Patents Represented by Attorney Kevin W. Weber
  • Patent number: 8333718
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing bioacoustic energy includes a housing comprising an interfacing portion configured to establish coupling with a body part during use. The sensor includes a transducer element coupled to the interfacing portion of the housing and configured to sense sounds produced by matter of biological origin. One or more conductors are coupled to the transducer element. A mass element is compliantly coupled to a surface of the transducer element. Intervening material is disposed between the transducer element surface and the mass element, and allows for differential motion between the transducer element surface and the mass element during excitation of the transducer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hatim M. Carim, Vivek Bharti, Fred L. DeRoos
  • Patent number: 8176640
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for cutting media, such as paper, cardboard, and metal foils. The device has a body that includes a sidewall extending from the body. The device has means for cutting the media disposed in the body. The means for cutting the media has a cutting edge having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The sidewall shrouds at least a portion of the cutting edge. The sidewall has a media contact point that is disposed away from the trailing edge in the direction of the leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Property Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Gullicks, Gerald E. Mueller, Joy A. Packard, Scott D. Pearson
  • Patent number: 8171647
    Abstract: A device for cutting media is provided. The device includes a cover having a sidewall extending therefrom; a guide disposed substantially beneath the cover and comprising a blade; an actuating mechanism disposed in at least one of the cover and the guide; and an actuating wall disposed between the cover and the guide. Engagement of the actuating mechanism creates a cutting action between the blade and the actuating wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Gullicks, Gerald E. Mueller, Joy A. Packard, Scott D. Pearson
  • Patent number: 8024974
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing bioacoustic energy includes a housing comprising an interfacing portion configured to establish coupling with a body part during use of the sensor. An anchoring arrangement is defined on the housing. A transducer member has an anchoring end and at least one free end. The anchoring end of the transducer is coupled to the housing such that the transducer member is arranged to be preferentially sensitive to bioacoustic energy transferred to the transducer via the interfacing portion relative to other portions of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Vivek Bharti, Hatim M. Carim, Fred L. DeRoos
  • Patent number: 8026296
    Abstract: Hardenable and hardened dental compositions, and articles including such hardenable and hardened compositions, are provided. The hardenable dental compositions include a thermally labile component including one or more thermally labile groups. Upon heating, the hardened compositions are useful, for example, for reducing the bond strength of orthodontic appliances adhered to tooth structures with the hardened compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rajdeep S. Kalgutkar, Peter A. Stark, Joan V. Brennan, Jeffrey B. Hill
  • Patent number: 8021146
    Abstract: An indirect bonding tray for orthodontic bonding procedures has moisture control structure that is located next to the patient's teeth when the tray is placed over the patient's dental arch. The moisture control structure tends to draw moisture away from the adhesive used to bond the appliances to the teeth. As a consequence, the probability that the resulting bond between the appliances and the teeth is adversely affected by the presence of moisture, blood or other fluids in the patient's mouth is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., Raymond P. Johnston, David S. Arney, Oliver L. Puttler
  • Patent number: 8012693
    Abstract: A method of analyzing cellular samples that include a chemically crosslinked analyte is provided. The analysis typically involves the use of mass spectrometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bathsheba E. Chong Conklin, Patrick J. Parks
  • Patent number: 7998091
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing bioacoustic energy includes a housing comprising an interfacing portion configured to establish coupling with a body part during use. The sensor includes a transducer element coupled to the interfacing portion of the housing and configured to sense sounds produced by matter of biological origin. One or more conductors are coupled to the transducer element. A mass element is compliantly coupled to a surface of the transducer element. Intervening material is disposed between the transducer element surface and the mass element, and allows for differential motion between the transducer element surface and the mass element during excitation of the transducer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hatim M. Carim, Vivek Bharti, Fred L. DeRoos
  • Patent number: 7776940
    Abstract: Hardenable and hardened dental compositions, and articles including such hardenable and hardened compositions, are provided. In some embodiments, the hardenable dental compositions include an acid-generating component and an acid-reactive component including one or more acid-reactive groups. Upon irradiating, and optionally heating, the hardened compositions are useful, for example, for reducing the bond strength of orthodontic appliances adhered to tooth structures with the hardened compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rajdeep S. Kalgutkar, Joan V. Brennan, Babu N. Gaddam
  • Patent number: 7766653
    Abstract: A prescription for an orthodontic brace is selected by providing data representing a number of teeth of the dental arch and by displaying images of the teeth in two or more different positions. Images of at least one tooth when in the first position and when in the second position are simultaneously displayed in superimposed fashion, and any difference in orientations of the displayed tooth images between the first position and the second position appears in contrast. As a consequence, the relative difference in positions can be readily observed. The invention is particularly useful for selecting a prescription of a brace from two or more prescriptions, and is also useful for observing the relative effect of a single prescription when used on certain teeth in comparison to the position of the same teeth during an earlier stage of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
    Inventors: Robert C. Manemann, Russell A. Jordan
  • Patent number: D665027
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joy A. Packard, Shaelyn D. Crutchley, Martin E. Broen
  • Patent number: D666243
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joel K. Hagglund, Joy A. Packard, Shaelyn D. Crutchley, Martin E. Broen, Johannes Bayer, Marcela S. Iglesias, Jorge C. Ceballos
  • Patent number: D671991
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joel K. Hagglund, Shaelyn D. Crutchley, Martin E. Broen
  • Patent number: D671992
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthieu Aquino, Monica Dalla Riva, Peter J. Newbould, Ivana Babic, Serge F. Masset