Babu N. Gaddam, Steven M. Heilmann
  • Patent number: 7056846
    Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for treating fibrous substrates to render those substrates durably repellent to water and oil and durably resistant to dry soil comprising a fluorochemical urethane formed by reacting a tri- or higher order isocyanate with a fluorochemical monofunctional compound; and optionally a non-fluorinated aliphatic monofunctional compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. Clark, Malcolm B. Burleigh, Chetan P. Jariwala, Qiu Zai-Ming
  • Patent number: 7053253
    Abstract: Perfluoro-4-methyl-2-pentene containing the undesirable perfluoro-2-methyl-2-pentene may be purified by contacting the mixture with at least a stoichiometric equivalent of an aqueous inorganic base (relative to the perfluoro-2-methyl-2-pentene), in the presence of a polar solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zhongxing Zhang, Zai-Ming Qiu
  • Patent number: 7049379
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating fibrous substrates, such as leather, by contacting the substrate with a fluorochemical compound comprising: a fluorochemical oligomeric portion comprising an aliphatic backbone with a plurality of pendant fluoroaliphatic groups, each fluoroaliphatic group having a fully fluorinated terminal group and each independently linked to a carbon atom of the aliphatic backbone through an organic linking group; an aliphatic moiety; and a linking group which links the fluorochemical oligomeric portion to the aliphatic moiety. The fluorochemical compounds provide desirable oil, water and stain repellency to fibrous substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chetan P. Jariwala, James D. Eggleston, Michael A. Yandrasits, Rudolf Dams, Dirk M. Coppens
  • Patent number: 7041755
    Abstract: Photoiniferters for controlled radical polymerizations are described. The photoiniferters have an azlactone or ring-opened azlactone moiety to provide telechelic (co)polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin M. Lewandowski, Michael S. Wendland, Duane D. Fansler, Steven M. Heilmann, Babu N. Gaddam
  • Patent number: 7022658
    Abstract: Azeotrope-like compositions comprising hexafluoropropylene dimer and a hydrocarbon or a hydrofluorocarbon, and uses thereof, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David A. Hesselroth, John G. Owens
  • Patent number: 7022780
    Abstract: The device of the present invention delivers reactants to a reaction zone in a plug flow reactor. The feedblock encircles the reaction zone. Reactants enter the feedblock through an inlet port leading to a manifold for the delivery of reactants into a plurality of feed ports that are in connection with the reaction zone of a plug flow reactor. The invention additionally encompasses plug flow reactors including one or more feedblocks and the method of utilizing the feedblock for the reduction of radial variation in concentration upon entry of a reactant into the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ryan E. Marx, James M. Nelson, Shivshankar Venkataramani
  • Patent number: 7015286
    Abstract: The present invention provides melt-processible adhesive compositions prepared from a first oligomer containing reactive functional groups capable of reaction at effective rates (at normal processing temperatures) with a co-reactive second component oligomer possessing functionality that is complementary to that of the first oligomer. The compositions may be used as coatings, including hard surface coatings, clear coatings, powder coatings and pattern coatings; as adhesives, including pressure sensitive adhesives and hot melt adhesives; as sealants; as optical coatings; as blown microfibers (BMF); as high refractive index optical materials; as barrier films; in microreplication; as low adhesion backsizes, (LABs) and as release coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Heilmann, Babu N. Gaddam, Ahmed S. Abuelyaman, Duane D. Fansler, Todd D. Jones, Maureen A. Kavanagh, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Michael S. Wendland
  • Patent number: 7014803
    Abstract: A composite formed of a polymer matrix phase having a reinforcement phase including polymeric microfibers. The microfibers are preferably formed of a highly oriented polymer, having a high modulus value and a large surface area. The large surface area can serve to tightly bind the microfibers to the polymer matrix phase. The microfibers can be provided as a fully- or partially-microfibrillated film, as a non-woven web of entangled microfibers, or as a pulp having free fibers. The microfibers can be embedded in, or impregnated with, a polymer or polymer precursor. Some composite articles are formed from thermoset resins cured about a highly oriented polypropylene microfiber reinforcement phase, providing a strong, tough, moisture resistant article. One composite includes a matrix and reinforcement formed of the same material type and having substantially equal refractive indices, allowing the composite to be optically clear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mario A. Perez, Michael D. Swan, Terry R. Hobbs, Allen R. Siedle
