Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michaele Hakamaki
  • Patent number: 5895540
    Abstract: A linerless double-backed adhesive tape structure is disclosed. In one embodiment the tape has three tape strips each with an adhesive coated surface and an adhesive free surface. Two of the strips are joined to a center strip along its lateral edges with the adhesive coated surfaces of the two strips overlapping and adhered to the adhesive coated surface of the center strip. Also disclosed is a method of unitizing and sealing a plurality of containers. In one embodiment a double-backed adhesive tape structure is adhered to each of the containers and the containers are stacked together with the exposed adhesive side of the tape on each container adhered to the exposed adhesive side of the tape on an adjacent container. Finally, an apparatus for dispensing the double-backed adhesive tape of the present invention is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Richard David, Dee Lynn Johnson, Kenneth Francis Knoll, Curtis Larson, Graham Edward Thoms, Raymond Daniel Zachrison
  • Patent number: 5887396
    Abstract: An intumescable fire stop device and method of installing the same including a collar and a fastening device. The collar includes intumescable material supported by a jacket. The fastening device includes an axial shaft portion, a radial shank portion and a means to attach the fastening device to the collar. The radial shank portion is placed through an opening in a wall or other rigid surface through which a pipe or other member extends and between the wall and the pipe. The radial shank portion is then extended on the far side of the wall to engage the far side of the wall and firmly secure the collar to the near side of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Thoreson
  • Patent number: 5883019
    Abstract: Nonwoven articles having high durability and absorbent-characteristics, and their methods of manufacture, are presented. One preferred article is characterized by(a) a nonwoven web comprised of organic fibers comprised of polymers having a plurality of pendant hydroxyl groups; and(b) a binder comprising an at least partially crosslinked and at least partially hydrolyzed polymeric resin having a plurality of pendant resin hydroxyl groups, the resin crosslinked by a crosslinking agent, the crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of organic titanates and amorphous metal oxides, the polymeric resin derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of monomers within the general formula ##STR1## wherein: X is selected from the group consisting of Si(OR.sup.4 OR.sup.5 OR.sup.6) and O(CO)R.sup.7 ; andR.sup.1 -R.sup.7 inclusive are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and organic radicals having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Jack G. Troung, Bradford B. Wright, Michael M. Rock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5871585
    Abstract: An apparatus that comprises a body including a reservoir adapted for receiving a quantity of fluid and a plurality of fluid distribution channels each having a length and a cross-sectional area and being in fluid communication with and extending from the reservoir from a first end and terminating at a second, distal end in an orifice. The apparatus further comprises a distribution chamber in the body for commonly receiving the fluid exiting each of the orifices, for merging the fluid exiting each of the orifices into at least one continuous coating stream, and for equalizing the pressure of the fluid, the distribution chamber having a first side in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid distribution channels and a second side that is open to allow the fluid to exit the body for uniform distribution onto the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Maufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Most, Terrence E. Cooprider
  • Patent number: 5857572
    Abstract: A component carrier tape used for storing and transporting components, wherein the carrier tape comprises a single layer elongated flexible strip portion having properties suitable for storing and transporting a plurality of components. The single layer strip portion comprises a layer of thermoplastic polymeric foam and has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of openings spaced along the strip portion and extending through the strip portion between the first and second surfaces for receiving the plurality of components. The carrier tape further includes a bottom strip bonded to the second surface of the strip portion, extending along the strip portion, and covering at least a portion of the plurality of spaced openings. The carrier tape may further include a top cover tape realeasably secured to the first surface of the strip portion, extending along the strip portion, and covering at least a portion of the plurality of spaced openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventors: Gerald C. Bird, Steven J. Flynn, David L. Vall
  • Patent number: 5823487
