Abstract: This invention is a photoreceptor element comprising, in order, an electroconductive support, a photoconductive layer, a barrier, and, preferably, a release layer. The barrier is a two layer system comprising:1) adjacent to the photoconductive layer, a non-conductive, charge blocking layer, and2) over the non-conductive, charge blocking layer, an electrically conductive barrier layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 18, 1997
Date of Patent:
May 26, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: Water-dispersible sulfopoly(ester-urethane) compositions which comprise, in their backbone, at least one arylene or alkylene sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof, the polymer being terminated by at least one hydrolyzable silyl group. The compositions of the invention preferably have a sulfonate equivalent weight of about 500 to about 12,000 g/equivalent and a number average molecular weight less than 50,000. Compositions of the invention have utility as durable treatments such as low surface energy coatings that exhibit release towards adhesive materials, grease, and oils.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 1, 1996
Date of Patent:
May 26, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: An endoscopic instrument cleaning apparatus includes a syringe coupled to a flushing chamber by a form-fitting stopper. A distal, or instrument receiving end of the flushing chamber is inserted into a supply of cleaning fluid and the plunger of the syringe is drawn out to its fully retracted length, thereby filling the syringe and the flushing chamber with cleaning fluid. Then the distal end of an endoscopic instrument is inserted about through an aperture in a stopper having the shape of a conical frustum and is inserted into the flushing chamber to a depth of about 4 inches (10 cm) and the plunger of the syringe is thrust forward to inject pressurized cleaning solution through the endoscopic instrument. In another embodiment, the syringe receiving stopper is recessed within a proximal end of the flush chamber by about 3/8 inches (0.95-1.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 5, 1995
Date of Patent:
May 26, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Michael D. Bowman, Michael J. Armentrout, Drake L. Koch
Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions are made from a blend of high molecular weight and low molecular weight polycaprolactones. The blends have lower viscosity, and can have higher modulus, than a composition containing only high molecular weight polycaprolactone. The blends are especially useful for dental impressioning.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 5, 1991
Date of Patent:
May 19, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A composite structure contains a lofty corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber that is maintained in a corrugated condition by securing a fabric to the corrugated web at the valleys of the corrugations. The composite structure is made without substantially effecting web loft by (i) introducing the nonwoven web to the ends of a plurality of spaced paddles, (ii) causing the spacing between the ends of the paddles to decrease to corrugate the nonwoven web, and (iii) securing the fabric to the corrugated nonwoven web at the valleys of the corrugations. A composite structure of this construction made by this method provides very good filtration performance, making it particularly suitable for use as a filter in a cup-shaped face mask. The composite structure also is very suitable for use as thermal insulation in apparel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 19, 1993
Date of Patent:
May 19, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
David L. Braun, James E. Steffen, Raju Venkatapathy
Abstract: The toner particles of this invention comprise pigment and a resin. The resin comprises a novel polymer formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, macromeric moieties that render the resin dispersible in hydrocarbon solvents, and a surface-release promoting moiety. When used for toner particles the polymer further comprises charge directing chelating moieties. The toner particles also include a charge director, preferably a metal cation. The toner particles, when dispersed in a carrier liquid, are useful as liquid toners for electrographic or electrophotographic processes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 1996
Date of Patent:
May 19, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A bioadhesive composition that adheres suitably to a mucosal surface and is capable of delivering drugs in sustained fashion, and a patch comprising the bioadhesive composition. Methods of using and processes for preparing the bioadhesive composition are also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 31, 1995
Date of Patent:
May 12, 1998
Assignee:
Riker Laboratories, Inc.
Inventors:
Matthew T. Scholz, Robert A. Scherrer, Nelda M. Marecki, Yen-Lane Chen, Joan K. Barkhaus
Abstract: A bioadhesive composition that adheres suitably to a mucosal surface and is capable of delivering drugs in sustained fashion, and a patch comprising the bioadhesive composition. Methods of using and processes for preparing the bioadhesive composition are also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 31, 1995
Date of Patent:
May 12, 1998
Assignee:
Riker Laboratories, Inc.