  • Patent number: 6998179
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polarizer is described whereby an article comprising an oriented, vinylalcohol polymer film layer, and an acid donor layer comprising a photoacid generator, is exposed to radiant energy at a temperature sufficient to effect a partial dehydration of the vinylalcohol polymer to a vinylalcohol/poly(acetylene) copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Duane D. Fansler, Todd D. Jones, Babu N. Gaddam, Robert T. Fitzsimons, Steven M. Heilmann, John J. Cael
  • Patent number: 6998068
    Abstract: Acene-thiophene compounds are disclosed that are useful as organic semiconductors. The compounds, when used as the semiconductor layer in organic thin-film transistors exhibit device characteristics, like charge-carrier mobilities and current on/off ratios, that are comparable to those of pentacene. Also described are semiconductor devices comprising at least one compound of the invention; and articles comprising the semiconductor devices such as thin film transistors or transistor arrays, and electroluminescent lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Christopher P. Gerlach
  • Patent number: 6992217
    Abstract: Initiators for atom transfer radical polymerizations are described. The initiators have an azlactone or ring-opened azlactone moiety to provide telechelic (co)polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Duane D. Fansler, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Babu N. Gaddam, Steven M. Heilmann, Larry R. Krepski, Stephen B. Roscoe, Michael S. Wendland
  • Patent number: 6977113
    Abstract: Microfiber articles and methods and intermediates for their production, the microfiber articles being preferably produced from co-extruded multi-layer films, and the articles having a multi-layer construction that allows selection of the different layers to have different properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Kody, Mario A. Perez, John W. Longabach, Kimberley D. Klepzig, John M. Sebastian, Terry R. Hobbs, Matthew J. Michel, Timothy J. Lindquist, Ravi K. Sura
  • Patent number: 6969490
    Abstract: The device of the present invention delivers reactants to a reaction zone in a plug flow reactor. The feedblock encircles the reaction zone. Reactants enter the feedblock through an inlet port leading to a manifold for the delivery of reactants into a plurality of feed ports that are in connection with the reaction zone of a plug flow reactor. The invention additionally encompasses plug flow reactors including one or more feedblocks and the method of utilizing the feedblock for the reduction of radial variation in concentration upon entry of a reactant into the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ryan E. Marx, James M. Nelson, Shivshankar Venkataramani
  • Patent number: 6969749
    Abstract: Initiators for atom transfer radical polymerizations are described. The initiators have an azlactone or ring-opened azlactone moiety to provide telechelic (co)polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kevin M. Lewandowski, Duane D. Fansler, Babu N. Gaddam, Steven M. Heilmann, Larry R. Krepski, Stephen B. Roscoe, Michael S. Wendland
  • Patent number: 6953606
    Abstract: Described are compositions comprising perfluoroalkyl haloalkyl ethers and, optionally, surfactant; uses for perfluoroalkyl haloalkyl ether compounds and compositions thereof, optionally comprising surfactant; and perfluoroalkyl haloalkyl ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Frederick E. Behr, Richard M. Flynn
  • Patent number: 6949207
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polarizer is described whereby a pre-polarizing article comprising an oriented, vinylalcohol polymer film layer, and an acid donor layer comprising a thermal acid generator, is exposed to radiant energy at a temperature sufficient to effect a partial dehydration of the vinylalcohol polymer to a vinylalcohol/poly(acetylene) copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Duane D. Fansler, Robert T. Fitzsimons, Jr., Wayne S. Mahoney, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Michael S. Wendland, Babu N. Gaddam