Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Robert W. Sprague
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Patent number: 6749813Abstract: Fluid handling devices including a substrate with a diamond-like film. The devices include capillaries and microfluidic articles.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2000Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Moses M. David, Louis C. Haddad, Nicholas A. Lee, Brian J. Gates
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Patent number: 6740136Abstract: A filter product includes a filtration media combined with a multi-component frame assembly that can effectively support the filtration media in place proximal to its edges and in accordance with its desired orientation and wherein the assembly can be selectively taken apart to provide access to the filtration media by way of a releasable lock connection. Preferably, a snap-fit releasable locking system is incorporated within the frame design. The present invention is particularly applicable to filtration media comprising pleated filtration media. Such support features include rack-like media engagement elements, which elements are advantageously provided so as to preferably engage the filtration media proximal to its side and end edges from above and below to preferably compress and ensure an effective seal and support connection between the frame and the filtration media.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Dean R. Duffy
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Patent number: 6734401Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for processing sample materials. The sample materials may be located in a plurality of process chambers in the device, which is rotated during heating of the sample materials.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William Bedingham, Raj Rajagopal, Barry W. Robole, Kannan Seshadri
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Patent number: 6719744Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive closure tape tab (10,50) form of an elastic laminate (15) of an elastic film (16) having on at least a first major side an expandable fibrous layer (17) of non-woven thermoplastic polymer fibers. On the second major side of the plastic film are attached, a first (30) and a second (20) non-elastic adhesive tape. Each adhesive tape is formed of a fibrous layer (21) of non-woven thermoplastic polymer fibers having on one major surface an adhesive layer (22). The first (30) and second (20) non-elastic adhesive tape are attached opposite to each other to the second major side of the elastic laminate (15) by an adhesive layer (22) and extending beyond the elastic laminate (15).Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Christopher M. Kinnear, Stuart L. Eynon
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Patent number: 6720187Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for processing sample materials are disclosed. The present invention may provide a bridge between standard microtiter plate systems, methods, protocols, etc. (that include wells arranged in rectangular arrays) and rotating sample processing devices and systems that allow users to obtain the rapid processing advantages of the more advanced sample processing devices. The sample processing devices preferably include a rectangular body to improve compatibility of the sample processing devices of the present invention with equipment designed for use with more conventional microtiter plates (which are typically rectangular in shape). The sample processing devices also include at least one set of process chambers arranged in one or more circular arcs and may include input and/or output chambers arranged in a rectilinear grid array.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William Bedingham, Barry W. Robole
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Patent number: 6715188Abstract: There is provided an improved tab member for a closure system comprising a tab portion and a slot member. The slot member includes a slit or a loop, with the slot located between an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The tab portion has a tab member having a length, an inner edge, an outer edge and at least one lip portion. The tab member outer edge is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least one lip portion of the tab member overlaps or catches the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member. The slot member outward portion is retained between the lip portion(s) and the underlying generally flexible tab carrier substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg
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Patent number: 6692596Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a micro-titer test plate, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first and second part, said first part comprising a plurality of wells connected to each other and said second part comprising a plurality of spouts connected to each other, said spouts conforming in arrangement and number to said wells of said first part; (b) placing a filter sheet that extents across each of said wells of said first or placing a filter sheet that extends across each of said sprouts of said second part; (c) separating from said filter sheet filter means that conform in shape, size, arrangement and number to either the bottom opening of the wells of said first part or, to said upper openings provided at the first end of the spouts; (d) placing said filter means in each of the bottom openings of the wells or in each of said upper openings provided at the first end of the spouts; (e) removing the remainder of said filter sheet from which the filter means have bType: GrantFiled: May 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Karl-Andreas Moll, Roland Beck
