Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Lorraine R. Sherman
  • Optical disc recording medium having a microstructure-derived inhomogeneity or anisotropy
    Patent number: 4950579
    Abstract: An optical recording medium and a method for preparing the medium in which information can be recorded and read by means of a focused modulated laser beam. The optical recording medium comprises a substrate containing on at least one surface, a layer of organic material having an anisotropic and/or inhomogeneous physical microstructure which gives the layer a non-uniform density gradient along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the layer before exposure to a laser beam, whereby upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation the level of anisotropy and/or inhomogeneity is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark K. Debe, Kam K. Kam, Daniel R. Field
  • Bis(thiazolinethiones)
    Patent number: 4946962
    Abstract: Two classes of certain compounds known as bis(thiazolinethiones), more particularly bis[(3,4-disubstituted)-thiazole-2-thiones], have thiazolinethione heterocycle units linked by alkylene, arylene, or arene groups or by a carbon to carbon single bond. These compounds are useful in the graphic arts because of their reduced volatility, reduced migrating aptitude, and reduced hydrophilicity compared to mono thiazolinethiones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Heilmann, Larry R. Krepski, Jerald K. Rasmussen, Alan R. Katritzky, Richard D. Tarr
  • Low odor adhesive compositions and bonding method employing same
    Patent number: 4945006
    Abstract: A novel, fast-bonding adhesive composition is disclosed having low odor, and when cured, forms adhesive bonds having high glass transition temperature, T.sub.g, and high shear strength at elevated temperatures. The composition comprises one or more of acryl- and methacrylamides which have a cyclic group directly attached to the amide nitrogen or has the amide nitrogen as a member of a cyclic group. The composition further comprises a polymeric toughener that is dissolved or dispersed in the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John M. Muggee, Eric L. Zilley
  • Process for metal fibers
    Patent number: 4940596
    Abstract: A slurry comprises a ferromagnetic fiber having an aspect ratio of 10 to 10,000 and an organic liquid medium that is unreactive with the metal fibers.The metal fibers are provided by preparing a mixture comprising a thermally unstable metal complex compound, comprising at least one ferromagnetic metal, in a liquid medium, applying energy to said mixture in the presence of an externally applied magnetic field to decompose said complex compound, and isolating the deposited metal fibers.Articles are provided by the impregnation of metal fibers of the invention into and onto a porous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robin E. Wright
  • Organic thin film controlled molecular epitaxy
    Patent number: 4940854
    Abstract: A layered structure comprises in sequence a substrate, and coated on at least a portion of at least one surface of said substrate a first layer comprising a crystalline uniaxially oriented organic compound, and at least one additional layer comprising a crystalline uniaxially oriented organic compound which is epitaxially vapor deposited on said first layer.A method for providing the layered structure of the invention comprises the steps of(a) providing a substrate,(b) depositing and crystallographically uniaxially orienting a first organic (seed) layer onto the substrate,(c) depositing from the vapor phase at least one additional organic layer onto the oriented seed layer to provide a layered structure wherein the at least one additional layer is epitaxial with the seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Mark K. Debe
  • Zirconium oxide fibers and process for their preparation
    Patent number: 4937212
    Abstract: Improved silicon-free, continuous zirconia fibers have diameters greater than 5 micrometers and high tensile strengths. In another aspect, strong, flexible, zirconia fibers are prepared in a process involving the addition of colloidal ZrO.sub.2 particles to a fiber precursor solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric F. Funkenbusch, Tai T. Tran
  • Fluorinated, acrylamide-functional monomers
    Patent number: 4931582
    Abstract: Novel fluorinated, acrylamide monomers are prepared from 2-alkenyl azlactones reacted with fluorinated alcohols. The novel monomers have the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.6 are independently hydrogen or methyl;R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently can be an alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl group, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 taken together with the carbon to which they are joined can form a carbocyclic ring containing 4 to 12 ring atoms;R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl;a is 0 or 1;b is 1 or 2;X is a single bond, CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2, and CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 ; andR.sub.F is a substantially perfluorinated alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl group when b is 1 and perfluorinated alkylene when b is 2.Novel polymers and copolymers can be prepared from the monomers of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Heilmann, Larry R. Krepski, Dean M. Moren, Jerald K. Rasmussen, Howell K. Smith, II