    Abstract: An articulated support assembly for a computer keyboard. The assembly includes a generally U shaped rigid support member, and a platform for supporting the keyboard pivotably mounted on a central portion of the support member. Projecting end portions of the support member are pivotably mounted on attachment members fixed to the bottom of a table or desk top. A releasable friction clutch restricts pivotal movement of the platform around the central portion of the support member. A releasable ratchet assembly prevents revolving movement of the central portion toward a lowered position relative to the attachment members. A switching mechanism can be manually activated to release the ratchet assemblies and the friction clutch so that the position and orientation of the platform relative to the table or desk top can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Robert J. Wolf, James J. Frater, Manfred W. Suhr, Lawrence J. Fenske
  • Patent number: 5792310
    Abstract: A hand box sealing tape applicator for dispensing and applying a length of tape from a roll of tape to an object includes a frame comprising a support portion and an angled nose portion. A tape roll support means is provided on the support portion of the frame for rotatably supporting a roll of tape thereon and for providing a gripping surface for a user to hold and manipulate the hand tape applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Craig D. Thompson, Robert E. Davenport, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5786062
    Abstract: Attachment strips that can be withdrawn from an enclosure, each comprising a flexible backing layer, a field of hooks along and projecting from one of its surfaces; and a first layer of pressure sensitive adhesive along one of its surfaces. The strips can be releasably adhered to each other by their layers of adhesive to form a stack in which first and second ends of successive strips are adjacent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph P. Callahan, Jr., Kevin M. Hamer, Patricia R. Konsti, David C. Windorski
  • Patent number: 5778724
    Abstract: A method of monitoring bagginess of a web transverse to a longitudinal direction of the web is disclosed. The method includes projecting a first reference light onto a front face of the web transverse to the web, and projecting a first measurement light onto the front face of the web non-perpendicular to the front face and transverse to the web. The longitudinal distance on the front face of the web between a point along the first reference light and a corresponding point along the first measurement light are compared to determine bagginess of the web. A method of monitoring bagginess of a web in the longitudinal direction of the web is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventors: Todd E. Clapp, John J. Costello
  • Patent number: 5765692
    Abstract: A flexible carrier tape used for protecting components while they are being transported, wherein the carrier tape comprises a strip portion having a component-receiving surface and first and second longitudinal edge surfaces. A plurality of walls extend from the component-receiving surface between the first and second longitudinal edge surfaces, and the walls extend longitudinally along the carrier tape. The carrier tape further comprises an adhesive on at least a portion of the component-receiving surface between at least one of the plurality of walls and one of the first and second longitudinal edge surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James L. Schenz
  • Patent number: 5747139
    Abstract: A flexible carrier tape used for protecting components while they are being transported, wherein the carrier tape comprise a strip portion having a component-receiving surface and first and second longitudinal edge surfaces. At least two side walls having inner and outer major surfaces extend upwardly from the component-receiving surface between the longitudinal edge surfaces forming at least one component-receiving area. The inner major surface of at least one side wall is inclined inwardly toward the component-receiving area, forming an angle greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees with the component-receiving surface of the carrier tape. When a component is placed in the component-receiving area, the inclined inner major surface advantageously exerts a force on the component that prevents the component from moving within or falling out of the component-receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James L. Schenz
  • Patent number: D396458
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manfacturing Company
    Inventors: Dale R. Bohnert, Peter M. Eisenberg, Cindy L. Munson
  • Patent number: D396708
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Robert J. Wolf, Lawrence J. Fenske, Manfred W. Suhr
  • Patent number: D398001
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventors: Dale R. Bohnert, Martin A. Kenner, Cindy L. Munson
  • Patent number: D402971
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff, Robert J. Wolf, Lawrence J. Fenske, Manfred W. Suhr
  • Patent number: D407115
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michelle A. Baker, David C. Byram, Casey L. Carlson, Perry S. Dotterman, Steven L. Henry, David C. Windorski
  • Patent number: D407661
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Perry S. Dotterman, Janet T. Keller, Karen F. MacDonald
  • Patent number: D407662
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Perry S. Dotterman
  • Patent number: D407663
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Karen F. MacDonald
  • Patent number: D407664
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Perry S. Dotterman, Janet T. Keller, Karen F. MacDonald