Inventors:
Matthew T. Scholz, Robert A. Scherrer, Nelda M. Marecki, Yen-Lane Chen, Joan K. Barkhaus
Abstract: A process and retroreflective elements are provided. The process of preparing a retroreflective element includes the steps of (a) combining a bed of optical elements and one or more core elements comprising a thermoplastic material; and (b) agitating the combination of optical elements and core elements for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient temperature to coat the optical elements onto the core elements to form retroreflective elements.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 18, 1995
Date of Patent:
May 12, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Kathleen A. Hachey, Larry K. Stump, Terrance L. Beseup, Thomas V. Kusilek
Abstract: This invention relates to an ink jet printing sheet having a particle filled ink receptor layer and a particle filled protective penetrant layer. The particles from both the ink receptor layer and protective penetrant layer cause protrusions from the protective penetrant layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 6, 1995
Date of Patent:
May 5, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
David Warner, Charles C. Lee, Wu-Shyong Li
Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the sensitivity of laser induced thermal imaging by using certain sublimable compounds. The invention is useful in the field of thermal transfer imaging for the production of various graphic arts media.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 3, 1996
Date of Patent:
May 5, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Krzysztof A. Zaklika, Stanley C. Busman, Gregory D. Cuny
Abstract: A remote sterilization indicator is described. The indicator allows a sterilization cycle to be monitored without the need to visually inspect the indicator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 21, 1997
Date of Patent:
April 28, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Craig R. Hof, Gary Focarino, Samuel David Lannigan, Raymond A. Hof
Abstract: Epichlorohydrin is polymerized in the presence of anhydrous stannic chloride catalyst and an alcohol initiator to produce a polyepichlorohydrin product comprising predominantly secondary hydroxyl-terminated polyepichlorohydrin polymer having low polydispersity, from which polyurethanes and azide derivatives can be made, polyurethanes prepared from such azide derivatives being useful as a binder for solid rocket propellants.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 30, 1988
Date of Patent:
April 21, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: This invention relates to a process in which a composition is coated onto a substrate and crosslinked so as to form a PSA by means of polymerizing free radically polymerizable monomers from covalently attached pendent unsaturation in the polymer component of the composition. The coating can carried out by a wide variety of industrial methods because the process of the invention allows for compositions with a wide degree of possible viscosities.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 18, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 21, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Louis E. Winslow, Greggory S. Bennett, Gaddam N. Babu, Paul Hattam, Michael L. Tumey, Bhaskar V. Velamakanni
Abstract: 1-substituted, 2-substituted 1H-imidazo?4,5-c!-quinolin-4-amines are disclosed. These compounds function as antiviral agents, they induce biosynthesis of interferon, and they inhibit tumor formation in animal models. This invention also provides intermediates for preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and pharmacological methods of using such compounds.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 1997
Date of Patent:
April 21, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
John F. Gerster, Stephen L. Crooks, Kyle J. Lindstrom
Abstract: A process for preparing 1H-imidazo?4,5-c!quinolin-4-amines is disclosed. The process involves reacting a 6H-imidazo?4,5-c!tetrazolo?1,5-a!quinoline with triphenylphosphine and hydrolyzing the product thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 21, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 21, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: Reactive polymeric dyes are provided comprising a chromophoric moiety derived from at least one free radically polymerizable dye and an azlactone moiety derived from 2-alkenylazlactone such that the free radically polymerizable dye is incorporated into the backbone of the polymer. Alternatively, 2-alkenylazlactone is polymerized and then derivatized with a nucleophilic dye or dyes, such that the chromophoric potion of the dye is pendent to the polymer backbone. Both types of reactive polymeric dyes may also contain additional polymerized monomeric units. The reactive polymeric dyes of the present invention can be used in a photoresist system and in particular in a color proofing construction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 16, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 21, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Gary L. Holmes, Terrance P. Smith, Mahfuza B. Ali, David W. Macomber
Abstract: This invention discloses a film and a method for forming a film that can be printed directly using electrostatic priming processes, eliminating the need for transfer of electrostatic images from an electrostatic paper to a polymeric film. The film is durable and conformable to a variety of surfaces and optionally has a field of pressure sensitive adhesive thereon for adhering to such variety of surfaces.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 1995
Date of Patent:
April 7, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A method of forming apertures generally greater than about 0.05 square millimeters in a thin sheet material. The thin sheet material includes a first side and a second side at least one side of the thin sheet material is substantially coated with an adhesive. The method comprises the steps of (a) placing the adhesive-coated thin sheet material on a patterned anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is equal to or less than the thickness of the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and (b) subjecting the thin sheet material to a sufficient amount of sonic vibrations to aperture the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and whereby the thin sheet material and the adhesive is apertured in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the patterned anvil.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 23, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 7, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Randy A. Hoff, John W. Louks, Richard L. Jacobson