  • Refractory fibers of alumina and organic residue
    Patent number: 4929578
    Abstract: An amorphous organic-inorganic hybrid fiber consists essentially of 70 to 90 weight percent alumina and 10 to 30 weight percent of organic residue based on the total hybrid fiber composition. The organic residue can be derived, for example, from polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, aluminum formoacetate or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Harold G. Sowman
  • Hydroxy-substituted polymeric shaped hydrogel article
    Patent number: 4921884
    Abstract: Articles including ophthalmic devices prepared by a process comprising the steps of thermoforming a polymer comprising units derived from an ethylenically-unsaturated monomer bearing at least one trihaloacetoxy-substituent group, by heating the polymer in a mold or in sheet-form at a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 400.degree. C. for about 5 seconds to 15 minutes, and then cooling said polymer, to provide a shaped article, solvolyzing the resulting shaped article to provide a hydroxy-substituted polymeric shaped article, and optionally hydrating said hydroxy-substituted polymeric shaped article to provide a shaped hydrogel article. When the polymer is derived from vinyl trihaloacetate it has a syndiotactic stereochemical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: W. James Hammer, Ronald F. Ofstead
  • Acryloyloxy and methacryloyloxy group-containing condensation polymers
    Patent number: 4921930
    Abstract: Organic solvent soluble, acryloyloxy and methacryloyloxy group-containing, condensation polymers are crosslinkable and useful for providing chemical, solvent, and abrasion resistant articles. The condensation polymers are polyesters or polyurethanes having an acryloyloxy or methacryloyloxyalkanediol component that is uncontaminated by hydroxyl group-containing compounds having one, three, or more hydroxyl groups or compounds in which the acryloyloxy or methacryloyloxy group is attached to a secondary carbon atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gilbert C. Johnson
  • Process for fluorimetric monitoring of functional coatings and compositions and fluorescent agents therefor
    Patent number: 4922113
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the coating weight, uniformity, defects or markings present in a coating of a composition applied to a substrate comprises the steps:(a) providing a substrate with a functional coating of a composition comprising an effective amount of uvescer that absorbs radiant energy, i.e., has an excitation energy, of wavelength .xi..sub.1 and emits radiant energy of wavelength .lambda..sub.2 ;(b) scanning the coating with radiant energy having a wavelength within wavelength .lambda..sub.1 ;(c) detecting the radiant energy of wavelength .lambda..sub.2 emitted by the coating; and(d) optionally, correlating the emitted radiant energy to independently measured standard coating weights or thicknesses, of the coating so as to measure coating weight, thickness, uniformity, defects, or markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kurt C. Melancon
  • Copolymers of poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate) or poly(vinyl alcohol)
    Patent number: 4921908
    Abstract: Novel, non-crosslinked copolymers of vinyl trifluoroacetate (VTA) and up to 5 weight percent of the VTA of certain comonomers, such as vinyl esters, vinyl ethers, or disubstituted ethylene monomers, are disclosed. Solvolysis of these copolymers provides novel water-insoluble, non-crosslinked, poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers which can be hydrated to copolymers having controllably variable hydrogel properties and high strength. Such poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymers are particularly desirable as ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses, corneal implants and transplants, and intraocular lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ronald F. Ofstead
  • Radiation crosslinkable compositions
    Patent number: 4914165
