Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Walter N. Kirn
  • Patent number: 5674671
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a fluoropolymer and a fluorochemical surface active agent in combination for improving the antistatic behaviour of surfaces. In one embodiment, the invention provides a light-sensitive material possessing good initial antistatic properties and retaining good properties even after aqueous processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Marc Brandon, Dirk H. C. Arren, Rudolph J. Dams
  • Patent number: 5674604
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-halogenated vinyl oligomer wherein the oligomer comprises a plurality of pendant nitrile groups and at least one pendant dispersing group; wherein the oligomer has a glass transition temperature of about 60.degree. to about 105.degree. C. and a number average molecular weight of about 2000 to about 4000 and the equivalent weight of the dispersing group(s) is about 500 to about 50,000. The invention also provides magnetic recording media comprising these dispersants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ramesh C. Kumar, Suman K. Patel
  • Patent number: 5674121
    Abstract: An abrasive flap brush including a central core, a layer of adhesive disposed on the peripheral surface of the core by a coater, and a plurality of abrasive flaps adhered to the core by the adhesive. The adhesive is uniformly distributed around the core by providing either the core or the adhesive coater with spacing projections that maintain a predetermined minimum distance between the coater and the core when the adhesive is applied. A coater including the spacing projections is also disclosed, as is a method for making an abrasive flap brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeanne M. Carr, Jeffrey R. Clampitt, Dean R. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5674605
    Abstract: A retroreflective applique is provided that includes a layer of optical lens elements partially embedded in and protruding from a transfer adhesive layer prepared from ingredients comprising a vinyl plastisol and a substantially nonhydrolyzed aminosilane adhesion promoter; wherein the aminosilane adhesion promoter is used in an amount effective to produce an applique capable of:(a) retaining at least about 60% of its initial retroreflectivity after being laminated to 65/35 polyester/cotton blend fabric (100 g/m.sup.2) at about 174.degree. C. and about 2.8 Kg/cm.sup.2 pressure for about 20 seconds and subjected to home laundering conditions five times; and(b) retaining at least about 40% of its initial retroreflectivity after being laminated to 65/35 polyester/cotton blend fabric (100 g/m.sup.2) at about 174.degree. C. and about 2.8 Kg/cm.sup.2 pressure for about 20 seconds and subjected to home laundering conditions twenty-five times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Paul E. Marecki
  • Patent number: 5674122
    Abstract: Abrasive articles and methods for their manufacture are described. The articles are screen abrasive articles including a durable backing member having a patterned array of portions thereon arranged around a plurality of openings extending through the backing with the openings comprising between about 20% and about 80% of the total area of the backing. A coating of abrasive material is adhesively affixed to the array of portions on the backing, forming abrasive surfaces arranged around the openings to cooperatively function as a single abrasive surface while the openings allow debris to pass through the article during abrasive applications. In at least one aspect of the invention, the portions of the backing include a plurality of first surface portions and a plurality of second surface portions having surface areas greater than the surface areas of the first portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John E. Krech
  • Patent number: 5673433
    Abstract: The present invention provides a garment (e.g., a surgical gown) having adhered thereto a conformable, thin polymeric barrier film. The barrier film provides fluid resistance to the garment while still allowing the garment to "breathe." In addition, preferred barrier films are resistant to the transmission of pathogens. The barrier film of the present invention, prior to being applied to a fabric substrate, is preferably provided as an assembly in the form of an individual sheet, a roll of material, or a pad of stacked sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Rothrum
  • Patent number: 5674473
    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: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Riker Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarlochan S. Purewal, David J. Greenleaf
  • Patent number: 5674622
    Abstract: A fluorescent yellow article comprising polycarbonate polymer, perylene imide dye Chromophthal Red 6961A and at least one yellow-green dye selected from the group consisting essentially of Lumogen F Yellow 083, CI Solvent Yellow 98, CI Solvent Yellow 160:1, Oraset Yellow 8GF, CI Solvent Green 4, CI Solvent Green 5, CI Pigment Yellow 101, Golden Yellow D304 and CI Solvent Yellow 131 wherein the resultant article has chromaticity coordinates (x,y) within the area defined by (0.425,0.480), (0.465,0.535), (0.557,0.440), and (0.500,0.410) in terms of the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System and measured using 0/45 geometry and evaluated with CIE Standard Illuminant D65.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David M. Burns, Lee A. Pavelka
  • Patent number: 5673795
    Abstract: A packaging system includes a bottom having a flat surface for accepting an object, a top having a flat surface and projecting fingers extending from the surface of the top. When the top is assembled to the bottom, the fingers deform, forcing the object against the bottom surface. The object is maintained in position by friction against the bottom surface and the presence of undeformed fingers surrounding the object. The packaging system may be made of static dissipative material and include connection claws and rods for connecting a number of packages in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William J. Clatanoff, Warren Allen Fink
  • Patent number: 5672381
    Abstract: A weather resistant sign and a method of printing a sign including the steps of providing a sign component and an image definition, applying dry toner powder to surface portions corresponding to the image definition, and fusing the applied toner. Preferably, the fused toner is protected from weather by a transparent protective layer. A toner composition and a computer program for printing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: J. Sundar Rajan
  • Patent number: 5672097
    Abstract: An abrasive article is provided having a sheet-like structure having a major surface having deployed in fixed position thereon a plurality of abrasive three-dimensional abrasive composites, each of the composites comprising abrasive particles dispersed in a binder and having a precise shape defined by a distinct and discernible boundary which includes specific dimensions, wherein the precise shapes are not all identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
