Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Walter N. Kirn
  • Patent number: 5683194
    Abstract: A strip for attaching a document to a binder without punching openings in the document or for reinforcing a document around openings formed in the document through which the document can be mounted in a binder. The strip comprises an elongate layer of thin flexible material, and a coating of repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive on one major surface along an inner edge portion. That layer is free of adhesive on both of its side surfaces along an outer edge portion. That outer edge portion is visually distinctive, and the juncture between the inner and outer portions is straight and visibly distinctive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John J. Emmel, Alden R. Miles, Kim K. Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 5683774
    Abstract: A security laminate comprising (1) a protective layer having a first and a second surface, (2) a pattern of low adhesion coating bonded to a portion of the second surface of the protective layer, (3) at least one emblem bonded to a portion of the low adhesion coating/protective layer composite, (4) an adhesive bonded to the emblem layer/low adhesion coating/protective layer composite, and (5) a primer is not included between the low adhesion coating and emblem layers; wherein the bond between the emblem and the protective layer and the bond between the adhesive layer and protective layer are the most tenacious bonds, and the bond between the low adhesion coating and the protective layer is the least tenacious, whereby the emblems and adhesive layers are damaged in the pattern of the low adhesion coating during delamination. Also, secured documents comprising such security laminates and a method for securing documents utilizing such security laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Lynn E. Faykish, Douglas K. Fossum
  • Patent number: 5684898
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a background image from a plurality of images of a scene and for subtracting a background image from an input image are described. A background image is produced by dividing an image into subimages, acquiring reference subimages for each subimage location and comparing subsequent subimages with the reference subimage to determine if any objects have passed between the reference subimage and the video camera that acquired images. When objects have passed between the reference subimage and the video camera, the reference subimage is designated as background and stored in a background image. Background portions of an input image can be removed or their intensity diminished with a background image. Foreground weights can be determined by comparing the difference between a background image and an input image. To the extent that corresponding pixels are the same, the pixel is given a low foreground weight, indicating that the pixel is a background weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Brady, Darin G. Cerny
  • Patent number: 5684060
    Abstract: The present invention provides an addition-curable composition containing an inorganic, organic or organometalic compound of palladium in an amount effective to reduce the amount of hydrogen gas evolved in the reaction of the composition. A preferred embodiment is a dental impression material composition comprising: (a) an addition-curable compound; (b) a crosslinker; (c) a platinum-containing catalyst; and (d) a palladium compound. This generally provides a positive gypsum model of, for example, a dental impression that is substantially free of pits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Konings, Joel D. Oxman
  • Patent number: 5682618
    Abstract: A reinforced viral resistant seam for an article of protective apparel constructed by arranging first and second thermoplastic webs and at least one reinforcing strip thermally bondable with the webs along a common seam edge. An ultrasonic welding wheel having a cutting edge immediately adjacent to the welding surface is used to form a vital resistant, comfortable, high tensile strength seam suitable for articles of protective apparel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark V. Johnson, Nancy C. Rauschenberg, Sara L. Megchelsen
  • Patent number: 5684853
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for holding flexible cassettes such that the radiographic film loaded in the cassettes is in intimate contact with the intensifying screens in the cassettes, thereby improving the quality of radiographic images provided when using flexible cassettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Therese K. Fick, John Fick, Bradley J. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5683677
    Abstract: A self-propelling aerosol formulation which may be free from CFC's which comprises a medicament, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, a surface active agent and at least one compound having a higher polarity than 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Riker Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarlochan S. Purewal, David J. Greenleaf
  • Patent number: 5684102
    Abstract: A complex comprises organoborane and polyamine. The polyamine is the reaction product of a diprimary amine-terminated material and a material having at least two groups reactive with primary amine. The complexes are useful in systems for initiating the polymerization of acrylic monomer, which systems further include a material reactive with amine. Polymerizable acrylic monomer compositions useful as adhesives can be prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alphonsus V. Pocius, Tadesse G. Nigatu
  • Patent number: 5683798
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive that includes:(a) the polymerization product of:(i) 25-98 parts by weight of an acrylic acid ester of a monohydric alcohol whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g less than 0.degree. C.;(ii) 2-75 parts by weight of a non-polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer whose homopolymer has a solubility parameter of no greater than 10.50 and a T.sub.g greater than 15.degree. C.; and(iii) 0-5 parts by weight of a polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer whose homopolymer has a solubility parameter of greater than 10.50 and a T.sub.g greater than 15.degree. C.; and(b) at least one tackifier that is miscible in the polymerization product at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Greggory S. Bennett, Christopher A. Haak, Craig A. Gustafson