    Abstract: Aqueous solvent dispersible, radiation crosslinkable compounds and oligomers containing poly(ethylenically unsaturated) group-containing components and carboxyl groups are disclosed. Each compound is a monester of a cyclic dicarboxylic acid anhydride and a 2-hydroxyalkylpolyester, said 2-hydroxyalkylpolyester being the ester of a polyepoxide with a monoester which is the monoester of a poly(ethylenically-unsaturated)alkanol and a dicarboxylic acid. These compounds and oligomers are useful in the field of graphic arts and protective coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Aida F. Robbins, M. Zaki Ali
  • Acrylamidoacylated oligomers
    Patent number: 4914223
    Abstract: A composition of matter comprising an acrylamido-acyl or methacrylamido-acyl oligomer derived from at least one nucleophilic oligomer having at least one amino-, hydroxyl-, or thio-substituted polyoxyalkylene, polyalkyleneimine, polyester, polyolefin, polyacrylate, or polysiloxane oligomer, said nucleophilic oligomer having a molecular weight in the range of 200 to 20,000 is disclosed. Also disclosed are free radically polymerizable monomer-containing compositions containing said oligomers as well as acrylamido- and methacrylamido-acylated polymers which are the thermal or photocured products of said oligomers. In addition, a process is disclosed for providing said acrylamido- and methacrylamido-acylated oligomers which are useful, for example, in coatings, films, printing inks, adhesives, and saturants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerald K. Rasmussen, Steven M. Heilmann, Frederick J. Palensky
  • Acryloyloxy and methacryloyloxy group-containing condensation polymers
    Patent number: 4910281
    Abstract: Organic solvent soluble, acryloyloxy and methacryloyloxy group-containing, condensation polymers are crosslinkable and useful for providing chemical, solvent, sand abrasion resistant articles. The condensation polymers are polyesters or polyurethanes having an acryloyloxy or methacryloyloxyalkanediol component that is uncontaminated by hydroxyl group-containing compounds having one, three, or more hydroxyl groups or compounds in which the acryloyloxy or methacryloyloxy group is attached to a secondary carbon atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Gilbert C. Johnson
  • O-hydroxyalkylation of 1,1-dihydroperfluorinated alcohols
    Patent number: 4906792
    Abstract: Mono O-hydroxyalkylated derivatives of 1,1-dihydroperfluorinated alcohols are prepared by reaction the alcohols with alkylene carbonates. The O-hydroxyalkylated derivatives are useful non-ionic surfactants and emulsifiable compounds for fire extinguishing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Heilmann, Larry R. Krepski, Dean M. Moren, Jerald K. Rasmussen
  • Composite chromatographic article
    Patent number: 4906378
    Abstract: A composite chromatographic article comprising: (a) a polytetrafluoroethylene fibril matrix, and(b) non-swellable sorptive particles enmeshed in said matrix, the ratio of non-swellable sorptive particles to polytetrafluoroethylene being in the range of 19:1 to 4:1 by weight, said composite article having a net surface energy in the range of 20 to 300 milliNewtons per meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald F. Hagen, Steven J. St. Mary, Louise A. Errede
  • Polypyridinium copolymer
    Patent number: 4898923
    Abstract: A novel class of polymers comprises one or more dipyridinium units, having the formula ##STR1## contained within the main polymer backbone where Ar.sup.1, Ar.sup.2, and Ar.sup.3 are aromatic or heteroaromatic nuclei each of which can consist of one ring or two fused or catenated rings having 5 to 12 ring carbon and heteroatoms which can include 1 to 3 unitary heteroatoms selected from S, N, and O, R.sup.1 is any divalent organic bridging group, and Z.sup..crclbar. is a counterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alan R. Katritzky, Larry R. Krepski, Jerald K. Rasmussen, Steven M. Heilmann, Richard D. Tarr
  • Electrophoretic imaging metal-toner fluid dispersion
    Patent number: 4892798
    Abstract: The present invention relates to toner fluid dispersions comprising electrostatically charged colloidal elemental metal particles dispersed in nonconductive organic liquid media of low dielectric constant and containing a charge-inducing surfactant. In other aspects, processes are disclosed for electrophoretically depositing the colloidal elemental metal particles of the toner fluid to produce nonconductive, continuous coatings or patterns and methods of enhancing the coatings or patterns to make them electrically conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William M. Lamanna, Robin E. Wright, Hsin-Hsin Chou
  • Absorbable nerve repair device and method
    Patent number: 4883618
    Abstract: Medical devices for the sutureless repair of lacerated, severed, or grafted nerves comprising longitudinally-openable, porous, rough-surfaced tubes of a body-absorbable polymer are disclosed. The tubular devices of the invention are prepared by sintering or otherwise bonding together granules or fibers, or melt processing suitable polymers in the form of the desired device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Barrows