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Patent number: 6684464Abstract: There is provided a mechanical fastener bundling strap comprising a bundling strap having a first face and a second face with a bar code readable through hook elements on a first face. The first face is formed by a thermoplastic hook strip material having a first face and a second face. The hook strip first face has an array of upstanding hook projections which form at least in part the first face of the bundling strap, the second face of the hook strip comprises a film which film is provided with a printed UPC code readable through the hook strip first face.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kirit C. Mody, Michael W. G. Mills, Ronald W. Ausen, Shou-Lu Grace Wang, Alan J. Sipinen
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Patent number: 6662830Abstract: Sample processing devices with electrophoresis channels and methods of loading the electrophoresis channels with electrophoresis sieving polymer while rotating the sample processing device are disclosed. In some instances, the electrophoresis channels may be arranged radially relative to the axis of rotation of the sample processing device. In other sample processing devices, the electrophoresis channels may be arranged in curved arcs that are concentric about the center of the sample processing device (which preferably corresponds to the axis of rotation).Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William Bedingham, Raj Rajagopal, Kannan Seshadri
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Patent number: 6664060Abstract: The present invention provides high-density arrays including mask layers and methods of manufacturing the same. The arrays are formed on a polymeric substrate and include a mask layer. Various linking agents, linking agent coatings, and/or reactants may be provided on the mask layer. Where present, the linking agents and reactants preferably operate together to capture a desired analyte which can then be detected based on an electromagnetic signal, e.g., fluorescence, that is emitted by the analyte in response to excitation energy incident on the array. With the mask layer in place, the signal-to-background ratio provided by the arrays can be increased.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Sanjay L. Patil, Kurt J. Halverson, Robin E. Wright
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Patent number: 6644517Abstract: A valve stem for use in an aerosol valve such as a metered dose medicinal aerosol valve is described. The valve stem includes a flattened area around the side hole. The flattened area helps reduce damage to the diaphragm aperture upon repeated actuation of the metered dose inhaler. Also described is a metered dose valve and a metered dose inhaler, each including the flattened valve stem of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Charles G. Thiel, Peter D. Hodson, Andrew M. Bryant
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Patent number: 6645611Abstract: There is provided a package of multiple oil absorbing wipes suitable for wiping a users skin or hair. The wipes are arranged in an overlying arrangement and comprise an oil absorbing porous film-like substrate of a thermoplastic material having a transparency of less than 65 percent. The porous substrate changes transparency by at least 10 percentage points when loaded with oil. The porous substrate has an embossing pattern over from 1 to 50 percent of at least a portion of the of the wipe material surface area, which area is in contact with an adjacent wipe in the package.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Jayshree Seth
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Patent number: 6640805Abstract: A novel metering valve having improved flow for delivery of an aerosol formulation is disclosed. Methods of delivering an aerosol formulation using a device comprising the novel metering valve are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gustavo H. Castro, Thomas Herdtle, Cathleen M. Arsenault, Antony J. Davis
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Patent number: 6638611Abstract: There is provided a package of multiple oil absorbing wipes suitable for wiping a users skin or hair. The invention wipes comprise an oil absorbing porous film of a thermoplastic material having a transparency of less than 65 which porous substrate changes transparency when loaded with oil. The porous substrate has directly on one face an oil contaminable layer, without any intermediate oil impermeable layer or film. The porous film has a percent oil retention of from 50 to 100 percent.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Jayshree Seth
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Patent number: 6635212Abstract: A mushroom-type hook strip for a hook-and-loop fastener has a flexible backing of thermoplastic resin and, is integral with backing, an array of upstanding stems distributed across at least one face of the backing, each having a mushroom head. The stems have a molecular orientation as evidenced by a birefringence value of at least 0.001. The mushroom-type hook strip can be produced continuously by injecting resin into cavities of a cylindrical mold while evacuating and cooling the cavities so that the cooled resin becomes molecularly oriented, thus affording to the stems excellent stiffness, durability, and tensile and flexural strength.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William L. Melbye, Susan K. Nestegard, Leigh E. Wood, Marvin D. Lindseth, Dale A. Bychinski
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Patent number: D484228Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Zhiqun Zhang, Robert M. Swinehart
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Patent number: D486230Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Douglas A. Swenson, David M. Kielb
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Patent number: D486231Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David M. Kielb, Douglas A. Swenson
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Patent number: D486577Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Douglas A. Swenson, David M. Kielb
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Patent number: D490633Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kazunori Kondoh, Hiroto H. Katagiri, Gene H. Shipman