  • Patent number: 5672400
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microelectronic assembly wherein a semi-crystalline copolymer adhesive composition, preferably provided in the form of a film, is used to electrically interconnect a first circuit pattern on a first substrate to a second circuit pattern on a second substrate. The adhesive composition preferably includes a semi-crystalline copolymer comprising polyether and polyamide monomeric units, a tackifier, and conductive particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dennis D. Hansen, Michael A. Kropp, Glen Connell
  • Patent number: 5672404
    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: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph P. Callahan, Jr., Kevin M. Hamer, Patricia R. Konsti, David C. Windorski
  • Patent number: 5672238
    Abstract: A combination of a tape dispenser including a molded polymeric frame and a cutting blade on a blade support portion of the frame, and a hanger sheet (e.g., of card stock and printed with trademark and use information) having a first end portion engaged with the frame of the dispenser, and a second portion projecting from the dispenser and having an opening adapted to receive a peg in a sales display area so that the tape dispenser can be hung from the peg by the hanger sheet. The blade support portion of the dispenser comprises a plurality of spaced projections from an inner surface of a dispenser wall that have generally coplanar distal end surfaces on which the blade is mounted. The first end portion of the hanger sheet has openings receiving the projections with the first end portion of the sheet around the projections, between the cutting blade and the inner surface of the wall supporting the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Bruce E. Samuelson
  • Patent number: 5671512
    Abstract: To provide an interengaging fastener member which can enhance the disengagement force, while does not increase an engagement force required for an interengagement process. The fastener member 10 includes a base 12 and a plurality of headed stems 14. Each headed stem 14 includes a stem 16 adjoining and projecting orthogonally from the surface of base 12, and a head 18 formed at the end of the stem 16. The head 18 is provided with a bottom surface 20 adjacent to the stem 16 and extending outward from outer periphery of the stem 16, and an apex 24 arranged at an opposite side of the bottom surface 20 from the stem 16. The engagement force reducing means may take the form of, for example, one or more grooves formed in each head, or an undercut formed in each headed stem in the area where the head adjoins the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jiro Hattori, Shinji Torigoe, Norihito Shibahara, Osamu Sawajiri
  • Patent number: 5672643
    Abstract: A fluorescent yellow article comprising polyolefin copolymer, perylene imide dye N,N'-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)-3,4:9,10-perylenebis(dicarboximide), and at least one yellow-green dye selected from the group consisting essentially of Lumogen F Yellow 083, CI Solvent Yellow 98, CI Solvent Yellow 160:1, Oraset Yellow 8GF, CI Solvent Green 4, CI Solvent Green 5, CI Pigment Yellow 101 and CI Solvent Yellow 131 wherein the resultant article has chromaticity coordinates (x,y) within the area defined by (0.425,0.480), (0.465,0.535), (0.557,0.440), and (0.500,0.410) in terms of the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System and measured using 0/45 geometry and evaluated with CIE Standard Illuminant D65.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David M. Burns, David B. Olson, Lee A. Pavelka
  • Patent number: 5672402
    Abstract: A removable adhesive tape comprising a highly extensible and substantially inelastic backing and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. The backing has a high tensile strength, has a lengthwise elongation at break of at least about 150% with less than about 50% elastic recovery after stretching. The adhesive can be a normally tacky and pressure-sensitive adhesive and is coated on at least one surface of the film backing. The adhesive is preferably highly extensible, does not separate from the backing during stretching, and has higher cohesion than adhesion to any suitable substrate. After being applied to a substrate, the adhesive tape of the present invention becomes firmly bonded, but can be easily removed without damaging the substrate by simply stretching it in a direction substantially parallel, i.e. less than about 35.degree., to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Karl W. Kreckel, Patrick J. Hager, James H. Rickert
  • Patent number: 5672186
    Abstract: A method for making an abrasive article is disclosed, including the steps of providing a substrate having abrasive means on one surface, and providing a plurality of hooking stems on the opposite surface thereof. Several illustrative variations of the inventive method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jason A. Chesley, Donald R. Bell, Harold E. Rude, William F. Sheffield, David F. Slama, Alan N. Stephens
  • Patent number: 5671557
    Abstract: A notice assembly comprising a support portion including a base part adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface, a vertical wall part having a lower edge attached to the base part and a hollow tubular part fixed along an upper edge of the wall part with an axially extending through opening in the tubular part facing the same direction as the front surface of the wall part. A display member has a portion rotatably mounted in the tubular part. That portion of the display member has a peripheral surface bearing a plurality of set of graphic symbols providing information about the location of the person (e.g., AT LUNCH, OUT OF OFFICE, RETURN SOON, IN MEETING). By manual rotation of the display member, any of the sets of graphic symbols can be positioned in the opening of the tubular part where they will be observed by a person looking at the notice assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bruce W. Carlson, Thomas J. Barnidge, Tanya M. Laine, Mary K. Miller-Bruns, Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 5672651
    Abstract: This invention provides compositions for treating fibrous substrates to render those substrates durably repellent to water and oil and durably resistant to dry soil comprising a fluorochemical polymer formed by: (a) reacting a tri- or higher order isocyanate with a fluorochemical alcohol; (b) reacting the resulting product with an amount of water sufficient to react with between 5 and 50% of the isocyanate groups present in the product compound; and (c) thereafter reacting the product with a difunctional poly(oxyalkylene)-containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard S. Smith