  • Patent number: 5683746
    Abstract: An improved pavement marking sheet material, and a method for making such pavement marking sheet material. The pavement marking sheet material comprises a selected configuration of upright retroreflectors. The upright retroreflectors are arranged in a selected configuration so as to maximize reflectivity as measured at actual observation geometries by allowing light to be incident to effective portions of the retroreflective elements on the upright retroreflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hedblom, T. Ian Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 5683058
    Abstract: A roll supporting hub is adapted for acceptance of a plurality of rolls (one at a time), with each roll having a different predefined core width. The hub includes a hub body with a plurality of core support surfaces spaced circumferentially about a central rotation axis. One or more of those surfaces engage the core of the roll to secure the roll and hub together for coupled rotation. A stop surface on the hub body engages a first radial side of the core, while a radially retractable retainer surface engages a second radial side of the core. The retainer surface is secured to the hub body in one of a plurality of possible predefined axially disposed positions relative to the stop surface, each of which corresponds to one of the predetermined core widths of the roll being supported by the hub. The retainer surface is supported by a spring which is retractable within a slot extending axially between opposed support surfaces on the hub body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Schwarz, Michael J. Cavanagh, Craig D. Thompson, Lloyd S. Vasilakes, Van E. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5681361
    Abstract: A method for making an abrasive article is described including the steps of providing an organic substrate; contacting the organic substrate with dry particulate solid material comprising a binder material, the binder material comprising a plurality of fusible organic particles, and a plurality of abrasive particles; inducing the fusible organic particles to liquefy; and solidifying the organic particles to thereby bond the particles to the organic substrate to provide an abrasive article. The invention provides a facile method for bonding abrasive particles to an organic substrate while reducing emissions at processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Rufus C. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5681910
    Abstract: A complex comprises organoborane and polyoxyalkylenepolyamine. The complexes are useful in systems for initiating the polymerization of acrylic monomer, which systems further include an amine reactive compound. Polymerizable acrylic monomer compositions useful as adhesives can be prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alphonsus V. Pocius
  • Patent number: 5681904
    Abstract: A polymer material formed from the reaction between ingredients comprising an azido polymer containing at least about 5 weight percent azido groups; and at least one multifunctional dipolarophile having reactive groups selected from an acrylic and an acetylenic ester or amide, the resulting polymer material comprising triazoline and/or triazole groups. Also, a method of improving the burn rate of an azido polymer including the steps of reacting an azido polymer with the above-described multifunctional dipolarophile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Anthony P. Manzara
  • Patent number: 5681631
    Abstract: A graphics overlay composite comprising a premask layer and a protective layer, wherein the premask layer provides handleability and the protective layer provides environmental protection of an imaged composite once the premask layer is removed. Optionally, the protective layer is deformable under lamination conditions such that the graphics overlay composite can be laminated to an imaged receptor to provide a graphics transfer article or a graphics applique, either of which can be laminated to an atypical receptor to form an image composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Steelman, Loren R. Schreader
  • Patent number: 5682451
    Abstract: The present invention is an optical fiber connector with an internal structure which allows the polarization axis of an optical element to be freely rotated and fixed with respect to an rotational orientation-indicating reference on an external surface of the connector. The reference then provides an external physical indication of the spatial direction of the birefringence axes of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Lee, Daniel V. Attanasio, Gordon D. Henson, Grieg A. Olson
  • Patent number: 5681896
    Abstract: This invention is a quaternary ammonium/isocyanate compound having the formulaOCN-Z-Q.sup.+ A.sup.-,whereinZ is a divalent organic moiety;Q is a quaternary ammonium moiety; andA is a monovalent anionic counterion.Use of this quaternary ammonium/isocyanate compound or its amine/isocyanate compound enables one to convert any hydroxy containing binder into a self-wetting binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ravindra L. Arudi
  • Patent number: 5681712
    Abstract: A thin film culture plate device having a body member including a self-supporting substrate coated on its upper surface with a layer of an adhesive composition and a layer of cold-water-soluble powder and having an apertured spacer member attached to the upper surface of the substrate. These thin film culture plate devices may also include an optional cover sheet, covering at least a portion of the apertured spacer member. Kits including microorganism filters and/or packages containing nutrient mixtures and/or selective agents are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5681660
    Abstract: A transparent, protective layer is disclosed for transfer from a release liner to a imaged substrate. The layer has a composition including vinyl resin, acrylic resin, optional plasticizer, and optional stabilizer. The layer is transferred at melt temperatures to the imaged substrate, followed by removal of the release liner. The melt temperatures do not harm the image or the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sally J. Bull, Lois A. McCray
  • Patent number: D385849
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews, Richard A. Patterson