Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kent S. Kokko
  • Patent number: 6667215
    Abstract: A method for making transistors comprises depositing source electrode and drain electrode features onto a substrate through a single aperture in a stationary shadow mask, said aperture having at least two opposing edges; wherein the shapes of the features are defined by the aperture and location of source materials in relation to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties
    Inventors: Steven D. Theiss, Paul F. Baude, Michael A. Haase, Silva K. Theiss
  • Patent number: 6664306
    Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric compositions that are processible and may be photochemically cured to produce crosslinked compositions useful in coating, sealants and adhesive applications. The crosslinkable composition comprises a first component having a plurality of pendent, free-radically polymerizable functional groups; a polymeric photoinitiator, and a residual content of less than 2%. The composition is melt processable at temperatures of less than or equal to 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Babu N. Gaddam, Steven M. Hellmann, Ahmed S. Abuelyaman, Maureen A. Kavanagh, Duane D. Fansler, Kevin M. Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 6656258
    Abstract: The present invention provides composition for treating a substrate comprising a homogeneous mixture of: (a) a fluorinated silane of the formula: Rff1-[-Q-SiY3-xR1x]y   (I) wherein Rf1 represents a monovalent or divalent perfluorinated group, Q represents an organic divalent linking group, R1 represents a C1-C4 alkyl group, Y represents a hydrolysable group; x is 0 or 1 and y is 1 or 2; (b) compressed fluid carbon dioxide; and (c) optionally an organic or inorganic acid. The invention further provides a method of making such a composition and the use thereof to treat substrates to render them oil and water repellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Cheryl L. S. Elsbernd, Michael S. Terrazas, Steven J. Martin, Mark J. Pellerite
  • Patent number: 6653512
    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: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Frederick E. Behr, Richard M. Flynn
  • Patent number: 6649272
    Abstract: A composition comprising the condensation product of a least one fluorochemical polyether silane compound having a polyfluoropolyether segment and at least two hydrolysable silane groups per molecule, with one or more non-fluorinated compounds having at least two hydrolysable groups per molecule, and the reaction product thereof, is disclosed. The composition provides durable water, oil and stain repellency to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: George G. I. Moore, Rudolf J. Dams, Franceska M. Fieuws, Guido P. Piessens
  • Patent number: 6646019
    Abstract: A fibrillated foamed article and process for producing the same is described. The fibrillated articles are useful as tape backings, filters, thermal and acoustical insulation and as a diffuse reflector for use in optical applications such as computer displays and as reinforcement fibers for polymers or cast building materials such as concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mario A. Perez, Christopher K. Haas
  • Patent number: 6645618
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aliphatic polyester microfibers, films having a microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same. Microfibers of the invention can be prepared by imparting fluid energy, typically in the form of high-pressure water jets, to a highly oriented, highly crystalline, aliphatic polyester film to liberate microfibers therefrom. Microfibrillated films of the invention find use as tape backings, filters for particulate contaminants, such as face masks and water or air filters, fibrous mats, such as those used for removal of oil from water and those used as wipes, and thermal and acoustical insulation. Microfibers of the invention, when removed from the film matrix may be used in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles and used as wipes for the removal of debris or dust from a surface. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles of the invention may be biodegradable, rendering them useful for geotextiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terry R. Hobbs, Philip P. Soo, Mario A. Perez, Christopher K. Haas, Robert S. Kody
  • Patent number: 6635690
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel 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 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 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    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: 6630231
    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: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mario A. Perez, Michael D. Swan, Terry R. Hobbs, Allen R. Siedle
  • Patent number: 6617609
    Abstract: Provided is an organic thin film transistor comprising a siloxane polymeric layer interposed between a gate dielectric and an organic semiconductor layer. An integrated circuit comprising thin film transistors and methods of making a thin film transistor are also provided. The organic thin film transistors of the invention typically exhibit improvement in one or more transistor properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Tommie W. Kelley, Larry D. Boardman, Timothy D. Dunbar, Todd D. Jones, Dawn V. Muyres, Mark J. Pellerite, Terrance P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6586073
    Abstract: Fibers and microfibrillated articles are provided by imparting fluid energy to at least one surface of a highly oriented, voided, melt-processed polymeric film. The fibers and microfibrillated articles are useful as tape backings, filters, thermal and acoustical insulation and as reinforcement fibers for polymers or cast building materials such as concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mario A. Perez, Sundaravel Damodaran, Michael D. Swan
  • Patent number: 6579601
    Abstract: Conformable multilayer films having alternating layers of a stiff polymeric material and a flexible polymeric material are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Kollaja, David D. Nguyen, Ronald S. Steelman, Buren R. Ree, Steven D. Solomonson, Philip D. Radovanovic
  • Patent number: 6566575
    Abstract: An absorbent dressing comprising a hydrophilic gel absorbent layer having a patterned surface on at least one major surface thereof is provided. The patterned surface allows greater surface area for absorption of wound exudate when oriented toward the wound surface, while reducing the absorbent surface area in direct or indirect contact with the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Stickels, Peter M. Seiler, Stephen E. Krampe, Scott A. Burton
  • Patent number: 6552090
    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: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Frederick E. Behr, Richard M. Flynn
  • Patent number: 6537380
    Abstract: A homogeneous non-aqueous composition containing a fluorinated solvent, ozone, and optionally a co-solvent and the use of these compositions for cleaning and oxidizing substrates is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Zazerra, Frederick E. Behr, Michael J. Parent, Paul E. Rajtar
  • Patent number: 6525127
    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 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chetan P. Jariwala, James D. Eggleston, Michael A. Yandrasits, Rudolf J. Dams
  • Patent number: 6518347
    Abstract: Flame retardant carbonate polymer compositions and articles prepared therefrom are described. The carbonate polymer contains a flame retardant additive comprising metal salts of a highly fluorinated methide, amide or imide anion. The composition provides flame retardancy at relatively low levels of additive, allows a broader processing window of additive compositions and can have high transparency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven D. Boyd, William M. Lamanna, Thomas P. Klun
  • Patent number: 6497961
    Abstract: A ceramer composition is provided that comprises a plurality of colloidal inorganic oxide particles and a free-radically curable binder precursor. The free-radically curable binder precursor comprises a fluorochemical component that further comprises at least two free-radically curable moieties and at least one fluorinated moiety. By virtue of the inclusion of the fluorochemical component, the ceramer compositions of the present invention can be used to provide ceramer composites and ceramer composite structures with excellent stain, oil and/or water repellency characteristics as well as a high level of abrasion resistance and hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Soonkun Kang, George G. I. Moore, Thomas W. Rambosek
  • Patent number: 6492309
    Abstract: A homogeneous compositions containing a fluorinated solvent, hydrogen fluoride, and an optional co-solvent, and the use of these compositions for etching of microelectromechanical devices is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Frederick E. Behr, Paul E. Rajtar, Lawrence A. Zazzera, Michael J. Parent, Silva K. Theiss, Billy L. Weaver
  • Patent number: 6485789
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating of a substrate by contacting the substrate with a fluorochemical composition that comprises a condensation product of a di- or tri-isocyanate and at least one polyether, the polyether being obtained as the reaction product of a fluorochemical substituted epoxide. Substrates treated in accordance with the invention have good stain release properties, particularly to oil stains or tea stains, so stains can be more easily removed from the treated substrate in a laundering procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kathy E. M. L. A. Allewaert, Pierre J. Vander Elst, Rudolf J. Dams